The Winds of Change Are Here to Stay In Dallas
How many of you thought that the firing of ex-defensive coordinator Rob Ryan was the biggest change owner and general manager Jerry Jones was going to make? Granted it was a little unexpected, and in my opinion not warranted, but we had to think that Jerry was going to make more of a splash than hiring a 72-year-old Monte Kiffin. Well I’m here to tell you there is a storm brewing in Dallas and a defensive scheme change is going to be a blip on the radar when all is said and done.
What other big changes does Jerry have up his sleeves? Most coaching changes have been made across the league, and those spots that are open are not the most desirable to the coaching eye. To go along with that, free agency and the NFL draft are still a ways off. The Pro Bowl and Super Bowl haven’t even been played for crying out loud. None of these things are going to stop the Joneses from attempting to steal the spotlight. Here’s what I see on the horizon:
Jason Garrett’s days in Dallas are numbered
When I say numbered, I’m saying it’s only a matter of time before he is shown the door and I don’t see him being around much past January. With the hiring of Kiffin and his cronies, the Cowboy’s front office is looking to completely distance themselves from every piece of the Wade Phillips era. Garrett is the obvious piece still left and he is slated to be replaced in time for the new head coach, (can anyone say Jon Gruden?) to be in place in time for the scouting combine.
The fat is still waiting to be trimmed
Oct 28, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys nose tackle Jay Ratliff prior to the game against the New York Giants at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
With the recent arrest of Jay Ratliff you can push his pawn closer to the cut wall. Players like Mike Jenkins and Felix Jones are all but a blur in the rearview mirror. Unless high-priced, under-performing players like Miles Austin and Doug Free rework their contracts to aid in getting the Cowboys under the salary cap you can figure they’re as good as cut. All these things are going to work themselves out real soon and it will surely keep Jerry and Co. in the media spotlight, right where he likes to be.
Tony Romo will be resigned
Finally, as most of you are probably groaning as you read this, Tony Romo will sign himself a contract extension in the near future. Let’s face it folks, if there was a better option out there don’t you think Jerry would have gone after it already. And if you are going to start calling for Kyle Orton to take over, you’re out of you mind. There’s a reason he was signed as a backup and it wasn’t because he was out there turning down starting quarterback jobs. But you can bet if Jerry doesn’t draft Romo’s replacement in this draft, he’ll find the heir apparent in the next two offseasons. Otherwise the Cowboys will be in bad shape in the next five years when Romo loses what luster he has left.
In conclusion, just because the Cowboys aren’t in the playoffs, doesn’t mean they won’t be stirring the news pot with some striking changes. As always, Cowboys fans can just sit back and wait for the firework display to start.