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.
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.
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.
Today the Ravens tangle with the Dolphins then the Eagles travel to visit the Vikings.
This is an open thread for both playoff games.
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.
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.
Before I get into looking ahead to 2009 I must first mention that Bruce Read has been fired from the position of Dallas Cowboys special teams coach.
Surprise.
A lot of finger pointing has happened this season and the majority of it has been at Bruce Read's expense, but he is not all to blame for the special teams woes. Todd Archer makes a great point:
The confidence was so low in Read that Phillips had fellow assistant coaches help him midway through the season, and that didn't even work.
As much as Read is being used as a scapegoat, Phillips has to change his ways when it comes to special teams. He has to put more value in it and that means allowing whoever the new special teams coach is to use starters. James Harrison covers punts in Pittsburgh. Enough said.
I've always believed that the heart and drive of a team starts and ends with the special teams. The unit is filled with backup and fringe players (mostly), and if those guys are showing heart, grit and intensity then it spills over to the rest of the team. That was never present under Bruce Read and Wade Phillips needs to realize how important this unit is to the team.
Hat tip to deke for posting the news in his fanpost.
The great thing about bringing in a new year is the chance to start over and get things going on the right track. The traditional thing to do is to make a list of "resolutions", but those never work out and I think its a bull anyway. But that feeling of starting fresh in a new year is always a good one; you stop and take a fresh breath, look around you and everything that feels new again and you remember it like that before it all goes right back to the way it was before.
After all, nothing changes but the date, right?
Yet there is still that window of opportunity where you can grasp that good feeling and run with it, really commit to getting things going in the right direction. And it's an even better feeling when you emerge months down the line still embracing that new path you forged for yourself when you had the chance.
This is the crossroads the Dallas Cowboys find themselves at as they head into 2009. This franchise has been nothing but talk and hot air for far too long and things need to change immediately if there is going to be any hope of pulling this team out of its downward spiral. While some may be content with four winning seasons in a row, a few playoff berths, high profile free agents and a bunch of useless Pro Bowlers, the rest of us cry for something more. We know that these records are empty and lack substance. We scream for any sign of team unity and heart and we get frustrated because there have been signs that those two things actually do exist in this team.
The tough win on the road against Washington. The win last year in Buffalo. The show of defensive force against Pittsburgh.
We see these things and ask how is it they don't play like this every week? How is it that one week a team can rally around a struggling quarterback and win a miracle comeback in hostile conditions, and yet a few weeks later play like a team asleep at the wheel?
You want to say it's the coaching, but the staff has changed significantly the past few years and yet the same problems persist. So naturally you turn to the players and say those guys are uncoachable and seflish. Then the next step is to look at the owner/GM, the guy who is responsible for bringing together this rag tag team of individuals.
The point is you can play the blame game until you're blue in the face and it won't matter one bit. 99% of these players are still going to be on the field next year, and most of the coaches will be back as well. The owner sure as heck isn't going anywhere.
Short of getting rid of everyone and starting over from scratch, there is only one thing left to do:
The attitude of this team has to change and there is not better time than now. Take a look in the mirror and try to think what kind of player and teammate you want to be. Wade Phillips has vowed to change things, starting with himself. Noble but empty unless he actually shows things are different.
The only way this team can turn itself around is if each individual takes that task to heart.
Now we just have to find out who on this team has that ability.
While we lament a season that ended too soon and on such on bad note I want to say how much fun it has been to share these past few seasons with everyone here at Blogging The Boys. As a native Texan stuck in the bitter Northeast I can't even begin to express what it has meant to me to be able to share and converse with fellow Cowboys fans. Don't take this game too seriously and enjoy the ride; you know that no matter how much this season angered you, you will still be counting the days until the season opener and loving that feeling of butterflies that greets every opening kickoff. Love the journey and cherish the ride; it will make the prize that much better.
Here's to a happy and safe New Year to one and all in the BTB family.
Cheers.
