I don't "trust" BP

[Eskimo]

If Lee has not learned the bare essentials of pickup in this his second NFL season then someone is not doing their job - either Lee or the coaching staff.

If this is on Lee then he should not even be active on game day. He should either be inactive or on the practice squad where players can develop who aren't ready to hit primetime. We need a guy who can give us reps at RB with EG and RA being dinosaurs - if he can't do the job then we need someone who can who can be "trusted" to give us reps on gameday.

OTOH, if it is the RB coach, then his *** should be canned for not properly preparing his squad.

Either way, someone's *** should be toast over the debacle that is our group of RBs. This means that BP is not doing his job of running the ship and I can no longer "trust" him to right what is wrong with this franchise.

If this were just one position or one freak set of circumstances, then I would be happy to cut him some slack. However, this has been happening at several positions - RDE, DT, Safety, RB, RT. Something is very wrong with this organization. People say it takes years to build a quality team but that is not true anymore. Teams are built and dismantled in short periods of time now that FA is here. Either you can put together a roster or you cannot and I think BP is showing that he cannot do it - he has had two years and we are not that much improved from Campo's last 5-11 campaign in 2002. I think he is failing for two reasons - poor talent evaluation and the lack of energy to build a new quality set of assistant coaches at this stage of his career.

I think we need to look elsewhere and soon for the long-term future of this franchise. We need two things - a young, brilliant, energetic coach (? Stoops, Saban) and a keen talent-evaluation guy to act as GM (let Jerry keep the title but have someone behind the scenes who knows what he is doing). The new FO should have ample ammunition with a couple of high draft picks and lots of money available for FAs to put together a winning team within a short period of time.

[Bluefin]

The thing is, even though Lee isn't helping out at running back like many of us want, he is the team's best option at kick returner.

Lee isn't looking like a Pro Bowler on returns, the blocking won't let anyone, but he has provided a couple of 50+ yard returns that helped the team.

Dallas scored tochdowns following both returns (Vikings, Lions).

A little spark on returns is better than a team with no spark at all, IMO.

[blindzebra]

The thing is, even though Lee isn't helping out at running back like many of us want, he is the team's best option at kick returner.

Lee isn't looking like a Pro Bowler on returns, the blocking won't let anyone, but he has provided a couple of 50+ yard returns that helped the team.

Dallas scored tochdowns following both returns (Vikings, Lions).

A little spark on returns is better than a team with no spark at all, IMO.

Ironically he stayed in on both those drives as RB, hmmm. ;) l

[Kittymama]

No, you don't build a team overnight. How long has Philly been trying for the Super Bowl? They finally look like contenders, but I won't believe it until they're in. How about Indy? Atlanta? Tennessee, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, & the Giants? Kansas City? Vikings? Those are teams that have been quality teams for several years. 5 of them have been to the Super Bowl once in recent years--only Baltimore won, the others haven't even gotten in; none of them have repeated. But they all have been working on their teams for years. Cowher has been coaching Pittsburgh for, what, 13 years now? By your demanding standards, he should have been fired long ago--one Super Bowl appearance & no wins. Billick, Fisher, & Reid should be long gone too--altho Billick at least has a win.

I'd also like to point out Carolina, Tampa Bay, & Oakland. Each has a recent Super Bowl appearance & is now in the dumps. Shall we also mention SFO?

So no, you don't build a team overnight. Which model would you rather have--New England or Tampa Bay? Me, I'll take New England. It took Parcells 4 years to build that team up, & Carroll did a decent job with it for another 3. Belichick inherited a team that had been in place for SEVEN years (including many players that the much maligned Bill Parcells drafted). He also had a wad of assistant coaches, including Weis & Crennell, along with Pioli in the front office, who had been with Parcells for years. (I'll be very interested to see how he does once Weis, Crennell, & Pioli leave.) It took him an additional year to put his stamp on it. I'm curious about your definition of overnight, but 8 years sure doesn't seem like overnight to me.

Convinced Stoops & Saban are going to be NFL successes? Hmmm, let's name all the former college coaches who have succeeeded recently in the NFL--as in winning a Super Bowl. Let's see, there's Jimmy Johnson &, ummmmmmmm, Jimmy Johnson. Ok, we'll throw Vermeil in there too. Shall we name some of the other "brilliant" college coaches who were surefire things in the NFL? Steve Spurrier? Dennis Erickson? Butch Davis? Feel free to jump in here.

I'd love to see a list from you of FAs who you know, absolutely positively, will be impact player TOs next year instead of Marcellus Wileys. A list of draft picks who you can guarantee will pan out & be superstars.

