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OXNARD, Calif. -- Quick with a quip, Tony Romo looked at ease in the first chat with reporters at his 14th training camp -- even when the topic turned to fat memes that spread on social media after an unflattering and deceptive photo of the Dallas quarterback was posted online.The 36-year-old with a history of back issues and now coming off a twice-broken collarbone also sounded resolute, like a 10-year starter who hasnt been close to a Super Bowl with a franchise once defined by championships, but now 20 years removed from its most recent one.Its a sense of urgency every year, Romo said Monday, three days into a three-week camp in California.Every year you walk in, you feel like its the most important season you are ever going to play. I feel that way again this year. Thats why you do everything you can to be at your best.The Cowboys went 1-11 in the games Romo missed with his broken collarbone last season, tumbling to 4-12 a year after they won the NFC East at 12-4 and had their best chance to reach a conference championship game since Romo became the starter in 2006.Romo still has his two most trusted targets -- tight end Jason Witten, who came into the league with him in 2003, and 2014 All-Pro receiver Dez Bryant, who had career lows across the board last season after breaking his right foot in the opener.But the franchise leader in yards passing and touchdowns also has a 21-year-old running back in Ezekiel Elliott, the fourth overall pick in this years draft.Not to mention a roster that gets increasingly younger as the years pile up for him. And those younger players recognize his voice.This is our football team; this is my football team, said Romo, who likely wouldnt have made such a statement five years ago.Guys on the team understand how important it is to me, to the veterans of the team and the staff. We want that approach to be taken by everybody.Romo still has his lighter side, though. Asked about a strong first day in pads from cornerback Morris Claiborne, Romo said, He broke up a pass that I threw. Thats pretty tough to do.The four-time Pro Bowl player chided one reporter who asked if had stopped to consider what it will be like when do doesnt go to training camp anymore.And he called out the one who took the photo that was posted on Twitter, leading to a flood of fat jokes because his midsection appeared larger than it is.I think I have gone through enough criticism in my career that that is the least of my worries, he said with a smile. Granted, if I was that big we would have to have some talks. But I think I will be all right.And thats the punch line. Romo, listed at 6-foot-2 and 230 pounds, might be in his best shape in years now that hes nearly three years removed from the second of two back surgeries just eight months apart. He went through his first full offseason since 2012.I go in there and work out, and Tony is in great shape, executive vice president of personnel Stephen Jones said.Offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said Romo is likely to have a practice schedule similar to camp in 2014, when he was still just a few months removed from the second back procedure after sustaining a herniated disk late in the season against Washington.That means a day off after every two practices -- and the plan worked well two years ago. Romo had the most efficient season of his career, with a boost from 2014 rushing champion DeMarco Murray.If Romo and Bryant stay healthy, big things will be expected from the Dallas offense again.I dont like saying that, Romo said. The expectation is to raise that bar, really better than 2014. Obviously we know we did a lot of good things then, but if you are resting on that as the standard then you are missing out on what possibly could be.In Romos mind, could be is nothing less than a Super Bowl.Game notes The Cowboys signed LB James Morris of Iowa after LB Darius Eubanks was released. Morris was a college teammate of Dallas LB Anthony Hitchens. Eubanks had been added Saturday along with LB Henoc Muamba (St. Francis Xavier) to fill the spots of LB Rolando McClain and DE Randy Gregory, who havent reported for camp.