Todd Archer posted the list of UFA's, RFA's and ERFA's in an article on Tuesday. I'll take my shot at their future then you do the same in the comments.
Unrestricted free agents
OG Joe Berger: Not worth it. We could use upgrades for backups in the middle of the line, someone better can surely be found.
QB Brooks Bollinger: Depends on how much he wants. He could be a stop-gap backup but the Cowboys need to look at developing a future QB who could push Romo and come in during injury. One thing is for sure, Brad Johnson has got to go.
LB Kevin Burnett: Tough call only because I think he'll get some good offers from other teams. Can definitely play on third downs but could he play consistently against the run? With Zach saying he's leaving ILB is a position of need so that might push the franchise to keep him.
DE Chris Canty: Another tough one because he should also get other offers. Physically, he's just want you want in a 3-4 DE but he's never produced the way we hoped.
S Keith Davis: Love his effort but he's not the solution as a starting safety. We can only keep him if he comes very cheap.
DT Tank Johnson: Hasn't produced and screamed "I'm a free agent" immediately upon entering the locker room after the Eagles game. Buh-bye.
LB Carlos Polk: Actually made plays on special teams, I would like to see them keep him.
LB Zach Thomas: He sounds like he doesn't want to be here and the one-year experiment wasn't exactly successful. I don't see it.
Restricted free agents
WR Miles Austin: They should keep this kid. I thought they should have used him more at the end of the year at receiver. He finally learned to catch the ball and has size and speed.
DE Stephen Bowen: Occasionally made plays when given a chance. Good guy to have as a backup.
TE Tony Curtis: Time to go.
WR Sam Hurd: Don't know if he really will have a chance, he's buried on the depth chart. Might be time for new blood.
OG Cory Procter: No way!
Exclusive rights free agents
TE Rodney Hannah: Could at least replace Curtis as the third TE.
P Sam Paulescu: Welcome back Mat McBriar, goodbye Sam.
RB Alonzo Coleman: Just don't see room for him on the active roster.
According the team website, the Cowboys opponents in 2009 line up this way.
We'll play the NFC South and AFC West. Also, because we came in third in our division, we'll match-up with the third-place teams in the NFC North and NFC West. Those teams are Green Bay and Seattle.
So our opponents for 2009 shake out like this:
Home - Washington, Philadelphia, New York, Atlanta, Carolina, Seattle, Oakland and San Diego.
Away - Washington, Philadelphia, New York, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Denver, Kansas City and Green Bay.
So after last night's debacle Wade Phillips stepped to the mic today. I've already stated that I'm unhappy with the job Wade Phillips is doing as coach, but that's hardly the point because Big Jerry has stated that Big Wade is here to stay. It is what it is. So while I was so busy today I didn't have time to tune into Wade's presser live, I did go back and watch the archive. Here's my take on Wade's PC mixed in with some news of the day.
Wade is putting together a plan but he's not ready to share it yet. I wonder if he had a plan for the Philly game and didn't share that with anyone either? I kid! Why so serious? Anyway, Wade says things will need to change and that starts with himself. Uh, I don't know but somehow I'm not reassured. He'll analyze everything including the way they run practices, training camp, etc. and Wade might just have to get tougher and more demanding. He will transform himself from the cuddly Pillsbury Dough Boy into the much-feared Sta-Puft Marshmallow Man. I'm not bitter, really. I expressed skepticism that he could make the transformation at this stage in his career today on the DCFanatic Show and wondered if he did how some of the players might take to the new approach. Enter Bradie James.
"If you know a person to be a certain way and then all of a sudden you have an extreme change, I don't know how well that's going to be taken," James said. "I don't know what he means by that. Like I said, he didn't address us, so I don't know."
Granted James did say that Wade already can be tough and that he would be a team-player no matter what Wade's new approach is, but it underlines the point that a sudden change in personality could cause some static in the locker room.
Whatever, we'll see what happens when the time comes.
There's much more after the jump.
Showing 1 - 10 of 3,474Older
Copyright 2008 Sportsblogs, Inc.