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Cowboys, Seahawks star-less in Seattle
August 11, 2006
SEATTLE (AP) -- As exhibition games go, the Dallas Cowboys-Seattle Seahawks contest could have been semi-compelling.
Could have.
Instead, Terrell Owens is unlikely to play his first game for the Cowboys on Saturday night at Qwest Field because of lingering hamstring pain.
Dallas coach Bill Parcells said starting quarterback Drew Bledsoe, a former Washington State star may not play in what would be his third homecoming game in 12 months -- just because he doesn't have to.
For the same reason, Seattle league MVP Shaun Alexander and Pro Bowl quarterback Matt Hasselbeck may not play more than the opening series. The NFL rushing leader in 2005 sat out a full-scale scrimmage last weekend and has rested through many training camp drills.
"He's going to play in the games and get ready and get hit around a little bit, but I don't have to see him do a lot of things," said Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren. "We're going to keep him fresh for the season."
So, hello, Terrance Copper, Owens' backup. Hello, Tony Romo, Maurice Morris and Seneca Wallace.
Romo, who hasn't thrown a regular-season pass since entering the league in 2003, backs up Bledsoe. Morris is Alexander's substitute. Wallace almost never plays in real games behind Hasselbeck.
All three could play deep into the second half on Saturday.
"At this point in my career, I don't need a whole bunch in the preseason to feel like I'm ready to rock-n-roll," said Bledsoe, who is beginning his 14th NFL season.
Parcells said he is planning on playing Bledsoe and other starters for perhaps two quarters in the Cowboys' next exhibition, Aug. 21 against New Orleans. So, Bledsoe doesn't mind that he may not play in Seattle.
Actually, he wouldn't mind the preseason cut in half.
"I think if you ask any veteran that's been around for awhile, we'd much rather see there be two preseason games then get into the meaningful ones," Bledsoe said, "When you get into Week 3 and 4 playing games that don't count, you get a little frustrated."
Romo, Morris and Wallace won't be frustrated Saturday. Neither will Chris Spencer. He'll be too busy.
The Seahawks' No. 1 draft choice from 2005 is moving from backup centre to start at left guard for Floyd Womack. Womack, the presumed replacement for all-pro Steve Hutchinson, strained his right hamstring Wednesday and will miss at least a week.
Then, when Pro Bowl centre Robbie Tobeck leaves early in the game, Spencer will move back to centre and rookie fourth-round pick Rob Sims will move to left guard. Spencer will also play some at right guard.
"The more you can do, that's what this league is all about," said Spencer, who last played guard at Mississippi in 2003.
Holmgren said as many as 15 Seahawks will not make the flight across Washington state from training camp because of injuries. They include six starters: Womack, wide receiver Darrell Jackson, tight end Jerramy Stevens, defensive linemen Grant Wistrom and Rocky Bernard and safety Michael Boulware.
"The young guys are going to wind up playing a lot. They are going to get real tired," Holmgren said.
Holmgren said rookie No. 1 pick Kelly Jennings, battling Kelly Herndon for the starting left cornerback job, "is on the fence" to play. Jennings strained a groin in practice on Monday but was back in team drills on Thursday.
As for Owens, Parcells hasn't completely ruled him out for Saturday.
But Owens said: "Everybody knows Bill has a rule: If you don't practice, you don't play. At this point it wouldn't be beneficial and smart to jump into full action. My endurance is not where it was before I got hurt."
August 11, 2006
SEATTLE (AP) -- As exhibition games go, the Dallas Cowboys-Seattle Seahawks contest could have been semi-compelling.
Could have.
Instead, Terrell Owens is unlikely to play his first game for the Cowboys on Saturday night at Qwest Field because of lingering hamstring pain.
Dallas coach Bill Parcells said starting quarterback Drew Bledsoe, a former Washington State star may not play in what would be his third homecoming game in 12 months -- just because he doesn't have to.
For the same reason, Seattle league MVP Shaun Alexander and Pro Bowl quarterback Matt Hasselbeck may not play more than the opening series. The NFL rushing leader in 2005 sat out a full-scale scrimmage last weekend and has rested through many training camp drills.
"He's going to play in the games and get ready and get hit around a little bit, but I don't have to see him do a lot of things," said Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren. "We're going to keep him fresh for the season."
So, hello, Terrance Copper, Owens' backup. Hello, Tony Romo, Maurice Morris and Seneca Wallace.
Romo, who hasn't thrown a regular-season pass since entering the league in 2003, backs up Bledsoe. Morris is Alexander's substitute. Wallace almost never plays in real games behind Hasselbeck.
All three could play deep into the second half on Saturday.
"At this point in my career, I don't need a whole bunch in the preseason to feel like I'm ready to rock-n-roll," said Bledsoe, who is beginning his 14th NFL season.
Parcells said he is planning on playing Bledsoe and other starters for perhaps two quarters in the Cowboys' next exhibition, Aug. 21 against New Orleans. So, Bledsoe doesn't mind that he may not play in Seattle.
Actually, he wouldn't mind the preseason cut in half.
"I think if you ask any veteran that's been around for awhile, we'd much rather see there be two preseason games then get into the meaningful ones," Bledsoe said, "When you get into Week 3 and 4 playing games that don't count, you get a little frustrated."
Romo, Morris and Wallace won't be frustrated Saturday. Neither will Chris Spencer. He'll be too busy.
The Seahawks' No. 1 draft choice from 2005 is moving from backup centre to start at left guard for Floyd Womack. Womack, the presumed replacement for all-pro Steve Hutchinson, strained his right hamstring Wednesday and will miss at least a week.
Then, when Pro Bowl centre Robbie Tobeck leaves early in the game, Spencer will move back to centre and rookie fourth-round pick Rob Sims will move to left guard. Spencer will also play some at right guard.
"The more you can do, that's what this league is all about," said Spencer, who last played guard at Mississippi in 2003.
Holmgren said as many as 15 Seahawks will not make the flight across Washington state from training camp because of injuries. They include six starters: Womack, wide receiver Darrell Jackson, tight end Jerramy Stevens, defensive linemen Grant Wistrom and Rocky Bernard and safety Michael Boulware.
"The young guys are going to wind up playing a lot. They are going to get real tired," Holmgren said.
Holmgren said rookie No. 1 pick Kelly Jennings, battling Kelly Herndon for the starting left cornerback job, "is on the fence" to play. Jennings strained a groin in practice on Monday but was back in team drills on Thursday.
As for Owens, Parcells hasn't completely ruled him out for Saturday.
But Owens said: "Everybody knows Bill has a rule: If you don't practice, you don't play. At this point it wouldn't be beneficial and smart to jump into full action. My endurance is not where it was before I got hurt."
