How important is OTA attendance?

[Mr Cowboy]

How important is OTA attendance?
3:54 PM Fri, May 16, 2008 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon E-mail News tips
The Cowboys begin organized team activities next week, with media access tentatively scheduled for the next four Wednesdays.

You're sure to read and hear a lot about the guys that don't show up for the voluntary workouts. Restricted free agent RB Marion Barber and franchise tagged FS Ken Hamlin could opt to continue to stay away from Valley Ranch as part of their contract negotiations. SS Roy Williams has already informed coaches that he'll miss a couple workouts.

Is that a big deal? Not really.

Sure, you'd like a safety who has acknowledged not feeling comfortable in the scheme to get as much practice time as possible. But a couple missed days of OTAs aren't worth getting all worked up about it (although we will cover the workouts that they're the most important thing in the world).

You might recall that there was all kinds of hubbub about T.O. missing OTAs last year. He somehow managed to have arguably the best season every by a Cowboys receiver.


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[Sarge]

It's not important at all. By game 3, you won't remember who was there and who wasn't.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Not trying to start anything... But why is Roy missing this time?

So, who would our starting safeties be with both Hamlin and Roy out? Seems like Hamlin is the only other SS-type safety on the roster. It's really too bad we got rid of Abram Elam.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Not trying to start anything... But why is Roy missing this time?

So, who would our starting safeties be with both Hamlin and Roy out? Seems like Hamlin is the only other SS-type safety on the roster. It's really too bad we got rid of Abram Elam.

I think because of his charity work

 

[AsthmaField]

It's normally critical, when we have everyone here... but since we have some guys missing this year, it isn't that important.

 

[Doomsday101]

Considering this team has not won anything in a long time I would say anytime you can bring the team together and put in some work as a team it becomes pretty important.

 

[Hostile]

In a perfect world the players would not have other responsibilities to family, charities, friends, and interests and would attend every meeting.

It is never going to be a perfect world.

 

[THUMPER]

I don't think it is the end of the world that a few veteran players miss them but it is obviously a benefit to have everyone there if possible.

In the old days, players wouldn't all get together until training camp and most wouldn't start working out until then either. Nowadays, players workout throughout the offseason and have a lot more interaction before TC starts.

Of course back then most players had offseason jobs selling cars or insurance or working on a farm to supplement their football income which wasn't enough to sustain them unless you were a QB or star RB.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

I would say it is important for the simple fact it builds team unity