ESPN Watkins: News and views from Wade Phillips - 12/9/09

[WoodysGirl]

Dec 9
8:07
PM CT
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By Calvin Watkins

IRVING, Texas -- The biggest news from the Wade Phillips news conference was that quarterback Tony Romo is going back to being the holder.

Romo was the holder from 2004-07. Brad Johnson took over before the duties were handed to punter Mat McBriar at the start of this season.

McBriar didn't like being the holder, and it showed several times this season.

"It's not the kicker," Phillips said. "It's how you handle the ball, how you spin the ball, where you put the laces, whether he wants it up, leaning one way the other way, leaning forward those kinds of things. That's what a holder does. A guy who can do it well. [Romo] doesn't have a problem doing that."

As for the injuries, Phillips didn't think safety Ken Hamlin (ankle) would return for Sunday's game against the Chargers. Fullback Deon Anderson (knee) could practice tomorrow.

Things are uncertain regarding backup tight end Martellus Bennett (concussion), though Phillips was hopeful the second-year man from Texas A&M might practice.

But Bennett was having physical problems. He hurt a shin in the Giants game and then somehow suffered a concussion.

"He came in and said he was kinda foggy and his eyes hurting," Phillips said.

With Anderson and Bennett out, John Phillips played the tight end/fullback role in practice.

Cornerback Terence Newman has knee soreness but fully participated in practice Wednesday.

"He said he felt good after practice," Phillips said.

Left tackle Flozell Adams was fined $50,000 by the league for unnecessary roughness, and the next time something like this happens, he could get suspended. Phillips said he's not worried about Adams' aggressiveness getting hindered somewhat because of a concern over what the referees may call.

Phillips compared the Chargers' tall receivers to the Eagles speed receivers.

 

[Vertigo_17]

glad to hear that TNEW might play, we're going to need him.

 

[khiladi]

At least Romo gives another option, and that is fake field goal...

 

[DallasEast]

Things are uncertain regarding backup tight end Martellus Bennett (concussion), though Phillips was hopeful the second-year man from Texas A&M might practice.

But Bennett was having physical problems. He hurt a shin in the Giants game and then somehow suffered a concussion.

"He came in and said he was kinda foggy and his eyes hurting," Phillips said.

Wait. That's not normal for him?

Bad joke. Hopefully, they will check him out completely and only clear him if he's ready to return. Concussions are not a laughing matter. Just ask Brian Westbrook.

John Phillips should be able to fill in nicely for Bennett as far as blocking in the 2-TE sets. He has also shown having good hands in those very rare opportunities where the ball was thrown to him. At this position, the offense will do just fine for a game if Bennett is forced to sit out.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Wait. That's not normal for him?

Bad joke. Hopefully, they will check him out completely and only clear him if he's ready to return. Concussions are not a laughing matter. Just ask Brian Westbrook.

John Phillips should be able to fill in nicely for Bennett as far as blocking in the 2-TE sets. He has also shown having good hands in those very rare opportunities where the ball was thrown to him. At this position, the offense will do just fine for a game if Bennett is forced to sit out.

I don't follow you. Who's laughing or joking?

 

[DallasEast]

I don't follow you. Who's laughing or joking?

RE: My comment was a bad joke.

 

[Canadian BoyzFan]

Can Kitna not do this?

 

[austintodallas]

Phillips compared the Chargers' tall receivers to the Eagles speed receivers.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

He didn't really compare them. He just said SD was like the Eagles in that they had a lot of weapons to spread the ball around to.

More lousy reporting by Watkins. Anyone surprised?

 

[tomson75]

No, not surprised by the crap report....but he brings good news on the Newman front. We'll need him badly for the rest of the year.

 

[Bach]

At least Romo gives another option, and that is fake field goal...

...yeah, even if it is unintentional.

 

[JustDezIt]

But Bennett was having physical problems. He hurt a shin in the Giants game and then somehow suffered a concussion.

Do these people watch the game? I know, dumb question, of course they don't They clearly showed Marty taking a helmet to helmet hit in the back of his head in super slow. I was surprised he kept playing after that, he could have been hurt pretty badly on that play.

 

[DallasEast]

...yeah, even if it is unintentional.

That's a nice reference to the Seattle playoff game, Bach. I'm surprised.

Wait. No I'm not.

 

[Alexander]

Can Kitna not do this?

Kitna has never held for placements before.

 

[Bach]

That's a nice reference to the Seattle playoff game, Bach. I'm surprised.

Wait. No I'm not.

I'd bet most think of that game when you mention Romo and holding for kicks in the same sentence.

 

[DallasEast]

I'd bet most think of that game when you mention Romo and holding for kicks in the same sentence.

Yeah, everyone (literally) is aware of that past gaffe. It's not necessary to rehash it for the umpteenth time since no one has forgotten. Since you feel the need to rehash it, do you also feel that he will repeat the same mistake in a future game? Allow me to further add that Romo's mishandling of the ball during that particular game, has likewise occurred in football at all levels, for as long as the sport itself and placekicking has existed. The phrase, "You know what happens" happens. It does not mean that prior mistakes are assured to happen again.

 

[Bach]

Yeah, everyone (literally) is aware of that past gaffe. It's not necessary to rehash it for the umpteenth time since no one has forgotten. Since you feel the need to rehash it, do you also feel that he will repeat the same mistake in a future game? Allow me to further add that Romo's mishandling of the ball during that particular game, has likewise occurred in football at all levels, for as long as the sport itself and placekicking has existed. The phrase, "You know what happens" happens. It does not mean that prior mistakes are assured to happen again.

To answer your question: No, I don't know if he'll repeat that same mistake in a future game. I just know it'll be in the back of my mind everyone time we attempt a kick though.

 

[DFWJC]

Do many (any?) starting QBs do this in the league?

He was very good at it when he was a backup and did it for several years, I think. The one flub-up (out of maybe 150-200 attempts?) was when he had just driven the team for the winning (or tying) points as a starter--as we all know. Ideally, Kitna or someone else would do it, but I guess he is the best qualified. This does explain why Parcells would risk keeping him in there even after he became a starter...the continuity and the fact that he was good at it.

 

[DallasEast]

To answer your question: No, I don't know if he'll repeat that same mistake in a future game. I just know it'll be in the back of my mind everyone time we attempt a kick though.

Fair enough. Let's hope that the team's need to score field goals will be low enough to help re-enforce peace of mind.

 

[gimmesix]

Can Kitna not do this?

I believe they either asked him or tried him in the preseason, and he couldn't do it.

If everyone overlooks the slick ball-drop, Romo is really solid as a holder and probably has always been our best option (other than when we had Brad Johnson).