FRISCO, Texas – In an unprecedented situation, it's not a surprise to learn NFL clubs are piecing things together on a day-by-day basis.
That applies to all 32 teams in the league, but it's a jarring reality in Dallas. With a new coaching staff in place, the Cowboys were originally allowed to begin their offseason program April 6, which would have provided them ample time to install and learn an entirely new way of doing things.
There are obviously more important concerns in the world right now than the Cowboys' offseason learning curve. But it does present a challenge for a team with a lot of new characters.
"That part of it is tough, not going in to see the guys every day – especially with us having a new coach and kind of getting to know the new staff," said Zack Martin. "I know we're going to start doing some Zoom meetings to try to get our install in, but it's definitely been a lot different so far."
Martin appeared on SiriusXM NFL Radio on Tuesday morning to talk about his recent selection to the NFL's All-Decade Team for 2010-19. But the perennial All-Pro was asked several questions about how the Cowboys can best prepare for football in an offseason where gathering in groups isn't currently permitted.
If the Cowboys were carrying over the same coaching staff, Martin said the challenge likely wouldn't be as big. But with an all new staff, new terminology and new concepts, he and his teammates will have their work cut out for them.
"We start our virtual meetings this week, so we'll see how that goes and how much we can get done over the computer. But it's definitely going to be a challenge," he said. "A lot of the plays universally are the same, it's more the terminology and the concepts of how the new staff teaches things. That's going to be the tough part to learn."
Martin said that, as of right now, the Cowboys don't have a full schedule for the coming weeks – which, again, isn't a big surprise given the fluid nature of the situation. But from the sounds of it, they're setting things up with an eye on diving into their install, virtually, in the coming days.
