Wade Phillips eager to work for McVay with Rams

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A55VA6

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http://bigstory.ap.org/article/d21a...irm-wade-phillips-hired-defensive-coordinator

By GREG BEACHAM
Jan. 19, 2017 7:18 PM EST

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) — Wade Phillips has done just about everything in his four-decade NFL coaching career, so he wasn't exactly worried by the prospect of working for a head coach less than half his age with the Los Angeles Rams.

A week after 30-year-old head coach Sean McVay said the 69-year-old Phillips would be his defensive coordinator, their partnership finally was made official Thursday after Phillips signed his deal with the Rams.

"With Sean, between us, we're 50 years old and we've got 23 years of experience, so I think that'll work out all right," Phillips said with a laugh.


Phillips begins his 40th NFL season as a coach with the Rams, the 10th franchise to employ him. He was a head coach at Dallas, Buffalo and Denver, and he served as an interim head coach for New Orleans, Atlanta and the Houston Texans.

Phillips might seem to be an unlikely partner for McVay, the youngest head coach in modern NFL history. But they have a strong family connection: Phillips' son, Wes, was the Washington Redskins' tight ends coach for the past three seasons under McVay, their offensive coordinator.

"Wes just talked great things about him all the time," Wade Phillips said. "And then I met him, and he was very impressive. And then when he started the process, he asked me if I would consider coming with him if he got a head coaching job. I said, 'Well, I don't have a contract, so sure.'"

The Rams are rebuilding after finishing 4-12 in their 13th consecutive non-winning season, and the son of famed coach Bum Phillips has been one of the NFL's top defensive minds for decades. He spent the past two years reaching another career height with the Broncos, coordinating the dominant defense that won the Super Bowl last season and finished fourth in total defense this season.

"Wade has seen it all in our league, and I believe that his wealth of knowledge and experience will be a tremendous asset to our entire coaching staff and players," McVay said in a statement. "Our defense has been one of our core strengths, and I expect it to continue to grow and thrive under Wade's leadership."

Gregg Williams was Jeff Fisher's defensive coordinator last season with the Rams, who haven't made the playoffs since the 2004 season in St. Louis. Williams left for the Cleveland Browns shortly after the regular season ended with the Rams losing the final seven games in their homecoming season.

But Williams' defense was one of the NFL's top groups until a late-season fade, and Phillips is grateful he won't be starting from scratch.

"Most of the time I'm going somewhere, the defense hasn't done well before," Phillips said. "(Los Angeles) is a different experience. I've got a good defense. ... It's a process like they always talk about, no matter where you are, of identifying the good players and the great players, and we'll utilize them."

Phillips traditionally runs a 3-4 defense, but defensive linemen Aaron Donald, Robert Quinn and Michael Brockers all excelled in Williams' 4-3 scheme. McVay said last week that he expects Phillips to have no problem coming up with ways to maximize the success of Los Angeles' talented defensive line.

Phillips said he has inherited a 4-3 defense in four of his previous five jobs.

"And we went to the playoffs every year, so I think what we run will fit up there," Phillips said. "You know, the Broncos were running a 4-3 when we got there."


Phillips and his wife also have personal reasons to be excited about a move to Southern California. Their daughter, Tracy, works in Los Angeles as a dancer and choreographer.

"We're looking forward to being out there with her," Phillips said. "She was so happy that we were coming, she was crying. It makes you feel good that she's excited."
 

Memento

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Awesome article. Wade Phillips seems like a really cool guy.
 

ramfan46

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I am still shocked and fucking jacked for Wade Phillips to be the DC of the Rams. I'm ready for August, I want to see his 3-4 in action now! Can anyone tell me if the Rams have ever run a 3-4 D? If so, when? He already seems much more relaxed than Williams, but he's pretty fresh off a SB win and still having a kick ass D.
 

SteezyEndo

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What intrigued me is that Wade never seemed like he had an ego. Calm and collective, did great things, and will do extraordinary things with this organization. I am glad he will work side by side with a coach who will be in the history books for being the youngest NFL coach to win a Super Bowl.
 

EasyE

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I am still shocked and freaking jacked for Wade Phillips to be the DC of the Rams. I'm ready for August, I want to see his 3-4 in action now! Can anyone tell me if the Rams have ever run a 3-4 D? If so, when? He already seems much more relaxed than Williams, but he's pretty fresh off a SB win and still having a kick ass D.

