It's been over 4 years since Parcells had any affiliation with our team - yet, sbk still likes to rant and rave that Parcells built the core of this team.
Lets look at this...
Now, it's only the begining of July. We're still in a lock out. Free agency, training camp, or any trading has yet to take place. Still, I feel I can somewhat accurately determine which Cowboys from the Parcells years (2003-2006) will make the team.
With that in mind... when we go into this 2010 season, we will have likely at least 43 players out of a 53 man roster who have no connection to Parcells whatsoever.
Here's a look at the Cowboys likely to be on the 2011 roster who came in during the Parcells years:
Tony Romo - Discovered and brought in by Sean Payton in 2003. Props to Parcells for keeping him around. But Romo himself has gone on record as crediting Payton and former QB coach David Lee for his development.
Terrence Newman - Very good cover corner. This was a Jerry pick. Parcells wanted either Dwayne Robertson (who?) or Kevin Williams.
Jason Witten - Witten carried a first round grade by a lot of teams, and most pundits projected him to the Eagles in the first (who instead opted for LJ Smith). Parcells wanted Al Johnson in the 2nd, but we were fortunate that Witten miraculously fell to us in the third. No-brainer pick.
Bradie James - Solid contributor. Underrated Cowboy. Will likely see his playing time diminish with Sean Lee and Bruce Carter (when healthy) cutting into the rotation.
Matt McBriar - Best punter in the league, IMO. Props to Parcells.
2004 Additions
None
DeMarcus Ware - Arguably our best player, and best defensive player in the league, despite the NFL's Top 100 list. It is well known and documented that Parcells both preferred Merriman over Ware, and when Stephen and Jerry refused to take Merriman, Parcells wanted to get Spears at 11, with the belief that Ware would be available at 20. Therefore, I think it's safe to say Jerry and Stephen deserve all the credit in the world for him being a Cowboy.
Jay Ratliff - Props to Parcells for the find.
Kyle Kosier - Solid guard. Good at pulls and sweeps. I'm making an assumption that he'll be resigned.
Miles Austin - Discovered by John Garrett. Signed as an UDFA. Developed under Ray Sherman, and had a break out year in 2009.
Stephen Bowen - Solid DE prospect. Looks like a potential replacement to Spears. Spent most of 2006 on the practice squad. Developed under Wade's coaching staff.
By my guestimation, that is 10 Cowboys who were with the team from 2003-2006, that will remain with the team in 2011. That number could diminish if the likes of Kyle Kosier and/or Stephen Bowen aren't resigned. And yes, I'm operating under the assumption that Spears, Hurd, and Barber have played their last snaps as Cowboys.
Three of the 10 came during Parcells final year with the team. Meaning they've spent the majority of their careers being coached by a different coaching staff. Only a fool would even attempt to try and give Parcells credit for their development. Especially considering two of which were undrafted free agents, meaning they needed significant development time.
I give Parcells little to no credit for two of the remaining 10 (Ware & Newman) for the above stated reasons.
The remaining 5 I'll give credit to Parcells.
Furthermore . . . and this might be splitting hairs, but I'd argue that the term "core" is not accurate. The core of a team isn't it's stars. The core is the role players. The steady contributors who produce when called upon. The special teams stand-outs. The guys in the trenches. That is the core of any football team. Once you have that core, then the stars excell.
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This post/thread isn't agenda driven. It isn't started with the intent to tear down Parcells. I can give credit where credit is due. I think Parcells used to be a hell of a coach in the old NFL. I think he used to be able to get guys to run through walls for him. And as a leader, nothing is more important.
I loved the fact that Jerry hired him, and there is no question his impact on the way the Cowboys operate is felt to this day. He certainly deserves some credit for our success . . . but not all of it. Not even most of it.
The team Parcells built wasn't good enough to win. Not during his time here, and not immediately after his departure.
Whatever success the Cowboys have in 2011, the 5th season since Parcells roamed the sidelines, and two coaching regimes removed, will be the result of Jason Garretts efforts, and the efforts of our personnel department.
