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They were so secret that no one can be sure when or where the very first one actually took place or exactly who was present. We have a general idea about the when part though. It was certainly after the season was over, meaning it took place sometime in the last three months.

The where part wasn’t hard to figure out. Even for a grade-schooler. Of course it was Dallas. Or at least the Greater Dallas Area. It could have been in Irving, but probably more likely to have occurred in Arlington.

Our who list could possibly (and most likely) be restricted to a few individuals with extremely high public profiles. Therefore, it was of the utmost importance that the clandestine nature of these get-togethers be maintained. If the press ever got wind of them, it would be the height of the “field day amoung the media” that we often hear refrences to. But there was a chance that it occurred amoung several folks and that The Secret Meetings sprang from another meeting with no such item on it’s agenda. Either way, if word got out about The Secret Meetings, Cowboy nation would immediately experience an instant and complete split. The average Joe Fan would be delighted or incensed (depending on his view). The far-reaching effects would be even worse than a quarterback controversy. Or a head coach controversy. Bigger even, than an Owner/General Manager controversy. Can you say bigger than ALL THREE? Even if put together? How about big enough to possibly cost them the title of Americas Team?

At any rate, at some point in time, Jerry Jones, along with a few family members met with Wade Phillips, Jason Garrett and an (as yet) unnamed new General Manager to discuss the strategy to employed this off season. The goal of which was to be (quite naturally) the winning of Super Bowl XXLIV. But that would not turn out to be only goal of this meeting. What was discussed involved a return to the Glory Days of Cowboy football, to an even bigger (and longer lasting) dynasty. When the winning is the only thing principle was tossed in, the plot began to thicken.

These new (and highly controversial) strategies would provide the foundation for the next several years to come. New terms began to emerge for the strategies discussed. The implications of these strategies demanded that they be looked at from all angles, including salary cap (and what you could get away with), public relations (and who could be influenced to do what), who coached what (irregardless of the title held by them), and player relations (always a sticky subject). And how to fold in the opening of the new stadium in such a way that ticket demand would explode (and that the whole world would hear about it). Then, too, a goal of saving money in the upcoming draft (and the fact that they didn’t have a first rounder this year) was recognized.

So it was that at one of the first Secret Meetings (or at least one of the first that I learned about), the OTD Bonus-Boost became a hot item. It was essentially a way of “easing out” older players in the twilight of their careers and making sure they had a chance at going out with either one last, final BIG MONEY CONTRACT, (that wouldn’t cost the team a single dime), or perhaps a shot at continuing fame (and money) that wouldn’t cost the team a red cent, either. The biggest hurdle here was the salary cap. How can you squeeze the last drop of juice from an aging star player, all-the-while motivating him to play his best season ever? How to give him his best season statistics of his career (when possible), so that he “goes out on top”. All this, without giving him any monies directly. This…….Out-The-Door Bonus-Boost…..had to be crafted very carefully if it were to work, be successful in every area, and to remain “technically legal” under the cap crap.

Take the wide receiver position, for instance. And the Terrell Owens situation. Someone came up with the idea of approaching T.O. with the ultimatum that he would NOT be a Cowboy in either 2009 or 2010. It would be his choice. He could be cut from the roster in 2009 and leave the game with a reputation for being a trouble-maker. That latter part alone would possibly cost him a chance at another big money contract (from another team) and quite possibly cost him a chance in broadcasting or some other areas of public endeavor. Or…..he could play the 2009 season, have a GREAT statistical year (perhaps ensuring the offers of another team), and finally overcome the bad reputation that had hounded him throughout his career and soften his image in the public eye. Here, it was decided that Jason Garrett be the man to deliver the option.

Should T.O. select the 2010 option, he would be given a bigger voice in play selection. In fact, plays would be specifically designed to suit him. His TD receptions would climb off the chart. Jason would secretly take Tony Romo (and a whole gang of cameramen) to a football field and film Romo’s passing. Romo would be instructed to take the snap, drop back seven steps, and to throw as hard as he could at the top of the goal posts. His throws would be measured for distance and elapsed time until the ball fell to a height of five feet (bread basket of a wide receiver). Owens (along with Garrett)would then design routes for himself and the other receivers that would have T.O at the desired distance, at the required time, and in full stride.

