Blaming the HC, the DC, or even the QB is the real waste of time

[big dog cowboy]

So feel free to dream of the perfect trade, the next QB we need, the next HC or DC…nothing will ultimately change until something changes at the top of our organization.

 

[Chuck 54]

Whenever I (or many other Cowboys fans) point out the central and fundamental flaw in the Dallas Cowboys and why they struggle year after year - thirty years now - to become a relevant team in the playoffs again, I often receive some fiery darts, lol. It’s fine, it’s an opinion forum.

So first let me say. - Yes, I know the following:

• Some Cowboys fans think Dak Prescott is the biggest reason we suck. Despite the fact that he’s playing at a high level and that he and the kicker are the only things keeping us from being 0-6. Some folks on here are completely obsessed with Dak to the point of outright trolling silliness.
• Some Cowboys fans think the head coach Brian Schottenheimer (the 7th HC we’ve had since our last divisional playoff win) is another big reason we suck. Too early for me to tell.
• Many Cowboys fans believe our defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus (the 10th DC we’ve had since our last divisional playoff win) needs to be fired immediately so we can then hire the 4th DC we’ve had in 22 months. And we may have the least defensive talent in the NFL.
• Some of our fans think we just need a trade or two for another weapon on offense or a pass rushing specialist on defense and we can somehow become…relevant? It’s a bad dream.

Here’s my point: Whatever you think about the QB, the HC, the DC or any other player or staff member associated with this team, or whatever magical trade you think this team needs, none of any of that is the deeper problem.

The reason we suck, the reason you hate the QB, the HC, the DC, the defense…whatever you are tired of. The REAL problem sits in the owner’s box. No trade, new HC, new QB, new Coordinators…whatever. Nothing will turn this around until the oldest GM in NFL history stops playing with his toy.

We have an owner/GM, and whatever combination of his family you want to include, that does not have a clue how to build an entire NFL organization - from top to bottom.

So feel free to dream of the perfect trade, the next QB we need, the next HC or DC…nothing will ultimately change until something changes at the top of our organization.

Nailed it, Bob. Every year we build false hope because of a star here or a star there. The bottom line is that for decades the Dallas Cowboys have never had a complete roster, and it has nothing to do with money or the salary cap.
Romo and Dak? Injury, season over because we never have a backup QB.
No LT or no depth on the OL has derailed entire seasons. Thinking you can win with one NFL receiver and a bunch of guys who can’t get open has derailed seasons. No run game as backs get older. No safeties for a decade or more. Then no CB depth. Through it all, we all knew no DTs for a long time. This year we have 2 serviceable 3-techs and 1 1-tech with no backup to rotate.

We have thrown together the worst set of LBs I’ve ever seen on any level of football. Sanborn is the only one with any instincts for the position, yet sadly he is the least athletic of the bunch. The rest are special teamers who could be useful on a blitz but should never be playing base LB. I have no hope for any of them, not even the young ones because they don’t see and react to anything. There is no easy fix, but I’m telling you that 1 legit inside LB with instincts to read the run and hit and fill a gap would improve the defense astronomically. The front office always leaves gaping holes in the roster that eventually destroy our season. It seems clear that they have failed the RB position almost as badly as LB. If Williams goes down, we literally have nothing.

 

[RD21]

No disagreement @Bobhaze

We are stuck being the laughing stock of the NFL & the butt of jokes/memes until the Jones family no longer operates the team. I suppose in Jerry's absence if they handed the football operations completely over to someone else and just maintained the marketing side, they may have a shot at success. Reality is more likely that as long as they (Jones family) have any control over the team, success will continue to elude this team.

It really is crazy for us long term fans. We were at a pretty low valley in the late 80's when Jerry came along. Then he took us to the promised land (indirectly at least). I remember the giant uh oh, when Jimmy left. Then the fools gold in 95. At the time, it was worth giving Jerry the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps he was gonna figure it out, and we were gonna remain competitive.

I think if were honest, none of us would've believed (after the 1995 season), that we'd be sitting here 30 years later, and never sniffing an NFC Championship game since. We'd all have bet against our current reality.

