The Dallas Cowboys performed admirably in not losing their first away preseason game since 2012, but this season they snapped their winning run. The Dallas team started the season with a terrible loss and they seemingly lost their charm in the whole preseason campaign, closing it with one win and two losses.
However, the Cowboys team is still optimistic about having a strong start to the season. In order to boost the players’ mental fortitude, the team started transforming their mental training program.
Cowboys invest in transformative mental training ahead of the 2023 NFL season
Similar to how an injury can impair a player physically, persistent defeats can occasionally harm a player mentally as well, which may negatively impact his performance in the following games.
Since the late 1970s, the Dallas Cowboys have been referred to as “America’s Team,” and a few preseason losses cannot make them lose their reputation or appeal. Hence, Jerral Wayne Jones set up a transformational mental training program in the basement of a three-story house on Georgia’s Lake Oconee to increase the confidence of the entire squad.
Dak Prescott, who serves as the team’s captain, assumed responsibility for starting the initiative. Prescott told Yahoo Sports that they are aiming to create a strong culture for the squad, which would help them become a successful team, and that they specifically wanted to get a mental edge.
“I don’t wanna just be culture, culture and how to build a better culture because we’re good on that — it’s more about how to use your culture. It doesn’t mean anything if guys aren’t telling us what they’re sacrificing or what they’re trying to get better at, and if other guys aren’t holding them to that.”
In order to improve both mental and physical performance inspired from governmental law enforcement and military techniques, Dak and his marketing agent Peter Miller visited with former Navy SEALs Adam La Reau and Paul McCullough in March.
Prescott intended to use the strategies he learned in that session to influence his friends to practice mindfulness and breathing exercises to reboot their cognitive processes.
Cowboys suffer consecutive preseason losses against Seahawks and Jaguars
With a 28-23 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars at AT&T Stadium, the Cowboys started their first preseason game for the 2023 season. The Cowboys decided to rest more than 20 starters, including well-known players like Micah Parsons and Dak Prescott. However, the Jaguars’ game plan was different because they decided to use most of their starters for a few series. This helped the Jaguars secure a fantastic victory to start the year.
At Lumen Field, the Seahawks defeated the Cowboys 22-14 in their second preseason game. A good game plan, penalties, and injuries of some of their key players prevented the Cowboys from accomplishing their goal in this game as well.
The Dallas Cowboys made a comeback and defeated the Las Vegas Raiders by a score of 31-16 after going 0-2 in their first two games. The Cowboys’ final preseason record now stands at 1-2 after the victory.
It remains to be seen how effective these programs will be in helping them regain their former grandeur.
