1. Phillips Must Go.
Wade Phillips is not the answer to the Cowboys' head coaching job...now, or in the future. He is an able defensive coordinator, especially when working in a staff where he submits defensive schemes to a head coach.
His motivational skills have created a team full of "servant mummies." The lack of intensity that the players possess reflects directly upon the head coach's ability to instill that intensity in them. Wade Phillips cannot do this. I don't see this ability improving any time soon.
2. Jerry Jones Should Own...Period.
As much as Wade Phillips is not the answer to the Cowboys' head coach, neither is Jerry Jones. JJ is one of the shrewdest businessmen in the NFL, to be sure. But his "wannabe" obsession with a hands-on approach to running the team has been a stumbling block to every head coach hired under Jones' ownership.
If JJ isn't willing to let his staff make the coaching decisions, without interference, then what does this say about his hiring decisions?
3. Take the Heat Off of Jason Garrett.
Jason Garrett has been a member of this organization for a long time, during hardships and triumphs. He possesses the skills to energize his offensive schemes. He can and will add to the Cowboys' offensive arsenal.
He needs to work with a head coach that can light some fire into players' less than motivated efforts. Hello Bill Cowher? Even though Cowher has stated he will not coach next season, Jerry Jones should make him an offer he cannot refuse.
4. Tebow Would Be Great...But Get Real!
Tebow will be the cream of the crop in next year's draft. Everyone knows that. Bringing him to Dallas, though, would mean losing every skill position player that Dallas currently has, not to mention several draft picks that JJ hasn't already squandered on the likes of Roy Williams, "Pac-Man" Jones, etc.
Be realistic...Tebow will not be available at the price Dallas would have to pay. It would be like completely starting over, which is not necessary if...
5. Romo Will Grow.
Tony Romo has all the necessary skills to be a quality quarterback in this league. He is not a 10-year veteran quite yet. He works well with Jason Garrett, but he—and all the other Cowboy players—need a head coach that will kick some butts; hard-nosed guidance that will make the Cowboys care more about playing good than looking good. With the possible exception of Jason Witten, there is a complete lack of intensity in the team's execution.
The core of this team is in good shape. Now let's get a head coach that will mold this team into the shape it needs—someone who will bring a heartbeat back to Dallas!
This isn't intended to suggest there are only five areas of concern for the Cowboys to improve upon. In this writer's opinion, though, these are some great places to start!
7 comments Last one added 5 months ago — Leave a Comment
jeff bazzell 6 months ago
you just need to reverse #1 and #2 priority,but everything you stated was completely verified with this teams talent and lack of productivity. jerry jones is a marketing genius,but thinks too much of himself. he needs to take a page out of the rooney's book in pittsburg. great points!! now do you think you can get jerry to go along??? LOL JEFF
Edit Comment Cancel
Walter Waddle 6 months ago
Hey Jeff,
Even though I'm from Tennessee and JJ hails from Arkansas, I doubt that we will be sittin' at the table together to eat anytime soon!! I sure wish that I could get him to see the light, but, I imagine that he will go about business as usual.
If you could choose a new coach for Dallas, who would you go with? There was an article the other day that stated at least four high profile coaches could be available by 2010. I know Bill Cowher was one. I think Mike Shanahan was another. I don't remember who the other two were.
Thanks for sharing your opinions and comments. I truly appreciate it. This was my first attempt at writing in prose/editorial style...most of my writing has been in the realm of poetry. Thanks so much for responding. Go Cowboys!!
Edit Comment Cancel
jeff bazzell 6 months ago
walter, well, since we are talking wishful thinking, how about this. jerry do what he does best market this team and his new stadium only. this,if done correctly, will make him even richer than he is and will keep him busy. then, hire jimmy johnson as gm. let jimmy put together a staff. i would say he would want someone like cowher or shanahan. just imagine what that combination of leadership would do along with the talent this team is rich in. also, wouldn't that make jerry's job of marketing it easier and more profitable????or maybe, with jimmy, they could lure bob stoops to dallas. oh well, like you said it will be business as usual.
Edit Comment Cancel
Walter Waddle 6 months ago
You may think I'm crazy, but I think the best thing they've got going for them right now is that beautiful new stadium they are moving in to. Not only with a fixed Super Bowl on the calendar already, it will give the greatest amount of exposure of this fabulous new facility to as many players as possible. That way, more talented players will be enticed to come play in a state of the art facility, for a better than average organization.
As for Jimmy Johnson...I don't think he and the other JJ are exactly "swapping spit" these days. Not to mention we'd have to get him off of his fishing boat! But it sure is a great idea.
I hadn't thought about Bob Stoops, but he would be a good catch as well. Who knows? If all these things came to pass, then JJ would have more time to do more important ownership duties...like taking a more active role in the selection of the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders. It's a dirty job, but somebody has to do it!!
Walter
Edit Comment Cancel
Chad Hensley 6 months ago
Jason Garrett is horrible. What games are you watching?
Edit Comment Cancel
Walter Waddle 6 months ago
Hey Chad, Well, I've tried to watch as many games as I could over the season since I'm a die hard Cowboy fan. I tend to go with the opinions that Jason Garrett does possess the skills and knowledge of the game that will allow him to formulate offensive schemes that utilize the talent available to him on the team from one season to the next. He didn't have much time this year to work in Roy Williams and I believe that will change next season once Williams has had the time to integrate himself into the overall offensive plans, goals, work ethic, etc. that Jason Garrett and the overall Cowboy organization use.
You know as well as I when a team like Dallas that has so many high profile offensive players, the OC has to do his best to recognize what particular skills each skill position player brings to the table, and then integrate them into his overall offensive scheme. Jason Garrett has been in this organization for a long time, he's been up and down in the limelight as a possible contender for head coaching positions from other teams, as well as the Cowboys. But that could be said of many OC's around the league. It's the nature of the game today with the parity built into the system.
I just don't believe in dealing in absolutes. To say that Jason Garrett is horrible doesn't realistically look at what he has done well or not so well, given the make up of the team from one season to the next. I still hold to the opinion that Dallas needs a head coach that can light a fire under the team and get them to play the game with a much higher level of intensity and heart. Wade Phillips doesn't strike me as the type person who can motivate personnel in a head coaching position. He is very knowledgeable when it comes to the defensive shemes and on the defensive side of the football, but he just can't or isn't willing to demand more intensity from his players. For that, I blame Jerry Jones primarily. I am disappointed that he plans to stick with Phillips into next season. Additionally, I don't want to see Jason Garrett in the head coaching job either. I want him to stay right where he is, but working with a head coach that motivates not only his players but his staff as well. There are going to be several high profile head coaches available in the next couple of seasons. I wish that JJ would take a hard look at what's going to be out there and go after somebody with some fire in their belly.
Thanks for reading and for commenting on the article.
Walter
Edit Comment Cancel
Walter Waddle 5 months ago
I stand corrected on one of my five points for success in Dallas, Texas. It appears that Tim Tebow has decided to return to Florida for his Senior year. Not that this impacts the Cowboys in any way, because they would have no chance of signing him. Unless they manage to finish 0 - 16 next year. As someone has already stated in an article over the news wires, "all this means is bad news for the SEC! Everyone else will be playing for second place next year."
Walter
Edit Comment Cancel
Leave a Comment
You must register to post a comment.