Mickey: Willie, Say It Ain't So? - Dallas Cowboys Forum

BrownSugar · 07-27-2004

Willie, Say It Ain't So?

By MICKEY SPAGNOLA
DallasCowboys.com Columnist
July 27, 2004, 8:05 p.m. (CDT)

IRVING, Texas - You could make an argument Chad Hutchinson was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

You could make an argument James Whalen's "satellite" no longer aligned with the current Dallas Cowboys' coordinates in time.

And you surely would have understood had Bill Parcells sent Antonio Bryant packing, but instead, as previously predicted, allowed him to resume working for the club with a one-two count and warned about choking up and protecting the outside corner of the plate.

But releasing Willie Blade?

You kidding me?

Why the guy started the final 15 games of the 2003 season for the Cowboys. And he started for not just any defense in the National Football League, but for the one which led the league in yards-against and the one which finished second in points allowed. He was trusted enough to start right there next to Pro Bowler La'Roi Glover. Geesh, he was that former third-round pick out of Mississippi State in 2001, and after a double false start, proved his worth last year.

But the Cowboys aren't going to even take him to camp? Not even give him a seat on Thursday's charter flight? Not even going to give him a chance to fail?

What in god's name?

OK, hold it, and sit down while you're at it. And you had better chill a sec for this one. Because here's what I'm told:

Willie Blade was overweight and out of shape. Willie Blade did not workout diligently in the off-season. Willie Blade actually said he was paid to play football, not to workout in the off-season. He said that, and evidently to the wrong person.

Willie, say it ain't so?

You kidding me? The guy went from being on the street after Houston released him with a week remaining in the 2002 season to making $375,000 last year. He went from the Cowboys giving up on him at the end of the 2002 training camp because his poor conditioning would not allow him to compete for a roster spot to having signed for the restricted free-agent minimum of $628,000 for this season - nearly double last year's salary.

And he couldn't see fit to keep his weight (315) down and his aerobic stamina up?

Forgive me, I'm at a loss for words . . . .

Then again, I'm sure Wheel Of Fortune would not allow a hyphenated one in the expression category where the first word begins with a D and the second word begins with an A that quickly comes to mind.

In all my years covering the Cowboys, there have been guys that have fallen into this category, guys during the history of the team we've made fun of for not having a lick of sense. Kevin Brooks comes to mind. So does Darren Hambrick. Leon Lett for his multiple transgressions against the NFL's alcohol and substance policy. Matt Darwin for thinking a fifth-round pick could hold out. Clint Longley for slugging Roger Staubach. Jeff Rohrer for singingThe Beverely Hillbillies' theme song on camera after Jerry Jones bought the Cowboys in 1989. Kendell Watkins for frequenting an establishment ruled off-limits at the time to the players. Solomon Page for general principles.

And I thought the worst had been Kareem Larrimore for the number of times fined climbing into double digits.

All of them, what a bunch of knuckleheads.

But now this.

And it's not as if Blade didn't know any better. I mean, let me take you back to last year, right after Bill Parcells was named head coach. Now I'll give Blade the benefit of the doubt. Blade was born in 1979. So when Parcells was winning his first Super Bowl with the Giants, he was but seven. The kid probably didn't even know who Parcells was. He was only 11 when Parcells was winning his second Super Bowl. Probably didn't know The Tuna from mere tuna. And hey, maybe news travels slow down there in Warner Robbins, Ga., word of Parcells was pushing the Jets to the brink of the Super Bowl in 1998 delayed.

So OK, he might not have known much about Parcells, about how he's old-school; how he's a stickler for weight training and running in the off-season; and about his rather dictatorial ways. You know, I'll give him that.

But Blade was here by the grace of Jones last year when Parcells arrived. And Parcells reached out to him, never one to waste talent. He explained to Blade what he could become if he lost weight and got in shape. He called in Willie's dad for a consultation, trying to get his father to put a little parental influence into the equation. And as Bill tells the story, Papa Blade guarantees Parcells he will not have any more problems with his son.

So Parcells constantly monitored Blade's weight, even calling him out one day when Blade said he weighed such and such. Marched him into the training room to see. The scale said Blade was a 20-pound liar. Parcells stayed on him.

And lo' and behold, the kid shows up at training camp like 315 pounds, and suddenly in practices and preseason games he's making plays. And if not for a sprained knee, he would have started the season opener, and so it was rather amusing how the Cowboys bemoaned his injury and absence there late in August in light of his history.

Then, on top of all that, on his very first NFL play, and at Giants Stadium on Monday Night Football at that, Blade makes a tackle for a two-yard loss, and is instrumental in snuffing out the Giants running game in the 35-32 come-from-behind, overtime victory. He would start every game thereafter.

Yet, after going through all that, and if he had a lick sense then sensing the club was high on Carson and Brooks, not to mention Stewart, you don't do what you're supposed to do in the off-season? You get cut three days before the charter flight departs? You don't even get in the air?

Guys should pay for being such numbskulls. But you know what, it's hard to learn when someone else is always there with a safety net to catch a fallen soul. And so, there were a half dozen teams, all putting in a waiver claim for the starting defensive tackle who was awarded on Tuesday to the New York Giants.

Wonder if Willie knows Bill knows Tom Coughlin, his new boss, and that the two were cut from the same cloth? Maybe someone should tell him for his own sake, because Coughlin has been known to cut a guy to send a message to the rest of the team, and guarantee you Blade's release was as much a message to the rest of the Cowboys about to embark on eight consecutive days of two-a-day practices as it was the result of total frustration - exasperation - with a guy who just wouldn't listen.

