Is Wade's job really at stake over the next month?

[dbair1967]

I agree with most of this. Except for one main thing. He's not just a "good" defensive coach. He's a freaking "OUTSTANDING" defensive coach. He consistently has his defenses in the top 5 of the league. He did it at San Diego and now here. Look at the HUGE difference he's made over Brian Stewart with virtually the same personel and coaches. The changes that were made in personel were changes that Wade instigated and now the Cowboys have arguably a top 5 defense. Why would Jerry risk that D to promote a struggling "RED"?

Defense wins Championships. That's why I can't see Jerry getting rid of Wade. Unless there is a complete collapse in the next month.

There's more to being a "great" defense than holding a schedule full of offensively challenged teams to 16-17 pts a game. I think we have a nice defense, but the next 3 games will really let us know how good the defense really is, especially the San Diego and New Orleans games.

We dont get turnovers with any regularity and havent for 2+ seasons now. Too many times the pass rush fails on 3rd down and we leave alot of receivers open in the secondary. When ordinary guys like Jason Campbell can complete 13/13 passes on 3rd down against you, there are still some issues.

 

[dbair1967]

I will say that Galloway and Mosley were talking about this on Friday and it was the first time I've ever heard them (especially Galloway) say he thinks that barring a big collapse, Wade is coming back. He said Jerry doesn't want to bring in a Holmgren or Shanahan unless he absolutely has to, mainly because he thinks they'll want too much control like Parcells did. And part of it may be the possibilty of a 2011 lockout as well -- owners don't want to sign these coaches to 6-7-8 million dollar a year deals and then pay them for a year when no football is being played.
But Galloway is the #1 Wade hater and he's always acted like he should've been fired already and one wrong move and he would be fired. This is the first time I've heard him say something different. And any time I hear a change of opinion like that, it makes me think he's talked to people out there and heard something.

But if we could win the East two out of three years after not winning the division in, what, 12 years (Gailey, right?), that's pretty good. The real question would be what happens if the offense catches fire and Garrett is a hot candidate again.

Its certainly possible Wade is back for another yr, especially since Jerry doesnt have to commit to a long term deal to keep (we have an option for 1 yr). I could definitely see where the bolded might be a concern for alot of owners.

But if we have a repeat of that 44-6 type debacle to close the season or just out and out embarrass ourselves in the postseason, I think Jones will let him leave. He's gotta fill that stadium, and another December swoon or one and done in the playoffs isnt going to get people excited about 2010.

 

[Chief]

Before you kill your keyboard hitting the letters y, e and s repeatedly, please really consider the way I'm phrasing this question. Maybe it's just me, but this has been a topic that's been ringing in my head of late, and I seem to be drawing a different conclusion than I once did.

Wade's record is, what, 30-13 here? Yeah, yeah. No playoff wins, and that's all that matters, which is why this December-through-January run is so important. I get that. But it's not as if hiring a new coach simply cures all that ails us. It didn't when we fired Switzer, Gailey or anyone else. How confident are we that Jerry will hire a sure-fire replacement? Does such a guy even exist?

Anyway, before I veer off track, back to my question: Looking at what Wade is doing, he seems to be succeeding fairly well in his various tasks. We're a team that wins regular season games, seem to be headed in the right direction, and his baby (the defense) is playing at its absolute best -- heck, we even lead the league in sacks over his tenure. Who would have thunk that possible when Parcells was here?

Wade is an easy target, and I've certainly aimed plenty of venom his way. But I can't help but wonder if he's not the best guy for the job right now. Do we really want to overhaul the defense? Do we really want to bring in a new head coach who might want to implement a zone-blocking offensive line scheme, change to a west coast offense or do something else radical? Do we want or need an overhaul? Most importantly, will Jerry even concede such power?

It's been said Wade is basically our head defensive coach and Garrett the head offensive coach. What other qualified guy is going to come in and accept such a role? And the Shannahans and Holmgrens might be off the market sooner than expected -- and I'm STILL not convinced a retread is the right option anyway.

Just curious what the general consensus is as we enter this stretch run. Does nothing matter other than what occurs in the playoffs if/when we get there? Or has Wade done enough good to suggest that, even for his goofiness, he might not be such a bad fit, December be damned?

I'll concede that I'm still in the wait-and-see mode. I don't want to be fooled by 8-3, only to be spat in the face by a December swoon. But I must admit: I'm starting to lean farther and farther away from the "Lynch Wade if we suck in December!!" crowd than I ever thought I would.

Good, interesting thoughts.

But I think it's too early. If this team falters late .... again .... then I think changes have to be made. You can't keep beating your head against the door.

