The Cowboys' future: Garrett and Mallett

• Dallas Cowboys interim coach Jason Garrett's performance in Thursday's loss against New Orleans did more to ensure owner Jerry Jones will take the interim off his Garrett's than his performances in the two victories over the Giants and Detroit that preceded the Thanksgiving Day game.  The Cowboys displayed a lot of character and resilience -- both qualities that have been missing before Garrett took over -- in coming back from 20-3 deficit with less than a minute remaining in the first half to outscore the defending Super Bowl champions 24-10 the rest of the game. And I can't blame Garrett for Roy Williams' fumble with three minutes left in the game, but I can applaud the decision to call that pass. More to blame than Williams was the Cowboys' defense that allowed the Saints to go 89 yards in five plays in just over a minute for the winning touchdown, especially the 55-yard Drew Brees to Randy Meachem pass on third and 10.
• The Cowboys have been searching for a quarterback to lead the team back to greatness since Troy Aikman retired a decade ago. They have been so desperate for one they have latched on to Tony Romo as the solution, but, in reality, anyone who really thinks Romo is the solution doesn't fully understand the problem. I agree with the poll of NFL players in a recent issue of Sports Illustrated in which Romo was voted the second most overrated player in the NFL, behind former teammate Terrell Owens. The Cowboys definitely need an upgrade at the quarterback position and I have a possible solution. The way the Cowboys' record seems to be shaping up, I'm figuring Arkansas signal-called Ryan Mallett will be available when it comes the Cowboys' turn to draft. And knowing Jones' proclivity for selecting talent from his alma mater, I wouldn't be a bit surprised if the team actually made a sensible selection in the draft this year. Mallett is going to make some NFL team an excellent quarterback and it would be nice if that team was the Pokes.