DC.COM Blog: Phillips' Presences Helps Lure Brooking To Cowboys

[WoodysGirl]

Posted by rphillips at 3/2/2009 1:16 PM CST on truebluefanclub.com

Sounds as though the presence of Wade Phillips here with the Cowboys as head coach, and now defensive coordinator, too, had a lot to do with unrestricted free agent linebacker Keith Brooking signing that three-year deal with the Cowboys on Saturday.

Now let’s not discount the fact the Cowboys did give him a three-year, $6 million deal and guaranteed him $2.5 million at age 33, but his previous relationship with Phillips, the former Falcons defensive coordinator and interim head coach (2002-03), seemed to tip the scales.

“That played a big part in the decision,” his agent, Pat Dye Jr., also DeMarcus Ware’s agent, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Now why unrestricted free agents are allowed to change teams always makes you wonder, and while the Falcons were working on re-signing the 11-year veteran, even after Friday’s start to free agency, they apparently wanted him to return as a backup. The Cowboys are willing to give him a shot at earning a starting job as the weak inside linebacker in their 3-4 defense.

And at this point, his only competition for that job is Bobby Carpenter, although there still is a chance the Cowboys re-sign Kevin Burnett or select a linebacker high in the draft. This signing of the Falcons’ leading tackler from last season precludes the Cowboys from bringing back veteran Zach Thomas, last year’s second-leading tackler (177).

Brooking did release a statement to the AJC on the move:

“It is with very mixed emotions that I am leaving the Atlanta Falcons to join the Dallas Cowboys. I am sad to be leaving the Falcons organization, my teammates, my coaches, and of course, the great Falcons fans.

“However, I am excited about this new chapter in my career and rejoining my former coach Wade Phillips.”

Mickey Spagnola

Comments (24) | Permanent Link

 

[HoleInTheRoof]

Groundbreaking stuff right there.

 

[Dave_in-NC]

He got more money from Jerry than he would have any where else.
No one is going to follow Phillips unless they simply like coasting through life.

 

[AMERICAS_FAN]

Groundbreaking stuff right there.

Whatever! I think Brooking's quote is pretty telling when he says "“However, I am excited about this new chapter in my career and rejoining my former coach Wade Phillips.”

Up until now we have all heard bad opinion about Phillips - called a cupcake, a puppet, not a real leader, etc., - but here you have a pro-bowl calliber player whose speaking a different tune about Phillips, and backing it up with real action.

Sorry, but tht's quite telling- and groundbreaking - for me!

 

[Doomsday101]

Of course anything said positive about Wade will get dismissed by the same crowd.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

He got more money from Jerry than he would have any where else.
No one is going to follow Phillips unless they simply like coasting through life.

Yep, that describes Brooking perfectly... A no-heart slacker.

 

[Woods]

Yep, that describes Brooking perfectly... A no-heart slacker.

:laugh2:

Your sarcasm has bite.

 

[Dave_in-NC]

Yep, that describes Brooking perfectly... A no-heart slacker.

Yep, he's the same player he was years ago.

 

[AKATheRake]

Yep, he's the same player he was years ago.

Not talent wise but he's still solid and has heart. Tireless motor and desire to compete. If he wanted to coast he could have rid the pine in Atlanta.

 

[WoodysGirl]

Keith Brooking believes in Wade Phillips

4:04 PM Mon, Mar 02, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon E-mail News tips

Wade Phillips will have at least one big fan in the Cowboys' locker room.

LB Keith Brooking said during a conference call with the local media that the biggest reason he signed with the Cowboys was because he wanted to play for a Super Bowl contender. Reuniting with Wade Phillips ranked right after that.

Brooking had his two best seasons in 2002 and '03, when Phillips was the Falcons' defensive coordinator. Brooking is excited to play the weakside ILB spot in Phillips' scheme again, and he raved about Phillips' defensive expertise when asked why he was confident in his former defensive coordinator's ability as a head coach.

