A new wind will inevitably blow through the Greater Arlington area come Summer 2010. The best case scenario this season equals a playoff win. Worst case is Romo gets another long vacation during the playoffs. If the Cowboys lose against Atlanta, the team implodes. As the team implodes, Jerry will definitely be strategizing how to clean house. He’ll also no doubt start flirting with all the head coach and coaching staff possibilities, not to mention free agency.
Most of us hate the idea of Jerry Jones as General Manager. That being said, most of us realize that won’t change. So let’s look at what WILL change.
Although Jerry Jones is an egomaniac, he realizes the puppeteer method isn’t working. He “probably” needs some help in that area. Mr. Jones was on the right track when he ALMOST hired Dan Reeves this off-season, but that fell to the wayside far too quickly.
If I were Jerry Jones, I would be ready to shake this team up and reinvent while the majority of the team is still young and talented. This is how I see it:
Management
Dan Reeves
I’m thinking management. I’m thinking about hiring a GM, but let’s call it VP of Operations. I’m thinking experience and respectability. I take another look at Dan Reeves. I also look at Marty Schottenheimer. Maybe a younger Mike Nolan?
How about another piece of management VP of Player evaluation: I’m thinking college coaches. My wish list is probably a little far fetched, but my first option would be Jim Tressel. Yeah I said it – Jim Tressel of Ohio State. Yeah, I know it’s a pipe dream.
Jim Tressel
Tressel in his Dallas Cowboys sweater vest in the draft room with Jerry and Jr. (Steven). Ok, so maybe that’s a reach. How about Chris Peterson of Boise State? Might be a reach too. All right; I will try to be “realistic.” Nah. I will still reach. How about Paul Johnson of Georgia Tech?
Paul Johnson
Now that we have that figured out… (?)
Head Coach
Bill Cowher
Man, are there some good ones available: Bill Cowher, Mike Shanahan, Mike Holmgren and maybe, just maybe, Jeff Fisher? The media favorite out there seems to be Holmgren, but I like Fisher better, especially after the whole Manning jersey deal.
Jeff Fisher
Defensive Coordinator
Romeo Crennel
If Wade’s gone, so is the Defensive Coordinator. How about these for options? How about taking a bite off the Bill Belichick tree and picking up Romeo Crennell? Or going with a young Ron Rivera? Or possibly even a safe bet in Rod Marinelli?
Offensive Coordinator
Mike Martz
Jason Garret is overrated and overpaid. He’s proven he’s not ready to be a head coach, and probably not even an offensive coordinator. Let’s take the offense in a different direction – a safer and yet more explosive direction. Let’s take a look at Mike Martz. Or maybe play it on the safe side and give good ‘ol Norv Turner another shot. No? Maybe a younger guy – more of a risky choice. How about Pete Carmichael of the Saints?
Quarterback Coach
Bill Musgrave
Hue Jackson, Bill Musgrave, or Frank Reich?
Draft
Offensive line. We have to find an offensive tackle…Secondary… Corner…Safety. Maybe even a number one wide out.
Free Agency
Shawne Merriman
Shawne Merriman. Hands down. Can you imagine a Ware and Merriman led defense?
Brandon Marshall
Brandon Marshall. Marshall at the one. Roy Williams at the two. Miles Austin at the three.
Could You Do Better?
Ok that’s my Dallas Cowboys wish list. If I were Jerry Jones, these would be my considerations for 2010.
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
I think most of the GM and front office possibilities are a pipe dream. Why would a prominent head coach want to be a drone in a front office? They want to coach. Why not someone like, say, Pat Kirwan who is a good talent evaluator and actually wants to be a GM.
I like the Crennell idea although, frankly, my druthers would be to hire a head coach and let him pick his own staff. Having Jerry do it hasn’t worked so well.
In an uncapped system, Merriman and Marshall make sense. Otherwise, too much money at those positions. And I’m not absolutely sure Merriman isn’t done.
I think we should give Bill Parcel another shot.
If you were Jerry, you might recognize that you need a GM / VP of Operations. But the REAL Jerry won't give up that control. I don't see it happening. I would like it to, but I don't see it.
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Dude. Wake up! You dreamin! We gonna have the same staff next year, except Jerry's gonna give Red Jesus the promotion and Wade's gonna retire. That's all thats gonna change.
Like you said Aaron, JJ wants to keep playing at being GM and I doubt that is ever going to change; too many similarities to Al Davis. That also means you are not going to attract much in the way of seasoned, experienced name brand recognition for GM/Head coaches no matter how you slice and dice the titles.
You can take the likes of Dan Reeves, Marty Schottenheimer, Bill Cowher, Mike Shanahan, Mike Holmgren, etc. off of the short list (the Big Tuna more or less had both areas of responsibility ‘in practice’ while not in title).
What that leads to are three options:
-Retreads from the trash heap (name recognition but ones that haven’t really accomplished much in the post season)
-College to pro leap (you made a couple of recommendations),
-Taking a chance on young assistant’s ala Jason Garret.
Sadly, in all three instances, what we as fans will end up getting is a full plate of the same old SUCK.
Like you said Aaron, JJ wants to keep playing at being GM and I doubt that is ever going to change; too many similarities to Al Davis. That also means you are not going to attract much in the way of seasoned, experienced name brand recognition for GM/Head coaches no matter how you slice and dice the titles.
You can take the likes of Dan Reeves, Marty Schottenheimer, Bill Cowher, Mike Shanahan, Mike Holmgren, etc. off of the short list (the Big Tuna more or less had both areas of responsibility 'in practice' while not in title).
What that leads to are three options:
-Retreads from the trash heap (name recognition but ones that haven't really accomplished much in the post season)
-College to pro leap (you made a couple of recommendations),
-Taking a chance on young assistant’s ala Jason Garret.
Sadly, in all three instances, what we as fans will end up getting is a full plate of the same old SUCK. Even if we could sign Brandon Marshall
muwahahahaha! You want the head coach of Ohio State? Then you deserve what you get when you get him. Have you even watched college football this year? That's awesome.
Dan Reeves isn't all they say he is. Be glad you don't have him. He'd just be another mistake by Jerry.
get a bonafide, clear-cut, no questions asked #1 receiver or draft one to groom into that position. just listening to roy williams over the past year he's been here, i don't think he can handle being “the man” on this receiving corp.
Like you said Aaron, JJ wants to keep playing at being GM and I doubt that is ever going to change; too many similarities to Al Davis. That also means you are not going to attract much in the way of seasoned, experienced name brand recognition for GM/Head coaches no matter how you slice and dice the titles.
You can take the likes of Dan Reeves, Marty Schottenheimer, Bill Cowher, Mike Shanahan, Mike Holmgren, etc. off of the short list (the Big Tuna more or less had both areas of responsibility 'in practice' while not in title).
What that leads to are three options:
-Retreads from the trash heap (name recognition but ones that haven't really accomplished much in the post season)
-College to pro leap (you made a couple of recommendations),
-Taking a chance on young assistant’s ala Jason Garret.
Sadly, in all three instances, what we as fans will end up getting is a full plate of the same old SUCK. Even if we could sign Brandon Marshall
muwahahahaha! You want the head coach of Ohio State? Then you deserve what you get when you get him. Have you even watched college football this year? That's awesome.
Dan Reeves isn't all they say he is. Be glad you don't have him. He'd just be another mistake by Jerry.
get a bonafide, clear-cut, no questions asked #1 receiver or draft one to groom into that position. just listening to roy williams over the past year he's been here, i don't think he can handle being “the man” on this receiving corp.