Cowboys believe 6-1 shows new coach's softer style
Associated Press - October 25, 2007 4:45 PM ET
IRVING, Texas (AP) - Members of the 6-1 Dallas Cowboys are starting to admit what outsiders have suspected all along.
Going from the tight grip of coach Bill Parcells to the softer hand of coach Wade Phillips was a refreshing change.
Receiver Terrell (TER'-el) Owens says he can't say enough about what the coaching atmosphere has brought to the locker room.
Phillips is big on giving out game balls.
Linebacker Greg Ellis says the way that Phillips has chosen to run the team right now -- "it's working real well."
Phillips says he doesn't really evaluate himself.
Phillips says he just tries to get the team going forward and getting them to play as hard as they can play.
He also says his assistant coaches deserve an "A-plus."
Dallas has a bye this week.
BARBER SPEAKS! -- Marion Barber spoke to reporters for about two minutes.
The noteworthy part was merely that he talked to the media -- something that's rarely happened in his 3-year career.
Barber, shoving away microphones that invaded his personal space, emphasized that he's a team player who doesn't mind Julius Jones remaining the starter.
Barber didn't want to talk about being a bruising runner or about his stiff-arm move that's more like a punch to would-be tacklers.
He wanted everyone to know he does it with an open hand -- and no flags have been thrown.
Barber plays offense with the ferociousness that Roy Williams plays defense.
Barber is getting more opportunities every game. He now had an 84-78 advantage over Jones in carries and 183 more yards.
ON-THE-JOB TRAINING: -- The more quarterback Tony Romo plays, the more things he sees.
And the more he adjusts.
Minnesota used a defensive scheme similar to the one Buffalo used to produce five interceptions and a fumble.
Romo handled it better this time by following the old line about "taking what they give you."
That meant some dink & dunk passes instead of forcing the ball deep. He wound up with a career-best 31 completions.
Romo also continues zooming up the team's career rankings. He's already ninth in both yards and completions.
THE QUIET CONTRADICTION: -- Terrell Owens said some interesting things this week.
Asked one question about Marion Barber, Owens uttered the following lines as part of the same answer: "He's going to run hard whether it's the first quarter or the fourth quarter. That kind of catches teams by surprise. .... Obviously with Marion, with his style of running, everybody know what they're going to get."
So, which is it: Element of surprise or known commodity?
Asked about Terry Glenn, Owens said, "Terry's a quiet guy, he's not going to give you a whole lot. It's the same with me." Then he went on with more of about Glenn.
Reporter: "Did you just call yourself a quiet guy?"
Owens: "Who, me?"
Reporter: "Yeah. You said `Terry's a quiet guy, like me.'"
Owens: "Yeah. I'm a quiet guy, too."
Who knew?
Asked about whether he might throw a pass this season, Owens volunteered the information, "I can probably throw the ball farthest on the team." Reminded that Patrick Crayton was a quarterback in college, Owens didn't budge, insisting he can easily heave the ball at least 75 yards.
Despite such arm strength, Owens has never thrown a pass in 165 career games.
IRVING, Texas (AP) - Members of the 6-1 Dallas Cowboys are starting to admit what outsiders have suspected all along.
Going from the tight grip of coach Bill Parcells to the softer hand of coach Wade Phillips was a refreshing change.
Receiver Terrell (TER'-el) Owens says he can't say enough about what the coaching atmosphere has brought to the locker room.
Phillips is big on giving out game balls.
Linebacker Greg Ellis says the way that Phillips has chosen to run the team right now -- "it's working real well."
Phillips says he doesn't really evaluate himself.
Phillips says he just tries to get the team going forward and getting them to play as hard as they can play.
He also says his assistant coaches deserve an "A-plus."
Dallas has a bye this week.
BARBER SPEAKS! -- Marion Barber spoke to reporters for about two minutes.
The noteworthy part was merely that he talked to the media -- something that's rarely happened in his 3-year career.
Barber, shoving away microphones that invaded his personal space, emphasized that he's a team player who doesn't mind Julius Jones remaining the starter.
Barber didn't want to talk about being a bruising runner or about his stiff-arm move that's more like a punch to would-be tacklers.
He wanted everyone to know he does it with an open hand -- and no flags have been thrown.
Barber plays offense with the ferociousness that Roy Williams plays defense.
Barber is getting more opportunities every game. He now had an 84-78 advantage over Jones in carries and 183 more yards.
ON-THE-JOB TRAINING: -- The more quarterback Tony Romo plays, the more things he sees.
And the more he adjusts.
Minnesota used a defensive scheme similar to the one Buffalo used to produce five interceptions and a fumble.
Romo handled it better this time by following the old line about "taking what they give you."
That meant some dink & dunk passes instead of forcing the ball deep. He wound up with a career-best 31 completions.
Romo also continues zooming up the team's career rankings. He's already ninth in both yards and completions.
THE QUIET CONTRADICTION: -- Terrell Owens said some interesting things this week.
Asked one question about Marion Barber, Owens uttered the following lines as part of the same answer: "He's going to run hard whether it's the first quarter or the fourth quarter. That kind of catches teams by surprise. .... Obviously with Marion, with his style of running, everybody know what they're going to get."
So, which is it: Element of surprise or known commodity?
Asked about Terry Glenn, Owens said, "Terry's a quiet guy, he's not going to give you a whole lot. It's the same with me." Then he went on with more of about Glenn.
Reporter: "Did you just call yourself a quiet guy?"
Owens: "Who, me?"
Reporter: "Yeah. You said `Terry's a quiet guy, like me.'"
Owens: "Yeah. I'm a quiet guy, too."
Who knew?
Asked about whether he might throw a pass this season, Owens volunteered the information, "I can probably throw the ball farthest on the team." Reminded that Patrick Crayton was a quarterback in college, Owens didn't budge, insisting he can easily heave the ball at least 75 yards.
Despite such arm strength, Owens has never thrown a pass in 165 career games.
posted by The Gryphon at 6:55 PM
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