Post by ConqueringWolf on Oct 6, 2004 8:51:32 GMT -5
Dallas Cowboys coach Bill Parcells learned long ago that teams with quality tight ends usually have strong offenses.
"In my formative years as a coach, it was explained to me that the tight end is a very important position," Parcells said during training camp. "It's a position that's key to your running game, and it's a position that's key to your passing game."
Parcells' determination to adhere to that belief is reflected in the signing of rookie tight end Brett Pierce, who was on Baltimore's practice squad until Dallas snatched him away earlier this week.
The acquisition of Pierce, a blocking tight end from Stanford, came less than a week after the Cowboys signed veteran tight end Mikhael Ricks, a former Stephen F. Austin standout known for his receiving skills.
Dallas targeted Ricks and Pierce after it placed starting tight end Dan Campbell on the injured reserve list last week. Campbell, one of the league's best blocking tight ends, tore ligaments in his right foot in the Cowboys' 21-18 victory over Washington on Sept. 27.
The loss of Campbell left Dallas with two tight ends: second-year player Jason Witten and rookie Sean Ryan, a fifth-round pick from Boston College who is on the practice squad.
Parcells said he has had his eye on Pierce since the preseason. The Ravens signed Pierce, 6-foot-5, 250 pounds, as an undrafted free agent.
"He's pretty smart," Parcells said Tuesday during his media briefing in Irving. "He's a young player. He's coming to a new system. But I don't think learning the system is going to be a problem. He was in Stanford's graduate school."
Parcells' offenses have always employed outstanding tight ends. He had Mark Bavaro with the New York Giants, Ben Coates with the New England Patriots, and Kyle Brady with the Jets.
Witten may be on his way to joining that elite group, but Parcells needs more than just the former Tennessee star to make his offense work. The Cowboys (2-1) use several formations with two tight ends, mainly because it gives them a blocking advantage at the point of attack.
In Witten and Ricks, Dallas has two tight ends who also can line up as H-backs or even wide-outs. Ricks, a six-year veteran who was released by the New York Jets after training camp, has 155 career receptions for 1,939 yards and eight touchdowns.
"I guess the good thing that came out of that is that I was in camp and was able to get in shape," Ricks said in Irving.
With Campbell out, Parcells will ask Witten to do more of the blocking, or "dirty work" as the coach likes to call it. That means Witten will get about 10 more plays after averaging about 55 in the first three games.
"I'm going to have to show the coaches they can depend on me every play," said Witten, who has caught 12 passes for 121 yards and one TD this season.
The Cowboys face the New York Giants (3-1) at Texas Stadium on Sunday, which means Witten will face Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Strahan.
"It's going to be a big test for me," Witten said
Notes:
Cowboys sign lineman: The Dallas Cowboys added defensive tackle DeVone Claybrooks, a three-year veteran released from Tampa Bay's injured reserve list on Sept. 15, to their practice squad Tuesday after cutting defensive tackle Jermaine Brooks. Also, tight end Dan Campbell (foot) and cornerback Pete Hunter (knee) underwent successful surgeries Tuesday.
FAST ANSWER
Rookie running back Julius Jones (broken shoulder blade) is starting his third week of what was expected to be eight weeks of rehabilitation, but he appears to be ahead of schedule.
When asked for a date for his return, he said "ASAP."
NEW ADDITION
Coach Bill Parcells expects tight end Brett Pierce, who was signed off Baltimore's practice squad Sunday, to handle some of the blocking assignments which were injured tight end Dan Campbell's responsibility.
Pierce will wear jersey No. 49.
"In my formative years as a coach, it was explained to me that the tight end is a very important position," Parcells said during training camp. "It's a position that's key to your running game, and it's a position that's key to your passing game."
Parcells' determination to adhere to that belief is reflected in the signing of rookie tight end Brett Pierce, who was on Baltimore's practice squad until Dallas snatched him away earlier this week.
The acquisition of Pierce, a blocking tight end from Stanford, came less than a week after the Cowboys signed veteran tight end Mikhael Ricks, a former Stephen F. Austin standout known for his receiving skills.
Dallas targeted Ricks and Pierce after it placed starting tight end Dan Campbell on the injured reserve list last week. Campbell, one of the league's best blocking tight ends, tore ligaments in his right foot in the Cowboys' 21-18 victory over Washington on Sept. 27.
The loss of Campbell left Dallas with two tight ends: second-year player Jason Witten and rookie Sean Ryan, a fifth-round pick from Boston College who is on the practice squad.
Parcells said he has had his eye on Pierce since the preseason. The Ravens signed Pierce, 6-foot-5, 250 pounds, as an undrafted free agent.
"He's pretty smart," Parcells said Tuesday during his media briefing in Irving. "He's a young player. He's coming to a new system. But I don't think learning the system is going to be a problem. He was in Stanford's graduate school."
Parcells' offenses have always employed outstanding tight ends. He had Mark Bavaro with the New York Giants, Ben Coates with the New England Patriots, and Kyle Brady with the Jets.
Witten may be on his way to joining that elite group, but Parcells needs more than just the former Tennessee star to make his offense work. The Cowboys (2-1) use several formations with two tight ends, mainly because it gives them a blocking advantage at the point of attack.
In Witten and Ricks, Dallas has two tight ends who also can line up as H-backs or even wide-outs. Ricks, a six-year veteran who was released by the New York Jets after training camp, has 155 career receptions for 1,939 yards and eight touchdowns.
"I guess the good thing that came out of that is that I was in camp and was able to get in shape," Ricks said in Irving.
With Campbell out, Parcells will ask Witten to do more of the blocking, or "dirty work" as the coach likes to call it. That means Witten will get about 10 more plays after averaging about 55 in the first three games.
"I'm going to have to show the coaches they can depend on me every play," said Witten, who has caught 12 passes for 121 yards and one TD this season.
The Cowboys face the New York Giants (3-1) at Texas Stadium on Sunday, which means Witten will face Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Strahan.
"It's going to be a big test for me," Witten said
Notes:
Cowboys sign lineman: The Dallas Cowboys added defensive tackle DeVone Claybrooks, a three-year veteran released from Tampa Bay's injured reserve list on Sept. 15, to their practice squad Tuesday after cutting defensive tackle Jermaine Brooks. Also, tight end Dan Campbell (foot) and cornerback Pete Hunter (knee) underwent successful surgeries Tuesday.
FAST ANSWER
Rookie running back Julius Jones (broken shoulder blade) is starting his third week of what was expected to be eight weeks of rehabilitation, but he appears to be ahead of schedule.
When asked for a date for his return, he said "ASAP."
NEW ADDITION
Coach Bill Parcells expects tight end Brett Pierce, who was signed off Baltimore's practice squad Sunday, to handle some of the blocking assignments which were injured tight end Dan Campbell's responsibility.
Pierce will wear jersey No. 49.
