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Jason Garrett's future up for discussion today
by Dave Halprin (Grizz)
on Jan 6, 2009 10:43 AM CST
in News
The Denver Broncos are expected to interview Jason Garrett today for their head coaching position. While I have some criticism of Garrett's play-calling and in-season adjustments this year, I still believe that retaining him as offensive coordinator would be important to the Cowboys. He's a young coach still gaining experience and the offensive numbers he put up in 2007 were amazing. Granted, there was a drop-off in 2008 but it wasn't like we were terrible. In the games that Tony Romo played we still averaged 24 points a game. But the overall production on offense was less than what it should have been given the amount of talent and playmakers we have on that side of the ball. The offense also joined the rest of the team in their annual December collapse.
A lot of that drop-off can be attributed to an offensive line that clearly regressed. Since Garrett is the offensive coordinator that position falls under his jurisdiction but Hudson Houck is the guy I'm looking at specifically. He was the coach who was supposed to take our maulers and mold them into the prefect unit for Garrett's vertical offense that uses the power running game. This was supposed to be a return to the 90's for the offense but something went askew along the way.
Garrett has to accept some of that responsibility. Why do we line up in the shotgun so much? Any play-action passes are basically ruined from that formation. The only running play we used regularly from that formation was the draw and teams began to recognize that and stuff it regularly. In general, teams seemed to recognize our formations and the plays that were coming all too often. Garrett needs to use a little more deception in the formations and play-calling. On the other hand, when it's third and one, forget deception and just run the ball between the tackles. If our mammoth offensive line can't pick that up we don't deserve to win ball games.
The thing that would benefit the Cowboys offense the most in 2009 is using the three-headed monster at the running back position. Whenever Garrett gets nervous in a game he resorts to the pass. With the protection the line was providing and Romo's cavalier attitude towards ball security, it wasn't the best idea. I'm a fan of Garrett's and a fan of the vertical passing scheme he runs, but he needs to remember the running game and not be so quick to give up on it.
I want at least one more year for the Redhead to find out if he can make the proper adjustments and return to the explosive offense that caught our fancy in 2007. And yes, I do believe that one day he will be a successful head coach and that just might be in Dallas unless another team takes the plunge with him this year.
Montrae Holland, who played at Denver last year, gives high-marks to Garrett in a Denver newspaper. He also offers his take on the whole Romo/Witten/WR's controversy from the end of the season.
"Jason let them be men and talk it out," Holland said. "He went up to them and said, 'What's going on? What can we do to get past this so we can get back to football?' He's a communicator. He listens to the players when the players come off the field."
Wide receivers coach Ray Sherman is expected to interview for the St. Louis head coach position sometime this week.
Sherman, reached by phone Monday in Dallas, said it was a career goal of his to be a head coach in the NFL and that he was looking forward to the Rams interview.
"I just think it'll be an excellent opportunity," Sherman said. "It's a team that has some exciting players and has a chance to turn it around."
The Cowboys are almost assuredly heading back to San Antonio for training camp in 2009. There are even some tentative dates planned, July 31st through August 22nd.
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Ware finishes second behind Harrison for Defensive Player of the Year
by Tuna Helper
on Jan 5, 2009 12:33 PM CST
"DeMarcus Ware was cheated out of the Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press, who handed the trophy to James Harrison of the Pittsburgh Steelers."
This was my immediate reaction when I heard the news. Yes it's a bit childish but it was just my raw emotions.
After further review, I'm more understanding of the Harrison choice. SportingNews.com goes into greater detail.
NEW YORK (AP) -- James Harrison slams down the current version of the Steel Curtain better than any Pittsburgh Steeler, earning him The Associated Press 2008 Defensive Player of the Year award.The linebacker who had a career-high 16 sacks, setting a team record, and led the NFL with a career-high seven forced fumbles, beat Dallas' DeMarcus Ware in balloting by a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters announced Monday. Pittsburgh defense was the league's stingiest in total defense, pass defense and points allowed. Harrison was its main hammer.
