Phillips takes defensive coordinator duties for Dallas Cowboys
February 18
Dallas Morning News
"There is no more ambiguity over just who runs the Cowboys' defense. Wade Phillips will be the head coach and defensive coordinator in 2009, owner Jerry Jones said Tuesday.
The Cowboys fired defensive coordinator Brian Stewart after the season, creating a perception that Stewart was responsible for the team's defensive shortcomings.
In reality, the Cowboys have been running Phillips' 3-4 defensive scheme for the last two seasons. Stewart held the coordinator title, but Phillips has always been the defensive architect.
Phillips took some play-calling duties away from Stewart in November and December. Once that happened, the defense became more aggressive. The Cowboys finished with a league-high 59 sacks but were eighth in yards allowed per game (294.3).
Jones OK with chemistry: Jones said he is not worried about locker room chemistry, even though some players have indicated that was a big issue last year.
"They are a figment of the result," Jones said of chemistry concerns. "You didn't hear about those kinds of things when we were winning. You hear about those kinds of things when you're losing. ...
"If y'all [the media] knew more about some of the things you write about, you wouldn't be as concerned."
Reeves rift revisited: Phillips said he wanted Dan Reeves to join the Cowboys as a consultant. But Reeves lasted just two days before leaving Valley Ranch after he disagreed over language Jones inserted into the contract.
Jones wanted a clause that stipulated how many hours Reeves would work. Reeves said he'd never had that type of clause in any coaching contract and added, "Nobody punches a clock.""
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