Two Interesting Quotes from Jerry on Linehan/QB Situation

[SultanOfSix]

This is what has always worried me about Garrett. I think he is a good coach when it comes to developing players, but we have yet to see if he can develop the most important position of them all. And it doesn't make a difference if you're the greatest player development coach of all time, if you can't develop the QB position you're screwed.
YR

This last statement doesn't really make any sense to me. He was a QB coach so he's supposed to develop the QB. That was his job. If he can't do the latter, how can he be accredited with developing other players under his watch?

 

[Yakuza Rich]

I have seen nothing from Garrett that shows he is good at developing players. When he was the OC here he was slow to incorporate young players into the offense. Most rotted on the bench until injury happened. Williams is the only guy I can think of that was incorporated right away.

Felix Jones, Demarco Murray, Beasley, all TE's drafted high under his watch, ect....ect.....

I can understand that to a degree. But, I have to blame the HC in that situation because I believe that is what the HC is responsible for. They are the ones that set up practice, discipline players, decide who starts and who sits, etc.

Secondly, I think Murray developed into a real talent. Getting the franchise's single season record for rushing. Beasley was a UDFA that I think is a valuable player, but when you don't have a deep threat and lousy QB's, he's just not going to be productive.

I think under Garrett we saw quality development of Murray, Dunbar, Dez, Williams (not great, but not bad), Beasley, Hanna (good blocking TE), Dwayne Harris, Tyron, Leary, Frederick, Martin, T. Crawford and Lee. And that doesn't include players that are young that look promising, but we don't know how they will turn out like Lawrence, B. Jones, Hitchens, Whitehead, etc.

When Wade was fired, this team was a mess on both sides of the ball. If Garrett were to be fired, I think this team is in FAR better shape than it was after Wade was fired.

To me, the problem isn't player development or talent (outside of backup QB). We have greater issues schematically where Garrett is too consumed with making things plain in order to have the 'next man up.' That works great at Alabama where Saban can have far superior talent due to recruiting budgets and location. In the NFL, it's a different story. Of course, schematically....Wade is one of the very best on defense...he is just terrible when it comes to developing talent. I'd rather take the former, but it still doesn't mean you're automatically building a successful organization.







YR

 

[Yakuza Rich]

This last statement doesn't really make any sense to me. He was a QB coach so he's supposed to develop the QB. That was his job. If he can't do the latter, how can he be accredited with developing other players under his watch?

He's the HC.

He's responsible for how practices are run, how players are disciplined, etc.

It's critical in terms of player development.






YR

 

[SultanOfSix]

He's the HC.

He's responsible for how practices are run, how players are disciplined, etc.

It's critical in terms of player development.






YR

I thought the position coaches are responsible for developing their players, not the head coach. If Garrett gets any credit for developing players, it should be indirectly via hiring the appropriate position coaches to do so.

 

[demirji22]

Callahan called the plays last season, then he moved on to win the East this year with the Commanders 2015 OLine looking dominant and the Dallas OLine flailing compared to 2014.

Linehan called plays last year not callahan.
Callahan got demoted to just OL coach last year and is one of the reasons he is no longer with us this year.
You need to get your facts right if you have an agenda and are trying to prove something.

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

Linehan called plays last year not callahan.
Callahan got demoted to just OL coach last year and is one of the reasons he is no longer with us this year.
You need to get your facts right if you have an agenda and are trying to prove something.

Callahan helped call plays, he is a better Coach and Playcaller than Leinhan and Redballs x 10. Look at the improvement in Washington, they won the NFC East last week, and the History of the Coaches.

 

[CowboyRoy]

I can understand that to a degree. But, I have to blame the HC in that situation because I believe that is what the HC is responsible for. They are the ones that set up practice, discipline players, decide who starts and who sits, etc.

Secondly, I think Murray developed into a real talent. Getting the franchise's single season record for rushing. Beasley was a UDFA that I think is a valuable player, but when you don't have a deep threat and lousy QB's, he's just not going to be productive.

I think under Garrett we saw quality development of Murray, Dunbar, Dez, Williams (not great, but not bad), Beasley, Hanna (good blocking TE), Dwayne Harris, Tyron, Leary, Frederick, Martin, T. Crawford and Lee. And that doesn't include players that are young that look promising, but we don't know how they will turn out like Lawrence, B. Jones, Hitchens, Whitehead, etc.

