Cowboys ESPN report
Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2004 1:29 pm
Parcells reunited with Testaverde, Johnson
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By Kieran Darcy
ESPN.com
2003 RECORD: 10-6
TEAM RANK (NFL): Defense (1st); Offense (15th)
ADDITIONS:
Free agents -- DE Marcellus Wiley (Chargers), QB Vinny Testaverde (Jets), WR Dedric Ward (Patriots).
Acquired by trade: QB Drew Henson (Texans), WR Keyshawn Johnson (Bucs).
Draft picks -- 2a. RB Julius Jones (Notre Dame), 2b. OT Jacob Rogers (USC), 3. OG Stephen Peterman (LSU), 4. CB Bruce Thornton (Georgia), 5. TE Sean Ryan (Boston College), 7a. CB Nathan Jones (Rutgers), 7b. WR Patrick Crayton (NW Oklahoma St.), 7c. CB Jacques Reeves (Purdue).
SUBTRACTIONS:
OL Ryan Young (released), P Toby Gowin (Jets), DE Ebenezer Ekuban (Browns), CB Mario Edwards (Bucs), RB Troy Hambrick (Raiders), WR Joey
What they've added?
Bill Parcells, going into his second season with Dallas, continues to reshape the Cowboys roster. In particular, he's added a couple of quarterbacks to the mix.
Dallas traded for Drew Henson, who was drafted by the Houston Texans in 2003. Henson finally gave up on his major league baseball ambitions and will likely be the Cowboys quarterback of the future. But even though he'll sit the bench as an understudy this season, incumbent starter Quincy Carter may lose his job anyway. Parcells also brought in Vinny Testaverde and Parcells seems to think the 40 year old has something left in the tank.
In addition to the acquisitions at quarterback, the Cowboys also made a big change in the receiving corps. Another former Jet, Keyshawn Johnson, wore out his welcome in Tampa Bay last season, but could flourish once again under Parcells. And the offense will also feature a new starting tailback, Julius Jones, who the Cowboys drafted in the second round out of Notre Dame.
On defense, the one big-name veteran the Cowboys picked up was defensive end Marcellus Wiley, formerly of the Chargers. Wiley combined for 23½ sacks in 2000 and 2001, but had just nine the previous two campaigns. The Cowboys hope he'll make more of an impact this coming year.
In the draft, besides Jones, the Cowboys also picked up a couple of offensive linemen that could see some playing time over the course of 2004: Jacob Rogers (USC, second round) and Stephen Peterman (LSU, third round). And fourth-round pick Bruce Thornton, a cornerback from Georgia, could figure in the secondary mix as well.
What they're missing?
Parcells jettisoned a few players from last year's team, among the most notable was running back Troy Hambrick. The former backup was supposed to lead the way once future Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith headed to Arizona, but Hambrick was a disappointment. In the draft, Dallas passed on a chance to select Steven Jackson and chose Jones instead, a curious move by many. If Jones fails to meet high expectations, the Cowboys will again become highly dependent on the passing attack.
On defense, starting cornerback Mario Edwards is now with Tampa Bay. Pete Hunter, who played in the nickel last year, will be his likely replacement -- but the third-year player still has a lot to prove. Though the secondary is considered a strength, the unit is still hurt by the team's lack of a pass rush. Dallas had just 32 sacks (tied for 21st) last year and the team is counting on increased production from Wiley.
On special teams, the Cowboys lost veteran punter Toby Gowin, who signed with Parcells' former team, the Jets. The Cowboys will need to replace him.
What it all means?
The Cowboys were a big surprise in 2003, finishing 10-6 and qualifying for the playoffs. But they won't sneak up on people this year, particularly in a much-improved NFC East.
Yes, Parcells is continuing to build this team the way he wants to. But it's still going to take time, and the Cowboys will have a lot more pressure on them this year. Their offense, which averaged only 18.1 points per game last year (last among the league's 12 playoff teams), needs to put more points on the board. Whoever starts at quarterback, Carter or Testaverde, needs to take better advantage of their three very capable wide receivers (Johnson, Terry Glenn and Antonio Bryant). Jones, the rookie, will be counted on to carry the load in the running game. And Dallas will still need their defense to stifle opponents like they did a year ago.
The Cowboys face a big challenge to match last season's success, particularly facing a tougher schedule. But never underestimate a Bill Parcells-coached team.
