Forgotten Men Reemerge

by Rafael Vela on Aug 4, 2005 5:48 PM CDT in Dallas Cowboys News

They have been afterthoughts. They are names from the past, quickly dismissed in the zeal to examine the newest candidates to be team saviors. They are Andre Gurode, Jacob Rogers, Torrin Tucker, Stephen Peterman and Eric Bickerstaff, and their timely returns may prove as valuable to the 2005 Cowboys as Demarcus Ware, Marcus Spears, Anthony Henry or Marco Rivera's debuts.

Admit it, you've labeled them as busts and moved on. I have. They are ready-made stories of failure, just waiting for the right moment to be told. Were Gurode to be cut this month, the mediots would sigh and add his name to the growing list of busts from Jerry Jones' last pre-Parcells' draft, a list topped by Derek Ross and Antonio Bryant. Were Petereman, Rogers and Bickerstaff to vanish, none would be forgotten, since none have been seen on the field. Tucker, a long-shot free agent guard from Mississippi State, would be chalked up as a high risk failure, a guy who was simply asked to change too much.

This week, every one of them has earned a modest promotion. Peterman was given an exclusive at left guard while Larry Allen worked off his late preseason fat. Rogers, given a second chance at right tackle after rehabbing a shoulder injury, finally looks ready to assume the role. He won't get it without a stern challenge from Tucker, who seems to have finally mastered the mental tasks that bedeviled him last year, tasks that led to sacks and a late season benching.

Gurode, moved back to his natural position at center, after a hot-and-cold stint at right guard, may not only make the final roster, but push incumbent center Al Johnson to the bench. These four given Dallas the depth Parcells has craved since he took control in 2003. He has invested more money and high picks on the offensive line than on any other unit, including the secondary. With statuesque Drew Bledsoe at QB, and with Larry Allen and Marco Rivera on the wrong side of 30, the return of the young lions could not come at a better time.

The most unlikely return is that of Bickerstaff. He is a man without a pedigree. He did not play at Wisconsin, spending the end of his college career rehabbing a variety of injuries. He was recommended by team scouts after an eye-popping performance in the Badgers' spring game. That he is still on the team after two injury-filled pro seasons is testament to his raw ability. He has spent the past week alternating between fullback and running back and Parcells today made him a full-time fullback. He offers something rare at that position -- size and speed. At 230 lbs., he has the ability to rip off the big run. If he sticks, and this is far from assured, he can give the Dallas offense a dimension few others possess -- he can be a younger, taller version of Richie Anderson, or a speedier version of Mike Alstott.

When he returned to coaching, Parcells commented that modern speed defenses like Tampa Bay's, Atlanta's and Philadelphia's, which play their linebackers five yards off the ball, would be vulnerable to old-school fullbacks like Larry Csonka and his quick hitting traps and dives into the line. Because the linebackers are so deep, Parcells explained, the fullback would be three or four yards upfield before contact was made. But so few teams use their fullbacks to block, much less to run, that coordinators don't fear this play. If a big speedster like Bickerstaff ever lined up next to Julius Jones, Dallas could make these smallish defenses pay.

It remains to be seen how many of these five can earn a reprieve. Parcells is a firm believer in Tom Landry's maxim that a player has to show promise in his second year and perform in his third, or he is cut. All of these players are entering Parcells year three. If form holds, some will not only survive the camp, but thrive. Watch them closely.

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I canÃ¢â‚¬â"¢t remember having so many Ã¢â‚¬Â problemsÃ¢â‚¬Â in training camp. ItÃ¢â‚¬â"¢s just nice that our Ã¢â‚¬Å"problemsÃ¢â‚¬Â are in a positive way. There are actually some training camp battles because the guys competing can actually be starters for the team, instead of just having guys battle it out because they are just ok players. Battles like the 3rd WR spot, the C spot is drawing alot of attention, There is just so much depth at RB that one of the guys competing for a RB spot is being moved over to compete as a FB so he has a better shot at making the team, the fact that our CB are competing for a 4th spot and not a 2nd spot like last year because we have 3 quality CBÃ¢â‚¬â"¢s already, or could it be that our Draft class was actually a good one that we donÃ¢â‚¬â"¢t know who to cut to make room for our Rookies. Heck you can even add now the fact that some of last years D-line are pushing each other and are going to make it hard for Parcells to make his roster cuts. Man i really do like having all of these Ã¢â‚¬Å"problemsÃ¢â‚¬Â. I canÃ¢â‚¬â"¢t wait to see some preseason action much less some regular season action. Go COWBOYS!!!!!!!!