Brooking recalled marching into Arthur Blank's office after Phillips finished the 2003 season as the Falcons' interim head coach and begging the owner to keep Phillips. According to Brooking, several players "practically stood on the table" and requested the same thing.

Phillips, according to Brooking, "creates a great working atmosphere." That sounded a little strange to those of us who follow the Valley Ranch Circus on a regular basis, but Brooking shot down the perception that Phillips is a softie who doesn't command respect from his players.

"I've never heard a player in my two years there with him in Atlanta speak of Wade as a soft coach," Brooking said. "I mean, I never, ever heard that. I've seen Wade. I think he's a players' coach. I think he does a great job of communicating with the players. There's an open line of communication, but I think he expects a lot from his players."


Comments (0) Leave comment | E-mail entry

 

[BAT]

I am curious. Atlanta wanted Brooking to be a part timer. Who outplayed him for the starter's spot?


Boley was not re-signed, right?

 

[Doomsday101]

Keith Brooking believes in Wade Phillips

4:04 PM Mon, Mar 02, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon E-mail News tips

Wade Phillips will have at least one big fan in the Cowboys' locker room.

LB Keith Brooking said during a conference call with the local media that the biggest reason he signed with the Cowboys was because he wanted to play for a Super Bowl contender. Reuniting with Wade Phillips ranked right after that.

Brooking had his two best seasons in 2002 and '03, when Phillips was the Falcons' defensive coordinator. Brooking is excited to play the weakside ILB spot in Phillips' scheme again, and he raved about Phillips' defensive expertise when asked why he was confident in his former defensive coordinator's ability as a head coach.

Brooking recalled marching into Arthur Blank's office after Phillips finished the 2003 season as the Falcons' interim head coach and begging the owner to keep Phillips. According to Brooking, several players "practically stood on the table" and requested the same thing.

Phillips, according to Brooking, "creates a great working atmosphere." That sounded a little strange to those of us who follow the Valley Ranch Circus on a regular basis, but Brooking shot down the perception that Phillips is a softie who doesn't command respect from his players.

"I've never heard a player in my two years there with him in Atlanta speak of Wade as a soft coach," Brooking said. "I mean, I never, ever heard that. I've seen Wade. I think he's a players' coach. I think he does a great job of communicating with the players. There's an open line of communication, but I think he expects a lot from his players."


Comments (0) Leave comment | E-mail entry

You know Brooking must be lying this can't be true it goes against every stereo type board members have created about Wade

 

[Dave_in-NC]

Not talent wise but he's still solid and has heart. Tireless motor and desire to compete. If he wanted to coast he could have rid the pine in Atlanta.

Yup, Phillips is known for being a hard nosed makem work coach.
he could have coasted in Atlanta for less money.

He got his last pay day from Jerry, and won't have to kill himself earning it.

Smart man.

 

[ddh33]

Actually, I believe in Wade Phillips too.

I think he has a solid roster that is filled with players who think they are better than they really are. I think he coaches in a fishbowl where the media is out to be as famous as the team and loves nothing more than the bash Wade. I think he's a great defensive mind who has pride and is comfortable in his own skin.

I think Wade's biggest problem has been that his owner/GM has cut his legs out from under him.

 

[CowboyWay]

One more reason to get rid of phillips.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Actually, I believe in Wade Phillips too.

I think he has a solid roster that is filled with players who think they are better than they really are. I think he coaches in a fishbowl where the media is out to be as famous as the team and loves nothing more than the bash Wade. I think he's a great defensive mind who has pride and is comfortable in his own skin.

I think Wade's biggest problem has been that his owner/GM has cut his legs out from under him.

Preach on, my man.

 

[Doomsday101]

Yup, Phillips is known for being a hard nosed makem work coach.
he could have coasted in Atlanta for less money.

He got his last pay day from Jerry, and won't have to kill himself earning it.

Smart man.

Who said Wade was a hardnosed coach? Brooking knows Wade just as BP had players who knew him are you saying they just came for the money alone or did BP being here make the situation a bit better for them?