T.O.-Tuna biggest story in Big D
Posted: September 5, 2006
Associated Press
IRVING, Texas -- The hamstring injury got people talking. The cycling outfit drew laughs from some, scowls from others. The fine sent heads shaking.
Terrell Owens provided that much preseason drama for the Dallas Cowboys while catching one measly pass.
So what kind of T.O. sideshow will the regular season feature?
Nobody knows, of course. But the Cowboys' playoffs hopes are probably riding on the answer.
If Owens is good, Dallas should be, too.
The Cowboys went 9-7 last year, and with a decent kicker might have won the division. Owner Jerry Jones tried fixing that problem by signing the most accurate field goal kicker in league history, Mike Vanderjagt, and reeled in Owens to have fewer games decided by field goals.
Throw in some other upgrades, discount losses like the departure of offensive lineman Larry Allen, and the result is Dallas' best collection of talent since Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin were together.
Just ask the guy in charge of making it all work, coach and chronic pessimist Bill Parcells.
"We've got a chance to do something special," Parcells told about 2,000 fans at the team's annual kickoff luncheon last week. "This group of guys has inspired me to work harder."
But what if T.O. the team-wrecker shows up?
The fallout could range from another year tacked onto a playoff victory drought that dates to 1996 to Parcells walking away with a year left on his contract.
Although Owens has vowed to be a better person and teammate, there is certainly the chance he decides the Dallas locker room isn't big enough for him and Parcells. Or maybe he decides he doesn't like the offense. Or his new quarterback.
As a newcomer, Owens is less likely to divide the club than he did during his second season in Philadelphia; if he stirs up a spat that's purely personal. The more dangerous scenario is if things aren't going well on the field and Owens does or says something to make it worse.
Owens should have an idea about his place in the organization after the way the last six weeks have gone.
He got off to a good start by going to a military base for the arrival of the team plane at the start of training camp. Then came a hamstring injury, an MRI that showed no major problems and Owens flying in his own specialists for better treatment.
He poked fun at how much time he was spending on the stationary bike by wearing a jersey and helmet from Lance Armstrong's cycling team one afternoon. Once he returned to practice, he had a setback that he blamed on coaches for pushing him too hard.
Owens finally made his debut in the preseason finale, lasting 19 snaps. He expects to start the opener Sunday in Jacksonville.
"Everybody has their opinion about me, what's going on with me, what's going on with me and Bill and things of that nature," Owens said Monday. "But I think we have a handle on it. We're the only ones that know what's going on on the inside."
The first month offers the first test.
After playing the Jaguars, Dallas plays division rival Washington at home on a Sunday night, then has a bye. Two more road games follow: at Tennessee, then Philadelphia for what is sure to be a wild scene. If Eagles fans once booed Santa Claus and cheered a spine injury to Irvin, there's no telling how viciously they'll treat Owens.
Parcells and Jones watch their words whenever talking about Owens. Jones has even reined in his usual hyperbole, saying tame things like, "We know the promise he brings to help us win."
One of the half-joking theories around Owens' arrival is that he'll either provide Parcells with another Super Bowl or drive him into another retirement.
Speculation will always surround Parcells' job status. He's been saying he's too old to lose since taking over in 2003, yet the Cowboys have gone 15-17 since he prodded 10 wins and a playoff berth out of his initial team that had Quincy Carter at quarterback.
This year's team will be anchored by the defense.
The gamble of moving veteran Greg Ellis from defensive end to outside linebacker looks like it's going to pay off, as will the experience linebacker DeMarcus Ware and ends Marcus Spears and Chris Canty gained from starting as rookies last year. Cornerback Terence Newman and safety Roy Williams are the mainstays of the secondary.
The offense will still try grinding out first downs and burning the clock. Quarterback Drew Bledsoe is in his second season here and has great rapport with Terry Glenn and tight end Jason Witten, his prime targets who don't wear No. 81.
Julius Jones and Marion Barber remain a 1-2 punch at running back. Jones' goal is staying healthy after missing significant time each of his first two seasons.
The offensive line remains a major concern, starting with the dropoff at right guard -- going from Pro Bowl regular Allen to Kyle Kosier, who didn't even start every game for Detroit last season.
One indication that the line is better than last year is that Rob Petitti played every snap at right tackle last season, but couldn't make the roster. The key will be how well left tackle Flozell Adams returns from knee surgery and a preseason calf problem.
Vanderjagt could be the season's wild card.
Once an "idiot kicker" in Indianapolis, his 87.5 percent success rate convinced Jones to scrap his cheap-kicker philosophy.
However, Vanderjagt missed two short kicks in overtime last Thursday and Parcells admitted Monday he's worried whether the problems are physical, mental or both.
For now, at least, T.O. is not the newcomer that's worrying the Big Tuna.
