Missing OTAs a troublesome sign
by Jean-Jacques Taylor
IRVING – If Bill Parcells were still coaching the Cowboys, numerous starters wouldn't be regularly skipping the club's organized team activities (OTAs) this off-season.
They wouldn't have the courage.
You know it. I know it. Even the players know it. Let's not fool ourselves.
So I don't care about the company line the Cowboys are pushing that essentially says, "It's OK if the players miss these voluntary practices as long as they let us know."
Whatever.
If they weren't important, Wade Phillips wouldn't have scheduled them.
It's disrespectful that veterans like Terry Glenn, Julius Jones and Terrell Owens have skipped most of the limited-contact practices that can't last more than two hours. Players wear helmets but no other pads.
Don't miss the point; participating in 12 OTA practices isn't the difference between winning and losing the Super Bowl. But when three key starters don't show up, it speaks volumes.
Besides, Glenn is the only member of that trio who played to his potential last year. Owens led the league in drops and complaints, and Jones was a nonfactor in the second half of the season.
None of that is disputable. All you have to do is look at the statistics.
Yes, other players have missed a day here or there because of births, deaths, weddings, graduations, familial obligations and business matters.
No one is complaining about that. Players are entitled to have a life.
It's the principle of the matter.
Parcells had his flaws – we've touched on those extensively during the last year – but he excelled at preparing players with an off-season approach that wasn't voluntary no matter what the NFLPA handbook said.
When Parcells coached the Cowboys, there was no question about who was in charge of the team.
Players feared him. Whether they liked him or not was inconsequential; they did what he told them to do.
That's no longer the case. They don't fear Phillips; they like him.
No one who has worked with Phillips calls him a softie. They say he's firm on the field and gets his points across without yelling, screaming and cussing.
More than ever, the players must police themselves. The leaders on this team must set the tone for their teammates. Phillips' style demands it.
Without it, an implosion will occur at some point.
This is what the players wanted, a coach who would provide a more relaxed atmosphere so they could play to their potential without the head games Parcells liked to play. They wanted a coach who treated them like grown men.
This is not the way to express gratitude.
After all, this team isn't coming off a championship season or a deep playoff run. The Cowboys haven't won a playoff game since 1996. Or a division title since 1998.
The Cowboys collapsed in the final month of the season and played their worst football, when the games mattered most.
Just like last season, the NFC remains wide open.
You tell me which team is invincible. Chicago? New Orleans? Seattle? Philadelphia? Trust me, they're all flawed. You would think that would be enough to inspire a single-minded focus.
Guess not.
That should disappoint every player who spent a couple of hours sweating on a sultry Friday afternoon, trying to get better. Earlier this week, Tony Romo took a 4 a.m. flight from Mexico City, where he was judging the Miss Universe competition, to make sure he returned in time to practice with his teammates. It was important to him.
The Cowboys are installing a new offense, so both temperamental starting receivers should be here. As should Jones, who will need a strong training camp to keep Marion Barber from taking his job. He hasn't earned the right to skip the off-season program.
Here's the scary part: We heard the same thing coming out of Arlington last year. The players wanted Rangers manager Buck Showalter, the epitome of a control freak, kicked to the curb. When it happened, they rejoiced.
Jon Daniels hired the anti-Showalter in Ron Washington, an avowed players' manager. Washington said he was turning the club over to the players, who said they loved the new approach and his optimistic attitude.
Two months into the season, the Rangers are easily the worst team in baseball. They struggle in every facet of the game and find themselves on pace to lose 100 games.
Let's hope the spotty attendance in the OTA practices is not a harbinger.
IRVING – If Bill Parcells were still coaching the Cowboys, numerous starters wouldn't be regularly skipping the club's organized team activities (OTAs) this off-season.
They wouldn't have the courage.
You know it. I know it. Even the players know it. Let's not fool ourselves.
So I don't care about the company line the Cowboys are pushing that essentially says, "It's OK if the players miss these voluntary practices as long as they let us know."
Whatever.
If they weren't important, Wade Phillips wouldn't have scheduled them.
It's disrespectful that veterans like Terry Glenn, Julius Jones and Terrell Owens have skipped most of the limited-contact practices that can't last more than two hours. Players wear helmets but no other pads.
Don't miss the point; participating in 12 OTA practices isn't the difference between winning and losing the Super Bowl. But when three key starters don't show up, it speaks volumes.
Besides, Glenn is the only member of that trio who played to his potential last year. Owens led the league in drops and complaints, and Jones was a nonfactor in the second half of the season.
None of that is disputable. All you have to do is look at the statistics.
Yes, other players have missed a day here or there because of births, deaths, weddings, graduations, familial obligations and business matters.
No one is complaining about that. Players are entitled to have a life.
It's the principle of the matter.
Parcells had his flaws – we've touched on those extensively during the last year – but he excelled at preparing players with an off-season approach that wasn't voluntary no matter what the NFLPA handbook said.
When Parcells coached the Cowboys, there was no question about who was in charge of the team.
Players feared him. Whether they liked him or not was inconsequential; they did what he told them to do.
That's no longer the case. They don't fear Phillips; they like him.
No one who has worked with Phillips calls him a softie. They say he's firm on the field and gets his points across without yelling, screaming and cussing.
More than ever, the players must police themselves. The leaders on this team must set the tone for their teammates. Phillips' style demands it.
Without it, an implosion will occur at some point.
This is what the players wanted, a coach who would provide a more relaxed atmosphere so they could play to their potential without the head games Parcells liked to play. They wanted a coach who treated them like grown men.
This is not the way to express gratitude.
After all, this team isn't coming off a championship season or a deep playoff run. The Cowboys haven't won a playoff game since 1996. Or a division title since 1998.
The Cowboys collapsed in the final month of the season and played their worst football, when the games mattered most.
Just like last season, the NFC remains wide open.
You tell me which team is invincible. Chicago? New Orleans? Seattle? Philadelphia? Trust me, they're all flawed. You would think that would be enough to inspire a single-minded focus.
Guess not.
That should disappoint every player who spent a couple of hours sweating on a sultry Friday afternoon, trying to get better. Earlier this week, Tony Romo took a 4 a.m. flight from Mexico City, where he was judging the Miss Universe competition, to make sure he returned in time to practice with his teammates. It was important to him.
The Cowboys are installing a new offense, so both temperamental starting receivers should be here. As should Jones, who will need a strong training camp to keep Marion Barber from taking his job. He hasn't earned the right to skip the off-season program.
Here's the scary part: We heard the same thing coming out of Arlington last year. The players wanted Rangers manager Buck Showalter, the epitome of a control freak, kicked to the curb. When it happened, they rejoiced.
Jon Daniels hired the anti-Showalter in Ron Washington, an avowed players' manager. Washington said he was turning the club over to the players, who said they loved the new approach and his optimistic attitude.
Two months into the season, the Rangers are easily the worst team in baseball. They struggle in every facet of the game and find themselves on pace to lose 100 games.
Let's hope the spotty attendance in the OTA practices is not a harbinger.
posted by The Gryphon at 8:45 AM
<< Home