ESPN MacMahon: Wade Phillips shows weakness in brushing off Newman-Campo incident

[WoodysGirl]

By Tim MacMahon

IRVING, Texas -- We shouldn’t be surprised by Wade Phillips’ reaction to the sideline confrontation between secondary coach Dave Campo and cornerback Terence Newman.

It’s easy to downplay the incident and blame the media for blowing it out of proportion. It’s ridiculous to insist that the media is “misinformed” about the situation, since video clearly shows Newman shove Campo after heated words were exchanged, but Phillips tends to look foolish when some firmness is in order from the head coach.

Remember his reaction to Pacman Jones’ fight with the bodyguard at the hotel? Or how about the way Phillips handled T.O. tearing his team apart the latter half of last season?

Given an opportunity to clarify what happened on the sideline Sunday, Phillips essentially excused Newman’s behavior.

“I mean, people are invading the sidelines now,” Phillips said. “These things have been going on a long time in football. Players get upset, coaches get upset. Sometimes you get upset with each other. Sometimes you’re trying to talk to each other. There’s a lot of things that go on that we get worked out, and that’s what we did.”

OK, fine, but Newman clearly has a lack of respect for the coaching staff. No matter what Phillips says, it is not typical for players to get physical with their coaches.

Newman has declined to speak to the media since the end of Sunday’s game, but he’s publicly called out Phillips’ staff before. During a December appearance on ESPN’s First Take, Newman accused the Cowboys’ coaches of failing to own up for their mistakes.

“That's what I'd like to see happen,” Newman said of coaches taking accountability. “I think as a player, you notice things like that. How can you respect someone who doesn't respect you, because he's putting the blame on someone else, rather than owning up to it?"

Furthermore, how do you respect a head coach who doesn’t demand it?

http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/cowb.../wades-response-to-sideline-skirmish-was-weak

 

[superpunk]

You knew this was coming.

 

[WoodysGirl]

Updated: November 23, 2009, 3:37 PM ET
Cowboys brush off sideline altercation

By Calvin Watkins
ESPNDallas.com
Archive

IRVING, Texas -- Cowboys coach Wade Phillips got testy with reporters on Monday when asked about the sideline spat between cornerback Terence Newman and secondary coach Dave Campo.

In the first quarter of Sunday's game with the Commanders, Newman and Campo engaged in a physical confrontation on the sidelines and had to be separated by several players. Phillips even pushed Campo back with his arm.

After the Commanders punted, Newman walked to the sidelines where Campo grabbed him with his arms extended. Newman then pushed Campo away and the two bumped chests. Players pushed them away and Campo was yelling at Newman so intently his headset fell off.

Later, Campo was showing Newman some pictures on the sidelines and it appeared things were normal.

"It happens a lot, sure," Phillips said. "And you're looking at it from one side where you don't know what's going on."

Campo told a small group of reporters after Sunday's game he was trying to stop Newman to speak with him about a play. When Phillips was told of this, he said, "Just go with your story then."

When asked if he was disappointed that the incident was shown on national television numerous times, including two YouTube clips, Phillips said, "I don't need to go into detail of who said what, what happened to who, all those things, he said she said. There wasn't anything big that happened that made a different. We worked out what we had to work out on the sideline, and that's what we normally do. And that's what happens with a lot of teams a lot of times."

Newman declined to speak with reporters after the game on Sunday, and wasn't available in the locker room on Monday for the 45 minute open locker room period.

Several Cowboys players didn't know what the problem between Newman and Campo was.

Just before that first quarter drive ended, Newman let Commanders wide receiver Devin Thomas get behind him on a route when quarterback Jason Campbell was scrambling. Campbell completed a 26-yard pass. The Cowboys' corners are taught to never lose sight of their wide receivers when a quarterback is scrambling.

Campo was upset about the play and it appeared he wanted to speak with Newman about it.

"It's football man," defensive end Marcus Spears said. "When we get into these meetings today we'll be laughing and joking with each other. I don't know if you guys have arguments at your respectful workplaces, if you do, just understand that it's just business if you know the guy. Camps knows New and New knows Camps and whenever those types of things happen, we'll let [the media] blow it out of proportion and know that we're fine once it's all over with."

