My real early candidate and other notes
by Chandus on Dec 14, 2009 2:35 PM CST
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PrintFirst, a notice:
I'm not giving up on the season, some people may say: "who have the Cowboys beat other than a bunch of nobodies and the Eagles?".
That has everything to do with perception. At the time of the games the Eagles and Falcons were winning teams, right now the Eagles are the only +.500 team that the Cowboys have beat, losing to San Diego, New York (x2, ouch), Green Bay and Denver.
But there's a thing in there, the Cowboys had their chances to take the games away from their opponents, for whatever reason they didn't, but they were in position. It isn't as if they were blown out of the water.
They have a couple of opportunities to beat +.500 teams in the near future and I think that they're capable, they've shown that they are.
Head Coaching candidate:
Leslie Frazier, D.C. Minnesota.
Everything that I've read about the dude makes me think that he's perfect for the job... He likes size on his defense (we have size on spades); he's strict, likes to be in control and his players love him (a plus, a plus and a plus); likes to blitz and knows how to hide it (he coached under Jim Johnson in Philly for a few years); and he's well versed on the Tampa-2 and Cover-2 schemes (the Cowboys have used the cover-2 efficiently as of late, having 2 Safeties with legs helps).
No, I'm not saying that the defense is going to move from the 3-4 to a 4 man front scheme, or that they should, look at Coach Tomlin and the Steelers, he's a coach with a 4 man front defensive background that had 0 experience working with a 3-4, he just applied his knowledge of pressure and coverage with the knowledge of a well versed mind at D.C. (luckily for him he probably had the help of one of the most well versed 3-4 minds). I think that the Cowboys have that with Todd Grantham, who has the respect of the DLineman working under him and is a hard nosed and loud football coach.
Yeah, some of the Cowboys problems lie on the offense side, too... But I believe that a transfusion of new blood along the OLine will solve some of what ails the unit.
Oh, the irony...
Garrett relies to heavily with the pass? He's an idiot.
Garrett trusts his run blocking? He's an even bigger idiot.
Garrett is the definition of a scapegoat.
Let's play a game of scenarios: Garrett goes against the flux from the San Diego 4 yard line and goes pass in 1st and 2nd down for a couple of incompletions, goes run in 3rd and 4th down and fails to make it. Right now we would be hearing this:
"With the running game carrying the team as well as they did to that field position they forget that they can run all over the Chargers? Garrett again tried to be a smarter man that he is..."
The guy trusted the run blocking that moved his team to that field position, but the team failed, as usual, to make the proper push when it was needed the most. Is that his or the run blockers fault? In my book, if a RB gets hit or tackled at or behind the LOS is because someone screwed up.
And that's the story of the Cowboys OLine in the past 3 or 4 years.
We need a good OLine Draft, Football Gods.
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I like the Leslie Frazier pick...
My under the radar guy to consider would be the Jet’s defensive coordinator Mike Pettine. He is considered Rex Ryan’s “right hand man” and is leading the number one defense yardage-wise in the NFL. He also worked with Rex in Baltimore and clearly has exposure to the type of pressure-oriented defense that I think we need to implement. Another bonus is that he is only 43 years old and was the OLB coach with the Ravens who turned many of their players (Suggs, Thomas, etc.) into pro-bowlers.
If Dallas is to hire a new coach, I would love to look into Pettine. I also would love to keep Garrett (who I think is quite good), but if Dallas is going to hire a whole new coach, Jerry has to give him the option of keeping JG or not.
If I had a nickel for every Super Bowl the Eagles have won, I would have zero nickels.
What if..
We kick Wade down to Defensive Coordinator and hire Leslie Frazier as Head Coach? Think that’ll work? (Phillips & Garrett as D.C. and O.C.) Question… Does Leslie have any passion and intensity for the game?
God 1st, Family Always & Dallas Cowboys 4 Life!!!!!
I honestly think that if we all determine that Wade can't get it done with this team
then he should be gone. It is as simple as that. I have never been one who would entertain the idea of Wade as the defensive coordinator because I personally think that a move like that would define organizational dysfunction more than any previous move by the Cowboys. Specifically, I think a move like that would lead to a level of awkwardness and rife (Wade supporters versus the new coach’s supporters) that would at the least reflect poorly on the Cowboys and at most derail any shot at winning.
If I had a nickel for every Super Bowl the Eagles have won, I would have zero nickels.
by Cowboyfan729 on Dec 14, 2009 9:48 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah... something like that
If I had a nickel for every Super Bowl the Eagles have won, I would have zero nickels.
by Cowboyfan729 on Dec 14, 2009 10:03 PM CST up reply actions
I'm not sure I trust Wade as defensive coordinator now.
