Happy New Years! Here's to a new attitude and outlook!
by Brandon Worley on Dec 31, 2008 5:11 PM CST
in Dallas Cowboys News
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PrintBefore I get into looking ahead to 2009 I must first mention that Bruce Read has been fired from the position of Dallas Cowboys special teams coach.
Surprise.
A lot of finger pointing has happened this season and the majority of it has been at Bruce Read's expense, but he is not all to blame for the special teams woes. Todd Archer makes a great point:
The confidence was so low in Read that Phillips had fellow assistant coaches help him midway through the season, and that didn't even work.
As much as Read is being used as a scapegoat, Phillips has to change his ways when it comes to special teams. He has to put more value in it and that means allowing whoever the new special teams coach is to use starters. James Harrison covers punts in Pittsburgh. Enough said.
I've always believed that the heart and drive of a team starts and ends with the special teams. The unit is filled with backup and fringe players (mostly), and if those guys are showing heart, grit and intensity then it spills over to the rest of the team. That was never present under Bruce Read and Wade Phillips needs to realize how important this unit is to the team.
Hat tip to deke for posting the news in his fanpost.
The great thing about bringing in a new year is the chance to start over and get things going on the right track. The traditional thing to do is to make a list of "resolutions", but those never work out and I think its a bull anyway. But that feeling of starting fresh in a new year is always a good one; you stop and take a fresh breath, look around you and everything that feels new again and you remember it like that before it all goes right back to the way it was before.
After all, nothing changes but the date, right?
Yet there is still that window of opportunity where you can grasp that good feeling and run with it, really commit to getting things going in the right direction. And it's an even better feeling when you emerge months down the line still embracing that new path you forged for yourself when you had the chance.
This is the crossroads the Dallas Cowboys find themselves at as they head into 2009. This franchise has been nothing but talk and hot air for far too long and things need to change immediately if there is going to be any hope of pulling this team out of its downward spiral. While some may be content with four winning seasons in a row, a few playoff berths, high profile free agents and a bunch of useless Pro Bowlers, the rest of us cry for something more. We know that these records are empty and lack substance. We scream for any sign of team unity and heart and we get frustrated because there have been signs that those two things actually do exist in this team.
The tough win on the road against Washington. The win last year in Buffalo. The show of defensive force against Pittsburgh.
We see these things and ask how is it they don't play like this every week? How is it that one week a team can rally around a struggling quarterback and win a miracle comeback in hostile conditions, and yet a few weeks later play like a team asleep at the wheel?
You want to say it's the coaching, but the staff has changed significantly the past few years and yet the same problems persist. So naturally you turn to the players and say those guys are uncoachable and seflish. Then the next step is to look at the owner/GM, the guy who is responsible for bringing together this rag tag team of individuals.
The point is you can play the blame game until you're blue in the face and it won't matter one bit. 99% of these players are still going to be on the field next year, and most of the coaches will be back as well. The owner sure as heck isn't going anywhere.
Short of getting rid of everyone and starting over from scratch, there is only one thing left to do:
The attitude of this team has to change and there is not better time than now. Take a look in the mirror and try to think what kind of player and teammate you want to be. Wade Phillips has vowed to change things, starting with himself. Noble but empty unless he actually shows things are different.
The only way this team can turn itself around is if each individual takes that task to heart.
Now we just have to find out who on this team has that ability.
While we lament a season that ended too soon and on such on bad note I want to say how much fun it has been to share these past few seasons with everyone here at Blogging The Boys. As a native Texan stuck in the bitter Northeast I can't even begin to express what it has meant to me to be able to share and converse with fellow Cowboys fans. Don't take this game too seriously and enjoy the ride; you know that no matter how much this season angered you, you will still be counting the days until the season opener and loving that feeling of butterflies that greets every opening kickoff. Love the journey and cherish the ride; it will make the prize that much better.
Here's to a happy and safe New Year to one and all in the BTB family.
Cheers.