---Online:AP NFL websites: http://pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL---Follow Schuyler Dixon on Twitter at https://twitter.com/apschuyler Abdel Nader Thunder Jersey . Badenhop was 2-3 with a 3.47 ERA in 63 relief appearances for Milwaukee this season. He is 18-20 in his career with three saves and a 3. D.J. Augustin Thunder Jersey . Neymar curled home a free kick from just outside the area to put the 2014 World Cup host ahead in the 44th minute. Three minutes after the break, a simple through pass from Paulinho freed Oscar and the Chelsea star rounded goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong to extend Brazils lead. https://www.thunderrookiesshop.com/Dj-Augustin-City-Edition-Jersey/ . Clarke was injured while practicing on the Doha Golf Club range after the pro-am on Tuesday. The Northern Irishman arrived at the course on Wednesday hoping to start, but after hitting a few balls on the practice putting green Clarke advised officials he was not fit to play. Ray Allen Jersey . The Nashville Predators were glad their captain was still on their side. Weber had a goal and two assists, and Roman Josi scored the shootout winner to lift the Predators to a 4-3 win over the Flyers on Thursday night. Darius Bazley Jersey . The Islanders dealt Thomas Vanek to the Montreal Canadiens after less than a year on Long Island. Meanwhile, the Oilers dealt long-time sniper Ales hemsky to the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday for a fifth-round pick in 2014 and a third-rounder in 2015. CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Cody Zellers unplanned move to center is paying major dividends for the Charlotte Hornets.When Al Jefferson went down last season with an injury, coach Steve Clifford asked the 7-foot, 240-pound Zeller to fill in by shifting from power forward to the 5 spot. Zeller played so well that Clifford decided to keep him there even after Jefferson returned.It was kind of a freak thing how it happened and I dont think anyone was planning on it, Zeller said Monday. But Im glad it worked out that way.The Hornets liked what they saw from Zeller so much last season they rewarded him with a four-year, $56 million contract in the offseason. They didnt re-sign Jefferson.Zeller spent the offseason working at improving his skills as a center. Hes still a work in progress midway in his fourth NBA season, but is averaging career highs in points (10.8), rebounds (6.3) and blocks (1.2) per game.And yet its hard to completely quantify Zellers worth in statistics.Hes the type of player who does the little things -- setting a solid screen to free up Kemba Walker or Nic Batum, tapping out an offensive rebound to a teammate or hustling back on defense to prevent a transition basket.What he lacks in physicality against the leagues taller and stronger centers he makes up in hustle -- something that at times tends to result in a trip to the training room.I dont think there are many guys willing to break their nose like he has, Batum said with a laugh on Zellers uncanny knack for taking shots to the face. I mean that guy is diving on every ball and he doesnt fear anybody. Hes facing guys like (Hassan) Whiteside, DeAndre (Jordan), (Rudy) Gobert and Dwight Howard every night. Hes been huge for us.Clifford agrees.Hes been thrilled with Zellers progression since taking over as a starter, particularly his rolling in the pick-and-roll game for the Hornets (15-13).That sounds like a small thing, but its not, Clifford ssaid.dddddddddddd. He has a good feel for screening, which helps the ball handlers.Clifford would like to see Zellers rebounding numbers improve, particularly on defense because the team is not particularly tall.But that appears to be getting better.He has 21 rebounds in his past two games after averaging 6.1 in his previous nine December games.Outside of Mike (Kidd-Gilchrist) and Nic (Batum) we dont have guys at their position who are good at that, and its a critical part of the game, Clifford said. We have had a couple games when we played good enough on defense (to win) but lost because of our rebounding.Zeller is working hard to improve his mid-range jump shot and become a more consistent scorer.He took for jumpers Saturday night against the Atlanta Hawks.The Hornets know if he can make them consistently it will force opposing big men to step out and guard him, thus opening up more scoring opportunities for his teammates.He isnt hesitating to take those shots, which is good, Batum said. It will help his game a lot. We all know he can run and he can dunk on people. He has a gift to play this game. And if he can shoot like that...Charlotte lost its chance to acquire a dominant center in 2012 when it failed to land the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft lottery -- and the rights to Anthony Davis -- despite finishing 7-59 the season before. It was a gut-wrenching break for the team at the time, knowing that talented centers like Davis dont come along very often in the NBA.Zeller, the No. 4 overall pick the following year, may never develop into the type of player Davis has become, but its pretty clear the Hornets like what they have in him.I mean, hes a 5-man, Clifford said. The way the league is now hes a 5, at both ends of the floor. And it definitely suits him better. ' ' '