Linehan is the real MVP

[Bleu Star]

It's fun watching people trying to reconce their excitement about the offense with their various aversions to Jason Garrett. You guys need to get to the point where you can make a convincing argument they're winning in spite of him for that to work.

Of course, that's harder to do when it's his hand-picked coach you have to tout as your MVP. Or his emphasis on the OL. Either way, it all points back to the head coach.

Heck, I don't even know how our offensive production compared to the production from the start of last season. Are we outscoring that team? Or is it just that our defense has looked better so far?

What I think is really happening is that we're excited after a big win. The same way we were excited last year after dominating the Rams. I'm all for being excited, and I hope it's something we can continue. For my part, I'm still looking to the defense to decide whether or not I think that can happen. If the offense really has improved over the production of the last few seasons, I think that's outstanding. It'll probably mean a nice long extension for a coach I've always liked a lot.

What has happened is Garrett has FINALLY been reduced to something that's more his speed. Sideline cheerleader. The big boys (Linehan and Marinelli) are now skillfully handling the heavy lifting.

 

[reddyuta]

sorry you cant expect me to believe that Zack martin is solely responsible of this amazing balanced offense,everyone on that offense was here last year when we couldnt close out games by just running the ball.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Anyone who thinks we would see this balanced offense with Garrett calling plays is delusional. Murray was averaging 8ypc in the GB game and we completely abandoned the run in the second half. That has nothing to do with our line not being able to run block. In addition, we are seeing different formations (Dez being moved around), more screens, more play action etc. i agree that Martin is making a big difference but lets not act like our line was terrible last year. I also read something where Romo said Linehan makes adjustments as the game progresses which is something he (romo) has never experienced.

Anyone who thinks that we would see this balanced offense with Linehan is delusional. It's been well documented how Romo checked out of runs vs GB. In the wrods of Jim Mara, "you think you know but you don't know."

This whole filling in the gaps with shoddy guess work and confirmation bias to try and divvy up credit is quite frankly stupid. Not giving the HC credit for team success prima facia is stupid.

 

[Idgit]

What has happened is Garrett has FINALLY been reduced to something that's more his speed. Sideline cheerleader. The big boys (Linehan and Marinelli) are now skillfully handling the heavy lifting.

Whatever makes you feel better. I believe the entire rest of the team and the coaching staff would disagree with you, both publicly and privately. In fact, I believe faith in Garrett's ability and overall direction seems to be pretty high right now. And, surprisingly, I think it probably went up and not down when he brought in Linehan because he thought he could do a better job of running the offense the way Jason wants it run.

Hey, let's hope I'm right, and the present trend continues as a result. If we win enough games, you guys will eventually start coming around the way everyone has on Scott Linehan, Demarco Murray, Jason Witten's blocking, play calling, and whatever other mostly-baseless criticisms we've had to put up with over the years.

Of course, for that to happen, we need to keep playing better defense than we have the last three years around here. Let's hope we do, starting next week.

 

[Bleu Star]

Whatever makes you feel better. I believe the entire rest of the team and the coaching staff would disagree with you, both publicly and privately. In fact, I believe faith in Garrett's ability and overall direction seems to be pretty high right now. And, surprisingly, I think it probably went up and not down when he brought in Linehan because he thought he could do a better job of running the offense the way Jason wants it run.

Hey, let's hope I'm right, and the present trend continues as a result. If we win enough games, you guys will eventually start coming around the way everyone has on Scott Linehan, Demarco Murray, Jason Witten's blocking, play calling, and whatever other mostly-baseless criticisms we've had to put up with over the years.

Of course, for that to happen, we need to keep playing better defense than we have the last three years around here. Let's hope we do, starting next week.

If the faith in Garrett was so high right now he would have already had a new multi year contract. I do completely agree that a positive trend is forming and continued defensive improvement will take us places we haven't been in many many years. I credit Marinelli for a defense that is no longer bottom of the barrel and consistently getting better even amidst a bevy of injuries. That speaks to improved talent selection as well. We now have talent at the second and third strings. New territory..