Yes, this season has been disappointing. I guess I'm not going to be a total pessimist yet. I think they can still win some. I'm not prepared to write off next season either. There's no question that some players were overestimated. I think we'll see a lot of the team gone by next year. However, may I point out that when Parcells does let a player go, all of a sudden the folks on this board are convinced that player is a Hall of Famer in the making? There were also a lot of injuries. No, it's not an excuse, but they do affect a team (again, look at Carolina--or Minnesota & the Jets when just one player from each goes down; we've lost at least 3 critical players from this team). Realistically, we know we're not getting Woody back. BP & JJ will be able to plan accordingly this coming year; this year they didn't know until partway thru training camp. But it just astounds me that people are so quick to write off a coach who got the team into the playoffs last year. Want to dismiss that? Ok, then dismiss John Fox too. Or Jon Gruden. Or Marty Schottenheimer & Bill Cowher last year. Now, if the Cowboys have another bad season next year--then you've got some grounds to complain. If that happens, Bill would probably resign anyway, for the good of the team.

[Eskimo]

The thing is, even though Lee isn't helping out at running back like many of us want, he is the team's best option at kick returner.

Lee isn't looking like a Pro Bowler on returns, the blocking won't let anyone, but he has provided a couple of 50+ yard returns that helped the team.

Dallas scored tochdowns following both returns (Vikings, Lions).

A little spark on returns is better than a team with no spark at all, IMO.

But to have gone half the season without a reliable backup at RB is ludicrous with the underwhelming performances of Anderson and George. If BP really can't "trust" Lee then we need someone else active on game day that he can trust who can lighten the load on our dinosaur crop of RBs. Hell bring back Cason if need be. Bring back Murrell. Do something.

Once that position is filled if there is still room on the active roster to carry a guy who can only return kickoffs then Lee is an okay option.

[Kittymama]

But to have gone half the season without a reliable backup at RB is ludicrous with the underwhelming performances of Anderson and George. If BP really can't "trust" Lee then we need someone else active on game day that he can trust who can lighten the load on our dinosaur crop of RBs. Hell bring back Cason if need be. Bring back Murrell. Do something.

Once that position is filled if there is still room on the active roster to carry a guy who can only return kickoffs then Lee is an okay option.

Again, names please. Murrell has an injury, if memory serves. If you can think of any RBs available, we'd all love to know. You think Bill is sitting with his thumb up his butt because he LIKES the situation?

And let's just clarify--what he said about Lee is that, when he doesn't have the ball in his hands, his attention wanders. You can call it bad coaching, you can call it him being a young player & learning. Hopefully, he'll learn, which is probably why Parcells is still working with him. It may also be why he was such a low draft pick (or he may have even come in after the draft, I can't remember). Similar criticism was made about AB--that he wandered off routes. So Parcells did what you suggested about Lee--got rid of AB (after trying to work with him for over a year)--& to judge from the howls on this board, you'd have thought he'd cut Randy Moss & TO combined. Or maybe we can suggest (as some caller to DallasCowboys.com did) that he only be sent in when he's going to run. Gee, no opposing coach will figure that one out.

[Bluefin]

But to have gone half the season without a reliable backup at RB is ludicrous with the underwhelming performances of Anderson and George. If BP really can't "trust" Lee then we need someone else active on game day that he can trust who can lighten the load on our dinosaur crop of RBs. Hell bring back Cason if need be. Bring back Murrell. Do something.

Once that position is filled if there is still room on the active roster to carry a guy who can only return kickoffs then Lee is an okay option.

Others have said the same thing and I agree to an extent, it'd be nice to have a faster option at halfback to give opponents more to think about until Julius Jones returns.

I'm naturally optismistic and I will always pull for the Cowboys to win games even if looking at the big picture calls for losing and high draft picks.

I want Dallas to win, but mathematical chance at the playoffs remaining or not, I believe this season is shot.

Even if ReShard Lee doesn't garner enough trust to see signifigant snaps this season, I want him on the squad next year with a chance to contribute.

[Eskimo]

No, you don't build a team overnight. How long has Philly been trying for the Super Bowl? They finally look like contenders, but I won't believe it until they're in. How about Indy? Atlanta? Tennessee, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, & the Giants? Kansas City? Vikings? Those are teams that have been quality teams for several years. 5 of them have been to the Super Bowl once in recent years--only Baltimore won, the others haven't even gotten in; none of them have repeated. But they all have been working on their teams for years.

I'm not talking about the Super Bowl. I'm talking about putting a quality team on the field that can compete with anyone in the league. We haven't really had such a team since 1996 - that is a long time. The two playoff teams under Gailey weren't very good and neither was last year's team that feasted on weak competition but regularly got whipped when it counted.


