Thoughts about regular season!

[JoeKing]

My thoughts about the regular season are simple. It's over and we have the 5 seed in the NFC playoffs.

 

[quickccc]

-Considering losing our starting QB for 5 weeks, our LT for the majority of the season and 3 major fa losses, MM & his staff deserve a lot of credit. 12-5 is the same record they had the previous year. I think the Eagles winning the division and having a tremendous year is making many fans think we had a poor season, which isn't the case.

-The front office, not the coaching staff deserves more of the blame for this year's shortcomings. The decision to trade Amari Cooper has really hurt this team, especially with Michael Gallup being a shell of his former self year 1 after tearing his acl. Many are wondering why so many balls going to Noah Brown, Gallup cannot get open where teams are looking to take away Lamb/Shultz in the passing game. They did virtually nothing to fix the team's run defense which is why they got bounced in the playoffs last season.

-Failed draft picks is the main reason why the team has struggled in the 2nd half of the season. Anthony Brown goes down, neither Joseph nor Wright can replace his prior production, both were former top 100 picks. Our young defensive tackles haven't given us any meaningful production despite being all day 2 selections: Hill (Cut), Gallimore, Golston, Osa. At linebacker, team already cut a former 2nd rd pick in Jaylon Smith.

-What went good? Player development. From our two young tackles in Steele/Tyler Smith, Dalton Shultz, Tony Pollard, Cooper Rush to Dorance Armstrong, Javon Kearse, Donovan Wilson. The so called right kind of guys who were willing to work, have really developed nicely.

-Team building primarily through the draft process is extremely challenging. You need to be almost perfect in the draft process. If the front office can start using free agency and the trade market more aggressively, I think it will give them a better chance for success. In my opinion, our current staff is very underrated, where our front office remains the problem.

As we embark on another playoff run, it will be up to the coaches to hide these shortcomings that the front office has created. Can they become successful? Yes, but it is going to take a total team effort.

OFFENSE
- By Worse game I can ever recall seen by Dak Prescott !
- Dak made horrible decisions and throws, in double teams, bad out pass vs Fuller for pick 6,
Has had 3 INTs for TDs in 2022. WTH with this Noah target love ?
- Lack of run game pressed Dak to pass more, which if he is off- that increased chance of disaster pass game.

- Peters has loss mobility at OT, has to be short set or bust, and I’m thinking he cannot bend enuff at OG, for us to place him there.
- Much rather have Tyler- Tyron outside than Peters outside. Seems like Tyron was losing several edge rushes that flush Dak out
- Obvious difference with McGovern at center, but per injury, no choice.

- Noah has issues with separation and yet Dak still forces to him per single or double teams.
- Kellen trouble scheming Lamb open too ? But OCs per Diggs, Jefferson, pre injury-Kupp scheme too.
- Gallup has to be solved in offseason, he’s awkward in his turns and breaks- cannot separate.
- Should we have more designs and targets for TY Hilton instead of Gally ?
- We need two new WR additions this offseason - Separation and receiving skills primary.

- Kellen simply forever cannot/dunno how to scheme Pollard into the pass game. It really cripples and limits us so.
Apparently even adding consultant Brian Schottheimer hasn't helped.

- Run game has went down since Steele and Tyler B. out - and it was already simplistic and blandly predictable as it was per Kellen.
Unless it's at goal line or short and 1, I simply cannot get excited about Zeke rushes. Frank Gore 2.0 ..?

 

[Risen Star]

Poor drafting? Impossible. We always draft well.

 

[JayFord]

anyone who says we had less than a great regular season has an agenda

i loved our regular season now lets go to wrestlemania and win the Larry O'brien Trophy!!!!

 

[cnuball21]

-Considering losing our starting QB for 5 weeks, our LT for the majority of the season and 3 major fa losses, MM & his staff deserve a lot of credit. 12-5 is the same record they had the previous year. I think the Eagles winning the division and having a tremendous year is making many fans think we had a poor season, which isn't the case.

