Cowboys encouraged by Parnell's rally from rough start to season

[Midswat]

The Cowboys are going to think about Jermey Parnell at right tackle down the line, now that they’re encouraged by the way he bounced back from a rough start to the season.

Playing as the third tight end, he missed a block on a key short-yardage situation in the season opener against the Giants. In the same role, he had a false start at Baltimore in the fourth-quarter drive that could have tied the game for the Cowboys, and he had a holding penalty against Cleveland that made the Cowboys settle for a field goal in the first half.

But he played cleanly in his only start, at left tackle in place of Tyron Smith on Thanksgiving against the Washington Redskins, and it reinforced the Cowboys’ faith in him.

“We’ve tried to use him a lot in the three tight-end situations all year long,” coach Jason Garrett said Thursday at his press conference at Valley Ranch. “That might not sound very significant, but it’s really significant for a guy who hasn’t played very much to go out there in those critical situations. And to be honest with you, early on in the year, he didn’t handle it very well. But we felt it was important to persist with that, keep giving him chances. He’s gotten better and better just in handling the situation, the snap count, his assignments, their adjustments. He improved, and I think it helped him when he played when Tyron was out.”

But left tackle appears to be manned with Smith. Right tackle might open up if the Cowboys decide to move on from Doug Free.

“We’re always looking for opportunities to play him,” Garrett said of Parnell. “He does get work in practice, and we’ll talk about that right tackle spot.”

Read more here: http://sportsblogs.star-telegram.co...-about-him-at-right-tackle.html#storylink=cpy

 

[cmd34]

Problem solved.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Only RBs, WRs and TEs seem to work well as spot starters. The rest of the groups need reps and getting into a rhythm.

I like the fact that somewhere deeply hidden there is a willingness to allow young players to play for their jobs, so to speak, although it's usually just glimpses and unfortunately it extends to vets who have been here for years, yet are still allowed to fuck up on the field continually.

 

[LAZARUS_LOGAN]

Problem solved.

Wrong. Problem not solved because the solution is so simple and obvious, thus rendering it beneath The Genius.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Sounds like Parnell and Free have been splitting the RT reps in practice since last week.

 

[Sheik]

I can't get excited about a player that doesn't start over Doug Free.

 

[Jon88]

Well then start him in place of Free. That's seems like an opportunity to play him to me.

 

[dbair1967]

I can't get excited about a player that doesn't start over Doug Free.

he doesnt start because we have stupid coaches

 

[Hoofbite]

Has there ever been an OL they weren't pleased in some way with during the season?

 

[GloryDaysRBack]

Has there ever been an OL they weren't pleased in some way with during the season?

Arkin

 

[bkeavs]

Coaches Preparing Parnell To Play Either Tackle Position
Posted 6 minutes ago

Rowan Kavner
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer

IRVING, Texas – Swing tackle Jermey Parnell could be an option at right tackle moving forward.

Parnell’s only start this season came at left tackle, but head coach Jason Garrett and offensive line coach Bill Callahan said Parnell’s also working at right tackle and must be prepared for either position.

“We’re always looking for opportunities to play him,” Garrett said. “He does get work in practice, and we’ll talk about that right tackle spot.”

The right tackle spot currently belongs to Doug Free, who’s the most penalized player in the league and has struggled in recent weeks stopping rushers from getting to quarterback Tony Romo. Neither coach said Parnell will take over for Free, but both complimented the job Parnell has done in limited time.

Garrett said Parnell has received “a lot of work in practice,” and he’s witnessed a noticeable difference in Parnell’s play from the beginning of the season to his start at left tackle on Thanksgiving when Tyron Smith sat out with an ankle injury.

Most of Parnell’s work this season has occurred in three tight-end sets, but Garrett said those limited opportunities helped him fill in when Smith went out.

“That might not sound very significant, but it’s really significant for a guy who hasn’t played very much to go out there in those critical situations,” Garrett said. “To be honest with you, early on in the year, he didn’t handle it very well. But we felt like it was important to persist with that, keep giving him chances. He’s gotten better and better just in handling the situation, the snap count, his assignment, their adjustments. He’s done a really good job with that.”

Oddly enough, all three of his penalties this season came in those three tight-end situations, rather than his start at left tackle. Callahan said Parnell still needs work and is maturing as an offensive lineman, but Parnell’s start at left tackle gave Callahan “tremendous confidence.”

The former basketball player has come a long way as a football player in Callahan’s eyes.

“Every week we prepare Parnell to play, period,” Callahan said. “Should that occur on the left side like it did, or the right side, we just always want him to be prepared for that opportunity. We do it a lot of different ways, by implementing him in the jumbo package in short yardage, in goal line, giving him a role where he can get on the field. I think that just helps his experience factor, so when he gets back on the field, he gets a little bit more confidence from that.”

 

[dbair1967]

lol at Garrett, downing Parnell because of one bad play early in the season, and that came at a position he doesnt play (3rd TE).

Doug Free has about 15 or so bad plays per game, and they dont say shit about him.

Thats great coaching there.

 

[Jon88]

Do you think players respect Garrett? I wouldn't.

 

[ZeroClub]

In fairness, the coaches are in a tough position here.

For the most part, their talent is subpar. There have been many injuries. There has been precious little continuity in the lineup. The OL has had almost no chance to play together as a unit.

I can understand why the coaches have been hesitant to pull Free for Parnell. Parnell played halfway decent at LT. But he's raw and inexperienced. To immediately throw him in at RT and create a little more chaos in the lineup ... it is a tough call.

In truth, there isn't a coaching decision that would turn the current crew into a good OL.

Whether the Cowboys will have a good OL next year depends on off-season moves and better luck with injuries.

 

[Midswat]

Yeah, but Free is easily our worst player.

And the coaching staff routinely preaches accountability, best man plays, et cetera.

Parnell at least deserves a shot. No reason why Free should've come out and played RT the 2nd half of the Eagles game. He made Brandon Graham look like Lawrence Taylor.

 

[ZeroClub]

Deserves it? Not sure you are doing the raw and inexperienced Parnell any favors throwing him in at RT immediately after he played halfway decent at LT.

 

[dbair1967]

Deserves it? Not sure you are doing the raw and inexperienced Parnell any favors throwing him in at RT immediately after he played halfway decent at LT.

He's been the backup swing tackle for two years now, it isnt like he hasnt been practicing there

And he's been splitting 1st team reps in practice now for two weeks

Free's been awful, he deserves to be benched

 

[dbair1967]

So Parnell got a few series at RT today. Unfortunately I didnt see him faring much better than Free.

He's a developmental guy who's interesting, but they shouldnt be counting on him to be a starter. If he ends up one from earning it, so be it. But fixing this OL (4 of 5 spots) has gotta be #1 priority next year.