I'd love to see a list from you of FAs who you know, absolutely positively, will be impact player TOs next year instead of Marcellus Wileys. A list of draft picks who you can guarantee will pan out & be superstars.

The issue isn't about my ability to evaluate talent, but about BP's because he is the guy bringing in players. His track record after two seasons in the FA market has not been good. Name one impact player that we have found in the FA market. Better yet, name one really good player that we have picked up. All we've gotten is other people's rubbish by and large.

I can comment on who I wanted this past offseason. At DE, I wanted Berry. At RB, I wanted Staley. At CB, I wanted Springs but not at the price tag the Skins paid given his injury history. I would have settled for Vincent who got a fairly reasonable deal with the Bills (yes, I know he's injured but you asked me what I would have done and I can no more predict injuries than anyone else). I thought we'd be okay at DT because I thought Blade did a good job at absorbing double teams but I didn't know he had let himself go. If I had known that I probably would have tried to move up and get Wilfork who was selected right before we picked in the first round. I would have moved up once I saw the Bears pick Tommie Harris. I also would have taken Justin Smiley instead of Julius Jones.


There's no question that some players were overestimated.

This is a collosal understatement.

I think we'll see a lot of the team gone by next year. However, may I point out that when Parcells does let a player go, all of a sudden the folks on this board are convinced that player is a Hall of Famer in the making?

This is categorically false. The issue has been that he builds players up one week and then inexplicably cuts them the next. Justify this behaviour if you can but it seems downright bizarre to me. At various points this offseason he gave glowing reviews to Bradie James, Kenyon Coleman, Daleroy Stewart, Jermaine Brooks and Jameel Powell amongst others. Most of these guys aren't even on the roster now for crying out loud. Powell was practically splitting reps with Hunter at starting RCB up until the final preseason game before he was waived. Many on here were highly critical of Powell's play during the preseason but Parcells kept defending him in the media until the day he was released shortly before the season opener.

Realistically, we know we're not getting Woody back.

I've explained realistically why this is something the FO should have known long ago - nerve disorders is one of my specialties. They are either asleep at the wheel or in denial.

BP & JJ will be able to plan accordingly this coming year.

My point is they should have done so this year. I have no reason to believe they will do so next year. They had ample time to evaluate players and make up their minds about who they wanted. The only position at which I'll cut them some slack is CB because that position has been decimated by injury - even here I will say that they should have known that Mitchell wasn't recovering well from his year on IR and done something to secure the #3 CB spot. The problem was their inability to evaluate the deficiencies of Powell.

But it just astounds me that people are so quick to write off a coach who got the team into the playoffs last year.

That team may have made the playoffs but it was not a good team and everyone who is objective knew it. That is why I predicted a 7-9 season and that was before all the injuries. Several others here figured about the same. This is not a surprise to us. What has been a surprise is how badly our team has been outcoached and how poor our talent evaluation has been. I just don't "trust" the current FO to right this ship.

[Eskimo]

Again, names please. Murrell has an injury, if memory serves. If you can think of any RBs available, we'd all love to know.

Murrell wasn't injured last year. BP just let him go for no reason. You cannot cut injured players in this league without giving them a settlement.


And let's just clarify--what he said about Lee is that, when he doesn't have the ball in his hands, his attention wanders. You can call it bad coaching, you can call it him being a young player & learning. Hopefully, he'll learn, which is probably why Parcells is still working with him.

Look, if the guy doesn't have the 3-second attention span that is required in blitz pickup then he should be on Ritalin or something. The issue is that he is either incapable (in which case he should be cut), uncoachable (in which case he should be cut), unwilling (in which case he should be cut) or not receiving the proper coaching (in which case the RB coach should be cut).


It may also be why he was such a low draft pick (or he may have even come in after the draft, I can't remember).

I don't care whether he was drafted or not. He is on the active roster on game day. If he can't be trusted to fill in at RB with two dinosaurs ahead of him then he shouldn't even be active on game day at RB. Someone else should be. I don't care who but someone who can be relied upon to give us a few carries and pickup the blitz. Hell, make Robert Smith an offer he can't refuse.

Similar criticism was made about AB--that he wandered off routes. So Parcells did what you suggested about Lee--got rid of AB (after trying to work with him for over a year)--& to judge from the howls on this board, you'd have thought he'd cut Randy Moss & TO combined.

To me it is fine that he traded AB if he wasn't performing up to the standards required. I do however think he probably should have brought in someone better than DWard in FA. Explain that lack of talent evaluation to me.

[Q_the_man]

Others have said the same thing and I agree to an extent, it'd be nice to have a faster option at halfback to give opponents more to think about until Julius Jones returns.

