Adams happy to be Dallas Cowboys' quiet man
A private person, veteran left tackle lets his play speak for itself
01:59 AM CST on Sunday, December 2, 2007
By CALVIN WATKINS / The Dallas Morning News
cwatkins@dallasnews.com
IRVING – So, just who is Flozell Adams?
He's a three-time Pro Bowler who has started 140 out of 156 games at various spots on the offensive line during his 10-year career. Only the late Mark Tuinei has started more games than Adams (150 to 130) at left tackle in Cowboys history.
For as much noise as Adams makes on the field, he is a quiet soul away from it. He rarely speaks to reporters, if at all. Some of his teammates don't even know him.
Greg Ellis, who like Adams was drafted by the Cowboys in 1998, was asked whether he knows the veteran left tackle.
"Know him?" Ellis said. "I know how he is. He's a guy who keeps to himself. He's quiet and goes about his business. Not a rah-rah type of guy."
Several players, including Ellis, describe Adams is a loyal teammate.
What is known is that Adams was raised in Maywood, Ill., a suburb of Chicago.
At Proviso West High School, he was a two-year starter on the offensive line and lettered in wrestling and track, as a shot putter.
Growing up, Adams didn't like football too much. He played the trumpet in the high school band and was a member of foreign language clubs. Adams wanted to get involved in law enforcement because numerous relatives had done so.
"I told him if he wanted to make some real money, he should try to go pro," said David Glover, who coached Adams in football and wrestling at Proviso West. "He asked me whether he should play on defense, and I said, 'No, no, no.' I remember telling him to play tackle because left tackles can last a long, long time."
Adams became an offensive lineman despite the fact he had partial hearing in his right ear. He developed into a force for Proviso West, drawing attention from major colleges.
Adams liked Illinois because he had attended Illini football camps for several years. Notre Dame was after him, too, but Adams wasn't excited about playing without his name on his jersey.
Then, there was Michigan State.
Adams' mother, Rachel, liked the school and convinced her son to play for the Spartans.
At Michigan State, he was a three-year starter and started the final 28 games of his collegiate career at tackle.
Adams could have turned pro after his junior year, but he fulfilled a promise to his mother and returned to get a degree in criminal justice.
As a senior, Adams was named Big Ten offensive lineman of the year.
In the 1998 draft, six offensive linemen were drafted before Adams was taken in the second round by the Cowboys.
"I made the decision based on what would be the best outcome," Adams said of his decision to return for his senior year of college. "I'm a humble guy. Of course I wanted to go in the first round, but it didn't happen. I went in the second round. That's better than the seventh round. I look at it as I could've not been drafted, that's just the person I am."
Several teams were concerned about Adams' hearing, which was part of the reason he fell to the second round. A left tackle's right ear is closest to the quarterback, and many thought Adams would have trouble hearing the signals being called.
"He didn't have any problems in college," said Adams' agent, Roosevelt Barnes.
Despite suffering a torn right ACL in 2005, Adams returned the next season and earned a third Pro Bowl berth.
Adams had minor knee surgery this past off-season, and coach Wade Phillips said he is playing like a Pro Bowler.
Adams sometimes is criticized for his false starts or for allowing sacks, but Phillips is happy with his play.
"I don't criticize him," Phillips said. "He's played against great rushers already [this season] and done a great job."
Adams is in the last year of his contract, and the Cowboys would like to keep him aboard until their younger linemen develop.
Adams declined to discuss his future with the club, which is not surprising, considering his private nature.
Adams will engage in brief conversations about tricked-out cars or politics.
Asked about his family, Adams said, "Yeah, I got one."
He has one sister and numerous relatives who live in Texas.
"My kids look at him as an older brother," said Glover, whose family spent Thanksgiving Day with Adams.
Adams said some of his friends from high school just discovered in the last two years he was playing in the NFL.
How can that be?
"That's just how it is," he said. "After high school, we went our separate ways."
And with that, Adams casually walks away, keeping his thoughts to himself.
