CFZ The mental toll of keeping Mike McCarthy

[ShiningStar]

They come out of the woodwork here like termites .,,,yeah he would rather lose then hold up the Lombardi Trophy ?

how many times since 2000, have we hoisted it? gone on, check your records. Its cool, we ll wait.

 

[RonWashington]

how many times since 2000, have we hoisted it? gone on, check your records. Its cool, we ll wait.

So that means he doesn’t want to win because it’s been since the 90’s . What kind of logic is that ? San Diego / LA has never won a single SB . Or Buffalo .

 

[5Stars]

That loss to Green Bay last January was not just a first round playoff loss, it was the most embarrassing playoff loss in the Cowboys 64 year history. When an NFL team loses a playoff game in an upset at home in crushing fashion, it leaves mental baggage for the players, and especially for the head coach who is now 1-3 in the playoffs and in the final year of his five year contract.

IMO the decision by Jerry Jones to keep Mike McCarthy after that terrible playoff loss last January was not only cheap (he didn’t want to have to pay off Big Mac’s last year), it also set up this year‘s team with the unnecessary mental baggage of a head coach who has already shown he is incapable of getting this team on a deep playoff run.

Coupled with the questionable decision to keep Big Mac, the FO made it worse by deciding they would do nothing this off-season to make this roster better than the teams of the last three seasons that could not get past the divisional round.

Look, I hope I’m wrong…I really do. But watching this team through four games, they not only look under-manned in several key positions, they look mentally tired. The evidence is already there that this team could be on the verge of quitting on this staff, which is already hanging over a cliff with the expiring contracts.

Here are the red flags that this team is suffering some mental malaise after last year’s playoff loss:

• Haven't won a home game since last December, 2023 when we beat the lions 20-19.
• In the team‘s last 3 home games, it averages giving up 40 points a game, and have looked unprepared at the start of each of those games.
• The players probably feel frustrated at the lack of action by this FO in the off-season but can’t take it out on them.
• With the defense losing its two best players for a stretch, it creates more strain on the mental toughness of this team. Can they overcome that?
• If we lose at Pittsburgh, at 2-3 we would face a tough lions team at home again with the mental baggage of the last 3 home stinkers.
• If we go to the bye week 2-4 with the tough schedule ahead, the “quit alert” bells will be ringing.

The other side of this coin of course is “winning cures everything”. If the team can start winning and show it’s capable of “doing hard things”, it can change this course.

But if I take off the fan glasses and just try to be objective, this does not look like a team that believes in itself nor its head coach.

Head Coach? You mean Jerra? He deserves what ever is coming our way. I hope the Steelers smack them around like the rich kids need!

 

[ShiningStar]

So that means he doesn’t want to win because it’s been since the 90’s . What kind of logic is that ? San Diego / LA has never won a single SB . Or Buffalo .

bingo, not every team is there to get the SB. You are quick dont let anyone fight you on that. Rich people want to make more money, awesome thinking there. IM going to steal that.

 

[RonWashington]

Hasn’t won the SB in 30 yrs so the logic for some on this board is he “ doesn’t want to win a SB “ …the Texas Rangers through multiple ownerships moved to Arlington in 1972 took 51 yrs to win a WS . Did that mean these owners “ didn’t want to win a WS “ …..presposterous.

The Detroit Lions have never won a SB . Does that mean the Ford family & Dan Campbell don’t want to win a SB ? What kind of logic is this ?

 

[ShiningStar]

Hasn’t won the SB in 30 yrs so the logic for some on this board is he “ doesn’t want to win a SB “ …the Texas Rangers through multiple ownerships moved to Arlington in 1972 took 51 yrs to win a WS . Did that mean these owners “ didn’t want to win a WS “ …..presposterous.

The Detroit Lions have never won a SB . Does that mean the Ford family & Dan Campbell don’t want to win a SB ? What kind of logic is this ?

what do you think they were doing? Matt Millen was the GM, the guy kept choosing bad picks out of many drafts, who looked at that and said, "you want to see teh SB this is the best path?"

Logic is like math, when you dont have the whole problem you cant solve it. But if you look at the evidence and facts, yes tehre are certain teams who knew they couldnt play with the heavy hitters at the time, blame, talk, whatever excuse you need, but the fact was lots of fans are looking at teams that activily work hard for trhe SB, even if they arent in it every year, but relevent and teams that dont and occiasionlly take a shot, I personally feel the Eagles are like this, hey if things fall into place, go for it, if not, we dont care, lots of money still coming in.

Let me ask you this, does making a new stadium bring you a SB? by your logic it would, by evidence it doesnt, also by the rules, certain stadiums would let you HOST the SB, but you know, all the teams were vying for the SB, LOL.

