Dallas Cowboys’ Fans on Jason Garrett

Because of the need for a drastic change in the Dallas Cowboys organization, a few of weeks ago, I published an article titled 10 questions for Dallas Cowboys fans. Due to the length of some of the answers, I am posting responses to one question at a time. I believe the fans have a right to be heard when it comes to their team, so here are their answers to the second pressing question about the Dallas Cowboys’ future: (If I missed anyone I apologize)

Dec 16, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett reacts on the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

I have pretty much expressed how I feel about Jason Garrett enough already so I feel there is no need for me to answer this question. Everyone knows he is the last person on Gods green earth that I want at the helm of Americas Team.  I want to ask everyone to keep in mind that I posted the questions prior to some of the changes that have taken place in Dallas. However, these people took the time to answer them so I am going to include their answers. If you happen to be curious how I feel about Garrett Click Here.

Question #2:  Do you really feel that Jason Garrett is the best option at head coach for the Dallas Cowboys when there are so many proven veterans currently available?

Rodney Bryant from Fayetteville, NC:
Jason Garrett is an average HC, but a mediocre OC. He has consistently shown the inability to adjust to what the defense is throwing at him. Washington blitzed what seemed like the whole game, but Garrett didn’t run a single screen, swing pass, quick hitch or anything to slow down the rush. Similarly, the Redskins DBs were giving WR Dez Bryant 9, 10, 11 yard cushions. Not once did Garrett’s offense take advantage of that.

Johannes Ellertsson Keflavik, Iceland:
I have my doubts about Jason, but the Dallas Cowboys have been in rebuilding mode under his reign and are making improvements in their game, but not nearly fast enough for me. But I definitely don’t want to waste any years of starting over with Tony, Demarcus and Jason Witten in the later stages of their careers, so my answer is NO, I don´t want a head coaching change now, lets give Jason more time.

Tom Salagaj, Chicago (fan since 1960):
Jason Garrett is now, was before, and always will be a puppet coach serving under Jerry Jones who has always wanted to coach and run this team. Therefore, Jason is NOT the best choice. There will never be a solid in-charge head coach of the Dallas Cowboys until and unless Jerry Jones makes extreme changes in this scenario.

Daniel, Toronto, Canada:
Yes, Jason should be the coach of the Dallas Cowboys in 2013.

Chris Trevino from Houston,TX:
I believe Jason Garrett is part of the solution for the Dallas Cowboys. I love how he is trying to build this team. He is trying to draft not only good football players but good character guys.  He is a first time head coach at ANY level.  Has he made some game management mistakes yes, but I like the mental toughness he is instilling in this team.  His two drafts have been very good as well.  I believe someday in the very near future he will be looked at as one of the better head coaches in the NFL.

Oct 1, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan yells for head coach Jason Garrett to throw the challenge flag in the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears at Dallas Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Howard Sachs:  
Best? Not sure but he should get year 3 of what has clearly been a rebuilding process. He earned that with a gutted defense playing so hard down the stretch.  Or maybe credit for that should go to Rob Ryan?

Ryan Gdovin:
Yes, players responding to Garrett’s philosophy. For example, the 2012 Dallas Cowboys showed real “fight”. As long as the Cowboys players are responding, he’s the right guy.

Mike Millman:
No, Garrett with his lack of experience should never have been hired as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys. He should have at least had a seasoned offensive coordinator to assist him. It is crazy to put a man with his experience, or lack of, in charge of $1B organization. No other private company would do this. I am of the opinion that Dallas owner Jerry Jones just wants a malleable coach.

Aug 25, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee (50) reacts to a play during the second quarter against the St Louis Rams at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Steve, Toronto, Canada:
I do believe in Jason Garrett as the head coach. His game management is poor and must get better. I don’t think he should be the OC, but as a head coach only, progress has most definitely been made. This team plays hard, all the time. They battle, they fight. This team is mentally tougher, it took a while, but in the 2nd half of the season it showed up. There is no quit in this team. This is about “the right kind of guys”. Many of the old guard have been shown the door. Felix Jones, Kevin Ogletree and Mike Jenkins are about to follow. In the last 2 drafts you have Tyron Smith, Bruce Carter, Demarco Murray and Mo Claiborne added to Sean Lee as the beginning of a young nucleus of players that play the game “the right way”. Add Dwayne Harris, Tyrone Crawford, Matt Johnson, Kyle Wilber and James Hanna as potential role players cut from the same cloth. I want these guys on my team; you couldn’t say that about more than one guy in many of the previous drafts. Brandon Carr was a solid, though expensive signing. For the most part, the penalty issues went away in the 2nd half of the season, particularly pre-snap penalties. I believe Garrett is a leader of men. I believe he knows what characteristics to look for in players. He is bringing in guys that love football, that have true passion. You can see it. We would have seen it a ton in guys like Lee and Carter had they been on the field. It has been a long time since I have been proud to be a Cowboys fan. During the last month, I was proud of the team. Jason Garrett did that. Next year is a big year for Garrett. He needs another strong draft, and he needs the progress to start showing up in wins. Retread coaches like Gruden don’t do it for me. I’m not blown away by any of the candidates out there. Andy Reid? No, thank you. I like a younger coach. Ex. when Mike Tomlin was hired in Pittsburgh.

