Miles Austin Admits to Taking It Easy in Dallas Cowboys Offseason

Last summer, while the NFL lockout was in full swing, players were left to their own devices when it came to staying in shape and generally keeping their minds right while waiting for the league and the players union to reach an agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement. 

Needless to say, some players handled this better than others. 

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Miles Austin missed six games in 2011 due to hamstring issues, and it seems his lack of taking his time off during the lockout seriously contributed directly to said issues.

To his credit, Austin seems anxious to rectify the situation, according to The Dallas Morning News:

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I feel like last year I wasn’t prepared for the season the way I should’ve been condition-wise, even though I looked and felt it at the time. That’s one thing that I have to keep an eye on. To make sure I’m in the best physical shape I can be.

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It wasn't just Austin who missed time in 2011, obviously. Fellow wideout Dez Bryant missed a number of games early in the season and played through injury for much of the year. 

The Cowboys were lucky in a way that they had Laurent Robinson step up and have a career year in 2011 during Austin's and Bryant's injury issues.

After losing Robinson in free agency to the Jacksonville Jaguars last month, Dallas certainly needs Austin and Bryant to come back in great shape and stay on the field in 2012.