Bigger problem than the defense

[Dorsett99Yards]

It would seem pretty obvious EVERYTHING...is "the problem".

We can quibble and mince words about the order of it.

1. Jerry
2. Stephen

 

[Flamma]

It's the same no matter who is coach. We get dominated by the better teams, beat and inexplicably lose to the bad teams. Any time the Cowboys put on a shot it's always to a bottom feeder. I was hoping things would change under new leadership, but this year will be no different.

When we play the Rams and Seahawks on the road, we're going to get slaughtered. Our offense won't show up. But they will against most of the crap teams. It's the same story every year.

 

[cowboyec]

So for 30 YEARS...none of the players should be held accountable?

NONE of them felt the need to excel and succeed?

NONE of them could inspire the others?

We didn't hire ALL of them from Home Depot.

If these players...HUNDREDS of them....just signed up to cash checks and Country Club it...they also share blame.

held accountable by who?
the gm?
has the gm ever shown you he holds people accountable?
THE biggest problem over the last 30yrs is the gm.
sure players share the blame.
but the buck stops with the gm.
until that changes...nothing significant happens and the results....30yrs running...stay the same.

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

Some fans need to be reminded that in our last two games against the Texans and Bucs, we scored 6 points and 7 points, respectively, in the first half. Not exactly GOTI.

Right. @Bobhaze had an excellent thread about our 1st half scoring. Before this season I believe. So it's a long running issue.

That puts a lot of pressure on our already woeful defense. This offense is NOT doing all the much to cover for our defense...as some people scream at the sky about.

Now...they'll claim it because our defense let's their offense keep the ball all half.

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

held accountable by who?
the gm?
has the gm ever shown you he holds people accountable?
THE biggest problem over the last 30yrs is the gm.
sure players share the blame.
but the buck stops with the gm.
until that changes...nothing significant happens and the results....30yrs running...stay the same.

That's all I was saying.

At some point doesn't their pride and profressionalism kick in?

Like Dak (allegedly) being ordered to throw the ball into the stands no matter what on 3rd and goal at the five?

Not "screw you coach...I trust my boy to catch this pylon throw".

thirty YEARS.
\
These players have (generally) bought into the spoiled entitlement Country Club, admittedly created and managed by Jerry. Only a few went elsewhere to truely win. They know what's up here..don't think they don't.

THAT should tell you something.

 

[Bobhaze]

Right. @Bobhaze had an excellent thread about our 1st half scoring. Before this season I believe. So it's a long running issue.

That puts a lot of pressure on our already woeful defense. This offense is NOT doing all the much to cover for our defense...as some people scream at the sky about.

Now...they'll claim it because our defense let's their offense keep the ball all half.

https://cowboyszone.com/threads/hidden-stats-that-will-likely-decide-our-improvement-in-2026.544618/

Steve I think it was the above thread that talked about how badly we have been in 2024 and 2025 starting games. The first quarter the last two years was the qtr we scored the least. Then with a bad defense we were quickly beh8nd.

For that reason I recommend if we win the toss we should take the ball in hopes of scoring first instead of falling behind first.

If memory serves me, in the NFL, teams that score first win 64% of the time.

 

[Kwyn]

The radio show brought this up after the game saying what has he really done to this offense that's innovative like that guys you've mentioned!! It's boring and getting stale!! Last year was a shocker because we haven't seen anything like that but now it's been seen and it's being boring

So, a new offensive coordinator every year would help keep your attention?

 

[Kwyn]

Cause we don't believe in the running game. The more you can run the longer the defense stays off the field.

I personally believe both Williams and the offensive line exceeded their talent level last year.

I’m also not one to typically just pile on coaching, because I believe talent reigns supreme, but Klayton Adams has been a bit of a disapppointment in year two.

The entire reason Schottenheimer went and got him was so he could handle the OLine and the running game. He gave him pretty much carte blanche. It appears that he‘s been decoded and the players are back to performing at their actual level.

 

[Coogiguy03]

So, a new offensive coordinator every year would help keep your attention?

Yeah because I clearly stated that in my post, come on bud you're cool, but let's not make up stuff

 

[Kwyn]

Yeah because I clearly stated that in my post, come on bud you're cool, but let's not make up stuff

Were you being sarcastic and I just missed it?

 

[SteveTheCowboy]

https://cowboyszone.com/threads/hidden-stats-that-will-likely-decide-our-improvement-in-2026.544618/

Steve I think it was the above thread that talked about how badly we have been in 2024 and 2025 starting games. The first quarter the last two years was the qtr we scored the least. Then with a bad defense we were quickly beh8nd.

For that reason I recommend if we win the toss we should take the ball in hopes of scoring first instead of falling behind first.

If memory serves me, in the NFL, teams that score first win 64% of the time.

Thank you...for taking the time to find and post that. Again....not an indictment or full blame for things...just facts...make of it what you will.

Yes our defense had that terrible 1st qtr against the Bucs. Painful!

The stats are glaringly obvious....generally the offense does not help us control the game early. Critical for a defense you know struggles, and eye-opening if you believe(d) it's only on them.

 

[Whyjerry]

IMHO the biggest problem even before we talk defense is Schotty. Even as bad as the defense has been - we still could of won at least two more games if he had coached better. I mean what does Schotty bring to the team? Don't tell me play calling. I can coach the Dallas offense and let Dak call the plays and still have a top 8 offense.What coach that Dak has played for in Dallas hasn't had a great offense when Dak stays healthy??

