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Dallas relying on 30-somethings
Web Posted: 09/04/2005 12:00 AM CDT
Tom Orsborn
Express-News Staff Writer
When Dallas Cowboys receiver Keyshawn Johnson doesn't like the way an interview is going, he leans slightly forward, furrows his brow and squints intently at his interrogator as if struggling to understand the ramblings of a young child.
It was a look the media saw often in Oxnard, Calif., as Johnson was asked a number of times to talk about a roster that includes 15 players who are at least 30 years old or will turn 30 during the season.
Johnson is one of those players, and he took it upon himself to correct anyone foolish enough to think Dallas has too many older players at key positions to be successful.
"You miss the point when you talk about old," the 33-year-old Johnson said. "The point is this: Can you play?"
Coach Bill Parcells believes his 30-somethings can, which is why at least 10 of them will probably start.
"It is a young man's game, no doubt about it," Parcells said, "but 30 doesn't necessarily mean you're old. You know, I don't think that 30 means you're old. There are some pretty good 30-year-old football players around."
Although the Cowboys don't have an inordinately high number of 30-something players for an NFL team, many fill important roles, including 33-year-old quarterback Drew Bledsoe, left guard Larry Allen (33), right guard Marco Rivera (33), nose tackle Jason Ferguson (30) and receivers Terry Glenn (31) and Johnson.
It's a risky move for a team that hopes to rebound from a 6-10 finish last season and become the first Cowboys team to win a playoff game since 1996.
"It's always a concern, believe me," team owner Jerry Jones said. "It's just a fact. The older the players, the more injuries you have and the longer the rehabilitation when you do have an injury. Ten years in a player can be the difference (between) two weeks and 10 weeks in rehab."
Fortunately for Jones, the Cowboys also have plenty of young talent, including four rookie defensive players — linebackers DeMarcus Ware and Kevin Burnett and ends Marcus Spears and Chris Canty — who are counted on to bolster a unit that finished near the bottom of the league last season in sacks, turnovers and points allowed.
"You've got to have the young players (along) with the veteran experience," Jones said. "If you go too far one way or another, you've probably missed the boat."
How quickly Ware and Burnett develop could determine how much the defense uses the 3-4 scheme Parcells favors. Ware and Burnett, along with first-time starting linebackers Scott Shanle and Bradie James, struggled at times during the preseason to defend underneath routes run by tight ends and running backs. If improvement isn't shown early in the regular season, Parcells could call for more use of the 4-3 scheme the team has used for several seasons.
Younger players also will fill important roles on offense, which will revolve around second-year running back Julius Jones. Parcells wants to control the tempo by running the ball at least 35 times a game. It's a theory based on the Cowboys' 13-4 record under Parcells when they have at least 30 rushing attempts.
But in order for the strategy to work, Bledsoe must be able to stretch the defense through the air. That's where another youngster comes in: third-year Pro Bowl tight end Jason Witten.
"Jason is a guy that very quickly you develop a lot of confidence in," Bledsoe said. "He always seems to be open, and he's very physical and catches the ball very well. He's going to be just a great weapon for me."
The Cowboys' best weapon, however, might be their 64-year-old coach. Embarrassed by last year's performance, Parcells has vowed to crack the whip throughout the season. Despite his age, he worked tirelessly during training camp to make his team tougher mentally and physically.
"He's right in the middle of everything all the time," Bledsoe said. "He's always got that scowl on his face, but he's doing what he loves to do. If he wasn't 100 percent into it, he wouldn't do it."
Said Parcells: "I'm trying to give the players the best chance to be successful, so I'll be thorough in what we're trying to cover. And I desperately want this team to play the game the right way."
That includes players young and old.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
torsborn@express-news.net
Web Posted: 09/04/2005 12:00 AM CDT
Tom Orsborn
Express-News Staff Writer
When Dallas Cowboys receiver Keyshawn Johnson doesn't like the way an interview is going, he leans slightly forward, furrows his brow and squints intently at his interrogator as if struggling to understand the ramblings of a young child.
It was a look the media saw often in Oxnard, Calif., as Johnson was asked a number of times to talk about a roster that includes 15 players who are at least 30 years old or will turn 30 during the season.
Johnson is one of those players, and he took it upon himself to correct anyone foolish enough to think Dallas has too many older players at key positions to be successful.
"You miss the point when you talk about old," the 33-year-old Johnson said. "The point is this: Can you play?"
Coach Bill Parcells believes his 30-somethings can, which is why at least 10 of them will probably start.
"It is a young man's game, no doubt about it," Parcells said, "but 30 doesn't necessarily mean you're old. You know, I don't think that 30 means you're old. There are some pretty good 30-year-old football players around."
Although the Cowboys don't have an inordinately high number of 30-something players for an NFL team, many fill important roles, including 33-year-old quarterback Drew Bledsoe, left guard Larry Allen (33), right guard Marco Rivera (33), nose tackle Jason Ferguson (30) and receivers Terry Glenn (31) and Johnson.
It's a risky move for a team that hopes to rebound from a 6-10 finish last season and become the first Cowboys team to win a playoff game since 1996.
"It's always a concern, believe me," team owner Jerry Jones said. "It's just a fact. The older the players, the more injuries you have and the longer the rehabilitation when you do have an injury. Ten years in a player can be the difference (between) two weeks and 10 weeks in rehab."
Fortunately for Jones, the Cowboys also have plenty of young talent, including four rookie defensive players — linebackers DeMarcus Ware and Kevin Burnett and ends Marcus Spears and Chris Canty — who are counted on to bolster a unit that finished near the bottom of the league last season in sacks, turnovers and points allowed.
"You've got to have the young players (along) with the veteran experience," Jones said. "If you go too far one way or another, you've probably missed the boat."
How quickly Ware and Burnett develop could determine how much the defense uses the 3-4 scheme Parcells favors. Ware and Burnett, along with first-time starting linebackers Scott Shanle and Bradie James, struggled at times during the preseason to defend underneath routes run by tight ends and running backs. If improvement isn't shown early in the regular season, Parcells could call for more use of the 4-3 scheme the team has used for several seasons.
Younger players also will fill important roles on offense, which will revolve around second-year running back Julius Jones. Parcells wants to control the tempo by running the ball at least 35 times a game. It's a theory based on the Cowboys' 13-4 record under Parcells when they have at least 30 rushing attempts.
But in order for the strategy to work, Bledsoe must be able to stretch the defense through the air. That's where another youngster comes in: third-year Pro Bowl tight end Jason Witten.
"Jason is a guy that very quickly you develop a lot of confidence in," Bledsoe said. "He always seems to be open, and he's very physical and catches the ball very well. He's going to be just a great weapon for me."
The Cowboys' best weapon, however, might be their 64-year-old coach. Embarrassed by last year's performance, Parcells has vowed to crack the whip throughout the season. Despite his age, he worked tirelessly during training camp to make his team tougher mentally and physically.
"He's right in the middle of everything all the time," Bledsoe said. "He's always got that scowl on his face, but he's doing what he loves to do. If he wasn't 100 percent into it, he wouldn't do it."
Said Parcells: "I'm trying to give the players the best chance to be successful, so I'll be thorough in what we're trying to cover. And I desperately want this team to play the game the right way."
That includes players young and old.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
torsborn@express-news.net
