Glenn, Newman still talking

by Dave Halprin on Dec 30, 2006 11:40 AM CST in Dallas Cowboys News

Terence Newman and Terry Glenn are holding fast. They're not backing down from the statements they made earlier in the week that ignited a small brush-fire at Valley Ranch. It's an interesting dynamic, comparing what they are saying to the things Terrell Owens says regularly. But that may be the difference - Owens says things like this every week, when you do that you're labeled a whiner, a complainer. This is part of the "Chicken Little" syndrome, when you talk like that every week, people just tune you out. Owens also seems to direct his comments only at the idea of getting him the ball more. But Newman and Glenn don't say it every week; they don't say much of anything every week. And what they've said is not about them specifically, it's about the team. So when they talk, maybe it will have an effect on the team, at least that's what Newman is hoping.

[Newman] said he wasn't trying to gain any notoriety, but he was trying to put something on the minds of his teammates heading into Sunday's regular-season finale against Detroit. Newman said he wants the Cowboys to play well and regain some confidence heading into the playoffs.

If they do that, then "it will all be worth it," Newman said.

Glenn stated his views again, this time he specifically called out the whole team, from the coaches on down.

Glenn reiterated his statement that the Cowboys played like they weren't trying to win against the Eagles.

"I believe that," Glenn said. "As a team and on the offensive side of the ball, we didn't execute well. We didn't have enough energy. We didn't have enough enthusiasm. It just felt like we didn't want to win that game. We didn't try hard enough, from the coaches on down."

We'll see how this plays out in Sunday's game. Maybe the Cowboys needed someone to step forward and say these things, maybe it was time to wake this team out of its December slumber.

A couple of articles today have mentioned that Bobby Carpenter was getting a lot of work with the 1st string in practice this week. There's speculation that he might start, but even if he doesn't, he's going to get a lot of playing time.

In addition to possibly mixing in the 4-3 scheme along with the 3-4 to solve the team's defensive woes, the Cowboys might give rookie linebacker Bobby Carpenter a heavy dose of action against the Lions. Bill Parcells refused to say whether he will start Carpenter ahead of Al Singleton, but acknowledged that Carpenter will receive more playing time.

The Cowboys could make some other changes in personnel this week.

Second-year defensive lineman Jay Ratliff, who practiced (shoulder) for the first time all week and is questionable for Sunday's game, could get a look at left end in place of Marcus Spears.

Free safety Tony Parrish could see action for the first time since being acquired off waivers from San Francisco last month.

Tim Cowlishaw takes a look at what you might see for the last time this season at Texas Stadium. Depending on what Jones and Parcells decide, this could be the Tuna's last game coaching in the stadium. Parcells has come under some criticism for not producing better results in his time in Dallas. There's even a diary on this site discussing whether fans want him back next year. Cowlishaw comes down on Parcells' side.

It staggers me how many of you just want to see Parcells out the door and gone. All those years of begging Jerry Jones to bring in a real head coach, and now you want him out.

I am not defending the job he has done. In four seasons, the team is better now, but not by any great stretch. Certainly there's no proof in the results. I have no faith that Parcells and his staff can ever outcoach Andy Reid and the Eagles staff when the two teams are at relatively full strength.

Parcells was unable to assemble the kind of staff he had in his previous stops, and it has shown up, particularly on Sundays when the club struggles to adjust to any surprises.

But I ask you: If you want him gone, do you really have faith that your owner-general manager is going to bring in the next great coach?

My preference would be to see Parcells stay one more year to see if he can make this team get it right on a more consistent basis. You weren't calling for his head after the Cowboys beat the Colts or after Tony Romo threw five touchdown passes on Thanksgiving or after the win in New York got the Cowboys to 8-4.

He also ponders the possibility that this will be Terrell Owens' final home game in a Cowboys uniform.

So if Owens is out, either a first-round pick or a free agent of significance has to be signed to replace him.

But we can rest assured that Parcells isn't coming back with Owens on board, and I can't imagine there are many of his teammates who want to put up with another season of this nonsense.

And if you want a detailed look at Terrell Owens, the good, the bad, the ugly - then check out this Nick Eatman article. He details not only his own feelings, but takes a look at the media's perception in general.

