Dallas Cowboys Coaching Change Not the First Time Jason Garrett Asked To Lead

By now, everyone has heard and talked about the Dallas Cowboys mid-season firing of Wade Phillips and promotion of Jason Garrett to interim head coach.

In the days since, the focus of the discussion has shifted to speculation on how well Garrett can lead the Dallas Cowboys, if he can get the team to at least show some improvement by year's end and if he can land the job going forward.

Somewhat lost in the coaching discussion is a memory from years ago when, much like now, Jason Garrett found himself in a sudden and unexpected leadership role in Dallas.

The year was 1994: The Dallas Cowboys were the team to beat in the NFL, coming off back-to-back Super Bowl wins and looking for another as a fresh faced kid named Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers came to town on Thanksgiving.

The 9-2 Cowboys' run for a third Super Bowl in a row seemed to take a downward turn with an injury to starting quarterback Troy Aikman. The man behind center was now Jason Garrett, who had to start in place of Aikman in a nationally televised game.

Then, much like now, Garrett was suddenly thrust into the role of leading the Dallas Cowboys at a moment that seemed bleak. 

Garrett completed 15 of 26 pass attempts for 311 yards and two touchdowns in a comeback victory over Green Bay in the second half. 

The back-up who was suddenly asked to lead the Dallas Cowboys stepped up to the challenge.

Can Garrett channel that heart and spirit to a 2010 Dallas Cowboys team in the same manner?