"That's something that everybody in the league would love to have, to be voted the top player in the league for that year," Harrison said. "In my mind, I think I do -- and it's going to sound boring -- what the defense allows me to do and what my teammates allow me to do."
Harrison earned 22 votes to 13 for Ware.
I think they make a pretty good case for Harrison. I'm going to make the case for Ware.
Ware had 20 sacks. Think about that. Twenty sacks on a team were no other player had double-digit sacks. On a team with no other dominant defensive players. Harrison has Troy Polamulu (73 tackles, 7 INTs) and LaMarr Woodley (60 tackles, 11.5 sacks). Ed Reed has Terrell Suggs and Ray Lewis. Ware is the center of every offensive team's gameplan. Every game. And there is no other dominant defensive player on the team to alleviate some of that pressure off of him.
Also, Ware's stats are comparable if not better. He has more sacks than Harrison and one less forced fumble than Harrison's league leading seven. True Harrison does have more tackles than Ware, but Ware has more solo tackles than Harrison. And Ware is in a division filled with dominant offensive lines and offensive lineman (Tra Thomas, Chris Samuels, Chris Snee, etc). Shoot, I think there's an equally persuasive argument that Reed (40 tackles, 9 INTs) is more deserving than Harrison.
It's not that I don't think Harrison deserves the award. He's had an awesome year and the Steelers defense is the best in the league. We found that out. But I just get the feeling that Ware lost votes because of our December swoon and that's not his fault. Not only that but the Steelers defensive prowess wasn't entirely Harrison's doing. He's part of a system that features dynamic players at every level. From where I'm sitting Ware has done more with little. And that deserves recognition too.
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How to handle the three headed monster?
by Brandon Worley
on Jan 5, 2009 10:02 AM CST
in News
Late on a Saturday afternoon last April a good majority of Dallas Cowboys fans let out a collective groan. Jerry Jones and Wade Phillips had the perfect situation drop into their laps: Rashard Mendenhall, who was expected to be drafted much earlier, had fallen into the laps of the Cowboys at pick #22 in the NFL draft. The Cowboys instead opted to go with Arkansas running back Felix Jones, whom Jason Garrett determined would be a much better compliment to Marion Barber. Fans across the nation, myself included, were o.k. with the choice but miffed that a "sure fire" franchise running back had been passed up.
By week three of the 2008 season fans were singing a much different tune.
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Safety Envy
by Rafael Vela
on Jan 4, 2009 7:19 PM CST
What makes for a deep playoff run?
Quality QB -- yep.
Solid pass rush -- sure.
Play making safety or two? Now you're talking.
Watching the first round I'm impressed by the safety talent on the winners. Baltimore's Ed Reed made the previously flawless Chad Pennington look like a chump today.
Brian Dawkins has been a blue chipper for a decade. And his partner Quentin Mikel had a better year, according to K.C. Joyner. They kept the Vikings from getting any big passing plays. Late in the broadcast, Troy Aikman quoted Philly DC Jim Johnson, who said his safeties give him the confidence to play so aggressively with his front seven.
Pittsburgh has Troy Polamalu. The Titans have Michael Griffin, he with seven INTs this year. The Cardinals have the unsung Adrian Wilson anchoring their secondary.
Playmaking safeties have become as important as big pass rushers and solid left tackles.
It's hardly news, but the Cowboys' cupboard was almost bare at this position this year. The Ravens loss offered this contrast: Reed picked off two Romo bombs; both Dallas safeties whiffed on both of the Ravens' two long, late TD runs that sealed the game. More on this subject this week.
A safety with range, tackling skills and good instincts is a must, if the defense wants to build on its league-leading rush.
Back to your playoff viewing.
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Dallas Needs a New Coach Now, or Not at All
by Rafael Vela
on Jan 4, 2009 2:58 PM CST
Count me as highly skeptical on the "new coach in '10" stories.
They defy simple logic and are dishonest, to the coaches, players and fans.
