Garrett’s run done, but players didn’t quit
FRISCO — The end is finally near for Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett.
The players never quit on Garrett.
Let’s get that out there.
In nine years under Garrett, they were in the thick of the playoff chase until Week 16 every year but one, 2015 when they finished 4-12.
And in seven of those years, including those failed three 8-8 seasons from 2011-2013 as well as in 2019, they were in it until Week 17.
Yes, the Cowboys (7-8) still have a chance to make the playoffs if somehow the New York Giants beat the Philadelphia Eagles (8-7) and the Cowboys beat Washington in the season finale.
Both games are set for Sunday at 3:25 p.m. as the NFL tries to milk all the drama out of the NFC Least, er East.
And Garrett will try to have them ready to play as he always does.
One reason owner Jerry Jones allowed him to stay as long as he has is because the team never quit on him.
But what’s also true it that they also never played inspired for him or themselves, which was evident in Sunday’s unforgivable 17-9 loss to the Eagles with a chance to clinch the NFC East title on the line.
This loss was worse than the 31-14 loss to the Giants in the 2011 season finale that would have clinched a playoff berth.
It was worse than the 28-18 loss to Washington in the 2012 season finale that would have clinched a playoff berth.
And it was worse than the 24-22 setback to the Eagles in the 2013 season finale that would have clinched a playoff berth.
The Eagles were a MASH unit playing with practice squad callups Sunday.
And the Cowboys laid down. So don’t confuse not quitting with getting something done.
Yes, the Cowboys are still mathematically alive as they always are late in the season under Garrett.
But they left a broken plane in Philadelphia and came home a broken team.
Disappointment and frustration is rampant among the Cowboys but no longer disillusion
ment.
When the cameras and tape recorders turned off in the locker room after the game Sunday night, a prominent team player lamented the disconnect in the organization from ownership to the coaching staff to the players.
He said no one is on the same page, and it showed in how they have played all year, inconsistent, lacking fire and underachieving.
There not a talent problem on the Cowboys but there is a togetherness problem and a lack of one agenda.
Garrett is most certainly going to pay with his job. He is in the final year of his contract, and there is no way Jones will give him an extension short of a trip to the NFC title game, if not the Super Bowl.
At this point, it’s no longer in their control as they must hope for a Giants win and then somehow play inspired to win a meaningful season finale for the first time ever under Garrett.
Jones has some things to consider, not about moving on from Garrett but possible replacements.
Whatever he decides, he needs to let the coach pick his staff and coach his players without any interference from the front office.
Or when Garrett is fired, will it simply be the Puppet King is Dead, Long Live the Puppet King.