Keep the focus on the cause, not the symptoms

[OGSixshooter]

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.

You’re not wrong, but you’re not right either Bob. There’s enough to go around. And for $60mm…? He’s EARNED grief…not as much as Jerry…but a HEALTHY HELPING.

 

[Cmac]

True.
There are just different levels of accountability based off what position that person holds.

As the roster builder of this team Jerry first and foremost has the highest level of accountability to the team's on field success.

As the HC of the Dallas Cowboys Mike McCarthy was hired specifically for his playoff and SB winning resume. His level of accountability is second only to Jerry's.

As an 8 year veteran NFL league runnerup MVP, QB Dak Prescott is held to leading this football team and with his recent contract should be expected to be a difference maker towards postseason success.
His level of accountability is on par with the head coach's. 1A and 1B.

Jerry has failed at roster building for 29 years.
McCarthy has failed at coaching this team to postseason success.
Dak has failed at quarterbacking this team to postseason success.

Those are the top 3 levels of accountability with any NFL team.

Just because Jerry sucks at his job does not give McFraud and SleepNumber a free pass to suck at their jobs.
REGARDLESS if Jerry hired them or drafted them.
AND again I'll say it for the umpteenth time, IF we had an elite coach and elite QB the team would look night and day different. In spite of Jerry.
Since Jerry aint going nowhere, will Jerry ever hire the right coach or know how to draft the right QB?

That's the only question holding the team back while the Jones family still owns this team imo.

You were going good for a moment. No disrespect to your take.

I'd ask.....name me another QB who could right the ship and have this team as a serious playoff contender.......with the same roster including the same defense? This is Carolina Panthers 2.0.

 

[blueblood70]

I think the players need to publicly say what they think, the play calls, the scheming sucks, what are they going to do what is this coaching staff going to do if the players mutiny, they been neutered w/ 1 year deals , no real power, high paid contracts, , they can't do anything!!



I would like to see them all changing the plays and really going off the deep end, I'd like to see the coaches lose the team but not in a way where they play bad, that the team just starts ignoring the coaches game plans and in the middle of the game just start playing Sandlot football and get this figured out both sides of the ball!!



I think Prescott, I mean what are you going to do Jerry says we don't want him to run what exactly are you going to do if Prescott decides he wants to run a lot in one game, you going to send him down, you benching him, are you cutting him??!! NOPE!!


What power does Jerry Jones and this coaching staff actually have if this team decided go full mutiny on this staff??


I mean isn't that the problem here we say that Mike McCarthy both as a head coach and more so as the offensive coordinators failing big time when you're not running the football all day long like it means something and you become one dimension on your hanging your quarterback out to dry and then you don't try to get help with your tackles or you're not locating I thought the main job is to locate the middle linebacker especially if his name is Fred Warner..

I don't get this fan base at all,


I mean which is it?!



I mean which is it you literally break these games down and you pick on the wrong players…. IMHO.



I thought that the narrative around here was that Jerry Jones and his budget basement diving for free agents, he doesn't make enough trades, he's not aggressive enough, he doesn't do enough to change the narrative on a regular basis in the offseason, then we come into that season and you act surprised when we have some attrition and a lot of injuries that there's no way to recover from it, but let's pick on the players that are just trying a little too hard because they have no choice.


How is it that you're running your fullback on 3rd and five instead of using your quarterback and the fullback in blocking some full blocking package maybe call a option play do something but that was one of the worst calls I've ever seen by a professional coach like you were going to trick somebody and then you don't even block the middle linebacker isn't that what most of the call outs are calling 54 or 55 whatever you're supposed to locate the middle linebacker especially if he's the best player on the field??

I mean you have Mike McCarthy designing high school type route trees and maybe I'm delusional saying this because it's supposed to be the West Coast offense but I've seen better stuff running by the better Texas high school teams that are competing for championships on a yearly basis… They're more creative than that, I mean when you break down the film even Troy Aikman said there's no separation, the routes are just confusing, they're too close together, they they're all in the same depth, I mean you have defenders being able to lurk around from their man and fade under and help somebody else that they weren't even supposed to help, and come underneath and get interceptions because the routes are so close together...

I mean you're going to blame Prescott for yes he was getting hit on the 1st interception he didn't get enough on it but this is because both tackles are having problems and the pressure is there almost all game, and I'm not saying it's the worst blocking I've ever seen, but on a consistent basis it's not good, and when your receivers are not getting open fast enough, or they're never open sometimes, your quarterback is just trying to give your better players an opportunity to make a play and instead you have Turpin dropping a past, Lamb never challenging the DB to avoid the INT, and when you're throwing in the tight coverage…


I know we can't blame that tight end early in the game he got his hands on it but he was double covered but the ball was thrown accurately it just wasn't caught and I'm not blaming him but I'm saying this is what the coverages look like,



anybody out here that somehow is delusional blaming Prescott and naming his $60 million contract not really looking at the fact that they have a terrible offensive play caller, terrible scheme, terrible execution by the skill players, and completely abandoning the run game is the worst run game in the NFL, and then you add in bad defense!!!



YET, somehow, we're trying to pick out certain players on the team?? when right now the main problem we have here is the coaching staff and the general manager who's unwilling to help the team.



I get it, at first, I was like yes, we do have a lot of players coming back and it is like you're bringing in new players, but it's a little late for that, you need to add on top of that a couple other players like other teams are doing, whether it works or not make an effort!!



but that's the deal some

 

[montgod]

I will say one byproduct of this season is the added exposure of the "clown show" in the front office. And if/when MM is not re-signed/let go, it will be interesting to see the coaches that will want to come to DAL and those who bypass it for other opportunities or staying where they are if they are already in a good position (eg Lions, etc). Obviously, DAL is a storied franchise with a great past reputation, but when you're a coach, you want/need that autonomy to make the decisions you feel will make you/your team successful. JJ mainly looks for "yes" coaches that are on the out and looking for work or NFL records vs ones that can come in, make changes as they like, and create a new way forward towards success. Will be telling to see which direction they go but probably not anything surprising.

 

[Mcsports]

This whole situation is very depressing. Since we have NO control over what the GM does, what do we do? The Jones family will be in charge in perpituity!!

Pull away from them.
Lose interest.
Give your attention to something else.
Jerry is killing us.

 

[kskboys]

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.

You completely ignored the valid points. You are declaring that Jerry is a good drafter. I am arguing that he is not.

Players still on the team: LVE/Jaylon/Kelvin/Connor Williams/Gallimore/Malik Collins. All highly drafted players not on the team. Soooo, who exactly are these highly drafted players still on the team? Did you think about the ones who are not before your claim was made?

Starters drafted: Of course, we keep players and play them even when we shouldn't, and don't sign FA's. Players starting because we don't have other options is not a claim for good drafting.

Players still in the league: I mean, c'mooon, this is simply a silly reason. Highly drafted players are still in the league for all teams.


Now, for you. Go look at OUR highly drafted players that busted/are not turning out at all. And please, quit arguing w/o facts. Your statement that we are a good drafting team has been shot down and stomped on.

 

[Skillit]

Have you put any of those numbers up against league averages?

That’s kind of the determining factor.

I got to be straight with you if you come back with some other Bible length response-I’m not gonna read it.

I spend about five minutes a day on this site. #HaveALife.

 

[ArtClink]

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..

Agree 100%.

 

[kskboys]

Have you put any of those numbers up against league averages?

That’s kind of the determining factor.

I got to be straight with you if you come back with some other Bible length response-I’m not gonna read it.

I spend about five minutes a day on this site. #HaveALife.

That makes zero sense.

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

This just wasted my time if you just type the last sentence of your long statement. You hate Jerry Jones, that is fine.
But the problem is not just Jerry, you can blame him for all the things. The problem is everywhere especially the QB.
When all other player of the team kept fighting and then boom!! the QB threw another interception. That is the issue.

Jerry is responsible for the QB. He's responsible for everything on this team. If you think things are going to change just because Dak is gone you're kidding yourself.

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

It's the culture that the Joneses have created, Jerry is the face and voice of this team not Mike, until a head coach can come in here and command the locker room and keep the Joneses out of the on field product we won't be successful. You see what's happening in Washington now that the toxic owner is out the door.

Exactly. Heck I don't want Dak here. I don't want a lot of these players here. But they have all been contaminated by the culture that Jerry has created. Just bringing new players in won't do much of anything. It won't be long before we have the same problems with the new players. QBs come and go and coaches come and go but nothing ever changes.

 

[ArtClink]

There are several other local Dallas teams worthy of your fandom and sports dollars. The Dallas Stars and Dallas Mavericks have both won a championship since the Cowboys last one 28 seasons ago and both the Stars and Mavs have been to their respective conf championship games and their respective world champions game in the past five years. They have great GMs and are very entertaining. And most importantly, they are ranked very high in their respective conferences again this season.

If I liked baseball I would recommend the Texas Rangers who won a championship last year, another finger to the eye of our beloved GM.

But don't give any money to the man who has extended his middle finger to the fanbase with a vengeance this season. Sure, it won't have much effect on the Jones's billions but it's a matter of principle and you'll sleep better. Alternately, you could raise money for an anti-Jerry billboard near the stadium but he probably has an agreement with the city to prohibit any negative billboards. Someone suggested stadium walkout at halftime.

 

[CCBoy]

Mike McCarthy and his staff are twisting in the wind in front of the players. Big Mac should have been fired last January. Recovering from that playoff debacle was always going to be difficult with the same HC.

I believe JJ will keep him the whole season regardless of record or performance because it will keep the focus on McCarthy and the players instead of the real problem.

4 weeks is the window of opportunity. Jerry set that measure a while ago. 3 12 seasons is impressive, but next to no playoff success isn't.

 

[CCBoy]

There are several other local Dallas teams worthy of your fandom and sports dollars. The Dallas Stars and Dallas Mavericks have both won a championship since the Cowboys last one 28 seasons ago and both the Stars and Mavs have been to their respective conf championship games and their respective world champions game in the past five years. They have great GMs and are very entertaining. And most importantly, they are ranked very high in their respective conferences again this season.

If I liked baseball I would recommend the Texas Rangers who won a championship last year, another finger to the eye of our beloved GM.

But don't give any money to the man who has extended his middle finger to the fanbase with a vengeance this season. Sure, it won't have much effect on the Jones's billions but it's a matter of principle and you'll sleep better. Alternately, you could raise money for an anti-Jerry billboard near the stadium but he probably has an agreement with the city to prohibit any negative billboards. Someone suggested stadium walkout at halftime.

Three straight home losses this season...that is tough to restore.

 

[kskboys]

But it was Jerry that capitulated to both Dak contracts, therefore Dak is linked to Jerry's ownership.

OK, and that points directly back at Jerry being the problem.

 

[CowboyoWales]

OK, and that points directly back at Jerry being the problem.

The question back is whether these fans that are (correctly) blaming Jerry would of paid Dak (and every other 'elite' contract).....because that's the strategic error around which every other issue/direction is made. Jerry's worst decision (along with an aversion to going ALL-IN), are those two Dak contracts...... AND AS DAK INSISTED ON TWO 4 YEAR CONTRACTS with NTC, they will always be linked as the subsequent need to restructure restricts spending in other areas.

 

[Streifenkarl]

Oh I have so much (Cowboy related) frustration right now, there'll always be enough left for Dak. Jerry this Jerry that, ok. But Dak just sucks. And he always did when it mattered. Whatever talent he had around him.

 

[Ranching]

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.

The cause is the fans that keep coming back....especially, those that are unhappy, keep spewing hate, but keep coming back and lining Jerry's pockets...that's the cause. You keep him relavant...Jerry is your modern day JR Ewing....hit show with a character that everyone one loved to hate....we'll, not everyone, JR was the man! Just like Jerry is yours.

 

[CCBoy]

The cause is the fans that keep coming back....especially, those that are unhappy, keep spewing hate, but keep coming back and lining Jerry's pockets...that's the cause. You keep him relavant...Jerry is your modern day JR Ewing....hit show with a character that everyone one loved to hate....we'll, not everyone, JR was the man! Just like Jerry is yours.

Let's just take care of Atlanta and bring on the Eagles,

 

[Bobhaze]

You’re not wrong, but you’re not right either Bob. There’s enough to go around. And for $60mm…? He’s EARNED grief…not as much as Jerry…but a HEALTHY HELPING.

Dak has surely earned a ton of criticism no doubt. But he doesn’t have a lifetime contract.