The Landry Hat
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Jason Garrett to blame for the Cowboys’ problems?

By Michael H. Vu

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It’s sweet that owner and general manager Jerry Jones wants some of the blame for the Dallas Cowboys seven-game losing skid.

Who would argue?

Jones did hand-pick Jason Garrett — with no heading coaching experience — to be the organization’s savior. Maybe even, his savior.

This public relations move shouldn’t surprise anyone, nor should it fool anyone either. Jones hired Garrett. Now, according to Todd Archer at ESPN, he’s stepping in to accept some of the blame.

Okay.

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But who is accountable for Dez Bryant‘s drop passes? How about Dan Bailey‘s missed field goal from 48 yards, which ended his season streak of 18 field goals? Who is to blame for another fourth quarter collapse?

Jerry Jones?

Stephen Jones?

No. It’s Jason Garrett.

Don’t even plug-in Tony Romo‘s name into the equation. With or without the starting quarterback, this team was good enough to take two to three games with a backup quarterback.

Garrett apologists will say the Cowboys lost the last four games by a touchdown or less, (18 points total in that span).

The coach consistently heads to the microphone to praise the way his team fights, the way they claw and scratch. After hearing the coach talk you’d think the team had won.

And you know what? That’s the problem: His praise is sending a message to his players that their performance was a winning one.

This is far from the truth, as the record indicates.

It astonishes me that Garrett, a backup quarterback for 13 years in the NFL, didn’t push for a quality backup going into the 2015 season. The Princeton graduate, who played the backup spot and ended his career with a 83.2 quarterback rating, should know the value of drafting, developing, and preparing a quarterback.

Instead, the Cowboys scrambled to find a quarterback off other teams because Brandon Weeden couldn’t produce.

Good teams find ways to win through injuries. Garrett did it once on a Thanksgiving national television setting. Good teams don’t go 0-7. They don’t throw up their hands and point at the starting quarterback in street clothes sporting an arm sling.

This team isn’t good. That fact starts with Jason Garrett whether you like it or not. And if Romo somehow runs the table these final seven games, he will be the one showered in Gatorade — not Garrett.

Random Thoughts:

• If the Cowboys don’t make the playoffs, I think Dallas needs to seriously consider a change at the head coaching spot. Last Sunday marked Garrett’s 81st game as the Cowboys head coach. He passed Jimmy Johnson. He is second behind only Tom Landry.

This historic moment in Cowboys history shows that Garrett hasn’t accomplished much with the time he was given.

• I think the Cowboys should be envious of the Minnesota Vikings. Not only has the team quietly moved to a 7-2 record, but they are producing wins from former Dallas coaches in Mike Zimmer and Norv Turner.

The more Dallas sinks, the more you have to wonder what could have been had the Cowboys jumped with a different captain.

• I love my Twitter family. People send me the funniest, most wittiest stuff. In this instance, @69TossPowerTrap sent a link I couldn’t ignore.

Sean Payton in Dallas?

Next: Cowboys vs. Buccaneers: What Went Right, What Went Wrong

Bill Parcells wanted that all along for the Cowboys when he was the head coach. It’s clear the Cowboys need someone to stand up to the players and most of all, to Jerry Jones. Parcells did it. And he believed Payton would do it. If the Cowboys tank, and Payton is looking for a job, it’s hard not to like the idea.

According to Google Maps, the drive from Mercedes-Benz Superdome to AT&T Stadium is seven hours and 28 minutes (522 miles). That isn’t a long drive for Payton should the Cowboys need him to come in for an interview.

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