Fresh Crumbs

good news guys on Morgan,we have quite a few WR’s with promise on the roster…..Glenn,keyshon,Morgan,Merrit,Copper,Crayton,Crowder,Rector and the others….

Glenn and Key best seasons are behind them, Morgan is a question mark. We need at least one of the young guys to step up to be the third guy unless Morgan shows up.

This version of the compensation for Hunter makes a lot more sense. If a draft-day trade were being contemplated, a 5th round pick in 2007 would be considered the equivalent of a 6th round pick in 2006. It makes no sense to place incentive conditions on equivalent options.

Ante,

First off, check Key’s stats last season. I know the first thing you will say is “he has lost a step”. Key averaged a whole yard per catch more last year than what he had averaged during his entire career, and had a nice total of 6 TDs, especially considering the QB (sorry Vinny). Trust me I will take 70 catches with 6 TDs and about 1,000 yards again. He doesn’t need to catch 10 TDs on this team. And that leads right into my second point, Jason Witten stepped up very nicely with 980 yards and 6 TDs. If they just simply match that production, then that means if you get 1,500-2,000 yards and about 8-10 TDs from Morgan, Glenn, the young guns, Cambell, and the all the RBs combined, then Bledsoe will have had a productive year, and with the improvements to the running game and the defense that will result in a heck of a lot of W’s.

Eric,

Good points,also to add to your insite is the fact that KJ also played most of the year with a minicus tear in his knee.

Guys,

Has anyone read the ranch report lately? Seems as though there is a conflict brewing between Parcells and Greg Ellis. It doesn’t sound good. According to the report, Ellis expressed concern over his role in the 3-4, and Parcells wasn’t having it. I hope this is nothing more than a rumor, but after what just happened with Hunter, anything is possible.

ellis being a bit upset dosent surprise me all that much. Hes gonna have to suck it up and play tho. But on a better note im very happy that dallas is stayin in house on this FS position, because not only did i here some good stuff about Davis but I would really like to see what he has in him

man please be cool with this ellis we need him in there. i can understand why hes mad though. i was wondering if we would get to camp without some negativity anyways…

i read that about ellis too!! i hope that he cools off and doesn’t hold out of camp because of him wanting to be traded. i just don’t see dallas going all out on the 3-4 defense this year. not even our defense cordinator doesn’t even understand it to the fullest. i see us using the 3-4 on opening day and against passing teams, but on running teams; i think we will put ellis,glover,ferguson, and spears on the front 4. that is something that i can’t wait for myself. i just hope that things calm down a little and greg understands that he is a very big part of a defense that is going to be in the top this year.

I would not expect much out of Dropsie Morgan, no matter what his health is.

I have always hated to say it, because it is unfair to GE for it to happen with the perseverance he has shown being surrounded by bums all these years (Glover excepted); but with the switch to the 3-4 and our draft and his size, he has always been POSSIBLE trade bait. Keep in mind that Everyone thought Hunter would be staying after he calmed down too.

Darrell

I don’t think Ellis is going to hold out. I think he’ll do what he has to do this year, and see what happens next year. I got into a long conversation with Jon about Ellis’ effectiveness this year based on decreased playing time. Ellis himself is concerned about his effectiveness in the new alignment, and of course, his starting job. Righfully so, I think, but Parcells was having none of it. Parcells has shown himself to be a “my way or the highway” type of guy. If this situation doesn’t get better, the Cowboys will part with Ellis before Parcells.

James,

I hadn’t seen your post when I responded to Darrell, but you are dead on. I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see Ellis get traded after this season, but only if the switch works. If Parcells sees that he can’t make the 3-4 work, he’d have to be some kind of new fool to let Ellis go.

Rob2,
I would hate to see Ellis go and I would really love to see what he can do with some good players around him. I think the decreased playing time that has been talked about can work for GE positively. But the reality of the ? marks is plain to see unfortunately. And now comes this Fisher article, which is hopefully just a rumor. BP is one of the all-time great coaches, but if you go against him he doesn’t forget it , no matter who was right or wrong on the issue. Hunter is a good case in point, although I don’t blame Tuna for pulling the trigger on that one.

I’m with you on the Ellis issue, James.

Hunter’s biggest problem was the fact that he couldn’t the handwriting on the wall. With the situation he found himself in, his response to Parcells request should have been not just “yes”, but “hell yes”. It was a clear opportunity for him to become a starter right now, but he blew it. I wish the guy the best of luck. I’m definitely pulling for him to do well this year, because that translates into a better pick for us down the line.

As far as Jimmy Johnson trying to run off Aikman over Walsh, nothing could be further from the truth. I recent read an article at Foxsports.com where Jimmy Johnson was discussing the draft and draft day trades and explained that what appeard to be an affinity of Walsh during his days with the Cowboy’s was nothing more than an attempt to preserve his value for a trade in the future, where he was able to turn a first round pick into a first, third, and additional pick which I can’t recall.

