OXNARD, Calif. -- A week into training camp, Dallas Cowboys coach Bill Parcells doesn't like what he's seen so far.
"Things are not going well," Parcells said Friday. "I'm worried about that, and a little frustrated, with things in a couple of places where we should be better than what they are. But it's the first week of the season so I have to keep that in perspective as well."
Parcells has said for several days that the defense is far ahead of the offense, starting with the line. When the blocking falters, it's more difficult for the running backs to find holes and for quarterbacks to complete passes.
The line had a new look in practice Friday afternoon, with Rob Petitti taking over at left tackle, bumping Flozell Adams to the second team. Marc Colombo replaced Petitti on the right side.
"That's generally where you are at this point in camp. The defense is always ahead of the offense," quarterback Drew Bledsoe said. "Obviously we've got to take steps forward, but it's not something that I'm pressing the panic button on now."
A few days ago, Parcells thought some of his position coaches were spending too much time explaining things while they were on the field. He prefers they do that in meetings and use practices to see whether they can do it. So he added more 11-on-11 drills, when coaches can't be a security blanket.
Now he's considering adding more two-a-days.
"I'm not sure," he said. "But I know I got to make progress here."
The team has had two-a-days every other day, with Friday marking their fourth. Only five more are scheduled the remaining two-plus weeks of camp.
Parcells expects to have a better idea of where his team is after a 90-play scrimmage Saturday.
"I need to take Sunday and just kind of sit back and look at it and see where we are and what we need to do to get ready for next week," he said. "Once those games start coming, it gets to be a little different schedule so I want to make sure I take advantage of all the opportunities we have while we're here prior to that."
Players get their first day off Sunday. The preseason opener is next Saturday in Seattle, followed by another off day then the final week of camp. They leave California for good Aug. 20.
"This is really the toughest time of the season in pro football," Parcells said. "The players are tired, they don't see any light at the end of the tunnel, they don't have a game, it's just not that much fun for them. So I have to take that into consideration.
"But at the same token, I just think we need to be a little more battled-hardened than we already are. I have some players that are pretty well resilient, but not all."
Injuries haven't been too much of a setback.
Starting defensive end Marcus Spears tore knee cartilage on the first day and is expected to miss several more weeks. Terrell Owens missed work Thursday and Friday because of a tender hamstring.
Among players fighting for roster spots, safety Justin Beriault has lost time to a concussion and guard Stephen Peterman to a sprained ankle.
Among players fighting for roster spots, safety Justin Beriault has lost time to a concussion and guard Stephen Peterman to a sprained ankle.
I really like the idea of making Cowboys players actually fight for roster spots. Let them use guns, knives, knuckle dusters, whatever. They should line up in 11 on 11 drills, each armed with the weapon of their choice. It would make great TV - I know I'd watch.
I would not make much of these statements by the Tuna. It is -his- way to motivate -his- players. It works for him.
Daniel Snyder has defined incompetence, failure and greed to true Washington Redskins fans for over a decade and a half. Stay away from football operations !!!
I would not make much of these statements by the Tuna. It is -his- way to motivate -his- players. It works for him.
Yup... this is soooooo Parcells. I'm just waiting for him to call TO a "little girl". That's when the fun starts.
"That's a clown question, bro" - - - - - - - - - - Bryce Harper, DC Statesman "But Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man That he didn't, didn't already have" - - - - - - - - - - Dewey Bunnell, America
Everything is fine down there in Lone star land. The Tuna is in full control - the fact that T.O. is the only one that can find anything wrong with his hammy, doesn't bother BP in the least. The fact that T.O. is now flying in his own doctors and his oxygen chamber doesn't bother BP at all.
Parcells showed everyone who is in charge when he brought Fred Ex in for a workout today.
Trust me everything is fine with That team in Texas
Redskin in Canada wrote:I would not make much of these statements by the Tuna. It is -his- way to motivate -his- players. It works for him.
good coaches do thing like this to get them going. i aint falling for this ole trick i know better.
indeed it does work for him.
True this may work for him but when you see both your starting recievers riding stationary bikes all week and your only other option is to work out Freddy Mitchell then there may be some truth to it.
Dallas could enter the mix for Broncos wide receiver Ashley Lelie, a holdout. Cowboys coach Bill Parcells told reporters Wednesday his team is interested in acquiring a receiver. Lelie is one of the top wideouts available.
Chicago and Philadelphia have shown recent interest in Lelie, who has amassed $196,000 in fines for missing training camp.
With Owens out since last week with a sore hamstring and Glenn missing practice time this week with blisters, the issue has become even more troublesome.
Since Sunday, the Cowboys have worked out former Philadelphia Eagles receiver Freddie Mitchell and rookie Markee Wright of Texas State.
