MM: Lacewell deserves some blame for team's woes - Dallas Cowboys Forum

Midswat · 01-06-2005

Analysis: Lacewell deserves some blame for team's woes

12:43 PM CST on Thursday, January 6, 2005
By MATT MOSLEY / DallasNews.com

In case there was any doubt, Thursday's retirement of Cowboys director or college and pro scouting Larry Lacewell proves that coach Bill Parcells is indeed calling the shots at Valley Ranch.

Owner and general manager Jerry Jones, who along with Lacewell has deep Arkansas roots, would never have made this move before Parcells showed up on the scene.

In addition to their professional ties, Jones and Lacewell were always running buddies. Lacewell was a constant sounding board for Jones, and he was even called in at times to help defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer when the defense was struggling.

Lacewell may take the fall for the team's poor drafts over the last decade, but it was Jones who reached to take quarterback Quincy Carter in the second round of the 2001 draft. Lacewell wanted the Cowboys to take linebacker Kendrell Bell, who became the 2001 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and went to the Pro Bowl in 2002 for the Steelers.

Though the Cowboys haven't drafted well under Lacewell's watch, he did preside over the 1994 draft in which the team selected future Hall of Fame guard Larry Allen.

But the moment Parcells arrived in 2003, Lacewell saw his role in the organization begin to diminish. Coming off another questionable draft and a 6-10 season, it was inevitable that Parcells would seek changes in the personnel department.

Lacewell deserves part of the blame for several bad drafts, but Jones deserves more.

And even though a lot of fans have called for it, Jones is not going to fire himself.

Monday's firing of Lacewell is just further proof that Parcells is running the show.

**BrAinPaiNt** · 01-06-2005

Nice article and dead on with Jerry IMO.

BTW...I was thinking that a couple of years ago something was said by Lacewell or the Cowboys that went along the lines of Lacewell only staying another couple of years....but not sure If I am remember correctly.

Getting old like CBZ40

mr.jameswoods · 01-06-2005

The only thing that amazes me is how people will read this article and still be in denial that Parcells is running this team.

Midswat · 01-06-2005

Could you guys imagine how farther ahead we would be if instead of taking Quincy and Tony we had taken Kendrell and Shawn Rogers?

Both of which were available . . .

**BrAinPaiNt** · 01-06-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midswat

Could you guys imagine how farther ahead we would be if instead of taking Quincy and Tony we had taken Kendrell and Shawn Rogers?

Both of which were available . . .

Don't even get me started.

I mean the quincy thing was one area....but Tony Dixon in the second was sheer madness...I still say to this day that I bet even Tony and his Family were scratching their heads over him being picked that early.

I was think Rogers dropped because of a leg problem be wrong.

Yakuza Rich · 01-06-2005

Jones also wanted Bryant.

However, Lacewell got his way and got Gurode. When Bryant was still available, Jones got his wish.

While I thought of it when I first heard Lacewell was being fired, good job by Mosely to be the first media guy to pick up on this as well. Jones shares a huge responsibility in the bad drafts as well.

Where I *think* Lacewell got in trouble is with the pro scouting. I believe he probably told them that Wiley was good, Gowin was good, etc. and told them that Bert Berry wasn't worth the time.

Rich................

Kittymama · 01-06-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr.jameswoods

The only thing that amazes me is how people will read this article and still be in denial that Parcells is running this team.

He's definitely running the show now & has willingly put his butt totally on the line for 2005. Reports over the past couple of years, from FOBs, said that BP gave in on some areas as a concession to Jerrah in a real attempt not to be the a**hole he's so famous for being (among them keeping Zimmer, fast but small defensive guys, QC, & signing Eddie George). Last season it worked. This season it didn't. (And no, I'm not letting him off the hook for some poor personnel decisions.) 2004 may eventually prove to be a blessing in disguise. The team totally crashed & burned, there were no smokescreens left. Jerrah didn't have any excuses this year, so Parcells gets to overhaul the whole shooting match (on & off the field). Now, it's possible that he may find out--as has Jon Gruden--that that can be a very painful thing. I'm willing to bet, tho, that we see significant improvement next year. Parcells knows full well now that he has noone to blame but himself if it doesn't improve next year, but he's been around long enough to understand that & know what the consequences are.

Spontae · 01-06-2005

With these changes, I hope Parcells runs this team in 2005 with the command and decision that turned the Giants and Pats into SB material and catapulted the Jets light-years forward in their growth.

Crown Royal · 01-06-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yakuza Rich

Jones also wanted Bryant.

However, Lacewell got his way and got Gurode. When Bryant was still available, Jones got his wish.

While I thought of it when I first heard Lacewell was being fired, good job by Mosely to be the first media guy to pick up on this as well. Jones shares a huge responsibility in the bad drafts as well.

Where I *think* Lacewell got in trouble is with the pro scouting. I believe he probably told them that Wiley was good, Gowin was good, etc. and told them that Bert Berry wasn't worth the time.

Rich................

Wasn't Gowin a pretty solid punter up until we resigned him in 2003?