I don’t think making it his sole responsibility would make that much difference.
"Help, it's hot and dark in here and someone is laughing." Taco Bell
wade is an excellent DC
but no way does he take a demotion (i doubt they would even offer that). has a head coach ever been demoted to a coordinator before, I doubt it.
Leslie Frazier and Rex Ryan
All come from the buddy ryan defensive coaching tree.
Hard hitting hard blitzing all out defensive schemes
by mississippisaintsfan on Dec 15, 2009 12:26 PM CST up reply actions
Garrett is a bad play caller all around
he doesn’t know when to call pass plays and he doesn’t know when to call run plays.
Garrett also has a tendency
to call the same play consecutively, and his run offense is 75% delay/draw. His playcalling is too predictable. Calling so many passes doesn’t bother me when it works. What bothers me is continually designing plays for Roy Williams when Austin, Crayton, Witten, etc.. are more effective receivers and using Marion Barber excessively in situations where Felix and Choice would do more damage.
by NerdVernacular on Dec 14, 2009 4:39 PM CST up reply actions
Aside from Garrett opining
Frazier would be awesome.. But I’d hope he’d get an excellent offensive mind to run the offense.
by NerdVernacular on Dec 14, 2009 4:40 PM CST up reply actions
First of all, the delay/draw plays are called because it is what our offense excels at. Raf wrote on this topic a while ago, and Dallas’s inability to score on the one speaks to this issue perfectly. As much as I dislike it, our offensive line is not a power-running team and is instead an offensive line that prefers slow-developing, pulling plays like draws.
Secondly, I hardly see what you mean about the plays to Roy. He had less catches yesterday than both Austin and Witten (right where he belongs in my opinion), yet was still productive with 74 yards on 4 catches. To me, this hierarchy and effectiveness would be right in line with what any good offensive coordinator would do.
Lastly, I would like to say that I actually agree with your point about Marion. It is clear to me that right now Felix is without a doubt the best runner on this team and should be receiving some of the carries that Barber gets. However, I hardly can figure out who to blame since I am unaware as to whose decision this is (is it Wade’s, Garrett’s, or even Peete’s?).
Ultimately, I think the Barber criticism is fair, but the others I think are either non-issues or the result of Garrett’s personnel. For that reason, I would love to have him continue to be our O-coordinator (especially since no one is available who is significantly and proven to be better). I will conceded though that if a new HC is brought in, it has to be that HC’s choice as to whether or not Garrett stays.
If I had a nickel for every Super Bowl the Eagles have won, I would have zero nickels.
by Cowboyfan729 on Dec 14, 2009 9:58 PM CST up reply actions
Agree on all three points
The Knights season may have just ended, but the Cowboys year is just begining!
by aussie_cowboy on Dec 15, 2009 5:13 AM CST up reply actions
What's wrong with Roy's line?
You get 74 yards a game and you end the season with almost 1200.
He’s the number two WR priority. I’ll take that production from my number two any season.
The Roy we’ve seen the last three weeks is what this team needs.
Nothing...
I think it is quite nice as I explained. I think you meant to post under Nerd’s post.
If I had a nickel for every Super Bowl the Eagles have won, I would have zero nickels.
by Cowboyfan729 on Dec 15, 2009 10:53 PM CST up reply actions
The draws are fine
but their redundancy allows defenses to pick up on them. You can’t run the same play over and over and over and not expect defenses to adjust and call you out on what you’re doing. Predictability is my problem with our use of the delay. Because when it counts (short yardage/goalline) we’re failing with it.
And the use of Roy I’m talking about wasn’t really prevalent this past Sunday, but in previous weeks (especially after Roy’s little hissyfit) where it was obvious he was being fed the ball to placate him.
by NerdVernacular on Dec 15, 2009 9:20 AM CST up reply actions
I think you are overestimating the predictability of the draw play. We use it from the shotgun as well as the more traditional single back look. The problem for defenses is that we are traditionally a pass-slanted team in terms of play-calling and therefore they have to stay on their heels because if they suck in then Witten or Austin could kill them. This is a big reason as to why it works pretty well (Raf did a great write-up on it a while ago).
Plus, as was shown on the goal line series, this offense can not just line up and knock teams off the ball for two or three yard gains. Therefore, Garrett has to emphasize the draw play (a play we statistically are very good at) and that is why you end up seeing it a lot.
If I had a nickel for every Super Bowl the Eagles have won, I would have zero nickels.
by Cowboyfan729 on Dec 15, 2009 11:00 PM CST up reply actions
Nice pick in Frazier
If we really are going to make changes on the coaching staff, I don’t want any of these fat, over-the-hill retreads like Holmgren, Cowher, Shannahan or whoever is being touted as flavor of the week.
