Blade talks... - Dallas Cowboys Forum

The Realist · 08-03-2004

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-onlin...16262640.shtml

ravidubey · 08-03-2004

Keep chopping wood!

adbutcher · 08-03-2004

Jaguars' Blade no fan of Parcells
But defensive tackle says work ethic, weight woes caused problems in Dallas.
By BART HUBBUCH
The Times-Union

Willie Blade doesn't care that Bill Parcells has two Super Bowl rings or is considered one of the NFL's most respected coaches.
The only thing that matters to the Jaguars' newest defensive tackle is that he doesn't have to play for Parcells anymore.

"I'm just glad to be in this situation," Blade said Monday after his third day of workouts since being claimed by the Jaguars off waivers from the New York Giants. "I'm with a laid-back coach [Jack Del Rio] who lets you play and do your thing. He treats you like a man."

Blade started 14 games for Parcells and the Dallas Cowboys last season before being abruptly released last month, just days before the start of training camp. Although Blade played well last year, especially in August and September, the Cowboys' third-round pick in 2001 said he was in constant trouble with Parcells because of his work ethic and weight problems.

Parcells, a noted disciplinarian, even met with Blade's family in hopes of improving the player's work habits. Parcells had more success in the weight department when Blade lost 35 pounds last year to get down to his playing weight of 315, which is what he is listed at by the Jaguars.

But when Blade said he told Parcells and the Cowboys that he wasn't interested in participating in the team's offseason workout program, Parcells had heard enough.

"Parcells likes to test you all the time," Blade said Monday. "[My attitude] was, 'If I'm playing well, man, then just let me play.' But he kept on me and on me. He told me I was afraid of success. He was trying to push me because he didn't want me to slip, but it kind of backfired on him because it caused me to go into a shell."

Parcells told reporters last week that the decision to cut Blade was easy.

"If you can't transition into the program after a year and a half of experience, then I don't want you anymore," Parcells said.

Del Rio told Blade upon claiming him that the Jaguars will welcome him if he keeps his weight under control and contends for the vacant No.3 tackle position.

The Jaguars got Blade after he spent just two days with the Giants. Blade said Monday that he was waived by New York because he failed former Jaguars coach Tom Coughlin's conditioning test.

"But down in Florida in this heat? Weight isn't going to be a problem," Blade said, laughing. "For a lot of reasons, I'm glad to be here."

kmd24 · 08-03-2004

Wow. I don't know what to say about that article. After having high hopes for Willie, I now find it embarrassing that Blade attended my alma mater.

adbutcher · 08-03-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmd24

Wow. I don't know what to say about that article. After having high hopes for Willie, I now find it embarrassing that Blade attended my alma mater.

A total pin head!

Yeagermeister · 08-03-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by adbutcher

A total pin head!

I would say he's more of a sh**head

chicago JK · 08-03-2004

Jaguars' Blade no fan of Parcells
But defensive tackle says work ethic, weight woes caused problems in Dallas.
By BART HUBBUCH
The Times-Union

Willie Blade doesn't care that Bill Parcells has two Super Bowl rings or is considered one of the NFL's most respected coaches.
The only thing that matters to the Jaguars' newest defensive tackle is that he doesn't have to play for Parcells anymore.

"I'm just glad to be in this situation," Blade said Monday after his third day of workouts since being claimed by the Jaguars off waivers from the New York Giants. "I'm with a laid-back coach [Jack Del Rio] who lets you play and do your thing. He treats you like a man."

Blade started 14 games for Parcells and the Dallas Cowboys last season before being abruptly released last month, just days before the start of training camp. Although Blade played well last year, especially in August and September, the Cowboys' third-round pick in 2001 said he was in constant trouble with Parcells because of his work ethic and weight problems.

Parcells, a noted disciplinarian, even met with Blade's family in hopes of improving the player's work habits. Parcells had more success in the weight department when Blade lost 35 pounds last year to get down to his playing weight of 315, which is what he is listed at by the Jaguars.

But when Blade said he told Parcells and the Cowboys that he wasn't interested in participating in the team's offseason workout program, Parcells had heard enough.

"Parcells likes to test you all the time," Blade said Monday. "[My attitude] was, 'If I'm playing well, man, then just let me play.' But he kept on me and on me. He told me I was afraid of success. He was trying to push me because he didn't want me to slip, but it kind of backfired on him because it caused me to go into a shell."

Parcells told reporters last week that the decision to cut Blade was easy.

"If you can't transition into the program after a year and a half of experience, then I don't want you anymore," Parcells said.

Del Rio told Blade upon claiming him that the Jaguars will welcome him if he keeps his weight under control and contends for the vacant No.3 tackle position.

The Jaguars got Blade after he spent just two days with the Giants. Blade said Monday that he was waived by New York because he failed former Jaguars coach Tom Coughlin's conditioning test.

"But down in Florida in this heat? Weight isn't going to be a problem," Blade said, laughing. "For a lot of reasons, I'm glad to be here."

Kangaroo · 08-03-2004

The guy has been cut by Dallas; Texans;Dallas;Giants after one practice and he still does not get it.

It is everyone elses fault because they expect him to work hard and be in shape. What a freakin knuckle head this guy is tons of talent wasted on a lazy arse.

dbair1967 · 08-03-2004

Blade=Idiot

David

Doomsday101 · 08-03-2004

It is a shame that Blade does not relize that all the big time stars in this league have to work their butts off to stay on top. Irvin was a prime example of a guy who was a star player but never took it for granted which is why he worked and studied as much as he did and the same goes for all the big name players regardless if you like them or not.

THUMPER · 08-03-2004

Gee it must be just awful to have a HC so interested in my personal success that he would talk to my family to see how they could help get me motivated. Parcells is such a jerk for pushing me to do more than the minimum. I just want to play football, I don't want to have to work at it or anything.

What a total loser! Blade has the phsical abilities to be a very good player but the mentality of a child when it comes to his work ethic.

I predict he will be out of football within 2 years.

He had better start practicing for his next career:

"Would you like to Biggie Size that?"

SoTex · 08-03-2004

Respect is something earned not given. If he wants it, maybe he should do his friggin job. You play football genious. You have to work hard and follow the coach's guidelines to be on the team. I just don't get it. Millions of dollars are riding on a player's decision to work hard or be lazy. Maybe Mr. Blade needs to spend a day or two working 12 hrs in the heat for minimum wage to support his family to slap him back into reality. God has given him a gift. He would be wise to use it. OK, I'm done now.

Mash · 08-03-2004

Good luck to Blade....

Sometimes a player and a coach aren't compatiable. Bill is hard on players and he has had success doing doing just that. Pressing buttons.

I wish Blade the best.... but IMHO....he won't last long with that lazy attitude.

Doomsday101 · 08-03-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mash

Good luck to Blade....

Sometimes a player and a coach aren't compatiable. Bill is hard on players and he has had success doing doing just that. Pressing buttons.

I wish Blade the best.... but IMHO....he won't last long with that lazy attitude.

Your right and even the so called easy going Del Rio is not going to put his job on the line for an out of shape, over weight guy like Blade. If Blade does not get his act together Jack will cut him just as quick as BP did.

Danny White · 08-03-2004

Your Jedi mind-tricks won't work on me, Tuna!