Phillips' 3-4 defense could have 2 big holes
By RICK HERRIN
Star-Telegram staff writer
IRVING -- The much-anticipated unveiling of the new Dallas defense is losing some of its buildup.
Cowboys coach Wade Phillips calls himself a Mr. Fix-It of defenses, but he didn't expect a first-week repair job. Two of the most important pieces of the Cowboys' defense were in shorts and T-shirts during Thursday's practice. Cornerback Terence Newman (heel) and outside linebacker Greg Ellis (Achilles' tendon/heel) did not practice and continue their rehabilitation.
Is Phillips concerned his defense won't have enough weapons against the New York Giants on Sunday night?
"We will get pressure on the quarterback," Phillips said.
Both players, at full strength, expect to make Phillips' version of the 3-4 one with huge potential. Without them, the Cowboys' defense is void of a veteran pass rusher and an excellent man-to-man cover corner, creating clouded expectations for the opener.
Phillips' tenure is Dallas will be based heavily on how well and how fast he fixes what was a broken unit a year ago. And much of the hype centers around Pro Bowler DeMarcus Ware (11.5 sacks last year) to see if he can produce like Phillips' San Diego superstar linebacker Shawne Merriman (17 sacks) did a year ago.
"Part of what I do, and what I've done in the past, is come in and get instant results," Phillips said. "I expect us to play good defense pretty quickly."
So does Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones, who has millions of dollars invested in this defense being better than last year. Jones believes Newman will be ready to play. Ellis, however, is a long shot to play against the Giants.
Phillips is the seventh coach of the Cowboys because his defense has a relentless attacking style and expects to be a drastic upgrade from Bill Parcells' reactive system.
Rookie linebacker Anthony Spencer, who had just two tackles in four preseason starts, will replace Ellis at a linebacker spot where the Cowboy are thin. Fourth-year player Jacques Reeves will start if Newman's right heel has not improved.
"I don't think I would be in this role if I hadn't shown them what I could do," Reeves said.
Reeves, who has one career start in 2004, is mostly untested and surprisingly was the choice over released veteran Aaron Glenn.
"We know what kind of players those two [injured] guys are, and with them on the field you have a big possibility of winning and making big plays," Cowboys defensive end Marcus Spears said. "But other guys are going to have to step up and carry the weight, including myself."
Spears, who has 2 1/2 sacks in two seasons, believes he will be a big-play performer in this defense. This defense allows him more flexibility to move around at the line.
"I am very anxious to write this chapter," Spears said. "Mentally, it's a lot better for me this year."
Phillips was a Mr. Fix-It in San Diego by guiding a defense that led the NFL with 61 sacks a year ago. The Cowboys had 37 sacks last season. Despite the possible loss of a veteran pass rusher and an excellent corner, the Cowboys still believe in this defense.
"I'm still optimistic," Cowboys free safety Ken Hamlin said. "I'm not worried. I'm not concerned."
Star-Telegram staff writer
IRVING -- The much-anticipated unveiling of the new Dallas defense is losing some of its buildup.
Cowboys coach Wade Phillips calls himself a Mr. Fix-It of defenses, but he didn't expect a first-week repair job. Two of the most important pieces of the Cowboys' defense were in shorts and T-shirts during Thursday's practice. Cornerback Terence Newman (heel) and outside linebacker Greg Ellis (Achilles' tendon/heel) did not practice and continue their rehabilitation.
Is Phillips concerned his defense won't have enough weapons against the New York Giants on Sunday night?
"We will get pressure on the quarterback," Phillips said.
Both players, at full strength, expect to make Phillips' version of the 3-4 one with huge potential. Without them, the Cowboys' defense is void of a veteran pass rusher and an excellent man-to-man cover corner, creating clouded expectations for the opener.
Phillips' tenure is Dallas will be based heavily on how well and how fast he fixes what was a broken unit a year ago. And much of the hype centers around Pro Bowler DeMarcus Ware (11.5 sacks last year) to see if he can produce like Phillips' San Diego superstar linebacker Shawne Merriman (17 sacks) did a year ago.
"Part of what I do, and what I've done in the past, is come in and get instant results," Phillips said. "I expect us to play good defense pretty quickly."
So does Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones, who has millions of dollars invested in this defense being better than last year. Jones believes Newman will be ready to play. Ellis, however, is a long shot to play against the Giants.
Phillips is the seventh coach of the Cowboys because his defense has a relentless attacking style and expects to be a drastic upgrade from Bill Parcells' reactive system.
Rookie linebacker Anthony Spencer, who had just two tackles in four preseason starts, will replace Ellis at a linebacker spot where the Cowboy are thin. Fourth-year player Jacques Reeves will start if Newman's right heel has not improved.
"I don't think I would be in this role if I hadn't shown them what I could do," Reeves said.
Reeves, who has one career start in 2004, is mostly untested and surprisingly was the choice over released veteran Aaron Glenn.
"We know what kind of players those two [injured] guys are, and with them on the field you have a big possibility of winning and making big plays," Cowboys defensive end Marcus Spears said. "But other guys are going to have to step up and carry the weight, including myself."
Spears, who has 2 1/2 sacks in two seasons, believes he will be a big-play performer in this defense. This defense allows him more flexibility to move around at the line.
"I am very anxious to write this chapter," Spears said. "Mentally, it's a lot better for me this year."
Phillips was a Mr. Fix-It in San Diego by guiding a defense that led the NFL with 61 sacks a year ago. The Cowboys had 37 sacks last season. Despite the possible loss of a veteran pass rusher and an excellent corner, the Cowboys still believe in this defense.
"I'm still optimistic," Cowboys free safety Ken Hamlin said. "I'm not worried. I'm not concerned."
posted by The Gryphon at 8:44 AM
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