Phillips has lost his anonymity
By CLARENCE E. HILL JR.
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER
INDIANAPOLIS - Every day Cowboys coach Wade Phillips gets a new lesson on how his life has changed.
Going from being the fairly anonymous but respected defensive coordinator in San Diego to the head coach of the Cowboys has brought about a stream of well wishes and congratulations from fellow coaches at the NFL Scouting Combine.
It also has brought a deluge of autograph seekers. Phillips can barely walk through the Indiana Convention Center because of the crush of pens, footballs and photo ops from fans and autograph brokers.
"It's a lot different," Phillips said. "I forget how many people I know. A lot of guys are happy for me. I paid my dues."
Phillips said it's a different work environment as well, considering he has to pay attention to all the players rather than just the guys on defense.
"I am just trying to get an overall picture of guys," Phillips said.
"I interview offensive and defensive guys. I am watching kickers. I didn't do that before. I just don't specialize in one area."
Ellis and Merriman
The natural assumption upon Phillips' hiring was that, in the Cowboys' 3-4 defense, linebacker DeMarcus Ware would play a role like that of Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman.
Merriman had 27 sacks the past two years under Phillips with San Diego.
According to Phillips, however, Greg Ellis will play Merriman's position, with Ware playing the linebacker spot on the opposite side.
"Both of those positions are pretty important to our defense," Phillips said. "If you get good guys there, it makes it tough on the offense. They don't know which way to slide the line."
The key for Ellis is rehabbing from a torn Achilles tendon that sidelined him for the last seven games last season. Phillips said he talked to Ellis on Thursday and was told that things were going well with rehab.
Of course, being mindful of Merriman's 17 sacks in 12 games in 2006 might help Ellis get healthy a little faster.
Coordinator search
That Wade Phillips is not talking about his search for a defensive coordinator and is seemingly unconcerned about not having one at this time is saying a lot.
One thing is certain: Phillips will be the one running the defense.
What also seems clear is that he is holding out hope that he will finally be able to hire Chargers secondary coach Brian Stewart. Earlier requests to interview Stewart have been turned down by San Diego.
Yet with the Chargers hiring Bill Bradley away from Baylor to be their secondary coach, the Cowboys' wait soon might be rewarded.
If the Cowboys don't get Stewart, look for them to name secondary coach Todd Bowles defensive coordinator.
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER
INDIANAPOLIS - Every day Cowboys coach Wade Phillips gets a new lesson on how his life has changed.
Going from being the fairly anonymous but respected defensive coordinator in San Diego to the head coach of the Cowboys has brought about a stream of well wishes and congratulations from fellow coaches at the NFL Scouting Combine.
It also has brought a deluge of autograph seekers. Phillips can barely walk through the Indiana Convention Center because of the crush of pens, footballs and photo ops from fans and autograph brokers.
"It's a lot different," Phillips said. "I forget how many people I know. A lot of guys are happy for me. I paid my dues."
Phillips said it's a different work environment as well, considering he has to pay attention to all the players rather than just the guys on defense.
"I am just trying to get an overall picture of guys," Phillips said.
"I interview offensive and defensive guys. I am watching kickers. I didn't do that before. I just don't specialize in one area."
Ellis and Merriman
The natural assumption upon Phillips' hiring was that, in the Cowboys' 3-4 defense, linebacker DeMarcus Ware would play a role like that of Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman.
Merriman had 27 sacks the past two years under Phillips with San Diego.
According to Phillips, however, Greg Ellis will play Merriman's position, with Ware playing the linebacker spot on the opposite side.
"Both of those positions are pretty important to our defense," Phillips said. "If you get good guys there, it makes it tough on the offense. They don't know which way to slide the line."
The key for Ellis is rehabbing from a torn Achilles tendon that sidelined him for the last seven games last season. Phillips said he talked to Ellis on Thursday and was told that things were going well with rehab.
Of course, being mindful of Merriman's 17 sacks in 12 games in 2006 might help Ellis get healthy a little faster.
Coordinator search
That Wade Phillips is not talking about his search for a defensive coordinator and is seemingly unconcerned about not having one at this time is saying a lot.
One thing is certain: Phillips will be the one running the defense.
What also seems clear is that he is holding out hope that he will finally be able to hire Chargers secondary coach Brian Stewart. Earlier requests to interview Stewart have been turned down by San Diego.
Yet with the Chargers hiring Bill Bradley away from Baylor to be their secondary coach, the Cowboys' wait soon might be rewarded.
If the Cowboys don't get Stewart, look for them to name secondary coach Todd Bowles defensive coordinator.
posted by The Gryphon at 8:08 AM
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