The-Hogs.net - Washington Football Discussion, Redskins to Commanders Era

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 would not make much of these statements by the Tuna. It is -his- way to motivate -his- players. It works for him.

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.

gibbsfan wrote:

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.

Cowboys need receiver

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.

Quote:
Cowboys need receiver

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.

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."

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?

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'

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.