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Rainer Sabin / Reporter


In his search for the Cowboys' next defensive coordinator, Jason Garrett has proceeded at a deliberate pace. He seems to be in no rush to make a decision. Then again, why should he be?

After all, this is expected to be Garrett's first major personnel move since he was appointed as the franchise's eighth head coach earlier this month. Its significance can't be understated. Because Garrett will continue to oversee the offense, he will cede control of the defense to the man he hires. That requires trust and a degree of faith.

He must be willing to invest both. That's why he is staging thorough evaluations of the coaches he is considering.

While an interview is the first step a job candidate takes toward being hired, it is also an opportunity for the employer to gather information. Garrett seems to realize this. By talking to Vic Fangio, Greg Manusky and Rob Ryan this week, Garrett did his due diligence and perhaps culled some ideas from each coach that can be applied in the future. Fangio, Manusky and Ryan run a variation of the 3-4 scheme, which Garrett ostensibly likes.

Knowing that the general defensive philosophy is the common denominator among the three candidates, Garrett needed to dig deeper and learn more about their personalities as well as their thoughts on specific subjects. He had to ascertain how they would adjust the roster and the strategic approach. He had to obtain their assessments of the defense's strengths and weaknesses. Most of all, he had to determine whether each of the candidates would be compatible with the staff that will be put in place.

Of course, Garrett's pursuit of a defensive coordinator comes at a peculiar time. With the collective bargaining agreement between the owners and NFLPA set to expire March 3, there is tremendous uncertainty about whether the players will be allowed to attend offseason workouts.

If that is the case, does Garrett want a coordinator who will overhaul the playbook, perhaps endangering the team's immediate future if there is no training camp or preseason in 2011? Would he rather have someone who will make slight modifications and keep the foundation of the defense intact?

Garrett, undoubtedly, will consider all details -- big and small. He is a contemplative person, demonstrating during his sessions with the media that he is as measured as a metronome. That's why Garrett will refrain from making a hasty decision that could have serious ramifications on his tenure with the Cowboys.

A justifiable concern remains that if the Cowboys don't act quickly they will miss out on the candidates they are pursuing. That fear was realized Friday, when San Diego hired Manusky. But as much as the fans hope for a quick resolution - salivating each time a new candidate is summoned to Valley Ranch -- Garrett appears to be taking the appropriate approach.

By exploring all options and collecting ideas, he is better able to determine the profile of the candidate who fits best with Cowboys. And Garrett knows there is a lot riding on this hire.
 
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