Parcells is making up for an earlier bad call
by Paul Attner
The Sporting News
October 25, 2006
Bill Parcells, the once-great coach, had no choice. After benching Drew Bledsoe, after embarrassing him on Monday night football just because he made yet another bad decision in a career filled with lots of them, Parcells had to name Tony Romo as his starter. He just needed an excuse, and Bledsoe gave him one.
Of course, Bledsoe gave him plenty in the opener against Jacksonville. He looked dreadful under pressure in the game, worse than he usually does in those situations. And he was stiffer and less responsive to the feel of pressure than ever, which is saying a lot. He played like the quarterback who needed perfect protection to flourish and that was not going to happen with the Cowboys' line. He should have been replaced then, not now.
You have to wonder what Parcells, the once-great coach, was doing in the offseason, neglecting to fix an offensive line he knew stunk and that he knew had no chance of protecting Bledsoe unless it got better. So while Jerry Jones is signing Terrell Owens, the line stays mediocre and now Romo, with absolutely no experience, is asked to salvage the Cowboys' playoff hopes.
Maybe he has the ability, and mobility, to do just that. Let's face it, that is what the change is all about. Parcells, the once-great coach, knows his line suddenly won't improve so now maybe his quarterback can use his mobility to make up for some of that line's sins. But what will compensate for Romo's inexperience when it comes to decision making? And playing on the road against quality teams and great defenses? Nothing but going through it, which is fine for an okay club but not so fine for a franchise which had Super Bowl aspirations.
If Parcells is right about Romo, maybe the Cowboys can make something of this season after all. No one outside of the organization really has a clue if Romo is the right guy. Parcells sees him every day, watches every throw, studies every move. And he should know when a quarterback has a chance. At least, he once knew.
The Sporting News
October 25, 2006
Bill Parcells, the once-great coach, had no choice. After benching Drew Bledsoe, after embarrassing him on Monday night football just because he made yet another bad decision in a career filled with lots of them, Parcells had to name Tony Romo as his starter. He just needed an excuse, and Bledsoe gave him one.
Of course, Bledsoe gave him plenty in the opener against Jacksonville. He looked dreadful under pressure in the game, worse than he usually does in those situations. And he was stiffer and less responsive to the feel of pressure than ever, which is saying a lot. He played like the quarterback who needed perfect protection to flourish and that was not going to happen with the Cowboys' line. He should have been replaced then, not now.
You have to wonder what Parcells, the once-great coach, was doing in the offseason, neglecting to fix an offensive line he knew stunk and that he knew had no chance of protecting Bledsoe unless it got better. So while Jerry Jones is signing Terrell Owens, the line stays mediocre and now Romo, with absolutely no experience, is asked to salvage the Cowboys' playoff hopes.
Maybe he has the ability, and mobility, to do just that. Let's face it, that is what the change is all about. Parcells, the once-great coach, knows his line suddenly won't improve so now maybe his quarterback can use his mobility to make up for some of that line's sins. But what will compensate for Romo's inexperience when it comes to decision making? And playing on the road against quality teams and great defenses? Nothing but going through it, which is fine for an okay club but not so fine for a franchise which had Super Bowl aspirations.
If Parcells is right about Romo, maybe the Cowboys can make something of this season after all. No one outside of the organization really has a clue if Romo is the right guy. Parcells sees him every day, watches every throw, studies every move. And he should know when a quarterback has a chance. At least, he once knew.
posted by The Gryphon at 8:15 PM
<< Home