They came to North Richland Hills, Texas by the Thousands, to honor golf legend Byron Nelson.
They traveled by bus, by private limo, and some, not surprisingly, of naturally, by golf cart.
Among them, PGA tour commissioner Tim Finchem, who says Nelson, changed the way tournaments are conducted today.
Said Finchem, Byron's leadership created a standard with the tournament here, that has done so much for people, that its being emulated around the country and around the world and has changed how people go around and interact with tour golf.”
Ben Crenshaw traveled from Austin, Texas to pay his respects. “He spent sixty years promoting the game of golf, in every way that he could, an unbelievable example for us all.”
Dallas native Justin Leonard grew up in the shadows of a golfing legend. “The reason a lot of us are here to pay our respects is what he achieved away from the game,” said Leonard. “He did it by not just winning golf tournaments, but what he did for the game of golf. We respect him as a person, not just as a player.”
Nelson protégé and friend Ken Venturi was among the first to eulogize. “The game of golf would not be what it is today without Byron, not only a great champion, but the finest gentleman that ever was,” he said.
In the end, it was Peggy Nelson, his wife of nearly 20-years, who enjoyed every moment of their life together.
“I just knew my prince charming was out there somewhere. but it wasn't until I waited for God to lead me, that I found him, or more accurately, he found me,” she said. “This man was even better than a prince, because his nickname was Lord Byron. He taught me how to treasure every moment we had, but insisting that we celebrate our anniversary every month, because as he said, I will never have enough time with you.”
Peggy continued with a eulogy that no one will ever forget. “Thank you for loving him so much,” she said. “I want you to know the last words from him on Tuesday before I left for church, for bible class, I'm so proud of you, and I know he would want to say that to every one of you. Thank you.”
Friday, September 29, 2006
Monday, September 18, 2006
Dallas Cowboys Defense Steps Up Against The Redskins
Sunday night was an evening for the Dallas Cowboys defense to build a little confidence.
“I said defense, three points, that's pretty good. That was my first comment to the team,” said Head Coach Bill Parcells on Monday.
Allowing no offensive touchdowns against the Washington Redskins is certainly a start. Dallas finished the night with 6-sacks, five more than one week ago during the season opener in Jacksonville.
“It was tremendous,” said Cowboys Linebacker DeMarcus Ware. “I mean the Cornerbacks where out there covering and giving us time to get to the quarterback. The defensive lineman were getting pressure on Redskins Quarterback Mark Burnell on those five step drops, because we were playing up. Give it up to the offense for just putting points on the board.”
Just as important, was the Cowboys defensive performance on third down. Washington converted only 2 in 14-attempts.
“It’s always positive when you can give opposing teams different looks,” says Defensive end Marcus Spears. “I always think, that anytime you have a defense and your getting the upper hand, by making guys guess what coverage they're going to get, not knowing how many guys are going to come, it definitely puts you at an advantage.”
Said Cowboys Linebacker Greg Ellis, “The coaches did a good job preparing us, took this game really, really serious, and I say that, not just by going out on the field and trying to execute, but early in the week, the practice week, everybody just concentrated and studied and worked hard this week.”
“Those guys were like pit bulls tonight,” said Cowboys Cornerback Terence Newman laughing. “Its funny, the coaches were saying, we don't need any German Shepard’s. We need pit bulls. W had some pit bulls out there tonight.
Coming out of training camp, the Cowboys were expected to be an aggressive and improved bunch of players on defense. It didn't happen in week one, but that certainly changed in week two against division rival, the Washington Redskins.
“I said defense, three points, that's pretty good. That was my first comment to the team,” said Head Coach Bill Parcells on Monday.
Allowing no offensive touchdowns against the Washington Redskins is certainly a start. Dallas finished the night with 6-sacks, five more than one week ago during the season opener in Jacksonville.
“It was tremendous,” said Cowboys Linebacker DeMarcus Ware. “I mean the Cornerbacks where out there covering and giving us time to get to the quarterback. The defensive lineman were getting pressure on Redskins Quarterback Mark Burnell on those five step drops, because we were playing up. Give it up to the offense for just putting points on the board.”
