The video started in the middle of a discussion about the home crowd. Missed any injury updates.
Did you watch the Eagles this weekend?
I’m looking at the tape now, I did watch them play on Sunday. You can’t get a whole lot from TV, you can’t see all the coaches need to know. The QB has his confidence back, that’s a big deal.
Worry about Romo physically for the season?
QB is a demanding position, only a few QB’s that get through a season unscathed. Manning does it every year. Our protection has been good. You worry about it with a scrambling QB, and Tony does move around. I just talk to him about being careful, get out of bounds or get down with ball when you can. (Is his smaller size a concern?) It’s the hits you take, Manning’s not taking many hits, we try to do the same thing with Tony. We try to protect him, but he will run around some, Manning and Brady don’t. I think he’s been good about knowing when to run and when not to, he makes good decisions when scrambling. And he’s looking to pass, not run.
Have you been able to run all your blitzes yet this year?
We rush five a lot, we do that some more in games than at other games, it depends on who we’re playing. The techniques are different with the different personnel. (Let me re-phrase the question). Let me answer the same way. (big laughter)
(Has missing the two corners affected the blitzes?)
Our two corners haven’t started our played together much. It comes to different techniques, if both guys are in there, you can do more. Without going into specifics, you can change who you double-team, single-team, whether you jam a guy, we use their strengths. Our system adjusts to who is in there.
Surprised the Cowboys defense is #1 now in the NFC?
We didn’t play this weekend and did all right. I think we got a good solid defense, we still got a ways to go. The #1 defense and offense in the NFC, that’s pretty good. I guess we didn’t give up as many yards as people think we did, we’re the best in NFC. We think we can improve, big test this week, we’re playing a great QB and a great RB, big test.
Still worry about keeping McNabb in the pocket?
You just worry about him, he thinks he’s got his burst back. He had some good scrambles and a QB draw in the game. Tough on the rest of the teams he plays. And we’re the nest one he plays.
Will this be the most aggressive pass rush you’ve seen this year?
I think we’ve seen a lot of teams and individuals who can rush the passer so far. With this scheme they blitz by overloading a side more than other teams do, but I don’t know what they will do this week.
Brian Westbrook?
Outstanding player, can change the game. Catch it, run with it, big play guy. We worry about where he is, Buckhalter does good job, also. They’re playing well now. McNabb said you got to go through them to win the division and conference, so we’ll try that.
(Disclaimer: These press conference recaps are just paraphrases of what Wade Phillips says and aren’t vetted for total accuracy on quotes. I shorten and condense things he says but try to get across the intended meaning. Occasionally, what I post loses the context of something Wade said and may appear counter-intuitive. If you have questions about something from the press conference, feel free to ask in the comments.)