ESPN Dallas: Cowboys struggling getting the ball down field

[Stash]

Not at all. It’s naive to not believe there was a bigger force at play here.

The "naïveté" comes in any thinking that assumes that the coaches aren't telling the owner what players and assistants they want. Start there.

While most would agree it was a smart Cap decision to release Dez it doesn’t mean it won’t come with some casualties in production and effect in our passing offense along with the sudden retirement of Witten.

Most would not agree that the decision on Dez was made about being "cap smart". That was simply a byproduct of the decision. And nobody is claiming that it couldn't possibly affect production, only that that production wasn't as good as the reputations suggest.

And the decision to go with Dak over Romo was defintely driven by more than simply their talent level driven by public sentiment and the winning wave.

While our coaching staff may have had some influence it’s doubtful they could override Jerry. Unless of course all of a sudden our HC is calling the shots?

He's certainly not the "victim" here. He's every bit as much or more involved than the owner. Despite any fans conspiracy theories.

 

[Stash]

(IDK) I'd kinda' wished they'd of tried to hang on to Wilcox at the time

Their decision on him has certainly been validated.

 

[CouchCoach]

Last year, the D was a work in progress and it was already looking like the O could be this season. If they're both a work in progress, going to be a long season for some optimists. However, they did what they needed to do. Now, they have to stay healthy to have progress.

 

[Stash]

Not to worry
This is Marinelli's year to go
The offense "has a lot of new faces " and "will need at least another year to gel"

No chance.

If they don't win, they're gone. All of 'em.

 

[Ken]

Where does it say that?

"Still trying to gain chemistry," Dak Prescott said of his Dez Bryant and Jason Witten-less supporting cast. "It’s going to come." OC Scott Linehan said "we’ve got to make strides quickly here." The Cowboys assembled embarrassingly little talent in the wake of Bryant and Witten's departures. It's going to be another long season for the Cowboys' passing attack, making life difficult on Prescott.

 

[Diehardblues]

The "naïveté" comes in any thinking that assumes that the coaches aren't telling the owner what players and assistants they want. Start there.



Most would not agree that the decision on Dez was made about being "cap smart". That was simply a byproduct of the decision. And nobody is claiming that it couldn't possibly affect production, only that that production wasn't as good as the reputations suggest.



He's certainly not the "victim" here. He's every bit as much or more involved than the owner. Despite any fans conspiracy theories.

Are you arguing Garrett is no longer a clapping puppet?

So, your saying the decision to release Dez was Not salary motivated?

 

[DFWJC]

From yesterday's accounts, the passing offense had a good day.

The first unit did have a couple of nice plays in the early redzone drills (that Dak to Swaim TD was pretty) but after that, the passing game really struggled.

Very early though, so it should get better

 

[cowboyec]

I'm gonna hold judgment til the games start.
sometimes these camp observers see things that don't materialize.

 

[Stash]

Are you arguing Garrett is no longer a clapping puppet?

I'm saying he's not the "victim" of anything, but a man in control of his own destiny, succeeding or failing.

So, your saying the decision to release Dez was Not salary motivated?

Yes. It was not salary motivated. If that's what it was about, why was a pay cut never offered?

 

[The Natural]

Dez in a downyear had as many Tds as Austin & Hurns combined the last two years. Now those two + a rookie is addition by subtraction lol. Lord this fanbase is in for it, they cant get the ball downfield against Marinelli's makeshift unit then what the hell are they going to do against real defenses?

 

[Diehardblues]

"Still trying to gain chemistry," Dak Prescott said of his Dez Bryant and Jason Witten-less supporting cast. "It’s going to come." OC Scott Linehan said "we’ve got to make strides quickly here." The Cowboys assembled embarrassingly little talent in the wake of Bryant and Witten's departures. It's going to be another long season for the Cowboys' passing attack, making life difficult on Prescott.

This is a reasonable statement and as a result could make for another long season for Dak

 

[cowboyblue22]

article pretty m uch looked spot on if you have been keeping up with practice its pretty much how It has been

 

[cern]

to those for whom the obvious is obfuscated, Stephen is being given (and taking) control of the team. dak over tony was his decision. jerry said tony would be the guy when he was cleared to play again. then he crab sidled and said there was no rush to make a decision. in the end, dak was the guy. sstephen came out early and said with clarity that dez's distractions would have to be dealt with. jerry said dez would be a cowboy in 2018. dez was released without even being given the opportunity to take a pay cut. bringing in sanjay lal and Kris Richards were Stephen's decisions. certainly not Marinelli's, linehan's or garrets. there's a new sheriff in town. bodes well for the cowboys. keep in mind eberflus was offered the dc position if he'd accept. he went to the colts instead. but the fact he was offered the job says much about marinelli''s tenure as the cowboy dc.

 

[CouchCoach]

No chance.

If they don't win, they're gone. All of 'em.

I'd take that bet all day long because Garrett is not there to win. He is there to fill a position with specific requirements. If the O struggled, Linehan will probably be gone as I think he was kept as a potential scapegoat.

I gotta say, stash, that conspiracy theory that some have sure wasn't knocked down by the episodes of All or Nothing I watched. And most coaching staffs are card players with management/ownership dealing the cards.

 

[Diehardblues]

I'm saying he's not the "victim" of anything, but a man in control of his own destiny, succeeding or failing.



Yes. It was not salary motivated. If that's what it was about, why was a pay cut never offered?

Does that mean Garrett has total control over player personnel ?

A pay cut was thrown out there in no uncertain terms by Stephen early on but Dez was never receptive to reconstruct his contract.

 

[aikemirv]

The issue is not getting downfield. The issue is converting 3rd downs consistently. That is where Dak has to perform IMO with the way our offense is built. BIg plays make offense easy, that is definitely for sure, but it is not a requirement.

 

[davey999]

Going to be a long year... Luckily I don't care as much as I used to.

 

[cern]

Despite their declining production they were still our top 2 recievers.

As fans we’re certainly entitled to spin a more hopeful optimistic view but surely we have some reservations there could be some struggles.

that speaks more to the coaching. would belichik, landry, or jimmy have kept declining players around instead of trying to improve? I think not.

 

[Diehardblues]

I was in total support of releasing Dez but that doesn’t mean it comes with some effects to our passing game.

As well as the loss of Witten even with their declining numbers it’s reasonable to expect some effects.

 

[cern]

The issue is not getting downfield. The issue is converting 3rd downs consistently. That is where Dak has to perform IMO with the way our offense is built. BIg plays make offense easy, that is definitely for sure, but it is not a requirement.

good post. in the final analysis, it is moving the chains that wins games. quick strikes are good when you're behind, but controlling top and wearing down opposing defenses wins in the end.