The plot thickens at Valley Ranch

Turn on the biz charm, talk to Stew, throw him some extra bones, and SEAL THIS DEAL NOW!!!

willing to sign the dotted lines regardless of what his title is, you get him signed.  I don't care if Stewart is uncomfortable with the move.  If Stewart is capable of getting the job done, then he should have no worries.  Stewart sounds like someone who is afraid they might lose their job.  This is professional football and results speak for themselves.  With that said, I believe, Stewart is gone after this upcoming season no matter the results because I believe Phillips will "resign/retire" and we all know who will be where at that time.  Capers will be Garret's DC when he takes over HC; better to be on the staff now, then later.

is such a hypocrite. He wants competition when it comes to players, bring in more/better talent, etc...But, when it comes to him? He doesn't want a single guy there, someone who would at least push him and knowingly make him better...

From JJT:

A year after Bill Parcells left the building, Jerry is completely out of control. He's running things like he did in the '90s once Jimmy Johnson left – and we know what a disaster that became.

It's one of the reasons the Cowboys haven't won a playoff game in 11 years and spent three seasons as one of the NFL's worst teams.

Parcells was hardly perfect, but at least when he ruled the club's Valley Ranch training complex, everyone from the trainers to secretaries to players knew who was in charge. These days, Jerry is running the show, and Garrett has more input than Phillips.

Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it. The end is near.

To me, it's all about getting the smartest football people out at Valley Ranch as they possibly can.  Since JJ has always insisted on being the GM, and will continue in that role until he's pushing daisies, hiring guys like Campo, Houck, and Capers can only be a good thing.  These guys will help in deciding which free agents to pursue, which rookies to draft, and not to mention coaching them up.  

Stewart also needs to look at the big picture.  He's still a very young guy.  Unless he thinks he knows every single thing about the 3-4 defense, it would be foolish for him not to welcome Capers with open arms.  If Capers would improve the defense as a defensive consultant, that makes Stewart look better as a defensive coordinator.  Coordinators on teams that win get promoted to head coaches.  Meanwhile, Stewart will soak up more knowledge by being around Capers, which helps him if Capers only hangs around here for a season or two.  

It does appear that JJ is back to his old tricks, but at least he's filling in the blanks with quality coaches who can assist him with personnel decisions.  

As for the team possibly breaking into factions out there if thinks go sour, yes, I can see it happening.  But losing nearly always causes that, especially on teams where the expectations are as high as they are with this team.  

JUST WIN.  It solves a lot.  If Capers is hired, they have an excellent free agent crop, a decent draft, make a couple of deft trades, and win the Super Bowl next season, Brain Steward's career will remain on track.  But if it all blows up, his potential will continue to be questioned.

And Grizz, I've been a lurker to your site since just before last year's training camp.  I visit every day several times and am in awe at your dedication to our team.  Thanks for all you do.  This is my first post, but certainly not my last.        

Good insight by Dave.  My reaction to the JJT article on this topic 2 days back was that JJT was just stirring up trouble and attempting to surface a familiar refrain about Jerry going crazy.

I'll be the first to admit that Jerry makes me awfully nervous when he reaches for personnel but I am feeling much better about his assessment.

1.  That Wade is a short timer and he needs to think big picture.

2.  That while acceptable and likeable, Stewart, Rodgers and Bowles are still young coaches that are/were not getting the most of our defense.

3.  That Capers is a great move along with an egoless Campo and as Dave points out, Stewart and Wade could leave tomorrow and we'd be in very solid shape with Capers aboard just needing to find a LB coach.

While not blaming Stewart for feeling "nervous," I cannot help but wonder something that many of us may feel: Why not cut Wade and Stewart loose now so that can catch on somewhere else?  After all Garrett will have Capers to lead the D and Sherman to assist him with the offense.  Just wondering why hold off when this may be better for the club.  Further, is anyone really enamoured with Wade?  Why delay?  Coaching, no?  Losing someone who is leading a dominating defense, no?  Someone that appears to be able to win big games, no?  What we have is a good guy and capable coach who does decent to good things. Why would the Cowboys settle for that?

