Dallas Cowboys: Why 2012 Is a Make-or-Break Year for Jason Garrett

In this day and age of short-lived contracts and free agency, how much time should Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett be given to turn the Cowboys around?

Is there a set benchmark of games won that he should reach before fans start to get restless?

Better yet, is there another guy out there that fans would rather have not currently employed?

In his short tenure as head coach, Garrett has compiled a record of 24 wins and 13 losses. His winning percentage is over 50 percent, and he has the Cowboys positioned to make a serious run at the playoffs this season.

While Garrett is just starting his second full season as the ‘Boys lead dog, 2012 may go a long way in determining how long he’ll be with the Cowboys.

Dallas is a team in flux. Well, almost.

The offensive line is still a work in progress, as the team is still deciding on the center and guard positions. Tyron Smith and Doug Free are set at tackle, but why is the team still searching for a center a month before the start of the season?

Is that Garrett’s fault, team owner Jerry Jones or just a sheer lack of talent?

Dallas knew that the center position was one of weakness for it, so why the long wait on picking a new one?

Next, the Cowboys have had issues with Garrett’s play-calling over the years. Last season, he iced his own kicker against the Cardinals that led to a loss.

He has made his fair share of calls that make fans and pundits wonder about his line of thinking when calling that particular play.

Many have questioned his effectiveness in the red zone, as Dallas has struggled to score touchdowns when inside of the 20-yard line.

Garrett can also lack balance in his play calling, as Romo’s arm gets a healthy workout and the legs of the ‘Boys running backs may be fresher than a newborn racehorse.

But it is still tough to criticize a man who has compiled a winning record in Dallas. He has not won a playoff game, but he’s still 11 games over .500.

So while I will refrain from criticizing the young head coach, I will state that Garrett needs to make a measurable difference with Dallas this season.

Quarterback Tony Romo is in his prime, the team has a really good running back in DeMarco Murray and receivers Dez Bryant and Miles Austin are two of the team’s best playmakers.

Defensively, linebacker DeMarcus Ware is the best pass-rusher in the league. Sean Lee is emerging as one of the team’s best defenders.

We could continue down the expressway of talent for the Cowboys because it’s no secret that they have it. It is what are they doing to effectively use it?

Based on last season’s records, the Cowboys have a pretty tough schedule. They open against the Giants, have the Eagles twice and face off against the Saints and Steelers.

Six games that could all represent losses for Dallas this season.

If Garrett is unable to move his team away from average records or 9-7 finishes, his time in Dallas may be cut short. He has to find a way to maximize the talent on this team, as there is far too much of it for the Cowboys to fail.

Garrett cannot afford for the Cowboys to underachieve and miss the playoffs in 2012; his coaching career depends on it.

Dallas has to take a pretty big step forward toward the playoffs for Jones to keep his underwear cool.

If not, then fans may be ready to say hello to a new head coach in the very near future.