Gary Horton of The War Room on Bledsoe/Henson

[Sabu1]

Hollywood (Morrilton, Arkansas): What will Dallas do about the QB situation? And what makes the most sense? Henson or Bledsoe?

http://espn.starwave.com/i/sn2.gif Gary Horton: (11:34 AM ET ) I think Bledsoe makes all the sense in the world for the Cowboys. He still has starting skills left and remember, he played a lot better at the end of the season than he did early in the year. He will have a strong running game behind him if he was to land in Dallas. He could solve the QB problem for as long as Bill Parcells coaches. You get the feeling that Parcells just doesn't want to start over with a young, inexperienced QB. .... Speaking of Henson, I really think this organization - maybe except for Jerry Jones - has soured on him and no longer thinks he has the ability to be a franchise type QB.

[SultanOfSix]

Speaking of Henson, I really think this organization - maybe except for Jerry Jones - has soured on him and no longer thinks he has the ability to be a franchise type QB.

These mediots are just plain stupid. Can't ****ing read what either JJ or Parcells says.

[hockix]

Hollywood (Morrilton, Arkansas): What will Dallas do about the QB situation? And what makes the most sense? Henson or Bledsoe?

http://espn.starwave.com/i/sn2.gif Gary Horton: (11:34 AM ET ) I think Bledsoe makes all the sense in the world for the Cowboys. He still has starting skills left and remember, he played a lot better at the end of the season than he did early in the year. He will have a strong running game behind him if he was to land in Dallas. He could solve the QB problem for as long as Bill Parcells coaches. You get the feeling that Parcells just doesn't want to start over with a young, inexperienced QB. .... Speaking of Henson, I really think this organization - maybe except for Jerry Jones - has soured on him and no longer thinks he has the ability to be a franchise type QB.


Where the h*** did he get that everyone but JJones thinks Henson doesn't have the ability to be a franchise type QB?

But badly I think he is right on the fact that if Bledsoe gets in town, BP will not play Henson. :mad:

[Zaxor]

These mediots are just plain stupid. Even I can ****ing read what JJ or Parcells says.
Yeah you would think that they would have to do some sorta research to write an article...but its like some of the posters here or anywhere for that matter...Throw enough fecal matter and some is bound to stick...Sad when you think about it.

Zaxor

[WoodysGirl]

I wouldn't get all hot and bothered about what the guy has said. He's only repeating what others have said. We won't know one way or other until they bring in a vet and see the type of deal the vet gets.

Besides I looked at some of the other stuff he posted in the chat and it was kinda questionable. One minute he says he doesn't see the skins letting Coles walk and then when someone posted that it was in the Washington Post, he backtracked and said well, they're closer to the situation than he is. So I would take some of what he says with a HUGE grain of salt.

And just to add to that, he mentioned Detroit possibly giving up on Harrington and signing Garcia and keeping Mike McMahon. Normally, this guys info is ok, but he seems to be talking out of both sides of his mouth today.

[Sabu1]

I think Henson should sit another year myself, but it looks like there are divergent "opinions" on Henson. Randy Mueller on ESPN Radio said that if the Cowboys gave up on Henson, there would be three or four teams ready to scoop him up. Just because he isn't playing now or won't this year does not mean that the organization is souring on him. It just means he isn't ready to play on a team that wants to win now. The media is going too far in their "assumptions". There is no evidence to support what Horton said about Henson.

[blindzebra]

I guess that why he's not going to NFLE, why they did not make a trde for Bledsoe, why both Parcells and Jerry said that their opinion of Henson has not changed, and why the Lacewell quoted that the entire organization is very high on Henson.

These idiots will be the first talking up Henson, when we don't sign Bledsoe and Henson starts.

[Zaxor]

I wouldn't get all hot and bothered about what the guy has said. He's only repeating what others have said. We won't know one way or other until they bring in a vet and see the type of deal the vet gets.

Besides I looked at some of the other stuff he posted in the chat and it was kinda questionable. One minute he says he doesn't see the skins letting Coles walk and then when someone posted that it was in the Washington Post, he backtracked and said well, they're closer to the situation than he is. So I would take some of what he says with a HUGE grain of salt.

