Parcellisms: The Highlight Of Cowboys Camp

There are a lot of people excited about the Dallas Cowboys getting underway at training camp in Oxnard, California. Most of the focus has been on new wide receiver Terrell Owens. But, my favorite part of camp, year in and year out, is Bill Parcells' press conferences. Seriously.

Most coaches and players are busy refining their "coach speak." You know what I'm talking about. Here are some examples:

"We're taking it one game at at time, giving it 110%..."

"You have to play all four quarters..."

"We're firing on all cylinders..."

Parcells has his own form of coach speak. He talks in what we like to call, Parcellisms. They are statements not necessarily unique, but not usually associated with sports.

Here's what I'm talking about. This is from today's camp opening press conference.

On answering a question about all the talent this years squad has, and what he told his players:

"I told them, I don't care how may lemons you got, or what the quality of the lemons are. You still got to make the lemonade."

And, responding to questions about defensive back Keith Davis, claiming to be an innocent victim of a shooting, for the second time:

"My father used to have an expression for things like that, you know. He used to say, hey Parcells, it's never your fault but you're always there."

That's classic! Those are the kinds of answers I like to hear.

So, buckle the chin strap, because we've got our back against the wall, and it's do-or-die time. We're ready to give it all we've got. It's a team game and we're ready to play.