Those of you who want to tank, quit complaining that we lost. You got what you wanted.
Those who want to win, we were missing our top 4 offensive tackles, our QB, our best corner, and we started off the season with our best free agent pickup out for the year. (McCoy). The team has overachieved in some ways. Defense is getting better.
Man, it's hard to believe what all has gone wrong this year. I mean, I know it's 2020, but even with that, what has happened could not have been much worse for our team.
Even though we tried to bolster the defense with a few (cheap) free agent picks (not a good plan), we always knew the offense was going to have to carry us. What has happened to the offense almost became laughable Thursday. We started off the season essentially losing our top three OTs (Collins, Erving then Smith) and having to throw a rookie and second-year UDFA out there, then just when it seems like we're putting an offensive line combination out there that works, we lose both tackles again. You can't make that stuff up.
There's a difference between having to overcome one or two major injuries to starters, but we've practically had to field an entirely different offensive line than expected. Couple that with losing your quarterback, along with some other injuries, and what is happening should be expected.
It's time in my mind to wave bye to the playoff prospects (even though we're technically still in the running) and just give the young guys some work.
I'd switch out Connor Williams and Brandon Knight to get Williams some work at left tackle. Might put Knight at RG and McGovern at LG because that needs to be McGovern's home since Williams will be in his last season. Williams needs to be given a chance to show if he can be the heir-apparent to Smith or next year is definitely his last in Dallas since we have McGovern to replace him.
I'd give both the young quarterbacks a half in every game to see if they show growth.
I'd play Elliott less (since he's hurting anyway) and give Pollard a chance to show if he can be an every-down back. And I'd get Lamb as many snaps as possible to let him keep developing.
On defense, we don't really have a lot of young backup talent to get out there that isn't already. I'd let Reggie Robinson sink or swim at corner, though, and give quite a bit of rotation time to Anae and Bernard. Might can also work Carter in at end since we really don't need to see what Lawrence can do.
In other words, the rest of the season becomes our preseason. We don't play to lose, but we play players who aren't going to even accidentally win.