"Haven't you heard? The Cowboys aren't talking," Phillips said as he returned to the team's hotel from Lucas Oil Field.

On Thursday, Phillips said it was "against the rules" to talk. According to multiple sources, owner and general manager Jerry Jones has instructed the coaches - including Phillips - not to talk to the media in an attempt to stop information leaks.

Director of public relations Rich Dalrymple said in an e-mail he did not know if Jones made such a directive. Efforts to reach Jones were unsuccessful.

Phillips, who spoke to the media several times during last year's combine, said Friday he will speak when he is scheduled to have a press conference. None are presently scheduled.

According to league media rules, teams must make a coach or general manager available prior to the April draft. League rules also require the head coach to speak to reporters at the NFL owners meetings in March, if he attends. Phillips has attended the last two owners meetings.

While it is not unheard of for a team to order assistant coaches not to speak - the Cowboys did it under coach Bill Parcells - it is unusual for a head coach to be under a similar order.

DMN