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Wade Phillips Press Conference: 12/23/08

Summary of Wade Phillips' press conference today.

We had a good practice today, a good outlook and pointing in the right direction. It's exciting for us, it will be a playoff atmosphere when you play a game that might put you in there. It's an immediate and tangible goal.

(Will Marion Barber be a gametime decision again?) Right now we don't know, it was gametime decision in for the last two games, probably the same this week. We have no thoughts of shutting him down, he was able to play the last two games.

(How about Jason Witten's injury?) We don't have an injury report yet, it's only Tuesday, we'll find out tomorrow. He looked good to me but we don't have to say anything right now.

Wade discusses Tony Romo's decision making and whether he crosses the line too often when he gets into scramble mode below so make the jump.

 

Star-divide

(How has Donovan McNabb played since the benching incident?) He played great for three games on their winning streak. He's capable, I have great respect for him, he's a fighter, he plays his best every game. He causes problems by his strong arm and knowing their offensive system and he can move around, he still moves around well, he hasn't worn down this season, we had trouble with him in the first game.

(Tony Romo and ball security?) There's a line as far as Tony is concerned, being able to Improvise and be able to make plays that some guys can't make, but if you go over the line and make real bad decisions, then you're going over the line. It's a fine line for a scrambling QB, just like McNabb, if you don't let him scramble around he's not going to make plays. Tony's the same way if you don't let him move around and find people at the last second, run up in the pocket and throw it he won't make some of those great plays he makes. It's a learning process with a QB on those decisions. (What about the INT's in the last game, over the line?) Yeah, the first one in the last game he could have run for the first down, run for the three yards. It wasn't there and he tried to make something out of nothing. Its decision making with all players but the QB has to make the most, it's a tough position to play but that's why we're glad we got Tony.

(Will the team be ready because they've played so many pressure games already?) This one is different, this is it and our guys are focused in and ready to go. (In a game like this, do you try more things or go more conservative?) You have to play your game, you can't play conservative, you can't play not to lose, that's contrary to what you want, you do what you do well, within limits. It's not a trick ‘em game, certain things got you here and you continue to do those things.

(Do you worry if Philly is out of contention they make take more chances, try tricks plays, etc?) We don't have control over the situation for Philly, but teams that take chances, undue chances, can also give you chances. It could determine the difference if they take too many chances, it can work against you. It can be a problem if they make the plays and turn the game.

(Are your coaches looking at the next possible opponent?) We start on the next team, whoever it will be one, looks like one of three teams, the coaches start on them this week.

(If they are out of contention could that change how they play?) I expect a team to play their best, most teams want to beat the Cowboys, it's big game for them, also a division game, there's no love-loss between the teams, we want to beat them and they want to beat us.

(More comfortable playing a team you know?) It's a comfort zone, Pittsburgh and Baltimore were different than most teams we play, if they were in the division you get to know them, not knowing them can give you protection problems. But Philly can come up with some stuff, Jim Johnson's scheme puts pressure on people.

(DeSean Jackson?) He's really cone through for them, one of their top receivers if not the top, he's made a big difference as a rookie. You still got to have one eye on Westbrook with the LB's, coming out of the backfield for passes and he's a threat running the ball. He ran well last year against us, we know about him.

(Tony has had some really good games and really bad games statistically against the Eagles, why?) Every game is different, we had a high scoring game the first game, I don't know if it will be high-scoring or low-scoring this time. Sometimes it's the game plan, sometimes it's the coaches putting them in the right situations, sometimes its the QB not making some of the decisions he needs to make. But the most important thing is winning.

(Did you talk to your guys about how hard it is to sack McNabb?) DeMarcus Ware is aware of that, McNabb got away from him a few times last game, he came to the sideline and said ‘he's hard to bring down.' He's got strong legs and can really jump out of tackles. (So what do you do about that?) Grab a hold, hang on and wait for the cavalry to come. (Importance of secondary staying with the WR's because he can get away?) We didn't do a good job of plastering the WR's when he scrambles last time especially in zone defense, you've got to find the receiver and get on him. We've done better since. It's something you have to do with him. He'll go from one side to the other side and throw it to your guys if you leave him or watch the QB. We play more man now so that helps, but you have to play both (man and zone) against him.

(Even if Ware doesn't get the record, how impressive is 20 sacks?)  It doesn't happen very often (20 sacks), it's a tremendous accomplishment because of the rule changes. A QB can get just out of the pocket and throw it away and on screen passes a QB used to couldn't throw it to the ground and they got tackled on those a lot when the guy was covered. Those changes have cut down on opportunities for sacks. To have as many as he has, and the team has, is impressive

 

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are so up and down, I really don’t know what to think about this game. We do know this: if they don’t win, regardless of why, it will be an ugly BTB site next week.

by SteveCop on Dec 23, 2008 4:44 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

After the playoff loss to the Giants

It was pretty much a graveyard in here. Total Doom and Gloom. A lot of guys didn’t show their faces for days.

It’ll probably be like that again. If the Cowboys lose.

