60th edition of Camp Cowboy sure to have intrigue as always

The Dallas Cowboys will open their 60th training camp this week in Oxnard, Calif.

The objective is to make sure this year’s team isn’t remembered with the epitaph, “Could Have Been a Contender.”

In fact, the analysts believe this might indeed be a legitimate contender.

There are others (this writer) who label such talk make-believe. Been there and done that. Fool me once … .

Gotta see it to believe it.

Whether Ezekiel Elliott will be there is anybody’s guess. He might not even know. Whispers persisted on Monday about him weighing his options, including holding out for a new contract.

That will quickly become a distraction, even if his participation in training camp will be more like that of a teacher on a staff development day.

Needless to say, his potential holdout wouldn’t be the first.

Camp, more often than not, has been used as a platform for players to get more M-O-N-E-Y.

Not showing up to camp has often been used as leverage for players’ financial demands. The closer the season approached the more tense the negotiations.

Sometimes it gets ugly and personal. No one is expecting anything like that.

Jerry Jones is not Tex Schramm.

Bob Hayes was the first notable Cowboys star to demand a bigger paycheck. Duane Thomas, Everson Walls, Tony Dorsett and Emmitt Smith all sat out time while the negotiators worked to raise their minimum wage.

With all that said, training camp isn’t always all about preparation for the season.

More often than not, it’s also about a coach balancing egos, the playbook and a bunch of drama. And when it comes to the Cowboys, there’s always drama, whether that surrounds Bob Lilly’s mysterious disappearance, Dorsett and Herschel Walker, Terrell Owens or Dez Bryant’s mother.

Your troubled child in all likelihood isn’t anything like what Tom Landry had to deal with with Thomas.

Pass the coach a Bible and holy water.

1960 Pacific University, Forest Grove, Ore.,
and St. John’s Military Academy, Delafield, Wis.

Even in those first spartan days of the Cowboys, the players knew a dump when they saw one, and St. John’s qualified. St. John’s promised remodeled dorm rooms, but when the team arrived, it found bats flying in hallways and mosquitoes everywhere. It was, player personnel director Gil Brandt said, a disaster. While all that was going on, a young Lamar Hunt, owner of the rival Dallas Texans of the AFL, was trying to make inroads in the Fort Worth market. “Our team belongs to the whole North Texas region,” said Hunt on his 28th birthday. “I think our starting backfield symbolizes that. We have Cotton Davidson from near Waco, Jim Swink and Jack Spikes from TCU and Abner Haynes from North Texas State.”

1961 St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minn.

Running back Don Perkins established himself in the first two preseason games, said Tom Landry, who also liked what he saw in linebacker Jerry Tubbs and quarterbacks Eddie LeBaron and Don Meredith, in his second season out of SMU. “Meredith is coming along fine,” said Landry, 0-11-1 in the Cowboys’ inaugural season. “It takes time to become proficient at quarterback in the NFL and now that Don is more familiar with his receivers, the system and the defenses of the opposition, he is starting to make a lot of progress.

1962 Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Mich.

It was too cold for the liking of Tom Landry, who despaired taking his team out of the 50-degree climes of summer Michigan for the typical 100-degree Texas summer day for preseason Game 1. Tight end Pettis Norman was the darling of the rookie class, though he was hardly the only good prospect. Defensive end George Andrie, 6-7, 252, was another rookie, from Marquette, poised to set anchor at right defensive end and be a companion to Bob Lilly on the other side. “He’s big, strong, has speed and good hands. I’ll stake my 10 years’ experience that he’ll be a good one,” quarterback Eddie LeBaron said of Norman, who played at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, N.C.

1963 California Lutheran College, Thousand Oaks, Calif.

“We are having our best camp ever and most of it is due to the return of our basic group who have had a couple of years under our system,” Tom Landry said. One rookie in camp was former TCU QB Sonny Gibbs, at 6-foot-7, the tallest quarterback in NFL history until 6-8 Dan McGwire with the Seattle Seahawks in 1991. Gibbs, a Graham High School graduate, was selected but did not play in the College All-Star Game, his team coached by Otto Graham. “Otto Graham might not put him in, but Tom Landry will,” said a Cowboys publicist. Graham might have been on to something. Gibbs’ career line reads: 1 for 3 for 3 yards in two games for Detroit in 1964.

1964 California Lutheran College, Thousand Oaks, Calif.

Future Hall of Famer Mel Renfro, the Cowboys’ top pick from Oregon, arrived with a binder full of job recommendations. “He’s got better balance than a sand crab,” said Texas coach Darrell Royal. Tom Landry also entered camp with a little security after being granted a 10-year contract extension from owner Clint Murchison. “We have put Mel Renfro, our best rookie, at safety. Defense is an area you must improve if you’re going to be a winner. The toughest job of developing a young team is the defense.”

1965 California Lutheran College, Thousand Oaks, Calif.

The Cowboys welcomed seventh-round pick Bob Hayes, the fastest human in the world with a record 9.91 seconds in the 100 meters, to camp. “He will drive them crazy,” said Arkansas coach Frank Broyles, who was quickly proved correct. It probably helped, too, that Landry simplified the offense, which ranked last in yards gained and next to last in points scored in 1964. Hayes helped fix that problem.

