Jones' game plan right on the money
By Randy Galloway
What Jerry Jones wants:
Another Avery Johnson.
OK, wrong sport for Jerry, but same philosophy.
What Jerry desires, NFL-wise:
The next Sean Payton.
Didn't know exactly what he had when he had Payton, but neither did anyone else. Now he knows. And Jerry wants one of those.
Wants a sharp, young offensive mind with the personality of a head coach. Also, a guy who can take a quarterback with potential -- and Tony Romo is that -- then hone him and develop him.
There's a problem, however. Almost any NFL owner in the market for a head coach is at least exploring the same territory.
Those kind don't exactly ride into town on a load of kicking tees.
So here's what I now like about Jerry Jones' current coaching search, and put that down as a personal first when it comes to ever liking anything about a Jones coaching search.
The man has a plan. Or so it appears.
If by Monday, Norv Turner is the new head coach of the Cowboys, then everything fits.
If it's anyone else, however, get back to me.
Strange, for sure, the next head coach is really not Jones' long-range focus.
That distinction belongs to 40-year old Jason Garrett, who as of last week is the newest member of the Cowboys' coaching staff.
All Garrett needs is seasoning. All the other tools appear to be there, but his coaching experience at the moment consists of two years as the quarterbacks coach in the quarterback Death Valley known as Miami.
Turner may be the best offensive coordinator in the business, and without question he's the best at grooming a quarterback.
Head coach? Well, you know the record in Washington. Not outstanding, but not that bad. Oakland? Turner is still kicking himself for being stupid enough to take that job.
But one year after being fired by the Raiders, he landed across the bay with the 49ers. In just a season, quarterback Alex Smith went from hopeless as a rookie to much improved. And the San Francisco running game with Frank Gore suddenly jumped.
Turner is excellent at coordinating a passing and running game. For every Heath Shuler on his résumé, there are a half-dozen success stories.
Whatever Garrett's future as a head coach might be, he could not learn from anyone better than Turner.
The same goes for Romo.
OK, the next problem.
If Turner is the head coach, what does he do about that defensive collapse of December?
Got the answer right here: Dave Campo.
No, I'm not attempting to re-create the early '90s.
But Campo, who never had a prayer to succeed here as head coach, cannot be questioned as a defensive coordinator. He's currently the secondary coach with the Jaguars, loves the North Texas area and even plans to make this his permanent residence when he's finished coaching.
What, however, about the 3-4 philosophy the Cowboys now use on defense? Campo is a 4-3 guy.
Well, one great fallacy, according to NFL people I talked to last week, is that the Cowboys are married to the 3-4 due to personnel.
One respected AFC defensive coordinator cursed loudly when asked about it last week.
Cleaning up the comments, he said, "Give me a month with DeMarcus Ware, and he'll be Jason Taylor."
Really?
"That's the kind of talent the kid has," was the reply about Ware.
The Dolphins' Taylor was the Defensive Player of the Year in 2006. He's listed at 255 pounds but played around 240 and plays end in the 4-3. Ware is 255.
The only area of concern among coaches in the 3-4, 4-3 discussion was "some" of the Cowboys' linebackers. Of interest, not one had lost faith in safety Roy Williams, despite his coverage problems this season.
Turner, who interviews with Jones today, obviously will not have to sell his offensive expertise. He will, of course, have to have fresh ideas ready for Jones when it comes to defense.
"I am prepared in that area for everything Jerry wants to ask," said Turner, who is being offered a huge financial windfall by the 49ers if he takes his name out of the Cowboys' head coaching search. As of Saturday, Turner still planned on interviewing today, but it's not often that an assistant coach is so respected that his current team will attempt to entice him to turn down a head coaching job.
Ultimate respect, right there.
Turner is already a Jones favorite. So all the "personality" stuff is a moot point.
But Jones is certainly serious about his plans for Garrett. And the future of the Cowboys rides with Romo.
In both cases, Norv is the perfect fit for what Jerry wants.
At the moment, this is a puzzle where all the pieces also seem to fit.
But with Jerry involved , I think I'll give it a day or two in awaiting the decision. Better that than being totally puzzled Monday.
