FEB 8 ‘I’M NOT THE GM’ Why is Mike McCarthy still the coach of the Dallas Cowboys? It may be a question that fans are still asking after a third-straight 12-win season ended with an early playoff exit. It was also a question recently posed to the Cowboys’ all-time leading rusher Emmitt Smith:

“Because I’m not the GM,” Smith said Thursday, according to Andrew Perloff. 

In other words, Emmitt isn’t exactly endorsing McCarthy’s retention.

In the initial aftermath of the Cowboys’ embarrassing loss to the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Wildcard game, it seemed possible that team owner Jerry Jones would part ways with McCarthy as rumors of Bill Belichick’s firing in New England lingered. 

However, following a meeting between the pair, Jones decided it was best to bring McCarthy back for his fifth and potentially final season in Dallas as his contract expires next year. 

FEB 7 A NEW CANDIDATE The Cowboys have added to their list of new defensive coordinator candidates with by scheduling an interview with New York Jets safeties coach Marquand Manuel.

Marquand is scheduled to interview Thursday, ESPN was first to report.

The Cowboys’ candidates to replace Dan Quinn, who left to become the Commanders’ head coach, have largely fit a profile, with the likes of Mike Zimmer, Ron Rivera, Wink Martindale and Rex Ryan among the names.

All of them have experience as coordinators, as does Manuel, 44, who once held that position in Atlanta – while working for Quinn – and who before that played for Mike McCarthy’s Packers.

FEB 6 MCADOO MOVEThe deal is “effectively done,” reports SI … so the Patriots have hired ex-Giants coach Ben McAdoo, and his title will be “senior offensive assistant.”

FEB 4 MCADOO BACK? The Patriots are putting together their coaching staff in the post-Belichick era and it looks like a Mike McCarthy protege might get a gig.

Reportedly, the Patriots are “in talks” with McAdoo, the former Giants head coach Ben McAdoo about having him join their staff to help offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt.

McAdoo was most recently the offensive coordinator of the Panthers. Before that he was a Cowboys consultant.

JAN 26: ‘GET AWAY!’ No, not “get away” from the Cowboys. “Get away” from it all … just for a little bit.

That is the advice that Troy Aikman tells CowboysSI.com he would offer to Dak Prescott after what the Hall of Famer termed a “shocking” failure in the playoff at the hands of the underdog Packers.

Watch the Video Visit above for the full context of Aikman’s point, which includes him stating his belief in Prescott – “I am a big fan of Dak. I still believe his best days are ahead of him,” Aikman said – and his reply to our query about advice he’d offer.

“Get away!” Troy said with a chuckle. “Get away from everybody and regroup.”

JAN 24 VIC TO NFC EAST? The Dolphins and Vic Fangio have “mutually agreed to part ways” – you know, “fired” – but we bet Vic is happy about it. Why? Because Fangio, we believe, might have already arranged to land with the Philadelphia Eagles to hire as their defensive coordinator.