Way back when, in the dark ages, or light if you enjoy winning Super Bowls, I had a stream of "inside" information. There were things I knew a few days before they were reported (draftees and coaching moves, one trade, maybe an unexpected cut or two). I respected confidentiality at the time, and I will now, though I suppose nobody would be harmed. I have less than zero access to anything like that these days, and I haven't for a very, very long time.
There is only one lesson I learned back then that applies to now -- more than most probably think, there are very few secrets among NFL teams. Mostly, teams know almost exactly where and by whom players will be drafted, for instance. The Cowboys get dinged for being too open about their preferences, and I think that's fair criticism. On the edges, it might hurt them from time to time. But by and large, there are few secrets and few surprises.
I don't think there is any question Garrett and his staff know their fates, and they've probably known for some time -- certainly since the Philly game. I imagine Jerry Jones already knows who he will hire, and I would be surprised if some other teams don't know. Certainly his preferred choice is aware. They've probably already talked (through an agent) dollars, contract length, responsibilities, etc.
Let us forget for a moment this is a football team. It is also a multimillion (in value billion) dollar business. Businesses do not determine C-suite hires during a short interview process. Sure, a surprise or revelation during an interview might change the outcome, but directors (or the owner) have known for some time who they like to fill particular senior positions.These are people who work in the same industry and know each other. A board of directors or an owner doesn't interview someone for three hours and say, "sounds like a great plan, you're hired."
Jones has his reasons -- and they might be lame, or seem lame -- for letting this thing drag. But he knows what he is going to do. Werder has been on this Cowboys beat since the Cowboys glory days. They know him and trust him. For whatever reason, they decided they wanted something leaked, and they leaked it to the guy they trust (or like) most.
The other beat reporters and national media are upset because they are aware -- Jones knows what he is going to do and is leaving us hanging, eating snacks all day at the Star. They speculate because they have nothing else to do and because it is a measure of payback to Jones to make him look like a baffled, indecisive imbecile.
Jones isn't concerned about who has been hired or is set to be interviewed because he already knows the end game.
Why the charade? The Rooney Rule is a reason. The league looks bad, and rightfully so, if the rule appears to be meaningless. Publicity might be another reason. Teams often delay their first round picks for 15 minutes so they will be talked about on national TV during that time. Jones probably loves the fact the Cowboys are front and center all over the media during this process. And there could be a personal reason -- Jones doesn't want to "fire" Garrett and would prefer to simply let it play out as the end of a contract that wasn't renewed.
I have no idea how this will play out. It doesn't mean Jones doesn't.
