Will Phillips’ sugary approach give fans a stomach ache?

By Andy Targovnik  |   Friday, February 16, 2007  |  Comments( 23 )

Dallas Cowboys
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans!
In his 11-year career, Terrell Owens has managed to exasperate three pretty good coaches. Let's face it, a dream team of Dr. Joyce Brothers, Sigmund Freud and Dr. Phil wouldn't know how to motivate the talented but enigmatic wide receiver. Is there anybody out there, anyone at all, who can?

Enter new Dallas Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips, who's the polar opposite of Bill Parcells, his authoritarian predecessor. How laid back is Phillips?

The 1993 Denver Broncos found out quickly. Early in his rookie season as the Broncos' coach, the team had gotten off the bus and was locked out of an off-site facility. Used to the short-tempered Dan Reeves, the players expected Phillips to blow up. But in his calm, southern drawl, Phillips simply responded: "Is this where I'm supposed to start hollering and carrying on?"

According to Phillips, the easygoing approach can work. He points to the success of Tony Dungy and Lovie Smith as living proof of that.

"Good guys and nice guys can finish first," says Phillips.

I was happy for Tony and Lovie, not only because they got where they got, but because of the way they did it," Phillips said at last Friday's press conference. "The coach stereotype is that you have to get in a guy's face all the time, and holler and scream at him to make him a better player, and I think they disproved that; and I've always believed that."

Not only is Phillips going to "speak softly," but he also wants to make the Cowboys one big happy family.

"Family is important to me," Phillips said. Part of being a family is that you're important to each other. Now I'm in the Cowboys family."

And how will this "Brady Bunch" approach work with Owens?

For starters, Phillips referred to Owens as "Terrell Owens," in contrast to Parcells, who often referred to him as "The player." Phillips also insisted that he and Owens are not going to have a supervisor/subordinate-type relationship.

"I don't handle players. I work with players. He's (Owens) part of the Dallas Cowboys' family, so he's part of my family."

The other, and perhaps more important, area in which he intends to curry T.O.'s favor is to make him a bigger part of the offense than he was in 2006 -- a much bigger part.

The 60-year-old head coach believes regardless of offensive system, you have to find a way to get the best players the football.

"You've got to analyze and identify who your best players are and get them in a position to make plays," Phillips reasoned. "That's what I've always done with my offense."

He cited Shannon Sharpe in Denver and Eric Moulds in Buffalo as examples that he practices what he preaches.

Will this sugary approach work with Owens and the rest of the Cowboys? Who knows? But one thing is certain: The Parcells tenure didn't produce desired results. So even though this "group hug" approach may make some Dallas fans queasy, maybe it'll work.

Just keep a bottle of Pepto Bismol nearby and hope for the best.
Got something to say?

Log In above and share your thoughts on this topic with other fans! (23)

Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report
CommentsComments: 23  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
Killer of Crows		07:27 AM
02/16/2007
Queasy is a good word for Owens... I just don't see it working out and I think it would better if the cowboys trade him or give...
No.2
Andy		10:46 AM
02/16/2007
I don't find unusual at all for a team to go from a coach who is perceived as a hard a$$ to one who is known to have a looser...
No.3
FanSince72		10:58 AM
02/16/2007
I think Phillips is exactly what Owens needs - someone who at least is going to try to understand and someone who will...
Team News  |  View All Cowboys Content
Romo’s clavicle is broken an...
I've heard the talking heads say for years that the Cowboys had no lea...
1 year, 3 months ago   |   Romo’s clavicle is broken and so is my heart. ( 2 )
How ‘bout them Cowboys???...
I have been a passionate Cowboy fan for decades. What a thriling ride...
2 years, 1 month ago   |   How ‘bout them Cowboys??? ( 6 )
Roy Williams is out of touch...
In case you haven't heard two days ago Roy Williams made a statement s...
2 years, 3 months ago   |   Roy Williams is out of touch ( 1 )
Cowboy Nation
Two Minute D Maybe it's just me, but the last two minutes of the half...
2 years, 3 months ago   |   Cowboy Nation ( 2 )
Cowboy Nation: TO vs RW
RANK OF NFL RECEIVERS THROUGH THE FIRST 4 GAMES OF THE 2009-2010 SEASO...
2 years, 4 months ago   |   Cowboy Nation: TO vs RW ( 3 )