Avezzano: Healthy Romo key for Cowboys
By RICK KRETZSCHMAR
Thursday, May 28, 2009
TYLER — Joe Avezzano said the health of quarterback Tony Romo will be the difference in whether the Dallas Cowboys have a successful 2009 season, and an East Texan will play a critical part for Romo's well being.
Avezzano was the keynote speaker at the 19th Annual Scholastic All-Star Team Banquet on Wednesday, which was held at the Rose Garden Center. The team honored 24 college-bound student-athletes, including 10 from the area.
Avezzano was the special-teams coach for the Cowboys from 1990 to 2002 — including the Super Bowl champion years of 1992, 1993 and 1995 — and remains active with the Cowboys with post-game radio and television shows.
Avezzano said Romo missing three games last season because of injuries had a large impact on the Cowboys finishing 9-7 and missing the playoffs.
"It's obvious the Cowboys made some moves to clear out some elements. We'll see if it's for the best," Avezzano said. "What it comes down to is if Romo stays healthy. If he does, he can take it to the next step and the Cowboys can have a successful season."
Avezzano said one element to Romo staying healthy is the play of offensive lineman Montrae Holland, a Jefferson native who will be in the second year of a two-year contract with the Cowboys this fall. Avezzano said this could be a year of opportunity for Holland.
"Holland will get every chance to start for the Cowboys," Avezzano said. "If he takes advantage of it, opportunities will play out for him. If he doesn't, his career can go in another direction."
Avezzano gave a speech before the area athletes were honored, including five area girls and five area boys. Each athlete honored received a plaque, a shirt and a check for $500 in scholarship money.
The five area girls honored were Pine Tree's Kerris Willett, Sabine's Katy Strange, Union Grove's Jordan Bess, Paul Pewitt's Alvita Mares and Kylee Little of Hawkins. The five boys honored were Longview's Will McWhorter, White Oak's Taylor Wait, Carthage's Zachary Smith, Marshall's Tracy Carson and Arp's Garrett Williams.
Bess, Carson and Williams are the valedictorians of their classes, while Little, Smith and Wait are the salutatorians of their schools for the 2008-09 school year. Wait is the third person in his family named to the all-star team. He was preceded by his older sister and brother — Erin and Eric.
Avezzano used an acronym of sports — sacrifice, pride, opportunities, responsibilities, thrills and success — as a way the athletes can apply athletics to the rest of their lives.
"The acronym for sports will stick with me," said Willett, an All-East Texas volleyball player who will attend the University of Texas and major in early childhood education. "I'll use it when I work in a volleyball camp this summer."
Avezzano, who is 65 years old, has not coached since he was part of Norv Turner's staff with the Oakland Raiders in 2005, but considering Florida State coach Bobby Bowden and Penn State's Joe Paterno are coaching well into their 80s, he has not ruled out returning to coaching in the near future.
"Football is a young man's sport, but I know 30-year-olds who don't have any energy and 60-year-olds who have more than enough," Avezzano said.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
TYLER — Joe Avezzano said the health of quarterback Tony Romo will be the difference in whether the Dallas Cowboys have a successful 2009 season, and an East Texan will play a critical part for Romo's well being.
Avezzano was the keynote speaker at the 19th Annual Scholastic All-Star Team Banquet on Wednesday, which was held at the Rose Garden Center. The team honored 24 college-bound student-athletes, including 10 from the area.
Avezzano was the special-teams coach for the Cowboys from 1990 to 2002 — including the Super Bowl champion years of 1992, 1993 and 1995 — and remains active with the Cowboys with post-game radio and television shows.
Avezzano said Romo missing three games last season because of injuries had a large impact on the Cowboys finishing 9-7 and missing the playoffs.
"It's obvious the Cowboys made some moves to clear out some elements. We'll see if it's for the best," Avezzano said. "What it comes down to is if Romo stays healthy. If he does, he can take it to the next step and the Cowboys can have a successful season."
Avezzano said one element to Romo staying healthy is the play of offensive lineman Montrae Holland, a Jefferson native who will be in the second year of a two-year contract with the Cowboys this fall. Avezzano said this could be a year of opportunity for Holland.
"Holland will get every chance to start for the Cowboys," Avezzano said. "If he takes advantage of it, opportunities will play out for him. If he doesn't, his career can go in another direction."
Avezzano gave a speech before the area athletes were honored, including five area girls and five area boys. Each athlete honored received a plaque, a shirt and a check for $500 in scholarship money.
The five area girls honored were Pine Tree's Kerris Willett, Sabine's Katy Strange, Union Grove's Jordan Bess, Paul Pewitt's Alvita Mares and Kylee Little of Hawkins. The five boys honored were Longview's Will McWhorter, White Oak's Taylor Wait, Carthage's Zachary Smith, Marshall's Tracy Carson and Arp's Garrett Williams.
Bess, Carson and Williams are the valedictorians of their classes, while Little, Smith and Wait are the salutatorians of their schools for the 2008-09 school year. Wait is the third person in his family named to the all-star team. He was preceded by his older sister and brother — Erin and Eric.
Avezzano used an acronym of sports — sacrifice, pride, opportunities, responsibilities, thrills and success — as a way the athletes can apply athletics to the rest of their lives.
"The acronym for sports will stick with me," said Willett, an All-East Texas volleyball player who will attend the University of Texas and major in early childhood education. "I'll use it when I work in a volleyball camp this summer."
Avezzano, who is 65 years old, has not coached since he was part of Norv Turner's staff with the Oakland Raiders in 2005, but considering Florida State coach Bobby Bowden and Penn State's Joe Paterno are coaching well into their 80s, he has not ruled out returning to coaching in the near future.
"Football is a young man's sport, but I know 30-year-olds who don't have any energy and 60-year-olds who have more than enough," Avezzano said.
posted by The Gryphon at 6:41 PM
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