Jon
11-17-2004, 06:54 PM
http://www.dallascowboys.com/news_camp_notes.cfm?id=48FEBD2E-CD16-08E5-A814FC60CC0F7377
Wednesday Notebook: Wiley Speaks On Slow Start
Rob Phillips
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
Nov. 17, 2004, 6:05 p.m. (CDT)
IRVING, Texas -- The Cowboys, with 17 sacks in nine games, are tied for 27th in the NFL this season. Marcellus Wiley, the Cowboys' big free-agent acquisition, hasn't contributed a one to that ever-growing modest total.
And here on a blue Wednesday, with the Cowboys left soul-searching after their third straight double-digit loss of the season, Wiley spoke candidly about his frustration with both his lack of production and, as he views it, his lack of opportunities.
"I don't feel the frustration from that part," Wiley said of taking partial blame for the Cowboys' lack of defensive pressure this season. "There's been some difficult things that were thrown my way that weren't explained, weren't communicated, that basically I had to adjust to on the fly. I don't know what the coaches and everyone are saying specifically. I know that I would be disappointed if I had a defensive end who didn't have any sacks, but I also would want to know why.
"It's been tough. For whatever reason, I wasn't allowed to do the things that I'm best at doing."
The Cowboys signed Wiley to a four-year, $16 million contract with hopes the seven-year veteran could produce those numbers from earlier in his career, when he combined for 23.5 sacks in 2000 and 2001. His numbers declined sharply in San Diego the past two seasons, with only nine total sacks.
Wiley, a starter at left end for Buffalo and San Diego, spent most of training camp practicing on the left side while head coach Bill Parcells experimented with Greg Ellis, also a left end his entire career, on the right.
But before the regular season began, Parcells moved Ellis back to left end, forcing Wiley to learn a new position. The Cowboys have also used Eric Ogbogu and Kalen Thornton in third-down passing situations, limiting Wiley's best opportunities to rush opposing quarterbacks.
Ellis is on pace for a career season with 6.5 sacks through nine games. Wiley's numbers - 16 tackles and zero sacks - have flat-lined this season.
"The reputation may be out there that 'OK, he's done' or whatever, but if you ask me or if you play against me, it's not gonna be a cakewalk," Wiley said.
Frazier's Second Chance
Cornerback Lance Frazier looked every bit the undrafted, free-agent rookie in the Cowboys' 49-21 loss to Philadelphia, muffing two punts - losing one - and struggling in pass coverage.
But Parcells said Frazier likely will start his third consecutive game at right corner and continue returning punts on special teams when the Cowboys travel to Baltimore for Sunday's game.
Frazier has six punt returns for 85 yards (14.2-yard average) and has done an adequate job replacing right cornerback Tyrone Williams (hamstring) in the starting lineup since joining the Cowboys' 53-man roster off Baltimore's practice squad.
But Frazier and Jacques Reeves had trouble defending Eagles receiver Terrell Owens, who finished with six receptions for 134 yards and three touchdowns. And one of Frazier's two muffed punts against the Eagles set up a 4-yard touchdown run by Dorsey Levens in the first half.
"I really wanted to do this, I think he has a little ability, but he kinda spit the bit out a little bit the other night," Parcells said. "He didn't pay attention especially to that second one. He had his head turned sideways."
Williams, who was placed on injured reserve with a season-ending hamstring injury Monday after clearing waivers, likely will be released by the team again once he is healthy. The Cowboys grew impatient waiting for Williams to recover from what was thought to be a mild hamstring strain.
The Cowboys signed Lenny Williams off the practice squad to fill Tyrone Williams' roster spot. The rookie cornerback was active for Monday night's game and received limited playing time, all on special teams.
Davis Probable
Cowboys safety Keith Davis, who missed Monday night's game with a strained hip flexor, is listed as probable for Sunday's game at Baltimore and participated in practice on Wednesday.
"I think he has a good chance to play this week," Parcells said.
Davis practiced part of last week but was originally expected to miss two weeks after suffering the hip injury on the opening kickoff of the Cowboys' 26-3 loss to Cincinnati.
Parcells has raved about Davis's "superior" instincts and aggressiveness on special teams. Davis leads the Cowboys with 11 special teams tackles and contributes in every aspect except field goals and extra points.
If healthy, Davis might also get an opportunity at strong safety at some point this season, given the uneven play of Tony Dixon and Lynn Scott in place of Darren Woodson (back).
Woodson Still Idle
Darren Woodson's return this season from back surgery seems less likely with each passing week.
Woodson, the Cowboys' all-time leading tackler (1,350) and elder statesman at safety, did not practice Wednesday and appears unlikely to return to practice in the second week of his three-week window. Woodson himself expressed skepticism when asked during Monday's pre-game show on the Dallas Cowboys Channel if he would practice this week.
