Although it is apparent that Jason Garrett wants to establish his imprint on the Cowboys, the newly-appointed coach doesn't seem ready to completely distance himself from the previous regime.
The decision to interview San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Greg Manusky today, after all, is a clear sign that Garrett approved of Wade Phillips' 3-4 philosophy.
Before former San Francisco coach Mike Nolan hired him four years ago, Manusky spent three seasons working under Phillips in San Diego. According to an article in the Sacramento Bee published on Feb. 2, 2007, "Phillips told Nolan that Manusky would have been his choice to succeed him if he left San Diego."
That Garrett would want to maintain systemic continuity on defense is hardly surprising. The Cowboys' personnel, after all, has been trained to carry out Phillips' philosophy. Manusky's connection to Phillips would lead one to believe there would be a smooth transition if he were to become the Cowboys' defensive coordinator. However, that may not be the only reason Garrett is considering him for the position.
Manusky's background may have also caught the eye of Garrett. Like Garrett, Manusky carved out an extended playing career after he went undrafted, spending 12 years in the NFL as a special teams player and linebacker. And as was the case with Garrett, who went to Princeton and Columbia, Manusky attended a prestigious academic institution in the Northeast when he played for Colgate in the 1980s.
"I think Greg always had a natural understanding of the game," former NFL coach Marty Schottenheimer told the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader in September 2006. "I coached Greg as a player and I hired him as a coach without experience. He understands football. He has a passion for football."
Manusky, however, has yet to make his mark in San Francisco. This season, 12 NFL teams allowed fewer yards than the 49ers, who have finished no better than 13th in total defense during the last four years.
But while his track record may not distinguish him from the faces in the crowd, Manusky runs a system and has a background with which Garrett is familiar. And familiarity breeds comfort.
The decision to interview San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Greg Manusky today, after all, is a clear sign that Garrett approved of Wade Phillips' 3-4 philosophy.
Before former San Francisco coach Mike Nolan hired him four years ago, Manusky spent three seasons working under Phillips in San Diego. According to an article in the Sacramento Bee published on Feb. 2, 2007, "Phillips told Nolan that Manusky would have been his choice to succeed him if he left San Diego."
That Garrett would want to maintain systemic continuity on defense is hardly surprising. The Cowboys' personnel, after all, has been trained to carry out Phillips' philosophy. Manusky's connection to Phillips would lead one to believe there would be a smooth transition if he were to become the Cowboys' defensive coordinator. However, that may not be the only reason Garrett is considering him for the position.
Manusky's background may have also caught the eye of Garrett. Like Garrett, Manusky carved out an extended playing career after he went undrafted, spending 12 years in the NFL as a special teams player and linebacker. And as was the case with Garrett, who went to Princeton and Columbia, Manusky attended a prestigious academic institution in the Northeast when he played for Colgate in the 1980s.
"I think Greg always had a natural understanding of the game," former NFL coach Marty Schottenheimer told the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader in September 2006. "I coached Greg as a player and I hired him as a coach without experience. He understands football. He has a passion for football."
Manusky, however, has yet to make his mark in San Francisco. This season, 12 NFL teams allowed fewer yards than the 49ers, who have finished no better than 13th in total defense during the last four years.
But while his track record may not distinguish him from the faces in the crowd, Manusky runs a system and has a background with which Garrett is familiar. And familiarity breeds comfort.