To show you why, let's review Tom Coughlin's career. At this time in January 2007, Coughlin was in a position similar to the one Wade Phillips occupies now. He had just finished his eleventh season as a head coach. His '06 Giants had entered the year as Super Bowl contenders but dropped to 8-8 after an 11-5 record the year before. They staggered into the playoffs and were knocked out in the first round by the Eagles. Coughlin was 0-2 as a playoff coach for the Big Blue. Tiki Barber had just retired. Michael Strahan was threatening retirement. New York was the biggest soap opera in the game.
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Dallas Cowboys need a new coaching staff...in 2010
by Brandon Worley
on Jan 4, 2009 12:15 PM CST
in News
A couple of weeks ago there was a general consensus here at BTB that no matter what happens, Wade Phillips and Jason Garrett deserve the chance to serve out their contracts. Well, a few minds have undoubtedly changed after the debacle in Philly.
However, unless a miracle happens don't expect any major coaching changes until after next season.
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Playoff games open thread
by Dave Halprin (Grizz)
on Jan 4, 2009 11:45 AM CST
in News
Today the Ravens tangle with the Dolphins then the Eagles travel to visit the Vikings.
This is an open thread for both playoff games.
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Playoff games open thread
by Dave Halprin (Grizz)
on Jan 3, 2009 3:16 PM CST
in News
The Falcons visit the Cardinals and the Colts visit the Chargers. Since I live in Atlanta, I guess I'll adopt the Falcons as my playoff team.
This is an open thread for both playoff games.
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Cowboys Autopsies -- Defensive Line
by Rafael Vela
on Jan 3, 2009 12:36 PM CST
Wade, Todd and Reggie, you got some 'splaining to do.
How can a line be so schizophrenic? The Cowboys '08 defensive line was up, way down, way up and then, in the span of two plays, rock bottom.
The '08 season promised improved production from the line, with Todd Grantham replacing Kacey Rogers, who joined Tony Sprano's staff in Miami. There was also some hope for improved OLB play, as Reggie Herring was taking over for Paul Pasqualoni.
The results were mixed. The line started well, then collapsed in October, when the Redskins, Rams and Giants blew them up. In each case, the linemen failed to respond to simple plays run directly at them. Simply put, they were out-hit.
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Cowboys assistants sought by other teams
by Dave Halprin (Grizz)
on Jan 2, 2009 12:29 PM CST
in News
An update on the coaching searches around the NFL involving Cowboys assistants. The Rams are interested in receivers coach Ray Sherman.
According to a source, Dallas Cowboys wide receivers coach Ray Sherman will be asked to interview for the St. Louis Rams head coaching vacancy.
Meanwhile, Jason Garrett, despite any misgivings Cowboys fans might have about his 2008 performance, is still a hot commodity, at least for interviews. The Rams might be considering him in addition to Sherman.
In addition, the Rams are considering former New York Giants coach Jim Fassel and have talked to the agents of Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and Dallas assistant head coach-offensive coordinator Jason Garrett.
Also, the Broncos have him on their list of candidates.
The Broncos have also sought - but not yet been given - permission to interview offensive coordinator Jason Garrett of the Dallas Cowboys.
So by my count that's the Rams, Broncos and Lions who want to talk to Garrett.
After the firing of special teams coach Bruce Read, the name that keeps popping up as a successor is Joe DeCamillis.
Sources said the team is interested in Jacksonville special teams coach Joe DeCamillis, who coached with Phillips when Phillips was defensive coordinator at Denver and Atlanta.
DeCamillis, whose two-year contract with the Jaguars ended after the season, was not available for comment.
DeCamillis has had a successful career as a special teams coach and would be a welcomed addition if the Cowboys go in that direction.
In the "yeah, I remember that" department, Mike Holmgren at his final press conference for the Seahawks was asked about his greatest achievements as GM of Seattle. His answer:
(On what his proudest achievements were as general manager) I felt pretty good after we got two No. 1s for Joey Galloway (from the Dallas Cowboys in 2000). I was dealing with Jerry Jones, and Jerry's a pretty shrewd guy but a dealmaker. That worked out well for us, that particular trade.
Ugh.
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