Cowboys' Jones: Garrett has strong say in changes

By SCHUYLER DIXON - AP Sports Writer
    2013-02-01 14:11

IRVING, Texas (AP) - Dallas owner Jerry Jones apparently hears the criticism that he's calling all the shots for the Cowboys again and undermining coach Jason Garrett as a result.

In an interview for the team's website, Jones said Garrett has a strong voice in an overhaul of the coaching staff and that his third-year coach is ``the right man putting this together.''

Jones, the team's general manager, also said Garrett will decide who calls the offensive plays in 2013. Jones indicated during Senior Bowl workouts that Garrett would no longer run the offense on game days, leading to speculation that the coach was being stripped of those duties at the same time his staff was being dismantled.

As assistants were fired and replacements announced, even former Dallas quarterback Troy Aikman, a three-time Super Bowl winner, joined a chorus saying it looked like Jones was making the decisions after the owner vowed to make things ``uncomfortable'' following consecutive 8-8 seasons with losses in playoffs-or-bust finales under Garrett.

While there's still a strong chance Dallas will have a new play-caller, Jones insists that all the changes come with Garrett's blessing.

``However he comes up with how he wants to design how the offense runs, coupled with the fact that we've made the changes defensively and with special teams, I'm going to be excited about it,'' Jones said. ``We've got the right man putting this together in Jason Garrett.''

Jones has dealt with the perception that his ownership style came at the expense of his head coach's authority since Jimmy Johnson left nearly 20 years ago after consecutive Super Bowl titles in a public spat over who should get credit. The only exception was Bill Parcells, a two-time Super Bowl winner who stayed four years but quit coaching without a playoff win in Dallas after a painful wild-card loss in Seattle.

So far this offseason, the Cowboys have fired defensive coordinator Rob Ryan and running backs coach Skip Peete. They let special teams coach Joe DeCamillis go to Chicago a year after not granting him permission to talk to another team. Garrett's brother, John Garrett, is headed to Tampa Bay as receivers coach after six years with the Cowboys.

The status of receivers coach Jimmy Robinson has been unclear since the team's website reported last week that former Tennessee coach Derek Dooley was taking that job with the Cowboys. Dallas has not announced coaching hires for running backs, tight ends or receivers.

Jones told the team's website there's no rush to complete the offensive staff because of the ``safety net'' with Garrett as head coach.

``Jason is putting together, as he should be, a staff and philosophy on every phase of the team, and allocating his time, relative to allocating the time of his staff, to helping us win a football game now and in the future,'' Jones said.

Former Tampa Bay defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin is replacing Ryan, and two members of his staff there are in Dallas now in defensive line coach Rod Marinelli and special teams coach Rich Bisaccia.

Garrett ``certainly is excited about the changes we've made on defense, relative to how that affects the whole game plan,'' Jones said. ``One of the things I'm happiest about is who we've got putting this together in Jason Garrett.''

---

Online: http://pro32.ap.org/poll and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL

---

Follow Schuyler Dixon on Twitter at https://twitter.com/lschuylerd

Fantasy Football Player Notes RSS FeedPLAYER NOTES

Zach ErtzMay 24 11:42a

Philadelphia Eagles TE Zach Ertz, the team's second-round draft pick, is unable to participate in organized team activities because of NFL rules until he graduates from college at Stanford.

Tramon WilliamsMay 24 10:52a

Green Bay Packers CB Tramon Williams' (shoulder) nerve damage in his shoulder has drastically healed due to a workout regimen that includes yoga and jump ropes.

Joseph MorganMay 24 10:32a

New Orleans Saints WR Joe Morgan said he'll have to work on his intermediate route running to win the No. 3 receiver spot. Six of his 10 receptions last [ More ]

Greg HardyMay 24 09:22a

Carolina Panthers DE Greg Hardy dropped 15 pounds in the offseason hoping to improve his speed rush. Hardy broke out with 11 sacks in 2012 after having seven combined in his first two years.

Mike WilliamsMay 24 08:42a

Free-agent WR Mike X. Williams (Seahawks) is attempting another comeback after signing with the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL.

Pierre GarconMay 24 08:22a

Updating previous reports, Washington Redskins WR Pierre Garcon (shoulder, foot) underwent minor labrum surgery in January. He has recovered from the surgery and should be ready for training camp.

Danario AlexanderMay 24 01:15a

San Diego Chargers WR Danario Alexander looked fluid in making back-shoulder catches in practice Monday, May 20. He claims he's at full speed, a contrast to his injured May [ More ]

Joe McKnightMay 24 01:15a

New York Jets RB Chris Ivory impressed in practice Wednesday, May 22, and is lining up to be the feature back. Mike Goodson's legal troubles are jeopardizing his future [ More ]

Jared AllenMay 24 01:02a

Minnesota Vikings DE Jared Allen (knee, shoulder), who's a free agent after this year, has 'absolutely no idea' where he'll wind up in 2014. 'Best-case scenario would have been [ More ]

Robert MeachemMay 24 01:02a

If San Diego Chargers WR Robert Meachem has a strong preseason, the club could see if there's an active trade market for him. His $6.875 million cap number, however, [ More ]

B. MeriweatherMay 23 10:02p

Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan said he expects FS Brandon Meriweather (knee) to be a full participant once training camp begins.