When Wade was fired, this team was a mess on both sides of the ball. If Garrett were to be fired, I think this team is in FAR better shape than it was after Wade was fired.

To me, the problem isn't player development or talent (outside of backup QB). We have greater issues schematically where Garrett is too consumed with making things plain in order to have the 'next man up.' That works great at Alabama where Saban can have far superior talent due to recruiting budgets and location. In the NFL, it's a different story. Of course, schematically....Wade is one of the very best on defense...he is just terrible when it comes to developing talent. I'd rather take the former, but it still doesn't mean you're automatically building a successful organization.







YR

Well, I would like to refute a few things:

-Murray didnt even get to play until injuries to both first and 2nd string players got hurt his rookie year. Played sparingly. And one of those guys was Teshard Choice. And then I can certainly argue that Murray was used horribly his first 3 years when the run game was all but abandoned. It wasnt until Linehan came in last year and he was given the rock 30 times a game that we finally saw what Murray could really do. In my opinion, he was horribly managed and wasted here in Dallas.

Dez is Dez so Im not sure you are going to see him not develop anywhere. But I will definitely argue that even here he has been used poorly. Taken out of games by coordinators. They rarely move him around properly to get him open and often go elsewhere no problem.

Beasley rotted on the bench here for years until Linehan came here. And the same with Dunbar. Until Linehan came here the two TE formation was the formation of choice with Garrett. With Linehan we saw 3 WR, 4 WR, and 5 WR formations we rarely saw under Garrett and the 3WR formation became the staple of his offense. Unitl then Beasley was an afterthought.

As far as Olineman and defensive players, I cant give credit to Garrett. You draft them and you play them. Callahan clearly was the main cog there and you cant tell me that Garrett develops defensive players.

Just because someone is a head coach, they dont get blanked credit for all things in my book. And I have seen way too many mistakes from Garrett all over the place to think he has some special skill in developing players. He certainly cant develop QB's.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Callahan helped call plays, he is a better Coach and Playcaller than Leinhan and Redballs x 10. Look at the improvement in Washington, they won the NFC East last week, and the History of the Coaches.

Callahan couldnt wait to get out of Dallas. Clearly he had issues with Garrett. No doubt having to play under a guy that had no clue about the offense or how do be a head coach.

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

Callahan couldnt wait to get out of Dallas. Clearly he had issues with Garrett. No doubt having to play under a guy that had no clue about the offense or how do be a head coach.

Callahan was the Head Coach last year, look at the wall art.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

I thought the position coaches are responsible for developing their players, not the head coach. If Garrett gets any credit for developing players, it should be indirectly via hiring the appropriate position coaches to do so.

The position coaches play a role, but the HC can completely dictate otherwise.

I was told by a famous and former Cowboys player that Wade was poor at developing players because his practices were ran in that fashion. Wade would only give an allotted time for on the field practice. If the team looked lousy on the field, it didn't matter because they were headed in for meetings and film study.

This former player told me that with Garrett it was different because if the team looked lousy on the field, they were going to stay out on the field and get more reps in and work on their technique. Film study and meetings can wait. And as this former player told me, most players hate excessive meetings and film study because they can only hold their attention for so long (and yes, he said that this is something that is a league wide thing, not singling out the Cowboys).

It makes more sense to me because we've seen position coaches around the league that become all of the sudden brilliant position coaches with certain head coaches while they were fired at other places with other coaches due to underwhelming performance at their position. If you can't get reps and drills in because your HC is more concerned with film study than the position coach isn't going to have much of an impact.

And let's not forget the weak fines that Wade would levy on players like Spencer for missing rehab. Stuff like that goes a long way in developing a player. Under Wade, Spencer took him as a joke and never quite lived up to his potential. Under Garrett, Spencer knew that he could be cut and had his two best seasons of his career.





YR

 

[CowboyRoy]

Callahan was the Head Coach last year, look at the wall art.

Take away Callahan, Murray, Romo and Garrett was completely exposed.

 

[CowboyRoy]

The position coaches play a role, but the HC can completely dictate otherwise.

I was told by a famous and former Cowboys player that Wade was poor at developing players because his practices were ran in that fashion. Wade would only give an allotted time for on the field practice. If the team looked lousy on the field, it didn't matter because they were headed in for meetings and film study.

