Dallas Cowboys head coach Garrett celebrates with receiver Bryant after Cowboy's first down score during their NFL football game against New York Giants in East Rutherford

Dear Jason Garrett,

Congratulations on your first win as an NFL head coach! No, seriously, I mean it. I know you have taken some flak with the whole 1-7 start to the season thing, but that’s all in the past.

As far as I’m concerned, you’re 1-0 now with a legitimate chance to earn yourself a permanent gig as head coach for the Dallas Cowboys. I know that you’ve been through a lot this season, so just sit back, relax and let me tell you how to go about doing this.

Let’s start out by looking at a few things you did right in your 33-20 win over the New York Giants this past Sunday.

For the first time all season, your team looked like it was excited to play football. And I think you should take a lot of credit for that, big guy. Unlike your predecessor -- Wade “Droopy Dog” Phillips -- you were roaming the sidelines with the look of somebody who had a plan and knew how to implement it.

I saw you out there motivating players, giving high fives and eyeing that play chart with the tenacity of a hawk ready to swoop down on its pray. You also showed Belichickian savvy in challenging a catch that resulted in your team’s first touchdown.

But this game was about more than simply demonstrating exceptional sideline demeanor. Your use of player personnel was also infinitely better than at any other point during the first half of the season.

The rushing attack, which had not topped 100 yards since Week 5 against the Tennessee Titans, finally got over the century mark this week. And Jon Kitna, who had previously thrown more interceptions than touchdowns this season, chucked the pigskin for three touchdowns and only one interception.

All of this was a product of you getting your biggest playmakers involved on offense: Felix Jones, Dez Bryant and Miles Austin. Each of those guys ended up scoring a touchdown on Sunday and proved to be too much to handle for a Giants defense that is one of the better units in the NFC.

And, while it wasn’t a masterpiece, your defensive gameplan was solid as well. Undrafted rookie cornerback Bryan McCann emerged as a playmaker with his interception for a touchdown and you managed to hold the Giants’ fourth-ranked rushing attack to no touchdowns.

I would be remiss, however, if I did not voice some causes for concern that were sprinkled into Sunday’s success.

You have a Pro Bowl tight end by the name of Jason Witten who continues to be embarrassingly underutilized. He followed up last week’s three reception, 44-yard performance with just one catch for seven yards against the Giants.

Witten was seen more often serving as a spokesperson for NyQuil during commercial breaks than playing in the actual game. You need to get your big tight end the ball in order to open up the field for everybody else.

Also, with the exception of some key interceptions, the secondary still looks softer than wet tissue paper. Eli Manning managed to rack up 373 yards against your defensive backfield with one of his top targets – Steve Smith – out of action.

I know that I’m being generous when I say you don't exactly have the most talented group of cornerbacks in the league, but at least make sure that your defense knows its assignments. That fourth quarter touchdown pass to Kevin Boss was simply a case of blown coverage.

If you could fix these problems, there might just be some hope that you don’t end up standing in the NFL unemployment line with Wade Phillips come season’s end.

The way I see it, a 5-2 record over your final seven games will at least give Jerry Jones reason to pause when deciding on who will coach his team in 2011. Granted, three of those games come against division rivals Philadelphia and Washington… And you will have to play New Orleans and Indianapolis for two other contests… Also, there is the increasing likelihood that you will have to do all of this without Tony Romo if his collarbone doesn’t mend quickly. But, hey, nobody said that landing the permanent gig for “America’s team” would be easy.

Just remember when you look in the mirror every day that there was a time when you were good enough and smart enough, and, doggone it, people respected the Dallas Cowboys. And if you follow my advice, I think that respect, along with your team’s success, will continue to grow.

So, there ya go, Jason. Just some things to keep in mind if you want to keep Mr. Jones from Facebook stalking Bill Cowher and Tony Dungy for the rest of the season. Good luck and I hope that you will be at this same address next year.

Looking forward,

Michael Green

To reach staff writer Michael Green, click here.

Sign up for Neon Tommy's weekly e-mail newsletter.