1966 California Lutheran College, Thousand Oaks, Calif.

A season after their first playoff appearance, the Cowboys were looking to take a long jumper’s leap in 1966. That would have been quite the challenge without All-Pro defensive end Bob Lilly, who at 27 considered retiring during the off-season. “It was just something personal. There were no hard feelings and it wasn’t a question about money. I really want to play a couple of more years, though. But I’ve had some minor injuries, and frankly football gets a little old old when you play five or six months a year.”

1967 California Lutheran College, Thousand Oaks, Calif.

The Cowboys were confident going into camp with a defensive front that featured Bob Lilly, George Andrie, Jethro Pugh and Willie Townes. Coaches, however, shivered with thoughts of injury to any of them. Camp was to be used to find some depth. “I’d love to roll out the ball and say, ‘Go get ’em,’” said defensive line coach Ernie Stautner, “but we’re not that type of team. We just can’t afford to get any of them hurt. Our depth is very insecure and I don’t relish the situation.”

1968 California Lutheran College, Thousand Oaks, Calif.

The cliché “hungry” didn’t adequately describe the motivated Cowboys, who arrived at camp still the victims of a stinging loss in the Ice Bowl on New Year’s Eve. No, these Cowboys were more like unhinged plunderers. “They don’t want to just beat people anymore,” said offensive tackle Ralph Neely. “They want to annihilate them. They want to get where a team will dread to play the Cowboys that week because it’s gonna hurt so. One of our defensive guys told me he’s going to go so hard that the man playing against him will start worrying about surviving the game.”

1969 California Lutheran College, Thousand Oaks, Calif.

Craig Morton became the starting quarterback after Don Meredith, citing a lack of desire to play, retired in July, weeks before camp was to begin. Another rookie would compete with him. “If I had to do it all over again, I’d do it the same way,” said Roger Staubach, a 27-year-old making his NFL entry after serving a five-year commitment to the Navy. “I have a good education, a good football background and I’ve seen the world. I made up my mind to stay in shape, so I joined a team the Navy had. I feel I’m stronger now than when I was a senior at the academy.” Running back Don Perkins retired, too, leaving rookie Calvin Hill the front-runner.

1970 California Lutheran College, Thousand Oaks, Calif.

Pay me or trade me, said Bob Hayes, who along with Mel Renfro and George Andrie spent all of the off-season in contract squabbles with management. The demands of Hayes, seeking more than $40,000 a season, lingered. As insurance, the Cowboys brought in Canadian Football League star Margene Adkins, a Fort Worth Kirkpatrick grad and the team’s No. 2 draft choice. “He’s another Bob Hayes,” Tom Landry said. “We knew he was great when he was in junior college and he took Ottawa to the Grey Cup. We timed him once in the 40-yard dash in street clothes and he ran 4.5.”

1971 California Lutheran College, Thousand Oaks, Calif.

As Duane Thomas Turns. A year after helping lead the Cowboys to a first Super Bowl appearance, Thomas, the 1970 Rookie of the Year, refused to report to camp in a contract dispute. At first chance, Tex Schramm and Tom Landry sent him to New England in a trade. But New England GM Upton Bell asked the Cowboys to take Thomas back after the troubled running back abruptly left camp, saying, “They don’t want me.” Said Bell in a statement: The team physician “developed certain questions concerning Duane Thomas’ general condition.” One problem the Patriots had with Thomas was his refusal to complete a physical exam … more specifically, the urinalysis and blood test. Thomas would be a Cowboy when the team opened Texas Stadium.

1972 California Lutheran College, Thousand Oaks, Calif.

As Duane Thomas Turns, Part 33. The Cowboys and No. 33 were defending Super Bowl champions, and perhaps in the spirit of that good mood, both management and the NFL pardoned Thomas for a marijuana possession charge in the off-season. But other things became intolerable. Thomas failed to show for camp on time and regularly missed meetings and practices. It all came to a head with two more skipped meetings and a missed practice. Tom Landry went to Thomas’ room where he found him reading a book. “He wasn’t sick,” Landry said. “He just didn’t feel like working today. He didn’t offer any explanations. He never does offer explanations.” The Cowboys dumped their problem child off on San Diego, where Thomas became a Chargers problem. He wouldn’t play for them because he wanted a new contract.

1973 California Lutheran College, Thousand Oaks, Calif.

Stalwart Bob Lilly went missing mysteriously after arriving for camp at the airport in Los Angeles. Lilly had changed his mind about the 1973 season and was ready to retire with a news conference set for a Thursday to announce it. He changed his mind at 4 a.m. “After my meeting with Tex, I stayed up two more hours and talked to [his wife] Ann about it.” Said Schramm: “It was his decision. I just told him I thought he owed it to himself to come back to camp.” Meanwhile, Mel Renfro and Craig Morton — who had lost the starting quarterback job two years ago only to regain it when Roger Staubach was injured in 1972 — wanted more money. With Staubach still with the team and healthy, Morton’s ploy of walking out of camp lacked leverage. Morton relented, reappearing at camp on July 21, but did nothing to quell rumors of general “unrest” among the players with management. “I’d be happy to be making 50 percent of what some players make,” Lee Roy Jordan said.

