Notebook: Cowboys wrap up final minicamp
With training camp next, Phillips likes the way team is shaping up
01:47 AM CDT on Sunday, June 10, 2007
By TODD ARCHER / The Dallas Morning News
tarcher@dallasnews.com
IRVING – Next stop, San Antonio.
The Cowboys concluded their final minicamp Saturday and will not return to the field as a team until training camp begins in the Alamodome on July 25.
"Forty-six days until the first practice, so we're pointing toward that," coach Wade Phillips said. "I thought the camps, the OTAs [organized team activities], everything we've done football-wise has gone well for us. This is starting the process."
The veteran players will continue with the conditioning program through the end of June; the rookies continue workouts through the middle of July.
Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said the work done since March will put the team ahead of the game when training camp begins.
Saturday's hot temperatures and two practices made for some grumpy players, but many were pleased with the off-season work.
"I think everybody is glad training camp is coming," wide receiver Patrick Crayton said, "but it's going to be good to get away from football for a little bit. We had three weeks of OTAs, plus three weeks of the teaching sessions before that. It's been six or seven weeks where it's just been pure football installation."
■ Going to Vegas: Starting Thursday, the Cowboys coaches are taking a Las Vegas vacation. Jones has reinstituted his trip for the coaching staff and front-office personnel. Bill Parcells opted against the trip when he was head coach.
"We've got a little outing planned that will be a little respite for everybody," Jones said. "It'll be a good opportunity for Wade and some of us to spend a little extra time there in a different setting other than the workplace."
Keeping in step with Phillips' "family" philosophy, the Cowboys will hold a cookout for the players and their families today.
"I think it's important to have a team," Phillips said. "I think you play harder when you know the guy next to you. ... It's not all Xs and Os. If it was all Xs and Os, then the guys who drew up the Xs and the Os would win, and it's not always just the best players."
■ Ellis' agent, Jones meet: James Williams, the agent for frustrated linebacker Greg Ellis, arrived at the Cowboys' Valley Ranch complex for the afternoon practice and met with Jones and executive vice president Stephen Jones.
Ellis has asked for his release if the team does not rework his contract, something the Cowboys are not willing to do. Ellis attended the minicamp and continued his rehab from a torn Achilles' tendon. He said he will be ready for training camp.
"There will be no comments about that at all," Jerry Jones said of his meeting with Williams.
■ Hoop heaven: Roy Williams and Terrell Owens will be in San Antonio tonight for Game 2 of the NBA Finals.
"I'm going for both [teams]," Williams said. "I know people on both teams. I like basketball. T.O. is coming. I gave him a seat. He's going to be sitting on the floor across from the Cavs' bench, so he'll get all the attention."
■ Briefly: Former Cowboys tight end Landon Trusty has been rehabbing a torn ACL and could be signed. He worked out for the team last week.
01:47 AM CDT on Sunday, June 10, 2007
By TODD ARCHER / The Dallas Morning News
tarcher@dallasnews.com
IRVING – Next stop, San Antonio.
The Cowboys concluded their final minicamp Saturday and will not return to the field as a team until training camp begins in the Alamodome on July 25.
"Forty-six days until the first practice, so we're pointing toward that," coach Wade Phillips said. "I thought the camps, the OTAs [organized team activities], everything we've done football-wise has gone well for us. This is starting the process."
The veteran players will continue with the conditioning program through the end of June; the rookies continue workouts through the middle of July.
Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said the work done since March will put the team ahead of the game when training camp begins.
Saturday's hot temperatures and two practices made for some grumpy players, but many were pleased with the off-season work.
"I think everybody is glad training camp is coming," wide receiver Patrick Crayton said, "but it's going to be good to get away from football for a little bit. We had three weeks of OTAs, plus three weeks of the teaching sessions before that. It's been six or seven weeks where it's just been pure football installation."
■ Going to Vegas: Starting Thursday, the Cowboys coaches are taking a Las Vegas vacation. Jones has reinstituted his trip for the coaching staff and front-office personnel. Bill Parcells opted against the trip when he was head coach.
"We've got a little outing planned that will be a little respite for everybody," Jones said. "It'll be a good opportunity for Wade and some of us to spend a little extra time there in a different setting other than the workplace."
Keeping in step with Phillips' "family" philosophy, the Cowboys will hold a cookout for the players and their families today.
"I think it's important to have a team," Phillips said. "I think you play harder when you know the guy next to you. ... It's not all Xs and Os. If it was all Xs and Os, then the guys who drew up the Xs and the Os would win, and it's not always just the best players."
■ Ellis' agent, Jones meet: James Williams, the agent for frustrated linebacker Greg Ellis, arrived at the Cowboys' Valley Ranch complex for the afternoon practice and met with Jones and executive vice president Stephen Jones.
Ellis has asked for his release if the team does not rework his contract, something the Cowboys are not willing to do. Ellis attended the minicamp and continued his rehab from a torn Achilles' tendon. He said he will be ready for training camp.
"There will be no comments about that at all," Jerry Jones said of his meeting with Williams.
■ Hoop heaven: Roy Williams and Terrell Owens will be in San Antonio tonight for Game 2 of the NBA Finals.
"I'm going for both [teams]," Williams said. "I know people on both teams. I like basketball. T.O. is coming. I gave him a seat. He's going to be sitting on the floor across from the Cavs' bench, so he'll get all the attention."
■ Briefly: Former Cowboys tight end Landon Trusty has been rehabbing a torn ACL and could be signed. He worked out for the team last week.
posted by The Gryphon at 8:35 PM
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