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SLIDE SHOW – CHARGERS vs COWBOYS
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/pt/slideshows/2009/12/pho_cowboyschargers_121309/

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Cowboys for Shanahan?

• Shanahan wants either the chance to draft a new franchise QB, or a successful QB already in place. Enter Tony Romo.
• It’s been said that Shanahan prefers to have a lot of control over roster-building, and Jerry Jones himself acts as the GM; if Jones does a good enough sell job on Shanahan to have him come coach, one would think that the two men would come to some sort of working compromise with on personnel calls, too.
• If the Garrett and Phillips firings both go through, there would be an opening for Mike’s son Kyle to join him in Big D. At least the moving trucks wouldn’t have to go too far, Kyle’s currently with the Houston Texans.

While every coach needs to win to keep his job, it appears that Wade Phillips is in more danger than others because of the Dallas Cowboys‘ legendary tendency to crumble in December, which has not been abated by this season’s results. But Phillips isn’t the only person responsible for the annual collapse, and Tim Cowlishaw of the Dallas Morning News reminds us of that fact in his column on Tuesday, paying special attention to the strange order in which owner Jerry Jones hired offensive coordinator Jason Garrett and then Phillips.

“Considering that Jones created this odd match by hiring Garrett before Phillips, it’s no surprise that in order to fix things, the Cowboys’ owner-general manager-3D promoter is going to have to start from scratch.”

So, if both of these firings do take place, Jones will have his pick of the litter when it comes to free agent coaches. While Jones is very hands-on, this is the most high-profile opening — with the best base of talent — this upcoming offseason. Some speculation has already put Mike Shanahan in Wade Phillips’ soon-to-be-vacated spot, take a look to the box above to see an update as to why.

Of course, timing may be an issue with the Shanahan hiring. NFL Insider Adam Schefter emailed in to comment on how Jerry Jones might miss out on Shanny if he dilly-dallies:

Adam Schefter

Shanahan may be hired quickly

“Last year there was a question about whether the Cowboys would bring back Wade Phillips or pursue Mike Shanahan. They brought back Phillips. This year they’ve stood firmly behind Phillips once again, and haven’t given any indications of being interested in a coach such as Shanahan. Maybe they will make a move with Phillips for Shanahan. But by the time they do it, they could be late to the party. Shanahan will be this off-season’s most in-demand head coach this and I expect that he will be one of the first coaches taken off the market, and chances are, it happens shortly after this season ends. By that time, Jones might not have made a final decision on Phillips.”

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Chargers-Cowboys one-liners

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Just CHILL: Kicking contest is massive fail

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Dallas Cowboys need a new coach, and it shouldn’t be Jason Garrett

01:27 PM CST on Tuesday, December 15, 2009

The holiday season is upon us. The hunting season – as in for a head coach – is soon to follow.

We know this from the fact that the Cowboys, not long ago an 8-3 team, are stalled on their quest for 10 victories at 8-5. With the Saints and Redskins up next, 2010 will arrive before that 10th victory gets here, if it ever does.

We know this, too, from the history of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.

Although the head coach he fired lasted 28 seasons in Dallas, no one stays for four years unless they win Super Bowls (Jimmy Johnson, Barry Switzer) or have earned extra credit for Super Bowls prior to coming here (Bill Parcells).

Nearing the end of his third season, Wade Phillips has proven that he belongs in the Chan Gailey-Dave Campo group, not the Super Bowl cluster.

Losses to the Giants and Chargers have put the playoffs in doubt for Dallas. If the Cowboys get there, it’s likely to be as the 6th seed, so let’s not exhaust any more time talking Super Bowls.

If you had asked me earlier this season – and you didn’t, but I told you anyway – I would have said that Jason Garrett was next in line as Cowboys head coach. I don’t think that can happen any more.

I don’t think it should happen, either, although it’s not entirely Garrett’s fault that more sweeping changes are needed.

The Cowboys are proving themselves to be a flawed team on both sides of the ball. Just getting rid of Phillips in order to raise Garrett’s status to match his $3 million salary makes about as much sense as watching Nick Folk miss field goals on a weekly basis and deciding that the problem is the holder.

And the Cowboys already tried that, with costly results in a 3-point loss to San Diego.

The Cowboys’ offense is a mess.

You wouldn’t know it from their yardage numbers. In total offense, only New Orleans and New England have joined Dallas in the 5,000 yards gained club.

Pretty impressive.

Until the Cowboys get near a goal line.

When a team ranks third in total offense and 13th in scoring (8th in the NFC), it can mean a number of things.

“Time to make the offensive coordinator the head coach” doesn’t come quickly to mind.

