A Conversation With the Enemy

Dan over at the Landry Hat and I have been having a little email discussion. I’ll post the link to my half of the conversation as soon as have it, in the mean time, check out his site here and read his half of the conversation below:

1) OK, you’ve had a great season. We can’t take that away from you. Settle the issue once and for all—Who’s the better coach? Parcells or Wade Phillips?

"Wow. Great question. I have to be honest, when Bill Parcells was announced the coach I was very, very happy. But I thought his coaching style was too gruff and demeaning. That kind of coaching, I don’t think, works anymore because the players are a lot different than they were in the 80s and early 90s. It’s more indicative of the character of the players nowadays than the coach, but no one needs to be demeaned. I also thought Parcells’ coordinators and the play calling was too Washington Redskins like. Slow and boring. There was no explosion. We now have explosion. But in four years, Parcells brought the Cowboys to the playoffs, even though we didn’t win one game.Wade Phillips, in his first year, has the Cowboys rolling. The argument that this isn’t his team is partially right and partially wrong. I think his coaching style has made this team feel more confident. They seem to be playing more like a team. Tony Romo has helped too. Wade did a decent job with Buffalo, too.I can’t say Wade is a better coach right now, though. Parcells is a legend. He will be a Hall of Famer. Every where he goes the team improves. You can’t say that for every coach. Nod goes to Parcells. But if Wade wins the big one, ask me this question again."

2) TO’s hurt. How much does it matter? You looked pretty shaky against the Panthers after he went out.

"It matters a lot. I do, however, still think Dallas can make it to the Super Bowl without him. But I have no doubt T.O. will be back for the first playoff game. I’m not too worried. I am more worried about the offense sputtering like it has. The defense is playing great lately, which is something that needed to happen. But now the offense is slowing down. I cannot figure out why. Why are Romo’s passes off a little bit lately? But I am digressing. T.O.’s injury is not going to affect the Cowboys I don’t think. He’s coming back."

3) And while we’re on the subject of the Panthers, be honest. Romo didn’t get that timeout called before that snap went over his head in the first half did he?

"Yes he did. The snap came as he called the time out. The ball was snapped because Romo made a motion and yelled the words time out. Both occurred at the exact same time. Why you dredging this up? [Editor’s Note: No freakin’ way. They even showed the snap shot of the ball in the air on TV while Romo was still turning.]"

4) What’s the real reason Marion Barber isn’t starting? Bad pass blocking? He wears down? Enquiring minds want to know.

"Well, this has been debated endlessly on the Cowboys forums. And the clear-headed fans just believe it doesn’t matter. Who cares who starts? I mean, personally, I wish Barber was the full time back. But he really isn’t built for that. A lot of fans are talking about Darren McFadden being a Cowboy with all the Jerry Jones-Arkansas connection. Now that Bill is in Miami, this has real promise. I have no idea what would happen if he is drafted. But here is all I can say about the subject: Julius Jones is a finesse back. Marion Barber is a Barbarian who will run the hell over you. I think it’s a good idea to keep Barber rested because he runs with so much force and energy. And it seems to work. Again, I don’t think we care who starts. We just hope one of them performs."

[Editor’s Note: For the record, I asked the question because it does seem to matter in the wake of his performance agains the Panthers. With the game still in doubt, we barely saw him in the 3rd and 4th quarters. It is important to know why.]

5) Final score of the game? And don’t say 100-0.

"The Redskins aren’t going to win. There is no way in hell the Cowboys will roll over for a divisional foe to let them in the playoffs. I honestly believe our second team can beat the Redskins. And they will. Dallas 24 Washington 10"

I’ll give my own preview tomorrow, but I can’t let the last words of any article I post be a prediction that the Cowboys win. For now, I just want to thank Dan for his time not only in this interview but in his very active comments on the site, and say that the Redskins will beat the Cowboys 33-26. More soon, and Hail Skins!

-DW