Coaching Changes for the Cowboys and Their Impact

Defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin.

This week the Cowboys hired former Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan to take over play calling for the Cowboys. They also promoted defensive line coach Ron Marinelli to defensive coordinator and moved Monte Kiffin to a rather ambiguous role as mentor. Was he promoted or demoted?

What impact can be expected from these latest coaching moves from Jason Garrett and Jerry Jones?

Marinelli Promoted to Defensive Coordinator:
Based on his past record, I think moving Marinelli to defensive coordinator is a good move. Rod Marinelli did an outstanding job last year with the defensive line considering what he had to work with. The Cowboys were desperately bringing in guys off the street to play on the line and Marinelli managed to get a good effort from them. He was defensive coordinator for the Bears when Lovie Smith was the head coach and those defenses were very good at taking the ball away and creating turnovers.

Marinelli was promoted from defensive line coach to Bears defensive coordinator in 2010.
From 2010 to 2012, Marinelli’s defenses ranked ninth, seventeenth, and fifth.
In 2012, the Bears led the NFL in interceptions with 24, and led in takeaways with 44.

Recently Lovie Smith was named new head coach of the Buccaneers and I couldn’t help but wonder if he might give Marinelli a call to come help coach the defense. Promoting Marinelli to coordinator may have helped keep him in Dallas.

Scott Linehan Brought in to call Offensive Plays:
To be honest, my expectations for this move improving the offense next season are very low. I blogged last season that Callahan was terrible at calling plays and pointed out that Tim Brown warned us about Callahan HERE. So I do believe a change was needed. But in a way, no matter who calls the plays, Romo seems to change it at the line anyway.

Jason Garrett coached with Linehan when they were on the Dolphins staff and Garrett pointed out that they have very similar offensive philosophies which appears to be very true. Both love to pass the ball and abandon the run completely and I think that was a big problem with the offense last season. Just look at that debacle in the Packers game last year.

Last season Dallas finished 31st in rushing attempts in the NFL when they actually had a respectable 4.5 yards per attempt average.

Linehan was offensive coordinator for the Lions from 2009 through 2013. Similar to the Cowboys, the Lions ranked high in passing yards and attempts during those seasons, but were consistently toward the bottom in both rushing yards and rushing attempts.

In 2012, the Lions led the NFL in passing attempts with Dallas 3rd in passing attempts.
Last season the Lions ranked 5th in passing attempts with an average of 39.6 per game.

In 2012, The Lions set an NFL record with 740 pass attempts during the season (46.25 attempts per game), breaking a record that had stood for thirty years.

With Linehan calling the plays, I’m afraid Cowboy fans can expect more of the same with that being a lopsided offensive attack that passes much more than it runs. And I think in the end, that means we can expect similar results.

What I think the Cowboys could use is a play caller that commits more to the run and keeps Murray involved in the game. Last season they added Frederick at center who proved to be a good physical run blocker but too often, the offense depended on Romo and inexplicably abandoned the run.

That kind of pass heavy Dallas offense ultimately makes things more difficult for the Dallas defense as they are on the field longer. The poor defensive performance last season speaks for itself.

RECAP:
Provided the Cowboys add some talented defensive linemen through the draft, I think Marinelli as defensive coordinator will improve their defense next season. With Linehan bringing in his pass heavy offensive philosophy, unfortunately I don’t look for the Cowboys to get their much needed run game on track next season.

Week 16 NFL Power Rankings: Broncos Stumble as Seahawks Roll

A power ranking of all 32 NFL teams after week 14 play.

The Twist: Each week my top 12 ranked teams will consist of 6 NFC teams and 6 AFC teams since 6 from each conference will qualify for the post season. I reflect the top 12 teams most likely to make the playoffs each week.

Each week, I have one NFC team and one AFC team in the top two to reflect who may end up in the super bowl.

TOP 12:
Manning and the Broncos didn’t look into it as they fell to the Chargers on Thursday night.The Seahawks move back on top at #1 as they rolled over the Giants. I really like the Seahawks chances to represent the NFC in the super bowl.

Taking advantage of the Lions loss on MNF to the Ravens, the Bears move into the top 12 as the Lions drop down 4 spots to 15. The Lions hold a tie breaker advantage over the Bears by defeating them twice this year but for now, the Bears have a better record.