Just as important, was the Cowboys defensive performance on third down. Washington converted only 2 in 14-attempts.
“It’s always positive when you can give opposing teams different looks,” says Defensive end Marcus Spears. “I always think, that anytime you have a defense and your getting the upper hand, by making guys guess what coverage they're going to get, not knowing how many guys are going to come, it definitely puts you at an advantage.”
Said Cowboys Linebacker Greg Ellis, “The coaches did a good job preparing us, took this game really, really serious, and I say that, not just by going out on the field and trying to execute, but early in the week, the practice week, everybody just concentrated and studied and worked hard this week.”
“Those guys were like pit bulls tonight,” said Cowboys Cornerback Terence Newman laughing. “Its funny, the coaches were saying, we don't need any German Shepard’s. We need pit bulls. W had some pit bulls out there tonight.
Coming out of training camp, the Cowboys were expected to be an aggressive and improved bunch of players on defense. It didn't happen in week one, but that certainly changed in week two against division rival, the Washington Redskins.
Monday, September 11, 2006
Quarterback Controversy Brewing In Dallas
It’s obvious that the Quarterback controversy for the Dallas Cowboys is heating up. In the season opener in Jacksonville, veteran Drew Bledsoe played more like a rookie than a veteran.
“I haven’t watched it yet to be honest with you,” said Bledsoe. “I know what’s on it and I know it is going to be very disappointing when we watch the film.”
Bledsoe had a terrible day, completing just 16 of 33 passes for 246 yards. His three interceptions totaled three times more than his touchdown passes. Head Coach Bill Parcells dismissed any notion that backup Tony Romo should see more playing time.
“I don’t think that should be a consideration right now,” Parcells said. “So don’t make anything out of this, because Bledsoe is starting next Sunday. So that’s it. But we’ll see what goes on this week. I told you I was getting Romo ready top play. And at some point in time, I’m hopeful I will be able to play him this year. Now, I don’t know when, where or under what circumstances. But that shouldn’t be the story for today, because it’s a non-story.”
Parcells still says he would like to play Romo “at some point” this season, but he would not say when that would be, or under what circumstances. Romo has yet to throw a pass in an NFL regular-season game.
“I'm not thinking anything about that right now other than trying to correct some of the mistakes we made as a team,” Parcells said. “There was a lot to go around here today. It is certainly not just the Quarterback position. There are several positions that I don't think played well.”
Backup Tony Romo would like to see some playing time, but isn’t sure when the circumstances might be right. “Individually you always want to get on the field but not because somebody got hurt or something is going wrong,” he said. “You just want it to be because you are a talented player you're hopefully the top player at that position.”
While Bledsoe's turnovers did hurt the team...Parcells says he hasn't lost any trust in his starting Quarterback.
Parcells remains adamant that Bledsoe remains his starting quarterback, however, as is the case with any Quarterback controversy, he didn’t rule out the possibility that Romo might get playing time before the end of the season.
“I haven’t watched it yet to be honest with you,” said Bledsoe. “I know what’s on it and I know it is going to be very disappointing when we watch the film.”
Bledsoe had a terrible day, completing just 16 of 33 passes for 246 yards. His three interceptions totaled three times more than his touchdown passes. Head Coach Bill Parcells dismissed any notion that backup Tony Romo should see more playing time.
“I don’t think that should be a consideration right now,” Parcells said. “So don’t make anything out of this, because Bledsoe is starting next Sunday. So that’s it. But we’ll see what goes on this week. I told you I was getting Romo ready top play. And at some point in time, I’m hopeful I will be able to play him this year. Now, I don’t know when, where or under what circumstances. But that shouldn’t be the story for today, because it’s a non-story.”
Parcells still says he would like to play Romo “at some point” this season, but he would not say when that would be, or under what circumstances. Romo has yet to throw a pass in an NFL regular-season game.
“I'm not thinking anything about that right now other than trying to correct some of the mistakes we made as a team,” Parcells said. “There was a lot to go around here today. It is certainly not just the Quarterback position. There are several positions that I don't think played well.”
