Garrett used the Ravens? Please, give the whining a rest. If they fired Billick without having a clear direction in mind, it's the Ravens' own fault. Garrett is doing what any sought-after candidate would do, honoring all of his commitments to all of the interviewers, and then consulting with his family and his current employer to determine the best course for HIM. I have been a Ravens fan since Day 1, and still support them, but this coaching fiasco makes them look like the inexperienced ones, not Garrett. Hire someone and move on, already.

I am endorsing Harbaugh anyway. We do not need a 1st time coach who is not committed to the team town and colors.

I hear good things about Harbaugh and his hiring may be a better fit long term.

Its just show you that its all about the MONEY not the game any more .

What a cheap, no class tactic. Well, it's the Cowboys.

Give me a break. This guy knew what he was doing the whole time. He would have taken a head coaching job if he wanted to, but was offered similar money to stay in Dallas and possibly be the next head coach of that team in a few years. Obviously, Jerry Jones doesn't think he is inexperienced.

You are just upset that he turned the Ravens down. If he had accepted the job, you would be commending his thoughtfulness for taking time to weigh his options.

Sounds like sour grapes here Mike. Your supposition that he used the Ravens (and the Falcons) may be true but perhaps he changed his mind about being a head coach and feels that he needs more experience. In the end, it's all about the money. I will not begrudge him his payday.

It's funny that you (and most of Baltimore) are blasting Garrett for considering all his options. Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Billick do the same thing 10 years ago when he blew off Carmen Policy and Cleveland and still met with Modell.

This was after both Holmgren and Seifert were scheduled to meet with the Ravens but canceled their trips and signed on with Seattle and Carolina respectively. Back then, we were applauding Billick for having the integrity to meet with us and stick to his commitment to meet Modell, despite receiving an offer. Now, the same thing has happened and we're whining about it. Kill the hypocrisy!

It's time for MARTY-Ball!

I totally agree. NFL coaching jobs come along so rarely, and to be in the running for two jobs is even rarer. He's putting a lot of trust in Jerry Jones. I'm not saying that Jones will go back on his word to make Garrett the head coach soon, but it is a huge risk. All he need do is look at Gregg Williams who had the same promise from Daniel Snyder and has yet to be hired as the Redskins head coach.

I'm not shocked by the over rated Garret. I could tell by his demenor that he wasen't going to take the job.

He's not a Baltimore type of guy anyway. He thinks he is above everyone~!

Go Ravens

jason garrett is nothing but class,he did not use anyone??he interviewed..never told ravens he was taking the job..the media assumed he was taking the job,he will explain at a interview at 2pm at valley ranch..it's wrong for u too bash a good human being...go boys..

I don't agree. Garrett did what every other person in the every day corporate world does when angling for a better job and/or promotion. When it's done in the corporate world, it's called getting ahead. Apparently, when it's done to your beloved Ravens, you consider it "using." Sounds to me like someone's munching on some sour grapes...

Sounds a bit like sour grapes to me! Owners down the road will not hold this against Garrett, since it didn't happen to their franchise. Hiring Garrett would have been dangerous anyway, because we'd always be looking over our shoulder for Jerry Jones flying in our his private plane to offer him the Cowboys job someday. This outcome is probably for the best.

I don't know that he used the Ravens. Isn't it possible that he wanted to hear about all of the possible options before deciding on which path to take?

Great post Mike. I agree.

But was this not expected. This organization has been full of spin and window dressing for the last nine years. The PR department produces more spin then a washing machine and Billick only enhanced this through his comments and relationship with the press and team. Garrett probably took one look at these guys and thought he could run circles around them in order to get stability and a raise in Dallas.

Face it, the Ravens brought this on themselves. Look at how they handled the Billick firing rumors in the weeks before it occured. Until Biscotti, Bryne and Cass realize that the general way in which messages are conveyed needs to change, the Ravens will continue to look like fools.

Mike,
I can't speak to how the league perceives Garrett and his Tour De Nowhere.

You suggest it was a clumsy charade only to milk money out of his existing boss. Perhaps. Certainly clumsy to sit through hours and hours of interviews if you never intended to take a job.

But maybe Garrett really was torn. Maybe, like Bisciotti, he began by thinking one way, and simply "changed mind."

Sure, Garrett ultimately may have been swayed by the cash. Just as Bisciotti may have been swayed by the Cass. But that doesn't make it a conspiracy, or a sham.

Rather than just saying this was an awkward extortion job, I can more easily see that Garrett's lust for immediate head coaching power was, in the end, edged out by his belief that he could get the same job, better situation, with the team he had long-standing playing ties to, and the team that will soon be playing in a Gazillion Dollar Stadium by the time Phillips is gone.

If you want to question who looks like a fool in all this, isn't it Jones and maybe Wade Phillips, not Garrett?

Why always assume the worst? Is it so naive to think that he truly was wrestling between whether he wanted to be a HC for NFL Team A or whether he wanted to remain a huge contributor to the organization which he's been with for 15+ years?

Also, it would have been easy for Garrett to accept the Ravens job, then presumably jump ship for Dallas in 2 years after Phillips is gone. At least he had the class to not do that.

So much for Garrett's "desire to move closer to his relatives in New Jersey." I guess Jones will move Dallas to New Jersey when Garrett becomes coach!

Turn his picture to the wall!

I also disagree. In my opinion, Garret was basically like a free agent in this situation, met with all the teams looking for his services and returned to the team he was with for more money. Not to mention he knows he's the king of the hill when Wade Phillips gets tossed. Does it hinder the Ravens' process? Of course, but that's not Garrett's fault by any means or his responsibility. Like anyone else looking for work, you listen to all the best options and make your best decision. Bottom line is the Ravens are going to end up with their 3rd or 4th choice in the end, and that's the worst part of this whole thing.

Well, we could send the team back to Cleveland...oh wait...I forgot !...They got a better one there !...Maybe Ogden can teach Ray Lewis how to do the Geico dance he does so well in the commercials...

Of course he used the Ravens! Even if he didn't, after he got a load of the weather here he came back to his senses and said forget it!!

Dear god! Lighten up. Garrett was simply checking all of his options. Do you even know Garrett? Have you met him before? How the hell can you act like you know what's inside of his mind? You should read Aikman's analysis of the situation (I think Aikman's actually met him a few times). Here it is: "I know Jason very well. He is one of my closest friends. He's got as much integrity and is one of the most ethical people that I've been around. Money doesn't motivate this guy. Fame doesn't motivate him. Power doesn't motivate him. He would come back because of the quality of the job, the quality of the life and would be in no rush to take anything he didn't feel was in the best interest of his family."

If you think this is going to hinder him from getting a head coaching job in the NFL later, you are INSANE. Performance is the #1 indicator. Not the rantings of a slighted blogger.

