The Stars must shine

[BHendri5]

The Stars Must Shine


By MICKEY SPAGNOLA
DallasCowboys.com Columnist
June 22, 2004, 5:30 p.m. (CDT)

IRVING, Texas - This should be testimony to the coaching job Bill Parcells actually did last year, coercing 10 wins out of these erstwhile 5-11 Dallas Cowboys and the first playoff appearance in four years.

This should also be a sobering dose of reality for those who believe these 2004 Dallas Cowboys are one step away from the Super Bowl, or one player away from regaining their dominance of a decade ago.

CBSSportsline.com recently put a list together naming its top 50 players currently in the NFL. There was no formula used to comprise this list. No polling of NFL personnel folks. Just one man's opinion of who are the best players in the league. So take that for what's it's worth.

But the Cowboys had just one player listed among the top 50. Just one.

Roy Williams, that's it, and he didn't show up until No. 43.

Now I know you don't have to have a team of stars to win a Super Bowl, and that when you analyze this list, you'll realize Carolina had just one player among the Top 50, yet still manage to go to the Super Bowl last year. But stars sure help.

Just do a bit of daydreaming. Go back a decade or so, say to 1995. How many guys do you think the Cowboys would have had back then in someone's Top 50? Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin, Deion Sanders, Charles Haley, Jay Novacek, Darren Woodson, Leon Lett. Maybe Nate Newton and Ray Donaldson.

Did I forget anyone?

Now these types of list are always conjecture, and a Cowboy or two might have been omitted. Maybe La'Roi Glover. Maybe, maybe Woodson, but certainly no one on offense, right? And really, it would be hard to argue they have a player who should be ranked in the top 40. Not today.

No. 1 on the list was Peyton Manning, and while some of you might argue with that, the Top 10 seemed to be pretty clean: Manning, Ray Lewis, Steve McNair, LaDainian Tomlinson, Randy Moss, Marvin Harrison, Kris Jenkins, Champ Bailey, Jonathon Ogden. Not bad. Stars of stars.

Baltimore led the Top 50 with six players: Lewis, Ogden, Jamal Lewis, Chris McAlister, Ed Reed and Todd Heap. Philadelphia was next with four, although two of those players have yet to play for the Eagles: Brian Dawkins, Terrell Owens, Donovan McNabb and Jevon Kearse.

The Super Bowl champion New England Patriots were one of two teams (Miami) with three players: Tom Brady, Richard Seymour and Ty Law. And then there were 11 teams with two players each, including Washington (Clinton Portis and LaVar Arrington) and the Giants (Michael Strahan and Jeremy Shockey) - which means the Cowboys were the only team in the NFC East without multiple selections.

The Cowboys, they were lumped in there with 11 other teams having just one player selected, including the likes of Houston (Andre Johnson), Cincinnati (Chad Johnson) and Buffalo (Takeo Spikes). But at least they weren't in there with those five teams shut out of the Top 50: Detroit, Arizona, Pittsburgh, Jets and Cleveland. So at least that's progress.

But more than anything, this gives you a better idea of just how far the Cowboys probably have to go to be considered a legitimate contender, having just one player listed among someone's Top 50 in the NFL, and at that, no higher than 43.

Now this is not to say you can't win without a bunch of stars. The Cowboys certainly were evidence of that last year. So was Carolina. But of the 12 playoffs teams from last year, only the Cowboys and Carolina did not have multiple players selected into this particular group. The other 10 teams had at least two. And of the 15 teams with multiple selections, only Miami, Tampa Bay, the Giants, Jacksonville and Washington failed to make the playoffs. But consider, will you, Tampa Bay won the Super Bowl the previous season and Miami did finish with a 10-6 record.

This also is not to say the Cowboys don't have some budding stars on the roster. And for comparison sake, here are the final 10 players listed, giving you a better idea of what it takes to jump into the Top 50: Takeo Spikes, Simeon Rice, Roy Williams, Patrick Surtain, Keith Bulluck, Chad Johnson, Ricky Williams, Andre Johnson, Jevon Kearse and Steve Hutchinson.

Let's see, two players very capable of jumping into that Top 50 would be Flozell Adams and Terence Newman. Adams was elected to his first Pro Bowl this past year, and Parcells is pushing him hard this off-season.