Backup Tony Romo would like to see some playing time, but isn’t sure when the circumstances might be right. “Individually you always want to get on the field but not because somebody got hurt or something is going wrong,” he said. “You just want it to be because you are a talented player you're hopefully the top player at that position.”
While Bledsoe's turnovers did hurt the team...Parcells says he hasn't lost any trust in his starting Quarterback.
Parcells remains adamant that Bledsoe remains his starting quarterback, however, as is the case with any Quarterback controversy, he didn’t rule out the possibility that Romo might get playing time before the end of the season.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Practice Squad Leads To A Roster Spot For Jamaica Rector
Cowboys Wide receiver Jamaica Rector had a great training camp and an even better preseason.
“Rector was our top producer here in preseason, you can't ignore that,” says Cowboys Head Coach Bill Parcells.
Rector was busy during the preseason, mainly because the team’s top two receivers, Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn, were injured during training camp.
As a result, he finished the preseason with 20-catches for 245-yards. That was tops on the team. More importantly to him personally, he made the team.
“I speak positively about the kid, because he really listened to me last year, about what he needed to do and he took it to heart,” says Parcells. “He trusted me, and he parlayed that into something.”
Last year, he was on the practice squad but this year, he is expected to return punts on opening day.
Says Parcells, “I'm giving him more and more stuff that he needs to do. He’s got to take that same thing, and allow it to expand his versatility now.”
Rector says he loves the challenges that Parcells keeps adding. “I thrive off that,” he says, “That's juice to me, I need to do this. Everyday, I go home, and I just picture it in my mind, this is what I need to do, and Bill, Parcells is in my head also, that's juice to me too.”
Rector wore number-6 in high school, where he was 1-A, all state performer in both track and football at Celeste, north of Greenville. Everyday, he dreamed about playing in the NFL some day.
“Oh yes, it was there, every day all day,” says Rector. “I would even go out by myself, run probably like a mile or two, out to the triangle we called it triangle, and just go to the field, just zone out, just zone out on the field, and picture the NFL.”
Rectors’ experience on the practice squad and his ability to absorb coaching, is what finally earned him a roster spot. He's learned a lot but for him, the fun is just beginning, and should start as the punt return specialist when the Cowboys open the season in Jacksonville on September 10th.
“Rector was our top producer here in preseason, you can't ignore that,” says Cowboys Head Coach Bill Parcells.
Rector was busy during the preseason, mainly because the team’s top two receivers, Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn, were injured during training camp.
As a result, he finished the preseason with 20-catches for 245-yards. That was tops on the team. More importantly to him personally, he made the team.
“I speak positively about the kid, because he really listened to me last year, about what he needed to do and he took it to heart,” says Parcells. “He trusted me, and he parlayed that into something.”
Last year, he was on the practice squad but this year, he is expected to return punts on opening day.
Says Parcells, “I'm giving him more and more stuff that he needs to do. He’s got to take that same thing, and allow it to expand his versatility now.”
Rector says he loves the challenges that Parcells keeps adding. “I thrive off that,” he says, “That's juice to me, I need to do this. Everyday, I go home, and I just picture it in my mind, this is what I need to do, and Bill, Parcells is in my head also, that's juice to me too.”
Rector wore number-6 in high school, where he was 1-A, all state performer in both track and football at Celeste, north of Greenville. Everyday, he dreamed about playing in the NFL some day.
“Oh yes, it was there, every day all day,” says Rector. “I would even go out by myself, run probably like a mile or two, out to the triangle we called it triangle, and just go to the field, just zone out, just zone out on the field, and picture the NFL.”
Rectors’ experience on the practice squad and his ability to absorb coaching, is what finally earned him a roster spot. He's learned a lot but for him, the fun is just beginning, and should start as the punt return specialist when the Cowboys open the season in Jacksonville on September 10th.
