Atlanta at Dallas
Game Info: 4:15 pm EDT Sun Sep 7, 2003
TV: FOX
September 4, 2003
Fortunately for the Dallas Cowboys, Bill Parcells will be roaming the sidelines. Unfortunately for the Atlanta Falcons, so will Michael Vick.
After three years away from coaching, Parcells took the reins of the Cowboys this season. Intrigued by the chance to restore the glory of ``America's Team,'' Parcells took up owner Jerry Jones on his offer to coach.
Cowboys fans shouldn't expect miracles this season, as Parcells has yet to make the playoffs in the year he takes over a franchise. That doesn't mean he's writing his team off.
``I know there's a lot of work to do here, but that doesn't mean it's a rebuilding year,'' he said. ``Who knows what's going to happen? I just look forward to seeing what we do. I really don't have any grand expectations.
``I'm trying to get the team to play to its potential. If I can get it to play that way, then I'm going to be happy. I've sensed a little improvement in training camp, but this is a different deal now.''
Parcells and the Cowboys won't have to contend with Vick, as the Falcons' star quarterback will be sidelined with a broken leg for the first month of the season.
The stunning injury cast a cloud over this seemingly snake-bitten franchise, one that seemed to be doing everything right since Arthur Blank bought the team after the 2001 season.
The Falcons, though, say they're out to prove that there's more to the team than No. 7.
``We're not just a bunch of other guys,'' receiver Peerless Price said. ``Sure, Mike is the marquee guy in the league. No one on this team is as marketable as he is. But there's a misconception that just because he's marketable, he's doing it all by himself.''
Until Vick returns, Doug Johnson will guide the team. He has started just three games in his first three seasons, but the former Florida star has been in coach Dan Reeves' offense longer than any other quarterback on the roster.
Last season, Johnson came off the bench to guide the Falcons to a key road victory over the Giants.
``That was the biggest game of the season,'' safety Keion Carpenter said. ``Doug could start for any team in this league.''
Atlanta will be trying to record back-to-back winning seasons and make the playoffs in consecutive years for the first time in franchise history.
While Atlanta will be trying to overcome the loss of Vick, the Cowboys have questions of their own.
Can quarterback Quincy Carter develop into a consistent leader? Can running back Troy Hambrick replace Emmitt Smith? Will the line be good enough to give the quarterback and running backs a fair chance?
``We're all still learning, but we've got an idea of what he's about,'' tight end Dan Campbell said of Parcells. ``The biggest thing is discipline, hard work and being smart -- play smart, think smart and don't make stupid mistakes.
``You definitely don't want to be the one who messes up. You don't want to let the guy down. That's motivation enough.''
2002 STANDINGS: Falcons - 2nd place, NFC South. Cowboys - 4th place, NFC East.
2002 FALCONS LEADERS: Offense - Vick, 2,936 passing yards, 16 passing TDs and 8 rushing TDs; Warrick Dunn, 927 rushing yards; Brian Finneran, 56 receptions, 838 receiving yards and 6 receiving TDs. Defense - Keith Brooking, 110 tackles; Patrick Kerney, 10 1/2 sacks; Keion Carpenter, 4 INTs.
2002 COWBOYS LEADERS: Offense - Chad Hutchinson, 1,555 passing yards; Hutchinson and Carter, 7 passing TDs; Smith, 975 rushing yards and 5 rushing TDs; Joey Galloway, 61 receptions and 908 receiving yards; Galloway and Antonio Bryant, 6 receiving TDs. Defense - Roy Williams, 88 tackles; Greg Ellis, 7 1/2 sacks; Williams and Derek Ross, 5 INTs.
2002 FALCONS TEAM RANK: Rushing Offense - 147.9 yards per game (4th in NFL); Passing Offense - 197.9 ypg (23rd); Total Offense - 345.8 ypg (14th). Rushing Defense - 127.9 ypg (23rd); Passing Defense - 205.4 ypg (16th); Total Defense - 333.3 ypg (19th).
2002 COWBOYS TEAM RANK: Rushing Offense - 109.6 ypg (19th); Passing Offense - 163.8 ypg (31st); Total Offense - 273.4 ypg (30th). Rushing Defense - 113.6 ypg (15th); Passing Defense - 215.6 ypg (19th); Total Defense - 329.2 ypg (18th).
LAST MEETING: Nov. 11, 2001; Falcons, 20-13. At Atlanta, Johnson threw a go-ahead 1-yard TD pass with 5:20 left.
STREAKS AND NOTES: Falcons - WR Price has increased his receptions and yardage in each of the past three seasons with Buffalo. ... Dan Reeves leads active coaches with 198 victories. ... RB T.J. Duckett led NFC rookies with 507 rushing yards last year. Cowboys - QB Carter earned the job over Hutchinson with a strong preseason, leading the NFC with a 109 passer rating (37 of 58 with 4 TDs and 1 INT). Last year, Carter passed for at least 200 yards in six straight games, the longest such streak by a Cowboy since Troy Aikman did it in 1993. ... S Williams tied for the league lead among rookies with five INTs. ... Parcells has 149 victories and is looking to become the 13th coach with 150.
2002 ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Falcons - 4-3-1 on the road; Cowboys - 4-4 at home.
INJURIES: Falcons - OUT: WR LaTarence Dunbar (groin); S Cory Hall (knee); CB Tod McBride (thumb); QB Vick (leg). DOUBTFUL: LB Sam Rogers (knee). QUESTIONABLE: LB Artie Ulmer (leg). Cowboys - OUT: DT Willie Blade (knee); CB Derek Ross (knee). QUESTIONABLE: G Larry Allen (hamstring). PROBABLE: WR Antonio Bryant (quadriceps).
