The Cowboys are looking at possibly matching up San Diego defensive coordinator Wade Phillips as their head coach, but only if they get Troy Aikman’s former backup, Jason Garrett, as offensive coordinator. Phillips is from Texas and his expertise is the 3-4 defense, the scheme that Bill Parcells installed.
Garrett has been the hot assistant coach for the past month. Nick Saban foolishly thought Garrett would follow him from Miami to Alabama while the Dolphins have wisely prevented him from interviewing elsewhere because new head coach Cam Cameron may want him to be his offensive coordinator.
What's really interesting is that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is also considering Garrett for the team's head coaching position. Jones, who remains close to Raiders owner Al Davis, may be taking a page out of Davis' playbook and going after the hot, young coaching candidate.
But the combination of Phillips and Garrett also makes a lot of sense because Jones really likes Garrett, who also has strong support from former coach Jimmy Johnson and Aikman. Phillips, though, is a wild card in all of this because many of the Cowboys’ front seven defenders are also suited for a 4-3 scheme.
Why not wait to interview Chicago defensive coordinator Ron Rivera?
Bears head coach Lovie Smith, who has one year remaining on his contract, has been linked to Big D, too, because he’s from Big Sandy, Tx. The Bears are currently involved in trying to figure out what kind of raise Smith deserves. It would be a horrible publicity mistake if Chicago actually traded Smith to Dallas for draft picks because they won’t pay him $5 million a season. Last week, the word was Smith would settle for $4.5 million before his team won the NFC championship.
Titans owner Bud Adams is on record that he won’t allow Jones to talk to his coach, Jeff Fisher, because he doesn’t want to part with him, even if he plans to install a GM over Fisher and give this new guy, just like he did with Floyd Reese, all the personnel power. Fisher finally gets rid of Reese and no way will be want to say and be bossed around by a new general manager?
The asking price for a head coach is pretty steep. Tampa Bay paid $8 million and two first-round and two second-round picks to Al Davis for Jon Gruden. Outside of winning a Super Bowl, that deal looks pretty poor these days. The Jets paid three top draft choices for Bill Parcells in 1997. The Patriots (a real bargain in today’s world) paid a mere first-round pick for Bill Belichick.
Now, I can see Jones parting with a first-round pick, but nothing more, for Fisher. He’d probably prefer a cash-only deal. And this is where Norv Turner fits the Cowboys.
If Jones can’t swing the Phillips-Garrett marriage, it makes a lot of sense for him to pay Turner $3 million (or whatever it would take) this season to be his head coach with the promise that he can collect the same amount of money in 2008 when Jones goes after Fisher or Bill Cowher. Turner would step down and be the offensive coordinator for whatever big-name coach Jones can hire or he can simply walk away with a huge severance check.
Let me say that money is no object to Jerry Jones. He’d rather write a check than swap his draft choices. The thinking is that Jerry wants to win badly and knows he needs the draft to keep his team in line for the playoffs.
The Turner scenario makes a lot of sense, especially if he doesn’t mind working for Cowher in 2008 as the game’s highest-paid coordinator. Cowher-Turner or Fisher-Turner, either one of these marriages, is definitely better, on paper, than what Daniel Snyder has paid in Washington.
Pats will have to pay
New England has been operating within its own budget for many successful seasons, but the AFC Championship game loss to Indianapolis exposed some holes in that once mighty defense. The Big Three — Tedy Bruchi, Richard Seymour and Mike Vrabel — didn’t produce any major plays while combing for 14 tackles and one sack. Instead, they couldn’t hold a 21-3 halftime lead over Peyton Manning. A year ago, that would have been blasphemous to say, Belichick’s defense blowing such a margin.
But cornerback Asante Samuel proved his worth. He limited Marvin Harrison to four receptions and basically evolved into a shut-down cornerback. Unlike Ty Law before him, Samuel just turned 26 and is a lot younger than what Law was (30) when he left the Patriots to join the Jets in 2005. Samuel’s best football is ahead of him and if the Patriots don’t pay, some team definitely will.
With Bruschi considering retirement and he and Vrabel aren’t getting any younger. Bruschi will 34 next season and Vrabel will be 32. Yes, they are both quality players, but age is suddenly a factor.