Come and whisper in my ear, give us dirty laundry - ESPN

by Nelson... on Dec 23, 2008 10:36 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

You can't hide in shame if the Cowboys lose

Cowboys fan since 1978.. I was 3 years old

by Mullin on Dec 24, 2008 11:54 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

we win, we're in

end of story
so lets go and do it…get in the playoffs

Superbowl or Bust?

by MrMinority on Dec 23, 2008 5:00 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

That's right Wade Call his A$$ Out.
What about the INT’s in the last game, over the line?) Yeah, the first one in the last game he could have run for the first down, run for the three yards. It wasn’t there and he tried to make something out of nothing. Its decision making with all players but the QB has to make the most, it’s a tough position to play but that’s why we’re glad we got Tony.

Romo needs the head coach in his deal, let him know that reckless turnovers will not be tolerated.. Get’em Wade.. While you are at call Hudson Houck in to the office, with Garrett watching, and give him the business..

"Protect the Romo, Save the Cowboys!!"

by Wmillion on Dec 23, 2008 5:02 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

money quote

This is the essense of Tony Romo…both good and bad.

he tried to make something out of nothing.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Dec 23, 2008 7:23 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Can this be the week

Romo rushes for 30 yards.. Hurt them with the feet and slide.. That is when he was feared when he would hit you with back breaking carry.. I think, I can only remember 1st down rush for Romo.

"Protect the Romo, Save the Cowboys!!"

by Wmillion on Dec 23, 2008 7:37 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Well Romo has only run for 30 yards all year.

On 26 attempts at an average of 1.2 per rush. And that is discounting the sacks

"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."

by aussie_cowboy on Dec 23, 2008 11:34 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

anybody else wish

tom cruise’s character in “Tropic Thunder” was our head coach?

Tony, if you screw up again, I’ll shove my fist so far up your a$$ that your ideas will have to tip-toe around my wedding ring!

I commented. You're welcome.

another transplant from The Blue & Silver Report

by bulldog jeeper on Dec 24, 2008 4:52 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/
Maybe we shouldn’t have played him at all," Phillips said today. “Maybe he’d be well now. There’s a second guess right there. Maybe we should have just left him out, but he only played a few plays last game. Hopefully it’ll clear up pretty soon.”

Ugh.. Mullin can you weigh in on this? I know you are not the one seeing him, but any insight you have is cool.
http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/

"Protect the Romo, Save the Cowboys!!"

by Wmillion on Dec 23, 2008 6:01 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

Any word on Holland

Cris Carter....you're dead to me.

by Carl Shelton (GloryDayz88) on Dec 23, 2008 6:03 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

no bueno
LG Montrae Holland (ankle) also sat out practice. He’s not expected to play Sunday in Philadelphia, but he isn’t wearing the protective boot any more

link

"Protect the Romo, Save the Cowboys!!"

by Wmillion on Dec 23, 2008 6:22 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Did he have a high ankle sprain?

Seems like an excessive time to be sitting out for the garden variety sprain.

T-New, shutting down WR's for Dallas since 2003

by APerfectStar on Dec 23, 2008 7:37 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

didn't say

but, he Wade made it seem like it was pretty bad originally.

Duct tape it for one more week and hopefully he is back.

"Protect the Romo, Save the Cowboys!!"

by Wmillion on Dec 23, 2008 11:55 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Duct tape does fix most everything

T-New, shutting down WR's for Dallas since 2003

by APerfectStar on Dec 24, 2008 6:42 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Depending on athe degree of sprain

It can be a long time… Grade 2 sprains can be a 4-6 week injury.. it all depends

Cowboys fan since 1978.. I was 3 years old

by Mullin on Dec 24, 2008 11:56 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Thanks Mullin

I know his ankles do have to support a massive amount of weight, just frustrated that the guy looked good for 1 game then, bah….

T-New, shutting down WR's for Dallas since 2003

by APerfectStar on Dec 24, 2008 6:45 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

noooooo

Superbowl or Bust?

by MrMinority on Dec 23, 2008 7:57 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Aw hell

Come and whisper in my ear, give us dirty laundry - ESPN

by Nelson... on Dec 23, 2008 10:37 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

My first and last game at texas stadium...........

Was a humbling experience to say the least. The loss sucked bad. And i mean really bad. I mean really, really, really bad. The celebration afterwards was cool but it was not what it should have been had we won the game. But im still glad i went. I fullfilled a life long dream and got to see my team play in their house. That moment when i first walked into the stadium and looked up through the hole in the roof, man that was something else. It truly was breath taking. To look up and see the ring of honor was a very special moment for me as well. I got to my seat about 2-1/2 hours before kickoff and just sat there and soaked it all up. And for those of you who have never been to a game Texas Stadium and think its a wine and cheese crowd……..you couldnt be further from the truth. That place was loud. And I mean really loud. To sum it all up, even with a loss, it was still one of the greatest days of my life. Now having said all of that…………………LETS GO KICK THE FREAKIN EAGLES ASS!

by TARHEEL PAUL on Dec 23, 2008 8:49 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

got to reading old post..

The name Terry Glenn came up. Where is he right now? People thought we would regret cutting him..

"Protect the Romo, Save the Cowboys!!"

by Wmillion on Dec 23, 2008 11:54 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

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