Repairing the Cowboys

JBond said:

I am probably in the minority, but I love his aggressive ideas. Bad timing and poor execution are similar, but different topics. We are not vanilla anymore.

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People gave Jimmy Johnson a hard time when we had Troy Michael and Emmett going forward on fourth down during the playoffs. We have a back up squad on the field and he goes for it on the 30 yard line fourth down

Focus on the defense and building the Oline up again. Everything else will fall into place.

Until the Cowboys change their philosophy on how to build a team they will never win another championship.

Gm. We already overturned everything else and yet the same results

PDXCowboy said:

There are a lot of ways to win in the NFL, but I think the common denominators are you need an elite unit or two and no exploitable areas. 2007 was a well rounded team, but lacking in elite play as Romo wasn't a Jedi yet. By 2014, he was a Jedi and had an historical O line. The offense was Super Bowl worthy, but the defense could hold serve if it was causing turnovers. In all our losses, we couldn't generate more than 1 turnover including the Green Bay game. Eagles defense wasn't great in 2017, but they did have a good pass rush capable of getting a timely stop and they did at the most crucial time. 2016 was just a lesser version of the 2016 team, that again couldn't get a timely stop or turnover when it needed one.

Anyway, we need to build an elite unit or two, I think. I have no candidates. I still don't know if Dak is that kind of thrower or ever will be. Building an O line like we had is probably too difficult, without a transcending O line coach like Callahan and nailing three HOF caliber players in 4 years investment. Having generational talents at WR, TE, or RB doesn't bring Super Bowls. A system/play caller can elevate an offense to elite status, like Reich/Peterson accomplished in 2017, but kind of doubt we have that with Kellen/McCarthy. If we stick with Dak, I think our best bet is trying to develop a top flight defense. Unfortunately, we haven't proven to be very adept at drafting defenders. Might need a defensive HC to fix that trend. Or we move on from Dak and hope to land a elite QB. That would be the easiest path, if only it were guaranteed. Kind of depressing, but we're talking building a Super Bowl contender - which is all I care about. Shouldn't be that hard to be a good team with two more drafts like 2020, and that's good enough for some fans.

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This is a good post. You need 2 of the 3 areas to be great, QB, run game or defense. The front office doesn't get this and have a track record of generally playing moneyball with the defense hoping to out score teams. You can win with Dak but he is going to need a dominate run game and a legit defense to do that at a play off level.

Whirlwin said:

Do you think it’s just injuries, do you think it’s coaching. Do you think it’s general managing micromanaging. I don’t know how to fix this mess. And make no mistake about it we are in a mess. It was the wrong players for the wrong scheme. I’m starting with coaching I can’t stand McCarthy . We’ve had opportunities he’s put us in the wrong position so many times. Thank you again Jerry

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You guys and your coach issues. It doesn't matter who the coach is. You want to fix this organization and return it to solid football fundamentals? Get rid of the Jones Boys. This is a leadership issue that stems from the top.

hittheskids said:

Jerry hires a GM and relegates himself to the luxury box. All he does is write the checks, no more pressers, no sideline appearances. This applies to Stephen as well.

That is a good start.

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this would do more to fix the cowboys than any other moves

until the cowboys get rid of the old gm and his son they will never every win any thing again they have changed every thing except the old idiot and his son and they still continue to lose

Whirlwin said:

Do you think it’s just injuries, do you think it’s coaching. Do you think it’s general managing micromanaging. I don’t know how to fix this mess. And make no mistake about it we are in a mess. It was the wrong players for the wrong scheme. I’m starting with coaching I can’t stand McCarthy . We’ve had opportunities he’s put us in the wrong position so many times. Thank you again Jerry

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this year is a lot, its a combination of things, but basically because this team was on a razor thin margin to begin with, thus any disturbance makes it fall apart. the GM is bad, there is no denying. the focus of the GM as the owner is to make money, thus he is focused on putting butts in seats and selling merchandise and that start with offense. think back to 4 years ago, where Jerry was ready to draft Manziel...why? he was thinking how many Manziel Jersey's he would be selling even before he took a snap. and defense doesn't do that. defense doesn't sell jersey's....

so the entire organization is focused on the offensive side of the ball, thus we are able to draft better offensively because we focus there....the last time we drafted a HOF type, all pro type defensive player was Ware....don't get me wrong, we drafted some good defensive player by default, but none have been impactful, all pro types like Ware.....that's half a generation ago.

the GM is bad, because he plays fantasy football. he sells hope. thus he sells jersey's. he makes money. Signing Poe, McCoy and Worley were all that type of signing. everyone knew these guys are done, yet he sold hope to the cowboys. and its not the first time. he has done that several times before and none have turned out any good.

the coaching staff is a bit over their head. Moore, despite the Minn. game, which was his best game he has called in less than 2 years of his career is a green green green OC, who is learning. it takes years, it takes a lot of mentorship to reach the level of a good OC. he hasn't had the time or the mentorship to learn. so he is learning on the job. even Sean McVay had 6 or so years of coaching various positions, etc. before being elevated to OC and now head coach....

