Cowboys could learn a few things by watching Cards

Cowboys could learn a few things by watching Cards
January 17
San Antonio Express-News columnist Tom Orsborn
"They've rid themselves of "Pacman" Jones and are reportedly considering saying so long to Terrell Owens.

But if the Dallas Cowboys are really serious about restoring order at Valley Ranch, they need coach Wade Phillips and quarterback Tony Romo to emulate their counterparts with the Arizona Cardinals.

Phillips, an admitted creampuff, has vowed to become a tougher, more demanding coach in 2009. He can start by putting his pride aside and admit that a peer 15 years younger did something this season Phillips should have done long ago: punish his players for poor play and penalties with pitiless practices.

That's what Ken Whisenhunt did after the New England Patriots roasted the Cardinals 47-7 in Week 16. Upon returning to the desert, Whisenhunt told the players he'd decide playing time in the playoffs based on how they practiced and then played in the regular-season finale against the Seattle Seahawks.

To drive the point home, Whisenhunt had them put on pads and go after each other with abandon in practice.

"He recognized he had to crack the whip and demand more out of the guys because, for whatever reason, we had lost our focus," Arizona receiver and former Trinity standout Jerheme Urban said in a phone interview. "The week before the last game we had training camp-style practices, and it was good for us."

Training camp-style practices? Phillips doesn't even hold training camp-style practices during training camp.

Motivated by Whisenhunt's rude wakeup call, the Cardinals blistered the Seahawks 34-21, a victory that served as springboard for an improbable playoff run that's brought them to the brink of the Super Bowl.

"I played against this team twice a year for three seasons when I was with Seattle, and you respected them as NFL players, but you always thought, 'If we get up, maybe they will lay down,'" Urban said. "Coach Whisenhunt changed that mindset."

If Whisenhunt is Arizona's gritty, take-no-prisoners company commander, quarterback Kurt Warner is his likeminded, loyal sergeant."
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