Position: Quarterback Height/Weight: 6-3, 246
Age: 24
College: Tarleton St.
NFL Exp: R
How Acquired: FA-'07
Hometown: Grapevine, Tex.
Fitting In: Bartel is competing with Oregon State graduate Matt Moore for the third and final quarterback spot behind Tony Romo and Brad Johnson. He impressed the coaching staff during the team's mini-camp.
So Far: Bartel has spent more time with the team than Moore prior to training camp because Moore was wrapping up his final semester. Bartel has been consistently working with the third-team offense in San Antonio, implementing the schemes he has been learning during film sessions.
Best Asset: Arm strength. The offensive coaching staff likes the power Bartel has behind his passes. Getting the ball downfield has not been a challenge during practices for him.
You Should Know: Bartel spent two seasons at SMU before transferring to Tarleton State. He said he keeps up with the Mustangs' wins and losses during the season and checks to see who they recruited on signing day.
A Mouthful: "It was good up until that last pass," - Bartel on how training camp was going before having the final pass of the Thursday practice picked off in the end zone. -Mark Norris
Position Switch
First-year veteran Damarius Bilbo made not one, but two position switches during Thursday's practice.
Bilbo, who has been working at safety, started practice with the receivers and later moved back to safety. The former Georgia Tech quarterback was told before practice he would make the switch to offense, where he began his Cowboys career last summer and was switched to safety after being signed to the practice squad.
"Actually I thought I was cut," Bilbo said. "I go back to the hotel room and somebody calls my room and tells me to come back up here, and I'm panicking."
The Cowboys are a little thin at receiver with Terry Glenn (knee surgery) and Jamaica Rector (knee) sidelined, and the coaching staff likely wanting to somewhat slow Owens down. Phillips said he'd also like to see how Bilbo adjusts to the position.
Bilbo, who will attend the receiver meetings Thursday night, said he was just starting to get comfortable on defense but doesn't have a position preference as long as he earns a roster spot.
"It's a privilege because I'm not trying to make a position," he said. "I'm trying to make the team as Dallas Cowboy, if I have to eat more and play D-Line."
--Rob Phillips
New Addition
Kosier returned to practice Thursday following the birth of his 7-pound, 8-ounce daughter, Kylee Rae.
Kosier and his wife, Jenny, also have a 19-month-old son.
The Cowboys excused Kosier from Wednesday's practices to return to Dallas for their new addition.
"It means a lot to me and especially my wife and family to know that they let me out just to go deliver the baby," Kosier said. "There was no big hurry for me to come back, but I felt obligated to my teammates to come back."
--Rob Phillips
No Rush
Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones has said repeatedly he wants Tony Romo as his long-term quarterback. But it remains to be seen when Romo, a free agent at the end of the season, receives a new contract.
Romo earned his first Pro Bowl selection based on the first 10 starts of his career and led the Cowboys back to the playoffs for the first time since 2003.
Jones said during Wednesday's scheduled news conference both parties would be content if negotiations continued through the upcoming season.
"To some degree there is a certain comfort level here in just playing it pretty close to the vest," Jones said. "Obviously when we've had a quarterback that could compete at a Super Bowl level we've always paid for it and welcome the chance to do it."
Romo echoed Jones' sentiments on Thursday, saying he has no problem if a new deal does indeed take longer to be completed.
"Part of it is probably in their best interest," Romo said. "I'm a young guy, only played 10 games. If that's the approach then I completely understand that."
--Rob Phillips
Injury Update:
WR Jamaica Rector, knee pain - day-to-day (7/31)
WR Terry Glenn, knee scope - out at least 2 weeks (7/29)
LB Kevin Burnett, head injury- day-to-day (7/29)
LB Greg Ellis, heel - day-to-day (7/25)
RT Marc Colombo, knee scope - day-to-day
RB Alonzo Coleman, ankle - day-to-day
WR Isaiah Stanback, shin splints - active/non-football injury
DT Jason Hatcher, hamstring strain - day-to-day
Missed Practice:
WR Jamaica Rector (knee)
LB Greg Ellis (heel)
WR Terry Glenn (knee scope)
DT Jason Hatcher (hamstring)
LB Kevin Burnett (head injury)
RT Marc Colombo (knee scope)
RB Alonzo Coleman (ankle)
WR Isaiah Stanback (shin splints)
Returned to Practice:
WR Terrell Owens
LG Kyle Kosier
CB Aaron Glenn (Wednesday)
Short Shots
The Cowboys moved offensive tackle Jim Molinaro, released injured on Wednesday, to the team's injured reserve list, where he will not count against the 85-man roster limit. The team likely will work on an injury settlement . . . After driving defensive end Chris Canty offsides with a hard count, second team quarterback Brad Johnson threw up a yellow penalty flag he was hiding in his pants. He finished his referee performance with a bow to the crowd . . . Former Cowboys running back Rashard Lee, who played last year in Oakland, was released injured Thursday by the Raiders.
