Mike McCarthy Criticizes Cowboys Star After Ugly Locker Room Incident
By Cem Yolbulan
The Dallas Cowboys suffered yet another loss in Week 8, falling to 3-4 for the season. Perhaps the most embarrassing part of their loss against the 49ers was what transpired afterward.
Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs confronted a media member immediately after the game. Cowboys anchor Mike Leslie had tweeted about Diggs' coverage during tight end George Kittle's 43-yard catch and run. The two-time Pro Bowler got in Leslie's face outside the locker room, telling him he didn't know what he was talking about.
In the aforementioned play, it is obvious that Diggs could have done more to stop Kittle's run. He was slow to react and make the tackle. However, whether the criticism is right or wrong is beside the point. Confronting a reporter in that manner is a terrible look for any player in any situation.
And that was what the Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy pointed out on Monday. In his statement about the incident, McCarthy said that the team has to be better in those moments and take the high road, per Cowboys insider Nick Harris.
Cowboys News: Mike McCarthy Addresses Trevon Diggs Drama
The incident is a clear indication of the frustration in the locker room. The Cowboys have been awful on the defensive end all season and Diggs being far from his All-Pro level is a big part of why.
Through seven games, Diggs already has a career-high eight missed tackles, while only recording one interception. He is allowing a 64.3% completion rate when targeted and has the worst PFF grade of his career so far.
If the Cowboys are going anywhere this season, the defense under Mike Zimmer has to improve significantly. Diggs is going to have to play a big part in that, but lashing out at media members is certainly not the way to do it.