Yes. A few evaluators have already come out and said the "work ethic" stuff is overblown. What's likely happening is that his agent/someone close to him to create an issue by verbally fighting the perception just "acknowledge" it and move forward. Or he's blasting Oklahoma for not conducting practices and games in a more professional manner.
This "motor" nonsense is getting out of hand. He's not lazy; he's mild-mannered. Though, do you prefer a question of character or of passion?
It's not just the coaching. He has ALWAYS been the biggest, best and most athletic guy on the field and in the locker room. He walks in and guys gasp at his presence. As a human, hes always had to just play to his gifted abilities to be successful. Now? He walks in and people smirk at him, Cam Wake can jump through the second story of a house, he has abs of steel. Suh is a gargantuan of a man. So these guys made it right? Big contracts, pro bowls, pro athletes, set for life....they can just chill and play N64 with the fellas, huh? Nope. Suh and Wake are the first ones in, last ones out, working harder than rookies needing to still "prove" themselves. Phillips see's this and he says "holy ****. I got some work to do" For once, Phillips is the one looking at awe. And it's going to be the best thing that happened to him. Book it!
Exactly. I posted in another thread that I'm not the slightest bit worried about his motor or work ethic. I described it as playing along side Suh and being terrified of letting him down.
we'll see big boy..i didnt see him slack on the field, probably needs to learn to train for the craft.
I think it was con who said that oklahoma doesn't really coach their players. They just find freak athletes and let them do their thing so to speak.
We also don't have any pro football teams in Oklahoma. Do college football players at schools close to NFL teams form relationships with professional athletes?
He's no longer the elephant in the room, he's a pup that needs to prove he can run with the big dogs.
Yes, and no. Oklahoma wins with athletes, not with perfection of technique. They recruit athletes. Has anyone noticed that most players from Oklahoma take a year or so to adapt to the game and then they begin to perform? Gerald McCoy is an example. Also, one has to ask how many players from Oklahoma have come in and been dominant? Look at their defensive backs for instance. Are there success stories sure, but look at how many of those players ended up being straight line speed guys who can hit, but need a good deal of work on their coverage techniques, back pedals etc. That line from Phillips is more of an indication that Oklahoma is not a program that produces refined players anymore. They produce athletes. This does not mean they are not coached, just that from my experience the degree of time spent on fine tuning certain aspects of the game is not as much as other aspects.
I think Phillips is going to be good. I'm looking forward to watching him play. I've been wondering who's going to be the alpha male on D, Wake or Suh?
This is true, to a degree. He knows that he's basically been able to dominate at HS and College b/c he's generally bigger, stronger, and faster than those he's going against. So I like that he knows he's got work to do. However, I don't know that he's seen Suh or will see him (except in the mandatory mini-camp). Suh hasn't been at camp and has his own workout regimen that he goes through outside the team facility: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/05/16/dolphins-ok-with-suh-skipping-offseason-work/ If I were Phillips, I'd talk to Suh and ask him if he can work out with him a few times and try to figure that out. If he can get his body (arms and gut esp) more in line with Suh's and grow in technique - look out for this kid. He'll be a Pro Bowler quickly.