While driving home from work it was debated on talking head radio whether or not Wade Philips’ position as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys was safe (or not). The talking heads concluded that if the Cowboys played their way into the play-offs and won one game he would be safe (retained for 2010).
I’m here to tell you that, if accurate, thinking like this rewards mediocrity and will destroy an organization. Let’s be precise: All I can do is put this into perspective and then let you, dear readers, decide if it this is happening or not.
I grew up in baseball country, specifically as a card carrying member of St. Louis Cardinal Red Nation. We had other teams to root for like the NFL Cardinals/Rams, MLH Blues, SLU basketball, etc. But by and large it was a baseball part of the world. And we loved our Cardinals. We had such a winning tradition. But not always.
As I recall, after the late August collapse in 1989 against the Chicago Cubs, long time favorite coach (and former general manager) Whitey Herzog was sacked. This ended an era of baseball, both in St Louis and reflective in all of MLB: no more hit-and-run, sacrifice, two inning save, or in-field shift. Baseball had evolved to the three run homer, or as Tom Glavine said it best, “chicks dig the long ball”. The firing of Whitey was inevitable, and baseball evolved. So be it.
But ownership did not evolve. From 1990- 1996, the Cardinals entered a dark era: coaching sucked. New player acquisition sucked. Drafting sucked. The team sucked. Even the hot dogs sucked.
The organization was owned by the Budweiser beer family and it seemed they gave a rat’s ass about the team. Marketing was all that mattered (just think back of the great Bud Light commercials of that era). To put all of this into perspective, Joe Torre was our coach. He was fired and immediately hired by the New York Yankees- we know what happened there!
I should also comment that the ending of that Dark Era was signified by the Cardinal ownership changing hands and Tony LaRussa was hired that same year. The Cardinals were restored to glory and went on to win the World Series in
2006. But I want to focus on that period of 1989-1996. It sucked for Cardinal fans. The owner collected the rent and at best tended to the stadium maintenance: no more – no less. I think the same may be said about the Dallas Cowboys. The big difference is the new stadium. And for that I give current ownership an A+. How can you not? But as for the team? C’mon, man!
It’s the day-to-day operations that matter. The Cowboys are once again entering the dreaded days of December. We like to put a label on these periods, so I’ll acknowledge this as the Romo era. As an organization, we all know this is when they need to measure up and play with that killer instinct. And Wade Phillips is the first we look at or listen to measure success. Is he the right man for the job or just Jerry’s man?
To wrap back to my beginning statement: If the Cowboys fail to make the play-offs, Wade ought to be gone and Jones should fire himself as GM. If they make the play-offs and lose Wade ought to be gone and Jones should fire himself as GM. If this repeats ad nausea Jones ought to fire himself and sell the team. The Dallas Cowboys are bigger than Jerry Jones.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
If the Cowboys play in the Super Bowl, Wade should stay. But any other result, even two deep in the playoffs, seems like too much luck to waste more years on a coach no one respects. He should have remained a defensive coordinator, but he no doubt couldn't turn down the money Jerry offered.
Jerry Jones is the only person I've heard that supports Wade Phillips as a head coach. The fans and the media can't stand a leader with no visible backbone. He's too easy a target. As long as a passive man is the head coach, we'll always wonder if the Cowboys couldn't have gone further in the playoffs with a stronger leader.
That's why Super Bowl appearance is so important. Anyone can lose the final game, and that's acceptable. But if you don't get there, then the existing lack of confidence is exacerbated by the wondering “what if this team is SO good that it got to the playoffs DESPITE Wade Phillips, not because of him?”
I don't think there's any doubt that Wade is outta there… the question will be who will Jerry hire to take his place, because JJ isn't going anywhere. Especially after the fact that he just opened up the news digs and will be hosting s Super Bowl there soon.
If the Cowboys play in the Super Bowl, Wade should stay. But any other result, even two deep in the playoffs, seems like too much luck to waste more years on a coach no one respects. He should have remained a defensive coordinator, but he no doubt couldn't turn down the money Jerry offered.
Jerry Jones is the only person I've heard that supports Wade Phillips as a head coach. The fans and the media can't stand a leader with no visible backbone. He's too easy a target. As long as a passive man is the head coach, we'll always wonder if the Cowboys couldn't have gone further in the playoffs with a stronger leader.
That's why Super Bowl appearance is so important. Anyone can lose the final game, and that's acceptable. But if you don't get there, then the existing lack of confidence is exacerbated by the wondering “what if this team is SO good that it got to the playoffs DESPITE Wade Phillips, not because of him?”
I don't think there's any doubt that Wade is outta there… the question will be who will Jerry hire to take his place, because JJ isn't going anywhere. Especially after the fact that he just opened up the news digs and will be hosting s Super Bowl there soon.