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The Cowboys have just signed Judd Garrett as their Assistant Director of Pro Scouting. The Cowboys now have three Garrett’s spread throughout the organization. Jason Garrett leads the way as Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordination, John Garrett as Tight Ends Coach, and now Judd Garrett. Putting Judd in Pro Scouting will spark speculation that this team is being groomed for Garrett in 2009. Everyone can say what they want to be politically correct, but c’mon, if this is not a sign, then I don’t what else is… Plugging in Judd in the Pro Scouting Department is good news for Jason Garrett, he’ll have more say in which type of players he’ll want scouted.

From DMNBlog:

Judd Garrett will be named the Cowboys’ assistant director of pro scouting, according to multiple sources. Judd Garrett is the younger brother of Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett and tight ends coach John Garrett. For the last two seasons, Judd Garrett was the St. Louis Rams’ tight end coach but asked for a leave of absence due to family matters. Judd Garrett’s wife passed away last year.

Judd Garrett replaces Brian Gaine, who left to work as the Miami Dolphins assistant player personnel. (DMN)

The year was 1990, the Cowboys had some of the building blocks coming into place that would later lead to a dynasty in the ’90s. The 1990 team still had some work to do with the receivers, and the depth there. Michael Irvin was the #1 WR, and Kelvin Martin #2, with Dixon and McKinnon in the support roles.

Fast forward to 2008, and we face a similar scenario if the season were to start today. Terrell Owens #1 and Patrick Crayton #2. I really don’t see Glenn staying around, and if he were its just a risk especially down the stretch if he goes down. So I’m going with Owens and Crayton right now. Comparing them to the 1990 team is just about right on. Owens is the Irvin type playmaker, and Crayton is the receiver in the same vein as Kelvin Martin. We then have Sam Hurd and Miles Austin in the support roles. Good players, but still average. its even debateable whether Crayton is a good receiver too. I doubt Austin even makes the team next year. Seriously, he had a bad training camp, he had a sub par preseason, his production on special teams was just a little better than Tyson Thompson, and that’s not saying much.

Do you really want to go into the season with Owens and Crayton? Again, this will be a mirror image of the 1990 team. How did the Cowboys avoid this for the 1991 season, and how do the Cowboys avoid this scenario in 2008?

In 1991, the Cowboys drafted Alvin Harper from Tennessee. Harper was an immediate impact and was a major force in the Cowboys run into the playoffs his rookie year and the years right after. This year, its time, the Cowboys need to add an impact player at WR. The draft is tricky business, but I’m very confident Jason Garrett will have his say early in this draft. We know the draftroom is Phillips and Jones, but rest assured, this draft will have Garrett’s influence somewhere early on. I’m guessing Phillips gets his pick at #22 in a DB and Garrett gets his pick at #28, or visa versa. Garrett is NOT thinking “draft another RB” with a first rounder. Strategy and brains say receiver, receiver, receiver.

Most people have visions of an allstar backfield with Barber and some other first round running back. I’m not inline with this thought process. DB is a guarenteed draft pick, and WR is the other. Keep your eyes on the receivers I suggest in my previous post: Sweed, Kelly, and Hardy for potential first rounders. The Cowboys could add to this by drafting Eddie Royal in another round. He can do special teams, and would be a solid change up slot guy with some speed.

First, let me congratulate the Raiders on their free agent pickup of Javon Walker. I was scared for a little that the Cowboys would try to sign the oft injured receiver. Al Davis continues his very unusual offseason spending spree by giving Walker a 6yr deal for $55 million dollars, before that he opened up the bank to an average Tommy Kelly. If you’re a free agent and just care about money, goto Oakland, what a disaster over there. Supposedly Davis thinks McFadden reminds him of Bo Jackson, so don’t be surprised if he drafts McFadden.

With Walker off the market, that leaves the rest of the free agent market filled with very average #2 and #3 receivers. This just about seals the deal on us taking a receiver early, as in the 1st round or very soon after. We knew this time would come, and this year we need to add a good receiver with a good pedigree. There are some promising receivers this year, and the good ones will be gone by the 2nd round. I do have a few prospects we should consider:

Limas Sweed - Texas

Malcolm Kelly - Oklahoma

James Hardy - Indiana

Eddie Royal - Virginia Tech

DeSean Jackson - California

Jordy Nelson - Kansas State

These are just a few of the top players we could utilize in our offensive attack. I think Garrett will want to get his #2 guy, he didn’t get to use Glenn this year, but I think Garrett will want to draft an Alvin Harper type player to team up with Terrell Owens. Sweed and Kelly fit this mold the closest, and Hardy is there in that mix too. If Garrett wants to go with a speedier slot type guy, he’ll probably be looking at DeSean Jackson, and Eddie Royal, similar in size to Kevin Williams from back in the 1993. Garrett knows how to utilize these two type of receivers in our system, I expect some of these guys to be high on our list.

