ESPN Dallas: Werder's latest excrement

Chocolate Lab

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Hadn't seen it yet.


Thursday, January 7, 2010
Jones praises coach, hasn't signed him
By Ed Werder
ESPNDallas.com

IRVING, Texas -- Even though he just motivated the Dallas Cowboys' defense to a historic feat, Dallas head coach Wade Phillips still inspires doubt.

Perhaps that is because of what happened two years ago, when the Cowboys had a 13-win team full of Pro Bowl players that created Super Bowl expectations for owner Jerry Jones. The Cowboys lost at home to an opponent they defeated twice during the regular season. Phillips delivered an indictment of himself when he insisted the better team lost.

What if that happens again Saturday night when Phillips and Tony Romo both again seek the first playoff victory of their careers? Unless the Cowboys suffer a blowout defeat, it's almost impossible to imagine that Jones would decide not to have Phillips return for a fourth season.

With the first back-to-back shutouts in franchise history, Phillips is clearly confident and has merely raised expectations with his rhetoric.

"I don't know anybody is going into the playoffs any stronger than we are," he said.

But speculation about whether Phillips is doomed will begin before the game ends if the Cowboys perform badly and are quickly eliminated at JerryWorld by a Philadelphia Eagles team they have defeated twice. That shouldn't happen. But if it does, Phillips will be 0-5 in playoff games with John Elway, Doug Flutie and Romo as his quarterbacks.

"I really don't know how you can sit here and make a change with the winningest percentage coach that we've ever had in the history of the Cowboys," Jones said.

Whereupon I immediately reminded Jones that he is the only owner in history to have replaced a head coach that had just won a second consecutive Super Bowl trophy. Jones has fired every coach the Cowboys have ever had who didn't quit on him first, a list that includes four Super Bowl winners: Tom Landry, Jimmy Johnson, Barry Switzer and Bill Parcells.

"I don't want to take anything away from our players, but I think what you're seeing develop and evolve is 100 percent Wade Phillips," Jones said. "I know how hard he's working. When our defense is playing [well] and our team really realizes how much of him is involved in the defense, then it does give him huge credibility."

Jones told me last week that he would have to change his mind not to retain Phillips. He has suggested his unwillingness to commit to this point has nothing to do with lingering uncertainty about Phillips' future than it does mere superstition about not eliminating a piece of motivation that seems to be having the desired effect.

Wade Phillips
Jerry Jones continues to heap praise on coach Wade Phillips, even though the owner has yet to extend Phillips' contract. "I really don't know how you can sit here and make a change with the winningest percentage coach that we've ever had," Jones said.

What is most interesting is that Jones said he and Phillips have not even discussed their future together but that the paperwork is in place and the team has the right to extend their current agreement. A source confirmed this week that Phillips' projected salary for 2010 is not much different than what he's currently making, meaning Jones does not face the kind of huge number that would compel him to renegotiate.

So it appears that Jones is content to extend Phillips for another season rather than offering him a multi-year extension.

One reason Jones has declined to make an impulsive and premature commitment is that he questioned himself after doing exactly that when he bribed Jason Garrett to reject two head-coaching opportunities.

But Jones wants Phillips to succeed. His return would let Jones be right about Wade to his critics, lets him save a significant amount of money and it lets Jones be himself around his football team in a way not every other head coach would appreciate.

"Jerry wants Wade back, but Wade has to earn it -- and he's earning it,'' a source said. "Wade is easy to like. The media kicks his *** for that. We want coaches to be mean dragons like Parcells and Jimmy. They don't all have to be that way. The guy at Indy [Tony Dungy] was a nice person.

"Wade's easy to like, and that could be his downfall. But I know Jerry likes Wade.''

Phillips has a 33-15 record and two NFC East championships in three seasons at Dallas. He's the only head coach who serves as his own defensive coordinator, and his appearance on the sidelines makes the Cowboys unique among the NFC playoff contenders. The other five teams are coached by offensive-minded head coaches with all but the Cardinals finishing the season ranked among the NFL's top five scoring teams.

I concede that Phillips is correct in describing himself as a great defensive coordinator. But he came to the Cowboys determined to demonstrate himself as a great head coach. He hasn't yet, in my opinion.

But he might prove me wrong.

At a time when everyone should be more convinced than ever that the Cowboys will defeat the Eagles, I'm not sure that is the reality at the moment.

