FRISCO - Cowboys cornerback Brandon Carr on Tuesday discussed for the first time the pay cut he accepted last month to remain with Dallas.

"I feel great - I'm back with my teammates for another year," Carr said from Dr Pepper Ballpark. "Back in the community. Those are the things that matter most to me."

Carr spoke between at bats for a home run derby sponsored by Reliant that raised $50,000 for The Salvation Army.

Carr is entering the final season of the five-year, $50.1 million deal he signed as a free agent in 2012, but agreed to a decrease in his base salary this season from $9.1 million to $4.25 million. He can earn up to $6 million in 2016, and the move freed up about $3.6 million in salary-cap space for the Cowboys. Dallas could have released him if the parties didn't come to terms.

Carr said that his family is happy to stay in Dallas and that he wanted to continue his outreach, which includes developing a mentoring program at Carter High School and Mark Twain Elementary.

But Carr, who turns 30 on Thursday, is also well aware this is the final year of his contract.

"I wouldn't lie to you," Carr said, "it's definitely motivating."

Carr has played in every game for the Cowboys and led cornerbacks last season with 71 tackles, but he's mostly been knocked for not living up to his massive contract. He hasn't had an interception since Thanksgiving 2013. The Cowboys mustered an NFL-worst 11 turnovers last season.

"My kids absolutely love the community, love the city of Dallas," Carr said. "My teammates, those are my brothers. We spent four hard years, we've been through some things. ...I felt strongly I needed to stay here for my foundation."

Dallas will benefit in the secondary from the return of cornerback Orlando Scandrick, back from a knee injury he suffered last year in training camp. And Dallas re-signed cornerback Morris Claiborne to a one-year, $3-million contract.

Claiborne, who also took part in Tuesday's event, has been hindered by injuries during his four-year career. He said he benefited from his work this off-season, with organized team activities beginning next week.

"I had the opportunity to train and not rehab, and be with the rest of the guys," Claiborne said. "I feel like it helped me a lot to have the off-season to put the work in."

The former first-round pick out of LSU said he was happy to be back in Dallas- even with its tough crowd.

"It feels really good to be back...back with some guys that I love with all my heart," he said. "It's the only place I know. I'm so used to the guys and the coaches. We have some tough fans but I still love them all, and I wouldn't rather play for anybody else."