This former player told me that with Garrett it was different because if the team looked lousy on the field, they were going to stay out on the field and get more reps in and work on their technique. Film study and meetings can wait. And as this former player told me, most players hate excessive meetings and film study because they can only hold their attention for so long (and yes, he said that this is something that is a league wide thing, not singling out the Cowboys).

It makes more sense to me because we've seen position coaches around the league that become all of the sudden brilliant position coaches with certain head coaches while they were fired at other places with other coaches due to underwhelming performance at their position. If you can't get reps and drills in because your HC is more concerned with film study than the position coach isn't going to have much of an impact.

And let's not forget the weak fines that Wade would levy on players like Spencer for missing rehab. Stuff like that goes a long way in developing a player. Under Wade, Spencer took him as a joke and never quite lived up to his potential. Under Garrett, Spencer knew that he could be cut and had his two best seasons of his career.




YR

Cmon man. The head coach doesnt do the hands on development. He simply doesnt. Garrett doesnt even pick the players here. Garrett doesnt even call the game day play calling anymore.

Under Garrett Spencer developed? Are you joking?

Garrett has nothing to do with the defense. You really are grasping at straws.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Well, I would like to refute a few things:

-Murray didnt even get to play until injuries to both first and 2nd string players got hurt his rookie year. Played sparingly. And one of those guys was Teshard Choice. And then I can certainly argue that Murray was used horribly his first 3 years when the run game was all but abandoned. It wasnt until Linehan came in last year and he was given the rock 30 times a game that we finally saw what Murray could really do. In my opinion, he was horribly managed and wasted here in Dallas.

Murray was injured and that's why he didn't get to play right away in his rookie year. Choice was a symbol of the Wade era...a player that didn't 'get it' and wasn't going to get it under Wade. You won't get me arguing about not running the ball enough with Murray before last season (and even then we still mismanaged him last season). But as far as developing as a player, Murray did develop into a fine running back. He was a straight line runner that wasn't much of a blocker and didn't cut all that well and turned into a RB with a good cut move, great at getting small and finding the crease and developed a stutter step while turning into a good blocker and a pretty good receiver.

That's player development.

Dez is Dez so Im not sure you are going to see him not develop anywhere. But I will definitely argue that even here he has been used poorly. Taken out of games by coordinators. They rarely move him around properly to get him open and often go elsewhere no problem.

I'm not arguing about how a player is being used. I'm talking about development....as in the development of their skillsets and football intelligence. Dez is a much better route runner today. MUCH better. He understands option routes far better and his run blocking has improved immensely.

Beasley rotted on the bench here for years until Linehan came here.

Beasley was relegated to the bench for his rookie year and started playing right away in his 2nd year, the year prior to Linehan coming here. He was a player that had to get a lot stronger and learn how to run block as well as play a different position than the slot all of the time. All of them he has done. Now he just needs to keep him and his wife away from Twitter.

And the same with Dunbar.

Dunbar was a UDFA. They started to play him in his 2nd season and then he got injured. In his 3rd season (last year), they should have played him more, but between DeMarco's performance and Randle (who was averaging 6 ypc) and Dunbar coming off the knee injury, I'm sure they were a little averse to playing him.

And still, he has developed quite well. He was a player that couldn't pass pro and wasn't all that competent at catching the ball. Now he's a player that can give a team 3-5 carries a game, pass pro so you're not tipping off the play and a very dangerous receiver out of the backfield.

As far as Olineman and defensive players, I cant give credit to Garrett. You draft them and you play them. Callahan clearly was the main cog there and you cant tell me that Garrett develops defensive players.

It's not as easy as you make it out to be. Tons of teams draft O-Linemen in the first round only to see them bust. And again...the HC is the one that dictates how the practices are ran, how discipline is doled out, etc. It's absolutely vital to player development.

That's why I think the GM position is the most overrated position in the NFL. Jerry didn't become a drafting genius overnight. He didn't become a drafting genius during the Parcells era and then have a relapse during the Wade era. It's HC's like Parcells and Garrett that know how to develop players and HC's like Wade that don't know how to develop players.








YR

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Cmon man. The head coach doesnt do the hands on development. He simply doesnt. Garrett doesnt even pick the players here. Garrett doesnt even call the game day play calling anymore.

