Mike McCarthy's upcoming decision

[DallasEast]

And that’s the elephant in the room.

Some think MM has been coaching for his job. But he may have actually been coaching for a job elsewhere.

It would be so fitting if he walked away after being offered an extension. Lol

Bold> I know I would be laughing my <expletive> off if that happened.

 

[Aikmaniac]

I am not against bringing back mccarthy.

I am against bringing him back, not upgrading the roster and coaching staff.

Buckle up.

 

[CowboyFanInLexKy]

Jerry makes it this way. I'd like to move on from McCarthy, not because he's not a very good head coach but because he's not the solution in Dallas. I'd like to replace him with some mythical head coach who can come in here and change Jerry but that person doesn't exist.

This is why I have no energy to waste on the McCarthy talk. He's as good as it's going to get until this owner is either dead or so diminished mentally that he just physically can't show up anymore.

McCarthy's done a pretty good job in a very bad situation. I think the most valid criticism you can have of him is some of his decisions with his staff. Nolan was horrible. Moving on from Kellen Moore and handing the offense to Schottenheimer was a downgrade. They're not doing a bad job with the offense. It lacks talent. They shouldn't be a top offense right now but Moore consistently overachieved with what he had. These guys aren't overachieving.

There's really nowhere to go. No avenue to change anything. A contract extension for McCarthy means 4 or more years of a coach Jerry is comfortable with. Bringing in a new coach means the exact same thing.

We all know if Jerry would quit being Jerry, just sign the paychecks and let the HC do his job without interfering, the sky is the limit as to who we can get to be a HC for the Cowboys... But no way that happens. Thus, the choices ae very slim as to who wants to come to Dallas. The qualifier has to be a yes man to Jerry...

 

[Brax]

My question is…if McCarthy is offered to stay, will he agree to stay?

Yes, he has no accountability and gets a good pay check for doing as little as possible. He also knows the magic phrase, “yes Jerry you’re right “ . He will take the job it’s what a brown-noser does and what MM has shown from the day he interviewed for the job in Dallas

 

[RonWashington]

So you don’t want to boast over beating the 8-9 Bucs?

Some do.

Exactly . That’s a measuring stick to keep a coach who has had five yrs to break away from Garrett mediocrity .

 

[ArtClink]

For most of this season I thought like many Cowboys fans that Mike McCarthy‘s tenure in Dallas was over either during the season or more likely, at season’s end. Now after what has transpired on the field plus the exit of Bill Belechick from the NFL stage, I’m thinking it is more likely Jerry tries to keep Big Mac in Big D.

Why is Jerry likely choosing to try and extend McCarthy? Because he probably knows the number of talented NFL coaches wanting to come to Dallas as the next sacrificial lamb on the Jones failure altar is dwindling like a flower in the Texas heat. The luster on the star ain’t what is used to be.

Sure, the Star is worth a lot of money but any self respecting HC who wants what all great NFL coaches have - getting to choose their own assistants, having full control of the locker room and discipline, having control of the message to the media, and having the final say with player usage and playing time is not happening. In Dallas, those powers reside in the owners box.

Jerry’s recent positive comments about both McCarthy and DC Mike Zimmer give plenty of room for the possibility that Big Mac and Zimmer along with some other assistants will be re-upped with new contract offers.

The question is will Mike McCarthy want to come back? He will probably have at least three options:

• Stay in Dallas after given a 2-3 year contract extension.
• Take another HC job like in New Orleans where he has ties from his early days as an assistant coach.
• Retire. He will be 62 next season, so retiring is not out of the question.

If I was Mike McCarthy, there is no way I’m coming back to this situation. He’s had 5 seasons to try and bring Dallas back to at least a conference championship game and has failed. Winning one wild card game in 5 years is not what he was hired to do. And he’s seen how his bosses have no problem throwing entire seasons away with no consequences other than to fire those under them,

Big Mac has had 5 years to watch up close and personal what a challenge it is to try and coach a professional football team where the owner is also the president, GM and face of the franchise. IMO he would be crazy to stay here.

