Garrett Still a Candidate in Denver

by Rafael Vela on Jan 9, 2009 10:47 PM CST Comment 55 comments

The Denver Post printed a story earlier this evening (sorry, I can't link to it because it was yanked as I was in the process of reading it) that says the Broncos have reduced their head coaching list from seven names to five.

The list includes three defensive coordinators -- Raheem Morris of Tampa Bay, Steve Spagnuolo of New York and Leslie Frazier of Minnesota -- and offensive coordinators Josh McDaniel of New England and Jason Garrett of Dallas.

The Broncos search committee may in fact offer a contract to one of these five after further deliberation.

More as it becomes available.

For corroboration of the initial story, see this synopsis on ProFootballTalk.

Update, from The Rocky Mountain News:

Broncos officials, including Bowlen and chief operating officer Joe Ellis, will meet at 11 a.m. Saturday to discuss which, if any, candidates are brought in for a second interview.

No decisions on that front had been made as of Friday night.

Also at Saturday’s meeting, the Broncos could decide not to conduct second interviews with any of the candidates and to make a formal offer to one of them, other than Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.

11 am. That's just after noon tomorrow, Central time. Get your popcorn ready.

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Who's our replacement OC if Garrett goes? Any hypotheses?

Larry Allen benched 700 pounds. That is Leonard Davis times two.

by Tim Wilson on Jan 9, 2009 11:22 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Make it happen Denver!

Raf I know you suggested Al Saunders, but is he available? I didn’t hear anything about the Rams letting him go

by boysinyabelly on Jan 9, 2009 11:30 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Not scientific, but....

I read the ProFootballTalk post and there were 7 respondents, who I presume were Denver supporters. Spags seemed to be the favorite with Garrett getting zero mentions.

"He has a peculiar felicity of expression." John Adams

by Jim Vance on Jan 10, 2009 12:05 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The fans love Spags

One of the Denver writers thinks the team will regret it if it passes on Garrett.

by Rafael Vela on Jan 10, 2009 12:12 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

really

Garrett probably had the best interview, but fans will not be happy. If I were a Denver fan i would want Spags, O’s in place, so you keep the OC, and hope spags can turn the D.

"Protect the Romo, Save the Cowboys!!"

by Wmillion on Jan 10, 2009 12:48 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

That makes sense

But isn’t that the thinking that brought Phillips to Dallas?

by dave33 on Jan 10, 2009 8:10 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Some what..

The difference is Jerry hired the OC before hiring the HC. We didn’t have the OC in place, the same OC who has been running the offense for a couple of years.

It worked for us last year..

"Protect the Romo, Save the Cowboys!!"

by Wmillion on Jan 10, 2009 10:28 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Mike Martz is lobbying hard for the Rams OC job

I think Saunders is available

by Rafael Vela on Jan 9, 2009 11:32 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

another thing about Saunders

I remember that KC offense and there was no questioning the work Saunders did there, but what went wrong in Washington and St. Louis ? Was it just injuries or a poor fit? Remember all the hoopla when he went to Washington and they supposedly had the greatest coaching staff ever assembled? That never amounted to much.

by boysinyabelly on Jan 9, 2009 11:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Too many generals

Saunders and Gibbs had to decide who called the plays. Gregg Williams and Joe Bugel were co-assistant head coaches.

Plus, how much talent did they have? Free agents up the wazoo. Turnover every offseason. Not the same as K.C., where he had incredible talent on his O-line (Roaf, Watters, Weigmann, etc.) and Vermeil gave him total control.

Saunders didn’t have great WR talent but he ran a NASTY two TE offense. He’s got the talent to do that in Dallas.

by Rafael Vela on Jan 9, 2009 11:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

We don't have the oline KC had

But if we can cut down on the mental mistakes our line is definitely competent enough to do some of the things KC did. Other than that we have comparable if not better talent across the board than KC did IMO with our WR’s being far superior.

by boysinyabelly on Jan 10, 2009 12:01 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Thing is

Priest Holmes was his first big back in K.C. If a Saunders comes, will we see a lot more Felix Jones?

by Rafael Vela on Jan 10, 2009 12:10 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Russ Grimm of Arizona would be a great hire at OC..........

O Line background, power running game, and knowledge of Haley’s passing attack…

A true diehard Cowboys fan since 1975.

President - Garrett MUST GO campaign -

by BoyzRback on Jan 10, 2009 12:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

but i would prefer Saunders...he compliments our weapons well..

A true diehard Cowboys fan since 1975.

President - Garrett MUST GO campaign -

by BoyzRback on Jan 10, 2009 12:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'd prefer Saunders also.

But Grimm is not a bad idea.

by illcowboy on Jan 10, 2009 12:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Raf

Presented a great argument, give me Saunders.

