Archer | Defense can't rest on laurels

[Bluefin]

Defense can't rest on laurels


Irwin Thompson / DMN
Bill Parcells hopes for balance with Julius Jones (left) and Eddie George in the backfield.

New starters, position changes alter NFL's best from 2003

08:57 PM CDT on Tuesday, August 3, 2004

By TODD ARCHER / The Dallas Morning News


OXNARD, Calif. – When Marcellus Wiley took the field for the first time as a member of the Cowboys in a June minicamp, it took him a while to catch his breath.

In his first seven seasons, Wiley was around some pretty good defenses in Buffalo and San Diego. He saw something different in June.

"Guys aren't happy with mediocre performances, even in practice," Wiley said. "I learned that quick. Just the intensity, the tempo, how they approach the game. It's a pretty fast pace. That's why they get results."

Through four days of training camp, Bill Parcells is worried about his defense. Admittedly, he is more the pessimist than the optimist.

So when he looks at his defense, he is like the father loaning the car to the son who earned his license a day earlier.

He does not see the unit that finished last season as the NFL's best. He does not see a defense that allowed only seven rushing touchdowns, second fewest in the league. He doesn't see a defense that allowed only four teams to rush for more than 100 yards in a game.

"I'm still worried we might get overpowered," Parcells said.

Parcells is not poor-mouthing the troubles. He views them as real. When the Cowboys line up for the Sept. 12 season opener at Minnesota, he could have four new starters on defense.

Greg Ellis started every game at left defensive end in 2003, but he has moved to the right side to replace Ebenezer Ekuban. He played there in college, but he has to get accustomed to that side of the line again.

"It's a challenge," Ellis said. "I'm trying to get into the flow over there."

Wiley is expected to line up on the left side, and "he doesn't know what he's doing yet," Parcells said. Truth be told, Wiley has been the most disruptive defensive lineman in camp so far.

At defensive tackle, Leonardo Carson is in line to replace Willie Blade, but he is bothered by a balky knee that could limit him in practice. Only Pro Bowl defensive tackle La'Roi Glover returns to the same spot on the line.

In all likelihood, the starting linebackers – Dexter Coakley, Dat Nguyen, Al Singleton – will remain the same, but Coakley is being pushed by Bradie James, and Scott Shanle could move into the mix behind Singleton.

The secondary will have two new starters with Darren Woodson recovering from back surgery and Mario Edwards signing as a free agent with Tampa Bay. Tony Dixon (seven starts in three seasons) and Pete Hunter (two starts in two seasons) are being called on to be the replacements right now.

That leaves third-year safety Roy Williams and second-year cornerback Terence Newman as the "veterans."

Now you know why Parcells is concerned.

"Think about it," Parcells said. "That's all true now."

Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer joked after the first day of practice that with a lot of work the defense might be ranked 29th or 30th in the NFL this year. On Monday, the offense scored on all five goal-line tries.

The good news is the Cowboys have five weeks to iron out the kinks. The bad news is that the Cowboys have only five weeks.

"What happened last year doesn't matter," Glover said. "We have to prove ourselves all over again."

NEW FACES, NEW PLACES

The Cowboys finished the 2003 season with the NFL's top-ranked defense, but they could enter the season opener Sept. 12 at Minnesota with a vastly different lineup.

2003 Pos. 2004 (projected)

Ebenezer Ekuban RDE Greg Ellis
Willie Blade RDT Leonardo Carson
La'Roi Glover LDT Glover
Greg Ellis LDE Marcellus Wiley
Al Singleton SLB Singleton
Dat Nguyen MLB Nguyen
Dexter Coakley WLB Coakley
Terence Newman LCB Newman
Mario Edwards RCB Pete Hunter
Darren Woodson SS Tony Dixon
Roy Williams FS Williams

[NOVA 22]

I have no doubt that the D will pull it together, but that first game vs. Minn really could be a problem. we need to have all the kinks worked out. you can just here the excuses now- ellis new position, dixon took bad angles, hunter holding...

that minnesota offense will be ready to go week 1.

