1) What concerns me about Phillips' absence is whether the right adjustments will be made on defense after they see the Panthers' plans to attack them. Maybe they switch assignments or coverages. Will Herring know what to tweak?
2) I agree that Wade should have given a stock coaching answer instead of the truth but Wade and Bum are both genuinely honest people inclined to say what they think rather than hide behind coachspeak. Wade is in his 60s and his window on being considered for another job is closing quickly. Perhaps some GMs might assume he's too old to be considered for a new HC job (after all, most want to find a coach who will fill the job for the next decade or more) unless he says he wants consideration.
I don't think he's as much in danger of leaving as we might think. What I worry about is having him get promoted in Houston the next time Kubiak makes a dunderhead decision.
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