Dallas Cowboys Jason Garrett’s Role To Be Diminished

No doubt this has been a tumultuous year for Head Coach Jason Garrett and the Dallas Cowboys.  There has been a lot of discussion this year about Garrett’s offensive play calling responsibilities and whether that has affected his focus on the big picture and whether that even has him at the top of his game as a play caller, with everything else he is required to do.

Nov 22, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett prior to the game against the Washington Redskins during a game on Thanksgiving at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

We have all certainly wondered about that when we see the use of the clock botched at the end of games and some of the plays called at particular times as well.  Maybe Garrett has been reluctant to go all no-huddle because with all he has on his mind during the game, he can’t call the plays that quickly.  Many fans have called for the Cowboys to select someone else to call offensive plays during the game.

All of Garrett’s responsibilities, and their effect on him, have not been lost on the Cowboy’s executives.  That is why Jerry and Stephen Jones have decided to take action for the 2013 season.  I have not heard anything about whether Garrett will still be calling offensive plays (some have been more offensive than others) in 2013, but the following changes will be made:

Rowdy will no longer report to Garrett.  In 2013, he will be reporting to Rob Ryan.  Ryan’s recent clownish behavior of stepping onto the field to trash talk with an opposing player, and causing a penalty, convinced Jerry that a clown should report to a clown.

When the soft drink vendor arrives at Valley Ranch to fill the machines, he will no longer check in with Garrett to see what they need.  In 2013, he will check in with Rowdy.  Rowdy drinks a lot of soft drinks (which is why he is so hyper) and is the resident soft drink expert anyway.

The custodial staff (janitors) will no longer report to Garrett.  In 2013, they will report directly to Stephen Jones.  This is no surprise.  After all, when and if it comes time to clean house, Stephen will be in the forefront of that activity.

Facility maintenance technicians will no longer report to Garrett.  In 2013, they will report to the head trainer.  The trainers have been required to do a lot of “fixing” of the players ailments in 2012, so why not the facility too?

All approval for merchandise offered at the Cowboy’s website will no longer go through Garrett.  In 2013 they will be reviewed by Jerry Jones himself.  Why not, is there a better merchandiser in the building?

Approval for the menu of meals offered at Valley Ranch will no longer belong to Garrett.  Former Cowboys lineman Nate Newton will be brought in to handle this task in 2013.  That might not be a good thing, since Newton is now a shell of his former self.  Let’s just hope our linemen are offered enough food to have the energy to get the job done.

Nov 22, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett on the sidelines with offensive coordinator Bill Callahan (left) during the game against the Washington Redskins during a game on Thanksgiving at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The writers for the Cowboy’s website will no longer report to Garrett.  In 2013, they will report to a yet to be named independent editor that will have editorial freedom.  These writers might actually tell it like they see it next year and they might even report a real story before, instead of after, other sports news websites!

After I caught a piece of the Josh Brent story on TV last weekend, I took a look at the Cowboy’s website and all they had to say was that Brent was not on the plane and they didn’t know why!

The last paragraph of this column is absolutely true.  As for the rest of this column, don’t believe everything you read.