All I am saying about Garrett is that he is the glorified sideline cheerleader now. That role fits him perfectly imo. I liken his role to that of Mike Tomlin. Keep the riff raff off of Linehan and Marinelli as they do their jobs.

 

[Mansta54]

The OL is the real mvp, a line this good will make any OC look like a genius

Bingo!

 

[Idgit]

If the faith in Garrett was so high right now he would have already had a new multi year contract.

That's not true. It could very easily be that there's a significant disagreement on the compensation level, and that they two sides think the easiest/best thing to do is let the season play out and use the information gained that way to decide the difference. That's the same thing they're doing with Dez and with Demarco Murray, so it's not like there's not a precedent for it.

Another consideration: no matter how you look at it, there's a shelf-life to how long players will play hard for a coach if the success is not there. There's no reason for Jerry to commit now, when both sides can readily admit the wins have not been there the last three seasons. That doesn't mean Jason doesn't have a lot of faith in himself, or that Jerry doesn't agree. It just means it makes more sense to wait and be sure.

All I am saying about Garrett is that he is the glorified sideline cheerleader now. That role fits him perfectly imo. I liken his role to that of Mike Tomlin. Keep the riff raff off of Linehan and Marinelli as they do their jobs.

And I'm saying that, while I understand people who don't like Garrett but who are getting excited want very much to think that, all the available evidence says instead that he's a very active and engaged head coach, and that the players and the coaches all understand and appreciate that. Because most of what head coaches do in this league is not what happens on game day. And what happens on game day is increasingly a staff effort, anyway.

 

[Bleu Star]

That's not true. It could very easily be that there's a significant disagreement on the compensation level, and that they two sides think the easiest/best thing to do is let the season play out and use the information gained that way to decide the difference. That's the same thing they're doing with Dez and with Demarco Murray, so it's not like there's not a precedent for it.

Another consideration: no matter how you look at it, there's a shelf-life to how long players will play hard for a coach if the success is not there. There's no reason for Jerry to commit now, when both sides can readily admit the wins have not been there the last three seasons. That doesn't mean Jason doesn't have a lot of faith in himself, or that Jerry doesn't agree. It just means it makes more sense to wait and be sure.



And I'm saying that, while I understand people who don't like Garrett but who are getting excited want very much to think that, all the available evidence says instead that he's a very active and engaged head coach, and that the players and the coaches all understand and appreciate that. Because most of what head coaches do in this league is not what happens on game day. And what happens on game day is increasingly a staff effort, anyway.

Points well taken. Can't say I completely agree but definitely things to consider.

 

[jobberone]

Nailed it straight center.

Why do some of you insist on making so many issues homer v realist or whatever labels you choose?

Of course Linehan has helped things out. Of course a better OL has helped. This all or nothing thinking is troublesome. It is problematic because it is polarizing as well as a cognitive distortion.

Who are you guys gonna shred if the team starts to stink it up or stutters and falls? I guess then that'll be Garrett's fault, too. LOL. Or Jerry's? Or the bad fairy??

Good grief!

 

[jobberone]

sorry you cant expect me to believe that Zack martin is solely responsible of this amazing balanced offense,everyone on that offense was here last year when we couldnt close out games by just running the ball.

I wouldn't expect you to believe that....ever. It's a ridiculous ascertain.

 

[Frosty]

Cowboys fans are so excited they are anointing MVP's in September.....for goodness sake's.. there is 12 more games to play.....Let just hope the Cowboys do better than 8-8 or maybe make the playoffs before we start handing out awards......Gotta love Cowboy fans....win 3 games and its MVP time.....and won't be long before they start handing our big contracts again.....WOW....Dont want to rain on everyones parade..but all they have done is beat the Rams, Titans, an Saints....a lot of good teams are still on the schedule.

just how many teams over .500 have the Cowboys beat this year....?

 

[rcaldw]

Just running the ball makes you better pass blockers because the D has to defend both aspects, plus the OL aren't on their heels all game.

It's funny how some people want to claim the clock struck midnight and this OL suddenly went from lousy to unstoppable. It was really good last year.

