A contingent of Cowboys players showed up for work today after the NFL instructed teams to open their doors this morning. With the lockout lifted, for now, it's almost business as usual at Valley Ranch. Nick Eatman filed this report:
Among that group is quarterback Tony Romo, who declined public comment as he left the complex after about a two-hour visit... Other players who have been here include tight end Jason Witten, offensive tackle Marc Colombo, guard Kyle Kosier, quarterback Stephen McGee and defensive end Igor Olshansky.... Other players who are here Friday morning are offensive linemen Sam Young and Phil Costa and wide receivers Kevin Ogletree and Teddy Williams.
More...
Jerry Jones discussed the situation at the Ranch, advising everybody there should be no awkwardness between the players, the coaches and the organization.
"We'll have all day and there should be some time to step out and say hello to some of the guys that are coming in," Jones said. "I visited with a couple of players today and intend to visit with them tomorrow."
One of the players Jones spoke with on Thursday was 2010 first-round pick Dez Bryant. He said he hadn't addressed Bryant's recent off-the-field issues, but would discuss those matters with Bryant while the receiver was at the facility to have his surgically-repaired ankle checked by team athletic trainers.
Jerry's not ready for full-steam ahead just yet, he's still firmly in the owner's corner concerning the labor situation. While players will be coming in and interacting with the organization and using the facilities, the Cowboys won't be scheduling any team activities just yet.
Though at least one team has scheduled Organized Team Activity (OTA) workouts for next week, Jones wasn't ready to go that far, knowing that if the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals issues a stay in the injunction, as requested by the league's owners, the lockout could be back on for all intents and purposes.