Hi. This is me with rose colored glasses.
I'm writing this at work. I hope I don't get in trouble.
Well, in my last post, I said that I don't want a retread and the only one I'd even consider was Norv Turner. Now we get a different retread. Wade Phillips is the new man for the Cowboys. Like Chris, I am totally underwhelmed. However, as the Cowboy homer that I am, I am going to try to look on the bright side of life.
First, Wade is big time 3-4 defensive coach who can make stars out of his defensive players. The Chargers played a much more attacking style of defense than the Cowboys did. Shawne Merriman and Jamal Williams both made the Pro Bowl as defensive lineman this past year. The Chargers defense over the last couple of years had been very stingy, especially against the run, giving up 81 and 84 yards a rush. Chris can complain all he wants about the 3-4, but over the past couple of years, the Cowboys have drafted for the 3-4 and to switch over to the 4-3 doesn't make a whole lot of sense right now. We know that DeMarcus Ware can be a dominant outside linebacker, but we don't know if he can be a dominant defensive lineman, a la Charles Haley.
Also, Wade wasn't that bad in Buffalo. I took a literal miracle for the Titans to beat them in the playoffs in 1999. His record is not near as atrocious as Norv's (45-38 with Denver and Buffalo versus 58-81-1).
I think this hire comes down to two things. One, Jerry believes that the Cowboys are a 3-4 team. The best 3-4 guy out there is Wade Phillips. The Chargers played a much more attacking style of defense than the Cowboys did. We should be able to expect more sacks and pressure on the Quarterback next year. I bet Ware is very happy. The biggest problem on this team last year was not the offense anyway. The defense is really what let them down at the end of the season (that and poor holding). I also think that this means that Jerry wants to leave the door wide open, not for Bill Cowher, but Jason Garrett or Todd Bowles. I think that Norv's presence would hinder Garrett's development. There were whispers that Norv had a problem with Garret's presence here. If that's the case, I think that sunk Norv's candidacy.
Overall, I'm disappointed in the new Cowboy's coach. I was hoping for Rivera or Singletary, but I'm going to hope for the best. It's been over 10 years since a playoff win. Can Wade turn it around? I hope so.
2 comments:
At this point, I almost wish that Jerry would name some random dude that no one has ever heard of before. At least I would feel like we'd be getting something new. But all in all, the players still need to execute. I have no doubts that the Cowboys probably would have lost to the Bears in the next round if Romo doesn't fumble the snap, but it sure would have been fun to find out.
Rose colored glasses aren't your style, Rus. Give me the venom I know you really feel.
Yeah, Phillip's regular season record is better than Turner's. But Turner is tainted by those two years in Oakland. Take that out, and he is still sub-.500, but not by much.
I'm not saying Turner is a great coach, but I do think it would have been a good fit here. If something else, like Garrett's presence, was a problem, so be it, but Plan B has got to be better than Phillips.
I don't buy the argument they have drafted for the 3-4, either. You don't think Rivera could come in with these players and switch to a 4-3? Ware is a football player--he could do it. Ellis plays out of position in the 3-4 and he was their best player. Because they drafted Bobby Carpenter we have to stick with the 3-4? Weak.
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