Decisions will have be made soon. What will they be?

Great post and I love your description (red text) on why no coach has won two consecutive playoff games here in almost three decades. It also makes me wonder if the pool of head coaches willing to take the Dallas "hc" job is dwindling. After all as you said what self-respecting hc wants to turn in his balls to Jerry as soon as they're hired? As some have said, does it really matter who has the hc title in Dallas since Jerry makes so many of the decisions the other 31 NFL head coaches get to make? At least we have continuity at the GM position.

 

[bluemagic4ever]

I dont think MM is a bad coach, I dont think he is as good as everyone advertises or hypes him up. He handles the press well, he is a good leader of men but as a X and O coach, scheme, concepts wise he is outdated. When it comes to preparation in big games, he misses the mark. Game management, still needs to be better. He is a good regular season coach in Dallas not playoffs. I think if he was the HC and didnt have to call plays, and he had a strong OC/DC. It might be different but I think he just isnt a good fit in Dallas, and I ll be happy to see him go else where.

 

[thunderpimp91]

I dont think MM is a bad coach, I dont think he is as good as everyone advertises or hypes him up. He handles the press well, he is a good leader of men but as a X and O coach, scheme, concepts wise he is outdated. When it comes to preparation in big games, he misses the mark. Game management, still needs to be better. He is a good regular season coach in Dallas not playoffs. I think if he was the HC and didnt have to call plays, and he had a strong OC/DC. It might be different but I think he just isnt a good fit in Dallas, and I ll be happy to see him go else where.

Completely agree with much of the game management issue. Personally I think the outdated scheme argument is overblown and mostly false. From an Xs and Os standpoint I dont see a huge gap in what the Cowboys are doing vs what most of the league is doing. Earlier in the year I had major issues with scheme in the run game, but that has been heavily overhauled. Reviewing tape from the last few weeks not only is the OL playing at a higher level, but play designs have been beautiful in the run game as they are getting more of these guys on the OL in motion.

 

[bluemagic4ever]

Completely agree with much of the game management issue. Personally I think the outdated scheme argument is overblown and mostly false. From an Xs and Os standpoint I dont see a huge gap in what the Cowboys are doing vs what most of the league is doing. Earlier in the year I had major issues with scheme in the run game, but that has been heavily overhauled. Reviewing tape from the last few weeks not only is the OL playing at a higher level, but play designs have been beautiful in the run game as they are getting more of these guys on the OL in motion.

Completely agree with much of the game management issue. Personally I think the outdated scheme argument is overblown and mostly false. From an Xs and Os standpoint I dont see a huge gap in what the Cowboys are doing vs what most of the league is doing. Earlier in the year I had major issues with scheme in the run game, but that has been heavily overhauled. Reviewing tape from the last few weeks not only is the OL playing at a higher level, but play designs have been beautiful in the run game as they are getting more of these guys on the OL in motion.

Yeah we can respectfully disagree.
1. Is the offensive line success really a statement of improvement of we been playing better bc we are playing alot or the worse teams in defending the run? Bc stats wise our opponents have been in the lower tier defending the run. I want to see how they do in these last three games before I give them credit.

2. We have done a great job in getting CD the ball but stat wise we rank lower tier in WRs getting separation, which also reflects on how we dont utilize motion to create advantages in pass game- then forces us to throw the ball in tighter windows. IMO is a reflection of outdate and poor scheming. It was be cool if we just had what we need in all positions to create matchup issues but we don't, but I don't see anything innovative, creative to get everyone outside of CD open. Which is why teams like the Lions had no problem verbalizing all we had to do was take CD out the game.

3. The run game has been better for one they actually have committed to the run more vs making Rush threw 40 times a game but also the OL has been better which could be bc of the younger guys who are playing better and or they are playing better vs bad teams. These last three games will give us a better measuring stick to how well they are playing.

 

[TheCritic]

Oh, Bob. Not you too with this nobody wants to coach in Dallas stuff.