I'm naturally optismistic and I will always pull for the Cowboys to win games even if looking at the big picture calls for losing and high draft picks.

I want Dallas to win, but mathematical chance at the playoffs remaining or not, I believe this season is shot.

Even if ReShard Lee doesn't garner enough trust to see signifigant snaps this season, I want him on the squad next year with a chance to contribute.
Exactly! I would love for Dallas to win, but if we are out the picture and not talented at all, I look forward to the draft, which is actually a bad sign.

Reason------- I had high hopes this season and so far this season is a total failure!

[phildominator]

Eskimo, you bring out many good points, but I have to entirely disagree with you. We have to be patient and trust BP.

Teams will have bad years in between great years. The Patriots didn't make the playoffs the year after they won the first Super Bowl.

We haven't even given Bill Parcells a full year. Bringing in another head coach is hardly the solution to our problems at RB production or preparation.

We were a 5-11 team last year that had the 'good bounces' and ended up 10-6. This year, we're not that fortunate and we're 3-5.

We have to remember that we didn't have a first round pick this year. Our top pick has been injured.

However, I'm with BP in sticking to our guns. Don't make a risky move by signing a player to a contract that might jeopardize next year's salary cap and capability to make moves.

It may be a philosophical difference, but when you don't all your chips in when you're on a losing streak. Sometimes, it's better just to take your chips off the table and come back to battle the next day.

If anything, I think we can agree that BP has not done anything to jeopardize next year, albeit he may be playing too safe for some fellow fans' taste.

One last thing, I think BP said that it would take 3 years to rebuild this team.

[mr.jameswoods]

I trust Bill because unlike coaches in the past, he genuinely knows he should have done more last offseason to sign free agents. He admit that he trusted players he shouldn't have. This is a great coach that lacks the talent. What's cool about Parcells is that he recognizes he is responsible for the lack of talent this year.

Give the guy a break. He knows he messed up and he is going to be active this offseason if he stays.

Both Jerry and Bill know they messed up. They are going to be very active this offseason

[Dale]

I trust Bill because unlike coaches in the past, he genuinely knows he should have done more last offseason to sign free agents. He admit that he trusted players he shouldn't have. This is a great coach that lacks the talent. What's cool about Parcells is that he recognizes he is responsible for the lack of talent this year.

Give the guy a break. He knows he messed up and he is going to be active this offseason if he stays.

Both Jerry and Bill know they messed up. They are going to be very active this offseason

It's easy to rip on Parcells right now. As well we should be, since he put the team in its current mess with his personnel decisions this offseason (or lack there of).

And while what I'm about to say doesn't entirely relate to this thread (nor am I insinuating the originator of this thread was trying to portray the following message), I feel it's necessary to say: I've seen several people here, and on other boards, begin yearning for Parcells' exit when he finally retires again. Be careful what you wish for, fellas. While it's bad right now, at least we know we have a legitimate coach who took an undeserving team talent-wise to the postseason last year. When he leaves, who knows who his replacement will be.

It's always greener on the other side, but I admit I'm afraid a Parcells-type hire won't be in the makings when he leaves.

[phildominator]

It's easy to rip on Parcells right now. As well we should be, since he put the team in its current mess with his personnel decisions this offseason (or lack there of).

And while what I'm about to say doesn't entirely relate to this thread (nor am I insinuating the originator of this thread was trying to portray the following message), I feel it's necessary to say: I've seen several people here, and on other boards, begin yearning for Parcells' exit when he finally retires again. Be careful what you wish for, fellas. While it's bad right now, at least we know we have a legitimate coach who took an undeserving team talent-wise to the postseason last year. When he leaves, who knows who his replacement will be.

It's always greener on the other side, but I admit I'm afraid a Parcells-type hire won't be in the makings when he leaves.
Well put...

Parcells made the decision that he was comfortable enough to go with Julius and Eddie George before the season started. Julius is hurt and George hasn't produced.

There's not much to do in Week 10 to rectify that. There's no sure-fire free agent out there that can contribute immediately. In fact, taking a risk may inhibit our chances next year (cap room reasons). I don't agree with firing Bill Parcells when he has two first round picks next year.

[Eskimo]

The point I'm trying to make in this thread is that this is a poorly coached team. Parcells has admitted as much this week. He isn't getting through to them. This is not some team he just inherited. He has had two full offseasons to bring in who he wanted and get rid of who he didn't. His stamp on this team should be well established by now. This team is really not much better than the 2002 team and that was a bad team.

What's more is there is little hope for internal improvement at this time. Where are all the blossoming young stars of the future?

Witten - yes, but he's probably not going to play all that much better than he is now.

