Post by prossman on Jan 8, 2009 1:41:25 GMT -7
Notes: Garrett, Sherman Facing Competition
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Rob Phillips - Email
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
January 7, 2009 5:48 PM Change Font Size A A A A
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IRVING, Texas - Cowboys assistant head coach/offensive coordinator Jason Garrett and wide receivers coach Ray Sherman have emerged as candidates for respective head coaching vacancies over the last 10 days.
Garrett interviewed with the Denver Broncos on Tuesday and has drawn interest from the Detroit Lions, who requested and received permission to speak with him last week but remain tight-lipped about their interview list. Sherman is expected to interview with the St. Louis Rams.
Both coaches face stiff competition for promotions, however.
The Broncos have moved quickly since firing 14-year head coach Mike Shanahan last week. They've already interviewed offensive coordinator Rick Dennison and multiple assistants around the league - Garrett, Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, Buccaneers defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, and on Wednesday, Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier. Dolphins assistant head coach/secondary coach Todd Bowles is expected to interview Thursday.
The Rams' extensive candidate list includes Sherman, interim head coach Jim Haslett, McDaniels, Frazier, Bowles, Packers linebackers coach Winston Moss, Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan and former Giants head coach Jim Fassel.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones took a similar approach two years ago when Bill Parcells resigned. Jones interviewed 10 candidates over a two-week period before naming Wade Phillips the franchise's seventh head coach.
Garrett and Sherman have never been head coaches, but both are respected in league circles.
Sherman, 57, carries 21 years of NFL experience and a tremendous reputation for developing players. He has forged strong relationships with Terrell Owens and the Cowboys' receivers over the past two seasons.
Garrett has only coached for four years, starting as the Dolphins' quarterbacks coach in 2005, but has interviewed for head coaching jobs in each of the past two off-seasons. The Cowboys' decline from third to 13th in total offense during his second season hasn't affected his reputation as a bright coaching prospect.
Before meeting with Broncos officials on Tuesday, Garrett praised their organization and said the past two years in Dallas has helped him prepare for a head coaching opportunity.
"I think anytime you go through another season and you have the experience of being a coordinator one more time and the different opportunities you have to prepare your team and do the different things you do during the course of the season, I think you become more ready as a result of that," Garrett told KUSA-9 in Denver. "I felt like I was ready to do it last year. I felt like it was the best situation for me to stay in Dallas last year."
Right now it's uncertain whether Garrett will return for a third season. The Cowboys increased his annual salary to $3 million last year and named him assistant head coach after he turned down suitors Baltimore and Atlanta.
If Garrett were to leave this time, Sherman would seem a logical candidate to replace him as offensive coordinator because he has held the position in Pittsburgh and Minnesota.
Amendola To Eagles
As expected, the Eagles signed rookie wide receiver Danny Amendola to their practice squad.
There's a good chance Amendola, who spent the entire regular season on the Cowboys' practice squad, will be signed to the Eagles' 80-man roster after the playoffs.
The Cowboys have retained four players from their practice squad: Wide receiver Travis Wilson, defensive lineman Marcus Dixon, offensive lineman Ryan Gibbons and fullback Julius Crosslin. Tight end Rodney Hannah was signed to the 53-man roster prior to the season finale. Home | Email | Print | Register for New Alerts | RSS