How Jason Garrett Has Become Nothing More Than Jerry Jones' Puppet

Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones has head coach Jason Garrett right where he wants him: Tied up like a marionette with Jones being the puppet master.

Via ESPN Dallas' Calvin Watkins:

"

Jason Garrett isn't calling offensive plays. Bill Callahan is calling the plays.

— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) January 22, 2013"

Will someone please remind me what, exactly, Garrett is good for these days?

Garrett has become nothing more than Jones' puppet. And if you believe the Cowboys' eccentric owner , this demotion is actually a promotion (via Watkins):

"

It's not a step back for Jason. It's actually a step forward for Jason in my mind. When he became the head coach, it was at my insistence that he continue to call the plays. It was not at Jason's insistence.

It is not a step back for the Cowboys or a step back individually for him to change the way we basically are putting our game plan together or are calling the plays on the offensive side of the ball. As you well know, differences in opinion can frankly be a step in a better direction.

"

We all know Jones lives in bizzaro world, but attempting to follow his logic on this one might be dangerous to your health.

Garrett's strong suit since he became the team's offensive coordinator back in 2007 was that he was considered to be an exceptional play-caller and offensive coach. At that time, Jones said of Garrett (via ESPN News Services), "Jason is someone who is held in high regard as a bright offensive mind throughout the NFL."

Obviously, Jones has come to the realization that Garrett's offensive genius may have been a bit overstated. We've all seen the way Dallas' offense has sputtered of late, and it seems logical that a change might be needed. But what in the world is Garrett good for if not to call plays?

He's no personnel genius, and he isn't an experienced administrator. Lord knows that his team has been among the most undisciplined in the NFL the past couple of seasons: The Cowboys ranked No. 30 in penalties per game in 2012-13 and No. 28 in 2011-12.

Garrett is good at one thing, though. He's willing to put up with whatever Jones wants to do, even if it means he has no authority whatsoever. 

And that's what this latest move has done—stripped Garrett of any power he may have had left, which is directly contrary to what he promised Garrett when he was hired as the team's head coach in 2011.

Remember, Jones made a huge show in front of the national media when Garrett was introduced, saying (via ESPNDallas.com's Tim MacMahon):

"

Jason will have the final say on any person that leaves the coaching staff or comes to the coaching staff. There won't be a player on this team that Jason does not want on the team.

"

I don't know about you, but I didn't buy what he was selling then. His actions just two years later—firing Rob Ryan and handing the offense to Callahan—speak much louder than his words.

Garrett is Jones' puppet, and all Cowboys fans can do now is continue to ride the roller coaster that comes with the package of being in love with "America's Team."

Follow me on Twitter @JesseReed78