Newman - good corner, not shutdown, needs lots of safety help on #1 WRs, plays the ball poorly

Roy Williams - fundamentally flawed in coverage and misses many tackles, only 1 INT in the last 20 games, when was the last time he forced a fumble?

Drew Henson - yet to see the field of play, who knows?

Julius Jones - looked good against 3rd stringers in preseason but BP didn't "trust" him against 1st stringers in the preseason. Injured within 10 plays of his debut

Reshard Lee - lacks the 3-second attention span required to pickup a blitzer

Jacob Rogers - Can't beat out the pathetically bad Torrin Tucker

Torrin Tucker - pathetically bad pass protector, not dominating in the running game

Andre Gurode - no running game at all on the right side of this line

Al Johnson - actually, he has played pretty well

Steven Peterman - looked really, really, really bad in preseason before his injury

Quincy Morgan - inconsistent WR with very bad hands


Where are the studs on this roster? We don't have ONE true elite player on this roster. We have a few good players who will contend for Pro Bowls in their good years - Witten, Newman, RoyW, Flo, Allen on rep.

Has BP demonstrated an ability to spot talent - a categorical no. He spent the offseason waxing ecstatic about Jameel Powell and Daleroy Stewart who aren't even on the roster anymore. He hasn't demonstrated the ability to buy the right groceries. He can't evaluate talent. He isn't going to put this team back together. We will continue to be cellar dwellers ala the Bengals and Cards at this rate.

Face it folks, we haven't got the Tuna that built winers in NY and NE. We've got an old fellow with a bad heart that lost all his buddies to other franchises and can no longer do the job required to rebuild this team. We will be losers so long as he steers this ship.

[DandyDon]

The point I'm trying to make in this thread is that this is a poorly coached team. Parcells has admitted as much this week. He isn't getting through to them. This is not some team he just inherited. He has had two full offseasons to bring in who he wanted and get rid of who he didn't. His stamp on this team should be well established by now. This team is really not much better than the 2002 team and that was a bad team.

What's more is there is little hope for internal improvement at this time. Where are all the blossoming young stars of the future?

Witten - yes, but he's probably not going to play all that much better than he is now.

Newman - good corner, not shutdown, needs lots of safety help on #1 WRs, plays the ball poorly

Roy Williams - fundamentally flawed in coverage and misses many tackles, only 1 INT in the last 20 games, when was the last time he forced a fumble?

Drew Henson - yet to see the field of play, who knows?

Julius Jones - looked good against 3rd stringers in preseason but BP didn't "trust" him against 1st stringers in the preseason. Injured within 10 plays of his debut

Reshard Lee - lacks the 3-second attention span required to pickup a blitzer

Jacob Rogers - Can't beat out the pathetically bad Torrin Tucker

Torrin Tucker - pathetically bad pass protector, not dominating in the running game

Andre Gurode - no running game at all on the right side of this line

Al Johnson - actually, he has played pretty well

Steven Peterman - looked really, really, really bad in preseason before his injury

Quincy Morgan - inconsistent WR with very bad hands


Where are the studs on this roster? We don't have ONE true elite player on this roster. We have a few good players who will contend for Pro Bowls in their good years - Witten, Newman, RoyW, Flo, Allen on rep.

Has BP demonstrated an ability to spot talent - a categorical no. He spent the offseason waxing ecstatic about Jameel Powell and Daleroy Stewart who aren't even on the roster anymore. He hasn't demonstrated the ability to buy the right groceries. He can't evaluate talent. He isn't going to put this team back together. We will continue to be cellar dwellers ala the Bengals and Cards at this rate.

Face it folks, we haven't got the Tuna that built winers in NY and NE. We've got an old fellow with a bad heart that lost all his buddies to other franchises and can no longer do the job required to rebuild this team. We will be losers so long as he steers this ship.

The sky is falling!

[Eskimo]

The sky is falling!

It is not falling. It has already fallen. The Bengals just whupped us by 23 points.

Read this quote for Roy Williams, our savour:

"I don't jump routes because I don't want them to pump and go over the top," Williams said. "I don't want to mess up. We are focused on not getting yelled at and not letting coach down. These plays are really hurting us."

BP just doesn't give enough room for our young stars to grow. They have the aggressiveness and instincts coached out of them. They play afraid and it shows. Things will not get better until this current crew is gone.

[DandyDon]

It is not falling. It has already fallen.

Read this quote for Roy Williams, our savour:

"I don't jump routes because I don't want them to pump and go over the top," Williams said. "I don't want to mess up. We are focused on not getting yelled at and not letting coach down. These plays are really hurting us."

BP just doesn't give enough room for our young stars to grow. They have the aggressiveness and instincts coached out of them. They play afraid and it shows. Things will not get better until this current crew is gone.

