Peters: Afternoon Notes - Dallas Cowboys Forum

Ken · 08-01-2004

Sunday Notebook: Parcells Sings Stewart's Praises

Chad Peters
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
August 1, 2004, 6:26 p.m. (PDT)

OXNARD, Calif. -- The release of Willie Blade, last year's starting defensive tackle, opened up a huge opportunity for several Cowboys' defensive linemen. And an improving Daleroy Stewart already seems to be capitalizing.

"There's a guy I have some hopes for right there," head coach Bill Parcells said of Stewart at his daily press conference Sunday here at training camp. "I really am pretty confident in that player."

Stewart took Pro Bowl defensive tackle La'Roi Glover's spot on the first-team defense Sunday in part of Parcells' rotation of players to get a better idea of what they can do playing against the first-team offense. While it's doubtful Stewart would replace Glover in the starting lineup, he could be used to spell Glover and possible as a pass-rusher on the nickel defense.

"I like it because nobody knows who he is," Parcells said. "Really, nobody knows it, but he's going to be pretty good I think."

Take What's Not Yours

Winning 10 games last season despite having a negative turnover ratio, the Cowboys only forced 25 turnovers while giving the ball away 29 times. Improving this area of their offense will be among the Cowboys' biggest goals this year.

"We've got to be able to control the game the way we want to control it," Parcells said. "We're going to have to be a certain style of team. I particularly like that style. I don't want to be on the minus end of the turnovers."

The Cowboys were 9-0 last year when they were at least even in the turnover ratio. They were 1-6 when they lost the turnover battle, their lone win coming against Washington Nov. 2 when they finished in the minus category.

Coates Aides Tight Ends

During his first season as head coach, Parcells rarely mentioned the tight end position without mentioning a few tight ends he had coached in the past.

And while Mark Bavaro was a key contributor to his teams with the Giants, his top tight end in New England is actually here on the coaching staff for the Cowboys in training camp.

Former All-Pro Ben Coates has joined the staff this summer as part of the Jerry Jones' minority coaching fellowship. Parcells also has former players Maurice Hurst (CB, Patriots) on the staff this year, along with Detroit Fury (AFL) line coach Steven Smith.

But none have the credentials of Coates, who played four seasons under Parcells (1993-96). He also coached tight ends this past summer for the Rhein Fire.

"It brought back a lot of memories with Bill," Coates said after Sunday's morning practice. "But it's been a lot of fun to come out here and see guys like Keyshawn, who I know, and Terry, who I played with. Also, it gives me a chance to work with (Cowboys tight ends coach) Tony Sparano."

Parcells said Coates can even help his current group of tight ends.

"He was a really, really, really good player," Parcells said. "He likes these kids, too. I think this is a good opportunity for him."

Coates, who coached three seasons at Livingstone College, his alma mater, said his goal is to become a tight ends coach in the NFL.

Ditka's Commentary

Former Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints head coach Mike Ditka attended Sunday's practices, recording a segment for ESPN alongside analyst Sean Salisbury.

Parcells recollected a 1990 playoff game when his New York Giants faced Ditka's Bears.

"Mike had this beautiful leather jacket with a big "C" on it that he would wear on the sideline," he said. "That year he was wearing rose-colored glasses with it. He was kind of�well dressed. So we went out there for warm-ups in the game and I said to him that if those rose-colored glasses make things look better, I'd like you to get me a pair."

Ditka played tight end for the Cowboys from 1969-72 and was an assistant coach from 1973-81, so is quite familiar with the Cowboys holding training camp in the southern California area. Ditka spent 13 years of training camps in Thousand Oaks, Calif., about 20 miles east of here.

Consulting Again

Ron Wolf, former general manager for the Green Bay Packers, is back with the Cowboys as a consultant for training camp, as is Chuck Fairbanks, who coached the New England Patriots, along with Oklahoma and Colorado in the NCAA.

