The Landry Hat » Joe Avezzano

Joe Avezzano: So Long, Goodbye

Tonni Shook — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 12:00:10 +0000

When I first read about Joe Avezzano’s death on April 5, 2012, I didn’t think a lot about it. I didn’t even know who he was, truth be told. As I began to read countless stories about his life, it got me to thinking that he needed a proper tribute here at the Landry Hat. So forgive me for being two weeks late with what many of you already knew about this legend.

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Coach Joe, that’s what everyone called him. As the special teams coach for the Dallas Cowboys, (1990-2002), he was loved by players, fellow coaches, and fans. His ability to make people smile and his power to motivate players made him a most beloved coach. He will be forever missed by those who knew him. (more…)

Centers in the Hands of an Angry God

Mark Lane — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 12:00:44 +0000

As part of Jason Garrett’s new era of accountability football (or just freeing up cap space and avoiding a liability), the Dallas Cowboys parted ways with Pro Bowl center Andre Gurode. Thrust in the starting role like a job applicant on live television, Costa was serviceable until teams starting to exploit his Sonny Liston-like arms and his sluggish reaction time out of his stance. Then defensive tackles started to blow him off the ball. Furthermore, Costa had a problem blocking to his left and to his right as opposed to straight ahead. Although his heart and attitude were admirable, Phil Costa was part of the offensive line’s vulnerability last season.

The immediate reaction is to go out and draft a center. We’ve heard about how the Cowboys should take DeCastro. Then, we heard about how DeCastro might be our center because he snapped the ball for Andrew Luck at Stanford’s pro day. Now we’re hearing that the Cowboys might be interested in Wisconsin center Peter Konz, if they decide to go offensive lineman in the first round at all.Frankly, if we draft DeCastro or Konz, I’ll be pleased because I’ll know Jerry Jones is truly trying to make a “Romo friendly” offense at that point. Those two players along with Tyron Smith would have us set no matter who our skill positions players were.

Will sticking with Phil "Costa" the Cowboys long term?

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Bring Back Joe Avezzano!!!!!

thelandryhat — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 20:08:09 +0000

I wasn’t impressed at all with the Dallas Cowboys special teams this year, Coach Bruce Read. Not one bit. Which brings me to this post: Bring back Joe!

Avezzano is the only three-time winner of the NFL Special Teams Coach of the Year award. His units finished near the top of league in all four major kicking game categories–punt return average, kickoff return average, punt coverage and kickoff coverage–while having a penchant for making big plays. They blocked 23 kicks and returned 18 punts and kickoffs for touchdowns. Sure, having PrimeTime helped, but Coach Joe was energetic and motivated the special teams to perform. I loved his spark.

If Jerry Jones really is going to make “major changes” then this could be added to the pot. He isn’t coaching right now, and his last job was with Norv Turner in Oakland in 2005. I think he would be a great addition to the coaching staff.