 

[cowboyjoe]

yes, wade has to get the cowboys to the playoffs and win a playoff game

i am thinking if its a wild card game, he still has to win 2 playoff games, he then possibly could lose if the cowboys get to the championship game that leads to the superbowl, but he has to win some playoff games and get the monkey off of the cowboys for losing playoff games last 13 years.

 

[Faerluna]

Barring a collapse Wade will return in 2010

Ditto. If Wade goes then they have to replaced 2 positions, one of which is DC. I doubt you'd be able to find someone as good as Wade that's available, not to mention the players would have to get up to speed with a new guy again, etc.

Too many variables that could potentially lead to a lack of production.

Wade stays, barring utter disaster.

 

[Angus]

The problem is of the 13 losses he was massively outcoached in a probably half of them.

Come playoff time. One loss is bigger than any low number of regular season losses.

Are you sure it wasn't Garrett that got outcoached?

As long as Jerry Jones is making assistant coach hires alone and grooming them for greater things, the head coach is hamstrung. I think it is more likely that Garrett goes somewhere else than it is that Phillips get fired - if Stephen has much input. Besides, I have faith that the Cowboys will do well for the rest of the season.

 

[khiladi]

There's more to being a "great" defense than holding a schedule full of offensively challenged teams to 16-17 pts a game. I think we have a nice defense, but the next 3 games will really let us know how good the defense really is, especially the San Diego and New Orleans games.

We dont get turnovers with any regularity and havent for 2+ seasons now. Too many times the pass rush fails on 3rd down and we leave alot of receivers open in the secondary. When ordinary guys like Jason Campbell can complete 13/13 passes on 3rd down against you, there are still some issues.

And Garrett gets a pass for scoring on poor defenses, but sucks when it comes to top defenses... Jason Campbell was completing passes, because of over-pursuit by the defensive line...

 

[Idgit]

Wade's always been a better coach than he's given credit for on CZ. And his playoff record isn't very long and includes a couple of losses where he coached a weak team to the playoffs and lost predictably in the first round.

Dallas might be the toughest place to coach in the league. Between the antagonistic local media and the insanely entitled fan base and the [pick your own advective] owner.

That said, if we don't get over the hump, the head coach is far and away the most sensible piece of the puzzle to swap out in the offseason. The team's already talented, and the QB isn't going anywhere. We've already jettisoned the coordinators. And with Superbowl-winning coaches on the sidelines: Wade will be gone.

Separate question: has it ever been established that Jerry had an issue with the authority given to Bill Parcels? IIRC, Jerry wanted him back and Bill was the one who decided to leave. Is this anything more than Galloway attempting to color his Jerry Jones stick figure with his crayon? Or is there something to it that I just have never heard since I don't live in the area?

 

[Tusan_Homichi]

If we end up faltering down the stretch, I don't think it's going to be the defensive side of the ball that will be the cause of it. It'll be the offense, but Wade would probably get fired for it.

That seems a bit unfair. Yeah, life is unfair, but if the offense is the reason we falter down the stretch again, shouldn't Wade be able to bring his own guy in as OC rather than be fired?

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Are you sure it wasn't Garrett that got outcoached?

As long as Jerry Jones is making assistant coach hires alone and grooming them for greater things, the head coach is hamstrung. I think it is more likely that Garrett goes somewhere else than it is that Phillips get fired - if Stephen has much input. Besides, I have faith that the Cowboys will do well for the rest of the season.

Yeah I hear ya. But as HC he needs to slow down the game. "Hey, wait a sec, that aint working... try this"....

Instead we dont seem to adjust we break down.

I believe Garrett is next HC.
Wade is not at risk of being fired because his deal ends at seasons end.

 

[craig71]

I think Wade is walking a fine line at the moment and only time will reveal the outcome.

My opinion is that Wade is a good defensive mind and can run a defense.However I believe he just is not capable of running a team,I think he has the knowledge of how to run a team,he just lacks the skills to implement that knowledge.A head coach has to demand accountability,respect and attention to detail,I think Wade does a a poor job in those areas.

Will Wade get the boot.Who knows?But I do no that "Marty Ball" out in San Diego was sent out of town for lack of post-season success,and they were pretty good during the regular season.Point is,it doesn't matter how successful a coach is during the regular season if ownership doesn't have faith in that coach to win a championship.

Craig

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Separate question: has it ever been established that Jerry had an issue with the authority given to Bill Parcels? IIRC, Jerry wanted him back and Bill was the one who decided to leave. Is this anything more than Galloway attempting to color his Jerry Jones stick figure with his crayon? Or is there something to it that I just have never heard since I don't live in the area?

It's one of those things where Galloway and several other media people have all claimed in passing on the radio that Jerry was miserable when Parcells was here because he hated staying in the background the way he had to when Big Bill was here. It's not anything that's had an entire article devoted to it in the papers, but something that's been said many times on the radio shows in passing and agreed to by different beat writers.