Totally agree with you Steve, but I think we're focusing on the wrong part of this...

This coaching staff, for all it's flaws, got us to a 13-3 season. If you had told me two years ago that was in the cards, I would have given you a funny look. This team has straddled mediocrity for so long that it's driven me crazy at times. Now, at 13-3? That's not a good season, guys, that's a great one. That means that this team is ready to compete ... not for a playoff spot, not for the division title, but for Lombardi Trophy #6. And it was last year's staff that got us there.

I realize the wounds from the playoff loss still sting (and the Jints in the SB are the salt), but not is not the time to pull the panic alarm. We don't need a 2007 Cowboys 2.0. We don't need a redux. We need last year's team to execute.

Maybe new coaches would help in the long run ... but like Grizz said, what does it mean now? Do we really want a frustrated DC coaching our staff? No. And we REALLY don't need Wade feeling like he doesn't control this team anymore. We don't need or want a "lame duck" coach in 2008.

What happens if this team misses its window? If the Cowboys falter in 2008 because of internal issues? Sure, we may have a better staff in the long run, but picture this for 2009 and beyond ... T.O. leaves, Newman and MBIII leave for greener pastures and Henry gets injured AGAIN with no viable backup to take his place. The team begins losing a couple more games every year. The atmosphere changes. It goes from "how can we improve" to "who can we blame." Romo labeled a playoff bust. Players lack confidence in the coaching staff. Playoffs become a distant memory. More or less, we become the Redskins.

Yeah, that's a pretty bleak scenario, and it'd have to be the Perfect Storm for all that to go wrong. But its still a possibility if we start making drastic changes to our staff now.

And if we miss this window for another SB, when we're so ... darned ... close ... I just don't know what I'll do.

and fire Wade today. Its not fair for you to hand pick your HC asst. If your going to hold your HC accountable you must give him the opportunity to bring in his guys. If your not willing to do that get rid of him and bring someone else in (Garrett). With these types of moves,it only shows that Wade will not have a say in FA or the Draft. I think Jerry already trusts Garrett more than Wade. Let him go now. Wade deserves better and so do the Fans. There will be problems down the road. The team will stop respecting Wade as soon as trouble arises. I can see the finger pointing now. Don't let this continue Jerry I'm losing respect for you!!!! The coaching moves are good but you put a knife in your HC back. This will keep us from reaching our goal for next year (Super Bowl)and while your at it let Stewart go with him and lets move forward.

Do you recall Jerry's comment at the end of the one and done game?  

Do you think our defense played really well from December onward? Granted they made a couple nice stands, and special teams wreaked, but overall wasn't the defense soft on the pass?

Was our passing yards allowed per game a positive or a negative? Who should get the blame Wade or Brian Stewart?

Do you as fans want to see some improvement- player as well as coaching?

I'm still po'd about that Giants game.....

I don't see how adding Capers to the staff could be anything but positive from a coaching perspective.  However, the chemistry of the staff, as explained in the article, should also be a consideration, and I give Capers great credit for calling Brian Stewart to discuss it.  

I feel that Wade is a great coach and is the right man to lead this team.  I just hope he is being allowed to do that.  Dave said, "Jerry is putting together a staff that could just as easily function without Wade Phillips in the future. If you’re a fan of the Cowboys, this is a good thing for the long-term future of the franchise."  While Jerry has the best intentions, I have problems with a staff that he puts together unless the head coach, Wade, has asked for the people Jerry is recruiting.  While Wade is being strongly criticized for losing to the Giants, the Green Bay staff isn't receiving the same treatment from its fans.  The Giants are a good team, and they might be a thorn in our side for years.  While none of us would like to believe it, we may have lost to a better team.  I would like to see this staff assembled by Wade Phillips, period.  His knowledge of the coaching abilities of the candidates is light years beyond that of Jerry Jones.