Willie, Willie, Willie . . . .

The Cowboys no longer have a hanging Chad. That the Cowboys released Chad Hutchinson late Tuesday afternoon obviously is no surprise. That after signing him in the off-season of 2002 and it's come to this, though, is surprising. And don't worry, I'm not ducking this. More to come.
Don't think the Cowboys are simply flirting with the City of Arlington to make other potential sites for the new stadium jealous. They are serious about banging out an agreement by Aug. 17 so any potential tax referendum can be placed on the November ballot for voter approval. Land acquisition, though, for Arlington will be challenging.
In a tough way, the Cowboys did James Whalen somewhat of a favor by releasing him before camp, giving him a chance to latch on with another team knowing he had very little chance to make this club as a hybrid tight end. And know other teams are interested, several putting in waiver claims, but since Whalen is in his fourth season, he has the choice of accepting the claim or signing with a team of his choice. A claiming team, though, would claim his $628,000 base salary. And unless he gets a signing bonus from the team of his choice, he might find himself trying to make a club for the fourth-year minimum of $455,000.
Here is a pleasant thought: For the next 10 days in Oxnard, Calif., our home away from home for the next three weeks starting Thursday, the highest high is projected to be 74 degrees and the lowest low is 59. That is heaven for folks living in these 100-degree parts this time of year.

Dale · 07-27-2004

It's a shame Willie couldn't remain a little more focused. He had a great build for the position and a good bit of natural ability. But, if you're only going to consider football a job that takes up about half the year, you won't be on Parcells' team for long.

BrownSugar · 07-27-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dale

It's a shame Willie couldn't remain a little more focused. He had a great build for the position and a good bit of natural ability. But, if you're only going to consider football a job that takes up about half the year, you won't be on Parcells' team for long.

I can't believe that he would actually tell someone that he was paid to play football and not workout in the offseason, he definitely falls right in line with the rest of the idiots that Mickey named...

Bluefin · 07-27-2004

Quote:

I can't believe that he would actually tell someone that he was paid to play football and not workout in the offseason, he definitely falls right in line with the rest of the idiots that Mickey named...

Very disappointing.

Why did Blade bother getting in shape and making the team last year only to blow it all after having a little success?

Quote:

The Cowboys no longer have a hanging Chad. That the Cowboys released Chad Hutchinson late Tuesday afternoon obviously is no surprise. That after signing him in the off-season of 2002 and it's come to this, though, is surprising. And don't worry, I'm not ducking this. More to come.

Super.

A third column on Chad Hutchinson since the season ended?

Enough already.

Why not spend a little time covering the quarterbacks who are still on the team?

2much2soon · 07-27-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrownSugar

Willie, Say It Ain't So?

By MICKEY SPAGNOLA
DallasCowboys.com Columnist
July 27, 2004, 8:05 p.m. (CDT)

IRVING, Texas - You could make an argument Chad Hutchinson was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

yea, under center for an NFL team.

ghettogandhi · 07-27-2004

this is f****** ridiculous- he was penciled in as a starter and now hes playing for the giants- we will be small in the middle- he was our only real beef in the middle-
mark my words this is really going to hurt our run defense.

i am in total shock.

Hostile · 07-27-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluefin

Super.

A third column on Chad Hutchinson since the season ended?

Enough already.

Why not spend a little time covering the quarterbacks who are still on the team?

I figure he will eat a little crow, and state his case.

Tricky-22 · 07-27-2004

Willy Blade has got to be the biggest idiot to ever sheot his pants on national TV.

And I thought that it was just a good hit that did it.
Turns out, this guy is probably to stupid to realize when it is time to go.

**big dog cowboy** · 07-27-2004

What a waste. Even gave him a second chance. Very disappointing.

AdamJT13 · 07-28-2004

It's almost as difficult to comprehend an NFL player who won't get in shape as it is to comprehend an NFL beat writer who won't learn how to write.

Mickey, say it ain't so.

jcblanco22 · 07-28-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghettogandhi

this is f****** ridiculous- he was penciled in as a starter and now hes playing for the giants- we will be small in the middle- he was our only real beef in the middle-
mark my words this is really going to hurt our run defense.

i am in total shock.

Brooks, Carson and certainly Daleroy Stewart are all over 300 pounds, with Stewart listed as a whopping 327, so we've got beef to spare in the middle. One has to factor in how much praise Parcells praised on Stewart in particular this offseason, saying he looks like a new man.

I have high hopes for Daleroy, definitely has loads of potential and seems to get it. Much like Willie, he was on his last legs last year after two years of being injured and inactive, and he made sure he showed something. He's apparently followed it up with a great off-season, while Blade failed to do the same.

**Sarge** · 07-28-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dale

............if you're only going to consider football a job that takes up about half the year, you won't be on Parcells' team for long.

That's the bottom line.

Charles · 07-28-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamJT13

It's almost as difficult to comprehend an NFL player who won't get in shape as it is to comprehend an NFL beat writer who won't learn how to write.

Mickey, say it ain't so.

The tool at his best.

The Realist · 07-28-2004

BP and JJ have been very positive on Stewart and Brooks all offseason. Shaun Smith and Stewart go 320 plus. I'm not concerned.

Tio · 07-28-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghettogandhi

this is f****** ridiculous- he was penciled in as a starter and now hes playing for the giants- we will be small in the middle- he was our only real beef in the middle-
mark my words this is really going to hurt our run defense.

i am in total shock.

Actually, stewart is bigger than blade...