Cowboys Mailbag: Tom Orsborn -- Cowboys' dominant fourth-quarter play attributed to conditioning, attitude
Tom Orsborn
San Antonio Express-News
Wade Phillips says there’s a simple formula for why his team has been so fantastic: They’re fit and focused.
The Cowboys have been dominant in the fourth quarter this season, outscoring opponents 50-21. Phillips says that’s a result of a vigorous offseason program.
“Joe Juraszek has done a tremendous job,” Phillips said of the club’s strength and conditioning coach. “You can see at the end of ballgames our team is really powerful. That speaks well for the condition we’re in and the offseason program.”
Phillips has also been impressed with the team’s professionalism. That business-like approach was especially evident this weekend in Chicago, he said.
“We got off the plane and two of the flight attendants came up to me and separately said to me, ‘What did y’all do with those guys? They studied all the way on the plane,’ ” Phillips said. “That’s when I knew they wanted to win the game. They were disciplined enough and it was important enough to our players that they were studying on the plane, getting ready to play.”
Phillips said he hasn’t prodded the players to adopt a no-nonsense approach to preparing for games. The team’s leaders, a group that includes captains Tony Romo, Jason Witten, Bradie James and Keith Davis, have set the tone.
“I want them to be able to do it on their own,” Phillips said. “It wasn’t like we told them on the plane, ‘All right, you guys have to do this.’ It’s an example of what you can do if you are focused and concentrate. We’ve got to continue to do that. I’m trying to get them to do that instead of saying, ‘Hey, boy, we’re successful. The season is over. Let’s get the parade going,’ and all that.”
San Antonio Express-News
Wade Phillips says there’s a simple formula for why his team has been so fantastic: They’re fit and focused.
The Cowboys have been dominant in the fourth quarter this season, outscoring opponents 50-21. Phillips says that’s a result of a vigorous offseason program.
“Joe Juraszek has done a tremendous job,” Phillips said of the club’s strength and conditioning coach. “You can see at the end of ballgames our team is really powerful. That speaks well for the condition we’re in and the offseason program.”
Phillips has also been impressed with the team’s professionalism. That business-like approach was especially evident this weekend in Chicago, he said.
“We got off the plane and two of the flight attendants came up to me and separately said to me, ‘What did y’all do with those guys? They studied all the way on the plane,’ ” Phillips said. “That’s when I knew they wanted to win the game. They were disciplined enough and it was important enough to our players that they were studying on the plane, getting ready to play.”
Phillips said he hasn’t prodded the players to adopt a no-nonsense approach to preparing for games. The team’s leaders, a group that includes captains Tony Romo, Jason Witten, Bradie James and Keith Davis, have set the tone.
“I want them to be able to do it on their own,” Phillips said. “It wasn’t like we told them on the plane, ‘All right, you guys have to do this.’ It’s an example of what you can do if you are focused and concentrate. We’ve got to continue to do that. I’m trying to get them to do that instead of saying, ‘Hey, boy, we’re successful. The season is over. Let’s get the parade going,’ and all that.”
posted by The Gryphon at 6:46 PM
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