sturminator - How The Cowboys Were Built

[Jerryrage]

I'm not sure if it's ok to repost what he talks about, however I think it's ok to post a link? Maybe a mod can fill me in. Anyways it's a great read by Bob Sturm.

http://sturminator.blogspot.com/2013/03/how-cowboys-were-built.html

There was a little communication this week between the brass of the Dallas Cowboys and the beat writers who gather for every word, and Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star Telegram found something worth discussing in his conversation with Jason Garrett on Wednesday from the NFL Owners Meetings in Arizona.

Let's take a look at what he offered:

As he prepares for his third draft class, Garrett says his program is firmly in place with his type of guys and 2013 is a big year to take the next step.

"Absolutely, that’s why this draft is so critical," Garrett said Wednesday at the NFL owners meetings. "You want to be able to continue to add to the culture we’ve developed the last couple years, and a lot of the culture has to do with who you are as a head coach, who your staff is and what they represent. A lot of it has to do with the people you bring in, the players you bring in, and what they’re all about. We’ve tried to do a really good job of that. We feel good about how we’ve drafted, how we’ve kind of structured our football team, and the kinds of people we’re bringing in.”

Only 16 players, including just seven starters, are left on the roster from the team that Garrett took over in 2010.

"I think we’ve done a good job over the last couple years, like we talked earlier, transitioning our roster from a lot of older players to some younger players, still keep ourselves in competitive situations at the end of the year, having a chance to compete for the division," Garrett said. "We brought in some young players who can be the cornerstones for us going forward to add to the Tony Romos, the DeMarcus Wares, the Jason Ratliffs, Jason Wittens, those guys who have been big, significant players for us in the past. Now you think about Sean Lee, Bruce Carter, Dez Bryant, Tyron Smith, DeMarco Murray, all those guys.

“The identity we’ve established together gives us a chance going forward."
​

This is a topic worth visiting about that I am happy the coach brought up.

 

[percyhoward]

It's misleading to call 2011-12 the Garrett/Jones era, and 2007-10 the Phillips/Jones era, since Garrett's been the coach with the most influence on this team's offensive personnel decisions ever since he became OC in 2007.

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

It's misleading to call 2011-12 the Garrett/Jones era, and 2007-10 the Phillips/Jones era, since Garrett's been the coach with the most influence on this team's offensive personnel decisions ever since he became OC in 2007.

You would be correct sir. Wade wanted Chris Johnson....Garrett wanted Felix Jones. We know who won. Garrett did not like Fasano...so he replaced him with Bennett. Do you think Wade pushed to trade for Roy Williams? The OL we have brought in since 2007.....awful!!!! Ogletree played at UVA when Garretts brother was there....ever wonder why Ogletree was here and why he lasted here this long. I am sure Garrett drafted Stephen McGee....who after 3 years in the NFL still looked in over his head. Garrett also doubted Danny Amendola being able to play in this league due to his size

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Garrett sure loves him some him.

Listening to him, you wonder why we'd change anything.

 

[Idgit]

Garrett sure loves him some him.

Listening to him, you wonder why we'd change anything.

As opposed to all the negative things Jason Garrett has to say about....anybody?

The next negative thing Garrett says in his tenure as Cowboys coach will be his first. It's part of how he established the mindset he wants the team to have-down to using words like 'challenge' or 'opportunity' instead of 'worry' or 'concern.' He's said this much, explicitly, many, many times.

He went out of his way to say what an outstanding coach Rob Ryan was in the press conference explaining why he fired him, for crying out loud.

 

[BHendri5]

You would be correct sir. Wade wanted Chris Johnson....Garrett wanted Felix Jones. We know who won. Garrett did not like Fasano...so he replaced him with Bennett. Do you think Wade pushed to trade for Roy Williams? The OL we have brought in since 2007.....awful!!!! Ogletree played at UVA when Garretts brother was there....ever wonder why Ogletree was here and why he lasted here this long. I am sure Garrett drafted Stephen McGee....who after 3 years in the NFL still looked in over his head. Garrett also doubted Danny Amendola being able to play in this league due to his size

Show us some proof

 

[T-RO]

Show us some proof

Double that...or we are calling for your cards.

Jerry is the one calling all the shots, folks. That part is irrefutable, and has been sourced on multiple occasions.

 

[Zekeats]

It's misleading to call 2011-12 the Garrett/Jones era, and 2007-10 the Phillips/Jones era, since Garrett's been the coach with the most influence on this team's offensive personnel decisions ever since he became OC in 2007.

Exactly.......Jones and his puppet wanted Felix and Wade wanted CJ2K

 

[Flinger]

It's misleading to call 2011-12 the Garrett/Jones era, and 2007-10 the Phillips/Jones era, since Garrett's been the coach with the most influence on this team's offensive personnel decisions ever since he became OC in 2007.

More that the headcoach? No a chance... Sorry, you are just making assumptions and you are biased.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Jerry clearly wanted Felix and it was a Jerry move. It should be noted that Johnson was more or less a role player until his senior year at ECU and he had shoulder issues and Jerry has never been a fan of taking RB's with shoulder issues (i.e. Stephen Jackson).

I think the problem with Felix, besides injuries, is that he wasn't used correctly. He didn't play enough his first 2 seasons and then his third season they made him a starter. He was really a player that should have gotten about 10 carries a game, played on passing downs and did kickoff returns (which he was really good at early in his career). Instead we neglected him in too many games early on in his career, had him do kickoffs too sparingly, then tried to bulk him up for a starter role where he became less explosive and could no longer do kickoff returns.

