The team is soft. It filters through every position. The Dallas Cowboys do not ever offer a Spartan environ which builds toughness.
Some complain about Dak. But that is like calling out a pimple on a kid's face and not looking deeper. Dak does create problems, but this team just doesn't want it as much as other teams. The power structure of the team neuters the coaches from being the final word. This architecture pampers the team since the people who are in power see this as a show pony and not a war machine.
There is no accountability. This has been revealed recently - as if the majority of people here did not know this before yesterday - where no one experiences having their feet put to the fire. Even the GM who lost his crap on the radio because people are finally pointing his failures to his face shuns his indebtedness to fostering the culture to succeed.
They - he - still gets paid, they - he - fear nothing about losing their jobs. There is not an alpha dog that is on their - his - rear ends, or an alpha dog who is a tough guy and instills a hunger in the team, either through fear or pride.
The circus barker stands out front and brags on what you will see inside the tent. He creates a dramatic declaration of the danger witnessed beyond the tent opening. Just pay the cover charge and you'll see chills and thrills.
But that barker NEVER enters the cage with the tigers, or puts his head in the Lion's mouth. His job is puffery. And in the case of the Dallas Cowboys, all you get is puffery and an old man, a narcissist, who gaslights everyone in the organization, including the press who are now labeling a megalomaniac as the one ultimately responsible for the complete failure of this team, and franchise.
Jimmy Johnson said it several weeks ago. The team is soft. He pointed out the way Campbell runs the Lion's team as the way to get it right. To build a winner. They work hard and in that they become tough minded and believe they can beat the other team by just being more physical.
Rex Ryan and some other talking head mentioned it Monday morning after the Lion butt whip.
Players - ie Cee Dee - can act out and draw a penalty because of his attitude. Or pout and throw shade on other players. Regardless if the other player is struggling. A team sticks together when on the field. McCarthy should have pointed to the bench and told him to go sit down until we decide to put you back in. But we know McCarthy would never go against the man who has created this abomination.
I like Cee Dee. But I have been around this team for a very long time and I look back to Irvin, who held everyone accountable. Cee Dee has the skills. He does not have the maturity, and there isn't anyone in the hierarchy who WILL focus him to be a leader. He wants the glory, but when falling short, he doesn't want the obligation to be held answerable.
Irvin preened when he made a first down, or scored a TD. But he also hit the practice field asking, "Who's going to cover me today? Who's going to make a play?" Then he stayed after practice with a back up QB and ran routes until he puked. Darren Woodson made the comment he had never seen anyone work so hard on their game in his entire time playing football.
While the question was asked in a general way, not singling out, but looking for perhaps squads or coaching groups, maybe schemes, or football philosophies, it still comes down to who should be held liable.
The GM/Owner sets the high water mark and all the coaches and players will rise to that level. In the case of the Dallas Cowboys, this isn't the deep end of the pool where all swim with skill and confidence. But one of those plastic kiddie pools on the grass and everyone splashes around and never really swims at all.
