NFC EAST Cowboys passing more, become unpredictable

Coach Bill Parcells' formula is working and the Cowboys are 2-1.
IRVING, Texas (AP) -- Bill Parcells loves needling his players with witty sarcasm. It's his way of sending sharp messages.
The last two weeks, Parcells has been tweaking opposing coaches, letting them know right from the start that his Dallas Cowboys have become both a passing team and an unpredictable one.
Parcells insists it's more coincidence than message. Still, the evidence shows that he's been calling games more like Mike Martz than, well, Bill Parcells.
URather than running on third-and-1 during their first drive against Cleveland, the Cowboys emptied the backfield and threw. A few plays later, a flea-flicker set up a touchdown.
UDallas opened against Washington with five receivers and no huddle. The winning touchdown came on a halfback pass.
Formula is working
The key factor is that the formula is working. The Cowboys are 2-1, knowing the rest of the league is wondering what might be next for Air Parcells and 40-year-old wing man Vinny Testaverde.
Actually, anyone truly stunned that Parcells isn't living by the 3-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust philosophy hasn't followed him closely. While it's true he believes a strong running game is a vital component, he's willing to scrap that if his personnel can't support it.
"He does what his teams are most effective it," said Drew Bledsoe, the quarterback of those Patriots teams. "People have Bill stereotyped and pigeonholed as this running coach. ... That's not who he is. He's going to throw it as much as he needs to throw it."
The Cowboys have thrown 116 passes. Only Cincinnati has more, 117.
Dallas has run 70 times. Only five teams that have played three games have fewer attempts.
Changes in running game
The most surprising thing about that ratio isn't Parcells' reputation. Or his often-stated goal of being more balanced. It's that the Cowboys made so many changes to upgrade their running game so they could rely on it more this season.
Dallas used its top pick on Julius Jones, then added Eddie George late in the summer. Fullback Darian Barnes was acquired in a trade and Parcells asked Richie Anderson to lose 10 pounds so he could see more time at halfback than fullback.
The combination of injuries and the way games have unfolded prompted Parcells to start airing it out. It's worked out so well that Parcells has recognized the best way for this team to win is by passing early and often.
"I do think we have some firepower," Parcells said.