"Protect the Romo, Save the Cowboys!!"

by Wmillion on Jan 10, 2009 1:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Interesting

Haley’s passing attack was Parcells in ’05 and ’06. He and Sparano split the game planning. You think Dallas wants to go back to that?

by Rafael Vela on Jan 10, 2009 12:37 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Being that I live in an area where the Skins are considered the local team...

… some of the offensive players (at the time) talked about Saunders having the thickest playbook in the NFL at the time.

The question and concern I’d have is if our offensive players would be smart enough to study and retain most everything in that playbook.

"I got a fever. And the only prescription is more cowbell." -- Bruce Dickinson

www.brainfriednetwork.com [NEWS/SPORTS/FOOTBALL]

by silverblue5 on Jan 10, 2009 12:20 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Do you really want to roll a complicated playbook this off season?

"Protect the Romo, Save the Cowboys!!"

by Wmillion on Jan 10, 2009 12:49 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Did the Kansas City guys complain?

The guys who make it hum didn’t complain.

The guys who didn’t made excuses.

by Rafael Vela on Jan 10, 2009 12:50 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

made it hum

by Rafael Vela on Jan 10, 2009 12:53 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

No

but, the guys in Washington did..

Did they fire him in STL? I guess it all depends on what they do at HC this season..

"Protect the Romo, Save the Cowboys!!"

by Wmillion on Jan 10, 2009 12:54 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I definitely like his experience.

He helped Trent Green reach his potential.

"Protect the Romo, Save the Cowboys!!"

by Wmillion on Jan 10, 2009 12:55 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

His K.C. record speaks for itself

In 2001 he’s not there:

320 pts., 16th in scoring;

He arrives in ’02

’02 — 467 pts., 1st in scoring;
’03 — 484 pts., 1st in scoring;
’04 — 483 pts., 2nd in scoring;
’05 — 403 pts., 6th in scoring;

His worst team those first three years averaged over 29 points a game.
The ’05 team sagged a little because they lost Holmes halfway through the
year with that career ending hip injury and had to work Larry Johnson in.

He had guys like Eddie Kennison, Johnnie Morton and Sammie Parker as his starting WRs. Granted, his OL was a big timer. I forgot to add Will Shields to Watters and Roaf as Pro Bowlers.

The Rams were not much this year, but they had no offensive line whatsoever.

by Rafael Vela on Jan 10, 2009 1:08 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

No, I don't...

Saunders’ timing-based offense is not one that T.O. would flourish in. I can see it now, “T.O., just rund 7 steps, fake the 18 route, dip your shoulder, this way and be at this spot on the sideline on the 6.5 second mark for an 8 yard gain.” Yeah, right…

Saunders would set the Dallas offense back a year.

Dallas needs to put Romo in an offense very much like Sean Payton’s, where the QB’s drops are varied, the passes revolve around short to mid-range route trees. Romo, like Brees, doesn’t have a huge arm and needs to be in an offense that doesn’t put too much pressure to fire the ball into tight spaces way downfield.

"Well, we didn't block real good but we made up for it by not tackling."

- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

by 5Blings on Jan 10, 2009 11:04 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

T.O. Flourished in WCOs

which are nothing if not timing offenses.

Where do you think Jason Garrett gets the basis of this offense?
The fundamentals of Saunders’ offense are the same as Turners’, Zampese’s and Martz’s.
Garrett’s is more a composite system but it has heavy elements of the old Dallas O.

by Rafael Vela on Jan 10, 2009 12:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

no Wm....we should just retain Garrett's ONE page play list..

please….if these clowns can’t read a play book, they shouldn’t be in the league.

A true diehard Cowboys fan since 1975.

President - Garrett MUST GO campaign -

by BoyzRback on Jan 10, 2009 12:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I want jg back

but, another team see’s his potential, I am sure he is gone..

"Protect the Romo, Save the Cowboys!!"

by Wmillion on Jan 10, 2009 1:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

You hate JG, not me..

As good as Saunder’s was in KC, he still struggled in Washington, no coach is perfect.

"Protect the Romo, Save the Cowboys!!"

by Wmillion on Jan 10, 2009 1:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Martz?

That’s interesting that he’d want to go back to the Rams.

I just read that Ware won the Butkus Award for best linebacker. He deserves it.

"He has a peculiar felicity of expression." John Adams

by Jim Vance on Jan 9, 2009 11:45 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Funny thing is

Ware also beat out Harrison in All-Pro votes for LB. Seems like the DPOY should have the most votes at his position shouldn’t he? I don’t know if this is some type of mea culpa or if the media simply refused to bestow the more presitgious award on Ware because he was on “Team Turmoil”. Still pretty bogus if you ask me.

by boysinyabelly on Jan 9, 2009 11:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The Front Office People He Didn't Get Along With No Longer Work For The Organization

"I got a fever. And the only prescription is more cowbell." -- Bruce Dickinson

www.brainfriednetwork.com [NEWS/SPORTS/FOOTBALL]

by silverblue5 on Jan 10, 2009 12:40 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

"He" being Martz

"I got a fever. And the only prescription is more cowbell." -- Bruce Dickinson

www.brainfriednetwork.com [NEWS/SPORTS/FOOTBALL]

by silverblue5 on Jan 10, 2009 12:40 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I thought Denver liked the NE OC the most

At least that was the rumor earlier.

