One overlooked aspect of Cowboys Playoff Drought

[TheCritic]

One aspect that always gets overlooked in the 27-28 year Cowboys playoff drought is that the Cowboys have rarely ever "bottomed out" like many other teams and go on a 2-3 year stretch of drafting top 5. Sure we did have a stretch of 5-11 seasons back in the early 2000s but that was negated by the Joey Galloway trade.

By and large, this playoff drought of ours stems from drafting just well enough in the middle or bottom of each round to keep us in the average to above average range for most of those seasons. There just hasn't been very seasons where we drafted top 5.

Compare that to the early 90s Cowboys, where the Joneses walked into having the number one overall pick and drafting their franchise QB immediately and then having the luxury of having 25% of their future stars already drafted for them, a stretch (from 1989 to 1992) of either drafting near the top of the draft or having multiple first round picks.

Bottom line is that because the NFL awards mediocrity and because the Joneses have tried in vein to keep the Cowboys relevant every year (post SB era delusion), this IMO is the major reason why the Cowboys can't get back to the SB. We just haven't had the draft capital to do it.

 

[starfan1]

One aspect that always gets overlooked in the 27-28 year Cowboys playoff drought is that the Cowboys have rarely ever "bottomed out" like many other teams and go on a 2-3 year stretch of drafting top 5. Sure we did have a stretch of 5-11 seasons back in the early 2000s but that was negated by the Joey Galloway trade.

By and large, this playoff drought of ours stems from drafting just well enough in the middle or bottom of each round to keep us in the average to above average range for most of those seasons. There just hasn't been very seasons where we drafted top 5.

Compare that to the early 90s Cowboys, where the Joneses walked into having the number one overall pick and drafting their franchise QB immediately and then having the luxury of having 25% of their future stars already drafted for them, a stretch (from 1989 to 1992) of either drafting near the top of the draft or having multiple first round picks.

Bottom line is that because the NFL awards mediocrity and because the Joneses have tried in vein to keep the Cowboys relevant every year (post SB era delusion), this IMO is the major reason why the Cowboys can't get back to the SB. We just haven't had the draft capital to do it.

That and perhaps their unwillingness to go all in on FA
We typically end up with the scraps . But hey I love being relevant every year. I’d love for the boys to lift another Lombardi but it isn’t a deal breaker for my fandom
I know it’s hard to win in this league consistently and the boys have one of the best win % it’s just not all in 1 year

 

[ghst187]

One aspect that always gets overlooked in the 27-28 year Cowboys playoff drought is that the Cowboys have rarely ever "bottomed out" like many other teams and go on a 2-3 year stretch of drafting top 5. Sure we did have a stretch of 5-11 seasons back in the early 2000s but that was negated by the Joey Galloway trade.

By and large, this playoff drought of ours stems from drafting just well enough in the middle or bottom of each round to keep us in the average to above average range for most of those seasons. There just hasn't been very seasons where we drafted top 5.

Compare that to the early 90s Cowboys, where the Joneses walked into having the number one overall pick and drafting their franchise QB immediately and then having the luxury of having 25% of their future stars already drafted for them, a stretch (from 1989 to 1992) of either drafting near the top of the draft or having multiple first round picks.

Bottom line is that because the NFL awards mediocrity and because the Joneses have tried in vein to keep the Cowboys relevant every year (post SB era delusion), this IMO is the major reason why the Cowboys can't get back to the SB. We just haven't had the draft capital to do it.

certainly fair points! I think it has most affected the QB position which often requires a top 10 or even 5 pick to get a franchise guy. That said, tons and tons of teams HAVE had annual top 10 picks like Detroit, Jax, Jets, etc and many of them are still looking for a QB after drafting busts over and over. So drafting high doesn’t guarantee too talent. We have drafted very well for the most part which, as you said, has kept us relevant. We got Uber lucky to get a franchise qb as a UDFA and Dak, regardless of what one’s opinion is of him, in the LATE fourth. Those finds are super rare. While I agree somewhat with your points, I think drafting well is superior to drafting high…could offer a thousand examples…
Relatedly, I’d also suggest coaching and system is very underrated when it comes to player success as a pro.

 

[jazzcat22]

That and perhaps their unwillingness to go all in on FA
We typically end up with the scraps . But hey I love being relevant every year. I’d love for the boys to lift another Lombardi but it isn’t a deal breaker for my fandom
I know it’s hard to win in this league consistently and the boys have one of the best win % it’s just not all in 1 year

This is a big part of the reason why.
They insist on building trough the draft, to claim building for the long haul for multiple playoff success. But when they seem to be close talent wise, they do not go for via FA like other teams. Such as the Ram did last year.
Such as the Eagles try all the time.

