Parcells seeks 'more' from Dallas' Owens
Web Posted: 11/08/2006 11:20 PM CST
Tom Orsborn
Express-news Staff Writer
Coach Bill Parcells suggested Wednesday that the Dallas Cowboys are disappointed with the play of receiver Terrell Owens.
Owens leads the Cowboys in receptions (44), receiving yards (558) and touchdown catches (six). But he's also dropped several passes in pressure situations, including a perfectly thrown deep ball from Tony Romo with Dallas leading Washington 19-12 Sunday.
The Redskins went on to win 22-19, leaving the Cowboys with a 4-4 record at the season's halfway mark.
Asked if Owens has lived up to expectations, Parcells told reporters in Irving: "Look it, I'm not getting into it. I know we are ready to get everybody under the bus here now, but I'm not going to do it. Let's just say he's made a pretty good contribution and I'm hoping we can get better in the second half."
Later, in a conference call with reporters who cover the Arizona Cardinals, Parcells said: "I'm hoping we can get a little more (from Owens) as we go here. It's been a transition for both us and him, but I'm hoping we can get a little more."
Securing the ball has been a problem for Owens throughout his 11-year career. He's had drops this season in losses to division foes Philadelphia and the New York Giants.
"I don't think anybody goes through a season without dropping the ball," Parcells said. "Everybody drops them. You just hope it doesn't get to be problematic."
Owens' mishandling of a pass that should have gone for a 74-yard TD late in the third quarter Sunday highlighted his flaw.
"I take full responsibility for this loss," Owens said. "That's a play I should make, and I didn't make it and I feel bad. I honestly feel like I let the team down."
Parcells said the drop prompted him to remind Owens of one of the fundamentals of playing receiver.
"When you run flat-footed while playing the outfield in baseball, the ball appears to be bouncing up and down on you a little bit, so sometimes that can happen in football a little bit too," Parcells said. "When you run flat-footed and your foot hits the ground, that jars your body to the point where the ball gets out of focus for you."
Receivers can solve the problem by running on their toes, Parcells said.
"I know I mentioned that to Terry (Glenn) several years ago to try to stay up on his toes, because he said the ball was bouncing on him," Parcells said.
Owens vowed to be a "different" person in the second half of the season, which begins Sunday at Arizona (1-7).
"I won't be standing here no more during the season saying I've lost the game," Owens said.
His big drop against the Redskins wasn't the only drama involving Owens. He drew a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for scoring a TD on a 4-yard pass from Romo in the third quarter.
Officials tossed the flag after Owens acted like he was taking a nap in the end zone, using the ball as a pillow — a reference to reports last week that he's been caught sleeping during team meetings. NFL owners voted 29-3 in the spring to limit end-zone demonstrations, including those using props.
Asked if he would remind his players of the rule, Parcells said: "I think everybody is pretty aware of the rule, so I'm hoping we don't have any more of that."
Owens said he wasn't aware of the league's crackdown.
"I didn't (know)," he said. "I promise you I didn't."
Still, Owens said he would continue to have "fun" after he scores.
Tom Orsborn
Express-news Staff Writer
Coach Bill Parcells suggested Wednesday that the Dallas Cowboys are disappointed with the play of receiver Terrell Owens.
Owens leads the Cowboys in receptions (44), receiving yards (558) and touchdown catches (six). But he's also dropped several passes in pressure situations, including a perfectly thrown deep ball from Tony Romo with Dallas leading Washington 19-12 Sunday.
The Redskins went on to win 22-19, leaving the Cowboys with a 4-4 record at the season's halfway mark.
Asked if Owens has lived up to expectations, Parcells told reporters in Irving: "Look it, I'm not getting into it. I know we are ready to get everybody under the bus here now, but I'm not going to do it. Let's just say he's made a pretty good contribution and I'm hoping we can get better in the second half."
Later, in a conference call with reporters who cover the Arizona Cardinals, Parcells said: "I'm hoping we can get a little more (from Owens) as we go here. It's been a transition for both us and him, but I'm hoping we can get a little more."
Securing the ball has been a problem for Owens throughout his 11-year career. He's had drops this season in losses to division foes Philadelphia and the New York Giants.
"I don't think anybody goes through a season without dropping the ball," Parcells said. "Everybody drops them. You just hope it doesn't get to be problematic."
Owens' mishandling of a pass that should have gone for a 74-yard TD late in the third quarter Sunday highlighted his flaw.
"I take full responsibility for this loss," Owens said. "That's a play I should make, and I didn't make it and I feel bad. I honestly feel like I let the team down."
Parcells said the drop prompted him to remind Owens of one of the fundamentals of playing receiver.
"When you run flat-footed while playing the outfield in baseball, the ball appears to be bouncing up and down on you a little bit, so sometimes that can happen in football a little bit too," Parcells said. "When you run flat-footed and your foot hits the ground, that jars your body to the point where the ball gets out of focus for you."
Receivers can solve the problem by running on their toes, Parcells said.
"I know I mentioned that to Terry (Glenn) several years ago to try to stay up on his toes, because he said the ball was bouncing on him," Parcells said.
Owens vowed to be a "different" person in the second half of the season, which begins Sunday at Arizona (1-7).
"I won't be standing here no more during the season saying I've lost the game," Owens said.
His big drop against the Redskins wasn't the only drama involving Owens. He drew a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for scoring a TD on a 4-yard pass from Romo in the third quarter.
Officials tossed the flag after Owens acted like he was taking a nap in the end zone, using the ball as a pillow — a reference to reports last week that he's been caught sleeping during team meetings. NFL owners voted 29-3 in the spring to limit end-zone demonstrations, including those using props.
Asked if he would remind his players of the rule, Parcells said: "I think everybody is pretty aware of the rule, so I'm hoping we don't have any more of that."
Owens said he wasn't aware of the league's crackdown.
"I didn't (know)," he said. "I promise you I didn't."
Still, Owens said he would continue to have "fun" after he scores.
posted by The Gryphon at 9:41 PM
<< Home