If you mean an elite head coach who would want full control, then yes. McCarthyvis as good as its going to get for the Jones Klan.

 

[Risen Star]

If you mean an elite head coach who would want full control, then yes. McCarthyvis as good as its going to get for the Jones Klan.

Who is this elite head coach? Because from where I am standing only Bill Belichick and Andy Reid have been inarguably better than McCarthy in his era. Check the resume.

 

[thunderpimp91]

Yeah we can respectfully disagree.
1. Is the offensive line success really a statement of improvement of we been playing better bc we are playing alot or the worse teams in defending the run? Bc stats wise our opponents have been in the lower tier defending the run. I want to see how they do in these last three games before I give them credit.

2. We have done a great job in getting CD the ball but stat wise we rank lower tier in WRs getting separation, which also reflects on how we dont utilize motion to create advantages in pass game- then forces us to throw the ball in tighter windows. IMO is a reflection of outdate and poor scheming. It was be cool if we just had what we need in all positions to create matchup issues but we don't, but I don't see anything innovative, creative to get everyone outside of CD open. Which is why teams like the Lions had no problem verbalizing all we had to do was take CD out the game.

3. The run game has been better for one they actually have committed to the run more vs making Rush threw 40 times a game but also the OL has been better which could be bc of the younger guys who are playing better and or they are playing better vs bad teams. These last three games will give us a better measuring stick to how well they are playing.

1) No issue with that at all, agree we need a larger simple size before we make any firm decisions/opinions on the OL

2) I would disagree here pretty heavily. The Cowboys have struggled in WR separation mostly because they only have 1 legitimate starting NFL receiver, and I mean no disrespect to Cooks, but I think he is coming up on the end of his career. The Cowboys are right in the middle of the league in terms of motion rates this year, and to be honest the data is showing that defenses have slowed down the benefits of motion this year. The Cowboys have actually been very creative both in getting the ball in the hands of guys like Turpin and expanding the run game in recent weeks. Almost every game I watch teams are still running the same route concepts as they did 20 years ago. We see a ton of stick, a ton of Ohio, a ton of double slant, etc. The biggest changes to the passing game the last 20 years has been either the back shoulder throw or the evolution of the option routes. I'd love to see McCarthy go more crossing action, but I dont think he trusts his OL to hold up for longer developing plays and I think he prefers to simplify things for his QBs with a lot of half field reads. Overall though I think there is a lot more creativity in this offense than most fans perceive...I also think this offense is more limited by a lack of talent than anything else. Give MM a legitimate LT and #2WR and I would bet decent money we see this as a top offense again in his scheme.

3) Agree that part of the issue has been just committing to the run, but I would encourage anyone who has some time to kill to just go back and watch the Carolina game. The play designs in the run game were truly beautiful and often looked like a Kyle Shannahan offense. The players still have to execute but the Cowboys absolutely won the Xs and Os chess match here, which they were not doing early on in the season. Carolina was throwing slants and stunts at the Cowboys all day but Dallas did an excellent job of pulling and moving the OL with stretch and outside zones to keep them in check.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Earlier in the year I had major issues with scheme in the run game, but that has been heavily overhauled. Reviewing tape from the last few weeks not only is the OL playing at a higher level, but play designs have been beautiful in the run game as they are getting more of these guys on the OL in motion.

I wonder how much of this is because Zack Martin just can't move anymore.

 

[windward]

My question is…if McCarthy is offered to stay, will he agree to stay?

I think he would.

 

[TheSport78]

Not a single other NFL team would hire McCarthy as HC.

 

[windward]

I wonder how much of this is because Zack Martin just can't move anymore.

I think this just might be it…

 

[Kevinicus]

Mike Tomlin 2 SB’s a 637 winning percentage holds the record for non losing seasons has 8 playoff victories . And this season with QB’s Wilson and Fields they will go double digit wins and take the NFC North a far better division then the NFC East . Last I checked they had Pickett at WR yet no one is *****ing about a lack of “ weapons “ let’s draft some more receivers song and dance .

