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[Comment From JJJJ: ]
How bad will the Saint/Boys game be?
The Saints slapped 48 points on the Eagles and 48 points on the Giants. I was at the New York game. The Giants came to New Orleans unbeaten and the Saints could have put 60 on them. New Orleans has struggled the last two weeks, winning by a mere field goal against so-so competition (Washington and Atlanta). But those two games were played outdoors on the road. The Saints are a different team indoors on their own carpet. It's fast-break basketball on a football field. This will be a high-scoring game and I think the Cowboys can hang with the Saints for a while. But when you stop matching them point-for-point, that's when the game gets out of hand. There will be pressure on Jason Garrett and Tony Romo to score on every possession...because the Saints will. It will be Mardi Gras in December.
[Comment From SkinsGirlinDallasSkinsGirlinDallas: ]
Howdy. What impact do you think, if any, the firing of Cerrato might have on the Cowboys? Many think Shanahan could be the Skins HC - would Jerry want to sweeten the pot and lure him to Dallas?
I assume you're talking about luring Shanahan, not Cerrato. I've felt all along Wade Phillips has to win a playoff game to keep his job. Jerry now has 90,000 seats and he's not going to fill them every week if his team is not a contender. If Wade fails, Jerry needs a credibility hire. That's what Parcells was. He needs someone who can excite the masses. A Shanahan, Gruden, Holmgren or Cowher would fill the bill. I would expect the next Dallas coach to come from that group. All have proven themselves to be great coaches -- but not a one has distinguished himself as a draft-day genius. I think this team still needs a proven general manager, regardless whom the coach is.
[Comment From Tom in AllenTom in Allen: ]
Who's your MVP?
Peyton Manning. He's done more with less than either Drew Brees or Brett Favre. The Colts have a mediocre defense (17th in the NFL) and no rushing attack (30th in the NFL). With the departure of Marvin Harrison and the injury to Anthony Gonzalez in the season opener, Manning was throwing to Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie as his second and third wideouts. They brought a combined four NFL catches into 2009. Manning has brought the Colts back for six fourth-quarter wins this season. This is not a great team -- but this is a great quarterback.
[Comment From ScottScott: ]
Any chance Jerry Jones wakes up after this season, hires a strong coach, and gets out of his way and lets him do his job?
Like I said above, I think there's a very good chance Jerry's next hire will be a strong coach. But will Jerry concede any power? If he does, it won't be for long. He ran off both Jimmy and Parcells because they were too strong-willed. Jerry wants to be the general manager. He wants to call the shots and take credit for success. But in his tenure as the director of football operations, Jerry has hired four coaches without winning a playoff game -- Chan Gailey, Dave Campo, Bill Parcells and Wade Phillips. Most NFL GM's would be fired after two unsuccessful hires. But this owner will not fire this GM.
[Comment From JohnJohn: ]
What sort of shift do you see occurring in Washington DC? Since Dan Snyder has owned the team I have not been worried about the Skins being a threat to the Cowboys. Does Vinny Ceratos departure mean that Snyder is going to give up some control and hire a real football guy to run the team, something Jerry is loathe to do.
Snyder has already hired Bruce Allen to run the football side this morning. Allen has had success as the GM at both Oakland and Tampa Bay this decade. He'll bring some stability and credibility to the operation. But, knowing Snyder, he's going to want to make a splash with a coaching hire as well. Like Jerry, he has 90,000 seats to sell. He needs someone to excite the masses. Allen alone doesn't do that. A Shanahan or Gruden would.
[Comment From JonathanJonathan: ]
Will the Boys make the playoffs winning 2 of last 3. And if so will there be any coaching changes w/o a playoff win?