How many times have we seen Parcells berating people on the sidelines ala Bobby Knight, only to see these same guys follow him around the league like puppy dogs.

Of course they follow him around like puppy dogs. He’s beaten them down emotionally and has complete control over them. great football coach, s****y methods. Just tellin’ it like it is.

I sure hope Ellis doesn’t hold out or become a head case, because no matter how much 3-4 defense the Cowboys play this season, we still need the depth, especially because we don’t know how the rookies will play in their first year learning and adjusting to the pro game.

onepaniolo:

As I told Darrell, I really don’t think Ellis is going to hold out. Guys generally hold out for more money. That’s not a concern for Ellis right now, but his playing time could directly affect his next contract, if he decides to continue on. Right now, Ellis is concerned that he will lose his starting position, or at least not be effective with his new role. I can’t say I blame him for that, but he has shown himself to be a classy, stand-up guy. His desire to be traded (if that is true) is also understandable. The man see’s the handwriting on the wall. Parcells is looking to go in a direction that may not be good for Ellis.

Here’s a guy who parted with a talented linebacker like Coakley in order to support the 3-4 alignment, which suggests that he would do the same thing to him if he feels that Ellis is undersized. Coakley had beaten out Bradie James, but still had to split time with him because Parcells favored bigger linebackers. Now I know the tempation here might be to mention Dat Nguyen, and the fact that he is undersized as well. Parcells is not a complete idiot. He let one go to get bigger, two would have been ridiculous.

For now, I wouldn’t worry about Ellis. I’m more concerned about Parcells and what he will do. Can’t say for sure, but I suspect Ellis is too.

Rob 2,
I am not sure that I buy Parcells decision to release Coakley to get bigger. The numbers are:
Coakley 236 lbs.
Singleton, a guy Parcells approved siging as a UFA, 228 lbs.
Burnett, a guy Tuna drafted, 239 lbs.

Both Burnett and Singleton ARE significantly taller than Coakley, but in the NFL who isn’t. I stand by my comments on BP’s management style, no matter how unpopular they may be.

James……….Burnett and Ware are both tall enough to add 10-15 lbs of muscle if that does not decrease their playing speed. So Burnett could weigh 250ish probably in a year or two. Most college guys add a few lbs in the NFL weight room. If it is needed.

I like Dexter Coakley……..he always played above his size. However, how many small linebackers do you want us to have on D?

Hey the D needed some new blood, and Coakley was a cap casualty……he did not cut him. He just asked a 30 year old LB to take a pay cut………Coakley wisely got paid by St. Louis. That is the biz. I mean I think we all wish Emmit had been a Cowboy these last few years……..uh……..we certainly could have used a RB………but that is the biz too.

James,

You might want to take a look at Cowboysplus.com before you decide to dif your heels in about Parcells. I’m not sure he isn’t about to completely f*%k this thing up. I told you guys about the issue with Greg Ellis earlier. Seems that now, Glover ain’t too happy with this 3-4 alignment. I just hope this switch is worth it. Right now, it ain’t looking good. We could see two of our star defenders gone by next year. I’m just not sure this defensive switch is worth all of that, at least not yet.

Sorry, I meant dig, not dif.

Jon,
No arguments about a guy adding muscle. I always try to figure out what is in their heads (team management) when they make the decisions they do. Just like all of us do, its our way of living our dreams vicariously is it not? Me, I got as far as JUCO ball,; it was the end of the line for me because of the size and speed for my position that the Lord gave me (nothing against him). Perhaps that’s exactly what they were planning on with Singleton and Burnett for example? My question on the Coakley thing is WHAT, at this point, separates HIM from Nguyen?

Rob2,
It has been speculated, ever since the switch to 3-4 became official, that Glover and Ellis might be traded because they didn’t exactly fit in to that scheme. What worries me is because of TunaMan’s management style, he may be pushing too much too soon. That is the main reason for my “flaming tirades” as some have refferred to it. From a practical standpoint I have always accepted that this switch may do away with popular players like Glover and Ellis. What will piss me of is if they were gotten rid of because they wouldn’t kiss BP’s ass about their new role. It is within reason that they might not be happy with their new roles, but being the pros that they are they will still get it done, unhappy or not. It’s what you do, not what you say! Unfortunately, Parcell’s WILL judge soley on what someone says if it isn’t politically correct ACCORDING TO HIM.

Rob2,
I do not have a subscription to Cowboysplus. I can’t read the article. Please give me the gist of it.

