This is Flozell Adams’ time
Adams must take lead role
Wed May-24-06 12:32 PM
Jean-Jacques Taylor
This is Flozell Adams’ time.
That sounds strange, doesn’t it? But it’s true. The performance of the offensive line is the key to the Cowboys’ success this season, and don’t let anyone tell you anything different.
It’s not about T.O. Or Drew Bledsoe. Or Julius Jones.
It’s not even about Bill Parcells – unless he’s going to strap on a helmet. It’s about the offensive line protecting Bledsoe and giving Jones and Marion Barber holes to run through.
That means this season is about Adams.
Larry Allen, he of the 10 Pro Bowl appearances, is gone. That means the leadership mantle falls to Adams. Guard Marco Rivera is a descending player, but Adams remains in his prime, even though he’s coming off a season-ending knee injury.
Last season, fans and critics found out how important he was to the offense when he went down in Week 6. Adams has always given the impression that football is just one aspect of his life like any other job. Those close to him say that’s not true.
They talk about his passion for the game and the frustration he feels when the offense isn’t producing like he knows it can. They talk about the way he changed the seating assignments in the offensive line meeting room last season to sit next to Torrin Tucker and give him all the help he could.
Adams must take even more of a leadership role this season. He must set the tone with his performance, his practice and his study habits. He must lead the way for an offensive line that has many more questions than answers at this point of the off-season.
He’s the highest-paid lineman and one of two players – Greg Ellis is the other – with the most tenure on the roster. He has been to the Pro Bowl. He knows what it takes to be the best in the league.
Now, he must fight to regain that stature. In the process, he must become a team leader for the first time in his career. It’s no longer just about doing his job on the field.
It’s about making sure others do theirs. That is the responsibility that comes with being an important veteran. It’s a role he must embrace.
And it’s a duty he finally seems ready to handle. He will make the Cowboys significantly better, if he does.
Wed May-24-06 12:32 PM
Jean-Jacques Taylor
This is Flozell Adams’ time.
That sounds strange, doesn’t it? But it’s true. The performance of the offensive line is the key to the Cowboys’ success this season, and don’t let anyone tell you anything different.
It’s not about T.O. Or Drew Bledsoe. Or Julius Jones.
It’s not even about Bill Parcells – unless he’s going to strap on a helmet. It’s about the offensive line protecting Bledsoe and giving Jones and Marion Barber holes to run through.
That means this season is about Adams.
Larry Allen, he of the 10 Pro Bowl appearances, is gone. That means the leadership mantle falls to Adams. Guard Marco Rivera is a descending player, but Adams remains in his prime, even though he’s coming off a season-ending knee injury.
Last season, fans and critics found out how important he was to the offense when he went down in Week 6. Adams has always given the impression that football is just one aspect of his life like any other job. Those close to him say that’s not true.
They talk about his passion for the game and the frustration he feels when the offense isn’t producing like he knows it can. They talk about the way he changed the seating assignments in the offensive line meeting room last season to sit next to Torrin Tucker and give him all the help he could.
Adams must take even more of a leadership role this season. He must set the tone with his performance, his practice and his study habits. He must lead the way for an offensive line that has many more questions than answers at this point of the off-season.
He’s the highest-paid lineman and one of two players – Greg Ellis is the other – with the most tenure on the roster. He has been to the Pro Bowl. He knows what it takes to be the best in the league.
Now, he must fight to regain that stature. In the process, he must become a team leader for the first time in his career. It’s no longer just about doing his job on the field.
It’s about making sure others do theirs. That is the responsibility that comes with being an important veteran. It’s a role he must embrace.
And it’s a duty he finally seems ready to handle. He will make the Cowboys significantly better, if he does.
posted by The Gryphon at 10:38 PM
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