Parcells Finally Has a Team Created in His Image ...

[BulletBob]

After seeing part of the game last night, listening on radio, and reading the boards, I am now of the (very) strong opinion that Tuna finally has the team he had dreamt of when he first came to Dallas.

The defense certainly wasn't perfect last night, but Roy's play was the piece of info that put me over the top in my thinking. Our team is now created in the mold of the Giants teams of the 80s ... with two open question marks.

We seem to have established:

• A punishing defense with potentially dominant stars
• An excellent running game, which will be used to control the game tempo
• A QB who can manage the game
• An above average WR corps
• Excellent TEs - both blocking & receiving

We have two missing (or questionable, I should say) ingredients from the mold:

• A solid special teams unit
• A dominating, blue-collar offensive line

What makes me a bit optimistic is that the two questions above may be resolved in realtively short order by the questionable units playing together and having the time to gel.

It seems that Mr. Parcells now has his team molded to his liking. No more excuses. Let's roll.

 

[Juke99]

Excellent post. Thanks. You make a lot of good points.

My only concern, in the facts you stated, is the QB position. I'm not sure we have a guy who can manage the game.

Managing the game is about knowing when to get rid of the ball...and being careful with it as well.

Parcells, in his tenure here, has had three guys who might be in the top ten list of QB's who are the worst at this.

We'll see if Parcells can break Bledsoe of some bad habits...

 

[doomsday_II]

After seeing part of the game last night, listening on radio, and reading the boards, I am now of the (very) strong opinion that Tuna finally has the team he had dreamt of when he first came to Dallas.

The defense certainly wasn't perfect last night, but Roy's play was the piece of info that put me over the top in my thinking. Our team is now created in the mold of the Giants teams of the 80s ... with two open question marks.

We seem to have established:

• A punishing defense with potentially dominant stars
• An excellent running game, which will be used to control the game tempo
• A QB who can manage the game
• An above average WR corps
• Excellent TEs - both blocking & receiving

We have two missing (or questionable, I should say) ingredients from the mold:

• A solid special teams unit
• A dominating, blue-collar offensive line

What makes me a bit optimistic is that the two questions above may be resolved in realtively short order by the questionable units playing together and having the time to gel.

It seems that Mr. Parcells now has his team molded to his liking. No more excuses. Let's roll.

Nice post. If we are a little subpar at the two question marks this year you can guarantee it will be taken care of in next years draft or free agency.

 

[yesfan]

Excellent post. And another Michael quote:

"Don't worry pop,we'll get there"

 

[LaTunaNostra]

Nice post, Bob.

But the two missing ingredients are so essential to the Parcells stew, it won't feel like a true Tuna team til he gets them.

He's always said you build from the lines out, and from the center of the lines out, and set about to do that immediately with Johnson. But the receipe keeps needing spicing...that might continue all year, and more.

As for specials, and Bill's much repeated claim they constitute a full one third of the game, well, it's on him he went with DeHaven. But that incredible coach they got running specials in KC wasn't available, so I don't expect too much 'special', just competent from this unit til the coaching is upgraded.

 

[Juke99]

Nice post, Bob.

But the two missing ingredients are so essential to the Parcells stew, it won't feel like a true Tuna team til he gets them.

He's always said you build from the lines out, and from the center of the lines out, and set about to do that immediately with Johnson. But the receipe keeps needing spicing...that might continue all year, and more.

As for specials, and Bill's much repeated claim they constitute a full one third of the game, well, it's on him he went with DeHaven. But that incredible coach they got running specials in KC wasn't available, so I don't expect too much 'special', just competent from this unit til the coaching is upgraded.

I like it, from this point forward, I suggest we refer to them (special teams) as "Competent Teams"

 

[big dog cowboy]

As for specials, and Bill's much repeated claim they constitute a full one third of the game, well, it's on him he went with DeHaven. But that incredible coach they got running specials in KC wasn't available, so I don't expect too much 'special', just competent from this unit til the coaching is upgraded.

I was very disappointed in the special teams play last night. We looked like a bunch of college players running around out there. Play like that will get us killed this year killer D or not.

 

[LaTunaNostra]

I like it, from this point forward, I suggest we refer to them (special teams) as "Competent Teams"

And down grade it to semi- or up to very- as it applies.

I'm not gonna start on DeHaven today tho, too many of those savory ingredients BulletBob mentioned to snack on today.

Last night has me very very excited about those top secrets Tuna has been so careful not to reveal.

Two weeks from today, we get to see what's real, what's smoke, and what's
wishful thinking on our parts.

I know at least one that's real tho.

WARE.

 

[vicjagger]

Excellent! Well said.

 

[Juke99]

And down grade it to semi- or up to very- as it applies.

I'm not gonna start on DeHaven today tho, too many of those savory ingredients BulletBob mentioned to snack on today.

Last night has me very very excited about those top secrets Tuna has been so careful not to reveal.

Two weeks from today, we get to see what's real, what's smoke, and what's
wishful thinking on our parts.

I know at least one that's real tho.

WARE.

And, it's a bunch of misfits, to a degree, out there on the special teams...if they are playing like this during the season, we can always at that point.

I'll add one more positive to Mr Ware's presence....T New looks like a different player....that secondary has a chance to be a real difference maker.

 

[Cbz40]

And, it's a bunch of misfits, to a degree, out there on the special teams...if they are playing like this during the season, we can always at that point.

I'll add one more positive to Mr Ware's presence....T New looks like a different player....that secondary has a chance to be a real difference maker.

