Dallas Cowboys kick off training camp with press conference from Oxnard, California
OXNARD – The Dallas Cowboys opened up training camp with a press conference Thursday afternoon in California.
The State of the Dallas Cowboys was set to take place on Wednesday, but the team said it was rescheduled "due to scheduling conflicts."
This week, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones went to court in Texarkana for a paternity case he has been fighting for the last two years. The trial was expected to last all week, but a new agreement between the parties involved put a resolution to the case just over 24 hours after it started. On Thursday, Jones said, "we got the end resolved like I wanted...it is resolved."
The Dallas Cowboys arrived in Oxnard, California, on Tuesday for training camp after a three-hour flight from Dallas and an hour-and-a-half bus ride to the River Ridge Complex. Most notably not on the flight was wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, which was expected as he is hoping for a new contract.
Jones told reporters that the reality is the team is continuously dealing with unfinished business.
"We've had people with contracts who haven't come to camp," he said. "You have to make that reality."
Those who are at camp said they have high hopes, even after an inactive off-season with very few free-agent moves.
"We just have to make sure that regardless of who is practicing or who is here that we're still doing what we need to do," said Cowboys offensive lineman Tyler Smith.
This year's camp marks the 45th year that the team has trained in Southern California and the 18th season at the Oxnard location.
This training camp also marks the return of running back Ezekiel Elliott, who was released by the team last March after they were unable to agree on a reworked contract. After a disappointing season with the New England Patriots, he decided to return to the Cowboys this year.
"The facts are, we have 14 Pro-Bowlers on this field, 12 All-Pros...we have an outstanding team," Jones said.
The Cowboys hit the practice field on Thursday.