Joe Decallimis- New special teams coach? per Mort

[tyke1doe]

Jobber, it starts at the top. If the GM and coach don't let it be known that those fighting for a roster spot have to earn it on special teams first, the players won't put much emphasis on it. This is because most of them rarely played on the units in college.

When Wade takes ST seriously, this team will be better on STs. Hopefully this year has finally taught him that STs matter alot in a league when most games are won and lost on one score.

I know many Cowboys fans hate the "when Jimmy was here" references, but I'll go there anyway.

One of the things I remember about those Cowboys was the coaches placed an emphasis on offense, defense and special teams. And because they did so, we blocked several kicks and had our share of kickoff returns.

I have not seen Dallas get anywhere close to blocking a punt this year. I even wondered whether the coaches tell/teach punt blocking or were they so conservative they didn't want to risk a penalty.

Also, I distinctly remember Jimmy putting starters on the special teams. I hope this new guy emphasizes that, i.e., special teams is for everyone, not just guys trying to make the team.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

One of the things I remember about those Cowboys was the coaches placed an emphasis on offense, defense and special teams. And because they did so, we blocked several kicks and had our share of kickoff returns.

I have not seen Dallas get anywhere close to blocking a punt this year. I even wondered whether the coaches tell/teach punt blocking or were they so conservative they didn't want to risk a penalty.

Not a Carlos Polk fan, eh?

 

[28 Joker]

This really looks like a great hire.

Now, get him some players.

The bottom of this roster needs to go.

 

[Alexander]

If the GM and coach don't let it be known that those fighting for a roster spot have to earn it on special teams first, the players won't put much emphasis on it. This is because most of them rarely played on the units in college.

When Wade takes ST seriously, this team will be better on STs. Hopefully this year has finally taught him that STs matter alot in a league when most games are won and lost on one score.

It is all on the head coach and his emphasis. As much as Jerry Jones meddles, he's shown he values special teams more than Phillips. Afterall, we spent quality choices on special teams players like Charlie Williams.

 

[Yeagermeister]

Hitting and tackling would be good.

I'd be happy with coverage and tackling

 

[Alexander]

Before anyone gets excited about this move, remember it is not done yet and it is being reported by Chris Mortensen.

Per the DMN there are other candidates:


Read fired as Dallas Cowboys special teams coach


[SIZE=-1]07:27 PM CST on Wednesday, December 31, 2008

[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]By CALVIN WATKINS / The Dallas Morning News
cwatkins@***BANNED-URL*** [/SIZE]

The first major change of the Cowboys' off-season occurred Wednesday, when the team fired special teams coach Bruce Read.

In Read's two seasons with the Cowboys, his units struggled. At one point this season, coach Wade Phillips had some position coaches help Read in meetings and on the field.

Read did not return a phone call seeking comment.

Sources said the team is interested in Jacksonville special teams coach Joe DeCamillis, who coached with Phillips when Phillips was defensive coordinator at Denver and Atlanta.

DeCamillis, whose two-year contract with the Jaguars ended after the season, was not available for comment. He has 20 years of NFL coaching experience.

Teams cannot speak with assistant coaches until 10 days after the regular season.

Kevin O'Dea is another possibility. O'Dea was supposed to be the Jets special teams coordinator this season, but Mike Westhoff came out of retirement, and O'Dea became his assistant.

What might have marked the ending for Read with the Cowboys occurred Oct. 12 at Arizona.

The Cardinals' J.J. Arrington returned the opening kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown. The game ended when Monty Beisel recovered a blocked punt for the winning touchdown in overtime. It was the first time in NFL history a game started on a kickoff return for a score and ended with a blocked punt for a touchdown.

Punter Mat McBriar suffered a fractured foot on the blocked punt and was lost for the season.

"The punt block was just inexplicable to me," Phillips said at the time. "You always block the same guy every time."

The Cowboys were the only team in the league without a touchback this season. Kicker Nick Folk led the league in out-of-bounds kickoffs with five, including one to start Sunday's loss to the Eagles.

Read wanted Folk to kick the ball to certain areas of the field instead of booming it toward the end zone. Read also juggled lineups and formations that appeared to lead to the special teams' inconsistency.

The Cowboys finished 29th in kickoffs and 20th as a kick return unit in the NFL.

Read's units suffered several key injuries, including Patrick Watkins, Keith Davis and Bobby Carpenter.

Briefly: The Detroit Lions have not scheduled a date to interview offensive coordinator Jason Garrett. On Monday, the team received permission to interview Garrett for their head coach vacancy. ... Wide receiver Travis Wilson signed a contract with the Cowboys on Wednesday. Wilson was signed to the practice squad Oct. 1.

 

[gmoney112]

here's to folk booming that ball out of the endzone next year!

:beer1:

 

[DallasEast]

The Cowboys were the only team in the league without a touchback this season. Kicker Nick Folk led the league in out-of-bounds kickoffs with five, including one to start Sunday's loss to the Eagles.

Read wanted Folk to kick the ball to certain areas of the field instead of booming it toward the end zone.

That was one of my main beefs with Read because it was obvious that Folk had the leg to reach the endzone on kickoffs and that he was being asked to angle kick alot of the time.

 

[ologan]

As an aside, no matter where he went or how long he was gone, I always thought of Reeves as a Cowboy. If Landry had a coaching ''son,'' this was the guy.

If I see Reeves in Wal-Mart on a Sunday morning in the next few weeks,I'll ask him about the guy.

 

[DaBoys4Life]

Sounds good bring him in. I feel better about next season already.

 

[cowboyjoe]

yep, i think mort reported to soon, the cowboys are still looking at special teams coaches, so hold your horses

 

[TellerMorrow34]

Well just based off of what theo posted about him, earlier, he certainly seems like a quality coach so if he indeed does become our ST coach I'll be happy with what appears to be a nice upgrade.


And as for the hitting and tackling part of his units, that someone mentioned, do you think that maybe Wade would allow him to teach our defense how to do that as well?

 

[dbair1967]

Very highly regarded. Would be a good addition to the coaching staff and a significant upgrade over Read.

 

[Randy White]

know the guy, but looking at his resume, I can't help but be impressed.

Just the fact that his units rank at the top, or near the top, on return PREVENTION, is good enough for me. Really, returning a kick off or a punt is mostly done by instint, and breakdown of the opponent, more than " strategy ".

 

[ZeroClub]

Another Coach Joe, huh? Sounds good to me.

 

[Hostile]

here's to folk booming that ball out of the endzone next year!

:beer1:

He could do it in college. I bet he will do exactly this for this guy.

 

[DaBoys4Life]

He could do it in college. I bet he will do exactly this for this guy.

It makes no since for him to be able to do it in college yet struggle on kick offs in the pro's. Is there a reason behind that besides him trying to do to much or change something with his mechanics?

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Yeah he's an excellent special teams coach. When he was in ATL, their special teams was AWESOME!

 

[TRUTH87]

really i dont know much about him...but i know our ST's were crappy as hell...so bring on the new coach!

 

[CowboyMike]

It makes no since for him to be able to do it in college yet struggle on kick offs in the pro's. Is there a reason behind that besides him trying to do to much or change something with his mechanics?

At the time Folk was in college, teams kicked off from the 35 yard line, not the 30 yard line like it is in the NFL. That's why we saw more touchbacks in college football, including those of Folk.

Last year, the rules were changed to match that of the NFL. Both kick off from the 30 yard line now.