Mike McCarthy weighs in on NFLPA proposal to move OTAs closer to training camp

The NFL Players Association is working on a proposal, according to NFL Network, that could eliminate Organized Team Activities (OTAs) from the spring in favor of a longer ramp-up to training camp in July. The proposal would mean teams, including coaches and players, would not have a month off between mandatory minicamp and training camp. Reporters asked Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy what he thinks of the proposal and the coaching veteran was not shy about his opinion.

“You asked that with a straight face, that was impressive,” McCarthy said on Thursday. “That’s a hypothetical that I hope doesn’t happen. I think any coach would feel that way, but I don’t know the whole proposal of it. The league and the union, when they interact there’s a lot of studies and communication that goes into it.”

The NFLPA would only adopt a change in the schedule if it found the change to be beneficial to the players and their overall health. According to McCarthy, the players will work in-house or on their own in the spring, regardless of the team schedule.

“The reality of the current state that we’re in, you have to have the involvement and the understanding that the players are going to have external resources to train with,” McCarthy said. “Our resources are abundant here, a lot of teams have players coming here to train here… It’s not going to be a total internal training method, there’s always going to be externals and internals.”

Cowboys wrapping up OTAs before minicamp

The Dallas Cowboys have just one more OTAs session before they break for the weekend. When they return, they’ll complete mandatory minicamp from June 4-6. The team is still waiting for two stars – CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons – to participate in on-field activities.

McCarthy isn’t concerned about the wide receiver or the edge rusher putting in the work necessary to be ready for the season, though they’re obviously missing opportunities to mesh with the team.

“Everybody has a responsibility,” McCarthy said. “Obviously, this is our jobs. We have a period to do football activity and its regulated. 98% of our team has been here 100% of the time. We’ve accomplished a lot. Yesterday was a barn burner. We’re cutting back today. Everybody has a responsibility, whether they’re here or not, to get what they need. I have confidence that everybody will be ready to go when they get here.”