New Cowboys coach Wade Phillips was denied permission to speak with San Diego Chargers secondary coach Brian Stewart and assistant linebackers quality control coach John Pagano, sources said.
Phillips was interested in Stewart and Pagano because of their experience with the 3-4 defense.
Cowboys to send three players to Europe
The Cowboys will send three players to NFL Europa this spring: defensive tackle Remi Ayodele, who signed Friday, tight end Tony Curtis and linebacker John Saldi.
Curtis spent seven games on the active roster in 2006, playing in four games before he was cut and re-signed to the practice squad. Saldi, whose father, Jay, was a tight end for the Cowboys, was among the final cuts in training camp last year. Ayodele, whose older brother, Akin, is a starting linebacker for the Cowboys, spent time on the practice squad in 2006.
The players will report to Tampa, Fla., before heading to Europe. The Cowboys will receive roster exemptions for training camp for the three players.