I believe if Wade wins a playoff game, he's safe. Jerry very much would like to see this coach work out because he likes the organizational power structure he has with a subservient coach. Wade lets Jerry be the general manager. The higher a profile the next head coach is, the lower a profile Jerry will have. That's the way it was with Parcells and that's the way it would be with a Shanahan or Cowher. Can the Cowboys win two of their last three? Certainly. This remains a talented football team -- a talented football team that hasn't figured out how to play in December. The Cowboys always start fast and finish slow. The teams that contend for Super Bowls tend to finish strong. I'd be surprised if the Cowboys beat new Orleans. No, I'd be shocked. But the Cowboys would be favored to win their last two games and would be capable of winning the last two. They have already beaten both the Commanders and Eagles this season. But the Cowboys better hope the Giants don't win out, though. If the Cowboys lose to the Saints and the Giants win out, it doesn't matter what Dallas does in the last two games -- New York would be playoff bound.
[Comment From JeremyJeremy: ]
After watching Tim Tebow this season, has you opinion of him as a pro changed?
I've talked to a handful of NFL GMs in the last month and several have said they would move Tebow at H-back. They aren't sold on his accuracy as a passer. He's more of an athlete than a quarterback. One GM told me he'd draft Tebow and two other of the best spread quarterbacks in the college game and go with that offense. You'll need three because in that offense a quarterback is going to get hit and, in the NFL, he's going to get hurt.
[Comment From AnthonyAnthony: ]
If Wade is fired after the season, who is the next coach? Any chance Zimmer gets a from Jerry?
I think Zimmer will be a hot coaching candidate this offseason. He inherited a defense that ranked 27th in 2007 and in one season took the Bengals all the way to 12th. He's made another quantum leap this season --jumping all the way into the Top 5. But I'm not sure Zimmer has a big enough name for this next hire. Jerry is going to want to make a splash. He needs someone who can fill 90,000 seats. Zimmer can win games -- but it's the guys with the Super Bowl rings who can fill the seats.
[Comment From DanDan: ]
What do you believe to be the reason for the Cowboys late season fades?
The Cowboys reach their level. Like Parcells used to say -- you are what you are. In the end, they are a 9-7 team. They overachieve early and underachieve late. I know Cowboys fans want to envision their team as a Super Bowl contender -- but the Cowboys haven't won a playoff game since 1996. That puts them in the company with the Buffalos, Clevelands and Detroits of the NFL -- not the Colts, Patriots and Steelers. You can't win in February until you figure out how to win in January. And you can't win in January until you figure out how to win in December. I wish I could put a finger on the December problem for you. But I can't. Maybe a Mike Shanahan or a Jon Gruden can. That's the only hope a long-suffering Cowboys fan has.
[Comment From Robby qRobby q: ]
Rick, What are your thoughts on Colt McCoy? I Think he will be a really good pro QB.
Some NFL scouts compare him to Drew Brees...but don't forget, Brees was a second-round pick. I think McCoy could be a late first-rounder and rookie starter. That's what teams are doing in today's NFL -- draft 'em and start 'em. Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco, Matthew Stafford, Mark Sanchez, Josh Freeman... If you're a quarterback, you're going to play. I would expect Bradford, Clausen and McCoy all to start next season. Philip Rivers started an NCAA record 51 games at quarterback. He turned out pretty well. McCoy has won an NCAA record 46 games. I believe he'll also turn out as a legit NFL QB.
[Comment From rigorigo: ]
Will Felix Jones play more?
I would certainly hope so. I'd also play Tashard Choice more. I'm disappointed the Cowboys didn't make more of a commitment to running the football this season. I thought that running back trio was the strength of this team. To have a combined one 100-yard game as we approach Christmas shocks me. They bring three different elements to the offense and all could/should be worked in. I thought for the Cowboys to be a playoff team, Barber would need to average 12 carries a game, Jones eight and Choice four. That's what the Giants had the year they won the Super Bowl with Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw. I would have liked to see what the Cowboys could have done this season if they had featured their running backs more.
[Comment From AnthonyAnthony: ]
Is it a fair assessment that the Cowboys really need to upgrade their O-line and D-line talent in the offseason?
Offensive line, yes. Heading into the season, all the starters were over the age of 30. Older players play their best football early and fade late. That may be one of the problems we talked about above when we discussed those December fades. The Cowboys need to inject some youth up front. The defensive line in a 3-4 is asked to play the run and let the linebackers get the glory with the sacks. The Cowboys have a Top 10 run defense. I'd give the D-line a thumbs up. In my eyes the offensive line is the concern, not the defensive line. You only have so many draft picks in April.