Fairbanks and Wolf will provide an extra set of eyes for Parcells during these three weeks of camp, and also serve as sounding boards for player evaluation. Fairbanks, who will be here the entire three weeks, also helps out on the field with a few tips to the players.

Officials Visiting

Once again there will be certain rule changes and some further emphasized, and a set of NFL officials are here at training camp to explain those points of emphasis to the coaching staff and players.

Among the points of emphasis are illegal-contact by defensive backs and holding along the offensive line. Officials will be really watching jersey grabbing, both by the DB's and offensive linemen.

The NFL officials worked practices on Sunday, alerting the coaching staff of penalties during drills and giving players further explanations.

Whalen Just Didn't Fit

Tight end James Whalen's four-year stint with the Cowboys ended last week because there wasn't a role on the team for him. Despite his ability to play special teams, the arrival of Jason Witten last year made Whalen expendable.

"I just didn't see a role for him. I just didn't see where he was going to fit in. I couldn't fit him in last year," Parcells said of the hybrid tight end who was inactive for nine games.

So Far, So Good

"Well he's in a lot better condition�a lot better condition. He seems to be good. He's working hard. I mean, a lot different on the plus side." - Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells on guard Larry Allen's improvement this off-season.

Short Shots

Quarterback Vinny Testaverde completed a beautiful pass to receiver Antonio Bryant over rookie corner Nathan Jones for a big gain in one-on-one drills. Bryant had to contort his body to relocate the ball while it was in the air, as it was thrown behind his right shoulder� Nathan Jones had a rough practice, later getting torched by receiver Terry Glenn in team drills . . . Punters Mat McBriar and Ryan Flinn struggled in the afternoon practice working in front of a rush, especially on the first four of their six punts. McBriar averaged 38.5 yards per punt and Flinn averaged only 32.5 yards, both punting into a stiff win. This was the first time the young punters got to kick in the middle of practice.

chicago JK · 08-01-2004

I liked seeing this:

Consulting Again

Ron Wolf, former general manager for the Green Bay Packers, is back with the Cowboys as a consultant for training camp, as is Chuck Fairbanks, who coached the New England Patriots, along with Oklahoma and Colorado in the NCAA.

Fairbanks and Wolf will provide an extra set of eyes for Parcells during these three weeks of camp, and also serve as sounding boards for player evaluation. Fairbanks, who will be here the entire three weeks, also helps out on the field with a few tips to the players.
******************
It was reported that Wolf really liked our first four draft picks last year. I rlemember seeing some articles saying he like Al Johnson at Center. Hopefully, we will hear their thoughts sometime during camp.

Ken · 08-01-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by chicago JK

I liked seeing this:

Consulting Again

Ron Wolf, former general manager for the Green Bay Packers, is back with the Cowboys as a consultant for training camp, as is Chuck Fairbanks, who coached the New England Patriots, along with Oklahoma and Colorado in the NCAA.

Fairbanks and Wolf will provide an extra set of eyes for Parcells during these three weeks of camp, and also serve as sounding boards for player evaluation. Fairbanks, who will be here the entire three weeks, also helps out on the field with a few tips to the players.
******************
It was reported that Wolf really liked our first four draft picks last year. I rlemember seeing some articles saying he like Al Johnson at Center. Hopefully, we will hear their thoughts sometime during camp.

I do too. I really like having another pair of eyes to help self scout.

Even better that those eyes belong to Ron Wolf!

junk · 08-01-2004

Agreed on Wolf. That is a good thing. He is a superb talent evaluator.

I can't wait to see what Al Johnson can do this year.

Jimz31 · 08-01-2004

Alright. LA looking good so far....not to mention that it's early as well.

**trickblue** · 08-01-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken

Consulting Again

Ron Wolf, former general manager for the Green Bay Packers, is back with the Cowboys as a consultant for training camp

Ron Wolf is a fantastic football guy and it is good to see him here with us... I am particularly endeared to him as he said a few years back... "Let's face it... if free agency hadn't come along... Dallas would have won 6 or 7 Superbowls in a row..."

