Which is it?

[Bobhaze]

For the 23rd straight time we’re heading into conference championship weekend knowing the Cowboys will once again be watching instead of playing.

And apparently for the 9th straight year, we will have Jason Garrett’s robotic face and tired talking points once again leading this team as its head coach. And maybe worse, his unimaginative OC will be back calling the most vanilla plays for the most vanilla offense while we all watch the best, most imaginative offensive minds battle it out for NFL supremacy once again.

So help me with these questions after another frustrating playoff end-

1. Is this year just the beginning of something that leads to a championship? A young team on the rise? Or...
2. Is this the “Garrett ceiling”? Is this a perennial “pretty good” team that can only top out with a wild card win? We have 8 seasons of evidence. Is this the best we get from Garrett?

Which is it?

I wish I felt differently, but after 8 seasons, I think Garrett has topped out. Especially if he’s coming back with his OC who calls the most predictable game in the NFL. I love this team’s youth, and defensive talent but COACHING MATTERS. And if the same cast of characters return to coach, why should we expect something different?

Your thoughts?

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

I think this is as good as it's ever going to be with Garrett. We'll be here next year talking about the same thing.

 

[RodeoJake]

The events of today really show it ain't gonna make any difference who the head coach is. Anytime a HC can't decide who's on his staff, there's a deeper organizational problem. What HC worth a dang would even want this job?

 

[MarcusRock]

I think this is the Garrett ceiling honestly. We don't have a QB who can make all the throws, Zeke is Zeke (great), the defense surprised but couldn't sustain. But this team has never had that killer instinct the teams of the 90s had. It'll get us where we were this year, maybe a NFCCG surprise but nothing more. It was great to have my first stayjum experience with that electric atmosphere in the Wild Card game, but even in the midst of that I knew leaving there that I didn't watch a team that could make some real noise against the NFC heavy hitters. I was honestly a little disappointed in the fight the Seahawks put up because I know them 2nd best of all NFL teams and they're better than that. The Cowboys are good for an entertaining season, just don't go looking for them to close it out. I hope but don't expect.

 

[Tangle_Foot]

It appears that both our coach and our quarterback or both trailers and they will only be pulled across the finish line buy an almost perfect team in good health.
A good draft, a free agent or two, good jumps by second-year players and of course good health we have a chance. I believe we can reach that ceiling of a Super Bowl despite Jason Garrett. But my glass is always half-full and having bourbon as its content makes it a little easier

 

[MarcusRock]

It appears that both our coach and our quarterback or both trailers and they will only be pulled across the finish line buy an almost perfect team in good health.
A good draft, good jumps by second-year players and of course good health we have a chance. I believe we can reach that ceiling of a Super Bowl despite Jason Garrett. But my glass is always half-full and having bourbon as its content makes it a little easier

 

[Aven8]

If we don’t change the OC I expect this is the ceiling. Although in 2016 we had the 6th scoring offense in football which would have put us in this top 4 bunch this year. But we also had the top Oline then as well. Amazing how much that has fallen now.

I’m actually excited to see what Dak could do with an innovative OC that will build an offense for he and Zeke. Some may not love Dak but I’m now convinced we can win with him. He’s the only QB outside of Romo that could run this crappy offense. Imagine what he might do with designed runs, roll outs, miss direction plays, crossing routes with Cooper and Gallup?!

 

[Tangle_Foot]

 

[BoysWin]

I think this is as good as it's ever going to be with Garrett. We'll be here next year talking about the same thing.

And a regular season record of 8-8 to average 9-7 over the past 2 seasons. BARFF

 

[InTheZone]

every starter we have, their careers are wasted forever unless they go to another team. Not saying they'll do better or get a ring, but there's zero chance for them here, ZERO. I had this same feeling when we had young Romo, Ware, Witten, Newman, etc. and it will continue for a while.

 

[Captain-Crash]

If we give up on Garrett now, shouldn't we give up on Dak too. Third year and still can't handle the pressure, and has bad technique. ?

 

[Mr Cowboy]

For the 23rd straight time we’re heading into conference championship weekend knowing the Cowboys will once again be watching instead of playing.

And apparently for the 9th straight year, we will have Jason Garrett’s robotic face and tired talking points once again leading this team as its head coach. And maybe worse, his unimaginative OC will be back calling the most vanilla plays for the most vanilla offense while we all watch the best, most imaginative offensive minds battle it out for NFL supremacy once again.

So help me with these questions after another frustrating playoff end-

1. Is this year just the beginning of something that leads to a championship? A young team on the rise? Or...
2. Is this the “Garrett ceiling”? Is this a perennial “pretty good” team that can only top out with a wild card win? We have 8 seasons of evidence. Is this the best we get from Garrett?

Which is it?

I wish I felt differently, but after 8 seasons, I think Garrett has topped out. Especially if he’s coming back with his OC who calls the most predictable game in the NFL. I love this team’s youth, and defensive talent but COACHING MATTERS. And if the same cast of characters return to coach, why should we expect something different?

Your thoughts?

That's something that I wish the beat reporters would straight up ask Jerry, Stephan, McClay and Garrett himself. But they won't!

 

[Hawkeye0202]

Tell you a little story.......Tony Dungy took the Bucs 3 straight playoff appearances ( 1999, 2000, 2001 ) and lost all three. Bucs hired John Gruden 2002 and won their first ( and only ) Super Bowl same year. Five years later Dungy won his first Super Bowl as a coach 2007. The point here is sometimes a coach and team max out, similar to what McCarty and Packers decided.

 

[nightrain]

If Garrett doesn't change his OC, we are likely facing the dreaded odd year outcome.

 

[Miller]

I think max out mainly because we were set this year. We finally got D play to go along with our Zeke control game. Something..maybe JG..showed he was at LEAST good in motivating a team not to quit. But the post season is about execution and game plan and that’s where we fail. We are a mediocre to pretty good group that can be motivated but can’t overcome better coaching and scheme.

Let’s not forget that this was an issue years ago and allegedly JG got HIS guy in Linehan. So what’s that say now?

 

[Doomsay]

Garrett only cares about survival - Scott is insulation and punching bag.

 

[InTheZone]

If Garrett doesn't change his OC, we are likely facing the dreaded odd year outcome.

I believe if we're to blame the OC then Dak is almost or equally to blame. And I believe if we get a new OC we'll still see a lot of the same mistakes. That is my prediction 2019.

 

[kevm3]

If Linehan is retained, this will have to be one of the worst offseasons in a long time. We bring back a team full of guys who couldn't get it done and we don't even have a 1st round pick and McScrooge Jones doesn't want to spend any money in free agency, so our hopes of a changed season will rest upon a 2nd, 3rd and 4th round pick playing miracle ball.

What is just so disgusting to me is that organizations like the Browns and Bengals have TRIED to change before us. They at least got rid of Marvin Lewis and Hue Jackson, but we're going to ride Garrett and crew into more moral crews. "Hey guys, our waterboy was injured this year, so Garrett did us an excellent job getting us to 8 and 8. We'll do better next year. Everyone take a hit of your hopium."

 

[nightrain]

I believe if we're to blame the OC then Dak is almost or equally to blame. And I believe if we get a new OC we'll still see a lot of the same mistakes. That is my prediction 2019.

Something has to change and I think Linehan resists anything outside the box.

 

[cowboyec]

I keep saying since the Amari Cooper trade...and the run this team went on to finish 10-6 and win the East....that it feels different.
After Saturday Night....it hurt...but I also felt hopeful for the future.
I think we're closer than folks think.

but what the hell do I know....I choose the exciting life of being....a janitor.