Job hunting I thought he'd need one of the Philadelphia games, but I think that did it. On the road against the vaunted Colts in the stadium that was the only to rival JerryWorld.
Things are happening. The running game is there. The passing game ain't hurting. The defense is rocking with exciting play after exciting play.
The defense is playing like we kind of thought it would play when Wade Phillips was coaching.
By the way, I love during telecasts when the announcers don't say "when Wade Phillips was coaching" instead referring to that time period as "the first eight games of the season."
Anyway, why is Garrett here next year? Because the common theme of many national writers is that if Garrett had coached the entire season, this team wins the division and probably goes a lot further.
Reason No. 2 is that people will pay to see this. Win or lose, these Cowboys are interesting and often exciting. Something they haven't been since 2007.
Grades:
Quarterback -- A
Jon Kitna threw for 167 yards, sacked twice and threw for a touchdown. Not spectacular considering his counterpart, but he was extraordinarily good. Efficient as hell. Made some huge throws. Kitna's showing he can still play. A lot.
Running Back -- A
The Cowboys knew they could run and they simply executed it. More than 200 yards rushing. Thankfully, Tashard Choice cleaned up his special teams play and got 19 carries and 100 yards and one of the better touchdown runs of the season. If he's not getting 20 carries a game, then the Cowboys aren't serious about winning.
Wide Receiver -- B
Didn't combine for 100 yards. Still, made the catches when it truly counted. Dez Bryant with one catch in two weeks. Today's will be his last for 2010. He fractured his ankle. Out for the year. The dude is fragile. Free Sam Hurd!
Tight End -- A
Loved the tight end screen to Martellus Bennett on the first drive. Love that those tight ends are used efficiently and are no longer the "big weapon" on offense. Love that playmakers are getting the ball in their hands.
Offensive Line -- B
The Colts' pass rush is its defense. Without, they are 1,000 times more susceptible than any other team in the NFL on being scored on. The Cowboys offensive line sprung a handful of leaks, but nothing major. Run game was vastly superior. Pass protection bottled up those defensive ends all afternoon.
Defensive Line -- C
The Colts couldn't run the ball. Hold on. The Colts can't run the ball. Despite sporadic instances, the defensive line have been incredibly quiet all season. Same thing today. I don't think I heard Jay Ratliff's name all day.
Linebackers -- A
The fact that Tashard Choice and Sean Lee weren't playing until Wade Phillips was fired should be enough to hire him back only to quickly fire him again. Lee has something. He showed a shitload of it today. Outside linebackers very quiet today.
Secondary -- D
Nothing against the secondary. Peyton Manning's shredded secondaries that were considered 100 times better than the Cowboys' and no one's buried them. Manning has no choice but to throw the ball so all those yards and those 35 points were coming sooner or later. Alan Ball showed up.
Special Teams -- C
OK. Outside of that blocked punt that got the Colts back into the game.
Coaching -- A+
Playcalling was perfect. Execution near perfect. Penalties were, again, gone. The turnovers -- or the lack thereof -- won them the game. That team was ready to go on the road and beat one of the best franchises of the last decade.