Calvin Watkins covers the Cowboys for ESPNDallas.com.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

I would say he should not have said anything at all to the media. Of course they would still make something out of it with him but still better to keep that stuff behind closed doors after it happens IMO.

 

[AMERICAS_FAN]

OK, fine, but Newman clearly has a lack of respect for the coaching staff.

Oh please!

 

[CATCH17]

lol @ digging in the archives for a Newman quote.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

What is there to clarify? I thought Newman blew coverage and Campo got in his *** for it? What's the big deal?

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Why us, God? Why?

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

I would rather those two have a spat on the sidelines then to see the normal campo just throwing his arms up or rolling his eyes like he normally does or has done in the past.

 

[CATCH17]

What is there to clarify? I thought Newman blew coverage and Campo got in his *** for it? What's the big deal?

Because Newman put his hand on Campos Bosom.

 

[bbgun]

This won't play well with the natives, lol.*

* apologies to adbutcher

 

[Doomsday101]

What is there to clarify? I thought Newman blew coverage and Campo got in his *** for it? What's the big deal?

It has been too quit at Valley Ranch they need some controversy to write about if not then they will have to come up with some real story that may take some real thought.

 

[Chief]

I would rather those two have a spat on the sidelines then to see the normal campo just throwing his arms up or rolling his eyes like he normally does or has done in the past.

I know.

I was like, wow. That is one fiery little poodle.

Joking (sorta). I liked seeing Campo jump his ***, but I don't think some of the players have much respect for him. I mean, I keep remember the pantsing thing last year at training camp. Could you imagine that happening to any other coach?

 

[Reality]

ESPN/Media Playbook:

"There has been nothing big to write about with the Cowboys this year without TO so we are trying our best to create something. Here's our chance .. let's make a big deal out of the Newman-Campo argument and even though everything was fine minutes later, let's keep writing about it and pestering everyone on the Cowboys about it hoping we can get a player or coach to slip up and say something we can talk about for another week. If we fail to get that sound byte, we can at least write long whines about how Wade Phillips is too soft."


-Reality

 

[Dallas]

What is there to clarify? I thought Newman blew coverage and Campo got in his *** for it? What's the big deal?

Newman did blow the tackle and Campo was in his right to get in his face. Newman didn't like it and they had a small bump fest. It was nothing. It was literally nothing. Both were heated. It isn't like Newman took Campo out on the sidline w/ a Brainbuster or anything.

Typical Dallas media


Was Newman right in doing it? No

Was it a big deal? No

Think Wade will handle it? Yes and I think it will be done in house where no pathetic hack of a journalist can run and make something out of it that it isn't.

Does this make Wade weak? Of course not.

 

[LeonDixson]

Updated: November 23, 2009, 3:37 PM ET
Cowboys brush off sideline altercation


"It's football man," defensive end Marcus Spears said. "When we get into these meetings today we'll be laughing and joking with each other. I don't know if you guys have arguments at your respectful workplaces, if you do, just understand that it's just business if you know the guy. Camps knows New and New knows Camps and whenever those types of things happen, we'll let [the media] blow it out of proportion and know that we're fine once it's all over with."

I like this quote from Spears. Once the air is cleared you move on. It takes mental midget or someone who is very insecure to hold a grudge forever.

 

[silver]

It's obvious Tim McMahon never played the game of organized football. Stuff like that happens all the time. And it worked since Newman played flawless football afterwards. Mission accomplished by the Poodle.

 

[Vintage]

Rue...

 

[ShiningStar]

IM glad Campo did it, I want some fire on that sideline. Doesnt have to be Phillips and he doesnt have to be firey to control a situation. you pay the OTHER coaches to do their jobs and Campo has to make sure Newman does his job, however Campo goes about it, get those guys to produce. And our DB's are producing. Hats off to Campo for that one. Doing what i was hoping he would do and what he does well, coordinate and keep that particular part of the team rolling well. If they get Scandrick up to speed and make something out of Ball, and Mike Hamlin, all the better. If he has to light those players up with a flame thrower in his hands, have at it.

 

[AMERICAS_FAN]

Why us, God? Why?

Why must you bother Buehler with such questions?