Cowboys' blocking will decide their fate
Web Posted: 07/23/2006 12:00 AM CDT
Tom Orsborn
Express-News Staff Writer
Bill Parcells says he feels re-energized entering his fourth season as coach of the Dallas Cowboys.
If key members of the team's offensive line feel the same, Parcells might finally have another Super Bowl threat.
Bolstered by the additions of receiver Terrell Owens and kicker Mike Vanderjagt, the Cowboys are the fashionable choice among NFL pundits to outmaneuver rival Washington for the NFC East title and possibly land their first Super Bowl berth since 1995. The quest begins Friday in Oxnard, Calif., with the start of training camp, an event that will include a media swarm eager to scrutinize Parcells' relationship with the tempestuous Owens.
But a case can be made that the more important story — at least for the time being — is whether Parcells and offensive line coach Tony Sparano can take an offensive line that includes several question marks and mold it into a formidable unit.
If they succeed, Dallas could be positioned to make a run at its first division title since 1998.
"Hopefully, we will be all right," Parcells said during rookie camp. "I don't know. Everybody in the league except for about one or two teams is worried about the same thing."
Parcells' chief concern will be whether left tackle Flozell Adams can return to Pro Bowl form after missing the final 10 games last season with a knee injury.
"The problem on the offensive line only started when we lost (Adams)," Parcells said.
Indeed, the Cowboys were 4-2 and atop the division before Adams tore an ACL. Without him, the running game stalled, immobile quarterback Drew Bledsoe took a beating and the team stumbled to a 5-5 finish.
But there are plenty of concerns up front other than Adams.
For the first time since 1993, Dallas is without future Hall of Famer Larry Allen, who joined San Francisco after being released in March. His likely replacement at left guard, Kyle Kosier, is playing for his third team in three years. And the candidates at right tackle, second-year man Rob Petitti and new arrival Jason Fabini,won't make anyone forget Erik Williams.
Then there's 34-year-old right guard Marco Rivera, who disappointed last season in his injury-plagued Cowboys debut. Center candidates Al Johnson and Andre Gurode also underachieved for a unit that allowed 50 sacks —only three teams surrendered more — and paved the way for just 3.6 yards per rush.
Still, there's reason for optimism. Former Pro Bowler Rivera is healthy and Parcells plans to use a two-tight end scheme, which should help open holes for running backs Julius Jones and Marion Barber and offer protection for the 34-year-old Bledsoe to find Owens, receiver Terry Glenn and tight end Jason Witten.
Parcells also expects one of the league's top young defenses to aid the offense by providing turnovers and a short field.
"We are going to have more depth on defense," Parcells said. "We have a good, youthful group of defensive linemen. We have pretty good youth at linebacker. We have a chance to find a safety. We have more depth at corner than since I've been here."
With that in mind, Parcells believes the roster will be his strongest in Dallas, which he said helped invigorate him after the Cowboys collapsed last season to miss the playoffs for a second-straight year.
"We were a lot closer to being pretty good last year than anybody really knows," Parcells said. "We make a field goal here or there, we're going to have 12 wins."
Notching 12 victories in '06 would go a long way to restoring Parcells' reputation as one of the league's best coaches. He turns 65 in August and is a mediocre 25-23 with Dallas, which hasn't won a playoff game since 1996.
"There's still a couple of things that concern me a great deal," said Parcells, who received a two-year extension in January. "But personnel-wise, I know we're getting closer to where we're going to be able to be competitive."
Tom Orsborn
Express-News Staff Writer
Bill Parcells says he feels re-energized entering his fourth season as coach of the Dallas Cowboys.
If key members of the team's offensive line feel the same, Parcells might finally have another Super Bowl threat.
Bolstered by the additions of receiver Terrell Owens and kicker Mike Vanderjagt, the Cowboys are the fashionable choice among NFL pundits to outmaneuver rival Washington for the NFC East title and possibly land their first Super Bowl berth since 1995. The quest begins Friday in Oxnard, Calif., with the start of training camp, an event that will include a media swarm eager to scrutinize Parcells' relationship with the tempestuous Owens.
But a case can be made that the more important story — at least for the time being — is whether Parcells and offensive line coach Tony Sparano can take an offensive line that includes several question marks and mold it into a formidable unit.
If they succeed, Dallas could be positioned to make a run at its first division title since 1998.
"Hopefully, we will be all right," Parcells said during rookie camp. "I don't know. Everybody in the league except for about one or two teams is worried about the same thing."
Parcells' chief concern will be whether left tackle Flozell Adams can return to Pro Bowl form after missing the final 10 games last season with a knee injury.
"The problem on the offensive line only started when we lost (Adams)," Parcells said.
Indeed, the Cowboys were 4-2 and atop the division before Adams tore an ACL. Without him, the running game stalled, immobile quarterback Drew Bledsoe took a beating and the team stumbled to a 5-5 finish.
But there are plenty of concerns up front other than Adams.
For the first time since 1993, Dallas is without future Hall of Famer Larry Allen, who joined San Francisco after being released in March. His likely replacement at left guard, Kyle Kosier, is playing for his third team in three years. And the candidates at right tackle, second-year man Rob Petitti and new arrival Jason Fabini,won't make anyone forget Erik Williams.
Then there's 34-year-old right guard Marco Rivera, who disappointed last season in his injury-plagued Cowboys debut. Center candidates Al Johnson and Andre Gurode also underachieved for a unit that allowed 50 sacks —only three teams surrendered more — and paved the way for just 3.6 yards per rush.
Still, there's reason for optimism. Former Pro Bowler Rivera is healthy and Parcells plans to use a two-tight end scheme, which should help open holes for running backs Julius Jones and Marion Barber and offer protection for the 34-year-old Bledsoe to find Owens, receiver Terry Glenn and tight end Jason Witten.
Parcells also expects one of the league's top young defenses to aid the offense by providing turnovers and a short field.
"We are going to have more depth on defense," Parcells said. "We have a good, youthful group of defensive linemen. We have pretty good youth at linebacker. We have a chance to find a safety. We have more depth at corner than since I've been here."
With that in mind, Parcells believes the roster will be his strongest in Dallas, which he said helped invigorate him after the Cowboys collapsed last season to miss the playoffs for a second-straight year.
"We were a lot closer to being pretty good last year than anybody really knows," Parcells said. "We make a field goal here or there, we're going to have 12 wins."
Notching 12 victories in '06 would go a long way to restoring Parcells' reputation as one of the league's best coaches. He turns 65 in August and is a mediocre 25-23 with Dallas, which hasn't won a playoff game since 1996.
"There's still a couple of things that concern me a great deal," said Parcells, who received a two-year extension in January. "But personnel-wise, I know we're getting closer to where we're going to be able to be competitive."
posted by The Gryphon at 10:14 PM
<< Home