With T.O. out, Payton changes nothing
Associated Press
National Football League News Wire
Updated: Aug. 19, 2006, 8:48 PM ET
JACKSON, Miss. -- The announcement by Dallas Cowboys coach Bill Parcells that Terrell Owens won't be ready to play Monday night did little to change Saints coach Sean Payton's plans.
"When it goes into the preseason ... the preparation time you spend on an opponent is, 'This is the type of offense or defense you're going to see," Payton said. "So when it comes to specific players -- in the preseason the lineups are constantly changing to begin with -- you'd go crazy just trying to worry about jersey numbers."
Owens, who missed Dallas' preseason opener and numerous training camp practices with a sore hamstring, returned to practice this past week -- coincidentally or not -- after Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said the prolific but volatile wide receiver needed to learn to practice even without being in perfect health.
However, Parcells said on Saturday that he did not believe Owens had been back at practice long enough to get into Monday night's game, when Cowboys starter Drew Bledsoe also is expected to see his first action of the preseason.
"I don't think you can play pro football practicing four to five days. I think you need more than that," Parcells said.
National Football League News Wire
Updated: Aug. 19, 2006, 8:48 PM ET
JACKSON, Miss. -- The announcement by Dallas Cowboys coach Bill Parcells that Terrell Owens won't be ready to play Monday night did little to change Saints coach Sean Payton's plans.
"When it goes into the preseason ... the preparation time you spend on an opponent is, 'This is the type of offense or defense you're going to see," Payton said. "So when it comes to specific players -- in the preseason the lineups are constantly changing to begin with -- you'd go crazy just trying to worry about jersey numbers."
Owens, who missed Dallas' preseason opener and numerous training camp practices with a sore hamstring, returned to practice this past week -- coincidentally or not -- after Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said the prolific but volatile wide receiver needed to learn to practice even without being in perfect health.
However, Parcells said on Saturday that he did not believe Owens had been back at practice long enough to get into Monday night's game, when Cowboys starter Drew Bledsoe also is expected to see his first action of the preseason.
"I don't think you can play pro football practicing four to five days. I think you need more than that," Parcells said.
posted by The Gryphon at 11:24 AM
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