I guess some don't want to admit that because it means Linehan gets credit and not Garrett?

lol, is that what we would have to admit? I think the team is coming into its own in a number of different ways. I give the HC the credit he deserves (unlike you and many others), and I give Linehan, Marinelli, and the whole staff credit too.

 

[rcaldw]

It's fun watching people trying to reconce their excitement about the offense with their various aversions to Jason Garrett. You guys need to get to the point where you can make a convincing argument they're winning in spite of him for that to work.

Of course, that's harder to do when it's his hand-picked coach you have to tout as your MVP. Or his emphasis on the OL. Either way, it all points back to the head coach.

Heck, I don't even know how our offensive production compared to the production from the start of last season. Are we outscoring that team? Or is it just that our defense has looked better so far?

What I think is really happening is that we're excited after a big win. The same way we were excited last year after dominating the Rams. I'm all for being excited, and I hope it's something we can continue. For my part, I'm still looking to the defense to decide whether or not I think that can happen. If the offense really has improved over the production of the last few seasons, I think that's outstanding. It'll probably mean a nice long extension for a coach I've always liked a lot.

I have enjoyed watching this. It is hilarious. If you could compare it to something physical it would be like a contortionist bent up like a pretzel. We love our team and hate our head coach Just silly.

 

[rcaldw]

Whatever makes you feel better. I believe the entire rest of the team and the coaching staff would disagree with you, both publicly and privately. In fact, I believe faith in Garrett's ability and overall direction seems to be pretty high right now. And, surprisingly, I think it probably went up and not down when he brought in Linehan because he thought he could do a better job of running the offense the way Jason wants it run.

Hey, let's hope I'm right, and the present trend continues as a result. If we win enough games, you guys will eventually start coming around the way everyone has on Scott Linehan, Demarco Murray, Jason Witten's blocking, play calling, and whatever other mostly-baseless criticisms we've had to put up with over the years.

Of course, for that to happen, we need to keep playing better defense than we have the last three years around here. Let's hope we do, starting next week.

Great response Idigt. And spot on.

 

[BAT]

Not sure if Linehan is MVP but give credit where credit is due: these Cowboys are playing both offense and defense with extremely high effort. They have an energy and swagger that is palpable. Cowboys don't just talk the talk they absolutely walk it these last 4 games.

Whether that credit goes to Linehan, Marinelli, Garrett, another or all of them in total, I really don't care. At least right now, because all I want is to see them keep believing and working. They are executing with precision and malice. Love that combination, and I can wait to see how far we can take it!

 

[yimyammer]

Matt Mosley was talking to Jerry in the "walk off" after the game the other night, and he said Jerry told them that basically, Linehan was the first coach in years who when he told Tony "Stop doing that", Tony listened.

Haven't heard this one, do you have a link to the story or audio?

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Haven't heard this one, do you have a link to the story or audio?

Mosley said it yesterday on his radio show. I doubt there's a link to it anywhere unless he mentioned it in a tweet or one of his Fox sports articles.

 

[percyhoward]

Can't it be both?

Not as much fun.

 

[Bleu Star]

Mosley said it yesterday on his radio show. I doubt there's a link to it anywhere unless he mentioned it in a tweet or one of his Fox sports articles.

I believe it. I'm telling you what I saw. In games 1 and 2 Tony was still exhibiting rust or to some us looked over the hill. I saw some serious side by side conversations on the bench after turnovers. Mentoring. No nonsense encouragement. It is so refreshing. Tony is eating it up and it is having a positive impact on his level of confidence. Some guys like a best friend by their side when they screw up. Others eventually realize that best friends don't belong in your ear during the rigors of a game.

 

[Zman5]

Anyone who thinks that we would see this balanced offense with Linehan is delusional. It's been well documented how Romo checked out of runs vs GB. In the wrods of Jim Mara, "you think you know but you don't know."

This whole filling in the gaps with shoddy guess work and confirmation bias to try and divvy up credit is quite frankly stupid. Not giving the HC credit for team success prima facia is stupid.

And unless you are on the Cowboys' staff, you are guessing yourself.

Unless you were part of the team meetings, you don't know if it was Romo, JG or Jerry who checked out of the runs vs GB for sure.