Nolan was a bad hire. he had failed several times before. the problem with his defense is that its so complex that no one can execute it. it sounds good on paper, but it really requires every player on the field execute to perfection for it to work. its no surprise that as he simplified his defense, they started to play better. It reminds me of Rob Ryan defense, which was deemed similarly complex and it failed in dallas and it failed in New Orleans.....

we also have some players that are highly paid and not carrying their weight, ala Zeke, Smith,

and of course injuries. we have had a lot of injuries specially on the OL, which is very unusual. we are now down 4 starting OL men from preseason predictions....that's hard to over come...

add all of that and you have the perfect storm, thin margins for error and we have a disaster on our hand

Whirlwin said:

Do you think it’s just injuries, do you think it’s coaching. Do you think it’s general managing micromanaging. I don’t know how to fix this mess. And make no mistake about it we are in a mess. It was the wrong players for the wrong scheme. I’m starting with coaching I can’t stand McCarthy . We’ve had opportunities he’s put us in the wrong position so many times. Thank you again Jerry

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It's game to game. Sometimes it's players sucking, some is bad coaching, some is bad luck "injuries". Game management is still an issue at times just like before. Most coaches have issues in this area from time to time but i'm almost surprised Mike is this bad at it.

We are an offensive based team who has lost our best OL from last year and the only QB who was familiar with our scheme. I would have thought moving nusmyer (sp?) to qb coach and with MM now helping with game planning that we'd have better results offensively this year but nope. We are different but like you said it's not a good thing to run trick plays at your own 20.

Defensively we never had top talent but then they change up scheme completely with no camp. This isn't the matrix where you can just read a manuel and instantly execute. It takes practice. Add to that a key cog in their wheel was addressed this offseason with 2 free agent signings that completely bombed and their refusal to move on to the rookie Gallimore sooner didn't help. They also undervalued jones and heath in the secondary. Their solution was dix who couldn't make a team and elevate Awuzie an average CB to lead this rag tag bunch of jags. Diggs was the bright spot. He wasn't supposed to be an instant starter but he flashed rookie mistakes along with why he could become a superstar if he puts in the work.

Our ST did improve. Would be better if Jones was replaced permanently and Mike would stop calling tick plays at his own goal line.

I think our problems are likely due to injuries, coaching and the lack of the necessary time to install the defensive scheme that the new defensive staff had in mind. Whether or not their players will be able to sufficiently absorb its intricacies in 2021 is yet to be seen. If not, Mike Nolan could quite possibly be on the hot seat at some point next year.

The FO will need to draft a capable OT to replace whomever might miss a game or two next year. Can Mike McCarthy make better game time decisions once our injured players return? I'm unsure anyone knows until he gets situated next year. I strongly suspect that it may take at least another year for the FO to decide what to do with this staff, if anything at all.

Looking at the leagues top teams is interesting.

KC has an tremendous offensive set up that combined with the leagues current rules makes them incredibly strong. Their defense is horrible. They played Las Vegas last week and only stopped the Raiders from scoring a touchdown twice, one was a field goal, and one punt. They won that game.

SEA is on pace to have the worst defence of all time. They are 8-3 because of a QB and two stud wideouts.

NO is 9-2 with a good defence and excellent in game coaching.

Pitt is 10-0 because they adhere to a system thats been well established over time. Physicality on defense, great QB play and stud receivers.

The league is weak. There are no dominant teams just good ones facing terrible opposition for the most part.

Keep Dak healthy and they'll score enough to win. Try to add defensive playmakers, but keep the offense as the priority, specifically the offensive line.

Spend money wisely! No more big money running backs and no more money for non-dominant defenders. I would not guarantee Zeke's 2021 salary by having him on the books this March. Painful but i think they should do it. Smith i feel has to go and it doesn't hurt as much, do it this offseason.

They can turn this around fast if they're smart.. i know that's saying a lot, but i don't think this is a tear down and total rebuild

Enough with resigning the sick, lame, and lazy. Stop falling in love with the Rudy players and sign some real fricken talent.