The truth is, you can't always build a championship team any more through the draft alone. As you lose players to FA. They need replaced, but unless you get very lucky in the draft, that can't always be done.

I understand it to a degree, but they need to do better in FA.

 

[starfan1]

This is a big part of the reason why.
They insist on building trough the draft, to claim building for the long haul for multiple playoff success. But when they seem to be close talent wise, they do not go for via FA like other teams. Such as the Ram did last year.
Such as the Eagles try all the time.


The truth is, you can't always build a championship team any more through the draft alone. As you lose players to FA. They need replaced, but unless you get very lucky in the draft, that can't always be done.

I understand it to a degree, but they need to do better in FA.

Sometimes it’s just 1 piece like I think Stefon Diggs changed things for Buffalo
If we could find a DT that’s beast it would do wonders like a vita vea

 

[Flamma]

certainly fair points! I think it has most affected the QB position which often requires a top 10 or even 5 pick to get a franchise guy. That said, tons and tons of teams HAVE had annual top 10 picks like Detroit, Jax, Jets, etc and many of them are still looking for a QB after drafting busts over and over. So drafting high doesn’t guarantee too talent. We have drafted very well for the most part which, as you said, has kept us relevant. We got Uber lucky to get a franchise qb as a UDFA and Dak, regardless of what one’s opinion is of him, in the LATE fourth. Those finds are super rare. While I agree somewhat with your points, I think drafting well is superior to drafting high…could offer a thousand examples…
Relatedly, I’d also suggest coaching and system is very underrated when it comes to player success as a pro.

I agree. But I think the main problem now is the off season approach. It doesn't change no matter what. We could be 4-12, like after 2015, or 13-3, like after 2016. Same off season. When you're close, like we are now, you'd think they would put some effort into getting over the top. Just a little to let everyone know we're trying to win a championship. We won't see that after this season. They'll do like they always do, send the same guys out there with the addition of the draft.

Remember back when we had the old Cowboys message boards on their site? I had a mini fit about the Cowboys off season and mods were warning me and telling me to stop cursing. I wasn't cursing, they were all asterisks!! But seriously, I'm used to it now. I know they're not going to put in the effort like they used to do. And to be fair, Jerry was terrible at it after the 90s. But I don't think giving up totally is a good alternative.

 

[TheCritic]

This is a big part of the reason why.
They insist on building trough the draft, to claim building for the long haul for multiple playoff success. But when they seem to be close talent wise, they do not go for via FA like other teams. Such as the Ram did last year.
Such as the Eagles try all the time.

The truth is, you can't always build a championship team any more through the draft alone. As you lose players to FA. They need replaced, but unless you get very lucky in the draft, that can't always be done.

I understand it to a degree, but they need to do better in FA.

I can buy into the FA theory. Both perspectives can be true at the same time. Teams that won SBs by loading up on FAs seem to be more one hit wonders. But nevertheless point is taken. My main point is that the Joneses have stuck with their dynasty formula without having the draft capital that they enjoyed when they bought the team.

 

[LocoBates]

Cowboys are known for their good quality drafts, but not bottoming out and expecting to be able to fetch a top 5 pick player on your first round is delusional, so it is either FA or trade up at the draft to get the player you are looking for. (FA hits your cost cap while trade hits your future draft)

 

[CowboyRoy]

One aspect that always gets overlooked in the 27-28 year Cowboys playoff drought is that the Cowboys have rarely ever "bottomed out" like many other teams and go on a 2-3 year stretch of drafting top 5. Sure we did have a stretch of 5-11 seasons back in the early 2000s but that was negated by the Joey Galloway trade.

By and large, this playoff drought of ours stems from drafting just well enough in the middle or bottom of each round to keep us in the average to above average range for most of those seasons. There just hasn't been very seasons where we drafted top 5.

Compare that to the early 90s Cowboys, where the Joneses walked into having the number one overall pick and drafting their franchise QB immediately and then having the luxury of having 25% of their future stars already drafted for them, a stretch (from 1989 to 1992) of either drafting near the top of the draft or having multiple first round picks.

Bottom line is that because the NFL awards mediocrity and because the Joneses have tried in vein to keep the Cowboys relevant every year (post SB era delusion), this IMO is the major reason why the Cowboys can't get back to the SB. We just haven't had the draft capital to do it.

whst drought are you talking about? Made playoffs last year and other years.