If I was Denver I would wait for the TEN DC to become available, that guy is going to be a good HC.

T-New, shutting down WR's for Dallas since 2003

by APerfectStar on Jan 10, 2009 12:45 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

They're not interested

Jim Schwartz interviewed at Detroit.

Denver could have talked to him too.

by Rafael Vela on Jan 10, 2009 12:52 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

JG still in the race in det right?

"Protect the Romo, Save the Cowboys!!"

by Wmillion on Jan 10, 2009 12:57 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes

by Rafael Vela on Jan 10, 2009 1:10 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

But Garrett will see what happens in Denver first

If you are offered both jobs you have to take Denver. There’s no comparison between them.

by Rafael Vela on Jan 10, 2009 1:11 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

So

we let Garrett go to Denver (who fired Shanahan) and we bring in Shanahan to coach the Cowboys the following year. All of this is fine unless Jason Garrett goes to Denver wins 9 or 10 games next year and we miss the playoffs again. Two years until we possibly get any results from Shanahan? Wade Phillips as our coach next year is another disaster waiting to happen! T.O. or no T.O.!

by mrichardson70 on Jan 10, 2009 2:36 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Who Said Anything about Mike Shanahan?

by Rafael Vela on Jan 10, 2009 3:31 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I was

listening to Mort last night, he said he heard Garrett is the front runner. He also mentioned him bringing Capers with him as DC and keeping their current OC.

We’ll see if it’s true.

They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.

by what_the_crap on Jan 10, 2009 8:40 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

What job is he the front runner?

"Protect the Romo, Save the Cowboys!!"

by Wmillion on Jan 10, 2009 10:29 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Denver

They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.

by what_the_crap on Jan 10, 2009 12:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

really

I know he is pumped

"Protect the Romo, Save the Cowboys!!"

by Wmillion on Jan 10, 2009 1:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

usually I don’t trust anything ESPN says, unless it’s Mort or John Clayton.

They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.

by what_the_crap on Jan 10, 2009 1:48 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I like both of them..

Clayton is camera friendly, but he usually on the money

"Protect the Romo, Save the Cowboys!!"

by Wmillion on Jan 10, 2009 2:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

No one has answere dtho..

Who will become the OC if he leaves?

What the French?! Toast!

by thebigham on Jan 10, 2009 8:48 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Garrett needs to go

Wade-haters aside, if anyone needs to go it is Garrett. Wade put the defense back on track, but he don’t know offenses so that was left up to Garrett. Garrett blew at that job, so he needs to go. Frankly I don’t know why they’re letting Stewart hang around either. When the head coach has to step in and turn the defense around, taking over much of the DC’s duties, doesn’t that mean you need a new DC? I continue to say let Wade be and fire both coordinators.

Dan Horne
aka: texastoast
http://www.CowboysFTW.com

by texastoast on Jan 10, 2009 10:23 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

+1 ...amen TexasToast...fire Garrett and Stewart, bring in Capers and a OC,

A true diehard Cowboys fan since 1975.

President - Garrett MUST GO campaign -

by BoyzRback on Jan 10, 2009 12:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Speaking of

coaching staff, here is a blast from the Cowboys past.

Keep doing what you been doing, keep getting what you been getting.

by OskieOskie on Jan 10, 2009 10:39 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Had no idea

that Mike Solari was part of Landry’s staff for a couple seasons. Would love to have him back.

by illcowboy on Jan 10, 2009 11:42 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

That probably won't happen

but he was Wade’s choice for OL coach last year and Jerry went for Hud instead.

This is one reason I think Saunders would get strong consideration if Garrett leaves. Wade knows those K.C. lines were the toughest he had to face when he was DC at San Diego. And Saunders was running that machine.

by Rafael Vela on Jan 10, 2009 12:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yea Jerry screwed up big time with that move

Its sort of a cop-out to say this now seeing as we were all so psyched to have Houck back, but the o-line regression speaks for itself. These guys were absolute monsters under Sporano and sucked it big time under Houck.

Sad thing is only way we get rid of him is if Garret scoops him up. If Garret gets the Denver job you can forget about it as he’ll just keep their current o-line coach. If Garrett takes the Detroit job however we could see him ask for Houck as their line has been absolutely atrocious the last few years. The other potential problem I see is that Houck is the highest paid O-line coach in the league so why would he choose to go to a lesser team for (in all likelihood) lesser pay?

by boysinyabelly on Jan 10, 2009 12:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs