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Story lines galore in Cowboys training camp


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Seemingly content, more-tested T.O.
When Dallas last trained in California two years ago, Owens spent more time on a stationary bicycle than the field.

To the ire of Bill Parcells, T.O. even donned a cycling uniform and helmet to poke fun at all the time he spent pedaling while nursing a sore hamstring during his first Cowboys camp after an unceremonious, midseason departure from Philadelphia.

Two touchdown-filled seasons and a new contract later (a $27 million, three-year extension through 2011, when he will be 38), Owens seems content, healthy and settled in Dallas. Especially when catching passes from Romo.

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“We’re obviously getting better, obviously the chemistry,” said Owens, whose team-record 15 TDs last season gave him an NFL-high 28 the past two years. “We just want to build on what we already have.”

And, Owens is clean even though he’s now part of the NFL’s “reasonable cause” testing program. Owens missed a random drug test, which he blamed on a simple miscommunication about contact information, and can now be tested up to 24 times a year.

While unhappy about extra testing, Owens isn’t worried about results. He said he has never had a positive test “for substance of any kind” during his 13-year NFL career.

“I know what I put in my body,” Owens said.

Roy Bash
First, Roy Williams admitted during a radio interview that at times he hoped passes weren’t thrown his way because he knew he couldn’t cover the receiver.

Then there were some disparaging remarks made by a couple of teammates.

Phillips defended Williams, whose 115 tackles were second on the team, saying “the guy didn’t give up a single deep pass all season. ... He did get in the Pro Bowl.”

True, but Williams often didn’t play on obvious passing downs. And that appears likely again, because cornerback Aaron Henry was dropping back into Williams’ spot when Adam Jones was on the field during minicamp.

Williams quit doing interviews at Valley Ranch, but told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram after an autograph session he was excited and expects to have a good season.

“But I can’t say it,” he said. “I have to go out there and show it.”

Hold the comments if No. 31 gets burned by a pass — that will be rookie cornerback Mike Jenkins, not Williams. The five-time Pro Bowler switched to No. 38.

Coach in waiting?
Before Phillips was hired as Parcells’ replacement, Jerry Jones had already hired Garrett. Jones considered making the former backup to Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman the head coach.

Instead, Garrett was hired as offensive coordinator, then became a hot commodity after his play-calling resulted in many team passing records and the second-most points in the NFL.

Garrett interviewed with Baltimore and Atlanta about head coaching jobs, but removed his name from consideration. He got promoted to assistant head coach with a substantial pay raise because Jones didn’t want to lose him — and the owner’s feelings won’t change in the future.

Got Glenn
Terry Glenn had as many operations on his right knee as he did catches last season: two. The receptions came in the playoff game after not playing until the regular-season finale.

The 34-year-old receiver, who got a $5 million roster bonus last season, hasn’t been back on the field because of an unresolved contract squabble. He refused to sign a $500,000 injury waiver, which is what he’d get instead of his $1.74 million base salary should he reinjure his knee and be unable to play again.

Big spender
Jerry Jones committed at least $70 million, with $59 million in signing bonuses, on multiyear contracts this offseason for Owens and four other Pro Bowlers: left tackle Flozell Adams; running back Marion Barber (now the starter after Julius Jones left in free agency); safety Ken Hamlin; and cornerback Terence Newman.

“Obviously, (Jones) has got high expectations and he should,” said Pro Bowl tight end Jason Witten, who two years ago got his own big deal. “We’ve got to give him something back that he’s put so much in this team.”

© 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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