Tag: voluntary workouts

Report: Micah Parsons’ absence from Cowboys workouts not contract-related

From @ToddBrock24f7: The 3x-Pro Bowler is said to be working out on his own for the second year in a row, not staying away from the team in a contract dispute.

Micah Parsons’s absence from the opening of the Cowboys’ offseason workouts comes with an important caveat that differentiates his lack of attendance from that of teammate CeeDee Lamb.

According to Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News, a “person close to” Parsons has explained that the 24-year-old is simply training on his own rather than participate in the voluntary workouts that began at The Star on Monday.

That matches what Parsons did last offseason, too. Fans will recall he spent the early part of spring 2023 following a customized regimen at The Kollective in Austin, Tex. at the hands of acclaimed professional trainer Mo Wells. Strength and conditioning, speed and agility, position-specific drills, range-of-motion exercises, yoga, stretching, nutrition: Parsons and Wells worked on all of it in an intense effort to add bulk to the defender’s frame and fine-tune his physique in preparation for more snaps and more time rushing opposing passers.

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Videos circulated online showing Parsons doing drills and racing fellow NFL stars like Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase and newly-drafted Cowboys teammate Deuce Vaughn. Even after his return to the team for OTAs, Parsons incorporated boxing and other sports into his routines.

The result was a 64-tackle, 14-sack season that earned him his third Pro Bowl nod, second-team All-Pro honors, and a third-place finish for the Defensive Player of the Year award.

Parsons may not be training with the team, but suffice it to say he’s more than likely putting in the work required to get himself ready for the season, and probably pushing harder than if he were in Frisco with everyone else.

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His spending April away from the Cowboys facility is not the same as Lamb’s absence, which can be directly chalked up to the lack of a new contract extension.

Entering his fourth pro season, Parsons is eligible for a new deal. He’s scheduled to make $2.99 million in 2024 and would see that increase to $21.32 million if he ends up playing 2025 on the fifth-year option that the Cowboys have indicated they’ll pick up.

But none of that appears to be why Parsons isn’t at The Star this week.

The Lion is simply doing his own thing before re-joining the pack.

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Micah Parsons also skips first day of Cowboys’ offseason work

From @ToddBrock24f7: Parsons and teammate CeeDee Lamb find themselves part of a larger discussion in Dallas about big-money contracts this offseason.

CeeDee Lamb wasn’t the only Cowboys star who elected not to show up at The Star for the first day of the team’s offseason program.

Edge rusher Micah Parsons was also nowhere to be found on Monday as teammates kicked off Phase One of the 2024 voluntary work sessions.

The 24-year-old did not join the team last year until OTAs began in late May, choosing instead to train on his own in the Austin area. Parsons spent that offseason adding several pounds of bulk to his frame in anticipation of a (mostly) full-time switch from off-the-ball linebacker to edge rusher.

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This time around, the perennial Defensive Player of the Year finalist finds himself one of three Cowboys superstars wondering about their long-term employment status with the club. While Parsons is just three years into his rookie contract and scheduled to earn $2.99 million in base salary, he is eligible for a new deal that would bind him to the Cowboys for the foreseeable future.

Nothing has happened in regard to that new contract, though, as Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott are presumably ahead of Parsons in that line.

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The Cowboys have indicated they will pick up the fifth year of Parsons’s contract, theoretically pinning his 2025 pay at $21.32 million. That decision is due by May 2, but it could be rendered a moot point if the team and their former first-round draft pick can negotiate new terms before then.

In the meantime, the Cowboys and new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer have already begun the preliminary classroom work on installing their revamped 2024 defense… without its most important player.

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Report: CeeDee Lamb a no-show as Cowboys’ voluntary offseason program begins

From @ToddBrock24f7: The Cowboys’ offseason program began on Monday, but wide receiver CeeDee Lamb was, as expected, missing as he awaits a contract extension.

It’s April 15, and just as Americans are filing their taxes to officially close the books on the past year of working and earning, the Dallas Cowboys are rolling in to The Star in Frisco to report for their first day at the office of the 2024 NFL season.

Well, some of them are. Because unlike submitting your tax returns, attendance at Phase One of the offseason program is strictly voluntary.

That won’t keep all of Cowboys Nation from paying particular attention to which superstars actually show up, though.

We already know of one who won’t.

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The next two weeks constitute the opening of the Cowboys’ offseason program and is limited to meetings, strength and conditioning, and physical rehab. Certain walk-through drills can begin as April turns to May, and OTA activities will kick off May 21.

The first mandatory date for any current Cowboys player is June 4, when the team’s minicamp begins.

So with several Cowboys playmakers currently in various stages of contract limbo with the club, expect some high-profile no-shows to grab a big chunk of the spotlight in the meantime.

Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb tops the list. The NFL’s receptions leader from 2023 and the franchise’s single-season catch and yardage king is already set to make $17.99 million in the fifth season of his current contract, but he’s been widely expected to earn an extension that would make him the highest-paid receiver in the sport’s history.

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He’s still waiting for that to happen, and showing up for voluntary meetings doesn’t exactly hold the front office’s feet to the fire to get going on a deal.

