CFZ What if the core of this team just isn't that great?

[Bobhaze]

Why would he leave the most media coveted sports team in America with no accountability ?

For that reason.

 

[DeaconMoss]

9 All-Pro players, many of them on the offensive and defensive line. The pundits and football experts believe the core is pretty damn good, which means JJ has done his job as a GM. ...even though this team ended the season with no LBs, no viable FS and a void at DT.

Team is awful to avg right up the middle. RB, QB, C, DT, LB, S

 

[maryquality]

Yeah, I can't fathom how we can't do much with our "core" players. Not sure if it's squarely on the players, or the coaches, or both. I have to believe it's a combination of both.

 

[Bobhaze]

Nope, and I follow the mindset of your OP regarding all these player deficiencies that the FO most likely may not acknowledge.

I have a bad habit of always mis directing posts with my own personal thoughts on the GM, HC and QB's impact on this team's failure. Didnt mean to highjack you. My bad man.
 

No problem at all!

 

[Cowboys93]

I think this has been my conclusion as well. Truthfully at this point there’s no player on this team that isn’t expendable because they all have a stench of losing

 

[KMY_Amber]

Well yes and no. I think we got talent for sure. I bet any team would love to have a few of our guys right away without thinking twice. The question is what causes us to not do well against big teams and big situations? Are we putting all our talent in the best place possible to do their jobs? Let's start with our recent game. What did we do?

We gave up scores to GB on 6 of their first 7 drives. We gave up 2 TOs (by Dak) in the first half. We got no pass rush and could not stop the run. We also could not run the ball and our schemes looked pretty stiff.

What part of that performance looked like we prepared for anything? We didn't even look like we knew we were in a game.

Our structure is our problem because since 98 we have had plenty of talent but never have closed the deal in any phase of the game.

Structure???

What you described below is absolutely poor coaching. How in the hec do you start a playoff game at home like that, with a lack of aggression, penalties and a poor execution of plays on both sides of the ball. Players looking at each other like it's the 1st preseason game. Come on, man!!!!

McCarthy and Quinn must go. Whatever success they had for much of the season, it was negated by the start of that game.

And the players must be accountable too. Dak, Micah, the safeties, the vaunted Dee Line...all of them played like crap. Pay cuts for them all, or cut them!

Significant hanges must occur, because that was a ridiculous showing on Sunday at home. Inexcusable to start the game that way, and inexcusable to get outcoached that badly in the playoffs.

 

[Adiba1977]

It’s not. Most playoff teams are better

 

[rnr_honeybadger]

One of the hard parts of losing in the manner the Cowboys did Sunday is the very real possibility that what was considered the strong core of this team is probably incapable (as currently constituted) to compete seriously for a championship. And the evidence is clear- they can’t win big playoff games against the best teams in the league. That’s not an opinion. That’s based on this team’s playoff record WITH this core.

What is the core of this team? It‘s the guys this FO believes are the best players we have. The guys we would never trade or cut because of their value to the team. Here is that core:

• Dak Prescott (8 yr vet- 2-5 playoff record)
• Micah Parsons (3 yr vet- 1-2 in the playoffs)
• Cedee Lamb (4 yr vet- 1-2 in the playoffs)
• Zack Martin (11 yr vet- 3-6 in the playoffs)
• Tyron Smith (14 yr vet- 3-6 in the playoffs)
• DeMarcus Law (11 yr vet- 3-6 in the playoffs)
• Tyler Smith (2 yr vet- 1-2 in the playoffs)
• Trevon Diggs (5 yr vet)

So having all these talented players on this roster, some of which are very highly paid or are about to get bigger paydays, has amounted to 3 total playoff wins over the last 14 seasons? That’s it? These “must have” guys are so valuable as a core, we have won 3 wild card playoff games with them? With two different HCs and multiple different coordinators in some cases.

Many fans here won’t like this…but there’s a very good chance that the core of this roster- the centerpiece of talent for this team - is vastly overrated. OR…we have a front office that is incapable of finding a coaching staff that can motivate and shape this core into playoff winners. It actually could be both.

