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Cowboys must replace Payton

So Sean Payton has moved on to the Big Easy, and Dallas needs a new, ahem..."offensive coordiantor". Of course the Tuna will run the show, but somebody will move up. The interesting offseason question now becomes who it will be, and will he call the plays? Conventional wisdom out of Valley Ranch is that receivers coach Todd Haley might be the guy.

Haley has coached with Parcells before, spending time with Tuna at the Jets. He was also an assistant to Charlie Weiss for a few years. I posted his whole biography below the fold.

Now let me throw a nutty theory out there. Who's Parcells best buddy in the coaching ranks? Dick Vermeil. Who was Vermeil's offensive coordinator at the Rams? Mike Martz. Who is out of a job? Mike Martz. I'm just saying.

Wait, I got another. Who's Parcells best buddy in the coaching ranks? Dick Vermeil. Who was Vermeil's offensive coordinator at the Chiefs? Al Saunders. Who was just passed over for the head coaching spot in KC again? Al Saunders. Who has a decision to make if he doesn't get an NFL head coaching job? Al Saunders. I'm just saying.

Click below to read Todd Haley's profile.

From dallascowboys.com

A veteran of nine NFL seasons, Haley joins the Cowboys after three years as the wide receivers coach for the Chicago Bears.

Despite working with three different starting quarterbacks in 2003, three of Haley's charges topped the 40-catch mark for the season, with Marty Booker leading the club with 52 receptions and 715 receiving yards. Dez White was second on the team with 49 receptions for 583 yards and David Terrell recorded a career-high 43 catches for 361 yards.

In 2002, Haley oversaw the continued growth of Booker as he once again made huge strides following an outstanding 2001 season. Booker capped his 2002 campaign by becoming the first Bears' Pro Bowl selection at wide receiver since 1971 and only the fourth receiver in franchise history to earn the recognition. In garnering this honor, Booker became just the second Bears receiver to record back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with a career-best 1,189 yards and a team-leading six touchdowns while just missing his second consecutive season of 100 or more catches (97). His two-year total of 197 receptions in 2001-02 was tops in the NFC. Dez White also took advantage of Haley's mentorship, recording his first 100-yard receiving game and establishing career bests with 51 receptions for 656 yards and four touchdowns.

In Haley's first season with the Bears, he guided a young group which featured a break-out season from Booker -- who became the first receiver in team history to catch 100 passes in a season. Booker became the eighth receiver in Bears history to surpass 1,000 yards receiving in a season with 1,071. He also posted a career-best and team-high eight touchdowns catches.

Haley joined the Bears after spending six seasons with the New York Jets (1995-2000). In 1999-2000 he mentored the Jets receivers. In his first season working with the Jets receivers, Haley helped guide Keyshawn Johnson to his second consecutive Pro Bowl appearance. Johnson finished the season with 89 receptions, 1,170 receiving yards and eight touchdowns, each figure the second best single-season mark of Johnson's career and the second most catches in a season in club history. Prior to taking over wide receiver duties, Haley worked as an assistant to offensive coordinator Charlie Weis (1997-98) and helped the Jets to two 1,000 yard receivers in 1998 and Johnson's first Pro Bowl. Haley began his career with the Jets as an assistant in the scouting department in 1995, where he scouted regionally for the team and assisted in player evaluations.

Haley attended the University of Florida and the University of Miami before earning a bachelor's degree in communications from the University of North Florida in 1991.

The son of Dick Haley, the former Director of Player Personnel for the Pittsburgh Steelers (1971-90) and New York Jets (1991-2002), Haley served as a ball boy for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1970s. He was born, Feb. 28, 1967 in Atlanta, Ga.

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