Word on the Street: Chris Mortensen Thinks Dallas Could Still Pursue Mike Shanahan

I'm guessing there's virtually no chance Jerry Jones convinces newly unemployed Mike Shanahan to coach up the Cowboys in 2009. Partly because Jones has sworn up and down that Wade Phillips will be back in that capacity next season, but also because Shanahan says he plans to take two weeks off before making any decisions about his NFL coaching future, and seems to be leaning towards taking a year off before getting back in the mix. Who knows.

In the meantime, Mort's sources are talking.

Jones has been committed to a third season with Phillips as head coach and Jason Garrett as offensive coordinator. Sources say the owner was particularly pleased with Phillips' work with the defense and doesn't want to interrupt that progress. The chance Jones could hire Shanahan and convince Phillips to remain as defensive coordinator is very remote, a source said. Shanahan replaced Phillips as head coach when he was hired in Denver.

If Garrett should land one of the head coaching jobs available now, it could influence Jones to reconsider his plans and approach Shanahan about joining the Cowboys for the 2009 season because of the offensive void left by Garrett's departure, a source said.

Garrett's not quite the rising star he was a year ago, so he may not have the same head-coaching opportunities this offseason. His job prospects aside, though, why would Phillips take a demotion? Who is he, Romeo Crennel?

Don't misunderstand, Phillips is a much better coordinator than head coach (he was solid in San Diego), but what, he's supposed to just stand by in his puffy coat while Jerry walks all over him? (Answer: Maybe.)

Adding to the mock intrigue, Mortensen writes that "The same source added that Jones was growing 'angrier by the day' because of the Cowboys' last two defeats -- to Baltimore and Philadelphia -- which left them out of the playoffs." Not sure how Shanahan fixes that -- the Broncos lost a three-game division lead with three games to go in the season.

That said, I think most Cowboys fans have seen enough of Phillips and Garrett and would welcome a change. Particularly one that included Shanahan, even if it's not likely to happen for another 12 months or so.