Having said that, I am now more cynical than ever, and don't believe we'll ever reach the final four or better again in Jerry's lifetime. I would feel confident in betting big on that. I would love to be wrong.

 

[shabazz]

Whenever I (or many other Cowboys fans) point out the central and fundamental flaw in the Dallas Cowboys and why they struggle year after year - thirty years now - to become a relevant team in the playoffs again, I often receive some fiery darts, lol. It’s fine, it’s an opinion forum.

So first let me say. - Yes, I know the following:

• Some Cowboys fans think Dak Prescott is the biggest reason we suck. Despite the fact that he’s playing at a high level and that he and the kicker are the only things keeping us from being 0-6. Some folks on here are completely obsessed with Dak to the point of outright trolling silliness.
• Some Cowboys fans think the head coach Brian Schottenheimer (the 7th HC we’ve had since our last divisional playoff win) is another big reason we suck. Too early for me to tell.
• Many Cowboys fans believe our defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus (the 10th DC we’ve had since our last divisional playoff win) needs to be fired immediately so we can then hire the 4th DC we’ve had in 22 months. And we may have the least defensive talent in the NFL.
• Some of our fans think we just need a trade or two for another weapon on offense or a pass rushing specialist on defense and we can somehow become…relevant? It’s a bad dream.

Here’s my point: Whatever you think about the QB, the HC, the DC or any other player or staff member associated with this team, or whatever magical trade you think this team needs, none of any of that is the deeper problem.

The reason we suck, the reason you hate the QB, the HC, the DC, the defense…whatever you are tired of. The REAL problem sits in the owner’s box. No trade, new HC, new QB, new Coordinators…whatever. Nothing will turn this around until the oldest GM in NFL history stops playing with his toy.

We have an owner/GM, and whatever combination of his family you want to include, that does not have a clue how to build an entire NFL organization - from top to bottom.

So feel free to dream of the perfect trade, the next QB we need, the next HC or DC…nothing will ultimately change until something changes at the top of our organization.

RM.......rosters matter

 

[StarLord]

Whenever I (or many other Cowboys fans) point out the central and fundamental flaw in the Dallas Cowboys and why they struggle year after year - thirty years now - to become a relevant team in the playoffs again, I often receive some fiery darts, lol. It’s fine, it’s an opinion forum.

So first let me say. - Yes, I know the following:

• Some Cowboys fans think Dak Prescott is the biggest reason we suck. Despite the fact that he’s playing at a high level and that he and the kicker are the only things keeping us from being 0-6. Some folks on here are completely obsessed with Dak to the point of outright trolling silliness.
• Some Cowboys fans think the head coach Brian Schottenheimer (the 7th HC we’ve had since our last divisional playoff win) is another big reason we suck. Too early for me to tell.
• Many Cowboys fans believe our defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus (the 10th DC we’ve had since our last divisional playoff win) needs to be fired immediately so we can then hire the 4th DC we’ve had in 22 months. And we may have the least defensive talent in the NFL.
• Some of our fans think we just need a trade or two for another weapon on offense or a pass rushing specialist on defense and we can somehow become…relevant? It’s a bad dream.

Here’s my point: Whatever you think about the QB, the HC, the DC or any other player or staff member associated with this team, or whatever magical trade you think this team needs, none of any of that is the deeper problem.

The reason we suck, the reason you hate the QB, the HC, the DC, the defense…whatever you are tired of. The REAL problem sits in the owner’s box. No trade, new HC, new QB, new Coordinators…whatever. Nothing will turn this around until the oldest GM in NFL history stops playing with his toy.

We have an owner/GM, and whatever combination of his family you want to include, that does not have a clue how to build an entire NFL organization - from top to bottom.

So feel free to dream of the perfect trade, the next QB we need, the next HC or DC…nothing will ultimately change until something changes at the top of our organization.

Bob I totally love your unending crusade against GM Jerr. And 1000% agree with what you said and elsewhere. I think you're one of the more thoughtful and insightful posters on here.