Sit this one out.

Answer this question, name me any franchise in the league that has fired not 1, not 2, but 3 Super Bowl winning coaches, than you and i can chat.

 

[tunahelper]

That loss to Green Bay last January was not just a first round playoff loss, it was the most embarrassing playoff loss in the Cowboys 64 year history. When an NFL team loses a playoff game in an upset at home in crushing fashion, it leaves mental baggage for the players, and especially for the head coach who is now 1-3 in the playoffs and in the final year of his five year contract.

IMO the decision by Jerry Jones to keep Mike McCarthy after that terrible playoff loss last January was not only cheap (he didn’t want to have to pay off Big Mac’s last year), it also set up this year‘s team with the unnecessary mental baggage of a head coach who has already shown he is incapable of getting this team on a deep playoff run.

Coupled with the questionable decision to keep Big Mac, the FO made it worse by deciding they would do nothing this off-season to make this roster better than the teams of the last three seasons that could not get past the divisional round.

Look, I hope I’m wrong…I really do. But watching this team through four games, they not only look under-manned in several key positions, they look mentally tired. The evidence is already there that this team could be on the verge of quitting on this staff, which is already hanging over a cliff with the expiring contracts.

Here are the red flags that this team is suffering some mental malaise after last year’s playoff loss:

• Haven't won a home game since last December, 2023 when we beat the lions 20-19.
• In the team‘s last 3 home games, it averages giving up 40 points a game, and have looked unprepared at the start of each of those games.
• The players probably feel frustrated at the lack of action by this FO in the off-season but can’t take it out on them.
• With the defense losing its two best players for a stretch, it creates more strain on the mental toughness of this team. Can they overcome that?
• If we lose at Pittsburgh, at 2-3 we would face a tough lions team at home again with the mental baggage of the last 3 home stinkers.
• If we go to the bye week 2-4 with the tough schedule ahead, the “quit alert” bells will be ringing.

The other side of this coin of course is “winning cures everything”. If the team can start winning and show it’s capable of “doing hard things”, it can change this course.

But if I take off the fan glasses and just try to be objective, this does not look like a team that believes in itself nor its head coach.

Analytics show MM is a big dummy.

 

[RonWashington]

what do you think they were doing? Matt Millen was the GM, the guy kept choosing bad picks out of many drafts, who looked at that and said, "you want to see teh SB this is the best path?"

Logic is like math, when you dont have the whole problem you cant solve it. But if you look at the evidence and facts, yes tehre are certain teams who knew they couldnt play with the heavy hitters at the time, blame, talk, whatever excuse you need, but the fact was lots of fans are looking at teams that activily work hard for trhe SB, even if they arent in it every year, but relevent and teams that dont and occiasionlly take a shot, I personally feel the Eagles are like this, hey if things fall into place, go for it, if not, we dont care, lots of money still coming in.

Let me ask you this, does making a new stadium bring you a SB? by your logic it would, by evidence it doesnt, also by the rules, certain stadiums would let you HOST the SB, but you know, all the teams were vying for the SB, LOL.

Sit this one out.

Answer this question, name me any franchise in the league that has fired not 1, not 2, but 3 Super Bowl winning coaches, than you and i can chat.

Not interested in “chatting” . Your logic is flawed

 

[cowboyed]

There is also a financial toll of keeping Mike McCarthy. The Cowboys cafeteria food costs have reached a milestone.

 

[ShiningStar]

Not interested in “chatting” . Your logic is flawed

wierd way of saying you lost the argument, but as they say you do you.

 

[Diehardblues]

That loss to Green Bay last January was not just a first round playoff loss, it was the most embarrassing playoff loss in the Cowboys 64 year history. When an NFL team loses a playoff game in an upset at home in crushing fashion, it leaves mental baggage for the players, and especially for the head coach who is now 1-3 in the playoffs and in the final year of his five year contract.

IMO the decision by Jerry Jones to keep Mike McCarthy after that terrible playoff loss last January was not only cheap (he didn’t want to have to pay off Big Mac’s last year), it also set up this year‘s team with the unnecessary mental baggage of a head coach who has already shown he is incapable of getting this team on a deep playoff run.

Coupled with the questionable decision to keep Big Mac, the FO made it worse by deciding they would do nothing this off-season to make this roster better than the teams of the last three seasons that could not get past the divisional round.

Look, I hope I’m wrong…I really do. But watching this team through four games, they not only look under-manned in several key positions, they look mentally tired. The evidence is already there that this team could be on the verge of quitting on this staff, which is already hanging over a cliff with the expiring contracts.

