The Rant

T.O. In Uniform For Vikes Game

It appears that Terrell Owens may play in tonight's preseason finale against the Minnesota Vikings.  Owens was seen working with the quarterbacks and receivers approximately two hours before kickoff, but there was still speculation as to if he might play.

Moments ago, T.O. emerged from the tunnel in full uniform.  One would assume that this isn't just a "dress" rehearsal, and he should get, at least, a series or two of playing time.

Get your popcorn ready....

Parcells Finally Has Recourse

How many times did we hear Parcells say, "I just don't have any recourse," when asked about the offensive line woes during the 2005 season?

There was no recourse at right tackle so Bill had to start rookie Rob Petitti.  Marco Rivera injures his back just before training camp, and again, no recourse.  Flozell Adams is lost for the season, and quite honestly, the head coach needed recourse for the recourse (Torrin Tucker).

What a difference a year makes or so Bill thinks...

Now, there seems to be a plethora of options at right tackle including a much improved Rob Petitti, a healthy Marc Colombo, and an improving Jason Fabini.  As if that weren't enough, according to Parcells, it would be inaccurate to assume that either of them is a better option to replace Flozell in case of injury on the left side over rookie Pat McQuistan.

Just yesterday, Bill couldn't imagine starting McQuistan in a regular season game.  However, faced with the possibility of the not having Adams for the season opener, McQuistan may be the best recourse.  And it didn't seem to cause Parcells as much trepedation as last year's Tucker option (I use the term "option" very loosely).

Center Andre Gurode has had his "best camp" according to Parcells and is a vastly improved player both mentally and physically.  If something should happen to Gurode, Al Johnson is a more than adequate backup.

Guard Cory Procter probably has been the most highly touted offensive linemen throughout the course of training camp and the preseason.  He provides depth at the guard positions behind Marco Rivera and Kyle Kossier alongside the flexibility of Gurode to also play guard.

Finally, the coach has some recourse.  The question now becomes, "Is the recourse adequately prepared?"  We may be able to begin answering that question next week in Jacksonville.

Please T.O., Say It Ain't So

This message goes to Terrell Owens from all those fans who supported his signing....please say it ain't so.

Please don't make us all have to eat the words we used to rebuke those who cursed the day you became a Cowboy.  All the "so-called" fans who likened you to Lawrence Phillips or O.J. or satan made me livid.  The one thing I continuously retorted was that despite your public persona, no one could dispute that you were a warrior, a competitor and a law-abiding citizen.

As far as I know, you still remain a law-abiding citizen, but your reputation as a warrior and competitor are now in question by many.  I don't really think you should rush back for preseason games, and the media's coverage of this thing has been a classic case of manufacturing news rather than reporting it.  They run to Bill to get a comment only to run back to you to get your reaction and vice versa (sounds like a bunch of gossipping little girls to me).

However, we now find ourselves in the throws of a crisis.  Parcells (the coach) says, "just look at my history as a coach" to know how he handles players who don't practice...they don't play in games.  The coach says, "I need to see something."  The player retorts, "if he wants to see something, he's got 10 years of film to look at."

This can't be good.

The coach wants the player back in practice if possible, but the player believes the team didn't properly monitor his reps the first time he returned leading to a reinjury of his hamstring.

The player says that he has to look out for himself.  He doesn't want to jeopardize his health.  He will do what's best for him.

I hate to say it, but this thing makes me really nervous.

So, for your sake, and ours, please, T.O., get back to practice quickly so that you can play in Jacksonville.  Don't let this turn into a battle of wills.  The sooner you start scoring touchdowns, the sooner this whole saga ends.

P.S. - You may want to avoid making public statements to the media for a while.  It always seems that you create more trouble by talking...say these two words for me, "NO COMMENT."

Best QB Protection Is Great Defense

We've all heard the analysts preach that young quarterbacks are a liability.  Most would agree that you prefer to have a veteran QB running your team if you have Super Bowl aspirations.