"I've been on Flo's case pretty hard since the season was over," Parcells said. "And he's done a good job. He's . . . Flozell this off-season, he's made some runs he's never made before since he's been here. I think he was happy with the way things went for him, personally, last year, and I think he's kind of upped his objectives.

"I think Flozell has a chance to be a real, real good tackle."

And needless to say, if his rookie performance is any indication, Newman has a chance to be a real, real good cornerback in this league. He led the Cowboys with four interceptions last year, playing the very vital left cornerback position. But more than that, Newman did a pretty darn good job being left in single coverage.

There is a star in the making there.

"I thought he played well," Parcells said of Newman's performance last year. "As good as any rookie in the league last year, I really do. I thought he played good. I think his upside is real good.

"Oh yeah, there is plenty he needs to work on. But, Terence, when the season was over, Terence was the first guy back in the weight room. I mean, it wasn't two weeks. He was back in there in January, he was back in there before the month was over. So . . . he wants it.

"He needed a little more bulk - he needed to try to put good muscle on without slowing down. He's up over 190 pounds, well over 190. You know he got down to 179 last year at one point in time. Just wore himself out. But he's got a better idea of what to do, what the competition is. He's a pretty smart kid. Not lazy."

That's two legitimate guys. Then there is tight end Jason Witten. Keep an eye on this guy. He, too, has benefited from a full off-season with Joe Juraszek in the weight room. Parcells thinks he has something here, and more than just a receiving tight end. Plus, remember, Witten came out early, and just turned 22 last month. Think about that. He's still a kid.

And here is a prediction: Someone on that defensive line will emerge as a top-notch player. Glover already is, having been to the Pro Bowl the past four years. But with the addition of Marcellus Wiley, the ability to move Greg Ellis over to the right side and the potential emergence in the middle with the likes of Daleroy Stewart, Leonardo Carson, Jermaine Brooks and Willie Blade, the collective group is going to make at least one individual significantly better. You mark my words, someone up there is going to end up with double-digit sacks, which is some limb to jump on since the Cowboys haven't had a double-digit sacker since Tony Tolbert (12) in 1996.

And while I'm out on that bowing limb, let me leave you with one more: Antonio Bryant. I know, I know, but there is something there, I'm telling you, and it's up to the Cowboys to extract. He has the talent to burst onto the NFL scene if he keeps his head on straight and continues to work as hard as he has his first two years. Plus, who knows, the Lasik surgery to correct his vision just might have a profound effect on him. If he can just corral his temper.

Now then, if these guys all emerge, then this team might be one of stars again - maybe one laced with Super Bowl contention. Maybe then these Cowboys will be one step away with a little help from the other worker bees.

But for now, for those who think the Cowboys already are one step away, just look at the stars, then realize that step would be one gigantic leap for Cowboy-kind.

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[big dog cowboy]

Originally Posted by CowboynIRAQ

And here is a prediction: Someone on that defensive line will emerge as a top-notch player. Glover already is, having been to the Pro Bowl the past four years. But with the addition of Marcellus Wiley, the ability to move Greg Ellis over to the right side and the potential emergence in the middle with the likes of Daleroy Stewart, Leonardo Carson, Jermaine Brooks and Willie Blade, the collective group is going to make at least one individual significantly better. You mark my words, someone up there is going to end up with double-digit sacks, which is some limb to jump on since the Cowboys haven't had a double-digit sacker since Tony Tolbert (12) in 1996.

Ah music to my ears. I am more than ready for a return to the days of a dominating line. Considering we had zero pass rush last year, imagine how good we could be with at least a decent pass rush this year. Should this group gel, we could be hell to run on. What I am really excited about is our depth. If we can get the rotation thing going to keep the guys fresh late, the 4th quarter should be ours.

[LaTunaNostra]

Here are Bill's two Super Bowl winning line ups as Giants coach.

How many of these guys qualified as among the top 50?

LT, of course. Simms, yes by 1990. Perhaps Bavaro in 1990? Carson was darn good, but top 50 is debatable.

Contrary to what Skins fans might say (which is Tuna beat Gibbs with superior talent), Tuna has never had big talent laden rosters.