[Bluefin]

Dallas needs their revamped running game to control time of possession and keep the Vikings offense off the field as much as possible.

The best way to control Randy Moss is to keep him off the field and not let him make another statement about why Dallas should've selected him in '98.

[dargonking999]

Originally Posted by Bluefin

not let him make another statement about why Dallas should've selected him in '98.

i forgot who did we draft

[Bluefin]

Originally Posted by dargonking999

i forgot who did we draft

Dallas selected Greg Ellis and broke lil' Randy's heart.

He lets them know about it every time they meet.

[big dog cowboy]

What I want to see week 1.......

R. Moss, meet Mr. Williams.

D. Culpepper, meet Mr. Wiley.

[Bluefin]

Originally Posted by big dog cowboy

What I want to see week 1.......

R. Moss, meet Mr. Williams.

Crunch.

Break out the smelling salts.

Another KO for the champ.

[Hot_Toddy]

Originally Posted by Bluefin

Greg Ellis started every game at left defensive end in 2003, but he has moved to the right side to replace Ebenezer Ekuban. He played there in college, but he has to get accustomed to that side of the line again.

"It's a challenge," Ellis said. "I'm trying to get into the flow over there."

Wiley is expected to line up on the left side, and "he doesn't know what he's doing yet," Parcells said. Truth be told, Wiley has been the most disruptive defensive lineman in camp so far.

Thanks for the post BlueFin...Nice Read. Although I may get hammered for saying this, I feel our pass rush would be more productive by leaving Ellis at left DE and Wiley on the right. I felt this way for quite some time without posting it, as I trust in what Parcells is doing. But the above quote is making that feeling come back strongly. I just hope I am wrong, but I feel Ellis has more of the "Bulk" to stay at LE while Wiley has more of the quickness/moves to be at RE. Hope I'm wrong, but I have a bad feeling about this move, as I feel these 2 players would be most productive by flipping back and switching sides before we get to far into training camp, preseason and eventually regular season.

The secondary will have two new starters with Darren Woodson recovering from back surgery and Mario Edwards signing as a free agent with Tampa Bay. Tony Dixon (seven starts in three seasons) and Pete Hunter (two starts in two seasons) are being called on to be the replacements right now.

That leaves third-year safety Roy Williams and second-year cornerback Terence Newman as the "veterans."

Now you know why Parcells is concerned.

"Think about it," Parcells said. "That's all true now."

O.K. since I'll be hammered for my first statement, I may as well continue. In my opinion, Derrick Ross being cut was BP's worst move. I realize I don't have all the inside info and this issue has been discussed numerous times, but I would have preferred a talented "cancer" than a question mark in our secondary. Along the same lines, with our cap money, Mario Edwards would have at least provided some relief. Yes, I know what most will say about this issue. But Mario was our starting corner on the #1 defense last year. Oh well, no sense rehashing these issues, so here's hoping that Pete Hunter steps up to the plate and Keith Davis can come in and give us a ball-hawking safety until Woody returns, thus allowing a bright future and unseating Tony Dixon as a starter for the season opener. I will contiue trusting in BP however.

On Monday, the offense scored on all five goal-line tries.

Hey, perhaps this is not such a knock on the defense as much as it is a positive for our offense. I'll take the latter and say that our offense is improving by leaps and bounds and may actually get a lot more points on the board this year. The D vs. O in training camp only strengthens both units. The glass really is half-full.

[Bluefin]

Originally Posted by Hot_Toddy

Thanks for the post BlueFin...Nice Read. Although I may get hammered for saying this, I feel our pass rush would be more productive by leaving Ellis at left DE and Wiley on the right. I felt this way for quite some time without posting it, as I trust in what Parcells is doing. But the above quote is making that feeling come back strongly. I just hope I am wrong, but I feel Ellis has more of the "Bulk" to stay at LE while Wiley has more of the quickness/moves to be at RE. Hope I'm wrong, but I have a bad feeling about this move, as I feel these 2 players would be most productive by flipping back and switching sides before we get to far into training camp, preseason and eventually regular season.

