The Wulf Den: Defining the Process
Head Coach Jason Garrett is infamous for his ability to dance around questions he doesn’t want to answer, and for providing answers that appear, on the surface, as nothing more than a collection of clichés. Starting QB Tony Romo does this as well, to a lesser extent, but Garrett has made it into an art form.
For example, let’s say a media member asks, “What kind of player are you looking for, coach?” Or maybe they ask, “What did you like about this guy you signed or drafted?” We all know at least part of the answer will be that he was the “right kind of guy.”
Or let’s say a media person says, “Coach, how is the new defense looking and will Player X be able to step up this season to make a bigger impact?” At some point in his answer, Garrett is going to say that they are just trying to improve every day, and they have a long way to go.
And what is the most commonly used cliché, you ask? That would be referring to the game plan, roster moves, play installation, or just about anything else in terms of “the process.” It’s all a process, and every day and every decision somehow fits into that process.
Now there’s nothing wrong with that mindset. In fact, I think it’s a good one, and an expansion on the old “one game at a time” mentality. The problem for the media and for us as fans, though, is that we don’t know what Garrett envisions as the ultimate goal for the team. Oh sure, you could just say it’s to win a Super Bowl, or even more than one, and let it go at that. But to do so is actually dismissing the idea altogether. After all, winning the Super Bowl is where EVERY team in the league wants to be. No, to understand that goal is not to say you want a team who is capable of competing for and winning a Super Bowl every year, but rather to describe what that team looks like in regards to roster composition, scheme, preparation, and attitude. I feel pretty certain that when Garrett talks about “the process” in regards to this team, he has an image in his mind of exactly how he thinks this team should function, what the roster should look like, and what the perception of the team should be from those within and outside of the organization, as well as what kind of players—and men—that he will need to pull it off.
Fans want to know what that image looks like, but we can’t read Garrett’s mind, and he’s not exactly bursting at the seams to reveal anything. If we look at the kinds of moves that have been made, however, we may get a pretty fair idea of where Garrett’s heading. After all, the whole “who will the play-caller be” drama—a complete and utter waste of time, in my humble opinion—ultimately was easy enough to figure out simply by watching the players and coaches on the field. So with that said, let’s take a look at just what has happened to the Dallas Cowboys since Garrett took over to see if we can get at least a glimpse of where “the process” is taking us.
Players and Staff
Depending on what conspiracy you’re trying to prove, you can find some “expert” who will tell you exactly what you’re looking to hear in regards to who is pulling the trigger on the draft picks and free agency in Dallas. I just remember something that was said when Garrett took over as the head coach in 2010. Owner and General Manager Jerry Jones said that there would be no player on the roster that Garrett didn’t want there, and that Garrett would have the final say. And while I know as well as you do that Jerry will get his two cents in, and that he can turn a phrase as well as anyone, I’ve never seen him come straight out and lie about something in regards to this team. So while we know things like free agency, the draft, and signing undrafted players are a group effort, the ultimate responsibility falls on Garrett. As such, the credit or blame for those choices should likewise be considered his domain.
In 2010, Garrett wasn’t the head coach at the beginning of the season, and the Cowboys had high hopes after coming off of a 2009 season that saw them win the NFC East and their first playoff game since 1996. At midseason, however, they were 1-7 and Romo was out for the season with a broken clavicle. Understandably, the Cowboys fired Head Coach Wade Phillips, and the Jason Garrett era began.
Because Garrett wasn’t the head coach at the beginning of the season, we can’t really give him full credit for the draft picks made that year. However, it’s a fairly well-documented fact that Wade Phillips didn’t exert much influence in the war room, and many fans and media personalities were speculating that Garrett was going to be the future coach when Phillips was done. I doubt anyone thought it would be that season, but I don’t think it’s much of a stretch to think that Garrett did have some significant input on who was drafted that year. The players to come out of that draft and stick around to be contributors today are WR Dez Bryant, LB Sean Lee, and DT Sean Lissemore. Following the draft, they brought in a number of undrafted rookies who are still on the roster, including C Phil Costa, S Barry Church, and S Danny McCray. They also used a 7th round supplemental pick on NT Josh Brent. Depending on whether or not first-round draft pick Travis Frederick stays at center, and not counting Brent because of his legal situation, that means that now, three years later, that draft season brought in as many as four starters, a rotational D-lineman, and a special teams ace. The Cowboys took heat about whether or not Dez was mature enough and about Lee’s injury history. But three years later, I think the Cowboys have proven themselves right.