Kieran Darcy writes for ESPN The Magazine and ESPN.com.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Kieran Darcy
ESPN.com
2003 RECORD: 10-6
TEAM RANK (NFL): Defense (1st); Offense (15th)
ADDITIONS:
Free agents -- DE Marcellus Wiley (Chargers), QB Vinny Testaverde (Jets), WR Dedric Ward (Patriots).
Acquired by trade: QB Drew Henson (Texans), WR Keyshawn Johnson (Bucs).
Draft picks -- 2a. RB Julius Jones (Notre Dame), 2b. OT Jacob Rogers (USC), 3. OG Stephen Peterman (LSU), 4. CB Bruce Thornton (Georgia), 5. TE Sean Ryan (Boston College), 7a. CB Nathan Jones (Rutgers), 7b. WR Patrick Crayton (NW Oklahoma St.), 7c. CB Jacques Reeves (Purdue).
SUBTRACTIONS:
OL Ryan Young (released), P Toby Gowin (Jets), DE Ebenezer Ekuban (Browns), CB Mario Edwards (Bucs), RB Troy Hambrick (Raiders), WR Joey
What they've added?
Bill Parcells, going into his second season with Dallas, continues to reshape the Cowboys roster. In particular, he's added a couple of quarterbacks to the mix.
Dallas traded for Drew Henson, who was drafted by the Houston Texans in 2003. Henson finally gave up on his major league baseball ambitions and will likely be the Cowboys quarterback of the future. But even though he'll sit the bench as an understudy this season, incumbent starter Quincy Carter may lose his job anyway. Parcells also brought in Vinny Testaverde and Parcells seems to think the 40 year old has something left in the tank.
In addition to the acquisitions at quarterback, the Cowboys also made a big change in the receiving corps. Another former Jet, Keyshawn Johnson, wore out his welcome in Tampa Bay last season, but could flourish once again under Parcells. And the offense will also feature a new starting tailback, Julius Jones, who the Cowboys drafted in the second round out of Notre Dame.
On defense, the one big-name veteran the Cowboys picked up was defensive end Marcellus Wiley, formerly of the Chargers. Wiley combined for 23½ sacks in 2000 and 2001, but had just nine the previous two campaigns. The Cowboys hope he'll make more of an impact this coming year.
In the draft, besides Jones, the Cowboys also picked up a couple of offensive linemen that could see some playing time over the course of 2004: Jacob Rogers (USC, second round) and Stephen Peterman (LSU, third round). And fourth-round pick Bruce Thornton, a cornerback from Georgia, could figure in the secondary mix as well.
What they're missing?
Parcells jettisoned a few players from last year's team, among the most notable was running back Troy Hambrick. The former backup was supposed to lead the way once future Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith headed to Arizona, but Hambrick was a disappointment. In the draft, Dallas passed on a chance to select Steven Jackson and chose Jones instead, a curious move by many. If Jones fails to meet high expectations, the Cowboys will again become highly dependent on the passing attack.
On defense, starting cornerback Mario Edwards is now with Tampa Bay. Pete Hunter, who played in the nickel last year, will be his likely replacement -- but the third-year player still has a lot to prove. Though the secondary is considered a strength, the unit is still hurt by the team's lack of a pass rush. Dallas had just 32 sacks (tied for 21st) last year and the team is counting on increased production from Wiley.
On special teams, the Cowboys lost veteran punter Toby Gowin, who signed with Parcells' former team, the Jets. The Cowboys will need to replace him.
What it all means?
The Cowboys were a big surprise in 2003, finishing 10-6 and qualifying for the playoffs. But they won't sneak up on people this year, particularly in a much-improved NFC East.
Yes, Parcells is continuing to build this team the way he wants to. But it's still going to take time, and the Cowboys will have a lot more pressure on them this year. Their offense, which averaged only 18.1 points per game last year (last among the league's 12 playoff teams), needs to put more points on the board. Whoever starts at quarterback, Carter or Testaverde, needs to take better advantage of their three very capable wide receivers (Johnson, Terry Glenn and Antonio Bryant). Jones, the rookie, will be counted on to carry the load in the running game. And Dallas will still need their defense to stifle opponents like they did a year ago.
The Cowboys face a big challenge to match last season's success, particularly facing a tougher schedule. But never underestimate a Bill Parcells-coached team.
Kieran Darcy writes for ESPN The Magazine and ESPN.com.
