Players try to take advantage of Wade, get schooled

by kk218 on Aug 4, 2007 10:54 PM CDT

Interesting little gem in Colombo article

Before the start of the second workout Saturday, Phillips pulled the team together in the center of the field. He was very animated as he angrily discussed responsibility and accountability after several young players were late for special teams work. After practice, Phillips made each player who was late explain himself to the team. A players' only meeting followed in which Tony Romo, Jason Witten and Terrell Owens spoke about being on time and accountable to each other.

I said this before and I'll say it again: it's not about whether the coach is a mean a-hole or a nice guy. It's about players respecting the coach, believing in his philosophy, and listening when he talks to them.

Needless to say, this story is probably too positive involving the Cowboys and T.O. in general. It probably won't be reported on ESPN.

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But don't you agree

that that respect you talk about is earned through refusing to accept anything but a player's best? This includes a player's practice habits as well. Not paying attention in practice is certainly not giving your all.

Most often, when you hear former players discuss great coaches, the phrase "he made me the best player I could be" is usually uttered in one form or another. You can't help but respect someone who truly makes you a better player, and that stuff starts in practice.

Loose, unfocused practices produce loose, unfocused teams that don't win much. And isn't it RARE when you hear former players discuss how fun it was playing for a coach who lost all the time?

Like most things in sports, respect has a lot to do with winning. When a coach wins, he's respected. So you're right, whether he's an a-hole or a nice guy doesn't really matter; as long as he wins he'll be respected. And I think you'd agree that the first step to winning is having a highly-tuned, focused team out there on Sundays. Attention to detail and focus just doesn't magically happen on Sundays, though. It happens as a result of the work put in Tuesday through Friday, when they practice.

by Starred4Life on Aug 5, 2007 9:17 AM CDT reply actions

Right but

no one said Phillips' run loose unfocused practice. All that's been said is that players are mentally relaxed. Actually, several pbservers have said that the practices are much better planned out - down to the minute - and run at a much quicker pace than Parcells'. Serious, smart, dedicated veterans liks Ferguson have siad these practices are on par with other places they've played.

Truly, we're letting the contrast with the Tuna and Phillips, as well as the media spin get to us. Phillips has been coaching for 31 years and has a winning record as a HC. The ship is not on the verge of sinking.

by dunkman on Aug 5, 2007 11:36 AM CDT up reply actions