Where are you, Dale Hansen? And where are y'all, legions of stubborn, cocksure listeners and readers?
You know who you are, and today you are shamelessly hiding.
The people suddenly not in the Christmas spirit in DFW: The folks - led by Hansen, who for years has guffawed, “Jerry the owner should fire Jerry the GM!” You’ve heard it. Now help me bury it.
How’s this: Jerry the owner should give Jerry the GM a raise. Because, don’t look now, Jerry the GM is about to be the NFL’s 2014 Executive of the Year.
Images from the Sideline: Cowboys Vs. Colts
Yep, pinch yourself.
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If you think Jerry Jones is more motivated by money than winning, you don’t know Jerry. And if you think Jerry Jones isn’t still in full control of every football decision at Valley Ranch, you don’t know how sports organizations work.
Sure Jerry has ceded some grip to his son, Stephen, and to assistant director of player personnel Will McClay. A good leader, after all, surrounds himself with smart people and digests their input. But, trust me, if Jerry wants a move to be made, it’s made. Or vice-versa.
And I dare you to find another NFL executive with a better resume this year:
*Admitted Monte Kiffin wasn’t the answer at defensive coordinator and promoted Rod Marinelli, who is indeed the answer.
*Allowed head coach Jason Garrett to hire his own offensive play-caller in Scott Linehan.
*Released DeMarcus Ware, and still vastly improved the team’s defense.
*Resisted the urge to draft Johnny Manziel, and instead took Pro Bowl right guard Zack Martin.
*Plugged the hole left by Sean Lee’s injury by acquiring linebacker Rolando McClain. Jerry not only talked McClain out of retirement, he surrendered merely a 7th-round draft choice to nab him from the Ravens.
2014 Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
*Drafted Anthony Hitchens – a guy some teams didn’t even have on their draft boards – in the 4th round. He’s started at every linebacker position and had a key interception in Sunday’s division-clinching romp over the Colts.
*Most importantly, managed to coax career-best seasons out of Jason Garrett, DeMarco Murray and Dez Bryant during their contract years without the negotiations - or lack thereof - becoming a distraction.
And, oh by the way, those long-term deals given to guys named Orlando Scandrick and Tony Romo don’t look so fool-hearted anymore, do they?
A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He currently lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.
