PHOENIX — For the record, Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said nothing has changed regarding his decision on who will call plays in 2013.
He is still going through the process and no final decision has been made about turning play-calling duties over to offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Bill Callahan.But the more Garrett talked about the subject and the responsibilities of being a full-time head coach and a full-time play caller, the more it sounded like he will not have both jobs in 2013.Garrett said he has consulted with other coaches and seems to believe that being a “walk-around” head coach and giving up play-calling duties is “the better way to do things.”“There is a reason that 28 of the 32 head coaches don’t do it. There are good arguments on both sides of it,” said Garrett, who spoke at the NFC coaches’ breakfast during the NFL owners’ meetings on Wednesday. “They are two very significant jobs with a lot of responsibility and the more you delegate and give other guys responsibilities and still get the result you want, I think that’s a better way to do things.”New helmet ruleThe NFL passed a new rule Wednesday, outlawing running backs from targeting defenders with the crown of their helmets outside the tackle box and 3 yards downfield.Jason Garrett, like many other coaches around the league, expressed concern on how the officials will enforce it.“A lot of the defenseless players’ calls they’ve had to make over the last couple years, they’re hard calls. He hit him with his head first, it wasn’t his shoulder. Players duck. All the things that go into making those snap judgments, they’re difficult,” Garrett said. “I think that’s the real concern that the coaches might have, is simply that. It’s a hard rule to officiate.”Help for RomoOwner Jerry Jones says the Cowboys need to find a way to better utilize quarterback Tony Romo’s unique skills.However, Jason Garrett said using Romo to the best of his ability has always been his priority. Garrett said the Cowboys must focus on giving Romo help and taking some of the burden off him. Garrett said the Cowboys’ biggest needs are to be “a better running football team and being stronger on the offensive line.”Clarence E. Hill Jr. 817-390-7760 Twitter: @clarencehilljr
