802dave
09-02-2004, 06:35 AM
Posted on Thu, Sep. 02, 2004
Cowboys Notes
Parcells won't look for backup
By Jennifer Floyd Engel
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
IRVING - For anybody still waiting for the Cowboys to sign an experienced quarterback to back up Vinny Testaverde, it might be time to give up that vigil.
Cowboys coach Bill Parcells said Wednesday "something would have to startle me" for him not to go with Tony Romo and Drew Henson.
"I don't see what could happen. I really don't," Parcells said, when asked if he had been eying the waiver wire for quarterbacks. "Tony has two years in the system. Drew is not going anywhere."
Which, of course, begs the question: Which of his no-NFL-experience backups would go in if Testaverde were to go down in Game 1 against Minnesota?
Parcells said he is not sure who is the primary backup, although Romo has a slight advantage, because spending last season in the Cowboys' system has him further ahead in game management. What might happen is Romo would be the backup early in the season, but, if Henson were to continue his rapid development, he could be the choice by the end of the season.
"Drew is coming along pretty fast for a guy that hadn't played in a while. I am pleased with that," Parcells said. "I like Tony. I think he has potential. I thought it when we signed him. I continued to think it last year and, even though he does a few things that are not good all the time, I still think he has the mental capacity to handle it and break a couple of those habits."
There had been some thought that Parcells might go with two quarterbacks, especially because receiver Patrick Crayton is a converted quarterback, but Parcells said he'd be reluctant to do so. Not only does he like having three, but he doesn't want to give up on Romo too soon.
And while Parcells knows both of his backups need experience, he is not willing to provide it at all costs.
"It's important for my starter to be ready to play. That is primary," Parcells said. "If I have the luxury of getting the other guy a little work, too, I will do that, but not at the expense of getting my quarterback ready."
The Cowboys could have Romo be their No. 2, but use him as their scout-team quarterback in practice, thereby allowing Henson to get snaps at quarterback.
Painful lesson
"A little soreness" kept rookie running back Julius Jones from practicing Wednesday, but Bill Parcells sounded a lot more sore about it.
He was none too pleased when Jones lay on the field after getting hit in Monday's preseason game against Tennessee, and even less pleased that he begged out of practice two days later despite participating in running and weightlifting on Tuesday.
"What I told him is, if you're an offensive back, why would you be laying on the field ... if you're not dead, why would you be laying down? He didn't have a debilitating injury. ... It wasn't his knee. It wasn't his ankle. They wouldn't have to operate on him. Why would you let that defensive team look over there and see you like that?" Parcells said. "There's only 16 of these [games]. And if you want to be a successful running back in this league, you have to understand that you have a bull's-eye on your chest every Sunday, and if you can't deal with that mentally, then find another line of work."
Parcells said if Jones is not feeling better he would not play in the final preseason game tonight against Kansas City.
Briefly
• Punter Mat McBriar will start the season as the primary holder on field goals.
• Bill Parcells said centers Tyson Walter and Al Johnson had such a good preseason that he will not name a starter. He will play both.
• Parcells said he expects to make a decision this weekend on whether to keep safety Darren Woodson, who had back surgery right before training camp, on the 53-man roster.
• Parking lots at Texas Stadium will open at 3 p.m. for tonight's game against Kansas City. Stadium gates open at 4:30 p.m., a half hour earlier than normal, to accommodate additional random security checks. Kickoff is 7 p.m.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jennifer Floyd Engel, (817) 390-7760 jenfloyd@star-telegram.com
Cowboys Notes
Parcells won't look for backup
By Jennifer Floyd Engel
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
IRVING - For anybody still waiting for the Cowboys to sign an experienced quarterback to back up Vinny Testaverde, it might be time to give up that vigil.
Cowboys coach Bill Parcells said Wednesday "something would have to startle me" for him not to go with Tony Romo and Drew Henson.
"I don't see what could happen. I really don't," Parcells said, when asked if he had been eying the waiver wire for quarterbacks. "Tony has two years in the system. Drew is not going anywhere."
Which, of course, begs the question: Which of his no-NFL-experience backups would go in if Testaverde were to go down in Game 1 against Minnesota?
Parcells said he is not sure who is the primary backup, although Romo has a slight advantage, because spending last season in the Cowboys' system has him further ahead in game management. What might happen is Romo would be the backup early in the season, but, if Henson were to continue his rapid development, he could be the choice by the end of the season.
"Drew is coming along pretty fast for a guy that hadn't played in a while. I am pleased with that," Parcells said. "I like Tony. I think he has potential. I thought it when we signed him. I continued to think it last year and, even though he does a few things that are not good all the time, I still think he has the mental capacity to handle it and break a couple of those habits."
There had been some thought that Parcells might go with two quarterbacks, especially because receiver Patrick Crayton is a converted quarterback, but Parcells said he'd be reluctant to do so. Not only does he like having three, but he doesn't want to give up on Romo too soon.
And while Parcells knows both of his backups need experience, he is not willing to provide it at all costs.
"It's important for my starter to be ready to play. That is primary," Parcells said. "If I have the luxury of getting the other guy a little work, too, I will do that, but not at the expense of getting my quarterback ready."
The Cowboys could have Romo be their No. 2, but use him as their scout-team quarterback in practice, thereby allowing Henson to get snaps at quarterback.
Painful lesson
"A little soreness" kept rookie running back Julius Jones from practicing Wednesday, but Bill Parcells sounded a lot more sore about it.
He was none too pleased when Jones lay on the field after getting hit in Monday's preseason game against Tennessee, and even less pleased that he begged out of practice two days later despite participating in running and weightlifting on Tuesday.
"What I told him is, if you're an offensive back, why would you be laying on the field ... if you're not dead, why would you be laying down? He didn't have a debilitating injury. ... It wasn't his knee. It wasn't his ankle. They wouldn't have to operate on him. Why would you let that defensive team look over there and see you like that?" Parcells said. "There's only 16 of these [games]. And if you want to be a successful running back in this league, you have to understand that you have a bull's-eye on your chest every Sunday, and if you can't deal with that mentally, then find another line of work."
Parcells said if Jones is not feeling better he would not play in the final preseason game tonight against Kansas City.
Briefly
• Punter Mat McBriar will start the season as the primary holder on field goals.
• Bill Parcells said centers Tyson Walter and Al Johnson had such a good preseason that he will not name a starter. He will play both.
• Parcells said he expects to make a decision this weekend on whether to keep safety Darren Woodson, who had back surgery right before training camp, on the 53-man roster.
• Parking lots at Texas Stadium will open at 3 p.m. for tonight's game against Kansas City. Stadium gates open at 4:30 p.m., a half hour earlier than normal, to accommodate additional random security checks. Kickoff is 7 p.m.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jennifer Floyd Engel, (817) 390-7760 jenfloyd@star-telegram.com