Earlier this month, MDS pointed out a column from Jean-Jacques Taylor of the Dallas Morning News, who wrote that Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips will leave the team in one of two ways come February 2009: He'll either take this team loaded with talent and win the Super Bowl and ride off into the sunset afterward. Or the Cowboys will fall short of their goal, and Jerry Jones will give him a golden parachute to leave so he can promote Jason Garrett.Now that training camp has started, Taylor revisits this story, one of the many subplots to a season filled with expectations in Dallas. After listening to Jerry Jones' season-opening press conference, Taylor is still convinced Phillips' tenure won't last more than two months into the next calendar year, and Garrett, the team's offensive coordinator, will ascend to his rightful place on the organizational chart.
Jerry praised Wade's leadership. And his work ethic. And his approach. Then Jerry took a breath and continued complimenting Wade's selfless attitude, his management of the team's egos, his immense experience and his track record of success.Taylor cited many of the same reasons he alluded to a few weeks ago, but added that this has nothing to do with loyalty or patience, and everything to do with getting the right guy for the job. "Besides, Jerry already has missed out on two quality coaches – Sean Payton and Tony Sparano – who have been hired as head coaches by other teams. He's way too smart to lose another."
None of it changed my mind. I still think Jason Garrett will be the head coach next season.
All signs point to Garrett getting the gig -- he decided to not pursue any head-coaching jobs this offseason, and Jones gave him a raise that pays him almost as much as Phillips -- it's just a matter of when. For Taylor, he thinks it'll happen in seven months or so. If the Cowboys don't win a playoff game, I'd agree, but there's no way Jones would fire Phillips if Dallas wins it all, is there?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-26-2008 @ 1:22AM
George B Vieto said...
I would not be surprised if Wade Phillips get fired or quits the Dallas Cowboys job after this season if either the Cowboys win the Super Bowl or lose a first round playoff game so Jason Garrett will be the head coach of the Cowboys.
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7-26-2008 @ 8:39AM
Texan said...
Winning a Super Bowl with the team that Bill Parcell's built will put a ring on your finger, but; that asterix will always be there in peoples minds that you got there courtesy of Bill Parcells.
It's like Jon Gruden going to Tampa Bay and winning the Super Bowl with the team Tony Dungy built. What has Jon Gruden done since then besides destroy the Buccs on his mad journey to get a mobile QB?
I like Wade Phillips. I liked Bum Phillips when he coached the Houston Earlers too. Jason Garrett is the future of coaching for the Pokes though and to lose him would be a huge loss for the Cowboys future.
I'm a bit endeared towards Garrett because in 1991 Garrett started at quarterback for the San Antonio Riders of the World League of American Football, and in 1992 lead San Antonio to a 7-3 record.
Jason Garrett then went to the Dallas Cowboys, where he was a backup to Troy Aikman on the 1993 and 1995 Super Bowl winning teams.
In eight seasons with the Cowboys, Garrett played in 39 games and completed 165 of 294 passes (56.1%) for 2,042 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions.
The shining moment of Garrett's QB career with the Cowboys occurred on Thanksgiving Day, in 1994, when Jason started in place of an injured Troy Aikman and led the Cowboys over the Green Bay Packers by completing 15 of 26 passes for 311 yards and 2 touchdowns in a second-half comeback.
Jason Garrett knows football.
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