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HOT TOPIC
Wide receiver Terrell Owens held a four-day football camp in the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex in effort to introduce himself to the youth of the area.
Owens wants to get off on the right foot with the community and felt connecting with the kids with a football camp was a good way to start.
What's certain already is that Owens has made a favorable impression on his new teammates.
The Cowboys have welcomed Owens with open arms, offering him a clean slate from his sins in Philadelphia and San Francisco.
They are extremely excited about what they see from him on the football field. He was downright dominant during the team's three-day minicamp. The players know what that will mean for the offense next season.
"Anytime you can get a guy like T.O. on your team who commands so much respect, it's going to open up the running position and do big things for me," running back Julius Jones said.
Said quarterback Drew Bledsoe: "I think he can play a little. He catches the ball and turns up field with an intensity I haven't seen. That's the reason why he's led the league in run after the catch. He wants to score every time."
The Cowboys aren't naive. No one is saying there will not be any blow ups this season. That happens every year and it will happen with Owens. They just know who will have the final say -- coach Bill Parcells.
Safety Roy Williams said he can't wait until Owens and Parcells get into their first tiff.
"You have a legendary coach and a Hall of Fame player," he said. "To see them interact is a great thing... like with Keyshawn (Johnson) and Bill, and Drew (Bledsoe) and Bill. ... Somebody is going to butt heads. At the end of the day, Parcells is going to have the final say."
PLAYER NOTES
--OG Kyle Kosier knows he has big shoes to fill. The free agent guard from Detroit was signed to replace future Hall of Famer Larry Allen.
"They are big shoes to fill, but I have confidence I will get it done," Kosier said. "I'll play anywhere they tell me."
The Cowboys like Kosier's versatility. He can indeed play anywhere. But they signed him to play left guard, although Stephen Peterman and Cory Procter will also compete for the spot.
"I am not saying it's wide open because Kosier has more experience than the other guys," coach Bill Parcells said. "If someone showed up big, you would have to (consider) that."
--RB Julius Jones has big goals for 2006, just like he did last year.
This time, however, he is keeping quiet.
Jones rushed for 993 yards and five touchdowns in 2005 after a preseason prediction 1,700 yards and 20 touchdowns. He said he has learned a lesson.
"Maybe it jinxed me. I ain't going to say it this year. I ain't saying nothing," Jones said. "I'm not putting any numbers out there. I'm going to keep them in my head this year."
--TE Jason Witten is in the last year of his contract and wants a new deal. The Cowboys want to oblige. The two sides have had some discussions about a contract extension. Witten said he would like to get something done before the start of the season or wait until the season is over.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
--FB Lousaka Polite is working at tight end and running back because the Cowboys are going to a two-tight end offense and have all but eliminated the full back position.
--LS Danny Young was released, leaving 88 players on the Cowboys roster. They must make three more cuts before training camp next month.
--LB Kevin Burnett participated in the Cowboys' on field activity days after missing three day minicamp while still recovering from offseason knee surgery. LB Al Singleton was also back at practice after missing the camp to attend a wedding -- his.
FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.
TRANSITION PLAYER: None.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
--LB Michael Barrow (not tendered June 1).
--LB Quinton Caver (not tendered June 1).
--S Tony Dixon (not tendered June 1).
--LB Eric Ogbogu (not tendered June 1).
--T Marcus Price (not tendered June 1).
--S Lynn Scott (not tendered June 1).
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: None.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
--WR Terrance Copper: Potential ERFA; $425,000/1 yr.
--WR Patrick Crayton: Potential ERFA; $425,000/1 yr.
--S Keith Davis: RFA; $2.95M/2 yrs, $1.2M RB; 2006 cap: $2.025M; Cowboys matched Saints offer.
--G/C Andre Gurode: UFA; 1 yr, terms unknown.
--LS L.P. Ladouceur: ERFA; $350,000/1 yr.
--P Matt McBriar: Potential ERFA; $425,000/1 yr.
--S Willie Pile: ERFA; terms unknown.
--FB Lousaka Polite: ERFA; $425,000/1 yr.
--CB Jacques Reeves: ERFA; terms unknown.
--LB Scott Shanle: RFA; $721,600/1 yr.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED
--LB Akin Ayodele: UFA Jaguars; $17M/5 yrs, $5M SB.
--LB Rocky Boiman: UFA Titans; $3.5M/3 yrs, $1M SB.
--S Marcus Coleman: FA Texans; $850,000/1 yr, $40,000 RB.
--OT Jason Fabini: FA Jets; $4.5M/3 yrs, $1.75M SB.
--TE Ryan Hannam: UFA Seahawks; $5M/4 yrs, $1.25M SB.
--OG Kyle Kosier: UFA Lions; $15M/5 yrs, $5M SB.
--WR Terrell Owens: FA Eagles; $25M/3 yrs; $5M SB/$3M RB '07-'08; 2006 cap: $6.67M.
--PK Mike Vanderjagt: UFA Colts; $5.5M/3 yrs, $2.5M SB.
PLAYERS LOST
--OG Larry Allen (released).
--DT Willie Blade (released; failed physical/leg).
--TE Dan Campbell: UFA Lions; 5 yrs, terms unknown.
--LB Scott Fujita: UFA Saints; terms unknown.
--DT La'Roi Glover (released).
--WR Keyshawn Johnson (released).
--LB Dat Nguyen (retired).
--OT Jacob Rogers (released/failed physical).
--OT Torrin Tucker: RFA Buccaneers; $2.6M/2 yrs, $100,000 RB: 2006 cap: $1.3M (Cowboys did not match offer; no compensation).
MEDICAL WATCH: No updates.
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