The NFL universe is opening back up. Last year around this time, teams were hunkered down, just hopeful to finish a practice without any COVID-19 issues. Reporters watched the action from assigned circles before scurrying back to their cars for uninspired videoconferences. Most human interaction was reduced to waves from the distance of a Patrick Mahomes deep ball.
Now, a sense of normalcy has flooded camps around the league. Media can roam sidelines and chat with coaches and players. Reporters can small-talk team officials without internet buffering. And that means more insight into the teams you love.
I'm fresh off the road, traveling nearly 7,000 miles by plane and another 700 by car, popping into Miami before hitting the West Coast. After working the sidelines -- water bottle in one hand, notebook and team roster in the other and sunscreen in the rental car nearby -- here's a sizable notebook on what I learned at the camps for the Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins, including how each team is looking in the early going and a bunch of useful fantasy tips for all five potential playoff teams. Let's start in Dallas.
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DAL | LV | LAC | LAR | MIA
Dallas Cowboys
Date visited: Aug. 10
Return of the Dak