Mailbag: Will training camp be more physical?

I was just talking with a friend about how this team needs more "dogs." You know, those players like Michael Irvin who are wired differently. Obviously, though, we can't see all the dynamics of the locker room, practice field, cafeteria, etc., so who do you see as the new top dogs on this team?

Given Jaydon Blue's elite speed, pass catching ability and illusiveness, do you see the Cowboys potentially bulking him up to make him more of an every-down running back? Or will he always be looked at as a change-of-pace guy? The Cowboys have had 5'9" backs before (Emmitt Smith), but they were considerably thicker.

It's now obvious that waiting to re-sign top players is the modus operandi for the Cowboys. We've seen it with CeeDee Lamb, Dak Prescott, Zack Martin, Ezekiel Elliott and now with Micah Parsons. But why? Parsons seems eager to sign. And in the end, these players get what they want anyway, and everyone seems happy. Is there any kind of advantage to dragging the process out? 

It seems to me that Dak Prescott struggles a bit when throwing the deep ball. I rarely remember him hitting someone in stride as they streak down the field. I feel like the majority of his deep throws (40 yards or more) either fall short, or the receiver has to make an acrobatic catch. What is your take on that?

Let's have a little fun on this holiday. If you were commissioner Roger Goodell and you were looking to expand the NFL, what cities do you believe would be the best fits for future franchises and why? This has been a topic of conversation within my family for many years, specifically after the relocation of the Rams and Chargers to Los Angeles. 

Besides the top three draft picks, are there one or two other specific rookies you can't wait to see in camp? Why?

Would you rather see the Cowboys add a cornerback or running back before the start of the season? 

My biggest question/concern is that Mazi Smith is being written off as a Day 1 bust, but he will now be dealing with his third defensive coordinator in three years with each having a different concept on the 1-tech position. Stopping the run and applying pressure to force turnovers seem right up Mazi's alley. Am I not seeing the big picture? Is another year under another coach too much to ask of Mazi? 

With all the talk we've heard about the running game (again), how run heavy do you really see the Cowboys being this year? Knowing Dak Prescott is at his best with a strong rushing game, I'm just curious to see what you all think? 

People seem focused on re-signing Micah Parsons, but what about DaRon Bland, who will need a new deal in 2026, and possibly Tyler Smith? Both could command around $20 million annually. And now there's George Pickens to worry about as well. You can't keep everybody, so how do the Cowboys manage this? Who stays and who goes?

How important is a good start for the Cowboys this year? In 2024, they missed the playoffs and had a losing record. Do they need to get off to a good start to get confidence and momentum after last season's struggles? Or does the previous season have no effect on the next season?