Discipline is our achilles heal this year

[gollum]

and that will be our downfall.

We are #32 in # of penalties at 115, 10 more than the Raiders.
We are #31 in penalty yards at 911, only 13 less than the Packers.

We've had 56 offensive penalties for 417 yards that have cost us 8 first downs, 12 points, and 200 yards of lost offense.

We've had 39 defensive penalties for 307 yards that have kept 9 drives alive where the opponent didn't convert on 3rd down, given 23 extra first downs to them, and directly contributed to 17 extra points. We gave up 5 first downs via penalty to the Ravens.

Our special teams have had 20 penalties for 187 yards that have cost us 215 yards, either from penalty or called back field position.

For comparison, the least penalized team in # and yds is New England with 55-491.

In preceeding years, here's how we ended up after 16 games(and rank):

2008 115-911 (#32/#31)...through 15 games only {Phillips}
2007 104-815 (#25/#25) {Phillips}
2006 100-939 (#21/#27) {Parcells}
2005 99-739 (#6/#3) {Parcells}
2004 105-867 (#9/#10) {Parcells}
2003 98-837 (#12/#13) {Parcells}
2002 105-974 (#19/#28) {Campo}...32 teams
2001 91-744 (#14/#13) {Campo}
2000 108-963 (#22/#26) {Campo}
1999 136-1196 (#31/#31) {Gailey}...31 teams
1998 128-1108 (#27/#26) {Gailey}
1997 116-1058 (#24/#28) {Switzer}
1996 103-832 (#13/#15) {Switzer}
1995 90-695 (#8/#8) {Switzer}...30 teams
1994 100-895 (#14/#18) {Switzer}
1993 94-744 (#15/#15) {Johnson}
1992 91-650 (#11/#5) {Johnson}
1991 74-610 (#2/#2) {Johnson}
1990 98-729 (#15/#13) {Johnson}
1989 100-771 (#12/#11) {Johnson}
1988 141-1148 (#28/#27) {Landry}
1987 131-1091 (#26/#27) {Landry}
1986 112-936 (#21/#23) {Landry}...28 teams

You can see why Parcells got frustrated and Wade doesn't have the persona to turn that lack of discipline around. I was surprised the last three years of Landry's tenure were marred by pathetic discipline with regards to committing penalties.

Bold is team record.

 

[Rack]

Depressing.

 

[Tusan_Homichi]

Jimmy seemed to control the penalties the best out of the stats you listed. I miss Jimmy.

 

[ZeroClub]

They have too many penalties. No doubt.

Some of it has to be discipline, I guess.

Anybody have any other theories or reasons?

 

[Tusan_Homichi]

They have too many penalties. No doubt.

Some of it has to be discipline, I guess.

Anybody have any other theories or reasons?

Dumb players + lack of discipline = lots of penalties.

 

[ZeroClub]

Dumb players + lack of discipline = lots of penalties.

I hope it doesn't come down to a lack of smarts. Not much can be done about that.

 

[MONT17]

winners do not commit penalties... period

 

[DaBoys4Life]

and that will be our downfall.

We are #32 in # of penalties at 115, 10 more than the Raiders.
We are #31 in penalty yards at 911, only 13 less than the Packers.

We've had 56 offensive penalties for 417 yards that have cost us 8 first downs, 12 points, and 200 yards of lost offense.

We've had 39 defensive penalties for 307 yards that have kept 9 drives alive where the opponent didn't convert on 3rd down, given 23 extra first downs to them, and directly contributed to 17 extra points. We gave up 5 first downs via penalty to the Ravens.

Our special teams have had 20 penalties for 187 yards that have cost us 215 yards, either from penalty or called back field position.

For comparison, the least penalized team in # and yds is New England with 55-491.

