Cowboys.com:Cowboys Know About Skins' Coles

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Cowboys Know About Skins' Coles

Clay Fowler

DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer

October 31, 2003, 5:01 p.m. (CST)

IRVING, Texas - Laveranues Coles developed his toughness through a diverse upbringing on the football field.

The Redskins newest receiver was ready to contribute in any way possible when he came into the league with the New York Jets. That is why Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells, then the Jets director of football operations, drafted him in 2000.

"He was willing to do all the dirty jobs," Parcells said. "He would play special teams, he would play end on the punt teams as a young player. So you could see signs that he was going to be a determined go-getter."

That's because Coles was one of the nation's premiere tailbacks out of Ribault High School in Jacksonville, Fla., and because he made the transition to wide receiver at Florida State, where he further developed this remarkable toughness and versatility.

And now this toughness Parcells first recognized with the Jets could come back to haunt him Sunday, when the Cowboys hook up at Texas Stadium with the Washington Redskins, the team Coles now leads with 42 receptions for 631 yards. The Redskins signed Coles, a restricted free agent this off-season, away from the Jets, who decided they couldn't afford such a salary-cap expenditure.

"This kid had been a running back in high school," Parcells said. "When you've got a receiver that had run the ball you usually got a little toughness in there. He's brave, has a lot of courage, doesn't mind mixing it up. He would block, would tackle. This league isn't loaded with receivers that will do all those things."

Parcells remembers Coles' approach to the game as a rookie three years ago, so he is bracing for the 5-11, 193 pound receiver to show up in full force for Sunday's 3:15 p.m. (CST) kickoff.

"I think when he came to pro football, he came with a vengeance," Parcells said. "He came with something to prove and he has done a great job of proving it."

So far Coles has lived up to the seven-year, $35 million contract he signed with the Redskins, playing a vital role in his new team winning three of their first four games. Coles accounted for 100 yards receiving in each of the first three contests. The 26-year-old burned the Jets, by the way, for 105 of Washington's 157 receiving yards in a 16-13 win over the Jets on the NFL's opening night. He lit up the Falcons in Week 2 with 11 catches, 180 yards and his first touchdown as a Redskin in a 33-31 Washington victory.

"Right now he is one of the elite receivers in the league," Cowboys safety Darren Woodson said. "He's got the speed. He's got the hands and he's a leader out there, you can tell."

Woodson and Co., are allowing opponents a mere 162 yards a game passing, third best in the league. Clearly, Coles will have his work cut out for him. The feisty Coles and rough-and-tumble Cowboys safety Roy Williams could be an entertaining encounter when the two surely meet over the middle. And the injury-depleted Redskins will need an inspiring performance from their new receiver if they are to break their three-game losing streak and score enough points for a victory against the NFL's top-rated Cowboys defense.

It's probably not a coincidence the Redskins have lost the past three games when Coles has failed to post more than 60 yards receiving in any of the three games. The three-game losing streak has dropped the Skins into a tie for last in the NFC East. In Washington's 24-7 loss to Buffalo the last time out, other than a 47-yard grab, Coles managed just two more catches for 11 yards.

Parcells is not the only person in the Cowboys organization familiar with Coles' abilities. Cowboys cornerback Andrew Davison lined up across from him every day in practice last year as a rookie with the Jets, and remains a close friend of Coles. He knows teams have become wise to the league's fifth leading receiver.

"I've seen on film that teams are double teaming him a lot and it's hard to shake a double team with two guys checking you every time," said Davison, released by the Jets and signed by the Cowboys Sept. 17. "I think he'll start picking it up though because he's one of the best receivers in the league. He worked for everything he got when he came in the league and people didn't respect him too much, but he's starting to prove everybody wrong."

It's easy to forget how young Coles is, seemingly on the verge of becoming a household name in just his fourth NFL season at age 25. Although he is on his way to making a name for himself, there is plenty of room for development, according to Parcells.

"I just think he needs to play a little more," Parcells said. "If he keeps playing the way he's playing, I think if someone around the league started looking at receivers, now, he'd certainly be among the top 10 or 15 guys they'd look at."

And because of that, be sure the Cowboys will be looking for Coles come Sunday afternoon.