And just to add to that, he mentioned Detroit possibly giving up on Harrington and signing Garcia and keeping Mike McMahon. Normally, this guys info is ok, but he seems to be talking out of both sides of his mouth today.
Very informative WG thanks bunches

Zaxor

[Juke99]

If this is on target, which it probably isn't...

If Henson sits a bit longer because he needs to, fine...if he sits because Parcells simply isn't in the mood to deal with bringing along another QB, then Jerry has failed yet again in a coaching hire...

This kinda stuff needed to be hammered out before Parcells took the team over...play for today but don't sacrifice the future in doing so...

The trade down on draft day last year gave me hope that Parcells was building for the future....but other than that, I really don't see many examples where he's sacrificed short term success for long term....

Again, at this stage of the game, it's all conjecture....

[InmanRoshi]

The trade down on draft day last year gave me hope that Parcells was building for the future....but other than that, I really don't see many examples where he's sacrificed short term success for long term.

The selective memory is astounding.

I could have sworn I've seen posters flaming Parcells up and down for not spending more on big signing bonus free agents last year.

Do you remember the name Bobby Taylor being discussed at all last offseason?

If not, you must have also missed the discussion last season of how Parcells biggest mistake in 2003 was deciding to go with two unknown QB's and not bringing in a veteran. Or how about Parcells controversial decision his first offseason when he wouldn't resign our former starting tackle Brandon Noble, released our "veteran" Mike Myers, and went with completely unproven Willie Blade.

[Juke99]

The selective memory is astounding.

I could have sworn I've seen posters flaming Parcells up and down for not spending more on big signing bonus free agents last year.

Do you remember the name Bobby Taylor being bantered about frequently last year?


Well, it isn't my job to remember what everyone else said...now then, is it? :)

I didn't post a single word about Bobby Taylor...

I did complain about signing George...I didn't know enough about Wiley to make a sound judgement...

[blindzebra]

The selective memory is astounding.

I could have sworn I've seen posters flaming Parcells up and down for not spending more on big signing bonus free agents last year.

Do you remember the name Bobby Taylor being discussed at all last offseason?

Half those posts are from Nors.

The majority, at this time last year, were saying DON'T overspend, and let's find out about the young players we have.

You are the one with selective memory. :rolleyes:

[WoodysGirl]

alan (foxboro ma): Are there any concrete signs of conflict brewing between jerry jones and bill parcells?

http://espn.starwave.com/i/sn2.gif Gary Horton: (12:02 PM ET ) I don't think so. I think there is still a healthy respect, but I think the challenge now becomes Bill Parcells looking at the short-term picture knowing that he doesn't want to coach very much longer while Jerry Jones is looking long-term. He realizes that there is life after Parcells and his goal is to upgrade over the long-haul. I DO think they probably disagree a little bit over Drew Henson, and I get the feeling that Parcells has had enough time to look at this team and he'd probably like to make some dramatic changes (i.e. bigger and more physical on defense) but they don't have enough time under Parcells to tear it all down and get it back in place. Parcells is looking for immediate help next year. That is what may clash a little bit with Jerry, especaially if Jones believes Parcells stay is short. These guys will always put on the right public front, but they are both strong-minded, neither like to lose and the 2005 season is a huge challenge for a team with a lot more needs than ways to fix their problems.

---------------
This is what I mean by talking out of both sides of his mouth...

[Zaxor]

alan (foxboro ma): Are there any concrete signs of conflict brewing between jerry jones and bill parcells?

http://espn.starwave.com/i/sn2.gif Gary Horton: (12:02 PM ET ) I don't think so. I think there is still a healthy respect, but I think the challenge now becomes Bill Parcells looking at the short-term picture knowing that he doesn't want to coach very much longer while Jerry Jones is looking long-term. He realizes that there is life after Parcells and his goal is to upgrade over the long-haul. I DO think they probably disagree a little bit over Drew Henson, and I get the feeling that Parcells has had enough time to look at this team and he'd probably like to make some dramatic changes (i.e. bigger and more physical on defense) but they don't have enough time under Parcells to tear it all down and get it back in place. Parcells is looking for immediate help next year. That is what may clash a little bit with Jerry, especaially if Jones believes Parcells stay is short. These guys will always put on the right public front, but they are both strong-minded, neither like to lose and the 2005 season is a huge challenge for a team with a lot more needs than ways to fix their problems.

