So, who is Jason Garrett?
There are two young offensive play-callers on the Ravens' list of possible coaching candidates -- Josh McDaniels, who we wrote about yesterday, and Jason Garrett, the offensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys.
There are a lot of similarities, at least superficially, between McDaniels and Garrett (at right with Terrell Owens). For one, they're both young, although at 41, Garrett is 10 years older than McDaniels. They're both the sons of football coaches -- in Garrett's case, his father was not only a coach but a longtime scout for the Cowboys. They both played quarterback at some point but while McDaniels switched to wide receiver in college, Garrett was talented enough to be a longtime backup quarterback in the NFL, primarily for the Cowboys during the Troy Aikman glory years. And, for the moment, they're both riding the coattails of star quarterbacks (Tom Brady, Tony Romo) of high-scoring, playoff-bound teams. And they both happened to grow up in Ohio.
Interestingly, while Garrett is older than McDaniels, McDaniels has coached a little longer.
Garrett is an Ivy League guy. He attended both Princeton and Columbia. He transferred to Columbia to be with his father when dad Jim coached there. He has two bothers, Judd and John, who are also NFL assistants. That "J" thing in the Garrett household is little odd but that's a level of analysis I'm not interested in exploring.
During his years with the Cowboys as Aikman's caddy, Garrett was pretty steady when he did play. He started a Thanksgiving Day game in 1994 and beat the Green Bay Packers. In a career during which he threw nearly 300 passes, he completed about 56 percent for more than 2,000 yards, 11 TDs and five interceptions. He also had playing stints with the Giants, Bucs and Dolphins, retiring in 2004.
So his coaching career really started only three years ago as the Dolphins' quarterbacks coach but he apparently so impressed Dallas owner Jerry Jones during his time with the Cowboys in the 1990s that Jones hired him just as Bill Parcells quit last January. And there was speculation that he'd get the head job in Dallas that eventually went to Wade Phillips.
As a result, Garrett may wind up being the toughest guy to hire because Jones -- whose organization already lost a front office executive Jeff Ireland to the Dolphins -- may compete for him. Plus, it's being reported that the Falcons want to interview Garrett so that's a complicating factor. Another Dallas coach, Tony Sparano, who's the Cowboys' assistant head coach, is also interviewing in Atlanta and his name has been linked to the Ravens' job as well as the possible opening in Miami -- but such is the nature of these things when a team is hot as the Cowboys are.
Photo credit: AP photo
Comments
I love the upside of young guns Garrett & McDaniel but my concern is that they may use the Ravens to wet their feet in the coaching ranks then flee to take their dream jobs to replace their mentors in Dallas & New England when the time comes. I dont like Cowher b/c I get the impression that he is more interested in that big contract than pursuing his desire to win another ring. He has nothing to prove, he wants to get paid.
Posted by: JWBBZ | January 3, 2008 10:45 AM
Possible opening in Miami? News Flash. Cam has been fired according to the AP wire.
-------------------------------------
Capt.,
Indeed, that show has dropped in Miami.
-- Bill O.
Posted by: Captain Jack | January 3, 2008 10:47 AM
If Schottenheimer and Cameron are available, I see no reason to look any further. Marty,Cam and Rex....done.
----------------------------------------
Gary,
That's an interesting grouping. The one drawback is that Marty probably isn't the nine-year coach to which Bisciotti referred.
-- Bill O.
Posted by: Gary | January 3, 2008 11:26 AM
these guys are way overrated. lets see, their offenses are composed of top 5 QBs and WRs in the league. brady to moss. romo to TO. so what is it gonna be in bmore? mcnair to mason? smith to williams?
Posted by: bmore | January 3, 2008 11:29 AM
In 2006 it was Brady to a bunch of nobodys.
Posted by: Captain Jack | January 3, 2008 1:14 PM
3 vacancies: 2 protential assitant coaches and ### Out of work ex-head coaches.
Not sure if college coaches are a viable option considering the recent flops.
With more head coach firings possible. It appears that the depth of good candidates is not enough to supply the demand.
So what do you do?
---------------------------------------
Is there anyone left from a Bill Walsh staff? Just kidding.
-- Bill O.
Posted by: Captain Jack | January 3, 2008 1:21 PM
bmore,
You hit the nail on the head! Exactly... give me a break with this kid from NE. He's got the dream team on offense and the media would have us believe it's his leadership that has the Pat's seeking glory. PUUUHHHLLLEEAASSE! That's like saying the first real Dream Team (Jordan, Magic, Bird) won because of coaching.
