Think of the money the Detroit Lions would pay to not hire Matt Millen as their general manager.

For the sake of sports arguments, think of the other disasters in this area alone that could have been avoided with a Way Back Machine:

-- Texas Rangers owner Tom Hicks eliminates Scott Boras from his Fave Five, thus avoiding disaster deals that include Alex Rodriguez, Chan Ho Park and Kevin Millwood.

-- New Stars GM Doug Armstrong hangs up on Devils GM Lou Lamoriello when he says the only way he trades center Jason Arnott for Joe Nieuendyk is if the Stars throw in Jamie Langenbrunner.

-- The Mavericks ignore the notion that Steve Nash would break down and sign him to an extension before he becomes a free agent.

-- And, according to my e-mail inbox, the Dallas Cowboys would never have hired Wade Phillips as their head coach in February of 2007.

Shortly after Phillips' was interviewed by Jerry Jones, he told him "Look at the production" as his parting shot that would hopefully echo in the owner's head throughout the decision making process. Phillips wanted Jones to see those top ranked defenses, the good regular-season record as a head coach, all of those sacks and interceptions, too.

But two years into the Phillips' regime, a lot of fans wish there was a Way Back Machine so Jerry Jones would hire someone else. Two years later, the candidates he did consider turned out to be quite a list:

Tony Sparano

Then: He was the Cowboys' offensive assistant and offensive line coach under Bill Parcells.

Now: After one year working with Wade Phillips, Sparano left to become the head coach of the Miami Dolphins. Under Sparano, the Dolphins went from 1-15 to 11-5 and made the playoffs.

Todd Bowles

Then: He was the secondary coach under Bill Parcells.

Now: Bowles spent one season with Phillips before leaving to join Sparano in Miami, where he was their assistant head coach/secondary in '08. He is a hot name right now and has interviewed for several openings, including Detroit.

Todd Haley

Then: He had been the offensive coordinator under Parcells' watchful eye. Haley never seemed to have much of a chance for this job.

Now: Before the interview process ended, Haley became the offensive coordinator for the Cardinals. Under Haley, the Cardinals have formed one of the NFL's top passing attacks with Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. The Cardinals are in the NFC title game.

Jason Garrett

Then: Garrett was a baby-faced quarterbacks coach for the Dolphins. Jones interviewed Garrett, ostensibly as a head coaching candidate, but really more to be his offensive coordinator. Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga allowed Jones to hire Garrett provided he was allowed to call the plays. He was hired on Jan. 25, but given no title.

Now: Garrett's stock took off after his first season as the offensive coordinator with the Cowboys. He turned down a pair of head coaching offers by both the Falcons and Ravens to return to the Cowboys for a raise of more than $3 million.

This season, his stock took a hit when the Cowboys offense struggled and both Terrell Owens and Tony Romo said "the scheme" was a problem.

Garrett has interviewed for head coaching vacancies in Detroit, Denver and most recently St. Louis.

Wade Phillips

Then: The Chargers defensive coordinator had built a resume loaded with solid defenses, and good records as a head coach in Buffalo and Denver. He was, however, 0-3 in the playoffs as a head coach.

Now: The Cowboys went 13-3 with an NFC East title in his first season, but Year 2 left a lot to be desired.

Gary Gibbs

Then: Gibbs had just completed his first season as defensive coordinator for the surprising Saints, who had finished 10-6 and reached the NFC title game.

Now: Looking for a scapegoat, Gibbs was fired after the defense ranked 26th in points allowed in 2008.

Norv Turner

Then: At the time Turner was the offensive coordinator in San Francisco, and receiving all sorts of credit for helping former top draft pick Alex Smith turn into a solid NFL QB.

It was thought Turner would groom Jason Garrett, who would be given the offensive coordinator title and turn the defense over to Ron Rivera. The final decision came down to Turner and Phillips.

Now: A little while after he was passed over by the Cowboys, the Chargers made a surprising move when they fired head coach Marty Schottenheimer and replaced him with Turner in '07.

In two seasons in San Diego, the Chargers have two AFC West titles, and reached an AFC title game. This season, they were 4-8 before winning their last four games to make the playoffs.

Mike Singletary

Then: The former Bears linebacker was a defensive assistant with the 49ers but had never been a coordinator. He was thought to be a great motivator, but lacked X and O experience. Singletary's interview with the Cowboys was seen more as a token.

Now: Singletary replaced Mike Nolan after seven games this season to be the 49ers' head coach. Despite a roster that appears thin, the 49ers finished 5-4 under Singletary.

He may not be a master of an X or an O, but his team played basic, hard football and it paid off. The interim tag was recently taken off Singletary's title, and it appears as if he may be a classic, no-frills, old-school coach.

Ron Rivera

Then: He was the Bears defensive coordinator, and was high on the list of several teams. Norv Turner told Jerry Jones if he hired him to be the head coach, Rivera would join him on the Cowboys' staff.

Once Rivera told Jones he would run a 4-3 defense, that killed that chance and probably Turner's, too.

Now: Rivera left the Bears after the '06 season and found himself in the odd position of having to be a linebackers coach in San Diego. But midway through the '08 season, Rivera was promoted to defensive coordinator; his unit was one of the primary reasons the team finished 4-0 in their final four games to win the division, and defeated the Colts in the Wild-Card round.

Rivera's name is once again in good standing, and he should eventually get a shot at being a head coach.

Jim Caldwell

Then: He was the quarterbacks coach for the Colts. He was the last interview in the process, and he came to town a few days after the Colts won the Super Bowl. Maybe Jerry talked to Caldwell just to see how Caldwell worked with Peyton Manning.

Now: Caldwell remained on staff with the Colts for each of the past two seasons, and was recently named as Tony Dungy's successor as head coach of the Colts.

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