IRVING – Inside linebacker Dat Nguyen's 5-11, 238-pound frame couldn't
handle the rigors of a 16-game NFL season anymore.
That's why coach Bill Parcells said the seven-year veteran – whose
season is over after he was placed on injured reserve Monday – is
contemplating retirement.
Parcells said he met with Nguyen on Sunday, and the linebacker talked
about retiring for the second time in three weeks.
Nguyen missed three games earlier this season with a pinched nerve in
his neck. A bone bruise on his knee has bothered him since Week 2.
"He just physically couldn't withstand some of the things; that's really
what the problems were, and when you can't do that, then you're the
first one to know," Parcells said. "... I think he's kind of worn out."
Nguyen could not be reached for comment Monday.
Owner Jerry Jones said he will meet with Nguyen today. Jones said if
Nguyen decides to retire, it wouldn't surprise him.
"Dat hasn't been up to par much of the season," Jones said. "I know how
competitive he is. He's the consummate professional."
Three days after the Cowboys' 21-20 win over Philadelphia, Parcells had
the players engage in a physical one-on-one blocking drill normally
reserved for training camp, because he didn't like the way Dallas ran
the ball or stopped the run.
Nguyen declined to participate in the drill. An exchange with Parcells
followed.
"I don't know if that impacted Bill," Jones said. "I don't think it
impacted the decision to put Dat on injured reserve."
The Cowboys signed linebacker Mike Barrow, a 13-year veteran, to a
one-year deal to replace Nguyen. Barrow made a lasting impression on
Parcells in 2003, when he had 19 tackles in the Cowboys' dramatic 35-32
overtime win over the Giants.
Scott Shanle, who has played well since replacing Nguyen, will continue
to start, but he missed his first game last week with a sprained ankle.
Last month, the Cowboys lost veteran Al Singleton for the season with a
broken collarbone.
Ryan Fowler, a second-year player, played a lot against Denver with
Shanle out and recorded two tackles. The Cowboys think Fowler will be
fine against the run but want Barrow available as the Cowboys make a run
at their first NFC East title since 1998.
"Coach Parcells' style of ball – smash-mouth – fits my personality,"
Barrow said. "I like to bang."
Barrow said he's also over the quadriceps injury and tendinitis that
forced him to miss the 2004 season. Barrow said Washington released him
because he declined to take a pay cut.
The Cowboys initially contacted Barrow about three weeks ago, when
Parcells said Nguyen first mentioned the possibility of retirement.
Parcells said he told Nguyen that he would use him only in passing
situations to alleviate some of the wear and tear on his body.
In the 3-4 defense, Nguyen had to regularly take on 330-pound guards. In
the 4-3, which he played the first six seasons of his career, the
defensive tackles protected Nguyen and allowed him to run freely to the
ball and make tackles.
"For him to make this decision at this point of the season, you know he
has to be in some pain," said ex-teammate Darren Woodson, who spoke to
Nguyen about three weeks ago. "He's one of the best liars I've ever seen
when it came to talking about how much he was hurting. He would just
suck it up and go."
Dallas drafted Nguyen in the third round (85th overall) of the 1999
draft despite his lack of size and speed. He became a full-time starter
in 2000.
"He had great instincts and burst," said Larry Lacewell, the Cowboys'
former director of pro and college scouting. "He couldn't run fast but
had explosion, and he could see the ball at the snap and get to it. He
had a great attitude. You can't have enough players like Dat on your
team."
When Parcells first joined the Cowboys in 2003, he talked about his
desire to have bigger, more physical players on his team, especially on
the offensive and defensive lines and linebacker.
But Nguyen was such an instinctive and productive player that he quickly
earned the coach's respect. Once, Parcells referred to Nguyen as "a
football-playing dude."
"I haven't been here for all of his career," Parcells said, "but if the
first part was anything like the first couple of years with me, then he
should be commended for what he's accomplished."
E-mail
jjtaylor@dallasnews.com
