FWST: Shaking it up (the roster)
By MAC ENGEL
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER
IRVING — Mostly gone is the unmistakable paranoia that permeated nearly every office of the Cowboys' headquarters. It was a feeling that Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones said had people walking on figurative egg shells.
Those shells were put on the floor by former coach Bill Parcells. The front office employees felt them. The media felt them. The assistant coaches felt them. The players felt them.
That is part of new coach Wade Phillips' impact. He was hired to do even more. To generate more production from a defense that, on paper, should be one of the league's best.
And Phillips figures to have success with the likes of linebackers Greg Ellis and DeMarcus Ware and safety Roy Williams. He might not have the same impact with others players.
In no order, here are 10 players who might see the biggest change — positive or negative — with the arrival of Phillips:
LB KEVIN BURNETT
Burnett spent more time in Bill Parcells' doghouse than on the field. Regardless, Burnett brims with confidence, but he will be a third-year player in 2007 who hasn't done much in his career. Burnett's interception return for a touchdown in the win against the Indianapolis Colts in 2006 remains the one meaningful play in his pro career. This team is long on linebackers, and if Phillips can't generate more production from Burnett, he could be a trade candidate.
SS ROY WILLIAMS
The best way to solve Williams' problems in pass coverage is pressure the passer. And Phillips' defenses focus on pressure. If the Cowboys harass quarterbacks as planned, Williams won't be in coverage long. If the Cowboys don't pressure quarterbacks any better than in the final five games of '06, Williams' problems will continue. And last season showed that he is not the force near the line of scrimmage as he was early in his career. He had no sacks in 2006. But expect Phillips to be more creative with Williams.
OLB DeMARCUS WARE
Ware might never approach the sack numbers of San Diego Chargers Pro Bowl linebacker Shawne Merriman under Phillips, but expect his total to rise from the 11 1/2 he had last season. It's hard to envision Ware in pass coverage as often as he was in December, which will free him to chase quarterbacks.
WR TERRELL OWENS
T.O.'s first season potentially could have been disruptive, but it was relatively quiet, mostly because Parcells ignored him, and his teammates minimized his words and actions. If he stays — and there is no guarantee he's returning — will the team handle him the way it did in 2006? And, will the coach? Using history as an indicator, no and no.
QB TONY ROMO
This was a player who Parcells said must be coached on every play. It's doubtful Phillips will do that. So the chore belongs to offensive coordinator Jason Garrett and quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson. Romo is at a vulnerable point — is he the quarterback of November 2006 or December 2006? — and the Cowboys hope they hit on the Garrett/Wilson combination to aid in their quarterback-of-the-future's consistency.
RB JULIUS JONES
It could be good for the Cowboys, but not so good for Jones. In his third season, Jones proved to be the 1,000-yard back he knew he was. But it's doubtful he will become the carry-the-load runner that he would like. Parcells believed in limiting Jones' carries to prevent him from wearing down. And then there was the matter of Marion Barber.
RB MARION BARBER
Barber averaged 4.8 yards per rush and scored 16 total touchdowns last season. Unlike Parcells, who started Jones, expect Barber to run the ball more and perhaps start.
LT FLOZELL ADAMS
Parcells was the first pro coach to successfully reach Adams, who had his best season in 2003. Since then, it's been some good Flo and some bad Flo. The Cowboys need him, but he will be 32 next season. Expect him to enter training camp as the starter, but this could be his last chance.
ILB BRADIE JAMES
Another one of Parcells' favorites, he stuck with James even though the fourth-year player struggled late in the season, especially in pass coverage. He is a sure tackler, but Phillips might not be so patient should James struggle early in the season.
DE MARCUS SPEARS
In his first two seasons, Spears dominated and disappeared, often in the same game. A scheme change might benefit Spears, who physically has the ability to overpower most blockers. But a change in coaches — Parcells was lauded for his ability to motivate, but never appeared to reach Spears — might not yield the desired results.