by lilbeast on Aug 4, 2005 8:21 PM CDT reply actions

All I can say is, you better not miss too much time on the practice field during this training camp, or you just might find yourself looking for a job elsewhere. Thee most depth we had here in a long time.

by Derrick on Aug 4, 2005 8:55 PM CDT reply actions

derrick,
very true parcells has said it a few times already that the rookies NEED to be on the field, along with some other people that are on the bubble. this team might be even deeper then expected, which is kinda scary.

by mike on Aug 4, 2005 9:40 PM CDT reply actions

lilbeast,

Good comments. In his press conference today, Parcells noted that each and every one of our draft picks has shown that he might contribute this year. When you have 8 young draft picks who have shown enough in practice to be legitimate contenders for roster spots, that just makes the coaches’ job that much more difficult when it comes time for the cuts. What a wonderful ‘problem’ to have!

As for the topic of this thread, to me, the most pleasant surprise has been Rogers. He has gone from being considered a longshot to even make the team this year (and a gigantic bust), to being a strong contender for the starting RT position. It would be huge if Rogers could solve our problem at that particular position.

I don’t know if Gurode can beat out Johnson as the full-time starting center. But, given that 3 of our first-4 oppenents utilize the 3-4 defense, it is within the realm of possibility that Gurode could get significant playing time (or even start) for those games. He seems to thrive against that defense.

I am exited about the move of Bickerstaff to fullback; mostly because reports of the existing competition at that position have been very critical. Barnes has apparently been outplaying Polite, but, it doesn’t appear that Barnes can catch the ball to save his life. Having a fullback out there who is absolutely no help in the passing game (as a receiver, that is) does not appeal to me at all. Bickerstaff can catch the ball, and even get some tough running yards. Now, reports are that he has also been blocking well. This is all good!

As for Tucker, although he has cut down on his mental errors, I haven’t heard too much good about his performance. I am still skeptical as to whether Torrin will provide a legitimate challenge at RT. Personally, I see the battle as between Rogers and Vollers, even though Vollers is currently working at LT. Of course, I could be wrong … as it appears I was earlier in the year about Rogers.

Peterman is looking good too. Unfortunately, guard appears to be settled with Allen and Rivera, especially if we have really found someone (other than Allen) to play RT. That’s not such a bad thing. With Allen and Rivera both over 30, it will be good to have an accomplished reserve at guard, just in case.

by Mr. Bill on Aug 4, 2005 9:43 PM CDT reply actions

Rafael,
You’re a great writer and you know your ball, but I see a little too much pie in the sky in your thinking about some of these guys.

Very true that FB’s are no longer part of the offense as they once were. When BP speaks, you MUST read between the lines. What I am getting from his comments that relate to this thread is that he has perhaps found a way to exploit todays defenses from the FB position. Now he just needs to find out if he has the right guy for the job on the roster. We can only hope on both.

by James on Aug 5, 2005 2:15 AM CDT reply actions

Hey guys anyone have an up date on Marcus spears being carted away with a knee injury? just read a the hotnew topic on TheRanchReport. Crossing my fingers man. hopefully it aint serious

by Alds on Aug 5, 2005 12:52 PM CDT reply actions

There’s a small blurb on cowboysplus but it doesn’t say much.
http://www.cowboysplus.com/topstorync/stories/080605dnspospears.4416e070.htm

by Jeff on Aug 5, 2005 1:07 PM CDT reply actions

might be a even better thing canty will be ready to go. please be ok.

by mike on Aug 5, 2005 2:29 PM CDT reply actions

Wonderful news! I AM BEING SARCASTIC! This really sucks.

by James on Aug 5, 2005 2:29 PM CDT reply actions

James,

It’s precisely pie in the sky. I think that’s my point. Bickerstaff is still on an NFL roster and has a chance to make the team — and he’s never done anything. The guy never got on the field in college. He’s got what, ten pro carries? You bet it’s pie in the sky. That’s what makes it so amazing.

OTOH, we could be looking at the latest edition of Randall Williams or James Whalen. We’ll see.

by Rafael Vela on Aug 6, 2005 9:49 AM CDT reply actions