TwoDeep3
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Let me say this first- yesterday’s win was great. I enjoyed watching this team whip the rams with a two by four all day long in a completely convincing fashion.
But yesterday’s win cannot erase the big picture of the last decade. Very, very few NFL coaches have more than 3-5 years to take their team to at least near championship heights. Assuming this team makes the playoffs after hopefully beating the e-girls, only 4 of Garrett’s 9 teams will have even made the playoffs.
Here’s my big point: Look at Jason Garrett’s whole resume and playoff record, not his last game. Stay in the big picture, not the small.
Let’s look at the last decade and the big picture of what Jason Garrett’s teams have in common:
This list could go on. Garrett has had more than a fair chance to show that he can take this team where it hasn’t been in nearly a quarter century. A near decade to show he can lead this team to greatness. Keeping Jason Garrett at this point would be a farce if winning a championship is the goal. (Sadly, it may not be the goal for Jerry)
- Garrett coached teams always seem to play up and down. Three straight 8-8 seasons from 2011-13.
- Alternating good years with bad. Good years 2014, 2016, and 2018, with bummer years 2015 and 2017, and maybe 2019.
- Consistently poor clock management with a game on the line. How many times have we seen this coach mismanage key moments in games, especially against good opponents? Like the 2016 playoff game against the pack.
- A complete lack of creativity or adaptability both in game and in-season. Game plans are seemingly written in stone, regardless of circumstances or what the opponent seems to be going. (Chaz Green in Atlanta?)
- His teams are 4-5 on Thanksgiving, one of the biggest home field advantages in football.
- In fairness, his teams have almost always played hard.
- His teams have also won some big games. But they were either a wild card playoff game or a regular season game.
- His teams have also lost 3 divisional round playoff games, all very winnable.
If it hasn’t happened in almost ten years, it isn’t going to happen. The Garrett expiration date has passed. The big picture says Garrett is what he is. A fairly good coach who doesn’t take teams very far in the playoffs. It’s time for a new voice in 2020.
My personal opinion is the hallmark for a team is the NFC Championship game. Landry said he tries to stay close and get into that game. Then you can pop through every few years and have a chance at the prize.
To grade a coach on this criteria is harsh his first couple of years. But making the play-offs is imperative. Once a coach has established he can lead a team to the play-offs, the expectation is the NFC Championship game. The escalate to the Super Bowl.
That should be the five year plan for every coach brought in to lead this team.
With Garrett, his third year at 8-8 would get him fired with this plan.
I understand there are extenuating circumstances which can derail a season. Cap space, injury, age of team. But I also believe making and accepting excuses is how you get to 23 years of nothing.
I agree with so much of your original post. Once again, great work.