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06/04 15:40 CDT George Pickens isn't with Cowboys for voluntary work as Schottenheimer says communication is good George Pickens isn't with Cowboys for voluntary work as Schottenheimer says communication is good By SCHUYLER DIXON AP Pro Football Writer FRISCO, Texas (AP) --- George Pickens isn't with the Dallas Cowboys during the opening week of voluntary offseason practices, while coach Brian Schottenheimer says the receiver is "taking care of his business" and their communication has been good. Pickens signed his $27.3 million franchise tag a little more than a month ago but has stayed away from the team. The Pro Bowler isn't required to show up until mandatory minicamp June 16-18. "Communicated with (Pickens) yesterday," Schottenheimer said Thursday. "He's got a football camp this weekend that he's doing. So communication is good, and as you guys know it's voluntary and he's taking care of his business." Pickens waited two months before signing the one-year contract that's worth three times what the 25-year-old earned on his four-year rookie contract. Pickens told the Cowboys before the draft in April that he intended to sign the franchise tag, prompting speculation that Dallas might try to trade him. The Cowboys made it clear they had no such plans. He signed the tag about a week later. Acquired last year in a trade with Pittsburgh, Pickens thrived alongside CeeDee Lamb, finishing with career highs in catches (93), yards receiving (1,429) and touchdowns (nine) for one of the best offenses in the NFL last season. Lamb is going into the second year of a $136 million, four-year contract that ranks him fourth among NFL receivers with an average annual value of $34 million. Owner and general manager Jerry Jones has said the club has long-term plans for Pickens, who has spent time in the offseason with quarterback Dak Prescott. "I'm not sure exactly what they do," Schottenheimer said. "You guys know Dak does a great job working with all the guys, whether they're here, whether it's this time of year, whether it is in the summer, they always go someplace. They'll go someplace this summer and train and throw, and it's a chance for them to develop their timing." Schottenheimer said the club believes Pickens will report for minicamp. "I think he's in a good spot," Schottenheimer said. "I know that he misses his teammates. So we miss him, too. You guys know how we feel about him." This is the third consecutive offseason with a significant contract issue for the Cowboys. Two years ago, Lamb stayed away from the team the entire offseason and training camp before signing his extension about two weeks before the season. Last year, Micah Parsons was in a contract stalemated that finally ended when Dallas traded the star pass rusher to Green Bay exactly a week before the season opener. "I've always believed this, and this has got nothing to do with a single player," Schottenheimer said. "How do you prove to your teammates that you're doing everything in your power to be the best version of yourself if they don't see you doing it? I have no question George is prepared, just like I had no question that Micah was going to prepare or whoever." ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

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