In preceeding years, here's how we ended up after 16 games(and rank):

2008 115-911 (#32/#31)...through 15 games only {Phillips}
2007 104-815 (#25/#25) {Phillips}
2006 100-939 (#21/#27) {Parcells}
2005 99-739 (#6/#3) {Parcells}
2004 105-867 (#9/#10) {Parcells}
2003 98-837 (#12/#13) {Parcells}
2002 105-974 (#19/#28) {Campo}...32 teams
2001 91-744 (#14/#13) {Campo}
2000 108-963 (#22/#26) {Campo}
1999 136-1196 (#31/#31) {Gailey}...31 teams
1998 128-1108 (#27/#26) {Gailey}
1997 116-1058 (#24/#28) {Switzer}
1996 103-832 (#13/#15) {Switzer}
1995 90-695 (#8/#8) {Switzer}...30 teams
1994 100-895 (#14/#18) {Switzer}
1993 94-744 (#15/#15) {Johnson}
1992 91-650 (#11/#5) {Johnson}
1991 74-610 (#2/#2) {Johnson}
1990 98-729 (#15/#13) {Johnson}
1989 100-771 (#12/#11) {Johnson}
1988 141-1148 (#28/#27) {Landry}
1987 131-1091 (#26/#27) {Landry}
1986 112-936 (#21/#23) {Landry}...28 teams

You can see why Parcells got frustrated and Wade doesn't have the persona to turn that lack of discipline around. I was surprised the last three years of Landry's tenure were marred by pathetic discipline with regards to committing penalties.

Bold is team record.

I don't see much of a difference other than yards....

 

[Hypnotoad]

It should also be noted that the penalties you listed are just offensive...

I believe that penalties as a percentage of total penalties called would help eliminate trends in officiating that year...

I did some years:

2.17% 2008 115-911 (#32/#31)...through 15 games only {Phillips}
1.84% 2007 104-815 (#25/#25) {Phillips}
1.70% 2006 100-939 (#21/#27) {Parcells}
2005 99-739 (#6/#3) {Parcells}
2004 105-867 (#9/#10) {Parcells}
2003 98-837 (#12/#13) {Parcells}
2002 105-974 (#19/#28) {Campo}...32 teams
2001 91-744 (#14/#13) {Campo}
2000 108-963 (#22/#26) {Campo}
2.08% 1999 136-1196 (#31/#31) {Gailey}...31 teams
1998 128-1108 (#27/#26) {Gailey}
1.87% 1997 116-1058 (#24/#28) {Switzer}
1.58%1996 103-832 (#13/#15) {Switzer}
1.55% 1995 90-695 (#8/#8) {Switzer}...30 teams
1994 100-895 (#14/#18) {Switzer}
1993 94-744 (#15/#15) {Johnson}
1992 91-650 (#11/#5) {Johnson}
1.37% 1991 74-610 (#2/#2) {Johnson}
1.80% 1990 98-729 (#15/#13) {Johnson}
1.73% 1989 100-771 (#12/#11) {Johnson}
2.52% 1988 141-1148 (#28/#27) {Landry}
1987 131-1091 (#26/#27) {Landry}
1.95% 1986 112-936 (#21/#23) {Landry}...28 teams

 

[RainMan]

Notice we ranked in the bottom half of the league in penalties just once under Parcells, while we've been almost the doormat of the league in both of Phillips' years here.

I've said this since about Week 5, but we just don't play good football. We have to rely on big plays and just out-talenting the other team, but we simply do not play a good brand of football.

We lack an offensive identity, don't stick to a game plan, rarely out coach the other team, are undisciplined in terms of penalties and turnovers and don't play especially well in crunch time. None of that, in my opinion, reflects well on the coaching staff.

 

[DaBoys4Life]

Notice we ranked in the bottom half of the league in penalties just once under Parcells, while we've been almost the doormat of the league in both of Phillips' years here.

I've said this since about Week 5, but we just don't play good football. We have to rely on big plays and just out-talenting the other team, but we simply do not play a good brand of football.

We lack an offensive identity, don't stick to a game plan, rarely out coach the other team, are undisciplined in terms of penalties and turnovers and don't play especially well in crunch time. None of that, in my opinion, reflects well on the coaching staff.

Okay one year Parcell's team had 105 to Wade's 104 yet Parcell's team was ranked in the top half whereas Wade's where ranked in the bottom half. Care to explain that one?

 

[Hypnotoad]

Okay one year Parcell's team had 105 to Wade's 104 yet Parcell's team was ranked in the top half whereas Wade's where ranked in the bottom half. Care to explain that one?

Officials called much more penalties that year. The Wade's 104 was achieved in a year when less penalties were called therefore making the cowboys ranked in the bottom of the league.

