Keep the focus on the cause, not the symptoms

[LACowboysFan1]

Culture always matters in team sports. Yes, you must have talent both with players and coaches to win. But culture is the atmosphere in which the talent you have operates. A healthy team culture can make the difference in close games. The culture of the Dallas Cowboys is an unhealthy circus dominated by its 82 year old carnival barker who chooses to make himself the face and centerpiece of the franchise. Except when it comes to being accountable.

And accountability always matters when your organization needs more discipline and motivation. When the architect at the top is never accountable for failure, there can be no accountability anywhere else. And as poorly as Dak Prescott has been playing, and Mike McCarthy has been coaching, the guy at the top of this mess wants us to look at the players and coaches failures - NOT HIS.

Cue the helicopter landing, tours of the Star and threats to radio hosts.

Look Dak sucked last night. Big Mac has an offensive design straight out of the 1990s. We have no running game or ability to stop the run. We knew these were problems going into this last offseason. For all the poor play we’ve seen week after week here, it’s understandable that our fans are mad at the $60 million dollar man. But who is the guy who put all this together? Who is the person most responsible for ALL this mess? Who is is the guy who refuses to change or admit his own failures for decades?

If we want to see some real change, I suggest directing your frustration at the top of this mess. That’s the source of everything that we are so tired of seeing. If you are tired of all this mess - bad culture and zero accountability - keep the focus on the cause not the symptoms.

In order to dissect this loss (and the others this and other seasons) is just look at the rankings of the players when they are shown on the tv screen.

The 49er's offense has players rated like 22 out of 158, 5 out of 109, 12 out of 145, etc. Basically the entire offensive starting roster is near the top compared to other players. Then look at the Dallas offense AND defense. You see ratings like 88 out of 125, 103 out of 182, and most glaringly like Mazi's rating, which was like 228 out of 228! In other words, he's the worst ranked DT in the LEAGUE.

It does no good for McClay to scout players if the coaching staff is just going to ignore his input and take players that the coaches "feel" will "fit their system". Coaches need to use their players in the way that best suits their skills. As I've often mentioned, did Belichick run a lot of quarterback rushing plays, naked bootlegs, etc.? Of course not, Brady was a freaking statue behind the line, compared to a Jackson or even a Romo or Aikman, he wasn't going to be successful running with the football. No, he developed plays to utilize Brady's arm and his brain and got players who COULD block, tackle, etc. The 49ers and Cowboys didn't put Deion on the line to stop 240 lb. fullbacks or 225 lb. running backs, he was put in positions where he could affect the other team's passing game.

Good to great players will thrive in most any "system", after all football is blocking, tackling, running, throwing and catching. If you can do that, your team will be successful. If not, you get the 2024 Dallas Cowboys.

This team is bereft of talent (overall, not saying there isn't some talent), in both coaching and players, and the front office can't and won't do anything about that.

 

[Ozone22]

If they day ever comes when Jerry Jones looks in the mirror and is honest with himself. Maybe then things might change for the better. Accountability is a hard pill for some to digest but it's a lot easier to place the blame on others.

 

[ShortRound]

We will forever be handicapped by the Jones. That’s never going to change I’m afraid. Just have to hope for a strong will coach that can work with them and all of the drama.

 

[Bobhaze]

We will forever be handicapped by the Jones. That’s never going to change I’m afraid. Just have to hope for a strong will coach that can work with them and all of the drama.

I hope all this leads to at the very least, a strong, modern head coach who has real authority.

 

[ShortRound]

I hope all this leads to at the very least, a strong, modern head coach who has real authority.

It’s a circle of madness with Jerry in the center. Lol. We’re screwed basically.

 

[Bobhaze]

If they day ever comes when Jerry Jones looks in the mirror and is honest with himself. Maybe then things might change for the better. Accountability is a hard pill for some to digest but it's a lot easier to place the blame on others.

The day Jerry looks in the mirror with honesty will be his first.

 

[kskboys]

Sports media, in particular, should keep hammering Jerry Jones for what he oversees--EVEN during wins. Future wins do not discount or negate the product he has orchestrated for 28 consecutive years.

Trial-and-erroring your way to nowhere should not be ignored. It should be continually exposed and examined. Why should Jones be awarded the benefit of a Teflon suit against relevant criticism--when the vast majority of competing GMs have no such defense to it?

Being a P.T. Barnum on crack should not be rewarded. His GM record should be the daily focus of a public inquisition. The guy is the epidemy of failing upwards.

Can you make this your sig?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[LACowboysFan1]

If they day ever comes when Jerry Jones looks in the mirror and is honest with himself. Maybe then things might change for the better. Accountability is a hard pill for some to digest but it's a lot easier to place the blame on others.

The shot of Jerry in the box last night was very telling to me. Obvously at 82 he's not gonna look real pretty but to me he looked more like 92 in that shot. I think he has realized this season is pretty much over for the Cowboys, there won't be any playoffs, he's looking at losing tons more players this coming off season, possibly the great Zack Martin as well as Lawrence, Odighizuwa, probably more younger guys, don't think they're going to want to stick around this moribund franchise, no matter what the pay is.

Not that he'll make any big moves, like hire a gm or some young, innovative head coach, he'll continue to try and relive the glory days of the 90's, results be darned.

So yeah, if you're a Cowboys fan, don't expect to ever be a contending team again, at least not in Jerry's and Stephen's lifetimes..

 

[LACowboysFan1]

It’s a circle of madness with Jerry in the center. Lol. We’re screwed basically.

SOS

And I don't mean help....

 

[triplets_93]

The day Jerry looks in the mirror with honesty will be his first.

I've been told that Vampires do not have mirrors in their abode.

 

[Bobhaze]

I've been told that Vampires do not have mirrors in their abode.

Good one.

 

[GrouchySmurf]

Players that go from the Cowboys to another team all say the same thing: "It's all about football here. Just about football."

They seem relieved.

 

[Chasing6]

I agree with you 100% that all players and coaches should also be held accountable for the play on the field. But if their boss is NEVER held to account, how can anyone else truly be accountable

The NFL is the most complimentary sport.

Cowboy fans should understand that better than anyone from the 90's.

If anyone really thinks Troy carried the team by himself they are complete idiots.

 

[LACowboysFan1]

I've been told that Vampires do not have mirrors in their abode.

 

[infamousstyles]

I’ve come to terms that this mess cannot be fixed. Might as well call us the Dallas Commanders because ownership has destroyed this franchise.

 

[Skillit]

Although, with the circumstances, as they are, it’s obvious for the world to see. But this has been the Cowboys for the last 25 years. As far as culture, mentality, professionalism, grit, and perseverance.

The last several years Jerry has done a pretty decent job of drafting.

But the management of literally everything else has been horrible.

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

We need to hire Dr Franken Furter then he fixed the cause but not the symptom

Rocky Horror

 

[plasticman]

Culture always matters in team sports. Yes, you must have talent both with players and coaches to win. But culture is the atmosphere in which the talent you have operates. A healthy team culture can make the difference in close games. The culture of the Dallas Cowboys is an unhealthy circus dominated by its 82 year old carnival barker who chooses to make himself the face and centerpiece of the franchise. Except when it comes to being accountable.

And accountability always matters when your organization needs more discipline and motivation. When the architect at the top is never accountable for failure, there can be no accountability anywhere else. And as poorly as Dak Prescott has been playing, and Mike McCarthy has been coaching, the guy at the top of this mess wants us to look at the players and coaches failures - NOT HIS.

Cue the helicopter landing, tours of the Star and threats to radio hosts.

Look Dak sucked last night. Big Mac has an offensive design straight out of the 1990s. We have no running game or ability to stop the run. We knew these were problems going into this last offseason. For all the poor play we’ve seen week after week here, it’s understandable that our fans are mad at the $60 million dollar man. But who is the guy who put all this together? Who is the person most responsible for ALL this mess? Who is is the guy who refuses to change or admit his own failures for decades?

If we want to see some real change, I suggest directing your frustration at the top of this mess. That’s the source of everything that we are so tired of seeing. If you are tired of all this mess - bad culture and zero accountability - keep the focus on the cause not the symptoms.

Right again.

Before the beginning of the season, Jerry Jones expressed "confidence" in the RB squad of Zeke, Rico and Deuce.

This has now been downgraded to faith with the hope of a "storybook finish".

I'm just wondering where Jerry acquired the previous confidence? Was it the two starting rookie O-linemen. Were they just going to march in and begin tossing around NFL veteran linemen?

What gave Jerry confidence that Zeke would experience an epic rejuvenation? What was going to make him different than the two previous seasons in which he averaged a combined 3.7 yards a carry?

There are currently 5 RB's from the 2022 draft that average 4.5 yards a carry or over with a minimum 400 career carries. Two are 5th round picks, another is a 7th round pick.

There were two 3rd round picks in 2023 that averages over 4.5 yards a game.

Currently, there are 7 rookie RB's making significant contributions to their teams. Five of them are 4th round draft picks. Three of those guys are averaging over 5 yards a carry.

The RB's were there. The majority of the productive ones were not premium picks, they were 3rd day.

And yet, Jerry did nothing.

 

[kskboys]

Although, with the circumstances, as they are, it’s obvious for the world to see. But this has been the Cowboys for the last 25 years. As far as culture, mentality, professionalism, grit, and perseverance.

The last several years Jerry has done a pretty decent job of drafting.

But the management of literally everything else has been horrible.

He has?

Starting in 2017, Jerry has drafted 7 busts in round 1-2. That's 7 drafts(Not counting 2024, we don't know yet).

So, where are you getting this idea that Jerry is doing a great job drafting? His terrible drafting is why we have no starting DT's and 1 starting LB on the roster. His bad drafting is why the OL is falling apart and why we have no starting quality RB's on the roster.

Honestly, I think you may want to reevaluate the assertion that Jerry is drafting well. He was for a couple years, but that time is long gone.

 

[Skillit]

He has?

Starting in 2017, Jerry has drafted 7 busts in round 1-2. That's 7 drafts(Not counting 2024, we don't know yet).

So, where are you getting this idea that Jerry is doing a great job drafting? His terrible drafting is why we have no starting DT's and 1 starting LB on the roster. His bad drafting is why the OL is falling apart and why we have no starting quality RB's on the roster.

Honestly, I think you may want to reevaluate the assertion that Jerry is drafting well. He was for a couple years, but that time is long gone.

I’m not saying he’s awesome- but if you look at his stats-
- players still on the team
- starters drafted
- players still in the league

He’s top 1/3. Every team has picks that don’t work.

Go look at the drafts from 2019 on and you’ll see dozens of names of first round guys that never made a team.

Jones’ overall track record drafting is above avg compared to the rest of the league.