Lets look at this...
Now, it's only the begining of July. We're still in a lock out. Free agency, training camp, or any trading has yet to take place. Still, I feel I can somewhat accurately determine which Cowboys from the Parcells years (2003-2006) will make the team.
With that in mind... when we go into this 2010 season, we will have likely at least 43 players out of a 53 man roster who have no connection to Parcells whatsoever.
Here's a look at the Cowboys likely to be on the 2011 roster who came in during the Parcells years:
2003 Additions
Tony Romo - Discovered and brought in by Sean Payton in 2003. Props to Parcells for keeping him around. But Romo himself has gone on record as crediting Payton and former QB coach David Lee for his development.
Terrence Newman - Very good cover corner. This was a Jerry pick. Parcells wanted either Dwayne Robertson (who?) or Kevin Williams.
Jason Witten - Witten carried a first round grade by a lot of teams, and most pundits projected him to the Eagles in the first (who instead opted for LJ Smith). Parcells wanted Al Johnson in the 2nd, but we were fortunate that Witten miraculously fell to us in the third. No-brainer pick.
Bradie James - Solid contributor. Underrated Cowboy. Will likely see his playing time diminish with Sean Lee and Bruce Carter (when healthy) cutting into the rotation.
Matt McBriar - Best punter in the league, IMO. Props to Parcells.
2004 Additions
None
2005 Additions
DeMarcus Ware - Arguably our best player, and best defensive player in the league, despite the NFL's Top 100 list. It is well known and documented that Parcells both preferred Merriman over Ware, and when Stephen and Jerry refused to take Merriman, Parcells wanted to get Spears at 11, with the belief that Ware would be available at 20. Therefore, I think it's safe to say Jerry and Stephen deserve all the credit in the world for him being a Cowboy.
Jay Ratliff - Props to Parcells for the find.
2006 Additions
Kyle Kosier - Solid guard. Good at pulls and sweeps. I'm making an assumption that he'll be resigned.
Miles Austin - Discovered by John Garrett. Signed as an UDFA. Developed under Ray Sherman, and had a break out year in 2009.
Stephen Bowen - Solid DE prospect. Looks like a potential replacement to Spears. Spent most of 2006 on the practice squad. Developed under Wade's coaching staff.
By my guestimation, that is 10 Cowboys who were with the team from 2003-2006, that will remain with the team in 2011. That number could diminish if the likes of Kyle Kosier and/or Stephen Bowen aren't resigned. And yes, I'm operating under the assumption that Spears, Hurd, and Barber have played their last snaps as Cowboys.
Three of the 10 came during Parcells final year with the team. Meaning they've spent the majority of their careers being coached by a different coaching staff. Only a fool would even attempt to try and give Parcells credit for their development. Especially considering two of which were undrafted free agents, meaning they needed significant development time.
I give Parcells little to no credit for two of the remaining 10 (Ware & Newman) for the above stated reasons.
The remaining 5 I'll give credit to Parcells.
Furthermore . . . and this might be splitting hairs, but I'd argue that the term "core" is not accurate. The core of a team isn't it's stars. The core is the role players. The steady contributors who produce when called upon. The special teams stand-outs. The guys in the trenches. That is the core of any football team. Once you have that core, then the stars excell.
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-----
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This post/thread isn't agenda driven. It isn't started with the intent to tear down Parcells. I can give credit where credit is due. I think Parcells used to be a hell of a coach in the old NFL. I think he used to be able to get guys to run through walls for him. And as a leader, nothing is more important.
I loved the fact that Jerry hired him, and there is no question his impact on the way the Cowboys operate is felt to this day. He certainly deserves some credit for our success . . . but not all of it. Not even most of it.
The team Parcells built wasn't good enough to win. Not during his time here, and not immediately after his departure.
Whatever success the Cowboys have in 2011, the 5th season since Parcells roamed the sidelines, and two coaching regimes removed, will be the result of Jason Garretts efforts, and the efforts of our personnel department.