Sunday, September 03, 2006
Cowboys Final 53-Man Roster
Here is a look at the final Cowboys Roster, as submitted to the League Office on Septembe 2nd, 2006
NO NAME POS HT WT EXP COLLEGE
76 Adams, Flozell OT 6-7 340 9 Michigan State
14 Austin, Miles WR 6-3 215 R Monmouth Univ
50 Ayodele, Akin LB 6-2 250 5 Purdue
24 Barber, Marion RB 6-0 220 2 Minnesota
11 Bledsoe, Drew QB 6-5 238 14 Washington St
57 Burnett, Kevin LB 6-3 240 2 Univ. Tenn.
99 Canty, Chris DE 6-7 300 2 Virginia
54 Carpenter, Bobby LB 6-2 257 R Ohio St
93 Coleman, Kenyon DE 6-5 295 5 UCLA
75 Colombo, Marc OT 6-8 320 5 Boston College
84 Crayton, Patrick WR 6-0 205 3 NW Okla State
29 Davis, Keith S 5-11 205 4 Sam Houston
37 Elam, Abram S 6-0 210 R Kent State
98 Ellis, Greg DE 6-6 270 9 North Carolina
69 Fabini, Jason OT 6-7 309 9 Cincinnati
47 Fasano, Anthony TE 6-4 258 R Notre Dame
95 Ferguson, Jason DT 6-3 310 10 Georgia
55 Fowler, Ryan LB 6-3 250 3 Duke
26 Glenn, Aaron CB 5-9 185 13 Texas A&M
83 Glenn, Terry WR 5-11 195 11 Ohio State
65 Gurode, Andre C 6-4 312 5 Colorado
86 Hannam, Ryan TE 6-2 255 5 Northern Iowa
97 Hatcher, Jason DE 6-6 295 R Grambling
42 Henry, Anthony CB 6-1 208 6 South Florida
46 Hoyte, Oliver LB 6-3 250 R NC State
17 Hurd, Sam WR 6-2 195 R N Illinois
56 James, Bradie LB 6-2 250 4 Louisiana State
52 Johnson, Al C 6-5 311 3 Wisconsin
92 Johnson, Thomas DT 6-2 302 2 Middle Tenn St
21 Jones, Julius RB 5-10 211 3 Notre Dame
33 Jones, Nathan CB 5-10 192 3 Rutgers
63 Kosier, Kyle G 6-5 305 5 Arizona St
91 Ladouceur, L.P. LS 6-4 255 2 Cal
1 McBriar, Mat P 6-1 223 3 Hawaii
77 McQuistan, Pat OT 6-6 315 R Weber St
41 Newman, Terence CB 5-11 195 4 Kansas State
81 Owens, Terrell WR 6-3 224 11 Tenn-Chatt
39 Polite, Lousaka FB 6-0 248 2 Pittsburgh
71 Procter, Cory G 6-4 305 2 Montana
66 Ratliff, Jeremiah DE 6-4 305 2 Auburn
85 Rector, Jamaica WR 5-10 186 1 NW MO State
35 Reeves, Jacques CB 5-11 192 3 Purdue
62 Rivera, Marco G 6-4 309 11 Penn State
9 Romo, Tony QB 6-2 225 4 E. Illinois
51 Singleton, Al LB 6-2 250 10 Temple
96 Spears, Marcus DE 6-4 298 2 LSU
4 Suisham, Shaun K 6-0 205 2 Bowling Green
28 Thompson, Tyson RB 6-1 220 2 San Jose State
13 Vanderjagt, Mike K 6-5 218 9 West Virginia
94 Ware, DeMarcus LB 6-4 257 2 Troy St Univ
25 Watkins, Pat S 6-5 211 R Florida St
31 Williams, Roy S 6-0 229 5 Oklahoma
82 Witten, Jason TE 6-5 265 4 Tennessee
Injured Reserved
88 Pierce, Brett TE 6-5 263 3 Stanford
70 Whitley, E.J. OT 6-5 293 R Texas Tech
Practice Squad
48 Bjork, Carl-Johan LB 6-0 253 R No College
Reserve/Suspended
32 Coleman, Marcus S 6-2 209 11 Texas Tech
NO NAME POS HT WT EXP COLLEGE
76 Adams, Flozell OT 6-7 340 9 Michigan State
14 Austin, Miles WR 6-3 215 R Monmouth Univ
50 Ayodele, Akin LB 6-2 250 5 Purdue
24 Barber, Marion RB 6-0 220 2 Minnesota
11 Bledsoe, Drew QB 6-5 238 14 Washington St
