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Things are looking up? The sky's the limit? Corny captions notwithstanding, the Cowboys are gonna be a kick-ass team this season.

The Cowboys re-signed Pro Bowl safety Ken Hamlin this week.

Translation: It’s official, Super Bowl or bust.

Not that Hamlin is that valuable, but his signing means one less distraction in a 2008 season that should – that’s right, should -- climax with the Cowboys playing for the title in February.

Las Vegas agrees, staking Dallas as the favorite to represent the NFC in Super Bowl XLIII.

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One's into women and wedges and the other's coming back after a four-month retirement. You decide.

Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo finished third in a celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe over the weekend.

He also fell into a lake when he lost his balance hitting a shot, hosted a party house complete with karaoke machine and, yep, was cheered on by you-know-who, who posed for lots of pics, even some in a bikini. Or, what the hell, is that a onesy?

Good to see Romo sharpening his football skills less than two weeks before training camp. But it could be worse. He could be – like his childhood hero – retired, coming back, released, a backup … or just confused. -- Richie Whitt

Terry Glenn's leverage is running on empty.

It’s preposterous to think the Cowboys will release veteran receiver Terry Glenn. Why? First of all, they need him. Secondly, they have him.

As in, over a barrel.

Before pondering anything else about Glenn’s trials and tribs during minicamp, remember this: Last year he made $6 million and played in two games. That’s owner Jerry Jones’ negotiating stance, and Jerry usually gets what he wants.

Glenn had two surgeries on his right knee last year and now the Cowboys want him to sign an injury waiver contingency contract of $500,000 in case he hurts the knee again. If not, he makes $1.75 million.

Honestly, I don’t see Glenn’s leverage.

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What, you mean most 34-year-olds don't look like this?

According to this story just posted on ESPN.com, Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens has been placed in the NFL’s “reasonable cause” testing program for performance-enhancing drugs.

Which means? Owens, who recently botched some telephone calls to set up off-season drug tests, can now be randomly tested up to 24 times a year, for possibly the remainder of his career.

Seems like an “Oh, shit!” story, but owner Jerry Jones shrugs and says he knew all about the situation when last week he held a press conference officially giving Owens a new contract worth a guaranteed $13 million.

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Yep, him again.

This item pinged to me from Sportatorium superfan Clay Swartz (hey, us former UTA Shorthorn sports editors gotta stick together), who kept tabs on Tony Romo’s attempt to break 100 on the U.S. Open golf course in Torrey Pines, San Diego over the weekend.

Romo and his 2 handicap played in the Golf Digest US Open Challenge on Saturday, hoping to tame the Tiger Woods-accclaimed “Toughest Golf Course in America.” Aside from looking like a 40-something Cowboys homer in baggy polo, saggy-assed khakis and blue “D” cap, Romo was impressive.

He started the day with a 5-over 40 on the front nine and – despite a triple-bogey on 18 – carded a righteously decent 84. He was the best in his foursome, which included NBC TV morning man Matt Lauer, douche bag singer Justin Timberlake and an everyman John Atkinson.

In fact, I bet a pro will shoot worse than 84 when the tournament begins Thursday. Any takers?

And, before you start going ape shit over Romo not being at Valley Ranch 24/7, at least this outing was within our borders. -- Richie Whitt

Gotta live like Jesus? Might as well dress like him.

The dreadlocks are gone. So is the dread.

Not that we’re surprised, but Pacman Jones getting out of NFL commish Roger Goodell’s dog house on parole means – barring a flood at The Men’s Club – the Cowboys can count on him being a part of their 2008. A major part.

Pacman, like Terrell Owens, will not eff up in Dallas. Because he can’t afford it. His status in Goodell’s personal conduct program is basically one and done. He’s survived “making it rain” at a Las Vegas topless club, a dozen incidents involving law enforcement and even walking a $20,000 gambling tab at a casino. If he’s spotless for 90 days Goodell will reinstate him for the regular season.

It’ll happen, right?

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Like our apologies, our popcorn is ready.

Terrell Owens, gulp, team leader?

Despite his flabbergasting drops and simmering potential for volatile locker-room destruction, T.O. has proven he deserves his new four-year, $34 million contract. And you know what else? He deserves our apologies.

I’ll start with mine.

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Now the greatest kicker in all of Canada.

We know kickers are a weird breed. Not in an immoral FLDS compound kinda way. But just a little off, ya know?

Watch them in their natural habitat – isolated from real football – and you come away scratching your head as if it just dawned on you that – political correctness and racial sensitivity be damned – we still call our main bedroom the “master" suite.

I know, right?!

But there’s really no explanation for the plight of former Cowboys kicker Mike Vanderjagt. Remember him?

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Does part of you think we may never see this again? Me too.

Terry Glenn needs a hug. And, as usual, Greg Ellis needs his blanky, his passy and, for good measure, a muzzle.

One of the most discernable announcements of football season, Ellis is again unhappy with something or another out at Valley Ranch. Insert yawn, eye rolling and dismissive shrug. When the season gets underway Ellis will be his happy, quarterback-harassing self.

With Glenn, we’re not so sure.

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Madeja look.

Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is at it again. Ya know, being everywhere all the time right now. But this time, we’re going to have an awfully tough time working up some criticism.

His latest “it guy” project isn’t jetting off to Cancun or jumping on stage or polluting a microphone or playing golf or dating/dumping/dating Jessica Simpson. On Father’s Day – June 15th at 4 p.m. – Romo and 13 other celebrity athletes will take part in CBS’ "Who Made You?", a totally legit-looking one-hour special in which legendary broadcaster Dick Enberg will interview Romo, Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, Cal Ripken Jr., Shaquille O’Neal, Danica Patrick, Adrian Peterson and others about how their dads helped shaped their lives and careers.

