Dallas motto for 2008-2009 season: Finish
On Thursday, the Dallas Cowboys fly to Oxnard, Calif., for the opening of training camp. But their attempt to erase the end of last season actually began in March, when the off-season conditioning program began, and carried through the organized team activities to the mandatory minicamp that ended June 19 with a family cookout.
"The Giants were last year's champs," coach Wade Phillips said. "We're trying to be this year's champs."
The Cowboys carry with them the burden of expectations - that's what happens when you go 13-3, send 13 players to the Pro Bowl and seemingly bolster the roster with moves in the off-season — and a motto: finish. Finish practices. Finish plays. Finish games. Finish the season. The Cowboys hope they finish in Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla., for Super Bowl XLIII.
"There's definitely a sense of urgency to get this done," quarterback Tony Romo said. "If you don't have that after the kind of year we had last year, then you are in the wrong sport."
Owner and general manager Jerry Jones has done his part.
He made offensive coordinator Jason Garrett the highest-paid assistant coach in the NFL. He picked up linebacker Zach Thomas not only for Thomas' presence but also for his playmaking ability. He made a low-money but high-risk move in trading with Tennessee for cornerback Adam Jones. He re-signed five 2007 Pro Bowlers — left tackle Flozell Adams, cornerback Terence Newman, running back Marion Barber, safety Ken Hamlin and wide receiver Terrell Owens — with signing bonuses totaling $58.9 million.
Source: Dallas Morning News
"The Giants were last year's champs," coach Wade Phillips said. "We're trying to be this year's champs."
The Cowboys carry with them the burden of expectations - that's what happens when you go 13-3, send 13 players to the Pro Bowl and seemingly bolster the roster with moves in the off-season — and a motto: finish. Finish practices. Finish plays. Finish games. Finish the season. The Cowboys hope they finish in Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla., for Super Bowl XLIII.
"There's definitely a sense of urgency to get this done," quarterback Tony Romo said. "If you don't have that after the kind of year we had last year, then you are in the wrong sport."
Owner and general manager Jerry Jones has done his part.
He made offensive coordinator Jason Garrett the highest-paid assistant coach in the NFL. He picked up linebacker Zach Thomas not only for Thomas' presence but also for his playmaking ability. He made a low-money but high-risk move in trading with Tennessee for cornerback Adam Jones. He re-signed five 2007 Pro Bowlers — left tackle Flozell Adams, cornerback Terence Newman, running back Marion Barber, safety Ken Hamlin and wide receiver Terrell Owens — with signing bonuses totaling $58.9 million.
Source: Dallas Morning News
posted by The Gryphon at 10:33 AM
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