Will Parcells learn from his mistakes?

[Chocolate Lab]

To me, that is the real question here.

He was wrong on several players last offseason, both ones that he kept and ones that he thought weren't worth the money. He was also wrong in overvaluing the importance of being familiar with certain players.

Everyone makes mistakes, even Hall of Fame coaches. As long as Parcells realizes what he did wrong and corrects them next time, things can still turn out fine here.

But will he? Or is he too stubborn and set in his ways?

[Paniolo22]

To me, he misses the football part of his evals. He looks at a players strength and speed, and then says "Whoa, that player has really improved a lot". Ex-Bradie James, Kenyon Coleman, Leo Carson. Someone has to teach these guys techniques and skills.

[LaTunaNostra]

To me, that is the real question here.

He was wrong on several players last offseason, both ones that he kept and ones that he thought weren't worth the money. He was also wrong in overvaluing the importance of being familiar with certain players.

Everyone makes mistakes, even Hall of Fame coaches. As long as Parcells realizes what he did wrong and corrects them next time, things can still turn out fine here.

But will he? Or is he too stubborn and set in his ways?
When he said last week in a pc that we are not winning because we lack speed at skills positions, and we lack impact players at key positions, it was all I needed to know that things will change. And before a Reshard Lee comment gets posted, Bill was referring to the need for legitmate impact players, not this year's Avion Cason.

Parcells has always epitomized pragmatism.

He is a LONG way from getting this roster to a quality depth condition that could offset an injury to a Glenn or Flozell. Injuries may do him again next year.

But he won't be done in again by fielding so many true backups as starters.

[chinch]

When he said last week in a pc that we are not winning because we lack speed at skills positions, and we lack impact players at key positions, it was all I needed to know that things will change. And before a Reshard Lee comment gets posted, Bill was referring to the need for legitmate impact players, not this year's Avion Cason.

Parcells has always epitomized pragmatism.

He is a LONG way from getting this roster to a quality depth condition that could offset an injury to a Glenn or Flozell. Injuries may do him again next year.

But he won't be done in again by fielding so many true backups as starters.
Yup.

I think some here got more annoyed that Lee stunk (as RB) and didn't get 20 than they were seeing Donny chuck the ball up ad nauseum (for TDs no less!)

[InmanRoshi]

To me, that is the real question here.

He was wrong on several players last offseason, both ones that he kept and ones that he thought weren't worth the money. He was also wrong in overvaluing the importance of being familiar with certain players.

Everyone makes mistakes, even Hall of Fame coaches. As long as Parcells realizes what he did wrong and corrects them next time, things can still turn out fine here.

But will he? Or is he too stubborn and set in his ways?

I think not only have we seen the end of free agent timidity, but likely the end of projecting great things out of undrafted free agents based on what they are clean and jerking in the weight room.

[Hostile]

To me, that is the real question here.

He was wrong on several players last offseason, both ones that he kept and ones that he thought weren't worth the money. He was also wrong in overvaluing the importance of being familiar with certain players.

Everyone makes mistakes, even Hall of Fame coaches. As long as Parcells realizes what he did wrong and corrects them next time, things can still turn out fine here.

But will he? Or is he too stubborn and set in his ways?
Good question.

We needed a RB. Had Emmitt Smith, waived him, could have drafted Stephen Jackson, ultimately went with Eddie George. I'll give him a pass until Julius shows he can or can't get it done. If he can't this grade is an F.

We needed a RCB. Let all the good ones sign elsewhere despite cap room that could absorb and of them. Let Mario Edwards go. Are on our 5th RCB of the season. Due to injury so not all his fault. Still could have been addressed. Grade D+.

We needed a vet QB. Acquired 80 year old Vinny. While he isn't the problem he damn sure isn't the solution either. Got rid of the Bear and the Jet whom he says he could not trust. Kept an undrafted 3rd stringer over both of them. The saving grace is the acquisition of a potential franchise guy in Drew Henson. Problem is he won't play him even in blowouts. Grade D+ until he gets the future guy in there.

We needed a Possession WR. Terrell Owens was available for a 2nd round pick. Instead traded for a player who was going to be waived anyway. Grade F.

We needed a RDE. Had cap money. Let everyone sign elsewhere until Wiley was the only remaining option. He hasn't even placed a hand on a QB yet it seems. Could have drafted Terrell Suggs. Grade F.