-The front office, not the coaching staff deserves more of the blame for this year's shortcomings. The decision to trade Amari Cooper has really hurt this team, especially with Michael Gallup being a shell of his former self year 1 after tearing his acl. Many are wondering why so many balls going to Noah Brown, Gallup cannot get open where teams are looking to take away Lamb/Shultz in the passing game. They did virtually nothing to fix the team's run defense which is why they got bounced in the playoffs last season.

-Failed draft picks is the main reason why the team has struggled in the 2nd half of the season. Anthony Brown goes down, neither Joseph nor Wright can replace his prior production, both were former top 100 picks. Our young defensive tackles haven't given us any meaningful production despite being all day 2 selections: Hill (Cut), Gallimore, Golston, Osa. At linebacker, team already cut a former 2nd rd pick in Jaylon Smith.

-What went good? Player development. From our two young tackles in Steele/Tyler Smith, Dalton Shultz, Tony Pollard, Cooper Rush to Dorance Armstrong, Javon Kearse, Donovan Wilson. The so called right kind of guys who were willing to work, have really developed nicely.

-Team building primarily through the draft process is extremely challenging. You need to be almost perfect in the draft process. If the front office can start using free agency and the trade market more aggressively, I think it will give them a better chance for success. In my opinion, our current staff is very underrated, where our front office remains the problem.

As we embark on another playoff run, it will be up to the coaches to hide these shortcomings that the front office has created. Can they become successful? Yes, but it is going to take a total team effort.

All good stuff. Pretty much every offseason concern that wasn’t address has been blatantly transparent in some of our uglier games. WR, OL and ability to stop the run.

Hats off to Mike keeping the team competitive when Dak went down…the JG Cowboys would’ve folded.

This year has been a fun ride considering I thought we were done when Dak went down. That being said I don’t think this roster is talented enough to make any kind of run in the playoffs. As long as Jerry is in charge…yikes.

 

[quickccc]

-Considering losing our starting QB for 5 weeks, our LT for the majority of the season and 3 major fa losses, MM & his staff deserve a lot of credit. 12-5 is the same record they had the previous year. I think the Eagles winning the division and having a tremendous year is making many fans think we had a poor season, which isn't the case.

-The front office, not the coaching staff deserves more of the blame for this year's shortcomings. The decision to trade Amari Cooper has really hurt this team, especially with Michael Gallup being a shell of his former self year 1 after tearing his acl. Many are wondering why so many balls going to Noah Brown, Gallup cannot get open where teams are looking to take away Lamb/Shultz in the passing game. They did virtually nothing to fix the team's run defense which is why they got bounced in the playoffs last season.

-Failed draft picks is the main reason why the team has struggled in the 2nd half of the season. Anthony Brown goes down, neither Joseph nor Wright can replace his prior production, both were former top 100 picks. Our young defensive tackles haven't given us any meaningful production despite being all day 2 selections: Hill (Cut), Gallimore, Golston, Osa. At linebacker, team already cut a former 2nd rd pick in Jaylon Smith.

-What went good? Player development. From our two young tackles in Steele/Tyler Smith, Dalton Shultz, Tony Pollard, Cooper Rush to Dorance Armstrong, Javon Kearse, Donovan Wilson. The so called right kind of guys who were willing to work, have really developed nicely.

-Team building primarily through the draft process is extremely challenging. You need to be almost perfect in the draft process. If the front office can start using free agency and the trade market more aggressively, I think it will give them a better chance for success. In my opinion, our current staff is very underrated, where our front office remains the problem.

As we embark on another playoff run, it will be up to the coaches to hide these shortcomings that the front office has created. Can they become successful? Yes, but it is going to take a total team effort.

I cannot see MM getting fired, even if they lose in TB. Coaching isn't the issue, it's roster building.

- i can,.. (McCarthy being fired) - especially with the Sean Payton shadow clearly hanging all over him, and the Jones long rumored to be infatuated with the familiar ex-Cowboys Payton.

- i don't think it's fair bcuz McCarthy was not able to place his offensive mind to this team instead of the Jones' boy genius Kellen Moore.

