At the end of the day it doesn't matter who is the head coach here because we all know that Jerry Jones is the head coach regardless of who officially has that title. Head Coaches are really game managers which entail them making on the field personnel decisions. Wade didn't even have personnel control of the defense last year (see Pac Man Jones). I don't believe anyone on the Cowboys coaching staff (except Jerry) wanted Roy E. Williams starting as WR past the mid point of the season. Jerry Jones is the ultimate authority here when it comes to playing time. He takes some input of the coaching staff but if you are one of Jerry's favorites you are going to get a lot of playing time regardless of your lack of production. Jerry doesn't understand that if he is going to be successful GM he has to let his coach do his jobs which means that sometimes the players that GM acquire just don't work out. When the GM of team is the news it is usually for negative reasons. Let cite some examples.

1. I know Jerry Reinsdorf - broke up the Michael Jordon Bulls
2. I know A. J. Smith - fired Head Coach Marty Schottenheimer after 14-2 season
3. I know Al Davis - no need for explanation
4. I know Bill Polian - stopped a potential 19-0 season by the Colts

Jerry wants to be beloved by fans and given the majority of the credit for the Cowboys success. By nature the position of GM is not one that gets the attention of the fans unless they are messing up. I challenge everyone reading this to come up with names of some successful GM's without looking them up on the internet. There is fine line between becoming famous and infamous. And Jerry is becoming close to following Al Davis over that line.

I disagree with your assertion that Bill Polian isn't a successful executive (by the way, he's the team President, not the GM). The Colts have been a mainstay in the NFL for years now. And if that isn't the definition of success, then I don't know what is. Putting a halt to the unicorn hunt that is a perfect season does not turn a successful season into a disappointment. The Colts are now one game away from the ultimate goal: a Super Bowl title. Isn't that kind of the whole point of the exercise known as pro football?

As for your requested list of successful GMs, here goes:

Scott Pioli (Chiefs) - it's looking more and more like he was the engine behind the Patriots' machine, not Belichick
Jerry Reese (Giants)
Jeff Ireland (Dolphins)
Ted Thompson (Packers)
Ozzie Newsome (Ravens)
AJ Smith (Chargers) - the Chargers are also a model organization and I'd take him any day over Jerry

I also know Bruce Allen (Redskins) and Jerry Angelo (Bears). But I can't call them "Successful" so let's call them "Others".

My 2 cents: I actually like this deal. This team showed some real promise prior to its implosion against the Vikes. New coach means new staff means transition period which means a real possibility of a regression from the progress that the team showed late in the year. Now, I would have had a serious problem with bringing Wade with a 3-4 year extension because I, like most of you, think as a head coach, he's a fantastic defensive coordinator. This effective one year extension provides some level of accountability. If the Cowboys turn back into a pumpkin next season it's not going to kill Jerry from a financial standpoint to let him go. Of course, the benefit of this signing is predicated upon the Cowboys having success next season. At this point, success has to be defined as playoffs + at a bare minimum, an appearance in the NFC Championship, right? Good thing we really rise to the occasion when expectations are at their highest......oh wait.

Yeah, like the multi-year contacts Jerry has ruined players with (see Hamlin) after that player's performance demonstration during the contract-drive season. A one/two-year contract does afford more accountability.

We should know our boy Jerry well enough by now to know that a 2-year contract means nothing. At any given moment, if Wade gets crossed with Jerry, he will be shipped out of JerryWorld. It could happen at the end of next season, it could happen during the middle of next season, it could even happen next week. Who knows? We never know what Jerry is going to do, but should never be surprised.

Did you catch Jerry talking about 'continuity in coaching among football dynasties' during the playoffs before Dallas Cowboy's exit.. Get over it, our Head Coach/Defensice Coordinator is fine. It is the Offensive Coordinator that needs help.

Great Value!