God Bless Ron Wolf...

**big dog cowboy** · 08-01-2004

Ron Wolf? On our sidelines? That is excellent news. I had not heard that yet. We may not send 10 or 12 guys to the pro bowl this year. But we will have the deepest roster (in terms of talent) since '96 or '97.

**Reality** · 08-01-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken

The release of Willie Blade, last year's starting defensive tackle, opened up a huge opportunity for several Cowboys' defensive linemen.

Bwhahahahaha ... huge ... whahahahahaha .. gotta love puns, from Dale no less.

Skeptic · 08-01-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken

I do too. I really like having another pair of eyes to help self scout.

Even better that those eyes belong to Ron Wolf!

I'm counting on Wolf to help identify what players near the bottom of the roster are the keepers, particularly at CB and OL.

We have the potential to groom a young, hungry, talented team this year, and we need help seperating the wheat from the chaff, to turn a phrase.

I would absolutely love to hear what he has to say about Henson, by the way.

LaTunaNostra · 08-01-2004

Wolf must have done a good job when he was here last summer helping Tuna evaluate the over 80 new players he had never seen before.

Remember, he had Fairbanks, Wolf and Tom Coughlin in Dallas helping him out for a few weeks. The press was calling them "The Three Wisemen".

Bluefin · 08-02-2004

Quote:

Take What's Not Yours

Winning 10 games last season despite having a negative turnover ratio, the Cowboys only forced 25 turnovers while giving the ball away 29 times. Improving this area of their offense will be among the Cowboys' biggest goals this year.

"We've got to be able to control the game the way we want to control it," Parcells said. "We're going to have to be a certain style of team. I particularly like that style. I don't want to be on the minus end of the turnovers."

The Cowboys were 9-0 last year when they were at least even in the turnover ratio. They were 1-6 when they lost the turnover battle, their lone win coming against Washington Nov. 2 when they finished in the minus category.

I don't think improving in the take aways/give aways category lies solely with the offense.

Yes, Carter must take a big bite out of his interception total if he wants to remain the starter, but the defense needs to force more turnovers as well, IMO.

Here's how the playoff teams ranked after the regular season.

NFC

St. Louis: +7, 46 take aways and 39 give aways

Philly: +4, 26 take aways and 22 give aways

Green Bay: 0, 32 take aways and 32 give aways

Seattle: -1, 28 take aways and 29 give aways

Dallas: -4, 25 take aways and 29 give aways

Carolina: -5, 26 take aways and 31 give aways

AFC

Kansas City: +19, 37 take aways and 18 give aways

New England: +17, 41 take aways and 24 give aways

Tennessee: +13, 34 take aways and 21 give awyas

Indy: +10, 30 take aways and 20 give aways

Baltimore: +3, 41 take aways and 38 give aways

Denver: -4, 20 take aways and 24 give aways

Impressive, the AFC had four teams with double digit positive margin.

Out of the twelve teams, only Denver forced fewer turnovers than Dallas did.

Carolina and Philadelphia were just ahead with 26 a piece, but what might one more turnover have done if it came in one of the big road contests?

I'm talking at Tampa, where the defense had the chance to recover a fumble and the player tried to pick it up instead and the Bucs recovered it.

The defense didn't force a single turnover in what most see as the big road games.

Tampa Bay, New England, Phiadelphia and New Orleans.

A single fumble recovery or interception that could've set up the offense with a short field or provided the score itself may have been the only push needed in any of those games.

And I'm not bashing the defense, they were by far the best unit on the team and the reason we made the playoffs.

They simply didn't force enough turnovers.

And sure, the offense not scoring much made their job more difficult, but only one NFC playoff team had fewer give aways than Dallas did.

The Cowboys need to get better on both sides of the ball, IMO, and I expect they will.

lurkercowboy · 08-02-2004

Chuck Fairbanks is a good consultant to have as well.