With said, there's almost no point in going on about GM Jerry. We all are with you. But it's not changing. It would be like railing against the salary cap. Sure we won before it and maybe it would be better without it for us in particular. But it's here to stay.

We might as well talk about schemes, Dak, coaching, etc. At least that can change.

I can't hope that Jerry will replace himself, but I can hope for a different QB in the postseason or a new scheme.

Jerry is the worst. I literally hate him. We can fantasize about Stephen hiring a GM or selling after Jerry croaks. I don't know.. yeah it sucks.

 

[DuncanIso]

Whenever I (or many other Cowboys fans) point out the central and fundamental flaw in the Dallas Cowboys and why they struggle year after year - thirty years now - to become a relevant team in the playoffs again, I often receive some fiery darts, lol. It’s fine, it’s an opinion forum.

So first let me say. - Yes, I know the following:

• Some Cowboys fans think Dak Prescott is the biggest reason we suck. Despite the fact that he’s playing at a high level and that he and the kicker are the only things keeping us from being 0-6. Some folks on here are completely obsessed with Dak to the point of outright trolling silliness.
• Some Cowboys fans think the head coach Brian Schottenheimer (the 7th HC we’ve had since our last divisional playoff win) is another big reason we suck. Too early for me to tell.
• Many Cowboys fans believe our defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus (the 10th DC we’ve had since our last divisional playoff win) needs to be fired immediately so we can then hire the 4th DC we’ve had in 22 months. And we may have the least defensive talent in the NFL.
• Some of our fans think we just need a trade or two for another weapon on offense or a pass rushing specialist on defense and we can somehow become…relevant? It’s a bad dream.

Here’s my point: Whatever you think about the QB, the HC, the DC or any other player or staff member associated with this team, or whatever magical trade you think this team needs, none of any of that is the deeper problem.

The reason we suck, the reason you hate the QB, the HC, the DC, the defense…whatever you are tired of. The REAL problem sits in the owner’s box. No trade, new HC, new QB, new Coordinators…whatever. Nothing will turn this around until the oldest GM in NFL history stops playing with his toy.

We have an owner/GM, and whatever combination of his family you want to include, that does not have a clue how to build an entire NFL organization - from top to bottom.

So feel free to dream of the perfect trade, the next QB we need, the next HC or DC…nothing will ultimately change until something changes at the top of our organization.

I think Shotty has to take control of the defense.

It reflects poorly on him to allow it to continue:

 

[Chasing6]

Eber is irrelevant this season.

There is no coach that could fix this defense. It lacks talent and watch us focus on spending money on the offense.

Defense wins Championships.

KC beat the Lions after giving up only 17 points. That is KC's MO, not Moutain Molehill.

 

[Captain-Crash]

Jerry said he doesn't care, just come on back and support the crap out of this team. His hookers need new clothes.

 

[Creeper]

Absolutely correct.

Although, I do think the defense has a bit more talent than they are showing so I do think the DC is a problem.

On the other hand, name one playmaker on that defense? Somehow, when we knew the defense was a problem after the GB playoff game, Jerry managed to make the problem worse. Then after 2024 when we knew the run defense was a problem, Jerry managed not only to not fix the run defense again, but he managed to destroy the pass rush, the only defensive strength we had. I do not know how this team has gotten so bad year after year.

Then, the Cowboys missed on a few drafts and for a team that builds on the draft that's a big problem. The 2023 draft is a huge waste. His top two picks in the 2024 draft are not looking great either. The best two players in that draft may turn out to be Flournoy and Nathan Thomas, guys the Cowboys have chosen not to develop for some reason.

And right now, no one in the 2025 draft is making a big impact when they needed an impact player badly.

And I hate to bring this up again, but he traded away the only impact player on defense. Great. He got two first round picks for him and Kenny Clark. But Clark's best years are behind him. And those two picks will probably turn out to be another Guyton, or another Mazi because the same guys who built this team into the fruit basket it is now, will being doing the picking - assuming he doesn;t do something really stupid like trade those picks away for a couple of win now players.

