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Moore: Cowboys have nothing to gain by playing starters against Miami
12:58 AM CDT on Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Column by DAVID MOORE / The Dallas Morning News | dmoore@dallasnews.com
David Moore
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IRVING – Coaches love unsolicited advice. So, as Wade Phillips wrestles with the wisdom of playing his starters Thursday, here is one opinion.
THE OTHER SIDE: Gerry Fraley tells us why the Cowboys must play their starters on Thursday
Sit the starters for the final preseason game against Miami.
It's not a popular position. When a team looks as bad as the Cowboys did against Houston, the competitive response is to get back out there and do something about it. Phillips indicated the starters would do just that in the moments after a 23-7 loss to the Texans.
That was emotion talking. Phillips took a more analytical approach Monday, saying he was still in discussion with his staff.
"Our philosophy has been pretty good," said Phillips, who traditionally leaves the final preseason game to his backups. "I like the way we've done it.
"We didn't play like we were ready for the regular season, but that doesn't mean we won't be ready in two weeks."
Tony Dungy won the Super Bowl and dominated the AFC South in his seven years as coach of Indianapolis. Those teams went 10-20 in the preseason. His concern in July and August was how sharp his team looked in practice, not its record.
Phillips and quarterback Tony Romo have both spoken about how crisp the Cowboys look in practice, how they picked up the pace in Oxnard. The Texans throwing four- and five-receiver sets at the Cowboys defense – and Phillips' decision not to blitz as he would during the regular season because he wants to assess other areas of the team – doesn't change how well the Cowboys have practiced.
"Once we get a game plan for them against another team, I think they're going to jump on it," Phillips said. "In fact, they're starting on it [Washington] now."
What's the upside to playing the starters Thursday? Can the Cowboys really feel much better about themselves if they keep rookie defensive end Jared Odrik from sacking Romo? Is beating backup cornerback Jason Allen or Benny Sapp for a touchdown going to be the shot of adrenaline this team needs entering the regular season?
The downside is much greater. What if the offense sputters against Miami's backups?
There is only one reason to change. If Phillips gets the sense that the starters need to play for their psyche, then do it. Otherwise, avoid the temptation and stay the course.
"We're going to be fine," Phillips said. "We're going to have a good football team."
• • •
12:58 AM CDT on Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Column by DAVID MOORE / The Dallas Morning News | dmoore@dallasnews.com
David Moore
Archive | E-mail
IRVING – Coaches love unsolicited advice. So, as Wade Phillips wrestles with the wisdom of playing his starters Thursday, here is one opinion.
THE OTHER SIDE: Gerry Fraley tells us why the Cowboys must play their starters on Thursday
Sit the starters for the final preseason game against Miami.
It's not a popular position. When a team looks as bad as the Cowboys did against Houston, the competitive response is to get back out there and do something about it. Phillips indicated the starters would do just that in the moments after a 23-7 loss to the Texans.
That was emotion talking. Phillips took a more analytical approach Monday, saying he was still in discussion with his staff.
"Our philosophy has been pretty good," said Phillips, who traditionally leaves the final preseason game to his backups. "I like the way we've done it.
"We didn't play like we were ready for the regular season, but that doesn't mean we won't be ready in two weeks."
Tony Dungy won the Super Bowl and dominated the AFC South in his seven years as coach of Indianapolis. Those teams went 10-20 in the preseason. His concern in July and August was how sharp his team looked in practice, not its record.
Phillips and quarterback Tony Romo have both spoken about how crisp the Cowboys look in practice, how they picked up the pace in Oxnard. The Texans throwing four- and five-receiver sets at the Cowboys defense – and Phillips' decision not to blitz as he would during the regular season because he wants to assess other areas of the team – doesn't change how well the Cowboys have practiced.
"Once we get a game plan for them against another team, I think they're going to jump on it," Phillips said. "In fact, they're starting on it [Washington] now."
What's the upside to playing the starters Thursday? Can the Cowboys really feel much better about themselves if they keep rookie defensive end Jared Odrik from sacking Romo? Is beating backup cornerback Jason Allen or Benny Sapp for a touchdown going to be the shot of adrenaline this team needs entering the regular season?
The downside is much greater. What if the offense sputters against Miami's backups?
There is only one reason to change. If Phillips gets the sense that the starters need to play for their psyche, then do it. Otherwise, avoid the temptation and stay the course.
"We're going to be fine," Phillips said. "We're going to have a good football team."
• • •