1974 California Lutheran College, Thousand Oaks, Calif.

Players went on strike July 1, though non-union players went about camp business as usual. Speculation swirled about that John Fitzgerald, Robert Newhouse, Charlie Waters and Rayfield Wright were all poised to jump to the new World Football League. The first exhibition game wouldn’t be happening, said Cowboys tight end Jean Fugett. “There will be no game because there will be no Oakland team there. I’ve got some people that can assure you of that and I can assure you that the majority of Cowboys veterans will be there picketing. There will not be any games.” Practicality got the best of conviction as, one by one, veterans began crossing the picket line in an eventual victory for the owners. Veterans were all in camp by Aug. 10.

1975 California Lutheran College, Thousand Oaks, Calif.

This time, Bob Lilly meant it. The Cowboys legend formally announced a decision that had been made months ago: He was retiring at age 35. Injuries, specifically continued pain in his neck, were the driving force in his decision. “I’ve had a good career,” Lilly said. “I could see it kind of going downhill. I don’t want to be a ghost on the sideline. I want to leave with a good taste in my mouth.” The Cowboys entered camp having missed the playoffs for the first time in nine years after a season of league-wide labor turmoil. Younger players were ready: Charlie Waters was set to challenge Cornell Green at safety, fullback Robert Newhouse had the inside track to replace Walt Garrison (out with a rodeo injury) and Ed “Too Tall” Jones was in line to replace Pat Toomay at right defensive end. And rookie draft pick Randy White made his Cowboys debut.

1976 California Lutheran College, Thousand Oaks, Calif.

If there was any complacency in Cowboys camp coming off the team’s third Super Bowl appearance it disappeared on arrival. Starting running back Preston Pearson went down with a knee injury in the first week of camp, leaving the starting job to Kutztown State third-year runner … Doug Dennison. “Preston has been very instrumental to me,” Dennison said. “He’s been through the mill and understands the philosophy of football, and I’ve learned a lot off of him.” The start of camp also represented the start of NFL careers for Danny White and linebacker Mike Hegman.

1977 California Lutheran College, Thousand Oaks, Calif.

The Cowboys gave up their first-round pick and three second-rounders to Seattle for the No. 2 pick in the draft, which would no doubt not only fill a big hole at running back but also create a whole new dimension. Clint Murchison and Tex Schramm opened up the Cowboys’ bank account to sign Tony Dorsett, who became the first $1 million player in Cowboys history with the contract spread over five years. “All I hear is that Tony Dorsett is coming in and he’s going to take my job,” said incumbent starter Preston Pearson, who heard right. “I just wish people would recognize the fact that both of us can help this club and that we’re teammates.”

1978 California Lutheran College, Thousand Oaks, Calif.

The Cowboys were reigning Super Bowl champions for a second time, and Roger Staubach tried to deflect the hype — and with it increased pressure — of the “D” word. “‘Dynasty’ is an outmoded word,” Staubach said. “There is no such thing under today’s system of leveling team strengths through the draft. My feeling is there are seven or eight teams capable of going all the way. Dallas should be one of them. But no team can be regarded as a cinch.” One pressing concern in camp was filling the hole left by Ralph Neely’s retirement and whether Rayfield Wright could return from knee surgery that cost him most of the previous season.

1979 California Lutheran College, Thousand Oaks, Calif.

A loss in the Super Bowl was indeed an itch the Cowboys couldn’t scratch, but it was matched with more immediate problems as camp approached. Tom Landry expected 14-year veteran Jethro Pugh’s retirement, but Ed “Too Tall” Jones? “It is my intention to become heavyweight champion of the world,” Jones told a stunned audience in June. It was the first of a run of bad luck in camp that continued with Tony Dorsett’s broken toe. There was even an issue at place-kicker. Because Rafael Septien was still in the process of applying for U.S. citizenship, the Cowboys, by federal law, had to advertise the kicking position as open “to any American citizen.” Septien managed “to win” the job.

1980 California Lutheran College, Thousand Oaks, Calif.

Too Tall Jones was back in camp after giving pro boxing a try, but life without Roger Staubach began in earnest after the Cowboys legend announced his retirement in March. Danny White became his successor. “The job is mine now,” White said. “You can take me or leave me. I am not Roger Staubach. I hope no one expects me to look like him. I will not try to emulate him.” Glenn Carano was also in the mix, though the three-year veteran from UNLV lacked experience: “I’m going to challenge him. Even if [White] is the heir apparent, he is going to have to prove himself. The bench and I don’t get along. I’m going to make every effort to be the No. 1 quarterback.”

