DC.com tricked me. They said the press conference was starting at 2:30 EST, but then changed it to 2:15 EST so I missed the start. If anybody heard the beginning, please tell us in the comments. I came in when some was asking:
Is it hard to beat a team three times a year?
11-6 record, I read somewhere 17 times a team has tried and 11 teams, 6 teams lost. It is tough, it’s a division team, in our division there are two teams in the final four. I thought we might even have 3 of 4. Out of the three games we lost two were in our division.
Is scouting and preparing easier because you’re familiar with them?
Yeah, and them with us. We’ve played twice, had to get ready for each other. It helps especially for me, not being in the division before, it’s taken an adjustment getting to know the strengths and weaknesses of the other teams.
Have they changed much, Shockey is out and Bradhsaw gave them a lift?
They’ve changed certainly some, everybody changes as you go through a season, a little different personnel in certain packages. Bradshaw has helped them. They’re a good team.
Any problems with the assistant coaches interviewing?
I don’t have any problem. They’re ready to go, I have no qualms about it. They’re excited as we all are. New season, we earned the 1st seed but it’s new, this is the exciting time.
Andre Gurode?
Went through the walk-through today with no limp. I think he might have practiced if we did today. Terry Glenn, also. T.O. is the only guy who might not go.
Eli Manning yesterday?
He played well late in the season. He played well against us in both games. We expect to see the same guy.
Why are they a good road team?
They’re a good football team, Philly, the Redskins and them. We just had them all in the same division. No weak areas on their team.
Wade answers multiple questions about the weekend off, Romo in Mexico, what do you tell the players, etc?
They usually do whatever they want without me. I tell them to stay off your feet, relax, that’s what we tell them. I could have gone to Goliad. (laughter) Why limit them? We had some players who went to Kansas City or other places to their homes, no problem. Get away from football and be ready today. They were all ready today. There’s so much information out there, whether it’s important I don’t know. We’re in the entertainment business not just football, star players are like entertainers, people follow them around take pictures, talk about who they’re dating. People like to read about it, but doesn’t affect the team. If I thought it was a distraction I’d address it. What grown men do in their free time is up to them. I don’t go into their married life. Some are dating and go different places. We’ve got a good solid team off the field, we’ve had no problems, knock on wood. I treat them like grown men, told them what I’d like for them to do. I can’t go into a private life unless it hurts the team. These are good guys, some go home to parents or some visit girlfriends. (Distraction?) Only if we lost, if you win it goes by. Not a lot was said during the season, players went places during the bye week but we won two straight on the road after. People will look for blame if you lose and let that go by if you win. It isn’t relevant to me either way.
(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.)