WEEK 16 / Change
1. Seahawks (12-2) ↑1
2. Broncos (11-3) ↓1
3. Saints (10-4) 0
4. Panthers (10-4) 0
5. Chiefs (11-3) ↑1
6. Patriots (10-4) ↓1
7. 49ers (10-4) ↑1
8. Bengals (9-5) ↓1
9. Colts (9-5) 0
10. Eagles (8-6) 0
11. Bears (8-6) ↑4
12. Ravens (8-6) 0
13. Cardinals (9-5) 0
14. Dolphins (8-6) 0
15. Lions (7-7) ↓4
16. Chargers (7-7) ↑1
17. Packers (7-6-1) ↑4
18. Cowboys (7-7) ↓2
19. Steelers (6-8) ↑3
20. Rams (6-8) ↑3
21. Jets (6-8) ↓3
22. Titans (5-9) ↓3
23. Bills (5-9) ↑6
24. Giants (5-9) ↓4
25. Vikings (4-9-1) ↑3
26. Bucs (4-10) ↓1
27. Raiders (4-10) ↓1
28. Browns (4-10) ↓1
29. Jaguars (4-10) ↓5
30. Falcons (4-10) 0
31. Redskins (3-11) 0
32. Texans (2-12) 0

Week 10 NFL Power Rankings: Jets Soar Into TOP 12

A power ranking of all 32 NFL teams after week 9 play.

The Twist: Each week my top 12 ranked teams will consist of 6 NFC teams and 6 AFC teams since 6 from each conference will qualify for the post season. I reflect the top 12 teams most likely to make the playoffs each week.

Each week, I have one NFC team and one AFC team in the top two to reflect who may end up in the super bowl.

TOP 12:
In the AFC, the Chargers fall out of the top 12 teams after losing to the Redskins. After an impressive win against the Saints that makes them 5-4, the Jets soar up into my top 12 teams for the first time in a long time.

In the NFC, the Lions fall out of the top 12 as the Panthers defeated the Falcons. While they both have 5-3 records, the Panthers have a slight edge as their record in NFC play is 5-2 compared to the Lions 4-2. In a wildcard tie breaker, the Panthers would beat out the Lions right now. I don’t look for the Panthers to last long in the top 12 as they travel to S.F. next week.

The Chiefs and Seahawks survive scares to remain as the top teams from each conference.

Biggest move Down: The Ravens drop 9 spots with a division loss to the Browns that leaves them with a 3-5 record.

Biggest move Up: The Jets move up 7 spots as they have a winning record after defeating a good Saints team.

WEEK 10- Record/Change
1. Chiefs (9-0) 0
2. Seahawks (8-1) 0
3. Colts (5-2) 0
4. 49ers (6-2) 0
5. Broncos (7-1) 0
6. Patriots (7-2) ↑2
7. Saints (6-2) ↓1
8. Packers (5-3) ↓1
9. Bengals (6-3) 0
10. Panthers (5-3) ↑5
11. Jets (5-4) ↑7
12. Cowboys (5-4) 0
13. Lions (5-3) ↓3
14. Bears (5-3) 0
15. Titans (4-4) ↑2
16. Dolphins (4-4) ↑3
17. Chargers (4-4) ↓6
18. Cardinals (4-4) ↓2
19. Browns (4-5) ↑4
20. Eagles (4-5) ↑2
21. Redskins (3-5) ↑5
22. Ravens (3-5) ↓9
23. Bills (3-6) ↓3
24. Raiders (3-5) ↓3
25. Rams (3-6) ↓1
26. Giants (2-6) ↓1
27. Falcons (2-6) ↓2
28. Steelers (2-6) 0
29. Texans (2-5) 0
30. Vikings (1-7) 0
31. Bucs (0-8) 0
32. Jaguars (0-8) 0

I’m With Team Dez on This One.

“Y’all goin make me lose my mind.up in here up in here!” DEZ

Many Cowboy fans are weighing in on their reaction to Dez Bryant going off on the sideline during the painful loss to the Lions on Sunday. It isn’t totally clear what he said to whom during two outburst with one coming at the end of the game involving Witten. But it looked a lot like he was trying to fire up Tony Romo when he went on his first rant.

I’m with team Dez on this one.

It was ridiculous the way the game started with Romo throwing the ball 7 unsuccessful times to the rookie Williams before Dez Bryant, their best WR, even so much got a whiff of the ball once.

Dez made the most of his three catches with 2 TDs including as fine of a catch as you will see, in the endzone for his first one. He deserved more looks and has a knack for drawing pass interference calls when you could use one.

Dez evidently is tired of losing these close games, going 8-8 every season, and just missing the playoffs. As a Cowboys fan, I’m with ya Dez. Preach on brother.

I liked his “passion” as he described it following the game. Dez was clearly competing and was in it to win it. I think you can build a team with guys like that. The alternative would be guys who don’t care if they win or lose or just miss the playoffs again this season. Just keep cashin’ the checks.