How can you fault the guy for evaluating his options and deciding to stay with the organization he has known for years? The Ravens took a shot at him and lost. So everyone moves on. Hiring a young, inexperienced guy like him was a bit of a crap shoot anyway. Hopefully he doesn't turn out to be the great head coach that Bisciotti obviously thought he could be.

You should never agree to a 2nd interview if you have no intentions of taking the job. I think Garrett is an individual without scruples. How do you think Wade will feel looking behind his back? Garrett seems to have no problems being like vulture waiting for the spoils. It will eventually catch up to him. I am glad we did not take him. The Ravens need to look at Ryan or Caldwell.

Mike (from 12:16 post), you are wrong. Billick told Browns and Carmen Policy he was going to honor his commitment to interview with the Modells, so Policy told Billick don't bother coming to Cleveland. Billick did not blow off Policy. Besides, Billick was not playing other teams to get a deal to stay where he was, which is what Garrett was doing.

Wade should resign tomorrow and stick Jerry with Garrett now!

What a joke! He came and got a free dinner, flights, and all the preppings for what? nothing. Let's be serious. We need a man who is familiar with the Ravens. Let's bring in Rex Ryan and bring in an offensive coordinator who can start something great here in Charm City. We could also look to Harbaugh for the Defensive coordinator position, which I imagine he would take instead of being a secondary coach. Not to mention, he would get great experience from Rex Ryan!

I don't agree with you Mike and many of the commentors. Garrett made a choice that was brought about by Jerry Jone's ability to convince him that his best place is in Dallas. Those that should be upset are Phillips and the other coaches of the Cowboys. Garrett and Jones made that organizations coaching staff look bad. Not our Ravens.

Garrett wasted a lot of Ravens' staff time and energy in a classless move.

He's got a whoopie 3 total years of coaching experience. If it wasn't for Romo, T.O. and a great O-line nobody would even be interviewing this fool.

I am not sure I disagree Mike, but I don't see the need to spend any more time casting aspersions on a guy we barely know just because he turned us down.

One recent phenomena of this team that I have grown to dislike as much as I love our Ravens is the show. Whether it's a ballet dance after each tackle, a crying fit after each flag, or Brian's fun press conferences that spin more than a gold medal ice-skater.

Let's just move on and pay no more mind to a guy who turns us down. We have good work to do and games to play. We have candidates that want this job. Let's go get that guy. The draft is less than four months away.

Go Ravens.

Yeah, whatever. And Parcells used Atlanta (and ESPN) to get the price he wanted in Miami. That's capitalism, baby.

Garrett's work will determine whether he's still a hot head coaching candidate in the future, not whether he hurt some feelings in Baltimore. Charade? You must be joking, to turn down the coaching job that is coaching for an aging team (despite one of the best ownership groups) in not a charade. IT's logical and smart. I'd be willing to bet that owners will forget "the charade" if the Cowboys have another explosive offense next year and win a playoff game.

Perhaps he didn't take the job because he knew he wasn't ready for an NFL head coaching job. The guy did not have enough experience and luckily he has more sense than Ravens management.

I'm not surprised at all. Think about it, you get head coaching money to stay in Dallas as an assistant and not take the heat of a head coach (or worry about being fired if you're not successful). In a few years he'll be the head coach of the Cowboys...Jerry Jones obviously loves this guy. From a financial perspective the move probably guarantees him another $10M - $15M over the next five years. Now please focus your attention on Rex or Marty.

What? A guy interviews for a coaching job and is dissed because he said "no thanks"? Wake up to the reality that not everyone regards your Ravens or your city as the center of the universe. Jason is a very smart man, who considered his options and accepted a better offer than he got in Baltimore.

Garrett did not use us. I blame our management team for not realizing that Dallas would make a hard play for him. If you make an offer then you had better be 99% sure he will accept. Now all they have left is going with their second choice. I am sure you will remember that next year when the Ravens are struggling and will remind everyone that they screwed up the hiring process.

I am really amazed that they are trying so hard to get a young inexperienced coach. I think we need someone with experience and toughness to straighten out the egos on the team.

What a joke! He came and got a free dinner, flights, and all the preppings for what? nothing. Let's be serious. We need a man who is familiar with the Ravens. Let's bring in Rex Ryan and bring in an offensive coordinator who can start something great here in Charm City. We could also look to Harbaugh for the Defensive coordinator position, which I imagine he would take instead of being a secondary coach. Not to mention, he would get great experience from Rex Ryan!

Was Sean Payton using the Raiders when he was offered their head coaching job and declined to come back and be Dallas' offensive coordinator?

Did he look like an idiot around the league? Or was he hired by the Saints the very next year?

Gimme a break. Maybe Garrett would have taken the job if you could have convinced him that you won't be looking for a QB for another 10 years. No offensive guru wants a job with no QB. Heck, Brian Billick was considered and offensive guru before he came to Baltimore and led the most impotent offense in the league for 10 years.

Garret did use the Ravens. I think he knew he wanted to return to the cowboys, but he wanted more money. So he acted interested in the ravens so jerry jones would up his salary. I don't want Garret anyways, i still believe Rex Ryan is the right man for the job. he knows all the players and people, and he is a great coach. If he hires a good OC, then the ravens could be good next year.

I made this comment on Monday. I like this guy Harbaugh. Sign him up and get to work for a new season. You have wasted 10 days waiting for a chump, not a champ.

I don't have any hard feelings toward Garrett because I probably would've gone about the process in a similar fashion if I was job hunting. But what was said at the second interview that couldn't be said at the first?

actually , if the losers Ravens top notch staff would have did their homework it was already noted that Jerry Jones had told Jason that he would match any offer he received .. any way , who would want to go to a franchise in rebuilding mode over his team , which is the 4th youngest in all of the NFL and still almost made it to the big game ... You guys need to hire another in the Billick model... Its my way or the highway type mentality ... run.. run ... 3 yard dump off pass .. punt.. that surely doesn't fit into Jason Garretts strengths

I do not believe Jason Garrett used the Ravens in any way. Sean Payton and Mike Zimmer both agreed to stay in Dallas after receiving head coaching offers a few years back. Rex Ryan has had two interviews with Atlanta. If they don't hire him, did the Falcons use him to drive down the price of another candidate? Norv Turner walked into a great situation in San Diego last year, as it appears Jim Caldwell will in Indianapolis. The Ravens job is not one of those situations, and there was no need for any candidate with options to pursue it exclusively.

Hmmm.... 13-3 or 5-11??? I think he made the smart decision! Go 'Boys!

Sounds like their are idiot Raven fans just like idiot Cowboys fans. All speculation without knowing the facts behind the scenes. Garrett graduated from Princeton so he's not stupid. He looked at a couple of opportunities and decided that the long term situation is better in Dallas than a rebuilding situation in Baltimore or Atlanta.

I agree that we should move on and get another coach, since we know where the cards lay. Yes, I am irritated that he had to come all the way to Bmore to tell Jerry Jones he wants more money, but maybe that is what he had to do. Either way, he will look like the idiot when Wade Phillips becomes a winning coach and then Garrett will not get the option to coach the Cowboys. He should have took the job and Biscotti would have paid Garrett very well. Now, he looks like a clown in front of all the NFL and in Baltimore, which the Media will use during next year's games. I am on the REX RYAN TRAIN.....LET's GET HIM BACK!!!

Hey, I don't blame the Garretts for not coming to his eyesore of a city. If he can become coach of the Cowboys within a year a two, why come here and deal with veteran whiners and no viable QB. As I correctly stated before, it makes no sense to fire a Super Bowl winning coach and try to replace him with an unproven or veteran cast-off of a coach. The Raven's have themselves to blame for deviously firing Brian and now the smoke is blowing back in their faces! Yup, it's true!

To the first post- coaching fiasco? Having a guy turn down the Ravens offer is a fiasco? How does that make any sense?

Regardless of what Garrett's intentions were in coming to Baltimore and Atlanta, the process of hiring a head coach is just like hiring a "normal" employee. You may love the guy in the interview, but if he's not happy or has something else in mind, he has the right not to accept it. Does that mean your business will fail? No. You find THE guy who will be the perfect fit to your organization. Obviously, Jason Garrett is not the guy for the Ravens.

Really, Mike Preston, there is such a thing as being TOO cynical. Perhaps Garrett got cold feet, or didn't want to be the HC of the Ravens in particular.

Maybe some people don't see coaching here as the great opportunity you make it out to be. The Ravens under Bisciotti have not been that great so far, so maybe there's concern about the direction of this franchise.

Mike,

Stick to talking football. Leave the negotiating to those who are qualified.

Spit those sour grapes out...

When an NFL team is looking for a head coach don't they interview several candidates before deciding which one they want to go with? How is that any different for a coach? He wanted to go around and see his options and then make the decision he feels is best. Were the Ravens using Rex Ryan? Why such a double standard?

Seems a pretty easy decision to me. Go with the 5-11 Ravens with major questions at quarterback or stick with the 13-3 Cowboys with a young probowl qback? He can continue to mold Romo and this offense while carrying the OC title, whereas in Baltimore he would be doing all that under the pressure of the HC title.

Garrett is very smart. That Princeton education is paying off...

So let me get this straight Mike..couple of days ago YOU said the Ravens should wait before rushing to hire Garrett to make sure they make a hire that best fits THE TEAM

Yet now you are tearing down Garrett for waiting, thinking it over and making a decision that best fits HIM.

There are 2 seperate issues here. Number 1 Jason Garrett and Jerry Jones have just piut the 'Boys in a really bad situation. By retaining Garrett, Jones is admiting that he plans to fire Wade Phillips sometime in the next year which is going to make foe a very uneasy Cowpokes sideline next year. Good luck pokes! The second issue is that Garrett wasn't the right choice anyway. And neither is "I can't win in the postseason" re-tread Marty Schottenheimer. What is the goal to win or to win championships? If Bisciotti and Newsome want to send the message they want to make B-More more than just a team that can make the playoffs, but a real championship franchise, stay as far away from Marty Ball as possible! The real answer, as it has been all along, is to hire Rex Ryan as HC, and then hire a really good OC, Norm Chow anyone?, to run the O.

oh well, in the long run, we might have dodged a bullet, like when we didn't get T.O.

I don't think they should just give the job harbaugh because he is simply the last canidate left, time to interview more people.

If you saw his wife striding out ahead of him leaving the Ravens complex after the 7 hour interview you knew he wasn't going to take that offer. One wife's perspective

I dont know all the facts, so I wont say he used us. I am curious as to who leaked the information about him being offered the job in the first place. If he and his people were the ones that did that, then that would give this a little more crediability but right now it has none.

Don't think for a minute the Ravens didn't know there was a good chance Jason would chose to stay in Dallas. The Ravens took a shot, but in the end they did not get their first choice. No big deal, they will find someone else.

As for Garrett, he probably got a raise or bonus to stay in Dallas. Additionally he had a chance to test the waters. This very similar to Sean Payton's experience in 2005. He was a hot candidate and Oakland made him an offer. He decided to stay in Dallas another year, then took the New Orleans job.

I think a person in Garrett's position is better suited for a rebuilding team. The Palace doesn't think that's the mode this team is in.

My question in all of this: If we're keeping all of the whiny veterans, is a first year coach the best we can do?

Come on now. No playoff win in more than 10 years and that's a better option? Let him stay with Jerry Jones, who likes the show anyway. Ravens deserve better!

FOOLS... Both Garrett and Jones look like FOOLS to the whole football world. ALL Owners won't give this Princeton Moron another look if he does not get the D-job from Phillips.

Does anyone remember the last time someone pulled a BIG FOOL(S) Shenanigans like this.

You get that feeling, Phillips will be lookin behind his shoulder for a long time.

GO G-I-A-N-T-S !!!!!

Ed(12:36)

Give me a break. The Ravens have an overall better organization then the Browns. What the Ravens are going through right now is a minor set back that every team faces eventually. Its nothing like what the Browns have been going through for the last 20 years or so. Dont believe me, tally up the Superbowl and playoff apperances. Ravens win by a long shot.

Dude.....
He interviewed, got offered the job, told his current boss that he'd like to stay but that he had to consider it, got a raise and probably a promise to take over in Dallas in a couple of years, and made the best decision for himself and his family.
HOW IS THAT WRONG?
You think he "looks like a fool around the league"? YOU my friend sound like a fool.

Mike is absolutely right with his assertions. Garrett used the Ravens for negociating leverage. That type of tactic may work for an experienced NFL coach with some playoff wins, but for a novice that doesn't play well. Does anyone actually think Arthur Blank or Steve Biscotti have much respect for Garrett? What does this scenario say about Garrett's integrity?

I would like the search to continue and add some additional names. I think the Ravens were too limited with their initial HC choices. Remember Billick was the Ravens 3rd choice when he was hired, and that worked out pretty well. I'd prefer the team interviewing a guy like Jim Haslett. He's the only Coach to have ever guided New Orleans to a play off win, and he's been around the league. I think that the veterans on this team would respect a veteran head coach.

This is a business. NFL stands for NO FREE LUNCH. They don't need a coach they need a warden.

Apparently, the Ravens do not know how the world works. Everyone uses everyone else - especially in a business like that.

Give me a break.

So If the Cowboys offense scores 500 points and wins a SB next year, are owners still going to have that long memory?

He was following the advice of his agent whose job is to get top dollar, top working conditions, and top benefits for his client. Then the agent also gets top dollar. So what's the problem with that? Now, appropriately, the Ravens move on...

Just forget him. Look at his "success". The Boys unstoppable "O" got stopped when they played great teams and when it mattered. Undisciplined players and they were badly outcoached by the the Giants...Please...stop with the need to be a hero. Bring in Marty. He's a winner...and with our organization he will have the talent to get to the super-bowl. Just sign Marty....

Jerry matched the highest offer Garrett received, so how is it all about the money? He would have been paid the same if he would have chosen B'more or ATL. You guys need to just quit complainin' and find your own coach. Why don't you just give Rex Ryan a chance? Besides, you will still need talent on offense to succeed.

Gareett didn't do anything that the ravens allowed them to . Steve B is the disappointment in my eyes. He is the one that allowed Jason to use this organization to get what he wanted , to stay in Dallas. I never in my wildest dreams thought the day would come when i would even remotley talk about the ravens the same way that i talk about the orioles and that is there starting to be a second rate organiztion.All the Good head coaches took themselves out of the running to begin with and what the ravens were interiewing were cPlus at best. Now lets see what these so called Guru's at the CASTLE are going to do now. Let Ray pick the next head coach he got the other one fired. You reep what you sew in life and they got it shoved

Troy Aikman's take before Garrett made his decision:

Would Garrett stay as a head coach in waiting?

"He would turn down a head coaching opportunity with the idea that it's not the right fit at this time and maybe a situation will come about that he thinks will give him a better opportunity to be successful.

"I don't think if he turns down a head coaching opportunity this year that it will be because he is promised or looking forward to being the next Cowboys coach.

"I know Jason very well. He is one of my closest friends. He's got as much integrity and is one of the most ethical people that I've been around. Money doesn't motivate this guy. Fame doesn't motivate him. Power doesn't motivate him. He would come back because of the quality of the job, the quality of the life and would be in no rush to take anything he didn't feel was in the best interest of his family."

There is NOTHING to talk about here as far as anyone using anyone. This is NORMAL process. NO ONE looked foolish! Cry all you want and go on with your life.

Who cares about this Garrett, he isnt ready to be a head coach. He went out and got the best offer he could, don't we do that when negotiating for a raise or a new job ? I feel Billick was fine, we just have a bunch of over-paid prima donna's who's best days are behind them... Blow up the team and lets rebuild...

Have any of you Ballimore idiots considered the possibility that the Ravens low-balled Garrett? Maybe your "storied" franchise insulted him with the salary offer.

Regardless, YOUR team came after Garrett. And for all of you bozos saying Garrett wasn't the right one anyway, remember it was YOUR team that decided he was the best man for the job.

And since when does interviewing for a job mean you have to take the offer? Preston and the rest of you make me laugh with your indignant anger. Puh-lease, anyone with a choice between America's Team and Baltimore's Team isn't going to have a difficult time deciding. Throw in the fact that your team is old and decrepit and the decision becomes even simpler. When you consider your team needs real players at every offensive skill position, the decision becomes a no-brainer. And the icing on the cake is that who knows how long the Ravens will even be in Baltimore. Garrett is a family man and doesn't want to be moving them in the middle of the night.

Good luck with your 3-13 or 4-12 season next year. Be careful walking up the steps in your stadium - they will become slick from the tears of shame being spilled by Ravens fans.

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention the fact that the Cowboys will be playing in the greatest stadium ever constructed. The Ravens? Eh, not so much.

We dont need Garrett. Personally when I heard that we offered a job to him i was kind of mad. I think we should give rex a look. I think we owe him that for what he has done for our defense. And by the way the Ravens go down to Dallas next year for a game(acc. to Baltimoreravens.com future schedules). And when we go down there and beat them garret will realize that he made a dumb mistake that he will never be able to undo. And also we dont need a cowboy up in Baltimore

Gotta go with the majority, Mike.

Garrett looks foolish across the NFL community? The only one looking foolish is you.

Wade Phillips has to be looking over his shoulder!

Mike, have you ever interviewed for a job and then turned down an offer? People in all careers do so every day. My guess is Garrett got nervous about whether he was really ready to be a head coach with so little previous experience. If he bombs as a first time coach now, it hurts him a lot more long term. If he gets a few more years of coordinator experience under his belt, then his career can handle any bumps that come his way as a head coach. In a league where too many people are too quick to get to the next level (leaving college early, etc.), it's refreshing to see someone be cautious like this. Jones agreed to match any offer he got, so money wouldn't affect his decision, plus he'll have a chance of coaching the team he played for, in a city that loves him. Plus, ask any career counselor or recruiter and they'll tell you that it's always good practice to get interview experience. I don't think he did anything shady or interviewed knowing he wasn't going to take the offer...at the end of the day, he's interviewing the Ravens too, and it just turned out that it wasn't a good fit.

The real problem is that the Ravens should have determined who their top candidates would be, and even have some preliminary discussions with them under the radar, before firing Billick. Now they're left scrambling for whatever leftovers are out there. At this point they'd be better off re-hiring Billick (though I'm sure it would cost them a lot more).

Billick did NOT do the same thing ten years ago. Billick came to Baltimore first. Cleveland (and Carmen Policy) flew their private plane to Minnesota to try and convince Billick to blow off the Ravens and go to Cleveland first. To his credit, Billick refused because he had promised to go to Baltimore first.

First off, Cowgirl fans - take a hike. Your owner is going to look stupid yet again and the odds are Garrett will too. He's one massive T.O. injury/mental meltdown from looking like a lowly Dolphins QB coach again and never sniffing another HC job.

For me, this the best news I've heard in a while! Biscuit the Clueless gets humiliated and a guy who's had only 3 years coaching experience and in no way deserves a HC job anywhere doesn't get to sabotage the Ravens. Everybody wins!

Well at least Preston isnt complaining about Billick anymore.

Who will it be this year then? Or are smiles, sunshine and rainbows this year for the Birds?

And when did Baltimore become the Red Sox/Yankee franchise of the NFL??? The Cowboys are that franchise. You know nothing about the man, he is the most ethical man you will ever meet in professional sports. Get over dude!

Thank goodness, BB was 13-3 one year and fired the next. A year is a long time in this league and Jason Garrett better hope the cowboys win next year or he'll be forgotten. And if they win what then. I don't think you fire the winning head coach do you?
That tells me he did all this for a raise. Obviously JJ is richer and smarter than me but he aint' a football GM, Parcell's built that team and odd's are jerry will destroy it over the next couple of years.

I don't think the Raven's should have interviewed him to begin with. It is well known that he is being groomed to be the next Coach of the Cowboys, not the next head coach of the Whoever's...

I blame the Raven's for putting themselves in this position. The guy wants to coach the Cowboys. Does he sign here for 2.7 mil or stick around in Dallas and make 2 mil to be the OC and take over for Phillips when he inevitably gets canned next year for losing in the Playoffs again.

They should hire me. I could have done what he did in Dallas with the "Romo-TO Show". Plus, I sort of have red hair!

"Alright, here's what we do, Romo, you throw a short arm knuckle ball to Owens over the middle. Ready! Break!"

You Cowboys fans talking up your 13-3 team should remember that the Ravens went 13-3 in 2006 and were one-and done in the playoffs too. Look what happened to them the next year. Fortunes change very quickly in the NFL, and so far, Romo has shown a knack for choking when it counts in the big games.

Not to mention there are no guarantees in the NFL. What happens if Romo regresses and suddenly Garrett isn't seen as such a genius? Is Jones still going to make him HC then?

Where is Denny Green? Why isn't he in any of these discussions?

I'm glad Jay Gibbons didn't take the Ravens heading coaching job.

I also think people here feel like they were used. If Jerry Jones wanted the man so badly he shouldn't have allowed him to run all over the country interviewing. Teams with good intentions wasted time and opportunity playing that little game. Jerry is the one who looks unprofessional to me, and it cost him a lot of money; the highest paid offensive coordinator in the league.
Personally I think Garrett is still a little wet behind the ears. I don't see him standing somebody like Ray Lewis down in the locker room. We need some who can.

Wait a minute.... Ravens fans whining over a "cheap" and "classless" move? How do you think you got the team to begin with. You reap what you sow.

Pot. Kettle. Black

You're only half right here (and you only got the small half at that). He didn't use the Ravens for money, he used them for interview experience. One of the most important parts of the "becomming a head coach" process is getting onto the interview lists in the first place (the whole reason for the Rooney Rule).

Garrett got two real interviews. That will serve him well in terms of keeping his options open down the line. It won't limit his future chances, as you insinuate, it will enhance them. He's now fully "on the list" of prospective coaches, and will get a call for most or all of the future head coach openings.

Used, sure. But not for money. For experience.

Mike,

True to form, Jerry Jones would overpay a guy to stop him advancing in his career. What has Jones done for [not to] the NFL compared to owners such as Model, Rooney, Mara? If this a secret handshake deal [Garrett stay here and I'll make you head coach soon], the NFL and Jesse Jackson will have a lot to say about Jone's hiring practices. The quick playoffs exit could not have happened to a nicer guy.

hey Brandon, Before Long Owners Will Measure Excellance!

The Ravens gave Rex Ryan the respect he deserved by interviewing him, but they don't owe him the job. He hasn't been there that long...and had less success in the coordinator role than Marvin Lewis. The basic fact is that Rex Ryan is one of these guys who could stick with being an excellent coordinator for the rest of his career, but is not going to be successful as a head coach (think Norv Turner, Dom Capers, or Dick LeBeau). He knows his X's and O's but just isn't dynamic enough to be the top guy.

Had to laugh at the comment about the Cowboys new stadium being a factor in Garrett's decision. Sure it might be nice, but teams only spend 3 hours a week at the stadium, versus 10 times that at their practice facility. And the Ravens have by far the best practice facilities in the league.

(Brian 12:37)

Yes, I know Jason. He was the first guy I met whn I reported for football at Princeton in '84. We were teammates and have developed a 20-plus year relationship.

I don't usually participate in this stuff because opinions are just that and former and current players and coaches let the general populus say and think what they want,
but this is my friend and my dad is from B'More and I'm a huge Orioles and Cal Ripken fan as well.

Everyone is speaking about a very well-studied, meticulous and down-to-earth guy who is extremely thoughtful.
Is he going to weight his options? Is he mindful and respectful of inquiries?
Should he be given the opportunity to meet and at least hear clubs out? It would be foolish not to. Bottomline, he is not a user!

Maybe Garrett decided that his best chance for a SuperBowl ring was to stay put instead of going to an organization that was rebuilding. And Rex Ryan?! ...just what we don't need, another head coach who favors his proBowl players in their own little clique, and then calls bonehead timeouts that cost us the game and a chance to beat a now 17-0 team.

Mike,
Give it rest already! The Ravens shouldn't have fired Billick to begin with. This team lost to the Colts in the championship game 2 years ago.
They fired Billick because he has a bad year, just look at all the injuries and the front office was dumb enough to let J. Lewis go to Cleveland.
This is their own doing.

Mike,

I don't really have a problem with Garrett turning the job down. Better to say no now than leaving town later.

My concern is with the push to make Rex Ryan the next coach. I love him as our defensive coordinator... But c'mon... If he would make such a great head coach... why hasn't he been offered two different jobs by other clubs??? He has been interviewed by other teams...

You just can't fathom the possibility that Garrett wasn't in love with becoming the Ravens HC, can you? Have you ever been to a job interview where you weren't sure if you even wanted the job, but owed it to yourself to find out what the situation is? Newsflash: you're not the prettiest girl at the dance....far from it, in fact.

Thank you classless Ravens at the Castle for feeding Jason and letting Jerry know how much it is going to cost him to keep Jason!.. Maybe I missed something .. Are the Ravens looking to interview Jesse Jackson .

what a smart business move.. leverage present ownership to get equal salary to head coach and guarantee the top position of AMERICA'S TEAM. ravens are not the america's team. ravens could easily fire their head coach, a prospective candidate can just as easily decline an offer. let's grow up and move forward. enough feeling like a victim....

Mr. Bisciotti, I hope you read this. Rex Ryan is the answer. Give him the shot. He has earned it.

If Garrett wants to be a head coach he had better hope the Cowboys job does indeed come through in a couple of years. What other team would be comfortable approaching him after watching how he used the Ravens and Falcons as leverage? I agree that if what he really wanted to do was remain in Dallas but get a raise out of Jones, all he probably needed to do was ask. If Garrett would handle his responsibilities as a head coach the same way he handled this process, the Ravens are probably better off going in a different direction.

I agree that Garrett was doing what was in his and his families best interest. What man in their right mind wouldn't do that? I hire people for a living and if the candidate is too eager to jump at the opportunity without thinking about it makes me nervous. Any professional no matter what the field of expertise is going to weight all their options.

Anyone that has followed the NFL even in the past 3 years knows that Garrett was coveted by Jones. When there were talks of the Tuna jumping out of the boat Garrett was mentioned as the potential successor. Jones just did not think that he was ready yet.

I think we have a tendency to overreact even when we don't have all the information. Specifically the media.

Future coach of the Cowboy's or present coach of the Raven's? Talk about a no-brainer!!!!!!!

Look, this guy Garrett just got cold feet. If his offense was so good, why did the Cowboys average only 12.7 points in their last 4 games? Garrett staying in Dallas is the best thing that could have happened to the Ravens.

Job interviews aren't just for the employer to determine if they want the person. They are also for the person to determine if they want the employer. It seems to me that he had his interview and decided Baltimore wasn't the right place for him. It's better to find that out now than 3,4, or 5 years from now and have to look again for a head coach. I believe in taking the time to choose the right head coach for any team. Too much turnover in that position is a killer in the NFL.

In the interest of full disclosure, I am a Steelers fan.

I think that Garrett knew that he was going to stay with Dallas and wanted to use the Ravens and Falcons as leverage to get top dollar from Jerry Jones. I also think that the Ravens played right into his plans by waiting on Garrets answer. The Ravens should have had the next man up scheduled for an interview for the next morning time Garret left. That would have shown Garrett that the Ravens are serious about finding a coach and they would'nt be a day behind in their search.

A few points...
All you people that are ripping Preston are idiots. In what dream world are you living in where someone offers you a promotion and a huge pay increase, essentially giving you the keys to the front door, executive parking, and the power to have a major impact on any and all decision making with personnel, do you say no? Maybe all of you are followers and not leaders, because that is what I see in Garrett. Just looking at him, I don't see leader. He's not someone me as a fan, let alone someone like Ray Lewis or McGahee could rally behind. I see all you Dallas fans taking shots at us, but what did he get you? One and done, brothas...you'll be going off with the Ravens in the 7:13am tee time. Give me someone that can get me fired up, i.e Schottenheimer or even Harbaugh. one last thing. The assinine comments made by the poster George Stromberg saying we need a warden. Umm, I think when it comes to off the field incidents the Ravens are a tiny blip on the radar. I don't recall us slapping strippers or doing any of the numerous things the Bengals seem to do. A coach that can manage the game will do just fine, thank you.

What a childish rebuttal! If you listened to Jerry, you are right--he could have easily gotten any amount of money that he wanted and not interviewed. So why did he do it? Experience, courtesy, curiousity. He did his due diligence and put some thought into it. If the interview meetings are a "mere formality" to the hire then why do teams do multiple interviews, as they can only hire one HC? Idiotic reasoning on your part (and I thought the Baltimore Sun portrayal on The Wire was fictitious!

I believe Garrett did what anyone else would have and should have done in checking out all options. Maybe he did use the interviews as leverage but I also think that he used this to experience the interview process in the NFL as well. Nothing wrong with that. That's just smart on his part. As far as the Ravens and the 'wasted' time, they needed to find out if he was interested and they also know this is part of doing business.

Mike-
Why is it that when one doesnt get his way they complain about being used. The Ravens had him come in twice not the other way around.

Well, which is it, Mike? Was he using the Ravens to meet his ends, which he did perfectly, therefore saying he is cunning and smart? Or is he naive and inexperienced? You can't have it both ways. Oh. That is right. A usual tactic of yours. Take both sides so you can't be wrong.

Too bad you didn't think of the most likely one. He listened to everyone then made a decision. Like everyone who ever interviews for jobs should do. Blast him because he did it the right way. Made no promises. Then chose what was right for him.

Rex Ryan is the best fit for this team PERIOD!!! The players would die for him.

This is a rare, but I agree with Preston 100% on this. IMHO Garrett never had any intention to leave Dallas.

Why is this even a discussion?

Garrett has zero playoff wins, and just 3 years of assistant coach experience. That's it. Who cares if he walks away from the offer. Good riddance. And watch your back, Wade.

I have a bad feeling the Ravens management will now go into panic mode and hire the first schlub who says, "Yes".

I can't blame Garrett for interviewing even if he knew he wouldn't take the job. Yes, if that's true, then he used the Ravens, but it was good practice. Without a dobut he'll interview again for a head coaching job elsewhere, and the experience here will help in down the road.

I don't see it as the Ravens dragging their feet. It's not like all the great candidates are taken. And only one open head coaching job has been filled, and, so far, there's still only Atlanta and Washington also looking. The demand for a head coach isn't that high right now. Of couse, that could change if Seattle or Indy open up.

Still, I see the Ravens being intentionally deliberate in order to find just the right candidate. Ultimately, I've got faith in Biscotti and Newsome and Cass.

Then again, what else can I do? It's not like I can affect the process.

I can understand why the diehard Raven fan is upset. Garrett is a really nice guy and I believe he knows he will be the Cowboy's Head Coach when the new stadium (which will be the biggest and grandest in the NFL) opens up in several years. The Cowboys are one of the youngest teams in the NFL and should be a playoff team for several years. Garrett was just exploring his options even turning down Mr. Home Depot. Jerry Jones is very loyal and I am sure he told Jason he will be the HC in a year or two. Good Luck Ravens.

I agree almost 100% with Jim. This is all part of the hiring process. If I had 2 potential job offers plus an offer to remain with my current employer, I'd do exactly the same as Garrett, and I have 22 years of experience in my field. The only difference I have with Jim is that I don't believe Garret's decision reflects as negatively on the Ravens organization as some people fear.

Congrats to Garrett for scoring a big pay day! Congrats to Jerry Jones in keeping the anointed one! And most of all, congrats to the Ravens for not hiring a head coach who did not want to be here in the first place.

The only loser in this situation is Wade Phillips. He’s the one who got a raw deal. Imagine how fun it will be for him to come to work every day knowing his successor is in the next office over in waiting. Talk about laying the foundation for locker room divisiveness. You know it’s going to happen the moment the Cowboys start to struggle next season. Nice way to start the off season Jerry Jones.

so, he went home to mommy. big deal. we didn't need him anyway. experience is the best teacher and he just might regret one day not gaining some away from the glare of "them cowboys"

Garrett got cold feet and stayed with Daddy Jerry. I've hated the Cowboys since I was 5 years old and have never tired of seeing them lose. Garrett gives another reason to root against them. Pity Wade Phillips.

I moved from Baltimore to San Antonio 2 years ago. So I'm a Ravens fan stuck in "Cowboys land". I posted 5 days ago that Garrett was just using the Ravens, the talk shows down here were telling everyone that Garrett had no intentions of leaving the Cowboys. It just goes to show you how low class that organization is. Jerry Jones is doing the same thing to San Antonio that Jack Cooke did all those years to Baltimore, keeping a team out of the 7th largest city in America.

He probably did not want to deal with the thug idiots like Ray Lewis, Bart Scott, T. Suggs and the rest of the BRAIN DEAD Ravens and their pea brains!
Stick to football Mike!
If I had options I would NOT want this job!

Mike,

Stop whining and making assertions about this guy when you have no idea what you're talking about. Your claim that he showed a lack of experience because he went through the interview process and left without committing is absurd. It sounds to me like he knew exactly what he was doing and probably accomplished pretty much what he had hoped to from the outset. You don't have any idea that Jones would have automatically given him what he wanted if he just asked. I'm sure after having worked for Jones he knows the guy better than you do. It's just business, and any assertion to the contrary is sour grapes and a lot of speculation on your part. I suppose you've never interviewed for a job you didn't end up taking. Sure.

Thank god he turned down the job. Hire Ryan, he deserve it.

If the Skins keep tagging Williams along maybe he will become available.

I remember in the first news conference( upon Billick's release ), that Bisciotti said.......somewhere out there is a Hall of Fame Coach and it's our( the Ravens) job to find him.
The search will continue.
You gotta remember that Jerrry Jones gave Garrett the oportunity to run the Cowpokes Offense. He brought the guy there with the hopes of grooming him, to eventually and hopefully be the Dallas HC. Can't blame the guy for doing what was in his best interest.
So, we continue to look for the "right' guy to lead our football team. Looks as though Marty may possibly fit into the equation again....along with Harbaugh. Harbaugh could be the guy they will look more closely at.
We'll also see what happens with Caldwell, as with Dungy's decision which comes on next Monday.
I'm surprised that Mike Singletary and Jim Schwartz haven't been brought in yet, as well.
NEXT !!

One Question for all of you Raven Fans?
If you were about to be a Head Coachin within the next 2-3 years, who you rather coach - Dallas or Baltimore?

Be honest with your anwers.

The fans in Baltimore think that the Ravens HC position is the most coveted in football. It is not! We operate with the notion of the proverbial "somebody" out there who will magically do something great with the team. Then we do a knee-jerk firing of a good coach and find that there is nobody out there better than who we already had, who wants to come here. Those potential coaches would rather stay put where they are. Now we have to settle for a 2nd tier coach, put him in a bad position and then want to run him out of town next year when he fails. Are we having fun yet .... These boys on the O line need to learn to block somebody and give the QB time to execute plays (Brady and Manning have plenty of time). I hope that the people who hailed the firing of BB will be happy with losing football for the next few years as we go through growing pains until the next window of opportunity opens for us to be successful.

Speaking as someone who has known Jason and his wife since his playing days, I have to echo Troy Aikman's comments. Jason Garrett is a CLASS ACT all the way and is not at all motivated by money, fame or greed.

Jason did what any other professional in any other industry would do when job hunting.... he carefully weighed all of his options and in the end, chose to do what was best for him and his family. He's very comfortable with the Cowboy organization, and no doubt, Jerry Jones was not going to let him go that easily.

This article is just a classless display of sour grapes.

If Garrett didn't want the job he shouldn't have interviewed for it the first time and certainly not the second time. It was for money.He wasted our time and his.

OK, we could spend the next week crying the blues because Garrett didn't accept the job. Regardless, this team still needs a head coach. Someone that can control this team and keep it's egos in check. Be someone that can guide this team to success.

Jason Garrett is the young version of Billick - offensive "genius" with 3 Pro Bowl linemen, a Pro Bowl QB, RB, WR and TE. Granted he called the right plays but the players executed. Isn't that what Billick did in Minnesota? Garrett had QB development skills going for him, but other than that, he needs more time in the NFL to gain experience.

Ravens fans,
Be happy. He is very over-rated. Look what he did in the playoffs with all of those weapons. He couldn't even beat the mediocre Giants. He will look like a fool in the end. The Cowboys are only getting older and they will not be as good next year. I doubt that he will ever get a head coaching offer again. Look at it as a blessing in disguise
Hail Skins!!

It's all a part of the business...My personal experience is that sometimes it takes an interview with a competitor to get the raise you want with your current company. Garrett simply did it on a stage that draws nationwide attention....

in the long run jason wasnt ready to be a head coach he needs more experience..its a shame rex ryan is not getting a serious enough look from ravens his dad buddy was a decent head coach in his days..ravens went for a home run for garrett they struck out...go boys

This particular column was to sports writing as ESPN is to covering the national spelling bee. It makes no sense.

If Garrett came back from Dallas and Atlanta discussions and took the Ravens job, I'm not sure you would've taken the same stance on Garrett. He's the best young coach in the league and the almost guaranteed prospect of coaching the most popular team in the NFL, the league's top revenue generator, and in a billion-dollar stadium within 3 years (all while making $3 million per year) is an exponentially better opportunity than coaching here. I love Baltimore. But, these are the facts. Your column was complete speculation and a perfect example of the continuing dearth of sports journalism. Read some David Halberstam and learn.

I am so glad Garrett is not our coach. We NEED Schottenheimer. Why? To curb immature, lazy malcontents, who obviously think they run the team. And they do. It is obvious that Biscotti (sp?) is taking us down the Irsay highway. Since when do he and Dick Cass know anything about football? I have heard Cass' name more in the past week than at any other time. That should never be. Why isn't he letting the football man, Ozzie Newsome, pick the coach? Newsome wants Schottenheimer. If I were Biscotti, I would have hired Marty the second the last syllable was uttered by lazy Jon Ogden, concerning that hire. Thanks for the return to incompetent ownership, Steve.

After seeing the vaunted Cowboy offense last weekend, we may have lucked out. And Garrett had a hot quarterback working for him.

Preston, who cares if if he used us? It would have been a bad hire anyway, he has too little experience too take over this team anyway. He interviewed the Falcons as well, did he use them too? Be consistent.

Jason Garrett is the wtem of offensive coordinators.

Would you like a bowl for your sour grapes?

It comes as no surprise, after I found out he had the same agent as our two biggest cap headaches; eternally injured save for contract every three years Heap and whining Lewis. Good riddance.

The fact that he coudn't make up his mind here indicates a lack of decisiveness. He also isn't experienced enough to handle big ego players like Lewis and Reed.
He just wasn't ready to be a head coach. He lacks maturity. Just start over, and get some one with enough cohones to deal with the established talent on the Ravens, and with enough balls to take on new challenges, rather than stay under tyhe umbrella of his sugar daddy Jones.

Is Jamison Hensley really Simon Cowell.?....

Damn, I agree with Mike Preston.

First of all Id like to say that I am a Dallas Cowboy fan. Second of all Id like to say that Ive always pulled for the Ravens. I live in Tennesse and used to love when the Ravens beat the crap out of Titans. I guess you could say that Baltimore is my AFC team. But I will tell you this article is GARBAGE!! And I only read a couple of fans posts but it didnt take me long to get sick at my stomache. Maturity? He's 41!! Thinks he's better than everybody? Sounds like the same could be said for some of the Raven fans on here. Overrated? PLEASE!!! Dont be egotistical!! I dont even need to go on. Like I said this article and some of these posts are complete GARBAGE!!!! If you like your job but found another one that paid better money and your current boss offered you the same to stay, what would you do?!?!

Preston, this is a ridiculous post. Why is he making a bad decision to return to coach an offense that features two all-Pros, seven Pro Bowlers and one of the most dynamic young quarterbacks in the game? His alternatives were an old team with no quarterback where the loudmouths on defense would try to overrun his authority (your beloved Ravens) or a mess of a team with no direction (Falcons). And your line about owners having a long memory? Give me a break. Is that why re-treads like Norv Turner, Dennis Erickson, Wade Phillips, Dave Wannstedt, Dick Jauron, Dick Vermeil keep getting jobs? You have no idea what you're talking about, and Garrett's career in Dallas will be much better over the long haul than any career he would have had in Baltimore.

Oh, come on, Preston. Do you actually believe that Garrett would want his first head coaching resume to be the offensive disaster that comes from the turnstile-QB system in Baltimore? Or the missing-QB system in Atlanta?

Really?

I've done interviews when I haven't wanted to leave a job - simply to find out what's out there, to keep my edge on the process, or out of politeness to someone who I may want to work for later.

You've started this concept the moment Garrett didn't kneel down and kiss the ground in Baltimore. How dare he - he should be thankful for the opportunity.

Well, maybe he didn't want to deal with the problems that are plaguing the Ravens - no offense, no established QB, and, oh, how did you put it in a prior report that you wrote ... "a Ravens' locker room with so many selfish veteran players on the roster". Yeah, that was it.

re: Mike V (6:29PM)

The Cowboys are only getting older and they will not be as good next year. I doubt that he will ever get a head coaching offer again.

Put down the pipe, dude!

preston,i thought ravens had a plan b?why wasnt harbaugh brought in for 2nd interview thurs when garrett turned down the job?maybe owners didnt have a backup plan..garrett went to harvard very bright man..go boys

How come Russ Grimm wasn't seriously considered? The man is a winner at all levels and would have been able to deal with the veterans head on.

Guys, this is the first time I've taken a moment to read the user comments. Y'all need to get a life. Preston is right on with his analysis. It was a freshman move by a Princeton graduate who clearly has had a much different lifestyle than most of us. I'm happy. Let's get a real contender. Ravens and fans got lucky. Real leaders don't play that crap.

Garrett, kept his job and got more money and has a better chance to be with a team that is a legit SB contender in 2008.
Get over it quickly no more talk about Garrett, he only has one yr as an OC he did the Ravens a favor by not taking the HC job.
NEXT

PLEASE GOD NOT MARTY SCHOTTENHEIMER!!!

I am a Ravens fan, and im glad Garrett turned down the job, i think it was a good move for both sides....The Ravens are a veteran team....and Garrett just has not earned his stripes to me, 3 yrs of an assistant, 1 as OC, and a career backup QB.....im not impressed at all.....but for Garrett, get paid like a Head Coach, with a promise to lead the team in the next yr or two.....I love the Ravens, but we have some issues, and the Boys got a Franchise Qb, Star WR, 2 Good RB, a Good TE, and a Good D....Who would yall have chosen....its clearly Dallas

Wrong coaching personality for Baltimore anyhow. Baltimore isn't suited for an Ivy Leaguer - it needs a lunch pale carrying type like a Russ Grimm type or even Norm Chow. Russ Grimm would especially be ideal for Baltimore. Garrett just seemed like the wrong fit from the beginning. Maybe to Cass - he seemed right. But, in retrospect the Ravens are better off.

Baltimore absolutely does NOT need a "lunch pail" carrying type, which is all that Rex Ryan is. They make good coordinators but lousy head coaches. Sure you need someone who knows football and can win, but you also need someone who's savvy and intelligent, able to effectively communicate with the media, and makes a good "face of the franchise." Which is pretty much who they just fired.

To the fans who think that Jason Garrett was using the Ravens. PLEASE! Try not to act like the NY fans or any other ignorant football fans. Jason Garrett did not need any more money, he wanted what was best for him and his family and he made the right choice. I would have thought that Ravens fans were more knowledgeable than that. Your team tossed Billick out the door and that's after he won a bowl for you. Nice show of respect. Don't pick on our team because of your biases towards the owner or any of the players. That's why we have 5 titles and you have 1 (in the new regime). Being a lifelong Cowboy Fan from Florida, I see this Dallas abuse from many fans and teams but I would not have expected this from Ravens fans. I stand corrected. Get over it and hire Marty. Garrett was and always will be a Dallas Cowboy.

Hey, wasn't it the same NFL Owners who USED, and ABUSED, the good people of Baltimore, and our local polititions, when THEY put on their own Horse and Pony show. How many OWNERS said they were interested in moving their franchise here, after they allowed the BALTIMORE COLTS Franchise to be stolen by one of their "Own". It was the tax payers of Baltimore and the State of Maryland that footed the bill to "host" these junkets.

Point 1: Get over it...it's the way of the world in all lines of business.

Point 2: Would Garrett rather live in Texas (no state income tax) or highly taxed Maryland?

Mike, you are a bitter, jilted dude right now. I have been a Cowboys fan for 43 years. ANYONE who has, can tell you Jason was the consummate teammate, backup QB, and person, and still is. His family is a quality football family, period.
Your article suggests he intentionally played the Falcons and Ravens. Trust me he neither intended to, nor needed to. What he needed to do was look at the opportunities to become a head coach as they were presented, learn about the organizations/philosophies/facilities/coaching/players, go through the interview process as a learning experience, and evaluate the opportunities in light of where he is and what he is doing now. I'll bet he did not ask for more money from Jones, but received it as a reward for his demonstrated coaching skills and loyalty to the Cowboys family.
Jones may have had a bad start in Dallas, but he has built one of the best organizations to play for and be associated with in the NFL - something the two teams in question have yet to do. You don't just take a job because it's offered - you take it because it fits (see Payton and other coaches who turned down to be hired elsewhere).
Mike, get over it - you'd be lucky and blessed to count Jason Garret among your friends, and to have him in the Ravens organization. Pray you will find someone as solid, capable, loyal, and caring.

Last words on Garrett. Heh .. the guy never really wanted to coach here !! If you want to blame someone .. blame the nitwit in the Ravens organization that brough him here in the 1st place. They should have privately talked to him and felt him out before ever inviting him here. Bad clock management once again from the Ravens.

If sports wrtiers were sought after the same as NFL head coaches we would call this "leveraging" not "using". This is the system coporate America has created.....it really sucks when it doesn't work the way we want it to. Now you know how poor folks feel.

I agree with one of the comments above. Why didn't Garrett just go to J. Jones and ask for more money? I never thought from the beginning that he was ready to be a head coach. He has a good thing going on there. If I were the Dallas head coach, I would get out of my contract as soon as it would let me, even if it were today. Such disrespect from JJ. But I'm really not surprised at the dysfunction. I say bring in Marty, even though I didnt agree with the Billick firing.

He didn't want to ciach a bunch of losers, get over it!

he can always ask for money.