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IRVING, Texas -- Miles Austin did not mean to cause a stir with his comments in a Men’s Health magazine video last month regarding his conditioning in 2011.

To refresh, here’s what Austin said: “I'm feeling great right now, by the way. Right now I'm working with the trainers at our facility. I feel like last year, I wasn't prepared for the season in the way I should have been condition-wise, even though I looked and felt like it at the time. That's one thing I have to keep an eye on, to make sure I'm in the best physical shape I can be."

Austin, who missed six games with two different hamstring injuries in 2011, was asked about the comments at the Cowboys’ sponsorship golf tournament Wednesday.

“I feel like I’m working differently now than I did then, that’s what I meant by that,” Austin said.

Last year’s lockout prevented the traditional offseason program. Austin took part in all of the player-run practices, worked out with a handful of players and was in shape. This year Austin and his teammates are under the supervision of strength coach Mike Woicik and his staff, working on more football-specific conditioning.

“It’s just a great thing to be in such a team environment right now working with our guys,” Austin said.

IRVING, Texas -- Mike Jenkins has done nothing wrong this offseason.

It is well within his right to do his rehab work from major shoulder surgery mostly in Florida. The Cowboys’ offseason conditioning program is voluntary even if there is a wink-wink involved.

But it doesn’t mean Jenkins is in the right either.

Is Jenkins, who was the Cowboys’ best cornerback last season -- and that is not meant as faint praise -- upset that he does not have a new contract? Is he upset the team signed Brandon Carr to a $50 million deal and Orlando Scandrick to a $27 million deal before he could cash in? Is he upset the Cowboys traded up to get Morris Claiborne in the first round in the draft?

Maybe it’s yes to all three, but staying home is not the right answer.

Let’s offer up Ken Hamlin and Marion Barber as lessons why.

In 2008, Hamlin did not take part in the offseason program, organized team activities and mini-camp after the team put the franchise tag on him. That same offseason the Cowboys tended Barber as a restricted free agent with the highest compensation possible -- a first and third rounder -- and he missed about two months of the offseason program.

Eventually Hamlin and Barber got paid. The Cowboys signed Hamlin to a six-year, $39 million deal in July 2008. Barber signed a seven-year, $45 million deal in May.

But neither guy was the same player.

Hamlin was cut after the 2009 season. Barber lost the tread on his tire and was cut after the 2010 season. He retired this offseason after one year in Chicago.

Maybe this is just anecdotal evidence about the importance of the offseason program, but you’re hearing a lot of guys talk now about how much better this spring has been than last spring when there was a lockout in effect.

If it’s all about money, then, hey, those guys got their money. Is it a coincidence that Barber’s agent then is Jenkins’ agent now, Drew Rosenhaus?

Trading Jenkins is/was not easy. Why would a team trade for a guy who is coming off major shoulder surgery? Why would a team trade for a guy with one year left on his deal? Why would the Cowboys want to give up on a young cornerback even if they have stockpiled the spot this offseason?

On Wednesday owner and general manager Jerry Jones said he has visions of a long-term plan for Jenkins. Maybe he does or maybe he’s just saying he does. The Cowboys will have significant money tied up in Carr, Scandrick and Claiborne. Can they really afford a fourth cornerback?

Yes, if he plays as well as Jenkins played last year and in 2009.

Jenkins' best attribute as a corner is his willingness to compete at the line of scrimmage and for the ball in the air. Yes, I know people now are talking about two failed tackles he had as a rookie and 2010, but if he didn’t answer any toughness questions for you last year by playing with that shoulder injury then shame on you.

Jenkins can show the Cowboys they have to keep him. He can show other teams he’s healthy and worth the money in 2013.

He can’t show them that from Florida.

GRAPEVINE, Texas -- Rookie defensive end Tyrone Crawford, the Cowboys third-round pick, was diagnosed with a heart murmur at the national scouting combine.

On Wednesday, Crawford's agent, Dr. D.S. Ping, confirmed what doctors discovered but said it wasn't a major issue and didn't believe NFL teams took his client off their draft boards.

"Never affected anything," Ping said. "No doubt."

Said team owner/general manger Jerry Jones: "The heart murmur issue is one that I'm satisfied is OK for us."

The Cowboys have taken risks drafting players with injuries in the past.

In the last three drafts the Cowboys drafted players coming off surgeries: Stephen Hodge (knee in 2009) Sean Lee (knee in 2010) and Bruce Carter (knee in 2011). Only Hodge never made the active roster.

