TwoDeep3
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We have yet to play a regular season NFL game under the leadership of new HC Mike McCarthy, but his first offseason so far has been nothing short of outstanding. There have been numerous threads here about the great draft we had and the quality of players acquired, and how exciting this new infusion of talent and hope the MM has brought, and I agree.
But I want to focus on something I think is underrated in what has happened this offseason- a message MM has been sending that has the potential to improve the culture of our team:
- A player’s talent is more important than systems and schemes- not the other way around. Big Mike has said repeatedly that he measures players first by talent as opposed to their ability to align with the schemes we run. Under Garrett, too often it seemed we were drafting players whose scheme “fit” was more important than raw football talent and athletic ability.
During the Romo years under Garrett, I was bothered by how much this team protected Romo and never really put any pressure on him to deliver more. Despite Romo’s all too often lack of results when the season was on the line, there never seemed to be any difficulty or hesitancy in re-signing him or even hinting that someone else could be developed or brought in to challenge him. I liked Romo and respected him. But I felt like Jerry and Garrett coddled him.
- No one on this team is guaranteed anything. Another refreshing change. Let me make something clear- I like Dak and I believe he is too often unfairly bashed by some of our fans here. I believe Dak will be signed to a long term deal and I’m good with that. BUT....I was glad to see the Andy Dalton signing because it sends a message to every player on this team. No one is more important than the team as a whole. And everyone must earn their stripes.
Both Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman faced having backups that breathed down their collars for playing time and there’s little doubt it made them better.
Roger had Craig Morton and later Danny White on the roster when he played, and he said many times those guys made him better. Troy had Steve Walsh followed by Steve Buerlein to deal with. I realize in the cap era it’s more difficult to do this, but I see the Dalton signing as a good thing for Dak and this team. I know he wasn’t signed “to be the starter”, but it does send the right message.
I like what Big Mike’s leadership has brought to this team so far. It’s way too early to declare him a success before we’ve even had a single game. But the message being sent about talent and competition is a good start to a new era.
Fisher was on the radio Sunday. I caught about five minutes of it. He was speaking about sponsors.
The theory behind this is a player has a coach who really likes the player, and talks up the player to the decision makers. He is the sponsor of the player.
Cooper Rush did not have a sponsor still on this team. There was a question if Woods still had a sponsor since the people who acquired him, and believed in him were no longer on the team.
Interesting concept, which is logical if you are a bubble player.
Another point was made in a thread which tried to refute the player before scheme. The notion was the height of the DB's they are acquiring fits the scheme, thus it rebukes your idea. I think that is more a trend in the league now with big, or tall corners. In a couple of years the offenses will go to the short fast guys and the circle will be unbroken.
Good post, Bob. As always.