Let's just say that we agree we disagree......

[Chocolate Lab]

Has BP demonstrated an ability to spot talent - a categorical no. He spent the offseason waxing ecstatic about Jameel Powell and Daleroy Stewart who aren't even on the roster anymore. He hasn't demonstrated the ability to buy the right groceries. He can't evaluate talent. He isn't going to put this team back together. We will continue to be cellar dwellers ala the Bengals and Cards at this rate.

I'm still amazed that Parcells thought the players you named were going to be good... And you can add Kenyon Coleman, Leo Carson, Jermaine Brooks, and maybe even Bradie James to the list.

To me, that is the absolute biggest worry about fixing this situation. We will have two high picks, and we will have cap space... But if we don't make the right choices, it won't matter.

[Eskimo]

I'm still amazed that Parcells thought the players you named were going to be good... And you can add Kenyon Coleman, Leo Carson, Jermaine Brooks, and maybe even Bradie James to the list.

To me, that is the absolute biggest worry about fixing this situation. We will have two high picks, and we will have cap space... But if we don't make the right choices, it won't matter.

This is what I'm getting at. We've got two high picks next year and lots of cap space. We need to rectify the problem at the end of this season so we can move on. The current "braintrust" of BP and JJ cannot be trusted to effectively evaluate talent. We need to bring in a real GM and a young, energetic coach to turn this mess around. Think we can steal Ozzie Newsome from the Ravens?

[Eddie]

BP just doesn't give enough room for our young stars to grow. They have the aggressiveness and instincts coached out of them. They play afraid and it shows. Things will not get better until this current crew is gone.

That's not true. The talent level covering for the injured players just isn't there. So the stars have to make up for the difference. Thus the drop in play.

If we had studs at DE and DT anchoring the DL, and solid CB and FS play, Roy will be a world beater.

But since we have chumps at all the positions mentioned, there's not much Roy can do.

[Eskimo]

That's not true. The talent level covering for the injured players just isn't there. So the stars have to make up for the difference. Thus the drop in play.

If we had studs at DE and DT anchoring the DL, and solid CB and FS play, Roy will be a world beater.

But since we have chumps at all the positions mentioned, there's not much Roy can do.

Yes, well BP had has choice of bringing in DTs and DEs in the offseason.

He could have drafted Wilfork by moving up a couple of spots. He could have brought in a vet. He was the one who decided to go with Blade, Carson, Brooks and Stewart. Well 3 of those guys aren't even on the active roster. He signed a washed up Eaton who couldn't cut it anymore.

There were also a few good DEs available this past offseason. The Cards got Berry for a very similar price to Wiley. Who got the better player?

We should have known long ago that Woodson had nerve injury and would likely not play this year if ever again. Did we go out and sign someone? No, we decided Dixon and Scott could get the job done.

The FO not only can't evaluate talent, but they seem to be asleep at the wheel. Big changes need to be made. BP doesn't got it anymore.

[InmanRoshi]

The sky is falling!


I'll see your "sky is falling" and raise you a "Rashard Lee is the second coming of Jim Brown if Tuna would just give him a chance".

[Eskimo]

I'll see your sky is falling and raise you a "Rashard Lee is the second coming of Jim Brown".

I've been very critical of Lee in this thread. If the guy lacks the attention span to pickup the blitz then he shouldn't be listed as an RB at all. He is nothing more than a kickoff returner. He probably shouldn't even be on the roster. If Miami were offered a conditional 7th rounder, we should have accepted it. Either that, or the RB coach needs to be fired for failure to do his job in getting his players ready.

The plain truth is that if RA or EG were to go down, we would need to bring in another RB off the street because Lee "can't be trusted". This is just another example of Parcells being asleep at the wheel because there is no one else on the roster - at least until Julius recovers. The fact of the matter is that there should be someone on the PS right now ready to step in if RA or EG go down but there isn't. You have to anticipate some of these things. You can't always just be reacting to bad news - you have to have contingency plans in place in case something bad happens.

[The Great Number 8]

I still find it amazing that in the eyes of some here, that Bill Parcells and the staff could lose so much in a single offseason.

I think you criticize a guy at the time of the transaction, or its tough to come back and rip him. Not a soul here thought Wiley was worse than Ekuban. Very few here thought Pete Hunter was a whole lot worse than Edwards. If the Cowboys knew Woodson would never play, they'd have put him on IR.

