Cowboys: Phillips' simple methods make him a hit as teacher
Tom Orsborn
Express-News staff writer
Nearly a month ago, Charlie Waters told me in a phone interview that Wade Phillips’ ability to keep things simple would make him a big hit with his players.
“He is not going to make them get bogged down by putting a bunch of cobwebs in their heads,” said Waters, the former Cowboys defensive back and Phillips assistant. “He is certainly a cerebral coach, but he doesn’t make things complicated at all.”
I was reminded of Waters comments this week when Phillips responded to a reporter’s question about the difficulties first-round pick Anthony Spencer faces as he makes the transition from defensive end in Purdue’s 4-3 scheme to playing outside linebacker in a 3-4 alignment.
Spencer admitted after the Cowboys’ exhibition-opening victory over the Indianapolis Colts last week that he’s having trouble playing the run when he has pass-coverage responsibilities.
Like Greg Ellis before him, Spencer struggles to properly read the tight end. The Cowboys moved Ellis from defensive end to outside linebacker last summer, but the move wasn’t without its difficulties. Try as he might, Ellis just couldn’t figure out whether the tight end was going to “stay home” to block or run a pattern.
“That’s a hard read, a real challenge,” Ellis said. “I’m still working on it myself.”
Sidelined since November by a foot injury, Ellis has spent much of training camp tutoring Spencer. During their sessions, the two often spend time discussing the tight end conundrum.
“What I do is play the run first and then bail out as quick as I can if it’s a pass,” Ellis said.
Sounds complicated, right? Not so, says Phillips.
“It’s pretty easy if you just jam the tight end every play,” Phillips said.
Such advice is what Waters calls “cutting through the mess.” He saw Phillips do that time and again when the two worked together in Denver in the 1990s.
“The players love him for that,” Waters said. “It’s all common sense with Wade. He gets the players to believe in themselves, the system and what they can accomplish.”
Phillips takes great pride in his ability to teach. It’s a trait I’ve seen in a lot of successful coaches, including former Spurs coach Larry Brown, who always relished any opportunity to spend time with younger players.
Bill Parcells was the same way. “I want them to want to know what I know,” Parcells often said during his four years with the Cowboys.
Phillips isn’t in the same league with Brown and Parcells in terms of championships or fame, but he doesn’t take a backseat to anyone as a teacher.
“Just give him time, and he’s going to put together a heck of a defense,” Waters said.
QUICK HITS
•Right guard Leonard Davis continues to be one of the top performers at training camp. This week, the 366-pound former Texas standout flattened Denver first-round pick Jarvis Moss during one of the four joint practices the Cowboys had with the Broncos.
Jarvis, a speed-rushing defensive end, was attempting to bat down a Tony Romo pass when Davis landed the blow.
“Leonard has had a real good camp,” Phillips said. “He’s got all the ability, and he’s using it. He’s been real impressive. I think Denver would tell you that.”
•Rookie fullback Deon Anderson also drew praise from Phillips after he smacked into 350-pound Denver nose tackle Sam Adams, a 13-year veteran and former Texas A&M standout.
“I saw him hit big Sam Adams the other day. He doesn’t back off anybody,” Phillips said of Anderson, formerly of the University of Connecticut.
•Phillips still hasn’t ruled out Ellis playing in the opener against the New York Giants on Sept. 9.
“If he’s ready (to practice) by the last week (of the preseason), I think he would be ready to play and play pretty well,” Phillips said.
Phillips said he’s been impressed by Ellis’ participation in team meetings.
“He’s done a great job in the meetings with knowing what to do and helping everyone else,” Phillips said.
Express-News staff writer
Nearly a month ago, Charlie Waters told me in a phone interview that Wade Phillips’ ability to keep things simple would make him a big hit with his players.
“He is not going to make them get bogged down by putting a bunch of cobwebs in their heads,” said Waters, the former Cowboys defensive back and Phillips assistant. “He is certainly a cerebral coach, but he doesn’t make things complicated at all.”
I was reminded of Waters comments this week when Phillips responded to a reporter’s question about the difficulties first-round pick Anthony Spencer faces as he makes the transition from defensive end in Purdue’s 4-3 scheme to playing outside linebacker in a 3-4 alignment.
Spencer admitted after the Cowboys’ exhibition-opening victory over the Indianapolis Colts last week that he’s having trouble playing the run when he has pass-coverage responsibilities.
Like Greg Ellis before him, Spencer struggles to properly read the tight end. The Cowboys moved Ellis from defensive end to outside linebacker last summer, but the move wasn’t without its difficulties. Try as he might, Ellis just couldn’t figure out whether the tight end was going to “stay home” to block or run a pattern.
“That’s a hard read, a real challenge,” Ellis said. “I’m still working on it myself.”
Sidelined since November by a foot injury, Ellis has spent much of training camp tutoring Spencer. During their sessions, the two often spend time discussing the tight end conundrum.
“What I do is play the run first and then bail out as quick as I can if it’s a pass,” Ellis said.
Sounds complicated, right? Not so, says Phillips.
“It’s pretty easy if you just jam the tight end every play,” Phillips said.
Such advice is what Waters calls “cutting through the mess.” He saw Phillips do that time and again when the two worked together in Denver in the 1990s.
“The players love him for that,” Waters said. “It’s all common sense with Wade. He gets the players to believe in themselves, the system and what they can accomplish.”
Phillips takes great pride in his ability to teach. It’s a trait I’ve seen in a lot of successful coaches, including former Spurs coach Larry Brown, who always relished any opportunity to spend time with younger players.
Bill Parcells was the same way. “I want them to want to know what I know,” Parcells often said during his four years with the Cowboys.
Phillips isn’t in the same league with Brown and Parcells in terms of championships or fame, but he doesn’t take a backseat to anyone as a teacher.
“Just give him time, and he’s going to put together a heck of a defense,” Waters said.
QUICK HITS
•Right guard Leonard Davis continues to be one of the top performers at training camp. This week, the 366-pound former Texas standout flattened Denver first-round pick Jarvis Moss during one of the four joint practices the Cowboys had with the Broncos.
Jarvis, a speed-rushing defensive end, was attempting to bat down a Tony Romo pass when Davis landed the blow.
“Leonard has had a real good camp,” Phillips said. “He’s got all the ability, and he’s using it. He’s been real impressive. I think Denver would tell you that.”
•Rookie fullback Deon Anderson also drew praise from Phillips after he smacked into 350-pound Denver nose tackle Sam Adams, a 13-year veteran and former Texas A&M standout.
“I saw him hit big Sam Adams the other day. He doesn’t back off anybody,” Phillips said of Anderson, formerly of the University of Connecticut.
•Phillips still hasn’t ruled out Ellis playing in the opener against the New York Giants on Sept. 9.
“If he’s ready (to practice) by the last week (of the preseason), I think he would be ready to play and play pretty well,” Phillips said.
Phillips said he’s been impressed by Ellis’ participation in team meetings.
“He’s done a great job in the meetings with knowing what to do and helping everyone else,” Phillips said.
posted by The Gryphon at 10:31 AM
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