Are any of you employERS? If you were, you'd understand Jerry's position on Dan.

[theogt]

But Reeves plainly said that was absolutely not the case.

Reeves was going to be far more hands-on than the kind of consultant you're thinking of. He was basically going to join the coaching staff.

He didn't say that it wasn't the case that Jerry wanted on 'hours clause' in the contract. He just stated that it wasn't about him not wanting to put in full-time hours.

 

[bbgun]

The $1.5 Billion Dallas Cowboys are going to fail if Dan Reeves doesn't have an hours clause?

No kidding. Thanks to the sparkling new stadium and the network TV revenues, Jerry will be making an obscene amount of money this year no matter what. Therefore, it is completely illogical to be nickel and diming a guy like Reeves. Dan putting in 40 vs 50 hours per week isn't going to change Jerry's bottom line, so why insist on such a clause? We need to win more than Jerry needs to get his money's worth.

 

[theogt]

Maybe one day you'll undertand that we needed Reeves (or someone like Reeves) a lot more than Jerry needed that poison pill in the contract. Jerry should have swallowed his pride and hired him on good faith. Also, certain players are allowed to skip the OTAs but Dan is to be kept on a leash? Screw that nonsense.

This may be true, but it's very odd that Dan would make such a big fuss over it if he intended to comply with it whether it was in the contract or not. Jerry might have come to the realization that if someone can't put up with such a tiny thing, the relationship wasn't going to work anyway. The 'atmosphere' of the negotiations may have played a huge role in that sort of decision. We'll never know.

 

[dallasfaniac]

This may be true, but it's very odd that Dan would make such a big fuss over it if he intended to comply with it whether it was in the contract or not. Jerry might have come to the realization that if someone can't put up with such a tiny thing, the relationship wasn't going to work anyway. The 'atmosphere' of the negotiations may have played a huge role in that sort of decision. We'll never know.

That's my take as well.

 

[bbgun]

This may be true, but it's very odd that Dan would make such a big fuss over it if he intended to comply with it whether it was in the contract or not. Jerry might have come to the realization that if someone can't put up with such a tiny thing, the relationship wasn't going to work anyway. The 'atmosphere' of the negotiations may have played a huge role in that sort of decision. We'll never know.

Well, time for Jerry to put his precious money where his mouth is. If change is truly the highest priority, then we can expect to see a prominent replacement for Reeves anyday now. After all, Dan isn't the only competent consultant out there. And "Reeves or nobody" would flunk every laugh test known to man. Get cracking, Jerry.

 

[theogt]

Well, time for Jerry to put his precious money where his mouth is. If change is truly the highest priority, then we can expect to see a prominent replacement for Reeves anyday now. After all, Dan isn't the only competent consultant out there. And "Reeves or nobody" would flunk every laugh test known to man. Get cracking, Jerry.

It was "Reeves or nobody" because of the particular relationship Reeves and Wade have. And Jerry's not saying there will change in the sense that the faces on the coaching staff need to change. In that regard, he's saying just the opposite. But firing your coaching staff (or hiring new consultants) isn't the only form of change.

 

[bbgun]

It was "Reeves or nobody" because of the particular relationship Reeves and Wade have..

Bullcrap. You needn't have any kind of history with Jerry or Wade to become a DC consultant. It helps, but it's certainly not a prerequisite. This is more excuse-making for doing nothing.

And Jerry's not saying there will change in the sense that the faces on the coaching staff need to change. In that regard, he's saying just the opposite. But firing your coaching staff (or hiring new consultants) isn't the only form of change

But he did think the problems were serious enough to merit bringing in outside help. Well, last I checked, Dan is gone but the original problems still remain. Go get yourself another consultant if you want to prove to the fans that you're not full of ****.

BTW, if the contract issue was so "tiny," then why didn't Jerry waive it when Dan balked?

 

[Shake_Tiller]

This may be true, but it's very odd that Dan would make such a big fuss over it if he intended to comply with it whether it was in the contract or not. Jerry might have come to the realization that if someone can't put up with such a tiny thing, the relationship wasn't going to work anyway. The 'atmosphere' of the negotiations may have played a huge role in that sort of decision. We'll never know.

You could be exactly right, but I don't see it as a "tiny thing." It goes straight to a man's character. I have particulary specialized skills, and I am widely known in my industry for those skills. If someone offers me a task, it might take x time or it might take y time. Regardless, I am going to do everything in my power to do it properly. My reputation rides on it. Everything I am, professionally, rides on it. I will give my best. If I'm nitpicked into a timesheet -- which at it's base is what this is -- I'm not interested.

I'd have walked.

 

[WoodysGirl]

Bullcrap. You needn't have any kind of history with Jerry or Wade to become a DC consultant. This is more excuse-making for doing nothing.



But he did think the problems were serious enough to merit bringing in outside help. Well, last I checked, Dan is gone but the original problems still remain. Go get yourself another consultant if you want to prove to the fans that you're not full of ****.

BTW, if the contract issue was so "tiny," then why didn't Jerry waive it when Dan balked?

Or why didn't Dan just go ahead and sign on the dotted line.

 

[Shake_Tiller]

Or why didn't Dan just go ahead and sign on the dotted line.

Because it wasn't a small thing for either of the parties.

 

[theogt]

Bullcrap. You needn't have any kind of history with Jerry or Wade to become a DC consultant. It helps, but it's certainly not a prerequisite. This is more excuse-making for doing nothing.

LOL. Okay. Jerry specifically stated this yesterday, but whatever.

