Cowboys Insider: Owens more likely to feud with Garrett than Phillips
Tom Orsborn
Express-News Staff Writer
I believe former Buffalo Bills linebacker John Holecek when he says Terrell Owens will get along well with Wade Phillips.
I’m just not so sure the same can be said for Owens and offensive coordinator Jason Garrett.
In a phone interview this week, Holecek told me he doesn’t expect Owens to be a problem for the low-key Phillips, who replaced the retired Bill Parcells in February as the Cowboys coach.
“When Wade was (head coach) in Buffalo (from 1998-2000), he had to deal with Bruce Smith, Cornelius Bennett, Thurman Thomas and Jim Kelly,” Holecek said. “That’s not to say they were bad guys, but there were a lot of big egos.
“When you have a guy like (Owens) who needs to be dealt with kid gloves, Wade is the soft-spoken leader you want. If (Owens) can’t get along with Wade, he’s not going to be successful anywhere.”
But just how involved is Phillips, a defensive guru hired in part to revamp the team’s 3-4 defense, going to be with the offense? Owens clashed more last season with receivers coach/passing game coordinator Todd Haley, which is a big reason why Haley now works for the Arizona Cardinals.
If Owens is playing poorly, he’ll need a scapegoat. The likely candidate will be Garrett, who is nearly 20 years younger than Phillips.
If Owens doesn’t think he’s getting the ball enough, he’ll need somebody to lash out at. The likely candidate will be Garrett, who is making his debut as an offensive coordinator.
Of course, Garrett could be spared if Owens’ honeymoon with quarterback Tony Romo ends.
Phillips got off to a good start with Owens in February. Asked at the news conference to announce his hiring how he would handle the mercurial receiver, Phillips said, “I don’t handle players -- I work with players. Terrell Owens (is) part of the Dallas Cowboys family, so he’s part of my family.”
It was a response Holecek says is typical of Phillips.
“He is a total players’ coach,” Holecek said. “It’s not that he lets them get away with murder, but veterans will love him.”
Garrett better hope so. He’ll need an ally should Owens come after him like he did Haley.
Quick hits
• Owens (finger) is one of five players not expected to participate in this weekend’s minicamp. The others are linebacker Greg Ellis (Achilles’ tendon), guard Marco Rivera (back), rookie wide receiver Isaiah Stanback (foot) and guard Robert Turner (wrist). Owens is still recovering from January surgery to repair a torn tendon in his right ring finger. Phillips said Owens has been catching tennis balls during rehab and could participate in the team’s second minicamp scheduled for June 8-10.
• Former Tarleton State quarterback Richard Bartel is trying out for a roster spot. Bartel is a graduate of Grapevine High School, near Irving.
Express-News Staff Writer
I believe former Buffalo Bills linebacker John Holecek when he says Terrell Owens will get along well with Wade Phillips.
I’m just not so sure the same can be said for Owens and offensive coordinator Jason Garrett.
In a phone interview this week, Holecek told me he doesn’t expect Owens to be a problem for the low-key Phillips, who replaced the retired Bill Parcells in February as the Cowboys coach.
“When Wade was (head coach) in Buffalo (from 1998-2000), he had to deal with Bruce Smith, Cornelius Bennett, Thurman Thomas and Jim Kelly,” Holecek said. “That’s not to say they were bad guys, but there were a lot of big egos.
“When you have a guy like (Owens) who needs to be dealt with kid gloves, Wade is the soft-spoken leader you want. If (Owens) can’t get along with Wade, he’s not going to be successful anywhere.”
But just how involved is Phillips, a defensive guru hired in part to revamp the team’s 3-4 defense, going to be with the offense? Owens clashed more last season with receivers coach/passing game coordinator Todd Haley, which is a big reason why Haley now works for the Arizona Cardinals.
If Owens is playing poorly, he’ll need a scapegoat. The likely candidate will be Garrett, who is nearly 20 years younger than Phillips.
If Owens doesn’t think he’s getting the ball enough, he’ll need somebody to lash out at. The likely candidate will be Garrett, who is making his debut as an offensive coordinator.
Of course, Garrett could be spared if Owens’ honeymoon with quarterback Tony Romo ends.
Phillips got off to a good start with Owens in February. Asked at the news conference to announce his hiring how he would handle the mercurial receiver, Phillips said, “I don’t handle players -- I work with players. Terrell Owens (is) part of the Dallas Cowboys family, so he’s part of my family.”
It was a response Holecek says is typical of Phillips.
“He is a total players’ coach,” Holecek said. “It’s not that he lets them get away with murder, but veterans will love him.”
Garrett better hope so. He’ll need an ally should Owens come after him like he did Haley.
Quick hits
• Owens (finger) is one of five players not expected to participate in this weekend’s minicamp. The others are linebacker Greg Ellis (Achilles’ tendon), guard Marco Rivera (back), rookie wide receiver Isaiah Stanback (foot) and guard Robert Turner (wrist). Owens is still recovering from January surgery to repair a torn tendon in his right ring finger. Phillips said Owens has been catching tennis balls during rehab and could participate in the team’s second minicamp scheduled for June 8-10.
• Former Tarleton State quarterback Richard Bartel is trying out for a roster spot. Bartel is a graduate of Grapevine High School, near Irving.
posted by The Gryphon at 9:29 PM
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