This week in Indianapolis, the Cowboys will meet with Pat Dye, the agent for All-Pro linebacker DeMarcus Ware, who led the NFL with 20 sacks last season. Ware is entering the last year of his contract and is scheduled to earn a $1.425 million base salary.

"I have a long history of working with the organization, from Emmitt Smith, Dexter Coakley, Izell Reese and DeMarcus Ware," Dye said. "We'll work through it."

The Cowboys have made an initial offer to Ware, who is in Indianapolis this week for an NFL Players Association meeting, and the sides are expected to get into more serious negotiations in the coming months.

Dye would not get into specifics of the talks, but Ware figures to receive the most guaranteed money in a contract in franchise history. Tony Romo received $31 million guaranteed as part of his extension in 2007.

Minnesota handed defensive end Jared Allen a six-year, $73.2 million deal last year with $31 million guaranteed. Indianapolis defensive end Dwight Freeney received $30 million guaranteed a few years ago.

Phillips not talking: Coach Wade Phillips arrived in Indianapolis on Thursday with assistant coaches Wade Wilson, Ray Sherman, Skip Peete and Wes Phillips, but Phillips said he "can't talk" to the media because it's "against the rules."

Phillips has not spoken publicly since his news conference the day after the Cowboys' season-ending 44-6 loss to Philadelphia. Owner and general manager Jerry Jones is scheduled to arrive today.

The scouting combine runs through Tuesday.

Sparano touts Garrett: Dolphins coach Tony Sparano met with the media Thursday and said he still has a strong belief Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett.

The two worked together in 2007, when the Cowboys finished third in the NFL in offense.

"I think he's got a brilliant mind, I really do," said Sparano, who directed the Dolphins to an 11-5 record and AFC East division title. "I think he's one of the best coaches I've been around as far as being able to utilize people and putting them in the right position and doing what they need to do.

"I think that's a tremendous strength of the way he communicates with the Football team and the way he communicates with the players."

Sparano called the plays for the Cowboys in 2006, when Terrell Owens caught 13 touchdown passes and finished with 1,180 yards.

"From my end, [Owens] was a really good pro and did everything we asked him to do, and we had a heckuva year together, so that's where I am with the guy," Sparano said. "That's all I can say. The rest of it isn't my business."

Briefly: Former Cowboys offensive coordinator/running backs coach Maurice Carthon joined Todd Haley in Kansas City as the Chiefs assistant head coach. Carthon spent the previous two seasons with Haley in Arizona as running backs coach.