TK Posted November 2, 2003 Share Posted November 2, 2003 http://www.shreveporttimes.com/html/8DDB2ED8-542A-4437-9611-1AD3F4CAB835.shtml Spurrier, Skins tackle Cowboys today Former Florida coach believes offense can work in NFL. Roy Lang / The Times Posted on November 2, 2003 IRVING, Texas - Texas Stadium will feature today the first meeting of two of the greatest coaches in our era -- Bill Parcells, seemingly able to turn around any NFL franchise, no matter its dilemma and Steve Spurrier, a coach whose offensive system flourished at the University of Florida for more than a decade. Parcells is seven games into his rebuilding project with the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys lead the NFC East with an impressive 5-2 record, but are coming off their worst performance of the season, a 16-0 defeat to the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Parcells labeled the loss "a combination of everything you could possibly do wrong," with absolutely no positives, at least on offense. Spurrier is in his second year with the Washington Redskins and comes off a disappointing 7-9 rookie effort. The Redskins started this season a promising 3-1, but are in the midst of a three-game losing streak. "The last three weeks haven't been much fun," Spurrier said. "We can't play without penalties. As coaches we haven't done a very good job teaching what it takes to be a winner." After Washington's last loss, a 24-7 decision at Buffalo, its bye week could not have come at a better time. "We tried to get back to fundamentals - blocking, penalties, tackling have been our problem," Spurrier said. Many believe Spurrier's "Fun-N-Gun" offense was the lone reason he was successful at the college level and that system will not work in the NFL. Not so says Parcells. In time anyway. "You don't have a track record like he has without being good. USFL, Duke, Florida, why wouldn't you expect him to do a good job somewhere else," Parcells said. "The things that are vital to a coach above and beyond coaching ability --- support staff, talent acquisition, foresight --- you just can't pluck them our of the air. Your options are more limited in pro football and it takes a while to get used to that. "I think any offense can be successful provided you have good players and a philosophy in place and you know the nuances of your offense and how to combat what defense coaches are eventually going to figure out what to do against it." Spurrier has second-year quarterback Patrick Ramsey leading his offense. Thanks to a non-existent running game, defenses have been teeing-off on the former Tulane star so far this season. Ramsey has been pummeled, withstanding 22 sacks in the first seven games. "Our sack issue isn't mostly with the offensive lineman," Spurrier said. "Tight ends, running backs --- it's a combination of a lot of things." Ramsey's top target is Laveranues Coles, who ranks fifth in the NFC with 42 receptions and third with 631 receiving yards. Coles, from Florida State, was drafted in the third round of the 2000 NFL draft by Parcells and the New York Jets. It was then considered a risk since Coles was kicked off the Seminoles in 1999 after he and teammate Peter Warrick were involved in an illegal discount shopping spree. "We did plenty of research on Laveranues and our conclusion was he was a good kid at the wrong place at the wrong time," Parcells said. "He came with a vengeance and has done a great job proving it. He is tough. We knew he had speed. But he's willing to do anything. He's brave, he's got courage, he'll go inside for the ball, he'll tackle --- this league isn't loaded with receivers that will do all those things." With four of the next five games at home for the Cowboys and a one-game lead in the NFC East, Parcells said November is do-or-die. "We have a hard schedule, but it's a good schedule," Parcells said. "This month is showtime for the Dallas Cowboys. When this month is over, I'll know a lot more about the Dallas Cowboys, the people on the Dallas Cowboys and where the future will be for some of those people." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris 44 Posted November 2, 2003 Share Posted November 2, 2003 Parcells has really impressed me since hes been with the Pukes. Both with turning the team itself around and the way he conducts himself off the field. (Hate to complement the cowboys) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK Posted November 2, 2003 Author Share Posted November 2, 2003 Originally posted by Chris 44 Parcells has really impressed me since hes been with the Pukes. Both with turning the team itself around and the way he conducts himself off the field. (Hate to complement the cowboys) Scary, ain't it. Oh well.... :dallasuck :dallasuck :dallasuck :dallasuck :dallasuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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