Morning Juke........night and day from last years secondary.

 

[Gent]

Our special teams coverage was superb last year. And in spite of what happened last night, I believe it will be again this season. McBriar looks like a probowler, but going into the season with Cortez really bothers me. Also it's not clear we have a good return man. I wouldn't lay those problems at DeHaven's feet, though.

-Gent

 

[adbutcher]

Superior Post!

 

[BulletBob]

Nice post, Bob.

But the two missing ingredients are so essential to the Parcells stew, it won't feel like a true Tuna team til he gets them.

He's always said you build from the lines out, and from the center of the lines out, and set about to do that immediately with Johnson. But the receipe keeps needing spicing...that might continue all year, and more.

As for specials, and Bill's much repeated claim they constitute a full one third of the game, well, it's on him he went with DeHaven. But that incredible coach they got running specials in KC wasn't available, so I don't expect too much 'special', just competent from this unit til the coaching is upgraded.

Good points, Herms. Here's why I'm not worried. The key to the whole O-Line was the acquisition of Rivera. He has yet to see the field. Once he is there, he will take the (surprisingly solid) Pettiti under his massive wing, and I believe that the O-Line will gel.

That scenario would lead to a bit more comfort with the Juke99 issue of Beldsoe managing the field and not making mistakes. If Drew is protected, those concerns are minimized.

Finally, I have a hard time believing that Tuna would ever field a sub-par ST unit. You are the expert, Barb. Has he ever done so in all of his years as a head coach?

I normally have a Wicknicki outlook on life in general. However, I think that this team will excel this year because the ingredients are all there, and the gravy is just starting to simmer. You can smell it throughout the whole house. It's starting to smell really good.

 

[Juke99]

Morning Juke........night and day from last years secondary.

Hi ya, Santiago.

I can very easily envision a team of youngsters really bringing it to opposing offenses.

Nice vision, indeed.

 

[adbutcher]

Good points, Herms. Here's why I'm not worried. The key to the whole O-Line was the acquisition of Rivera. He has yet to see the field. Once he is there, he will take the (surprisingly solid) Pettiti under his massive wing, and I believe that the O-Line will gel.

That scenario would lead to a bit more comfort with the Juke99 issue of Beldsoe managing the field and not making mistakes. If Drew is protected, those concerns are minimized.

Finally, I have a hard time believing that Tuna would ever field a sub-par ST unit. You are the expert, Barb. Has he ever done so in all of his years as a head coach?

I normally have a Wicknicki outlook on life in general. However, I think that this team will excel this year because the ingredients are all there, and the gravy is just starting to simmer. You can smell it throughout the whole house. It's starting to smell really good.

I totally agree. For evidence just see when the blitz was picked up and the decision that followed. On one occasion he was able to find his third read on his progression. I definitely feel the pieces are in place and we know when the Tuna has his groceries the damage he can do.

 

[c0wb0ys&h0rns]

yeah, the special teams was embarrasing. But you gotta remember, that was Swinton returning those kicks.

 

[LaTunaNostra]

Finally, I have a hard time believing that Tuna would ever field a sub-par ST unit. You are the expert, Barb. Has he ever done so in all of his years as a head coach?

He was always much more willing to carry pure special teams 'aces' in the past than he is now, and that's attributable to the change in the game today, where everyone has to earn his keep. No more carrying of a Ray Lucas for four years, or a Leon Johnson thru YEARS of knee injuries. Or a Rich Sowells making the squad when he had an Anderson before him. It would have to be a Meggett level game breaker. So I fear for Tommy Crowder, who I really want to see make the team.

In years past, Tom would be a given. And so would Woody Dantzler have been in 03, and not a lamented late cut.

What Bill has stepped up even more, imo is preparation for the unseen. Remember the Zuriel Smith and was it Randal Williams ? heads up play in '03? I think they reflected the degree to which possible scenarios are rehearsed, practiced, and gone over so a kid can have a better shot at making an instant correct decision in an extremely fast moving situation. And that to my mind, is IMPRESSIVE. When a kid keeps his head and makes the right decision.

"Specialists" are a dying breed, and only Jeff Robinson can afford to be one (and even his days are numbered.) Bill always loved it when he could count a punter as a third QB, so it's always been a numbers game. But the no slack/time at all given Cundiff is a pretty good example of the change in attitude toward specials personnel, I think.

More and better coaching has to deal with it...and I cannot fault DeHaven with lack of preparation, just in lack of creativity. (seen too many great wedge formmations make stars out of Chad Mortons not to appreicate the top coaches in that area).

Of course, specials will also remain a Tuna laboratory for future starting linebackers whenever possible...that's another Tuna trait....allows him to pack his favorite position even more.

 

[Glenn Carano]

Our special teams coverage was superb last year. And in spite of what happened last night, I believe it will be again this season. McBriar looks like a probowler, but going into the season with Cortez really bothers me. Also it's not clear we have a good return man. I wouldn't lay those problems at DeHaven's feet, though.

-Gent

Exactly! Great post!

 

[TheDuke]

i posted in the game thread last night that it was classic parcells football. although the o-line started off slow last night they really picked it up. they only gave up one sack, on a blitz, and all 3 running backs put up good numbers. I'm a little concerned about the special teams on both the coverage units and return units but i think once we get our main guys in there on a consistent basis we'll be a little better.

as far as bledsoe goes, i think he proved last night that when given time he can be productive. it just remains to be seen if we can do this on a consistent basis.