Had a blocking FB. Let him go despite having a HC who is reknowned for his smash mouth style of ball control football. The guy we kept was supposedly a better receiver and a better ST player. He has contributed to the team in neither regard and can't block very well either. Grade D+.

These are just the ones that grate on me the most. There are others like signing Chad Eaton, keeping Crayton inactive, not using Lee, etc.

All in all, this is without a doubt his worst year coaching ever. I don't feel privileged.

[Clay_Allison]

The biggest mistakes, the only ones in free agency, really, were Wiley and George. I thought this guy would be good too. I really did. I would have preferred Wistrom, but I thought Wiley would get 5-7 sacks. Not zero. Notice neither of those guys ever played for Parcells? Hm...

[Juke99]

. Injuries may do him again next year.

But he won't be done in again by fielding so many true backups as starters.


I admire your faith...and I also admire your spin doctoring. :)

Injuries didn't do Parcells in this year, a bad roster did.

As far as injuries go, let's take a look:

We lost a back up running back (George was the starter going into the season and for all we know, he'd still be the starter if Jones didn't go down)..we lost a back up TE...A starting safety...A starting CB who just eeked out the starting job and clearly was a question mark...and Terry Glenn..

What injuries? We've lost three starters. Three. And one of those starters, was Pete Hunter who might have lost his job anyway.

Quincy Carter? Are we counting Quincy? Because if we are, Parcells said that the team is passing the ball better than it did last year.

If we have a roster that can't overcome injuries to three starters, one of them a marginal starter, that truly makes it clear that the roster is awful.

The offensive line has been virtually intact the entire season...the QB has played every down...the defensive front seven has been virtually intact the entire season...

Now if this team was experiencing what happened to Campo in his last season where there were new guys starting on the offensive line EVERY week who weren't even IN the game of football the prior week, then I'd say injuries are part of the problem.

[jimmy40]

The biggest mistakes, the only ones in free agency, really, were Wiley and George. I thought this guy would be good too. I really did. I would have preferred Wistrom, but I thought Wiley would get 5-7 sacks. Not zero. Notice neither of those guys ever played for Parcells? Hm...Hard to believe an idiot like me was the only one saying Wiley sucked and we shouldn't sign him.

[Everlastingxxx]

When i listen to alot of these arguments about why this team is bad, i just don't logically see it being correct. Everyone wanted us to buy every offseason free agent, draft this guy, draft that guy, blah blah.

Great coaches get the MOST out of their players. I honestly believe Parcells has. Offseason mistakes are often, look at Washington. It's such a huge risk.

I still believe Parcells is gonna turn this team around, whether this season or next.

[Portland Fanatic]

Good question.

We needed a RB. Had Emmitt Smith, waived him, could have drafted Stephen Jackson, ultimately went with Eddie George. I'll give him a pass until Julius shows he can or can't get it done. If he can't this grade is an F.

We needed a RCB. Let all the good ones sign elsewhere despite cap room that could absorb and of them. Let Mario Edwards go. Are on our 5th RCB of the season. Due to injury so not all his fault. Still could have been addressed. Grade D+.

We needed a vet QB. Acquired 80 year old Vinny. While he isn't the problem he damn sure isn't the solution either. Got rid of the Bear and the Jet whom he says he could not trust. Kept an undrafted 3rd stringer over both of them. The saving grace is the acquisition of a potential franchise guy in Drew Henson. Problem is he won't play him even in blowouts. Grade D+ until he gets the future guy in there.

We needed a Possession WR. Terrell Owens was available for a 2nd round pick. Instead traded for a player who was going to be waived anyway. Grade F.

We needed a RDE. Had cap money. Let everyone sign elsewhere until Wiley was the only remaining option. He hasn't even placed a hand on a QB yet it seems. Could have drafted Terrell Suggs. Grade F.

Had a blocking FB. Let him go despite having a HC who is reknowned for his smash mouth style of ball control football. The guy we kept was supposedly a better receiver and a better ST player. He has contributed to the team in neither regard and can't block very well either. Grade D+.

These are just the ones that grate on me the most. There are others like signing Chad Eaton, keeping Crayton inactive, not using Lee, etc.

All in all, this is without a doubt his worst year coaching ever. I don't feel privileged.

TH...once again...Amen. Very well said and I feel the same.

What's even more sad is that we still believe BP can do it...I sure hope so anyways...because if he does not...this team will be in a complete mess if he leaves this year.

