In a very interesting article yesterday by Kevin Sherrington, (of that Dallas newspaper we cannot mention) Jason Garrett is going out of his way this week to ensure that Kellen Moore is NOT perceived as getting too much credit for the “new” offense or that Moore is in total control of the Cowboys offense in 2019.
Stop, stop using part of what he says and trying to find something negative . He said many times that Moore is doing a great job, taking command of the offense, taking command of the room, and LEADING.
He also said yes it's collaborative with Kitna, the TE coach. He also said it's not much change as everyone interviewed about the offense. But of course Bob finds something to turn negative.
According to Sherrington, Garrett has more than once this week been careful to say publicly he is (quoting Sherrington) “less interested in a Sean McVay starter kit than in implying the new guy hasn't reinvented anything.”
In his press conference Thursday, when describing the changes being made to the offense this year, Garrett on 3 occasions said, “this work is collaborative.” Some other interesting Garrett quotes from that press conference : "He's (Moore) been with us a few years and he has a good feel for how we want to do things"; "He's not doing it by himself"; and "he’s Injecting some new ideas and finding some old ideas” ... “making it collaborative” ... “to go with what this offense is going to be all about,” and “We’re not recreating our base offense”.
Does this sound like a guy who has turned the keys to the offense over to Kellen Moore?
Whatever Garrett thinks about “his offense”, it was crystal clear last year that something new was needed. Even with the much needed improvement at mid-season from the Amari Cooper trade, the Cowboys finished 22nd in scoring last year. That was the lowest of any other team that made the playoffs. Since 2016, when the Cowboys offense bludgeoned its opponents, the offense has been the most predictable and easy to prepare for in the NFL (Just ask the rams) It’s pretty obvious changes are needed.
So this raises some key questions:
1. Is this Garrett’s message to Kellen Moore or to fans and the media?
2. Why is Garrett so intent on saying publicly that this is still “his offense”?
3. Is Garrett feeling threatened by the presence of Kellen Moore and if so, why?
So far this offseason, the biggest question going into the 2019 season seems to be centered on how much change and new ideas Garrett will allow young Kellen Moore to inject. And...is Garrett feeling threatened?