Phillips' defense has unquestionably outperformed the offense masterminded by Garrett, who had nonetheless done fabulous work developing Romo. And Phillips has done that same thing with young players such as Anthony Spencer and Mike Jenkins. Phillips also is personally responsible for two key free-agent acquisitions -- Keith Brooking and Igor Olshansky, both of whom played for him with other teams.

But here is where I question Phillips and his ability to prepare a team for postseason success: It has nothing to do with his refusal to motivate underachieving Roy Williams through a different approach, although that might prove detrimental at some point. I think Phillips is making a questionable decision this week that jeopardizes Romo's protection against an Eagles defense expected to emphasize blitzes.

Phillips is starting Marc Colombo at right tackle even though he's missed nearly two months with a broken fibula, even though the coach has described him as being less than 100 percent. He's benching Doug Free, who in the opinion of some inside the Cowboys' organization has been playing better than Colombo, even though Free just played effectively against the Eagles last week.

If Colombo takes even one play to acclimate himself to game speed, it could result in the kind of mistake that potentially ends another season with Cowboys players staring dejectedly at the ground. Phillips just refuses to make hard decisions.

When I inquired as to why Colombo was expected to start, a team source said, "Wade's back.''

And he will almost certainly be back for another season -- unless his team fails to show up for the playoffs.

Ed Werder covers the NFL for ESPN.com and contributes weekly to ESPNDallas.com.
 

SaltwaterServr

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Quick translation: "He sucks, but if he wins I'll be writing to tell you that I hoped he would prove me wrong and I win either way."

Poster boy for the C.R.A.P. fans.
 

Chocolate Lab

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Sorry, I left out the end somehow... Just put that back in.

Gotta love it. Roy wasn't motivated the right way, according to coach Werder.

And starting Marc Colombo could well cost us this game. :cool:

Werder just makes a bigger *** of himself with each passing day.
 

Doomsay

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I wonder how long this espn.dallas thing can last? Seems more abusive than informative, we have that national media for that.
 

SaltwaterServr

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Wow, after reading that ending I gotta say he had to add some of his "sources" to finish it off. Paging the first cousin to Harvey the Rabbit.

"Wade's back"? Seriously?

How about this. We'll take Columbo and rotate him with Doug Free since both have very significant playing time and are both very good. Come the fourth quarter we'll have our RT just that much fresher than the position was last weekend.

IMHO, getting Marc back for this game is huge. Our starting RT returns without a half of a season's physical toll on him. No bumps, bruises, contusions, lacerations, aches, pains, etc.

It's a great situation, again IMHO.
 

Oldschool7

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I just suggest Werder stuff not get posted anywhere on a Cowboy board.

He's clearly a bitter near-retirement guy with an axe to grind.
 

RainMan

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I'll admit I'm torn on the Colombo issue. A part of me wishes he wasn't healthy enough to play yet so Wade didn't have to make a decision here. A part of me says you absolutely have to go with Free, who has played really well. I agree with Werder that we don't have the time to allow Colombo to get acclimated. Imagine he comes in and a few drives stall as he isn't playing well. Sure, we can make a change, but every play is important Saturday.

At the same time, I'm not savvy enough to know if Free has outplayed Colombo. Werder conveniently says "some" in the organization thinks so, which could mean one, insignificant person. If Colombo is better, you can't prevent him from starting, can you?

With all that said, articles like these are why Werder frustrates me. Yes, we're a deserved punching bag right now. We haven't won a playoff game in eons, and the media has a right I guess to remind us of it every day. My only problem is that we could be the reigning Super Bowl champs and the scrutiny would be just as much. It's easy to say they pick on us because of our recent failures, but the reality is there is never a let-down period. The dogs are always out in Dallas, whether it's good times or bad.
 

Seven

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Werders latest excrement was destined to purge thru his mouth.


Apologies for the unintended visual I may or may not have induced...........
 

Doomsay

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Chocolate Lab;3209016 said:
Sorry, I left out the end somehow... Just put that back in.

Gotta love it. Roy wasn't motivated the right way, according to coach Werder.

And starting Marc Colombo could well cost us this game. :cool:

Werder just makes a bigger *** of himself with each passing day.

The Colombo thing is a little uncomfortable given the fact that he hasn't played for two months and only practiced for four days. At least it isn't the blind side.
 