But think about recent NFL history for a moment.  Four of the last five Super Bowls have been won by young quarterbacks (Brady - 3, Roethlisberger -1) with one of the losing teams during that span having another inexperienced QB (Delhomme).

Jake Delhomme started 15 games for the Panthers in 2003 after playing five seasons in New Orleans and only playing in 6 games throughout that time with the Saints (2 starts).  He led that 2003 Carolina team to the Super Bowl.  Although they lost to the Patriots, he kept them in the game with a dazzling array of 2nd half drives.

In 2001, Tom Brady started 14 of 16 games in only his second NFL season after having only 3 pass attempts his entire rookie season.  They went on to win the Super Bowl that season and 2 more times within the next three seasons.

Although Ben Roethlisberger had a full seasons worth of experience the season before he led the Steelers to a Super Bowl championship, it was only his second year in the NFL.

Recent history suggests that young quarterbacks can be successful, but the critical factor is the defense.  The question is not, "Can the Cowboys win if Bledsoe should be lost for the season?"  It should be, "Is the Cowboys defense good enough to carry this team to an NFL title with or without Bledsoe?"

Rhetorical Questions For Cowboys Fans

Have you ever found yourself thinking certain things that you really don't want to question aloud for fear that it may be misunderstood or ridiculed?  Well, here's a chance to enter the mind of The Rant as I watched Saturday's game versus Seattle.

  Did the offensive line really provide good protection or was Romo just more nimble and got rid of the ball quicker than Bledsoe?  Not to say I want Romo to start over Bledsoe, but I am interested in seeing how well Romo will do in live, regular season action.

  If Kevin Burnett is playing like a madman....all over the field, why isn't he starting?  I know Carpenter is projected to be a beast, but was it premature to draft yet another linebacker (who currently isn't starting either) with the first pick in the 2006 draft before we knew what we had in Burnett?  It sure would be nice to have a 1st round caliber, young receiver...nothing against Hurd or Rector.

  Hurd and Rector must have read my mind because they just both made spectacular catches.  I said it at the beginning of camp and I still believe it...the Cowboys have found talent from the scrap heap at the wide receiver position.

  If Marcus Spears, Terrence Newman and Terry Glenn can all practice in pads at 50%, 75% or whatever during this training camp, why can't T.O.

  What rock has Junior Glymph been hiding under?

  Kenyon Coleman nor Scott Shanle have seen much time with the first team in camp, yet they both start the first preseason game?  Not only that, but Coleman replaces Ratliff who Parcells praised during the week saying that he may be the starter with or without a healthy Marcus Spears?  Can you say, "TRADE BAIT!"

Tuesday Practice Observations

Here are a few notes from Tuesday afternoon's practice:

  Sam Hurd continue to work with the first team despite the return of Terry Glenn.  Patrick Crayton would spell Glenn at times, but Crayton mainly worked alongside Terrence Copper with the second team.

  Terrance Newman did not participate in the team drills, but did return punts during the special teams portion of practice.  Don't expect an injury report of anything serious...probably just precautionary after some sort of small tweak...stay tuned for more info.

  As predicted by Parcells yesterday, Tyson Thompson took snaps with the first team.  Parcells said that he just wants to see him running with the first team offensive line.  He would like to get Thompson involved in the offensive gameplan and needs to be able to assess his abilities with the first team.

  The right offensive tackles rotated yet again.  Jason Fabini took snaps with the first team offensive line, Rob Pettiti worked with the second team, and Mark Columbo worked with the third team.  Parcells has said that he wants to move these guys around to get a feel for each before determining a starter.  Fabini did receive some positive feedback from Parcells during one portion of team drills where he made a good block.

  Jamaica Rector made an outstanding one-handed catch for a touchdown during team drills.

  Drew Henson's interception during team drills led to Parcells forcing the entire 3rd team offense to run to the fence...

  Jason Hatcher found himself on an errand to touch the fence as well when he botched a special teams play.

  T.O., Marcus Spears and Justin Beriault remained on the bikes rehabbing injuries.

