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All Hands On Deck

July 30, 2005

Stephen Jones solved one of Bill Parcells early problems by reaching agreements with first round picks Demarcus Ware and Marcus Spears early Saturday evening. Both will be available for practice tomorrow. The Cowboys have now signed all the team’s picks.

Written by Rafael Vela · Filed Under News | 29 Comments 

Camp Roundup — Saturday, July 30th

July 30, 2005

The end of the offseason and the beginning of camp are overlapping in a messy way. Bill Parcells complained this afternoon that there are at least five things disturbing his preparations. They include:

  • TE Dan Campbell being played on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list due to appendicitis. Campbell had an appendectomy Thursday night and will surely miss the first week of camp. He could miss a second week before returning;
  • First round picks Demarcus Ware and Marcus Spears have yet to sign and cannot participate in practices;
  • DE Chris Canty, who signed earlier this week, has yet not received clearance to go full speed in drills. He is listed on the injury report as “extremely limited until August 8th;”

    • The big news of day one was the absence of guard Larry Allen. Allen failed a conditioning test and was expected to be placed on the PUP list. However, Allen’s predicament does not appear as serious as Campbell’s. Parcells informed the press that Allen was not injured. The player was working out in shorts with trainers and could be working with the team as early as Sunday.

    Parcells’ comments make it sound like the league has beefed up conditioning standards during camp in the wake of Minnesota OT Korey Stringer’s heat-stroke-related death a few summers ago. “The league has really mandated us to be very, very cautious in light of some incidents that have happened in the past,” said Parcells. “I would say we’re erring on the side of caution. That’s the best way to put it.” It sounds like Allen failed the conditioning standard, which is probably more strict for large linemen, and cannot participate in two a days until he meets it.

    Allen’s failure is a surprise, since Parcells complemented Allen for his offseason conditioning a few weeks ago. Whatever the case, this does not appear to be a long-term problem. Or so we can hope. OG Stephen Peterman has taken Allen’s place at LG in the meantime.

    Burnett Signs

    There was one significant positive development Friday evening. LB Kevin Burnett, the Cowboys’ second round pick, signed a five year deal and reported for practice Saturday morning.

    Written by Rafael Vela · Filed Under Training Camp | 13 Comments 

    Parcells Appears the Happiest Camper

    July 30, 2005

    “I felt like I had to increase my energy level a lot. That’s what I attempted to do physically.” “I want to be able to stay on their ass every day. That’s the best way I can put it.”

    – Bill Parcells at Friday’s press conference

    When your head coach puts himself through a minicamp to prepare for the season you better not come with any lame excuses about your weight. Are you listening, Marcus Spears?

    Bill Parcells greeted the press at Oxnard yesterday in perhaps the best shape of his coaching career, certainly of his time in Dallas. The coach has been running diligently and has lost weight. This should further diminish the talk we heard last January that Parcells was looking for a retirement seat at Saratoga racetrack. Big Bill looked at the disappointment of 2004 and included himself among the failures. He’s rededicated himself to the project at hand, and looks as eager as any rookie.

    This is going to be fun, folks.

    Written by Rafael Vela · Filed Under News | 26 Comments 

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