IRVING, Texas � All-Pro linebacker DeMarcus Ware took a step closer to a contract extension Thursday when his agent, Pat Dye Jr., came to the Dallas Cowboys� Valley Ranch training complex for a face-to-face discussion.

Dye said nothing is imminent. But the sides made progress in their first meeting since before training camp.
�It�s closer than what it was,� Dye said. �We weren�t in the same universe before (Thursday).�
Dye said the meeting with team vice-president Stephen Jones was constructive.
�They made significant concessions in some areas and we made significant concessions in all areas,� Dye said. �It�s a matter of determining what his value is. We still have three, four or five fundamental differences.�
One difference that seemingly has been removed is whether Ware will receive franchise quarterback money.
As the league�s best pass rusher and a perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate, Ware could make the case that he deserves to be the highest-paid player in the NFL, regardless of position.
�We are past that discussion,� Dye said. �That is not the focal point.�
Considering the recent contracts of Giants quarterback Eli Manning (six years, $97.5 million) and Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (six years, $92 million), the hurdle was an important one to cross.
The baseline of negotiations instead could be the contracts of Redskins tackle Albert Haynesworth ($100 million), Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs ($63 million), Vikings defensive end Jared Allen ($74 million) and Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney ($72 million).
More importantly, look at the guaranteed money of Haynesworth ($41 million) and Suggs ($38 million) as a possible target for Ware and Dye.
Ware is set to make $1.005 million in the last season of his contract.
Jones said when the off-season began that re-signing Ware was the team�s top priority. With the regular-season opener two days away, that goal has not been met.
And without an new collective bargaining agreement, Ware would be a restricted free agent next season.
�There is still some work to be done,� Dye said. �We don�t have a timeline. Both sides would rather have it behind them sooner than later. We will just see.�
Captains selected
Quarterback Tony Romo, tight end Jason Witten and linebackers Bradie James and DeMarcus Ware were named captains for the coming season in a vote by the team Thursday.
Punter Mat McBriar will be the special-teams captain Sunday against Tampa Bay.
The subsequent special-teams captains will be awarded to the player of the week following each game.
�They are standout players as well as leaders,� coach Wade Phillips said of the captains� selections.
Phillips said it�s wrong to suggest the Cowboys didn�t have any leaders last season when the team slumped.
�You always have a lot of leaders when you win,� he said.
The Cowboys had eight captains last season. Three � Terrell Owens, Greg Ellis and Keith Davis � are no longer on the team. The others were Marion Barber, Ken Hamlin, Romo, Witten and James.