DMN Blog: Dan Reeves speaks

[InmanRoshi]

sounds like to whom?
Reeves said he was going to report to Wade and help handle the offense while Wade focused on defense?

Does your opinion really mean more than Reeves own words?

So Reeves was going to oversee the offensive gameplanning and Wade was basically a glorified defensive coordinator who had nothing to do with the offense.

Seems like Wade also wanted another voice in an Jerry's ear in a more authoritative front office position that would echo Wade's stance on things regarding personnel and coaching hires. That's another reason Wade initiated this.

Administrator of overall game plans and direct input on personnel and coaching matters with the GM ... in other words Reeves was going to have the traditional "head coach" duties that Wade doesn't.

As I said, great organizational structure we got here.

 

[theogt]

So Reeves was going to oversee the offensive gameplanning and Wade was basically a glorified defensive coordinator who had nothing to do with the offense.

I also think Wade wanted another voice in an Jerry's ear in a more authoritative front office position that would echo (Wade's) stance on things. That's another reason Wade initiated this.

Administrator of overall game plans and direct input on personnel matters with the GM ... in other words Reeves was going to be the traditional "head coach" that Wade can never be.

It's a big leap to go to Wade wasn't going to have anything to do with the offense. He would likely have had the same input most non-offensive minded head coaches have in the offense. He'd just have two co-coordinators since he's having to be more hands on with the defense.

 

[wileedog]

Seems like Wade also wanted another voice in an Jerry's ear in a more authoritative front office position that would echo Wade's stance on things regarding personnel and coaching hires. That's another reason Wade initiated this. .

I agree with this. From Mort's story it really sounds like Reeves was expecting to be a lot more than a Jason Garrett Babysitter. Sounded like he wanted to be part of the management team and organization, not just another assistant coach.

Which means he wanted a voice on personnel, scouting and coaching. Not just drawing up gameplans for Jason.

And I think that's what Jerry balked on. I think he feels he has enough people arguing with him over personnel etc ("No, I'm not cutting TO Stephan, stop asking!") , and that a name like Reeves will again take away the credit from Jerry if the ship gets upright. Jerry wanted him to be perceived as just the offensive coach babysitter.

Pure speculation obviously until we know more, but that seems to fit what I have read so far best.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I think you are on to something JT. You remember when Wade wanted to increase the fines levied against the players and Jerruh refused?

I think Jerruh took the same approach to Wade's handling Red. I agree that Reeves was going to be the buffer between Wade and Red.

If that is the case and if it was my show, me and Red would have a long talk with him doing most of the listening. If I am going to go down with the ship then I would go down doing it my way. I hope Wade take that approach this season. If he does I could see us rebounding and getting back to our winning ways.

I'm with you 100%. But I think the problem is one, that Wade has to run the defense almost full time with no DC, and it's simply impossible to do that and have a hand in the offense at the same time.

And two (and worse), that Garrett has been seen by Jerry and probably himself as the co-head coach. I'm not sure he wants to listen to Wade. I almost get the sense he feels like a lot of people here, that Wade is just an old country bumpkin and who is he to be telling me about my offense?

I mean, when everyone is saying you're the head coach in waiting and the owner raises your pay to basically the same as the HC, why would you think you have to listen to this old retread?

 

[ddh33]

I can easily see there being an underlying conflict between Wade and Garrett. Why wouldn't there be?

If I'm Wade Phillips, I resent the fact that my job is hanging on the competence of this young coordinator who I didn't even hire, who seems to be having some trouble with the stars on that side of the ball.

And if I'm Jason Garrett, I might be annoyed that I want to discipline some of these knuckleheads on offense but my coach isn't strong enough to do that. I might want to practice my guys in pads to help with timing, but the guy with the big whistle thinks they need a day off.

Meanwhile, the owner thinks all players should answer to him, and he seems to have all of the answers for the offense and the defense, so we all have to listen to him.

Honestly, I think Wade Phillips and Jason Garrett are both high-character men. I think they both love football and appreciate professionalism. This situation probably isn't ideal for either one of them. And now that there has been this divisive adversity, I think both men probably resent relying on the other one. I know I would.

 

[adbutcher]

I'm with you 100%. But I think the problem is one, that Wade has to run the defense almost full time with no DC, and it's simply impossible to do that and have a hand in the offense at the same time.

And two (and worse), that Garrett has been seen by Jerry and probably himself as the co-head coach. I'm not sure he wants to listen to Wade. I almost get the sense he feels like a lot of people here, that Wade is just an old country bumpkin and who is he to be telling me about my offense?