 

[KJJ]

When you’ve had as many good teams as the Cowboys have had over the past 25+ years they should have had more playoff success. Practically every year they have talented teams, many of which have underachieved. They haven’t had to rebuild like teams that bottom out. Since 2006 they’ve had stability at the QB position. They haven’t had to burn high draft picks looking for a QB every few years or bringing in veteran stopgap’s.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Cowboys are known for their good quality drafts, but not bottoming out and expecting to be able to fetch a top 5 pick player on your first round is delusional, so it is either FA or trade up at the draft to get the player you are looking for. (FA hits your cost cap while trade hits your future draft)

Haven’t bottomed out because we got lucky with romo then Dak immediately.

 

[FVSTONE]

One aspect that always gets overlooked in the 27-28 year Cowboys playoff drought is that the Cowboys have rarely ever "bottomed out" like many other teams and go on a 2-3 year stretch of drafting top 5. Sure we did have a stretch of 5-11 seasons back in the early 2000s but that was negated by the Joey Galloway trade.

By and large, this playoff drought of ours stems from drafting just well enough in the middle or bottom of each round to keep us in the average to above average range for most of those seasons. There just hasn't been very seasons where we drafted top 5.

Compare that to the early 90s Cowboys, where the Joneses walked into having the number one overall pick and drafting their franchise QB immediately and then having the luxury of having 25% of their future stars already drafted for them, a stretch (from 1989 to 1992) of either drafting near the top of the draft or having multiple first round picks.

Bottom line is that because the NFL awards mediocrity and because the Joneses have tried in vein to keep the Cowboys relevant every year (post SB era delusion), this IMO is the major reason why the Cowboys can't get back to the SB. We just haven't had the draft capital to do it.

No, the problem is JJ hasn't signed a FA game changer since the early 90's. He refuses to open his pocketbook when he's had opportunities!

 

[KJJ]

There hasn’t been a playoff drought there’s been a Super Bowl drought. The Cowboys haven’t been to a Super Bowl in 28 years which is the longest period in franchise history.

 

[plasticman]

One aspect that always gets overlooked in the 27-28 year Cowboys playoff drought is that the Cowboys have rarely ever "bottomed out" like many other teams and go on a 2-3 year stretch of drafting top 5. Sure we did have a stretch of 5-11 seasons back in the early 2000s but that was negated by the Joey Galloway trade.

By and large, this playoff drought of ours stems from drafting just well enough in the middle or bottom of each round to keep us in the average to above average range for most of those seasons. There just hasn't been very seasons where we drafted top 5.

Compare that to the early 90s Cowboys, where the Joneses walked into having the number one overall pick and drafting their franchise QB immediately and then having the luxury of having 25% of their future stars already drafted for them, a stretch (from 1989 to 1992) of either drafting near the top of the draft or having multiple first round picks.

Bottom line is that because the NFL awards mediocrity and because the Joneses have tried in vein to keep the Cowboys relevant every year (post SB era delusion), this IMO is the major reason why the Cowboys can't get back to the SB. We just haven't had the draft capital to do it.

And yet, from 1966 to 1985 the Cowboys had 20 consecutive winning seasons, meaning they drafted in the bottom quarter of the league for 20 straight seasons. The Cowboys won two Super Bowls during that time meaning they had the last pick in each round. They lost three SB's, meaning they had the 2nd to last pick in the draft.

To summarize, not only did the Cowboys consistently draft in the bottom fourth of each round during those 20 seasons, they drafted either last or 2nd to last on five of those occasions.

So how was it possible for them to continue winning? Because not all things are even among teams. Having a talented and experienced GM with excellent skills in evaluating talent in both coaches and players is an advantage that cannot be distributed evenly among teams.

Which now brings us to the real reason the Cowboys are not successful in the playoffs.

 

[Streifenkarl]

Well I have said it quite a few times now, but I see this as one major problem. The Cowboys were in really bad shape in the second half of the 80s until (real) change was inevitable. Ever since the Cowboys were never that bad to instigate real change again. And it has been more of a curse than a blessing.

Last season was a prime example. Stacked with talent, an easy winning season, players and coaches enjoying themselves. The 49ers then just made the shortcomings obvious even though they had already been so in in games against KC or Arizona. But Jerry, coaches and most of the homers here wouldn't stop telling us that a 12-5 season means that everything is ok.

And we have the very same thing going on this year. An even better regular season is supposed to be the setup for a successful play off run. Well not with this team sister. For me the 2022 season starts in January with a clean slate. Then we'll see what this team is truly made of.