[Comment From ed wigglesworthed wigglesworth: ]
Can Jimmy Johnson come back, and looking ahead to the offseason, what are the most pressing personnel decisions?
Jimmy has too good a deal and too good a life as a TV star. I don't think he'd want to commit the time it takes to be a Super Bowl coach again. Believe me, Jimmy isn't on jerry's short list -- nor would the Cowboys be on Jimmy's short list if he did decide to return to coaching. Draft-wise, I'd work to upgrade the offensive line. I'd also be on the lookout for another wide receiver, a safety and a few more pass rushers. You can never have enough of those, especially in a 3-4 scheme.
[Comment From newCoachPleasenewCoachPlease: ]
Washington radio, already counting on Gruden as the next coach? If they go that way, is Shanahan the coach for Dallas?
Let's see if Wade wins a playoff game first. Dallas would be attractive to Shanahan, Holmgren or Gruden because a perceived franchise quarterback is already in place in Romo. Shanahan and Gruden lost their offensive guru tags when Elway retired on Shanahan in Denver and Gruden walked away from Rich Gannon in Oakland. The top item on either check list would have to be a franchise quarterback. Again, build as list of coaches with Super Bowl rings and you'll have the same list as Jerry. Shanahan would be high on that list.
[Comment From Gary JGary J: ]
I've seen improvement from Roy Williams and Romo. What do you think?
Williams has looked much better in the last month or so with four touchdown catches in his last five games. But he's being paid to put up Brandon Marshall and Vincent Jackson-type numbers. He's not doing that. If Williams has a 90-catch, 1,300-yard, 10-TD season in 2010, I'll say he's turned the corner.
[Comment From ed wigglesworthed wigglesworth: ]
If Will Wilfolk NT Pats, hits free agency will Dallas make a move from him and move ratliff to DE?
Is he worth $100 million to the Cowboys? That will be the ballpark he'll want based on the Haynesworth deal. The Cowboys already have a Pro Bowl nose tackle. That's a lot of money to spend on depth -- especially when run defense isn't the problem.
How bad will the Saint/Boys game be?
The Saints slapped 48 points on the Eagles and 48 points on the Giants. I was at the New York game. The Giants came to New Orleans unbeaten and the Saints could have put 60 on them. New Orleans has struggled the last two weeks, winning by a mere field goal against so-so competition (Washington and Atlanta). But those two games were played outdoors on the road. The Saints are a different team indoors on their own carpet. It's fast-break basketball on a football field. This will be a high-scoring game and I think the Cowboys can hang with the Saints for a while. But when you stop matching them point-for-point, that's when the game gets out of hand. There will be pressure on Jason Garrett and Tony Romo to score on every possession...because the Saints will. It will be Mardi Gras in December.
[Comment From SkinsGirlinDallasSkinsGirlinDallas: ]
Howdy. What impact do you think, if any, the firing of Cerrato might have on the Cowboys? Many think Shanahan could be the Skins HC - would Jerry want to sweeten the pot and lure him to Dallas?
I assume you're talking about luring Shanahan, not Cerrato. I've felt all along Wade Phillips has to win a playoff game to keep his job. Jerry now has 90,000 seats and he's not going to fill them every week if his team is not a contender. If Wade fails, Jerry needs a credibility hire. That's what Parcells was. He needs someone who can excite the masses. A Shanahan, Gruden, Holmgren or Cowher would fill the bill. I would expect the next Dallas coach to come from that group. All have proven themselves to be great coaches -- but not a one has distinguished himself as a draft-day genius. I think this team still needs a proven general manager, regardless whom the coach is.
[Comment From Tom in AllenTom in Allen: ]
Who's your MVP?
Peyton Manning. He's done more with less than either Drew Brees or Brett Favre. The Colts have a mediocre defense (17th in the NFL) and no rushing attack (30th in the NFL). With the departure of Marvin Harrison and the injury to Anthony Gonzalez in the season opener, Manning was throwing to Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie as his second and third wideouts. They brought a combined four NFL catches into 2009. Manning has brought the Colts back for six fourth-quarter wins this season. This is not a great team -- but this is a great quarterback.
