Romo focused as Cowboys wrap up camp

OXNARD, Calif. - Tony Romo was signing autographs Tuesday before the Dallas Cowboys' final practice in California when somebody handed him a helmet.

Without breaking stride, the Pro Bowl quarterback penned his name with a black marker - onto his own helmet. What Romo didn't realize was that an equipment manager had given him the helmet for practice.

Dallas wrapped up its California camp with a nearly two-hour workout before heading East, with a stop in Denver for two days of workouts with the Broncos before the teams play a preseason game Saturday night. The Cowboys then finish the preseason at home.

"Go and compete with another team, that's exciting," Romo said. "It gets you out of every day camp feel. I think it will be exciting to go out there and prove we are capable of competing against another football team."

Romo's helmet will likely be cleaned by the time he and the Cowboys hit the field with the Broncos on Wednesday. But he had a black smudge on the star on the left side of his helmet during Tuesday's practice when they were unable to completely wipe off the autograph.

About 2,300 fans attended the final practice in Southern California, where more than 76,000 fans attended the 24 workouts over a 2½-week period. After reporting to Oxnard on July 24, the Cowboys had only one day off the field, on Sunday, the day after losing their preseason opener 31-17 at San Diego.

This was the fourth time the team trained in Oxnard, where temperatures generally in the mid-70s allow the team to get a lot of work done.

"Have good weather, you can practice longer, practice more efficiently," coach Wade Phillips said. "I think the players, the frame of mind they are in is better."

He said that while the team may have gotten worn down some physically, they didn't get worn down mentally because of the weather.

The Cowboys were back in Oxnard this year because the Alamodome wasn't readily available. The Cowboys have a contract to return to San Antonio for training camp the next three years, but owner Jerry Jones indicated that the team could possibly split time between there and the West Coast.

"This has been a great place and if we're going to come back, I would be more than happy," Romo said.

This is the second year in a row that Dallas will spend time practicing against Denver. The teams worked out at the Cowboys' Valley Ranch facility last August.

"We're looking forward to going to Denver. We had great work with them last year," Phillips said. "That opportunity again to go against another team during training camp, I think it is going to be a really good experience for us."

Notes LB Anthony Spencer (sore knee) was held out of practice for the second straight day. But he is expected to practice against Denver. ... CB Terence Newman (groin) is making good progress, but likely will not practice or play this week.

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