Would Jerry Jones Fire Wade Phillips to Keep Jason Garrett?

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The Star-Telegram's Jim Reeves has been talking to Chargers general manager A.J. Smith, I see. He's concocted a crazy plan to keep this off-season's hot coaching candidate, current Cowboys offensive coordinator, Jason Garrett. It's so eloquently simple that it probably never occurred to most of us. Either that, or it's just too ridiculous. Definitely one or the other, though.

Who's more important to the Cowboys and their future? Coach Yuck-Yuck [Phillips] or one of the brightest young offensive minds to show up at Valley Ranch in a long, long time? If it comes to that, here's what Jerry has to do: He fires Phillips and he keeps Garrett.

Risky? Absolutely. Phillips is a known commodity, which is both good and bad. Garrett? Tremendous upside and potential, but he has only three years' coaching experience in the NFL.

Reeves points out that this isn't as mental as it sounds, after all, Jerry Jones is the same guy who fired Tom Landry because he knew Jimmy Johnson would turn things around.

Um, okay. And, hell, maybe Jones is capable of firing Phillips after winning 13 games, but here's a thought: if Jones is omniscient, why didn't he see this coming last off-season? You know, when he hired Garrett first -- as the offensive coordinator -- before bringing in Phillips. Why didn't he just install Garrett as the head coach and get on with it? Surely the team wouldn't have been any worse off than it is now, right?

Here's a thought, and it's nuts: keep Phillips. If Garrett leaves, fine. There will be young, hot coaching candidates next year, and the year after that and so on. Plus, if Garrett truly loves the organization he'll pull a Josh McDaniels.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

1-05-2008 @ 10:46AM

Tim Burns said...

This story was circulated on Cowboys blogs yesterday & it's absolutely insane. The local media seem to have it in for Phillips for some reason. They say he's too thin skinned and defensive. From my perspective, he's just telling them to get off his back after a 13-3 season.

The solution to keeping Garrett is a lot simpler than firing a productive coach after one successful season. Jerry needs to give Jason the "Greg Williams" bonus, which states that if Williams doesn't succedd Joe Gibbs in Washington as head coach, he gets $1 million...I'd make Garrett Asst. Head Coach in the offseason, and a raise, and the addendum to his contract. He's apparently being groomed for the job. Why force Jerry's hand into putting Garrett into a position to fail because he's not ready to run a team. He's going to be a great coach, but he's had one season at QB coach and one season at OC...How ready could he be?

1-05-2008 @ 11:31AM

Gina said...

Phillips has done a lot with the defense but I think most people would agree the cowboys offense is the difference this year, and I think it's safe to say that offense is all Garret. Phillips is a great d-coordinator but he was barely average as a head coach before this year. Why would Jones think Wade without Garret would be any better?

1-05-2008 @ 11:48AM

Don said...

The silly part of this is assuming Garrett would ever put Jones in the position where there was an ultimatum so early in his OC career. If Jones wants to keep him right now, he just has to pay him enough. Give Garrett another 2-3 years and continued success, and then I can see this being a problem, but this isn't just a contest to see who can get a 'Head Coach' title first - if Garrett is smart, he'll bank Jerry's cash and wait for a good opportunity to present itself.

1-05-2008 @ 11:55AM

Phil said...

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

1-05-2008 @ 7:23PM

Jay Hammond said...

Jerry Jones is capable of anything. He'll come up with something which will work out in the long run.
Remember, pro football is a business. Let's wait for the final act.

1-05-2008 @ 9:46PM

Jimmy G said...

Ignore this BS. The Dallas-Fort Worth media has had nothing to be negative about this year and have picked at anything they could (even the T.O. mega-BS, it was a joke dumbass) and this just another thing until Tampa Bay or New York rolls into town to pass the time.

1-06-2008 @ 12:10AM

Spoonman said...

Yes, I am sure it would be hard to be impressive coaching a nice offensive line, TO, Jason Witten, Tony Romo, and Barber running the ball.

I don't understand this love fest with Garrett. When Owens is gone, the offense does not look good. Look at last week. No double coverage deep, they stack the line, and Barber gets stuffed.

I'm sure Jerry Jones can pick up someone to coach the offense. Everything is set up, I think Terry Glenn is supposed to be back. It would be like watering a money tree, it's just too damn easy.

1-06-2008 @ 11:21AM

John T. said...

Jason Garrett's resume hummm lets see, back up QB (which wasn't too impressive) 2 yrs QB coach (turned out some talent there) 1 yr OC (in which he took over a ready to win team). so hows that qualify him as an offensive genius. If Staubach and Aikman didn't kiss Joneses ass he'd have been fired along with the rest of the Miami staff. Start from the bottom Garrett like all the other great coaches in the NFL did. If I remember correctly wasn't it said he would replace Phillips in 3 yrs, thanks to the ass kissers. Yea Jones go ahead fire Phillips you got the next Vince Lombardi in your hip pocket, LMFAO!!!