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER
IRVING — Mostly gone is the unmistakable paranoia that permeated nearly every office of the Cowboys' headquarters. It was a feeling that Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones said had people walking on figurative egg shells.
Those shells were put on the floor by former coach Bill Parcells. The front office employees felt them. The media felt them. The assistant coaches felt them. The players felt them.
That is part of new coach Wade Phillips' impact. He was hired to do even more. To generate more production from a defense that, on paper, should be one of the league's best.
And Phillips figures to have success with the likes of linebackers Greg Ellis and DeMarcus Ware and safety Roy Williams. He might not have the same impact with others players.
In no order, here are 10 players who might see the biggest change — positive or negative — with the arrival of Phillips:
LB KEVIN BURNETT
Burnett spent more time in Bill Parcells' doghouse than on the field. Regardless, Burnett brims with confidence, but he will be a third-year player in 2007 who hasn't done much in his career. Burnett's interception return for a touchdown in the win against the Indianapolis Colts in 2006 remains the one meaningful play in his pro career. This team is long on linebackers, and if Phillips can't generate more production from Burnett, he could be a trade candidate.
SS ROY WILLIAMS
The best way to solve Williams' problems in pass coverage is pressure the passer. And Phillips' defenses focus on pressure. If the Cowboys harass quarterbacks as planned, Williams won't be in coverage long. If the Cowboys don't pressure quarterbacks any better than in the final five games of '06, Williams' problems will continue. And last season showed that he is not the force near the line of scrimmage as he was early in his career. He had no sacks in 2006. But expect Phillips to be more creative with Williams.
OLB DeMARCUS WARE
Ware might never approach the sack numbers of San Diego Chargers Pro Bowl linebacker Shawne Merriman under Phillips, but expect his total to rise from the 11 1/2 he had last season. It's hard to envision Ware in pass coverage as often as he was in December, which will free him to chase quarterbacks.
WR TERRELL OWENS
T.O.'s first season potentially could have been disruptive, but it was relatively quiet, mostly because Parcells ignored him, and his teammates minimized his words and actions. If he stays — and there is no guarantee he's returning — will the team handle him the way it did in 2006? And, will the coach? Using history as an indicator, no and no.
QB TONY ROMO
This was a player who Parcells said must be coached on every play. It's doubtful Phillips will do that. So the chore belongs to offensive coordinator Jason Garrett and quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson. Romo is at a vulnerable point — is he the quarterback of November 2006 or December 2006? — and the Cowboys hope they hit on the Garrett/Wilson combination to aid in their quarterback-of-the-future's consistency.
RB JULIUS JONES
It could be good for the Cowboys, but not so good for Jones. In his third season, Jones proved to be the 1,000-yard back he knew he was. But it's doubtful he will become the carry-the-load runner that he would like. Parcells believed in limiting Jones' carries to prevent him from wearing down. And then there was the matter of Marion Barber.
RB MARION BARBER
Barber averaged 4.8 yards per rush and scored 16 total touchdowns last season. Unlike Parcells, who started Jones, expect Barber to run the ball more and perhaps start.
LT FLOZELL ADAMS
Parcells was the first pro coach to successfully reach Adams, who had his best season in 2003. Since then, it's been some good Flo and some bad Flo. The Cowboys need him, but he will be 32 next season. Expect him to enter training camp as the starter, but this could be his last chance.
ILB BRADIE JAMES
Another one of Parcells' favorites, he stuck with James even though the fourth-year player struggled late in the season, especially in pass coverage. He is a sure tackler, but Phillips might not be so patient should James struggle early in the season.
DE MARCUS SPEARS
In his first two seasons, Spears dominated and disappeared, often in the same game. A scheme change might benefit Spears, who physically has the ability to overpower most blockers. But a change in coaches — Parcells was lauded for his ability to motivate, but never appeared to reach Spears — might not yield the desired results.
posted by The Gryphon at 10:05 AM
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