Here are the red flags that this team is suffering some mental malaise after last year’s playoff loss:

• Haven't won a home game since last December, 2023 when we beat the lions 20-19.
• In the team‘s last 3 home games, it averages giving up 40 points a game, and have looked unprepared at the start of each of those games.
• The players probably feel frustrated at the lack of action by this FO in the off-season but can’t take it out on them.
• With the defense losing its two best players for a stretch, it creates more strain on the mental toughness of this team. Can they overcome that?
• If we lose at Pittsburgh, at 2-3 we would face a tough lions team at home again with the mental baggage of the last 3 home stinkers.
• If we go to the bye week 2-4 with the tough schedule ahead, the “quit alert” bells will be ringing.

The other side of this coin of course is “winning cures everything”. If the team can start winning and show it’s capable of “doing hard things”, it can change this course.

But if I take off the fan glasses and just try to be objective, this does not look like a team that believes in itself nor its head coach.

As always Bob I stand by and support your overall message and opinions in which we are aligned with . And you present them in a very well thought out format. Another great post,

But I think retaining MM was more than Jethro just saving money on his last years deal. First of all Dak had one of his best regular seasons with MM taking over the offense and play-calling. If you’re committed to Dak which Jethro certainly appears to be then you want to provide him his best support mechanisms.

I understand everyone’s concerns with MM but as always we must look thru our owners lenses. If not for the embarrassing playoff loss Jethro probably would have extended his contract and signed Dak much earlier .

Jethro was reacting to the outcry from fans and media ultimately playing public perception. Fans even got behind Jethro for not resigning MM and for delaying the resigning of Dak. So much that many even believed that signaled the end for Dak.

I don’t usually have all of the X & O, stats or info related many fans provide in this forum but I do pride myself on my instincts and insight to what our owner is thinking and will or will not do and what motivates his actions.

While Im one of Jethro’s biggest critic I also recognize when he plays his cards right publicly. And he did so with the Dak deal. Waited so long and just hours before kickoff that there’s been hardly any pushback . Especially after all of the other QB’s with no more success signed 50-55 million dollar deals.

He waited on both of his stars to resign at last minute . Which was always the plan . And it was what his meaning of. “ All In” was about which many fans misinterpreted or misconstrued.

It didn’t matter that it cost us a greater opportunity to save some Cap space earlier on offseason to pursue some FA. In his mind he had to save as much as possible cause being All In he didn’t know how much he’d have to cough up. And wanted to keep his pocket as full as possible for his stars.

It’s sad that our owner places more importance on his public stance amongst the media and fans that what’s best for Cowboys football but this is our reality with his ways. And why he continues to illustrate that his biggest priority isn’t about winning championships further lowering the bar for his own selfish, egotistical and narcissistic behavior to bolster himself .

And as far as MM, he’s fighting public scrutiny as well. And why he’s sacrificing this lame duck and potential damage to this season to place himself in a more favorable light.

In one hand firing a 3 peat 12 win season could be determined detrimental regardless the playoff woes. This is probably the best product Jethro has had to hype and promote going back to the late Bill early Wade team.

And it also goes back to what’s best for the stars he just resigned . Jethro has placed himself in a position to wait and see. Almost like he can’t lose. If this season tanks then it’s an easy and popular decision to move on from MM.

But a playoff appearance under the circumstances this season presents Jethro will not want to fire a HC who’s taken his team to 4 consecutive playoffs . And depending on if we have any success in playoffs he might only extend or offer MM a one or two year extension.

Unfortunately the prospects under our dysfunctional leadership doesn’t present a lot of better options for us at HC. No one we’d want unless their phone isn’t ringing will be open to manage this situation without more control and less undermining.

 

[bigE79]

That loss to Green Bay last January was not just a first round playoff loss, it was the most embarrassing playoff loss in the Cowboys 64 year history. When an NFL team loses a playoff game in an upset at home in crushing fashion, it leaves mental baggage for the players, and especially for the head coach who is now 1-3 in the playoffs and in the final year of his five year contract.

IMO the decision by Jerry Jones to keep Mike McCarthy after that terrible playoff loss last January was not only cheap (he didn’t want to have to pay off Big Mac’s last year), it also set up this year‘s team with the unnecessary mental baggage of a head coach who has already shown he is incapable of getting this team on a deep playoff run.

Coupled with the questionable decision to keep Big Mac, the FO made it worse by deciding they would do nothing this off-season to make this roster better than the teams of the last three seasons that could not get past the divisional round.

Look, I hope I’m wrong…I really do. But watching this team through four games, they not only look under-manned in several key positions, they look mentally tired. The evidence is already there that this team could be on the verge of quitting on this staff, which is already hanging over a cliff with the expiring contracts.