01:59 AM CST on Sunday, December 2, 2007
By CALVIN WATKINS / The Dallas Morning News
cwatkins@dallasnews.com
IRVING – So, just who is Flozell Adams?
He's a three-time Pro Bowler who has started 140 out of 156 games at various spots on the offensive line during his 10-year career. Only the late Mark Tuinei has started more games than Adams (150 to 130) at left tackle in Cowboys history.
For as much noise as Adams makes on the field, he is a quiet soul away from it. He rarely speaks to reporters, if at all. Some of his teammates don't even know him.
Greg Ellis, who like Adams was drafted by the Cowboys in 1998, was asked whether he knows the veteran left tackle.
"Know him?" Ellis said. "I know how he is. He's a guy who keeps to himself. He's quiet and goes about his business. Not a rah-rah type of guy."
Several players, including Ellis, describe Adams is a loyal teammate.
What is known is that Adams was raised in Maywood, Ill., a suburb of Chicago.
At Proviso West High School, he was a two-year starter on the offensive line and lettered in wrestling and track, as a shot putter.
Growing up, Adams didn't like football too much. He played the trumpet in the high school band and was a member of foreign language clubs. Adams wanted to get involved in law enforcement because numerous relatives had done so.
"I told him if he wanted to make some real money, he should try to go pro," said David Glover, who coached Adams in football and wrestling at Proviso West. "He asked me whether he should play on defense, and I said, 'No, no, no.' I remember telling him to play tackle because left tackles can last a long, long time."
Adams became an offensive lineman despite the fact he had partial hearing in his right ear. He developed into a force for Proviso West, drawing attention from major colleges.
Adams liked Illinois because he had attended Illini football camps for several years. Notre Dame was after him, too, but Adams wasn't excited about playing without his name on his jersey.
Then, there was Michigan State.
Adams' mother, Rachel, liked the school and convinced her son to play for the Spartans.
At Michigan State, he was a three-year starter and started the final 28 games of his collegiate career at tackle.
Adams could have turned pro after his junior year, but he fulfilled a promise to his mother and returned to get a degree in criminal justice.
As a senior, Adams was named Big Ten offensive lineman of the year.
In the 1998 draft, six offensive linemen were drafted before Adams was taken in the second round by the Cowboys.
"I made the decision based on what would be the best outcome," Adams said of his decision to return for his senior year of college. "I'm a humble guy. Of course I wanted to go in the first round, but it didn't happen. I went in the second round. That's better than the seventh round. I look at it as I could've not been drafted, that's just the person I am."
Several teams were concerned about Adams' hearing, which was part of the reason he fell to the second round. A left tackle's right ear is closest to the quarterback, and many thought Adams would have trouble hearing the signals being called.
"He didn't have any problems in college," said Adams' agent, Roosevelt Barnes.
Despite suffering a torn right ACL in 2005, Adams returned the next season and earned a third Pro Bowl berth.
Adams had minor knee surgery this past off-season, and coach Wade Phillips said he is playing like a Pro Bowler.
Adams sometimes is criticized for his false starts or for allowing sacks, but Phillips is happy with his play.
"I don't criticize him," Phillips said. "He's played against great rushers already [this season] and done a great job."
Adams is in the last year of his contract, and the Cowboys would like to keep him aboard until their younger linemen develop.
Adams declined to discuss his future with the club, which is not surprising, considering his private nature.
Adams will engage in brief conversations about tricked-out cars or politics.
Asked about his family, Adams said, "Yeah, I got one."
He has one sister and numerous relatives who live in Texas.
"My kids look at him as an older brother," said Glover, whose family spent Thanksgiving Day with Adams.
Adams said some of his friends from high school just discovered in the last two years he was playing in the NFL.
How can that be?
"That's just how it is," he said. "After high school, we went our separate ways."
And with that, Adams casually walks away, keeping his thoughts to himself.
posted by The Gryphon at 8:45 AM
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