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Help me understand
I dont understand why everyone is saying MS will help jump start this offense and is the guy we need. Wasnt the offense perfectly fine last year? Has anything changed since then? Id say no. Werent we all 2years ago calling for someone to change this D and use it to its potential. Wont the D regress if we lose wade and have to get another coach in here?
I think can special teams which is going to happen because bruce read is gone.
Find a way to get it through garretts head he needs to adjust his play calling mid game or find someone who will. I dont like Wade as a leader but id rather have him keep improving the D and the offense should return to true form when the guys get healthy again.
Flo, Koiser/Hollard, Barber, Miles, Felix, Romo all key guys to the O who missed good amount of time. And whoever said our medical team should be question i liked that post/idea too
What the French?! Toast!
Wait a second
“the confidence was so low Phillips had fellow assistants helping Read at midseason.”
WRONG. The Cowboys had John Garrett and Dat Nguyen helping on every special teams drill IN CAMP. They had every drill broken down into at least three components and each coach worked on a three to four man group. And Reggie Herring and Skip Peete were also helping with certain groups.
Read was awful. He needed to be replaced. but half the coaches on staff were helping him. And they were awful from minute one.
Archer is right that more and better players need to work on the groups, but every LB except Demarcus Ware and Greg Ellis were there.
Better players are needed in addition to a coach with better ideas.
I agree
with your point that special teams spills over to the rest of the team. Jimmy’s Boys (Yes, I know he’s not here and won’t be) had excellent special teams. Guys like Kenny Gant can be contagious.
Its all about accountability
Wade and the coaches didn’t hold the players accountable. Instead of fining a player for being late, either bench or suspend him.
They have to lay down rules and STRICTLY enforce them, not let them slide. The team just needs to practice harder and pay more attention to detail in every phase and this team can do special things.
In Romo we Trust
Discipline is the biggest issue with this bunch
But let’s not forget that they were near tops in the league in penalties under Parcells, too.
Does Wade clearly need to instill a little more accountability? Absolutely, I’m just not sure if it’s a magic bullet.
by MeanMr.Mustard on Dec 31, 2008 5:54 PM CST up reply actions
accountability is just part of it
Wade also needs to start playing our best players, not just the guys who have the big contracts and are “starters”.
For example, everyone could plainly see Scandrick and Jenkins were better than Henry, but he never benched Henry. He should have played Austin over RW when he was hurt, but didn’t. Not playing Choice sooner.
Those types of decisions must change as well.
In Romo we Trust
Rat
The Rat to Dallas does sound interesting but I would be very surprised if Jerry did this after the comments he made after the game. I bet JG leaves if he’s offered the Lions job. Any thoughts on Chris Palmer being the new OC if JG leaves? He’s worked with Romo in the past. May be David Lee would be an even better fit since Romo liked him so much.
What Rat?
Tyler, can you clue me in? I’m not sure what Rat you’re talking about.
Thanks
"He has a peculiar felicity of expression." John Adams
He's talking about Mike Shanahan. Look at his face. He looks like a rat. Esp. when he's angry. LOL!
"I got a fever. And the only prescription is more cowbell." -- Bruce Dickinson
www.brainfriednetwork.com [NEWS/SPORTS/FOOTBALL]
New ST coach reported to be vet. coach Joe DeCamillis (now with the Jags)
from ESPN: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3802824
Hard to say what early reviews are, in ’08 JAC was in the bottom 1/3 in KO return yards and middle of the pack for punt return yards (by Witherspoon). Not sure what their coverage units looked like.
Jax...
3rd in kickoff coverage at 19.9 yards per return with 10 touchbacks.
The Jaguars allowed 8.7 yards per punt return, the Cowboys allowed 10.5…..
by Brandon Worley on Dec 31, 2008 6:39 PM CST up reply actions
I'll take those numbers.
And I seem to remember MJD breaking a few for TDs back when he returned kicks.
by MeanMr.Mustard on Dec 31, 2008 7:29 PM CST up reply actions
As always, well expressed, Brandon!
Wouldn’t it be cool if Wade Phillips personally challenged every single player to…
Take a look in the mirror and try to think what kind of player and teammate you want to be.
