Norv Tuner and Lovie Smith to Join Jason Garrett’s Staff in Dallas?
Byron Lambert, RosterWatch.com

A triumvirate of coaching prowess? Nothing would be more attention-grabbing or obnoxious. The type of idea that certainly fits right in Jerry Jones’ wheelhouse.

Moves that drive sales and marketing while smoothing over transgressions from 2012, yeah that sounds like Jones. He says he wants a big shakeup, while also keeping the pressure on Jason Garrett. These moves would certainly qualify, as bringing two former HCs puts the screws to Garrett and brings a plethora of coaching experience while raising the football IQ of the whole team. Apparently, the word in Dallas is that the rabid Cowboys fan base is all for it.

Alex has been preaching Norv to Dallas for weeks. It makes sense on so many fronts. Jason Garrett is rooted in the Norv Turner / Ernie Zampese offense and he desperately needs a trustworthy play-caller whom he can trust (so he can focus on things like end of game clock management). Turner is also renowned as a quarterback specialist and a steadying influence on offenses. This would be a last ditch attempt to stabilize Tony Romo, and if Norv could do it with Alex Smith, Cowboys fans will be confident he can do it with Romo. There is also the added benefit of bringing back the warm fuzzies from the Championship glory days when Turner roamed the sidelines in Dallas. Certainly those feelings would pacify a frustrated contingent in Dallas (for now).

As for Lovie Smith, the minute the Rob Ryan news broke today we were all over this one (see Twitter).You have to think Jerry already had a replacement in mind before cutting the cord on Ryan. Not only is Lovie from East Texas, but this would be the perfect high profile job to rehab his resume for another run at a head coaching position.

While the Cowboys personnel in the secondary may not be ideal for a traditional Tampa 2, there is already postulation that Ryan was fired so the Cowboys could go back to a 4-3 alignment as their base defensive package. Lovie Smith is experienced enough that he can adjust—really, he’s already had to do so in recent years with the emergence of the athletic TE.

Jay Ratliff, an aging and undersized NT under Ryan and Wade Phillips, would be a more natural fit as a 4-3 DT. The same goes for the Cowboys best player, DeMarcus Ware. He’s been plenty good at OLB in the 3-4, but again is more naturally suited as the rush end in a 4-3. Surely, he would welcome that change after a down year in sacks.

Then you have what could be the two key components already in place. Sean Lee and Bruce Carter, if healthy, can become the new Brian Urlacher-Lance Briggs combination in the NFL. We caught a glimpse of the Bruce-Lee defense this year, and it would only get better under Smith. Tackling machines with range and athleticism. Lovie would instantly turn the current boom-bust “Blitzkrieg” unit into a defense that gets pressure with the front four and creates plethora of turnovers. Probably, the single most important statistic for winning games.

Time will tell, but expect to see the movement gain a lot of momentum in the coming days. Heck, our man Drew Pearson doesn’t even think our silly hypotheses are out of the realm of possibility:

Talk about a “ring of honor” coaching staff.