I don’t have a subscription either, but I saw the first paragraph there. Then I read somewhere else about it, and the gist of it is that Parcells has made up his mind, and the 3-4 is a go. Everyone else be damned. Ellis spoke up a couple of months ago, and Parcells took the time to explain to him that he thought this would be good for his career. However, Parcells made it clear that this is the direction he’s taking this team in, and anyone who is not ob board with it, needs to be quiet about it. He’s not a fan of people coming to him with complaints.

I love Parcells, but I am worried about him screwing up the dinner he’s cooking. Turn the heat up too high and you burn the meal.

Rob2,
I do respect BP for making a decision and sticking to it. My concerns are the same as yours though.

I hear you. People act like we’re not true fans just because we won’t follow Parcells blindly. I keep saying that I think he’s one hell of a coach, but with a flaw or two. I don’t want to see Parcells go anywhere. I think he can help us get back to the superbowl. If I didn’t I would be calling for his head right here on this blog, but you won’t see that, unless he begins to really slip, like Landry did at the end of his career. Parcells hasn’t gotten anywhere near that point, but he’s looking in that direction.

James,

About 5 or 6 years. Unfortunately stats on LBs over 30 is not great. Same as RBs. Nothing against Coakley he has played BIG for a long time and may well continue to do so. I know he was one of the best conditioned and strongest atheletes on the team pound for pound.

I mean let’s be honest……James should have been sitting and Coakley playing full time. The only reason his production was down was he was sharing time with another guy bigger than him that was not able to do the job. Football Players make plays……..while it is great to have size at certain positions. I mean I ain’t for putting a 200 lb guy at Guard or Nose Tackle……..I am just saying that saying a guy like Zach Thomas or Dexter or Dat or Sam Mills is too Small………is about as smart as saying th Titanic was unsinkable. Those guys were football players and great on and off the field.

I get the impression Bill wants youth at LB and he certainly has that. I mean Singleton the lone exception……..Dat would be the oldest other linebacker. I mean maybe I am wrong but I don’t remember Carl Banks being 270. 250 maybe……….which Burnett might not get too, but probably could……..I mean if a guy is making tackles and beating blockers who cares how big or how much he weighs. I mean the best player Bill Parcells ever had was snorting lines, chasing hookers, and drinking all night before games. When he went on the field, none of that mattered. I am pretty sure Bill would have preferred he not do those things………but the results were still HOF material.

So Bill has his guys and a guy like Coakley is lost to cap and the youth movement. It is the biz part of football that we all hate. Agents, Free Agency, Veterans like Tony Dorsett in Bronco Orange and Emmit Smith in Cardinal Crimson………uhhhh…….leaves a bad taste……..but hey it is football.

Look every coach has room for criticism. Parcells included. However, when you look at a Coaches legacy. The ability to Teach, that is what a coach is……and to instill it in others. You have to put Parcells at the top. He has more assitants spread around the league in various jobs………including Belichek……….he has former players now moving up the ranks of coaching………he has a couple of rings……..countless Pro Bowl and HOF players from his teams. Despite his reputation of being hard, you hear a guy like Bryan Cox say he taught him how to live off the field. How not to carry the game home……..how to be a better father and husband? I mean I know very religious people………that ain’t never impacted a guy the way Cox talks about Parcells. Certainly he like Johnson and Landry, and Shula make mistakes. Hey he even lost a Super Bowl. However, you gotta say this guy knows football, and knows people. Knows how to buy the groceries and cook the meals. Whether anybody in this blog would want to go to work for him now…..well maybe. Somebody that knows how to push the right buttons can get more out of a player. I have always and still wonder is the Draft of Parcells………or the Coaching and teaching that transform his players into NFL studs? I figure it is some of both. You hear a guy like Roy Williams when asked, How he likes Parcells………Just Fine………..reminds him of Stoopes! So Bob Stoopes ain’t no pushover either………nor was Lombardi or Landry………we got a HOF Coach leading our Cowboys………..who better to have at the wheel? There is only one coach in football right now that is close………Belichek……and that is another former assistant.

Now compare Parcells to Gibbs. Name an assitant that made it as an NFL Coach for Gibbs. Name a few of his former players that are making it as assitants or coaches? You got Thiesman and Mann in the booth on Sundays. Where are they? Doug Williams coachs college………but was he even a Gibbs guy…….just there long enough to win a SB……….anybody else. Ok how about Shula? Ok……….Cowher? The longest tenured coach in the NFL. Uh…….can you spell Chan Gailey……..at GT……..no longer in Dallas……….any others………ok………Bill Walsh…….now you can name a gazillion guys that went on from Walsh with success. I would say Walsh is one of the better coaches to ever coach. A genius perhaps. Landry plento of assistants went on to coach……..and off the field success.

That is how I judge a Coach. Does he teach. Do his lessons last, on and off the field. You know Bob Knight and Bill Parcells have another thing in common…….they both have students who have outdone the teacher………..Coach K at Duke and Lil Bil at New England. To me that is a sign of greatness.