LeonDixson · 08-02-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluefin

I don't think improving in the take aways/give aways category lies solely with the offense.

Yes, Carter must take a big bite out of his interception total if he wants to remain the starter, but the defense needs to force more turnovers as well, IMO.

Here's how the playoff teams ranked after the regular season.

NFC

St. Louis: +7, 46 take aways and 39 give aways

Philly: +4, 26 take aways and 22 give aways

Green Bay: 0, 32 take aways and 32 give aways

Seattle: -1, 28 take aways and 29 give aways

Dallas: -4, 25 take aways and 29 give aways

Carolina: -5, 26 take aways and 31 give aways

AFC

Kansas City: +19, 37 take aways and 18 give aways

New England: +17, 41 take aways and 24 give aways

[View Full Quote]

I like your analysis on this subject, Bluefin. (and your analyses on other subjects as well). I like your objectivity.

Anyway, there are 3 things that I hope will improve our take aways on defense. First, TNew has a year of experience under his belt and he has been impressive so far in TC.

Second, Wiley HAS TO BE an improvement over Ekuban. He should make a difference in the pass rush whether he gets pressure or if he gets double teamed, thus freeing up someone elso to get pressure.

Third, I don't bemoan the loss of Edwards at all. Sometimes I thought that he thought his job was to let the receiver catch the ball so he could tackle him. I sincerely believe that either Hunter or Thornton will be better than Mario was by mid-season.

AdamJT13 · 08-02-2004

I didn't see the word "zone" anywhere in Dale/Chad's article.

Strike one.

Bluefin · 08-02-2004

Thanks for the response.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeonDixson

Anyway, there are 3 things that I hope will improve our take aways on defense. First, TNew has a year of experience under his belt and he has been impressive so far in TC.

I think it sometimes get overlooked that Newman wasn't a shutdown corner as a rookie.

T-New had a great first season, but he had his share of bad moments while learning the pro game.

Now, Newman knows what to expect, he isn't learning the defense or how NFL receiver play.

T-New can focus on just playing the game.

And Newman's physically ready to play a full season, Parcells said he played under 180 towards the end of the season.

T-New is one of those guys who lives the game, he was back at the Valley Ranch training complex before the end of January while most everyone else was still on vacation.

Newman was impressive as a rookie and he may put that performance to shame in year two, IMO.

Quote:

Second, Wiley HAS TO BE an improvement over Ekuban. He should make a difference in the pass rush whether he gets pressure or if he gets double teamed, thus freeing up someone elso to get pressure.

I'm a UNC fan, so it hurt to see Eb tail offafter the potential he flashed as a rookie, particularly dominating the Saints Willie Roaf.

But Eb was another bust in a long line of disappointments since the departure of Charles Haley.

And you're right, Wiley doesn't have a choice but to perform at a higher level than Ekuban did.

And he isn't by himself.

Wiley's back-up, Kenyon Coleman seems poised for a productive year along with the Professor, Daleroy Stewart and other such as Eric Ogbogu, Leonardo Carson and Jermaine Brooks.

It sucks that Willie Blade couldn't stay motivated, but this unit may become a monster regardless, IMO.

Quote:

Third, I don't bemoan the loss of Edwards at all. Sometimes I thought that he thought his job was to let the receiver catch the ball so he could tackle him. I sincerely believe that either Hunter or Thornton will be better than Mario was by mid-season.

Rio was scary.

A slow corner with a rep for holding.

And now the league is looking to crack down on illegal contact after five yards.

Edwards was routinely in shoving matches with receivers 20+ yards down the field last year.

It's a wonder Rio wasn't flagged twice as often as he was.

Turn the page.

Pete Hunter is bigger, faster, and smarter than Edwards.

Let's see what he can do.

Can it be any worse?

Rio had three interceptions the past two seasons as a fulltime starter.

Hunter notched two interceptions in the same period as a little used reserve.