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Parcells sticks with Bledsoe as his starter, but it's only a week-to-week commitment
Star-Telegram ^ | 09-12-06 | MAC ENGEL

Posted on 09/12/2006 11:15:13 AM PDT by Dysart

IRVING -- Tony Romo was huddled with a few reporters when Drew Bledsoe walked into the locker room and put something inside his locker before turning around to face more reporters.

Odd.

Odd because it was Monday. Bledsoe doesn't talk to the media on Mondays. He's a Wednesday guy.

"I know," he said.

But this particular Monday was a special Monday. For the wrong reasons.

"I felt it's important [to talk] after a game where things don't go well. I feel like I need to address some of these issues and admit that I made some mistakes in the game," Bledsoe said. "That's very important. It's more important for me as a quarterback and a leader on the team to say [I] didn't play as well as I wanted to. I'm going to play better next week, and we're going to move on."

And there will be a next week.

Speculation over a quarterback change from Bledsoe to Romo this season died when Bledsoe started Week 1. The speculation received a booster shot Sunday after Bledsoe's three-interception performance in a 24-17 season-opening loss to the Jaguars in Jacksonville.

But Cowboys coach Bill Parcells said Monday no change will be made, and any questions surrounding a change aren't legitimate.

"Not right now," he said.

Parcells spread the wealth on "Who Can We Kick Monday?" It wasn't just at quarterback, where Bledsoe finished with a passer rating of 45.8.

Parcells said he has not lost any trust in the 14-year veteran. And one bad game is no reason to throw the keys to Romo.

"Don't make anything out of this because Bledsoe is starting next Sunday. So that's it," Parcells said. "But we'll see what goes on next Sunday. I told you I was getting Romo ready to play. And at some point in time, I'm hopeful I will be able to play him this year. Now, I don't know when, where or under what circumstances. But that shouldn't be the story for today because it's a non-story."

Unlike two years ago when Vinny Testaverde played all 16 games with Romo and Drew Henson pining for time during a 6-10 season, this is different.

Parcells' commitment to Bledsoe is week-to-week. He hasn't made, nor is it realistic to think he will, a seasonlong commitment to Bledsoe.

It's obvious he likes Romo better than he has liked any backup since he's been here. That's not saying much considering that cast includes Chad Hutchinson and Henson.

But Parcells has never favored a quarterback controversy. The only time he ever has juggled quarterbacks when an injury wasn't involved was in 1983. That was his first year as a head coach, and he interchanged Scott Brunner and Jeff Rutledge with a young Phil Simms on the bench.

As a veteran, Bledsoe, 34, knows what is being said and written. At least on the surface, he ignores the conjecture and speculation that he is a backup waiting to happen.

"I know it's there. That's the nature of the beast," Bledsoe said. "That's the position I play. It's not something I spend any time on. There is no positive in it. I focus on what I'm doing and what we're doing as a team and go forward from there."

Veterans who have played for Parcells aren't surprised. One vet said even if Parcells likes, respects and has a commitment to you, it doesn't make you immune from him pushing you with competition. Especially if he likes the competition at all.

In the middle of this "non-story" story is the "competition": Romo. An undrafted three-year veteran who has never thrown a regular-season pass has fallen into the always-popular role of The Backup. He recently signed a contract extension, and the Cowboys believe he can be their quarterback of the future.

So does he.

"I think any time you have a couple quality players at a specific position, it's always going to happen," Romo said of speculation that he will play.

Whether that future is this month, next month or next season remains to be seen. Romo wants to play. He also doesn't want to cause a scene.

"I don't know if it's awkward," said Romo, whose locker is next to Bledsoe's. "You're just waiting your turn when your time comes down the road. You're trying to be ready at all times."

Being ready will have to be enough. So says the quarterback. So says the owner/general manager. So says the coach.

For now.

"I think you're trying to get me to say at some point in time I'm going to get Romo in. That time is not now, OK?" Parcells said. "Is that clear enough?"

COWBOYS' DUELING DUOS

With thoughts of Tony Romo dancing in fans' heads, here is a look at some of the more memorable quarterback controversies in the Cowboys' past:

1968: Don Meredith/Craig Morton

There was a controversy in training camp, but Meredith started every game his final NFL season.

1971: Craig Morton/Roger Staubach

They alternated plays the first half of the season before Staubach took over solo duties.

1984-85: Danny White/Gary Hogeboom

Hogeboom was traded to the Colts after the '85 season, which led to another QB battle.

1986-87: Danny White/Steve Pelluer

White was nearing the end, and Pelluer was just a fill-in who was in there before Troy Aikman.

1989-90: Troy Aikman/Steve Walsh

It may seem ridiculous now, but there was a time this was legitimate.

2000: Troy Aikman/Randall Cunningham

People actually wanted to see an aging Cunningham replace an oft-injured Aikman, who was in his last season.

2002: Quincy Carter/Chad Hutchinson

That this team won five games with these two vying to be the team's quarterback of the future may reflect Dave Campo's best coaching job.

