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Phillips, Turner: Tale Of 2 Cities

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By IRA KAUFMAN, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 2, 2007

TAMPA - A couple of well-respected NFL coordinators were hired to take over talented, successful clubs two weeks apart in February.

In this modern-day 'Tale of Two Cities,' Wade Phillips has written a heck of a first chapter while Norv Turner appears to be heading toward an unhappy ending.

After head coaching stints in Denver, Buffalo, New Orleans and Atlanta, Phillips took a 48-41 career mark into Dallas as the handpicked successor to Bill Parcells. The 60-year-old defensive guru was smart enough to leave the offense alone and the early results have been stunning for the unbeaten Cowboys.

'Being 4-0 is nice,' Phillips said after Sunday's 35-7 romp against St. Louis. 'It doesn't put us in the Super Bowl and it doesn't put us in the playoffs. It doesn't put us anywhere except where we are. But it's good we're there.'

The affable Phillips has proven to be a soothing contrast to Parcells' bluster, and Dallas heads to Buffalo on Monday night before a highly anticipated matchup against the Patriots at Texas Stadium.

Phillips spent the past three seasons as defensive coordinator in San Diego, where the Chargers jettisoned Marty Schottenheimer despite a 14-2 record last fall.

Turner was hoping to turn around a 59-83-1 career record as a head coach and prove he is more than just an outstanding offensive coordinator. Instead, the Chargers fell to 1-3 Sunday with their third consecutive setback as the Chiefs scored the final 24 points after trailing 16-6.

You can't blame Turner for missed tackles and errant passes, but you can hold him responsible for a second-half game plan that largely ignored LaDainian Tomlinson, who shredded Kansas City for 116 yards on 14 carries before intermission.

Despite leading 16-6 at the half, San Diego ran only seven times in 32 snaps during the final 30 minutes as derisive chants of 'Marty, Marty' cascaded down to the field from a disgruntled home crowd.

'It's times like this that you get very frustrated,' outside linebacker Shawne Merriman said. 'You don't quite know what the problem is, but whatever it is, you want to get it fixed. If people don't know what a hard time is, it's right now.'

HUDDLE UP: The Lions are scoring points in bunches, but a resourceful defense is also contributing to a 3-1 start and LB Ernie Sims is the unquestioned leader. The former FSU standout was all over Ford Field on Sunday with 11 tackles and an interception. He also caused a Cedric Benson fumble that trickled out of bounds to deny Detroit a fourth takeaway. ... Baltimore fans are wondering how a team can roll up 26 first downs, convert 7-for-14 third downs and reel off 73 snaps without punting - and still be held to 13 points. Some frustrated Ravens are undoubtedly asking themselves the same question. ... The 49ers weren't scaring anyone on offense even when QB Alex Smith was healthy. With Trent Dilfer working under center, a weak attack is now crippled. San Francisco played decent defense against Seattle, but nine first downs and 10 punts is a heck of a burden to place on any group. ... Miami was stout against the run in 2006, yielding an average of 101 yards per game, but the Dolphins were incredibly soft in September, yielding at least 141 yards on the ground in all four losses.

Mike Shanahan can't wait for that new Indianapolis stadium to be completed. In Denver's last three trips to the RCA Dome, including a pair of playoff losses, the Broncos have been outscored 128-54. ... If you think the Bucs are playing some inspired pass defense, you're not mistaken. Opposing QBs are averaging an NFL-low 5.6 yards per pass attempt against Tampa Bay. ... Nobody in the Big Apple is calling Eric Mangini a genius these days. The 1-3 Jets called 19 runs in 59 snaps at Buffalo during a 17-14 setback that left Thomas Jones with only 12 carries. The former Buc must be wondering if he made a mistake signing with New York. ... Sooner or later, Green Bay's 2.7 yards per rush is going to undermine a promising season. ... This has been a breakout year for Arizona DT Darnell Dockett. The former Seminole posted six sacks in his first three pro seasons, but Sunday's three-sack effort against Pittsburgh gives him 5.5 for the year, second in the league to Osi Umenyiora of the Giants.

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