Cowboys view first day of camp in different light
by Todd Archer
OXNARD, Calif. – The grind of training camp began Friday, and the Sept. 7 season opener at Cleveland seems a long time from now.
From the star quarterback with much still to learn all the way down to the undrafted rookie just hoping to make the roster, the first day of practice brings many different perspectives.
We look at Tony Romo, Terrell Owens, Zach Thomas, Adam Jones and Danny Amendola based on what happened Friday.
TONY ROMO
The last time Romo walked onto the Oxnard practice field in 2006, he wasn't a household name. He hadn't even thrown a pass in a regular-season game. But as he made the same walk Friday, fans chanted his name and his helmet was being carried by John Stephen Jones, the son of the Cowboys' executive vice president, as an NFL Films camera crew trailed him.
He's gone from prospect to Pro Bowler, backup to star. After practice, Romo signed autographs but did not take questions. "It's amazing how much has changed for him," Pro Bowl tight end Jason Witten said, "but I thought he was as sharp the way he was throwing and the timing as he's ever looked."
TERRELL OWENS
One of the lasting impressions from camp in 2006 was Owens in a Lance Armstrong jersey. A sore hamstring left Owens on the sideline and riding the stationary bike. That was Owens' first year with the Cowboys when the thought was the relationship would not last very long.
Twenty-eight touchdowns in two seasons prompted the Cowboys to keep Owens with a new four-year contract, most likely meaning his career will end with the Cowboys.
"Oh, man, dude, it's like night and day," Owens said. "I think with this coaching staff and Wade's [Phillips] approach with this team, I can't say enough about it. Not only myself, but I think a lot of players rave about his coaching style and his philosophy."
ZACH THOMAS
After 12 years in Miami, Thomas thought he had seen it all. Over the last two days, from the Cowboys' celebrated landing at Point Mugu Naval Air Station to Friday's opening ceremony, he learned he hadn't.
"I always heard about how the Cowboys got a lot of support, but being here in another state just at a practice, that just shows how the Cowboys are America's Team," the seven-time Pro Bowler said.
And nothing like Friday's padless workout. For the second straight year, Phillips wanted to break his team in slowly to camp in an effort to avoid injuries. When Thomas came into the league, he had to deal with Jimmy Johnson's all-out, tackle-to-the-ground drills. "I knew no better then," Thomas said. "I just thought that's the way it is everywhere."
ADAM JONES
Like Owens in 2006, eyes are on Jones. Full reinstatement awaits Jones, but he believes commissioner Roger Goodell will allow him to play against the Browns in the season opener.
Friday, Jones flashed the talent that made him the sixth overall pick in 2005 when he knocked down a pass, but also the rust from not playing when was beat by Sam Hurd.
Phillips said Jones, the leading contender for the punt return job, could see some work on offense once he gets the defense down. "I don't say he's a Deion Sanders, but he has those kind of qualities," Phillips said.
DANNY AMENDOLA
Making the team will be difficult for Amendola. He's well down the depth chart at receiver, but Friday he had the play of the day, making a diving catch on a Richard Bartel deep throw that brought some of the loudest cheers of the day and a low-five from Owens.
He knows every day must be a good day. "That's the way it goes being a free agent," said Amendola, who received a $12,500 signing bonus. "You've got to work as hard as you can every day and every play make something happen. That's my mentality. That's what I'm going to try and do."
OXNARD, Calif. – The grind of training camp began Friday, and the Sept. 7 season opener at Cleveland seems a long time from now.
From the star quarterback with much still to learn all the way down to the undrafted rookie just hoping to make the roster, the first day of practice brings many different perspectives.
We look at Tony Romo, Terrell Owens, Zach Thomas, Adam Jones and Danny Amendola based on what happened Friday.
TONY ROMO
The last time Romo walked onto the Oxnard practice field in 2006, he wasn't a household name. He hadn't even thrown a pass in a regular-season game. But as he made the same walk Friday, fans chanted his name and his helmet was being carried by John Stephen Jones, the son of the Cowboys' executive vice president, as an NFL Films camera crew trailed him.
He's gone from prospect to Pro Bowler, backup to star. After practice, Romo signed autographs but did not take questions. "It's amazing how much has changed for him," Pro Bowl tight end Jason Witten said, "but I thought he was as sharp the way he was throwing and the timing as he's ever looked."
TERRELL OWENS
One of the lasting impressions from camp in 2006 was Owens in a Lance Armstrong jersey. A sore hamstring left Owens on the sideline and riding the stationary bike. That was Owens' first year with the Cowboys when the thought was the relationship would not last very long.
Twenty-eight touchdowns in two seasons prompted the Cowboys to keep Owens with a new four-year contract, most likely meaning his career will end with the Cowboys.
"Oh, man, dude, it's like night and day," Owens said. "I think with this coaching staff and Wade's [Phillips] approach with this team, I can't say enough about it. Not only myself, but I think a lot of players rave about his coaching style and his philosophy."
ZACH THOMAS
After 12 years in Miami, Thomas thought he had seen it all. Over the last two days, from the Cowboys' celebrated landing at Point Mugu Naval Air Station to Friday's opening ceremony, he learned he hadn't.
"I always heard about how the Cowboys got a lot of support, but being here in another state just at a practice, that just shows how the Cowboys are America's Team," the seven-time Pro Bowler said.
And nothing like Friday's padless workout. For the second straight year, Phillips wanted to break his team in slowly to camp in an effort to avoid injuries. When Thomas came into the league, he had to deal with Jimmy Johnson's all-out, tackle-to-the-ground drills. "I knew no better then," Thomas said. "I just thought that's the way it is everywhere."
ADAM JONES
Like Owens in 2006, eyes are on Jones. Full reinstatement awaits Jones, but he believes commissioner Roger Goodell will allow him to play against the Browns in the season opener.
Friday, Jones flashed the talent that made him the sixth overall pick in 2005 when he knocked down a pass, but also the rust from not playing when was beat by Sam Hurd.
Phillips said Jones, the leading contender for the punt return job, could see some work on offense once he gets the defense down. "I don't say he's a Deion Sanders, but he has those kind of qualities," Phillips said.
DANNY AMENDOLA
Making the team will be difficult for Amendola. He's well down the depth chart at receiver, but Friday he had the play of the day, making a diving catch on a Richard Bartel deep throw that brought some of the loudest cheers of the day and a low-five from Owens.
He knows every day must be a good day. "That's the way it goes being a free agent," said Amendola, who received a $12,500 signing bonus. "You've got to work as hard as you can every day and every play make something happen. That's my mentality. That's what I'm going to try and do."
posted by The Gryphon at 9:47 AM
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