Pierre GarconMay 23 09:52p

Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan said WR Pierre Garcon (foot) is about 90 percent recovered from his foot surgery and that he expects Davis to sit out until training camp.

Fred DavisMay 23 09:52p

Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan said TE Fred Davis (Achilles') is about 90 percent recovered from his Achilles' tendon injury and that he expects Davis to sit out until training camp.

London FletcherMay 23 09:52p

Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan said he told LB London Fletcher (elbow, ankle) that he could sit out the rest of the organized team activities, but Fletcher told [ More ]

Brian OrakpoMay 23 09:42p

Washington Redskins LB Brian Orakpo (pectoral) and DT Chris Neild (knee) were able to fully participate in organized team activities Thursday, May 23.

Quentin GrovesMay 23 09:22p

Cleveland Browns LB Jabaal Sheard said he believes he can be part of an impactful outside linebacker rotation with LB Barkevious Mingo, LB Paul Kruger and LB Quentin Groves [ More ]

Dion LewisMay 23 09:22p

Cleveland Browns special teams coordinator Chris Tabor said the team is giving CB Buster Skrine and S Johnson Bademosi reps as kick returners during organized team activities. Tabor said [ More ]

Sam BradfordMay 23 09:12p

St. Louis Rams QB Sam Bradford has been working on routes and throws with WRs Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey during offseason workouts.

Matt JohnsonMay 23 08:52p

Dallas Cowboys FS Matt Johnson said he believes he suffered hamstring injuries last season because he was using too much weight while doing squats in the weight room and [ More ]

Roy MillerMay 23 08:42p

Jacksonville Jaguars DT Roy Miller (knee) was limited to individual drills during organized team activities Thursday, May 23, because of knee tendonitis.

Tony MoeakiMay 23 07:22p

Kansas City Chiefs TE Tony Moeaki (knee) is unlikely to be on the practice field until training camp in July. Moeaki has been watching from the sidelines during organized team activities this week.

DeSean JacksonMay 23 06:32p

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly confirmed that he prefers larger and taller players at most positions on his team, but he's in favor of protecting his smaller players [ More ]

Pierre GarconMay 23 04:32p

Washington Redskins WR Pierre Garcon (shoulder) underwent minor labrum surgery in January but has fully recovered. He was held out of team drills during organized team activities Thursday, May 23, as a precaution.

Greg RomeusMay 23 03:43p

The New Orleans Saints have waived DE Greg Romeus.

Scott ChandlerMay 23 03:43p

Buffalo Bills TE Scott Chandler (knee) has been running well at offseason workouts and believes he could be ready for the start of training camp. Chandler has started running [ More ]

Brian UrlacherMay 23 03:32p

Retired LB Brian Urlacher said the Dallas Cowboys were one of the team's that intrigued him if he were to have signed with another team other than the Chicago [ More ]

Trent RichardsonMay 23 03:23p

Cleveland Browns head coach Rob Chudzinski said RB Trent Richardson (leg) will not participate in organized team activities next week and could sit out the team minicamp in early [ More ]

Stephen NicholasMay 23 03:12p

Atlanta Falcons LB Stephen Nicholas (hernia) and LB Sean Weatherspoon (knee) will not be able to participate in organized team activities next week because they are recovering from offseason [ More ]

Jon BeasonMay 23 03:02p

Carolina Panthers LB Jon Beason (knee, shoulder) was able to participate in individual drills during organized team activities Thursday, May 23.

Charles BrownMay 23 02:53p

New Orleans Saints OT Charles Brown (undisclosed) did not participate in organized team activities Thursday, May 23, because of an undisclosed injury. Head coach Sean Payton would not specify [ More ]

Maurice HurtMay 23 02:52p

Washington Redskins OG Josh LeRibeus (groin) and OT Maurice Hurt (groin) did not participate in organized team activities Thursday, May 23, because of groin injuries.

Keenan LewisMay 23 02:42p

New Orleans Saints CBs Keenan Lewis and Patrick Robinson worked with the first-team defense during organized team activities Thursday, May 23. Head coach Sean Payton said people should not [ More ]

RSS Feeds

NFL News:
 
Player Notes:
 
Forum Posts:
 

© 2013 RealTime Fantasy Sports, Inc.
Email Us  ·  Call Us 636.447.1170  ·  Lost Password
Advertising represented by USA Today Sports Media Group