Under Garrett Spencer developed? Are you joking?

Garrett has nothing to do with the defense. You really are grasping at straws.

So, you mean to tell me that we became one of the best drafting teams because Jerry just became brilliant all of the sudden?

Why did our drafts become crap under Wade? Why were they good under Parcells?


You don't think Belichick plays a role in developing his offensive talent?

Ludicrous.







YR

 

[CowboyRoy]

Murray was injured and that's why he didn't get to play right away in his rookie year. Choice was a symbol of the Wade era...a player that didn't 'get it' and wasn't going to get it under Wade. You won't get me arguing about not running the ball enough with Murray before last season (and even then we still mismanaged him last season). But as far as developing as a player, Murray did develop into a fine running back. He was a straight line runner that wasn't much of a blocker and didn't cut all that well and turned into a RB with a good cut move, great at getting small and finding the crease and developed a stutter step while turning into a good blocker and a pretty good receiver.

That's player development.




I'm not arguing about how a player is being used. I'm talking about development....as in the development of their skillsets and football intelligence. Dez is a much better route runner today. MUCH better. He understands option routes far better and his run blocking has improved immensely.




Beasley was relegated to the bench for his rookie year and started playing right away in his 2nd year, the year prior to Linehan coming here. He was a player that had to get a lot stronger and learn how to run block as well as play a different position than the slot all of the time. All of them he has done. Now he just needs to keep him and his wife away from Twitter.




Dunbar was a UDFA. They started to play him in his 2nd season and then he got injured. In his 3rd season (last year), they should have played him more, but between DeMarco's performance and Randle (who was averaging 6 ypc) and Dunbar coming off the knee injury, I'm sure they were a little averse to playing him.

And still, he has developed quite well. He was a player that couldn't pass pro and wasn't all that competent at catching the ball. Now he's a player that can give a team 3-5 carries a game, pass pro so you're not tipping off the play and a very dangerous receiver out of the backfield.




It's not as easy as you make it out to be. Tons of teams draft O-Linemen in the first round only to see them bust. And again...the HC is the one that dictates how the practices are ran, how discipline is doled out, etc. It's absolutely vital to player development.

That's why I think the GM position is the most overrated position in the NFL. Jerry didn't become a drafting genius overnight. He didn't become a drafting genius during the Parcells era and then have a relapse during the Wade era. It's HC's like Parcells and Garrett that know how to develop players and HC's like Wade that don't know how to develop players.








YR

Murray wasnt injured. Even after his 160 yards day his first big game Garrett started Choice the next game. Murray was horribly used here and that is 100% a part of development.

So every good player was properly developed by the head coach? Most players make it because they have the talent and desire within. Beasley was ready to quit under Garrett.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Murray was injured and that's why he didn't get to play right away in his rookie year. Choice was a symbol of the Wade era...a player that didn't 'get it' and wasn't going to get it under Wade. You won't get me arguing about not running the ball enough with Murray before last season (and even then we still mismanaged him last season). But as far as developing as a player, Murray did develop into a fine running back. He was a straight line runner that wasn't much of a blocker and didn't cut all that well and turned into a RB with a good cut move, great at getting small and finding the crease and developed a stutter step while turning into a good blocker and a pretty good receiver.

That's player development.




I'm not arguing about how a player is being used. I'm talking about development....as in the development of their skillsets and football intelligence. Dez is a much better route runner today. MUCH better. He understands option routes far better and his run blocking has improved immensely.




Beasley was relegated to the bench for his rookie year and started playing right away in his 2nd year, the year prior to Linehan coming here. He was a player that had to get a lot stronger and learn how to run block as well as play a different position than the slot all of the time. All of them he has done. Now he just needs to keep him and his wife away from Twitter.




Dunbar was a UDFA. They started to play him in his 2nd season and then he got injured. In his 3rd season (last year), they should have played him more, but between DeMarco's performance and Randle (who was averaging 6 ypc) and Dunbar coming off the knee injury, I'm sure they were a little averse to playing him.

And still, he has developed quite well. He was a player that couldn't pass pro and wasn't all that competent at catching the ball. Now he's a player that can give a team 3-5 carries a game, pass pro so you're not tipping off the play and a very dangerous receiver out of the backfield.




