Three Gutsy Moves GM Jerry Can Make Now to Save Next Season
by Realist Larry on Jan 18, 2009 8:02 PM CST
56 comments
Stephen, you have permission to print this and take to Dad.
What JJ will NOT be asked to do-change his style. Of course, most GM's are never seen/heard, much less owners, but Jerry will be Jerry. If the Boys are winning, it's OK.And with a new stadium, he's going to continue to make himself the face of this franchise, so deal with it.
1A) Fire Wade Phillips now. With both WP and Garrett next year, he will be a lame-duck coach, and the players will tune him out. It's not really his fault, but the situation is what it is. I know, you said he was your guy next year, but like GHWBush and "Read my lips," you spoke too soon. Just get up there and admit you made a mistake, it's not all Wade's fault, but the situation looks bad for next year. Save face by mentioning that when you first backed Wade for next year, you had no idea a 44-6 thrashing By a Divsion Foe, no less, was coming. I think that gives you the right to say things changed. Pull this band-aid NOW.
1B) Promote Garrett. He may or may not be ready, but let's find out. Trust your instinct, you saw something that made you want this guy in charge. Why waste next year going 7-9 first? He may flame out (Which will be his new nickname with his red hair, if he does, "Flameout"), but Gruden, Cowher, and Fisher were nobodies when hired. New stadium, new coach-let's start now, because this team is not going to work for Wade next year, esp. if he's like Holgrem was this year, his successor sitting right there next to him. Don't waste 2009 with Phillips in charge.
2) Make Campo the DC and go back to the 4-3. We've had 4 drafts since the switch, and still don't have the personnel. Were you watching the games this weekend? 3-4's require speed and athleticism, and while Ware and a few others bring that, overall no one is confusing our D with theirs, or Philly's. Pitt, Balt., and Philly all have dominant SAFETIES who allow the front seven to run wild. Do we? Let's not even go there. And why are we wearing Ratliff down playing nose tackle? Remember Leon Lett? I'm having visions....And, Let Ware play run and pass rush at DE, and forget about coverage.
3) Eat the $10 Mill. and cut TO. The guys been OK, and many here will defend him based on his Stats, but you know the truth, Jerry. You know you signed him for one reason and one reason only---to get to, and hopefully win, the Super Bowl. Did you risk everything and pay him $40 Million to pad his stats for the HoF?? No. He could have 100 catches, 1300 yards, and 12 TD's, but you don't care , Jerry. You want something else....
Now, we had 2 good shots, and blew it. Was it his fault?? No, there's plenty of blame to go around. BUT, was he good enough to make up for the others' mistakes, did he get you over the hump? No. And now, he's getting older.
And it may not even be his fault, it may be perception more than reality, but he's a distraction away from football for this team. Perception is reality, they say. Your team should have beat both Arizona AND Pitt, and on the road both times, too. You're not that far away from the SB, Jerry! And this one guy is not going to make the difference. Sports is full of teams that lost the big name, but did better despite it. Other guys step up. So, do it, now.
Follow these steps and this team might have a chance next year. Stay on the path you're on now, and we're looking at .500 or worse year, I believe.
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WOW, WELL SAID!!!!
I think I totally agree.
I felt for Wade before that philly game but after the way that went down how in the hell can you bring him back? Even with all the injuries theres no reason this team shouldnt have had a better record. If you don’t see Jason as being your guy then go after One of the proven coaches who are available. They may not be around next year and do you really want to go through another season like this one?
I was thinking about this defense switching back to a 4-3 myself. ellis, ware and spencer as ends with ratliff canty and spears in the middle would be great. Bradie james is a stud and just maybe you could salvage Bobby “Barbie” Carpenter by playing at his natural lb position in a 4-3. Zach thomas might actually want to stay put if that happened.
Now if you cut T.O at least you wouldnt have the distractions or preceived ditractions and I think you hit it right on the head “And it may not even be his fault, it may be perception more than reality, but he’s a distraction away from football for this team.”
I myself wouldn’t mind keeping T.O. if the coaching situation was diffrent. Shanohan/broncos were the only other team attracted to T.O. after philly. His offensive mind could incorperate T.O. and keep him happy IMOP.
"Don't fake the funk on a nasty dunk"
by sprewelllatrell on Jan 18, 2009 10:01 PM CST reply actions
Thanks,
As for cutting TO, I know that’ll be unpopular w/many, but all of these moves come with some risk.
That’s why I called it “Gutsy” in the title!
Cutting TO makes alot of sense, especially if JG is here next season....
Less distractions the better for this team going forward.
true
Im at the point were I would feel relieved if he was cut. With the right coaching there’s no reason the offense couldn’t function just fine without him.