MM one SB will suffer his second losing season in five in Dallas was fired in the middle of a losing season in GB .

See if MM or Tomlin would be a hotter commodity if they were both on the open market . Let’s see that .

If you want to look at total careers, they're both going to come out looking good.
And, if you put aside playoffs, they both come off looking good the last 5 years as well.
When you do look at playoffs, McCarthy has the advantage.
The Steelers haven't won a Playoff game since 2016.
Tomlin only has one SB victory, same as Mike and 8-10 overall in the playoffs compared to MM at 11-11.

What makes the NFC North better? The 6-8 Bengals, or the 3-11 Browns? The 9-5 Ravens are the best competition.

Is that better than 2-12, 9-5, and 12-2?

The two bad years under McCarthy had extreme injuries including the loss of the QB for most of the season.

What's wrong with Pickens at WR?
And...The Cowboys dominated the Steelers this year outside of some bonehead turnovers.

 

[KingCorcoran]

Who is this elite head coach? Because from where I am standing only Bill Belichick and Andy Reid have been inarguably better than McCarthy in his era. Check the resume.

Check his compensation. If he is the second best head coach in the NFL he’s going to get paid commensurate with his abilities. If he’s as good as you think he’ll definitely be able to leave at season’s end and garner a huge contract from a team willing to pay him A lot more money than he signed to coach the Cowboys.

Now selling his house makes sense.

 

[RonWashington]

If you want to look at total careers, they're both going to come out looking good.
And, if you put aside playoffs, they both come off looking good the last 5 years as well.
When you do look at playoffs, McCarthy has the advantage.
The Steelers haven't won a Playoff game since 2016.
Tomlin only has one SB victory, same as Mike and 8-10 overall in the playoffs compared to MM at 11-11.

What makes the NFC North better? The 6-8 Bengals, or the 3-11 Browns? The 9-5 Ravens are the best competition.

Is that better than 2-12, 9-5, and 12-2?

The two bad years under McCarthy had extreme injuries including the loss of the QB for most of the season.

What's wrong with Pickens at WR?
And...The Cowboys dominated the Steelers this year outside of some bonehead turnovers.

Nothing wrong with Pickens at WR . My point being they have Pickens and then ? I don’t hear complaints out of Pitt about WR like Dallas which collects them then the out for Dak and MM is lack of WR’s.

Tomlin doesn’t have two losing seasons out of last 5 he keeps having winning records . As far as the two divisions I think if you took a poll around the league the AFC North would come out on top of the NFC East .

Until Wash got Daniels you had two substandard teams in the East , the AFC North didn’t have a Giants Commanders MM hss fed off of for 5 yrs .

 

[Kevinicus]

Nothing wrong with Pickens at WR . My point being they have Pickens and then ? I don’t hear complaints out of Pitt about WR like Dallas which collects them then the out for Dak and MM is lack of WR’s.

Tomlin doesn’t have two losing seasons out of last 5 he keeps having winning records . As far as the two divisions I think if you took a poll around the league the AFC North would come out on top of the NFC East .

Until Wash got Daniels you had two substandard teams in the East , the AFC North didn’t have a Giants Commanders MM hss fed off of for 5 yrs .

I'm sure Steelers fans complain about their WR core all of the time. Cowboys fans complain about everything.

A poll doesn't sway me much.
The NFC North has had half a division of crap for as long as I can remember. The Browns have been mostly bottom dwellers outside off 2 or 3 seasons. The Bengals, outside of 2-3 years with Burrow have sucked for a very long time. He's been injured quite a bit, and now their defense is awful. Those two teams were laughing stocks of the league for most of Tomlin's tenure.

I'm not trying to dog on Mike Tomlin. I think he's a good coach, and that organization is obviously ran well (we can't say that here - that also helps Tomlin). I'm just saying, if you step back and look at both of them, there isn't much difference, and in some areas, McCarthy has the advantage.