Pro football: Phillips seethes over Cowboys' post-play penalties
Tom Orsborn
Express-News Staff Writer
Angered by the three post-play penalties his team committed Sunday against the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys coach Wade Phillips is pulling out all the stops to make sure such undisciplined play isn't repeated.
According to ESPN.com, a red-faced Phillips scolded his players Wednesday, then distributed copies of a statement for them to sign that read: "I will not hurt my team by giving away post-play penalties."
"Wade takes this stuff personally, and he thinks it's a poor reflection on him," ESPN.com quoted one player as saying. "I don't blame him for being upset."
The foul that hurt the Cowboys the most was the taunting penalty linebacker Kevin Burnett drew late in the first half that cost them a halftime lead.
FOX's Jimmy Johnson, who coached Dallas to two Super Bowl victories in the 1990s, ranted on the air at halftime about Burnett's penalty and suggested it was the result of Phillips allowing a "relaxed-type atmosphere" to foster in the team's locker room.
But at least one prominent member of the team came to Phillips' defense Wednesday.
"He treats us like men," receiver Terrell Owens said. "He'll keep us in check, and he'll put us in check when needed. He's a very smart coach. If there's something that needs to be addressed, he'll do that."
Owens also said Phillips' player-friendly style is a big reason Dallas (8-1) has been so successful this season.
"He's not coming in being a disciplinarian and really just trying to stronghold a team, which sometimes just sucks the life out of a team," the Dallas Morning News' Web site quoted Owens as saying. "That was the case here last year (with Bill Parcells). It was just miserable.
"Just having Wade come in, it was a breath of fresh air. That's what this team needed."
Express-News Staff Writer
Angered by the three post-play penalties his team committed Sunday against the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys coach Wade Phillips is pulling out all the stops to make sure such undisciplined play isn't repeated.
According to ESPN.com, a red-faced Phillips scolded his players Wednesday, then distributed copies of a statement for them to sign that read: "I will not hurt my team by giving away post-play penalties."
"Wade takes this stuff personally, and he thinks it's a poor reflection on him," ESPN.com quoted one player as saying. "I don't blame him for being upset."
The foul that hurt the Cowboys the most was the taunting penalty linebacker Kevin Burnett drew late in the first half that cost them a halftime lead.
FOX's Jimmy Johnson, who coached Dallas to two Super Bowl victories in the 1990s, ranted on the air at halftime about Burnett's penalty and suggested it was the result of Phillips allowing a "relaxed-type atmosphere" to foster in the team's locker room.
But at least one prominent member of the team came to Phillips' defense Wednesday.
"He treats us like men," receiver Terrell Owens said. "He'll keep us in check, and he'll put us in check when needed. He's a very smart coach. If there's something that needs to be addressed, he'll do that."
Owens also said Phillips' player-friendly style is a big reason Dallas (8-1) has been so successful this season.
"He's not coming in being a disciplinarian and really just trying to stronghold a team, which sometimes just sucks the life out of a team," the Dallas Morning News' Web site quoted Owens as saying. "That was the case here last year (with Bill Parcells). It was just miserable.
"Just having Wade come in, it was a breath of fresh air. That's what this team needed."
posted by The Gryphon at 7:37 AM
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