NFL teams are getting a look at the latest crop of rookies entering the league, and one head coach is already preparing to put his fresh draft picks through extra reps. The Dallas Cowboys are aiming for a return to the playoffs after missing the postseason for the past two seasons. However, to reach that goal, head coach Brian Schottenheimer says the draft picks need to work harder on their conditioning.
'None of these guys are in great shape right now,' Schottenheimer told reporters. 'You might have saw a few guys getting sick yesterday. A little bit of vomiting going on.'
It is not an uncommon situation for players adjusting to the league, as they had been spending the weeks after the football season preparing for specific Scouting Combine and Pro Day drills. After those displays, alternate workouts were planned, and prospective picks spent time flying from place to place for various team visits. This all leads up to Draft Day, where players find out their new homes before eventually flying out to settle in.
Schottenheimer has chosen to get his players in shape sooner than expected. 'Schotty says the Cowboys have truly started putting their rookie class through the conditioning paces this weekend, to get them NFL ready now, not later,' Cowboys reporter Patrik Walker said.
Rookies will continue to go through minicamp until the preseason organized team activities (OTAs) take place in June. July will mark the start of training camp before preseason games begin in August.
