To say that the 2020 season has been disappointing for Dallas Cowboys fans would be an understatement. The long awaited departure of Jason Garrett was supposed to elevate a “talented” roster to levels of success that this franchise has not attained in a quarter century. Namely, the NFC championship game and possibly beyond that. Needless to say their current record of 2-7, last place in the worst division in football, is concerning for Dallas Cowboys fans worldwide. Sure there has been an abnormal amount of key injuries and there were a lot of changes with an entirely new coaching staff but Dallas Cowboys fans are not interested in hearing excuses. Dallas Cowboys fans are fed up and among several issues that they have with the team here are the 5 biggest concerns.
5. THE GREAT WALL HAS CRUMBLED
Ever since the Dallas Cowboys started invested multiple first round draft picks on offensive linemen, they have built what was widely considered the best offensive line in football. For years it has been their bread and butter and a position that most Dallas Cowboys fans felt didn’t require any investment in free agency or draft capital. Sadly, the mighty “Great Wall of Dallas 2.0” has had cracks in its foundation for a few years now. Despite it’s reputation as the league’s best unit the harsh realty is that this has merely been a facade. Tyron Smith, the All-World offensive tackle has struggled to stay healthy and is approaching an age where thinking about his long term replacement is imminent. Travis Frederick retired this offseason after missing the entire 2018 season and feeling as though his 2019 season was not to his high standard. La’el Collins has emerged to solidify the right tackle position but his season ending injury could have a lasting impact going into next season. Zack Martin is the sole remaining All-Pro calibre player and he has dealt with some injuries himself. The Cowboys have invested some draft capital into some promising young linemen such as Connor Williams, Connor McGovern, and Tyler Biadasz but it is not realistic to expect any of those guys to truly replace Hall of Fame talents. Dallas Cowboys fans have to be prepared for an era where the Dallas Cowboys offensive line is going to have to be functional rather than dominant.
4. NOT THAT TALENTED
Every season it seems Dallas Cowboys fans are sold on the idea that on paper, their team is among the most talented in the league. Multiple Pro-Bowlers, exceptional athletes, and seemingly great draft picks every year. Yet despite all the alleged talent, the team has failed to translate that into the desired results on the football field. We blame injuries, terrible refereeing, or bad luck. We also blame coaching, management, and everybody under the sun assuming that the team is talented enough to win. What if we are all wrong? What if we are NOT as talented of a team as Dallas Cowboys fans think we are? Sure there are some talented players on the roster but the depth has always been paper thin at certain positions. The Cowboys have never had sufficient talent at the defensive tackle or safety positions for several years. Until recently, the wide receiver position was one of the worst in the entire league and at tight end we had been relying on the ghost of Jason Witten as if he was the same player he was ten years ago. More importantly, we have not had a truly elite, difference making pass rusher on the team since DeMarcus Ware departed. Additionally, we have never had a lock down elite corner. Well, we did have a pretty solid lock down corner with Byron Jones but deemed him expendable due to his lack of ball skills. The truth is, the Dallas Cowboys from top to bottom have not been as talented of a team as has been advertised and that has continued to hurt us year after year.
3. PAID THE WRONG PLAYERS
The Dallas Cowboys front office has prided itself on not spending excessive money in free agency but instead building through the draft and paying their own players. This has been a frustrating approach for many Dallas Cowboys fans as they witness other teams make exciting and aggressive offseason moves while the Cowboys bargain shop. This year the bargain shopping did not work out particularly well and virtually their entire list of free agent acquisitions are no longer on the roster. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Maurice Canady were cut. Gerald McCoy was lost to injury and released. Everson Griffen was traded, and Daryl Worley and Dontari Poe were released. Furthermore, some of the players the Dallas Cowboys retained have not lived up to expecations. Jaylon Smith has steadily regressed from his outbreak 2018 season. DeMarcus Lawrence, while he has come on as of late, has been criticised for his lack of sack production since signing his big deal. Ezekiel Elliott has seen his production steadily decline which begs the question; Is it worth it to pay a running back at all? Even, Amari Cooper, who is the clear number one receiver on the team, has often been called out for his lack of consistency. Meanwhile, the franchise allowed their best cornerback Byron Jones to walk away in free agency. But, of all these blunders, the piece de resistence is that the Dallas Cowboys have failed to sign Dak Prescott to long term deal causing his price tag to go up as market values predictably rise.
READ MORE: DAK PRESCOTT IS THE LEADER THE DALLAS COWBOYS DON’T DESERVE
The mismanagement of contracts, investing in the wrong players, and allowing key players to hit free agency are mistakes that could have long term consequences.
2. THEY HIRED THE WRONG COACH
Jason Garrett was clearly not the answer and it was long overdue that the Dallas Cowboys moved on from him. Mike McCarthy was not the first choice for many Dallas Cowboys fans but he does deserve a fair shot. Even still, it can’t be denied that the Green Bay Packers have flourished since McCarthy was fired. They have a 19-5 regular season record under new head coach Matt Lafleur and an appearance in the NFC championship game. Really, Mike McCarthy’s only success in Green Bay has been with hall of fame quarterbacks. Meanwhile the Dallas Cowboys are off to their worst start since 2015 when they finished with a 4-12 record. In addition, the hiring of Mike Nolan as defensive coordinator and John Fassel as special teams coach had until recently resulted in downgrades on units that were already under performing the previous year. The team has seen vast improvements in those areas the last two games but Dallas Cowboys fans expect much more than short term progress. Injuries and a short offseason were certainly obstacles for this new coaching staff so they may get a pass from many Dallas Cowboys fans this season. If the team doesn’t produce the desired results next season however, most Dallas Cowboys fans will be calling for their heads!
1. WE ARE DOOMED WITH JERRY
In the Marvel Avengers movies, Thanos claims himself to be inevitable. I speak for most Dallas Cowboys fans when I say that Jerry Jones is also inevitable. The failures of the past quarter century (where Dallas along with Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Miami, Bufallo, Washington, and Houston have failed to reach a conference championship game) fall squarely on the shoulders of the GM/Owner. No other franchise has to endure the meddling, mismanagement, ego, or stubborn headed tendencies of our Billionaire owner. While Jerry Jones has had great commercial success, he has failed to build upon the dynasties that he along with Jimmy Johnston built in the early 90’s. It is unclear if it is poor roster management, the lack of autonomy enjoyed by the various head coaches, or just the overall culture of the Dallas Cowboys but clearly Jerry Jones is doing something wrong. For many Dallas Cowboys fans, so long as Jerry Jones is in charge there is absolutely no hope for the Dallas Cowboys.
READ MORE; THE REAL PROBLEM WITH THE DALLAS COWBOYS
*Photo by Joe Glorioso All-Pro Reels https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/legalcode