Lamb won’t take any sort of financial hit until that June minicamp; an unexcused absence then would amount to a fine of up to $101,716, or just a hair over half of one percent of his current annual salary.

Staying home now costs Lamb nothing. And while he’s been vocal in recent years about putting in the offseason work to get on the same page as quarterback Dak Prescott, the two have typically logged time together away from the facility.

Of course, Prescott’s attendance during the voluntary portion of the offseason program- as he awaits a long-term extension of his own- is no sure thing, either.

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Cowboys announce dates for voluntary offseason program

From @ToddBrock24f7: The Cowboys’ offseason kicks off April 15 and ramps up slowly through mandatory minicamp, to be held the first week of June.

Mark your calendars. The dates for all 32 teams’ voluntary offseason program have been officially set.

Things will kick off on April 15 for Cowboys players who choose to participate. This is the beginning of Phase One of the team’s voluntary program, a two-week period during which activities are limited to meetings, strength and conditioning work, and physical rehab.

That’s followed by Phase Two, which lasts three weeks. During this stretch, players get on the field for individual or group instruction and drills as well as so-called “perfect play drills.” Offensive players may line line across from offensive players, and defensive players are allowed to line up across from defensive players, but everything is conducted at a walk-through pace, with no live contact or team offense-versus-team defense action allowed.

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The Cowboys will hold their OTA (organized team activity) workouts May 21-23 and May 29-31. Teams are permitted to hold a total of 10 days of these sessions; the Cowboys are currently slated for just six. In this Phase Three of the program, there’s no live contact, but 7-on-7, 9-on-9, and 11-on-11 drills are allowed.

Mandatory minicamp will also take place within the Phase Three window, June 4-6.

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Cowboys’ Micah Parsons joins team for first day of OTAs

From @ToddBrock24f7: Parsons had been working out on his own, but promised to be in attendance for voluntary OTAs with the team. That day came Tuesday in Frisco.

The Boys are back… on the practice field.

Tuesday marked the first on-the-field work for the Cowboys- both rookies and veterans- of this year’s offseason program. No pads or live contact yet, but 7-on-7, 7-on-9, and 11-on-11 drills are once again on the schedule.

And a key member of the Dallas defense is present and accounted for.

Linebacker Micah Parsons had been working out on his own several hours away in Austin, but said he would report to The Star in Frisco for OTAs, even though all participation is still voluntary for this phase of the offseason program.

David Moore of the Dallas Morning News reported Tuesday that Parsons made good on his promise and was on the field with the team for the first session.

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Media members will get their first access to the team on Thursday, but updates on Parsons’s progress have been steadily distributed on social media. One recent post showed him doing a speed drill with Cowboys rookie running back Deuce Vaughn and Bengals wide receive Ja’Marr Chase, while another several days later saw him doing back squat reps of 425 pounds.

Parsons had announced that he was trying to bulk up by a few pounds for a permanent switch to edge rusher in 2023, but Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn downplayed any position change, telling reporters during rookie minicamp, “He’s a pass-rushing linebacker.”

And now Parsons is doing both- at least at a controlled walkthrough pace- along with his teammates at OTAs.

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Watch: Detroit Lions Podcast with special guest Emory Hunt

The latest episode of the Detroit Lions Podcast features CBS Sports’ Emory Hunt talking 2023 NFL draft

The latest episode of the Detroit Lions Podcast is now available. For this episode, we were joined by NFL draft expert Emory Hunt from CBS Sports and the creator of Football Gameplan.

Hunt leads off the show with some of his thoughts on various NFL draft prospects and how they might fit with the Lions. From his surprising top RB to some middle-round linemen who can help the Lions, Hunt serves up his own thoughts instead of following the herd.

Following Hunt’s appearance, we break down the voluntary workouts this week in Allen Park. The debate over Jameson Williams’ absence from the voluntary workouts ensues.

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There are also breakdowns on the following:

  • Jared Goff’s contract extension, or lack thereof
  • Draft options at No. 6 and No. 18
  • Why the Jalen Carter debate appears to be a moot point
  • Lions players pushing back against the fan expectations for the team

 

The audio-only version is available here or from your favorite podcast provider.

Alim McNeill looking to be a more consistent playmaker in 2023

McNeill added he has modified his diet and feels faster entering 2023

One of the key young pieces of the Detroit Lions defense, Alim McNeill often gets overlooked when analysts break down the Lions. The athletically freakish defensive tackle is fixing to remedy that for the upcoming season.

McNeill is in Detroit for the team’s voluntary workout sessions this week. A third-round pick back in 2021, McNeill blossomed after being moved off the nose tackle spot and into more of an attacking 3-technique during last season.

During his media session on Tuesday, McNeill was asked about his offseason focus on what he can improve in his game in 2023.

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“For me it was consistency,” McNeill said pensively. “Being able to do it every snap, every game.”

The third-year DT elaborated a little more.

“I had a couple of games where I liked a couple of things I did, or the coaches might have liked it. But I just want to be more consistent. Like, I want to make those plays almost every play. I’m seeing some guys around the league who do that — just watching them, I’m like, ‘I can do the same thing’. That’s what it was for me. Consistency.”

