Spears in danger of losing starter's job to Ratliff
12:05 p.m. PCT, OXNARD, Calif. — Bill Parcells said Monday he's "very pleased" with the play of left defensive end Jay Ratliff and expects the second-year player to challenge Marcus Spears for the starter's job.
"He looks good and he's going to make a run at the starter's job, with or without Spears," Parcells said. "He looks like he's ready to go. He's in real good shape. We'll see in the games, but he's looking pretty good."
The Cowboys drafted Ratliff, a 6-foot-4, 305-pound former Auburn standout, in the seventh round last season. Ratliff stared one game last season and played in four overall.
Spears, a first-round draft pick last year from LSU, is recovering from surgery to repair a torn meniscus. He suffered the injury on July 29, the first day of camp.
In other news from Monday's morning practice:
• Receiver Terry Glenn missed practice because of "real bad blisters" on the bottom of both feet, Parcells said.
"We're going to give him a day (off)," Parcells said. "He'll be all right tomorrow."
• After working out Freddie Mitchell on Sunday, Parcells said Monday the team will not sign the former Philadelphia receiver.
• Left tackle Flozell Adams practiced with the first team. He was on the second team in the scrimmage Saturday.
Second-year player Rob Petitti was with the second team today after replacing Adams on Saturday.
Adams has struggled after undergoing season-ending knee surgery in October.
"He's coming along," Parcells said. "He seems to be improving as we go, not deteriorating as we go, and I'm encouraged by that."
• Second-year running back Marion Barber will have "a major role on this team if he stays healthy," Parcells said.
• Eleventh-year cornerback Aaron Glenn was seen tutoring undrafted free agent corner Quincy Butler, a Roosevelt alumnus, after practice. The Glenn-Butler relationship doesn't quite have the sex appeal of the Terrell Owens-Sam Hurd friendship.
Speaking of Hurd, Parcells gave him more love, saying: "He's in very good physical condition. He has good stamina and he's extremely bright. He knows more than one position. He will be in contention for a roster spot."
With Owens (strained left hamstring) and Glenn on the sidelines, Hurd worked with the first team along with Patrick Crayton. Terrance Copper joined them when the offense used three wideouts.
• Parcells said he hasn't decided whether he will add more two-a-days this week.
"Tomorrow could have one or two practices depending on what happens (at practice this afternoon)," Parcells said.
• The Cowboys cut quarterback Jeff Mroz and Kai Parham and signed quarterback Matt Baker, leaving the roster at 81 players.
"He looks good and he's going to make a run at the starter's job, with or without Spears," Parcells said. "He looks like he's ready to go. He's in real good shape. We'll see in the games, but he's looking pretty good."
The Cowboys drafted Ratliff, a 6-foot-4, 305-pound former Auburn standout, in the seventh round last season. Ratliff stared one game last season and played in four overall.
Spears, a first-round draft pick last year from LSU, is recovering from surgery to repair a torn meniscus. He suffered the injury on July 29, the first day of camp.
In other news from Monday's morning practice:
• Receiver Terry Glenn missed practice because of "real bad blisters" on the bottom of both feet, Parcells said.
"We're going to give him a day (off)," Parcells said. "He'll be all right tomorrow."
• After working out Freddie Mitchell on Sunday, Parcells said Monday the team will not sign the former Philadelphia receiver.
• Left tackle Flozell Adams practiced with the first team. He was on the second team in the scrimmage Saturday.
Second-year player Rob Petitti was with the second team today after replacing Adams on Saturday.
Adams has struggled after undergoing season-ending knee surgery in October.
"He's coming along," Parcells said. "He seems to be improving as we go, not deteriorating as we go, and I'm encouraged by that."
• Second-year running back Marion Barber will have "a major role on this team if he stays healthy," Parcells said.
• Eleventh-year cornerback Aaron Glenn was seen tutoring undrafted free agent corner Quincy Butler, a Roosevelt alumnus, after practice. The Glenn-Butler relationship doesn't quite have the sex appeal of the Terrell Owens-Sam Hurd friendship.
Speaking of Hurd, Parcells gave him more love, saying: "He's in very good physical condition. He has good stamina and he's extremely bright. He knows more than one position. He will be in contention for a roster spot."
With Owens (strained left hamstring) and Glenn on the sidelines, Hurd worked with the first team along with Patrick Crayton. Terrance Copper joined them when the offense used three wideouts.
• Parcells said he hasn't decided whether he will add more two-a-days this week.
"Tomorrow could have one or two practices depending on what happens (at practice this afternoon)," Parcells said.
• The Cowboys cut quarterback Jeff Mroz and Kai Parham and signed quarterback Matt Baker, leaving the roster at 81 players.
posted by The Gryphon at 6:00 AM
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