Cowboys Corner

Garrett lost his luster in Dallas

Looks like one season of an offensive dropoff and Jason Garrett has lost his boy wonder status in Dallas. Fans have turned on him after seeing his scheme going from record-setting to puzzling in one year. And his own stars Tony Romo and Terrell Owens even pointed fingers at him after the Philly loss.

It's just all going downhill for Garrett and maybe that Detroit gig is starting to look more appealing. And now this. ... Firejasongarrett.com. Ouch.

- Rick Herrin 

Jerry a candidate for change, too

"I am changing and I can change," Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones told Norm Hitzges today on Jones' final radio show of the season on The Ticket, KTCK/1310 AM.

Norm's last question of the 25-minute interview was whether Jerry had to be tougher, did he have to change, too, in how he did things. Jerry's answer was, "The answer is yes, absolutely."

Listen to the interview via dallascowboys.com.

Jerry Is Buying

One day after Cowboys coach Wade Phillips pledge to make some serious changes, count his boss in as a believer.

"I believe Wade Phillips can change," Jerry Jones told Sports Radio 1310 The Ticket on Tuesday. "Yes, I think he can change."

Needless to say, not a lot of people are believers the way Jones is.

Are you? 

- Mac Engel

Cris Carter shoots his mouth off

What exactly is wrong with ESPN analyst Cris Carter? It's one thing to criticize Terrell Owens -- just about everybody does -- but he needs to tap the brakes on the way he expresses it. Read this post from ProFootballTalk.com.

Somebody still loves Romo

Jessica Simpson, Tony Romo's girlfriend,"rushed to his side as soon as she found out that Tony got hurt," a source told People magazine (www.people.com) after reports surfaced that Romo had collapsed in the shower of the team's locker room after the game Sunday. Romo was feeling the effects of torn rib cartilage.

“She got on a red eye flight right when she found out, and arrived at 5 a.m. [that] morning," the source added.

And Cowboys reserve linebacker and Romo good buddy Bobby Carpenter, interviewed on ESPN's Outside the Lines today, said that Romo is a "Zen master, like Phil Jackson," in the way he handles the situation amid reports of discord between the quarterback and his receivers.

Carpenter also disputed the notion that the team chemistry is bad, saying he believes the Cowboys have one of the "tightest" locker rooms in the NFL compared with what he has heard of other clubs.

Detroit's interview list

What are the chances Jason Garrett is the guy the Detroit Lions want? You know Garrett has to be great in an interview. But it's hard to believe he will leave for the dead-end Lions after signing his fat contract last year. All he has to do is ask Roy Williams what it's really like.

However, it's an interesting situation now because of what happened this year for Garrett and has Jerry Jones' opinion changed on his former golden boy coach? Maybe he's no longer viewer as Wade's successor after the offensive dropoff. Garrett's name could pop up on other vacancies as well. 

Detroit is taking a look at these assistant coaches and three are still in the playoffs.

- Rick Herrin

Looking at the free agents

Here's the list of the Cowboys free agents. Who do you think they want to bring back or have no interest in re-signing? Zach Thomas doesn't seem like he wants to be back and that could make things interesting for Kevin Burnett. He wants to be a starter and could take Thomas' spot and finally get his shot in Dallas. Or will he try to test the market for bigger bucks?

Tank Johnson likely won't be re-signed but the Cowboys will probably want to keep Keith Davis. His toughness and leadership are needed on this team.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

G Joe Berger

LB Kevin Burnett

QB Brooks Bollinger

DE Chris Canty

S Keith Davis

NT Tank Johnson

LB Carlos Polk

LB Zach Thomas

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

WR Miles Austin

DE Stephen Bowen

TE Tony Curtis

WR Sam Hurd

G Cory Procter

EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS

RB Alonzo Coleman

TE Rodney Hannah

P Sam Paulescu

- Rick Herrin

Eli Manning pokes fun at Romo

Kick him while he's down Eli. That little trip to Cabo last year before the playoffs with Jessica Simpson may have shelf life for years as a running punchline. Tony Romo now has plenty of time off for such getaways and how long until we see Romo and his little hat on TMZ?

- Rick Herrin

Cowboys' frustration spills over to flight home

The frustration of the Cowboys' disaster 44-6 loss spilled over to the team's late-night flight home Sunday night from Philly to Dallas. Things got downright chippy.

Fullback Deon Anderson and left tackle Flozell Adams got into a fight on the plane. Not sure it's wise to mess with Flo, because he always seems on edge. Wonder if they were discussing coverage breakdowns and who let Tony Romo's ribs get mangled in the fourth quarter. Some of that fight could have been used picking up the Eagles pressure.

Also, nose tackle Tank Johnson and center Andre Gurode exchanged words.

Gurode was not the only one Tank got into it with. He was out of control on the sidelines late in the game yelling at anyone in his path and was trying to be calmed down. At one point, he even yelled at the punt coverage team as they came off the field. And after the game, word is Tank was bragging about the fact he is now a free agent. You think some of his teammates aren't happy about that too?

- Rick Herrin

Cowboys-Eagles post-game report