57 Burnett, Kevin LB 6-3 240 2 Univ. Tenn.
99 Canty, Chris DE 6-7 300 2 Virginia
54 Carpenter, Bobby LB 6-2 257 R Ohio St
93 Coleman, Kenyon DE 6-5 295 5 UCLA
75 Colombo, Marc OT 6-8 320 5 Boston College
84 Crayton, Patrick WR 6-0 205 3 NW Okla State
29 Davis, Keith S 5-11 205 4 Sam Houston
37 Elam, Abram S 6-0 210 R Kent State
98 Ellis, Greg DE 6-6 270 9 North Carolina
69 Fabini, Jason OT 6-7 309 9 Cincinnati
47 Fasano, Anthony TE 6-4 258 R Notre Dame
95 Ferguson, Jason DT 6-3 310 10 Georgia
55 Fowler, Ryan LB 6-3 250 3 Duke
26 Glenn, Aaron CB 5-9 185 13 Texas A&M
83 Glenn, Terry WR 5-11 195 11 Ohio State
65 Gurode, Andre C 6-4 312 5 Colorado
86 Hannam, Ryan TE 6-2 255 5 Northern Iowa
97 Hatcher, Jason DE 6-6 295 R Grambling
42 Henry, Anthony CB 6-1 208 6 South Florida
46 Hoyte, Oliver LB 6-3 250 R NC State
17 Hurd, Sam WR 6-2 195 R N Illinois
56 James, Bradie LB 6-2 250 4 Louisiana State
52 Johnson, Al C 6-5 311 3 Wisconsin
92 Johnson, Thomas DT 6-2 302 2 Middle Tenn St
21 Jones, Julius RB 5-10 211 3 Notre Dame
33 Jones, Nathan CB 5-10 192 3 Rutgers
63 Kosier, Kyle G 6-5 305 5 Arizona St
91 Ladouceur, L.P. LS 6-4 255 2 Cal
1 McBriar, Mat P 6-1 223 3 Hawaii
77 McQuistan, Pat OT 6-6 315 R Weber St
41 Newman, Terence CB 5-11 195 4 Kansas State
81 Owens, Terrell WR 6-3 224 11 Tenn-Chatt
39 Polite, Lousaka FB 6-0 248 2 Pittsburgh
71 Procter, Cory G 6-4 305 2 Montana
66 Ratliff, Jeremiah DE 6-4 305 2 Auburn
85 Rector, Jamaica WR 5-10 186 1 NW MO State
35 Reeves, Jacques CB 5-11 192 3 Purdue
62 Rivera, Marco G 6-4 309 11 Penn State
9 Romo, Tony QB 6-2 225 4 E. Illinois
51 Singleton, Al LB 6-2 250 10 Temple
96 Spears, Marcus DE 6-4 298 2 LSU
4 Suisham, Shaun K 6-0 205 2 Bowling Green
28 Thompson, Tyson RB 6-1 220 2 San Jose State
13 Vanderjagt, Mike K 6-5 218 9 West Virginia
94 Ware, DeMarcus LB 6-4 257 2 Troy St Univ
25 Watkins, Pat S 6-5 211 R Florida St
31 Williams, Roy S 6-0 229 5 Oklahoma
82 Witten, Jason TE 6-5 265 4 Tennessee
Injured Reserved
88 Pierce, Brett TE 6-5 263 3 Stanford
70 Whitley, E.J. OT 6-5 293 R Texas Tech
Practice Squad
48 Bjork, Carl-Johan LB 6-0 253 R No College
Reserve/Suspended
32 Coleman, Marcus S 6-2 209 11 Texas Tech
Saturday, September 02, 2006
Dallas Cowboys Make Final Roster Cuts
Training Camp for the Dallas Cowboys is finally over, and for the players, the regular season can't start fast enough.
“Definitely,” says Defensive Tackle Jason Ferguson. “We're tired of preseason, come on,” he says laughing, “I’m tired of two a days man, we want to get back to our regular season schedule, and get ready for this team, because we want to see what we've got.”
“We've been waiting for that,” says Safety Roy Williams. “Honestly, this preseason thing is getting too long and too drawn out. We're ready to start the regular season.”
