Not so long ago, Jason Garrett was the heir apparent to the blue, silver, and star-adorned mantle shouldered by the coach of the Dallas Cowboys. In contrast, Wade Phillips — the rotund, avuncular bearer of that mantle — was fitted with a moniker more famously worn by his father.
How much things can change in a few games.
The crown now rests somewhat more lightly on Phillips’ brow. The Cowboys’ recent defensive efforts (in the face of injuries on both sides of the ball) have won him a bit of breathing room, and a few grudging plaudits from Metroplex scribes — though he’s likely still feeling the heat through the bottom of his breeches. (Perhaps Phillips should take a sartorial page from the book of a noted Dallas sports nemesis.)
Meanwhile, Garrett’s glow has apparently dimmed. The offense installed by the Princeton grad, erstwhile Cowboys third-string QB, and wunderkind offensive coordinator has come under fire from ever-restive receiver and popcorn-muncher Terrell Owens. Owens has now repeated his complaints that the Cowboys’ offense is stultifying and inflexible, and that the NFL's defensive coordinators have caught up with the Ginger Genius. Phillips (perhaps fighting a grin that he wears only behind closed doors in his office at Valley Ranch) has effectively agreed with his star wideout, and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has added his voice to the chorus of concerns.
And even Garrett's friends have begun to turn on him.
So after we're done nailing the Redheaded Jesus to his cross: anyone for a Mustachioed Messiah?
That's why Jerry is stupid. He thinks that "this is the year" but he hires a staff that has never won anything. Wade hasn't. Garrett hasn't. Please let Cowher come to Dallas!
ReplyDeleteI agree with a lot of what you wrote. The offensive coordinator had never been an offensive coordinator before Dallas.
ReplyDeleteThe defensive coordinator had never been a defensive coordinator before Dallas.
Wad has never won a playoff game.
This staff is comprised of a bunch of guys that are ALL trying to establish themselves as good coordinators/coaches. To me, that's not a good mix. You need to have some people that have been there before...and no one on the Dallas staff has "been there before."
GG
Garrett's anointment was, I think, largely the product of a virus that seems to have infected much of the Dallas sports brass and media types in recent years: namely, the conviction that this year's the year, that the team's just a few pieces away from a championship ~ despite (often overwhelming) evidence to the contrary.
ReplyDeleteThus Daniels' early go-for-it-now moves with the Rangers; Jones' repeated mistakes with the Cowboys; Cuban's stubbornness with the Mavs, Armstrong's treadmilling with the Stars ~ and all the overheated media coverage that they've generated.
The Stars are about the only team that's been immune lately, probably because Hull and Jackson are too wise for that sort of crap. It'll be interesting to see what they do given Morrow's injury...