The Cowboys technically reinstated Woodson for practice last week after the veteran safety spent the first six weeks of the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list while he recovered from off-season surgery to repair a herniated disk. The Cowboys then received a three-week roster exemption to get Woodson ready and now have until the end of November to activate Woodson or place him on injured reserve for the season.
Woodson has not been physically ready to return to the field since he became eligible for practice on Oct. 18. The surgery caused a problem in his sciatic nerve, the longest single nerve in the body that connects the spinal cord with the leg and foot muscles.
Blade's Return Unlikely
Former Cowboys defensive tackle Willie Blade made a surprise appearance at team headquarters Wednesday, but don't expect the fourth-year veteran back anytime soon.
Parcells said Blade, who was released by the Cowboys just prior to training camp on July 26, would not be re-signed by the team at this point. The Cowboys have only three defensive tackles - La'Roi Glover, Leo Carson and DeVone Claybrooks - on the active roster following the release of Chad Eaton and Chris Cooper.
Blade recorded 11 tackles and one sack last season in Dallas. He was claimed off waivers but released by the Giants the next day after he could not pass the team's conditioning test. Jacksonville then claimed the Cowboys former third-round draft choice, but would released him Nov. 9 after being suspended one game for conduct detrimental to the team in October.
Injury Report
Cowboys
Out
RB Julius Jones (shoulder)
Probable
S Keith Davis (hip)
Ravens
Out
P Dave Zastudil (shoulder)
Questionable
TE Todd Heap (ankle)
CB Chris McAlister (neck)
OT Jonathan Ogden (hamstring)
CB Deion Sanders (foot)
Probable
OT Orlando Brown (knee)
G Edwin Mulitalo (toe)
Short Shots
The Cowboys practiced inside their indoor practice facility Wednesday, a refuge from the rainy weather here at Valley Ranch . . . The Cowboys and Ravens are polar opposites in the NFL rankings. Dallas is ranked seventh in passing offense (248.7 yards/game), while Baltimore is ranked dead last (130.7). But in total defense, Dallas is ranked 28th with 356.8 yards allowed per game, while Baltimore ranks fourth (283.7) . . . The Ravens also have the edge in turnover margin with a plus-5. The Cowboys are tied with Miami, Oakland and San Francisco for dead last in the league with a minus-15 ratio.
Wednesday Notebook: Wiley Speaks On Slow Start
Rob Phillips
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
Nov. 17, 2004, 6:05 p.m. (CDT)
IRVING, Texas -- The Cowboys, with 17 sacks in nine games, are tied for 27th in the NFL this season. Marcellus Wiley, the Cowboys' big free-agent acquisition, hasn't contributed a one to that ever-growing modest total.
And here on a blue Wednesday, with the Cowboys left soul-searching after their third straight double-digit loss of the season, Wiley spoke candidly about his frustration with both his lack of production and, as he views it, his lack of opportunities.
"I don't feel the frustration from that part," Wiley said of taking partial blame for the Cowboys' lack of defensive pressure this season. "There's been some difficult things that were thrown my way that weren't explained, weren't communicated, that basically I had to adjust to on the fly. I don't know what the coaches and everyone are saying specifically. I know that I would be disappointed if I had a defensive end who didn't have any sacks, but I also would want to know why.
"It's been tough. For whatever reason, I wasn't allowed to do the things that I'm best at doing."
The Cowboys signed Wiley to a four-year, $16 million contract with hopes the seven-year veteran could produce those numbers from earlier in his career, when he combined for 23.5 sacks in 2000 and 2001. His numbers declined sharply in San Diego the past two seasons, with only nine total sacks.
Wiley, a starter at left end for Buffalo and San Diego, spent most of training camp practicing on the left side while head coach Bill Parcells experimented with Greg Ellis, also a left end his entire career, on the right.
But before the regular season began, Parcells moved Ellis back to left end, forcing Wiley to learn a new position. The Cowboys have also used Eric Ogbogu and Kalen Thornton in third-down passing situations, limiting Wiley's best opportunities to rush opposing quarterbacks.
Ellis is on pace for a career season with 6.5 sacks through nine games. Wiley's numbers - 16 tackles and zero sacks - have flat-lined this season.
"The reputation may be out there that 'OK, he's done' or whatever, but if you ask me or if you play against me, it's not gonna be a cakewalk," Wiley said.
Frazier's Second Chance
Cornerback Lance Frazier looked every bit the undrafted, free-agent rookie in the Cowboys' 49-21 loss to Philadelphia, muffing two punts - losing one - and struggling in pass coverage.
