Fansided

5 reasons Dallas Cowboys need to fire Jason Garrett

By Randy Gurzi

Nov 15, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett reacts against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett reacts against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 4, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett and quarterback Tony Romo (9) stands on the sidelines prior to the game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett and quarterback Tony Romo (9) stands on the sidelines prior to the game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

5. His specialty is offense; his offense isn’t special

Garrett has been a favorite of Jerry Jones for years, and it was evident as soon as he was hired by the ‘Boys. Back when Dallas was looking to replace retired head coach Bill Parcells, Jones first hired Garrett for an “unknown role.” The feeling was he would be offensive coordinator, although some whispers already were beginning to float that JJ wanted JG as his head coach sooner or later.

Two weeks passed before the team hired a head coach, and nothing tells a new guy “we believe in you” like forcing an important staff member like an offensive coordinator on him. That’s exactly what happened to Wade Phillips, who was eventually replaced eight games into the 2010 season.

Garrett was named interim coach (which shocked no one) and after going 5-3 to finish the year, he was hired as the head coach.

He was brought to this team to be an offensive innovator, and replaced the defensive minded Phillips in hopes of giving the offense a shot in the arm.

In 2011, the offense finished ranked 11th overall in the NFL, followed by 6th in 2012 when it looked like the offense would start to gel. Then the team fell to the bottom half of the offensive ranks, going down to 16th best in the league in 2013.

These three seasons all had a couple things in common, each year the offense failed when needed most and each year they went 8-8 slightly missing a chance at the NFC East title.

Garrett was rewarded for his inconsistent offense and lack of rising to big moments by having his play calling duties taken from him by the team’s owner, something unheard of in the NFL. After a tug-of-war between Garrett, Jones and offensive coordinator, Bill Callahan the team made a compromise.

In 2014, Scott Linehan was hired and became the new play caller. The result was a more run central offense and a 12-4 record with their offense rising to the rank of seventh in the league that season.

Then the 2015 season hit and the front office now can see who was truly responsible for the team hitting the top ten in previous seasons. Quarterback Tony  Romo and receiver Dez Bryant have both been plagued by injuries this season, with Romo managing to play in only four games. The team went 3-1 with Romo, and 1-10 with a game remaining without him.

The offense is 31st in scoring (16.8 points per game), 28th in total yards (323.3) and 29th in passing yards (203.9). Simply put, the offense goes as Romo goes. Without their star quarterback and stud receiver, Garrett couldn’t draw up any offense whatsoever.

The offensive minded coach has been exposed as a benefactor of Romo’s improvisational skills and Bryant’s amazing circus catches. Sadly, the ownership knew this considering the fact that Jones made Garrett quit controlling the offense a couple of seasons ago. It’s time to admit that he was right then, and wrong when he extended his hand picked coach.

Next: 4. Complacency

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