---------------
This is what I mean by talking out of both sides of his mouth...
LOL

The guy has a duel personality...

Zaxor

[Sabu1]

No plan for the future? Yeah, I would say the the fact that the Cowboys organization did not use up the roughly 10 mil they had in cap room in 2003 and reach in free agency tells me that there is a plan in place for the future here. Sure they made an error with the Wiley signing, but that's free agency for you. They will be more aggressive in free agency this year with the 20 mil in room they have but I'll bet you that the main philosophy of Parcells' plan here will be to use the draft to build a young core group of players and keep the extra cap room down the road to extend the contracts of players who are worthy. Will Parcells be around to see the fruition of the plan? I doubt it.

[Juke99]

No plan for the future? Yeah, I would say the the fact that the Cowboys organization did not use up the roughly 10 mil they had in cap room in 2003 and reach in free agency tells me that there is a plan in place for the future here. Sure they made an error with the Wiley signing, but that's free agency for you. They will be more aggressive in free agency this year with the 20 mil in room they have but I'll bet you that the main philosophy of Parcells' plan here will be to use the draft to build a young core group of players and keep the extra cap room down the road to extend the contracts of players who are worthy. Will Parcells be around to see the fruition of the plan? I doubt it.


Im curious, what has not spending money last year got to do with building for the future?

Couldn't they have spent some of that 10 million on young guys, or restructured some contracts to create even MORE room under the cap?

As I said in my post, it's all conjecture...I can see last year, with all the vets, as a plan for the future....ya know, put together a roster of guys to "hold the fort" until the youngin's arrive...

But I can just as easily see it as Parcells holding true to his statement "I'm too old to lose"...

This offseason will shed a lot of light with regard to the organization's plan.

[silverbear]

Hollywood (Morrilton, Arkansas): What will Dallas do about the QB situation? And what makes the most sense? Henson or Bledsoe?

http://espn.starwave.com/i/sn2.gif Gary Horton: (11:34 AM ET ) I think Bledsoe makes all the sense in the world for the Cowboys. He still has starting skills left and remember, he played a lot better at the end of the season than he did early in the year.

I keep on hearing that, but it's just not true... I keep hearing "as soon as McGahee became the starter, Bledsoe started playing better", but when I look at the game logs on NFL.com, it seems that Drew's quarterback rating was HIGHER in those games before McGahee got the start...

[Sabu1]

Im curious, what has not spending money last year got to do with building for the future?

Couldn't they have spent some of that 10 million on young guys, or restructured some contracts to create even MORE room under the cap?

As I said in my post, it's all conjecture...I can see last year, with all the vets, as a plan for the future....ya know, put together a roster of guys to "hold the fort" until the youngin's arrive...

But I can just as easily see it as Parcells holding true to his statement "I'm too old to lose"...

This offseason will shed a lot of light with regard to the organization's plan.
They could have easily spend the cap room in '03 on signing bonuses for free agents who in theory could have helped the team win more games in '03. The Bobby Taylors, the Antoine Winfields, etc. Why did they not extend contracts of younger players? What young players approaching free agency does Dallas have who were worth extending last year ? None. You did mention the deal that landed the team Julius Jones and the extra #1 pick this year. There are signs of building for the future here. This offseason should reveal even more signs with the draft, if we all look past the impending Bledsoe arrival....

[InmanRoshi]

What young players approaching free agency does Dallas have who were worth extending last year ? None.


They had Greg Ellis ... who they, by the way, extended the contract of.

[Sabu1]

They had Greg Ellis ... who they, by the way, extended the contract of.
They did indeed. My bad.