What Jerry Jones wants:
Another Avery Johnson.
OK, wrong sport for Jerry, but same philosophy.
What Jerry desires, NFL-wise:
The next Sean Payton.
Didn't know exactly what he had when he had Payton, but neither did anyone else. Now he knows. And Jerry wants one of those.
Wants a sharp, young offensive mind with the personality of a head coach. Also, a guy who can take a quarterback with potential -- and Tony Romo is that -- then hone him and develop him.
There's a problem, however. Almost any NFL owner in the market for a head coach is at least exploring the same territory.
Those kind don't exactly ride into town on a load of kicking tees.
So here's what I now like about Jerry Jones' current coaching search, and put that down as a personal first when it comes to ever liking anything about a Jones coaching search.
The man has a plan. Or so it appears.
If by Monday, Norv Turner is the new head coach of the Cowboys, then everything fits.
If it's anyone else, however, get back to me.
Strange, for sure, the next head coach is really not Jones' long-range focus.
That distinction belongs to 40-year old Jason Garrett, who as of last week is the newest member of the Cowboys' coaching staff.
All Garrett needs is seasoning. All the other tools appear to be there, but his coaching experience at the moment consists of two years as the quarterbacks coach in the quarterback Death Valley known as Miami.
Turner may be the best offensive coordinator in the business, and without question he's the best at grooming a quarterback.
Head coach? Well, you know the record in Washington. Not outstanding, but not that bad. Oakland? Turner is still kicking himself for being stupid enough to take that job.
But one year after being fired by the Raiders, he landed across the bay with the 49ers. In just a season, quarterback Alex Smith went from hopeless as a rookie to much improved. And the San Francisco running game with Frank Gore suddenly jumped.
Turner is excellent at coordinating a passing and running game. For every Heath Shuler on his résumé, there are a half-dozen success stories.
Whatever Garrett's future as a head coach might be, he could not learn from anyone better than Turner.
The same goes for Romo.
OK, the next problem.
If Turner is the head coach, what does he do about that defensive collapse of December?
Got the answer right here: Dave Campo.
No, I'm not attempting to re-create the early '90s.
But Campo, who never had a prayer to succeed here as head coach, cannot be questioned as a defensive coordinator. He's currently the secondary coach with the Jaguars, loves the North Texas area and even plans to make this his permanent residence when he's finished coaching.
What, however, about the 3-4 philosophy the Cowboys now use on defense? Campo is a 4-3 guy.
Well, one great fallacy, according to NFL people I talked to last week, is that the Cowboys are married to the 3-4 due to personnel.
One respected AFC defensive coordinator cursed loudly when asked about it last week.
Cleaning up the comments, he said, "Give me a month with DeMarcus Ware, and he'll be Jason Taylor."
Really?
"That's the kind of talent the kid has," was the reply about Ware.
The Dolphins' Taylor was the Defensive Player of the Year in 2006. He's listed at 255 pounds but played around 240 and plays end in the 4-3. Ware is 255.
The only area of concern among coaches in the 3-4, 4-3 discussion was "some" of the Cowboys' linebackers. Of interest, not one had lost faith in safety Roy Williams, despite his coverage problems this season.
Turner, who interviews with Jones today, obviously will not have to sell his offensive expertise. He will, of course, have to have fresh ideas ready for Jones when it comes to defense.
"I am prepared in that area for everything Jerry wants to ask," said Turner, who is being offered a huge financial windfall by the 49ers if he takes his name out of the Cowboys' head coaching search. As of Saturday, Turner still planned on interviewing today, but it's not often that an assistant coach is so respected that his current team will attempt to entice him to turn down a head coaching job.
Ultimate respect, right there.
Turner is already a Jones favorite. So all the "personality" stuff is a moot point.
But Jones is certainly serious about his plans for Garrett. And the future of the Cowboys rides with Romo.
In both cases, Norv is the perfect fit for what Jerry wants.
At the moment, this is a puzzle where all the pieces also seem to fit.
But with Jerry involved , I think I'll give it a day or two in awaiting the decision. Better that than being totally puzzled Monday.
posted by The Gryphon at 9:05 AM
<< Home