FRISCO - The Brian Schottenheimer era for the Dallas Cowboys marches on with another round of OTAs here inside The Star, with a featured name and storyline being that of Micah Parsons.
With his contract situation not resolved, there was some thought that Parsons might skip the voluntary workouts - in a sort of holdout protest - while he awaits his new contract ... which might total a record five years and $200 million.
CowboysCountry.com has been told repeatedly that Parsons has no such plan. ... and so for now, that level of "controversy'' is seemingly being avoided.
But that doesn't necessarily mean the "Line-backer'' is present and accounted for.
Last week, Schottenheimer said Micah has been "in and out'' during the workouts; and when the media was allowed inside a recent workout, Parsons was not present.
What about this week, and specifically what about Thursday, the media chance to watch the workouts?
Schottenheimer in his pre-practice press briefing revealed that Micah is "traveling - I bumped into him at the airport'' - is not present at The Star this week.
Micah knows what is at stake this offseason, and being a new leader of the locker room, it is seen as important to set an example for others to follow; Schottenheimer has detailed why it is crucial to have No. 11 in the building here at The Star.
As the coach said previously ...
"The first couple days we're doing some team-building things. We've spoken very openly about trying to create one of the greatest cultures in professional sports, Micah is going to be a leader for us, Micah wants to be a leader for us. I felt like it was really important for him to be here to begin that process, and again, it's a voluntary camp, but the fact that he did, that means a lot to me."
So Micah has at least made his presence known at OTAs, which in itself is a big deal given he isn't usually one to be fully involved as he traditionally "does his own thing'' in physical preparedness. Oh, and by the way, it can easily be argued that his way works, as he's been a Pro Bowler in all four seasons of his NFL career.
But there are new teammates and coaches with whom to build chemistry, not to mention the learning of new coordinator Matt Eberflus' playbook, so it is crucial that Parsons do his part early on.
"He's been in and out some, but when he's here, he's been great," Schottenheimer said last week in a phrase that now resonates. "Again, it's all voluntary.”