That's a perfectly reasonable assessment, IMO, I doubt it's a hammer worthy offense.

That's what the quarterback position is for.

I don't know how Ellis and Wiley will perform at their new positions, neither does the coachiung staff.

The beauty of it is, if they don't adjust, the staff already said back in the mini-camp that they can just move the two back to their old spots.

So it shouldn't be that big of a deal.

If the succeed, fine.

If they struggle, move them back.

O.K. since I'll be hammered for my first statement, I may as well continue. In my opinion, Derrick Ross being cut was BP's worst move. I realize I don't have all the inside info and this issue has been discussed numerous times, but I would have preferred a talented "cancer" than a question mark in our secondary. Along the same lines, with our cap money, Mario Edwards would have at least provided some relief. Yes, I know what most will say about this issue. But Mario was our starting corner on the #1 defense last year. Oh well, no sense rehashing these issues, so here's hoping that Pete Hunter steps up to the plate and Keith Davis can come in and give us a ball-hawking safety until Woody returns, thus allowing a bright future and unseating Tony Dixon as a starter for the season opener. I will contiue trusting in BP however.

Cutting Ross sucked, no doubt, but he just wasn't progressing as a player and he was perceived to be a negative influence on other young players like Antonio Bryant.

It was the right move.

And last I checked, Ross was buried on Atlanta's depth chart and they just spent a first rounder on a cornerback.

Dallas also knew exactly what they had in Mario Edwards and they didn't extend themselves to resign him during the off-season.

They know they can get better play at his position, Rio sucked on special teams and it's doubtful he wanted to become a reserve with the Cowboys.

It would be nice to have some veteran experience on hand in case it's needed, and I do feel slot corner Donald Mitchell will help in this reagrd, but it was time to find out about Pete Hunter.

Can he become a solid starter or is he destined to be a reserve/special teams performer?

Hey, perhaps this is not such a knock on the defense as much as it is a positive for our offense. I'll take the latter and say that our offense is improving by leaps and bounds and may actually get a lot more points on the board this year. The D vs. O in training camp only strengthens both units. The glass really is half-full.

I'm generally an optimist, but I have to call this one day luck.

The offense needs to build on yesterday's performance and show some much needed pysicality in pre-season play, IMO.

IOW, they need to start treating every defense they face like it's Washington's defense.

[Hot_Toddy]

Excellent reply BlueFin, nothing I enjoy more than a discussion of opinions without flaming. You are truly becoming a great asset to this board. That being said, allow me to pose few questions of my own for discussion...

Cutting Ross sucked, no doubt, but he just wasn't progressing as a player and he was perceived to be a negative influence on other young players like Antonio Bryant.

It was the right move.

And last I checked, Ross was buried on Atlanta's depth chart and they just spent a first rounder on a cornerback.

Dallas also knew exactly what they had in Mario Edwards and they didn't extend themselves to resign him during the off-season.

They know they can get better play at his position, Rio sucked on special teams and it's doubtful he wanted to become a reserve with the Cowboys.

The one thing I truly did admire in regards to Mario was his excellent run support. I guess I will have to bring out a few of my old game-tapes, but can we count on Hunter to do the same? I agree, Mario wasn't anything to write home about in regards to special teams, but I feel for insurance purposes at the very least, we had the cap money to at least resign him for camp competition.

BTW...Anyone remember last year when Parcells joked "in the same sentence" about both Mario and Ross about their "fancy dreads"? hmmm I wonder if they both got military type crew-cuts if they would both still be on the team. Naah, I am joking of course, but ohh the irony.

