Dallas Cowboys: Five outsider misconceptions of the franchise
By Reid Hanson
The Cowboys got worse this season
The media’s narrative this season seems to be completely focused on two things:
- The big names no longer on the roster.
- The last eight games of Dak Prescott’s career.
What they universally forget is context. When you apply that context, things are not nearly as scary as outsiders make it sound, and things actually look pretty darn rosy for the Cowboys.
The homies no longer with us
Dez Bryant, Jason Witten, and Alfred Morris are no longer with the Cowboys. While all of those names deserve our utmost respect, they were also declining players who were no longer performing near the caliber they once did. With the exception of Witten at tight end, an argument can be made the Cowboys will be better without the boisterous Dez Bryant and the steady Alfred Morris.
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For running back, Zeke is no longer facing suspension and appears extremely motivated to prove he’s the best RB in the NFL once again. While outsiders like to focus on the big names Dallas lost (Darren McFadden and Alfred Morris), the trio of backs replacing those two this year (Rod Smith, Bo Sarsbrough, and Darius Jackson) look like considerable upgrades. Replacing Dez will be a committee of receivers who specialize in route running and consistency – two qualities Dak Prescott prefers in his receivers. None are as talented as Dez but none are expected to be the distraction Dez was either. This is a true addition by subtraction situation.
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Dak Prescott’s decline
The last eight games of the season Dak Prescott looked dreadful. But to say “it’s because the league figured him out and that’s the passer he’s always going to be” is forgetting all context. And the part of the story outsiders seem to remember (Zeke’s suspension) isn’t the context in which I’m speaking.
The Dallas Cowboys offensive line fell apart. Plain and simple. In week 9 against Atlanta, the Cowboys were without All-Pro LT, Tyron Smith. Replacing Smith was Chaz Green. I don’t have to remind you how poorly Chaz played. Multiple analysts referred to his performance as “the worst [they’ve ] ever seen”.
And it wasn’t just LT. La’el Collins wasn’t playing well either. Still learning the tackle position, Collins was guilty of allowing far too much pressure himself (he greatly improved the last couple games but ¾ of the season he was a liability in pass-protection).
With pass-protection suddenly at an epic low, Dak Prescott could no longer concentrate downfield like he once did. Even when there wasn’t pressure, Dak was uncomfortable. That shell-shock understandably took its toll. Cowboys Nation knows this. That’s why the Cowboys invested in the best swing tackle on the market and drafted a blue-chip offensive linemen. Outsiders refuse to aknowledge it – preferring instead to just blame Dak.
Which Dak Prescott shows up this season remains to be seen, but to ignore his first 24 games, which are arguably the best first-24 in NFL history, and solely focus on the last eight, is a little unfair.
When you really look things over, the Dallas Cowboys improved in nearly every area of the game.
The receiving targets (WR and TE) may be lacking, but the pass-protection, running game, pass-rush, linebacker corps, and defensive backfield all noticeably improved. As did coaching and overall depth.
Heck, the Cowboys might even add Earl Thomas before all is said and done. But even if they don’t, they appear to be better in the secondary given the organic progression of their young playmakers.
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When you’re a team like the Dallas Cowboys, you’re bound to go up against some popular misconceptions. Most are lazy and others are misguided, but at the end of the day it’s Cowboys Nation against the world. So set those fools straight, good people. Even if you sound like a homer.