In 2011, the Cowboys were picking in the top 10 of the draft, and they made sure to lock up a top-10 talent by taking OT Tyron Smith, then repeated the process from the previous year, taking an interior LB with injury concerns in the second round in North Carolina’s Bruce Carter. Also still on the roster today are RB DeMarco Murray, G David Arkin, and WR Dwayne Harris. After the draft, the Cowboys brought in C/G Kevin Kowalski, LB Alex Albright, K Dan Bailey, P Chris Jones, and RB Phillip Tanner. Training camp will ultimately determine if some of these guys are on the roster at the beginning of the season, but as of right now, that’s another five starters, a #3 receiver, a utility back-up LB and DE, two young O-linemen fighting for a roster spot, and a back-up RB who looks to be improved from a year ago.
Last year, the Cowboys moved up to take CB Mo Claiborne in the first round, using their second round pick to do so. The other additions in the draft were DE Tyrone Crawford, LB Kyle Wilber, S Matt Johnson, WR Danny Coale, TE James Hanna, and LB Caleb McSurdy. All are currently on the roster with a chance to make the team and contribute this season. Following the draft, the Cowboys brought in G Ron Leary, WR Cole Beasley, and RB Lance Dunbar. So there’s another starter, a number of primary back-ups (including two at defensive end, a tight end, and a safety), two wide receivers who will battle for a depth position, a candidate for the third down RB, a back-up ILB, and an O-lineman fighting for a starting job.
Add in this year’s draft class, as well as the undrafted rookies that were brought in, and fully half of the roster on week one could be drafted players and undrafted free agents brought in during the Garrett era. A majority of those players are not only highly skilled players, but they are high quality individuals who were team captains, award winners, and are self-motivated and dedicated in the weight room. Add in the kind of low-pay, high-effort veterans the team is bringing in via free agency like S Will Allen, TE Dante Rosario, and LB Justin Durant, as well as what players they are choosing to keep and which free agents to let go, and you begin to get a glimpse of what kind of personnel Garrett wants on this team.
Heck, even when they have chosen to spend money on a high dollar free agent—an event much less common in recent years—the personal characteristics have been there. Consider CB Brandon Carr, who was signed last year to a 5-year, $50.1 million free agent contract. He’s a small school guy who was taken in the fifth round by Kansas City and then earned his way not only to a starting job, but into being one of the best CBs available on the free agent market. His pedigree in Division II Grand Valley State? Carr was only a member of the back-to-back NCAA Division II national championship teams, and was named the Defensive Back of the Year for his senior season. So while all of the draftees and free agents may not be perfect examples of the “right kinds of guys” who “go about things the right way” and “love football” as Garrett so frequently says, the vast majority of them are.
As for the staff, don’t think they’ve been left out of the purge and reshaping that Garrett is doing. This year, more than ever before, Garrett went out and got guys for his staff that he had worked with and played for previously. As such, I think this will likely be the most accurate representation of what Garrett really wants from his staff. How big of a shift has it been? Let’s put it into perspective. Counting Garrett, there were 17 coaches and strength and conditioning personnel on the staff in 2010. Today, there are 21 staff members. Of those 21 personnel, there are exactly three aside from Garret who were here in 2010. That’s right, three: QB Coach Wade Wilson, TE Coach Wes Phillips (was a Quality Control/Offensive Assistant in 2010), and Offensive Quality Control/Wide Receivers Keith O’Quinn. If you think that’s not intentional on Garrett’s part, you’re either in denial or you’re not paying attention.
The fact is, Jerry Jones told Garrett that this was his team, and that he would give him the time and resources to make it so. It is becoming more and more obvious to me that Garrett heard Jerry loud and clear…and is running with it. He’s reshaping the roster, the staff, the scheme, and, yes, the process, to be a reflection of himself and what he thinks is necessary to not only win, but to properly represent what it means to be the Dallas Cowboys. The media can try to fan the conspiracy theories until they’re all blue in the face, and the naysayers can continue to rant and complain about what is done or how it’s accomplished. But it is, in fact, a process that’s heading in the right direction. And while back-to-back 8-8 seasons isn’t good enough for us, it’s clearly not good enough for Garrett either.
The Rest of the Story
The process continues. I know that’s not the clear-cut image that most fans are looking for, but it’s the reality. The Cowboys have now completed their OTAs and their mini-camp, and will kick-off their training camp on July 21st in Oxnard, California. In the meantime, Garrett and his staff will review everything that they’ve seen on the field and in the meeting rooms. They will break down film as well as talk about what they have (and haven’t) seen from the fringe roster players, and who they think has a chance of breaking out and making the 53-man roster. They will talk about the installation of the offensive and defensive schemes, and how much they still have to accomplish when training camp rolls around. And they likely will make a few personnel moves as a result of those discussions, letting players go that they don’t think fit the mold Garrett is looking for and bringing in others that have already been on their radar.
As we look forward to training camp, there are going to be some very interesting battles to watch, and some position questions that will only be answered on the field. But based on what we’ve seen and heard so far, here’s the way I’m currently leaning for the 53-man roster, as well as some camp battles to watch.
