Changes the Cowboys Need to Make NOW (Part 2)!

By:  Bobby Shores

(This is the second part of a two part series, the first part was released last week)


Yesterday and today we are taking a look at some changes that the Cowboys need to make NOW! While I know that most of them cannot be made until after the season, they need to start preparing, the window of opportunity with this core group of players is closing, and due to mismanagement of the players, coaches, staff, etc. this core group of players has not achieved what their talent level says they should have.

Cowboys Right Tackle Tyron Smith

3) Move Doug Free to Right Tackle and Tyron Smith to Left Tackle - After looking like a Top 10 left tackle last year and being rewarded with a big contract this year it looked like we would be set at left tackle for a couple of years and let Tyron Smith develop slowly at the right tackle spot. The $32 million contract for Free, a young player who looked like a Top 10 Left Tackle seemed like a steal, now it looks like we may have an overpaid Right Tackle.

After a year in which Free has looked like the rookie and Smith has looked like the chiseled veteran it is past time to move them. Free started off on the right side and excelled when he replaced Marc Columbo a couple years back and Smith looks mature beyond his years (mentioned previously here & here) and ready to handle the premier pass rushers of the NFL. Free cannot handle the speed rush or power rush moves of the elite defenders anymore, and it has been obvious nearly every single game this year. This change needs to be made soon before Romo suffers another serious injury.

5) Hire an Offensive Coordinator(OC) - I touched on this in last week's article, but I felt the need to touch on it again here, even after I felt that he called the best game since he took over as head coach this past week against the New York Giants. So what is my problem you are asking? As a head coach I feel you need to be involved in all facets of the game, offense, defense, special teams, etc., and while I don't know for sure I have a feeling that while the Cowboys defense was collapsing, Garrett was to busy dialing up offensive strategy for the next drive instead of helping Rob Ryan plug the hole.

Jerry Jones needs to force Garrett to hire an OC and/or pass/run game coordinators, either way he would still maintain final say over the game plan and play calls, but would also be able to help the defense and special teams. While Garrett is an offensive guy by trade, as a head coach and football lifer he should know enough about the other facets of the game to offer advice and help them reach their potential.

Recently Fired HC's Tony Sparano & Todd Haley

While I believe that Norv Turner is the logical offensive coordinator, if the Cowboys decide to go the route of passing and/or running game coordinator, there are already some good options out there, options that have a history with the Cowboys. Tony Sparano and Todd Haley. Both of these guys are recently fired head coaches who will need to prove themselves in a lesser capacity if they wish to reach the pinnacle of professional football again. With head coaching experience they will be able to help Garrett manage the game and the clock better and should know their role on the team and how to maintain that role.

The need for Garrett to focus more on the "big picture" reared its ugly head again this week when precious seconds ticked away at the end of the game with the Giants on the 1-yard line. The "Andy Reid" style of clock mismanagement has got to stop, and the only way is for Garrett to focus on the entire team and not just the offense.

What do you guys think of the changes? While I know that these are not exhaustive lists, I think they are a good starting point. Let me know what else, or what else we should do differently in the comments.

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