 

[Sydla]

Bob we ALL know that Jerry’s the root problem. The entire football world knows that. It’s been beat over the head for years now. But it’s insane to keep saying it over and over and over again hoping something changes. It isn’t.

And yet you'll lecture people on this board about not being good enough fans, not putting faith in this team. You'll get pissy when people, rightfully, criticize the franchise.

LOL. Make it make sense.

 

[Sydla]

There is no coach that could fix this defense. It lacks talent and watch us focus on spending money on the offense.

Defense wins Championships.

KC beat the Lions after giving up only 17 points. That is KC's MO, not Moutain Molehill.

The coach stinks though. Again, let's not just gloss over that reality.

Eberflus has been a DC or a HC since 2018. If you look at his defensive rankings (total D and scoring D), he's put way more mediocre defenses out there than good defenses and hasn't sniffed putting a great D out there.

He's a poor hire. Another Jerry screw up.

 

[Chasing6]

The coach stinks though. Again, let's not just gloss over that reality.

Eberflus has been a DC or a HC since 2018. If you look at his defensive rankings (total D and scoring D), he's put way more mediocre defenses out there than good defenses and hasn't sniffed putting a great D out there.

He's a poor hire. Another Jerry screw up.

I would be happy with a mediocre D with this group. I have no idea how you were expecting any kind of improvement.

 

[JonesBoys]

lol, we go through this all time. Blame Phillips, blame Garrett, blame McCarthy etc… we all know what the real problem is and it’s not going anywhere. This is why other fan bases laugh at us:

 

[Bobhaze]

Bob we ALL know that Jerry’s the root problem. The entire football world knows that. It’s been beat over the head for years now. But it’s insane to keep saying it over and over and over again hoping something changes. It isn’t.

Rock I understand your point and you aren’t wrong. But where I disagree is our different definitions of insanity.

To me it’s insane to believe anything gets appreciably better until the owner/GM stops running this organization his way. Jerry has told us through his actions and results he isn’t any good at being a GM in the cap era.

So what’s more insane - somehow believing we can overcome Jerry when we haven’t done it in three decades? Or just recognizing what the biggest problem really is and saying it out loud?

Part of what motivated me to write this is watching so many sincere Cowboys fans talking about trades that could “fix” this team or what DC could fix this defense or some other band aid that just puts a new coat of paint on the Titanic.

 

[kskboys]

Nailed it, Bob. Every year we build false hope because of a star here or a star there. The bottom line is that for decades the Dallas Cowboys have never had a complete roster, and it has nothing to do with money or the salary cap.
Romo and Dak? Injury, season over because we never have a backup QB.
No LT or no depth on the OL has derailed entire seasons. Thinking you can win with one NFL receiver and a bunch of guys who can’t get open has derailed seasons. No run game as backs get older. No safeties for a decade or more. Then no CB depth. Through it all, we all knew no DTs for a long time. This year we have 2 serviceable 3-techs and 1 1-tech with no backup to rotate.

We have thrown together the worst set of LBs I’ve ever seen on any level of football. Sanborn is the only one with any instincts for the position, yet sadly he is the least athletic of the bunch. The rest are special teamers who could be useful on a blitz but should never be playing base LB. I have no hope for any of them, not even the young ones because they don’t see and react to anything. There is no easy fix, but I’m telling you that 1 legit inside LB with instincts to read the run and hit and fill a gap would improve the defense astronomically. The front office always leaves gaping holes in the roster that eventually destroy our season. It seems clear that they have failed the RB position almost as badly as LB. If Williams goes down, we literally have nothing.

Well said.

Not one of these LBs would start for any other team in the NFL. They are that bad.

 

[KMY_Amber]

So feel free to dream of the perfect trade, the next QB we need, the next HC or DC…nothing will ultimately change until something changes at the top of our organization.

And Bob, there are no signs this will ever change. The Jones Clan will likely be actively involved in personnel decisions for decades to come.

So, what are we fans waiting for? Complaining about the same issue, week in and week out, rooting for a team with an ownership we don't respect.