This organization will NOT look in the mirror and ask the tough question: What if the core of our team isn’t that great?

Guys like Ceedee, Tyler Smith and Diggs would be worth salvaging. Dak I'm sorry is a core player but brings you the least upside value from that list. Parsons is young but absolutely misused in the defense. Personally he would make a good trade to get draft picks that can help bolster the defensive line.

 

[Ranching]

One of the hard parts of losing in the manner the Cowboys did Sunday is the very real possibility that what was considered the strong core of this team is probably incapable (as currently constituted) to compete seriously for a championship. And the evidence is clear- they can’t win big playoff games against the best teams in the league. That’s not an opinion. That’s based on this team’s playoff record WITH this core.

What is the core of this team? It‘s the guys this FO believes are the best players we have. The guys we would never trade or cut because of their value to the team. Here is that core:

• Dak Prescott (8 yr vet- 2-5 playoff record)
• Micah Parsons (3 yr vet- 1-2 in the playoffs)
• Cedee Lamb (4 yr vet- 1-2 in the playoffs)
• Zack Martin (11 yr vet- 3-6 in the playoffs)
• Tyron Smith (14 yr vet- 3-6 in the playoffs)
• DeMarcus Law (11 yr vet- 3-6 in the playoffs)
• Tyler Smith (2 yr vet- 1-2 in the playoffs)
• Trevon Diggs (5 yr vet)

So having all these talented players on this roster, some of which are very highly paid or are about to get bigger paydays, has amounted to 3 total playoff wins over the last 14 seasons? That’s it? These “must have” guys are so valuable as a core, we have won 3 wild card playoff games with them? With two different HCs and multiple different coordinators in some cases.

Many fans here won’t like this…but there’s a very good chance that the core of this roster- the centerpiece of talent for this team - is vastly overrated. OR…we have a front office that is incapable of finding a coaching staff that can motivate and shape this core into playoff winners. It actually could be both.

This organization will NOT look in the mirror and ask the tough question: What if the core of our team isn’t that great?

LOL!! You don't think they evaluate their talent? Now you're just starting threads to stir the pot.

 

[kskboys]

One of the hard parts of losing in the manner the Cowboys did Sunday is the very real possibility that what was considered the strong core of this team is probably incapable (as currently constituted) to compete seriously for a championship. And the evidence is clear- they can’t win big playoff games against the best teams in the league. That’s not an opinion. That’s based on this team’s playoff record WITH this core.

What is the core of this team? It‘s the guys this FO believes are the best players we have. The guys we would never trade or cut because of their value to the team. Here is that core:

• Dak Prescott (8 yr vet- 2-5 playoff record)
• Micah Parsons (3 yr vet- 1-2 in the playoffs)
• Cedee Lamb (4 yr vet- 1-2 in the playoffs)
• Zack Martin (11 yr vet- 3-6 in the playoffs)
• Tyron Smith (14 yr vet- 3-6 in the playoffs)
• DeMarcus Law (11 yr vet- 3-6 in the playoffs)
• Tyler Smith (2 yr vet- 1-2 in the playoffs)
• Trevon Diggs (5 yr vet)

So having all these talented players on this roster, some of which are very highly paid or are about to get bigger paydays, has amounted to 3 total playoff wins over the last 14 seasons? That’s it? These “must have” guys are so valuable as a core, we have won 3 wild card playoff games with them? With two different HCs and multiple different coordinators in some cases.

Many fans here won’t like this…but there’s a very good chance that the core of this roster- the centerpiece of talent for this team - is vastly overrated. OR…we have a front office that is incapable of finding a coaching staff that can motivate and shape this core into playoff winners. It actually could be both.

This organization will NOT look in the mirror and ask the tough question: What if the core of our team isn’t that great?