- But i've heard Stephen Jones on more than one occasion expressed the importance of going further into the playoffs. - NFC title game or bust ?
The vibe i get from Stephen is management not accepting these quick playoff exits - despite these division titles (ala '21) and good reg season records.
Determine to get the over- the -hump impact HC, imo.

 

[1972COWBOY]

Something is wrong with this team that we can’t see. Parsons body language is awful. Dak is throwing some of the worst passes I have ever seen from him. I am wondering if the players are cracking under the pressure of constantly being the talking point of every sports show. The Cowboys finished 12-5 but the media is constantly asking for more. The team has probably the 12th best roster in the league that gets overrated because of the Cowboys name. The Cowboys will play well next week but I wonder if they can handle the pressure.

I picked up on this this morning. Odd the way he was swaying and bobbing back and forth into the brick wall during his after game interview. Body language tells me somethin is amiss . I think Parsons is all but worn out and ready for a vacation and R & R.

 

[1972COWBOY]

-Considering losing our starting QB for 5 weeks, our LT for the majority of the season and 3 major fa losses, MM & his staff deserve a lot of credit. 12-5 is the same record they had the previous year. I think the Eagles winning the division and having a tremendous year is making many fans think we had a poor season, which isn't the case.

We lost our starting QB week 6 then.

 

[Cowboyny]

I must surely be missing the preparation, strategy and motivation that this HC brings on gameday.
Situational gaffes, clock management and questionable decision making are constant as well.
Team discipline with regards to penalties is hit or miss.
Yeah, I'm not sure many opponents come out after losing to the Cowboys saying we got out coached.
After 3 years on the job, I still struggle with where most of his actual game plan input comes from in leading up to game day from this coordinator driven team.
Your posts like these are detailed and well thought out.
But this coach was hired because of a SB winning resume and not to win regular season games.
So I believe leaving out the failure of head coaching responsiblities is an extreme oversight.

My .02.

He did lead the team to back to back playoff's, but you are right, he was brought in to win in the postseason, let's judge him after they get eliminated.

 

[Cowboyny]

Thanks for Sharing. ..

- What is about " Grass Fields " that we seem not to play well.. play underachieving lackluster .. we are 1-4 on grass field on the road this year.
. Tenn being only win on grass. - Philly, Green Bay, Jax and now Wash have been grass field losses.

- Sorry but tired of hearing the Amari Cooper excuses. He was a Disappearing act that became an internal cancer that wasn’t worth that 20+ million per year with Cowboys.
Cannot keep using him as a crutch.
The big issues was team heavily dependent on Tolbert and Washington, two useless JAGs. - and I too would not have given Cedrick Wilson that big Dolphins contract either.
Very little impact with Fins in '22.

- Lamb and Hilton has to be the targets – overall we lack speed to separate, go deep, and Moore cannot seem to scheme WRs open.
Why does Kellen seem to struggle more on the road.. than at home ?

- Maybe just me,.. Or why am I not seeing Dak talking to McCarthy as I do with Mahomes talking to Andy Reid on sidelines ?
Seems like such a separated OC/Dak vs HC McCarthy...

I had no issues of trading Cooper away as you stated he wasn't worth his contract, but what the front office did to replace his production. Both Washington/Tolbert has given this team nothing and to make matters worse, Gallup is struggling badly post his acl injury.

Kellen Moore was forced on MM, unfortunately Jerry didn't allow him to hire someone else or become the play caller.

 

[Cowboyny]

All good stuff. Pretty much every offseason concern that wasn’t address has been blatantly transparent in some of our uglier games. WR, OL and ability to stop the run.

Hats off to Mike keeping the team competitive when Dak went down…the JG Cowboys would’ve folded.

This year has been a fun ride considering I thought we were done when Dak went down. That being said I don’t think this roster is talented enough to make any kind of run in the playoffs. As long as Jerry is in charge…yikes.

I agree, there are still a ton of holes within this roster and it will be difficult to go on a deep, playoff run with this group. The focus next offseason has to be about fixing the run defense, finding a quality starting corner and adding a legitimate receiver.

 

[jsb357]

Need to be reworked...

12 game regular season.

16 team double elimination tournament for playoffs

seeding by winning percentage

tied WP goes to team with strength of schedule

divisions for scheduling purposes only

 

[Cowboyny]

OFFENSE
- By Worse game I can ever recall seen by Dak Prescott !
- Dak made horrible decisions and throws, in double teams, bad out pass vs Fuller for pick 6,
Has had 3 INTs for TDs in 2022. WTH with this Noah target love ?
- Lack of run game pressed Dak to pass more, which if he is off- that increased chance of disaster pass game.

- Peters has loss mobility at OT, has to be short set or bust, and I’m thinking he cannot bend enuff at OG, for us to place him there.
- Much rather have Tyler- Tyron outside than Peters outside. Seems like Tyron was losing several edge rushes that flush Dak out
- Obvious difference with McGovern at center, but per injury, no choice.

- Noah has issues with separation and yet Dak still forces to him per single or double teams.
- Kellen trouble scheming Lamb open too ? But OCs per Diggs, Jefferson, pre injury-Kupp scheme too.
- Gallup has to be solved in offseason, he’s awkward in his turns and breaks- cannot separate.
- Should we have more designs and targets for TY Hilton instead of Gally ?
- We need two new WR additions this offseason - Separation and receiving skills primary.

- Kellen simply forever cannot/dunno how to scheme Pollard into the pass game. It really cripples and limits us so.
Apparently even adding consultant Brian Schottheimer hasn't helped.

- Run game has went down since Steele and Tyler B. out - and it was already simplistic and blandly predictable as it was per Kellen.
Unless it's at goal line or short and 1, I simply cannot get excited about Zeke rushes. Frank Gore 2.0 ..?

-Dak cannot carry this team through his arm, he needs a balanced attack to be effective.
-WR positional group is very average outside of Lamb. Why so many targets to Noah, Gallup is also getting no separation, but Noah is better at attacking the football. This is a big need in the offseason.
-Will the front office have the guts to release a few veterans who aren't playing up to their contracts: Zeke? Tyron? Shultz?

 

[Stsinaz12]

-Considering losing our starting QB for 5 weeks, our LT for the majority of the season and 3 major fa losses, MM & his staff deserve a lot of credit. 12-5 is the same record they had the previous year. I think the Eagles winning the division and having a tremendous year is making many fans think we had a poor season, which isn't the case.

-The front office, not the coaching staff deserves more of the blame for this year's shortcomings. The decision to trade Amari Cooper has really hurt this team, especially with Michael Gallup being a shell of his former self year 1 after tearing his acl. Many are wondering why so many balls going to Noah Brown, Gallup cannot get open where teams are looking to take away Lamb/Shultz in the passing game. They did virtually nothing to fix the team's run defense which is why they got bounced in the playoffs last season.

-Failed draft picks is the main reason why the team has struggled in the 2nd half of the season. Anthony Brown goes down, neither Joseph nor Wright can replace his prior production, both were former top 100 picks. Our young defensive tackles haven't given us any meaningful production despite being all day 2 selections: Hill (Cut), Gallimore, Golston, Osa. At linebacker, team already cut a former 2nd rd pick in Jaylon Smith.

-What went good? Player development. From our two young tackles in Steele/Tyler Smith, Dalton Shultz, Tony Pollard, Cooper Rush to Dorance Armstrong, Javon Kearse, Donovan Wilson. The so called right kind of guys who were willing to work, have really developed nicely.

-Team building primarily through the draft process is extremely challenging. You need to be almost perfect in the draft process. If the front office can start using free agency and the trade market more aggressively, I think it will give them a better chance for success. In my opinion, our current staff is very underrated, where our front office remains the problem.

As we embark on another playoff run, it will be up to the coaches to hide these shortcomings that the front office has created. Can they become successful? Yes, but it is going to take a total team effort.

Gokston has 11 tackles yesterday!!!

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

Just think...

If we stick with Cooper Rush and make the playoffs then MM would be up for coach of the year.

