Cowboys Team Report
By Jean-Jacques Taylor
Dallas Morning News
February 11, 2007
The Cowboys pulled a surprise and made Wade Phillips the seventh coach in franchise history -- and the fifth since 1997 -- because Jerry Jones believes Phillips can turn the Cowboys' defense into an elite unite. Norv Turner was considered the front-runner to get the job during much of the process, especially when Jones allowed all but one of his offensive coaches to take other jobs. But Jones determined that fixing a defense that has had five No. 1 picks since 2002 added to the roster -- not to mention high-priced free agents such as Anthony Henry, Jason Ferguson and Akin Ayodele -- was the deciding factor. With Phillips, the Cowboys can maintain the 3-4 defense that they have used the past two seasons instead of returning to the 4-3 defense. That was crucial to Jones' decision-making process because Dallas has spent so much time adding players to the roster capable of playing the scheme. Phillips will rely on Jason Garrett to run the offense after Dallas hired him following two years as Miami's quarterbacks coach. Phillips said the only thing he wants Garrett to do is put the ball in the hands of his best players, namely WRs Terry Glenn and Terrell Owens. The toughest task for Phillips is putting together a quality staff this late in the game because most other clubs have filled their staffs. Phillips has spent more than 30 years in the NFL, so he feels comfortable puting a staff together because he has worked with a lot of good coaches over the years. Todd Bowles, Dallas' secondary coach, is the leading candidate to be the defensive coordinator. Of the coaches Jones interviewed, Phillips should be considered a good hire because he gives the Cowboys their best chance to win quickly. Of the six times Phillips has been hired as a defensive coordinator or head coach, his teams have made the playoffs every time. The Cowboys haven't won a playoff game in 10 years and Jones is itching to win, so there's going to be pressure on Phillips to deliver quickly. . . .
C Andre Gurode's price tag just increased after he was named as a Pro Bowl replacement. Gurode, the Cowboys' most consistent offensive lineman, is an excellent athlete who plays with tremendous pad level and power. He reduced his mental mistakes last year, and the Cowboys think he can be a quality center for years. But he's an unrestricted free agent and is going to cost the Cowboys a chunk of their salary cap to get him back. Gurode was one of seven Cowboys in the Pro Bowl because three were added because of injuries.
SCOUTING REPORT: SS Roy Williams should be pleased with the addition of Phillips as head coach because his specialty is putting his best players in position to make plays. Williams, who had a team-high five interceptions, is vulnerable in pass coverage because he doesn't always make good adjustments when the ball is in the air. But he can be a force near the line of scrimmage, where he is an explosive tackler and an intimidating presence. Phillips will see to it that Williams spends much of his time next season blowing up plays near the line of scrimmage and being a disruptive force as opposed to playing back in coverage.
Dallas Morning News
February 11, 2007
The Cowboys pulled a surprise and made Wade Phillips the seventh coach in franchise history -- and the fifth since 1997 -- because Jerry Jones believes Phillips can turn the Cowboys' defense into an elite unite. Norv Turner was considered the front-runner to get the job during much of the process, especially when Jones allowed all but one of his offensive coaches to take other jobs. But Jones determined that fixing a defense that has had five No. 1 picks since 2002 added to the roster -- not to mention high-priced free agents such as Anthony Henry, Jason Ferguson and Akin Ayodele -- was the deciding factor. With Phillips, the Cowboys can maintain the 3-4 defense that they have used the past two seasons instead of returning to the 4-3 defense. That was crucial to Jones' decision-making process because Dallas has spent so much time adding players to the roster capable of playing the scheme. Phillips will rely on Jason Garrett to run the offense after Dallas hired him following two years as Miami's quarterbacks coach. Phillips said the only thing he wants Garrett to do is put the ball in the hands of his best players, namely WRs Terry Glenn and Terrell Owens. The toughest task for Phillips is putting together a quality staff this late in the game because most other clubs have filled their staffs. Phillips has spent more than 30 years in the NFL, so he feels comfortable puting a staff together because he has worked with a lot of good coaches over the years. Todd Bowles, Dallas' secondary coach, is the leading candidate to be the defensive coordinator. Of the coaches Jones interviewed, Phillips should be considered a good hire because he gives the Cowboys their best chance to win quickly. Of the six times Phillips has been hired as a defensive coordinator or head coach, his teams have made the playoffs every time. The Cowboys haven't won a playoff game in 10 years and Jones is itching to win, so there's going to be pressure on Phillips to deliver quickly. . . .
C Andre Gurode's price tag just increased after he was named as a Pro Bowl replacement. Gurode, the Cowboys' most consistent offensive lineman, is an excellent athlete who plays with tremendous pad level and power. He reduced his mental mistakes last year, and the Cowboys think he can be a quality center for years. But he's an unrestricted free agent and is going to cost the Cowboys a chunk of their salary cap to get him back. Gurode was one of seven Cowboys in the Pro Bowl because three were added because of injuries.
SCOUTING REPORT: SS Roy Williams should be pleased with the addition of Phillips as head coach because his specialty is putting his best players in position to make plays. Williams, who had a team-high five interceptions, is vulnerable in pass coverage because he doesn't always make good adjustments when the ball is in the air. But he can be a force near the line of scrimmage, where he is an explosive tackler and an intimidating presence. Phillips will see to it that Williams spends much of his time next season blowing up plays near the line of scrimmage and being a disruptive force as opposed to playing back in coverage.
posted by The Gryphon at 6:54 PM
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