1981 California Lutheran College, Thousand Oaks, Calif.

No. 1 pick Howard Richards, an offensive lineman, agreed to terms the day before the start of camp. But two other rookies — both undrafted free agents — gained notice, too, after injuries depleted the secondary. Safety Dennis Thurman, a three-year veteran, moved to cornerback after an injury to Aaron Mitchell and rookie Michael Downs moved into a starting spot at free safety. Rookie Everson Walls also turned heads. “A lot of things go into helping a rookie make the team,” said secondary coach Gene Stallings. “Downs is in the best position because Randy Hughes is hurt and Dextor Clinkscale is a few weeks away from practicing. Walls has made big plays in every [preseason] game.”

1982 California Lutheran College, Thousand Oaks, Calif.

Labor issues cast a shadow over training camp with the NFL Players Association proposing players be paid through a “players compensation fund.” Monies from that fund would be derived from a fixed percentage of each team’s gross revenues. According to the union, the average player’s salary was $83,000 in 1981. “This is a carefully constructed system to reward excellence with an equitable distribution of funds,” said Ed Garvey, the NFLPA’s executive director, of the proposal. “We think we have created a new, rationale system that is the best in sports for rewarding what a player has actually done.” A players strike would cost the league seven games.

1983 California Lutheran College, Thousand Oaks, Calif.

Distractions were everywhere. Several players, including Tony Dorsett, Ron Springs, Harvey Martin, Tony Hill and Larry Bethea were connected to drug investigations, though none were arrested. Tom Landry adopted a get-tough policy, mandating stricter curfews and longer and tougher practices. A former FBI agent was hired as security director. And then there was cornerback Everson Walls, who led the NFL in interceptions his first two seasons in the league and ended a five-day holdout, saying he intended to play out his option for the next two seasons and then sign with the USFL in 1985. Walls, who at one point threatened to retire, was set to make $60,000 in 1983. “I’m not mad at the Cowboys,” Walls said. “We all know this is a business. They’re just trying to save money and I’m trying to get as much money as I can.” In September, Walls and the Cowboys finally agreed to a five-year, $1.5 million contract.

1984 California Lutheran College, Thousand Oaks, Calif.

For the first time since the team’s inception, Clint Murchison didn’t own a majority interest in the Cowboys. Bum Bright, a very rich Aggie, took over as owner after having bought Murchison’s principal majority share for $65 million. On the practice field, there was turmoil. A quarterback controversy carried over from the season before and reached a boiling point as Gary Hogeboom arrived at camp ready to challenge incumbent Danny White, whose hold on the job was even more tenuous now. White found himself at the center of scandal, accused of punching a 17-year-old Plano High School student in a road-rage incident during the off-season. “I’m looking forward to getting back to my preparations for the season,” said White, 32, who admitted to slapping the teen in self-defense and was found not guilty in June. Tom Landry had different ideas, though. He went with his “gut” in choosing Hogeboom as his starter to begin the season. “I would just as soon be on some lake with [former Vikings coach] Bud Grant fishing right now instead of making a decision like this,” Landry said. Hogeboom’s weapons would not include Drew Pearson, who, though he planned to play one more year, was forced into retirement at 33 because of injuries suffered in an automobile accident that killed his brother.

1985 California Lutheran College, Thousand Oaks, Calif.

Tony Dorsett’s contract holdout got meaner and uglier than former St. Louis Cardinals guard Conrad Dobler. Dorsett made claims that left, according to reports, Cowboys president Tex Schramm “visibly shaken.” Among them, Dorsett alleged that the team had reneged on a promise to renegotiate his contract, had pocketed most of a $622,000 signing bonus that was part of Dorsett’s original deal and that Schramm was the source of leaks detailing the running back’s financial troubles, which included a sizable debt to the IRS. Dorsett, said to be seeking a deal comparable to the contract of Randy White, eventually did sign a new contract, which included a 20-year annuity worth $6.4 million. “Tex and I have an understanding,” Dorsett said after ending a 20-day holdout. “There were some harsh words, but that’s behind us.”

1986 California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, Calif.

“Tony Dorsett is gonna be unhappy if the figures are true,” said Tony Dorsett after hearing the Cowboys had signed Herschel Walker to a five-year deal worth $5 million. “I’m not second to anybody on the Dallas Cowboys football team as far as running backs are concerned.” The reports about Walker were true. He joined the Cowboys in the middle of August, setting up what Tom Landry hoped would be a dream backfield that included Dorsett. Walker “is getting present-day dollars every year, no deferments. I mean, have you ever heard that with the Dallas Cowboys? C’mon, man, For them to do this is the complete opposite of what they do. A village idiot could figure that out.” Tex Schramm said the Cowboys wouldn’t trade Dorsett because they wanted him. And Dorsett stayed … by all appearances, grudgingly.

1987 California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, Calif.

For the second time in six seasons, a looming players strike diverted attention from preparations for the season. The NFL had discussed a contingency plan if the players walked out, using free-agent “scabs” to continue the season. The Cowboys and other teams had offered $1,000 to players they had cut to secure their services if there was a strike. Kevin Sweeney, drafted in the seventh round but cut in training camp, declined the $1,000 retainer. “I realize I haven’t made it and it’s not my union, but some day it might be my union. To me, $1,000 isn’t worth causing a commotion,” said Sweeney, who would later that season quarterback the scab Cowboys.