[Juke99]

They could have easily spend the cap room in '03 on signing bonuses for free agents who in theory could have helped the team win more games in '03. The Bobby Taylors, the Antoine Winfields, etc. Why did they not extend contracts of younger players? What young players approaching free agency does Dallas have who were worth extending last year ? None. You did mention the deal that landed the team Julius Jones and the extra #1 pick this year. There are signs of building for the future here. This offseason should reveal even more signs with the draft, if we all look past the impending Bledsoe arrival....


Who's talking about signing Bobby Taylor and that ilk?

My point is, there are things they could have done with that money that would have helped the future...

And a guy does'nt have to be approaching FA to have his contract restructured...All they have to do is take some of the 10 million they didn't spend, give it to the player as a bonus and lower his base salary for the next few seasons..net net, same $$ for the player...but more cap space available...in fact, they could have enticed a player or two by making it an even richer deal for them to restructure...and yet, it would have opened up ever MORE cap space for the future...

[Juke99]

Bledsoe game by game QB ratingsby quarter of the season:

86
71
68
90

I'm not seeing much of a trend there...he finished as strongly as he started and sagged in the middle of the season

[Sabu1]

And a guy does'nt have to be approaching FA to have his contract restructured...All they have to do is take some of the 10 million they didn't spend, give it to the player as a bonus and lower his base salary for the next few seasons..net net, same $$ for the player...but more cap space available...in fact, they could have enticed a player or two by making it an even richer deal for them to restructure...and yet, it would have opened up ever MORE cap space for the future...
Just curiuos, who on our roster would you have done that for? Our best young players were rookies or second year guys. Why force the issue of extending their contracts when we have them another two to three seasons and the organization is 20 mil under the cap going into the next season? It all goes back to the issue of not having enough players from the late '90s and early '00 draft classes who were good enough to extend contracts for.

[Juke99]

Just curiuos, who on our roster would you have done that for? Our best young players were rookies or second year guys. Why force the issue of extending their contracts when we have them another two to three seasons and the organization is 20 mil under the cap going into the next season? It all goes back to the issue of not having enough players from the late '90s and early '00 draft classes who were good enough to extend contracts for.


I agree with you completely..it's amazing how those bad drafts have impacted this team...and continue to...Not sure if you recall how everyone was saying that Jerry finally "got it"...how he had improved with regard to the drafts...WRONG. :)

We could have extended Roy Williams...but I hear ya, not much more than that...

I am hopeful that Parcells is trying to rebuild...I'm not confident that he his...

This off season will tell all....

Again, there isn't enough of a body of work for any of us to judge...it's conjecture..which can be fun...but until we see what happens in this off season, we are all taking shots in the dark.

[wileedog]

And a guy does'nt have to be approaching FA to have his contract restructured...All they have to do is take some of the 10 million they didn't spend, give it to the player as a bonus and lower his base salary for the next few seasons..net net, same $$ for the player...but more cap space available...in fact, they could have enticed a player or two by making it an even richer deal for them to restructure...and yet, it would have opened up ever MORE cap space for the future...

Just curious Juke, who did you have in mind?

Because I can't really think of anyone on the team right now worth extending who isn't either still young and playing on their rookie contract, or getting far up enough in years that extending them is a stretch.

Flozell maybe? Although he had a down year, would want to see him do 2003 again before extending him.

Maybe Roy, not sure where he is in his deal.

Anyone else?

*edit* oops, too slow :)

[Sabu1]

I agree with you completely..it's amazing how those bad drafts have impacted this team...and continue to...Not sure if you recall how everyone was saying that Jerry finally "got it"...how he had improved with regard to the drafts...WRONG. :)

We could have extended Roy Williams...but I hear ya, not much more than that...

I am hopeful that Parcells is trying to rebuild...I'm not confident that he his...

This off season will tell all....