 

[Rogerthat12]

Yikes ...: :bang2:

 

[Don Corleone]

Aren't the Titans the 2nd most penalized team this year?

 

[Sarge]

Lack of discipline and lack of focus. No accountablility.

 

[The Panch]

Aren't the Titans the 2nd most penalized team this year?

They're tied with the Dolphins for the best turnover ratio in the league at +14.

We're tied with the Bills for the 6th worst in the league at -7.

You can overcome penalties and you can overcome turnovers, but very rarely can you overcome both.

 

[AKATheRake]

Notice we ranked in the bottom half of the league in penalties just once under Parcells, while we've been almost the doormat of the league in both of Phillips' years here.

I've said this since about Week 5, but we just don't play good football. We have to rely on big plays and just out-talenting the other team, but we simply do not play a good brand of football.

We lack an offensive identity, don't stick to a game plan, rarely out coach the other team, are undisciplined in terms of penalties and turnovers and don't play especially well in crunch time. None of that, in my opinion, reflects well on the coaching staff.

Not making excuses for Parcells and the players have to be accountable. However they were younger players under Parcells and that factors into mental errors that create penalties.

The one thing that strikes me most is about the penalty stats is that we get a huge amount of small penalties and the majority are offensive. It's not like a lot are pass interference calls on defense that really create the biggest chunks.

What that tells me from an offensive stand point, because the majority are false starts, offensive offsides, illegal formations and holdings is a lot of the timing is off. This is a timing offense and these players are not executing to the necessary standards.

Now there are factors that contribute to that like not being prepared or focused. These factors come from either or both from things like having an inexperienced OC who can't properly prepare and motivate. Or we're housing players that are intellectually incapable and/or may refuse the motivation and coaching.

911 yards over 15 games means you're giving up 3 to almost 5 points a game just off of penalties if you equate 100 yards to 7 points. That's the Commanders, Cardinals before overtime, Steelers we were pretty clean but also the Raven's game before they busted out those 2 runs coupled with the turnovers in each of those games.

But we know this team beats itself. Even when it comes out with no intensity it is still in games. Even when it turns the ball over and recklessly does not execute, it's still in games. What's the answer? 2 different coaching staffs with this team can't find it and they both have opposite approaches but mostly the same players.

I think defensively,other than Ellis the last 2 games we are solid penalty wise. You're going to jump some snaps with this aggression. But the offense is all over the place. Gurode snappingout of sync, Flo is Flo, Colombo has his times, bigg the odd game. But now you have guys like Witten consistently contributing to false starts and illegal formation penalties. Something has to give. This team lacks a certain level of preparation which leads to this lack of execution. It's not that they don't try, maybe they can't and their teacher is not at that level yet either.

The defense is stable in this regard. Experience isn't lacking on that side of the ball and the defensive players are no brighter than the offensive players. I see Garret up against a LeBeau, Kiffin or Ryan and boy does he look over matched. The offense is always trying to find it's identity against DC's like that. That's their experience against Red's inexperience. Guess we'll see how he fairs against Jim Johnson Sunday. He was effective for 1 1/2 quarters against his disciple Spagnuolo the other week and was putting points up at will in week 2 against the ole man. We'll know if Red's goose is cooked Sunday. He's the mess. Wade doesn't have the brass to make him accountable. Maybe it's neither Wade or Red and they can't make the players accountable because of Jerry. Regardless, someone needs to be accountable and it is not Jessica Simpson. So who is it Jerry? Is it you?

 

[Oh_Canada]

It's chronic with this team and the coach doesn't seem to care much....sad really.

 

[Alexander]

Discipline has been an issue in Dallas for years. It is not a new thing. It was here with Campo, it was here with Parcells and it is here now. That falls on the players and more specifically their level of leadership.

Eventually they have to quit being stubborn, self-satisfied, shiftless and well, stupid. They have to want it bad enough and not be satisfied until they get it. Until we are able to find those types of players, nothing will change.

That as much as talent is why the 1990s Cowboys were that great. Our leaders (Irvin, Aikman) wanted it badly and did not accept smug self-satisfaction to creep in.

 

[CATCH17]

Dumb players + lack of discipline = lots of penalties.

These Players + extreme discipline = lots of penalties