Mick Shots: Whole Lot Of Shakin’ Camping Out

DallasCowboys.com Columnist

OXNARD, Calif. – Two of the CBA allocated 10 training camp practices in pads down this week, with a mock game on Wednesday – a fancier way of saying the Cowboys had a walk-through practice out here.

Pads are back on come Thursday, with a mock game on Friday and another padded practice on Saturday, reaching the halfway point of training camp out here at the River Ridge Sports Complex.

So far, we have shots galore, and without further ado, let's go.

And for today's last word, it goes to me, wanting to pay tribute to longtime Cowboys employee and friend Phil Whitfield, who passed away this past week, a few days short of his 63rd birthday. Phil and I became good friends back in the Texas Stadium days when he was working security. Phil would be the last security guard on duty game days and too many times I was the last one to leave the press box.

Well, Phil made sure I didn't get locked into the stadium, no matter how late it was. After checking on my status, and always saying, "No rush, no rush," Phil would either be waiting for me at the locked gate to let me out or he'd let me know to walk down to the office where he'd let me out that door. Hope I caused him to earn some overtime.

There is not a soul in this organization that would say a bad word about the big guy with the friendly smile, going from security guard to leading the art tours at AT&T Stadium. And Phil was a mainstay at the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader tryouts over the years at AT&T Stadium.

There are certain people who just have this knack for touching your soul, causing you to enjoy talking ball with and asking for their opinions on the Cowboys.

Phil was one of those great guys.