Armchair Quarterback: Tuna trying to build a winner
He’s been in Dallas just one season and Bill Parcels is already building what’s shaping up to be another Cowboy powerhouse.
Acquisitions of quarterback Drew Henson and wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson over the past week have cemented areas of concern for the Cowboys. Last season, despite their overachievement by making the playoffs in the Tuna’s first year, the Cowboys were criticized for their subpar quarterback play as Quincy Carter, according to many, didn’t get the job done.
Henson, who is yet to be proven in the pros since he’s been off playing baseball during his post-college days, is the man Parcels plans to groom to be the Cowboy quarterback of the future. Henson will already have an advantage with the acquisition of Johnson, who will supplement fellow wideouts Terry Glenn and Antonio Bryant. Joey Galloway was sent packing to the Bucs in the Johnson trade, a swap which isn’t that bad when you consider Galloway’s numbers have fallen the past two injury-riddled years.
While some question bringing Keyshawn into Dallas after the outspoken wideout was banished mid-season by the Bucs last year, Parcels has shown he can control Johnson as he did when he was Jets coach. Johnson also speaks highly of Parcels, saying during his time on the Hotseat on ESPN that Parcels was the best coach he’s ever served under.
The problem with Johnson is that he’s been on two teams who just really didn’t use big play receivers. The Jets and Bucs are the last teams I think of when I think passing. In Dallas, Keyshawn will flourish and finally be used as the big play threat he has always had the ability to be. Also, I believe Parcels will be able to keep Keyshawn’s mouth in check since the Tuna is known as a no-nonsense coach who knows how to handle discipline issues. Now, if the Cowboys can get a decent running game going, they’ll be a powerhouse.
While the Keyshawn trade to Dallas is big, the hugest move of the week had to be Terrell Owens getting his way and going to Philadelphia. Narrowly side-stepping a career killing trade to the Ravens, also not known for their air game, T.O. probably found his perfect match as he will now be catching passes from Donovan McNabb.
Although I’m not sold on McNabb as a premiere quarterback to be compared with the likes of Manning, McNair and Culpepper, I have to admit McNabb hasn’t had much help in Philly. Last year, in a subpar season, Owens had almost as many touchdowns receiving as the entire Eagle corps combined. Put simply, the Eagles receivers are about the worst in the league and it’s amazing the Eagles were able to even make it to the championship game last year without a legitimate deep threat or a consistent running game.
This will be a chance for McNabb to prove himself. If you’ll look at the other premiere quarterbacks, they all have go-to guys. Manning has Harrison, McNair has Mason, and Culpepper has Moss. Who did McNabb have? Pinkston? As long as I can remember, the Eagles have used bargain basement receivers, investing all their money on their rock solid defense. They are reminiscent of the Dolphins who for decades used other teams’ castoffs for their starting receivers. By the way, David Boston opposite Chris Chambers will be a nice fit down there.
Now there’s no excuse for McNabb. Owens is undoubtedly one of the top three receivers in the league, the others being Harrison and Moss. It’s an elite fraternity. If McNabb can’t put up numbers with Owens, then I will have to join with the critics who believe he is way overrated.