Kevin Greene did a GREAT job in our 3-4
 

ramfan46

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Kevin Greene did a GREAT job in our 3-4

Ahhhh, thank you. I was so young while Greene was with the Rams that I didn't understand formations and fronts. Talk about a guy playing with his hair on fire. Love his highlights, vicious player.
 

thirteen28

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I am still shocked and freaking jacked for Wade Phillips to be the DC of the Rams. I'm ready for August, I want to see his 3-4 in action now! Can anyone tell me if the Rams have ever run a 3-4 D? If so, when? He already seems much more relaxed than Williams, but he's pretty fresh off a SB win and still having a kick ass D.

Pretty much ran a 3-4 throughout the 80's and into the early 90's.

If you want to watch them in action, watch this :)


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkCihMnJ4Hg
 

Riverumbbq

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I'm ready for August, I want to see his 3-4 in action now! Can anyone tell me if the Rams have ever run a 3-4 D? If so, when?
I do recall DC Jim Haslett wanting to run a hybrid 3/4, but HC Linehan wouldn't get him the players to do so properly, and I don't believe he (JH) was all too happy about it. In 2007 we drafted what was basically a 3/4 defensive end in Adam Carricker, but he was exclusively used inside because we lacked a proper NT and 3/4 LB'ers. Haslett wanted James Hall and Carricker outside, but it was never to be. Carricker was misused playing at NT/DT, next to Glover, with Hall & Adeyanju playing DE. Everyone blamed Haslett for the defensive mess, but it was really on Linehan imo.
 
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wolfdogg

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Just makes the mcvay hire more of a win. Who would our DC be otherwise?
 

Florida_Ram

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Mackeyser

Supernovas are where gold forms; the only place.
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Messages
14,158
Name
Mack
"Wes just talked great things about him all the time," Wade Phillips said. "And then I met him, and he was very impressive. And then when he started the process, he asked me if I would consider coming with him if he got a head coaching job. I said, 'Well, I don't have a contract, so sure.'"

EXACTLY what I thought!!!! Good to know my figurator ain't busted just yet...
 

So Ram

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Jun 18, 2014
Messages
14,052
I do recall DC Jim Haslett wanting to run a hybrid 3/4, but HC Linehan wouldn't get him the players to do so properly, and I don't believe he (JH) was all too happy about it. In 2007 we drafted what was basically a 3/4 defensive end in Adam Carricker, but he was exclusively used inside because we lacked a proper NT and 3/4 LB'ers. Haslett wanted James Hall and Carricker outside, but it was never to be. Carricker was misused playing at NT/DT, next to Glover, with Hall & Adeyanju playing DE. Everyone blamed Haslett for the defensive mess, but it was really on Linehan imo.

Cry me a River !!!

They had Jaime Kennedy tied up in salary hell. The offensive line Mad Mike is the one who messed things up with draft picks.

The Rams had that DE who was a twinner who went to Green Bay. Jay Zig was letting him walk. Lineahan tried to keep him , but he wanted to play for a winner & feel the love. I don't know what kind a Comp pick The Rams got, but he would have been the perfect 3-4 DE at the time.
JH was a selfish coach.

How The Rams let Betty's & Green go & Fuval Love ?? Pittsburg had The Rams best.

Wade is a solid hire.There have been times Aaron Donald had lined up as a DE ..Quinn can play as a OLB(eleaphant)rushing end. He is a fast as any end in the NFL.
 
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Merlin

Enjoying the ride
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Look at the successful teams and you'll see a great offensive and defensive mind in some combination. Green Bay has the offensive head coach and vet DC, so does Dallas, and the advantage with both is they have vet DCs who are not going to be hired away. Atlanta, on the other hand, is going to lose their OC and it might end up sliding them back to the pack much like the Saints, who have not been able to have success in years of trying to replace Williams.

Rams now have the makings of what I have wanted to see for so long, that offensive mind locked up as HC, and a vet DC who is top-notch but probably not going to be hot for a HC job. That other side of the ball is key man, and a really crucial part of why I am so excited right now. I love the McVay hire, but man getting Wade in here too just blew my mind. We have something special starting here dudes, I can feel it! It's NOT the Kool Aid this time either!!!
 

Rmfnlt

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5,342
Glad they got Phillips... I think the defense will improve quite a bit over last year.
 

RamBall

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Name
Dave
I am still shocked and freaking jacked for Wade Phillips to be the DC of the Rams. I'm ready for August, I want to see his 3-4 in action now! Can anyone tell me if the Rams have ever run a 3-4 D? If so, when? He already seems much more relaxed than Williams, but he's pretty fresh off a SB win and still having a kick ass D.

The Rams have played 3-4 fronts on D in certain situations under Fisher/GW. Wade will have no problem putting the Rams DL in positions to make plays. I wouldnt be surprised to see the Rams D line up in formations that look very familiar to some of GWs blitz packages, only difference will be that 1 of the DEs will be called a LB.