But this 2010 option would come at a price. Terrell would have to understand that he would have to share playing time with Miles Austin, his eventual replacement. That it was imperative that Austin be developed. Meanwhile, Miles would be signed to a cost-friendly contract extension with the stipulation that he would be named the starter at some point in the regular season. Roy Williams would be the other featured receiver.

It was (on the surface) a perfect solution to the Cowboys future receiving needs. T.O. was certainly past his prime, yet wanting the ball (and the attention) more and more. It would have a “calming effect” on locker room and coach-player relations. Austin, on the other hand, was getting inquiries from Miami and a few other teams. To lose him to another team at this juncture could be disastrous. Costly to move up in the draft and costly to sign the receiver you selected. Especially if you could get a quality lineman (relatively cheap) to replace Flozell Adams.

Which brings us to the second part of the OTD Bonus-Boost. Flozell, definitely in the waning span of his NFL career had become (due to his hearing problem) one of the most penalized lineman in the league. The offense had been reduced to a start-stop affair because of his many false start infractions. Time and time again, a first down had been converted into a 3rd and long. The situation had to be rectified. After all (as Big Bill said) the whole thing starts with the O-Line.

A 2009-2010 option would be put to him as well. Only this time, Hudson Houck would be the man to deliver the news. If Flozell wanted to play for the Cowboys in 2009, it would have to be at a different position. A position on the right side of the line. At any rate, he’d definitely be cut in 2010. If Flozell decided to stay, the Cowboys organization would make sure he received the proper training in a new career in any field he chose. The “right introductions” would be made. A “tutor” would be hired to ease Flo’s transition to the business world.

The same would go for Terrell Owens or any other player selected for a Bonus-Boost, whether it be out-the-door or in-the-door (the third part of the Bonus-Boost plan). If a Free Agent would sign with Dallas, special help would be provided to provide for a lucrative career after football was over. A search would be made for veteran players still in their prime, such as a backup quarterback. Contract money would not be guaranteed from the Dallas Cowboys, but money opportunities would be assured. Say, for instance, a player was interested in broadcast after football. Dallas could give him a position on their broadcast network, or make sure that he got his own radio or television show. During his final season, he would be allowed to do interviews and fed the “right inside info” so as to make him appear to be ready for the “business”.

Players currently on the roster would have to accept a small cut in salary (renegotiated contract) in exchange for the special help to be provided. Free Agent incoming players would have to agree to a cap friendly contract in order to receive the help. Even newly drafted rookies would be approached with the idea that Dallas would provide financial advisors to help manage the monies received. A player would be able to see his money grow (apart from football), and thus concentrate on playing the game he loved. Once the player began thinking of retirement, he would receive the “special training”.

There were several other things discussed as well. Like the hiring of a special ad-man to come up with ways of promoting the players on the roster and helping them to secure lucrative advertising contracts and spokesperson positions with local corporations. Sample TV commercials would be filmed (starring linemen for instance) and the finished product would then be presented to a perspective buyer. Quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers normally get these kind of deals. Now, linemen, linebackers, etc would have a shot at getting them, too.

These financial incentives wouldn’t really save Jerry Jones any money, but they WOULD save the Cowboys money on the salary cap.

Other Secret Meetings spawned different strategies. They ran the gamut from Creating the Perfect Attack Offense to Building a Co-ordinated Defense. From Improving Ticket Sales to making sure that the New Stadium was Extremely Noisy for opposing teams. From finding the Perfect Approach to Clubhouse Player Relations to Reasonable, Effective Discipline. This was only one.

I’ll be telling you about the other Secret Meetings later……….

*”Secret meetings” is a work of fiction contributed by Southern Star of Cowboys pride.  Any similarities to actual persons, organizations, places or events is purely coincidental.