Garrett as Game Manager

[FuzzyLumpkins]

I said before the season that if the Cowboys were going to show a dedication to the run then it would need to come from Garrett managing the game now that he had no coordinator duties.

Well it seems that may very well be the case. Now this is not to say that as always this is a team effort and that everyone from Garrett to Linehan to Callahan to Romo to the OL to Murray deserves credit. Everyone gave their best effort and were rewarded with victory.

That being said, Garrett deserves credit in how that game was managed. Playcalls and substitutions were quick and organized. The team clearly had a gameplan and it was run well. Garrett himself seemed more engaged down in and down out. He was working the officials and his diligence in concentration led to good clock management with for example the end of the first half and ramming the running game down their throat to seal the victory. That final drive where we bled over 6 minutes off the clock was a thing of beauty.

I know a lot of people put a whole lot of stock in these types of things especially when things go wrong but for this one game at least things went well. Sometimes its okay to stop and smell the roses.

 

[Corso]

I said before the season that if the Cowboys were going to show a dedication to the run then it would need to come from Garrett managing the game now that he had no coordinator duties.

Well it seems that may very well be the case. Now this is not to say that as always this is a team effort and that everyone from Garrett to Linehan to Callahan to Romo to the OL to Murray deserves credit. Everyone gave their best effort and were rewarded with victory.

That being said, Garrett deserves credit in how that game was managed. Playcalls and substitutions were quick and organized. The team clearly had a gameplan and it was run well. Garrett himself seemed more engaged down in and down out. He was working the officials and his diligence in concentration led to good clock management with for example the end of the first half and ramming the running game down their throat to seal the victory. That final drive where we bled over 6 minutes off the clock was a thing of beauty.

I know a lot of people put a whole lot of stock in these types of things especially when things go wrong but for this one game at least things went well. Sometimes its okay to stop and smell the roses.

He definitely looked more engaged in the Game rather than the next offensive play.
Working the officials, not staring at his play sheet- covering his mouth while he's calling whatever he's calling, or arguing with Callahan on the play-call or whatever he was doing...
Good show Fuzz, as always.

I hope this may be a turning of a corner for him.
I can't possibly expect it... yet, but I can still hope.
A focused coach on the Game is much better than a coach focused on calling two plays for Romo every minute while a hundred other things are going on.

Now maybe he can help this team win some games when it is close rather than contribute to a loss.

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

He actually looked like he was yelling at the refs over the McClain INT which made me happy. He doesn't have to be psycho like Jim Harbaugh but he also doesn't have to be a statue either.

 

[Sage3030]

I noticed that they got to the line quicker and snapped the ball earlier than we are used to.

 

[Corso]

He actually looked like he was yelling at the refs over the McClain INT which made me happy. He doesn't have to be psycho like Jim Harbaugh but he also doesn't have to be a statue either.

I think you have to have your coach working the refs- otherwise players feel like they have to take it upon themselves- which takes away their concentration on the game.
I remember my B-ball coaches to a man tell me: "Let me worry about the refs" when I would start to gripe.
It helps when the coach is actually doing it.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

I actually hope this continues.

I hope they do not panic at the first sign of trouble and revert to their old ways of getting too pass happy and abandon the run.

If Romo can get his touch back and we can continue with a good to great run game we can open up the pass with the run. Instead of trying to use the pass and opening up the run because too many times they would use the pass to open up the run... But forget to run.

Before the season I said all their talk of running more and being committed to running was talk we have all heard before with no real commitment... Maybe this time it is real. We will see.

 

[Bleu Star]

Thankfully, Romo's best buddy is no longer calling plays. If you haven't noticed, Scott Linehan is straight up no nonsense. He doesn't get in Romo's face ala Chucky persay.. but he sits Romo down and points out deficiences/issues/areas of opportunity. This is a GREAT development for the team. DeMarco is now able to become well adjusted without worrying about the next audible into a pass play. This may bode very well down the stretch as that thick offensive line continues to embrace their increased roles. I quite honestly think the formula we have in place (run more than we pass and keep the defense fresh/out of tough situations) can carry us to no less than 9 wins. I firmly believe in what Linehan has brought to this offense and the focus Marinelli has brought to the defense. Limiting Garrett's role to a strategic overseer is indeed the recipe for success and it warms my heart to FINALLY see it happening.

If Romo can just drive the bus and knock down a few PA passes mixed in with some screens and short/intermediate routes, we may possibly find ourselves in the NFC East title hunt. I'm so excited about that possibility.

 

[CCBoy]

Nice photo shoot, Fuzzy.

With Jason Garrett, it's not about style, but substance.

Just as with Jimmy Johnson, it took maneuvering to match talent with a good set of coordinators. There has to be trust between a Head Coach and his Offensive and Defensive Coordinators, as well as with those Leadership positions directly with the players.

Jimmy Johnson needed Dave Wannestedt, and got him in a packaged deal to give David Shula from Miami's Don Shula. To give him a chance as an Offensive Coordinator, Wannestedt was allowed to become the Defensive Coordinator for the Cowboys. After David Shula almost ruined Troy Aikman, and as a last resort, Jimmy brought in Norv Turner, a former quarterback.

Turner brought West Coast concepts acquired from Walsh, Ernie Zampese, and Don Coryell and started to adjust both the receiver routes and the drop back distance for Troy Aikman. Troy was known for a super strong passing arm and very quick release.

So, Turner became an actual friend to Aikman. There was mutual trust and that fueled a great offense. Receivers were given shorter distances in their routes, which improved Troy's selection time. They ran vertical routes with a time throw upon the plant point with the V dictating separation and completions. Turner simplified the entire process, when plugged behind a very strong offensive line.