It would also mean less people hating on the cowboys and maybe I would come to respect Ed Werder. ahh prolly not
"Don't fake the funk on a nasty dunk"
by sprewelllatrell on Jan 18, 2009 10:10 PM CST reply actions
1A- I agree…Wade is not the right head coach for this team. We lost some of the games we lost this year because we were outcoached. He has a negative impact as a head coach.
!B- Lukewarm feelings about this. We hired Garrett and as a Cowboy fan like many that remembered him as our back-up QB I wanted to see him succeed. However in the non-football world what kind of profession allows you to regress/underpreform and get promoted? Part of me remembers the clip from Hard Knocks that made me think he might be a better head coach then a offensive coordinator, but I prefer the idea of Shanahan taking over.
2. Disagree. Ware had 20 sacks this year and you want him to change position? Ratliff had a great year…no need to change the defense, just find a better nose tackle to rotate him with. In theory a 3-4 defense should minimize the need for a great safety because you would have an extra linebacker that could potentially cover as opposed to a defensive lineman that would not.
3. I agree wholeheartedly. I hated it when we signed him, hated having to root for him these past three years, and will hate it moving forward. His on the field numbers don’t make up for all of the sideline drama. Furthermore if keeping him has an impact on the Miles Austin decision I’ll hold it against him for years to come as Austin becomes a star for another team.
by Beuerleincouldhavebeenbetterthentroy on Jan 18, 2009 10:28 PM CST reply actions
changes needed...
i really think jerry will hold true and stick with wade for the duration of the off season and into next season if for no other reason than to offer the consistancy that retaining 75-80% of your staff can offer.
i do agree that some the changes that need to be made are going to be of the addition by subtraction variety(tank johnson, pac man, and perhaps even the RW38 as well as T.O.). I have never been on the get rid of T.O band wagon, but if u are going to purge yourselves of the so called “bad apples”….
I think that a Garret/Campo combo could work, but also believe that we will have to wait till next offseason to find out.
The real focus this off season should be the roster. while we may have been fooled into to believing we were the most talented team going in to this season, we lack depth on the O-line and will also need to address other areas in the draft and perhaps free agency. Drafting a talented speed reciever should make its way up the list should we part with T.O. and it sounds like decisions also will have to be made on the D-line as well with Canty, Spears, Ellis(cut him as well). Is Burnett an answer at one of the inside backer position? not sure, but more depth will be need there as well.
What do 3 of the 4 teams that made the conference finals have in common? they all beat the cowboys? Nope, that would be all 4 in fact. The Steelers, Ravens, and Iggles all played smothering defense on the back nine so to speak. heck, even the cards have stepped it up a notch in the tourny. to make the biggest splash this offseason south of firing a coach or cutting a mouthy wide-out we should make two moves to solidify our defensive unit. sign two defensive stalwarts looking to make one more run to the playoffs.
-Brain Dawkins on a short term deal to play opposite of Ken hamlin and provide some spirt and leadership to a unit looking to take it to the next level.
-put Ray Lewis next to Bradie James in the middle on a similar deal and just ask the offense to kick 3 field goals a week.
These two moves are both far fetched, but if Jerry wants to do the “all in” thing one more time then this would be the the best way to say that we opened our new stadium in style as well as giving Wade the ample talant needed to have the kind of dominant D that can win a championchip.
no way dawk plays for dallas...not going to happen
philly will keep him..do not see them letting him go..he is very very close to the owner and his wife…
ray lewis
he would be my number 1 target…we need a leader and he is the perfect fit, plus he would fit in well ..Also…no way i switch back to a 4-3…bring in capers to head the d..
Do you truely expect the Ravens to dump the face of their franchise? They will make sure that he ends his playing time a Raven.
i can only hope...
all 3 starting lb’s for balt are free agents so they cannot sign them all…plus rex ryan is leaving for the jets so u never know
I agree whole heartedly. Business is business can't keep all three lbs the oldest will probably go.
This defense will never be the same without Ryan . But i’d gladly take any of the three lbs although the only one we have a shot at,i believe,is ray.
Don't believe everything you think.
Your causes are cute!!!
true
On First take the guy said they should probably sign Suggs long term-younger, franchise Ray-older, and let Scott go..
The guy went on to say Ray will be pissed if he gets franchised and could disrupt the lockroom.
I’ll say Scott or Chrowder should be a cowboy next year.
"Protect the Romo, Save the Cowboys!!"
All those players would be nice to have but we really don’t the money to do it. I personally think that we resign or free agents and have money for draft picks and maybe sign a low price player.
like Jim Leonard
George Teague did it all.
by Aaron Novinger on Jan 19, 2009 1:38 PM CST up reply actions
not sure philly keeps him. under the lurie regime, they've had a history of not re-signing aging vets.
Celebrity or Imposter?
YOU Decide...
http://www.xanga.com/metaltometal/689036052/celebrity-or-imposter/
by silverblue5 on Jan 19, 2009 12:19 PM CST up reply actions
One of the secrets of their long-term success, just like NE.
