The Dallas Cowboys were a top notch franchise from about 1966 to 1984 when Tom Landry was their head coach. During that time, the Cowboys played in 5 Super Bowls and won 2 of them. The Cowboys defeated the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VI 24-3 and defeated the Denver Bronco's in Super Bowl X 27-10.
The Cowboys were defeated by the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl V on the game's final play. They lost 21-17 to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl X and lost 35-31 to the Steelers in Super Bowl XIII. They also lost the NFL Championship games in 1966 and 1967 to the Green Bay Packers for the right to go to the first two Super Bowls. Additionally, they lost NFC championship games in 1972,1973,1980,1981,1982 and 1994.
For close to 20 years, the Cowboys set a high standard and frequently lived up to that standard. From 1985 to 1991, the Cowboys struggled to rebuild and win consistently. Then, in Jimmy Johnson's third year, the Cowboys won a playoff game. In Johnson's final two years, the Cowboys won back to back Super Bowls. Two years later, with Barry Switzer as coach, the Cowboys won their fifth Super Bowl in team history. Since then, the Cowboys have not made it back to the Conference Championship game.
The Cowboys were often in the thick of things. They were consistently relevant. The Cowboys were one of the marquee franchises in the NFL. However, for the last 22 years the Cowboys have been inconsistent. They have had some good seasons, but for most of the last two decades the Cowboys have been mediocre.
Over the last 22 seasons, the Cowboys have only 9 seasons of at least 10 wins or more. So, they have been average or bad for 13 of the last 22 seasons. The outstanding legacy of Tom Landry and Jimmy Johnson has been replaced by inconsistency. The high standards of the past have been replaced by acceptance of mediocrity. So, the Cowboys find themselves at a cross roads of sorts. Will they continue the inconsistent play of the past 22 seasons, or will they attempt to return to the foundation given by Landry and Johnson?
The team's struggles are attributable to various factors: Poor drafts, questionable head coach hirings, poor salary cap management and the inability to play well when it matters most. The poor drafts came from Jerry Jones' poor decisions. Jones' decision to never hire a general manager has left the team without a true leader who is an expert in football. Jones, a successful businessman, has not been a good general manager.
In fairness to the Cowboys, most teams have been inconsistent in the salary cap era. Most teams have struggled to be consistent since the salary cap was implemented. The salary cap makes it difficult for teams to retain their best players. The salary cap makes it difficult for teams to re sign their draft choices after their rookie contract is over. However, it is still necessary for the Cowboys to become more consistent. Excuses are not acceptable.
Regardless of the salary cap, Jones' choices for head coach have also been questionable. Dave Campo and Wade Phillips are better coordinators than head coaches. Chan Gailey guided the Cowboys to two consecutive playoff seasons, but was not retained for a third season. Bill Parcells helped rebuild the Cowboys. However, Parcells lacked the commitment to finish the job and left the Cowboys after four seasons. Jason Garrett will enter his 8th full season next year. The results under Garrett have been inconsistent, and if the Cowboys do not win at least one playoff game next year, Garrett may be fired.
Garrett has a good record during the regular season. Garrett is 67-53 during the regular season. However, he is 1-2 during the playoffs. Additionally, the Cowboys have only had 3 winning seasons in his 7 full seasons as coach. The team seems to take one step forward and one step backwards. The Cowboys have not been able to sustain success from one season to the next. The front office, coaches and players have to figure out a way to sustain success from one season to the next.
The Cowboys seem to be better run now than at any point since 1995. Jones has given more power to Will McClay who runs the Cowboys' draft and sets the draft board. Jones also seems open to listening to Garrett who makes good suggestions of who to draft. Additionally, offensive coordinator Scott Linehan and a defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli have imput into the drafts. The Cowboys have good scouts whose suggestions are taken seriously. The Cowboys appear to be headed in the right direction. Their most recent drafts have helped the Cowboys improve.
In the 2017 draft, the Cowboys selected cornerbacks Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis as well as Xavier Woods. All three have strengthened their secondary. Defensive tackle, Taco Charlton, had a disappointing rookie season. However, he can still develop into a solid defensive tackle. All four of these players have added strength and depth to their defense. They should be even better in their second season.
