Mr. Fix-it

When Bill Parcells resigned as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, Jerry Jones did an extensive search to find his replacement. It was believed, at the time, that Norv Turner was the front-runner. The new head coach was going to inherit Jason Garrett, as Mr. Jones had already hired Garrett as the OC. In the end, Jones decided on Wade Phillips. The reasoning was that the Cowboys defense needed a proven “3-4 guy” to take what Parcells started to the next level.

Last year, Wade Phillips referred to himself as a “Mr. Fix-it” when it comes to the 3-4 defenses. He referred to his defense as the “Phillips 3-4”…which his father, Bum Phillips, created. Wade has all the credentials needed as a DC…everywhere he has been the DC, the defense has flourished! Wade also had previous head coaching experience as well. Phillips is a happy-go-lucky kind of guy…just the right guy to lead the ‘Boys after “Dictator Parcells” departed. Jerry had found his man!

Some people say that Jones hired Phillips to be a puppet…hogwash! Wade Phillips has been a coach for a long time. To be the HC of the Dallas Cowboys is his dream job. He has Texas roots and a Cowboy at heart. Don’t let his “awe shucks” demeanor fool you…he is well qualified for the job. He can be stern with his players if need be, but he prefers to treat them as adults and professionals. He believes that the team is a family…and family sticks together through thick and thin.

The Cowboys have spent a boatload of money on the defensive side of the ball. There are many high draft picks on defense as well. Defense is Wade’s specialty…so why is the defense getting shredded like mozzarella cheese? With several injuries and a suspension, the ‘Boys defense is a little thin in the secondary…but that’s no excuse! Although Jerry won’t fire Phillips in mid-season (that’s not Jerry’s style), he is on the hot seat. This was supposed to be a Super Bowl season for the Cowboys…now; they are hanging on by a thread! If Wade wants to be around to see next season as the Cowboys head coach…he better come through on being…Mr. Fix-it!


Short Shots:


Rumor has it that Mike Holmgren will be the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers next season. The 49ers should stay clear, as Holmgren hasn’t delivered on his promise of a Super Bowl in Seattle!

There is talk (and the NFL is currently looking into it) that the Ravens had a bounty out on Rashard Mendenhall and Hines Ward of the Steelers. What’s wrong with that? Doesn’t anybody remember the Bounty Bowls?

Larry Johnson is in trouble again. Apparently, Johnson has been accused of spitting alcohol at a woman during the Kansas City’s bye week at a nightclub. Attention…attention…paging…Sheriff Goodell!

“Pinkie Gate” continues in Big D. Will Romo play…will he be the back-up…will he be inactive on game day, when will he be ready? If Romo was anything like his childhood idol (Brett Favre), the answer would be…he’s ready and will be starting this coming Sunday!

Tom Brady apparently has had several “clean-up” surgeries (for infections) following his ACL surgery. If the infections can’t be eliminated, he may need to have his knee re-repaired and that could potentially put next season in jeopardy for Brady. I guess the football gods do have a way of evening things out? Remember…cheaters never prosper (not for long anyway)!

Kellen Winslow II has appealed his suspension. Hopefully the NFL will see that Mr. Winslow isn’t just a “piece of meat” and lift his suspension!

The Philadelphia Phillies won Game 1 of the World Series…way to go Phils! Got Parade?

Instant Gratification

This week two head coaches were relieved of their duties…fired! First, Scott Linehan of the St. Louis Rams, and now, Lane Kiffin of the Oakland Raiders, why? Jim Haslet replaced Linehan. What’s the difference, the Rams are horrific! Kiffin is being replaced with O-line coach, Tom Cable…who? Yeah, that’s right, I never heard of him either!

Al Davis, in one of his many “brilliant” moves, has fired another head coach…we should have seen it coming…it’s his M.O. Every couple of years he changes the head coach and forgets to look in the mirror…he is the problem! Kiffin, who has never been a Head Coach before, was given 20 games (5-15) to prove himself. When Davis hired Kiffin, he was 31 years old…barely older than many of his players. If Big Al wanted a quick fix, then perhaps he should have hired someone like Bill Parcells, Brian Billick, Bill Cowher, you get the idea…someone with experience!

Since 2003, the Raiders are 20-64…pathetic. In that time span, they went through Bill Callahan, Norv Turner, Art Shell, and now Monte’s boy. Cable is now their 8th Head Coach since 1995…with the only constant being, Al Davis. How does Davis expect anyone to embrace his “Commitment To Excellence”, when they are not given a chance to excel? If Al Davis wants instant gratification, maybe he should visit Hugh Hefner at the Play Boy Mansion!


Short Shots:


Cedric Benson, after being cleared of his legal troubles, has signed with the Cincinnati Bengals. Benson and Chris Henry on the same team…nice!

Rashard Mendenhall fractured his shoulder in his first NFL start on MNF. He gained 30 yards on 9 carries and added another 6 yards on his lone reception. These are not exactly gaudy stats…but not many put up great numbers against the #1 defense of the Ravens. The Rookie will be placed on IR, according to coach Tomlin. Now, Mendenhall will have plenty of time to text all his friends!

Newly crowned Head Coach Haslet has reinstated Marc Bulger as the starting QB…I guess the Trent Green experiment is over?

Bulletin Board Material

The other day, Rashard Mendenhall (Rookie RB for the Pittsburgh Steelers) sent his buddy, Ray Rice (Rookie RB for the Baltimore Ravens) a text message. So why is that football news? Because LB Bart Scott of the Ravens made it so! Mendenhall’s text was only intended for his buddy Ray. It claimed how great of a day Rashard was going to have against the vaunted Raven’s Defense. Ray Rice took it upon himself to let his defense know about the text message…Bart Scoot took offense.

You see, the Steelers play the Ravens on Monday Night Football this week. Bart Scott had this to say about Mendenhall, “He said later that he was just joking, but it’s too late. Thanks for the bulletin-board material, rookie.” Obviously, Bart is beside himself…what was the Rookie to say? Was he to predict he would have an awful day…that he would fumble 3 times…that in his 1st NFL start (Willie P. is down and out for the contest) he would be labeled a bust…that the Steelers wasted a first round pick on him? Of course not! He said in a simple text to his friend that he was going to have a good performance. Should he not be confident in his abilities?

What’s worse about Bart Scott is that he is a wiley veteran player…does he need a Rookie to motivate him? Isn’t getting paid millions of dollars to play a kid’s game enough motivation? Do the Ravens even have a bulletin board? And if so, who is in charge of the posting? Is it a dry erase board, or an old-fashioned corkboard? Could I have that job? Please! Enough! Just play football!

Football is a violent game, played with emotion…the object is to smother the man with the ball in his hands…does Bart Scott not understand that he shouldn’t need bulletin board material for motivation? I expected more professionalism than that from Bart…here’s some motivation…do your job, Vet!