Again, there isn't enough of a body of work for any of us to judge...it's conjecture..which can be fun...but until we see what happens in this off season, we are all taking shots in the dark.
Agreed. Look at the list of free agents the Cowboys have: Vinny Testeverde, Lynn Scott and Leonardo Carson come to mind. That tells you right there how terrible a situation this organization was when Parcells walked in here. That free agent class should have the '00 draft class in it and who do we have left? NONE. Those guys should have been a major part of the core group of this team and none remain. I know everyone was disappointed by last year but I think if everyone looks closely, they would see that it could have happened if injuries took place and they did. We absolutely MUST draft better if this team has any chance of returning to the elite. Free agency is all well and good, but the draft should be THE main focus.

[Juke99]

Just curious Juke, who did you have in mind?

Because I can't really think of anyone on the team right now worth extending who isn't either still young and playing on their rookie contract, or getting far up enough in years that extending them is a stretch.

Flozell maybe? Although he had a down year, would want to see him do 2003 again before extending him.

Maybe Roy, not sure where he is in his deal.

Anyone else?

*edit* oops, too slow :)


Isn't that a mindblower..

Nice exercise, ask yourself the question "Who's contract would I have extended coming into this season?"

AND THEN, STICK A PENCIL RIGHT THROUGH YOUR EAR DRUM TO DISTRACT YOURSELF FROM THE PAIN!!!

:pencil:

[InmanRoshi]

Just curious Juke, who did you have in mind?

Sounds like you're about as likely to get a straight answer to this question as I am to my often repeated "If Parcells has had such mediocre drafts with the Cowboys, which other teams already have an All Pro, All Pro Alternate and full time starter from the 2003 Draft" question.

[Juke99]

Sounds like you're about as likely to get a straight answer to this question as I am to my often repeated "If Parcells has had such mediocre drafts with the Cowboys, which other teams already have an All Pro, All Pro Alternate and full time starter from the 2003 Draft" question.


Hey...who relieved themself in your cereal this moring?

I answered, it...above...duh.

After thinking it through, the only guy I came up with was Roy...

Better one than none.

[Cbz40]

Sounds like you're about as likely to get a straight answer to this question as I am to my often repeated "If Parcells has had such mediocre drafts with the Cowboys, which other teams already have an All Pro, All Pro Alternate and full time starter from the 2003 Draft" question.

T Suggs........Baltimore Ravens

[Doomsday101]

T Suggs........Baltimore Ravens

If Ravens move the to the 4-3 as has been reported it will be interesting to see how Suggs fairs in that defense.

[Cbz40]

If Ravens move the to the 4-3 as has been reported it will be interesting to see how Suggs fairs in that defense.


Yes it will Dooms........it will be interesting indeed.

[InmanRoshi]

T Suggs........Baltimore Ravens

Okay, that's the Pro Bowler.

Now find the Pro Bowl alternate and full time starter from that same draft, to match our 2003 Draft.

And since Parcells drafts have been mediocre, you should have no problem finding 9 or 10 teams while you're at it.

[wileedog]

After thinking it through, the only guy I came up with was Roy...

Better one than none.

But still a pretty big stretch to say that Bill does care about the long-term success of the team vs. the short term because he didn't extend Roy Williams.

Bill's left 3 franchises better than when he came to them. Granted due to age the situation is a little different, but I still haven't seen anything that conclusively points to his short term bias, other than an offhand "I'm too old to lose" comment.

Not extending one player (and what is his contract situation anyway?) doesn't really mean anything.

[Cbz40]

Okay, that's the Pro Bowler.

Now find the Pro Bowl alternate and full time starter from that same draft, to match our 2003 Draft.

And since Parcells drafts have been mediocre, you should have no problem finding 9 or 10 teams while you're at it.


Sorry I'm working.....I havent the time to do the research at the moment...plus I'm just a foolish old Cowboy Fan who does not have the brain power to handle it.

[Juke99]

But still a pretty big stretch to say that Bill does care about the long-term success of the team vs. the short term because he didn't extend Roy Williams.

Bill's left 3 franchises better than when he came to them. Granted due to age the situation is a little different, but I still haven't seen anything that conclusively points to his short term bias, other than an offhand "I'm too old to lose" comment.

Not extending one player (and what is his contract situation anyway?) doesn't really mean anything.