There is no easier second guess in sports than offensive play calling in football. Having said that, don’t the Cowboys make the wrong call at the wrong time just a little too often in 2009?

Don’t their attempts to challenge Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey or three straight Marion Barber dives over right guard near the goal line make failure too easy an option?

A year ago we were hearing about Tony Romo and Jason Witten drawing up their own plays. Now we never see Witten used around the end zone.

There are a dozen NFL tight ends with at least five touchdown catches this season. Some are in Witten’s league (Colts’ Dallas Clark, Chargers’ Antonio Gates). Some are not (Bears’ Greg Olsen, Redskins’ Fred Davis).

Regardless, Witten has one touchdown catch.

It was a popular refrain Sunday night to suggest Norv Turner’s offense had won the battle against Phillips’ defense. A 20-17 win in a game that was 10-10 in the fourth quarter when DeMarcus Ware was injured is hardly a case of San Diego’s offense schooling the Cowboys’ defense.

But getting back to the point of Garrett not being totally at fault for the Cowboys’ failed scoring attempts, Phillips’ defense almost never makes it easy for the offense. The Cowboys aren’t the sack monsters they were a year ago.

The defense has created 16 turnovers in 13 games. Most of the good offenses in this league work with a short field far more often than Dallas.

Considering that Jones created this odd match by hiring Garrett before Phillips, it’s no surprise that in order to fix things, the Cowboys’ owner-general manager-3D promoter is going to have to start from scratch.

Again.

We see this process far more often around here than success in December which should tell us all something – Jones included.

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Owner must let Dallas Cowboys’ next head coach run the show

11:04 PM CST on Tuesday, December 15, 2009

If the Dallas Cowboys end this season just like the last 12 seasons have ended, then it’s time for Jerry Jones to admit his way isn’t working.

Then he must make some changes.

He can start by firing the head coach and giving the new coach the same amount of control he gave Bill Parcells.

It’s the only way this franchise can return to the glory days, because as long as Jerry remains the face of the franchise, the coach will never have the autonomy he needs to succeed.

Jerry had the right idea when he hired Parcells and essentially let him run the franchise. That’s how Jerry ended up with a 13-3 record and the No.1 seed in the NFC, even though Wade Phillips coached the team.

The problem isn’t that Parcells left, it’s that Jerry let all of the infrastructure leave with him.

This team needs leadership and discipline and accountability. The only way it can get it is for Jerry to move back into the shadows and let someone else be the face of the franchise.

To do so, Jerry must humble himself and accept the truth. No other good owner would let a GM, who hasn’t won a playoff game in 13 seasons, survive.

There’s no question Jerry wants to win. But does he want it badly enough to change his ways?

We’re about to find out.

Q: This defense has leaks. It has had them all season. They don’t get to the quarterback and they don’t force turnovers. Thoughts?

Vijay Menon

TAYLOR:The defense, like this team, is good – not great. The Cowboys held San Diego, one of the league’s most explosive offenses to its lowest point total of the season. The Chargers failed to score 21 points for the first time in 16 regular-season games. But the Cowboys generated only one sack and one turnover. This defense needs more playmakers. DeMarcus Ware and Mike Jenkins are playmakers and Anthony Spencer has that potential. They need more of them.

Q: I’m dumbfounded that I didn’t see anyone question why Phillips wasn’t fired immediately after the game for not giving his team even a chance to win. How could he not have gone for the field goal when there were about 27 seconds left? At least there would be a chance for a miracle finish.

Philip D. Korenman, Dallas

TAYLOR: First, that’s not realistic. Jerry Jones has never fired a coach during the season, so it’s pretty clear he’s not going to fire Phillips after a three-point loss. The point of an interview is to get an answer, not to antagonize a coach or owner, though that happens from time to time. Your point, however, is correct. The Cowboys should have either thrown into the end zone for a potential touchdown or kicked the field goal. Throwing an underneath route left them with two seconds and no chance for a miracle.

Q: This running back rotation is brutal. There doesn’t appear to be much method to the madness. Thoughts?

Greg Gillespie, Canada

TAYLOR:I wouldn’t necessarily agree with that. There is a method to the madness. Marion Barber is the starter, Felix Jones is the change-of-pace runner and Tashard Choice is the third-down back and the Wildcat quarterback. They all have roles. I think the bigger issue is that none of them ever really gets enough opportunities to find a rhythm for the game or the defense or the offensive line. Bottom line: They’re all pretty good, but none is great. The same goes for the offensive linemen. This is a pretty good team that struggles to beat the better teams in the league.

Q: I think a lot of the blame needs to go to our “beloved” owner/GM. His constant undercutting of the coaches authority has allowed the situation to come to this. Wade does not have the authority to bench underperforming yet expensive players, because Jerry wants to see his investments out on the field.