Let's get a real coach who can show these guys how to win, and win with class. Sorry Rex... you're not the guy.
Posted by: bill | January 3, 2008 1:59 PM
Bill,
In response to your response to Gary, Schottenheimer may not be a nine-year coach but Ray Lewis, Jon Ogden, Mike Flynn, Matt Stover, Derrick Mason, Steve McNair all are not nine more year players. I think we need a coach with the right plan already and enough enthusiasm to win today while prep'ing for the future. Now that is an obvious statement. But if we had Marty, Cam, and Rex and coached for Cam or Rex to take over in 2-3 years that would inspire the players young and old as well as the coaching staff young and old. I really think the NFL these days has to be a real mix of young talent and experienced veterans both on the playing field and in the coaching staff.
--------------------------------------------
Chris,
My comment about Marty was, in a sense, echoing what the owner said so I'm trying to handicap how these candidates will appeal to him. Ozzie is going to take the lead but after watching the Bisciotti presser a few times, I think he's going to make this decsion based on his gut. So, yeah, I think Marty is a reasonable suggestion ... I just also think his age is an inhibiting factor, let's put it that way.
-- Bill O.
Posted by: Chris | January 3, 2008 2:41 PM
Look, you guys are all talking about recycled, retread coaches. I LIKE Marty, but as soon as he leads us to 10- 6, 12- 4 and to the playoffs then gets knocked out in the first round I know what this town will say. "Marty can't win the big one, fire Marty, Marty must go!" I listen to sports talk 10 hours a day read all the papers, and watch ESPN, ESPN2, PTI. In short sports is my life, you know Marty will be run out of town in 2 years tops. We need to go after a big name... Let me through these names after you. Denny Green (I love him) he is firey "They are who we thought they were... and we let them of the hook!" He is smart, (had to deal with Billick for years as O.C.) and he is a great footbal guy, forget the Cardinals no one could help that team win. I love Denny Green for Baltimore.
Next Jimmy Johnson, he won't come to Baltimore I know that its a pipe dream but if I were the owner I would through a so much money at him that it would be very very difficult to say know. And if the Ravens have the money to pay Billick 15 million they can afford to wow! Jimmy J.
Bill Cowher, he would be third on my list. Plain and simple he would put a boot in the butt's of some of these spoiled players, they would shape up or ship out.
Just my thoughts on the matter and of course I'm no expert I sell electric supplies...
------------------------------------------------
I like the Denny Green suggestion.
-- Bill O.
Posted by: Darrin A. | January 3, 2008 5:44 PM
here is the guy I really like. very smart (ivy leaguer), great pedigree with dad being a coach and a scout, NFL experience as a QB for many years. Coaching experience is kind of light, but I remember when this guy was playing it was always commented upon by the players and announcers that he was an on field player coach. Troy Aikman really credits him with helping him as a qb. I think this is the guy that will take a team to the SB. I really hope we land him.
Posted by: ed from park heights | January 3, 2008 7:00 PM
Honestly, it will not surprise me, should Garrett stay where he is because the article clearly outlines he doesn't have the experience to lead an NFL team right now. Don't get me wrong, Tomlinson just took our rivals to the top of the Division, and a playoff berth, so it's not to say young a HC would flop, but the right man needs to be in the right job (Baltimore, Atlanta, Miami). We have always been, and will always continue to be a run-first team, complimented by our dominating top-ten, perrenial powerhouse defense. Mike Tomlinson understood the same of Pittsburgh and look where he is. Whoever comes here needs his vision to be in-line with our tradition.
Posted by: CJ | January 4, 2008 12:59 AM
Mike TOMLIN, and I agree with Darren and Bill - Denny Green would be a great choice for the Ravens.
Posted by: Bob | January 4, 2008 2:12 PM
You think the J thing is odd -- all EIGHT of the Garrett kids start with J....as do the Mom and Dad!!!
--------------------------------
Holy smokes.
-- Bill O.
Posted by: Beth | January 7, 2008 10:58 AM
When I was a kid, the neighbors had kids named Kenneth, Calvin, Carl, Casey, Kevin and Kathryn. It was a Mormon practice, I believe.
Posted by: Jeff | January 9, 2008 11:34 PM