Fallon native Harvey Dahl is one step closer to realizing a longtime dream.
The 1999 Churchill County High School grad finished his collegiate career last fall playing football for the University of Nevada. During his last two years on the Wolf Pack, Dahl earned first-team, all-league honors as an offensive tackle. He was also one of two Nevada players selected to play in the East-West Shrine game in January where he showed his versatility playing both offensive guard and tackle.
Dahl, who recently signed as a rookie free agent with the Dallas Cowboys, returned from the team's three-day mini-camp which ended Saturday.
"It went well," said Dahl in discussing the camp.
Each National Football League usually holds a mini-camp to meet the rookies and to conduct tests and training.
Dahl, who inked a rookie's signing bonus of $12,500, attended the orientation at one of the team's training facilities, Valley Camp, in Irving, Tex., home of the Cowboys.
"All top notch state-of-the-art equipment," Dahl said of the facility.
During the mini-camp the 6-foot-6, 295-pound lineman and 29 other rookies participated in four intense practices. Based on his own performance, Dahl feels pleased with his work outs.
"They want to see what you have to offer," Dahl explained. "I felt good, and I showed some good things."
All the rookies had the opportunity to meet the Cowboys' head coach Bill Parcell. Noted for his direct approach to the game and to his players, Parcell has gained the reputation as a hard working coach.
"He was really positive, a real good coach," Dahl said of Parcell. "He knows what's going on."
According to DallasCowboys.com, Parcell said the camp was a way for his staff to assess the rookies.
"We're just trying to give them a little introduction and teach them a little bit about our basic system," Parcells said. "And the majority of them will be back here May 16 and start our off-season program."
Parcells said the camp wasn't about answering any questions about his new players, but rather formulating the questions instead.
"You're just trying figure things out," Parcells said. "What kind of condition are they in? How do they handle themselves in this situation? Did they look like they knew what was going on?"
Brett Daniels, director of corporate communications for the Cowboys, said in a telephone interview Monday the camp gave staff a much better idea on the capabilities of each rookie. During the mini-camp, Daniels said the club conducted physicals on each player, recorded their times in the 40-yard dash and supervised them in controlled practices without football pads.
"It was quite intensive for three days," Daniels said.
The rookies will report to the Dallas facility in less than two weeks for more training. The veterans report in mid-to-late July to the team's preseason training facility at Oxnard, Calif., just west of Los Angeles.
A twist of fate with a Nevada connection may also be following Dahl as he pursues a career with the Cowboys. Brock Marion, another University fo Nevada standout, was a seventh round draft choice by Dallas in 1993.
In 1977, the Cowboys drafted the former Wooster and UNLV quarterback Glenn Carano as a second round choice. Carano played with the Cowboys as a back-up to both Roger Staubach and Danny White until 1983.
Until he reports back to Dallas later this month, Dahl said he will be working out in Reno and keeping in the best shape possible.
With the completion of the NFL draft on April 24, Nancy Dahl said her son is much more relaxed, a contrast to his demeanor for the past four months.
"He was under so much pressure," she said. "Harvey didn't want to let anyone down since so many people were rooting for him."
Although he wasn't drafted in the first seven rounds, Nancy Dahl said there was still plenty of interest from the other NFL teams. The Dahl family thought New England was going to pick Harvey in the sixth round, but that fizzled.
However, Nancy said the Cowboys had been calling all day.
"We weren't aware Dallas was on the radar," she said. "Dallas called all day on the second day of the draft."
Nancy is optimistic about Harvey's chances with the Cowboys because she said anything is possible.
"Harvey's working for a spot. Another good sign is Parcell seems to like him."
For more information, go to the team's website at dallascowboys.com
