Twitter: Stephen: Rod and Taco didn't see eye to eye

Zordon

Well-Known Member
Messages
22,126
Reaction score
45,614
One good preseason game doesn't make you a good DE. Taco looked lazy and lackidaisical to me in the past, we don't need guys like this on the team.
Yeah I'm a little shocked how many on here are siding with Taco based off that one game. It's like people haven't been paying attention the last two years.
 

Stash

Staff member
Messages
78,331
Reaction score
102,213
CowboysZone ULTIMATE Fan
Well, I don't think it is a coincidence that our best player on the line is a pseudo-first-round pick and probably our second-best player is also going to be a former first-rounder. For that matter, Gregory is the only other player we've got who really has shown a pass-rush pop and he probably would have been a first-rounder if not for the dope problem.

And Taco? He was a "first rounder" too.

We're mainly relying on players drafted in the third round or below or cheap free agents to shore up the interior, and the results are probably about what we should expect.

How many "first" should it take you? What's the average number of "firsts" the good defensive lines have?

The Charlton failure is a setback to building a strong line along with Gregory's continued marijuana issues, although Quinn mitigates that some. If the Hill pick fails, then we're back to the drawing board as far as the quality of player we're putting out there.

We're already well behind the eight ball on the line. None of them are truly "coming through" on their promise. Even the guys that are here aren't lighting it up, and they're merely band-aids slapped on to get us through another year. Charlton - gone. Gregory - suspended and who knows if he even comes back. And Quinn on a one-year deal.
 

cern

Well-Known Member
Messages
14,900
Reaction score
21,050
Imagine having to watch crawford start every game while you're inactive lol.
then I would say play harder and beat him out. prove to the coaches you're better. going around sulking like a child will get you nowhere in life.
 

CCBoy

Well-Known Member
Messages
45,472
Reaction score
21,741
I side with Marinelli, even though I don't consider him a particularly good coach. that's based on his outdated schemes and insistence on rushing with 4 men with few blitzes thrown in. I much prefer Kris Richard. but a player shouldn't be allowed to disrespect his coach, especially when others aren't doing it. taco showed extreme immaturity. but I don't hear lawrence, Crawford, Collins or woods complaining.

Quinn was just readded...Gregory to be a short termed addition as well?
 

JustChip

Well-Known Member
Messages
6,124
Reaction score
5,715
This is so dumb. He's not a wal mart greeter like some of you. He doesn't get paid to show up. He gets paid to produce. Him not getting playing time because his coach doesn't like him is killing his future potential earnings. If I were him I would have done the same thing. If you aren't going to play me let me go so I can at least play somewhere and try to make a name for myself.
Except you earn playing time by what you do on the practice field and meetings. The only exception is if you are a transcendent super star - they get some latitude. Taco definitely doesn’t fall in that category.
 

Montanalo

Well-Known Member
Messages
4,243
Reaction score
11,169
CowboysZone DIEHARD Fan
People are on their best behavior for interviews.

Many people are great for a period of time after they're hired but certain people will always morph into their natural ways unless their bosses can somehow steer them in another direction.

Think about coming out of college from having no money into getting paid over a million per year.

I've seen guys just out of high school get a job for a little over minimum wage and they suddenly thought they were king of the world.

There were some questions marks in scouting reports about Taco's maturity but no true red flags.

The Cowboys likely waited too long to really discipline him. He should have bee inactive the very first time the coaches were not satisfied with his attitude/work-ethic.

Doing some google searches, there were harsh comments from Marinelli back in 2017 in the OTAs/training-camp time frame with regards to Taco with Marinelli saying "It's not good enough" when asked about Taco's progress. That seems more harsh than the normally silly antidotes that we hear from Marinelli when asked those types of questions.
Good response and, yes, people are more often than not on their very best behavior during an interview.

Aside from the interview, though, there must be multiple contacts with Taco's former coaches, friends, etc - the sort of background checks you would expect for a first round draft or any other high value employee prospect.

In my prior life (before retirement) we would, among other things, check Twitter, Facebook and other social media platforms to get a sense of the employee.

I guess my take is that there were most likely tell-tale signs that things may be off-center with Taco.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BAT

Stash

Staff member
Messages
78,331
Reaction score
102,213
CowboysZone ULTIMATE Fan
Either that or put forth good effort and maximize your abilities.

How did his "effort" and "abilities" look the last time he played against Houston? Still not enough to get him out of the doghouse. When you can't win, you can't win.

And how crappy do Old Man River's "Rushmen" look so far?

But yeah, Rod is beyond blame and Taco gets it all.