Probably only a DFW sports talk junkie would hear that kind of thing, but, well, I'd be one of those. :

 

[Idgit]

It's one of those things where Galloway and several other media people have all claimed in passing on the radio that Jerry was miserable when Parcells was here because he hated staying in the background the way he had to when Big Bill was here. It's not anything that's had an entire article devoted to it in the papers, but something that's been said many times on the radio shows in passing and agreed to by different beat writers.

Probably only a DFW sports talk junkie would hear that kind of thing, but, well, I'd be one of those. :

I don't remember Jerry being in the background when Bill was here at all. IIRC, we were getting extra attention b/c of the coach and then it went through the roof when TO was signed. Jerry's always been complimentary of Bill and of how much he learned about building a winner from him. He was obviously caught off-foot when Bill left, meaning he intended and expected him to stay. And it's not like there were proven coaches with strong personalities available when he hired Wade.

I think it's much more likely that Jerry just takes as much authority as he think he needs to take, but that he'd happily work with another strong coach if it meant a better shot at a Superbowl and all the positive attention and limelight that comes with advancing in the playoffs. Doesn't make for as much interesting talk radio, though.

 

[lqmac1]

Before you kill your keyboard hitting the letters y, e and s repeatedly, please really consider the way I'm phrasing this question. Maybe it's just me, but this has been a topic that's been ringing in my head of late, and I seem to be drawing a different conclusion than I once did.

Wade's record is, what, 30-13 here? Yeah, yeah. No playoff wins, and that's all that matters, which is why this December-through-January run is so important. I get that. But it's not as if hiring a new coach simply cures all that ails us. It didn't when we fired Switzer, Gailey or anyone else. How confident are we that Jerry will hire a sure-fire replacement? Does such a guy even exist?

Anyway, before I veer off track, back to my question: Looking at what Wade is doing, he seems to be succeeding fairly well in his various tasks. We're a team that wins regular season games, seem to be headed in the right direction, and his baby (the defense) is playing at its absolute best -- heck, we even lead the league in sacks over his tenure. Who would have thunk that possible when Parcells was here?

Wade is an easy target, and I've certainly aimed plenty of venom his way. But I can't help but wonder if he's not the best guy for the job right now. Do we really want to overhaul the defense? Do we really want to bring in a new head coach who might want to implement a zone-blocking offensive line scheme, change to a west coast offense or do something else radical? Do we want or need an overhaul? Most importantly, will Jerry even concede such power?

It's been said Wade is basically our head defensive coach and Garrett the head offensive coach. What other qualified guy is going to come in and accept such a role? And the Shannahans and Holmgrens might be off the market sooner than expected -- and I'm STILL not convinced a retread is the right option anyway.

Just curious what the general consensus is as we enter this stretch run. Does nothing matter other than what occurs in the playoffs if/when we get there? Or has Wade done enough good to suggest that, even for his goofiness, he might not be such a bad fit, December be damned?

I'll concede that I'm still in the wait-and-see mode. I don't want to be fooled by 8-3, only to be spat in the face by a December swoon. But I must admit: I'm starting to lean farther and farther away from the "Lynch Wade if we suck in December!!" crowd than I ever thought I would.

no way he's 30-13 better than 80% of other coaches record... I think we need a new oc because JG is clueless on what to do with all of our weapons...

 

[Derinyar]

If we fade down the stretch again he probably should be gone. I mean I know we are facing better teams but a third straight december pukefest should be enough to get him fired.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Jerra, whose heart is bigger than his brain ("Christmas Vacation") will offer Wade the DC job and, of course, Wade out of some misplaced pride, will decline.
then we get to deciding among holmgren, Shanny and lane Kiffkin (just kidding about Kiffkin, hee).

Wade is gone. We all wish him well. But he is not cut out to be a HC, just a coordinator, maybe, if he has talent.
He's like his fat, dadgum dad; all horns and no steak.

 

[silver]

I believe this is Wade's last season regardless of the record or result. If we win the Super Bowl he retires on top. Anything less he'll get crucified or burned at the stake.

 

[bbgun]

Wade's had three years to net a playoff win, whereas Jerry's had 13. Curiously, only one man's job is on the line. It's good to be the king.

 

[mkelly71]

Wade is not a very prideful guy i hear. i say lets make him an offer he cant refuse to become defensive coordinator of the cowboys . who knows maybe jj already talked to him about this when he was hired, somthing like a train jason garrett to take over program

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

I believe this is Wade's last season regardless of the record or result. If we win the Super Bowl he retires on top. Anything less he'll get crucified or burned at the stake.

QFT....