While I am not a Garrett fan, I do not lay it on him when the QB throws a pick unless he called a pick on that play.
Got a WR running the same exact route he ran earlier against one of the best CB's in the league, did he think he would fool him? If the OC calls that play does he not depend on his QB and WR not to make it look the same? The QB and WR were equally responsible for poor execution of the play. They're facing the best DC in the game with the best CB and it's the OC's or HC's fault?
Garrett was not creative and what was it about him that led people to think he would be? He had never shown that tendency. When a backup QB, he came in and executed the offense. An offense, mind you, that was predicated on out manning the D, not creativity. We think our guys are better than yours and we'll prove it. That was his indoctrination into the NFL and first look at pro coaching. It was not about outsmarting them, it was about outplaying them.
He didn't show any creativity in NY or MIA either. He came into Dallas with very little experience What did he do with Bryant? Make him run his routes better or use him as the 50/50 WR? He probably ran the ball on 1st down more than any NFL coach because that's what he knew. He is the type coach that has to have the talent edge because he's not the tie breaker when it's even. And there are a hell of a lot more like him in the NFL, a hell of a lot.
I've said this about him many times, he was the hide in plain sight coach. Got this great football family pedigree and an Ivy League education and even has his QB endorse him as a future NFL HC. And what did Aikman base that on? Garrett's understanding of the offense, not creating one. He gets fast tracked up the ladder and if that were you, what would you do? Say oh no, I am not ready? Hell no, you grab it, jump on it and try to ride it. And you would love to be creative but you just aren't, some people just aren't.
You know who Garrett's mentor was? Nick Saban, think he's creative or is he dependent on better talent? How about before that with Norv Turner? Think he was creative? He took Zampese's playbook along with one of the most accurate QB's in the history of the NFL, a great OL, WR corps and TE AND a great D and just lined his up against theirs. That's why it was easy for Garrett to step in and take over. Don't create, just execute.
Y'all can lay all you want on Garrett but I look at the guy that hired him and kept him when it was evident he'd ben hiding in plain sight but Booger was blind to it because Garrett made him comfortable. The only way Garrett improved was if the talent improved and he has a lot of company in that in the NFL.