HEAD COACH - BILL PARCELLS

1986 REGULAR SEASON RESULTS
(14-2) 1st Place, NFC East

1986 STARTING LINEUPS

Offense Defense
WR 88 Bobby Johnson LE 75 George Martin
LT 60 Brad Benson NT 64 Jim Burt
LG 67 Billy Ard RE 70 Leonard Marshall
C 65 Bart Oates LOLB58 Carl Banks
RG 61 Chris Godfrey LILB 55 Gary Reasons
RT 63 Karl Nelson RILB 53 Harry Carson
TE 89 Mark Bavaro LOLB56 Lawrence Taylor
WR 81 Stacy Robinson LCB 25 Mark Collins
QB 11 Phil Simms RCB 23 Perry Williams
RB 20 Joe Morris FS 48 Kenny Hill
RB 44 Maurice Carthon SS 43 Terry Kinard
Special Teams
P 5 Sean Landeta
PK 2 Raul Allegre
PR 80 Phil McConkey
KR 25 Mark Collins


1990 REGULAR SEASON RESULTS

(13-3) 1st Place, NFC East

1990 STARTING LINEUPS

Offense Defense

WR 82 Mark Ingram LE 77 Eric Dorsey
LT 76 John Elliott NT 74 Erik Howard
LG 66 William Roberts RE 73 John Washington
C 65 Bart Oates LOLB58 Carl Banks
RG 61 Bob Kratch LILB 99 Steve Deossie
RT 72 Doug Riesenberg RILB 52 Pepper Johnson
TE 89 Mark Bavaro LOLB56 Lawrence Taylor
WR 85 Stephen Baker LCB 25 Mark Collins
QB 11 Phil Simms RCB 28 Everson Walls
RB 24 Ottis Anderson SS 47 Greg Jackson
RB 44 Maurice Carthon FS 29 Myron Guyton
Special Teams
P 5 Sean Landeta 21 Reyna Thompson
PK 9 Matt Bahr
PR 30 Dave Meggett
KR 30 Dave Meggett

[Nors]

LE 77 Eric Dorsey
LT 76 John Elliott NT 74 Erik Howard
LG 66 William Roberts RE 73 John Washington
C 65 Bart Oates LOLB58 Carl Banks
RG 61 Bob Kratch LILB 99 Steve Deossie
RT 72 Doug Riesenberg RILB 52 Pepper Johnson
TE 89 Mark Bavaro LOLB56 Lawrence Taylor

[LaTunaNostra]

I hope so too Nors.

THat was a very hard working blue collar highly achieving bunch, but the biggest "star" on it was Jumbo Elliot. And he was no Tony Boselli.

When Bill came to NE he had, in his own words "three or four player". He built that team in four years from virtually nothing, he had Armstrong and Coates, drafted Law, Milloy, McGinest, Bruschi, Johnson, Bledsoe, Glenn, Martin, etc.

That AFC Champ 96 Pats team was the most "talented" roster he ever had, but that's in retrospect.

Martin, Glenn, Law, Milloy, those weren't top fifty impact players in 1996. Guys like Otis Smith and Sean Jefferson made key contributions.

What Mickey doesn't seem to get is Bill doesn't NEED as many "stars" to win as other coaches.

[Hostile]

We've been 8 years without a D-lineman in double digit sacks?

That is utterly depressing to even think about. I miss Charles haley.

[adbutcher]

Originally Posted by Hostile

We've been 8 years without a D-lineman in double digit sacks?

That is utterly depressing to even think about. I miss Charles haley.

Especially his viciousness and passion.

[Kangaroo]

Hostetler was the starting QB in the 2nd Superbowl due to a Phill Simms injury 2 games before the playoffs started

New York Giants Att. Comp. Yds. TD Int.
Hostetler 32 20 222 1 0

But here is an interseting article from Parcells of all people lol talking about a backup

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/5911034


In his weekly column on NFL.com, former head coach and GM Bill Parcells discusses the significant injuries three starting quarterbacks suffered in Week 11 and the challenges a coach faces in such a situation.)
(Nov. 20, 2002) -- In light of the purge of starting quarterbacks for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos and Philadelphia Eagles, the coaches of these teams are now faced with multiple sets of considerations.
How will they approach the immediacy of replacing a quarterback? How will the quarterbacks be used within the structure of their respective teams? The third -- and maybe toughest -- question will be: Can the coaches convince their clubs that this is not the end of the season for them, but only a setback?
I can speak from firsthand experience. In 1990, when I was the head coach of the New York Giants, we lost our starting quarterback, Phil Simms, 14 games into the season. At that point in time, there was a common feeling that you could not win a Super Bowl with a backup quarterback. In this case, our backup was Jeff Hostetler. After Simms was injured, Hostetler filled in for us during the last two regular-season games, and through the three playoff games. He made a strong contribution and eventually helped us win a Super Bowl that season.