How is McNeill aiming to achieve that goal?

“I just took a more professional approach.”

He talked about changes to his diet and his stretching workouts, among other things that McNeill hopes pay off with his best NFL season yet.

“I want to do it down in and down out.”

McNeill noted he feels “a lot more lean. I feel faster.”

Alim McNeill had a historic breakout game vs. the Giants

Amon-Ra St. Brown is already learning from Marvin Jones in Lions workouts

Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown is already learning from veteran wideout Marvin Jones, who returned to Detroit as a free agent

The Detroit Lions were precociously young last season. While that gave considerable opportunity for young players to see the field, it also left the Lions largely devoid of veteran leadership in some areas.

That’s one of the reasons why Detroit bringing back veteran wide receiver Marvin Jones is such a popular move. Jones was known for being a valuable resource and respected leader in his first stint in Detroit from 2016-2020.

Jones is quickly reestablishing himself as the veteran mentor the wide receiver room needs. After just two days of voluntary workouts, the youngsters are already feeling Jones’ presence.

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2023 NFL Draft: Could Detroit draft a receiver that compares to Marvin Jones?

The team’s top wideout, Amon-Ra St. Brown, spoke about how much he values Jones’s presence even at this early juncture.

“He’s been in the league a long time,” St. Brown stated. “Obviously you’re doing something right if you’ve been in the league that long. But we talked for like two hours (on Monday) after workouts, just about life and everything.”

What did they talk about? After noting that Jones taught himself to speak Spanish and St. Brown himself wants to do the same, Detroit’s Pro Bowl wideout added this,

“I was just asking him what his workout routine is, what he does, because I have a certain way of working out in the offseason. I know everyone’s different, so I was just asking him a bunch of questions on what he does, what he likes, and he told me what works for him. What he told me is that everyone’s different, which is right; everyone’s body is different so just asking him a bunch of questions.”

Jones is 33, 10 years older than St. Brown. He and another former Lions player who came back, offensive lineman Graham Glasgow, are the only guys on the Detroit offensive roster over 30.

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Cowboys begin 2023 offseason workout program

No actual football will take place over the next 2 weeks; players are limited to strength and conditioning work and meetings with coaches. | From @ToddBrock24f7

It was a back-to-work Monday for Cowboys players who chose to make it so.

Voluntary workouts began Monday for most of the league’s 32 teams, including the Cowboys. Players who chose to come in the The Star were allowed to work with strength and conditioning coaches, do physical rehab, and meet with position coaches. No on-the-field work is permitted until later in the offseason program.

Twenty-six teams opened Phase One of the offseason on Monday; the five clubs that have new head coaches were allowed to get a head start last week. The Eagles elected not to kick off their offseason program until next Monday.

Official organized team activities (OTAs) begin for the Cowboys May 22. A rookie minicamp will be held either May 5-8 or May 12-15, but the exact dates have not been announced yet.

This portion of the offseason program is voluntary for all players.

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Chiefs 2023 offseason workout schedule revealed

The #Chiefs offseason workout program schedule has been revealed, with official dates for the first day, OTAs, and mandatory minicamp.

The Kansas City Chiefs are back in action quite a bit sooner than you’d expect after their Super Bowl LVII win

The NFL announced start dates for the offseason workout programs and voluntary workouts begin next month. Teams with new head coaches are able to begin their offseason program a bit earlier than other teams. The Chiefs (and all other teams with veteran coaches) can officially begin the first day of their offseason program on April 17.

The NFL announced full workout schedules for each team (find all teams here) from Day 1 through mandatory minicamp. Check out the schedule for K.C. down below:

  • First Day: April 17.
  • Organized Team Activities Group 1: May 22-24.
  • Organized Team Activities Group 2: May 30-June 1.
  • Organized Team Activities Group 3: June 6-9.
  • Mandatory Minicamp: June 13-15.

The Chiefs will hold their rookie minicamp either on the weekend of May 6-8 or May 15-17. Those dates won’t be confirmed by the team or made official until sometime after the 2023 NFL draft.

There are three phases of the voluntary workout program. Here are the descriptions of each phase per the NFL’s press release:

Phase One:

Phase One consists of the first two weeks of the program with activities limited to meetings, strength and conditioning, and physical rehabilitation only.

Phase Two:

Phase Two consists of the next three weeks of the program. On-field workouts may include individual or group instruction and drills, as well as “perfect play drills,” and drills and plays with offensive players lining up across from offensive players and defensive players lining up across from defensive players, conducted at a walk-through pace. No live contact or team offense vs. team defense drills are permitted.

Phase Three: 

Phase Three consists of the next four weeks of the program. Teams may conduct a total of 10 days of organized team practice activity, or “OTAs”. No live contact is permitted, but 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills are permitted.

There are no specific start dates attached to the first two phases, though the first phase can begin as early as the Chiefs’ first day on April 17th. Last season, the Chiefs conducted phase one remotely with offensive players joining Patrick Mahomes in Texas for conditioning and throwing.

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