FRISCO, Texas – Year two is on the horizon for Cowboys linebacker Marist Liufau, and from the top down he's seeing a lot of differences from his rookie season, starting with Brian Schottenheimer's energy.
"Just coach Schotty bringing in that energy every day, just showing up to work really," Liufau said. "We kind of feed off of that as players, it's definitely infectious and we love to see that from our head coach."
Liufau is one of many players that are raving about Schottenheimer's emphasis on culture and building a strong bond within his team. From putting a ping-pong table in the locker room to free throw competitions in the team meeting rooms, spirits are high and the players seem to be buying into Schottenheimer's plan.
What's a big reason for their buy in? They can tell that everything Schottenheimer is doing is genuine and want to reciprocate the level of commitment that he's showing the players.
"I love it, that's his personality. I love that he is who he is, kind of has that swagger and just brings it to the table every day," Liufau said. "You love that from a head coach, just showing you who they are and showing you that they're ready to work and they're going to show up to work and have that energy to get better."
The other aspect of change for Liufau has come from defensive philosophy, with the Cowboys adding defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus over the offseason. Eberflus, who has a strong track record of developing linebackers, has already passed on plenty for Liufau to digest.
"Effort, running to the football, that just the standard of play is what I picked up first of all from coach Flus," Liufau said. "And his philosophy as a defense before we even get into plays and things like that, just the way we play football."
That philosophy is personified by an emphasis on taking the ball away, a calling card for Eberflus' defenses when they've been playing at their best in the past. From Liufau's perspective, their preparation to try and force more takeaways has been a clear difference in practice sessions this year.
"I feel like from the players standpoint at least, running to the ball, there's a lot more energy, emphasis on running to the ball and getting to the football as a defense and attacking the ball, emphasizing takeaways." Liufau said.
In the offseason, Liufau mentioned that he put a lot of his training stock into improving his speed, adding more sprints to his workouts which he hopes will pay off when running to the football like Matt Eberflus wants him to do, and lead to improvement in his second NFL season.
The Cowboys held their final OTA practice open to the media on Tuesday ahead of the team beginning mandatory minicamp next week. Here's what stood out to the staff at DallasCowboys.com.
George Pickens' first "wow" play
After Pickens didn't see many targets in the first two media viewings of OTAs, his first "wow" play in front of the media was the play of the day on Tuesday with a grab from Dak Prescott in the scramble drill where Pickens caught the ball falling out of bounds at the front pylon and kept both feet in bounds for a touchdown. It was his second target of the day, with the first being a deep ball from Prescott that was slightly underthrown and broken up by Kaiir Elam. – Tommy Yarrish
Clark Bar
It seems the early praise for Damone Clark is well-founded as the veteran linebacker enters his fourth year in the NFL and with the Cowboys, and this time with another change at defensive coordinator. In the third and final practice of OTAs, Clark dropped back and picked off Joe Milton on a pass across the middle that was intended for Princeton Fant — displaying quick play recognition, reaction and the hands to reel in the takeaway for Matt Eberflus. - Patrik Walker
Joe Milton showcases accuracy
One of the elements that Cowboys fans and coaches alike wanted to see, was more accuracy from Joe Milton. Outside of the interception he threw to Damone Clark, he completed 7 of his 8 passes during the team period. Those completions included a couple long throws outside the numbers and perfect deep ball to Jalen Brooks down the sideline. - Kyle Youmans
Two UDFA safeties see time with first team defense
With Donovan Wilson spending time with the rehab group and Malik Hooker exiting practice during the team's stretching period with head athletic trainer Jim Maurer, it opened the door for UDFAs Alijah Clark and Mike Smith to practice with the first team defense in the secondary along with Juanyeh Thomas. Clark had gotten some select reps earlier, but it was the first time that Smith was seen as often as he was with the first unit. – Tommy Yarrish
Back in Business
Sam Williams is less than a year removed from a torn ACL injury that ended his season before it started. But the long journey back took another positive step on Tuesday as Williams was able to do some individual drills, although wearing a left knee brace. The Cowboys likely won't make him a full participant until training camp, and even then he might start out on PUP. But for now, getting another pass-rusher back on the field just got a step closer. - Nick Eatman
The Tol' road
For all of the rightful talk about things being resolved opposite CeeDee Lamb, thanks to the trade to acquire George Pickens, it appears Jalen Tolbert is beginning to take the early lead for the right to be viewed as WR3. He highlighted the final practice of OTAs with an athletic one-handed grab while streaking across the back of the end zone in double coverage; and then let the defenders hear about it afterwards. - Patrik Walker