T.O. And Glenn Not Practicing

Terrell Owens was still working with trainers throughout Monday morning's practice suffering from a sore hamstring.  Terry Glenn joined him on the sideline after reports that he has some pain in his foot.  It doesn't appear that either injury is too serious, but Parcells should address them at his press conference.

Rookie receiver Sam Hurd stepped up to take the reps with the first team, and did quite well catching practically everything thrown his way including about a 20-yard TD over the middle in traffic.  Hurd had been one of the brighter young stars to shine throughout training camp, and it seems apparent that the coaches want to see more.

He worked with the first team instead of other veterans who were above him on the depth chart earlier in camp (ie, Terrence Copper, Jamaica Rector, etc.).  We'll have to wait and see if this was just an experiment or a real sign that he may make this team and others may be on their way out.

Scrimmage - Rants & Raves

The Cowboys conducted a no-tackle, intersquad scrimmage Saturday afternoon, and here were my observations:

Rave:  Marion Barber was the outstanding player of the afternoon.  He ran well, caught the ball well, and ran after the catch well.  Barber was quick and elusive.  This guy may force Parcells to give him more carries than just those designated for the 3rd down back.

Rant:  The first team offense continued to struggle.  Of course, Owens was still out, but is this a sign of things to come in the event Owens should miss games due to injury.

Rave:  Don't think that the first team offense was merely a victim of being smothered by the first team defense.  Tony Romo led the 2nd team offense down the field and into the end zone against that very same 1st team defense.  Romo moved around in and outside the pocket and got rid of the ball quickly and accurately.

Rant:  Bledsoe seemed to get sacked (tagged) way too often.  The protection didn't seem to be much different from 1st to 2nd team which makes me wonder if Bledsoe is just holding the ball too long.  Only the coaches know, but Romo just seemed to get rid of the ball quicker...

Rave:  Young Sam Hurd made two outstanding catches.  In both instances, he leaped over the defender to grab the ball and managed to hold on to the ball while going down.  All of those after practice sessions with T.O. may be doing some good.  Patrick Crayton and Terrence Copper beware!

Rave:  Finally, Vanderjagt showed the consistency that we all expected.  He made good on two kicks and one extra point.  Maybe his mid-week sickness allowed him to have fresh legs today.

Rant:  The defense seemed to commit an inordinate number of penalties.  The best drive that Bledsoe and the 1st team offense could muster was aided by a series of penalties from the defense that took them within the 10 yard-line before having to settle for a Vanderjagt field goal.

T.O. Not Practicing

Terrell Owens did not practice with the team on Thursday.  Instead, he worked with trainers on the sideline.  Although initial reports speculate that a sore hamstring is the reason, no official report has been released by the organization.

More details to come...

Roy Williams Gets Extension

Immediately following today's morning practice (about 11:00 AM PDT), Jerry Jones will announce that the Cowboys have reached a contract extension with Safety Roy Williams.  The deal is a 5-year deal worth $25.2 million with $11.1 million in guaranteed money.

Williams is entering his 5th season with the Cowboys after being drafted 8th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft.  His old contract would have expired at the end of the 2006 season making him an unrestricted free agent.  The expectation is that he would have commanded a lot of attention in the free agent market.

Kennedy In Oxnard For Possible Workout

Lincoln Kennedy is in Oxnard, and may work out for the Cowboys.  Kennedy, now 35 years old, retired from football following the 2004 season and has been working as an analyst for NFL Channel.

The 6-6, 335 lb tackle last played an NFL game in 2003 and was slowed over his final three seasons by a litany of injuries including a concussion, a strained triceps, torn calf and arthritic knees.

Kennedy was a three time Pro Bowler during his 12-year career.  He was a first round pick by the Atlanta Falcons in 1993 and played with them for three years before being traded to Oakland before the 1996 season.

The Cowboys have been disappointed with veteran offensive tackle Jason Fabini who was relegated to working with the third team during Monday's practice.