Yes it is...and please tell me where I said that?

I said, "NO ONE KNOWS"...it's all "conjecture" and that all the discussion is about "if's"

How did this go from my saying that I felt there were ways they could have used that left over cap money wisely to help the future...to, not signing Roy Williams to an extension means Parcells isn't interested in building for the future?

[wileedog]

Yes it is...and please tell me where I said that?


This kinda stuff needed to be hammered out before Parcells took the team over...play for today but don't sacrifice the future in doing so...

The trade down on draft day last year gave me hope that Parcells was building for the future....but other than that, I really don't see many examples where he's sacrificed short term success for long term....

But I can just as easily see it as Parcells holding true to his statement "I'm too old to lose"...

My point is, there are things they could have done with that money that would have helped the future...

All of these quotes lead me to believe you're inclined to think that Bill is short changing the future for the present. As an example of this, you pointed out that nobody got their contract extended with all the extra cap money (conveniently forgetting Ellis).

Yes, I know its conjecture. Yes, I know you have put out the "We don't know" disclaimer on all your posts. Yes, you've made it clear you can see both sides.

All I was pointing out was that your example of not extending players last offseason was hardly a valid support of your potential, maybe, I'm kind of on the fence, sort of, argument that Bill might be sort of, kind of, just a tad bit more concerned with short term success than long term success.

Was that wishy washy enough for you, Mr. Kerry? ;)

[Juke99]

All of these quotes lead me to believe you're inclined to think that Bill is short changing the future for the present. As an example of this, you pointed out that nobody got their contract extended with all the extra cap money (conveniently forgetting Ellis).

Yes, I know its conjecture. Yes, I know you have put out the "We don't know" disclaimer on all your posts. Yes, you've made it clear you can see both sides.

All I was pointing out was that your example of not extending players last offseason was hardly a valid support of your potential, maybe, I'm kind of on the fence, sort of, argument that Bill might be sort of, kind of, just a tad bit more concerned with short term success than long term success.

Was that wishy washy enough for you, Mr. Kerry? ;)


Talk about taking things out of context, Mr Bush....*L*

Funny how you skipped over this:

As I said in my post, it's all conjecture...I can see last year, with all the vets, as a plan for the future....ya know, put together a roster of guys to "hold the fort" until the youngin's arrive...

Ya know, kidding aside...this, on occasion, makes me nutz about this place...I went WAY outta my way to say it's all conjecture...that THIS off season will be the key...and yet, people sometimes get so wrapped up in "defending" they toss aside all the rest...

It ain't black and white....especially for all of us sitting on the outside...it IS in fact ALL conjecture...regardless of where one's opinion lands...

:)

[Asklesko]

! That guy's a mediot! He's so stoopid! He says bad things about the Cowboys!!! WE hate the guy!!



Man, you guys sound retarded.

[wileedog]

Talk about taking things out of context, Mr Bush....*L*

Funny how you skipped over this:

As I said in my post, it's all conjecture...I can see last year, with all the vets, as a plan for the future....ya know, put together a roster of guys to "hold the fort" until the youngin's arrive...

Ya know, kidding aside...this, on occasion, makes me nutz about this place...I went WAY outta my way to say it's all conjecture...that THIS off season will be the key...and yet, people sometimes get so wrapped up in "defending" they toss aside all the rest...

It ain't black and white....especially for all of us sitting on the outside...it IS in fact ALL conjecture...regardless of where one's opinion lands...

:)

Meh, message boards don't play well in grey areas.

And I was just busting on ya a bit, I know pretty much where you stand (at least I think I do, but its all conjecture at this point...).

However, I was defending the argument, not labelling your opinion. Sorry if it didn't come across that way.

[Juke99]

Meh, message boards don't play well in grey areas.

And I was just busting on ya a bit, I know pretty much where you stand (at least I think I do, but its all conjecture at this point...).

However, I was defending the argument, not labelling your opinion. Sorry if it didn't come across that way.

Well, I know one non-grey area...we are all Cowboy fans. :)

*L* about the conjecture comment...

But you'll still be hearing from my attorney.