I mean, when everyone is saying you're the head coach in waiting and the owner raises your pay to basically the same as the HC, why would you think you have to listen to this old retread?

Chocolate you make some excellent points. Wade is caught in a quandary but as the head coach, he can and should influence the tone of the team. He should tell Red that he wants to emphasize the run and since Red is still the OC he would be forced to listen.

 

[InmanRoshi]

I think Jason Garrett's feelings about Wade were pretty much out in the open after the Capers fiasco last year. I can't imagine Josh McDaniels going to Robert Kraft saying "Listen, just between you and me, I think Bill Belichick needs some help running his defense. I have an old coaching buddy who might be able to help. Why don't you run it by Belichick and see if he's open to someone else "helping" him run his defense that he's ran successfully for 30 years in the NFL." That takes some chutzpah for a 1st year coordinator to make that kind of power move.

 

[theogt]

I think Jason Garrett's feelings about Wade were pretty much out in the open after the Don Capers fiasco last year. Not only did it take some some chutzpah, it's practically unheard of. I can't imagine Josh McDaniels going to Robert Kraft saying "Listen, I think Bill Belichick needs some help running his defense. I have an old coaching buddy who might be able to help. Why don't you run it by Belichick and see if he's open to letting him run the defense for him."

Seriously. The guy must have some cajones. To actually insist on St. Louis flying him back to take a tour of the city is hilarious. Dude feels way too entitled, it's amazing.

 

[khiladi]

I think Jason Garrett's feelings about Wade were pretty much out in the open after the Capers fiasco last year. I can't imagine Josh McDaniels going to Robert Kraft saying "Listen, just between you and me, I think Bill Belichick needs some help running his defense. I have an old coaching buddy who might be able to help. Why don't you run it by Belichick and see if he's open to letting him run the defense for him." That takes some chutzpah for a 1st year coordinator to make that suggestion.

The irony of the whole situation is that Dan Reeves hiring as consultant in Houston led to the firing of Dom Caper's as the head coach...

 

[wileedog]

I think Jason Garrett's feelings about Wade were pretty much out in the open after the Capers fiasco last year. I can't imagine Josh McDaniels going to Robert Kraft saying "Listen, just between you and me, I think Bill Belichick needs some help running his defense. I have an old coaching buddy who might be able to help. Why don't you run it by Belichick and see if he's open to someone else "helping" him run his defense that he's ran successfully for 30 years in the NFL." That takes some chutzpah for a 1st year coordinator to make that kind of power move.

To give Garrett the benefit of the doubt, maybe what he recognized was that Stewart was in over head and Wade was giving him far too much leeway. Because he obviously was.

Ironically Stewart might still have a job here if hadn't gotten so paranoid about it and they had brought in Capers to help him.

 

[khiladi]

To give Garrett the benefit of the doubt, maybe what he recognized was that Stewart was in over head and Wade was giving him far too much leeway. Because he obviously was.

Ironically Stewart might still have a job here if hadn't gotten so paranoid about it and they had brought in Capers to help him.

The difference is, Wade could take over the defense when Stewart failed. Stewart didn't need Capers and Capers isn't even close to the level of Wade, when it comes to defense. All Wade had to do was take over, which he did, when Jerry pretty much told him to do something and the play-offs were on the line. Hell, with the departure of Grantham, the very guy now in Dallas, from Houston, Capers defense there took a nose-dive.

 

[InmanRoshi]

To give Garrett the benefit of the doubt, maybe what he recognized was that Stewart was in over head and Wade was giving him far too much leeway. Because he obviously was.

Ironically Stewart might still have a job here if hadn't gotten so paranoid about it and they had brought in Capers to help him.

He may have felt that way about Stewart (and he may have very well been right), I'm just saying it takes some brass ones to make that suggestion since Wade is technically his "boss" and Stewart was the boss' right hand man. Any indictment against Stewart was basically an indictment on Wade since Wade hand picked him to run the side of the ball he specialized in for 30 years in the NFL.

 

[wileedog]

The difference is, Wade could take over the defense when Stewart failed. .

And again, maybe Garrett was just trying to stave off the need for that to happen. Whatever you think of Capers Garrett obviously thinks highly of him, and was attempting to avoid a situation where Wade has to take over because we got run over by the Rams.

