Parcells unsure of Vanderjagt's status
Tom Orsborn
Express-News Staff Writer
Dallas Cowboys coach Bill Parcells named Marc Colombo the starter at right tackle Monday.
Parcells also is certain he's found a punt returner (Jamaica Rector) and even an emergency quarterback (Patrick Crayton).
What Parcells doesn't know is Mike Vanderjagt's status for Sunday's opener in Jacksonville.
"Hopefully, we'll kick for a while this week, and then we'll see what we've got to do," Parcells said.
Vanderjagt's kicking woes became a headline topic in Dallas after he missed field goals of 33 and 32 yards in overtime of the Cowboys' 10-10 tie with Minnesota on Thursday. He finished the preseason 2 for 4 on field goal attempts, connecting from 21 and 22 yards.
A groin injury forced Vanderjagt to miss two of the Cowboys' four preseason games and his health remains a question mark.
"I am concerned about the physical aspect of it," Parcells said.
Vanderjagt's struggles forced Parcells to keep two kickers on the 53-man roster. Scott Suisham was 4 for 5 in the preseason.
"I know Mike came out (on Sunday) and kicked 50 balls," Parcells said. "He's certainly making every effort to make any adjustments that are necessary."
Vanderjagt's slump wasn't the only issue Parcells addressed in his first session with the media since the Minnesota game. The coach also explained his surprising decision to cut second-year offensive tackle Rob Petitti.
Parcells said the development of seventh-round pick Pat McQuistan led to the release of Petitti, who started 16 games at right tackle last year and was expected to back up both left tackle Flozell Adams and Colombo.
"I thought at the end of the day, if I had problems at right tackle, (ninth-year player Jason) Fabini could probably play it better this year than Petitti," Parcells said. "McQuistan's development ... hurt Petitti because I felt McQuistan would be the first guy in at left tackle if Flo doesn't return."
Adams practiced Monday after sitting out the last two games with a calf injury. McQuistan replaced Adams in the starting lineup.
"(McQuistan) is better ability-wise than any other young offensive lineman we've had since I've been here," Parcells said.
Notes: Terrell Owens practiced Monday and even stayed late to get in extra work with Drew Bledsoe. "I feel great," Owens said. "I'm ready to go."... The Cowboys claimed defensive tackle J'Vonne Parker off waivers from Cleveland. To make room, they released defensive tackle Thomas Johnson. Parker played in four games last season. ... The practice squad consists of receiver Skyler Green, the team's fourth-round pick; cornerback Quincy Butler, a Roosevelt graduate; tight end Jerome Collins, who was cut by St. Louis; quarterback Matt Baker; guard D'Anthony Batiste; linebacker Carl-Johan Bjork; defensive end Stephen Bowen; tight end Tony Curtis; and running back Keylon Kincade.
Express-News Staff Writer
Dallas Cowboys coach Bill Parcells named Marc Colombo the starter at right tackle Monday.
Parcells also is certain he's found a punt returner (Jamaica Rector) and even an emergency quarterback (Patrick Crayton).
What Parcells doesn't know is Mike Vanderjagt's status for Sunday's opener in Jacksonville.
"Hopefully, we'll kick for a while this week, and then we'll see what we've got to do," Parcells said.
Vanderjagt's kicking woes became a headline topic in Dallas after he missed field goals of 33 and 32 yards in overtime of the Cowboys' 10-10 tie with Minnesota on Thursday. He finished the preseason 2 for 4 on field goal attempts, connecting from 21 and 22 yards.
A groin injury forced Vanderjagt to miss two of the Cowboys' four preseason games and his health remains a question mark.
"I am concerned about the physical aspect of it," Parcells said.
Vanderjagt's struggles forced Parcells to keep two kickers on the 53-man roster. Scott Suisham was 4 for 5 in the preseason.
"I know Mike came out (on Sunday) and kicked 50 balls," Parcells said. "He's certainly making every effort to make any adjustments that are necessary."
Vanderjagt's slump wasn't the only issue Parcells addressed in his first session with the media since the Minnesota game. The coach also explained his surprising decision to cut second-year offensive tackle Rob Petitti.
Parcells said the development of seventh-round pick Pat McQuistan led to the release of Petitti, who started 16 games at right tackle last year and was expected to back up both left tackle Flozell Adams and Colombo.
"I thought at the end of the day, if I had problems at right tackle, (ninth-year player Jason) Fabini could probably play it better this year than Petitti," Parcells said. "McQuistan's development ... hurt Petitti because I felt McQuistan would be the first guy in at left tackle if Flo doesn't return."
Adams practiced Monday after sitting out the last two games with a calf injury. McQuistan replaced Adams in the starting lineup.
"(McQuistan) is better ability-wise than any other young offensive lineman we've had since I've been here," Parcells said.
Notes: Terrell Owens practiced Monday and even stayed late to get in extra work with Drew Bledsoe. "I feel great," Owens said. "I'm ready to go."... The Cowboys claimed defensive tackle J'Vonne Parker off waivers from Cleveland. To make room, they released defensive tackle Thomas Johnson. Parker played in four games last season. ... The practice squad consists of receiver Skyler Green, the team's fourth-round pick; cornerback Quincy Butler, a Roosevelt graduate; tight end Jerome Collins, who was cut by St. Louis; quarterback Matt Baker; guard D'Anthony Batiste; linebacker Carl-Johan Bjork; defensive end Stephen Bowen; tight end Tony Curtis; and running back Keylon Kincade.
posted by The Gryphon at 8:26 PM
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