As the coaching carousel turns.
Here’s what we know up to now.
Todd Archer, along with various other sources, is reporting that Jason Garrett left Atlanta and was scheduled to meet with Jerry Jones Wednesday night.
According to multiple sources, Garrett was scheduled to meet with the Cowboys owner and general manager Wednesday night after returning from Atlanta, where he had a second interview with Falcons officials about becoming their head coach.
So Jerry gets one more chance to open the checkbook and give Garrett a wink-nod agreement about the future. The fact that Garrett didn’t take either the Ravens or Falcons job after interviewing with both for a second time gives Jones and opening. I get the feeling he wasn’t knocked-out by the offer Baltimore gave him and that he probably has reservations about resurrecting a destitute Atlanta franchise. That’s just my guess as to why he didn’t take the jobs on the spot. It could also be he wanted to stay in Dallas all along and was just testing the waters. Then again, come Thursday he may just take one of those other offers and the coaching carousel will spin even faster for the Cowboys.
But, Mac Engel gives me hope with one un-sourced wishy-washy blurb.
The feeling around Valley Ranch is that Garrett will remain with the Cowboys and receive a significant raise.
I’ll take it.
Meanwhile, we have other assistant coach issues to deal with. First, we need a new offensive line coach. Engel says Jerry may already be on the job.
With Sparano hired in Miami, the question now becomes, who will replace him? The leading candidate appears to be former Cowboys offensive line coach Hudson Houck, who is looking for a job.
One NFL source said Jones has already contacted Houck.
Nice, I’d be happy with that move.
Now, for the troublesome news, everybody expects Sparano to raid the staff.
Todd Bowles is expected to be named the Dolphins’ assistant head coach, Paul Pasqualoni the defensive coordinator and Kacy Rodgers the defensive line coach.
All three coaches have expiring contracts and can’t negotiate with anybody but the Cowboys until Tuesday. Jerry has at least made a move to retain them.
Jones has offered contract extensions to secondary coach Todd Bowles, linebackers coach Paul Pasqualoni, and defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers.
In player news, Anthony Fasano needs surgery.
Tight end Anthony Fasano is expected to undergo surgery on his right shoulder Friday. Fasano has been troubled by the injury his first two years but opted not to have surgery following the 2006 season.
Also, we signed some new players to the bottom of the roster.
The Cowboys signed linebacker Tyson Smith, who ended the season on the team's practice squad, and cornerback Jerron Wishom, who spent parts of the last three seasons with Green Bay, San Francisco and Minnesota.
Todd Archer was a busy bee today and also cranked out a superficial look at the roster. Next week I’ll be going deep into the roster taking a look at where we stand.