It certainly was an interesting season for a Dallas Cowboys fan. Many went into December living in a win-win scenario. Either, the Boys were going to find some success, or the Dallas fan dream of the end of Wade Phillips' tenure would come to be. Then a strange thing happened. The Cowboys began to play as well as they had since early 2008, and were playing as well as anyone in the league, including a victory over the previously unbeaten Saints. So hopes jumped back up for the fans as Dallas coasted into the playoffs and into a home game with a remarkably easy victory over Philadelphia. There was the emergence of Miles Austin, Felix Jones, Mike Jenkins and Anthony Spencer to go with the previously established stars, and it was tough for the fan to know what to think.
So, looking back at the season and seeing Wade's extension, I feel like I should say something. I am happy that Wade Phillips is returning. He is not a spectacular in game coach, but I don't feel like he has proven to be a foul one for the Cowboys. The question with Wade Phillips seemed to be this lack of edge and competitiveness that was associated with his team. But bringing in guys like Keith Brooking, Gerald Sensabaugh and Igor Olshansky have really added an attitude to the team. The emergence of leaders on a physical defense like Jay Ratliff and, of course, Demarcus Ware has certainly changed the feel. Now the Cowboys certainly forgot something back at home when they got on the plane to Minnesota last week, but I don't think it was Wade's fault. I think it is just something that happens. Phillips actually showed some coaching strengths as the season went on, as he became a very strong challenger. The Cowboys also maintain their ability to pound out clock at the end of games after establishing leads. So I don't see what the big todo is about having him stay.
In fact, there is one major reason I am excited that Wade was retained as head coach. If Wade left, there was no way in hell that we were going to be able to get his Defensive Coordinator to stay without him. The single best move that the head coach has made since taking that position for the Dallas Cowboys, was hiring himself as Defensive Coordinator. Even in the traveshamockery that was the Minnesota game, the Defense still showed you that they could get the job done, as they kept the Cowboys into the game through the 2nd and 3rd quarters. And before that game, they were playing as well as anyone defense had in a while. They were right in contention with the Jets for the best defense in the league at the time, and I think had an edge as they were able to contain both the pass and the run game.
So I'm happy Wade stayed for the same reason that I'm happy he was hired. The guy knows how to build and run a 3-4 defense and he showed it this season. So, if I can have Wade as my DC, I'll take him as Head Coach any day.
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