FRISCO, Texas - Brian Schottenheimer has made many changes - both on and off the field since taking over as head coach. Another was introduced Sunday as he announced his approach to team captains of the upcoming season.
Schottenheimer said in his press conference that six players will be the team captains.
While he initially planned on just having four, Schottenheimer changed his mind due to the overwhelming response from the players who voted.
Offense, defense and special teams will each have two players and a "captain of the week" will also be added beginning Week 2.
Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb were voted as offensive captains, joined by Osa Odighizuwa and Donovan Wilson on defense. Brandon Aubrey and C.J. Goodwin were voted as special teams captains.
"You look at those guys and their leadership comes in all different forms," Schottenheimer said. "That's what I like about (this group). I was blown away. The guys made it very clear, 'Hey Schotty, four is not enough.' The way the voting came in, it was really close. It'll be cool for those guys to have the 'C' on their jersey."
On Sunday, Dak was asked about being named a captain and what it means for him as he enters his 10th year with the team.
"Yeah, it's something I don't take for granted. It means a lot, one just to get back to the year-long captains, getting to put the C on my chest," he said. "To be selected as that and really to be one of the six elected. I don't know if Schotty alluded to it, but he initially said like three or four right? And then the number doubled pretty much, and I just think that's a credit to each and every guy on that group and being picked by their peers. It just means they're handling business, doing things the right way, and as I said, something I don't take for granted, and move forward each and every day, with a lot of responsibility because of it."
Last year under Mike McCarthy, the Cowboys have had just rotating captains each week. In some cases, players that were on the practice squad earlier in the week were elevated and made as captains.
But it appears Schottenheimer wants a more steady group of captains, with a weekly addition based on performance in practice and meetings throughout the week.
