MikeDoocy's Blog

   So, here we go again.  The Cowboys win a game.  But it's not an impressive enough victory to satisfy those of us in the local media.   They're 4 and 1, but had to "survive" to beat a winless Bengals team.   Was it a flawed victory?  Of course.  Should anybody in the Cowboys lockerroom have to apologize for it?  Absolutely not.

  The Monday story line pushed by some in my profession has to do with Wade Phillips not being "tough" enough on his football team.   What would be the ideal reaction for Phillips to show at the post-game press conference?   He admitted that his team had areas where it needs to improve.   True.  He also said that any  NFL win is to be valued.  True also.   But the instant media evaluation says that  Wade is a softie because he  wasn't chewing on the podium in post-game anger.  He doesn't rip his players through the media.  Jimmy would have.  Bill would have.  

   Those two coaches are hall of fame calibre.  They're also two of the all-time great coaching self-promoters.  Nothing wrong with that, mind you.  But Parcells and Johnson knew how to endear themselves to influential media members.  Once they did that,  they could do no wrong in some quarters.

    Phillips would be wise to throw the media a bone from time to time.  Play the game. Be less defensive.     Act  "tough."  Get mad.  Remind the media that you're the guy in charge.   Criticize a player or two by name.   He'd earn some praise on air and in print.   But something tells me that won't happen.   Phillps isn't worried about credibility with us.   He's worried about credibility in his lockeroom.  Until he loses that,  there's no reason to change.