Jason Garrett: 20 Bold Predictions For New Dallas Cowboys Head Coach In 2011
The interim tag has been removed from Jason Garrett's title.
The NFL Network has reported Garrett will become the Dallas Cowboys' head coach in 2011 after owner and general manager Jerry Jones fired Wade Phillips in November.
Entering today's season finale with Philadelphia, Garrett is 4-3 as head coach. Even with losses to New Orleans and Philadelphia, Dallas looked more competitive than it did under Phillips. A 27-26 loss at Arizona on Christmas Day though raised questions about whether Garrett lost his grip on the job.
Obviously not. With 2010 winding down, and the awaiting 2011 season, it's time for predictions. Here are 20 things to expect as Garrett begins his first full year as head coach of "America's Team."
20. Fake Jason Garrett will be OK
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Sports Radio 1310 The Ticket, a popular sports radio station in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, specializes in impersonations of local and national athletes. Some impersonations like Tiger Woods and Avery Johnson have been hilarious, and now Wade Phillips joined the list too.
Hard to see how Garrett will match that.
19. Cheap Marketing Ploy
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With empathetic fans shifting attention across the street to the Texas Rangers, members of the Cowboys marketing department will get the idea to offer half-priced tickets for home games through a "Jason Garrett Night", which will require fans to dye their hair red.
18. Excessive Praise
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In the next two weeks, many of Garrett's former Cowboys teammates will praise Jones for the decision and comment on all his great coaching qualities.
Fans will be left wondering if this is a first-year head coach, or the second coming of Bill Walsh.
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17. Constant Second Guessing
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Not that it should shock him, because it's the nature of the area and a fair-weather fanbase. Their hunger for a Super Bowl is only going to grow after this disappointing season when many thought Dallas would become the first team to play in a Super Bowl on its home field.
16. He'll Fire Paul Pasqualoni...
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...but keep Dave Campo, secondary coach.
Looking through the coaching staff, one would assume there would be some changes made. The defense hasn't really improved under Pasqualoni (pictured) since Phillips left, and the secondary has been the team's biggest weakness.
It's important to keep in mind though that much of what goes on with the Cowboys never makes sense.
15. There Will Be Accountability
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One of the most glaring problems in recent years under Phillips has been Dallas' lack of discipline and consistent sloppiness.
Dallas fans will be in shock Week 1 when Garrett announces seven starters have been benched for poor play and excessive mistakes in the preseason finale. Players will complain to Jones, and he'll remain mum.
14. The Wager With Romo
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Garrett will announce he's fining Tony Romo for every turnover and poor decision during game time. All money will go to a Cowboys charity, but to make things interesting, Garrett will announce he will donate $1 million to charity if Romo can meet or exceed his 2009 stats (4,483 yards, 26 touchdowns, 9 interceptions and four fumbles).
13. Influencing The Draft
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Even with the possibility of an impending lockout, Garrett will make headlines when he announces he would like to see the team draft smarter players with better work ethics.
He will then add, "You would think we could learn a thing or two from New England and the quality of players they draft. Maybe I'm wrong about that."
12. Settling The Debate
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Despite his ongoing infatuation, Jerry Jones will finally agree that Marion Barber isn't cut out to be a starting running back. Garrett will then announce Felix Jones and Tashard Choice will get the bulk of carries with Barber being used for short yardage and fourth quarter situations.
11. He'll Keep It High Octane
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Don't expect the Dallas offense to change much in 2011. They'll stretch the field, be more aggressive and utilize all the talent, prompting fans to wonder why it took so long.
10. By Week 2, Fans Will Want Him Fired
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They may be passionate and love their team, but that doesn't mean they always think clearly.
9. By Week 3...
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...fans will call in to local sports radio and say he's even better than Jimmy Johnson. Watch and see.
8. Quickly Tested
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Since he is young and unproven as a head coach, some players will try to test Garrett to see if he's soft like Phillips, or if he is truly a "player's coach."
They won't like the results.
7. To a Boil
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Dallas will return to its disciplined days they saw under Johnson, but there will be casualties. Players will curse Garrett behind his back and others may challenge him to a fight. Veterans like Jason Witten will back Garrett though and praise him for the changes he made.
6. Rumors Will Swirl Midway In
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It's no secret Jones has control issues. Don't be surprised if the rumor mill quickly swirls about potential conflict and how it creates tension between he and Garrett.
Whether or not it's untrue, it's part of the circus that comes with the Dallas Cowboys.
5. He Will Get Out-Coached
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This could happen three times.
Garrett does have talent, but let's tap the brakes on him for a second. Throughout his time as offensive coordinator, there were plenty of moments where Dallas elected to play conservatively for no reason at all. Phillips kept most of his focus on the defense because that was his specialty, but he still shares part of the blame since he was head coach.
Bottom line is Dallas' play-calling has had more than its share of questionable moments.
4. As For The Team...
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Dallas will go 12-4, and return to NFL elite status with a top offense and top 10 defense.
3. Ridiculous Extension
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After his first year as a head coach, Jones will reward Garrett with a 6-year contract extension.
Don't be shocked.
If he gave Tony Romo his ridiculous contract, what makes you think he won't do it here too?
2. No Super Bowl
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While Dallas fans expect Lombardi Trophies in the same way Yankees fans expect World Series rings, it's not going to happen overnight.
1. He Won't Be Jimmy
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Garrett has the potential to become a very good head coach, but Cowboys fans will always measure Dallas coaches against the Super Bowl champion coach. Johnson continues to be a topic of conversation whenever Dallas searches for a new coach, and ridiculous rumors pop up that he wants to return to the sidelines.
It even happened again this year.
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