Troy Aikman Does Not Like Dallas' WR Route Running

[Risen Star]

Former Cowboys QB Troy Aikman on @dfwticket on Dallas' wide receivers: "I think the routes are terrible. I think they run terrible routes. And I've thought that beyond this year. I think CeeDee (Lamb) has got to improve in his route running. As a quarterback, if you're not certain where guys are going to be consistently, it's hard to play the position. That's what I see. I see guys lazy coming off the line of scrimmage. Sometimes they run, usually if they do, it's because they're anticipating they're going to get the football on that play, but if they're not, they don't. And it all ties together. I'm not impressed with that part of it."

"I just finished watching the Baltimore Ravens because I have them this week. You put on film of theirs and watch their receivers run routes and they come off the football, so does San Francisco's and Green Bay's and others. But it's hard to play the (QB) position if you're not certain how guys are going to run routes or where they're going to be. And I'm not speaking for Dak (Prescott). Dak may say, 'Hey, I think (their routes) are amazing.' But as a former quarterback watching it, it's gotta get a lot better."

 

[foofighters]

Former Cowboys QB Troy Aikman on @dfwticket on Dallas' wide receivers: "I think the routes are terrible. I think they run terrible routes. And I've thought that beyond this year. I think CeeDee (Lamb) has got to improve in his route running. As a quarterback, if you're not certain where guys are going to be consistently, it's hard to play the position. That's what I see. I see guys lazy coming off the line of scrimmage. Sometimes they run, usually if they do, it's because they're anticipating they're going to get the football on that play, but if they're not, they don't. And it all ties together. I'm not impressed with that part of it."

"I just finished watching the Baltimore Ravens because I have them this week. You put on film of theirs and watch their receivers run routes and they come off the football, so does San Francisco's and Green Bay's and others. But it's hard to play the (QB) position if you're not certain how guys are going to run routes or where they're going to be. And I'm not speaking for Dak (Prescott). Dak may say, 'Hey, I think (their routes) are amazing.' But as a former quarterback watching it, it's gotta get a lot better."

Interesting...where have I heard where we have an physically gifted receiver that needs to improve route running. I wasn't a fan of paying CeeDee because of how he's pouted but now add this? Of course this goes back to the culture that Jerry has established there.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Not saying Troy is wrong, but he's always defending Dak and making excuses for him.

 

[WillieBeamen]

Not saying Troy is wrong, but he's always defending Dak and making excuses for him.

Always. Exactly why I made that thread.

 

[BlindFaith]

Could be because Dak cant read a defense post snap so if you arent the primary receiver, why bother.

 

[sunalsorises]

Not saying Troy is wrong, but he's always defending Dak and making excuses for him.

I imagine Troy is more defending the QB position than just Dak.

 

[DallasDW00ds0n]

Both things can be true. Dak isn’t playing well and the WRs are not running great routes, by design or lack of effort.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I imagine Troy is more defending the QB position than just Dak.

True, I remember speaking well of Quincy. But he seems to turn it up a little for Dak.

 

[maryquality]

Both things can be true. Dak isn’t playing well and the WRs are not running great routes, by design or lack of effort.

I came here to say this very same thing!! I feel like it is BOTH Dak and the WR's that aren't doing well.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Not saying Troy is wrong, but he's always defending Dak and making excuses for him.

He defends him in a passive more balanced way. But at the same time he’s not saying anything people haven’t said. He just had the balls to call out Lamb which no one does it seems.

 

[Creeper]

Of course there are those who have to make this about Dak, but let's ignore who the QB is for a moment. Just watch and ask, are the Cowboys WRs getting separation? No, they're not. So just maybe Troy is on to something. Maybe he is just making a comment about the WRs, not the QB. Troy is a HoF QB, I think he probably knows something about the game. And remember, Troy was a stickler for details like this. He used to yell at his WRs, even Michael Irvin.

I don't know if it the route running, or the play designs, but watching football on the weekends, I see other teams get WRs wide open all over the field, even RBs coming out of the backfield. But when I watch Dallas, it seems like everyone has a defender on his back. I rarely see receivers open unless it is in garbage time.

And one more thought. Someone posted a Baldy's Breakdowns video where Baldinger was talking about the poor stunts Dallas's defense was running. Baldinger was harping on the attention to details, the little things the Cowboys do not do. Is poor route running when a guy thinks he is not getting the ball part of the same problem? Missed blocking assignments? Missed assignments on defense? Poor tackling? Blown coverages? Are all of these things really symptoms of the same lack of attention to details? Is this why Dallas cannot run an effective screen pass? or a draw play? The things that require deception seem to fail in Dallas?

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Both things can be true. Dak isn’t playing well and the WRs are not running great routes, by design or lack of effort.

And I think that’s what Troy is saying.

 

[BlindFaith]

I came here to say this very same thing!! I feel like it is BOTH Dak and the WR's that aren't doing well.

So the highest paid QB and the 2nd highest paid WR just arent getting it done. Perfect. We have an amazing GM.

Maybe a few more first round OL and a first round RB will fix it. Ah heck, lets add in another first round WR. Second round too.

This team in general is a dumpster fire with hobo Jones just pouring on more gas, year after year.

 

[Gonzomandela01]

Troy might be defending Dak a little bit, but if McCarthy can not get this offense in sync and producing what is he good for then? Isn't offensive football his whole schtick? I saw a some receivers ran into each other last game.

I understand this happening on week 1 not on week 5, this team is lazy and sloppy and that reflects on the head coach and gm.

 

[Aven8]

How about the fact the 3 out of the 4 just suck?

 

[maryquality]

Troy might be defending Dak a little bit, but if McCarthy can not get this offense in sync and producing what is he good for then? Isn't offensive football his whole schtick? I saw a some receivers ran into each other last game.

I understand this happening on week 1 not on week 5, this team is lazy and sloppy and that reflects on the head coach and gm.

Yeah...Brady was having a ball last week pointing out all of the Cowboys shortcomings!!

 

[Hawkeye0202]

He said he's speaking as a former QB..........Rogers lit into his WR, Mike Williams after Sunday's loss cuz ran a bad route. Yes, dak has his moments but this is something his critics never wanna consider.

 

[cowboys5xsbs]

But I was told it's Daks fault

 

[TequilaCowboy]

I’ve always said here about how the WR have to be the laziest route runners. No sharp cuts, changes in speed or even fakes to get separation . And yes Dak also at fault because he stares down the primary receiver, doesn’t go through his progressions, panics, and now hates to run or even scramble to buy some time.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

Yeah...Brady was having a ball last week pointing out all of the Cowboys shortcomings!!

Yep ....he also pointed out how he loved QBing for the Lions coz there are so many options to choose from.