Mickey Spagnola takes your questions...

[trickblue]

Mickey has agree to take some questions from DCFU and the Zone...

He will take questions regarding the Cowboys, the NFL Draft, his career, etc...

Mickey has been kind enough to volunteer his time, so let's show him some respect and come up with some good questions...

Thanks to DCFU...

Post 'em here!

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

I figured we would get a bunch of player questions and so on so I wanted to ask a question off the beaten path and one that has something to do with the site.


Mickey

Since we here, on this message board, have sort of a vested interest in Chad Peters, and he has been working with you, I will ask the following question.

How is he to work with and is the sky the limit for this guy?

 

[cowboyjoe]

Mickey, thanks for your many years of cowboy info, etc. Your doing a good Job.
Two questions-first, whom is the most improved player offensively and defensively from last year, with the off seasoning conditioning?
Second, I think we signed free agent undrafted rookie Miles Austin, from Manmouth college whom the Cowboys looked at. What can you tell us about him, info, stats, speed, etc.
Thanks;joe cates-cowboyjoe

 

[Sasquatch]

Hi Mickey, the Jackal here, how are you?

Can you trace the evolution of Jerry Jones's approach to managing the Cowboys as an organization in terms of overall philosophy of putting together a successful team, the importance of coaching, player acquisition, hiring coaches, and his own personal role since he acquired the team?

 

[Qwickdraw]

What's it like to grow up a Chicago Bears fan only to become so personally involved with the Dallas Cowboys and has your close relationship with the organization made a fan out of you, aside from your vested interest? You do a good job of remaining unbiased in your opinions on the Cowboys affairs but I can't help but think somewhere, deep down, you must be pulling for them... as a fan.

Thank you and keep up the great work.

 

[Juke99]

Hey Mick..first off, thanks.

I live in NY. We constantly hear about how tough the media is in NY and why players either don't want to come here or have a tough time being successful when they do.

Do you think this opinion is valid?

And if so, do you think Parcells has an easier time of it in Dallas than he did in NY?

 

[Zaxor]

First Mick thanks for answering questions...

so now on to my question...IF Henson changes his name to Henso, or Hensi or Hense or even Hensa would he have a better chance of playing QB on a parcells led team...

Testaverde, Bledsoe, Romo,

But no really how do you think they feel about Henson

 

[yesfan]

Hi Mick,
I would like your opinion on how long Parcells might
be with the Cowboys if the team is truly contending.

 

[cowboyjoe]

another question Mickey, with the trade rumors going around about Julious Jones, do you think this will motivate him to work harder, to stay in shape, or have you heard anything about him not being happy in Dallas since the Cowboys might have tried trading him?

 

[DawnOfANewD]

Hello Mr. Spagnola, and thanks for devoting some time to answering our questions. Mine is, will Keith Davis still factor into the mix at FS with the additions of Watkins and Coleman or will he move to his more natural SS spot fighting for backup time with Beriault? Thanks.

 

[odog422]

hey mick, first off, thanks for taking the questions.

id like to know have you heard anything regarding the health of rivera (back) and fabini (chest/shoulder wasn't it?)? ive heard flo is all the way back now. tru as well?

 

[Chief]

Hey Mick, give us your short list of candidates to replace Parcells in the next year or two.

 

[AsthmaField]

Hi Mickey, you've always been one of my favorite Dallas writers.

The Cowboys really liked Jason Hatcher and apparently he was pretty highly thought of around the NFL. Ratliff came in and saw some action as a 7th rounder last year, so I think maybe Hatcher could see a lot of action. Do you see Hatcher getting significant playing time this season?

If so, who do you see being the top four DE's in the rotation? Spears, Canty, Ratliff and Hatcher? Where does that leave Ellis... only as a DT in our 4 man line in the nickel?

 

[theogt]

Did you guys know about the 2 TE set philosophy change before hand or was the Fasano pick as surprising to you as it was us?

 

[Big Country]

Howdy Mickey,

Thanks for the time pal... What is your take on the Cowboys 06 draft in waiting to address the OL so late? Furthermore, has Rivera gotten back on track since his back problem last year?

 

[Everlastingxxx]

Hey Mickey,
Whats the deal with Parcells not speaking to the media for this length of time? I know he did this same thing the previous years, but this year we didnt even get a draft press conference. How do you feel about the silence and what do you think Jerry thinks about it? Thank you for all your excellent work.

 

[J-DOG]

Hey Mickey thanks for taking questions.

I want to know the status of 3 players who could really help our team this next season. Justin Beriault, Marco Columbo and Kalen Thornton. Beriault and Thornton were starting to show something last preseason and I think Beriault if healthy can compete at FS. I also think Thornton could have value as a stiuational pass rush LB in the 3-4. Columbo if healthy would be a steal for us but I have yet to see him play at all.
What are your thoughts about those 3 players?
Thanks again.

 

[AdamJT13]

Mickey, how much time to you spend each week during the season studying game tapes? And how much during the offseason?

 

[Chocolate Lab]

LOL, Adam....

But Mickey, can you please give us an update on the recoveries of Burnett and Beriault? We've heard that Flozell is doing great, but know almost nothing about the progress of Burnett. Can he possibly be ready in time for camp after tearing his ACL so late in the season?

 

[TheSkaven]

Mickey, thanks for your many years of cowboy info, etc. Your doing a good Job.
Two questions-first, whom is the most improved player offensively and defensively from last year, with the off seasoning conditioning?

This is a great question and also one of those tid-bits that we just don't seem to be getting these days. This off-season it just seems to be all TO, all the time.

My question for Mickey:

In the waning months of 2002, when rumors that Jerry Jones was courting Bill Parcells started to surface, you were adamant in your defense of Dave Campo in your columns. However in 2003 Bill Parcells, with effectively the same talent, doubled the number of wins and brought the team its first playoff birth in four years.

In hindsight, have you changed your mind about how much coaching can impact a team in today's NFL and is the difference in effort that this team seems to put forth on a week to week basis more of a testament to Parcells' coaching style or a deficiency in how Campo handled the team?