Complacency is a far bigger threat to the team. I like guys who don’t like losing. No make that, hate losing.

I think Dez was calling out Romo, who was having a poor game, to get with it and go out and win this game.

It appeared to me that Witten had his boy Romo’s back at the end of the game, but I remember that the last time the Cowboys made the playoffs was in 2008 and with a bye the first round, it was Witten and Romo (along with then girlfriend Jessica Simpson) who vacationed in Los Cabos, Mexico instead of getting their butts ready to play an important playoff football game. STORY

Romo and Dallas lost to the Giants 21-17 after the vacation. That’s when Terrell Owens was crying behind dark glasses defending Romo with, “that’s my quarterback.” None of that with Dez, who was trying to light a fire under his QBs backside Sunday.

I believe another guy who wore #88, Michael Irvin, wouldn’t be comfortable with another loss and a .500 record season either. Irvin was a vocal leader who brought his best effort and expected it from his teammates too. Romo and Witten have had some courageous performances in the past but the fact is, they seem a little too comfortable with just being OK these days.

With that loss to the Lions, the Cowboys are now 4-4 and become the NFL poster team for mediocrity for the last three seasons. A wildcard spot is not happening now. It’s win the NFC East or go home for them.

In the past, I’ve been plenty critical of Dez and some of his off field stuff but I say, get in their faces Dez. Let them know almost good enough won’t get it this year. Another 8-8 season is B.S. and unacceptable. It’s not as if Jason Garrett, who coddles Romo, is going to do it.

These 2 Plays in 2011, Kept the Dallas Cowboys Out of The Playoffs

In a 16 game season, it may be difficult to believe that you can lose your post season birth in less than 5 minutes and in only 2 plays. “Welcome to our world.” We are Cowboys fans.   

Clue: It’s not the Giants game

You might assume that I am going to go back to the Giants game at the end of the season where the Cowboys were in control of their own destiny. Just win and they were hosting a playoff game. But actually when you look back on that game, Eli Manning and the Giants were just getting hot and beginning to make their Super Bowl run.

The Cowboys on the other hand, were coming into that game with no momentum whatsoever and with injuries to key players like their young star running back Murray. The Giants were ahead 21-0 at the half and you might say this one was over before it began. No two plays make a difference in this one.

The time of the crime: Week 4, 10/2/11

I’m going all the way back to week 4 on October 2, 2011. It’s not often that your season can be blown that early in the regular season but it shows you what makes the NFL regular season so exciting. Each game can really matter but you just may not realize the repercussions until later.

The Opponent: The Lions

Now it may be coming back to Cowboy fans like a nightmare which is how the second half of this one unfolded. The Cowboys were up 20-3 at the half against the Lions and were basically dominating the game. At the time, these two teams were playing for a wildcard spot at the end of the season but they just didn’t realize it.

Discovery: 4 minutes and 30 seconds of bad football is all you need to blow a season.

Up 27-3 in the 3rd quarter, the Cowboys were in cruise control when disaster struck.

PLAY # 1- At the 10:15 mark of the third, Romo dropped back and threw a pick to former Cowboy, Bobby Carpenter who took it back for a TD. “OK, we still have a nice lead. Shake it off, burn some clock and put together a scoring drive.”

PLAY #2– At the 5:45 mark, and on the very next drive, Romo threw another pick to Chris Houston (from Austin, Texas) who took it 56 yards for a TD.

The momentum turned 180 degrees and although the Cowboys defense had an opportunity to preserve a win late in the game, they just couldn’t get it done. But they shouldn’t have been put in a back to the wall situation anyway.  Can’t really hang this one on the defense. They lost to the Lions 34-30.

What if the Cowboys hold on to a 24 point second half lead?

The Cowboys would have finished the season 9-7 (instead of 8-8) and the Lions would have finished 9-7 (instead of 10-6).  The tie breaker would have gone to the Cowboys who won the head to head battle clinching a wildcard birth.

Of course we don’t know if Dallas wins that Lions game minus those two pick sixes, but I’m convinced they would have won and consequently made the playoffs as a wildcard. And that just might have reduced the tension a little bit in the off-season around Valley Ranch.

ROMO

By no means do I intend to blame Romo for them failing to make the post season. Statistically Romo had a great 2011 season and without him, they certainly would have lost more games. He displayed guts while playing with cracked ribs but it just shows you how fragile an NFL season can be. Just a couple bad plays can haunt you later.

As the Cowboys begin OTAs this week, I hope Head Coach Garrett reminds them that every single play matters more than you may realize and it only takes 4 minutes and 30 seconds of poor play, to blow your season.