Willie Pile plays special role for Dallas Cowboys

Pile plays special role for Dallas
By JOHN KEIM
Examiner Staff Writer
Published: Wednesday, December 14, 2005 11:18 PM EST

TIDBIT: Dick Vermeil liked Willie Pile. The Kansas City coach just couldn’t keep a roster spot for him. But he did help him land a job with Dallas.When Cowboys coach Bill Parcells called Vermeil for a scouting report, he heard nothing but good things, especially when it came to special teams.“He’s proven to be right,” Parcells said.Pile, a West Potomac High graduate who also played at Virginia Tech, has become a key part of Dallas’ special teams. He signed with the Cowboys in September and has 11 special teams tackles. He’s also served as a fourth safety and sometimes a third.Mostly, though, Pile, playing his first game in his hometown Sunday, is a special teamer. He’s traveled a difficult road to reach this point. Pile was a seventh-round pick by Kansas City in 2003, but got cut and landed on the Chiefs’ practice squad that December. He spent the spring of 2004 in NFL Europe and lasted 16 games with Kansas City last season.But the Chiefs cut him this summer.“He’s been a good addition for us,” Parcells said. “He gives us a little more size [at safety] and he’s moved up the hard way. He’s an intelligent player. He has a good background [for special teams].”