Big Mike’s leadership sends the right message this offseason

[TwoDeep3]

We have yet to play a regular season NFL game under the leadership of new HC Mike McCarthy, but his first offseason so far has been nothing short of outstanding. There have been numerous threads here about the great draft we had and the quality of players acquired, and how exciting this new infusion of talent and hope the MM has brought, and I agree.

But I want to focus on something I think is underrated in what has happened this offseason- a message MM has been sending that has the potential to improve the culture of our team:

• A player’s talent is more important than systems and schemes- not the other way around. Big Mike has said repeatedly that he measures players first by talent as opposed to their ability to align with the schemes we run. Under Garrett, too often it seemed we were drafting players whose scheme “fit” was more important than raw football talent and athletic ability.

• No one on this team is guaranteed anything. Another refreshing change. Let me make something clear- I like Dak and I believe he is too often unfairly bashed by some of our fans here. I believe Dak will be signed to a long term deal and I’m good with that. BUT....I was glad to see the Andy Dalton signing because it sends a message to every player on this team. No one is more important than the team as a whole. And everyone must earn their stripes.

During the Romo years under Garrett, I was bothered by how much this team protected Romo and never really put any pressure on him to deliver more. Despite Romo’s all too often lack of results when the season was on the line, there never seemed to be any difficulty or hesitancy in re-signing him or even hinting that someone else could be developed or brought in to challenge him. I liked Romo and respected him. But I felt like Jerry and Garrett coddled him.

Both Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman faced having backups that breathed down their collars for playing time and there’s little doubt it made them better.

Roger had Craig Morton and later Danny White on the roster when he played, and he said many times those guys made him better. Troy had Steve Walsh followed by Steve Buerlein to deal with. I realize in the cap era it’s more difficult to do this, but I see the Dalton signing as a good thing for Dak and this team. I know he wasn’t signed “to be the starter”, but it does send the right message.

I like what Big Mike’s leadership has brought to this team so far. It’s way too early to declare him a success before we’ve even had a single game. But the message being sent about talent and competition is a good start to a new era.

Fisher was on the radio Sunday. I caught about five minutes of it. He was speaking about sponsors.

The theory behind this is a player has a coach who really likes the player, and talks up the player to the decision makers. He is the sponsor of the player.

Cooper Rush did not have a sponsor still on this team. There was a question if Woods still had a sponsor since the people who acquired him, and believed in him were no longer on the team.

Interesting concept, which is logical if you are a bubble player.

Another point was made in a thread which tried to refute the player before scheme. The notion was the height of the DB's they are acquiring fits the scheme, thus it rebukes your idea. I think that is more a trend in the league now with big, or tall corners. In a couple of years the offenses will go to the short fast guys and the circle will be unbroken.

Good post, Bob. As always.

 

[BAT]

Actually I think DiNucci will be the third QB- Dak will be the starter, Dalton his backup. Which is why Rush is gone.

Unless he blows up in preseason, Nooch needs to be on PS.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

But the MM era so far feels more like Jerry is supporting what Big Mike wants....not the other way round. And that’s refreshing.

Or maybe Jerry was supporting what Garrett wanted too and Garrett just wasn't any good.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Unless he blows up in preseason, Nooch needs to be on PS.

Yeah I'd say right now he's PS bound. If he lights it up in preseason which is going to be tough playing with practice squad players.....he is going to have go play himself to a roster spot.

 

[CowboyRoy]

I remain extremely skeptical as to if MM is really in charge of things like disciplining players and if his authority will be recognized that way.

I feel like this is the single most important part of his chance at success here.

I don't at all trust Jerry to hold up his end of the deal...if there was one at all.

Jerry is never gonna get past that more of him isnt a good thing.

Based on what we have seen this offseason you shouldn't be. Its obvious that MM is in full control of the product on the field and the coaching.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

The theory behind this is a player has a coach who really likes the player, and talks up the player to the decision makers. He is the sponsor of the player.

Cooper Rush did not have a sponsor still on this team.

I think it was pretty obvious his former sponsor was a fellow redhead who is now in New York.