Associated Press
IRVING, Texas -- The hamstring injury got people talking. The cycling outfit drew laughs from some, scowls from others. The fine sent heads shaking.
Terrell Owens provided that much preseason drama for the Dallas Cowboys while catching one measly pass.
So what kind of T.O. sideshow will the regular season feature?
Nobody knows, of course. But the Cowboys' playoffs hopes are probably riding on the answer.
If Owens is good, Dallas should be, too.
The Cowboys went 9-7 last year, and with a decent kicker might have won the division. Owner Jerry Jones tried fixing that problem by signing the most accurate field goal kicker in league history, Mike Vanderjagt, and reeled in Owens to have fewer games decided by field goals.
Throw in some other upgrades, discount losses like the departure of offensive lineman Larry Allen, and the result is Dallas' best collection of talent since Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin were together.
Just ask the guy in charge of making it all work, coach and chronic pessimist Bill Parcells.
"We've got a chance to do something special," Parcells told about 2,000 fans at the team's annual kickoff luncheon last week. "This group of guys has inspired me to work harder."
But what if T.O. the team-wrecker shows up?
The fallout could range from another year tacked onto a playoff victory drought that dates to 1996 to Parcells walking away with a year left on his contract.
Although Owens has vowed to be a better person and teammate, there is certainly the chance he decides the Dallas locker room isn't big enough for him and Parcells. Or maybe he decides he doesn't like the offense. Or his new quarterback.
As a newcomer, Owens is less likely to divide the club than he did during his second season in Philadelphia; if he stirs up a spat that's purely personal. The more dangerous scenario is if things aren't going well on the field and Owens does or says something to make it worse.
Owens should have an idea about his place in the organization after the way the last six weeks have gone.
He got off to a good start by going to a military base for the arrival of the team plane at the start of training camp. Then came a hamstring injury, an MRI that showed no major problems and Owens flying in his own specialists for better treatment.
He poked fun at how much time he was spending on the stationary bike by wearing a jersey and helmet from Lance Armstrong's cycling team one afternoon. Once he returned to practice, he had a setback that he blamed on coaches for pushing him too hard.
Owens finally made his debut in the preseason finale, lasting 19 snaps. He expects to start the opener Sunday in Jacksonville.
"Everybody has their opinion about me, what's going on with me, what's going on with me and Bill and things of that nature," Owens said Monday. "But I think we have a handle on it. We're the only ones that know what's going on on the inside."
The first month offers the first test.
After playing the Jaguars, Dallas plays division rival Washington at home on a Sunday night, then has a bye. Two more road games follow: at Tennessee, then Philadelphia for what is sure to be a wild scene. If Eagles fans once booed Santa Claus and cheered a spine injury to Irvin, there's no telling how viciously they'll treat Owens.
Parcells and Jones watch their words whenever talking about Owens. Jones has even reined in his usual hyperbole, saying tame things like, "We know the promise he brings to help us win."
One of the half-joking theories around Owens' arrival is that he'll either provide Parcells with another Super Bowl or drive him into another retirement.
Speculation will always surround Parcells' job status. He's been saying he's too old to lose since taking over in 2003, yet the Cowboys have gone 15-17 since he prodded 10 wins and a playoff berth out of his initial team that had Quincy Carter at quarterback.
This year's team will be anchored by the defense.
The gamble of moving veteran Greg Ellis from defensive end to outside linebacker looks like it's going to pay off, as will the experience linebacker DeMarcus Ware and ends Marcus Spears and Chris Canty gained from starting as rookies last year. Cornerback Terence Newman and safety Roy Williams are the mainstays of the secondary.
The offense will still try grinding out first downs and burning the clock. Quarterback Drew Bledsoe is in his second season here and has great rapport with Terry Glenn and tight end Jason Witten, his prime targets who don't wear No. 81.
Julius Jones and Marion Barber remain a 1-2 punch at running back. Jones' goal is staying healthy after missing significant time each of his first two seasons.
The offensive line remains a major concern, starting with the dropoff at right guard -- going from Pro Bowl regular Allen to Kyle Kosier, who didn't even start every game for Detroit last season.
One indication that the line is better than last year is that Rob Petitti played every snap at right tackle last season, but couldn't make the roster. The key will be how well left tackle Flozell Adams returns from knee surgery and a preseason calf problem.
Vanderjagt could be the season's wild card.
Once an "idiot kicker" in Indianapolis, his 87.5 percent success rate convinced Jones to scrap his cheap-kicker philosophy.
However, Vanderjagt missed two short kicks in overtime last Thursday and Parcells admitted Monday he's worried whether the problems are physical, mental or both.
For now, at least, T.O. is not the newcomer that's worrying the Big Tuna.
posted by The Gryphon at 8:14 PM
<< Home