TE John Phillips Preparing For Larger Role In Marty B's Absence

John Phillips is set to enter his fourth NFL season as the Cowboys' no. 2 tight end

With Martellus Bennett gone from Dallas and preparing for his first season as a member of the New York Giants, John Phillips will have a chance to play a significantly larger role in the passing game this season, and veteran tight end Jason Witten, for one, believes the Cowboys’ offense will be all the more dangerous for it.

In 2011, Phillips had a career high 15 catches for 101 yards and a touchdown, this after missing all of 2010 after tearing his ACL in the preseason.

"You see New England with all the different tight ends looks that they did," Witten said, per ESPN Dallas. "I think that just puts pressure on the defense. That's something we get by having John Phillips in the game. Whatever he's asked, he does it. He's just a right kind of guy. You need more guys like that on your team. I know it makes my job easier, and it makes it easier on Tony (Romo) because he knows exactly where guys like that are going to be."

The fact that he has an opportunity to become a more featured weapon with the offense isn’t lost on Phillips, who is entering his fourth season in the NFL after being drafted out of Virginia in 2009, but his approach to the game won’t change.

"You've got to have the same mindset," Phillips said. "I've been coming into camp the same way for the last three years. Obviously, this year a door opened for me to step up and make an impact. I'm always excited to go to camp. You've got to go in there and do the right things and prove that you can handle that responsibility, handle that role."

Stay on top of the latest Dallas Cowboys news with NBCDFW.com. Follow NBC DFW on Facebook or have breaking Cowboys news sent directly to your phone with Blue Star SMS alerts. Text "bluestar" to 622339 (NBCDFW) to subscribe, text HELP for more info, and text STOP to end the subscription. Message and data rates may apply.Read more about it here.

Copyright FREEL - NBC Local Media
Contact Us