Parcells one of many issues
By Jennifer Floyd Engel
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
IRVING -- Say this for Coach Parcells, his exit strategy from Valley Ranch late Friday proved more inventive and effective than his offense in Seattle.
He actually was uncharacteristically aggressive.
As I, and various other reporters, waited in the rain for the pleasure of asking what exactly, after two weeks, was there still to think about, Parcells had a security guard open up a back exit, where he escaped without answering a single question. And there are many.
Contrary to what CP seems to believe, everything is not always all about him.
"Does Coach Parcells plan to take another $6 million from Owner Jones?" is, of course, a riveting diversion. It is also a huge pain in the butt, delaying the Cowboys from the tasks at hand.
For starters, turning this steaming pile of underachievement into a legit Super Bowl contender.
CP's agent, Jimmy Sexton, reportedly has been hinting that a contract extension and another, bigger pile of cash accomplishes this. Anybody paying attention in December realizes that bigger questions exist other than "Is CP going to get paid?"
Namely...
Who is going to fix the Cowboys' defense -- yes, the one that cratered down the stretch -- now that defensive coordinator and resident scapegoat Mike Zimmer has bolted for Atlanta? And what order will the Nos. 3 and 4 be in said defense? And what defensive coordinator of any ability is going to want a job where, clearly, CP is going to peer over his shoulder at all times?
And what to do with T.Faux?
Does Owner Jones bring him back at the $8 million he will be due, despite his declining skills and increasing age? Do they ask him to restructure the deal? Or do they cut him outright? Does this decision hinge on whether CP is back?
Do not forget Terry Glenn. He is due a slightly smaller pile of cash. Do the Cowboys really want a pair of receivers that will be 33 years old next season eating up such a big portion of the salary cap?
Of course, there is good news at Valleyland Ranch. Owner Jones finally has landed his quarterback of the future. But who is going to coach Tony Romo? It's clear he needs and/or wants somebody other than Chris Palmer, and with David Lee moving on to the University of Arkansas, who will that be? And do they mind signing on for what amounts to a year?
Speaking of Romo, who do they plan to sign as a backup?
And what to do with the safety position? They cannot trade Roy Willy, even if they wanted to, so is moving Anthony Henry to free safety a possibility? Can a good free safety really make Roy Willy passable?
Whose responsibility will it be to strike the fear of God into Marcus Spears? Or teach Roy Willy to cover? And what are they going to do if Bradie James has indeed lost his confidence?
Who is going to be charged with deciding which defensive player the Cowboys draft in the first round in April?
And what are the Cowboys going to do if center Andre Gurode bolts during free agency? Or if Marco Rivera's bum back keeps him from playing another down?
These are just the questions if CP stays.
There is the question of what do if he leaves because Wade Phillips is not a plan. Isn't he just Chan Gailey with pedigree? Do they turn to Norv Turner instead?
Yes, there are Cowboys questions worth standing in the rain for, but whether CP plans on gracing us with his presence is no longer one of them.
Unfortunately, we have to wait for him to answer them.
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
IRVING -- Say this for Coach Parcells, his exit strategy from Valley Ranch late Friday proved more inventive and effective than his offense in Seattle.
He actually was uncharacteristically aggressive.
As I, and various other reporters, waited in the rain for the pleasure of asking what exactly, after two weeks, was there still to think about, Parcells had a security guard open up a back exit, where he escaped without answering a single question. And there are many.
Contrary to what CP seems to believe, everything is not always all about him.
"Does Coach Parcells plan to take another $6 million from Owner Jones?" is, of course, a riveting diversion. It is also a huge pain in the butt, delaying the Cowboys from the tasks at hand.
For starters, turning this steaming pile of underachievement into a legit Super Bowl contender.
CP's agent, Jimmy Sexton, reportedly has been hinting that a contract extension and another, bigger pile of cash accomplishes this. Anybody paying attention in December realizes that bigger questions exist other than "Is CP going to get paid?"
Namely...
Who is going to fix the Cowboys' defense -- yes, the one that cratered down the stretch -- now that defensive coordinator and resident scapegoat Mike Zimmer has bolted for Atlanta? And what order will the Nos. 3 and 4 be in said defense? And what defensive coordinator of any ability is going to want a job where, clearly, CP is going to peer over his shoulder at all times?
And what to do with T.Faux?
Does Owner Jones bring him back at the $8 million he will be due, despite his declining skills and increasing age? Do they ask him to restructure the deal? Or do they cut him outright? Does this decision hinge on whether CP is back?
Do not forget Terry Glenn. He is due a slightly smaller pile of cash. Do the Cowboys really want a pair of receivers that will be 33 years old next season eating up such a big portion of the salary cap?
Of course, there is good news at Valleyland Ranch. Owner Jones finally has landed his quarterback of the future. But who is going to coach Tony Romo? It's clear he needs and/or wants somebody other than Chris Palmer, and with David Lee moving on to the University of Arkansas, who will that be? And do they mind signing on for what amounts to a year?
Speaking of Romo, who do they plan to sign as a backup?
And what to do with the safety position? They cannot trade Roy Willy, even if they wanted to, so is moving Anthony Henry to free safety a possibility? Can a good free safety really make Roy Willy passable?
Whose responsibility will it be to strike the fear of God into Marcus Spears? Or teach Roy Willy to cover? And what are they going to do if Bradie James has indeed lost his confidence?
Who is going to be charged with deciding which defensive player the Cowboys draft in the first round in April?
And what are the Cowboys going to do if center Andre Gurode bolts during free agency? Or if Marco Rivera's bum back keeps him from playing another down?
These are just the questions if CP stays.
There is the question of what do if he leaves because Wade Phillips is not a plan. Isn't he just Chan Gailey with pedigree? Do they turn to Norv Turner instead?
Yes, there are Cowboys questions worth standing in the rain for, but whether CP plans on gracing us with his presence is no longer one of them.
Unfortunately, we have to wait for him to answer them.
posted by The Gryphon at 9:19 AM
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