[Hostile]

TH...once again...Amen. Very well said and I feel the same.

What's even more sad is that we still believe BP can do it...I sure hope so anyways...because if he does not...this team will be in a complete mess if he leaves this year.
That's why I am disappointed. I have a lot of faith in the man. I believe in pedigree and no doubt about it Parcells is about pedigree.

He seems to me to be letting his ego run amok though. Waiving players instead of trading them for something to help the team.

Acquiring "his guys." I don't need any more of "his guys." I want good players. "His guys" are former good players on their last legs. Having said that I still covet John Abraham in Free Agency.

He is really upsetting me with his stubborn refusal to consider Drew Henson. I realize Q didn't take many plays off last year, but he needed to develop. Vinny doesn't. He needs to sit and mentor. Our future is tied to Drew Henson not Vinny Testaverde and every time in a blowout game Vinny is taking all the snaps in a meaningless and hopeless situation I can't help but think of the ego it takes to do that. He'll be damned if he'll give the press any credit for recognizing the hopeless nature of the season.

The bottom line for me is it is obvious to me Parcells does not care about the Cowboys fans. He's Don Quixote trying to show the world he's right and can conquer the monsters.

Not until he pulls his head out. It just isn't going to happen.

[DipChit]

If we have a roster that can't overcome injuries to three starters, one of them a marginal starter, that truly makes it clear that the roster is awful.


Well do you not think the roster is awful? It's pretty clear to me that it is. We have so many 2nd and 3rd team guys that wouldnt even be on any other teams active roster at all.

How many of our starters would even start on 3/4 ths of the other teams?

Look at last night for example. How many of our individual starters are better than than the same positional player on the Eagles?

And the fact that so few of them are isnt necessary all hung on Bill. It was even worse before he got here. It took years of poor personnel moves to get in that kinda mess. Just like it takes years to truly get out of it.

About the only thing to hang on Bill is the way he chooses to try and be competitive (or not) in the meantime. He struck gold last year, relatively speaking, and he's striking out this year. But really, does it matter much when no matter how you slice it when push came to shove in January you were gonna be somewere playing golf before certain other teams were anyway.

We need a lot more pieces in place before we can even be a true one year wonder (as in like actually gettin to the dance) much less perennially strong again.

[Juke99]

Well do you not think the roster is awful? It's pretty clear to me that it is. We have so many 2nd and 3rd team guys that wouldnt even be on any other teams active roster at all.

How many of our starters would even start on 3/4 ths of the other teams?

Look at last night for example. How many of our individual starters are better than than the same positional player on the Eagles?

And the fact that so few of them are isnt necessary all hung on Bill. It was even worse before he got here. It took years of poor personnel moves to get in that kinda mess. Just like it takes years to truly get out of it.

About the only thing to hang on Bill is the way he chooses to try and be competitive (or not) in the meantime. He struck gold last year, relatively speaking, and he's striking out this year. But really, does it matter much when no matter how you slice it when push came to shove in January you were gonna be somewere playing golf before certain other teams were anyway.

We need a lot more pieces in place before we can even be a true one year wonder (as in like actually gettin to the dance) much less perennially strong again.

I'm not sure what your point is...my only point was that it is not remotely accurate to blame this season on injuries...I don't disagree with what you have written here...I do place more blame on Parcells than you do but my main point was the bit about injuries bringing us down this season.

[2much2soon]

Good question.

We needed a RB. Had Emmitt Smith, waived him, could have drafted Stephen Jackson, ultimately went with Eddie George. I'll give him a pass until Julius shows he can or can't get it done. If he can't this grade is an F.

As Emmitt's career progressed, it became increasingly obvious that Emmitt was all about Emmitt. I don't see losing him at his age much of a loss to a rebuilding team. I don't mind passing on SJ, either. I think the odds are his running style will lead to a short career. EG was a dumb move.


We needed a RCB. Let all the good ones sign elsewhere despite cap room that could absorb and of them. Let Mario Edwards go. Are on our 5th RCB of the season. Due to injury so not all his fault. Still could have been addressed. Grade D+.

Mario Edwards was getting roasted by WRs,refs, and the fans. He didn't look worth keeping to most people as the season progressed. Spending big money for a FA was a risk Dallas didn't take and lost on.


