The Eagles and new cornerback Cary Williams are putting the definition of "voluntary" to the test.

Nearly every member of the Eagles active roster has been in town over the last month for Organized Team Activities (OTAs). With a new coach in town, a new system to learn, and a 4-12 record to bounce back from, the reality is that these workouts anything but voluntary.

That is why the attitude of Williams has ruffled some feathers amongst Eagles fans, and now it appears it has the team upset as well.

While the team owes no explanation as to why a player misses OTAs, the Eagles said on Friday that Williams was not there due to his "daughter's dance recital." When other players- such as Jason Peters- have been absent, it has been explained away as "personal reasons." LeSean McCoy left early Friday due to "personal reasons."

With Williams, however, the team was very specific, and did not try to hide the reasoning. Williams was yet again absent due to something- fair or not- that many fans feel he shouldn't miss practice with his new team for. The absence could have been easily explained away as "personal." By letting the media know, the Eagles appear to be venting some with frustration their new cornerback.

Whether or not you think Williams should have missed his daughter's dance recital is personel preference. It's hard to tell anyone that they should place work over family, regardless of pay. Williams may make more than most fans will ever dream of making, but that doesn't mean his child's recital will be scheduled around Chip Kelly's plans. It's hard to imagine most people would go to work if it was "voluntary" and they still got paid.

You also have to wonder how the NFLPA will feel about the Eagles being so specific about why Williams wasn't there. It's hard to imagine they didn't know how this would play with the fans, and that their would be backlack on Williams for it.

The truth is that if Williams is the player this season he was with the Ravens last year, all of this missed practice time will be easily forgiven. Williams is exactly the kind of physical corner the team desperately needs.

If he struggles, however, fans will be quick to bring up his decision to attend a dance recital over practice.

Follow Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks