Inconvenient Truths

[rcaldw]

I admit that the title is provocative. I don't claim to have the corner on analyzing where this team is, however I do claim to have a viewpoint, and here it is: All that I ask is that you don't knee jerk respond to it. Read it all (please) and then respond, and when you respond do it with some substance.

1. Everyone bears some responsibility for what is happening with this team. That includes Garrett, Ryan, Callihan, and all the rest of the coaching staff. But I honestly believe that this team is well coached. I know that will meet with hoots and hollering, and I say, go ahead... I'm still right. This is a coaching staff the prepares diligently, and I believe, has an eye for what needs to be done.

Last night's game wasn't about coaching folks. The team was in position all night long to win that game. Coaching didn't overthrow Miles Austin for what would have been a TD. Coaching didn't overthrow Dez Bryant for what looked to be a long gain. Coaching doesn't drop passes that hit people square in the hands. Coaching doesn't lose a shovel pass to the opponent in back to back games. And last night's immediately after the defense came up with a huge turnover.

Coaching does what was done this past week, which says what was going on at the line of scrimmage was costing too many penalties, and simplifies it, so that we only had TWO, count them, TWO penalties last night.

The team was prepared, put in position to win and LAST NIGHT players didn't execute.

I thought Garrett did a poor job against Tampa Bay (even though we won) but I won't blame him for last night.

2. Tony Romo is playing like a coach killer at the moment. You will hear it, again and again, that he isn't the biggest problem on this team. And I will say, YOU ARE EXACTLY RIGHT. You will hear that he has upper echelon talents, and I will say YOU ARE EXACTLY RIGHT. But right now he is absolutely a mixed bag. He will make one play that is spectacular followed by a play that is inexplicably bad. This is not to say that there are no contributing factors (I'll get to that below), but you just don't want to see the truth if you try to argue he doesn't need to protect the ball better. He does.

3. This team has personnel issues. Others have already noted this, and they are right. Our defensive backfield is hurting right now (safeties). We still have some great talent on defense, but players like Sensabaugh killed us last night. In his defense he is playing coming off an injury, but he hurt us. And the biggest issue of all, as everyone already knows, IS THE OFFENSIVE LINE. It is not good. It can't run block consistently and pass protection is atrocious.

4. Which brings me to my conclusion. The #1 problem facing the Dallas Cowboys is the Owner/GM. Again, there will be people screaming at me telling me "yea, blame Jerry"...blah, blah, blah... I DO BLAME JERRY. And I do it without apology. Even if you hate Garrett and want to blame him (and you would be wrong), then STILL BLAME JERRY.

I remember seeing a clip from the 90's, after Jimmy was gone, of Aikman talking to Garrett (strangely enough), and Aikman is making fun of the way that Jerry talks up all of the rookies and acquisitions. Aikman was saying, way back then, THAT JERRY JONES OVERVALUES PLAYERS. And he does. To give some of the contracts that he gives defies logic. (The Free contract comes to mind)

Jerry builds with glitz and ignores the grunt work. And for those who want to believe (and I'm one who wants to believe this) that Jerry just gives the coaches what they want and doesn't impose himself on player acquisition... I think we are only partially right. I think the whole Felix Jones situation demonstrated that.

Conclusion:

Having said all of this, here is where I land. We are only 4 games in. 2-2. This season is far from over. We DO have some good talent on this team. Maybe they will get it together. Maybe by the end of the season we will turn some corner. I sure hope so. But I don't think this is an elite team until the offensive line gets fixed.

 

[SultanOfSix]

This team is not well coached. Not at all. Physical mistakes like overthrown balls or dropped balls are excusable. Mental mistakes like not blocking the right man, running the wrong routes, not adjusting to the what the defense is calling, panicking when you can't run (the exact opposite of of what Joe Gibbs used to do - he would pound it even if it wasn't working early because it would later which is a sign of foresight), not drilling it into the players ball protection, etc. is a coaching problem. The Bears are one of the best teams at taking away the ball. As a coach, what should you focus on? You pound it into the players to protect the ball no matter what even at the expense of not trying to make that extra play. Did that work? No. Five interceptions and multiple fumbles. Pathetic.

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

You last sentence summed it up. And it is what I say now before EVERY season "let me see what the OL looks like, and I will tell you what I think Dallas can do" You will NOT beat elite teams....and we have plenty on our schedule...with poor OL play. You MAY squeak out a wild card berth....but that's about it. If you cannot run the ball at all...your QB has to do everything. Which exposes the OL. And the tape is out there for everyone to see.

 

[rcaldw]

This team is not well coached. Not at all. Physical mistakes like overthrown balls or dropped balls are excusable. Mental mistakes like not blocking the right man, running the wrong routes, not adjusting to the what the defense is calling, panicking when you can't run (the exact opposite of of what Joe Gibbs used to do - he would pound it even if it wasn't working early because it would later which is a sign of foresight), not drilling it into the players ball protection, etc. is a coaching problem. The Bears are one of the best teams at taking away the ball. As a coach, what should you focus on? You pound it into the players to protect the ball no matter what even at the expense of not trying to make that extra play.

Obviously I disagree with you, and I would only offer a version of what Bill Parcells used to say. I don't remember how he actually put it, but I remember the essence of it. You can't overcome stupid. I think we have some players who just need to move on. And THIS IS WHERE I BRING JERRY INTO THE PICTURE. In my opinion you can coach Dez Bryant up all that you want to. That kid doesn't have it upstairs. And if you look at MOST of the mistakes last night, #88 was in the vicinity.

 

[tomsanders921]

Jerry does overvalue talent big time.

Instead of trading guys like felix and bennett, he waits until they hit rock bottom and just doesn't resign them. If you are not going to play them, take the trade when it is offered!!!

Garrett has been a huge disappointment. Yes, the team is not helping much, but the offense looks absolutely atrocious. If he can't handle being the coach and the so called offensive coordinator, take some pressure off him and give the duties to Callahan. Because right now we have the worst offense in the league. Not only do they not score but they provide points for the other team.

And Romo is really playing a sink or swim style right now. Either he is going to make a play or somehow cause disaster. 8 picks in 4 games is terrible. You can blame the line all you want, but that will not cut it any way you want to slice it. I could live with some turnovers if we were putting up points as well, but that is clearly not happening. Give me turnovers and lots of points or not so many points with minimal turnovers.

The defense is not good enough to carry this team. We have good corners and linebackers, but the dline and safety play are not good enough. Quarterbacks always have a clean pocket to step up into because ware and sometimes spencer are the only guys that can create any kind of pressure.

Where are games won and lost? In the trenches. We suck on both sides.

I have no idea what is wrong with this offense and romo. They look so bad that i am starting to think we are seeing the decline of it for good. Out of sync, wrong routes, bad passes, bad timing, you name it, we have a problem with it.

 

[rcaldw]

You last sentence summed it up. And it is what I say now before EVERY season "let me see what the OL looks like, and I will tell you what I think Dallas can do" You will NOT beat elite teams....and we have plenty on our schedule...with poor OL play. You MAY squeak out a wild card berth....but that's about it. If you cannot run the ball at all...your QB has to do everything. Which exposes the OL. And the tape is out there for everyone to see.

Very well stated.

 

[visionary]

you lost me at "we are well-coached"

what evidence do you have for it?

this team is undisciplined, players dont know where to line up or make adjustments, cant run, cant put pressure on the QB

these are all signs of bad coaching not good coaching

perhaps your definition of 'well coached' is different than mine

this team has its short-comings (OL and front 7) but give this team to harbaugh or fisher and i would bet we see a lot better product out there

the onus is on both front office AND coaching

 

[SultanOfSix]

Obviously I disagree with you, and I would only offer a version of what Bill Parcells used to say. I don't remember how he actually put it, but I remember the essence of it. You can't overcome stupid. I think we have some players who just need to move on. And THIS IS WHERE I BRING JERRY INTO THE PICTURE. In my opinion you can coach Dez Bryant up all that you want to. That kid doesn't have it upstairs. And if you look at MOST of the mistakes last night, #88 was in the vicinity.

Dez is young, and he's still learning, and is admirably getting over his problems off the field. He made a few mistakes last night, but he is a tremendous player. The way Tony dealt with him was perfect when he made the mistake on the interception: I'm coming right back at you because I believe in you. The problem is, as coaches, you get on him all the time until he mentally matures and gets its, and you do it in a positive reinforcement way. He's a good kid. If you see this happen, I guarantee you (as much as I can't see into the future but am simply making an educated guess) Dez will be a superstar.

 

[rcaldw]

Dez is young, and he's still learning, and is admirably getting over his problems off the field. He made a few mistakes last night, but he is a tremendous player. The way Tony dealt with him was perfect when he made the mistake on the interception: I'm coming right back at you because I believe in you. The problem is, as coaches, you get on him all the time until he matures. All the time, and you do it in a positive reinforcement way. He's a good kid. If you see this happen, I guarantee you Dez will be a superstar.

As I say, I don't have a corner on football wisdom. What I do see (from the coaching staff) is an emphasis on hard work, attention to detail, preparing to be mentally tough - be prepared to overcome adversity, and play hard to the finish. I also see that no less a coach than Bill Parcells didn't have great success here and eventually moved on. Other than Jimmy Johnson, and Barry Switzer's three years of living off the Jimmy years, what head coach has prospered here?

Why not?

 

[SultanOfSix]

As I say, I don't have a corner on football wisdom. What I do see (from the coaching staff) is an emphasis on hard work, attention to detail, preparing to be mentally tough - be prepared to overcome adversity, and play hard to the finish. I also see that no less a coach than Bill Parcells didn't have great success here and eventually moved on. Other than Jimmy Johnson, and Barry Switzer's three years of living off the Jimmy years, what head coach has prospered here?

Why not?

Pacrells built a team literally from the crap heap into a team another coach took to 13-3. Parcells did an excellent job despite not winning like he did in the past, and he found Romo.

This current coaching staff says all the right things, but talk is cheap if it doesn't translate onto the football field. Either the players are mentally soft or the coaching is. It doesn't really matter because having either one is going to keep the team stagnate, and it's not completely obvious to say which is the primary problem. But, my guess is it falls on the coaching.

 

[rcaldw]

Pacrells built a team literally from the crap heap into a team another coach took to 13-3. Parcells did an excellent job despite not winning like he did in the past, and he found Romo.

This current coaching staff says all the right things, but talk is cheap. If it doesn't translate onto the football field. Either the players are mentally soft or the coaching is. It doesn't really matter because having either one is going to keep the team stagnate, and it's not completely obvious to say which is the primary problem. But, my guess is it falls on the coaching.

And my guess is that the answer is found elsewhere. Parcells left. What he built didn't prove sustainable either. I trace it to players and the guy in charge of acquiring talent.

 

[tomsanders921]

Pacrells built a team literally from the crap heap into a team another coach took to 13-3. Parcells did an excellent job despite not winning like he did in the past, and he found Romo.

This current coaching staff says all the right things, but talk is cheap. If it doesn't translate onto the football field. Either the players are mentally soft or the coaching is. It doesn't really matter because having either one is going to keep the team stagnate, and it's not completely obvious to say which is the primary problem. But, my guess is it falls on the coaching.

Parcells turned this franchise around. He took a TERRIBLE team with Quincy freakin Carter at quarterback and made the playoffs.

He built the team that wade went 13-3 with. I think if we have Parcells another year the giants have one less superbowl title.

He turned the team around and now it is headed back in the wrong direction.

Bring in Bill Cowher to clean this up, or at least somebody who can instill some pride, discipline, and mental toughness into this soft team.

 

[CrownCowboy]

This team does have personnel issues, especially up front on both sides of the ball.

This team is indeed plagued by an owner who is a great marketing executive and business man, but is a horrible GM and evaluator of talent and personnel, that has put his ego over this team.

Those of you who say we are well coached are just flat out wrong. A team that commits the same mistakes at the same times in every game in virtually the same fashion is a poorly coached football team.

 

[anj113]

Dez is young, and he's still learning, and is admirably getting over his problems off the field. He made a few mistakes last night, but he is a tremendous player. The way Tony dealt with him was perfect when he made the mistake on the interception: I'm coming right back at you because I believe in you. The problem is, as coaches, you get on him all the time until he mentally matures and gets its, and you do it in a positive reinforcement way. He's a good kid. If you see this happen, I guarantee you (as much as I can't see into the future but am simply making an educated guess) Dez will be a superstar.

How can you honestly keep telling people Dez is a tremendous player? Based on what? Come on, this guy is NOT THAT GOOD.. He does not and never will have the mental make up to be anygood.. Why cant Cowboy fans see that.. Whats it going to take for people to realize that.. The guy IS NOT smart enough to be a star in this league.. It takes a hell of alot more than potential and talent to even be an average WR in this league... Thats what Dez is an average WR in this league at BEST.. SUperstar? Dude come on...

 

[CrownCowboy]

As I say, I don't have a corner on football wisdom. What I do see (from the coaching staff) is an emphasis on hard work, attention to detail, preparing to be mentally tough - be prepared to overcome adversity, and play hard to the finish. I also see that no less a coach than Bill Parcells didn't have great success here and eventually moved on. Other than Jimmy Johnson, and Barry Switzer's three years of living off the Jimmy years, what head coach has prospered here?

Why not?

What about that performance last night, or any performance this year so far, have we seen any evidence to attention to detail and being mentally tough? A team can put emphasis on hard work as much as they want and prepare, as you say, as much for these things as any can imagine. If it doesn't translate on the field then it really doesn't matter.

It would be different if Garrett hasn't been here that long, but he has been here for years now. Whatever Garrett is doing, whether it being putting an emphasis on hard work, putting the attention to the finer things of the game and the details, and instilling mental toughness, it is not working and not resonating with these players. That is evident and an indication that he just doesn't know how to do the things you say he is doing with any effectiveness.

It just is what it is.

 

[anj113]

By no means am I saying Dez sucks, but can we please curb the 'superstar" talk please

 

[Chocolate Lab]

LOL. A performance like that mess three years ago was 100% the fault of coaching.

Now, this team was properly prepared and put in position to win and it's all on the players.

Inconvenient truths indeed.

 

[MagicMan]

No player or coach is immune from this crap we call a team. Garrett bears as much responsibility as Jerry on this one, sorry. His job is to have this team ready to play each week and out of the 4 games this week, the last 3 have sucked. The biggest disappointment is having a week off and coming out stinking it up in Seattle. I knew that was a big sign of shape of things to come. Garrett is in over his head as HC.....he would be lucky to have an OC job in the NFL at this time cuz he has been worse at that, if it is possible.

His offense is just disorganized, disinterested, dissappointing, and all the other disses you can come up with. Totally unprepared with no adjustments in their gameplans. As a matter of fact, the gameplans don't even appear to be gameplans, just fly by the seat of your pants offense and see what happens. That pass interference call in the endzone and Garrett's actions spoke volumes-----yeah Garrett did not drop passes, throw blocks, throw ints....but neither did Wade and look where he is. Its time for Jerry to do the right thing and get rid of this guy and then fall on the sword himself as GM.

Cmon Jerry, flush the toilet and get rid of this crap. It is stinking badddd.

 

[anj113]

What about that performance last night, or any performance this year so far, have we seen any evidence to attention to detail and being mentally tough? A team can put emphasis on hard work as much as they want and prepare, as you say, as much for these things as any can imagine. If it doesn't translate on the field then it really doesn't matter.

It would be different if Garrett hasn't been here that long, but he has been here for years now. Whatever Garrett is doing, whether it being putting an emphasis on hard work, putting the attention to the finer things of the game and the details, and instilling mental toughness, it is not working and not resonating with these players. That is evident and an indication that he just doesn't know how to do the things you say he is doing with any effectiveness.



It just is what it is.

This team for the past 2 decades have been weak mentally and physically and the record reflects that... We have been an average football team for way too long

 

[Future]

I read the whole thing...but you lost me at "this team is well coached."