Waffle · 01-06-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midswat

Analysis: Lacewell deserves some blame for team's woes

12:43 PM CST on Thursday, January 6, 2005
By MATT MOSLEY / DallasNews.com

In case there was any doubt, Thursday's retirement of Cowboys director or college and pro scouting Larry Lacewell proves that coach Bill Parcells is indeed calling the shots at Valley Ranch.

Owner and general manager Jerry Jones, who along with Lacewell has deep Arkansas roots, would never have made this move before Parcells showed up on the scene.

In addition to their professional ties, Jones and Lacewell were always running buddies. Lacewell was a constant sounding board for Jones, and he was even called in at times to help defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer when the defense was struggling.

[View Full Quote]

How asinine! He had nothing to do with any bad drafts, Matt!

Nors · 01-06-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waffle

How asinine! He had nothing to do with any bad drafts, Matt!

He is responsible for scouting and grading college and Pro prospects. He's the head of the department. He is awfully responsible for feeding the info to Jones over the years. He deserved to be fired years ago.

Parcells has solved the "problem". If only we could find a Pioli!

Where do I start?

Lafleur

Shante Carver
Soloman Page
Ekubust

Ellis over Moss

The Carter, Dixon in 2 reach, Blade?

The Larrimore, Goodrich Edwards CB scores!

Other than Flo, Dex this team has nothing to show for 1995-2001 drafts.
Roy was a no brainer in 2002.

Pats had AB off their board - how does that pick look now? Derek Ross anybody? Martin - where's he?

Deveren Johnson - easily the stupidist draft pick EVER! Kid couldn't play in a Div 1 program - forget NFL.

Parcells in 2 drafts

Jones
Witten
Newman
Al Johnson

James, Shanle, Fowler, Thornton, Frazier, Jones - We have Bill players starting to grow into bigger roles.

This is the best I've felt about our future all season. Goodby Larry! Gravy Train is over.

Cbz40 · 01-06-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nors

He is responsible for scouting and grading college and Pro prospects. He's the head of the department. He is awfully responsible for feeding the info to Jones over the years. He deserved to be fired years ago.

Parcells has solved the "problem". If only we could find a Pioli!

Where do I start?

Lafleur

Shante Carver
Soloman Page
Ekubust

Ellis over Moss

The Carter, Dixon in 2 reach, Blade?

The Larrimore, Goodrich Edwards CB scores!

Other than Flo, Dex this team has nothing to show for 1995-2001 drafts.
Roy was a no brainer in 2002.

Pats had AB off their board - how does that pick look now? Derek Ross anybody? Martin - where's he?

[View Full Quote]

Nors.........Man you are getting meaner as you get older.

Waffle · 01-06-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nors

He is responsible for scouting and grading college and Pro prospects. He's the head of the department. He is awfully responsible for feeding the info to Jones over the years. He deserved to be fired years ago.

Parcells has solved the "problem". If only we could find a Pioli!

Where do I start?

Lafleur

Shante Carver
Soloman Page
Ekubust

Ellis over Moss

The Carter, Dixon in 2 reach, Blade?

The Larrimore, Goodrich Edwards CB scores!

Other than Flo, Dex this team has nothing to show for 1995-2001 drafts.
Roy was a no brainer in 2002.

Pats had AB off their board - how does that pick look now? Derek Ross anybody? Martin - where's he?

[View Full Quote]

Hey Nors...I agree with your post. My quote was sarcastic in nature based on other posters that claim Lacewell had nothing to do with drafts.

I think you will recall a few months back that I agreed with you regarding the poor record of Lacewell and specifically his participation in the drafts from 1995-2001. I think our only difference of opinion at the time were the drafts from 2002 until the present and I had an opposing view from you regarding New England's success in the late 90s.

It's a fact that both he and Jerry are directly responsible for the poor drafting of the mid-late 90s. Jerry gets an even heaver blame for the drafts of 2000 and 2001.

mr.jameswoods · 01-06-2005

No one is denying that Lacewell was responsible for the weak drafts from 1995-2001. But his departure is more symbolicly gratifying than anything else right now because his role with the team for the past 2 seasons has essentially been non-existant.

Why is no one going after Jerry Jones? Who is more inept; the scouting director or the guy who keeps paying his checks. If I was the owner and scouting director has done a terrible job for the past 3 seasons, he is as good as gone. I'm not going to keep paying his checks for another 6 years. I'm not going to jog with him and keep him around because he is my buddy.

The Jerry Jones apologists simply amaze me at times.

Bottomline: The person reponsible for those weak drafts was Jerry Jones. He didn't have to appoint himself as the GM or keep Lacewell as the director of scouting. Jerry was just so full of himself and wanted to prove everyone wrong that he never swallowed his ego until December 2002. Jerry's ego is what killed us the past 10 years not Larry Lacewell.

Crown Royal · 01-06-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr.jameswoods

The Jerry Jones apologists simply amaze me at times.

I want to meet the guy who created the word apologists. Got some words for him.

The word is as annoying as hearing Aikman say a player is "tremendous."