2004: Vinny Testaverde/Drew Henson

Parcells started Henson for one game, and he lasted one half before Vinny was back in.


TOPICS: Sports
KEYWORDS: bledsoe; cowboys; nfl; parcells; romo
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1 posted on 09/12/2006 11:15:17 AM PDT by Dysart
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To: ABG(anybody but Gore); akorahil; albee; A message; andyland; Argh; b4its2late; BADROTOFINGER; ...

NFL PING

FReepmail scott says to be added to, or to be taken off the NFL Ping list...
This is a fairly high volume ping list

2 posted on 09/12/2006 11:16:00 AM PDT by mainepatsfan
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To: Dysart

3 posted on 09/12/2006 11:17:51 AM PDT by Dysart
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To: Dysart

It's a moot point. With the Boys' Offensive Line, there is no way Bledsoe lasts the season.


4 posted on 09/12/2006 11:20:57 AM PDT by dfwgator
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Bill Parcells,

Trade Bledsoe and Blowzell Adams for Brett Favre now.

Thanks


5 posted on 09/12/2006 11:21:17 AM PDT by Dysart
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To: Dysart
The first pass of the season to T.O.! A brilliant wasy to shut up the newscasters and give T.O. a chance!

But... What's a Cowboy season without a QB Controversey?

6 posted on 09/12/2006 11:22:58 AM PDT by Young Werther
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To: Dysart

What, so Favre can get killed even worse than he will in Green Bay?


7 posted on 09/12/2006 11:23:50 AM PDT by dfwgator
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To: dfwgator
For Patriots fans we are all too familiar with Drew. Tough guy but susceptible to pocket pressure which results in throwing off his back foot and picks. With time he throws a good ball and can go deep but anyone with a defensive scheme kills him.

Belichik and Crennel owned him when he played at Buffalo. His last game against the Pats was one of the worst games ever played by a QB.
8 posted on 09/12/2006 11:24:51 AM PDT by misterrob
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To: dfwgator
He will get the ball out on time to his receivers. Bledsoe cannot do that.
9 posted on 09/12/2006 11:26:15 AM PDT by Dysart
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To: Dysart

But why would Favre want to come to Dallas. Terrible offensive line, average at best defense, they won't make the playoffs.


10 posted on 09/12/2006 11:27:41 AM PDT by dfwgator
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To: misterrob

Heck Belichick tortured him when was the Jets DC under Parcells.


11 posted on 09/12/2006 11:28:24 AM PDT by mainepatsfan
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To: Dysart
Favre? Can't we just let that old horse retire already?


12 posted on 09/12/2006 11:28:34 AM PDT by thoughtomator ("Martyr" - Arabic for "cannon fodder")
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To: Dysart
If the refs don't take away the Witten touchdown (terrible call but the refs were bad in many of the games I watched) the Cowboys tie after TO's td and Bledsoe has no reason to throw the last pick. He would have thrown 2 td's and 2 picks and 250+ yards. Thats doable against the Jags D. I thought the Cowboys D stunk it up in the second half and that was the difference.
13 posted on 09/12/2006 11:32:04 AM PDT by nativist (Don't hit at all if it is honorably possible to avoid hitting, but never hit soft.)
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To: Dysart

14 posted on 09/12/2006 11:40:32 AM PDT by Zuben Elgenubi
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To: misterrob
For Patriots fans we are all too familiar with Drew.

*************

You got that right.

15 posted on 09/12/2006 11:42:55 AM PDT by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: Dysart
Trade Bledsoe and Blowzell Adams for Brett Favre now.

How old is Favre....45?

16 posted on 09/12/2006 11:44:38 AM PDT by Gay State Conservative ("An empty limousine pulled up and Hillary Clinton got out")
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To: Gay State Conservative
Brett Favre-Date of Birth: 10 October 1969

So he's not a spring chicken, but he still has that arm and appears to be still hungry for a championship.
17 posted on 09/12/2006 11:57:01 AM PDT by Dysart
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To: misterrob
Tough guy but susceptible to pocket pressure which results in throwing off his back foot and picks.

Actually, he got decent protection against a very good Jacksonville defensive line. His problem yesterday was bad reads. He got his bell rung in the last preseason game and I'm not sure that he totally recovered.

18 posted on 09/12/2006 12:03:35 PM PDT by kesg
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To: Dysart
Trade Bledsoe and Blowzell Adams for Brett Favre now.

This is an awful idea.

19 posted on 09/12/2006 12:04:11 PM PDT by kesg
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To: dfwgator
But why would Favre want to come to Dallas. Terrible offensive line, average at best defense, they won't make the playoffs.

I agree that the OL stinks, and will all year. However, after overreacting somewhat after the Jacksonville game, I'm still of the opinion that the defense can correct some problems and be much better than average this year. (1) they are still very young and have room for improvement as they work out the nuisances of the 3-4 (2) they're stocked with great talent at most positions and ultimately they will perform up to their potential.

And I estimate this team is still a legitimate contender for a playoff spot.

Favre would be a logical fit here, IMHO.

20 posted on 09/12/2006 12:08:24 PM PDT by Dysart
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