With the Cowboys early bounce from the playoffs, the Cowboys have spent zero time moping around, instead, the Cowboys have been very busy, and as always staying in the news because everyone wants to be a Cowboy at heart…

With Jason Garrett deciding to stay in Dallas, the Cowboys will be plenty ready for another go in 2008, and if anything, this team can only get better. Another year in the Phillips 34 and the Garrett High Octane attack, the sky is the limit. We’re young, and we’re on our way up, we have not peaked.

Jerry Jones, and the rest of the Cowboys Braintrust are in Mobile, Alabama attending this year’s Senior Bowl. The first topic of interest is the re-signing of Marion Barber III. Barber is part of the Quadruplets, he demands the best in his fans, and he fills seats. Jerry knows that Barber is explosive and a main component in this years success, and will be a staple on offense. Barber will be re-signed soon. Jerry has talked with Drew Rosenhaus and the deal will get done soon.

Trade Rumors are always part of the offseason, often these rumors are just that - rumors; however, this does help the average die hard bide their time with interesting rumor topics galore on their favorite blogs and message boards.

The latest rumor has Jerry shopping Marcus Spears and Bobby Carpenter. Trading Spears is good for the team. Its time to get Hatcher in there next to fellow playmaker Jay Ratliff, these two guys on the D-line will be very disruptive. Spears had another typical year, and is now a certified bust, so knowing this, I don’t expect higher than a 3-4th rounder for him.

Carpenter being shopped is risky to me. He’s a solid tackler, he made plays all year long on special teams, and he provides solid depth at LB. If you’re going to trade Carpenter, we better draft another good linebacker on day one because you cannot depend on the health of an aging star in Greg Ellis, and the oft injured Kevin Burnett. This being said, I’d rather trade Spears over Carpenter.

New Coaches

The Cowboys have not wasted anytime in replacing their coaches that have bounced to Miami. The Cowboys have signed Todd Grantham , a former Defensive Coordinator of the Browns (2005) and Coach with the Texans (2002-2004), just seeing these two teams on his resume does not excite me much considering how bad those defenses were during those time spans. He does provide NFL experience, and Wade has always had a strong group of defensive assistants on his squads, so his blessing on this new hire should be ok. We will see.

Condition Guru, Joe Jurasek was also extended a new contract and will remain in Dallas. Good job keeping him here.

Jerry acted fast, and stopped the bleeding by keeping Garrett, and Phillips is staying on top of his staff by hiring “his” type of coaches. We could see an even better defense with his own hirings.

With Jason Garrett returning to the Cowboys, all attention will now return back to player contracts, and atop the must-do’s is signing Marion Barber to a new deal. Part of Garrett’s decision to return to Dallas is because of certain players, and having MB3 as “his” running back is paramount, not some rookie or free agent scrub. Barber is a proven back, tough, and runs with authority. Pounding the rock into the endzone is his mission each time he gets his hands on the ball. Who what not want a running back like Barber on their team

Signing Barber is a now brainer. Barber’s agent Drew Rosenhaus will meet with Cowboys executives at the Senior Bowl and talks will officially begin there. Below is the article I wrote earlier in the season, but a reprint was in order considering Barber is on everyone’s mind right now. The Cowboys are comprised of Quadruplets, and Barber is a cornerstone of this core.

Barber has voided the last year of his rookie contract, so he will be a Restricted Free Agent at the end of the season if he is not given a new contract sometime before then. Getting Barber a new deal should be a high priority. If the Cowboys wait until the offseason, the Cowboys will give Barber the highest tender. This would mean if the Cowboys did not match an offer from another team, then the Cowboys would get a 1st and 3rd round pick. You can just about guarantee there will be some teams that will give that up for Barber at this stage of his career. Last season, it was rumored that some teams were considering giving up such draft picks to get San Diego’s Michael Turner when he was a RFA. Barber is a better back than Turner, so you can just imagine that outcome.

Jerry and Stephen Jones will not let this happen. We can expect to pay Barber a pretty good contract though. With Barber dominating in the running game and becoming one of the most popular players amongst fans, along with Drew Rosenhaus as his agent, he’ll be getting a nice contract. He’ll be known as Millionarion Barber, I coined it here first, so just remember that! (haha)

How much?

This is speculation on my part on the potential size of a new contract, but let’s look at some recent contracts from some of today’s “elite” running backs and make a guess.

Thomas Jones was traded to the Bears this offseason, and his contract was redone. With Drew Rosenhaus as his agent, Jones signed a 4yr deal for $20 million.

Larry Johnson held out this offseason and landed a deal at 6yrs for $45.05 million.

LaDainian Tomlinson has the fattest contract amongst running back at 8yrs for $60 million.

Clinton Portis also hit the jackpot, but Redskin’s fans are not getting the bang for the buck, more like, he’s banged up for the buck. Portis signed a 8yr deal for $50.5 million

Edgerrin James signed a 4yr deal for $30 million to play for the Cardinals

So, that’s a quick background on what some of these other guys are making. If I had to guess how much Barber would make, I would think it would be a 6yr deal for $35-45 million at the minimum, but could easily be higher than that. The whole two-back system may have some effect on the maximum size, just because he would be splitting carries with some other RB.

What About McFadden?