To me, it's more that we have glaring weaknesses that rob these guys of the ability to play at a top level. Can you imagine Parsons if we had a DT who required double teams and who made the QB leave the pocket? Can you imagine how good Tyler and Zack could be w/ a RB like Jacobs who was throught he LOS in a flash?

We simply take aim at the wrong positions. Why? Because Jerry sees all of this through the eyes of a fan. To him, it's all about WR's and CB's and TE's. He simply doesn't see things such as Musgrave being wide open because we had to commit too many players to stopping the run. He doesn't understand that Parsons is less effective because other teams just block him to the outside while the QB steps up into a clean pocket. He doesn't see that a CB often gets beat because the Qb had too much time to throw, and no one can cover forever. He doesn't even comprehend why we were so much better w/ Fredsy than Bada z z.

Jerry needs to start asking himself "WHY". At present, he has no clue why we lost. And for a GM, that's simply unacceptable.

 

[Sydla]

I understand that. But All Pro or Pro Bowl honors are based on the regular season not the playoffs. Isn’t it possible all those guys just don’t play as well when the competition stiffens? Also there are many players who play their best in the biggest games. That’s where so many of our players seem to shrink.

I don't know, strikes me as odd that you'd have so many players that simply just fold in the playoffs.

I think the issue is when it comes to the playoffs we have a QB that just doesn't shine when the lights are the brightest and he's also tied to a a HC (and coaching staff) that's just not good enough.

Granted, I think in some specific cases, there has been roster holes that cost us. I do believe suspect run D (lack of good DT play for example) has cost us as well.

I think our issues are simply:

- The QB just isn't prime time
- Jerry has coaches that just aren't good enough
- The roster typically has a fatal flaw that Jerry ignored despite it being quite obvious

 

[Cowboys93]

GB rolled out a team of rookies and a first year starter QB and absolutely smoked this team of all pros. Just goes to show accolades don’t mean squat

 

[noshame]

One of the hard parts of losing in the manner the Cowboys did Sunday is the very real possibility that what was considered the strong core of this team is probably incapable (as currently constituted) to compete seriously for a championship. And the evidence is clear- they can’t win big playoff games against the best teams in the league. That’s not an opinion. That’s based on this team’s playoff record WITH this core.

What is the core of this team? It‘s the guys this FO believes are the best players we have. The guys we would never trade or cut because of their value to the team. Here is that core:

• Dak Prescott (8 yr vet- 2-5 playoff record)
• Micah Parsons (3 yr vet- 1-2 in the playoffs)
• Cedee Lamb (4 yr vet- 1-2 in the playoffs)
• Zack Martin (11 yr vet- 3-6 in the playoffs)
• Tyron Smith (14 yr vet- 3-6 in the playoffs)
• DeMarcus Law (11 yr vet- 3-6 in the playoffs)
• Tyler Smith (2 yr vet- 1-2 in the playoffs)
• Trevon Diggs (5 yr vet)

So having all these talented players on this roster, some of which are very highly paid or are about to get bigger paydays, has amounted to 3 total playoff wins over the last 14 seasons? That’s it? These “must have” guys are so valuable as a core, we have won 3 wild card playoff games with them? With two different HCs and multiple different coordinators in some cases.

Many fans here won’t like this…but there’s a very good chance that the core of this roster- the centerpiece of talent for this team - is vastly overrated. OR…we have a front office that is incapable of finding a coaching staff that can motivate and shape this core into playoff winners. It actually could be both.

This organization will NOT look in the mirror and ask the tough question: What if the core of our team isn’t that great?

In my mind, it's all coaching, especially offense. This offensive line should've taken a step up in run blocking, even though it did a great job last year. But no, we couldn't block anybody.. We have some studs on the offensive line. And there's no reason for this failure. For crying out loud defenders were constantly in our backfield.
Mike's offense may have been too simple just to try and satisfy dak. After all, last year they made adjustments at every position all the time. It paid off with people being open and large holes to run in.

All right...here we go.

 

[kskboys]

LOL!! You don't think they evaluate their talent? Now you're just starting threads to stir the pot.