Certainly, Chris Johnson is just the more talented player. But for me I am far more concerned about how a player like Felix was misused because if they can misuse Felix, then they could have certainly misused Johnson had they picked him instead. That's really what drafting is mostly about...not so much the players that are picked, but the development of the players picked. That's why certain organizations 'draft' so well, they are really far more adept at player development than having some sort of special eye for talent.








YR

 

[LowTech]

Agenda Thread

 

[cowboysooner]

I have thought about this for a while. If Garrett really is responsible for the improved drafts, then he is worth keeping around even if the on field product continues in mediocrity. Eventually the talent catches up and you start to win games.

Of course the better drafts could simply be luck or statistical noise.

 

[conner01]

You would be correct sir. Wade wanted Chris Johnson....Garrett wanted Felix Jones. We know who won. Garrett did not like Fasano...so he replaced him with Bennett. Do you think Wade pushed to trade for Roy Williams? The OL we have brought in since 2007.....awful!!!! Ogletree played at UVA when Garretts brother was there....ever wonder why Ogletree was here and why he lasted here this long. I am sure Garrett drafted Stephen McGee....who after 3 years in the NFL still looked in over his head. Garrett also doubted Danny Amendola being able to play in this league due to his size

i sure would like to see some proof of any of that at all. i call "bull"

 

[Idgit]

Jerry clearly wanted Felix and it was a Jerry move. It should be noted that Johnson was more or less a role player until his senior year at ECU and he had shoulder issues and Jerry has never been a fan of taking RB's with shoulder issues (i.e. Stephen Jackson).

I think the problem with Felix, besides injuries, is that he wasn't used correctly. He didn't play enough his first 2 seasons and then his third season they made him a starter. He was really a player that should have gotten about 10 carries a game, played on passing downs and did kickoff returns (which he was really good at early in his career). Instead we neglected him in too many games early on in his career, had him do kickoffs too sparingly, then tried to bulk him up for a starter role where he became less explosive and could no longer do kickoff returns.

Certainly, Chris Johnson is just the more talented player. But for me I am far more concerned about how a player like Felix was misused because if they can misuse Felix, then they could have certainly misused Johnson had they picked him instead. That's really what drafting is mostly about...not so much the players that are picked, but the development of the players picked. That's why certain organizations 'draft' so well, they are really far more adept at player development than having some sort of special eye for talent.








YR

Really, really good post, YR.

 

[LatinMind]

Jerry clearly wanted Felix and it was a Jerry move. It should be noted that Johnson was more or less a role player until his senior year at ECU and he had shoulder issues and Jerry has never been a fan of taking RB's with shoulder issues (i.e. Stephen Jackson).

I think the problem with Felix, besides injuries, is that he wasn't used correctly. He didn't play enough his first 2 seasons and then his third season they made him a starter. He was really a player that should have gotten about 10 carries a game, played on passing downs and did kickoff returns (which he was really good at early in his career). Instead we neglected him in too many games early on in his career, had him do kickoffs too sparingly, then tried to bulk him up for a starter role where he became less explosive and could no longer do kickoff returns.

Certainly, Chris Johnson is just the more talented player. But for me I am far more concerned about how a player like Felix was misused because if they can misuse Felix, then they could have certainly misused Johnson had they picked him instead. That's really what drafting is mostly about...not so much the players that are picked, but the development of the players picked. That's why certain organizations 'draft' so well, they are really far more adept at player development than having some sort of special eye for talent.








YR

Sorry but im not buying this misuse of Felix. Its clear the guy is bad at making a decision on running lanes, jumping it outside and cutback. Just seemed like the guy had no vision. You cant misuse that, he just didnt have it.

Thats why he failed

 

[PAINFROMUKRAINE]

Sorry but im not buying this misuse of Felix. Its clear the guy is bad at making a decision on running lanes, jumping it outside and cutback. Just seemed like the guy had no vision. You cant misuse that, he just didnt have it.

Thats why he failed

YR is correct about the misuse of Felix. Felix needs to play in space NOT between the Tackles. Garrett can draft the best Talent but if he does not put a player in position to succeed based on his abilities then the player will fail or underachieve.

 

[Idgit]

Sorry but im not buying this misuse of Felix. Its clear the guy is bad at making a decision on running lanes, jumping it outside and cutback. Just seemed like the guy had no vision. You cant misuse that, he just didnt have it.

Thats why he failed

His rookie year, he looked like he was going to develop into a great player doing nothing but one-cutting it outside and streaking down the sidelines. He didn't even cut, really, he just bent the line he was running on enough and was off to the races. Then it seemed that just stopped at some point early on, and the struggled to find any consistency afterward.

I remember debating after his rookie (?) year whether Jones or Harvin were the more dynamic player. I didn't really pick a dog in the fight, but it was a legitimate question at one point. Not so much, now.

 

[jjktkk]

I have thought about this for a while. If Garrett really is responsible for the improved drafts, then he is worth keeping around even if the on field product continues in mediocrity. Eventually the talent catches up and you start to win games.

Of course the better drafts could simply be luck or statistical noise.

I think Jerry has notice the improvement in the recent drafts, but I don't Garrett survives, if Dallas does not get in the playoffs this year.

 

[Verdict]

YR is correct about the misuse of Felix. Felix needs to play in space NOT between the Tackles. Garrett can draft the best Talent but if he does not put a player in position to succeed based on his abilities then the player will fail or underachieve.

He needed to play in space early, but he doesn't have the speed he used to have, so that ship has sailed.

 

[percyhoward]

More that the head coach? Not a chance... Sorry, you are just making assumptions and you are biased.

I don't have a bias where Garrett is concerned, either for or against.

And we're both assuming, my assumption just makes more sense than the one you and Sturm evidently share.