QB (2) – Romo and Orton: I know the Cowboys put in a waiver claim for QB Mike Kafka, but I don’t think that necessarily means that they are planning to keep three QBs on the roster. Romo’s back surgery was much ado about nothing, in my opinion, and Orton was so rusty from a lack of playing time last year that he quite honestly needed the work he got in the OTAs and mini-camp. Barring an injury, I can’t see them going with more than two guys at this position.
RB (3) – Murray, Randle, and Dunbar: Murray and Randle are going to make the roster, so the real battle will be for the #3 position or to try to force the Cowboys to keep a fourth RB on the roster. After a disappointing season last year, Phillip Tanner looked to be in much better shape, and it showed on the field with some very positive plays. A lot of people, myself included, had all but written him off when Randle was drafted. It appears now that he will not go quietly, if he goes at all. Both Dunbar and Tanner will also get pushed by undrafted rookie Kendial Lawrence, who is very explosive. I still think Dunbar gets the #3 job because of his ability to also contribute on special teams, but there could be a hard decision to make about potentially keeping a fourth RB at the end of camp.
FB (0) – Vickers is the only FB on the roster at the moment, and he’s not healthy. Based on the number of TEs on the roster and the lack of another FB to split reps, and I think he will be released as soon as he is healthy enough to pass a physical. They won’t release him until then, in all likelihood, in order to avoid paying him an injury settlement.
TE (4) – Witten, Hanna, Escobar, and Rosario: While there is no pure blocking TE in this group, any of these guys can do a serviceable enough job when called upon, and Rosario has also played some H-back and FB in the past. Keeping four guys at this position not only ensures that they’ll have the personnel to run the two and three TE sets that they want, but spells the end of the FB position in Dallas, IMHO.
WR (6) – Bryant, Austin, Williams, Harris, Beasley, and Coale: A lot of people have been surprised that Williams has gotten as many reps as he has thus far, especially considering the emergence of Harris last year as the third receiver. I haven’t been surprised, primarily because I never believed they were bringing Williams in to be the third receiver who plays the traditional slot. That is still Harris’ job, along with likely being the primary punt returner. No, the Cowboys drafted Williams because they wanted someone who could line up outside and go up the field, allowing them to use Miles Austin inside where he is a mismatch nightmare for opposing defenses, as well as to provide injury protection in the event that either of the starters goes down. As such, he needs to be on the field and ready to step in, and that only happens with experience. He started a little shaky, but improved significantly as time went on. The Cowboys may opt to only keep five receivers on the roster, but I’ll be surprised if that’s the case. If they do, Coale and Beasley will have to fight it out with veteran Anthony Armstrong and undrafted Jared Green. Again, a lot of people have written Coale off because he was out last year. But anyone who sleeps on this young man is making a big mistake, assuming he gets to training camp fully healed and ready to go—something that looks more and more likely. I’ve heard it suggested that they place him on PUP to begin camp, thus giving them the option of “stashing” him away until as late as mid-season. But I think if he’s ready to go, Garrett will throw him in there to compete.
OL (9) – Smith, Free, Parnell, Bernadeau, Frederick, Costa, Leary, Cook, and Arkin: It pains me to no end to include Arkin here instead of Kowalski, simply because I’ve been a big Kowalski supporter since he was brought in. But he has been moved to G exclusively this offseason, and I think that works against him. Also, let’s give some credit to Arkin, who has been everyone’s whipping boy for the past two years. Everyone knew that he wasn’t anywhere near strong enough when he came into the league, and many, myself included, were disappointed when he had not made more significant strides last year. It appears, however, that he has continued to work, and he got a lot of work in the OTAs and mini-camp opposite Leary (and ahead of Kowalski). Of course, Kowalski could potentially make the roster in place of Cook. But Cook restructured his contract to help the Cowboys’ cap situation, and has the flexibility to play all five O-line positions. Of course, he could be more expendable if the Cowboys decide to keep a fourth pure OT, like Darrion Weems. At this point, though, I think it more likely that they go with Cook as an emergency guy and put an OT on the practice squad. Also, note that I do not have Nate Livings making the roster. He agreed to restructure his deal, but the Cowboys didn’t turn it in to the league office, and there are two factors working against him. First, he is currently injured…again…and it’s reportedly the same knee on which he previously had surgery. If that’s a sign of any kind of degenerative condition that will hobble him more and more going forward, that’s a big hit against keeping him. Second, his base salary is scheduled to jump to nearly $3.5 mil next season and I can’t see the Cowboys paying him that. It may look unlikely that they would do that because he has $6.2 mil in guaranteed money in his contract. But he got $4.5 mil of that last year in his signing bonus and base salary, so he’s only guaranteed another $1.5 mil. And since we are now past June 1st, they could release him and take a relatively small hit this year. Of course, the remainder would become a dead money hit next year, but it would still be less than he would cost them if he were still on the roster under his current contract numbers. If they think one of the younger, cheaper guards is ready to step in and start, I think Livings is in trouble.