Now that their roster is set, their focus on Jacksonville and the season opener can begin. There will more personnel adjustments, but for now, Bill Parcells hopes its a group that will earn him his first playoff win in Dallas.
“They are willing to work, they're not a lazy team,” says Head Coach Bill Parcells. “I've tried to spend a lot of time, situationally with them on, you know, I always tell them that I want a smart team, and you see signs around the locker room that ‘dumb players do dumb things, smart players do smart players very seldom do dumb things,’” he says.
During training camp, Parcells spent hours with fourth draft round pick, Wide Receiver Skyler Green, trying to develop him into a kickoff and punt return specialist, but in the end, it didn't work out. He didn’t survive the cut.
Offensive tackle Rob Pettiti lost his job to Marc Columbo, despite drawing praise from Parcells for his off season improvements. But Columbo's 1.6-million dollar signing bonus may have been the biggest factor.
Half of the 6-wide receivers who made the team, have never caught a regular season pass. Jamaica Rector, who spent last year on the practice squad, made it after leading the team with 20-catches in preseason.
Miles Austin is one of two rookie receivers to make it, along with San Antonio native, Wide Receiver Sam Hurd, who worked extensively with Terrell Owens during training camp.
“Physically, I've gotten in better shape,” says Hurd. I was in shape but playing a football game is different than just workouts, so I've gotten in a lot better shape, and mentally, I'm stronger. I've got the will to keep driving, keep driving, and don' stop.”
But the inconsistent play of Kicker Mike Vanderjagt caused the Cowboys to keep two kickers. Shaun Suisham showed that he has a strong leg to handle kickoffs, until Vanderjagt gets his act together.
“I won't stew over it at all,” says Vanderjagt. “I'll just go out and kick 1-hundred field goals a day until I figure out what went wrong.”
Not since the mid 90's did the Cowboys have keep just two quarterbacks, but Drew Bledsoe and Tony Romo are the only ones left after a long training camp.
Says Bledsoe, “I just finished 14-training camps and 14-preseasons, so, yeah, it gets a little monotonous after a while, you start not to like the guys on your own team, because your competing against them every day.”
“Our expectations are up a little bit, just because the way we played, by no means are we ready for the Super Bowl,” says Tight End Jason Witten. “I just think everyone is excited, and the confidence is getting up, you put all this work in, you go to a camp like Parcells. I mean, the season is fun now. It’s time to come together and play.”
“This is a long process,” says Running Back Julius Jones. “Training camp, preseason games, I'm just happy that its over and we can get to Jacksonville and start to really count these games.”
Cornerback Terence Newman would like this to be his first Pro Bowl year. “We like to watch the offense do what they do, hopefully they can stay on the field a long time, and keep us off the field,” says Newman. “We’re just ready to buckle down to get ready for some games that mean something.”
Wide Receiver Terrell Owens, who missed 21-practices, made his debut in the last pre season game, but remains behind schedule.
“I know the reason I'm here is obviously, to help catapult this team into the playoffs, and into the Super Bowl,” says Owens. “Obviously everyone wants to see 81-on the field. I want to be on the field. I like to play the game. I know what's ahead for this season. We've got a great team here, we've got a chance, and it’s going to be imperative that everybody is on the same page.
So except for the playoffs, now comes the most exciting week in professional football, the opening of the regular season. Dallas will travel to Jacksonville, with 9-rookies on their roster, and that's a lot of inexperience at the backup positions, no matter how you look at it.
Here is a look at all the Cowboys cuts on Saturday September 2nd.
• QB Matt Baker
• OL D'Anthony Batiste
• WR Damarius Bilbo
• LB Rocky Boiman
• DE Stephen Bowen
• WR Terrance Copper
• TE Tony Curtis
• LB Junior Glymph
• WR Skyler Green
• RB Keylon Kincade
• OT Rob Petitti
• S Willie Pile
• OT Dennis Roland
• C Matt Tarullo
• NT Montavious Stanley
“Definitely,” says Defensive Tackle Jason Ferguson. “We're tired of preseason, come on,” he says laughing, “I’m tired of two a days man, we want to get back to our regular season schedule, and get ready for this team, because we want to see what we've got.”
