Cowboys' Newman says team must fix leadership, chemistry
By JOE TRAHAN / WFAA-TV
Another crash landing in December has Dallas Cowboy fans wondering if this group of Cowboys can take flight in 2009.
We recently sat down with cornerback Terence Newman to get his take on another season grounded too soon.
"I think that one guy bickering with another guy, it kind of divided the team a little bit," Newman said. "I think that was one of the things that kind of separated the team and didn't allow us to play as a team down the stretch."
We talked with Newman before receiver Terrell Owens was released, so that may remedy some of those issues, but Newman was candid in his comments saying there are other team issues that need to be addressed.
Newman says quarterback Tony Romo needs to take on more of a leadership role.
"He should be the first person to say something," Newman said. "And I think with all the criticism he's gotten this off-season I think he'll definitely be more vocal in this next season and understand what it takes to be a leader."
Newman led the club with four interceptions despite only playing 10 games.
He struggled at times last season, as did his unit. Defensive coordinator Brian Stewart was fired. That job belongs to head coach Wade Phillips now. He has vowed he'll be tougher on his players.
Newman wouldn't mind a little more creativity in Phillips' 3-4 defense, either.
"We're pretty simple on our defense, I think. We line up and teams are calling out what we're doing," Newman said. "In the middle of games they're calling out 'OK he's coming, he's coming' and they're right.
"I would like to see us get a little more moving parts, like Pittsburgh and Baltimore, those guys have fun. A 3-4 is supposed to be designed where you don't know whose coming. You don't know what coverage we're gonna be in. I think at times we got a little plain and teams capitalized on that."
After off-season ankle surgery, the Cowboys top pick in the 2003 draft is set to begin his seventh season. His No. 1 goal is ending the team's 12-year playoff drought.
He says the team needs more accountability and better leadership and communication.
"If we're a team, why can't we communicate with each other? We're the ones that are playing the game on Sundays," he said. "We have to communicate on the field. We have to communicate in practice. So why not talk to the people you have to make adjustments with instead of wasting it all the time with the media? That's what's gonna be important for us in the future."
Newman says he doesn't think the amount of money players make has anything to do with team chemistry.
"I think it's just the fact that some people think you're attacking them personally," Newman said. "Instead of trying to say hey 'we need to pick it up, you got talent you need to bal' some people take offense to that like you're coming at them the wrong way. When in fact you're just trying to help this person out"
So while Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is retooling the roster he'd better hope some leadership accompanies the changes.
"Until we get people that have the cojones to talk to a person that way and just say hey we need to step up," Newman said, "we're gonna struggle."
Another crash landing in December has Dallas Cowboy fans wondering if this group of Cowboys can take flight in 2009.
We recently sat down with cornerback Terence Newman to get his take on another season grounded too soon.
"I think that one guy bickering with another guy, it kind of divided the team a little bit," Newman said. "I think that was one of the things that kind of separated the team and didn't allow us to play as a team down the stretch."
We talked with Newman before receiver Terrell Owens was released, so that may remedy some of those issues, but Newman was candid in his comments saying there are other team issues that need to be addressed.
Newman says quarterback Tony Romo needs to take on more of a leadership role.
"He should be the first person to say something," Newman said. "And I think with all the criticism he's gotten this off-season I think he'll definitely be more vocal in this next season and understand what it takes to be a leader."
Newman led the club with four interceptions despite only playing 10 games.
He struggled at times last season, as did his unit. Defensive coordinator Brian Stewart was fired. That job belongs to head coach Wade Phillips now. He has vowed he'll be tougher on his players.
Newman wouldn't mind a little more creativity in Phillips' 3-4 defense, either.
"We're pretty simple on our defense, I think. We line up and teams are calling out what we're doing," Newman said. "In the middle of games they're calling out 'OK he's coming, he's coming' and they're right.
"I would like to see us get a little more moving parts, like Pittsburgh and Baltimore, those guys have fun. A 3-4 is supposed to be designed where you don't know whose coming. You don't know what coverage we're gonna be in. I think at times we got a little plain and teams capitalized on that."
After off-season ankle surgery, the Cowboys top pick in the 2003 draft is set to begin his seventh season. His No. 1 goal is ending the team's 12-year playoff drought.
He says the team needs more accountability and better leadership and communication.
"If we're a team, why can't we communicate with each other? We're the ones that are playing the game on Sundays," he said. "We have to communicate on the field. We have to communicate in practice. So why not talk to the people you have to make adjustments with instead of wasting it all the time with the media? That's what's gonna be important for us in the future."
Newman says he doesn't think the amount of money players make has anything to do with team chemistry.
"I think it's just the fact that some people think you're attacking them personally," Newman said. "Instead of trying to say hey 'we need to pick it up, you got talent you need to bal' some people take offense to that like you're coming at them the wrong way. When in fact you're just trying to help this person out"
So while Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is retooling the roster he'd better hope some leadership accompanies the changes.
"Until we get people that have the cojones to talk to a person that way and just say hey we need to step up," Newman said, "we're gonna struggle."
posted by The Gryphon at 6:34 PM
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