Nothing a little duct tape can't handle. The repair man's trusty companion and secret weapon Not just for the injuries like Tyron's neck, Martin's ankle, Erving's knee and Dak's ankle, but also Jerry's pie hole, or in his case booze drain.

Many Factors

1. Short offseason with a brand new staff / defensive scheme
2. Big Money contract players are not producing. Jaylon, Lawrence, Zeke, etc
3. Good players are injured
4. Poor depth
5. Turnovers - we had big problems with ball security prior to the injuries
6. Its MM's first year, it will take 2-3 years to get his guys in here.
7. Kelen Moore - too up and down with his play calling

EST_1986 said:

Its ownership and the refusal to get real football people to run a football team

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100% agree and majority of Dallas would also. If Jerry was a success as GM, fine but it has been a HUGE failure for 25 years and expect more of the same

dreghorn2 said:

Looking at the leagues top teams is interesting.

KC has an tremendous offensive set up that combined with the leagues current rules makes them incredibly strong. Their defense is horrible. They played Las Vegas last week and only stopped the Raiders from scoring a touchdown twice, one was a field goal, and one punt. They won that game.

SEA is on pace to have the worst defence of all time. They are 8-3 because of a QB and two stud wideouts.

NO is 9-2 with a good defence and excellent in game coaching.

Pitt is 10-0 because they adhere to a system thats been well established over time. Physicality on defense, great QB play and stud receivers.

The league is weak. There are no dominant teams just good ones facing terrible opposition for the most part.

Keep Dak healthy and they'll score enough to win. Try to add defensive playmakers, but keep the offense as the priority, specifically the offensive line.

Spend money wisely! No more big money running backs and no more money for non-dominant defenders. I would not guarantee Zeke's 2021 salary by having him on the books this March. Painful but i think they should do it. Smith i feel has to go and it doesn't hurt as much, do it this offseason.

They can turn this around fast if they're smart.. i know that's saying a lot, but i don't think this is a tear down and total rebuild

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We became a pass first offense for a healthy Dak and we had a losing record. Not blaming Dak but it wasn’t a winning strategy with Moore as OC.

Whirlwin said:

Do you think it’s just injuries, do you think it’s coaching. Do you think it’s general managing micromanaging. I don’t know how to fix this mess. And make no mistake about it we are in a mess. It was the wrong players for the wrong scheme. I’m starting with coaching I can’t stand McCarthy . We’ve had opportunities he’s put us in the wrong position so many times. Thank you again Jerry

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Defense has been bad for a while. Mostly a talent problem. Injuries also hurt early, but talent is just really bad. Only part about coaching I see with the defense is its a new scheme with little time to put it all together. Not really a coaching issue.

Offense has been AAAAALLLL Injuries. 100% no doubt about it. Line and Dak. You could point to Zeke being overrated, but that hasnt been the problem. This team was balling most of last year and breaking records with Dak before he got hurt. Moore was killing it.

Ill be honest.............I dont see how you blame much on coaching at all. You could definitely point to a few risky, foolish calls here and there, but thats not why this team is bad.

big dog cowboy said:

Not sure why people keep blaming Jerry. Due to the circumstances this team had basically very minimal preparation time. No offseason camps, workouts, training camp or preseason. For a new coaching staff, that spells trouble. Add in all the injuries and the 2020 team never had a chance. I fail to see how any of that is Jerry's fault. The bottom line is there were many who picked the Cowboys to be in the super bowl this year and very very high in their power rankings. Their team (when healthy) is that good. The draft class was excellent. There should be another to follow next April with a high 1st round and all the additional picks they have. No reason to think the Cowboys won't be ready to kick butt next fall.

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Honestly..........Its just a cop out answer to blame Jerry. Everyone knows that long term, Jerry is always the big problem overall.

When analyzing THIS team in particular its talent on defense and injuries on offense. And I agree about be ready for next year and kicking butt.

StuckMojo said:

We became a pass first offense for a healthy Dak and we had a losing record. Not blaming Dak but it wasn’t a winning strategy with Moore as OC.

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No, that is exactly what you are doing. Its pretty clear it has little at all to do with the offense. Offense is one of the best with Dak and the passing game leading the way. Defense is the issue and has been for a long time. Not sure why this is so tough for some of you guys to analyze what right in front of you. I guess you forgot about all the Romo years with Romo driving us up and down the field and scoring points, only to have to do it again because the defense caved?

Moore has taken the talent that Garrett had and the drab boring offense with Zeke leading the way and turned it into a high octane, big play, high scoring machine. And this has been during the last two years as the Oline has been getting worse.