Baby steps It's the "Broken Window Theory." It's been written about ad nauseum. If you've heard or read anything concerning Rudy Guiliani's clean-up of New York City, then you are familiar with it.
The crux of the theory is that if you fix the small things (say, a broken window) then it has a domino effect of major crime in a particular neighborhood or area.
In "The Tipping Point," Malcolm Gladwell goes into detail concerning how the officials of the New York City subway system began battling major crimes like assault, rape and muggings by cleaning the subway cars and catching people that jump the turnstile.
If you stop the small infractions, it prevents an escalation of the big infractions.
It's popular. New York City, The Netherlands, Albuequerque and Lowell, Mass. have all instituted some form of the "Broken Windows Theory" and it's had its share of successes.
I think Jason Garrett, head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, is a supporter of the "Broken Windows Theory."
Yesterday, a lot was made of Garrett skirting questions regarding Marion Barber being fined for a dress code violation.
Garrett, when he was named the head coach eight days ago, instituted a number of "new" standards for the Cowboys. A dress code on game day. Requiring players to show up to meetings on time or the room's door is locked. Forcing players to practice in pads on Wednesday. Earlier practice times.
What does this have to do with winning football games? Actually, very little. It's not like the Cowboys weren't practicing or watching tape. Getting to Valley Ranch at 8 a.m. rather than 9 a.m. doesn't make you tackle an opponent better or catch the football.
But those were "broken windows." Kind of coming in whenever was a broken window. Playing dominoes or cards in the locker room was a broken window. Looking like a slob on game day was a broken window.
All were "broken windows" that Wade Phillips (along with probably a lot of coaches) ignored, instead setting his focus on the larger issues -- like penalties, dropped passes, blown coverages, bad tackling, turnovers and effort.
Garrett, I think, believes that the coming in late for meetings, sloppy dress, card games and lackadaisical practices translate into penalties, turnovers and blown coverages.
For one week, it's worked. For at least one week, fans and dudes like me are interested. Fans are used to bad teams. There's not a city in the United States that hasn't had some extended amount of poor play. But we tolerate certain teams if they're good people or something we can proud of. At the very least, Garrett wants his team to be something we can all be proud of.
Garrett is fixing the "broken windows." He thinks it'll fix the major issues. I might be crazy enough to work. Will it be enough?