 

[Bobhaze]

Or maybe Jerry was supporting what Garrett wanted too and Garrett just wasn't any good.

That’s certainly possible too! Although Jerry’s the common thread between our last 7 head coaches.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Yeah I'd say right now he's PS bound. If he lights it up in preseason which is going to be tough playing with practice squad players.....he is going to have go play himself to a roster spot.

I don't see him on the practiced squad. I see him making the roster.

 

[CowboyRoy]

That’s certainly possible too! Although Jerry’s the common thread between our last 7 head coaches.

No...………..Garrett simply didn't have much power. He wasn't worthy of having the power. Jerry didn't respect his football knowledge obviously. Garrett had input, but that was it.

MM is clearly being allowed to build his team his way and with his coaches for his systems.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

No...………..Garrett simply didn't have much power. He wasn't worthy of having the power. Jerry didn't respect his football knowledge obviously. Garrett had input, but that was it.

I still think he did at first. I think Jerry meant it when he talked about there not being a player on the team Jason didn't want.

It's just that when Garrett proved to be a big bag of nothing, Jerry started trying to juggle things around him in an effort to avoid having to fire his adopted son.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I don't see him on the practiced squad. I see him making the roster.

If he plays well then yeah. But if he doesn't....it makes no sense to put him on the roster when you can sneak him on the practice squad.

 

[CowboyRoy]

I still think he did at first. I think Jerry meant it when he talked about there not being a player on the team Jason didn't want.

It's just that when Garrett proved to be a big bag of nothing, Jerry started trying to juggle things around him in an effort to avoid having to fire his adopted son.

I think Garrett certainly had more control at first. He probably had full control of the offense, but still couldn't pick his coaches outright. Then when Jerry saw how horrid he was he began to strip him of play calling duties and get him as far away from game day management as possible.

 

[CowboyRoy]

If he plays well then yeah. But if he doesn't....it makes no sense to put him on the roster when you can sneak him on the practice squad.

True. But personally, I see him playing well enough to make them worry. Although there may not be that many preseason games this year so he may be sneakable.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

True. But personally, I see him playing well enough to make them worry. Although there may not be that many preseason games this year so he may be sneakable.

Hopefully he does so he can be our backup.

 

[Teague31]

What backup did Troy ever have that was breathing down his neck for playing time?

 

[fivetwos]

Based on what we have seen this offseason you shouldn't be. Its obvious that MM is in full control of the product on the field and the coaching.

Which would be fully undermined if Jerry doesnt stay out of the way.

He cant be trying to address the team before the coach does after a game, or at halftime....or really at ALL other than maybe once at the start of camp.... as one example of many.

He doesnt see the harm in doing things like that and thinks he is helping. Meanwhile, it completely clips the nuts of the HC.

 

[Diehardblues]

What backup did Troy ever have that was breathing down his neck for playing time?

Initially Steve Walsh who was the 1st round pick in 1989 supplemental draft same year Troy was drafted. He was heralded as insurance for Jimmy if Troy wasn’t his guy or didn’t work out. Walsh started after Troy went down in 1989 and won the Cowboys only game in Washington that year. We traded him during 1990 season.

Walsh of course was Jimmys QB for his National Championship team in Miami. The Cowboys would trade Walsh to Saints for 3 picks including a 1st rounder used for Russell Maryland.

Troy also had Steve Buerlin and Bernie Kosar as veteran starters as backup who didn’t provide competition but were experienced backups who won some games for us while Troy was down.

 

[nightrain]

We have yet to play a regular season NFL game under the leadership of new HC Mike McCarthy, but his first offseason so far has been nothing short of outstanding. There have been numerous threads here about the great draft we had and the quality of players acquired, and how exciting this new infusion of talent and hope the MM has brought, and I agree.

But I want to focus on something I think is underrated in what has happened this offseason- a message MM has been sending that has the potential to improve the culture of our team:

• A player’s talent is more important than systems and schemes- not the other way around. Big Mike has said repeatedly that he measures players first by talent as opposed to their ability to align with the schemes we run. Under Garrett, too often it seemed we were drafting players whose scheme “fit” was more important than raw football talent and athletic ability.

