Cowboys news: CeeDee Lamb absent from training camp as expected

Lamb absent to begin Cowboys training camp – Patrik Walker, DallasCowboys.com

After an All-Pro season, CeeDee Lamb intends to hold out for a new contract.

There was a chance that CeeDee Lamb would be absent at the start of the Dallas Cowboys return to Oxnard for 2024 training camp, considering he began his official holdout in June by not being present for mandatory minicamp. That has now spilled over into late July as he and the organization continue to hammer out the details of a new contract.

Lamb, 25, is coming off of a record-breaking season and he’s proven himself not simply the best receiver in Dallas, but arguably the best in the entire NFL at the position.

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The most prominent recent Cowboys holdout was perennial All-Pro right guard Zack Martin, who made his appearance days into camp after his deal was successfully renegotiated. And though Martin was subject to sizable fines for his absence that were unforgivable, per the league, the CBA allows for any player on a contract to have his forgiven by the club, if the Cowboys were to exercise that right.

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Until the Pro Bowler appears on the practice field, having worked plenty this offseason with fellow All-Pro and Cowboys’ quarterback Dak Prescott off-site, it will be incumbent upon others like Jalen Tolbert, Jalen Brooks, KaVontae Turpin and rookie sixth-round pick Ryan Flournoy, among others, to take advantage of the added opportunities to show what they can do in the battle royale at the position behind Lamb and Brandin Cooks.

Tyler Smith stepping into leadership role in Oxnard – Nick Harris, DallasCowboys.com

From first-round rookie to locker room leader all in just over two years for Tyler Smith.

Going into year three and fresh off a second-team All-Pro nomination, offensive lineman Tyler Smith was the first one off the bus to speak with the media as the team mentally prepares to hit the field later this week and Smith himself prepares to take on a larger role.

“It’s huge for me stepping into that leadership role,” Smith said. “[Offensive line coach Mike Solari], his expectations, his philosophy, just bringing the younger guys like Tyler [Guyton] and Nate [Thomas] up to speed on that. Just being that leader for them and showing them the ropes.”

It was just two summers ago when Tyler Smith arrived at training camp for the first time as a rookie, as guys like Tyron Smith, Terence Steele and Zack Martin were all available for him to learn from going into the league. Now, Smith is taking it upon himself to pass down that same knowledge during the team’s time in Oxnard to two new starters on the offensive line that will be on either shoulder of him.

“Being in the o-line room, being around the great guys that I have [been around],” he said. “They imparted on me a lot of knowledge. It’s my job to pass that knowledge on and continue to make sure that the standard of our room is held long after I’m gone and especially while I’m here.”

While it’s a different year under different circumstances, first-round pick Tyler Guyton is walking into a similar situation that Tyler Smith was walking into two years back, but this time with arguably more pressure considering he will be needed up front as early as week one.

For Smith, he is relishing the opportunity to help bring Guyton along over the course of the next few weeks.

“He makes it so easy, he’s already a hard worker,” he said. “He’s eager to learn. Going over the playbook and those things. I think the biggest thing for us is being consistent and continuing to put in the extra work when we need to so we can be as good as we can be as a left side.”

Why it’s all-in or else for the 2024 Dallas Cowboys – Todd Archer, ESPN

The Cowboys could make big changes if 2024 doesn’t work out.

Normally, there is an optimism surrounding the beginning of Dallas Cowboys training camp with hope abounding that this will finally be the year they end their Super Bowl drought.

Instead, there is a lack of buzz after an offseason with more key personnel losses than arrivals, as well as the uncertainty of the contract talks involving Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons.

The Cowboys appear further away from ending the Super Bowl drought that is closing in on 30 years than they were in January.

A cynicism has surfaced among the fan base that nothing that happens from the Oxnard, California, practice fields through the final regular-season game a few days into 2025 against the Washington Commanders matters.

They simply do not want to be burned again.

Parsons said people “are definitely going to be very surprised how good we really are.” Even outside of The Star, the Cowboys carry expectations. ESPN Analytics ranks the Cowboys as the third-best team in the NFC behind the San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions.

But time is running out on this group.

Guard Zack Martin and defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence — the longest-tenured Cowboys, drafted in the first and second rounds, respectively, in 2014 — are in the final years of their contracts. If Prescott does not re-sign, then the Cowboys’ search will need more of the good fortune they received in finding their last two starters: Prescott in the fourth round and Tony Romo as an undrafted free agent.

And then there is the possibility of a new coaching staff.

For the moment, all of that can wait as the Cowboys begin training camp.

“You don’t just win games with just talent,” Prescott said. “And you don’t win games on paper, and talent is really not decided on paper. So I understand what it looks like, what it may look like from that side, understanding the lack of moves that get done. It creates that … great conversation. I’m confident in the men we have, honestly.”

He has no other choice.

Cowboys Heavily Favored to Go UNDER Win Total Following CeeDee Lamb Contract News – Peter Dewey, Sports Illustrated

The CeeDee Lamb contract situation has everyone a little concerned.

One of the best receivers in the NFL, Lamb is seeking a new deal instead of playing the 2024 season on his fifth-year option from his rookie deal.

Dallas has paid players in this situation in the past (Ezekiel Elliott, Zack Martin), but the Cowboys also have to worry about a potential Dak Prescott extension down the line that could make it hard to pay everyone.

Oddsmakers haven’t changed the Cowboys’ odds for the 2024 season just yet — as Lamb is still on the roster — but there is a little concern when it comes to their win total.

Based on these odds, the Cowboys have an implied probability of 64.29 percent that they’ll fall short of 11 wins in the 2024 season.

That should come as a little bit of a shock, as Dallas has won 12 games in three straight seasons under head coach Mike McCarthy. So, Vegas is expecting quite the step back from the Cowboys, who are also no longer favored to win the NFC East.

It’s a little early to hit any kind of panic button for Dallas, but there is clearly some sentiment from oddsmakers that the Cowboys won’t be as good in 2024 as they were last season.

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