[WAREWOLFE94]

By TOM ORSBORN
Hearst Newspapers


POINT MUGU, CALIF. - It didn't take long for Terrell Owens to surprise his new teammates.

In a move that once again put him at the center of attention, Owens greeted the Dallas Cowboys' charter upon its arrival at Naval Base Ventura County.

Players have the option of traveling to training camp via the charter or on their own. Owens chose the later.

But rather than drive to the team hotel in Oxnard, Owens joined the Cowboys in nearby Point Mugu, departing from an SUV rather than an American Airlines jet.
"I'm part of the team," Owens said when asked why he went out of his way to meet the team on the tarmac.

"I'm no different than anybody else. Obviously, the media, they'll label you a star, they'll label you a little bit different than the other guys on the team, but I've always felt like part of the team. And this is my team."

Running back Julius Jones said Owens' decision earned him points.
"He's being a team player, and that's big," Jones said. "He made a good impression."

Looking casual in a backward white cap, silver and black shorts and a form-fitting, long-sleeve black shirt, Owens played to the fans at the base by walking slowly to the jet and waving at the team's cheerleaders as they left the plane.

He also hugged several players and slapped hands with team officials.
"
He's a likeable guy," Jones said of Owens. "I like him. I don't have anything against him."

"I'm very excited (about training camp)," Owens said. "I put a lot of things behind me.

"From day one, from today on, it's straight focusing on football, putting the cleats and the pads back on and let's get at it."

Owens said his fresh start has him feeling like a rookie reporting to his first camp.

"But this is not my first rodeo," he said. "I will get through this fine. Once we start camp, it will be like any other camp."

The fun begins Saturday with the first two-a-day workouts.

Today's schedule includes physical conditioning tests and a news conference with coach Bill Parcells and owner/general manager Jerry Jones.