Know when to let a guy go, and trust, or actually just Expect, a young player to step up.
by Realist Larry on Jan 19, 2009 4:46 PM CST up reply actions
and that's one of the reasons why those two franchises consistently have winning seasons...
Celebrity or Imposter?
YOU Decide...
http://www.xanga.com/metaltometal/689036052/celebrity-or-imposter/
No way Dawk wants to play in Dallas though
"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."
by aussie_cowboy on Jan 19, 2009 6:29 PM CST up reply actions
i don't think so either. but i also don't see Philly re-signing him either.
i could picture a young team with a defensive-minded HC acquiring Dawkins… maybe a team like San Francisco.
He would add toughness and leadership to that squad.
Celebrity or Imposter?
YOU Decide...
http://www.xanga.com/metaltometal/689036052/celebrity-or-imposter/
Yeah thats actually the team I envision him with
"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."
by aussie_cowboy on Jan 19, 2009 9:17 PM CST up reply actions
I totally disagree with all suggestions.
A for putting in the effort
by CowboysRnumba1 on Jan 18, 2009 11:04 PM CST reply actions
They're all risky and have no guarentees
And I’m aware #2 is a pipedream.
But if they’re going to stick w/the 3-4 they’d better bring in some speed and athleticism.
It’s about as likely as getting Peppers, Dawkins, or Ray Lewis! (All of whom I’d like to have….)
by Realist Larry on Jan 19, 2009 12:00 AM CST up reply actions
Dave Campo?
You are kidding right? No thanks, I like the defense at least being good.
0 = The number of Super Bowls the Eagles have won.
when Campo was DC
our defenses were better than they have been with Wade, with much less talent.
In Romo we Trust
Are you oblivious?
In 2003 we had the number one defense. Not to mention he’s done a decent job everywhere else he has went.
by Mandmeisterx on Jan 19, 2009 12:42 PM CST up reply actions
that was a misnomer
we were strong against the run
Played off the WR’s as to not give up the big play.
We were NO WHERE NEAR being a good defense.
Zimmer Hasn’t done that well anywhere IMO…..
You'll never get in a traffic jam,while going the extra mile. -Roger staubach
Campo still had Jimmy's players in place...
…and picked up where Butch left off
…and did a damn good job!
Celebrity or Imposter?
YOU Decide...
http://www.xanga.com/metaltometal/689036052/celebrity-or-imposter/
by silverblue5 on Jan 19, 2009 12:23 PM CST up reply actions
+1
I’d rather they stick with Phillips’ 3-4 and maybe start seeing what they have in Grantham as an “honorary” DC. Phillips still calls the plays, though.
George Teague did it all.
by Aaron Novinger on Jan 19, 2009 1:39 PM CST up reply actions
My take
1A) That’s the reason I joined this blog, to see Wade fired 2 years too late
1B) This will occur very early next year when JJ can say how he has not seen the team
react to changes implemented by the Hillbilly Clown. Will not happen now that all
coaching vacancies are filled.
2) I disagree. I don’t want to spend the next three years re-tooling the defense back to
a 4-3. We were #1 in sacks this year although the effectivenees and timing of those
sacks can be argued against. We have the linebackers in place for a 3-4.
3) Agreed
I don't think there'd be much to retool
and think there’s just as much work to get the personnel to run a 3-4 like it’s supposed to be run.
by Realist Larry on Jan 19, 2009 4:45 PM CST up reply actions
1A) Agree
1B) No no no, what has garrett ever done to justify even being considered a HC?
2) The D is close to being a top tier defense, why not draft and/or sign the couple of guys who could make an impact instead?
3) The best you can come up with to cut T.O. is that he didn’t win the super bowl for us? Ware didn’t win the super bowl for us either, better cut him too..
Ware>T.O.
There’s nobody on the roster who can even potentially come close to doing what Ware does.
TO has Williams and Austin threatening to do better than he does.
Ware’s young and continues to get better with every season. TO’s old and is showing diminished skills, speed, agility, etc.
There is no conceivable reason or excuse to allow Ware to be employed elsewhere. While I’m not all for getting rid of TO, I don’t think we’d be hurting all that much should it take place.
(Well aware the D. Ware statement was sarcasm, still…)
by the red scare on Jan 20, 2009 10:49 PM CST up reply actions
About T.O.'s diminishing skills.
He had the same number of 40-plus yard receptions (6) in ’08 that he had in ’07; 5th most in the league. If he can actually get the ball in his hands and hang on to it he can still make big plays or at least he did this past season.
I’d really like to know the degree to which T.O. is a cancer before I’d subtract a player who still has that kind of big play capability and thus makes everybody else’s job that much easier by putting them into much more favorable situations than they’d normally get were they the lead dogs; I’m specifically referring to Austin.
