Welcome to Mick's Mail, where at least once a week DallasCowboys.com Columnist Mickey Spagnola will answer some of the very best questions submitted via e-mail on DallasCowboys.com. If you would like to submit a question, click here. And then don't forget to check-in to see if your question is answered online.
Mick's Mail
Welcome to Mick's Mail, where at least once a week DallasCowboys.com Columnist Mickey Spagnola will answer some of the very best questions submitted via e-mail on DallasCowboys.com. If you would like to submit a question, click here, or go to Mick's Mail. And then don't forget to check-in to see if your question is answered online.
Brian Kardash, Victorville, Calif.: Thanks for all the memories! I was holding hope all year that this wouldn't happen, but I guess the writing was on the wall all year. I've read your articles all year and you've only hinted that the decline in their defense might have been due to Woodson's absence; just say it because we all know it's true! He was the heart and soul and he will truly be missed. Again thanks for all the memories.
Mickey:We certainly received an outpouring of emails on Woody's retirement, and I don't know that I could have made it more plain that I think the Cowboys' defensive problems all began with the loss of Woodson. And as I've said, not just from a physical absence, but also from a leadership absence.
Nico Garza, Austin, Texas: This retirement by far has hurt me the most. Not only do I think Darren Woodson was the glue that held the defense together after Ken Norton left but was the nucleus for an overachieving defense. It hurts to see Dallas lose a player like Woody. He was like everyone says, the epitome of not only the Dallas D but a Cowboy era, and when Darren was in the defensive backfield it made all of us breathe a little bit easier knowing he was there. Losing Woody would make any of us Cowboys' faithful shed a tear. I grew up watching and cheering for him, and to see him leave like this just isn't right. But I see why he's leaving and respect that. Tell Woody thanks for all the great memories and effort he's put into this game, and best wishes. He will be missed, and I believe I'll feel a lot better when he is inducted into the Hall of Fame and the Ring of Honor. Thank You Woody. God Bless!
Mickey:Consider your message delivered. I'm with you on both accounts on the Ring of Honor and Hall of Fame.
A.B. Barrientes, Houston: "When I put that helmet on, I laid it on the line. Not just for this team, but for everyone here. I laid it on the line every time I put that helmet on. I wanted to win so bad, that nothing else really mattered. The most important thing was giving everything I had each time I stepped out on the field. And I think I did that. And when you can say that, it's not as hard to walk away." - Darren Woodson
Could you make this a locker room sign for Sunday's Cowboys' game and future Cowboys.
Mickey:You know, that's a great idea. Maybe Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells, big on signs, will pick up on your suggestion.
James Mason, Novato, Calif.: You talk about Vinny Testaverde getting the last laugh, like he just saved the season or something. Hey Mickey, wake up and smell the cannoli, pal. After taking a huge step forward last year, we are posting a losing season with no playoffs. And as much as you refuse to admit it, Vinny was part of the problem. He wasn't the sole problem, but part of it. Parcells' little plan to get rid of Quincy Carter to insert his piason Vinny backfired. The worst part of all of this is that we are now already heading into the 2005 season with the same quarterback issue (Vinny starting), and we will probably end up with the same losing record. Can't wait till 2020 when Vinny finally retires after drawing Social Security, and we can look at some other talent.
Mickey:Your sarcasm is appreciated, by why the ethnic slurs? Why you got to hate? You insecure? My column after the Redskins game referred to the Redskins game, not the whole season. But then maybe you Hostess Twinkie eater can't read. So you admit yourself Vinny isn't the entire problem, so why you got a problem with him having the last laugh in that game when so many were booing him? You should save your disparaging marks then for Parcells, since he concocted this scheme for Carter to ignore his business and cause owner Jerry Jones to totally lose faith in him and cut him. By why is that on Vinny?
Scott Yuile, Wales, United Kingdom: As you and others have heard, Kurt Warner says he wants to leave the Giants because he said he wants to be a starter. I know that you will probably come up with a list of cons against the Cowboys signing him, but don't you have any pros as well? He is only 33 (Vinny is 41), and he has two more MVP's than Vinny. I think he is worthy of at least consideration! Right?
Mickey:For the right price Warner might be worthy of consideration. But the guy wants to start, and I thought everyone wanted Drew Henson to immediately be promoted to starting quarterback next year. Warner will cost more than he's worth to be a serviceable backup or rent-a-quarterback until Henson is ready. Did you see how many times Warner has been sacked in nine games? Try 39. How many times he fumbled? Try 12 - losing four. I mean, why do you think Tom Coughlin demoted Warner and decided to go with the unprepared Eli Manning? Did you hear his quote on why he made the quarterback change? Let me help you out: "We're all trying to win. That's something that never was compromised. We continue to try to win and we had had some games as of late that weren't what I thought we needed in order to do that." You get his drift?
Osker Rodriguez, Long Beach, Calif.: Vinny Testaverde was a better "bus driver" than Quincy Carter was in 2003? Answer with your brain, not your heart, and do not involve any defensive stats. We're talking "O" here.
Mickey:No, we're talking "team" here. The reason Carter was only asked to be a bus driver last year was, well first, that was all he was capable of doing. And secondly, with the top-ranked defense, that's all he needed to do. But when you have a defense giving up 25 points a game, and at one point 28, you must ask your quarterback to me more than some pedestrian bus driver. I know you aren't that blind.
Carlton Nelson, Coconut Creek, Fla.: How do you explain Parcells not starting Henson in the Giants game? The season is over and he needs the experience. Please break it down so us simple Cowboy fans can understand what Parcells is thinking.
Mickey:I can do that if you are willing to listen. Parcells doesn't think Henson is ready for this, and he's afraid the rookie quarterback could suffer irreparable damage unnecessarily. It doesn't say in the coaching manual that a quarterback must take a pounding to learn how to play. Now that's his reason. Always been his reason.