And again, who campaigned hardest for Taco in the first place?
 

Iago33

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,495
Reaction score
1,295
He gave his best. Coaches only wanted him to play the run and took him out on passing downs so they can try to manufacture sacks for ty craw. Hence the disagreements. Taco played the run pretty well and we jump on him about not producing in pass rush but actually wasn't allowed to rush the passer lol.
How in the world do you know he gave his best? And did he give his best in practice?
 

Proof

Well-Known Member
Messages
11,891
Reaction score
13,751
How did his "effort" and "abilities" look the last time he played against Houston? Still not enough to get him out of the doghouse. When you can't win, you can't win.

And how crappy do Old Man River's "Rushmen" look so far?

But yeah, Rod is beyond blame and Taco gets it all.

And again, who campaigned hardest for Taco in the first place?

do you mean in preseason against a team that then traded two first for an LT? Looked good. Any critical analysis of the remaining body of work thus far?

it also says something when your biggest champion sours on you. This isn’t about what the results are under Rods guidance, just that if you take a guy who was flagged out of college for being lazy and unmotivated, pair himself with a coach known for prioritizing work ethic and they fall out I don’t think it’s much of a leap to figure out the root cause. Especially on a team that tends to give a long leash
 

jnday

Well-Known Member
Messages
14,282
Reaction score
11,404
Well, I don't think it is a coincidence that our best player on the line is a pseudo-first-round pick and probably our second-best player is also going to be a former first-rounder. For that matter, Gregory is the only other player we've got who really has shown a pass-rush pop and he probably would have been a first-rounder if not for the dope problem.

We're mainly relying on players drafted in the third round or below or cheap free agents to shore up the interior, and the results are probably about what we should expect.

The Charlton failure is a setback to building a strong line along with Gregory's continued marijuana issues, although Quinn mitigates that some. If the Hill pick fails, then we're back to the drawing board as far as the quality of player we're putting out there.
Gregory was rated as a top five talent until teams looked into his pot usage and mental problems.
 

Stash

Staff member
Messages
78,331
Reaction score
102,213
CowboysZone ULTIMATE Fan
do you mean in preseason against a team that then traded two first for an LT? Looked good. Any critical analysis of the remaining body of work thus far?

Again, how does the guy win then? What does get him on the field? Clearly not production.

it also says something when your biggest champion sours on you. This isn’t about what the results are under Rods guidance, just that if you take a guy who was flagged out of college for being lazy and unmotivated, pair himself with a coach known for prioritizing work ethic and they fall out I don’t think it’s much of a leap to figure out the root cause. Especially on a team that tends to give a long leash

Maybe that "biggest champion" got it completely wrong and needs to be accountable for this team's worst draft choice in 37 years? While his "Rushmen" get obliterated for 278 yards rushing in the playoffs? Or then give up 10 yards a carry to Barkley? Where's Old Man River's "accountability" in all of this?

No, just "blame Taco" and move one. Sure beats thinking.
 

Proof

Well-Known Member
Messages
11,891
Reaction score
13,751
Again, how does the guy win then? What does get him on the field? Clearly not production.



Maybe that "biggest champion" got it completely wrong and needs to be accountable for this team's worst draft choice in 37 years? While his "Rushmen" get obliterated for 278 yards rushing in the playoffs? Or then give up 10 yards a carry to Barkley? Where's Old Man River's "accountability" in all of this?

No, just "blame Taco" and move one. Sure beats thinking.


I'm just assuming that the ship had already sailed, and preseason was likely showcasing him for a potential trade.

and you seem to have a particular beef with Rod and that's cool and possibly deserved. Just don't think there's any real reason to absolve Taco when the writing has been on the wall from the beginning. When McClay was commenting on him needing to earn his spot on the 53, that really spoke volumes to me. Sucks for the guy and the team, just seems like things played out as they were predicted to.
 

Maverick84

Well-Known Member
Messages
7,243
Reaction score
9,161
Imagine knowing he's worthless and not playing you because you don't worship him all day every day like sucker ty craw
I thought you said Ty Craw was a real g the other day and you took back everything you said about him b/c he threw some punches at a bar

went from a g back to a sucker real quick lol
 
Last edited:

OmerV

Well-Known Member
Messages
25,860
Reaction score
22,387
CowboysZone ULTIMATE Fan
Maybe Rod should be the next to go!!

Maybe, but I don't think based on this. Rod may not be the D-Coordinator we need, but there really isn't any question that he is driven and hard working and expects the same from the players he coaches. That's likely the "standard" Taco didn't see eye to eye with Marinelli on.
 
Top