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Senior Bowl Notebook

Notes: Gailey Saw Garrett's Preparation

Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer


Gailey coached Garrett for 2 seasons in 1998-99. Garrett went 4-3 in his 7 starts during that span.MOBILE, Ala. - Along with the strong contingency of Cowboys coaches, scouts and front-office personnel here at the Senior Bowl, there is always a healthy number of former coaches now donning other team's colors.

One in the spotlight this week is Buffalo head coach Chan Gailey, who is also the head coach for the North squad as his Bills' staff is running the practices and meetings in preparation for Saturday's game here in Mobile. Cincinnati's coaching staff, which includes Mike Zimmer, is coaching the South squad.

Gailey, the Cowboys' head coach from 1998-99, didn't mind answering some questions about his two years in Dallas, particularly about his former backup quarterback. Jason Garrett served as Troy Aikman's backup during Gailey's two seasons, even starting seven games and posting a 4-3 record.

Even back then, Gailey said he could tell Garrett's future would include coaching.

"I wasn't sure if he was going to be smart and not coach, or go ahead and coach," Gailey joked. "But I knew if he wanted to, he could. He decided to go this way and I knew he would be very successful. Just the way he prepared, his knowledge of the game, the way he communicates, his leadership when he got his opportunities, all of that was great."

While Garrett has just six years of NFL coaching experience, Gailey agreed with the notion that backup quarterbacks, particularly ones who serve behind Hall-of-Famers such as Aikman, have a chance to become successful coaches.

"There's a lot of coaching that goes on for that guy," Gailey said, referring to backup quarterbacks. "I think you see that on a lot of teams right now. Jason was always a very well prepared player and you can see that in his coaching."


Locker Groom

Washington quarterback Jake Locker is arguably the most recognizable name at the Senior Bowl this week, projected as a potential first-round pick.

Locker's first practice with the North squad featured some high and off-target target passes, but Tuesday morning he appeared to settle in.

"He's got a great command of the game of football," said Bengals offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski, a member of the North coaching staff. "He carries himself with a lot of poise and he's got talent. He's got arm talent, he sees things. If he makes a mistake, he's quick to correct it."


Line(backer) of Succession

Casey Matthews has quite an NFL pedigree. His father, Bruce, is a Hall of Fame offensive lineman. His brother, Clay, is a Pro Bowl linebacker for the NFC Champion Packers.

Casey Matthews, a star linebacker for national runner-up Oregon, is trying to make his own way. Clay, a Senior Bowl participant in 2009, gave his brother some advice about the week's expectations.

"I expect a lot of myself, to be honest, but that's just how it is with the last name," Casey said. "Obviously people know what type of family we come from, but you've got to demand a lot from yourself and that's really where your success is going to come from."
 
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