Parcells has some explaining to do
Tom Orsborn
September 02, 2006
My turn on SIRIUS NFL Radio this afternoon included a quick breakdown of the Cowboys offensive line.
When host Vic Carucci asked me about Rob Petitti, I said Parcells was pleased with the former Pittsburgh standout's offseason/training camp/preseason and the plan was for him to back up the starters at both right and left tackle.
About three hours later, the Cowboys announced that Petitti was among the 15 players the team released to reach the league-mandated 53-man roster.
And this after Bill Parcells heaped praise on Petitti during training camp. Parcells even said the kid made only four mental mistakes last season in about 1,000 plays as the 16-game starter at right tackle.
"It's as big a shock to me as anybody," Petitti told the Dallas Morning News. "I can't tell you why it happened. ... I'm mad, but I guess it's the business. I played a lot better in training camp than I did last year, but that's (Parcells') decision."
With Petitti gone, the swing role likely will be filled by ninth-year player Jason Fabini, who Parcells drafted when he was coach of the New York Jets. That's a risky move considering Fabini had a shoulder problem last year and didn't appear to be playing any better than Petitti.
Perhaps Parcells was thinking about who he should start at left tackle should Flozell Adams' calf injury keep him out of the opener on Sept. 10 in Jacksonville. Even though Pat McQuistan started the last two preseason games at left tackle, Parcells likely still doesn't trust the rookie to protect Drew Bledsoe's backside. Perhaps Parcells felt the same way about Petitti.
Unfortunately, Parcells doesn't meet with the media again until Monday.
Here are my thoughts on some of the Cowboys other cuts:
• It was a mild surprise to see Parcells cut two-year veteran Terrance Copper and keep undrafted rookie Sam Hurd, the Brackenridge alumnus. Copper is a better special teams performer, which means the Cowboys must really like Hurd's upside as a receiver. Parcells said last month that Copper would be the toughest player to cut because of his skill as a special teams player.
• Rookie linebacker Oliver Hoyte is another bubble player who dodged the blade. Hoyte, an undrafted rookie from North Carolina State, looked solid on kickoff coverage in the preseason, which likely made Rocky Boiman expendable. Still, it seems odd the Cowboys would cut a veteran special teams ace who set a Tennesee Titans record in 2002 with 30 special teams tackles. And don't forget Jerry Jones gave Boiman a $1 million signing bonus in the offseason.
• No problem here with the Cowboys cutting punt returner Skyler Green. I do, however, have a problem with the Cowboys using a fourth-round pick on a kid who Parcells said looked overweight. Green, by the way, is the Cowboys' highest draft choice not to make the team since Parcells became coach in January 2003. He's also the hightest pick overall to not make the team since the Cowboys cut offensive lineman Shane Hannah, a second-round pick in 1995 from Michigan State.
September 02, 2006
My turn on SIRIUS NFL Radio this afternoon included a quick breakdown of the Cowboys offensive line.
When host Vic Carucci asked me about Rob Petitti, I said Parcells was pleased with the former Pittsburgh standout's offseason/training camp/preseason and the plan was for him to back up the starters at both right and left tackle.
About three hours later, the Cowboys announced that Petitti was among the 15 players the team released to reach the league-mandated 53-man roster.
And this after Bill Parcells heaped praise on Petitti during training camp. Parcells even said the kid made only four mental mistakes last season in about 1,000 plays as the 16-game starter at right tackle.
"It's as big a shock to me as anybody," Petitti told the Dallas Morning News. "I can't tell you why it happened. ... I'm mad, but I guess it's the business. I played a lot better in training camp than I did last year, but that's (Parcells') decision."
With Petitti gone, the swing role likely will be filled by ninth-year player Jason Fabini, who Parcells drafted when he was coach of the New York Jets. That's a risky move considering Fabini had a shoulder problem last year and didn't appear to be playing any better than Petitti.
Perhaps Parcells was thinking about who he should start at left tackle should Flozell Adams' calf injury keep him out of the opener on Sept. 10 in Jacksonville. Even though Pat McQuistan started the last two preseason games at left tackle, Parcells likely still doesn't trust the rookie to protect Drew Bledsoe's backside. Perhaps Parcells felt the same way about Petitti.
Unfortunately, Parcells doesn't meet with the media again until Monday.
Here are my thoughts on some of the Cowboys other cuts:
• It was a mild surprise to see Parcells cut two-year veteran Terrance Copper and keep undrafted rookie Sam Hurd, the Brackenridge alumnus. Copper is a better special teams performer, which means the Cowboys must really like Hurd's upside as a receiver. Parcells said last month that Copper would be the toughest player to cut because of his skill as a special teams player.
• Rookie linebacker Oliver Hoyte is another bubble player who dodged the blade. Hoyte, an undrafted rookie from North Carolina State, looked solid on kickoff coverage in the preseason, which likely made Rocky Boiman expendable. Still, it seems odd the Cowboys would cut a veteran special teams ace who set a Tennesee Titans record in 2002 with 30 special teams tackles. And don't forget Jerry Jones gave Boiman a $1 million signing bonus in the offseason.
• No problem here with the Cowboys cutting punt returner Skyler Green. I do, however, have a problem with the Cowboys using a fourth-round pick on a kid who Parcells said looked overweight. Green, by the way, is the Cowboys' highest draft choice not to make the team since Parcells became coach in January 2003. He's also the hightest pick overall to not make the team since the Cowboys cut offensive lineman Shane Hannah, a second-round pick in 1995 from Michigan State.
posted by The Gryphon at 12:00 PM
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