Cowboys' Parcells to go with youngsters in preseason opener tonight
Tom Orsborn
Express-News Staff Writer
OXNARD, Calif. — Bill Parcells has a saying for just about everything.
Here's what he tells his rookies each training camp: "Fellas, it's a show-me game. It ain't a tell-me game. Show me what you can do. Don't tell me."
Receiver Sam Hurd says he plans to do just that at 9 tonight when the Dallas Cowboys open the preseason at Seattle.
"That's it," said Hurd, a Brackenridge High School graduate. "I'm going to show Coach what I can do, because you aren't going to do it by talking."
Hurd, several other rookies and a few veterans who have not received much playing time are all expected to have plenty of chances to impress Parcells in the preseason. The coach said some players in the group would get auditions against the Seahawks that could last as much as 21/2 quarters.
"I think I could maybe afford to do that the first couple of preseason games," Parcells said. "But after that, I don't think I'll be afforded that luxury again. So I want to do it now and make sure I get them on tape and evaluate it."
In addition to Hurd, rookies who can plan on playing extensively are linebacker Bobby Carpenter, safety Pat Watkins, tight end Anthony Fasano, defensive end Jason Hatcher and offensive tackle Pat McQuistan.
The list of second-year players and young veterans expected to play a lot in the preseason includes backup quarterback Tony Romo, fullback Lousaka Polite, linebacker Kevin Burnett, running back Tyson Thompson, defensive end Jay Ratliff, guard Cory Procter and offensive tackles Rob Petitti and Marc Colombo.
Romo will start and could play the entire first half or even possibly into the third quarter. Parcells says the preseason will serve as a test for the fourth-year player who has yet to throw a pass in the regular season.
Starting quarterback Drew Bledsoe may not play at all, Parcells said.
Asked if he's excited about the opportunity, Romo said: "I'm a pretty calm guy. I like to think that I stay calm under pressure. That might be a good quality I have. But you don't really know until you're out there."
One thing is certain: Romo won't be throwing any passes to Terrell Owens, who is out with a sore left hamstring and not expected to return to practice until Monday.
Parcells said he also wants to take a close look at Colombo and Petitti, who are competing with veteran Jason Fabini for the starter's job at right tackle.
Ratliff and Watkins are other youngsters who will try to prove they belong in the starting lineup.
Ratliff, a seventh-round pick from Auburn in 2005, has been one of the surprises of camp. He started practicing with the first-team defense at left end after a knee injury early in camp sidelined incumbent Marcus Spears.
Watkins, meanwhile, has been sharing first-team reps with Keith Davis, last season's starter at free safety. Watkins is a fifth-round pick from Florida State who stands out because of his size (6-foot-5) and nose for the ball.
Safeties usually stand no taller than 6-3.
"I've never seen one like this guy," Parcells said. "I think he has a real good chance to be a real good player."
Express-News Staff Writer
OXNARD, Calif. — Bill Parcells has a saying for just about everything.
Here's what he tells his rookies each training camp: "Fellas, it's a show-me game. It ain't a tell-me game. Show me what you can do. Don't tell me."
Receiver Sam Hurd says he plans to do just that at 9 tonight when the Dallas Cowboys open the preseason at Seattle.
"That's it," said Hurd, a Brackenridge High School graduate. "I'm going to show Coach what I can do, because you aren't going to do it by talking."
Hurd, several other rookies and a few veterans who have not received much playing time are all expected to have plenty of chances to impress Parcells in the preseason. The coach said some players in the group would get auditions against the Seahawks that could last as much as 21/2 quarters.
"I think I could maybe afford to do that the first couple of preseason games," Parcells said. "But after that, I don't think I'll be afforded that luxury again. So I want to do it now and make sure I get them on tape and evaluate it."
In addition to Hurd, rookies who can plan on playing extensively are linebacker Bobby Carpenter, safety Pat Watkins, tight end Anthony Fasano, defensive end Jason Hatcher and offensive tackle Pat McQuistan.
The list of second-year players and young veterans expected to play a lot in the preseason includes backup quarterback Tony Romo, fullback Lousaka Polite, linebacker Kevin Burnett, running back Tyson Thompson, defensive end Jay Ratliff, guard Cory Procter and offensive tackles Rob Petitti and Marc Colombo.
Romo will start and could play the entire first half or even possibly into the third quarter. Parcells says the preseason will serve as a test for the fourth-year player who has yet to throw a pass in the regular season.
Starting quarterback Drew Bledsoe may not play at all, Parcells said.
Asked if he's excited about the opportunity, Romo said: "I'm a pretty calm guy. I like to think that I stay calm under pressure. That might be a good quality I have. But you don't really know until you're out there."
One thing is certain: Romo won't be throwing any passes to Terrell Owens, who is out with a sore left hamstring and not expected to return to practice until Monday.
Parcells said he also wants to take a close look at Colombo and Petitti, who are competing with veteran Jason Fabini for the starter's job at right tackle.
Ratliff and Watkins are other youngsters who will try to prove they belong in the starting lineup.
Ratliff, a seventh-round pick from Auburn in 2005, has been one of the surprises of camp. He started practicing with the first-team defense at left end after a knee injury early in camp sidelined incumbent Marcus Spears.
Watkins, meanwhile, has been sharing first-team reps with Keith Davis, last season's starter at free safety. Watkins is a fifth-round pick from Florida State who stands out because of his size (6-foot-5) and nose for the ball.
Safeties usually stand no taller than 6-3.
"I've never seen one like this guy," Parcells said. "I think he has a real good chance to be a real good player."
posted by The Gryphon at 8:28 AM
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