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IRVING, Texas - Vacation began unceremoniously just after midnight on Dec. 29 when the team charter flight arrived quietly from Philly. The Cowboys wouldn't play another meaningful game for some 250 days following their 44-6 loss to the Eagles.
Hours later, nine players were back in the weight room, getting a head start on 2009 and trying to forget 2008's dismal ending.
That's the type of commitment strength and conditioning coach Joe Juraszek has seen from the Cowboys' roster. Monday marks the official start of the team's voluntary off-season strength and conditioning program, but there's been a steady stream of players working out over the past three months.
In truth, Valley Ranch doesn't look much different in late March than it did in late December.
"We've had anywhere from 15 and 30 people for the last 10, 11 weeks, which is a large number of players," Juraszek said. "So many of our guys live here and they've been in and out working. We've had the rehab guys (in) and we've had younger guys doing things for themselves.
"Our guys like being here, I think. I think they like the facility, they like the workouts. We've had good success."
The number of players swelled into the forties this week, and as always, the Cowboys are expecting near-full attendance Monday. The workouts are voluntary, yet strongly encouraged by head coach Wade Phillips and his staff.
Juraszek, the team's strength and conditioning coach for the past 12 seasons, is the point man for the 14-week program that comprises 56 workouts. All of them focus on increasing a player's strength, cardiovascular conditioning, speed and flexibility.
Despite having roughly 60 players on the current roster, Juraszek develops a specific plan for each while getting acquainted with newly-acquired veterans and incoming rookies. He also works closely with the Cowboys' medical and training staff, creating specialized programs for rehabbing players.
One player missing, of course, is recently-released wide receiver Terrell Owens, who has since signed with Buffalo. Owens, whose workout habits have been highly regarded throughout his career, chose to work out on his own during his three-year stint in Dallas and plans to skip the Bills' voluntary sessions as well.
The Cowboys will conduct various football activities during these 14 weeks, including teaching sessions, a rookie mini-camp in May, four weeks of OTA's (organized team activities) in May-June and a full mini-camp in June.
The off-season program itself will carry into June as well, and this year the Cowboys plan to incorporate more team-related exercises into the workouts. Juraszek believes those types of subtle modifications can keep the training fresh from year to year.
"We're doing more team-type activities," Juraszek said. "It's not that we had individual activities (in the past), but we're going to do some things more as a group and a team and try to stay together that way."
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Rob Phillips - 