It's not as easy as you make it out to be. Tons of teams draft O-Linemen in the first round only to see them bust. And again...the HC is the one that dictates how the practices are ran, how discipline is doled out, etc. It's absolutely vital to player development.

That's why I think the GM position is the most overrated position in the NFL. Jerry didn't become a drafting genius overnight. He didn't become a drafting genius during the Parcells era and then have a relapse during the Wade era. It's HC's like Parcells and Garrett that know how to develop players and HC's like Wade that don't know how to develop players.








YR

And no the head coach does not dictate how the defense practices and the drills. And its the Oline coach that teaches the players on the field and does his drills. The head coach does not tell the Oline coach what drills to run. And he definitely does not pick the players on draft day or scout them which is wildly more important than anything else.

And in case you didnt notice without Romo we had enough talent to win 1 game this year. 1 game.

 

[Sasquatch]

I can understand that to a degree. But, I have to blame the HC in that situation because I believe that is what the HC is responsible for. They are the ones that set up practice, discipline players, decide who starts and who sits, etc.

Secondly, I think Murray developed into a real talent. Getting the franchise's single season record for rushing. Beasley was a UDFA that I think is a valuable player, but when you don't have a deep threat and lousy QB's, he's just not going to be productive.

I think under Garrett we saw quality development of Murray, Dunbar, Dez, Williams (not great, but not bad), Beasley, Hanna (good blocking TE), Dwayne Harris, Tyron, Leary, Frederick, Martin, T. Crawford and Lee. And that doesn't include players that are young that look promising, but we don't know how they will turn out like Lawrence, B. Jones, Hitchens, Whitehead, etc.

When Wade was fired, this team was a mess on both sides of the ball. If Garrett were to be fired, I think this team is in FAR better shape than it was after Wade was fired.

To me, the problem isn't player development or talent (outside of backup QB). We have greater issues schematically where Garrett is too consumed with making things plain in order to have the 'next man up.' That works great at Alabama where Saban can have far superior talent due to recruiting budgets and location. In the NFL, it's a different story. Of course, schematically....Wade is one of the very best on defense...he is just terrible when it comes to developing talent. I'd rather take the former, but it still doesn't mean you're automatically building a successful organization.







YR

I agree and will add that the "next man up" approach followed here seems to require players with similar skill sets to function effectively. Weeden is nothing like Romo, Randle different from Murray, and Williams can't snatch balls over defenders in the end zone. Personnel needs to take this into account when acquiring players and assembling a roster.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

And no the head coach does not dictate how the defense practices and the drills. And its the Oline coach that teaches the players on the field and does his drills. The head coach does not tell the Oline coach what drills to run.

This could not be more false.





YR

 

[CowboyRoy]

So, you mean to tell me that we became one of the best drafting teams because Jerry just became brilliant all of the sudden?

Why did our drafts become crap under Wade? Why were they good under Parcells?


You don't think Belichick plays a role in developing his offensive talent?

Ludicrous.







YR

When did they become one of the best drafting teams? LOL I hated the way Parcells drafted. Over the years, they have made some good picks like any moron could make given enough draft picks. Its quite clear this team has been Romo and Romo only. Still a huge void of playmakers on defense. We still dont have a pass rush. The only thing that I can say has dramatically improved is the Oline and that is because we used 3 first rounders there.

Now I will say that the drafting has appeared to have gotten better the last 3 years. No doubt this is attributed to McClay and his efforts. But by no means have we been hitting it out of the park. And they didnt get a RB this year which was a huge mistake. And they continue to fumble the ball on a replacement for Romo or backup QB. Which all but wasted this year on those two short comings.

Now if your going to tell me that Garrett brought in McClay and set that all up, then Ill high five him. But we all know that isnt the case and we certainly know Garrett doesnt pick the players here in Dallas or fill the roster. He simply doesnt.

The Garrett supporters always seem to suffer from beaten down, lower standards. As if minimal improvements in certain areas or a few good players here and there are good enough here in Dallas. Garrett is 500 here in Dallas over 5 years. I dont see the progress, sorry. And its going to get much worse when Romo cant play.

 

[Risen Star]

Because it doesn't fit your agenda.

1. Callahan didn't call the plays here last year.

2. The Commanders offensive line didn't dominate.

3. The Cowboys offensive line didn't struggle.

Other than that, good at bat. Now back to the dugout.