Summary of Press Conference - 7/30/2004

[Brokejumper]

Summary of Press Conference - 7/30/2004

Jerry

Jerry appreciates Cowboy fans

Happy to be in Oxnard

Not interested in a 'quick fix' but rather a 'change in philosophy' and 'building for the future'

Salary cap situation is the best we have had in 10 years

Last year of working with Parcells the most enjoyable in JJ's 15 years in the NFL
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Bill

'great experience' working with Jerry, 'better then he could ever hope for'

management team "was kind enough to include some of his ideas from time to time"
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happy about salary cap situation

highlighted the ability of the Cowboys to pick up players from other teams

Oxnard provides the ability to work your players every day with out hurting them for the year

Questions

Question: EG and his age
Answer: Bill says he has had luck with other players this age. Likes his size and thinks that is a good thing for the team and takes pressure off some of the younger players, but emphasizes that EG has to show he can still do it.

Question: something about who is the starter?
Doesn't know yet. Hasn't seen EG in person or JJ in pads.

Question: Will the Cowboys be better?
Every year a new year. Plans on paper do not always work out. Knows for a fact that there is more competition at each position, 'at almost every position,' (exception is SS) Says he built the team with competition in mind

Question: Philosophy on starting rookie RB's
"Yeah, throw them to the wolves" Tells story

Question: Depth past top three WR's
Doesn't know who the first three are... added Ward and looks for improvement from young guys. Wants improvement in running game from WR's. Cedric James and Randal Williams mentioned by name as possible contributors.

Question: Regarding Bryant
Bryant has "better understanding for the way things need to be." Had a 'private conversation' with him. (Bill annoyed at series of questions, especially when reporters start asking about setting bad precedents) Bill says he is secure enough to not make an example of a player unless he wants to.

Question: Keys for training camp.
Just how the team unfolds. Determining roles of players. Can we improve in certain areas. It will be tough maintaining a lot of the good things. i.e. Not giving up a single special teams score. There is a big difference between skill and talent. Main question at this point is if a player knows what the coaches want of him. Mental errors and busted assignments can beat you as quickly as a turnover.

Question: Back to AB...
(Likes this question...) This is about the fourth or fifth fight with a player. All the other guys called him on the phone. One of the guys said, "you must really like that SOB if you are wasting your time fighting with him." and "We will see how it goes" (Jerry adds that he has never fought with a player)

Question: (How to improve in your second year)
Get better players and they know your system better. Investment that you put into a team will eventually pay off. Not ever team trains as hard as the Cowboys. Every guy was there for every workout (except Willie Blade of course!). Only 1 guy is two lbs overweight, out of 80 guys.

Question: How will the Cowboys do this year
Not into predictions. Bill is his own critic. I only judge my team by how his team plays to its potential as he judges it. If his team plays to its potential then he is happy regardless of record. If it doesn't then he sees it as a failure (A coach's coach! Man, I like this guy!)

Question: Veterans. Can Vinnie do ok at his age.
Just looking to see what there is left in Vinnie. This is his deal... Vinnie’s routine is that he is in his basement, in his gym lifting weights at 7 AM. daily. Then goes upstairs and has breakfast. Throws 60 passes and runs. Lunch. Spends time with wife and kids. 4 1/2 hour routine. Gives himself a chance to win. Calls him 'Tyson.' He has run out of excuses[/font]

[font=Verdana]Question: Something about starters(Jennifer)
'I go by what I see. I do not believe in incumbents' "If a player is willing to pay the price to be successful, if not they go down the road." "If you can not transition into the program after a year and a half I don't want you."

Question: Confidence in Carter's improvement
Interceptions need to be cut down on. Mechanics will be improved. Doesn't know until he sees it. Went whole year without being hurt. Expects him to be better. Wants to see how he deals with pressure of competition.

Question: Moving Cowboys to LA (to Jerry)
Never considered it.