But I gotta agree with Cowboyfan729, Mike Pettine would be my favorite too, we’ve just gotta do something about his man-love for Rex Ryan. Buying him out of his three year deal (two years left) with the Jets shouldn’t be a problem for Jerry.
by One.Cool.Customer on Dec 14, 2009 4:28 PM CST reply actions
I don't like Pettine
He sounds like a good prospect and all, but just one year of Defensive Coordinator experience while working under a bright defensive minded head coach doesn’t sound like the best possible plan…
Frazier has no experience with the 3-4 though, but I like Grantham and his experience… Worked for Vic Fangio in Indianapolis, worked for Dom Capers in Houston, for Crennel in Cleveland and for Phillips in here… That’s an impressive 3-4 background.
Viva México! Go Cowboys!
Well obviously a lot is contingent on the interview process and the intangibles
but I think either would be great candidates.
As for Pettine specifically, I think it would be a mistake to dismiss him due to inexperience. He very well may be relatively young, but he schematically has been exposed to Rex Ryan’s defensive philosophy for several years and is clearly trusted by Ryan. In fact, Ryan even called Pettine a “rising star,” and I think Pettine would represent a strong change from Wade Phillips. And while I personally like Phillips, if Jerry determines that Wade is not the coach for this team, then I would like to go with a more aggressive and younger candidate like Pettine.
If I had a nickel for every Super Bowl the Eagles have won, I would have zero nickels.
by Cowboyfan729 on Dec 15, 2009 2:10 AM CST up reply actions
Tomlin also had Dick LeBeau as DC
who is the best 3-4 DC in football. Fraizer wouldn’t have that luxury.
Jerry’s next HC will be an offensive guy.
In Romo we Trust
That will only be the case if Garrett gets the job.
If Jerry goes outside the organization though, it will be because he believes the defense needs a new voice and new direction. Of course, this is just my opinion.
If I had a nickel for every Super Bowl the Eagles have won, I would have zero nickels.
by Cowboyfan729 on Dec 14, 2009 10:03 PM CST up reply actions
I don't think so
Jason Garrett isn’t going anywhere, at least IMHO, there’re going to be few jobs available after last year’s Head Coaching shuffle and his results as O.C. are all over the place.
I think that Jerry will want to give him another chance with some new ammo along the OLine, they are going to carpet bomb the Draft looking for OLineman, especially LT and a Guard that can also play Center. Wouldn’t be surprized to see LT and C/G, or C/G and LT, with the first 2 picks.
Now, if the new head coach decides to go in another direction… That’s another story…
Viva México! Go Cowboys!
+1
Jerry’s head coaching tastes are based on the moment.
Right now, Jerry sees problems with the offense.
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Are you assuming JG is gone?
"No matter where you go, you are what you are playa"-Jay Z
Twitter Account
Not going to happen
LeBeau likes Pittsburgh and wants to retire there, which shall happen anytime now (in that he’s similar to Favre, he doesn’t know if he’s going to retire year in and year out…).
I think that he’s developing his Pittsburgh D succesor (their LB Coach).
Viva México! Go Cowboys!
Charlie Weis?
Anyone think he’s coming back to the NFL next year. Not saying as head coach, not even saying as our OC- just wondering of anyone sees him making an NFL comeback.
Also, I’d kind of like a proven head coach, no more coordinators or first timers. I might make an exception for Frazier, but I’d like a guy who’s proven to win with a team, because Dallas is a team ready to win big or at least close to it. I wish the Titans never turned it around, because I’d have loved to have Jeff Fisher as head coach.
by tyhall on Dec 14, 2009 8:47 PM CST via mobile reply actions
He should be back in the NFL
but I hope it isn’t with the Cowboys
The Knights season may have just ended, but the Cowboys year is just begining!
by aussie_cowboy on Dec 15, 2009 5:14 AM CST up reply actions
Cool beans.
Was just talking about Frazier yesterday. I like him. And Grantham would be an ideal DC under him. I actually like the position coaches…Herring, Campo, and Dat. Would be cool with them sticking around, but that’s up to whomever’s the boss next year.
I saw a dog today. Have you seen a dog? You probably have. How was school? Was it fun? Did you get a lot of homework? Huh? Do you have any friends? Do you have a best friend? Does he have a big coat, too?
Chandus-good post man. I'm not giving up the season either.