Instead we go back to Dak and now MM is probably going to get fired.

if we make the playoffs...the rush train was derailing very quickly...but I guess any child can play what/if/then

 

[Cowboyny]

Gokston has 11 tackles yesterday!!!

Where was that all season long?

 

[Cowboyny]

- i can,.. (McCarthy being fired) - especially with the Sean Payton shadow clearly hanging all over him, and the Jones long rumored to be infatuated with the familiar ex-Cowboys Payton.

- i don't think it's fair bcuz McCarthy was not able to place his offensive mind to this team instead of the Jones' boy genius Kellen Moore.

- But i've heard Stephen Jones on more than one occasion expressed the importance of going further into the playoffs. - NFC title game or bust ?
The vibe i get from Stephen is management not accepting these quick playoff exits - despite these division titles (ala '21) and good reg season records.
Determine to get the over- the -hump impact HC, imo.

Pressure is on both MM/Dak to produce in the postseason! You might be right about Payton, but I don't think his coaching improves this roster too much.

 

[quickccc]

-Considering losing our starting QB for 5 weeks, our LT for the majority of the season and 3 major fa losses, MM & his staff deserve a lot of credit. 12-5 is the same record they had the previous year. I think the Eagles winning the division and having a tremendous year is making many fans think we had a poor season, which isn't the case.

-The front office, not the coaching staff deserves more of the blame for this year's shortcomings. The decision to trade Amari Cooper has really hurt this team, especially with Michael Gallup being a shell of his former self year 1 after tearing his acl. Many are wondering why so many balls going to Noah Brown, Gallup cannot get open where teams are looking to take away Lamb/Shultz in the passing game. They did virtually nothing to fix the team's run defense which is why they got bounced in the playoffs last season.

-Failed draft picks is the main reason why the team has struggled in the 2nd half of the season. Anthony Brown goes down, neither Joseph nor Wright can replace his prior production, both were former top 100 picks. Our young defensive tackles haven't given us any meaningful production despite being all day 2 selections: Hill (Cut), Gallimore, Golston, Osa. At linebacker, team already cut a former 2nd rd pick in Jaylon Smith.

-What went good? Player development. From our two young tackles in Steele/Tyler Smith, Dalton Shultz, Tony Pollard, Cooper Rush to Dorance Armstrong, Javon Kearse, Donovan Wilson. The so called right kind of guys who were willing to work, have really developed nicely.

-Team building primarily through the draft process is extremely challenging. You need to be almost perfect in the draft process. If the front office can start using free agency and the trade market more aggressively, I think it will give them a better chance for success. In my opinion, our current staff is very underrated, where our front office remains the problem.

As we embark on another playoff run, it will be up to the coaches to hide these shortcomings that the front office has created. Can they become successful? Yes, but it is going to take a total team effort.

DEFENSE
- We’re still an average run defense that still has it’s issues vs running QBs. Quinn has not yet fixed this. How much is it players vs scheme? .. but it appears to be Both.
But no DC, from Marineli, Nolan to Quinn has solved our run defense yet.

- Something is wrong with this pass rush.
Parsons, Dlaw, Armstrong, Fowler, Williams, Osa, .Are we that worn down physically ..or is it a scheme change ?
but 2nd half of season, it really has dropped off big time..!
Parsons is even having his issues vs average OTs. Suggests he is really physically worn down despite his die hard effort.

- If we've had to sacrifice pass rush for better run defense, t- then that’s not a good scheme overall, imo. That sounds like a one track pony scheme.
This is another reason why I’m cheerleading for Vic Fangio ' when' Quinn becomes HC elsewhere.

- Golston had 11 tackles, dunno how many at the line vs downfield, but when a DL has double digit tackles, he’s in on action. But overall we're not getting plus from DTs..

