Commentary: Phillips’ job not secure in Dallas
Jones unlikely to keep coach with big-name talent available
By JOHN McCLAIN
The criticism of Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, coach Wade Phillips and the players by the Metroplex media is vicious.
Without change on the coaching staff and on the roster, just about every Cowboys fan knows it’ll be almost impossible to sell the 2009 edition of America’s Team as a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
Getting blown out at Philadelphia and missing the playoffs isn’t the ending Jones planned before the Cowboys move into the Taj Mahal of stadiums next season.
No matter how hard Jones tries to convince us that he’s keeping Phillips, every Cowboys fan worth his star knows the owner is maneuvering behind the scenes and is at least talking to Bill Cowher, Mike Shanahan and/or Mike Holmgren — none of whom may coach next season.
The only way the Cowboys are going to make the kind of splash in the NFL swimming pool that Jones demands is to hire a big-name coach with a Super Bowl victory on his résumé.
We may never know what Jones is doing behind the scenes, but refusing to make major changes after such a bitter ending isn’t his style. Never will be, either.
It won’t be surprising if Phillips ends up resigning with an impressive golden parachute because Jones has convinced one of the big-timers to bail him out.
And if you doubt his ability to sell his team to a big-time coach, just remember how he lured the Tuna to Valley Ranch, and they managed to coexist.
Shanahan could be a fit
Shanahan might be better off waiting a year — doing a little television studio work and playing a lot of golf — but it’s no secret that he and Jones like and respect each other.
It might not be a perfect marriage, but how many are? Jones and Shanahan have similar styles. Shanahan didn’t mind acquiring and coaching players with baggage, and Jones already has enough to fill the luggage bin in a 747.
Most coaches would tell Jones to get rid of Terrell Owens because he’s a cancer who divides a locker room. Shanahan would embrace Owens because T.O. still has talent.
Jones wants a coach who can help Tony Romo become a big-time quarterback and not the one who committed 21 turnovers, including 14 interceptions, in 13 games.
Shanahan’s specialty is quarterbacks. He’s also the kind of disciplinarian who could fill the divide in the locker room.
If Super Bowl-winning coaches turn their backs on Jones, he’ll go into next season with Phillips coaching his third season.
Phillips will be 62. He’s never had a losing season, but he’s never won a playoff game. He’s one of the all-time great guys, one of the best defensive coaches in history. Asking Phillips to be more demanding with his players is a recipe for disaster. Players will see through his new get-tough policy.
Phillips needs more pull
If Phillips does, indeed, return to the Cowboys, he needs the freedom to clean out his combustible locker room, but he’s not going to get it because Jones runs the show.
No matter who coaches the Cowboys, they need to get rid of Pacman Jones and Tank Johnson, among others. Bringing back Owens is inviting more trouble because Roy Williams won’t be happy again.
Linebacker Bradie James, one of the Cowboys’ leaders who had a terrific season, put it best.
“There were a lot of personalities put on this team, and we didn’t jell,” he said. “This past game, you could see it. When you know you’ve got something on the line, and you’re playing to go into the playoffs, you know what you have to do, and you go out there and stink it up like that? That just speaks for itself.”
And if Jones preserves the status quo with a team that needs a heart transplant, he’s inviting more of the same.
America’s line McClain’s pick
Atlanta (11-5) minus-2 at Arizona (9-7) Cardinals 27-24
Indianapolis (12-4) minus-1 at San Diego (8-8) Chargers 30-27
Baltimore (11-5) minus-3 at Miami (11-5) Dolphins 20-17
Philadelphia (9-6-1) minus-3 at Minnesota (10-6) Eagles 24-17
Last week: 11-5 straight up, 7-7-2 against spread
Season: 173-82 straight up, 128-116-11 against spread
By JOHN McCLAIN
The criticism of Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, coach Wade Phillips and the players by the Metroplex media is vicious.
Without change on the coaching staff and on the roster, just about every Cowboys fan knows it’ll be almost impossible to sell the 2009 edition of America’s Team as a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
Getting blown out at Philadelphia and missing the playoffs isn’t the ending Jones planned before the Cowboys move into the Taj Mahal of stadiums next season.
No matter how hard Jones tries to convince us that he’s keeping Phillips, every Cowboys fan worth his star knows the owner is maneuvering behind the scenes and is at least talking to Bill Cowher, Mike Shanahan and/or Mike Holmgren — none of whom may coach next season.
The only way the Cowboys are going to make the kind of splash in the NFL swimming pool that Jones demands is to hire a big-name coach with a Super Bowl victory on his résumé.
We may never know what Jones is doing behind the scenes, but refusing to make major changes after such a bitter ending isn’t his style. Never will be, either.
It won’t be surprising if Phillips ends up resigning with an impressive golden parachute because Jones has convinced one of the big-timers to bail him out.
And if you doubt his ability to sell his team to a big-time coach, just remember how he lured the Tuna to Valley Ranch, and they managed to coexist.
Shanahan could be a fit
Shanahan might be better off waiting a year — doing a little television studio work and playing a lot of golf — but it’s no secret that he and Jones like and respect each other.
It might not be a perfect marriage, but how many are? Jones and Shanahan have similar styles. Shanahan didn’t mind acquiring and coaching players with baggage, and Jones already has enough to fill the luggage bin in a 747.
Most coaches would tell Jones to get rid of Terrell Owens because he’s a cancer who divides a locker room. Shanahan would embrace Owens because T.O. still has talent.
Jones wants a coach who can help Tony Romo become a big-time quarterback and not the one who committed 21 turnovers, including 14 interceptions, in 13 games.
Shanahan’s specialty is quarterbacks. He’s also the kind of disciplinarian who could fill the divide in the locker room.
If Super Bowl-winning coaches turn their backs on Jones, he’ll go into next season with Phillips coaching his third season.
Phillips will be 62. He’s never had a losing season, but he’s never won a playoff game. He’s one of the all-time great guys, one of the best defensive coaches in history. Asking Phillips to be more demanding with his players is a recipe for disaster. Players will see through his new get-tough policy.
Phillips needs more pull
If Phillips does, indeed, return to the Cowboys, he needs the freedom to clean out his combustible locker room, but he’s not going to get it because Jones runs the show.
No matter who coaches the Cowboys, they need to get rid of Pacman Jones and Tank Johnson, among others. Bringing back Owens is inviting more trouble because Roy Williams won’t be happy again.
Linebacker Bradie James, one of the Cowboys’ leaders who had a terrific season, put it best.
“There were a lot of personalities put on this team, and we didn’t jell,” he said. “This past game, you could see it. When you know you’ve got something on the line, and you’re playing to go into the playoffs, you know what you have to do, and you go out there and stink it up like that? That just speaks for itself.”
And if Jones preserves the status quo with a team that needs a heart transplant, he’s inviting more of the same.
America’s line McClain’s pick
Atlanta (11-5) minus-2 at Arizona (9-7) Cardinals 27-24
Indianapolis (12-4) minus-1 at San Diego (8-8) Chargers 30-27
Baltimore (11-5) minus-3 at Miami (11-5) Dolphins 20-17
Philadelphia (9-6-1) minus-3 at Minnesota (10-6) Eagles 24-17
Last week: 11-5 straight up, 7-7-2 against spread
Season: 173-82 straight up, 128-116-11 against spread
posted by The Gryphon at 9:46 AM
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