Things happen in a season. Players get hurt. We had no intention of playing Eddie George all season, but Julius' injury made that happen. If you think about the our depth chart:

Our second string running back is starting
Our 4th string wide receiver is starting, our 5th is the 3rd guy. Our best WR, and only offensive playmaker is one of the guys hurt.
Our 4th corner is starting, our 5th is the nickel guy.
We had to cut a starting DT because he wouldn't get his fat *** in shape.
We have to play our 3rd and 4th safeties, and we knew they weren't any good anyway.
We have to play an OT at TE in the 2-TE sets, when these sets with Campbell were probably our most effective.

I know everyone has injuries. Sometimes this many injuries at the same position are pretty tough to overcome.

[Chocolate Lab]

The fact of the matter is that there should be someone on the PS right now ready to step in if RA or EG go down but there isn't. You have to anticipate some of these things. You can't always just be reacting to bad news - you have to have contingency plans in place in case something bad happens.

The one that gets me is the Woodson situation. Parcells said at his season-ending press conference after the Carolina playoff loss that one thing they had to look at was a replacement for Woody, because he was getting up in age and couldn't play forever. People were a little surprised at that at the time, but it turned out to be true far sooner than anyone imagined. Yet, even after saying that, Parcells didn't draft or sign a safety at all. I found that very strange. I hope he didn't think Tony Dixon could actually play.

At any rate, I'm not convinced that we can't still improve greatly next year, because I haven't been displeased with Parcells' drafting (at least with the top picks). But it is a little troubling that he thought all these marginal guys already on his team would turn out to be good players.

[Eskimo]

Not a soul here thought Wiley was worse than Ekuban.

We only thought Ekuban was worse because Zimmer and Jeffcoact cannot coach. Ekuban's performance proves that he always had the ability - he was just restricted by the current system. Well, these are the guys BP decided to keep. He could have brought in different coaches if he wanted.


If the Cowboys knew Woodson would never play, they'd have put him on IR.

I deal a lot with nerve injuries in my line of work. They are f'ing stupid if they thought Woodson would return this year fully effective. He'll probably never play again.


Our second string running back is starting

Wrong, JJ was never anymore than 3rd string. We have the guy BP wants and trusts starting.


Our 4th string wide receiver is starting, our 5th is the 3rd guy. Our best WR, and only offensive playmaker is one of the guys hurt.

The failure to control AB is the problem here. BP had a year with him. If he couldn't count on him, he should have traded him early in the offseason and brought in a FA.


We had to cut a starting DT because he wouldn't get his fat *** in shape.

Well, BP should have been on top of that situation. It's not like Blade gained 30 lbs just one week before TC started. I'm sure they knew well ahead of time this was going to be a problem. The issue is they miscalculated thinking they had the answer on the roster in Carson, Stewart and Brooks.


We have to play our 3rd and 4th safeties, and we knew they weren't any good anyway.

Woodson's injury was known well before TC yet no contingency plan was in place.


We have to play an OT at TE in the 2-TE sets, when these sets with Campbell were probably our most effective.

Campbell was really a role player. A blocker for the running game in two TE sets. You have to be able to overcome these things. In principle we could have had BP's choice at the position, Ryan, turned out to be a reliable player. Instead we spent a 5th rounder on a blocking TE who can't block.

You can make all the excuses you want, but BP has not gotten the job done on either the coaching front or the talent evaluation front.

[DandyDon]

We only thought Ekuban was worse because Zimmer and Jeffcoact cannot coach. Ekuban's performance proves that he always had the ability - he was just restricted by the current system. Well, these are the guys BP decided to keep. He could have brought in different coaches if he wanted.



I deal a lot with nerve injuries in my line of work. They are f'ing stupid if they thought Woodson would return this year fully effective. He'll probably never play again.



Wrong, JJ was never anymore than 3rd string. We have the guy BP wants and trusts starting.



The failure to control AB is the problem here. BP had a year with him. If he couldn't count on him, he should have traded him early in the offseason and brought in a FA.



Well, BP should have been on top of that situation. It's not like Blade gained 30 lbs just one week before TC started. I'm sure they knew well ahead of time this was going to be a problem. The issue is they miscalculated thinking they had the answer on the roster in Carson, Stewart and Brooks.



Woodson's injury was known well before TC yet no contingency plan was in place.



Campbell was really a role player. A blocker for the running game in two TE sets. You have to be able to overcome these things. In principle we could have had BP's choice at the position, Ryan, turned out to be a reliable player. Instead we spent a 5th rounder on a blocking TE who can't block.

You can make all the excuses you want, but BP has not gotten the job done on either the coaching front or the talent evaluation front.

Geeez....is there anything you don't know more about than Bill Parcells?

[Eskimo]

Geeez....is there anything you don't know more about than Bill Parcells?

That is a cop out.

[DandyDon]

That is a cop out.

Whatever....

