Parcells knows what he has with Coleman.
By CALVIN WATKINS / The Dallas Morning News OXNARD, Calif. – Bill
Parcells wants a roster with versatile players.
He wants guys like Lake Highlands graduate Marcus Coleman, a veteran of 10 NFL seasons, who can play cornerback and free safety.
The reason Parcells wants more flexibility on his roster is so he can mix and match certain lineups.
Coleman, 32, brings that.
"The versatility can have a big impact on your roster in that you might be able to keep one [player] someplace [and another] someplace else," Parcells said. "And we have a little flexibility with extra defensive backs."
Coleman probably won't unseat Anthony Henry or Terence Newman as astarter at cornerback. But Coleman will see playing time when there's a third receiver in the slot. And because he's a physical player, Parcells isn't afraid to use him against the run. Coleman backs up Keith Davis at free safety. In certain situations, Coleman said he moves over into a strong safety spot when Roy Williams moves toward the line of scrimmage.
"The defense is about technique for me," said Coleman, who attended Texas Tech. "You have to know mentally where you're supposed to be and if you're there to make a tackle or pick off a pass."
In practice, rookie Patrick Watkins and Davis receive most of the reps. Watkins is being given the opportunity to learn the defense while picking up tips from Coleman and Davis, who are used to playing in a 3-4 scheme.
For Coleman, it's no big deal not getting plenty of reps or playing multiple positions because he's done it throughout his career.
"Marcus is a veteran player, so I feel I can mess with Marcus the way I want to," Parcells said. "I can put him at corner some, put him at safety some, and I don't think he's going to be all uptight about any of that."
Coleman started his career with the New York Jets playing cornerback, getting little time at safety. He made the complete transition in 2004 with Houston. He switched to free safety that season and had 80 tackles in 12 starts, but his year ended with shoulder surgery.
Last season, Coleman started 11 games at free safety and finished with 66 tackles and one interception.
He signed with the Cowboys as a free agent in the off-season.
"When you get to a certain point of your career, where you know you can still play, it's a matter of finding a comfortable place, and I felt like it was here," Coleman said. "I ran the defense in New York, so I knew it a little and, of course, I had the same coach. So this was a perfect fit for me."
Coleman's ability to play on special teams didn't hurt when he was looking for a team to sign with. Parcells expects certain players to participate on special teams and that was a selling point to signing Coleman, who has 40 career special teams tackles.
"I've always liked the player," Parcells said. "Now, he's not the same as when he was 22 or 23, but I think he has a little versatility for us that might be valuable."
Parcells wants a roster with versatile players.
He wants guys like Lake Highlands graduate Marcus Coleman, a veteran of 10 NFL seasons, who can play cornerback and free safety.
The reason Parcells wants more flexibility on his roster is so he can mix and match certain lineups.
Coleman, 32, brings that.
"The versatility can have a big impact on your roster in that you might be able to keep one [player] someplace [and another] someplace else," Parcells said. "And we have a little flexibility with extra defensive backs."
Coleman probably won't unseat Anthony Henry or Terence Newman as astarter at cornerback. But Coleman will see playing time when there's a third receiver in the slot. And because he's a physical player, Parcells isn't afraid to use him against the run. Coleman backs up Keith Davis at free safety. In certain situations, Coleman said he moves over into a strong safety spot when Roy Williams moves toward the line of scrimmage.
"The defense is about technique for me," said Coleman, who attended Texas Tech. "You have to know mentally where you're supposed to be and if you're there to make a tackle or pick off a pass."
In practice, rookie Patrick Watkins and Davis receive most of the reps. Watkins is being given the opportunity to learn the defense while picking up tips from Coleman and Davis, who are used to playing in a 3-4 scheme.
For Coleman, it's no big deal not getting plenty of reps or playing multiple positions because he's done it throughout his career.
"Marcus is a veteran player, so I feel I can mess with Marcus the way I want to," Parcells said. "I can put him at corner some, put him at safety some, and I don't think he's going to be all uptight about any of that."
Coleman started his career with the New York Jets playing cornerback, getting little time at safety. He made the complete transition in 2004 with Houston. He switched to free safety that season and had 80 tackles in 12 starts, but his year ended with shoulder surgery.
Last season, Coleman started 11 games at free safety and finished with 66 tackles and one interception.
He signed with the Cowboys as a free agent in the off-season.
"When you get to a certain point of your career, where you know you can still play, it's a matter of finding a comfortable place, and I felt like it was here," Coleman said. "I ran the defense in New York, so I knew it a little and, of course, I had the same coach. So this was a perfect fit for me."
Coleman's ability to play on special teams didn't hurt when he was looking for a team to sign with. Parcells expects certain players to participate on special teams and that was a selling point to signing Coleman, who has 40 career special teams tackles.
"I've always liked the player," Parcells said. "Now, he's not the same as when he was 22 or 23, but I think he has a little versatility for us that might be valuable."
posted by The Gryphon at 6:57 PM
<< Home