Cowgal
06-13-2004, 10:05 PM
09:32 PM CDT on Sunday, June 13, 2004
By MATT MOSLEY / DallasNews.com
For your summer reading enjoyment, we provide the top five potential storylines heading into Cowboys training camp, which begins July 30 in Oxnard, Calif.
These are usually the dog days of the NFL, but with coach Bill Parcells drawing national attention for his remarks Monday and Antonio Bryant picking fights in practice, the Cowboys remain in the spotlight.
Here are the top storylines as training camp approaches:
Who will be the starting cornerback opposite Terence Newman?
We fully expected owner and general manager Jerry Jones and Parcells to sign a cornerback in free agency. But then everyone this side of Dennis Thurman received huge signing bonuses. Suddenly, Pete Hunter didn’t look so bad. And as training camp draws near, Hunter has the inside track on the starting job.
But keep your eyes on rookie Bruce Thornton and former California cornerback Jemeel Powell. They both looked good in the recent minicamp. “I don’t see age,” Parcells said of the two newcomers.
By the way, the rookie Thornton (24) is actually older than Hunter (23), a third-year player. Powell is 24.
Can guard Larry Allen and Parcells co-exist?
These two proud men have trouble communicating. Allen speaks a couple of times per season; Parcells talks all the time. Parcells has told Allen that things must change. And Allen, through his agent Marvin Demoff, has said he wants to become a Parcells guy in the some mold as fullback Richie Anderson, quarterback Vinny Testaverde and receiver Keyshawn Johnson.
Best of luck, Larry.
Can linebacker Bradie James beat out veteran Dexter Coakley?
Parcells has called James the most improved player on the team. He loves his size (6-2, 243), and he wants a linebacker who will make more plays. Coakley will still get plenty of playing time, but he’ll definitely at least share the position with James. There’s a chance, though, that James could unseat Coakley.
What will the team do about a third receiver?
Even before he decided to challenge Parcells in practice, receiver Antonio Bryant was on shaky ground. The enigmatic player has shown flashes of brilliance. But he also has the capacity for mental meltdowns and dropped passes. It remains to be seen if Parcells will put up with his antics.
Randal Williams, who didn’t catch a pass during the regular season. would have to be in the mix if Bryant is asked to leave. Parcells probably will find a way to keep Bryant and capitalize on his exceptional talent.
Who will be the starting quarterback?
Parcells will give Vinny Testaverde every chance to push Quincy Carter, but Carter will eventually get the nod. But as opposed to last season, Parcells will have a much quicker hook with Carter. He has complete trust in Testaverde, and he won’t hesitate to pull Carter.
Another interesting aspect of the quarterback situation will be who becomes the third-string quarterback. Parcells will probably find a way to keep four quarterbacks on the 53-man roster, so Tony Romo could end up being the third guy. Now that doesn’t automatically mean Romo is the quarterback of the future, it just means he’s ahead of the rusty Drew Henson.
Bonus storyline: Can Rowdy and Parcells co-exist?
Complaining that the oversized mascot had time-management deficiencies, Parcells booted Rowdy out of a training camp practice last season. The mascot’s creepy smile and gregarious manner even drew the ire of an official during a home game last season. Rowdy was apparently asked to leave the field after a wild end zone celebration.
By MATT MOSLEY / DallasNews.com
For your summer reading enjoyment, we provide the top five potential storylines heading into Cowboys training camp, which begins July 30 in Oxnard, Calif.
These are usually the dog days of the NFL, but with coach Bill Parcells drawing national attention for his remarks Monday and Antonio Bryant picking fights in practice, the Cowboys remain in the spotlight.
Here are the top storylines as training camp approaches:
Who will be the starting cornerback opposite Terence Newman?
We fully expected owner and general manager Jerry Jones and Parcells to sign a cornerback in free agency. But then everyone this side of Dennis Thurman received huge signing bonuses. Suddenly, Pete Hunter didn’t look so bad. And as training camp draws near, Hunter has the inside track on the starting job.
But keep your eyes on rookie Bruce Thornton and former California cornerback Jemeel Powell. They both looked good in the recent minicamp. “I don’t see age,” Parcells said of the two newcomers.
By the way, the rookie Thornton (24) is actually older than Hunter (23), a third-year player. Powell is 24.
Can guard Larry Allen and Parcells co-exist?
These two proud men have trouble communicating. Allen speaks a couple of times per season; Parcells talks all the time. Parcells has told Allen that things must change. And Allen, through his agent Marvin Demoff, has said he wants to become a Parcells guy in the some mold as fullback Richie Anderson, quarterback Vinny Testaverde and receiver Keyshawn Johnson.
Best of luck, Larry.
Can linebacker Bradie James beat out veteran Dexter Coakley?
Parcells has called James the most improved player on the team. He loves his size (6-2, 243), and he wants a linebacker who will make more plays. Coakley will still get plenty of playing time, but he’ll definitely at least share the position with James. There’s a chance, though, that James could unseat Coakley.
What will the team do about a third receiver?
Even before he decided to challenge Parcells in practice, receiver Antonio Bryant was on shaky ground. The enigmatic player has shown flashes of brilliance. But he also has the capacity for mental meltdowns and dropped passes. It remains to be seen if Parcells will put up with his antics.
Randal Williams, who didn’t catch a pass during the regular season. would have to be in the mix if Bryant is asked to leave. Parcells probably will find a way to keep Bryant and capitalize on his exceptional talent.
Who will be the starting quarterback?
Parcells will give Vinny Testaverde every chance to push Quincy Carter, but Carter will eventually get the nod. But as opposed to last season, Parcells will have a much quicker hook with Carter. He has complete trust in Testaverde, and he won’t hesitate to pull Carter.
Another interesting aspect of the quarterback situation will be who becomes the third-string quarterback. Parcells will probably find a way to keep four quarterbacks on the 53-man roster, so Tony Romo could end up being the third guy. Now that doesn’t automatically mean Romo is the quarterback of the future, it just means he’s ahead of the rusty Drew Henson.
Bonus storyline: Can Rowdy and Parcells co-exist?
Complaining that the oversized mascot had time-management deficiencies, Parcells booted Rowdy out of a training camp practice last season. The mascot’s creepy smile and gregarious manner even drew the ire of an official during a home game last season. Rowdy was apparently asked to leave the field after a wild end zone celebration.