Parcells may have discovered another gem
By Bob Buttitta, bbuttitta@VenturaCountyStar.com
August 19, 2006
Throughout his coaching career, Bill Parcells has found guys who seemed to have only average talent but had the inner drive to make themselves into very good players.
He may have found another in second-year guard Cory Proctor.
Through the first three weeks of training camp, Proctor has continued to impress Parcells with his drive and determination.
"The main thing I have seen is there is no quit in this kid," Parcells said. "He will not quit on anything. (Whether it's) offseason program, weightlifting, training, meetings, practicing, he is a very intense, competitive guy.
"You are always going to get his best and that is what impresses me. Plus, technically he's doing pretty well.
"I am not making a final decision on the roster, but I would have a hard time letting him go. Somebody would have to sit me on a couch and talk with me quietly for a long time if we decided to do that."
Secondary is tops: When asked to rank what he likes about the 2006 version of Cowboys, owner/general manager Jerry Jones started with the secondary. With three of last year's four starters back to start again, Jones believes the talent in that unit is superior.
"I look at Terence Newman and Roy Williams who are providing leadership and skill back there," Jones said. "(Anthony) Henry, we are glad to see him back out here healthy. When you look at what the veterans can bring to the table and these youngsters (can do), our secondary is as good as we have had since I have been with the Cowboys."
Parcells agrees with Jones. He said the mixture of veterans and young players looks like it will work out well.
"¿ We have a couple if guys who can play a little corner and safety, so we are trying to decide how much emphasis to give (those guys) at each spot," Parcells said.
"I am hoping Jacque (Reeves) picks it up. He played well for us at the end of the year and expectations for him were pretty high, but he's had a few days here where he's had a little trouble."
Owens' debut? Parcells said it's still too soon to tell whether Terrell Owens will make his Cowboys debut Monday night against the New Orleans Saints. It is certain that quarterback Drew Bledsoe will see his first action of the season. Parcells said he thinks Bledsoe will start and Tony Romo will see a lot of action.
After sitting out last week, Bledsoe said he's looking forward to getting back under center. Last week he said he didn't mind missing the game, but as they took the field, his thoughts changed.
"Once we started warming up, the crowd's going and the juices started flowing, and I wanted to get on the field," Bledsoe said. "I don't need a lot of playing time. But it always feels good to get in there in a game situation and throw it around a little bit."
No trade: Wide receiver Charlie Adams, who the Cowboys had acquired from the Denver Broncos for a sixth-round draft pick, did not pass the team's physical and will be sent back to Denver.
Parcells did not give specifics, but said it was a result of something they discovered rather than an injury they knew about before they made the trade.
The Cowboys are back in the market for another receiver who can fit into the mix for playing time above and beyond special teams.
The next Favre: Romo walked out to practice on Thursday night he discovered a surprise when he went to slip on his practice jersey. Guard Marco Rivera had taken Romo's regular No. 9 jersey and replaced it with a No. 4 jersey; the number Favre wears in Green bay.
Rivera, who played with Favre in Green Bay, knew that Romo grew up a fan of the Packers' quarterback so he decided to make the switch.
"Yeah Marco got me," Romo said. "He got me. But he'll get his.
August 19, 2006
Throughout his coaching career, Bill Parcells has found guys who seemed to have only average talent but had the inner drive to make themselves into very good players.
He may have found another in second-year guard Cory Proctor.
Through the first three weeks of training camp, Proctor has continued to impress Parcells with his drive and determination.
"The main thing I have seen is there is no quit in this kid," Parcells said. "He will not quit on anything. (Whether it's) offseason program, weightlifting, training, meetings, practicing, he is a very intense, competitive guy.
"You are always going to get his best and that is what impresses me. Plus, technically he's doing pretty well.
"I am not making a final decision on the roster, but I would have a hard time letting him go. Somebody would have to sit me on a couch and talk with me quietly for a long time if we decided to do that."
Secondary is tops: When asked to rank what he likes about the 2006 version of Cowboys, owner/general manager Jerry Jones started with the secondary. With three of last year's four starters back to start again, Jones believes the talent in that unit is superior.
"I look at Terence Newman and Roy Williams who are providing leadership and skill back there," Jones said. "(Anthony) Henry, we are glad to see him back out here healthy. When you look at what the veterans can bring to the table and these youngsters (can do), our secondary is as good as we have had since I have been with the Cowboys."
Parcells agrees with Jones. He said the mixture of veterans and young players looks like it will work out well.
"¿ We have a couple if guys who can play a little corner and safety, so we are trying to decide how much emphasis to give (those guys) at each spot," Parcells said.
"I am hoping Jacque (Reeves) picks it up. He played well for us at the end of the year and expectations for him were pretty high, but he's had a few days here where he's had a little trouble."
Owens' debut? Parcells said it's still too soon to tell whether Terrell Owens will make his Cowboys debut Monday night against the New Orleans Saints. It is certain that quarterback Drew Bledsoe will see his first action of the season. Parcells said he thinks Bledsoe will start and Tony Romo will see a lot of action.
After sitting out last week, Bledsoe said he's looking forward to getting back under center. Last week he said he didn't mind missing the game, but as they took the field, his thoughts changed.
"Once we started warming up, the crowd's going and the juices started flowing, and I wanted to get on the field," Bledsoe said. "I don't need a lot of playing time. But it always feels good to get in there in a game situation and throw it around a little bit."
No trade: Wide receiver Charlie Adams, who the Cowboys had acquired from the Denver Broncos for a sixth-round draft pick, did not pass the team's physical and will be sent back to Denver.
Parcells did not give specifics, but said it was a result of something they discovered rather than an injury they knew about before they made the trade.
The Cowboys are back in the market for another receiver who can fit into the mix for playing time above and beyond special teams.
The next Favre: Romo walked out to practice on Thursday night he discovered a surprise when he went to slip on his practice jersey. Guard Marco Rivera had taken Romo's regular No. 9 jersey and replaced it with a No. 4 jersey; the number Favre wears in Green bay.
Rivera, who played with Favre in Green Bay, knew that Romo grew up a fan of the Packers' quarterback so he decided to make the switch.
"Yeah Marco got me," Romo said. "He got me. But he'll get his.
posted by The Gryphon at 10:17 AM
<< Home