Just read today's post by Grizz.
it’s not all TO, it’s teamwide, but he’s poster boy #1 for the attitude going on.
Cutting TO gets rid of the biggest problem, and sends a mesage to other players.
by Realist Larry on Jan 21, 2009 12:12 AM CST up reply actions
Willams and Austin threatening to do better than he does?
Terrell Owens: 69 rec, 1052 yds
Williams +Austin: 32 rec, 561 yds (if you want you can add Roy’s beastly 17 rec, and 232 yds in Detroit through week 6 as well)
And if you throw in Crayton just for the hell of it. The trio only eclipses T.O. by 2 receptions, and 59 yds.
Im sure T.O. can feel that group of young stud wideouts breathing down his neck as we speak.
IF YOU'RE LOOKIN FOR ME...I'M AT THE SCRIP CLUB WITH PACMAN......AND WE'RE BEING REBELLION!!
by Carl Shelton (GloryDayz88) on Jan 21, 2009 10:11 PM CST up reply actions
Dude's almost 36
He’s in fantastic shape, but still. I suppose I went overboard saying they were getting close to producing at TO’s level, but the point still remains. TO could be gone and the offense could still do a lot of damage. Witten and Bennett factor into the passing game, too.
I’d also love to see the amount of times TO was thrown to, as opposed to Williams, Austin, or Crayton. I’m 100% positive he had way more balls thrown his way as opposed to the other three.
Would they be better with TO on the field? Absolutely, but that doesn’t mean they couldn’t do it without him. With TO in a relatively solid state of decline(as illustrated in one of the latest articles here), there’s no telling just when a player like Williams or Austin will surpass him.
by the red scare on Jan 21, 2009 10:59 PM CST up reply actions
Glory, man, that is so irrelevant!
Because, if TO is gone, there won’t be an empty spot and we won’t play with 10 guys!
C’mon, you realize if he’s not here those other guys PLAY MORE and get those 100+ throws their way that Owens had, right??
by Realist Larry on Jan 21, 2009 11:53 PM CST up reply actions
+10000000
"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."
by aussie_cowboy on Jan 22, 2009 12:34 AM CST up reply actions
TO was signed for that one specific purpose.
There’s a reason no one else wanted him.
Even HE knew it and agreed to the first contract structured with ‘roster bonuses" the 1st 3 years, allowing JJ to cut him w/no loss.
Even he knew he’d become identified as cancerous.
JJ was the only GM in the whole league to take one of the ost talented WR’s (then)…..why?
To win the Super Bowl, period.
It was a specific risk, and failed.
His situation is unique and comparisons to other players meaningless.
by Realist Larry on Jan 21, 2009 12:10 AM CST up reply actions
Just a quick point on "Nobody" wanting him
Denver were actually interested
"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."
by aussie_cowboy on Jan 21, 2009 12:32 AM CST up reply actions
Well technically because we wanted him to it would be 1/16 of the teams.....
"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."
by aussie_cowboy on Jan 21, 2009 8:49 PM CST up reply actions
There were a lot of takers
jerry was the highest bidder.
IF YOU'RE LOOKIN FOR ME...I'M AT THE SCRIP CLUB WITH PACMAN......AND WE'RE BEING REBELLION!!
by Carl Shelton (GloryDayz88) on Jan 21, 2009 10:01 PM CST up reply actions
That's not how I remember it Glory.
If so, why did he and his agent take such a terrible contract w/ very little guarenteed money?
Do you remember how those first 3 years were structured?
by Realist Larry on Jan 21, 2009 11:50 PM CST up reply actions
3 Reason Jerry the GM/Owner will Keep TO.
1- He is fan- Jerry wants to see how the offense will look with two really good WR’s in it.. On paper you must admit the offense is ridiculous.
2-Jerry the GM-10 Million is a lot of money to spend to get nothing for it. Especially with no guarantee in his mind we will be a better team. Does Jerry really believe in addition, by subtraction? I doubt it. Anyone read the book “Boys will be Boys”? Jerry still thinks we can do some of things we did in the 90’s. Different Era Jerry..
3. Ex-girlfriend Syndrome-Last thing Jerry wants to see is TO catching TD’s on sports center for another team..
"Protect the Romo, Save the Cowboys!!"
All true and why this is my opinion, not
necesarily a Prediction of what I think will happen.
For instance, I doubt we go 4-3 at this point.
However, the idea of cutting TO was seen as a very small possibility a month or 6 weeks ago, and ridiculed by many, including here.
Now, I’d say it’s a 50-50 chance, and that even those against it are realizing it’s not such a far-fetched idea.
I think either Wade OR TO OR Garrett goes by next year, though.
by Realist Larry on Jan 21, 2009 7:41 PM CST up reply actions
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