Saturday, April 25, 1998

New look at Cowboys' first mini-Camp

By DENNE H. FREEMAN / AP Sports Writer

IRVING, Texas (AP) -- Everything was new, from the practice uniforms to Nate Newton's pants size, in coach Chan Gailey's first Dallas Cowboys mini-camp on Friday.

Newton, who is overcoming knee trouble, ballooned to 350 during the regular season and had been told his job was on the line if he didn't do something about it.

"Nate showed up under 310 and looked great," Gailey said. "It's exciting to see. He was very positive about everything."

Dallas depth suffered on the offensive line last year during Barry Switzer's final season and one of the reasons was Newton's fitness problems.

Quarterback Troy Aikman never got the protection he needed in the 6-10 season that prompted the change from Switzer to the offensive coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Rookies, free agents and veterans reported for the first of three days of learning Gailey's new system, which at times includes four wide receivers. Guard Everett McIver was the only excused absence because he wife was expecting.

Gailey termed the first workout "ragged."

"We showed great effort and did a lot of good things, but I kind of anticipated a ragged workout the first time," Gailey said. "We're not anywhere close (to) where we needed to be."

On a windy day which made throwing difficult, Aikman hooked up several times with Billy Davis, who will be given more of a chance than he got last year after being the receiving star of training camp.

"Billy made some very nice catches," Aikman said.

The Cowboys didn't draft any wide receivers. But Aikman said, "we're fine at that position with the guys we have. Billy can do a good job."

Aikman also hit tight end David LaFleur on some crossing patterns. LaFleur, the No. 1 draft pick in 1997, was seldom used as a receiver last year.

Cornerback Deion Sanders, who is expected to be worked back into the offensive again this year, didn't work out because of an ankle problem.

"It's good to have a camp like this so we can learn a new system," Aikman said. "We have a lot of new stuff to put in. First practices are always a little ragged. We just have to get comfortable with what we are doing in Chan's offense."

The uniforms, not expected to be used during the regular season, had a long stripe down the shoulder and sleeve and resembled a softball team's jersies.

Aikman liked them.

"If we play as good as our jersies look, we'll be OK," Aikman said.

First-round draft pick Greg Ellis got in his first work at defensive end.

"I was told everything would speed up and it did," Ellis said. "There are a lot of fast players out there. I think I'll be able to adjust. It will take time to learn a new system."

The Cowboys travel to training camp in Wichita Falls in July and will stay until the first week of August.