IRVING — In front of a large group of high school and youth football coaches, Dallas Cowboys coach Wade Phillips spoke with unbridled optimism about the upcoming season and even said, "Get the ring finger ready."

He was playing to the crowd, of course, but, less than a week away from starting his second training camp as Cowboys coach, Phillips sounds thrilled to be returning to full-time practice.

"I don’t think it will be Camp Marshmallow," he cracked.

This would be in reference to the "Camp Cupcake" label that was firmly affixed to his training camp last year in San Antonio. This year, the team reports to training camp in Oxnard, Calif., on Thursday.

"It’s Marshmallow this year," he said. "We’ll have a strong training camp, but we’ll curb back on pads at some time. … Will it be any different? I don’t know. I think the players are really looking forward to this year, as am I.

"I think we’ve established ourselves, at least on paper, as a contender. It’s nice to be there rather than the other situation.

"We all know how hard it is to get to the Super Bowl, but those have to be the goals for this team."

Phillips and some of his assistants spoke to a group of the region’s high school coaches, who were treated to a free day of clinics hosted by Cowboys assistants.

California weather

The Cowboys’ return to Oxnard stirs up weather talk.

The forecast for Friday, the first day of practice, calls for a high of 74 in Oxnard, which is on the Pacific coast about 60 miles north of Los Angeles.

The predicted highs for Irving is 98.

"The weather is an important part of it because you get more work and you can work longer and get more focus if it’s cooler," Wade Phillips said.

Jason Taylor effect

The NFC East added a major star and lost one in less than 24 hours.

The Washington Redskins traded for Miami Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor, but the New York Giants shipped tight end Jeremy Shockey to the New Orleans Saints.

"I need to call [Dolphins coach] Tony Sparano and thank him for that," Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett said, tongue in cheek.

Taylor replaces Phillip Daniels, who sustained a season-ending knee injury over the weekend.

T.O. stops to help

Terrell Owens was one of the first people to come to the aid of Sam Alipour after the Los Angeles-based writer was hit by a car Sunday.