But Parcells said Frazier likely will start his third consecutive game at right corner and continue returning punts on special teams when the Cowboys travel to Baltimore for Sunday's game.
Frazier has six punt returns for 85 yards (14.2-yard average) and has done an adequate job replacing right cornerback Tyrone Williams (hamstring) in the starting lineup since joining the Cowboys' 53-man roster off Baltimore's practice squad.
But Frazier and Jacques Reeves had trouble defending Eagles receiver Terrell Owens, who finished with six receptions for 134 yards and three touchdowns. And one of Frazier's two muffed punts against the Eagles set up a 4-yard touchdown run by Dorsey Levens in the first half.
"I really wanted to do this, I think he has a little ability, but he kinda spit the bit out a little bit the other night," Parcells said. "He didn't pay attention especially to that second one. He had his head turned sideways."
Williams, who was placed on injured reserve with a season-ending hamstring injury Monday after clearing waivers, likely will be released by the team again once he is healthy. The Cowboys grew impatient waiting for Williams to recover from what was thought to be a mild hamstring strain.
The Cowboys signed Lenny Williams off the practice squad to fill Tyrone Williams' roster spot. The rookie cornerback was active for Monday night's game and received limited playing time, all on special teams.
Davis Probable
Cowboys safety Keith Davis, who missed Monday night's game with a strained hip flexor, is listed as probable for Sunday's game at Baltimore and participated in practice on Wednesday.
"I think he has a good chance to play this week," Parcells said.
Davis practiced part of last week but was originally expected to miss two weeks after suffering the hip injury on the opening kickoff of the Cowboys' 26-3 loss to Cincinnati.
Parcells has raved about Davis's "superior" instincts and aggressiveness on special teams. Davis leads the Cowboys with 11 special teams tackles and contributes in every aspect except field goals and extra points.
If healthy, Davis might also get an opportunity at strong safety at some point this season, given the uneven play of Tony Dixon and Lynn Scott in place of Darren Woodson (back).
Woodson Still Idle
Darren Woodson's return this season from back surgery seems less likely with each passing week.
Woodson, the Cowboys' all-time leading tackler (1,350) and elder statesman at safety, did not practice Wednesday and appears unlikely to return to practice in the second week of his three-week window. Woodson himself expressed skepticism when asked during Monday's pre-game show on the Dallas Cowboys Channel if he would practice this week.
The Cowboys technically reinstated Woodson for practice last week after the veteran safety spent the first six weeks of the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list while he recovered from off-season surgery to repair a herniated disk. The Cowboys then received a three-week roster exemption to get Woodson ready and now have until the end of November to activate Woodson or place him on injured reserve for the season.
Woodson has not been physically ready to return to the field since he became eligible for practice on Oct. 18. The surgery caused a problem in his sciatic nerve, the longest single nerve in the body that connects the spinal cord with the leg and foot muscles.
Blade's Return Unlikely
Former Cowboys defensive tackle Willie Blade made a surprise appearance at team headquarters Wednesday, but don't expect the fourth-year veteran back anytime soon.
Parcells said Blade, who was released by the Cowboys just prior to training camp on July 26, would not be re-signed by the team at this point. The Cowboys have only three defensive tackles - La'Roi Glover, Leo Carson and DeVone Claybrooks - on the active roster following the release of Chad Eaton and Chris Cooper.
Blade recorded 11 tackles and one sack last season in Dallas. He was claimed off waivers but released by the Giants the next day after he could not pass the team's conditioning test. Jacksonville then claimed the Cowboys former third-round draft choice, but would released him Nov. 9 after being suspended one game for conduct detrimental to the team in October.
Injury Report
Cowboys
Out
RB Julius Jones (shoulder)
Probable
S Keith Davis (hip)
Ravens
Out
P Dave Zastudil (shoulder)
Questionable
TE Todd Heap (ankle)
CB Chris McAlister (neck)
OT Jonathan Ogden (hamstring)
CB Deion Sanders (foot)
Probable
OT Orlando Brown (knee)
G Edwin Mulitalo (toe)
Short Shots
The Cowboys practiced inside their indoor practice facility Wednesday, a refuge from the rainy weather here at Valley Ranch . . . The Cowboys and Ravens are polar opposites in the NFL rankings. Dallas is ranked seventh in passing offense (248.7 yards/game), while Baltimore is ranked dead last (130.7). But in total defense, Dallas is ranked 28th with 356.8 yards allowed per game, while Baltimore ranks fourth (283.7) . . . The Ravens also have the edge in turnover margin with a plus-5. The Cowboys are tied with Miami, Oakland and San Francisco for dead last in the league with a minus-15 ratio.