• No one on this team is guaranteed anything. Another refreshing change. Let me make something clear- I like Dak and I believe he is too often unfairly bashed by some of our fans here. I believe Dak will be signed to a long term deal and I’m good with that. BUT....I was glad to see the Andy Dalton signing because it sends a message to every player on this team. No one is more important than the team as a whole. And everyone must earn their stripes.

During the Romo years under Garrett, I was bothered by how much this team protected Romo and never really put any pressure on him to deliver more. Despite Romo’s all too often lack of results when the season was on the line, there never seemed to be any difficulty or hesitancy in re-signing him or even hinting that someone else could be developed or brought in to challenge him. I liked Romo and respected him. But I felt like Jerry and Garrett coddled him.

Both Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman faced having backups that breathed down their collars for playing time and there’s little doubt it made them better.

Roger had Craig Morton and later Danny White on the roster when he played, and he said many times those guys made him better. Troy had Steve Walsh followed by Steve Buerlein to deal with. I realize in the cap era it’s more difficult to do this, but I see the Dalton signing as a good thing for Dak and this team. I know he wasn’t signed “to be the starter”, but it does send the right message.

I like what Big Mike’s leadership has brought to this team so far. It’s way too early to declare him a success before we’ve even had a single game. But the message being sent about talent and competition is a good start to a new era.

Excellent post, Hazy!
The points on Romo are spot on as are the observations of the early careers of Staubach and Aikman. No wonderment on which sets of QBs and HCs are HOFers.

Dak is without question the Cowboys QB, but it is healthy to make even the most lofty professionals feel challenged. It sends a great message to the team and keeps the player sharp.

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

We have yet to play a regular season NFL game under the leadership of new HC Mike McCarthy, but his first offseason so far has been nothing short of outstanding. There have been numerous threads here about the great draft we had and the quality of players acquired, and how exciting this new infusion of talent and hope the MM has brought, and I agree.

But I want to focus on something I think is underrated in what has happened this offseason- a message MM has been sending that has the potential to improve the culture of our team:

• A player’s talent is more important than systems and schemes- not the other way around. Big Mike has said repeatedly that he measures players first by talent as opposed to their ability to align with the schemes we run. Under Garrett, too often it seemed we were drafting players whose scheme “fit” was more important than raw football talent and athletic ability.

• No one on this team is guaranteed anything. Another refreshing change. Let me make something clear- I like Dak and I believe he is too often unfairly bashed by some of our fans here. I believe Dak will be signed to a long term deal and I’m good with that. BUT....I was glad to see the Andy Dalton signing because it sends a message to every player on this team. No one is more important than the team as a whole. And everyone must earn their stripes.

During the Romo years under Garrett, I was bothered by how much this team protected Romo and never really put any pressure on him to deliver more. Despite Romo’s all too often lack of results when the season was on the line, there never seemed to be any difficulty or hesitancy in re-signing him or even hinting that someone else could be developed or brought in to challenge him. I liked Romo and respected him. But I felt like Jerry and Garrett coddled him.

Both Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman faced having backups that breathed down their collars for playing time and there’s little doubt it made them better.

Roger had Craig Morton and later Danny White on the roster when he played, and he said many times those guys made him better. Troy had Steve Walsh followed by Steve Buerlein to deal with. I realize in the cap era it’s more difficult to do this, but I see the Dalton signing as a good thing for Dak and this team. I know he wasn’t signed “to be the starter”, but it does send the right message.

I like what Big Mike’s leadership has brought to this team so far. It’s way too early to declare him a success before we’ve even had a single game. But the message being sent about talent and competition is a good start to a new era.

Who did Dallas have that "breathed down Troys' neck". And in particular the first 5 years?

I;d say the person that "breathed down his neck" was Jimmy...not a QB...but I'm listening.

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

One of the biggest reason MM signed here was because the Cowboys had Dak. His words.

And that's how you get a job...and then sign a starting QB from last year that might look more like "your guy".

Not saying Andy starts. I'm with Dak and I want competition for every single position...not favoritism like the last regime. The one you ....like?