Playoff Flo: Lineman's patience wears thin
By JENNIFER FLOYD ENGEL
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
Flozell Adams has been around Valley Ranch for what seems like 457 years, give or take 447.
And he has exactly zero playoff victories to show for his time.
"I haven't even really been to that many," he noted wryly, a couple of days ago.
He has been in three, all losses, and if the Cowboys lose Sunday, this may be his last with a star on his helmet. Flo is a free agent. His time in Dallas has been bumpy at times, most notably a perception that he lacked proper fire. But he has settled into a stride lately, anchoring an offensive line that has allowed Tony Romo to be Romolicious, or whatever word the kids are using nowadays.
He also just happens to be a huge key to Sunday's game.
What the Giants do especially well is get after the quarterback. Their front four is especially good at smooshing the pocket from the edges, especially Osi Umenyiora.
Can Flo handle Osi again? He had a good day last go-around.
"I don't look at it as me against him," Flo said. "I look at this is a big game and I am ready to do whatever to win one of these."
Flo has never been much of a talker. He just does not much care for the whole media thing. But do not mistake his quiet for a lack of hunger. He so badly wants to win a playoff game he can practically taste it. Guys like him and Greg Ellis are tired of waiting. They do not have the luxury of patience any longer. They need to win now, with this team, because next year is not guaranteed.
And after seeing quarterback after quarterback come through Valley Ranch, Flo understands Romo gives him his best chance in forever.
And it his job to give Romo time to do his thing.
Adams has been doing it well. The whole line has been good beyond expectations. It was not that long ago the line was viewed as the weak link, the giant question mark. So, does proving everybody wrong bring a smile to his face?
"No," he said. "I was just putting on ChapStick."
Really?
"OK, just a little," he said.
That's all right. He earned it. He's been around for 457 years.
Friendly reminder: Prepare to be wowed by Terry Glenn.
My final BcS whine: LSU is no more the national champion than I am the Queen of England. Is anybody positive they'd beat USC? About the only thing we know for sure after watching them defeat Ohio State, is the Buckeyes did not belong in the game.
Of course, everybody except BcS idiots already knew this.
So here's to you Mr. Antiquated Bowl System Backer, thanks for giving us what has to be one of the worst bowl seasons in recent memory.
Just wondering: Why in the world is USC coach Pete Carroll actually thinking about going to Atlanta?
That's an ender: While I normally hate disagreeing with national NFL minds, which seem to be in agreement this Cowboys team is ripe for the picking, mark me down for:
Cowboys 27, Giants 24.
Why? Because I expect Romo to be back to his November self and, if that happens, everything else will be all right.
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
Flozell Adams has been around Valley Ranch for what seems like 457 years, give or take 447.
And he has exactly zero playoff victories to show for his time.
"I haven't even really been to that many," he noted wryly, a couple of days ago.
He has been in three, all losses, and if the Cowboys lose Sunday, this may be his last with a star on his helmet. Flo is a free agent. His time in Dallas has been bumpy at times, most notably a perception that he lacked proper fire. But he has settled into a stride lately, anchoring an offensive line that has allowed Tony Romo to be Romolicious, or whatever word the kids are using nowadays.
He also just happens to be a huge key to Sunday's game.
What the Giants do especially well is get after the quarterback. Their front four is especially good at smooshing the pocket from the edges, especially Osi Umenyiora.
Can Flo handle Osi again? He had a good day last go-around.
"I don't look at it as me against him," Flo said. "I look at this is a big game and I am ready to do whatever to win one of these."
Flo has never been much of a talker. He just does not much care for the whole media thing. But do not mistake his quiet for a lack of hunger. He so badly wants to win a playoff game he can practically taste it. Guys like him and Greg Ellis are tired of waiting. They do not have the luxury of patience any longer. They need to win now, with this team, because next year is not guaranteed.
And after seeing quarterback after quarterback come through Valley Ranch, Flo understands Romo gives him his best chance in forever.
And it his job to give Romo time to do his thing.
Adams has been doing it well. The whole line has been good beyond expectations. It was not that long ago the line was viewed as the weak link, the giant question mark. So, does proving everybody wrong bring a smile to his face?
"No," he said. "I was just putting on ChapStick."
Really?
"OK, just a little," he said.
That's all right. He earned it. He's been around for 457 years.
Friendly reminder: Prepare to be wowed by Terry Glenn.
My final BcS whine: LSU is no more the national champion than I am the Queen of England. Is anybody positive they'd beat USC? About the only thing we know for sure after watching them defeat Ohio State, is the Buckeyes did not belong in the game.
Of course, everybody except BcS idiots already knew this.
So here's to you Mr. Antiquated Bowl System Backer, thanks for giving us what has to be one of the worst bowl seasons in recent memory.
Just wondering: Why in the world is USC coach Pete Carroll actually thinking about going to Atlanta?
That's an ender: While I normally hate disagreeing with national NFL minds, which seem to be in agreement this Cowboys team is ripe for the picking, mark me down for:
Cowboys 27, Giants 24.
Why? Because I expect Romo to be back to his November self and, if that happens, everything else will be all right.
posted by The Gryphon at 7:49 PM
<< Home