DL (9) – Spencer, Ware, Ratliff, Crawford, Hatcher, Lissemore, Bass, Wilber, and Albright: I’m putting Albright here although I think he’ll end up competing with Durant for the starting SLB position. He ultimately has the size to play either that position or DE, and is the ideal kind of utility player to be active on gameday. He contributes on special teams and can play multiple positions. As for the rest of the players in this group, I think they’re going to be pretty set going into camp. Ware and Spencer will start, with Wilber and Crawford, respectively, backing them up on the outside, while Ratliff and Hatcher will start inside, backed up by Lissemore and Bass. The guy I have on the outside looking in right now is veteran DE Anthony Hargrove. He will ultimately benefit the most if Albright plays the SLB position, in my opinion, because I believe the Cowboys would like to carry 9 D-linemen for depth purposes.
LB (7) – Lee, Carter, Durant, Holloman, Magee, Sims, and McSurdy: Again, you could see Albright here, and if you do, it would likely be at the expense of one of these young back-ups, as I can’t see them keeping more than seven LBs on the roster in this defensive scheme. If Albright isn’t specifically used as the SLB in camp, Lee, Carter, and Durant will be your starters, with the rest scrambling for the remaining positions. Ernie Sims can play inside or outside on the weak side, giving him some flexibility that I think makes him likely to make the roster. Holloman makes the list initially for three reasons: he’s a draft pick, he showed some flashes of playmaking ability in the mini-camp, and he was targeted specifically by Special Teams Coordinator Rich Bisaccia. Magee makes the list because he was their most sought-after undrafted rookie, and was compensated as such. He’ll have to earn it, but he’s got a chip on his shoulder after not getting drafted, and is planning to learn all three LB positions and make a significant contribution on special teams. If he does, he’ll make the squad. As for the seventh LB position, I gave the nod to McSurdy initially because he was a draft pick last year. He’ll get a significant challenge from undrafted rookie Taylor “Tank” Reed, though, and whichever of them loses that battle may be a good candidate for the practice squad.
CB (5) – Carr, Claiborne, Scandrick, Webb, and Moore: Honestly, this might be the most straight-forward position to pick the players who will make the roster, aside from QB. Carr and Claiborne are your starters, Scandrick is your primary guy in the slot, Webb is a quality draft pick with playmaking ability who can contribute on special teams, and Sterling Moore not only showed up in some games last year, but also has the ability to play both corner and safety. Barring an injury, I don’t see them going in any other direction than this.
S (5) – Church, Allen, Johnson, Wilcox, and McCray: I’m feeling fairly certain that the Cowboys will keep five safeties, but I am not as certain who that fifth safety will be. Church and Allen will initially start with Wilcox and Johnson backing them up. That’s what they have done so far, and I see no reason to think it will change going into camp. This means the fifth safety would be purely a special teams position. On one hand, that seems to work in McCray’s favor, as he has been the Cowboys’ special teams captain and leading special teams tackler in the past. On the other hand, though, the Cowboys have to be thinking towards the future as well, and the fact is that McCray is counting $1.3 against the cap and will be an unrestricted free agent next season. Undrafted rookie Jakar Hamilton, on the other hand, is signed for just under $1.5 mil…over the next three years. He has shown up quite well so far, not only athletically, but with a nose for the ball. He can serve on special teams as well, both as a gunner and as a return man, so there’s a lot to consider with him. At this point, I’ll give the nod to McCray because of his experience…but it’s a very slight nod, since he’s working with a new Special Teams Coordinator. If McCray is the fifth safety, Hamilton is a very likely candidate for the practice squad. But McCray better not get injured, as I think Hamilton will eat his lunch and take his position if given the chance. And Hamilton might do it anyway if he picks things up quickly enough, as he appears to be a bit of a playmaker thus far. If they are rated anywhere near equal at the end of camp, I think Hamilton gets the spot.
ST (3) – Jones, Bailey, and Ladouceur: Re-signing Ladouceur was incredibly important, in my opinion, especially with both the punter and kicker being young guys entering their second seasons in the league. He is, by far, the best guy at this position for the Cowboys since Dale Hellestrae…and that’s not a name I invoke lightly. From all reports, both Jones and Bailey look like they’re ready for the season to start tomorrow. Jones shows no effects from last year’s injury, and Bailey has been booming 50-yard FGs with regularity. This trio might be as solid as any in the league.
So there you have it. The next step in “the process” is training camp, and I, for one, can hardly wait.
Cheers!
