NFL Network : Marcellus Wiley brings his 'A game' to Big D?

[Zaxor]

---
http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/DAL/7594197
---

Complete article:

- - -

Last season, the Cowboys owned the league's best defense.

This year they aim to keep it that way with help from Marcellus
Wiley, acquired from San Diego in the offseason.

Wiley spoke with host Rich Eisen and analyst Lincoln Kennedy
on NFL Total Access via Cowboys cam to discuss the team's
progress during camp and his first season under coach Bill
Parcells.

NFL Total Access airs Monday through Friday at 7 p.m. ET/PT
(aired Aug. 19, 2004).

- - -

Rich Eisen: And there's Marcellus Wiley on Cowboys cam.
How you doing Marcellus?

Marcellus Wiley: Hey man! How you doing Rich and Lincoln?
I'm doing well out here.

- - -

Eisen: Oh good. Thanks for joining us, as always. Now Marcellus,
when Lincoln Kennedy came on board recently, I asked him off
camera once, who was the toughest guy he faced when he was
with the Raiders in his career. . Want to tell him what you told
me?

Lincoln Kennedy: I told him this man that we're talking to right
here. No doubt about it. Mr. Wiley. "Dat Dude" as they've been
calling him.

Wiley: (laughing) Man, that's a big compliment coming from you,
Lincoln. Much respect for you on the field and obviously now off
the field. You're doing something and it looks good man. Thanks
for that.

- - -

Kennedy: I tell you what, Marcellus, I was so impressed with
you when you first came to Buffalo, when we went out there and
played you guys. I was so impressed, and honestly, I feared the
day when you came to San Diego because I knew I was going
to have to play against you two times a year. And not only did
I tell Rich when we talked about it, I said, "He was the type of
player that I had to bring my 'A game' to every time because I
knew he was coming after me." How you doing?

Wiley: I'm doing well. I'm out here with Dallas now trying to bring
the "A game" to this situation, learn everything on the fly, but it's
going well. And I do remember those days in San Diego when
I used to circle in the offseason when we had to play you guys
because that was my inspiration to get one more rep out of all
my bench presses.

Kennedy: There you go.

- - -

Eisen: Well, now you got to face the Raiders this weekend.
You're going to an old stopping ground with which you're quite
familiar, no doubt about that. What are your thoughts about this
team that didn't really fare very well in preseason game No. 1,
Marcellus?

Wiley: We have to go out there and show a better attitude and
play up-tempo because like last week, it seemed like we got
caught sleeping and they came out and game-planned us and
executed very well. Pretty much they had us at their mercy, so
even though it's preseason, you still want to go out there and
make a statement. And this week is a good week to do that.

- - -

Kennedy: Marcellus, you're coming to last year's top-ranked
defense and you're a welcome addition as far as the sack. How
are you going to get some productivity out of not only your end
spot, but out of the other end spot this season?

Wiley: We switch sides. I'm playing left side, which I played the
last few years, and Greg Ellis is going to the right side, which
he's secretly been desiring for a while. He's happy about that
and we still have La'Roi Glover in the middle with Leo Carson.
We have a rotation of a couple other ends and tackles we're
going to work in because in the Texas heat you have to stay
fresh in the fourth quarter.

And I just think right now it's just about intensity and attitude. We
obviously know the talent's there where we could be No. 1 if we
work hard. So it's just about having that mindset.

- - -

Eisen: We spoke to you in minicamps about getting used to the
Parcells regiment and this is your first training camp with Bill Par-
cells. Your thoughts?

Wiley: It's tough. He definitely toughens you mentally. He's always
challenging you. He just keeps you at a pace where you're always
trying to get better and you're always cognizant of him being around.

It's different. My father calls me sometimes and he asks me all the
time about Parcells and what he's heard on talk radio. I just tell him,
"Hey daddy, right now I'm just taking it one step at a time and I'm
staying focused." Because coach Parcells, he doesn't miss a beat.
It doesn't matter where you are on the practice field. You could be
tying your shoes, he'll see you out of the back of his eyes, the side
of his eyes, I don't know how he does it, but the guy's aware of
everything about this team.

- - -

Eisen: How's Eddie George meshing into the program?

Wiley: He's doing well. You know he's a big back and we're looking
forward to him getting a lot of touches, a lot of carries this year. Es-
pecially on the side where Larry Allen and Flozell Adams, that's a
lot of load. And then you add Jamar (Martin), our fullback and then
Eddie comes in. That's a lot of beef for opponents to face for four
quarters, so he's looking good out there on practice.

- - -

Kennedy: Speaking of your offensive line, Marcellus, how's the
other side, the right side, faring, and the center in the mix? Are
they coming along well? What is your impression of them as a
unit?

Wiley: They are coming along. Obviously we have a rookie who's
going to fight for his starting position and Jacob (Rogers) is look-
ing good. He's probably the best technician of the three, and I
think when he gets comfortable and starts to say, "Hey, this is not
me being a rookie, but just an extension of my college career."

That confidence will take him over the top. He's looking very good
at that position. And we still have the other two guys that were fight-
ing him, but I think right now, it looks like either (Torrin) Tucker or
Jacob's going to get that position.

- - -

Eisen: Ever since the Quincy Carter release most of the Cowboys
we've spoken to, or have heard being spoken to, said they're mov-
ing on -- that they've moved on quickly. How quickly did the team
really move on from such a shocking move?

Wiley: It was tough that morning because no one knew it was go-
ing to happen. And no one knew the reasoning, but under Bill Par-
cells, you learn quickly that you better move forward and you better
move forward in a positive direction, so I think that's what the team
did.

It was shocking personally for everyone, just to miss the guy as
a friend, but like you learn in this game, they say it's the replace-
ment business. Last year I wasn't here. This year I'm here. It hap-
pens. You're on both sides of that coin, so this team has to move
forward and we still have our eye on the prize. We're just trying to
get that Lombardi Trophy.

- - -

[JBRockBottom31]

Man, I hope "Dat Dude" makes some plays, I am not down on him after one preseason game, but he was a non-factor when he played last weekend. He talks a lot of smack, I hope he can back it up.

[BrAinPaiNt]

If you get a chance to watch this on the show...you will get more then what they have printed in that article.

Mostly them joking and stuff but it was funny as lincoln was making fun of Wiley wearing a half shirt and Wiley said he is not quite looking as good as EG and needs to work on his abs.

Then at one time wiley moved his arm up or something that raised his shirt some and Eisen said something like watch it that was almost a janet jackson.

Plus they showed Wiley the older interview with the real Dat and how people though Dat had a speacial car with Dat Dude stitched in it.

It was just good funny banter ....Wiley seems like fun guy to hang around with.

[boysfanindc]

He may be fun but I want sacks.

[boysfanindc]

Wiley: We have to go out there and show a better attitude and play up-tempo because like last week, it seemed like we got caught sleeping and they came out and game-planned us and executed very well. Pretty much they had us at their mercy, so even though it's preseason, you still want to go out there and make a statement. And this week is a good week to do that.

I did not see the game but the reports I heard were that the only ran 3 basic running plays. How is that getting game planned?