Question: Tight pre-season schedule changing way they evaluate players
Not fair to judge players on such short turn around with three days between games.

Question: WR's blocking downfield
One area we need to improve in. New WR coach is committed to blocking

Question: Snaps for QB's
Going on 3-1 rotation. Three guys one day. Will see on pre-season games. Will see who is wear and who is what.

Question: to Jerry - Carter's contract
Has one more year after this year. Why he gave him a 5 year contract. Not caught in the middle, wanted to have him evaluated fully before having to decide to extend. (Long-term project from the get go.) Bill- expects improvement, but we will see.

Question: Vinnie's keys to success
If I knew what Vinnie could do. Running game will help any QB. Champions were very reliant on Tom Brady, but almost every other successful team relied on a balanced attack. Vinnie will not be running out of pocket. Will tailor what offense does to each player.

Question: re: EG's low yards per carry
"Maybe we will block better"

Question: Roger's contract
Contract agreed to in principle. Will not miss conditioning drills.

Question: What was surprising with working with each other - Bill and Jerry
Bill - Jerry's heart still into football. Always available.
Jerry - "I am a serious risk taker" Bill is a good compliment to this. Humble Jerry puts franchise above himself. Happy just to serve as a caretaker following in the traditions of Landry and Schram.

Question: Woodson - 35 year old safety with back surgery
Anytime a player is 35 you have concerns. If there is 'anyway back' then you know Woodson is to be back. Woodson would be right in Oxnard if he could. "Maybe the prognosis is better then we thought." We have some options... we are going to put both Di Napoli and Woodson on the PUP list

Question: What starters have to do to prove themselves
Does not want to wear out starters. Shooting for September, not for August. Always does this for vets. We are trying to get ready to play the season.

Question: How can you tell
If you see Tyson punch a guy out in two minutes, you know he still has it.

Question: Nutrition, condition and physical preparation
Approach nutrition a bit differently. Encourage players to eat and hydrate

Question: Larry Allen's preparation
He made his weight. Worked very hard. Run twice a day sometimes. Effort much better then last year. Has a better understanding of all the players.

Question: relations with players
Be prepared, don't be a problem, and do your job and you will not have a problem with Bill

Question: Impact of new players
A couple of guys improving who cross over from being marginal players to be coming great players key to Cowboy's success

Question: player rotations
Will rotate players a lot. Will be doing three at tackle. Will rotate 2nd CB on daily basis. (someone) every day.

Question: Who acquired will have greatest impact
Matt McBriar (!) Has a chance to make a big difference b/c we were really bad. (Listing players like Tucker, James, etc. can't hear questions.) "Dixon will get a real good chance."

Question: Where would you say your excitement level is with JJ
Wants to see him in a game. "I have Richie Anderson and Eddie George" so no pressure on JJ. Can bring him along like he wants

Question: Message to players in meetings
You never pick up where you left off. You always ha[/font][font=Verdana] ve to prove yourself.[/font] [/font]

[LaTunaNostra]

Nice work, Brokejumper.

BTW, there is a scroll at the DMN saying Jacobs has signed but no story yet.

OOps. I meant Jacob Rogers.

[Sarge]

Awesome post Broke.

[Cbz40]

Thank you Sir excellent post.........

[LeonDixson]

Thanks, Broke. I couldn't listen to it so really appreciate the info.

[Bach]

Originally Posted by Brokejumper

Summary of Press Conference - 7/30/2004

Question: to Jerry - Carter's contract
Has one more year after this year. Why he gave him a 5 year contract. Not caught in the middle, wanted to have him evaluated fully before having to decide to extend. (Long-term project from the get go.) Bill- expects improvement, but we will see.

He was a "long-term project from the get go" and we started him from day one.

[Brokejumper]

Originally Posted by Bach

He was a "long-term project from the get go" and we started him from day one.

Thanks everyone...

And I have been complaining about that for years! Let us hope Carter pulls through or we do better with Henson