Starkist Tuna off the Shelf

Friday, January 26, 2007

Posted by Monte Walker at 01:29 AM

Look out!  Jerry’s in charge again!  Hide the college draft prep films and cut off his Cingular connection to the sidelines.  Jerry is his own worst enemy.  Although the last four years of the Tuna administration has not been as successful in the win column that we had hoped, time will tell whether or not it did some good for the hands-on owner.  WIth Monday’s announcement of Parcells resignation, the jocks and socks once again were in a pouty mood because they know who’s looming back to the equipment room.  It is a good sign that Parcells was around for the Jason Garrett interview and that speaks volumes about Jones’ maturity as an owner.  Before, he would have washed his hands of that era and have taken complete reign.  That’s good news for Cowboys fans as it seems he has learned lessons over the past four years.
With the hire of Jason Garrett (with the blessing of Parcells) means that Jerry can’t disattach himself from the past.  That can be a good thing, however.  Garrett has been groomed to be a coach in this league even while wearing the #17.  It would be a major risk to have him as the head coach, however.  I think Garrett as the offensive coordinator is a step in the right direction.
The head coaching options remaign with Wade Phillips, Norv Turner, and Garry Gibbs (and if all else fails, Garrett).  While Phillips has had success at almost every stop, he seems to be the outsider in my opinion only because Jerry likes dealing with the people he is comfortable with and trusts.
Phillips is not the sexy pick by any means, but he is no doubt the right person for the job if you’re looking to improve Roy Williams, Brady James and ignite other young players on the defense.  With Garrett in place it makes perfect sense because you have a plan on both sides of the ball.  I think he’s a good  fit, but I also think others are a better fit.  He’s 60 and Jerry would have to go through this same situation in a few years.
Turner IS Dallas’ sexy pick.  Like Jones, fans are sentimental and long for the glory days.  I’m a little skeptical because people give credit to Turner for turning Troy Aikman into a Hall of Fame quarterback.  I, however, say that Aikman was pretty good before he ever met Norv Turner.  Whatever happened to Heath Shuler?  I don’t think Turner would be a bad choice as head coach, but I’d tap the brakes on a quick return to the Super Bowl that people will be expecting in 2007.  Plus, what happens on defense?  I like this move if:  Dave Campo can come back as defensive coordinator.
Garry Gibbs is the public’s longshot but I personally think this is your pick.  Gibbs is a winner.  PERIOD.  He was an oustanding linebacker at Oklahoma who lost only once while he was there.  He took over for Barry Switzer at OU and went 44-23-2 including three bowl games.  He was LSU’s defensive coordinator in 2001 under Nick Sabin and the Cowboys linebackers coach from ’02-’04.  While the Cowboys didn’t have great success in the win column during those years, you can’t blame to defense.  And the latest accomplishment from Gibbs was the outbreak season of the New Orleans Saints who marched to the NFC Championship game with spare parts on defense while he was the defensive coordinator.  With Garrett in place, this is your move Jerry.  You have a relationship with him.  You trust him.  You didn’t want him to leave last year.  And you have a chance for Brady James to be the player he was while Gibbs was here.
Garrett is your man if all else fails.  I personally don’t think that you can’t land one of the other three.  But this is the Cowboys and I’ve seen stranger.  If Garrett is your man, he’s your man for a long long long time.  He’s an inteligent individual who has a family relationship with the Cowboys and he’s young enough to embrace the youth of this league.  The national media will call him a puppet for Jerry (and there may be some truth to that), but I believe he could get the job done.