Archer: Cowboys have stability inside the NFC East (for now)

Cotton

One-armed Knife Sharpener
Staff member
Joined
Apr 7, 2013
Messages
119,736
Cowboys have stability inside the NFC East (for now)
January, 7, 2015

By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com

IRVING, Texas -- Who knew that the Dallas Cowboys winning the NFC East for the first time since 2009 would throw the rest of the division into turmoil?

Well, that might be overstating it some, but the Washington Redskins, New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles are undergoing some significant changes for the future.

The most recent news involves the Giants firing defensive coordinator Perry Fewell. The Giants finished 29th in the NFL in yards allowed (375.8) and were 30th against the run (135.1 yards) and last in yards per rush (4.9).

Fewell had been New York’s defensive coordinator for five years, including the Super Bowl season in 2011. The Giants ranked eighth in yards allowed last year, but lost a number of players due to injuries. The Cowboys scored 31 points in both of their wins against the Giants, and DeMarco Murray had 249 yards on the ground in the contests.

The Redskins fired defensive coordinator Jim Haslett, which might be a good thing for the Cowboys. He has had more success against Tony Romo than the other coordinators in the division over the years, but the Cowboys' offense shredded the Redskins for 473 yards and 37 of their 44 points in the win in the season finale.

Philadelphia shook up its personnel department with Howie Roseman being named executive vice president of football operations, and Chip Kelly was put in charge of personnel after vice president of player personnel Tom Gamble, a Kelly guy, was fired. Kelly is searching for a personnel executive to help build the roster.

All of a sudden the Cowboys appear stable.

But there could be changes with the Cowboys’ too. Head coach Jason Garrett, passing game coordinator Scott Linehan and defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli do not have contracts for 2015. Neither do a number of assistant coaches. The Oakland Raiders have expressed interest in Linehan for their head-coaching vacancy. Assistant Director of Player Personnel Will McClay could be a candidate for a top personnel gig with another team as well.

The Cowboys have said Garrett will be the coach in 2015, but have yet to discuss at length a new deal. They don’t want to lose Linehan or Marinelli either. Because of Marinelli’s ties to Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Lovie Smith, many have guessed he could re-join Smith there in 2015 but there is currently not a coordinator opening.

These are all questions the Cowboys will look to answer once their season ends, whenever it is.
 
Top Bottom