Cowboys prepared to attack under Phillips

Tom Orsborn
Express-News

IRVING — When Jason Ferguson signed as a free agent with the Dallas Cowboys two years ago, he did so thinking a reunion with Bill Parcells meant he'd again be playing in an aggressive defense scheme.

"That's how we played when I was with the Jets and he was our coach," Ferguson said. "I was looking forward to it."

So imagine his disappointment when he discovered Parcells had gone ultraconservative in his old age and had the Cowboys employing a plodding, two-gap 3-4 scheme that required the down linemen to neutralize blockers before pursuing ball carriers.

"We weren't that conservative when we were with the Jets," Ferguson said. "We would play two-gap maybe 10 times a game. Last season, we were in two-gap all the time. The (down linemen) were like circus elephants forming a wall and moving in one direction.

"I don't know why we stuck with that. Maybe (Parcells) couldn't trust the (defensive coaches) here to try other schemes. With the Jets, he had coaches he believed in more, I guess, guys like Bill Belichick, Romeo Crennel and Al Groh."

Whatever the reason, Parcells refused to switch gears even after it became clear offenses could exploit the Cowboys' scheme with ease.

But that's expected to change this season. With the arrival of former San Diego Chargers defensive coordinator Wade Phillips as coach, the defense is in attack mode.

"Basically, we are going to be going forward instead of sideways," defensive coordinator Brian Stewart said. "Instead of making tackles for a 1- or 2-yard gain, hopefully we will get tackles for 1- or 2-yard losses because we are penetrating, getting up the field instead of working sideways."

The players couldn't be happier with the switch.

"We have more freedom," Ferguson said. "We're breaking the chains. We're letting the beast out of the cage."

Said inside linebacker Bradie James: "What defensive players like to do is be aggressive and attack. When we watched film of San Diego's defense under Wade, those guys were attacking and had quarterbacks running for their lives. It's got us salivating."

That's especially true of linemen such as Ferguson and ends Chris Canty and Marcus Spears, all of whom felt like they were handcuffed with Parcells calling the shots.

"Before, it was all read and react," Spears said. "Now it's about you getting off (the ball) first and trying to get back there and wreak havoc and create plays. I think the guys here can do that."

Cornerback Terence Newman certainly thinks so.

"We've got some talented people up front," Newman said. "It's mind-boggling we weren't more aggressive last year."

Phillips' scheme already seems to have helped Spears, a first-round pick two years ago who so far hasn't justified that lofty draft status.

"Marcus was markedly better today than from what I saw on tape," Phillips said Saturday after the first practice of minicamp. "He made several good plays. I didn't see him make as many during the season."

Phillips said his basic philosophy for both sides of the ball is to get the team's best players in position to make plays.

"That's what coaching is — being able to help players utilize their talents," Phillips said. "Some coaches coach the scheme more than they coach the players. Some coaches are hardheaded about that. Others adjust."

Phillips was quick to point out those comments weren't a veiled shot at Parcells. Several players also were quick to say the blame for last year's defensive struggles should be placed on the players and not Parcells.

The Cowboys gave up 152 points and 419 yards per game in their final five games.

"Some guys are more excited about doing what we are doing on defense now, but it's still football," Spears said. "You still have to make plays. You can suck at any system if you don't work."