On a serious note, perhaps ross was more of a cancer than I thought if he has been sliding down Atlanta's depth chart. I feel he has incredible talent, so perhaps this is definetely an indication that the move had to be made....As much as I didn't want it.

As far as Mitchell, I couldn't understand why he was listed as Newman's backup instead of Hunter's. A recent quote by BP answered my question. But hopefully, if all else fails, he can be the starter opposite Newman. However, I feel Hunter will do fine, he has the talent, now he just needs the reps. Hopefully, he gets enough reps before the season opener.

Regardless, we have absolutely no proven depth in our secondary and this scares me to death, which is why I feel we should have resigned Mario. Here's hoping our secondary stays injury free for the remainder of the camp and Season.

I'm generally an optimist, but I have to call this one day luck.

The offense needs to build on yesterday's performance and show some much needed pysicality in pre-season play, IMO.

I feel our offense will, in fact, build on their performance. Although the seaon will be more telling, I think our offense will keep the chains moving next season. And on a side note, I hope Jamar Martin remains with this team, this boy is an incredible blocker that strengthens our running game considerably. If he were to be cut from the Cowboys due to lack of special team performance, then some NFL team would be extremely happy to have one great franchise fullback. Oh boy, I hope Jamar remains with us.

[boysfanindc]

Bill mentioned Mario in yesterday's press conference, right after he said we have problems on defense. His coment was that Mario played pretty well last year.

I think Bill has realized we have problems at CB. By all accounts Powell is not looking good at all. I took his comments to mean we have issues at CB. I have heard nothing about how Hunter looks specifically.

I would not be suprised at all if we do something in the near future to bring someone in at CB.

There was a rumor (not confirmed) on another board about some agent being on ESPN the other day saying the Boys are working the phones for CB help. I am just reporting what was said, I have no idea how accurate that statement is or isn't. But I got the clear impression yesterday listening to the press conference that they are not happy at CB.

[junk]

Originally Posted by Hot_Toddy

The one thing I truly did admire in regards to Mario was his excellent run support. I guess I will have to bring out a few of my old game-tapes, but can we count on Hunter to do the same? I agree, Mario wasn't anything to write home about in regards to special teams, but I feel for insurance purposes at the very least, we had the cap money to at least resign him for camp competition.

For all the doubts about him, I do think Pete is a pretty solid tackler. Now how that translates to good run support, I am not sure. Like everything else with Pete, I guess, the skills are there.

[Hot_Toddy]

Originally Posted by boysfanindc

Bill mentioned Mario in yesterday's press conference, right after he said we have problems on defense. His coment was that Mario played pretty well last year.

I think Bill has realized we have problems at CB. By all accounts Powell is not looking good at all. I took his comments to mean we have issues at CB. I have heard nothing about how Hunter looks specifically.

I would not be suprised at all if we do something in the near future to bring someone in at CB.

There was a rumor (not confirmed) on another board about some agent being on ESPN the other day saying the Boys are working the phones for CB help. I am just reporting what was said, I have no idea how accurate that statement is or isn't. But I got the clear impression yesterday listening to the press conference that they are not happy at CB.

Thanks boysfanindc. I missed it, what did BP mention about Mario? I would guess the rumor you mentioned isn't far off-base. After all, it is a glaring sore spot for us right now. If we see it, I'm sure BP does as well.

It's also interesting that you mention no specifics on how Hunter is doing, as I've been searching for the same info. Does anybody know? If anyone has info or links about Hunter's camp performance thus far, it would be highly appreciated.

[Hollywood Henderson]

Good post Hot Toddy,
I have been saying that since it was announced. (Ellis & Wiley)...I feel they should have been left where they had already played well.

I am not overly concerned about the CB's yet...

The offense has an advantage in camp in that the QB isn't hit or sacked and he is allowed time for the receiver to get free...

Myself, it was perhaps sad we missed out on Ross, but he was a cancer and I respect Parcells for making that hard move...