The Dallas Cowboys have officially announced that offensive coordinator Bill Callahan will be taking over as the player caller for 2013 instead of head coach Jason Garrett. The team made the switch early enough so that players can start to get used to a different coach yelling on the sideline and different system than last season. As the team wraps up OTAs and minicamps, players are praising the change in pace.
Wide receiver Dez Bryant does not notice too much of a difference with a new play caller, but instead says there is just more intensity with the level of practice and the expectations the players have placed on the season. He says the offense is just moving to a bigger level.
"To be honest, it doesn't feel any different. It still feels like the same Coach Garrett's system, and I think that's really what it is because I'm running the same exact plays and everybody else is, too. I think the only thing that's changed is the intensity level he's been bringing every day in practice," Bryant said.
Much has been made over the change in the offseason. With many believing that Garrett is coaching for his job this year, changing to Callahan is not exactly a vote of confidence in the head coach. The Cowboys did not bring in a large number of new players this season and do not intend on changing their entire system. Instead they are banking on changing the signal caller to being the added boost the team needs.
Bryant is not the only player enjoying the change in pace. Former Cowboys' quarterback Roger Staubach things the change in things will be great for the team He thinks Garrett will be better off in the long run considering now he can just focus on the overall mold of the team.
"Jason's a brilliant coach and he needs to have his say in the whole scheme that's going on out there. If he spends his week watching film of the other team's defenses, then that's what you have to do to call plays. So my personal feeling is I think it gives him a good grasp on helping in every area of the team versus just worrying about the play calling on Sunday," Staubach said.
The quarterback legend compared Garrett to coach Tom Landry. He believed that Landry did too much as coach and Garrett is smart to give up part of the duties. Landry found success in his do-it-all method, something Garrett has struggled with.
