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Sherrington: Garrett must set early tone, make example of somebody
Kevin Sherrington
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Dear Jason,
Congratulations on the promotion, even if it may not feel like one. Baltimore and Atlanta probably look pretty good right about now. Oh, well. Live and learn.
By the way, nice job on the first news conference. You'd already mastered the art of saying as little as possible in your role of offensive coordinator, so we weren't expecting much in the way of illumination. But you looked good. You had "presence," as our Jacques Taylor put it. Whatever his other gifts, your predecessor certainly lacked gravitas, which hurt him with fans, the media and maybe his players. Perception is important, especially when all you've got to sell is a 1-7 product.
Getting to the point, it's just a suggestion, but, when your players come back to work today, you might try an approach different from your old boss's. By your old boss, I mean Wade Phillips. Not Jerry Jones. I know. Jerry hired you, not Phillips. It's confusing to us, too.
First thing you should do is tell them you may just be an "interim coach," but it's better than being a "former Cowboy."
And then you could make an example. Maybe even a couple.
Don't know how much time you've spent watching the defense, but check out the Green Bay films. In particular, note Aaron Rodgers' touchdown pass to James Jones, which sums up the Cowboys' predicament.
On a play that will live in infamy, Mike Jenkins approaches as if to hit Jones and then pulls up to check for text messages or something. Completely loses interest. Gerald Sensabaugh sort of grabs Jones by the shoulders – which is pretty much how Sensabaugh hits anyone – and waltzes him into the end zone.
Frankly, I've seen more resistance to advances from ladies of the evening.
Jim Mora used a much harsher analogy. From his NFL Network gig, the former coach called Jenkins' pass "high treason."
"Guys that are not willing to lay it on the line for me and my football team, for this organization," Mora said, "I identify them and I either try to change them quickly, and if I don't think I can change them, I try to get rid of them."
Here's the deal: I'm not sure you can change Jenkins, who has a history of this sort of thing.
Maybe you remember his rookie season. In a 35-14 loss to the Giants , he sees Derrick Ward headed for the end zone and basically holds the door open for him.
Now this won't be easy. Jenkins was a pretty good cornerback last season. He has serious skills. If you cut him, chances are he'll be pretty good for someone else.
But so is T.O., who's now reinvented himself with the Bengals.
Talent simply isn't enough. Jerry is woefully slow to learn this. He said Monday what he really wants to see from here on out is a desire to win. If he wants an example from a Cowboy, he should read up on Chuck Howley . The only player from a losing team ever to be named Super Bowl MVP, he was so burned up about losing Super Bowl V, he didn't want the trophy.
Character and leadership count, especially on a bad team. And I'm beginning to think this team is as bad as its record.
For the most part, the line can't block, the backs look lost, three-fourths of the linebackers seem suspiciously average and the defense couldn't scare up a turnover if it were armed.
Other than that, Jason, your Boys are aces.
Watching this defense makes me nostalgic for Roy Williams. The other one. The guy who used to hit like an SUV.
Did you happen to notice that, with Roger Goodell cracking down on nasty hits left and right, no one's threatening the Cowboys' pay?
Now, I'm not advocating dangerous hits. Heavens, no. But if one of your guys is worried he might get fined for overzealous play, tell him you'll make it up to him.
Otherwise, nothing inspires underachievers like potential job loss. In his first official act with the Mavs, Don Nelson fired Oliver Miller, a talented if overweight and, worse, overwrought center. Message sent.
You might consider the same. You don't have to turn over a table or bring back the asthma field. Not your style. Still, a first-strike act by the new head coach couldn't hurt at this point.
Might even help your chances long term. Might keep Jerry from looking at someone else. Someone like, say, Jim Mora.
Best of luck,
Kevin
Kevin Sherrington
Archive | Bio | E-mail
Dear Jason,
Congratulations on the promotion, even if it may not feel like one. Baltimore and Atlanta probably look pretty good right about now. Oh, well. Live and learn.
By the way, nice job on the first news conference. You'd already mastered the art of saying as little as possible in your role of offensive coordinator, so we weren't expecting much in the way of illumination. But you looked good. You had "presence," as our Jacques Taylor put it. Whatever his other gifts, your predecessor certainly lacked gravitas, which hurt him with fans, the media and maybe his players. Perception is important, especially when all you've got to sell is a 1-7 product.
Getting to the point, it's just a suggestion, but, when your players come back to work today, you might try an approach different from your old boss's. By your old boss, I mean Wade Phillips. Not Jerry Jones. I know. Jerry hired you, not Phillips. It's confusing to us, too.
First thing you should do is tell them you may just be an "interim coach," but it's better than being a "former Cowboy."
And then you could make an example. Maybe even a couple.
Don't know how much time you've spent watching the defense, but check out the Green Bay films. In particular, note Aaron Rodgers' touchdown pass to James Jones, which sums up the Cowboys' predicament.
On a play that will live in infamy, Mike Jenkins approaches as if to hit Jones and then pulls up to check for text messages or something. Completely loses interest. Gerald Sensabaugh sort of grabs Jones by the shoulders – which is pretty much how Sensabaugh hits anyone – and waltzes him into the end zone.
Frankly, I've seen more resistance to advances from ladies of the evening.
Jim Mora used a much harsher analogy. From his NFL Network gig, the former coach called Jenkins' pass "high treason."
"Guys that are not willing to lay it on the line for me and my football team, for this organization," Mora said, "I identify them and I either try to change them quickly, and if I don't think I can change them, I try to get rid of them."
Here's the deal: I'm not sure you can change Jenkins, who has a history of this sort of thing.
Maybe you remember his rookie season. In a 35-14 loss to the Giants , he sees Derrick Ward headed for the end zone and basically holds the door open for him.
Now this won't be easy. Jenkins was a pretty good cornerback last season. He has serious skills. If you cut him, chances are he'll be pretty good for someone else.
But so is T.O., who's now reinvented himself with the Bengals.
Talent simply isn't enough. Jerry is woefully slow to learn this. He said Monday what he really wants to see from here on out is a desire to win. If he wants an example from a Cowboy, he should read up on Chuck Howley . The only player from a losing team ever to be named Super Bowl MVP, he was so burned up about losing Super Bowl V, he didn't want the trophy.
Character and leadership count, especially on a bad team. And I'm beginning to think this team is as bad as its record.
For the most part, the line can't block, the backs look lost, three-fourths of the linebackers seem suspiciously average and the defense couldn't scare up a turnover if it were armed.
Other than that, Jason, your Boys are aces.
Watching this defense makes me nostalgic for Roy Williams. The other one. The guy who used to hit like an SUV.
Did you happen to notice that, with Roger Goodell cracking down on nasty hits left and right, no one's threatening the Cowboys' pay?
Now, I'm not advocating dangerous hits. Heavens, no. But if one of your guys is worried he might get fined for overzealous play, tell him you'll make it up to him.
Otherwise, nothing inspires underachievers like potential job loss. In his first official act with the Mavs, Don Nelson fired Oliver Miller, a talented if overweight and, worse, overwrought center. Message sent.
You might consider the same. You don't have to turn over a table or bring back the asthma field. Not your style. Still, a first-strike act by the new head coach couldn't hurt at this point.
Might even help your chances long term. Might keep Jerry from looking at someone else. Someone like, say, Jim Mora.
Best of luck,
Kevin