I don’t see Jerry making a big trade to get Darren McFadden, you can just about count that out. The Browns are playing alot better than we expected them to play; however, if we go all the way into the offseason without giving Barber a new contract, this will open the door for all the McFadden draft day trade rumors galore. For me though, I’d rather have Barber in Dallas any day. He’s proven, he’s tough as nails, and he’s the real deal at so many levels.

For now, I would tell Jerry to get Barber and Romo new contracts signed, sealed, and delivered during the bye week. These are core guys, guys that will be known as the Quadruplets. Witten, TO, Barber, and Romo are the Quadruplets that Jerry must keep together as long as possible.

Barber has a new official site up and running now, click it here!

The Baltimore Sun is speculating that Garrett has narrowed his decision to signing with the Ravens or returning to the Cowboys.

One league source said there have been indications that Garrett could be leaning toward staying with the Cowboys.

There has been speculation that Garrett visited the Ravens and Falcons only to get a better contract with the Cowboys because that’s where he ultimately wants to remain.

High Stakes and High Drama in Dallas… Do we like it any other way!

Alright, Jerry Jones has made some genius offseason moves in signing Terrell Owens in 2006, and then in 2007 he signed Jason Garrett before a head coach was even hired. Now comes another defining moment in Cowboys lore. The latest news on Garrett has him leaving Atlanta without a contract signed, so that makes two stops: Baltimore and Atlanta, and no contract. This bodes well for Cowboys Nation. We want Garrett back, Jerry knows exactly what is at stake here.

Jerry will have his chance to meet with Garrett in a serious one-to-one meeting in which Jerry will make Garrett the highest paid Offensive Coordinator in NFL history, that I’m sure about. In addition, he’ll get the Assistant Head Coach title. Garrett is a very smart guy and this should be the right decision for him. Show consistency with a high powered offense, build upon this past season and improve its prowess even more. Signing Garrett will also surely guarantee Barber will be signed next. Garrett is going to have some more say so on offensive personnel and having his “Emmitt” will be a premium.
Jerry, you’re on the clock, make it happen sir! Git’r done.

Now that my anger with tears have let up, I’m going to take a look into the future - a bit more realistically. Right now, it looks like Jason Garrett will end up in Atlanta or Baltimore, he is interviewing with both clubs for the second time. Garrett as the HC for the Cowboys is not going to happen.

Here’s what IS going to happen though: Garrett will probably get a HC job elsewhere this season. Sparano is gone. Jerry will keep Wade Phillips around another year. I suspect the Cowboys will have a difficult year next year with the schedule they’ve earned this year. Its been said that “Player Coaches” have strong 1st years, but the subsequent years are less than stellar (Dungy is the exception) The Cowboys should have a winning record, but I feel that the Cowboys will not be 13-3 under Wade next year. After its all said and done, another one and done will be the last straw. Jerry Jones knows this team will need a return to discipline and this means Jerry will pull “The Chin” out of retirement. Bill Cowher will be the Cowboys coach in 2009.

The one position that is throttling down the defense is SS. Roy Williams cannot return in 2008. He MUST be traded for whatever you can get. As long as Roy is back there, it will not matter how many Ware’s are upfront, the pass to Roy is money for every team in the league. You know that problem with have with 3rd down stoppages? That’s Roy alot of time.

Ok, I’m still fuming over the loss, but its time to think about the direction of the Cowboys, and this starts tomorrow! Since the Cowboys lost, teams are now open to negotiate with our assistants; knowing this, Jerry Jones will need to act quick. By acting quick, I mean firing Wade Phillips and his losing playoff record and promoting Jason Garrett.

Jerry needs to stop the bleeding, and he’ll be right at work tomorrow morning if not by tonight! We’ve had a bad end of the year again, we’ve lost Jeff Ireland to Miami, and we’re going to lose Tony Sparano tomorrow as well. Jerry cannot mess around with this decision. Get the new blood in there, someone who will take a better command of the team, and someone who can build on their own record.

Jerry’s offseason priorities start now, and it starts with naming Jason Garrett the new HC of the Dallas Cowboys. Next, will be a new contract for Marion Barber. Barber is the undisputed heartbeat of this Cowboys offense. He gets the team motivated, and pumps up the team with his hardnosed football. Barber is the guy you can count on every single snap.

There it is everybody, this either happens or we’re in for the Campo Era all over again.

The Cowboys have come a long way from the near debacle in Buffalo, and the drubbing at home by the Patriots; but, on the positive side the Cowboys have gained mounts of experience in the Phillips 34 and Garrett’s attacking offense. Each game in the bag means bad news for opposing teams.

All the offseason hardwork is culminating towards one goal, the Super Bowl and Romo is leading the way. Romo has bounced back from the Seattle game back in January and has be steadfast in his game management. The defense is beginning to click and looks to be swarming now, something this defense did not have last year, and most definitely did not have in December.

This game against the Lions is a bigger game than it appears. The defense knows what December did to the Cowboys, and there’s an arguement that could be made that our season slipped away because the defense crumbled. This year the defense wants to keep it going, and Bradie James is leading the way. Not only does James want to get after the Lions, he wants to lead the defense to a dominating December. It all starts against the Lions.