PARCELLS' QUICK HITS
Green Bay has to be in shock that Minnesota could gain 218 yards rushing against them.

I know Michael Vick is the second coming of Michael Jordan, but when you look at his passing numbers from last week against New Orleans, he was 11 of 23 for 160 yards. He lost 23 yards on sacks and 74 yards came on one play. On the other 22 passes he made 3.9 yards per attempt. From a defensive standpoint, I'm a proponent of making this guy throw the ball.

The New Orleans Saints have to get their defense together. If they don't, even though they have a very favorable schedule, they're not going to go very far if they get to the playoffs.

I wouldn't jump to conclusions but San Diego's comeback victory against San Francisco might be a benchmark game for the Chargers.

Buster Olney from the New York Times assessing the New York Giants as a high-wire act was a pretty accurate assessment.

I know when addressing my team back in 1990 after Simms went down with what looked like a season-ending injury, the first question I had to deal with was: When is Simms going to come back? I told the team I wasn't sure when he would be back but it wasn't going to make any difference if we didn't play well in the interim. I was trying to keep them going in a positive direction. I wanted them to look at what we were faced with as a setback rather than a pending disaster.
I tried to accentuate the positives of the player who was taking Phil's place. Jeff had a different style than Simms, and with two weeks to go in the season, it gave us some time to utilize the different skills Hostetler had, which were different from what we had been used to with Simms. In our play packages, we put some specific things in that suited Hostetler's abilities more than it did Phil's. It wasn't a departure from our offense, but we added some things that fit his style better.
Recent history has shown us a backup can come in and win a Super Bowl. Kurt Warner did it for the Rams after Trent Green was injured in a preseason game. Last year, Tom Brady became the starter in Week 3 after Drew Bledsoe was injured during New England's second game. Brady eventually led the Patriots to their first championship. Both of those quarterbacks had most if not all of the regular season to develop chemistry with their fellow offensive players. That doesn't necessarily mean the same thing is going to happen to the three teams that lost quarterbacks in Week 11.
Of the three injuries suffered last week, the one that will cause the least uproar is the one to Broncos quarterback Brian Griese. Denver has a proven veteran in Steve Beuerlein, who has been with them and has been prepared to play throughout the course of the season. He has a good understanding of the offense and, more important, a good feel for what the players on the team can do. Beuerlein has proved over the years he can be a successful quarterback, although he does lack championship experience.

Jeff Hostetler's success proved a team can succeed if a backup QB takes over late in the season.
The injury to Tommy Maddox will cause some consternation in Pittsburgh. This situation arose over a lack of confidence on the coaching staff's part -- and maybe even on the players' part -- because of Kordell Stewart's performance early in the season. With the quarterback change being made in favor of Maddox and now having to go back to Stewart, it creates a little bit of a dilemma for the Steelers.
However, Pittsburgh has changed the way it approaches things on offense and it might fit Stewart better than the philosophy it used earlier in the season. The Steelers began the season trying to build off the running game and using the pass as a complement. Since Maddox took over, their receivers have really developed and they've expanded their passing package. This, in fact, might serve Stewart better than what he started the season with. The confidence of the players and the coaching staff, and the scrutiny Stewart will be under, will be a lot of pressure for him.
The injury to Donovan McNabb in Philadelphia is a devastating one, but it happened to a team that has some other things it can rely on. The Eagles have had a consistently effective defense over the past few years, and this season their running game has been good. Of course, they lose the dimension of a scrambling quarterback with Koy Detmer going in, but Philadelphia's passing offense was really nothing to write home about as the season has unfolded. They were having a lot of problems in the red zone until last week against Arizona. This is a team, if it continues to utilize and play to its strengths, that can still be successful even though it was as close to being one-man reliant as any team in the league.
It's an interesting set of circumstances for the coaches of these three teams, and I'll watch with interest to see what kind of decisions they come up with to replace their injured quarterbacks.

[baj1dallas]

what a pointlessly stupid article. "I think these guy will turn out pretty good"...well duh they're already halfway there. Who cares where SI "ranks" them? Lame.