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Cowboys HC Brian Schottenheimer has adjusted how the team operates off the field and incorporates team-building exercises in order to create a new culture.
“We do change the menu up a little bit,” he said, via NY Times. “We try to get four or five or six guys together and just go talk about life. Football rarely comes up. We do football all day long. What I want to know is what Javonte (Williams) named his dog. And where does this story come from, and all those things. For them to share their stories with their teammates allows them when they’re out there on the field and they’re having a tough day and it’s hot and they’re pushing through a padded practice in Oxnard, they’re able to truly pull together and work together. I think that’s going to help us finish games, finish practices. When you have a tough moment, you have a tough stretch in the season, you work through those problems because they believe in one another and, more importantly, they love one another.”
Some of the team’s events include free-throw shooting and ping-pong tournaments, along with getting to know each other on a personal level.
“We do some things in the team room,” he said. “We do some things in my office. … The central theme of the program is to compete every day, so we find different ways to do it. It’s fun to watch these guys compete and get outside their comfort level to try to one-up each other.”
Schottenheimer believes Dallas has the perfect culture in order for WR George Pickens to thrive.
“Because it’s important to us,” Schottenheimer said. “We’re going to get to know him and learn his story, just like we’re learning the stories of (all players and coaches).”
Schottenheimer attended a lunch with LB Micah Parsons last week. He believes extending the arm out to players and showing a willingness to meet them half way will be reciprocated.
“I think people do well with very clear, bright lines,” he said. “If I’m calling a player and begging him to come, but yet I don’t take the time to go and support him at a foundation event or go take him to dinner, then do I really have what’s in their best interest? If our players ever say I don’t have their best interest, then I’m not doing my job, and I’m not being authentic to myself.”
Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb confirmed that communication has been clear and he’s noticed a change in the dynamic.
“Relationships go a long way,” Lamb said. “Building trust within each other and having that open conversation, open dialogue about anything, so when things go on during the season, it’s pretty easy, we’ve already built that bond in the offseason.”
Cowboys QB Dak Prescott added that Schottenheimer is building things the right way and he’s excited to see where the new leadership takes the team.
“*I believe that Schotty’s doing it the right way...
