Latest Buzz Coming out of Dallas Cowboys Minicamp

Rookies Byron Jones, Randy Gregory and company began the next chapter of their football careers with the start of the Dallas Cowboys’ offseason workouts at the Valley Ranch practice facility.

These training periods provide the first glimpses of the recently drafted players practicing with their new teams. The Dallas Cowboys never shy away from the spotlight, and the rookie minicamp in Irving, Texas, created a lot of buzz.

The Cowboys arguably made the biggest news off the field with the signing of La’el Collins. The former Louisiana State offensive lineman went undrafted after being linked with a police investigation involving the death of a pregnant woman in Baton Rouge, according to Fox8Live.com.

The Cowboys added more talent to an offensive line that ushered DeMarco Murray to the most rushing yards in the NFL last season. ESPN's Todd McShay ranked Collins as a first-round prospect heading into this year's draft, according to ESPN Stats and Info:

Jerry Jones made headlines—again—with his personal courting of the 6’4”, 305-pound offensive lineman. The owner told Collins of his intentions to assemble to the greatest offensive line in NFL history, according to Chad Sabadie of Fox 8.

With the signing of Collins, Dallas added three rookies with first-round talent to their roster this offseason. ESPN's Skip Bayless thinks Jerry Jones hit the jackpot with this year's draft: 

This includes second-round draft pick Gregory, who failed a drug test at the NFL Scouting Combine, according to SI.com's Chris Burke. The pass-rusher from the University of Nebraska got off to a bad start at minicamp, leaving practice early due to dehydration, according the Jon Machota of The Dallas Morning News:

The Cowboys’ actual first-round pick, Jones, continues to impress with his athleticism. Defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli noted the importance of cornerbacks having the size to match up with big wide receivers in the NFL, according to Machota:

Along with on-field drills and training, the rookie minicamps are a time for the first-year players to learn their new playbooks. Just a few years ago this would have meant churning through paper pages in a binder, but now the Cowboys give their players iPads to study, according to Machota.

“Along with the nice iPads you get a little notice that says if you lose this iPad, your maximum fine is $11,000,” Jones told Machota. “That’s a good welcome [moment]. If It’s not charged it’s $2,100. If you leave it in your car it $2,100.”

The Cowboys’ use of technology does not stop with just iPads. The team also started using drones to film practice. The aerial cameras allow the coaching staff to see everything a little bit closer, according to CBSSports.com's Sean Wagner-McGough.

“The drone angle is interesting because it gives you a chance from behind to see all 11 guys on offense and all 11 guys on defense, but from a lower angle,” head coach Jason Garrett explained, according to Machota. “Often times, you have to kind of pull yourself way away to get the all-22 shot. This allows you to be a little closer, so you can coach better.”

Overall, the Cowboys minicamp focused on the appearance of their most notable draft picks and the new high-tech preparation approaches being used by the team.