Cowboys on a diet, in search of a title

Associated Press

SAN ANTONIO

Pro Bowl linebacker DeMarcus Ware says he’s nearly 10 pounds lighter, which is making him feel stronger and faster during the Dallas Cowboys’ training camp. Anthony Spencer feels the same after shedding a few pounds during the offseason.

“A lot of guys are a lot lighter this year, because it’s all predicated now, our defense, we have those big guys in the middle and we’re running a lot more than the bigger guys,” said Ware, now in the 255-pound range. “We need to bring a little bit more speed to the table, a little bit more sort of versatility. We sort of shrunk down a little bit.”

Cornerback Mike Jenkins also is a few pounds lighter, but the thinning trend isn’t confined to the guys playing the 3-4 defense, or only the players for the NFC East champion Cowboys who have still have rising expectations.

Bruising running back Marion Barber thinned down so much that at 218 pounds he actually weighs about two pounds less than speedy tailback Felix Jones. Even quarterback Tony Romo came to camp about five pounds lighter than expected, at around 223 pounds.

Coach Wade Phillips, who himself lost about 40 pounds since last season, believes even those minor shifts in body weight will help the players maximize their talents.

“I always tell them I want them to run as fast as they can. That’s really what you want to be able to do,” Phillips said. “[Weight loss] usually helps your quickness, but again you have to be a certain size. You can’t be a 250-pound defensive lineman. But I like them quick and fast.”

Phillips proved to be quite an example with his weight loss. He is clearly moving much more nimbly on the field.