Cowboys notebook: Parcells isn't saying exactly who calls plays
by Tom Orsborn
San Antonio Express-News
Cowboys coach Bill Parcells refuses to reveal the identity of the offense's play-caller.
"I can't name one guy, so you're not going to be able to single out the one guy after the game," Parcells said. "But I would say for the most part, Tony (Sparano) handles the structure, but Todd (Haley) and Chris (Palmer) are very involved in the passing game ... then I stick my nose in when I want everybody to get confused."
Sparano is the offensive line coach/running game coordinator. Haley is the receivers coach/passing game coordinator. Palmer coaches the quarterbacks.
Cowboys quarterback Drew Bledsoe told the Jacksonville media in a conference call last week that Sparano calls the plays.
Carpenter inactive: Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said linebacker Bobby Carpenter, the 18th player selected in the 2006 draft, will be inactive today.
The move allows the team to play undrafted rookie Oliver Hoyte, a linebacker from North Carolina State, on special teams. Hoyte is on the kickoff and punt coverage units, and Parcells expects to face a stiff challenge from Jacksonville's return men.
Jones said the move should not be interpreted as a sign the Cowboys are displeased with Carpenter, a former Ohio State standout. Carpenter is trying to learn how to play inside linebacker in the 3-4 defense after playing on the outside in a 4-3 alignment with the Buckeyes.
Word of warning: Cowboys linebacker Akin Ayodele, who played for Jacksonville the past four seasons, says stopping running back Fred Taylor will be the defense's biggest challenge.
"Fred is one of those guys that is about 240 (pounds) and runs a 4.3 (for 40 yards)," Ayodele said. "He can hit the hole, and he's super fast. We have to be disciplined in our gaps and even on the outside because he can bounce it and outrun guys to the edge."
Receiver worries: Parcells said he's worried about whether the defense can stick with Jaguars receivers Reggie Williams, Matt Jones and Ernest Wilford in the red zone. Williams and Wilford are 6-foot-4, while Jones stands 6-6.
That could mean matchup problems for the Cowboys. Cornerback Terence Newman is 5-11, and nickel corner Aaron Glenn is 5-9.
Parcells said he pushed for the Cowboys to draft Wilford. The Jaguars selected the former Virginia Tech standout in the fourth round in 2004.
"I was fighting for him in the draft room," Parcels said. "I think any of our scouts will tell you what I thought of him."
San Antonio Express-News
Cowboys coach Bill Parcells refuses to reveal the identity of the offense's play-caller.
"I can't name one guy, so you're not going to be able to single out the one guy after the game," Parcells said. "But I would say for the most part, Tony (Sparano) handles the structure, but Todd (Haley) and Chris (Palmer) are very involved in the passing game ... then I stick my nose in when I want everybody to get confused."
Sparano is the offensive line coach/running game coordinator. Haley is the receivers coach/passing game coordinator. Palmer coaches the quarterbacks.
Cowboys quarterback Drew Bledsoe told the Jacksonville media in a conference call last week that Sparano calls the plays.
Carpenter inactive: Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said linebacker Bobby Carpenter, the 18th player selected in the 2006 draft, will be inactive today.
The move allows the team to play undrafted rookie Oliver Hoyte, a linebacker from North Carolina State, on special teams. Hoyte is on the kickoff and punt coverage units, and Parcells expects to face a stiff challenge from Jacksonville's return men.
Jones said the move should not be interpreted as a sign the Cowboys are displeased with Carpenter, a former Ohio State standout. Carpenter is trying to learn how to play inside linebacker in the 3-4 defense after playing on the outside in a 4-3 alignment with the Buckeyes.
Word of warning: Cowboys linebacker Akin Ayodele, who played for Jacksonville the past four seasons, says stopping running back Fred Taylor will be the defense's biggest challenge.
"Fred is one of those guys that is about 240 (pounds) and runs a 4.3 (for 40 yards)," Ayodele said. "He can hit the hole, and he's super fast. We have to be disciplined in our gaps and even on the outside because he can bounce it and outrun guys to the edge."
Receiver worries: Parcells said he's worried about whether the defense can stick with Jaguars receivers Reggie Williams, Matt Jones and Ernest Wilford in the red zone. Williams and Wilford are 6-foot-4, while Jones stands 6-6.
That could mean matchup problems for the Cowboys. Cornerback Terence Newman is 5-11, and nickel corner Aaron Glenn is 5-9.
Parcells said he pushed for the Cowboys to draft Wilford. The Jaguars selected the former Virginia Tech standout in the fourth round in 2004.
"I was fighting for him in the draft room," Parcels said. "I think any of our scouts will tell you what I thought of him."
posted by The Gryphon at 9:03 AM
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