Breaking the ice

Cowboys battle elements, attend Parcells' first team meeting

Cowboys release Ismail IRVING, Texas (AP) -- The Dallas Cowboys released oft-injured veteran wide receiver Raghib Ismail on Wednesday, one day before the start of free agency. Ismail, 33, was scheduled to receive a base salary of $4 million in the fifth year of his seven-year contract. By releasing him, the Cowboys will add $1.9 million to their salary cap, giving them a total of almost $10 million. According to the Cowboys' Web site, the team has not closed the door on signing him to a minimum contract later in the spring. Ismail missed last season after being injured in an awkward collision with linebacker Dat Nguyen during training camp. Ismail underwent surgery to have a bulging disk between his fifth and sixth vertebrae removed and then had the two vertebrae fused. He also missed games during the 2000 and 2001 seasons because of injury.

IRVING, Texas (AP) -- With an assist from Mother Nature, Dallas Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells challenged the toughness and dedication of his new players Wednesday.

Just to get to Parcells' first team meeting, players had to brave the remnants of an ice storm that virtually shut down the Dallas-Fort Worth area for a second day. Schools and businesses were shuttered and many major roads were closed, blocked or slowed.

The meeting was scheduled weeks in advance, so the added degree of difficulty was just a coincidence.

Considering Parcells' reputation as a no-nonsense, do-as-I-say leader, players knew that if they wanted to be around in September they had better be at team headquarters Wednesday. In fact, the players' parking lot was nearly full half and hour before the meeting.

"It was a nice, productive meeting, good to meet the coaching staff," said running back Troy Hambrick, who could become the starter if Emmitt Smith doesn't return. "He said enough, but the most important thing is to just come prepared to work."

Speaking from his car, Hambrick was one of the few players willing to discuss the meeting, which lasted about 50 minutes. Parcells was not available.

Hambrick described Parcells' tone as "very gentle," but apparently firm, too.

"He got the word across," he said. "We got the message."

Smith visits Legislature AUSTIN (AP) -- Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Wednesday he expects to decide by the end of the week whether Emmitt Smith will remain with the team. Jones said he visited with Smith on a flight from Dallas to Austin, where the running back was honored by the Legislature for becoming the leading rusher in NFL history. "We know he's NFL royalty, he's Dallas Cowboys royalty," Jones said. "But this is about the future of the team. We're looking at the future of the team and there are a lot of things involved. It's not about Emmitt's ability to play. We know he can play." Smith's status has been in doubt for months because of his contract and age. He turns 34 in May and was due a base salary of $7 million next season, with a salary-cap figure of $9.8 million. If released now, he'll still count $4.9 million against next season's cap. Asked if he would consider being a backup in Dallas or anywhere else, Smith said he would "weigh all options, that much I will do." State lawmakers threw their support behind Smith remaining a Cowboy. "Don't let him get away," Rep. Tony Goolsby, R-Dallas, told Jones. "I want you to realize this man is Cowboys blue." Smith, smiling, then pounded House Speaker Tom Craddick's gavel as legislators applauded. Smith later was honored in the Senate, where Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, said his chamber should draft a resolution suggesting the team keep Smith. Smith told representatives that he was appreciative of the honor and the work they do. "This is definitely an environment that I'm not really accustomed to, but I can relate to because you guys go through what I go through. You get criticized when you don't do things well and you get a lot of slaps on the back when you do things well," Smith said. Members of the House, giddy with excitement over Smith's appearance, stood at ease for about an hour waiting for Smith to arrive.

Smith didn't make it, but he had an excused absence. He was in Austin being honored by state lawmakers for becoming the NFL's all-time leading rusher.

Smith's status is unclear anyway as he and Jones are discussing whether the running back will return and, if so, at what price. Smith is due $7 million and would count $9.8 million against the salary cap.

Jones and Smith talked on their flight to Austin, and the owner said a decision would come by the end of the week.

Since Parcells was hired Jan. 2, he has met individually with several players and has written all a letter saying he expects them to participate in offseason workouts.

He told reporters last month that his message at this meeting would be simple:

"I'm going to go by what I see," meaning that he would judge players by their performance, not their past. That includes veterans, although he did say they get the benefit of a doubt.

When Parcells met with the New York Jets for the first time, he said afterward that he asked for questions but didn't get any. Hambrick said the same thing happened here.

"He gave the opportunity, but there were no questions," Hambrick said. "Enough was said."

Parcells can make big demands and expect them to be followed because his track record demands respect. That's something recent Cowboys coaches have lacked.

At all three previous head coaching jobs, Parcells took over a losing team and got them into the playoffs his second season. He won two Super Bowls with the New York Giants, got to another with the New England Patriots and took the Jets to the AFC Championship Game.

Dallas is coming off three straight 5-11 seasons and last made the playoffs in 1998. The Cowboys last won a postseason game in 1996.

"He's got a nice game plan for us," Hambrick said, adding that Parcells discussed his personal accomplishments. "I look forward to going to work."

 

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