It's not always obvious, no.

Did they evaluate Damone Clark? Did they know he lacks lateral agility and instincts? Where's your evaluation? Did they evaluate Pollard and know that he's not a Bellcow type RB?

If they evaluate, they evaluate badly.

 

[John813]

I think it is a mix of players being overrated, poor coaching and a dysfunctional ownership that creates a caste system.
The old core needs to move on. They had their shot, and it didn't work out.

 

[zenmastersauce]

Structure???

What you described below is absolutely poor coaching. How in the hec do you start a playoff game at home like that, with a lack of aggression, penalties and a poor execution of plays on both sides of the ball. Players looking at each other like it's the 1st preseason game. Come on, man!!!!

McCarthy and Quinn must go. Whatever success they had for much of the season, it was negated by the start of that game.

And the players must be accountable too. Dak, Micah, the safeties, the vaunted Dee Line...all of them played like crap. Pay cuts for them all, or cut them!

Significant hanges must occur, because that was a ridiculous showing on Sunday at home. Inexcusable to start the game that way, and inexcusable to get outcoached that badly in the playoffs.

Well there you go. I would go as far as to say no new contracts adjusted as a ringing punishment for what happened as far as players go. Now I wiuod not advocate for removing a coach but MM might be in trouble.

 

[Ranching]

It's not always obvious, no.

Did they evaluate Damone Clark? Did they know he lacks lateral agility and instincts? Where's your evaluation? Did they evaluate Pollard and know that he's not a Bellcow type RB?

If they evaluate, they evaluate badly.

Yeah, we're much better at it....lol...the sad part is that many if you really believe that you know more than Jerry and his staff.

 

[KMY_Amber]

I understand that. But All Pro or Pro Bowl honors are based on the regular season not the playoffs. Isn’t it possible all those guys just don’t play as well when the competition stiffens? Also there are many players who play their best in the biggest games. That’s where so many of our players seem to shrink.

What's the difference, Bob? It's still football.

The difference is COACHING. You need better schemes, better anticipation of what your opponent will try to do to you, and better plays to take advantage of your opponent's weaknesses.

Sure, there's more pressure, but if you come out in the 1st quarter and establish a successful plan, then the pressure fades away. The Cowboys perennially come out in playoff games trying "not to lose". Or, they take a meaningless "deep shot" that almost is never completed (wasting a down). So you spent 6 days looking at tape and the best way you saw to take advantage of the defense is a deep ball down the sideline, by your QB who doesn't throw the deep ball all that well?

Quinn comes out and plays zones and Dime defenses for most of the 1st half, with little success.

This is all just inexcusable. The Cowboys players were playing against Green Bay and their sad-sack coaches who were not putting them in their best positions to win...and you could tell by the end of the 1st quarter that both sides of the ball were not ready to play.

 

[kskboys]

I don't know, strikes me as odd that you'd have so many players that simply just fold in the playoffs.

I think the issue is when it comes to the playoffs we have a QB that just doesn't shine when the lights are the brightest and he's also tied to a a HC (and coaching staff) that's just not good enough.

Granted, I think in some specific cases, there has been roster holes that cost us. I do believe suspect run D (lack of good DT play for example) has cost us as well.

I think our issues are simply:

- The QB just isn't prime time
- Jerry has coaches that just aren't good enough
- The roster typically has a fatal flaw that Jerry ignored despite it being quite obvious

So then, a good GM would ask himself the question, why did they fold?

For one thing, we have a pile of JAG S's, and playing LB of all things. And no FS. We are weak at DT which makes it pretty much impossible to stop the run, especially when there are no LB's worth a pinch of salt behind them to clean it up. Our C is too weak, which filters right on down and makes every OL position harder to play. We have no starting RB which makes it even harder for the OL to block.

 

[kskboys]

Yeah, we're much better at it....lol...the sad part is that many if you really believe that you know more than Jerry and his staff.

You answer that w/ a childish personal insult? Man, you must really believe we suck at evaluating. Very sad.