This year, the Cowboys selected Crawford, an athletic player with pass-rush abilities. The Cowboys also signed guard Ronald Leary as an undrafted free agent despite the fact he played with a chronic knee condition that could shorten his career.

"We didn't take anybody that had a (draft) grade that said 'don't take,'" Jones said. "We didn't do that. We basically reached out for Leary and we wouldn't have an opportunity for him, the way our draft fell had there not been an issue. He's got a situation, that in my mind (is) our risk with it how long he'll play. And long being in terms of years."

GRAPEVINE, Texas – Jerry Jones believes his franchise is well prepared for the first step in the arbitration process for the salary-cap sanctions leveled against the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins by the NFL management council.

The first hearing is Thursday in front of arbitrator Stephen Burbank, who will determine whether the NFL and NFLPA had the authority to impose the sanctions against the Cowboys and Redskins. If Burbank rules in favor of the teams, a second hearing would be scheduled to determine how the $10 million stripped from the Cowboys’ salary cap and $36 million stripped from the Redskins’ salary cap over a two-year period should be handled.

“I can’t and won’t address the specifics and certainly wouldn’t dare try to predict what the resolution will be,” Jones said Wednesday at the Cowboys’ annual team golf outing. “I’m glad we’ve got an opportunity to present it under the labor agreement to a mediator, and that’s what tomorrow is all about. … It won’t resolve the issue, but it will help decide whether or not we can go before a mediator.”

The league leveled the sanctions after it ruled that the Cowboys and Redskins violated the spirit of the uncapped 2010 season with front-loaded contracts for Dallas receiver Miles Austin and ex-Washington defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth. Jones said the Cowboys’ legal team has filed a “very good brief” and pointed out once again that the contracts were approved by the league office.

“I know we followed the rules,” Jones said. “The league has not said that we did not follow the rules. Those were approved contracts, but this is a complicated issue. Again, that’s about all I need to be saying about it and want to say about it.”

The teams opted to have half of the penalties assessed this offseason, costing the Cowboys $5 million and the Redskins $18 million in salary-cap space during this free agency period. Jones, whose team signed seven free agents from other teams, said the penalty did not prevent the Cowboys from making any acquisitions they would have otherwise but could create future complications.

“Certainly, we’ve been able to adjust,” Jones said. “It was a big surprise to us to have that downward adjustment in our cap. It was very meaningful to us because we are usually always looking for room under our cap, so it was very meaningful for us to have to make that adjustment. But I can tell you that as we stand here right now, we didn’t not do anything that we wanted to do.

“What we’ve had to do though, because they’ve reduced the amount of dollars that we had this year, we’ve had to go into the future and get some of those dollars that we wouldn’t have had to do if we had not had to make those adjustments. That’ll just create a challenge for us in the future.”

GRAPEVINE, Texas – Not only will Tony Romo bypass a chance at this year’s U.S. Open, but the Cowboys’ quarterback will not attempt to qualify for the HP Byron Nelson Championship either.

The Nelson’s pre-qualifier will be played Thursday at Lantana Golf Club. The Nelson will be held at TPC Four Seasons in Las Colinas from May 17-20.

Romo has attempted to qualify for the Nelson for at least the last six years but has not made the field. There has been talk in the past about him receiving a sponsor’s exemption.

Romo was on the golf course Wednesday, however, at the team’s annual sponsors’ tournament at Cowboys Golf Club in Grapevine, Texas. Most of the team's veterans took part in either the morning or afternoon tournaments.

“I get a little concerned if I see somebody out there playing good golf other than Romo,” owner and general manager Jerry Jones joked. “We allow him to be a good golfer.”

GRAPEVINE, Texas -- The Cowboys will close their California portion of training camp on Aug. 21 in San Diego following two days of practice against the Chargers.

Owner and general manager Jerry Jones said a few logistics, like lodging, need to be ironed out.

“I don’t see anything there that would keep that from being a done deal,” Jones said.

The Cowboys and Chargers meet in Week 2 of the preseason on Aug. 18 and after a day off the teams will practice Aug. 20-21 at San Diego’s facility. The Cowboys will return home Aug. 22 and are expected to hold a night practice at Cowboys Stadium on Aug. 23, leading up to the preseason home opener against St. Louis on Aug. 25.