“We've been waiting for that,” says Safety Roy Williams. “Honestly, this preseason thing is getting too long and too drawn out. We're ready to start the regular season.”
Now that their roster is set, their focus on Jacksonville and the season opener can begin. There will more personnel adjustments, but for now, Bill Parcells hopes its a group that will earn him his first playoff win in Dallas.
“They are willing to work, they're not a lazy team,” says Head Coach Bill Parcells. “I've tried to spend a lot of time, situationally with them on, you know, I always tell them that I want a smart team, and you see signs around the locker room that ‘dumb players do dumb things, smart players do smart players very seldom do dumb things,’” he says.
During training camp, Parcells spent hours with fourth draft round pick, Wide Receiver Skyler Green, trying to develop him into a kickoff and punt return specialist, but in the end, it didn't work out. He didn’t survive the cut.
Offensive tackle Rob Pettiti lost his job to Marc Columbo, despite drawing praise from Parcells for his off season improvements. But Columbo's 1.6-million dollar signing bonus may have been the biggest factor.
Half of the 6-wide receivers who made the team, have never caught a regular season pass. Jamaica Rector, who spent last year on the practice squad, made it after leading the team with 20-catches in preseason.
Miles Austin is one of two rookie receivers to make it, along with San Antonio native, Wide Receiver Sam Hurd, who worked extensively with Terrell Owens during training camp.
“Physically, I've gotten in better shape,” says Hurd. I was in shape but playing a football game is different than just workouts, so I've gotten in a lot better shape, and mentally, I'm stronger. I've got the will to keep driving, keep driving, and don' stop.”
But the inconsistent play of Kicker Mike Vanderjagt caused the Cowboys to keep two kickers. Shaun Suisham showed that he has a strong leg to handle kickoffs, until Vanderjagt gets his act together.
“I won't stew over it at all,” says Vanderjagt. “I'll just go out and kick 1-hundred field goals a day until I figure out what went wrong.”
Not since the mid 90's did the Cowboys have keep just two quarterbacks, but Drew Bledsoe and Tony Romo are the only ones left after a long training camp.
Says Bledsoe, “I just finished 14-training camps and 14-preseasons, so, yeah, it gets a little monotonous after a while, you start not to like the guys on your own team, because your competing against them every day.”
“Our expectations are up a little bit, just because the way we played, by no means are we ready for the Super Bowl,” says Tight End Jason Witten. “I just think everyone is excited, and the confidence is getting up, you put all this work in, you go to a camp like Parcells. I mean, the season is fun now. It’s time to come together and play.”
“This is a long process,” says Running Back Julius Jones. “Training camp, preseason games, I'm just happy that its over and we can get to Jacksonville and start to really count these games.”
Cornerback Terence Newman would like this to be his first Pro Bowl year. “We like to watch the offense do what they do, hopefully they can stay on the field a long time, and keep us off the field,” says Newman. “We’re just ready to buckle down to get ready for some games that mean something.”
Wide Receiver Terrell Owens, who missed 21-practices, made his debut in the last pre season game, but remains behind schedule.
“I know the reason I'm here is obviously, to help catapult this team into the playoffs, and into the Super Bowl,” says Owens. “Obviously everyone wants to see 81-on the field. I want to be on the field. I like to play the game. I know what's ahead for this season. We've got a great team here, we've got a chance, and it’s going to be imperative that everybody is on the same page.
So except for the playoffs, now comes the most exciting week in professional football, the opening of the regular season. Dallas will travel to Jacksonville, with 9-rookies on their roster, and that's a lot of inexperience at the backup positions, no matter how you look at it.
Here is a look at all the Cowboys cuts on Saturday September 2nd.
• QB Matt Baker
• OL D'Anthony Batiste
• WR Damarius Bilbo
• LB Rocky Boiman
• DE Stephen Bowen
• WR Terrance Copper
• TE Tony Curtis
• LB Junior Glymph
• WR Skyler Green
• RB Keylon Kincade
• OT Rob Petitti
• S Willie Pile
• OT Dennis Roland
• C Matt Tarullo
• NT Montavious Stanley
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