- Coaches decided to chance CB McMullen, who was burnt repeatedly. .. coaches decided to inactive Israel M. for Coyle .. who had made mistakes ..
- We are getting too many draftees that are not being trusted .. McMullen instead of Wright ?
- Rookie Williams had a sack but as a group just not enuff

- Backup QBs just not bothered by our defense - Houston Mils/Dressel, ..Ginshew, Dobbs,.. now Howell. - We make 'em look far better than they are.
- LB Clark has been average past few games, why is Clark covering WRs underneath instead of DBs ? ..Barr is so slow and very average.
- Very average LB unit and zero depth. Cox typical JAG,.. he thinly looks like a CB instead of a LB

- why did we not have Diggs shadowing WR McLaurin, where ever he lines up on outside ? Fear of busted coverage ?
Having burnt and struggling McMullen instead of Wright means they still don't trust the 3rd rd draftee, imo.

SPECIAL TEAMS
- Bones Special teams unit is usually solid; one of the better in NFL … bu this is easily his unit worst game this year. Another bobbled fumble by Turpin. Extra point misses.
Anger flat dropping a punt, effective returns by Wash,.. big penalty on Coyle on a PR. Next year Goodwin is off this team. Nuthin' exceptional about his coverages, imo.

 

[quickccc]

Pressure is on both MM/Dak to produce in the postseason! You might be right about Payton, but I don't think his coaching improves this roster too much.

Coaches are always more of an easier target and scape goat than a vastly high paid QB.

Part of the season for the Payton mania is possible Cowboys management think the supposed offensive genius Payton can get more (much more?) out of the highly invested Dak
than what the current coaches of Kellen and McCarthy have .. wouldn't be surprised if the thought is Pollard and Lamb as well.

Perhaps we should break down what the differences between Payton vs McCarthy/Kellen would be.. ?
As well as how much personnel power and say so Sean Payton would be given ... or not given here with the Jones/Cowboys ?

 

[Cowboyny]

DEFENSE
- We’re still an average run defense that still has it’s issues vs running QBs. Quinn has not yet fixed this. How much is it players vs scheme? .. but it appears to be Both.
But no DC, from Marineli, Nolan to Quinn has solved our run defense yet.

- Something is wrong with this pass rush.
Parsons, Dlaw, Armstrong, Fowler, Williams, Osa, .Are we that worn down physically ..or is it a scheme change ?
but 2nd half of season, it really has dropped off big time..!
Parsons is even having his issues vs average OTs. Suggests he is really physically worn down despite his die hard effort.

- If we've had to sacrifice pass rush for better run defense, t- then that’s not a good scheme overall, imo. That sounds like a one track pony scheme.
This is another reason why I’m cheerleading for Vic Fangio ' when' Quinn becomes HC elsewhere.

- Golston had 11 tackles, dunno how many at the line vs downfield, but when a DL has double digit tackles, he’s in on action. But overall we're not getting plus from DTs..

- Coaches decided to chance CB McMullen, who was burnt repeatedly. .. coaches decided to inactive Israel M. for Coyle .. who had made mistakes ..
- We are getting too many draftees that are not being trusted .. McMullen instead of Wright ?
- Rookie Williams had a sack but as a group just not enuff

- Backup QBs just not bothered by our defense - Houston Mils/Dressel, ..Ginshew, Dobbs,.. now Howell. - We make 'em look far better than they are.
- LB Clark has been average past few games, why is Clark covering WRs underneath instead of DBs ? ..Barr is so slow and very average.
- Very average LB unit and zero depth. Cox typical JAG,.. he thinly looks like a CB instead of a LB

- why did we not have Diggs shadowing WR McLaurin, where ever he lines up on outside ? Fear of busted coverage ?
Having burnt and struggling McMullen instead of Wright means they still don't trust the 3rd rd draftee, imo.

SPECIAL TEAMS
- Bones Special teams unit is usually solid; one of the better in NFL … bu this is easily his unit worst game this year. Another bobbled fumble by Turpin. Extra point misses.
Anger flat dropping a punt, effective returns by Wash,.. big penalty on Coyle on a PR. Next year Goodwin is off this team. Nuthin' exceptional about his coverages, imo.

Good post. Losses to a few role players have really exposed our defense as our backups are very below average. LB, DT, Corners they all aren't good enough. Our star players are also struggling which makes matters worse.