It's all about December football now for the Cowboys. You need to build the momentum and hit the playoffs like a team on fire. Parcells is talking to his team about great expectations; about playing championship ball.
From the DFW S-T, Mac Engel pens an article on the subject. Jason Ferguson explains:
"We're coming in on a roll [this season]. That is the best thing you can do coming into December. We're getting our swagger and feeling our way out."
JJT over at the DMN covers some of the same ground.
"Bill, if we're not in shape by now, we're never going to be in shape," one player said.
"Championship teams don't cut corners," Parcells replied.
Then he spoke to his players about maintaining their intensity and focus during the last month of the season. Parcells wants them streaking into the playoffs and feeding off their momentum.
Parcells has made some nice moves this season, including handling a problem child perfectly.
The Cowboys never let the Owens' story become a distraction and many teammates thought it was amusing at times. Many times Parcells acted disinterested or said he was simply unaware of what was going on.
Here's some follow-up to Parcells calling out Canty and Spears in yesterday's press conference.
Spears, a first-round draft pick in 2005, has only one sack this season. So does Canty, a fourth-round pick last year. The Cowboys expect more, especially when some of the league's worst defenses have ends putting up better numbers.