But he did think the problems were serious enough to merit bringing in outside help. Well, last I checked, Dan is gone but the original problems still remain. Go get yourself another consultant if you want to prove to the fans that you're not full of ****.

Actually, Wade brought in the outside help.

BTW, if the contract issue was so "tiny," then why didn't Jerry waive it when Dan balked?

Same goes for Dan. Why walk over such an admittedly unimportant clause? It had no impact on what he'd be doing. So why walk?

 

[WoodysGirl]

Because it wasn't a small thing for either of the parties.

I knew that.

But that's the point. Whatever it was, it was most definitely a deal-breaker, but the blame doesn't have to simply fall all on Jerry.

While Jerry's rant was a bit on the unstable side, I tend to think it was to dispute some of the sympathy-garnering interviews Reeves was spinning all afternoon.

I also think if Reeves had left it alone after a single interview, the deal could've been salvaged. Or at the very least, Jerry wouldn't have gone on GAC.

 

[Shake_Tiller]

I knew that.

But that's the point. Whatever it was, it was most definitely a deal-breaker, but the blame doesn't have to simply fall all on Jerry.

While Jerry's rant was a bit on the unstable side, I tend to think it was to dispute some of the sympathy-garnering interviews Reeves was spinning all afternoon.

I also think if Reeves had left it alone after a single interview, the deal could've been salvaged. Or at the very least, Jerry wouldn't have gone on GAC.

I knew you knew!

And yes, I think it's premature, at best, to put all the blame on JJ. But I'm in the unusual position of being in circumstances not dissimilar, and I know I would never, ever have signed such a clause (assuming folks are right about the job description). As a professional, this is your life. How do you put your life on a timesheet. You think about it all the time. All the time. How do you charge for that? I was in the Keys over the weekend. Looks bad on a time sheet. But I never thought of anything except the particular problem I am trying to solve.

 

[bbgun]

Or why didn't Dan just go ahead and sign on the dotted line.

Because Jerry needs Dan (or someone similar) much more than Dan needs Jerry. Again, this is not the time to be sneaking in insulting clauses or counting your pennies.

 

[WoodysGirl]

Because Jerry needs Dan (or someone similar) much more than Dan needs Jerry.

Maybe, maybe not. I think the reason why it made so much sense is because while Jerry conceded he could use the assistance. Reeves has been trying to get back in the league for awhile now. This was just as much an opportunity for him to get back in the league as it was for Jerry. Seemingly a win-win for all concerned....except for that "one thing."

 

[WoodysGirl]

I knew you knew!

And yes, I think it's premature, at best, to put all the blame on JJ. But I'm in the unusual position of being in circumstances not dissimilar, and I know I would never, ever have signed such a clause (assuming folks are right about the job description). As a professional, this is your life. How do you put your life on a timesheet. You think about it all the time. All the time. How do you charge for that? I was in the Keys over the weekend. Looks bad on a time sheet. But I never thought of anything except the particular problem I am trying to solve.

I still think the "punching clock, tracking hours" theory is all speculation. Time element could've meant anything.

I'm not excusing Jerry for inserting the clause (whatever it was) at the last minute. That's bad business. But if it was important, it just means the party goes back to negotiation table to get Jerry to concede on something else.

 

[Shake_Tiller]

I still think the "punching clock, tracking hours" theory is all speculation. Time element could've meant anything.

I'm not excusing Jerry for inserting the clause (whatever it was) at the last minute. That's bad business. But if it was important, it just means the party goes back to negotiation table to get Jerry to concede on something else.

Oh you could well be exactly right. We might never know. This looks to me like one of the two parties really didn't want to do the deal, got cold feet, and chose something upon which to take a stand. I think it was probably JJ, in part because I think Reeves badly wants to be back in the NFL, and most specifically, with the Cowboys. But it doesn't mean I'm right. We're all just speculating.

 

[2much2soon]

I don't know about Dan Reeve's situation here, but...

I work for a huge, privately held IT consulting company that has been in business nearly 30 years. There is no hours clause in my contract.

Its implied that if I am not getting the job done, I won't have a job.

I have also worked in very rigid organizations run by people who thought they were "smart business people". These organizations typically run their employees into the ground and then wonder why they can't attract top talent and compete once word gets out about how they operate.

Many "smart business people" are also responsible for our country's current economic situation, BTW.

You can probably guess how I feel about people who proclaim themselves "smart business people" because they follow some textbook they once read or believe the propaganda about the university they attended.

 

[tyke1doe]

Jerry didn't get to where he is just cuz he respected people. You can respect someone's knowledge all day long, but when it comes to business, it never hurts to get stuff in writing.

Agreed. The first thing you have to learn in business is it's not about people's feelings. That's how people lose money and lose lawsuits, committing to verbal agreements without putting things in writing.

As someone else said, Jerry might be a terrible coach or GM, but he is not a stupid businessman.

 

[wileedog]

As someone else said, Jerry might be a terrible coach or GM, but he is not a stupid businessman.

In this case I think he was extremely penny-wise, pound foolish.

If Dan Reeves can come in here and help the team win, then to lose that ability over the utterly remote chance that Reeves is going to come in here and slack off is dumb. Reeves is a notorious workaholic, as most successful coaches are. Yeah, you can say Reeves got stubborn or prideful, but in his position he has earned the right not to be treated like the busboy.

That's course that's if you believe it was about 'business' in the first place, which I don't.

And BTW the entire concept of keeping $3M coaches who are so bad they need consultants just screams "good business".