Until Jerry realizes this and gives his head coach some authority on personnel matters, I do not believe that things will change. Also, the head coach should be in charge of all aspects of the coaching staff, but the way I understand things, Wade has zero input on the offensive side of things.

John Fortier, Katy, Texas

TAYLOR: Let me say this for the last time: Jerry isn’t changing. Never. Ever. Deal with it. He has had success in his business life with this approach, and he’s won three Super Bowls – in his mind – with this approach. He is the GM and he believes that gives him the right to make certain decisions. He yielded control of the team, the personnel and the coaching staff with Bill Parcells, and he received the same number of playoff wins when he was front and center – none.

Q: Bradie James and Anthony Spencer are neither explosive enough nor good enough for the team to be in a 3-4 defense. You need stud linebackers to run a 3-4 at a championship level. Until, these two are replaced, the defense will continue to struggle.

Tom Callan

TAYLOR: I think you’re wrong. Neither is a great player, but they’re both good players, and Spencer might be really good next year. If you’re picking problems with this team, both of those guys are pretty far down the list.

Q:Who do you think is the best fit as our next head coach? Bill Cowher, Mike Holmgren or Brian Billick also appears to be an unrealistic choice. What about Billick? His Ravens team always played a physical and yet more disciplined style than we play. He won’t tolerate sloppy play, and in-season trips to Cabo or Vegas and his defense was a 3-4. I think he is a good fit, better than Mike Shanahan.

William R. Derasmo, Washington, D.C.

TAYLOR: I’m still trying to figure it out. I’m not really interested in a retread coach such as Mike Shanahan or Mike Holmgren. I’d try to be more original. Baltimore took an original route and it has worked out pretty well for them. But you have to get someone who can work with Jerry, so that rules out a guy like Bill Cowher, who wants total control of the organization.

I would give serious consideration to two guys – neither of whom has been a head coach – Mike Zimmer and Todd Bowles. Jerry has worked with both. They each have experience in the 3-4, each is a disciplinarian, but each earns the respect and loyalty from their players.

Q: These Cowboys have no energy. They have no sense of urgency. It makes me want to get them in a room and ask them what the heck is going on. Thoughts?

Ken Malone

TAYLOR: That’s a cop-out to me. Sometimes, it is about urgency or effort, but that hasn’t been the case the last two weeks. It’s not about urgency or effort. The Cowboys play hard and try hard, but they simply haven’t gotten it done this time of the month.

It’s about learning how to deal with adversity and handle the pressure. It’s about paying attention to detail. This team makes mistakes at critical times. Until that stops, the Cowboys will always struggle this time of year.

Q: How much better would this offense be with Dan Reeves tweaking it? How can anyone hold Wade responsible when his defense has been great most of the season, and he was not allowed to hire his own experienced offensive coordinator?

Bill Smith

TAYLOR: I don’t know. If Reeves was that much of an offensive genius, he’d have a job in the league somewhere. Right? I think he might be able to help, but I don’t think it’s a no-brainer. I can blame Wade for his leadership. To me, he’s not a leader of men. He allows too many excuses. Wade knew the deal when he took the job. He can’t complain about the circumstances now. It’s too late.

Q:Roy Williams complains of pass interference after every incompletion. Nick Folk blames the holder for misses. Wade blames the media for his December coaching record. As the season goes on, it seems this blame game is getting worse. What gives? Pressure?

Trent in Olathe, KS

TAYLOR: They take their cue from the head coach. He allows them to provide excuses. He doesn’t make them accountable. That’s why he can’t get the respect he covets so much.

Q: Given the preseason hype about improved leadership skills from Tony Romo with T.O. gone and given the improved performance of his play in December, are we stuck with a player such as George Gervin of the NBA, who will have great stats and wind up with no championships in Dallas?

Rick Hayes, Atlanta

TAYLOR: It’s too early to say. I wouldn’t say Tony Romo has been at the center of why the Cowboys are 0-2 this month. He played well against the Giants and he was pretty good against the Chargers. It really is a team thing. The Cowboys make just enough mistakes to lose.

Q: I’d hire Mike Shanahan or Bill Cowher and then hire Dom Capers as the defensive coordinator. Look at what Capers has done in Green Bay in one year.

Prentice Freeman

TAYLOR: What makes you think the Packers would let him go. He’s done a good job. Besides, Phillips didn’t have the courage to hire him last year. Capers wanted to work with Phillips, but Brian Stewart wasn’t secure enough to have him around, so he asked Wade not to hire him. The head coach acquiesced, and Capers wound up in Green Bay, while Wade fired Stewart at the end of the season.