We needed a Possession WR. Terrell Owens was available for a 2nd round pick. Instead traded for a player who was going to be waived anyway. Grade F.
I don't think TO was interested in coming here. While things look rosy for him in Philly, I still say he will have a meltdown and cause problems at some point in the future. It was dumb to trade for Key when he said he wanted to play for BP again. He wouldn't of gone anywhere else as a FA.


We needed a RDE. Had cap money. Let everyone sign elsewhere until Wiley was the only remaining option. He hasn't even placed a hand on a QB yet it seems. Could have drafted Terrell Suggs. Grade F.

Yea, this one looks bad.


Had a blocking FB. Let him go despite having a HC who is reknowned for his smash mouth style of ball control football. The guy we kept was supposedly a better receiver and a better ST player. He has contributed to the team in neither regard and can't block very well either. Grade D+.

I never understood this move. I think BP totally outsmarted himself on this one. Maybe he thought he found a younger version of Richie Andersen?

[DipChit]

I'm not sure what your point is...my only point was that it is not remotely accurate to blame this season on injuries...I don't disagree with what you have written here...I do place more blame on Parcells than you do but my main point was the bit about injuries bringing us down this season.

No, I hear ya there, Juke. I just wasnt sure if you really thought the roster was truly awful or not.

I dont think everyone would agree that it is (in an across the board kinda way) so I was just asking for clarification. ;)

I think some people believe that had we just got Kearse instead of Wiley, and Dillon instead of George (while perhaps keeping Q at the helm) for example, we'd have definitely been a team to be reckoned with. I dont buy that for a second. Course for better or worse, apparently Bill didnt think so either.

Dont get me wrong, as a fan why not take a flyer on those sorts of players.. especially after the kind of year we had compared to so many before it. But again realistically, we're more pieces than that away.

Kinda like how grabbing up Haley wouldnt have made as much difference in '89 as it did when we actually did get him.

[Dave_in-NC]

When he said last week in a pc that we are not winning because we lack speed at skills positions, and we lack impact players at key positions, it was all I needed to know that things will change. And before a Reshard Lee comment gets posted, Bill was referring to the need for legitmate impact players, not this year's Avion Cason.

Parcells has always epitomized pragmatism.

He is a LONG way from getting this roster to a quality depth condition that could offset an injury to a Glenn or Flozell. Injuries may do him again next year.

But he won't be done in again by fielding so many true backups as starters.

Excellent, I couldnt agree more.

[Dave_in-NC]

That's why I am disappointed. I have a lot of faith in the man. I believe in pedigree and no doubt about it Parcells is about pedigree.

He seems to me to be letting his ego run amok though. Waiving players instead of trading them for something to help the team.

Acquiring "his guys." I don't need any more of "his guys." I want good players. "His guys" are former good players on their last legs. Having said that I still covet John Abraham in Free Agency.

He is really upsetting me with his stubborn refusal to consider Drew Henson. I realize Q didn't take many plays off last year, but he needed to develop. Vinny doesn't. He needs to sit and mentor. Our future is tied to Drew Henson not Vinny Testaverde and every time in a blowout game Vinny is taking all the snaps in a meaningless and hopeless situation I can't help but think of the ego it takes to do that. He'll be damned if he'll give the press any credit for recognizing the hopeless nature of the season.

The bottom line for me is it is obvious to me Parcells does not care about the Cowboys fans. He's Don Quixote trying to show the world he's right and can conquer the monsters.

Not until he pulls his head out. It just isn't going to happen.

I dont get this "aquired his guys" thing.

EG wasnt one of his guys, from what I rememeber reading Parcells didnt want him JJ did. Anderson isnt that bad, averege but not bad. Glenn was having a great year. Better than last year, why is that? Because Vinny is better than Carter. Cambell was doing great. Key with Glenn out there was doing good. Key is still doing good being the only WR we have that remotley scares any one.

But the real thing that gets me is Parcells aquired "his guys " to help the young guys, who are either injured or druggies and gone. EG was supposed to help shoulder the load and bring JJ along. Parcells always said that EG would be to pound the ball in the later stages of the game.
I want to see what Lee can do, but it seems Parcells doesnt think much of him. That sticks him with EG. Whos first fumble was last night in over five hundred carries.
VT is probably the best thing for Henson. Henson has said so. Remember VT was brought here to mentor Carter. So instead Henson is benefiting. Thats a bad thing?
I just dont get it. Parcells just thought that "his guys" would help the young ones along.