Adams, Allen, Glover, Williams make Pro Bowl
Friday, December 19th 2003, 12:00 am
IRVING, Texas (AP) _ Bill Parcells called the Dallas Cowboys together after a walkthrough Thursday for a special announcement _ Pro Bowl selections.
He read off the five alternates. Then he named three full-fledged picks: former Oklahoma standout Roy Williams, a first-timer; La'Roi Glover, going for the fourth straight year, his second in Dallas; and Larry Allen, surprisingly back for an eighth time after his streak of seven straight ended last year.
The more names Flozell Adams heard that weren't his, the more disappointed he became. It was a familiar feeling for the sixth-year lineman.
``I was kind of like, `Yeah, OK,''' Adams said.
Then Parcells gave Adams with the news he's always wanted. The fourth and final honoree was the 6-foot-7, 357-pound blocker so big he's nicknamed ``Hotel Flozell.''
``After six years, to finally get to go, I'm just looking forward to it,'' Adams said.
Parcells made Adams celebrate by strutting his stuff. Not against a blocking dummy or anything like that. He wanted to see Adams dance like he did in New York when the Cowboys pulled out a stunning overtime victory over the Giants.
The wiggling and jiggling must be pretty embarrassing considering that when Adams was asked to demonstrate his moves, he said, ``I don't know what you're talking about.''
``He did a little something for us,'' Glover said, smiling. ``He broke it down for us.''
How did the stoic, silent Allen respond?
``Spit some tobacco out and slapped me five,'' Glover said.
The four Pro Bowl picks are a strong endorsement for a team that's on the verge of returning to the playoffs for the first time since 1999. The Cowboys (9-5) already have secured their first winning season since 1998.
The four selections to the Feb. 8 game in Honolulu are the most for Dallas since having five in '99.
``It's hat's off to our team and our accomplishments,'' Williams said. ``It's going to be a big reunion in Hawaii.''
Fans, coaches and players voted, with each group counting equally. Players and coaches were not allowed to vote on their own teams. Starters will be announced Jan. 3, the Saturday of wild-card weekend.
If anyone invited can't go, then alternates make it.
Linebackers Dexter Coakley and Dat Nguyen are first alternates. Less likely to get the call are the third alternates: fullback Richie Anderson, rookie cornerback Terence Newman and safety Darren Woodson.
``When you get a day when you can kind of pay tribute to your players instead of criticizing them, which I spend most of the time doing ... it's nice,'' Parcells said. ``Someone has recognized your efforts. I'm very happy about that for them.''
Parcells admitted he was particularly happy for Adams, an immense talent who had trouble remaining focused before the tough new coach came along.
Adams became a free agent after last season and there were questions about whether to keep him. Parcells saw enough raw ability to want him around and owner Jerry Jones signed him for $25 million over five years, with a $10 million bonus.
That looks like a good investment now.
``He can go to uncharted places if he wants to,'' Parcells said. ``I've had the opportunity to go with him a little bit more and try to teach him a little bit about what I know. He's taken that pretty well. He's aware of some of the technical mistakes he does have a tendency to make.''
Parcells has helped Adams make the leap from trying to prevent his man from getting past him to focusing on knocking that guy out of the play.
Parcells understood the motivational task because he had a similar case with Jumbo Elliott.
Like Adams, Elliott was extremely powerful. The game was so easy for Elliott the he could get bored, forcing Parcells to find another way to spark him. The answer with Elliott was making him angry.
``If I could do that, our opponent was in trouble, no matter who it was,'' Parcells said. ``But if he didn't think he had any competition over there, that's when I had to watch Jumbo because he'd do his job, but he wouldn't be dominant.''
This season, Parcells angered another large, dominant player _ Allen.
Despite staying well under his Parcells-prescribed weight, injuries and inconsistency put him into the coach's doghouse. He's worked his way out, which Parcells admires, although it's safe to say reputation played a big factor in this honor. Allen declined comment.
``I'm happy that he seems to be going well right now because it's exactly the right time for it to be going well,'' Parcells said. ``Quite frankly, I wasn't sure it was going to happen but it did. That's a tribute to him.''
News On 6 IRVING, Texas (AP) _ Bill Parcells called the Dallas Cowboys together after a walkthrough Thursday for a special announcement _ Pro Bowl selections.
He read off the five alternates. Then he named