 

[wileedog]

He may have felt that way about Stewart (and he may have very well been right), I'm just saying it takes some brass ones to make that suggestion since Wade is technically his "boss" and Stewart was the boss' right hand man. Any indictment against Stewart was basically an indictment on Wade since Wade hand picked him to run the side of the ball he specialized in for 30 years in the NFL.

Granted, but when you are the hand picked Heir Apparent you apparently get to say these type of things.

And I don't disagree with the original premise that it ruffled a few cupcakes in the Phillips pantry.

 

[khiladi]

And again, maybe Garrett was just trying to stave off the need for that to happen. Whatever you think of Capers Garrett obviously thinks highly of him, and was attempting to avoid a situation where Wade has to take over because we got run over by the Rams.

Ah OK... SO he subverted Wade, a coach he is much better defensively than Capers ever was or is... Maybe Garrett should have tried to tell Wade to take control, instead o trying to force a coup d 'etat, if he actually did that...

And you blame TO for calling Garrett out, when your boy is trying to overthrow the coaching organization...

wow...

 

[Iago33]

I think I stepped in speculation.


I'd love to see someone like Garrett take over, but if this really was about baby-sitting Garrett then he's not the guy and he needs to go.

Go ahead and make him head coach or fire him. Holding on to Wade as a bridge until Garrett can become HC is idiotic.

 

[wileedog]

Ah OK... SO he subverted Wade, a coach he is much better defensively than Capers ever was or is... Maybe Garrett should have tried to tell Wade to take control, instead o trying to force a coup d 'etat, if he actually did that...

And you blame TO for calling Garrett out, when your boy is trying to overthrow the coaching organization...

wow...

LOL, Garrett doesn't need to "overthrow the coaching organization", it was pretty much promised to him on a platter last year around this time.

And maybe he did talk to Wade about it, but certainly Wade wasn't going to let his hand picked friend go because the guy poised to take his job was asking him too. So Garrett goes to Jerry with the Capers idea.

Hey I agree its a dysfunctional mess, (thanks Jerry!), but for someone who defends TO's every utterance I would think you would appreciate someone seeing an obvious problem and saying something about it. At least Garrett didn't come out on Deion's show and say "Stewart sucks and needs help."

And yes, before someone says it I am totally speculating. Garrett really could just be an arrogant arse.

 

[khiladi]

LOL, Garrett doesn't need to "overthrow the coaching organization", it was pretty much promised to him on a platter last year around this time.

And maybe he did talk to Wade about it, but certainly Wade wasn't going to let his hand picked friend go because the guy poised to take his job was asking him too. So Garrett goes to Jerry with the Capers idea.

Hey I agree its a dysfunctional mess, (thanks Jerry!), but for someone who defends TO's every utterance I would think you would appreciate someone seeing an obvious problem and saying something about it. At least Garrett didn't come out on Deion's show and say "Stewart sucks and needs help."

And yes, before someone says it I am totally speculating. Garrett really could just be an arrogant arse.

AH OK... So no matter what it boils down to, Jason Garrett is absolved of this mess no matter what, but TO gets the blame. Jason Garrett is absolved of practically trying to overthrow the existing coaching staff, but TO is the father of all crimes for just talking about it...

Wow... Keep them coming...

 

[FLCowboyFan]

I'm embarrassed for my team

 

[wileedog]

AH OK... So no matter what it boils down to, Jason Garrett is absolved of this mess no matter what, but TO gets the blame. Jason Garrett is absolved of practically trying to overthrow the existing coaching staff, but TO is the father of all crimes for just talking about it...

Wow... Keep them coming...

I'm not absolving anyone, I never said Garrett was blameless.

My original point was this was probably not a dig on Wade by Jason, but on Stewart who was clearly unqualified.

And I do agree, in any normally functioning organization, the OC would probably keep his mouth shut and do his job as best he could, and hope the HC or GM would realize their mistake.

But this is Jerry land, where the next HC is annointed before the last one is out the door. So Garrett probably thinks he has the right to say something - who doesn't on this team? - and at the same time sees a quick way to get his future DC involved with the team ahead of time too.

Wade understandably shoots down the idea, because he insists on keeping his unqualified friend in place and giving him as free a hand as possible.

In the end it all comes back to Jerry, who owns this mess where anyone near a microphone can call out whomever they want, where consultants need to be brought in because nobody seems to be actually good at their job, and the HC has had his legs cut out from under more times than the Black Knight in MP's Holy Grail.

Look, here's Jerry and Wade discussing the "changes" next season!