Is Wade really a new man?

by quincyyyyy on Jul 10, 2009 1:22 PM CDT

I was really happy when Jerry hired Wade. Since then I have been a Wade defender to a certain extent, although I have had my issues with him as of late. After the Philly game Wade committed to being a changed man - no more Mr. Cupcake. Now we have a player's account via Bradie James:

"Wade is different," James said on ESPN 103.3 yesterday. "Wade is really different, man."

[snip]

"This is the most I've ever talked to Wade Phillips," he said. "For whatever reason, he sits in our meeting room and this is his defense. I've learned so much in the last couple of weeks, just dealing with him during minicamps and OTAs.

"I think I've gained a whole new appreciation for him and the scheme, because there's no middleman now. When you had a defensive coordinator, you had Brian Stewart, so you had to go through him and you don't know how Wade is feeling. You've just got to take him for his word. Now you don't have that. You go straight to the horse's mouth, and he makes the change right here on the field and it stays that way. There's no uncertainty."

OK maybe there is no evidence here of Wade being tougher, but the fact that he is more involved with the defense I think will help with stupid mistakes we see all too often. And that should pay immediate dividends.

Poll

Do you think Wade has really changed his approach to this team?

yes

82 votes

yes but I don't think the players will care

11 votes

Naw he just told Jerry that so he could keep his job

13 votes

106 votes | Poll has closed

Another user-created commentary provided by a BTB reader.

Tweet Comment 12 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

It all goes back to my half serious/half joking comment awhile back...

Defensive Coordinator: Son of Bum
Offensive Coordinator: Red Ball

Owner/GM/Head Coach: da King

Selah.

Celebrity or Imposter?
YOU Decide...
http://www.xanga.com/metaltometal/689036052/celebrity-or-imposter/

by silverblue5 on Jul 10, 2009 1:49 PM CDT reply actions

He's in almost the same situation

as Tom Coughlin was in ‘07. Coughlin was seen as a disciplinarian, always ruling with an iron-fist. Players were required to show up to meetings 5 minutes early or they were fined. It wasn’t until he loosened up, that the team really came together and rallied around him.

Wade is in the exact opposite situation. He has been known as a players coach up to this point in his career. Players could basically do whatever they wanted, without worrying about any consequences. Hell, his camp was known as “camp cupcake”, which isn’t exactly a glowing endorsement.

If Wade can instill some discipline in his players, while still being himself, it could go a long way towards the Dallas Cowboys having a successful season, while saving Wade’s job and legacy in the process

by DoomsdayD75 on Jul 10, 2009 9:00 PM CDT reply actions

This is a great analogy

People look at this situation as linear – Wade either acts this way (soft) or that way (hard). The truth is probably more complex. Wade, like Cough, has to adjust his style to the reality he found (rather than some theoretical reality) and in order to succeed, he has had to adjust his style. It worked for the Giants, why not the Boys?

Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig loves it.

by dunkman on Jul 10, 2009 9:22 PM CDT up reply actions

i sure as heck hope you're right, dunk...

Celebrity or Imposter?
YOU Decide...
http://www.xanga.com/metaltometal/689036052/celebrity-or-imposter/

by silverblue5 on Jul 10, 2009 10:50 PM CDT up reply actions

Expanding the analogy

Jim Fassel was the head coach of the NY Giants from 1997 – 2003. In his first year with the Giants he was 10-5. In 2000, he led the team to a 12-4 record and trip to the Super Bowl. Just three years later, the Giants finished up 4-12 and it was time for a change.

According to all accounts, the players liked Coach Fassel. Fassel was practicing a participative leadership style – he was still the leader of the team but he sought advice from players in a participative manner. But with a 4 -12 record in 2003, the team’s management realized it was time for change so they brought in Tom Coughlin.

It was certainly no accident that Tom’s leadership style was much different than Jim’s. Fassel had become a friend of the players and Tom Coughlin was a no-nonsense guy with a firm hand. Tom’s leadership style was to give much more direction; he was even autocratic at times. He was brought in to instill a sense of discipline back into the team. It is no accident Tom was selected, he demonstrates a leadership style that is most effective when a turn around is needed – whether that be in a company or a sports franchise.

However, that type of leadership wears itself out very quickly, and it was no surprise that by 2007, Tom was widely touted as the coach most likely to get fired.

It wasn’t until he loosened up, that the team really came together and rallied around him.

The situation is not that different from the Cowboys. The Cowboys replaced a more autocratic coach in Parcells with a more participative ‘players’ coach’ coach in Phillips.

The downfall of many NFL coaches has been rigidly sticking to one leadership style, regardless of the situation, changing player personnel or team dynamics. Good leadership is dynamic – the ability to adjust your leadership style to the situation at hand. Tom Coughlin realized that (or was made to) and was successful. Phillips also understands that, and is making the adjustments he deems necessary. Let’s hope it works.

by One.Cool.Customer on Jul 11, 2009 2:01 AM CDT up reply actions

I agree

There are obviously some guys whose style works over the longer term – Landry, Cowher, Belichick, Fisher, Reid… But guys who operate at the extremes are certainly bound to lose the players’ arttention/respect.

Interestingly, a lot of fans think football absolutely demands a drill sergeant when I think that is not necessarily the case.

Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig loves it.

by dunkman on Jul 11, 2009 4:08 PM CDT up reply actions

I agree that extremes don't work

A good coach should speak softly but carry a big stick

by quincyyyyy on Jul 12, 2009 3:50 PM CDT up reply actions

I was listening to someone talk about Mike Tomlin

I thought of him as a fired up sort of coach, but their take was that he was more even-keeled and business-like. I think maybe that’s exactly what the fraachise was looking for…

Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig loves it.

by dunkman on Jul 12, 2009 5:22 PM CDT up reply actions

+1

by fuji1232 on Jul 15, 2009 6:51 PM CDT up reply actions

I think Wade calling the defense starting Week 1 is a HUGE improvement

Could be the difference between missing the playoffs and making them. He’s clearly one of the best and most aggressive DCs around. But I honestly think that’s all the he needed to change. I don’t think his laid back style has anything to do with losing last season.

The players have to be held accountable. It seems like a good portion of them behaved like children, and pouted when things didn’t go their way, as opposed to getting tough, playing through adversity, etc. That’s a personal problem, though. A coach simply needs to hold players accountable, and I’m pretty sure that was Wade’s approach Day 1. I don’t think Wade needs to be held accountable for the player’s behavior. If there’s a personnel problem, then get rid of the bad apples. Wade’s approach can win. Other coaches have done it.

I’m pretty sure I just talked myself into actually liking Wade a tad more again. The second he opens his mouth and says something stupid, to the effect of “you really need 4 years to evaluate whether or not a coach is doing a good job” I’ll probably be back on the anti-Wade bandwagon. ;)

Epic Fail since 1985

by the red scare on Jul 11, 2009 3:58 AM CDT reply actions

The other thing I like that I am hearing

is the increased emphasis on attention to detail. I think it leads to improved focus and execution cpme game time.

Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig loves it.

by dunkman on Jul 11, 2009 4:10 PM CDT up reply actions

I am impressed with Wade so far

after the Eagles debacle last year, hearing how JJ and Wade were going to change made me throw up in my mouth and I predicted a dark age for the cowboys. Now, they both seem to have really made the effort and I know the players don’t want to finish this season like last season.

If this team could just live up to its potential, everybody would be happy.

by Billito on Jul 12, 2009 9:59 AM CDT reply actions