Position: Linebacker Height/Weight: 6-3, 250
Age: 23
College: Missouri
NFL Exp: Rookie
How Acquired: FA for '07
Hometown: Mexico, Mo.
Fitting In: With the linebacker corps basically stacked, especially inside where Harrington's working, the rookie will have to show he can be a special teams star.
So Far: Harrington's learning, but like fellow rookie inside linebacker Blair Phillips, it's hard to impress coaches with limited reps in practice.
Best Asset: Size and bulk. For an inside linebacker in the 3-4, that means everything. Harrington will be expected to take on blockers, shed them and make the tackle.
You Should Know: Harrington's a poet, now compiling a book of his own work. The rookie says he handles life's difficulties by putting pen to paper. Last year when his grandmother, great-grandmother and a teammate died in the same week, Harrington said poetry helped him ease the pain.
A Mouthful: "I'm going to have to just relax, let what happens, happen. Most of all I've got to just work as hard as I can. When I'm going full speed I think I can do some great things, if I don't put too much pressure on myself." -Josh Ellis
O-Line Antics
All eyes were on the offensive line Tuesday when rookie tackles James Marten and Doug Free came through the tunnel sporting new looks. The hazing of inaugural Cowboys obviously continued Monday night, leaving Free with a half-and-half cut and Marten with the Bozo the Clown bowl cut. The players declined to comment on who conducted the ritual makeover, for fear of further repercussions.
"I can't discuss the haircut, it's within the O-Line (and) I'd get in trouble if I said anything about it," Marten said.
Phillips was as surprised as everyone else when the offensive linemen reported to practice.
"I didn't know they had that tradition here," Phillips said, "but it's a strange one."
--Jana Wallis
What Scuffle?
While working on red-zone situations toward the end of practice, guard Matt Tarullo and safety Ken Hamlin pushed and shoved until the entire defense got involved. Tarullo emerged from the bottom of the pile, revved up and yelling, "Hit my boy over here, I take care of you!"
Hamlin declined to comment, saying, "What scuffle?" Tarullo called it "just some fun on the field."
This bust-up happened after Tarullo and tackle James Marten got extra aggressive during a blocking drill earlier in practice.
Regarding the fiery end to practice, Phillips said it was just boys being boys.
"Things are going to happen," Phillips said after his daily press conference. "Sooner or later the players are going to get tired, or hot, or whatever."
And when the heat is on, things tend to explode.
--Jana Wallis
Witnesses - to Practice
Noise in the Alamodome Tuesday wasn't eager players; it was the all-male choir of Inspiring Body of Christ Church of Dallas, here for its men's retreat. Cowboys safety Roy Williams is an active member of the non-denominational church, as are teammates Keith Davis and Andre Gurode. Based in the Oak Cliff area of Dallas, IBOC boasts 14,000 members and is in the business of positive change according to pastor Rickie Rush.
"Our church is real big on training men, changing lives," Rush said.
Williams spent the better part of two hours sitting in the stands, listening to testimonials and hearing pastor Rush give words of inspiration.
"It's an honor and blessing to have my men down here with me," Williams said. "But most importantly is what I get from the retreat and I'm looking forward to the end of practice when I can be able to sit in the breakout group and just enjoy the time and the fellowship."
The choir was a vocal part of Tuesday's practice, chanting and clapping at various points. The more than 250 voices echoed through the stadium, praising more than just the Cowboys.
--Jana Wallis
Dolezel's Here
Dallas Desperados quarterback Clint Dolezel was at practice for the second consecutive day Tuesday, beginning is newly-assigned duties with the Cowboys' scouting department now that the Arena Football League season has been completed.
Dolezel just returned from the ArenaBowl week in New Orleans. As the Desperados' union representative, the quarterback had to attend meetings in the Big Easy. He said he still was so upset he couldn't watch the league's championship game between San Jose and Columbus, the team which eliminated the 15-win Desperados in their first playoff game.
The AFL's all-time leader in passing touchdowns, Dolezel will help break down film and grade players during training camp.
"Yesterday I watched the quarterbacks, broke them down, put how they did in the scouting report," Dolezel said. "Today I'll watch the DB's - grade them. Weaknesses, strengths all those things."
But is this the beginning of the end of his career as a player?
"I could play 'til I was 50," Dolezel said.
Injury Update:
WR Terry Glenn, knee - minimum two weeks (7/30)
CB Aaron Glenn, knee - day-to-day (7/29)
LB Kevin Burnett, head injury - day-to-day (7/30)
DT Jason Hatcher, hamstring - day-to-day (7/30)
OT Jim Molinaro, leg pain - day-to-day (7/29)
LB Greg Ellis, Achilles' tendon/heel - day-to-day (7/25)
RT Marc Colombo, knee scope - out 1-1½ weeks
RB Alonzo Coleman, ankle - day-to-day
WR Isaiah Stanback, shin splints - active/non-football injury
Missed Practice:
WR Terrell Owens (tired legs)
WR Terry Glenn (knee)
CB Aaron Glenn (knee)
LB Kevin Burnett (head)
DT Jason Hatcher (hamstring)
OT Jim Molinaro (leg pain)
LB Greg Ellis (Achilles' tendon/heel)
RT Marc Colombo (knee scope)
RB Alonzo Coleman (ankle)
WR Isaiah Stanback (shin splints)
Returned to Practice:
(none)
Short Shots
Phillips said although the Cowboys might be thin at receiver, they won't look to add one to the roster . . . Left tackle Flozell Adams was activated from the Active/Physically Unable to Perform List. He was placed on the list at the beginning of training camp while finishing the rehab from offseason surgery on his right knee . . . After cornerback Joey Thomas' second interception during 7-on-7 drills, the cornerback returned the ball 75 yards down the left sideline yelling, "That's a two-piece!" . . . Rookie James Marten continued to receive first-team reps at right tackle in the absence of starter Marc Colombo and three-year veteran Jim Molinaro . . . Pre-snap penalties plagued the team throughout practice as nearly a dozen false starts or offsides occurred . . . Matt Baker, the former practice squad quarterback the Cowboys released late last week, cleared waivers and is a free agent.
