DMN: Hard work is focal point for Phillips
By TODD ARCHER / The Dallas Morning News
IRVING – The cameras always found Bill Parcells when he was the coach of the Cowboys, whether it was an NFC East contest in December, the opening week of training camp or even the first day of minicamp.
With his larger-than-life profile, complete with two Super Bowl rings and biting wit and sarcasm, Parcells commanded attention.
On his first day of onfield work as the Cowboys head coach and Parcells' replacement, Wade Phillips blended in Saturday.
Like Parcells, he stood mostly between practice fields, observing the offense but mostly the defense, wearing a blue golf shirt and shorts. At different times, he offered words of encouragement and pats on the back. At others, he was a little more demanding.
The comparisons between the coaches and their styles will be endless this season, but Phillips says he does not worry or care. He turns 60 next month and is beginning his 31st year in the NFL. This is his third head-coaching stop.
"Just because I'm quote 'laid back' doesn't mean we won't work hard and give great effort and all the things I want to see from the football team and they want," Phillips said. "These are things they want. Hard work and good times go together, but hard work comes first."
For 31 players working this weekend, all they know is Parcells' way. For others, like wide receiver Terry Glenn, cornerback Aaron Glenn and nose tackle Jason Ferguson, Parcells was their coach in previous stops and was a big reason why they came to the Cowboys.
"One of the things Bill taught us is this is a replacement business and the attrition rate is high," said linebacker Bradie James, a fourth-round pick in 2003, Parcells' first year as Cowboys coach. "At some point, everyone is going to be replaced. Now it's up to the guys that are the veterans and the real professionals to make the adjustment and adapt and progress from whatever is presented."
Phillips addressed the team Saturday morning, stressing the importance of team and family. He laid down a series of rules. He talked about his expectations for the season. Much of it was the same message Parcells sent, but it came in a folksy, Texas twang rather than Parcells' New Jersey cadence.
"I don't know if a [fresh voice] was needed, but I just think guys are excited about his expectations and the energy he brings," said Pro Bowl tight end Jason Witten, a Parcells' guy if there ever was one.
Ferguson went through this before after Parcells left the New York Jets in 1999. He compares Phillips' style to that of Herm Edwards, who replaced Parcells' protégé Al Groh with the Jets in 2000.
"This is Wade's team now," Ferguson said. "Yeah, you're always a Bill fan because he brought you in. He's always going to be my guy, no matter what."
Ferguson said there were some subtle differences now.
"You see people you didn't think worked here. They're strolling through – 'Hey, what are you doing in the training room? What are you on the table for?' You can tell Bill is gone."
The signs of change are all around Valley Ranch, starting with, well, the signs. Parcells put words of wisdoms on the walls surrounding the locker room as reminders to the players.
The rookies have stars on their helmets, something that did not happen under Parcells until the first week of the regular season. First-round pick Anthony Spencer did not have to bring Phillips a cup of water during breaks in practice, as Terence Newman, Julius Jones, DeMarcus Ware and Bobby Carpenter did.
Other changes were even more subtle.
Assistant coaches were able to talk to the players during the pre-practice stretching period, which was a no-no under Parcells. The offensive players stretched on the north side of the field and worked on the west practice field, something that didn't happen under Parcells.
But Phillips and Parcells share one trait.
"He's watching everything," said defensive coordinator Brian Stewart, the only assistant to work with Phillips before Dallas. "And even if you didn't think he saw something, you'll be walking off the field and he'll be saying something to you about it."
IRVING – The cameras always found Bill Parcells when he was the coach of the Cowboys, whether it was an NFC East contest in December, the opening week of training camp or even the first day of minicamp.
With his larger-than-life profile, complete with two Super Bowl rings and biting wit and sarcasm, Parcells commanded attention.
On his first day of onfield work as the Cowboys head coach and Parcells' replacement, Wade Phillips blended in Saturday.
Like Parcells, he stood mostly between practice fields, observing the offense but mostly the defense, wearing a blue golf shirt and shorts. At different times, he offered words of encouragement and pats on the back. At others, he was a little more demanding.
The comparisons between the coaches and their styles will be endless this season, but Phillips says he does not worry or care. He turns 60 next month and is beginning his 31st year in the NFL. This is his third head-coaching stop.
"Just because I'm quote 'laid back' doesn't mean we won't work hard and give great effort and all the things I want to see from the football team and they want," Phillips said. "These are things they want. Hard work and good times go together, but hard work comes first."
For 31 players working this weekend, all they know is Parcells' way. For others, like wide receiver Terry Glenn, cornerback Aaron Glenn and nose tackle Jason Ferguson, Parcells was their coach in previous stops and was a big reason why they came to the Cowboys.
"One of the things Bill taught us is this is a replacement business and the attrition rate is high," said linebacker Bradie James, a fourth-round pick in 2003, Parcells' first year as Cowboys coach. "At some point, everyone is going to be replaced. Now it's up to the guys that are the veterans and the real professionals to make the adjustment and adapt and progress from whatever is presented."
Phillips addressed the team Saturday morning, stressing the importance of team and family. He laid down a series of rules. He talked about his expectations for the season. Much of it was the same message Parcells sent, but it came in a folksy, Texas twang rather than Parcells' New Jersey cadence.
"I don't know if a [fresh voice] was needed, but I just think guys are excited about his expectations and the energy he brings," said Pro Bowl tight end Jason Witten, a Parcells' guy if there ever was one.
Ferguson went through this before after Parcells left the New York Jets in 1999. He compares Phillips' style to that of Herm Edwards, who replaced Parcells' protégé Al Groh with the Jets in 2000.
"This is Wade's team now," Ferguson said. "Yeah, you're always a Bill fan because he brought you in. He's always going to be my guy, no matter what."
Ferguson said there were some subtle differences now.
"You see people you didn't think worked here. They're strolling through – 'Hey, what are you doing in the training room? What are you on the table for?' You can tell Bill is gone."
The signs of change are all around Valley Ranch, starting with, well, the signs. Parcells put words of wisdoms on the walls surrounding the locker room as reminders to the players.
The rookies have stars on their helmets, something that did not happen under Parcells until the first week of the regular season. First-round pick Anthony Spencer did not have to bring Phillips a cup of water during breaks in practice, as Terence Newman, Julius Jones, DeMarcus Ware and Bobby Carpenter did.
Other changes were even more subtle.
Assistant coaches were able to talk to the players during the pre-practice stretching period, which was a no-no under Parcells. The offensive players stretched on the north side of the field and worked on the west practice field, something that didn't happen under Parcells.
But Phillips and Parcells share one trait.
"He's watching everything," said defensive coordinator Brian Stewart, the only assistant to work with Phillips before Dallas. "And even if you didn't think he saw something, you'll be walking off the field and he'll be saying something to you about it."
posted by The Gryphon at 7:09 AM
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