Here are the red flags that this team is suffering some mental malaise after last year’s playoff loss:

• Haven't won a home game since last December, 2023 when we beat the lions 20-19.
• In the team‘s last 3 home games, it averages giving up 40 points a game, and have looked unprepared at the start of each of those games.
• The players probably feel frustrated at the lack of action by this FO in the off-season but can’t take it out on them.
• With the defense losing its two best players for a stretch, it creates more strain on the mental toughness of this team. Can they overcome that?
• If we lose at Pittsburgh, at 2-3 we would face a tough lions team at home again with the mental baggage of the last 3 home stinkers.
• If we go to the bye week 2-4 with the tough schedule ahead, the “quit alert” bells will be ringing.

The other side of this coin of course is “winning cures everything”. If the team can start winning and show it’s capable of “doing hard things”, it can change this course.

But if I take off the fan glasses and just try to be objective, this does not look like a team that believes in itself nor its head coach.

This team lost its heart after the packer game, they are mentally defeated,lost any swagger they had,they are dead men walking and that includes the coaches..it's going to be a long season.

 

[CATCH17]

That loss to Green Bay last January was not just a first round playoff loss, it was the most embarrassing playoff loss in the Cowboys 64 year history. When an NFL team loses a playoff game in an upset at home in crushing fashion, it leaves mental baggage for the players, and especially for the head coach who is now 1-3 in the playoffs and in the final year of his five year contract.

IMO the decision by Jerry Jones to keep Mike McCarthy after that terrible playoff loss last January was not only cheap (he didn’t want to have to pay off Big Mac’s last year), it also set up this year‘s team with the unnecessary mental baggage of a head coach who has already shown he is incapable of getting this team on a deep playoff run.

Coupled with the questionable decision to keep Big Mac, the FO made it worse by deciding they would do nothing this off-season to make this roster better than the teams of the last three seasons that could not get past the divisional round.

Look, I hope I’m wrong…I really do. But watching this team through four games, they not only look under-manned in several key positions, they look mentally tired. The evidence is already there that this team could be on the verge of quitting on this staff, which is already hanging over a cliff with the expiring contracts.

Here are the red flags that this team is suffering some mental malaise after last year’s playoff loss:

• Haven't won a home game since last December, 2023 when we beat the lions 20-19.
• In the team‘s last 3 home games, it averages giving up 40 points a game, and have looked unprepared at the start of each of those games.
• The players probably feel frustrated at the lack of action by this FO in the off-season but can’t take it out on them.
• With the defense losing its two best players for a stretch, it creates more strain on the mental toughness of this team. Can they overcome that?
• If we lose at Pittsburgh, at 2-3 we would face a tough lions team at home again with the mental baggage of the last 3 home stinkers.
• If we go to the bye week 2-4 with the tough schedule ahead, the “quit alert” bells will be ringing.

The other side of this coin of course is “winning cures everything”. If the team can start winning and show it’s capable of “doing hard things”, it can change this course.

But if I take off the fan glasses and just try to be objective, this does not look like a team that believes in itself nor its head coach.

I was fine with keeping McCarthy, I was fine with keeping Dak, I was not fine with keeping them both after that debacle.

You can’t have a no show like Dallas did and bring the band back together, tell your fans you’re all in, and do nothing all offseason only to give Dak the biggest NFL contract.

This franchise is a joke.

 

[CTcowboy203]

I gotta disagree here, if the mental toll of keeping McCarthy is the a reason or catalyst for the team not being able to play up to a certain standard or expectations- then the team has bigger issues than its coach

 

[Diehardblues]

I was fine with keeping McCarthy, I was fine with keeping Dak, I was not fine with keeping them both after that debacle.

You can’t have a no show like Dallas did and bring the band back together, tell your fans you’re all in, and do nothing all offseason only to give Dak the biggest NFL contract.

This franchise is a joke.

Cowboys are the greatest show on earth. #1 in Revenue baby. The joke is on us.

And that’s what Jethro meant by All In. Resigning his big stars.

 

[Howboutdemcowboys31]

Dak literally said I have to make the most of the plays called in his presser that’s a direct shot

 

[LysleE]

I think MM, despite his record, has been underwhelming; while I recognize he had to simplify the offense for Dak, it still lacks imagination and is stagnant…this offense thus far has been unable to take advantage of having CD and Ferguson, while the running game is what it is going to be for the season.
The larger issue is who can Jerry bring in to replace MM. I think most would agree Dallas needs a youth infusion; a coach who is going to bring innovation and an energy; not some burned-out retread out of the game for awhile with decade-old schemes. And on the other side of the coin, what established head coach who has some skins on the wall and is used to coaching with autonomy is going to tolerate Jerry’s meddling, his undermining of the coach’s authority and constant desire for attention?
I wouldn’t be surprised if MM is here next year regardless of his record this season.