If he did or does… it would most definitely show how serious he is about change.
"I got a fever. And the only prescription is more cowbell." -- Bruce Dickinson
www.brainfriednetwork.com [NEWS/SPORTS/FOOTBALL]
Bruce Read..
If this guy was incompetent from the get-go, how did he get that position? I’m incompetent, I wonder if I can a job in the NFL? Seriously though, where did Read come from?
People always talk about winning the 3 phases of the game, O,D and ST. If Wade really gave the ST short shrift, I too am beginning to doubt his HC ability.
Finally, Happy New Year to all of those same knuckleheads who read and/or contribute to this blog. You have shared my passion for the ’Boys, informed me, made me laugh, pissed me off, caused me to think, and just generally entertained me.
Let’s hope that 12 months from now, we are all still on here, but arguing about which of our beloved Cowboys is most likely to be the Super Bowl MVP.
God Bless
"He has a peculiar felicity of expression." John Adams
+1
"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."
by aussie_cowboy on Dec 31, 2008 8:22 PM CST up reply actions
more in on possible new ST coach
http://www.jaguars.com/Team/Coach.aspx?id=2689
"Protect the Romo, Save the Cowboys!!"
Very impressive resume on DeCamillis
Thanks for da link, Wmillion.
I pray that the signing becomes official for the 2009 season.
"I got a fever. And the only prescription is more cowbell." -- Bruce Dickinson
www.brainfriednetwork.com [NEWS/SPORTS/FOOTBALL]
Wow...
that special teams resume is – - dare I say it — Avenazzo-esque! Sounds like this dude knows how to coach him some special teams.
Just a few words
to wish you all and your families a Happy New Year. It’s already 2009 here and for those still in 08, have a great party.
Thanks to everyone for all your posts, it’s fun, entertaining and I now get as much information on the Cowboys as I never hoped I would.
Bonne année !
Helene, We'd all share a shrimp on the barbie with you any time.
Happy New Year
Wharter
Happy New Year
I think the highlight of this season for me has been becoming active member of Blogging the Boys. I was a member for a while but didn’t post only reading the articles from time to time. I was a semi-regular poster on Raf and Raul’s old blog. Loving the new site and looking forward to a much better 2009 from my Cowboys.
Joe DeCamillis to be new ST coach
The Dallas Cowboys fired special teams coach Bruce Read on Wednesday after two seasons with the organization.
Sources tell ESPN’s Chris Mortensen that the Cowboys will hire Joe DeCamillis, who has been an NFL special teams coach for 16 seasons, the past two with the Jaguars. The move did not come as a surprise since Read’s special teams units struggled in consecutive seasons. A blocked punt in overtime led to the Cowboys’ second loss of the season and landed Pro Bowl punter Mat McBriar on injured reserve. Read lost key special teams players Sam Hurd and Pat Watkins to injury in 2008. The Cowboys signed Adam “Pacman” Jones, in part, because of his potential as a return man, but that never panned out. This isn’t the first time Cowboys coach Wade Phillips has sent a special teams coach packing. In the aftermath of The Music City Miracle loss, Phillips — then coach of the Buffalo Bills — fired Bruce DeHaven, one of the most respected special teams coaches in the league. Phillips’ firing occurred a year later.
ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen and ESPN.com NFL blogger Matt Mosley contributed to this report.
How can they sign him?
Is he no longer under contract with Jacksonville?
"Protect the Romo, Save the Cowboys!!"
Will it matter who the ST coach is?
Wade has never placed a priority on special teams, how many times has this been brought up? Bruce DeHaven got Wade fired from Buffalo and they were thoroughly “Debacled” to borrow a new word from Emmett. You would think that embarrasment UmpTeen years ago would make wade say to himself, “If I ever get another opportunity to HC, I’m going to make sure Special Teams are a solid.”
Wade will try and tweak his age old personality and habits with a doomed New Years Resolution just like me and my “New” exercise plan.
Happy new year!!!
If anyone is a regular over at PFT like I am they know how much they rip Emmit for being a dum dum…lol
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