The Sports Xchange

IRVING, Tex. — Quarterback Tony Romo has taken every snap in organized team activities and minicamp after missing all of the last two offseason programs because of back surgery in 2013.

According to owner Jerry Jones, that is the biggest positive this offseason for the Cowboys.

Even during Romo’s miraculous career season in 2014, when he led the league in passer rating and completion percentage, he took a day off every Wednesday to rehab and strengthen his back.

Romo has missed nothing this offseason and feels ready to build on the success he had last year.

Jones said that’s a big step in the right direction for a team hoping to make a Super Bowl run in 2015 after losing in the NFC divisional playoffs in 2014.

“I’ll take the way he’s been playing,” Jones said. “I will take it and call it a day right now if you’ll give me the whole year like that.

“I wouldn’t dare have higher expectations, other than I’d like to — held the fumble, not fumble and beat Green Bay, or caught the pass. Other than that, we might have been sitting here talking about a dream season for Tony.”

The only disappointing thing for Romo and the Cowboys is that he was unable to work with receiver Dez Bryant during the offseason.

Bryant is holding out in a contract dispute and has yet to sign his franchise tender. He has threatened to miss games this season and not sign at all if the Cowboys don’t sign him to a long-term contract by the July 15 deadline.

Bryant, however, showed good faith by showing up to the final day of the team’s minicamp on Friday. He didn’t work, but he spent time talking to Romo and Jones as well as interacting with teammates.

“It’s great to have him here,” head coach Jason Garrett said. “Dez obviously hasn’t signed his franchise deal yet, so he’s not practicing. He’s dropped in really throughout the offseason program. Dez is a special guy. He’s obviously a heck of a football player, obviously very important to our football team.

“His approach is really well respected by anybody on our team, the guys he goes against. He’s got a great passion for the game, and it’s great to have him here.”

Bryant did not talk to the media.

His teammates were excited about Bryant not being able to stay away and not worried about him missing games. Garrett as well.

“I’ve said it many times: He’s a big part of what we are as a team,” tight end Jason Witten said. “To see the player and person he’s become the last few years, it’s always good to have him out there.

“It’s part of it, the business. I know no one hates (missing practice) more than he does. Hopefully he’ll get it worked out and be ready to go in training camp.”

Added Garrett: “Again, that’s not under any of our control. Dez is preparing himself to play football, and there’s a business side of the NFL that’s real.

“It’s real for our team. It’s real for every team in this league. I know Dez. I know his mindset. I know his mentality. I know he’s working hard and hopefully we can get the business stuff resolved and he’ll get back to playing football.”

The positive of Bryant not around has been the growth of wide receiver Terrance Williams and some of the other young receivers who took advantage of the opportunity to play catch with Romo.

“I’m pleased that he’s able to with these receivers we’ve got, the makeup of our receivers out here,” Jones said. “I’m really glad that they’re getting to benefit from him throwing the ball to them.

“I think that was propitious that that timing happened. Because last year these young receivers wouldn’t have had him throwing to them as much, at all.

“So we’ve been really able to evaluate a lot of these guys, with the loss of (Dwayne) Harris, that are going to have to be in here and get some more reps — (Devin) Street in particular, also (Terrance) Williams and certainly some of these college free agents.

“I think that’s been the biggest plus of all, is to be able to look at those receivers in that light.”

The Cowboys continue to feel good about what is the best offensive line in football and the ability to get even better when right tackle Doug Free returns for training camp to go along with the continued development of rookie guard/tackle La’el Collins.

The Cowboys believe the team is better defensively with the return of linebacker Sean Lee from injury, the re-signing of linebacker Rolando McClain and the addition of free-agent pass rusher Greg Hardy, rookie defensive end Randy Gregory and rookie cornerback/safety Byron Jones.