[The Great Number 8]

We only thought Ekuban was worse because Zimmer and Jeffcoact cannot coach. Ekuban's performance proves that he always had the ability - he was just restricted by the current system. Well, these are the guys BP decided to keep. He could have brought in different coaches if he wanted.



I deal a lot with nerve injuries in my line of work. They are f'ing stupid if they thought Woodson would return this year fully effective. He'll probably never play again.



Wrong, JJ was never anymore than 3rd string. We have the guy BP wants and trusts starting.



The failure to control AB is the problem here. BP had a year with him. If he couldn't count on him, he should have traded him early in the offseason and brought in a FA.



Well, BP should have been on top of that situation. It's not like Blade gained 30 lbs just one week before TC started. I'm sure they knew well ahead of time this was going to be a problem. The issue is they miscalculated thinking they had the answer on the roster in Carson, Stewart and Brooks.



Woodson's injury was known well before TC yet no contingency plan was in place.



Campbell was really a role player. A blocker for the running game in two TE sets. You have to be able to overcome these things. In principle we could have had BP's choice at the position, Ryan, turned out to be a reliable player. Instead we spent a 5th rounder on a blocking TE who can't block.

You can make all the excuses you want, but BP has not gotten the job done on either the coaching front or the talent evaluation front.


To answer:

1. Bring in different coaches? We allowed the fewest yards in the NFL last year. I must have missed your open criticism of Zimmer last year when the defense led the team to the playoffs.

2. Obviously they thought differently on Woodson. What can I say, I'm not a doctor and sure as hell didn't see the medical reports.

3. I have no doubt JJ would have moved up the depth chart. Again, is the running game really any worse than when Tham was here?

4. There was no failure to control AB. They traded for a guy who's probably better than AB, but he got hurt. Given until he was injured Quincy Morgan had never missed a game in his career, it's pretty tough to critisize the team on this front. Injuries happen. If any team was down to their #4 receiver, they'd have some problems.

5. BP probably was on top of the Blade situation, but unless he knew in March that Willie the Poo was a write off, it didn't really matter. It's not like 6 pro bowlers were cut July 1. Who should they have signed to replace him?

6. Campbell is one of the leaders on this team. "Only" a blocker? Why underestimate the importance of blocking?

[Eskimo]

To answer:

1. Bring in different coaches? We allowed the fewest yards in the NFL last year. I must have missed your open criticism of Zimmer last year when the defense led the team to the playoffs.

The defense failed to create turnovers and effectively rush the passer. Everyone knew it was a problem. BP and JJ and Zimmer identified it as the top offseason priority. They just failed to solve the problem - they changed the players without changing the scheme or the coaches. BTW, many here were highly critical of last year's defense.


2. Obviously they thought differently on Woodson. What can I say, I'm not a doctor and sure as hell didn't see the medical reports.

Well I haven't seen the medical reports but I'm a doctor who helps treat these conditions. It should have been obvious that Woodson would not be able to play.


3. I have no doubt JJ would have moved up the depth chart. Again, is the running game really any worse than when Tham was here?

How many young skill players has BP actually started here? It took an injury to Campbell for him to finally start Witten. The man loves vets and is stubborn. I doubt JJ would have been starting off the bat. Maybe he'd be starting now - impossible to predict.


4. There was no failure to control AB. They traded for a guy who's probably better than AB, but he got hurt. Given until he was injured Quincy Morgan had never missed a game in his career, it's pretty tough to critisize the team on this front. Injuries happen. If any team was down to their #4 receiver, they'd have some problems.

I've seen both these guys play and Morgan is not a better talent than AB - not even close. This deal happened because of AB's attitude not skill. I'm sure Campo was very important in getting this deal done from the Browns side of things.


5. BP probably was on top of the Blade situation, but unless he knew in March that Willie the Poo was a write off, it didn't really matter. It's not like 6 pro bowlers were cut July 1. Who should they have signed to replace him?

I would agree that this situation is ultimately Blade's fault. He is a pro athlete and should take it upon himself to be in appropriate condition to play football. The fault lies in Parcells' assessment of guys who he had on the roster for a full year - Carson, Brooks and Stewart. He thought these guys could play and they cannot. The inability to stop the run has been a big thorn in the side of the defense this year.


6. Campbell is one of the leaders on this team. "Only" a blocker? Why underestimate the importance of blocking?

I'm not underestimating the importance of blocking but Campbell is really a role player on this team. It is not an insult. Every good team has its stars and its role players who do the dirty work. Your season shouldn't fold like a deck of cards because your blocking TE went down. Overall, I think it has been for the long-term good for the team because it has gotten Witten into the starting role and he has flourished.