The Dallas Cowboys’ train is headed off the track

The football train leaves the station tonight. Destination: Unknown.

But the Dallas Cowboys either get this season back on track — a road win against Washington is an absolute must — or by Monday the massive cleanup will begin on a very messy derailment.

In other words, the Cowboys don’t know where they are going, but they can’t get anywhere without winning right now.

Based on the numbers, 2008 won’t be officially railroaded into oblivion if there’s a loss tonight, but let’s be realistic here. Even Jerry Jones is. His "absolutely" declaration last week on the Cowboys, come January, being a playoff team was also hedged with a statement of "the numbers don’t add up" unless his club leaves Washington with a "W."

Therefore, let us consider this morning the ramifications, good and bad, involving the three leading football administrators at Valley Ranch.

The owner, Mr. Jones:

Not since he purchased the team in 1989, and had to immediately deal with a disgusted, spiteful fan base, along with bailing-out sponsors, has Jerry faced much in the way of financial urgency.

But these, of course, are strange times in the national marketplace. There have been national reports that Jerry is frantically searching the lending establishments for a $350 million note to finish construction on the Boss Hawg Bowl in Arlington.

Sure, the new yard will open on time in ’09. Jones will get it done, no question. But to drive ticket sales, and to attract more marketing partners, it’s no secret he needed this to be a big season. Jerry took financial gambles on player contracts to make an immediate Super Bowl thing happen.

It is not happening. Just making the playoffs is now iffy.

Football momentum can build financial momentum for Jones. There has been No Mo since late September. Will that change tonight?

The head coach, Wade Phillips.

This is Jerry’s mistake. Simply a bad hire. Stand by for breaking news: Wade is not a head coach. Too soft. But a legitimate surprise has been Wade is not a good defensive coordinator, at least he hasn’t been for the Cowboys.

But those of us who know Jerry well can testify to one thing, or maybe two things, when it comes to his patience and stubbornness.

If you show Jones loyalty, he will back you to even a point of being silly. But just because Wade is a puppet doesn’t earn him Jerry’s endorsement. Bill Parcells wasn’t a puppet, and Jones worked well with him, at least on the surface.

Privately, Valley Ranch insiders will tell you Jerry was "miserable" in the last couple of years of Big Bill’s tenure.

"Miserable" because Jerry wants to be front and center in all football decisions. Wade allows that. Bill, of course, was the football face of the team, meaning Jerry wasn’t. Not good if you are Jerry.

If the Cowboys lose tonight, Phillips should be fired by Monday. I say "should." Jones openly endorsed his coach last week, but believe me, Jerry’s statements on these kinds of things are "fluid."

Then again, when it comes to admitting he made a mistake, Jerry is always slow to come around, with the firing of Chan Gailey after two seasons his only quick trigger finger.

Historical footnote: It was Troy Aikman who actually fired Gailey. Jerry just made the announcement.

The head-coach-in-waiting, Jason Garrett.

Another blunder for Jones. The owner put too much, too soon on Garrett, and this coaching load has proved to be a negative this season. It’s no coincidence that Jason’s struggles as an offensive coordinator coincided with the departure of Tony Sparano to Miami.

Sparano was Garrett’s top voice a season ago, when all seemed well on offense. This year? The offense has been in flux, even when Tony Romo was healthy.

But ...

There are those with respected opinions who claim Garrett will be a much better head coach than he has been an O.C. The theory is he’s tougher than Wade on the players and will command much more respect from Jerry.

I don’t know ...

But I do respect where those opinions come from.

Along those same lines, the theory is Garrett needs a veteran offensive coordinator he can work with, while holding down the head coaching job.

Regardless, because Jerry has so much money and time invested in Garrett, a Washington loss tonight "should" mean Jason replaces Phillips on Monday.

Why not? Garrett is going to be the next head coach anyway, deserved or not. Give it a jump-start to see what happens the remainder of what would be a lost year.

And finally:

Declare all of the above null and void if the return of Tony Romo ignites the Cowboys tonight. The train would be back on the tracks, destination still unknown, but with renewed hope on the itinerary.

Randy Galloway can be heard on

Galloway & Co. weekdays 3-6 p.m. on ESPN/103.3 FM.