[Comment From ScottScott: ]
Any chance Jerry Jones wakes up after this season, hires a strong coach, and gets out of his way and lets him do his job?
Like I said above, I think there's a very good chance Jerry's next hire will be a strong coach. But will Jerry concede any power? If he does, it won't be for long. He ran off both Jimmy and Parcells because they were too strong-willed. Jerry wants to be the general manager. He wants to call the shots and take credit for success. But in his tenure as the director of football operations, Jerry has hired four coaches without winning a playoff game -- Chan Gailey, Dave Campo, Bill Parcells and Wade Phillips. Most NFL GM's would be fired after two unsuccessful hires. But this owner will not fire this GM.
[Comment From JohnJohn: ]
What sort of shift do you see occurring in Washington DC? Since Dan Snyder has owned the team I have not been worried about the Skins being a threat to the Cowboys. Does Vinny Ceratos departure mean that Snyder is going to give up some control and hire a real football guy to run the team, something Jerry is loathe to do.
Snyder has already hired Bruce Allen to run the football side this morning. Allen has had success as the GM at both Oakland and Tampa Bay this decade. He'll bring some stability and credibility to the operation. But, knowing Snyder, he's going to want to make a splash with a coaching hire as well. Like Jerry, he has 90,000 seats to sell. He needs someone to excite the masses. Allen alone doesn't do that. A Shanahan or Gruden would.
[Comment From JonathanJonathan: ]
Will the Boys make the playoffs winning 2 of last 3. And if so will there be any coaching changes w/o a playoff win?
I believe if Wade wins a playoff game, he's safe. Jerry very much would like to see this coach work out because he likes the organizational power structure he has with a subservient coach. Wade lets Jerry be the general manager. The higher a profile the next head coach is, the lower a profile Jerry will have. That's the way it was with Parcells and that's the way it would be with a Shanahan or Cowher. Can the Cowboys win two of their last three? Certainly. This remains a talented football team -- a talented football team that hasn't figured out how to play in December. The Cowboys always start fast and finish slow. The teams that contend for Super Bowls tend to finish strong. I'd be surprised if the Cowboys beat new Orleans. No, I'd be shocked. But the Cowboys would be favored to win their last two games and would be capable of winning the last two. They have already beaten both the Commanders and Eagles this season. But the Cowboys better hope the Giants don't win out, though. If the Cowboys lose to the Saints and the Giants win out, it doesn't matter what Dallas does in the last two games -- New York would be playoff bound.
[Comment From JeremyJeremy: ]
After watching Tim Tebow this season, has you opinion of him as a pro changed?
I've talked to a handful of NFL GMs in the last month and several have said they would move Tebow at H-back. They aren't sold on his accuracy as a passer. He's more of an athlete than a quarterback. One GM told me he'd draft Tebow and two other of the best spread quarterbacks in the college game and go with that offense. You'll need three because in that offense a quarterback is going to get hit and, in the NFL, he's going to get hurt.
[Comment From AnthonyAnthony: ]
If Wade is fired after the season, who is the next coach? Any chance Zimmer gets a from Jerry?
I think Zimmer will be a hot coaching candidate this offseason. He inherited a defense that ranked 27th in 2007 and in one season took the Bengals all the way to 12th. He's made another quantum leap this season --jumping all the way into the Top 5. But I'm not sure Zimmer has a big enough name for this next hire. Jerry is going to want to make a splash. He needs someone who can fill 90,000 seats. Zimmer can win games -- but it's the guys with the Super Bowl rings who can fill the seats.
[Comment From DanDan: ]
What do you believe to be the reason for the Cowboys late season fades?
The Cowboys reach their level. Like Parcells used to say -- you are what you are. In the end, they are a 9-7 team. They overachieve early and underachieve late. I know Cowboys fans want to envision their team as a Super Bowl contender -- but the Cowboys haven't won a playoff game since 1996. That puts them in the company with the Buffalos, Clevelands and Detroits of the NFL -- not the Colts, Patriots and Steelers. You can't win in February until you figure out how to win in January. And you can't win in January until you figure out how to win in December. I wish I could put a finger on the December problem for you. But I can't. Maybe a Mike Shanahan or a Jon Gruden can. That's the only hope a long-suffering Cowboys fan has.