1988 California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, Calif.

The Cowboys and Tony Dorsett divorced in June through a trade with Denver. The separation seemed inevitable as the team leaned more and more heavily on Herschel Walker to the point that Dorsett didn’t even figure into the Cowboys’ plans. In fact, Tom Landry said Dorsett’s departure would likely go unnoticed. “I don’t think it’s a good trade for us,” said Danny White, who would for a last time lose his starting quarterback job, this time to Steve Pelluer, in camp. “In my unbiased opinion, Tony Dorsett is the finest runner in the NFL. I think it’s been handled poorly, this thing with Tony and Herschel, and I feel strongly things should be worked out with both of them.” In camp was rookie wide receiver Michael Irvin.

1989 California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, Calif.

The Cowboys’ last camp in Thousand Oaks coincided with radical change in the organization, starting with Jerry Jones’ buying the team from Bum Bright in the off-season and hiring Jimmy Johnson as coach. Johnson had 34 rookies in camp, including quarterbacks Troy Aikman, the overall top pick in April’s NFL Draft, and Steve Walsh, and most were expected to get long looks as the Cowboys rebuilt their personnel foundation. With Steve Pelluer in a contract dispute, the only quarterback with any experience was free agent Babe Laufenberg. “I feel deep down that I’ll be the player,” Aikman said. “If I’m not and someone else is, then I’ll worry about it. For now, I’m going to do what I can.”

1990 St. Edward’s University, Austin

Top pick Emmitt Smith, who returned to the classrooms of the University of Florida while in a prolonged, 48-day holdout, again dropped school like Curvin Richards did footballs after agreeing to a deal on Sept. 4 worth a reported $2.7 million ($675,000 a year) over four years and a $1 million signing bonus. Smith’s task: Breathe life into the Cowboys’ running game. “I’ve been put in this situation before,” Smith said, “but I don’t look to be the savior of any team. All I can do is be the best I can be. I’m not going to come in here and try to be Tony Dorsett or Walter Payton. I’m just going to be Emmitt Smith. I’ve been a Cowboys fan since I was 8 and I hope to help us be a Super Bowl contender in the next two or three years.”

1991 St. Edward’s University, Austin

The Cowboys entered camp with a new offensive coordinator — Norv Turner — and having to decide on as many as 10 starting positions, if not more. The only sure bet: Troy Aikman at quarterback. Yet, in Year 3 of the Jimster, coaches’ evaluations were now based on improving the club, not merely surviving the season. “You can’t even make a comparison,” Johnson said. “If we were at ground zero two years ago, we’re at about eight or nine now. It’s a lot more fun this way.” Sixteen guys were coming off some sort of off-season surgery, including Issiac Holt, Ken Norton and Aikman, who, in addition to elbow surgery, was also dealing with a shoulder issue. “I’ve never felt better,” Aikman said. “The shoulder was never a worry to me, but the elbow really feels comfortable. That’s why I’m excited about camp.”

1992 St. Edward’s University

Coming off a surprise 11-5 season, the Cowboys entered camp with Super Bowl ambitions even though nine veterans, including Michael Irvin, Ken Norton, Mark Stepnoski and Jay Novacek (who demanded he be “paid like a receiver”), were no-shows to start workouts while seeking new contracts. “I’m not going to predict we’re going to the Super Bowl,” Troy Aikman said. “But I feel safe in saying that we can line up with any team in the league. With our talent and confidence, give us a couple of breaks here and there and I can see [going to the Super Bowl] as a realistic possibility.” Said coach Joe Gibbs of the defending Super Bowl champion Redskins: “They’re building as much momentum as anybody in our league.”

1993 St. Edward’s University, Austin

The Cowboys started defense of the franchise’s third Super Bowl victory without their starting backfield at training camp. Daryl Johnston and Emmitt Smith were contract holdouts, and Smith and team management were nowhere close. In fact, they had a $2 million-a-season difference of opinion. Emmitt would get his money and guarantees but wouldn’t arrive until the third game of the season. Nonetheless, spirits were good that summer. “We’re going to be a better football team this year,” Jimmy Johnson said. “We’re talented and now we’ll be helped by the experience factor. We’ve got the confidence, almost a swagger going that says we can go out on the field and take it to anybody.”

1994 St. Edward’s University, Austin

Barry Switzer’s first camp seemed a break from the tumult of an off-season in which Jimmy Johnson left the team over disputes with Jerry Jones, who assured observers and skeptics on the first day of camp that he knew best. “I have challenged this team with decisions I made in the off-season,” Jerry said. “The best opportunity we had to win a Super Bowl was to make a change with Jimmy and bring in Barry. His style, his skills, are just what this team needed.” Said Barry: “My philosophy of coaching is for my players to be relaxed, having fun and not standing around like a bunch of robots with their game faces strapped on and not feeling very comfortable.”

