Depth at receiver keeps shrinking
Team looking for solutions with top 3 options sitting out
By TODD ARCHER / The Dallas Morning News
OXNARD, Calif. – The Cowboys returned to practice Monday only to find their top three receivers – Terrell Owens, Terry Glenn and Patrick Crayton – on exercise bikes.
As a result, the Cowboys have changed their search for a receiver from a need to have to a must have, according to coach Bill Parcells. They are expected to begin a scout swap with an unnamed team this week and could look for free-agent help.
"There are players on our team that people want, that people have inquired on some of our players," Parcells said. "The best chance we would have is to maybe try to get something that we need versus something seemingly other people want. But we're a long way from completing any of that right now."
Owens has missed 12 straight practices with a strained hamstring, but he caught passes from passing game coordinator Todd Haley after Monday's practice. Glenn has been slowed by bad blisters on his feet, and he had an extended conversation with Parcells before practice.
Crayton is in a protective boot because of a sprained right ankle and his return is unknown. Parcells said Crayton's injury is not as severe as the one that knocked him out of five games last season.
"Hopefully, he'll make quicker progress," Parcells said. "But I don't know how long it's going to be. It's going to be some time."
Parcells involved in calling plays: Parcells was in the play calling mix Saturday because he wanted to see how Tony Sparano and Haley ran the show. Neither Sparano, the running game coordinator, nor Haley, the passing game coordinator, has called plays in the NFL before.
Parcells was pleased for the most part except for late in the fourth quarter.
"We got one series out there with about 4:55 to go and we only took off 1:08, so I reminded them of that," Parcells said. "That's not good management. So the next time, finally I told them we're not throwing any more passes."
Beriault retires: A year ago, Justin Beriault was one of the stories of training camp. On Monday, Parcells said the safety was going to retire because of a knee injury.
Beriault has missed most of camp with a concussion, but he was still hampered by knee surgery that ended his rookie season. Beriault and Kalen Thornton, who was cut in the off-season, had the same type of surgery.
Beriault will be placed on the reserve/retired list once he files papers with the league.
"There's really not much more we can do for him at this moment," Parcells said. "There's nothing else we can do. In fact, I told him very strongly I don't think he should ever play again and don't let anyone talk you into it."
Spears practices: For the first time since suffering a knee injury in the opening practice, Marcus Spears was back on the practice field, as was linebacker Rocky Boiman, who suffered a compound fracture of his right thumb.
While those two returned, linebackers Ryan Fowler (groin) and Bobby Carpenter (foot) missed practice. Parcells said neither injury is considered serious, but Carpenter was wearing a protective boot before working out with trainers.
Spears started 10 games last season as a rookie and finished with 35 tackles. Last week Parcells said Jay Ratliff would push for the starting spot with Spears.
Briefly: Parcells changed the practice schedule to give his team some more rest after Saturday's game. They were originally supposed to have a double session Monday, but that was pushed to today. ... Defensive end Jason Davis was cut Monday.
INJURY REPORT
Pos., player Injury Comment
WR Terrell Owens hamstring Continued rehab
WR Terry Glenn blisters Has been slowed the better part of a week
WR Patrick Crayton ankle Out this week, and return is uncertain
LB Ryan Fowler groin Not serious, worked on side with trainers
LB Bobby Carpenter foot Not serious, worked on side with trainers
By TODD ARCHER / The Dallas Morning News
OXNARD, Calif. – The Cowboys returned to practice Monday only to find their top three receivers – Terrell Owens, Terry Glenn and Patrick Crayton – on exercise bikes.
As a result, the Cowboys have changed their search for a receiver from a need to have to a must have, according to coach Bill Parcells. They are expected to begin a scout swap with an unnamed team this week and could look for free-agent help.
"There are players on our team that people want, that people have inquired on some of our players," Parcells said. "The best chance we would have is to maybe try to get something that we need versus something seemingly other people want. But we're a long way from completing any of that right now."
Owens has missed 12 straight practices with a strained hamstring, but he caught passes from passing game coordinator Todd Haley after Monday's practice. Glenn has been slowed by bad blisters on his feet, and he had an extended conversation with Parcells before practice.
Crayton is in a protective boot because of a sprained right ankle and his return is unknown. Parcells said Crayton's injury is not as severe as the one that knocked him out of five games last season.
"Hopefully, he'll make quicker progress," Parcells said. "But I don't know how long it's going to be. It's going to be some time."
Parcells involved in calling plays: Parcells was in the play calling mix Saturday because he wanted to see how Tony Sparano and Haley ran the show. Neither Sparano, the running game coordinator, nor Haley, the passing game coordinator, has called plays in the NFL before.
Parcells was pleased for the most part except for late in the fourth quarter.
"We got one series out there with about 4:55 to go and we only took off 1:08, so I reminded them of that," Parcells said. "That's not good management. So the next time, finally I told them we're not throwing any more passes."
Beriault retires: A year ago, Justin Beriault was one of the stories of training camp. On Monday, Parcells said the safety was going to retire because of a knee injury.
Beriault has missed most of camp with a concussion, but he was still hampered by knee surgery that ended his rookie season. Beriault and Kalen Thornton, who was cut in the off-season, had the same type of surgery.
Beriault will be placed on the reserve/retired list once he files papers with the league.
"There's really not much more we can do for him at this moment," Parcells said. "There's nothing else we can do. In fact, I told him very strongly I don't think he should ever play again and don't let anyone talk you into it."
Spears practices: For the first time since suffering a knee injury in the opening practice, Marcus Spears was back on the practice field, as was linebacker Rocky Boiman, who suffered a compound fracture of his right thumb.
While those two returned, linebackers Ryan Fowler (groin) and Bobby Carpenter (foot) missed practice. Parcells said neither injury is considered serious, but Carpenter was wearing a protective boot before working out with trainers.
Spears started 10 games last season as a rookie and finished with 35 tackles. Last week Parcells said Jay Ratliff would push for the starting spot with Spears.
Briefly: Parcells changed the practice schedule to give his team some more rest after Saturday's game. They were originally supposed to have a double session Monday, but that was pushed to today. ... Defensive end Jason Davis was cut Monday.
INJURY REPORT
Pos., player Injury Comment
WR Terrell Owens hamstring Continued rehab
WR Terry Glenn blisters Has been slowed the better part of a week
WR Patrick Crayton ankle Out this week, and return is uncertain
LB Ryan Fowler groin Not serious, worked on side with trainers
LB Bobby Carpenter foot Not serious, worked on side with trainers
posted by The Gryphon at 7:42 PM
<< Home