Well, just as with Jimmy Johnson, players had to be acquired, and trusted, but good coordinators brought in.

Jason Garrett now has Rod Marinelli, that can both install and coach up his defensive side of the ball. But he also has a very qualified Offensive Coordinator in Bill Callahan. They are both in the process of bringing up those two sides of the ball. But the team and it's players can now trust in Jason, for the substance he presents, not a personal style.

 

[Corso]

Thankfully, Romo's best buddy is no longer calling plays. If you haven't noticed, Scott Linehan is straight up no nonsense. He doesn't get in Romo's face ala Chucky persay.. but he sits Romo down and points out deficiences/issues/areas of opportunity. This is a GREAT development for the team. DeMarco is now able to become well adjusted without worrying about the next audible into a pass play. This may bode very well down the stretch as that thick offensive line continues to embrace their increased roles. I quite honestly think the formula we have in place (run more than we pass and keep the defense fresh/out of tough situations) can carry us to no less than 9 wins. I firmly believe in what Linehan has brought to this offense and the focus Marinelli has brought to the defense. Limiting Garrett's role to a strategic overseer is indeed the recipe for success and it warms my heart to FINALLY see it happening.

If Romo can just drive the bus and knock down a few PA passes mixed in with some screens and short/intermediate routes, we may possibly find ourselves in the NFC East title hunt. I'm so excited about that possibility.

Not to be a jerk- although it looks like you lazily copy/pasted this from another thread, but:
Hasn't this team been in the NFC East Title hunt the past three years? Technically speaking...

 

[cowboys1981]

I actually hope this continues.

I hope they do not panic at the first sign of trouble and revert to their old ways of getting too pass happy and abandon the run.

If Romo can get his touch back and we can continue with a good to great run game we can open up the pass with the run. Instead of trying to use the pass and opening up the run because too many times they would use the pass to open up the run... But forget to run.

Before the season I said all their talk of running more and being committed to running was talk we have all heard before with no real commitment... Maybe this time it is real. We will see.

When Murray fumbled I thought we would go with more passing. It sure wasn't the case. I love how they showed the confidence in Murray and kept feeding him the ball.

 

[Bleu Star]

Not to be a jerk- although it looks like you lazily copy/pasted this from another thread, but:
Hasn't this team been in the NFC East Title hunt the past three years? Technically speaking...

Lazily? No.

Copy Paste? Yes.

In the hunt? Sure. You can call it that. Down the stretch with a reliable chance? Very debatable.

 

[BoysFan4ever]

Nicely coached game by the entire staff.

 

[Corso]

Lazily? No.

Copy Paste? Yes.

In the hunt? Sure. You can call it that. Down the stretch with a reliable chance? Very debatable.

All the way to the very last game in a win and in situation?
Not that debatable.

 

[visionary]

I said before the season that if the Cowboys were going to show a dedication to the run then it would need to come from Garrett managing the game now that he had no coordinator duties.

Well it seems that may very well be the case. Now this is not to say that as always this is a team effort and that everyone from Garrett to Linehan to Callahan to Romo to the OL to Murray deserves credit. Everyone gave their best effort and were rewarded with victory.

That being said, Garrett deserves credit in how that game was managed. Playcalls and substitutions were quick and organized. The team clearly had a gameplan and it was run well. Garrett himself seemed more engaged down in and down out. He was working the officials and his diligence in concentration led to good clock management with for example the end of the first half and ramming the running game down their throat to seal the victory. That final drive where we bled over 6 minutes off the clock was a thing of beauty.

I know a lot of people put a whole lot of stock in these types of things especially when things go wrong but for this one game at least things went well. Sometimes its okay to stop and smell the roses.

Lol, reach much?

the GM had to forcibly remove Garrett's influence from the offense and get him "more involved" with defense for this positive influence to materialize

 

[Doomsay]

Lol, reach much?

the GM had to forcibly remove Garrett's influence from the offense and get him "more involved" with defense for this positive influence to materialize

LOL right, Isn't it the fact that he is 2 demotions away from play calling that we are actually running a balanced game?

 

[Tommy]

LOL right, Isn't it the fact that he is 2 demotions away from play calling that we are actually running a balanced game?

Or maybe it's the fact that we have built a solid offensive line that we are able to have a balanced attack.

That's not possibly the answer though is it?

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Lol, reach much?

the GM had to forcibly remove Garrett's influence from the offense and get him "more involved" with defense for this positive influence to materialize

I am talking about execution of gameplan and what I see him doing on the field. The former is what head coaches are responsible for and the latter is something everyone can see for themselves.

Now speaking of reaches, please give one shred of evidence to support your Jerry theory presented here. So you are saying that Linehan was a Jerry hire or are you just blathering some other story time for us?

 

[Doomsay]

Or maybe it's the fact that we have built a solid offensive line that we are able to have a balanced attack.

That's not possibly the answer though is it?

We were able to run in a number of critical games last year and then inexplicably abandoned it, so the answer would be no.

 

[waving monkey]

Lol, reach much?

the GM had to forcibly remove Garrett's influence from the offense and get him "more involved" with defense for this positive influence to materialize

Oh, did you say the GM had to forcibly influence . well well will wonders never cease
but at that what does it matter this team is on the right track

 

[visionary]

I am talking about execution of gameplan and what I see him doing on the field. The former is what head coaches are responsible for and the latter is something everyone can see for themselves.

The cowboys are basically limiting the amount of damage Garrett can do by limiting his influence