FRISCO - Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer wanted to change the culture at The Star, and it's clear the alterations he's already made are having an impact.
With players' lockers being switched around, the ping-pong table moved to the locker room, coaches going to dinners with players, and an infectious energy out on the practice field, Schottenheimer isn't just talking the talk, he's walking the walk too.
As OTAs are underway at The Star, there is a different vibe at the facility, almost like a college atmosphere, and for receiver CeeDee Lamb, he loves the new direction under Schottenheimer, and his comments might be showing a shift in the "53 Brands culture that insider Mike Fisher claims that has plagued the franchise for so long.
"I feel like in college everybody was in love with the game not really just here for work, granted that's what we here for, but just being a student of the game, loving what you do, perfecting your craft every day and being present, being where your feet are," Lamb said. "I'm happy we're not doing too much talking on the internet, so let's just get the work done. We'll show the world during the season."
"Talking on the internet''? That is what Fish's #53Brands is largely about.
The theory here at CowboysCountry.com: Under owner Jerry Jones, the organization is so marketing-first, sales-first and PR-first that employees (players) start through osmosis believe they should do it "Jerry's Way'' ... "The Cowboys Way.''
And next thing you know, the team's focus is on something other than football.
The comment on "the internet'' from Lamb could be the definition of the beginning of Schottenheimer's culture shift.
Fish, though, remains skeptical.
"I'm all for what Schottenheimer is trying to do,'' Fish said. "But the new coach is going undo 30 years of Jerry-driven philosophy in three months? With Whataburgers and ping-pong tournaments? Let's tap the brakes here.''
Granted, it is only early in the Schotty era, but Lamb's happiness that there isn't much talk on the internet suggests that maybe the "53 Brands" could be pushed into the background.
Is the main thing now staying the main thing?
Or how about this, as Fish has long petitioned for: Jerry does PR. The coach does football. And somehow there is a "separation of church and state'' .. with no conflict between the two.
Hey, we can dream, can't we?