Source: shreveporttimes.com / Mike McCarthy is the new man in big D. Will it be more of the same disappointment for Cowboys fans, or will the former Packers HC prove to be a good fit?

Mike McCarthy is the new sheriff in town. Well, sort of. When it comes to Jerry Jones & the Dallas Cowboys, it's tough to envision anyone else being the "sheriff", but Jerryworld decided to bring in another strong-minded personality to take over as head coach. After letting the quick hire marinate for a day or so, I can see why Jones decided to tab the former Green Bay Packers HC to be the man tasked with bringing big D back to the Super Bowl.

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At first glace, the reaction from many out there was - isn't this more of the same? Afterall, don't McCarthy & Garrett suffer from the same deficiencies? Conservatism & lack of creativeness & adaptability toward the back end of each's tenure in particular. Didn't they both grow a bit stale?

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If we look a little closer though, McCarthy is not just another more accomplished version of Jason Garrett. The hire makes sense & to a degree it's easy to see why Jerry Jones ended up going with a guy who has had postseason success and won a Super Bowl. Jones is of course 77 and wants nothing more than to desperately get back to the Super Bowl as soon as possible. He needed a guy with experience, that can get it done immediately.

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The talent is certainly there & that's why Garrett is no longer of course. There is just no way to justify this team going 8-8 after a 3-0 start. So, what to make of the McCarthy hire? Will it just be more of the same - or can the former leader of the cheeseheads truly cement his legacy in NFL lore by leading two of the leagues' most-beloved & decorated franchises to the Super Bowl by getting the Cowboys to one? Here are three takeaways from the Cowboys' hiring of former Packers head coach Mike McCarthy:

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Source: thespun.com

1) The Timing is Right for Dak

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Prescott is coming off his best year as a pro as he piled up 4,902 yards and 30 TDs - both career bests. He is coming into his 5th year and clearly has the talent to take the next step - with the right tutelage & system. McCarthy had his best success in Green Bay as Rodgers came into his own earlier in his career. Prescott will turn 27 next year - the same age as Rodgers when he & McCarthy led the Packers to a Super Bowl victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers - in Jerry's very own AT&T Stadium.

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In the two seasons following the Super Bowl win, Rodgers threw for 45 TDs & only 6 INTs and then 39 TDs and only 8 INTs. The Packers went 36-12 over that three year stretch. There's only one Aaron Rodgers of course, but the point is, Dak is at the very same stage in his career, where Rodgers was able to take it to a whole nother level under McCarthy's tutelage.

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His decision to retain offensive coordinator Kellen Moore who transitioned from player to coach, and in his first year as an Offensive Coordinator, turned the Cowboys into the #1 unit in terms of yards gained (& 6th in scoring) could also pay dividends. That continuity will help the transition & might just make the timing perfect for a Dak-McCarthy pairing.

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2) Playoff Experience

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This is somewhat obvious, but might single-handedly explain why Jerry Jones moved so quickly to hire McCarthy. Say what you want about the way he ended his tenure in Green Bay, but the truth is, McCarthy made the postseason in 9 of his 13 seasons in Wisconsin. Take a quick look at these numbers:

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Playoff Appearances & Postseason Record Since 2006 (McCarthy's first year as Packers head coach)

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Mike McCarthy (9, 10-8); NFC Title Games: 4

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Dallas Cowboys (6, 3-6); NFC Title Games: 0

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Source: thespun.com / One glaring difference between Mike McCarthy (left) & Jason Garrett (right) - postseason record - McCarthy is 10-8 in the postseason with 9 appearances in 13 seasons as a head coach - Garrett is just 2-3 with 3 app. in 9 seasons.

Of course, McCarthy has the Super Bowl ring, which undoubtedly was a huge part of the hire. It's easy to see why Jones' went with McCarthy when looking at the comparison above. The Cowboys needed a coach with postseason experience and knows how to get there consistently - Garrett just couldn't get there often enough - only 3 times in 9 seasons.

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3) He's Already Led a Quick Turnaround

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Green Bay was just 4-12 in 2005, the year before McCarthy was brought in. Two years later, he had completely turned-around the Pack, as they went to the NFC Title game with Brett Favre at the helm after a 13-3 season.

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The Cowboys are stacked with experienced, talented players. McCarthy may have never had a workhorse back as talented as Zeke while in Green Bay, and gives him something else to incorporate into his offensive scheme.

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The only positions where they have holes from what was an outstanding defensive unit in 2018, but suffered through injuries & setbacks in 2019 are a lengthy, play-making safety and a big clog in the middle of the defensive line. Which just so happen to be the two areas on defense that McCarthy values the most.

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It all adds up to this team being in an even better position than the Packers were before he orchestrated their quick turnaround. The talent & blueprint are there for this team to not just be a contender in a weak and largely rebuilding NFC East, but to take home the Lombardi Trophy. It seems as though, the "turnaround" should be able to happen immediately, and McCarthy has the experience, and perhaps the ability to fill enough holes in the puzzle to take the Cowboys to that next step - sooner rather than later.

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