Players excited about Phillips
New coach's aggressive approach to 3-4 has many excited
By CALVIN WATKINS / The Dallas Morning News
IRVING – When several Cowboys players were informed that Wade Phillips became the head coach, his arrival was praised by many, especially from the defense.
"Wade is an innovator in the 3-4 defense," defensive end Marcus Spears said. "He knows how to get guys to the right spots. That's perfect for us. We have a team with smart guys who know how to get down. As long as you have a coach that communicates, who hears us, we'll be OK."
Phillips is a noted defensive specialist. Throughout his career his defenses have run an aggressive 3-4 scheme – "The Phillips 3-4," the new Cowboys coach said.
That entails zone blitzes, outside linebackers switching sides based on the offensive formation, defensive linemen becoming more aggressive and creating turnovers.
"It's going to be great for Dallas' defense," Chargers linebacker Luis Castillo said. "Those guys are going to love his system. They've been in a straight-forward 3-4 defense. They're going to do a lot more moving, a lot more blitzing. They're going to have a lot more opportunities to make plays."
In three seasons as the defensive coordinator at San Diego, Phillips' defenses scared offenses. In 2006, it led the NFL in sacks with 61. The NFL average was 36.4 per team; the Cowboys had 34.
In 2005, the Chargers had 46 sacks. They also led the NFL against the run, at 84.3 yards per game, and held three different opponents to less than 40 rushing yards.
The Cowboys, who switched from a 4-3 alignment to a 3-4 in 2005, had some success that season, when outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware and strong safety Roy Williams made the Pro Bowl. But in 2006, they had problems with their pass coverage and pass rush. Dallas' 3-4 defense was conservative, because then-coach Bill Parcells didn't want to give up big plays. Another problem involved then-defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, whose previous teams used the 4-3 scheme, and who had to learn how Parcells wanted the 3-4 implemented.
Williams said the scheme was confusing to several players. During secondary team meetings with position coach Todd Bowles, defensive linemen and linebackers asked Bowles to explain the terminology. During the season, several players voiced displeasure that the defense was not blitzing enough.
"I've talked to some of the other guys [in the Pro Bowl] and they were asking me, 'What were your guys doing down there in Dallas?' " Ware said. "Guys were telling me we were hardly blitzing and not doing this and that. I told them we were running a different type of defense. With Wade, it's attack and being the aggressor, and that's what I've known the 3-4 defense was like. You have to let guys make plays instead of letting them sit there."
Phillips said he tries to explain his schemes simply, and that's what makes him likeable with players.
"They love him," said San Diego offensive coordinator Clarence Shelmon, a former Cowboys running backs coach. "I don't see him as laidback. He puts guys in position to win. He's a very approachable coach."
Before the 2005 draft, Spears and Ware met Phillips and developed a fondness for him. Over lunch, they talked about what a 3-4 defense can do for a player and for a unit overall.
"Knowing what I've heard of Wade and talking to some players, it's true to say you can go to him and voice to him how you feel about something," linebacker Akin Ayodele said. "He's willing to listen, and it will open lines of communications and maybe a better channel to be more productive and have a better player-coach relationship."
By CALVIN WATKINS / The Dallas Morning News
IRVING – When several Cowboys players were informed that Wade Phillips became the head coach, his arrival was praised by many, especially from the defense.
"Wade is an innovator in the 3-4 defense," defensive end Marcus Spears said. "He knows how to get guys to the right spots. That's perfect for us. We have a team with smart guys who know how to get down. As long as you have a coach that communicates, who hears us, we'll be OK."
Phillips is a noted defensive specialist. Throughout his career his defenses have run an aggressive 3-4 scheme – "The Phillips 3-4," the new Cowboys coach said.
That entails zone blitzes, outside linebackers switching sides based on the offensive formation, defensive linemen becoming more aggressive and creating turnovers.
"It's going to be great for Dallas' defense," Chargers linebacker Luis Castillo said. "Those guys are going to love his system. They've been in a straight-forward 3-4 defense. They're going to do a lot more moving, a lot more blitzing. They're going to have a lot more opportunities to make plays."
In three seasons as the defensive coordinator at San Diego, Phillips' defenses scared offenses. In 2006, it led the NFL in sacks with 61. The NFL average was 36.4 per team; the Cowboys had 34.
In 2005, the Chargers had 46 sacks. They also led the NFL against the run, at 84.3 yards per game, and held three different opponents to less than 40 rushing yards.
The Cowboys, who switched from a 4-3 alignment to a 3-4 in 2005, had some success that season, when outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware and strong safety Roy Williams made the Pro Bowl. But in 2006, they had problems with their pass coverage and pass rush. Dallas' 3-4 defense was conservative, because then-coach Bill Parcells didn't want to give up big plays. Another problem involved then-defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, whose previous teams used the 4-3 scheme, and who had to learn how Parcells wanted the 3-4 implemented.
Williams said the scheme was confusing to several players. During secondary team meetings with position coach Todd Bowles, defensive linemen and linebackers asked Bowles to explain the terminology. During the season, several players voiced displeasure that the defense was not blitzing enough.
"I've talked to some of the other guys [in the Pro Bowl] and they were asking me, 'What were your guys doing down there in Dallas?' " Ware said. "Guys were telling me we were hardly blitzing and not doing this and that. I told them we were running a different type of defense. With Wade, it's attack and being the aggressor, and that's what I've known the 3-4 defense was like. You have to let guys make plays instead of letting them sit there."
Phillips said he tries to explain his schemes simply, and that's what makes him likeable with players.
"They love him," said San Diego offensive coordinator Clarence Shelmon, a former Cowboys running backs coach. "I don't see him as laidback. He puts guys in position to win. He's a very approachable coach."
Before the 2005 draft, Spears and Ware met Phillips and developed a fondness for him. Over lunch, they talked about what a 3-4 defense can do for a player and for a unit overall.
"Knowing what I've heard of Wade and talking to some players, it's true to say you can go to him and voice to him how you feel about something," linebacker Akin Ayodele said. "He's willing to listen, and it will open lines of communications and maybe a better channel to be more productive and have a better player-coach relationship."
posted by The Gryphon at 7:27 AM
<< Home