[Comment From Robby qRobby q: ]
Rick, What are your thoughts on Colt McCoy? I Think he will be a really good pro QB.
Some NFL scouts compare him to Drew Brees...but don't forget, Brees was a second-round pick. I think McCoy could be a late first-rounder and rookie starter. That's what teams are doing in today's NFL -- draft 'em and start 'em. Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco, Matthew Stafford, Mark Sanchez, Josh Freeman... If you're a quarterback, you're going to play. I would expect Bradford, Clausen and McCoy all to start next season. Philip Rivers started an NCAA record 51 games at quarterback. He turned out pretty well. McCoy has won an NCAA record 46 games. I believe he'll also turn out as a legit NFL QB.
[Comment From rigorigo: ]
Will Felix Jones play more?
I would certainly hope so. I'd also play Tashard Choice more. I'm disappointed the Cowboys didn't make more of a commitment to running the football this season. I thought that running back trio was the strength of this team. To have a combined one 100-yard game as we approach Christmas shocks me. They bring three different elements to the offense and all could/should be worked in. I thought for the Cowboys to be a playoff team, Barber would need to average 12 carries a game, Jones eight and Choice four. That's what the Giants had the year they won the Super Bowl with Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw. I would have liked to see what the Cowboys could have done this season if they had featured their running backs more.
[Comment From AnthonyAnthony: ]
Is it a fair assessment that the Cowboys really need to upgrade their O-line and D-line talent in the offseason?
Offensive line, yes. Heading into the season, all the starters were over the age of 30. Older players play their best football early and fade late. That may be one of the problems we talked about above when we discussed those December fades. The Cowboys need to inject some youth up front. The defensive line in a 3-4 is asked to play the run and let the linebackers get the glory with the sacks. The Cowboys have a Top 10 run defense. I'd give the D-line a thumbs up. In my eyes the offensive line is the concern, not the defensive line. You only have so many draft picks in April.
[Comment From ed wigglesworthed wigglesworth: ]
Can Jimmy Johnson come back, and looking ahead to the offseason, what are the most pressing personnel decisions?
Jimmy has too good a deal and too good a life as a TV star. I don't think he'd want to commit the time it takes to be a Super Bowl coach again. Believe me, Jimmy isn't on jerry's short list -- nor would the Cowboys be on Jimmy's short list if he did decide to return to coaching. Draft-wise, I'd work to upgrade the offensive line. I'd also be on the lookout for another wide receiver, a safety and a few more pass rushers. You can never have enough of those, especially in a 3-4 scheme.
[Comment From newCoachPleasenewCoachPlease: ]
Washington radio, already counting on Gruden as the next coach? If they go that way, is Shanahan the coach for Dallas?
Let's see if Wade wins a playoff game first. Dallas would be attractive to Shanahan, Holmgren or Gruden because a perceived franchise quarterback is already in place in Romo. Shanahan and Gruden lost their offensive guru tags when Elway retired on Shanahan in Denver and Gruden walked away from Rich Gannon in Oakland. The top item on either check list would have to be a franchise quarterback. Again, build as list of coaches with Super Bowl rings and you'll have the same list as Jerry. Shanahan would be high on that list.
[Comment From Gary JGary J: ]
I've seen improvement from Roy Williams and Romo. What do you think?
Williams has looked much better in the last month or so with four touchdown catches in his last five games. But he's being paid to put up Brandon Marshall and Vincent Jackson-type numbers. He's not doing that. If Williams has a 90-catch, 1,300-yard, 10-TD season in 2010, I'll say he's turned the corner.
[Comment From ed wigglesworthed wigglesworth: ]
If Will Wilfolk NT Pats, hits free agency will Dallas make a move from him and move ratliff to DE?
Is he worth $100 million to the Cowboys? That will be the ballpark he'll want based on the Haynesworth deal. The Cowboys already have a Pro Bowl nose tackle. That's a lot of money to spend on depth -- especially when run defense isn't the problem.
