Dallas Cowboys kick off training camp in California
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The Dallas Cowboys defense ran drills during organized team activities in May in Frisco. Photo: George Walker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Dallas Cowboys training camp starts this week, giving fans a chance to see the team get ready for the season.
Why it matters: Hopes are high, as usual, for the Cowboys to win a Super Bowl.
- It has been a wild year in Dallas sports, with the Mavs going to the NBA Finals, the Stars going deep into the playoffs, and, of course, the Texas Rangers winning the World Series. Now the Cowboys have a chance to keep up the trend.
Driving the news: The season-opening news conference planned for Wednesday was moved to Saturday because Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was in Texarkana this week for a trial involving a woman's claims he's her father, which ended abruptly Tuesday.
- While the majority of NFL teams practice closer to home, the Cowboys arrived in Oxnard for camp Tuesday. The California town has become a second home away from the Texas heat.
State of play: Dallas had the top-scoring offense in the NFL and one of the best defenses last year, ending the regular season with a 12-5 record.
Yes, but: They were upset in the playoffs by the Green Bay Packers.
Zoom in: Running back Ezekiel Elliott is returning to the Cowboys on a one-year contract. He was a powerhouse during his first years with the Cowboys but hasn't maintained his rookie glory.
- Running back Tony Pollard left the team for the Tennessee Titans, leaving Dallas without a clear starter. Elliott will fill the role in some combination with other running backs on the team.
- Former Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer will take on the defensive coordinator role after Dan Quinn left in March to become the head coach in Washington.
Between the lines: Despite last year's hopeful regular season, betting odds put the Cowboys behind the Philadelphia Eagles as the likely NFC East Division winner.
- A favorite among sports bettors, Dallas was the most bet-on NFL team last season to fall short of its projected win total, per SI.
What's next: Fans can attend practice for free in Oxnard starting Thursday through Aug. 21. The Cowboys host an opening weekend ceremony Saturday morning.
- The Cowboys' first at-home preseason game is at 3pm Aug. 24 against the Los Angeles Chargers.