IRVING, Texas --The Cowboys' rookies will be back before the start of Organized Team Activities (OTA's) on May 22, but it appears fourth-round safety Matt Johnson will have to wait until June to rejoin his new team.
Johnson's alma mater, Eastern Washington, has a quarters-based academic calendar that concludes in mid-June. That means Johnson could miss the Cowboys' 10 OTA sessions, but word is he should be back June 11 in time for the veteran minicamp.
Outside linebacker Victor Butler also missed OTA work in 2009 because of Oregon State's academic calendar. It's a minor setback for rookies trying to learn schemes and concepts, but the Cowboys like Johnson's football smarts as well as his on-field ability.
"Guys who defend the deep part of the field are secondary coaches' friends. I like those guys," Jerome Henderson said. "Guys who get interceptions, I like. He's one of those guys who has proven he can do that. He's an intelligent young man and he's a worker. I think he'll be a gym rat here."
