Parcells still the Big guy for Cowboys
By Clarence E. Hill Jr.
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
Cowboys coach Bill Parcells might be on the verge of surrendering his "Big Bill" moniker to former protégé Bill Belichick of New England.
With Belichick's team favored to win a third Super Bowl in four years next Sunday, it's hard to question his rising stock.
However, that doesn't mean Parcells has given up on the Cowboys' being "super" again, even if this 6-10 season left the two-time Super Bowl champion coach "embarrassed," "frustrated" and "at wits' end."
According to team vice president Stephen Jones, Parcells remains as committed to taking the franchise back to the top as he was when he was hired two years ago.
Jones, who spent much of the past week with Parcells scouting college players at the Senior Bowl, said he saw "no indication" of a coach ready to quit, but rather, one motivated, along with everyone in the organization, to right the wrongs of 2004.
Parcells' mere presence at the Senior Bowl is evidence of that. He didn't make the trip the past two years, but the Cowboys have two first-round draft picks this year and Parcells is taking part in the talent evaluation from the beginning.
"With that many picks, and combined with not having a successful season, everybody wanted to be headed in the right direction," Jones said. "He wanted to be here to see what our options are."
It's also another indication of a motivated Parcells -- who promised wholesale changes this off-season -- wielding more influence in the organization.
He overhauled his staff, firing kickers coach Steve Hoffman, offensive line coach George Warhop and defensive ends coach Jim Jeffcoat.
Longtime scouting director Larry Lacewell retired, and Parcells will have a bigger impact on the scouting department.
And now, Parcells is apparently turning his attention to the roster. As would be the case with almost any 6-10 team, the Cowboys have a number of holes to fill. For Dallas, the priorities would seem to be cornerback, safety, defensive tackle, right offensive tackle and defensive end.
"With two first-round draft picks, combined with the chance to improve ourselves in free agency [the Cowboys have about $20 million in salary cap room], we are very excited about the possibilities," Jones said. "There is a reason to be positive."
This is definitely a team in transition. Of the 63 players who finished this season on the Cowboys' roster or injured reserve list, only 16 were on the team in 2002, the last of Dave Campo's three 5-11 seasons.
And the Cowboys could have their third starting quarterback in three years. Jones said the Cowboys still have an interest in re-signing 2004 starter Vinny Testaverde but acknowledged that they will try to have Tony Romo or Drew Henson ready to play.
An even bigger change could come on defense, where the Cowboys are talking about shifting from an alignment with four down linemen and three linebackers to one with three linemen and four linebackers.
Parcells prefers the 3-4 but didn't implement it when he arrived two years ago because the 4-3 fit the skills of the players on the roster and it's what defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer knows best.
But the team's woeful defensive play in 2004 and lack of quality defensive linemen have the Cowboys considering the switch for next season.
As a result, the Cowboys could face roster decisions involving Pro Bowl defensive tackle La'Roi Glover and linebackers Dexter Coakley and Dat Nguyen, who don't seem to be big enough for the 3-4.
If the Cowboys are going to switch, the time is now, Jones said, adding that the key is deciding whether the personnel available -- and their ability to acquire it -- best fits a 3-4 or 4-3.
"It's something we are looking at," Jones said. "You need less defensive linemen and more linebackers in the 3-4. We still have needs in the secondary. At the end of the day, we have to see what's available and decide what we should do."
What the Cowboys don't seem to have to wonder about is Parcells and his commitment to the team. He remains "Big Bill" here.
http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/sports/football/10773037.htm
Parcells still the Big guy for that team in Texas
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Parcells still the Big guy for that team in Texas
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When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hold on....
If the world didn't suck we'd all fall off