Considering that All-Star lineup, this is one time we’d rather Romo not be at Valley Ranch. -- Richie Whitt

More than likely, he will probably, possibly, potentially be a part of the Cowboys' offense this seson. Maybe, that is.

Ken Hamlin (unsigned), Roy Williams (family vacation) and Terry Glenn (gimpy knee) weren’t present at yesterday’s Dallas Cowboys’ OTA (back in my beat writing days we called them “quarterback school”) at Valley Ranch, but I was.

The Top 5 highlights:

1. It was evident right away that money hasn’t changed Marion Barber. Forced by Cowboys’ officials to hold a mini-press conference at his locker in light of his brand spankin’ new contract, Barber was short, and none too sweet. Asked if he felt added pressure given the new deal and the new starting role? “Next question, please,” Barber said. Asked the difference between a back that carries 16 times and 20 times in the NFL? “Next question, please,” Barber said. Asked if he was planning on enjoying his increased media celebrity? “It’s bad, man. I’m sweating bullets,” Barber said. The almost funny give-and-take went on for 20 minutes. Afterward, I wasn’t sure if Barber was channeling Leon Lett or had merely perfected the unique art of being politely surly …

2. Zach Thomas, all short, stocky, feisty and wearing No. 55, will remind you old-timers of Lee Roy Jordan. His instincts have already wowed head coach Wade Phillips. During a team drill, the offense ran a reverse that Thomas sniffed out for a two-yard loss (though there is no tackling, or even hitting allowed during OTAs). “You just don’t see that from an inside linebacker,” Phillips cooed. “He recognizes plays as fast as anybody as I’ve coached. As fast as guys like (Philadelphia’s) Seth Joyner and (Denver’s) Karl Mecklenburg.” Just to try to trick Thomas, the Cowboys later ran a fake reverse. Said Phillips, “He’s too good. Didn’t bite on it.” …

3. First-round draft pick Mike Jenkins had an up-and-down day, intercepting a deep pass to Isaiah Stanback but also getting burned deep by Patrick Crayton. Get used to it. …

4. Tony Romo canceled a Pro-Am tee time with comedian George Lopez out at Colonial to take part in the workout. “Obviously I love golf,” said Romo, “but this is more fun.” Added Phillips, “The guy is amazing. For as much as he does – and he’s everywhere – he hasn’t missed anything around here in two years.” Somehow shaking off his shattered relationship with you-know-who, Romo was his giddy, jovial self. “I’ve been working on some things this off-season,” he said. “It’s exciting.” Asked if the “things” were fundamentals, like footwork or release, Romo quipped, “Oh, they’re a little more involved. You’ll see.” Guesses? …

5. He wasn’t on the field for yesterday’s workout, but he was the topic of plenty locker-room banter. Phillips termed him an “outside possibility”, “hopeful” and “play it by ear.” Romo said “he’s going to surprise a lot of you guys with his level of play.” Terrell Owens chimed in that “we’re counting on him.” Who dat? Terry Glenn and his surgically repaired knee. … -- Richie Whitt

For $45 million, he'd better be able to fly.

I’m headed out this morning to Valley Ranch to watch some Cowboys' OTAs (that’s “organized team activities” for some of you that’ve been mired in hoops ‘n hockey), to see who Tony Romo is fixn' to shag now and to ask Marion Barber what it feels like to be filthy rich despite starting just one game in the NFL.

OTAs are not to be confused with minicamps, which are not to be confused with training camp, which is not be confused with the pre-season, which isn’t, of course, same as the regular season. But it’s important nonetheless. Most everyone will be there. Romo will be throwing to Terrell Owens and perhaps even Terry Glenn. Felix Jones will be learning plays. And Terence Newman will be flaunting his new contract as well.

Pacman Jones, still awaiting the green light from the commish, won’t be allowed to participate yet. But with yesterday’s signings, his arrival and their draft haul, the Cowboys should be a better team than the one that lost to the Giants back in January.

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Dookie Stick, we hardly knew ya.

Former Cowboys starting tailback Troy Hambrick was sentenced today to five years in prison after pleading guilty to selling crack cocaine in Florida. Hambrick, if you remember, started all 16 games as Emmitt Smith’s successor in 2003, rushing for 972 yards and five touchdowns before Dallas drafted Julius Jones and sent T-Ham packing.

Hambrick’s legacy will not be rushing for a career-high 189 yards against the Washington Redskins on Dec. 15, 2003, but rather labeling his niftiest move the day the “Dookie Stick.”

No truth to the rumor that, when told of his brother’s fate, former Cowboys linebacker Darren Hambrick offered quizzically, “What do penitentiary mean?” -- Richie Whitt

Still a good guy. Still a good player?

Story goes something like this: Roy Williams sucks. The end.

No, wait, actually there’s more. A lot more. The Cowboys’ safety sucks in coverage, blames the media for picking on him, tells teammate Greg Ellis last year in training camp that he’s not a good fit in coach Wade Phillips’ 3-4 defense, sucks yet even more in coverage, gets yanked off the field in passing situations, this off-season tells us that he sometimes hoped the ball didn’t get thrown his way and now is isolating himself from teammates via pre-dawn workouts at Valley Ranch.

And to think, the only debate regarding him once was “Ring of Honor or No?”.

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Thanks to Ozzy Osbourne and Mike Ditka, this is not the worst 7th inning stretch in the history of the friendly confines. -- Richie Whitt