Joe DeMayo:
I actually think Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett is a great leader which is important to being a head coach. He just has to give up the play calling for me. He has had this offense with all these weapons for years and he has yet to make it into the high impact offense that it is capable of  given the players on it. I know it will be tough for Garrett to give up the play calling, but if he wants to win I think he has to. Arguably the best coach in this league Bill Belichick doesn’t call offensive or defensive plays. He is the HEAD COACH. That is the purpose of having an offensive and defensive coordinator. Let Rob Ryan run the defense as he has (which was a top 5 rated defense this year prior to the rash of injuries). On offense you could justifiably give the job to the “offensive coordinator” in house in Bill Callahan or you can go externally for that, possibly Carmichael from New Orleans who is reportedly available.

Mark Harrison:
No, but he appears to have a decent relationship with Jerry Jones, and given the amount of injuries we have had this year, I think he deserves one more year at least. He still needs to improve his play calling and game management, but these got better from last year, so hopefully next year will be even better. I don’t think his leadership is in question.

Kevin Moore:
No. Big Red has proven he shouldn’t be a HC in the NFL.

Jerry Lindsay Stuttgart, Germany Born and Bred in Euless, Tx Cowboys fan since birth 48 years and counting:
No, Sean Payton would have been the perfect match for the Dallas Cowboys, but that ship has sailed, we need a mean SOB who is gonna strike fear into the players hearts.

Frank from New York:
No hate his play calling all to predictable.

Dep:
Jason is fine, if he has a change of heart about running game or brings in an OC that appreciates running game.

December 9, 2012; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers former head coach Jon Gruden talks during a presentation celebrating the 10th anniversary of the 2002 Super Bowl Champions during halftime against the Philadelphia Eagles at Raymond James Stadium. The Eagles won 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Ivan Castro:
No. Bring in John Gruden.

Gio in Ca:
Jerry Jones may consider it, but I dont think he will do it. A HC who is nothing more than a manager with no say probably won’t sit well for either party.

boysteamusa:
No, Garrett is not a good NFL HC. Too inexperienced, out of his league.

Colin:
I like Garrett as the Dallas Cowboys Head Coach, and I think that the players buy into his philosophy and most importantly I think they play hard for him. I don’t see a reason to replace him as Head Coach.

Gary Smith:
Yes, as long as Jerry Jones is the GM of the Dallas Cowboys. Garrett has potential. And Jerry Jones won’t hire someone that could get all of the credit for team’s success.

Wade Miller:
Yes, I think Jason Garrett has what it takes to be a successful head coach in his league, and I think we should give him at least one more season.

Jan 7, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban celebrates after the 2013 BCS Championship game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Sun Life Stadium. Alabama won 42-14. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

BigDIndiana:
Maybe not the best, but I’m willing to keep him for awhile.

Michael Valentino:
Cas, I enjoyed your article and the comments by your readers. I’m not a huge Jason Garrett fan in that I am not impressed with his clock management or ability to make in-game adjustments. The Dallas Cowboys team seems to play hard for him, but there are still too many penalties. That speaks to preparation and in some cases overall football intelligence. I am okay with Garrett remaining as HC, but he needs to be relinquished of his duties as OC. He is not getting it done there. I would take Gruden over JG, and if Nick Saban ever leaves Alabama for a second stint in the NFL, I’d like him on the Dallas sidelines.

Jacob Sander:
I believe Garrett should stay.  He has been through a process that can only make him better. Letting him go would also be letting go of all that experience. Some of the best successes come from failures. I would probably pair him with a clock management expert though.

Dec 16, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones (left) talks with Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II prior to the game at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

C. Joseph Wright:

A year ago, I had total faith in Jason Garrett and believed that he would, in time, restore greatness to the Dallas Cowboys. I don’t have the faith in Garrett that I used to, but that is because I used to think that Garrett had control over his staff, personnel, the draft etc. Now that it is becoming clear that Jerry Jones is still controlling the team (I wonder if Garrett really wanted Rob Ryan fired), I doubt whether Garrett will even have the opportunity and freedom to re-build this team the way he wants.

The Dallas Cowboys desperately need some continuity and stability, so firing Jason Garrett now would be unwise. Garrett’s basic philosophy of building a team with players who are RKOG’s (the right kind of guys) has not been in place long enough yet to fairly evaluate. I wonder what percentage of players currently on the Dallas Cowboys roster are still leftovers from before Jason Garrett became the head coach? Garrett and his system deserve at least one more season, probably two, to prove what he can do. Once Garrett had enough drafts to genuinely build a team with his RKOG’s, then he should be fired if the Dallas Cowboys are not making frequent runs in the playoffs. It does look like Garrett should relinquish the play-calling duties, although he would always have the final decision on everything as the head coach.

My biggest issue with Jason Garrett has been his inability to develop a solid running game. In fact, it has been on a rapid decline since he took over as OC. It has been so long that the Cowboys had one  that I decided to remind everyone of the secret to the Dallas Cowboys success in the past.

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