It’s become a little bit of a running joke. Every Thursday, Broncos defensive coordinator Wade Phillips gets up on the podium and praises the opposing quarterback or other star player. The kicker is how he likes the guy because he’s from Texas.
First it was Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles, then Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, followed by Vikings running back Adrian Peterson and Browns quarterback Josh McCown. All Texas guys, Phillips loves them all.
That must be why Phillips and outside linebacker Von Miller, another Texas native, get along so well.
This week, one of the reporters beat Phillips to the punch mentioning that Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was not from Texas. But Phillips didn’t let that deter him.
“He’s not, yeah,” he said, “but (Packers coach) Mike McCarthy does have a condo in Austin on Lake Travis.”
It’s amazing how many folks Phillips knows in the league from Texas. He’ll have his work cut out for him if he hopes to top his comments about McCown in Week 6.
“He’s from Texas. In fact, he’s from Jacksonville, Texas. He played in the Tomato Bowl there,” Phillips said. “I’m familiar with the Tomato Bowl — that’s their home stadium — because my dad coached in Jacksonville when I was young and I played peewee ball in the Tomato Bowl there. They’ve got great tomatoes in Jacksonville if anybody wants some. That’s my background with him and his brother, Luke, who is the backup guy (for New Orleans). I saw that on the commercials.”
Phillips, 68, was born in Orange, Texas, which is about two hours from Houston on the eastern border of Texas and Louisiana. He went on to play linebacker from 1966-68 for the University of Houston. Phillips also had a stint coaching the Houston Oilers, Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans.
“You guys don’t know this, but I’ve known Wade since I was a little kid,” Broncos coach Gary Kubiak said. “He’s been a part of my life, he, his dad and his family for a long time.”
Phillips’ southern accent is as much of a staple as his love for Texas. And although he’ll always be a fan of the Lone Star State, Colorado is lucky to have him.
CHEW ON THIS
— as it gets its first crack against an elite quarterback.
— Super Bowl XXXII MVP Terrell Davis talked about Peyton Manning’s struggles last night: ” .”
— Mark Kiszla wrote about Broncos owner Pat Bowlen today and .
— Tragic news from Grand County, where in a car crash this week.
— The Denver Nuggets open their home schedule tonight at Pepsi Center,
— The Avs’ put an end to a 4-game winless slide, by .
— The , and the Mets need a pick performance from Thor if they plan to make things interesting.
— It was last night.
WATCH THIS
— Former Broncos greats Ed McCaffery, Rod Smith and Jake Plummer sat down at a table together .
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
— Happy 55th birthday to Argentine soccer great Diego Maradona. Let’s give him a hand — .
Cameron Wolfe: 303-954-1891, cwolfe@denverpost.com or @CameronWolfe