Hec, even if the Cowboys were to go to the Superbowl and win, I think many fans wouldn't be all that excited, because then they'd have to give Jerrah some of the credit. It would basically be "bittersweet".

We should all have our heads examined.

 

[Whyjerry]

Whenever I (or many other Cowboys fans) point out the central and fundamental flaw in the Dallas Cowboys and why they struggle year after year - thirty years now - to become a relevant team in the playoffs again, I often receive some fiery darts, lol. It’s fine, it’s an opinion forum.

So first let me say. - Yes, I know the following:

• Some Cowboys fans think Dak Prescott is the biggest reason we suck. Despite the fact that he’s playing at a high level and that he and the kicker are the only things keeping us from being 0-6. Some folks on here are completely obsessed with Dak to the point of outright trolling silliness.
• Some Cowboys fans think the head coach Brian Schottenheimer (the 7th HC we’ve had since our last divisional playoff win) is another big reason we suck. Too early for me to tell.
• Many Cowboys fans believe our defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus (the 10th DC we’ve had since our last divisional playoff win) needs to be fired immediately so we can then hire the 4th DC we’ve had in 22 months. And we may have the least defensive talent in the NFL.
• Some of our fans think we just need a trade or two for another weapon on offense or a pass rushing specialist on defense and we can somehow become…relevant? It’s a bad dream.

Here’s my point: Whatever you think about the QB, the HC, the DC or any other player or staff member associated with this team, or whatever magical trade you think this team needs, none of any of that is the deeper problem.

The reason we suck, the reason you hate the QB, the HC, the DC, the defense…whatever you are tired of. The REAL problem sits in the owner’s box. No trade, new HC, new QB, new Coordinators…whatever. Nothing will turn this around until the oldest GM in NFL history stops playing with his toy.

We have an owner/GM, and whatever combination of his family you want to include, that does not have a clue how to build an entire NFL organization - from top to bottom.

So feel free to dream of the perfect trade, the next QB we need, the next HC or DC…nothing will ultimately change until something changes at the top of our organization.

Bob hitting the nail again. The Fish always rots from the head down in Dallas.

 

[Whyjerry]

What if they made the in-game adjustments, key in on the run, and force the quarterback to beat them?

What if they made the necessary in-game adjustment on 4th and 3 to play press coverage instead of playing 7 yards off?

I believe the DC is very stubborn and refuses to make any adjustments.

Dallas wins with those adjustments so this is a coaching issue

The players can't do the job.

 

[Sydla]

I would be happy with a mediocre D with this group. I have no idea how you were expecting any kind of improvement.

I wasn't expecting that much improvement. I knew they had some talent deficiencies.

But I also knew the DC was a clod and not very good. So that just compounded the problem. When you watch us play, it's not just that we are getting beat because our guys aren't that good. We are getting shredded, especially through the air, because our defense often looks confused. The number of times, on a critical down, where we don't seem to understand the coverage or a guy is out of position or there is confusion as one thought they were playing man and another guy was in zone, are too numerous to count.

That's not a talent issue. That's a coaching issue. And then drop that in the context of Eberflus never having really done anything great in his other stops should tell you that blaming the talent alone is silly.

The DC isn't very good. How people are struggling with that is weird to me given all the evidence.

 

[blueblood70]

Look, I realize firing your defensive coordinator seven games in, probably not going to help a lot, but you’re going to lose the locker room and the other side of the football and any chance of digging out of this...

unless you make a move a big move and that has to be firing that Eberflus,

maybe it’s time to elevate The special teams Coach guy, he was a DC in San Francisco last year while he may not look great. He is an option because he’s been a DC before if you’re going to do something like this, whether it helps or not fire him,

I’m tired of it make the move that shows the fans in the locker room that you see there’s a huge problem and the only way to fix it is doing inspire the rest of the team if he could be fired, we could be cut, sat down, or traded because right now,

the Cowboys might be sellers', players better buckle up. You know the ones, I said buckle up because, they can end up being cut or traded.