Doomsay

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RainMan;3209034 said:
I'll admit I'm torn on the Colombo issue. A part of me wishes he wasn't healthy enough to play yet so Wade didn't have to make a decision here. A part of me says you absolutely have to go with Free, who has played really well. I agree with Werder that we don't have the time to allow Colombo to get acclimated. Imagine he comes in and a few drives stall as he isn't playing well. Sure, we can make a change, but every play is important Saturday.

At the same time, I'm not savvy enough to know if Free has outplayed Colombo. Werder conveniently says "some" in the organization thinks so, which could mean one, insignificant person. If Colombo is better, you can't prevent him from starting, can you?

With all that said, articles like these are why Werder frustrates me. Yes, we're a deserved punching bag right now. We haven't won a playoff game in eons, and the media has a right I guess to remind us of it every day. My only problem is that we could be the reigning Super Bowl champs and the scrutiny would be just as much. It's easy to say they pick on us because of our recent failures, but the reality is there is never a let-down period. The dogs are always out in Dallas, whether it's good times or bad.

The Colombo issue is a reasonable concern - being re-anointed as a starter after practicing for 2 days, having missed 2 months of football, is a bit of a stretch, especially when your replacement has been playing adequately and predictably. There's no question that a healthy and game practiced Colombo is better than Free at the moment, but to assume that he is 100% is a big risk. Presumably they saw something in those 2 days that made them feel comfortable.
 

Chocolate Lab

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I think there's basically a week lead time on this. Last week he was able to function and move normally and do a lot of football-specific conditioning. So this week may be the first he put the pads back on, but it's not like they just cut his cast off yesterday and are rolling him out there cold.

And IIRC, before he got hurt there were a few games where Wade said he graded out higher than any of our OLmen.

Personally, I like his experience and leadership. It is the playoffs after all, and it will be a bit of a different animal.
 

Seven

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Chocolate Lab;3209071 said:
I think there's basically a week lead time on this. Last week he was able to function and move normally and do a lot of football-specific conditioning. So this week may be the first he put the pads back on, but it's not like they just cut his cast off yesterday and are rolling him out there cold.

And IIRC, before he got hurt there were a few games where Wade said he graded out higher than any of our OLmen.

Personally, I like his experience and leadership. It is the playoffs after all, and it will be a bit of a different animal.

Agreed. He's probably dyin' to hit someone. My hope anyways..........
 

Doomsay

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Chocolate Lab;3209071 said:
I think there's basically a week lead time on this. Last week he was able to function and move normally and do a lot of football-specific conditioning. So this week may be the first he put the pads back on, but it's not like they just cut his cast off yesterday and are rolling him out there cold.

And IIRC, before he got hurt there were a few games where Wade said he graded out higher than any of our OLmen.

Personally, I like his experience and leadership. It is the playoffs after all, and it will be a bit of a different animal.

I hope the leash is tight if he fatigues - I assume Romo will have some say in it.
 

Meat-O-Rama

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I could have sworn Parcells retired before Jones fired him, but maybe Eddie knows best?
 

RainMan

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c0wb0y_m0nkey;3209114 said:
I could have sworn Parcells retired before Jones fired him, but maybe Eddie knows best?

Re-read what Werder wrote ... he conveniently worded it to say that either coach has either been fired or "quit on him first." Yeah, it's a ******* way to put things, but then it's Werder we're talking about.
 

Chocolate Lab

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RainMan;3209115 said:
Re-read what Werder wrote ... he conveniently worded it to say that either coach has either been fired or "quit on him first." Yeah, it's a ******* way to put things, but then it's Werder we're talking about.

Yeah, that was another beaut. Doesn't every coach quit or get fired? Those are pretty much the only two options.

I guess he could die on the job... :rolleyes:
 

Yakuza Rich

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Again, his points contradict each other like they did in his last piece of excriment that he calls a column.

It starts off that Wade should be extended, then no he shouldn't, then he should be offered a multi year deal instead of a one year deal, then he's screwing up by having Marc Colombo starting instead of Doug Free. And apparently the Cowboys cannot sub in Free for Colombo during the game.

Oh wait, Mr. Blue Suit didn't think of that.

He's dying to rip into Jerry, Wade and RW if the Cowboys lose tomorrow. It's so blatant it's ridiculous.





YAKUZA
 

RainMan

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Chocolate Lab;3209120 said:
Yeah, that was another beaut. Doesn't every coach quit or get fired? Those are pretty much the only two options.

I guess he could die on the job... :rolleyes:

:laugh2: Didn't even think of it that way. Yeah, you're right, because Werder is using "retiring" as a variation of quit in this definition. What a turd.
 
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