Jennifer DeFrancesco, Drums, Pa: I just read your article. Yeah, I booed Vinny on Sunday because his great past mistakes kept playing over and over in my mind. Sure he led us down for the game-winning touchdown. So What? It does help the big picture and it sure won't get him off the hot seat in this long-time Cowboys home! I am tired of the second-hand quarterbacks at The Ranch. Maybe this off-season we will finally start going after some big-name players. Opening the wallet every now and then won't hurt. Or maybe Jerry Jones likes these sub-par teams. The rest of the league gets players and we get the scraps . . . Vinny, Henson, Carter, Wiley . . . etc.
Mickey:My point on the booing is this: Testaverde is trying, and if he wasn't, he sure as hell would not have thrown that 39-yard touchdown pass with :30 left to win the game. So why boo someone who is trying? Yeah, I'd boo the devil out of someone if I thought they were loafing or if I thought they were out there just for the money and didn't give a darn about the team. But this guy is giving you everything he's got, and it's not his fault he's in this position. And by the way, you say you want a big-time quarterback. Any suggestions? These guys don't just fall in your lap the way they had for nearly 40 years for the Cowboys.
Brad Stinson, Hattiesburg, Miss.: I have read all season long about how we should bench Vinny and look at either Tony Romo or Henson, and I think we need to know about them so we know what we do have in them. But like him, love him or hate him, every Cowboys fan should cheer loudly and strongly for Vinny. All he has done this year is everything he could do, and did it with Cowboy fans booing and wanting him benched. He had no running game, no defense and only one legit receiver and a tight end. On top of this, he had to try and score points to win shootouts without all his ammo. These fans need to remember Vinny never blew a coverage, gave up a touchdown, missed a tackle, or let an opposing quarterback wiggle away and complete a pass. We won and lost as a team, so don't blame Vinny for everything. I myself would love to see us have a young quarterback behind Vinny next year. If nothing else least he will learn something about playing and acting with class.
Mickey:Once again, if you guys are going to interject a measure of common sense here, you'll have no use for me. Brad must be a big picture guy, not one with tunnel vision trying to twist a few facts to support their stand on the quarterback position.
Randy Blair, Hartford, Conn.: What is Terry Glenn's status for next season? Hopefully, playing for the Boys. I think he doesn't get nearly enough credit for his contribution to this offense. He was our go-to guy in the 10-6 season, and had picked up where he left off early this year when our offense was quite productive (and Vinny was being praised). It's no coincidence that we fell off badly after Glenn's injury. Put Vinny, Julius, Terry Glenn, Keyshawn, and Jason Witten on the field at the same time and I guarantee they'll score points.
Mickey:Here, here. And with all those parts, the entire offense won't be on the shoulders of the quarterback. Glenn seems to be rehabbing nicely from the torn ligaments in his foot, and the Cowboys are counting on him returning for 2005. But don't forget, he'll be 31 next year. Wouldn't it be nice if the Cowboys had Glenn, Keyshawn Johnson and a No. 1 receiver, say found with a first-round draft choice?
Rodney, Trophy Club, Texas: Have you thought about this? Maybe all those boos were not directed at Vinny. Maybe, just maybe, I was booing the whole damn thing. The O-line, the receivers, the runners (and what the hell was Eddie George doing in there?), the coaches, and yes the quarterback. I don't think that there is any argument that Vinny has cost us several games this year and deserves a few boos. But, I think most people are booing the quarterback situation. Yes, the quarterback situation. I almost allowed four season ticket seats go empty Sunday because I did not think my frustration with this year would allow me to enjoy another home game. And yes, I left early and do not care that I missed the touchdown. The Cowboys deserved to lose. Awful!
Mickey:And I understand how tough it is to be a fan when your team does not win all the time. But you should direct your boos more pointedly. I didn't hear any boos until an interception was thrown, but funny, never heard boos when Julius Jones was being repeatedly dropped for two- and three-yard losses. Who was that on, the quarterback? No the offensive line. Did you boo a receiver when he ran an improper route, like Keyshawn did against Detroit to cost Vinny two of his interceptions? No, probably not. It's just so easy to pick on or praise the quarterback. And maybe the boos were not all directed at the quarterback, but funny, there were never any boos until he threw an interception, incompletion or was sacked. Please explain.
Jim Robinson, Jacksonville, Fla.: It has been a disappointing year for the Cowboys. Many have called the draft a bust. Which young players do you see having a much larger role next year? Bill Parcells might think that Patrick Crayton is green, but he seems to make something happen when he is on the field. Don't you think they need to find a way to use his athletic skills to help this offense?
Mickey:Yes, yes, yes. A full off-season will allow Crayton to become a more versed wide receiver. Parcells contends he knows one position, but in time will learn all three receiver spots, which will make him more versatile and valuable. Plus, I think he needs to return kicks. That should be in his future. Let's keep an eye on Keith Davis and Kalen Thornton. Young players? Gosh, did they not use enough this year for your liking? Al Johnson. Lance Frazier. Nate Jones. Torrin Tucker. Julius Jones. Darian Barnes. Terrance Copper. Mat McBriar. Scott Shanle (of late).
Truman Townzen, Petaluma, Calif.: Philip Buchanon has stated that he would like to be traded from the Raiders. In your opinion, would Buchanon be worth one of the Cowboys' first-round picks?
Mickey:Haven't seen enough of him, but from what I've seen, no. Plus, just because he wants to be trade doesn't mean the Raiders or obligated to oblige. They have a lot of signing bonus tied up in him. And because of that, they would want more than just a first for their former first-round pick. The prorated bonus escalation would almost prohibit trading him after just two seasons.
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