Dallas Cowboys coach Wade Phillips says that appearances to the contrary, he doesn’t believe left tackle Flozell Adams plays dirty.
Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com reports that Phillips stuck up for Adams, who has been fined $75,000 this year, including $50,000 this week for shoving Giants defensive end Justin Tuck in the back.
“I think he worries about playing the game and playing it well,” Phillips said. “In my opinion, he’s not a vicious player.”
However, MacMahon notes that Cowboys players say Phillips is tougher on them behind closed doors than he seems when he’s speaking publicly, and that when speaking to Adams directly, Phillips probably wasn’t quite as easygoing about the shove, which drew a penalty that wasn’t assessed because of a quirk in NFL rules.
And really, what kind of coach would Phillips be if he isn’t upset with Adams? Even if Adams avoided costing the Cowboys 15 yards this time, he’s probably one more personal foul away from getting suspended. Phillips can’t be happy about the prospect of losing his left tackle just because Adams can’t control his temper.