Last season had this "now or never" feel to it. I still don't know what to think of this one. Those wins with our backup QB were really encouraging and when Dak came back in things looked even better. But atm it feels like this team is barely hanging on. If a W is a W then the one against the Titans was among the worst of the worst. Almost outplayed for three quarters by an 8 day QB and his gang of next guys up. Barely winning against the Eagles backup QB and one week earlier losing a game because of a devastating second half against a squad with half the talent. Also barely shaking off one of the worst teams before that.

Yes our D is also depleted but all in all those last week's haven't been very encouraging. But to be fair, almost every team is kinda beaten up and the "any given Sunday" rule applies to the play offs more than anything else. So godspeed and "Augen zu und durch" as we say over here. Means something like "now or never"

 

[Stak78]

That didn’t seem to effect New England very much. When was the last time they drafted in the top five?
The Cowboys have been held back by sub-par coaching. The Dave Campo days were awful and Jerry was 100% responsible for that debacle. Jerry hired Parcells and let him bring his offensive coach, but still forced Zimmer on him. No head coach can pick his entire staff. Which is a huge mistake. Jerry still thinks any coach can win a Super Bowl if they have the right players.

 

[baltcowboy]

One aspect that always gets overlooked in the 27-28 year Cowboys playoff drought is that the Cowboys have rarely ever "bottomed out" like many other teams and go on a 2-3 year stretch of drafting top 5. Sure we did have a stretch of 5-11 seasons back in the early 2000s but that was negated by the Joey Galloway trade.

By and large, this playoff drought of ours stems from drafting just well enough in the middle or bottom of each round to keep us in the average to above average range for most of those seasons. There just hasn't been very seasons where we drafted top 5.

Compare that to the early 90s Cowboys, where the Joneses walked into having the number one overall pick and drafting their franchise QB immediately and then having the luxury of having 25% of their future stars already drafted for them, a stretch (from 1989 to 1992) of either drafting near the top of the draft or having multiple first round picks.

Bottom line is that because the NFL awards mediocrity and because the Joneses have tried in vein to keep the Cowboys relevant every year (post SB era delusion), this IMO is the major reason why the Cowboys can't get back to the SB. We just haven't had the draft capital to do it.

It started with Parcells. The Cowboys started taking the draft seriously especially first round picks. Parcells improved the defense with Ware and Company while Romo came in as a rookie free agent. Then Garrett rebuilt the offensive line. We just never could get the defense and the offense right at the same time. Part of that is bad drafting with the middle round picks and you could say never bottoming out as a team.

 

[Chuck 54]

We had several SB offenses under Romo and maybe another couple under Dak so far.
We have not had a competitive defense in the playoffs for decades.

Romo -
2007- Lost the Wildcard round to the Seattle Seahwaks in a close match (20-21)
2008- Lost the Divisional round to the New York Giants after a bye (17-21)
2010- Won the Wildcard round over Philadelphia Eagles (34-14)
2010- Lost the Divisional round to the Minnesota Vikings (3-34)
2015- Won the Wildcard round over Detroit Lions (24-20)
2015- Lost the Divisional round to the Green Bay Packers (21-26)

Dak
2017 - Lost the Divisional round to the Green Bay Packers after a bye (31-34)
2019 - Won the Wildcard round over the Seattle Seahawks (24-22)
2019 - Lost the Divisional round to the L.A. Rams after a bye (22-30)
2022 - Lost the Wildcard round to San Francisco 49ers (17-23)

Just as a comparison, in our 3 Super Bowl title runs in the 90’s, in only two games out of 9 games did our opponents even reach 20 points (20, 27). In the 3 SB victories, we gave up 17, 13, 17 points.

 

[CowboysExchange]

I'll tell you the problem with our team in a nutshell.

Once upon a time in 2010ish Our owner and Gm fell in love with the 12 personell when Gronk and Hernandez broke out in dominant fashion

But we only had mr Checkdown #82. One of the best possession receiving and blocking tes to pull it off.

12 years later were still trying to emulate and perfect that set it and forget it 12 and 11 personell Checkdown te offense like #82 ran.

But it's never worked without dominant Gronklike red zone scoring tes

And no coach that comes in here can change that outdated Checkdown te scheme

We've used it and the same strategy every week since 2010

Because Jerrah likes it

But it's a dumpster fire when ya have a bunch of bottom feeder Checkdown tes that can't score at the PLAYOFF LEVEL

The End

 

[Runwildboys]

I think the only people overlooking it are the ones who scream that we need to replace Dak.