The Cowboys and Chargers practiced against each other at Valley Ranch and Cowboys Stadium leading up to a preseason game in 2011.

GRAPEVINE, Texas – On a day when first-round pick Morris Claiborne had the pins removed from his surgically repaired left wrist, Cowboys owner and general manager announced fourth-round pick Kyle Wilber had surgery to repair a fractured right index finger.

UPDATE: Both players will be out until training camp in July, which had been the plan all along for Claiborne. The rookies are scheduled to report to Oxnard, Calif., on July 25, followed a few days later by the veterans.

Earlier in the day owner and general manager Jerry Jones was not sure of a return date for Wilber, who had the surgery Tuesday, but did not expect him to be ready for next week’s teaching sessions.

Rookies can return to Valley Ranch on Monday.

Wilber suffered the injury on the second day of last week’s rookie mini-camp. A prolonged absence would hurt his ability to pick up the defense. He showed the ability to make plays in the mini-camp in the run and pass game.

Claiborne took part in all of the rookie camp meetings and parts of the on-field walkthroughs while wearing a hard cast. He will be fitted for a soft cast for a few weeks and will be able to go through conditioning work.

NFC East blogger Dan Graziano talks about why Cowboys cornerback Morris Claiborne is under more pressure than Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III.

Cowboys lead running back DeMarco Murray told a crowd in San Antonio on Sunday that, "I'm back 100 percent."

The quote comes from the San Antonio Express-News, who covered the Cowboys' Fan Fest, a marketing event designed to keep the team's name alive in their former training camp home. The Cowboys will have training camp in Oxnard, Calif., this summer.

Dez Bryant, Sean Lee, Miles Austin and Murray attended the Fan Fest.

Murray suffered a fractured ankle in a loss to the New York Giants on Dec. 11, ending a fantastic rookie season. Murray saying he's 100 percent should be viewed as good news for Cowboys fans. He's expected to participate some at the veteran minicamp next month.

Murray, who led the Cowboys with 897 rushing yards in 2011, said he's enjoying the voluntary offseason conditioning program led by strength and conditioning coach Mike Woicik.

"Mike Woicik has been great to work with," Murray said. "In college, usually everyone did the same type of program. But here it's more position specific. I definitely feel better prepared."

Here's more from the event.

The NFL announced recently that teams can have up to 90 players on their roster heading into training camp.

With the Cowboys adding cornerback Akwasi Owusu-Ansah on Tuesday, they have 88 players on their roster and more are on the way as the team is expected to sign some players who tried out last weekend at Valley Ranch.

But the free-agency period is still ongoing and it begs a question: Should the Cowboys sign a veteran free agent?

We look at three positions that could use a veteran.

Wide receiver: The starters are Dez Bryant and Miles Austin, talented and explosive players. The No. 3 receiver is uncertain. There's a gaggle of players battling for the final three receiver spots, leading with the underachieving Kevin Ogletree, but the Cowboys drafted Danny Coale from Virginia Tech in the fifth round as a possible slot receiver. Signing a veteran could help bolster this unit, considering how Bryant and Austin battled injuries last season. Patrick Crayton comes to mind, but it's doubtful the Cowboys would go back to the talkative receiver, especially after he asked for a trade when Bryant was drafted. Jerheme Urban is another possibility but it's not known if the Cowboys like his skill set.

Running back: This position, like wide receiver, is a strength for the Cowboys. DeMarco Murray and Felix Jones are a solid 1-2 punch. Phillip Tanner can play special teams and get some snaps as a No. 3 runner, but all three running backs were injured at some point last year. Murray didn't finish the season, needing surgery to repair a broken ankle. You can't have four running backs on the roster, yet signing someone such as Patrick Cobbs (North Texas) to mainly play special teams and become an insurance policy might be a good move. Ronnie Brown, a former first-round pick, while he might not play special teams, is someone to look at too.

Punter: Chris Jones is the favorite to win the job, but Mat McBriar, who is a free agent, is recovering from leg surgery. There's some uncertainty regarding McBriar's availability for teams, because some might want him to prove he can punt after recovering from surgery. McBriar should be ready to kick in training camp. Daniel Sepulveda (Baylor) punted with Pittsburgh last season and in eight games had a 40.6 net average. If Jones struggles and McBriar is unavailable due to health or signing with another team, getting a veteran such as Sepulveda might be worthwhile.

IRVING, Texas – Akwasi Owusu-Ansah is getting another chance with the Cowboys after the club claimed him off waivers from Jacksonville on Tuesday.