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Comments

Duane Thomas

I am watching the 1971 Cwoboys Super Bowl team on NFL Network. Listening to Duane Thomas whine, he sounds like the T.O. of his era.

As for Parcells, replace him with who? Good head coaches are not readily available.

I have never been a fan of Zimmer though and wouldn't mind seeing him go. But I want Bill to stay.

by Philosopher on Dec 30, 2006 12:20 PM CST reply actions

Duane Thomas was really the antithesis of TO.

He played the sphinx..particularly around the press. But,a friend who ran a men's clothing store,had Thomas as a patron. He said that you'd never meet a nicer; more humble person.(I believe that's due to the 15% discount accorded to Cowboy customers).

Wharter

by Wharter on Dec 30, 2006 1:49 PM CST reply actions

You may be right

I was judging from the comments televised during the interview he gave the NFL network for this series. He did not come across very well in his dealings with Dallas or with the Patriots during his 5 days with that team. Reminded me much of T.O.

Interesting that many people who know T.O. personally say the same thing. They say he is personable, kind, generous, and fun to be around....

by Philosopher on Dec 30, 2006 1:58 PM CST up reply actions

glad

I'm glad to read Newman and Glenn reiterate their comments. They know the window of opportunity for the core of this Cowboys team won't stay open forever. The pace in today's NFL is so accelerated and with Parcells and his staff reluctant to change or adapt to new circumstances (with Jerry probably biting his tongue), this is the best feedback Parcells might get.

My answer about whether or not to return Parcells is still yes, bring him back, but my chief argument is the same as Philosopher's: none better are available. I've lost a great deal of confidence that Parcells and his coaching staff give us any advantage in the games. Lately, I only hope they don't get skunked.

by AmosM on Dec 30, 2006 1:51 PM CST reply actions

That Eatman Article

Man, that is why I love that guy -- he always hits the nail on the head. T.O. is a bigger-than-life sideshow on our team, but is it really all that bad? ESPN assumed TNew was speaking about Owens, but does anyone else out there think he just might have been speaking about his Defensive teammate Roy "Burnt Deep" Williams?

Before the T.O. signing I was against him coming here. When he signed I resolved myself to give him a chance. Around that time I was talking to a friend who's an Eagles fan and he said something that still rings true to me -- "T.O. will help whatever team he's on, if the other team members and coaches can come to the realization that he's got to be in the spotlight."

I think most of the players and coaches know that and have come to grips with it, at least I hope so. Because he has helped this team. He's a better number one than Glenn, and Glenn is a better number two than Key. He opens things up, sometimes we don't see it, but he does. Our rushing offense is loads better than it was last season -- I know having a healthy JJ and a mature MBIII is the main reason for that, but having two threats out wide opens the middle up a lot. Our passing numbers are up as well -- we're within striking distance of having two WRs with 1,000+ yards (not to mention a TE with over 700 and a third Wr with over 500)...when's the last time that happened? You think Tony Romo would rather be throwing to Glenn and Key? They guy has helped us to the playoffs, and I think he will help us go deep in the playoffs.

I, like Eatman, always feel like I am apologizing for T.O. But I'm not -- I'm simply calling it like I see it. I don't think T.O. is a cancer. He's not as big a distraction as the Galloways, ESPNers, and Paper Boys would have you believe. I think he's a big part of this playoff season.

Poke

by Poke @ Blogging The Boys on Dec 30, 2006 3:50 PM CST reply actions

Well said

ESPN is about sensationalizing and thus never gets a story right. My thought is they have caused more harm than good to sports in this country.

by lee3022 on Dec 31, 2006 2:43 AM CST up reply actions

The media and T.O.

Imagine if T.O. somehow got quiet and didn't do a single distracting thing - behaved like a model citizen.

Do you think the media would ever leave him alone? They would poke him and prod him like a zoo monkey no matter how long he stayed silent. They'd watch him like Mt.St.Helens, put up sensors and cameras everywhere to catch the slightest rumble and then pounce on it hoping for a full explosion.

T.O. may not be the brightest but I bet he knows he can't win either way. The media loves a car chase. Then they say they cover it because it's what "We" want. Maybe some do.

by Doomsday on Dec 31, 2006 8:24 AM CST reply actions