Not too long ago, Jason Garrett served as offensive coordinator, play-caller and head coach. But those days are gone, as Jerry Jones has lightened Garrett’s load considerably, bringing in Scott Linehan to call the plays, while retaining Bill Callahan as offensive coordinator. Pro Football Hall of Famer and all-time leading rusher Emmitt Smith doesn’t think this structure of offensive power is is necessarily conducive to success.
“Me personally, I think there’s too many cooks in the kitchen,” Smith said, per the Dallas Morning News. “You got an offensive coordinator in Jason Garrett, you got Linehan and you also have Bill Callahan. You have three guys that have been head coaches in some cases and offensive coordinators in a lot of different places. The question for me is how is all that going to jell together? Who is going to trump who? I just think it creates problems. There’s no clear direction there. Although [Linehan’s] been named the passing game coach, but still what happens when there’s a difference of opinion?”
The current system is a far cry from what Smith knew as a member of the Cowboys’ early-90s dynasty.
“It’s a little different than what I’m accustomed to,” he said. “:Norv Turner was clearly our offensive coordinator. Hudson Houck was clearly our offensive line coach and maybe our run game coach. But I think Norv implemented the run system and Hudson just executed it. But Hudson had his opinion about certain plays and Norv allowed that to happen, especially when Ernie Zampese came around.
“I’m eager to see how this thing comes together. You have more coaches than you do football players.”
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