I am curious as to why so many people assume any personal favorite coach would come to work here though. There’s too much owner interference (real or imagined I choose not to speculate). All it would take is a competing offer from another club to lure anyone with head coaching aspirations to nullify it. It would be like always dreaming of driving a car but were told you cannot operate the accelerator.
Can anyone compete with Jerry $$ wise?
He just outbid LA by 5 million on the Mayweather Pacquio fight.
I guess everyone has their price. Don't know if Jerry can afford to simply outbid other clubs anymore though.
He has to walk the line now that he has the new stadium to pay for. He also has to put a good enough product on the field to keep azzes in the seats. I’m not so sure this new stadium won’t be his Waterloo after all is said and done.
Is that really true?
There’s too much owner interference (real or imagined I choose not to speculate).
Ever since Parcells arrived this things have happened:
1) Parcells removed the scouting and player personnel chiefs of staff.
2) Parcells picked and appointed as chiefs the guys that he liked.
3) Parcells placed his player acquisition mold of leadership skills and strong character.
4) Parcells changed the Defense.
5) Wade changed Parcells Defense.
6) We saw some changes on the mold of the players acquired (2 Safeties with legs, Spencer instead of Carpenter, etc.).
That to me sounds like an owner that’s listening to what his coach is asking.
You don’t think so? Dom Capers wanted to come here as a defensive advisor in 2008… Dan Reeves wanted to come here this year as an offense advisor…
This is the least of the problems, IMHO.
Viva México! Go Cowboys!
That's why I prefaced it as "real or imagined".
I don’t think it is as overwrought as the media makes it out to be, however, Jerry is a “hands-on” owner. That is not the norm in the NFL. The current owners in the NFL do not even make much input into the things you listed (at least out in the open under the the watchful eye of the media). Most teams are run through a hierarchy resembling Owner/GM/Head coach. Dallas does not fit that mold. That’s not to say the other owners don’t make input, they just stay out of the spotlight for the most part, unlike Jerry. And I think even if it is just perception, some coaches would shy away from coaching the Cowboys. Not based on that alone but the intensified media spotlight as well.
Oh and some of the coached I’ve seen mentioned are way too “control-freak” if you will, to ever accept a gig here. Holmgren currently wants a more GM role, with personnel decision authority to boot. Never happen here.
Great post
Hadn’t thought about Frazier, simply because of his 4-3 background. It could work well though. Good call.
I’m not sure Jason Garrett would stick around if we hired another HC, though. I’m not so sure our offense’s failures are his fault. I really wouldn’t mind JG sticking around as a HC and just going after another DC.
But, there are better assistants out there than JG, so if somebody better comes along, I’m all for it.
Epic Fail since 1985
I'm not ready to think about that yet.
What if we turn it around, win our way into the playoffs, and do well? What if we do really well? When we were sitting at 8-3 all this talk had completely disappeared. All it takes is one great play to turn this thing around, and fire this team up.
The tribulations of Winter...
90% of Americans say 'OH SHIT!' before going into the ditch on a slippery road.
The other 10% are from TEXAS and they say, 'HOLD MY BEER AND WATCH THIS!!!'
Against the Saints it will take more than one.
"Help, it's hot and dark in here and someone is laughing." Taco Bell
I don't think anyone was comfortable with Wade as HC in 2010
even if they won a playoff game or two…at least i wasn’t
No
Wade will NOT be back as the HC this year, even if they make the post season and win a game. Barring a SB title, which is extremely unlikely(this team just isn’t good enough to win a SB yet), Wade will not be back. He should have been gone after the 44-6 debacle last year, and somehow, kept his job.
I disagree
Jerry likes Wade, if we go on a roll and win a playoff game, he’ll be back.
In Romo we Trust
Wade gets a 1year extension or Garrett will step up regardless of what happens this year. I could see the lack of candidates this upcoming year sorta forces it.
"On a journey to anywhere you can draw your own map."
I concur.
I saw a dog today. Have you seen a dog? You probably have. How was school? Was it fun? Did you get a lot of homework? Huh? Do you have any friends? Do you have a best friend? Does he have a big coat, too?
by Aaron Novinger on Dec 15, 2009 9:23 AM CST up reply actions
Love the Frazier pick
didn’t he play on the 1985 Bears?
Just Wikipedia'd Frazier
His career ended during the Bears 46-10 romp over the Patriots when he hurt his knee on a punt return.
He’s coached under Jimmy Johnson (Eagles D) and Tony Dungy, and did a decent job as the bengals defensive coordinator in 2004.
Me likey.
I don't like him because he's a 4-3 guy
and we just completely overhauled our defense to be a 3-4 defense. Doesn’t make sense to me.
