Despite hard-luck loss, Garrett praises ‘special’ Cowboys
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Jason Garrett made his way around the cramped visitors’ locker room inside Lambeau Field, shaking hands with his Cowboys players after Sunday’s hard-to accept 2621 playoff loss to the Packers. He gave a hug to defensive end Jeremy Mincey.
After the hug, Garrett walked away and Mincey clenched his fists and let out a frustrated grunt.
“We needed to knock ’ em out, because they were not as tough as us,’’ Mincey said. “I don’t care what nobody says. They’re not as tough as us.’’
The Packers move on to face the Seahawks in the NFC title game in Seattle while the Cowboys are done, playing far longer into the season than anyone expected when this all started. Considered an alsoran in the NFC East, even owner Jerry Jones admitted he did not know what to make of his team in 2014. What he got was a 124 regular season, a divisional title, last week’s 2420 playoff victory over the Lions and the closest of calls against the Packers.
“The fight this team has demonstrated since minute one is really special,’’ Garrett said. “I have had the great fortune to be around some really good football teams — championship football teams. They have all those same qualities and traits.’’
Garrett does not have a contract for next season. Jones after the rough loss talked around the issue of Garrett’s return, which seems to be guaranteed.
“Very complimentary of the coaching job he’s done,’’ Jones said. “I think he did just an outstanding job and he’s my coach.’’
It looks as if Garrett will be looking for a new defensive coordinator, though, as Rod Marinelli reportedly is heading to Tampa Bay to run the Buccaneers’ defense for Lovie Smith.
The Cowboys had plenty of chances to extend their season, but they could not get the ball in the hands of Tony Romo often enough. The Cowboys ran 31 plays in the first half, but only 20 after halftime. DeMarco Murray ran for 123 yards, but lost a thirdquarter fumble the Packers turned into a field goal. Romo was sacked three times in the second half.
“It’s hard,’’ tight end Jason Witten said. “You try to keep it together, you try to stay strong. You work towards these moments. To say our backs were against the wall would be an understatement. You live for these moments and to come up short is devastating. Any time your season ends this way it’s emotional. You got a pit in your stomach. You get to this point and you think you’re going to go all the way but to end this way, it’s sour, no question.’’