1995 St. Edward’s University, Austin

Jerry Jones worked harder than any player in training camp, sealing groundbreaking deals with Pepsi and Nike, and chasing after Deion Sanders like a lovesick schoolboy pining for the prettiest girl he thought he’d ever seen. Jerry’s persistence — and perhaps the cleverness of temporary insanity — paid off. He got his guy by renegotiating Troy Aikman’s contract, among others. Sanders signed a seven-year contract worth $35 million, including a $12.9 million signing bonus. “You can look at it from a market standpoint of being overpriced,” the owner said. “But I’m overpriced; the whole damn thing is overpriced. But that hasn’t got anything to do with it, as far as I’m concerned. It’s who gets the job done, and getting the job done around here is going to a Super Bowl.”

1996 St. Edward’s University, Austin

Flamboyant Michael Irvin’s “playmaking” skills landed him in trouble when his 30th birthday party at a hotel in March was interrupted by a policeman’s knock on the door. Inside, the law found Irvin and teammate Alfredo Roberts with more than 9 grams of cocaine and some marijuana, presumably for variety. With them were two “self-employed models” and sex toys. The circus that ensued included a cop seeking to defend the honor of one of the young ladies — his girlfriend — with a hit on Irvin. Irvin’s arrest and indictment on charges of cocaine possession ended days before camp was to begin with his plea bargain. A sentence of probation and a $10,000 fine was merely a tap on the wrist compared to the five-game suspension the NFL levied for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy. “It’s been on everybody’s mind, but he’s the one who has to deal with it day in and day out,” Troy Aikman said. “I still go on vacations; I’m still getting ready for the season. It hasn’t affected my life.”

1997 St. Edward’s University, Austin

The Cowboys’ image continued to take a beating with more and more bad news breaking at training camp. Nate Newton was accused of sexual assault, Erik Williams was the subject of a paternity suit, Leon Lett had already been suspended for the first 13 games through an NFL drug sting (a urine test) and Michael Irvin’s name remained notorious, even though he was not charged in an alleged altercation at a bar in San Francisco. And the Cowboys broke camp at St. Ed’s with a big party that left some dorm rooms with extensive water damage, a busted security camera, kicked-in air vents and a “hallway smelling strongly of urine.” The kicker: In early August, coach Barry Switzer was arrested for carrying a loaded .38-caliber gun into DFW Airport.

1998 Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls

New coach Chan Gailey must have wondered what he got himself into when only days into camp a mystery developed and constant speculation followed surrounding Everett McIver’s neck wound. The Cowboys refused to address and probably had a good reason. What team officials initially called an incident of “horseplay,” soon appeared to be much more than that and it again apparently involved Michael Irvin, who, sources began to say, inflicted the wound in malice with a pair of scissors. McIver, who was being counted on as a starter on the offensive line, missed several weeks. “Why is everybody trying to put me in everything?” Irvin asked. Meanwhile, if Jerry Jones had taken his own advice, Jimmy Johnson might still be around. “We’ve said all we are going to say about it.”

1999 Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls

The Cowboys began camp without Leon Lett (drug suspension … again) and Deion Sanders (bad toe) and with Michael Irvin, 33, unhappy with a reduced role in the offense and wanting a contract extension. Despite speculation that he might not arrive to camp on time, Irvin arrived early. “Michael Irvin is a starting wide receiver; that’s his role,” Chan Gailey said. “I think it’s smart for us that the older Irvin gets, the more we should try to rest him so that he can be fresher at the end of the year. Michael is a very hard worker. I would like to see him get the work in, but to be smart about it, too. If he can take care of himself, and we can help him take care of his body … the older he is getting, he can be very productive throughout the whole year.”

2000 Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls

Dave Campo’s first camp as head coach was only the first of a couple of big changes. Michael Irvin retired, and to replace him Jerry Jones went big, trading two No. 1 draft picks to Seattle in February for Joey Galloway. Camp was about finding the best way for Troy Aikman to get the ball to the speedy receiver. “Joey has made it clear to me that I can’t overthrow him,” Aikman said. “I just figure I’m going to start throwing it as far as I can. I’ve got about 55 yards left in my arm.”

2001 Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls
River Ridge Playing Fields, Oxnard, Calif.

Camp was supposed to be the start of the Tony Banks Era, but rookie quarterback Quincy Carter emerged as a competitor to take over for the retired Troy Aikman. Carter ultimately got the job when, surprisingly, Banks was cut in the middle of August. “This decision is an aggressive decision,” Jerry Jones said. “It’s bold. The success we’ve had in the past has been about bold decisions. We’ve never gotten there laying up, then hitting into the green. We’ve gotten there going for it. We’re going for it here.” Said a disappointed Banks: “I didn’t see this coming. I feel like my dad hit me with a baseball bat. I guess I am not Jerry’s guy. All I know is the offensive coordinator [Jack Reilly] and the quarterback coach [Wade Wilson] had no idea what was going on. That should tell you something.” More than $25 million of cap room went to players no longer on the team.

2002 Alamodome, San Antonio

Lots of whispering at the Alamodome, but it wasn’t about the look of the Cowboys and a revamped roster. It was Jerry Jones’ new face. As it related to football, the Cowboys were coming of another 5-11 season and still crossing their fingers that Quincy Carter could look just a little like Troy Aikman. Chad Hutchinson was in camp to provide competition. “First of all, as a person, I’m sensitive to the criticism,” said Jones, who also gave Dave Campo a dreaded vote of confidence. “It isn’t that I’m not aware of it. From the day I bought the Cowboys … I’ve been criticized from everything from what I do to the way I look. I just shrug it off as part of being a part of the Dallas Cowboys, which is worth it.”

2003 River Ridge Playing Fields, Oxnard, Calif.

Camp Tuna. Jerry Jones brought in Bill Parcells as coach and the Tuna did a thorough spring cleaning. It was a new era for the Cowboys, Jones predicted, but there were no quick fixes for a team coming off a third consecutive 5-11 season. “My job right now, as I view it, is to try to restore Dallas to a highly competitive franchise,” said Parcells. “But more immediately, to try to get the right 53 players on this team at the end of this camp, and try to have a vision for each one of those players as to what role they may play.” Not in San Antonio was Emmitt Smith, who was released in April and signed with the Cardinals.

2004 River Ridge Playing Fields, Oxnard, Calif.

In the first week of August, the Cowboys cut quarterback Quincy Carter after a second failed drug test. With that decision made, Bill Parcells put the offense in the hands of 18-year veteran Vinny Testaverde, who was the only quarterback in camp with any NFL experience. Behind him was Drew Henson and Tony Romo, an undrafted free-agent signee in 2003 who was considered a project. “This isn’t going to be smooth, I understand that,” Parcells said. “We are going where we are going now, and we’re going with who we are going with.” Said Testaverde: “I came here to prepare myself as the starting quarterback. I was competing as if I was going to get the starting job.”

2005 River Ridge Playing Fields, Oxnard, Calif.

Bill Parcells announced he was changing schemes on defense to a 3-4, leaving Greg Ellis — more suited for the 4-3 because he was a little undersized — feeling in limbo. Ellis, the team’s first-round pick in 1998, was said to have even had a heated conversation with the coach in June about his role on the team. Still, as camp approached, he said he wasn’t disgruntled. “Bill is convinced. He is the coach and has done this a long time. He thinks I can do this and be fine in it,” Ellis said. Yet, “I don’t truly think I will be let go at the end of the [2005] season. But with the way the team is going, I don’t think I will be around for a long term. I just don’t believe I will be here as long as I thought I would.”

2006 River Ridge Playing Fields, Oxnard, Calif.

Fans chanted “T-O! T-O! T-O!” as controversial receiver Terrell Owens made his way to the practice field — making a late arrival from the locker room — for the first day of camp. “TO, We Got R Popcorn,” read a sign carried by another fan. “I’m always kind of the last,” Owens said. “Go back and check in Philly … I’m always the last out of the locker room.” Bill Parcells did his best to ignore the circus. Instead, he had to find his backup quarterback. Was Tony Romo ready to take on that role? “I’ve got to decide where he is,” Parcells said. “Had we just thrown him to the wolves two years ago or something, it probably would have ruined his career.”

2007 Alamodome, San Antonio

A new enthusiasm is a very fine thing, indeed. Bill Parcells was out and Wade Phillips and offensive coordinator Jason Garrett — the head coach in waiting, speculators surmised — were in. Tony Romo was the established No. 1 at quarterback and Terrell Owens was still the No. 1 target on offense. New defensive coordinator Brian Stewart declared that his unit should be the best in the league. “He’s got a great mind for the game,” Romo said of Garrett. “He played the game for such a long time, it makes it easy on you to talk to him. He knows what you’re thinking.”

2008 River Ridge Playing Fields, Oxnard, Calif.

The soap opera storylines were endless possibilities with Terrell Owens and Adam Jones both on the roster. But Wade Phillips spoke with unbridled optimism during the first day of camp. Some might have called it unhinged optimism. “Get the ring finger ready,” Phillips boasted to high school coaches assembled at a clinic days before the Cowboys would begin camp. He had a winner, he believed, riding the crest of a 13-3 regular season in 2007. “We’ll have a strong training camp, but we’ll curb back on pads at some time,” Phillips said, giving credence to criticisms that his training camps were soft as a cupcake. “I think we’ve established ourselves, at least on paper, as a contender. It’s nice to be there rather than the other situation.”

2009 Alamodome, San Antonio

Coming off a falling-back-to-earth 9-7 in 2008, Wade Phillips was getting tough with big expectations for life in the Cowboys’ new home in Arlington. More two-a-days, including three straight to start August. “There’s been a major effort made on how we can do things better, how we can get better,” Jerry Jones said. “We certainly have changed some faces on the team. I expect contributions from a significant number of the rookies as well as the new people that we brought in, so I think we’ll use the experience that we had in ’08 and take advantage of that in ’09.” As far as the quarterback was concerned, he was single again after having broken up with Jessica Simpson and Terrell Owens.

2010 Alamodome, San Antonio and River Ridge Playing Fields, Oxnard, Calif.

The Super Bowl was coming to town and Jerry Jones couldn’t help but dream big in the Cowboys’ 50th-anniversary season. “All this makes for a special year for the Cowboys,” Jones said. “We have certainly put the ingredients in the stew. We all know we have an opportunity. It’s easy to see that it doesn’t sit there for you forever.” Wade Phillips preached improvement. Perhaps Dez Bryant’s defiance in refusing to carry Roy Williams’ pads off the field as part of a rookie initiation ritual was the first sign of the disaster that would be 2010.

2011 Alamodome, San Antonio

Camp began with players and owners dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s on a new collective bargaining agreement that led to an off-season lockout. Notable salary-cap cuts that immediately followed were Marion Barber, Leonard Davis and wide receiver Roy Williams, who was made all the more expendable with newly discovered confidence in second-year receiver Dez Bryant. The same Bryant who was sued over unpaid jewelry bills and kicked out of a Dallas shopping mall and given a criminal trespass warning over dispute about his sagging pants. “He plays with great passion, emotion and enthusiasm,” new head coach Jason Garrett said. “Anybody who watches him play can see that. We, as coaches, love that.”

2012 River Ridge Playing Fields, Oxnard, Calif.

The Dez Distraction Dispenser was back at the beginning of camp: “Mr. Bryant and his mother, Angela, are appearing here today,” Dez’s lawyer announced, adding that Mom wouldn’t be pressing charges, “because they feel it is important to address recent reports that Mr. Bryant committed family violence against his mother. Did a family disagreement occur? Yes. Did Dez Bryant commit family violence against his mother? No. They ask that there not be a rush to judgment concerning their family.” Now if only the Cowboys could rush the football, they might be better than 8-8.

2013 River Ridge Playing Fields, Oxnard, Calif.

Jerry Jones vowed that the off-season would be “uncomfortable” after a second consecutive 8-8 season. He shook up the coaching staff, firing defensive coordinator Rob Ryan and replacing him with 70-something Monte Kiffin. He ordered play-calling duties be taken away from Jason Garrett so he could better manage the game and put in the hands of Bill Callahan. Nonetheless, Garrett was not facing “win-or-else” in 2013. “That’s not a thought,” Jones said. “But it is not what is implied when you say, ‘Well, this is an Armageddon year for him.’ It is not that with me.”

2014 River Ridge Playing Fields, Oxnard, Calif.

The Cowboys faced more and more questions after yet another 8-8 season. Coaching changes were made again, this time with more of Jason Garrett’s influence, including the hiring of Scott Linehan as passing game coordinator. But, what was the condition of Tony Romo’s back? Team officials treated questions about it as if he were a Soviet premier with a cold. Could Rod Marinelli pull a rabbit out of a hat and make the historically bad defense of 2013 at least competitive? And do so without Sean Lee, injured in the spring? “I can tell there is a certain energy on the plane, guys are out here, and they’re ready to go,” said center Travis Frederick.

2015 River Ridge Playing Fields, Oxnard, Calif.

The Cowboys were a Dez Bryant catch-not-a-catch away from advancing to the NFC Championship Game the season before. During the off-season, the Cowboys said they intended to use the franchise tag on Bryant, who said he wouldn’t play for that. “Truthfully, man. I just let God take care of it,” Bryant said. God did Dez quite well. A week or so before camp was set to begin, Bryant signed a five-year $70 million contract with $45 million guaranteed. “He’s a big reason for our success last year, the energy he brings to not only the field during a game, but to the practice field, a workout, to a meeting. Just his presence is a big deal.” Said Tony Romo: “I’m a much better quarterback after he signed his deal.” A 4-12 season followed.

2016 River Ridge Playing Fields, Oxnard, Calif.

Ezekiel Elliott, the fourth overall pick in the NFL Draft, looked good in camp early before a hamstring snuck up and bit him. He was ready for game 1. The most important rookie turned out to be the fourth rounder. Tony Romo went down on the third play of a preseason game against Seattle. An MRI showed a compression fracture of a vertebra. This was believed to be akin to the Hindenburg disaster, but Dak Prescott, thrown into the fire, responded, helping lead the Cowboys to a 13-3 record. The season ended in loss to Green Bay in the NFC Divisional round.

2017 River Ridge Playing Fields, Oxnard, Calif.

After much waiting and speculation, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell threw the book at Ezekiel Elliott, who was found guilty of a series of off-the-field incidents, including an allegation of domestic violence. The announcement of a six-game suspension took the air out of camp and the distraction would never subside while played on during an elongated appeal process and court hearings dragged. He eventually did the time.

2018 River Ridge Playing Fields, Oxnard, Calif.

Three years after signing a five-year contract, the Cowboys cut ties with Dez Bryant in the off-season. Peace and tranquility had seemingly returned to Camp Drama until … Dez showed up to defend himself against allegations that the offense stalled too often the year before because of him. “Here we go with that scapegoat shit. … Y’all know what the real problem is. Don’t put it on me with that bullshit garbage ass play calling. Everybody lined up in the same spot for 17 weeks,” Bryant wrote. Otherwise … .