In Romo we Trust
Look at a 4-3 this way:
at least then Bobby Carpenter would not have been a totally wasted draft pick :-)
by One.Cool.Customer on Dec 15, 2009 9:13 AM CST up reply actions
I think Dallas would transition to 4-3 fine
myself. Put Demarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer at DE, Stephen Bowen and Jay Ratliff at NT, Dallas has a lot of players who could make excellent 4-3 DLinemen. The nice thing here is how these players would then rush the passer every play
by AustonianAggie on Dec 15, 2009 9:34 AM CST up reply actions
Like you always say....Guys are paid to play football..
They know what they have to do regardless of the defensive scheme.. You can’t have it both ways Terry.
don't know what you're talking about
This has nothing to do with the players, Jerry is on record as saying he likes the 3-4 so it doesn’t make sense for him to hire a 4-3 guy.
Just use common sense….I know, it’s hard for you, but try.
In Romo we Trust
I love that you know what Jerry wants and is going to do.....
Too bad your know everything attitude means JACK SHAT!! LOL
Mike Zimmer, DC of Bengals
good coach, knows valley ranch. As HC, he doesn’t necessarily need to run a 3-4 or a 4-3, he just needs to get good players and have them perform
I was going to say the same
Zimmer has the fire we all want out of our coaches. He could make formulate a defense out of the personnel that we already have. I think he’d do a great job.
No to the 4-3 talk...
The Cowboys aren’t moving to a regular 4 man front Defense, you can bet every 2010 paycheck on this.
Not with as much as the Cowboys have invested in the 3-4.
They have the NT, Ratliff could play really well at 3 technique DT, though.
They have the needed OLB bookends that weigh around 260 pounds, that’s too light for bookend DEs (look at Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney in Indianapolis, they’ve had problems stopping the run for ages, right now good LB play is picking up the slack).
They have OLB depth, or they should next year (Butler and Williams).
James is a really good ILB, he couldn’t play as a 4 man front LB in 2003 and 2004. Brooking can’t play 4 man fron LB anymore, too.
The team isn’t changing schemes, their personnel fits the 3-4 better than 4 man fronts.
Viva México! Go Cowboys!
If it was Frazier or Zimmer
We wouldn’t HAVE to switch, Tomlin didn’t switch and yes he did have the same DC there for about 100 years now but there are some experienced 3-4 Coordinators out there, we have 1 in Grantham, I’m sure there are a few out there lingering to pick up. Bring in the guy as the HC to teach discipline and incorporate some blitzing schemes modified to the 3-4.
"We play to win the game" - Herm Edwards
by nicholas.rodriguez on Dec 16, 2009 2:00 AM CST up reply actions
BTW, I'm giving up on Wade Phillips because...
The same things that were negative factors under Parcells are still negative factors today…
Focus.
Preparation.
Inconsistency.
Etc.
Jerry tried to change things up, from a my way or the highway type of coach to a player friendly coach in order to see if his players would respond and improve. They didn’t.
That’s a failure that lies right in the hands of the Head Coaches.
Now Jerry needs to get rid of some of his Saint Bernards (Flo, Kosier, Procter, Gurode, Davis, Crayton, Spears, Carpenter, K. Hamlin, among others) replacing them with younger talent in order to make it easier on the next coach.
Viva México! Go Cowboys!
I def. agree on Flozell, Carpenter and probably Crayton.
Of course they will probably go somewhere else and light the place up. All of our turnouts seem to end up doing pretty well elsewhere. Kind of like Stanbeck now actually producing for the Patriots.
I still would rather have Miles, than Stanback.
"Help, it's hot and dark in here and someone is laughing." Taco Bell
Um Yeah..I woudnt want Stanbeck at all...
Was just making a point that we always send players away that don’t sem to cut it with us but, they turn out good elsewhere.
That, I can agree to. I see Amendola is making a name for himself also.
So, that begs the question, is it talent, or is ist coaching that has been subpar. If other teams can make our cast offs play well, it would seem that the talent here is prettty good, but alas we don’t get to play aour castoffs every game.
"Help, it's hot and dark in here and someone is laughing." Taco Bell
I liked Amendola when he was here and people laughed.....looks like he is turning into a pretty good player now....
"Austin made the play, Austin saved the day" Brad Sham
Stanback has 3 catches for 22 yards, Amendola has 32 for 263 (8.2 ypc avg)
Stanback was always hurt with us, and Amendola isn’t exactly an UDFA phenom, even though I’m glad both of them are getting PT. Our 5 WR’s are all better than them, so they wouldn’t have ever seen the field.
he is putting up decent numbers, but wes welker? c’mon….he’s a slot receiver….crayton is ok…..what about ogletree?
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