I feel that Garrett would definetly be a plus as offensive coordinator. As for the Head Coach position...I think that Wade Philips would be good at least until they can get Bill Cowher. That way he can develop the Defense more to where they can be more effective against these other teams' Offense.
he's played his hand. there is no way he wants garrett to be the coach, but he 's not going to get anyone really good since he's already hiring key coaching positions, something a real coach would want to do. turner isn't gonna babysit for a year. it'd make him look bad. i think the old coot is actually thinking of coaching a season HIMSELF!!! he probably thinks he can do it too. just buy some time while he negotiates with cower or fisher for a year, getting everything ready for them. i almost feel sorry for you cowboys fans...ALMOST! GO STEELERS!!!!
I think samuel in the ATL,opposite Hall is scarier and more likely due to owners willing to spend. Dallas just needs to rid of Owens since he is in the mode of making his owner look foolish by being critical of his hiring decisons.
I've been a diehard Cowboy fan for 45 years, but if Cower becomes head coach I'll have to move on. NFL's longest tenure only has 1 super bowl win and it was a gift from officials, besides he looks stupid and slobbers. Phillips and Garrett are the best bet.
Its a mess and a shame!!! To think, had this been a year ago Payton would be where he belongs, head coach of the Cowboys, not a Saint. Thanks Bill.
But since things are the way they are, I think the Phillips/Garrett idea just might work. Cowher, and Fisher are both good coachs, but thanks no thanks. The Turner idea to step down after a year just doesn't fly.
Whatever happens is bound to be better than watching Billy boy shackle the offence.
Do us all a favor Bill stay retired and stay in Jersey!!!!!
Last edited by Dallaskks22 on January 24th at 3:48 PM.
Pay Jimmy Johnson $10 Million a year and he'll come out of retirement!
And throw T.O. off the team or trade him to the Detroit Lions because they love wide receivers AND maybe he can drive around Motown in the buff!
LMAO!
Forget Cowher...the best quick fix is bring in Dan Reeves for 2-3 years as head coach....pay Jason Garret and Wade Phillips whatever it takes to secure the offensive and defensive coordinator jobs. By the time Reeves calls it quit, which should be within 10 days after winning his first Super Bowl as a coach. This, either Garret or Phillips would then take over a great team and manage it...instead of screwing it up like Barry Switzer did in 1994.
Why would Dallas want to hire Norv Turner again. He has already shown time and time again that he cant cut it as a head coach. To me this is waisting time and money. Look to the college ranks!! Why not Tommy Bowden from Clemson?
In the first place, GET A NEW OWNER, the present one, will hire satan, as you can see he already has when he got Terrell Owens. run off, Terrell Owens (better known as diarrhea mouth.) Hire a good college coach, like maybe Mack Brown, someone who can work with the young and the mature players as well.
AS A LIFELONG COWBOYS FAN...ITS BECOME CLEAR THAT AS LONG AS JERRY JONES CONTINUES TO TRY AND BE A G.M. AND INTERFERE IN COACHING MATTERS THEY ARE DESTINED TO STAY AVERAGE. PARCELLS NEVER WANTED THAT #### T.O.(MR.DROPPED BALL), AND I THINK DEALING WITH ALL THAT AND JONES TRYING TO RUN THINGS ALL THE TIME WAS A HUGE REASON THAT HE CHOSE TO RETIRE. JUST ASK JIMMY JOHNSON. I DON'T THINK HE WOULD COME BACK TO THE COWBOYS FOR ANY AMOUNT OF MONEY AS LONG AS JONES IS STILL THE OWNER. WHY WOULD HE? HE SEEMS TO BE DOING PRETTY WELL WITHOUT ALL THE HASSLE!
Jerry Jones, forget all these coaches that are available (especially Bill Cowher) and go the the COACH that brought you, get down on your knees and beg JIMMY JOHNSONS FORGIVNESS. BEG him to come back and be the Cowboys Coach. Offer him a $10 million contract plus a bonus of $2 million for Conferance Championships, $3 million per play off game, $5 million for each Super Bowl Game.
Jerry Jones, you stay in your owners box, off the field and compleatly out of the way and let Jimmy Johnson do his job. He is a proven winner and YOU know it. He would bring you back to the penical of the NFL "The Super Bowl".
The money I have mentioned to pay Jimmy Johnson to coach the Cowboys again doesn't amount to anything compared to the money you have squandered on players such as T.O., Vanderjast and other losers whom you thought would make you a Super Bowl Winner.
