Post by ConqueringWolf on Oct 2, 2004 10:22:46 GMT -5
IRVING - Drew Henson has quietly slipped off the radar after an impressive, expectation-raising preseason.
Which is exactly what Cowboys coach Bill Parcells wanted for his rookie quarterback.
While Vinny Testaverde has settled nicely into the starting spot and Tony Romo is making progress as the primary backup, Henson has been able to shake off the rust from four years away from football without any pressure. He is getting better, as well, and Parcells remains hopeful that Henson might see game action this season.
"I don't know if leapfrog would be the right word," Parcells said, when asked if Henson might be the No. 2 quarterback instead of Romo at some point this season. "I would like to get both of these guys in a game sometime this year a little bit."
Romo is closer to playing than Henson. Much closer.
Romo is a Testaverde injury away from playing, which is why Parcells spent a good portion of the bye week preparing Romo. Romo was a little shaky in practice.
"I was telling him I bet his girlfriend didn't get many teddy bears when he took her to the arcade, because he couldn't hit anything for a couple of plays," Parcells said. "But it gave me a chance to make a point to him. I said, 'Look, we don't have the luxury of waiting six plays for you to get back in tune with football. You're going to get thrown into a game this season where the first play you've got to be ready.' "
While Parcells has a plan for getting Romo and Henson into a game, he is not exactly sure how big of a lead would make him comfortable pulling his starter.
"You mean, what constitutes breathing room? Well, who's playing for the other team?" Parcells asked. "I don't think I'd be doing that with [Brett] Favre or Peyton Manning in the game. What constitutes breathing room, that would depend on the opponent."
Which is exactly what Cowboys coach Bill Parcells wanted for his rookie quarterback.
While Vinny Testaverde has settled nicely into the starting spot and Tony Romo is making progress as the primary backup, Henson has been able to shake off the rust from four years away from football without any pressure. He is getting better, as well, and Parcells remains hopeful that Henson might see game action this season.
"I don't know if leapfrog would be the right word," Parcells said, when asked if Henson might be the No. 2 quarterback instead of Romo at some point this season. "I would like to get both of these guys in a game sometime this year a little bit."
Romo is closer to playing than Henson. Much closer.
Romo is a Testaverde injury away from playing, which is why Parcells spent a good portion of the bye week preparing Romo. Romo was a little shaky in practice.
"I was telling him I bet his girlfriend didn't get many teddy bears when he took her to the arcade, because he couldn't hit anything for a couple of plays," Parcells said. "But it gave me a chance to make a point to him. I said, 'Look, we don't have the luxury of waiting six plays for you to get back in tune with football. You're going to get thrown into a game this season where the first play you've got to be ready.' "
While Parcells has a plan for getting Romo and Henson into a game, he is not exactly sure how big of a lead would make him comfortable pulling his starter.
"You mean, what constitutes breathing room? Well, who's playing for the other team?" Parcells asked. "I don't think I'd be doing that with [Brett] Favre or Peyton Manning in the game. What constitutes breathing room, that would depend on the opponent."
