OXNARD, Calif. – In the Cowboys' first training camp practice Saturday,
the biggest news was who didn't participate. Veteran guard Larry Allen
spent the morning workout in shorts and a T-shirt after failing his
physical Friday.
"Hopefully he'll be able to pass it one of these days," Parcells said of
Allen.
Asked if he was surprised that Allen didn't pass the physical, Parcells
said, "I wasn't surprised at all."
Later in the day, the Cowboys agreed to contract terms with first-round
picks Demarcus Ware and Marcus Spears.
Ware, en route to Oxnard from Atlanta, agreed to a five-year deal worth
$13 million with $10 million guaranteed. Spears agreed to a five-year
deal worth $9.3 million with $6.7 million guaranteed.
"I guess we need to start three days earlier next year and they won't
miss any time," Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones said. "They're
going to get here as soon as they can so they can go to work."
Ware and Spears are expected to practice Sunday.
Earlier in the day, the Cowboys signed linebacker Kevin Burnett to a
five-year deal that voids to four years, if he reaches certain playing
time incentives. He received $1.86 million in guaranteed money.
Catch of the day: Former Bears receiver Ahmad Merritt made an
acrobatic catch on a ball that quarterback Drew Bledsoe underthrew.
Merritt's best chance of making the team is to make an impact in the
return game. He's among the fastest players on the team.
Heavy contact: Players aren't supposed to take each other to the
ground on tackles, but there were still some big hits. Former Bears
running back Anthony Thomas and rookie Marion Barber III were on the
receiving end several times. Rookie safety Justin Beriault had two of
the biggest hits, including one in which he caught rookie running back
Marion Barber III running a little too high. "I've been waiting to put
pads on for a long time," Beriault said. "It's nice to get that first
hit out of the way." Linebacker Dat Nguyen got a good shot in on Thomas
as well. Linebacker Bradie James delivered a solid blow to running back
Julius Jones.
Quarterback watch: All three quarterbacks looked rusty in the
first practice. Bledsoe threw a couple of ducks during team drills and
Henson had trouble with the deep route. Backup Tony Romo did find rookie
Jamaica Rector on a deep middle route.
First-team defense: With Spears and Ware still missing, defensive
end Kenyon Coleman and linebacker Kalen Thornton took their spots.
Parcells said Lynn Scott and Keith Davis would continue to rotate at
free safety. Parcells said he would give Davis every opportunity to win
the job. He faces a dilemma because Davis is the team's best special
teams player, and he would have to take a lesser role if he starts.
Broom drill: One special teams drill requires players to run
across the field holding brooms behind their books. The drill is
designed to help their balance while covering kicks.
Huddle talk: Assistant head coach Sean Payton took issue with the
formation of the third-team offense's huddle. "This huddle looks like
[expletive]," Payton said.
Goal-line offense struggles: The offense went 0-for-8 during a
goal-line drill at the end of practice. On the final play, Barber III
fumbled, and Beriault recovered.
Costner attends practice: Actor Kevin Costner visited with
owner-general manager Jerry Jones and Parcells for 20 minutes after the
morning news conference. Costner let Jones stay in one of his homes
during training camp last year. "I've always liked [Parcells] from a
long distance," Costner said. "You've gotta like him. He's straight
about football. He loves football. He's articulate about it, and he's
tough minded about it."
False starts: Second-year receiver Patrick Crayton jumped offside
during team drills... Second-year fullback Lousaka Polite, one of the
strongest players on the team, dropped the first pass of the day...
Receiver Keyshawn Johnson dropped a pass during team drills.
Tough crowd: Fans attending Saturday's first practice seemed more
vocal than in the past, often booing poor throws and making derisive
comments. For some reason, one group of fans targeted backup quarterback
Drew Henson. "You'll never be Danny White!" one fan shouted as Henson
walked off the field. After a poor throw from Drew Bledsoe, a different
man shouted, "You've got to get Tony Romo in there!"
No sign of Rowdy: The club's mascot did not make an appearance
during the morning practice. Parcells had to ban the ghoulish-looking
mascot from practice two years ago in San Antonio because of his "time
management issues."
E-mail mmosley@dallasnews.com
Staff Writer Jean-Jacques Taylor contributed to this report.