Should Jimmy Johnson refuse you can always go to Oklahoma and hire BS the "Oklahoma Gunslinger" to coach the Cowboys. "What a Joke".
HIRING DAN REEVES WOULD BE A GREAT ADDITION FOR THE COWBOYS, HE WOULD ONLY BE AROUND FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS AND THEY COULD GROOM A YOUNG COACH LIKE GARRET TO TAKE OVER.
Hey Czar...how about reading some of this stuff before you upload it...I just had to explain to my 10 year old why he didn't understand your article: it is RIDDLED with typos...come on Czar...don't be the Prince-to-be...be the KING!!!
I think that a great coach, like Dan Reeves, who is an old dallas Cowboy himself, would be a sper choice if we could coax him out of retirement. Wade Phillips as Defensive Coordinator, and Jason Garrett, as Offensive Coordinator would make next year dream of another Super Bowl Championship a reality.
That aside, if Reeves won't leave retirement, then let's go with Wade Phillips as Head Coach and Jason Garret as the Offensive Coordinator and future head coach!!!
I am surprise to see the number of people mentioning Dan Reeves. I think it's a great idea. The Cowboys are not in a rebuilding mode; they're expected to win next year. Can they hire someone with no head coaching experience and take the risk that this person may take a year or two to be groomed into a good head coach? (Payton and Mangini don't happen very often) Along the same line, can they take the risk of hiring someone who has failed as a head coach (especially not once but twice!!!)?
Dan Reeves has the winning experience necessary to win games NOW!
Jimmy Johson would be the best choice.
Last edited by stampeding on January 24th at 7:51 PM.
As a lifeling Cowboys fan I cringe at the thought of Wade Phillips as our Head Coach. Defensive coordinator, maybe, but that actually scares me too. Jason Garrett is as smart as they come but is he ready for Head Coach in Big D? If Jerry could lure Jimmy back to Dallas that would be a HUGE deal for us, however, I doubt thats gonna happen. All I can say is this...don't let us down Jerry and please no Norv Turner, unless its as a coordinator.
Has anyone thought of considering Danny White for this position. He has been a hell of an arena league coach, winning championships. He's a proven winner yet no mention of his name for an interview or even if he would be interested.
Danny Reeves announced last week that he is tired of honey do's and being retired, and wants back into coaching...Hope Jerry gives him an interview for the head coaching job...Garrett as Quarterback coach but not the Head Coach...BFD
I love the idea of Jason Garrett. I think he's a brilliant, young offensive minded coach. Just needs some seasoning. I agree to bring him in as our offensive coach, and bring in a Ron Rivera, to groom Jason Garrett for the job.
I have to agree with the Jimmy Johnson fans. Give him whatever it takes & let him run the show. Get rid to T.O.. He's a waist of money & a major distraction. If Jerry could get Jimmy, stay out of his way, & let the greatest coach of all time do his thing, we'll be watching our Cowboys in the superbowl next year. If you can't land Jimmy, then keep working towards Cower. He may only have one superbowl win, but look at the finances that he had to work with in Pittsburgh. Either way, Jerry needs to let the coach, coach.
Last edited by wvumash on January 26th at 6:01 AM.
Phillips and Garrett would be a solid combo, but that major thorn has got to go that little BRAT T.O let's cut our losses, and please bring in someone that can spell TEAM, I dont see an I no where in the word.
I think Jerry Jones should get a hat and throw names into it......Jerry Glanville, Mike Ditka, Jimmy Johnson, George Seifert, Dan Reeves, Marv Levy, Sam Wyche, and Don Sula. The winner could coach for a few years until Jerry Jones takes over the Head Coaching/Owner spot. But seriously...Mike Martz would do a FINE job with his offensive expertise and supportive crew around him.
John Czarnecki, a former sportswriter with over 20 years experience covering the NFL, has been the editorial consultant for the Emmy Award-winning FOX NFL Sunday since its 1994 inception. Prior, he provided exclusive information to CBS Sports' The NFL Today program from 1991 to 1993, holding a similar position.
Prior to joining CBS Sports, Czarnecki was a pro football writer for The National Sports Daily (1989-91), The Dallas Morning News (1989), and The Los Angeles Herald-Examin er. An archive of work can be found here.