They signed Lashaun Ward, who played the past three seasons with Kansas City, on Wednesday.
"We're talking to teams," Parcells said. "We're trying to be as proactive as we can at that position. I think we could be heavy at a spot or two, so maybe we'll be able to do some business."
Patrick Crayton is the favorite to be the third receiver for the second consecutive season, although undrafted rookie and camp phenom Sam Hurd is working with the first team in place of Owens.
Dallas could enter the mix for Broncos wide receiver Ashley Lelie, a holdout. Cowboys coach Bill Parcells told reporters Wednesday his team is interested in acquiring a receiver. Lelie is one of the top wideouts available.
Chicago and Philadelphia have shown recent interest in Lelie, who has amassed $196,000 in fines for missing training camp.
Sounds like a perfect fit with TO.
Skins fan since '55
"The constitution is not a suicide pact"- Abraham Lincoln
Cowboys | Team showed some interest in Morton Fri, 11 Aug 2006 06:40:29 -0700
The Detroit News reports free agent WR Johnnie Morton (49ers) told reporters Vartan Kupelian and Mike O'Hara in an email that the Dallas Cowboys have showed some interest in him. "I'm not sure what's going to happen, but I'd like to be signed before the season, said Morton. "I wouldn't want to come in during the season and play catch-up, unless it's with a team like Detroit, whose offense I already know. I had the same system in Kansas City. I know their system, and it's capable of being very explosive. I still train as though I'm going to play, and I'm in outstanding playing shape."
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When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hold on....
No need to start another thread about anything relating to That team in Texas, so I'll put this here.
Romo's start not the beginning of duel with Bledsoe
OXNARD, Calif. – Bill Parcells likes Tony Romo. That much we know beyond a shadow of a doubt.
If the head coach didn't, he wouldn't have informed the fourth-year quarterback – who has never thrown a pass in a real NFL game – that he will start tonight in Seattle for the Cowboys.
But that is all this unusual beginning to the run-up to this regular season means.
He probably wouldn't even be getting this first-string opportunity if the offensive line was a little more solidified and Terrell Owens wasn't left only to ham it up while being hamstrung by an aching hamstring. What would be the point of leaving Drew Bledsoe and Mr. Initials out of the first series or two of the preseason?
Let's also say that it's becoming apparent you worry far more about the Cowboys than you do the Redskins.
"He's a playmaker, that's his label. They used to have strong safeties, but now they got another position: They're called playmakers." -Terence Newman on Roy Williams
Hey, you're the one trying to 'get a rise' out of people. You spend more time hating on them then you do cheering your own team. There's a word for that, you know.
Just sayin'
"He's a playmaker, that's his label. They used to have strong safeties, but now they got another position: They're called playmakers." -Terence Newman on Roy Williams
Primetime42 wrote:Hey, you're the one trying to 'get a rise' out of people. You spend more time hating on them then you do cheering your own team. There's a word for that, you know.
Just sayin'
Don't go crying to the mods
I hear they're a bunch of haters too
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When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hold on....
Although 99% of the verbal hating I do is directed towards Roy Williams.
I just honestly don't think he's that good.
Plus I had to laugh at the thread on Cowboysguide calling Romo the next Favre and comparing him to Brees and Delhomme. I mean, come on PT, you have to admit that would sound pretty ridiculous to someone whose a Cowboys outsider.
I have a lot of hate to dish out to balance out all my love, which is directed to a certain football team that dons Burgundy and Gold every fall and captures my heart.
R.I.P. Christopher Wallace (May 21, 1972 - March 9, 1997)
R.I.P. Sean Taylor (April 1, 1983 - November 27, 2007)
I just watched NFL Live a.k.a. the Terrell Owens/Reggie Bush Report, and, while I hate the Cowboys, it seems as though the media is doing its best to stir things up.
Parcells says that Owens needs to get on the field and practice so he can be prepared for the season. The media takes that as 'Owens better get his a** on the field 'cause I'm pissed.' They think the inevitable blow up is happening already. I'm quite sick of it already, actually. The guy will play in week one.
I'm a jack of all trades, the master of three
Rockin' the tables, rockin' the mikes, rockin' the young lay-dees.
joebagadonuts wrote:I just watched NFL Live a.k.a. the Terrell Owens/Reggie Bush Report, and, while I hate the Cowboys, it seems as though the media is doing its best to stir things up.
Parcells says that Owens needs to get on the field and practice so he can be prepared for the season. The media takes that as 'Owens better get his a** on the field 'cause I'm pissed.' They think the inevitable blow up is happening already. I'm quite sick of it already, actually. The guy will play in week one.
I hope there's a blow up. Things are just too quiet right now
Skins fan since '55
"The constitution is not a suicide pact"- Abraham Lincoln