Schotty IMO is actually holding the offense back. He's so conservative in his play calling. So vanilla and predictable. Let Andy Reid or McVay or even Kellen Moore have this same team and you'd easily see over 40 point's every game. So until Schotty actually looks in the mirror and see the problem starts with him this is the results we're going to get this season. IMHO I think the team reflects the coach. And the reflection I see is a soft, undisciplined team.Waiting on checks come Tuesday vs weekend or Thursday NFL games. Maybe more basketball free throw contest could work?? Who knows I just don't see anything on the field Schotty bring to the table. Prove me wrong if you can...And I had hoped Schotty was the guy. But as of now I think he's one of the worst HC hires Jerry has ever made.

At least Campo was a respected defensive coach. Plus those teams were lousy. Shottenheimer has been a Nepo hire his whole career.

 

[IceStar-D7]

I wouldn't call Schotty a vanilla playcaller... not after I watched Jason Garrett for a decade.

He's not Sean McVay, but his scheme is fine. I've watched enough OCs hold back the Cowboys offense to know that the current one isn't.

His problem is that his offense needs to score 30 every week to even have a chance at winning. The defense is so bad that it leaves the offense with no margin for error.

I think it's all Dak. As I stated. What offense has been bad in Dallas with Dak as the starter?? That's great compliments to him to be able to have a top 5 offense regardless of the OC or head coach.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Even as bad as the defense has been - we still could of won at least two more games if he had coached better.

That is a HUGE problem.

Then again, losing because we get outcoached is something we've gotten used too.

 

[IceStar-D7]

The highest scoring team in the Super Bowl era was Manning’s Broncos who averaged 38 ppg

Why aren’t the three teams you said could easily score 40 a game doing that now?

Do they have worse talent than the Cowboys?

• Kansas City Chiefs: 29.5 PPG
• Dallas Cowboys: 27.6 PPG
• Los Angeles Rams: 23.8 PPG
• New Orleans Saints: 23.6 PPG

• Chiefs and Rams both have perennial MVP QBs who have won super bowls.
• Both the Rams and Chiefs have elite running backs
• The Rams certainly have equal receiver talent.
• All three of those teams have better offensive lines than the Cowboys

Schottenheimer has a lot of faults. For instance, his time management is suspect. He’s actually criticized by some offensive analysts for taking too many downfield shots or that those vertical routes seem forced.

The offensive scheme isn’t one of them. He doesn’t run a lot of flea flickers and trick plays, which seems to be how you evaluate an offense, but his use of presnap disguise and motion is really good.

Certainly the execution has been poor at times and no offense is perfect but the offensive scheme is the least of the problems with this team.

I would argue that Dallas has better over all talent than any offensive team in the NFL. How many teams have two all pros on the Oline with maybe a 3rd one on the way? Steele is probably the weakest link and he's really not all that bad either. Dak can play better at times and we have better tight ends if Schotty would play them or give them a chance. We also have the fullback Schotty hasn't found a way to use.

 

[JoeKing]

IMHO the biggest problem even before we talk defense is Schotty. Even as bad as the defense has been - we still could of won at least two more games if he had coached better. I mean what does Schotty bring to the team? Don't tell me play calling. I can coach the Dallas offense and let Dak call the plays and still have a top 8 offense.What coach that Dak has played for in Dallas hasn't had a great offense when Dak stays healthy??

Schotty IMO is actually holding the offense back. He's so conservative in his play calling. So vanilla and predictable. Let Andy Reid or McVay or even Kellen Moore have this same team and you'd easily see over 40 point's every game. So until Schotty actually looks in the mirror and see the problem starts with him this is the results we're going to get this season. IMHO I think the team reflects the coach. And the reflection I see is a soft, undisciplined team.Waiting on checks come Tuesday vs weekend or Thursday NFL games. Maybe more basketball free throw contest could work?? Who knows I just don't see anything on the field Schotty bring to the table. Prove me wrong if you can...And I had hoped Schotty was the guy. But as of now I think he's one of the worst HC hires Jerry has ever made.

You lost me at "I can coach the Dallas offense....". If you really think that then you are fooling yourself and you're not taking me with you.

 

[khiladi]

Please let Dak call plays, so this fraud can leave.

 

[805BoysInBlue]

Schottenheimer is fortunate this defense has been putrid if not the spot light of his lack of coaching would be coming to light.

 

[Kwyn]

I would argue that Dallas has better over all talent than any offensive team in the NFL. How many teams have two all pros on the Oline with maybe a 3rd one on the way? Steele is probably the weakest link and he's really not all that bad either. Dak can play better at times and we have better tight ends if Schotty would play them or give them a chance. We also have the fullback Schotty hasn't found a way to use.

The Cowboys have one former all-pro on the line. None of the others have even made the pro bowl, which is not even close to being the same thing. None of them will be all-pro this year.

Surely you jest about Luepke.

We have Lamb, Pickens and Dak. Honestly, with our o-line, running backs and tight ends, I’m really surprised the offense is doing as well as it is.

 

[plasticman]

The GM has no vision. He has no plan. He doesn't even realize that he is supposed to. They have no idea what type of team they want to build.

This team has no identity. There is nothing innovative, new, cutting edge.

They have a copycat mentality. Whatever the successful teams do, they try to copy but by the time that have built it, those concepts are obsolete and the league has moved on to something else.

There is no centralized authority. The players do not know where the buck stops. If the HC makes a decision, it is always subject to revision by the GM. They are not on the same page, there isn't even a page.

They do not draft or sign veterans that fit their style or philosophy because they don't have one. They simply "plug and play" as if all NFL players are universal fits.

When they find a player capable of starting at a certain position, they call it a day. There is no real competition for starting positions, the GM determines the starters by the size of their contracts. Those players are safe and they know it.

The GM is a talent-less amateur and this team is lost.