A fourth-round pick in 2010, Owusu-Ansah was cut by the Cowboys on Nov. 30, 2011, after playing in three games on special teams. He joined the Jaguars’ practice squad and was called up to the active roster for the final four games, starting twice. He finished with 14 tackles.

Owusu-Ansah was converted to safety after the Cowboys drafted him but his development was hurt by shoulder surgery coming out of Indiana (Pa.). He played in seven games as a rookie, working mostly as a returner, before an ankle injury ended his season. Last year, the Cowboys eventually moved him to wide receiver before his release last season.

He is expected to play either safety or cornerback in his return.

The team also claimed kicker Jake Rogers off waivers from Tampa Bay and released undrafted rookie safety Troy Woolfolk, leaving the roster at 88. With the release of David Buehler and Kai Forbath earlier in the offseason, the Cowboys had only one kicker, Dan Bailey, on the roster. Rogers, who left as the University of Cincinnati’s all-time leading scorer, can also punt. He also has spent time with New Orleans.

New Cowboys defensive back Morris Claiborne calls in to NFL32 to discuss the draft experience, getting to know his teammates, how his wrist is progressing from surgery and his experience at rookie minicamp.

IRVING, Texas – The Cowboys released linebacker Brashton Satale on Wednesday, leaving them with 87 players on the roster, three under the limit.

Satele signed with the Cowboys on Jan. 12 and had been taking part in the offseason conditioning program.

This move could lead to three players that were at the rookie minicamp over the weekend on a tryout basis leading to be signed. The Cowboys liked what linebacker-turned-fullback Jamize Olawale showed in the three days of practice. The North Texas product is a candidate to be added to the roster.

The Cowboys had 15 players in on a tryout basis for the camp to go with the seven draft picks, 22 undrafted free agents and four players from last year’s practice squad.

IRVING, Texas – When news broke of Terrell Suggs’ torn Achilles last week while playing basketball, many Cowboys fans wondered whether Tony Romo should stop hitting the court in the offseason, too.

Suggs later said the injury occurred during a conditioning test.

“It’s always a concern,” quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson said of a possible non-football injury, “but that can happen out here doing offseason conditioning. It’s definitely a concern, but it’s kind of a personal choice they make.”

Romo turned 32 in April and began his workouts a month or so before the official offseason program began.

“Tony takes great care of himself with his conditioning and his off-football sports, soccer and basketball, I think help him on the football field,” Wilson said.

Wilson said Romo has thrown the ball “great” early in the offseason program.

“He’s really locked in and taken even another step in the leadership role in the weight room and with the guys and getting out there and working with the receivers throwing,” Wilson said. “I think he looks great .”

Romo is signed through next season. He is coming off what the coaches called his best season with 31 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Across the league quarterbacks have been playing better as they get older, like New England’s Tom Brady and even Brett Favre before he finally decided to retire.

“I’ve seen some 32-year-olds look 25 and vice versa, some 25-year-olds look 32,” Wilson said. “If you take care of yourself there’s no reason he shouldn’t be productive for a lot more years.”

A conversation with Cowboys defensive line coach Brian Baker revealed the team has no plans on moving Jay Ratliff from nose tackle to end.

Ratliff wore down as the season progressed because of a rib muscle strain. Baker said Ratliff played the fewest snaps percentage wise in 2011 since he's been a starter.

"Jay got hurt," Baker said. "Jay was busted up that's why we had to get him through it."

Baker said to keep Ratliff fresh, taking him off the field on some first and second downs might work because the team has confidence in the abilities of Josh Brent and Sean Lissemore to play some nose tackle.

"He will take all the third downs unless somebody proves they're a better pass rusher inside," Baker said. "Until that happens, if he's getting a little worn [down] we'll save him for third down."

One of the problems with the pass rush, or perceived problem, is the constant double teams Ratliff and outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware face. When offenses take them out of the game, many fans wonder where Anthony Spencer or another player is to push the pocket.

But defensive coordinator Rob Ryan believes Spencer had a solid season and can't understand why people were upset about the play of the outside linebacker.

"I know everybody just looks at the bottom line on sacks or wins, and I don’t blame them," Ryan said. "But as a coach, you appreciate a guy like Anthony Spencer because he does the right thing, and he plays hard. He forces fumbles. He still rushes the passer. He gets in the move. I think he’s going to have a great year."