In the 2016 draft, the Cowboys selected running back Ezekiel Elliott in the first round. He lead the NFL in rushing his rookie season. Elliott is a complete running back. He can run through the tackles and around the end. He can catch passes out of the backfield and block on third down. He accelerates in the open field and he can fight for the extra yard. He is the focal point of the Cowboy offense.
In 2016, the Cowboys also drafted defensive tackle Maliek Collins in the third round. Collins is a versatile defensive tackle who was an excellent choice in the third round. After a pass is completed, Collins can chase down a receiver and make a tackle. He never stops until the play is over. He can fight through blocks, put pressure on a quarterback and sack the quarterback. He can pursue running backs and prevent them from advancing. Collins' ability to stop the run and put pressure on the quarterback has helped the Cowboys become stronger on defense.
In 2016, Anthony Brown, as a rookie drafted in the 6th round, stepped into a starting position after the secondary experienced some injuries. Brown did not disappoint. Brown played with confidence and poise. He showed good instincts. He knew when to break on a pass and his timing was excellent. He was able to knock down passes and step in front of wide receivers and intercept passes. He showed the instincts and ability of a seasoned veteran. Brown helped to improve the secondary.
In the 4th round of the 2016 draft, the Cowboys selected quarterback Dak Prescott. At first, he was tabbed as the third string quarterback behind Tony Romo and Kellen Moore. Injuries to both Romo and Moore, created a starting opportunity for Prescott. The rookie quarterback led the Cowboys to a 13-3 season and a first round bye in the playoffs. During his rookie season, Prescott threw 23 touchdowns and only 4 interceptions. He completed almost 68% of his passes. He did not have as much success in his second year, however, he still was a steady and reliable quarterback. In his rookie season, Prescott made good decisions with the football on a consistent basis.
In his second year, Prescott's decision making was less consistent. However, he still has the qualities to be an effective quarterback in the NFL. Next year, Prescott should be able to lead the Cowboys on the field to a successfull season.
Prescott does many things well as a quarterback. He can roll right and find open receivers. He can pump fake and draw the safety in, which can lead to an open receiver or a receiver that has one on one coverage. Prescott does a decent job of making his reads and finding the open receiver. He's accurate and has a strong enough arm to make deep throws. He tries hard to protect the football and avoid turnovers. For the most part, he makes good decisions with the football. Additionally, he leads the team well and has command of the huddle. In a word, he has many of the qualities that teams look for in a franchise quarterback.
In 2018, Prescott was ranked as the best tight window passer in the NFL. A tight window throw is defined "as a throw when the intended receiver hd less than a yard of separation from the defender." Prescott completed a league best 45.8% of those kind of passes is 82.1, which was also the best in the NFL last season. His yards per attempt for these kind of throws is 6.23, which was 4th in the NFL last season.
However, despite Prescott's accomplishments, he could still improve. While head coach Jason Garrett acknowledges that Prescott has had good beginning to his career, he still says Prescott needs to improve. Garrett says that Prescott "can improve in every way. In every aspect of the position, he has to improve. And again he'd be the first one to tell you that." Garrett went on to say that Prescott needs to improve "his mechanics, the way he throws the football, his decisiveness, the way he throws the football, his decision making. Those things can get better and they will get better." So, despite Prescott's good start, thenCowboys are looking for him to improve.
The Cowboys are trying to create "a Dak friendly offense." They are trying to draft and acquire players who are compatible with Prescott's strengths. Instead of focusing on one receiver, Prescott will try and spread the football around to multiple players. He will not hone in on one receiver, instead he will throw the football to the open receiver. This approach, combined with the running of Elliott, should make the Cowboys' offense more effective.
While the Cowboys believe that Prescott will be with the team for a while, the Cowboys chose to move on from wide receiver Dez Bryant. From 2012 to 2014, Bryant was one of the best receivers in the NFL. During that period, he averaged 91 catches for 1311 yards and 13 touchdowns. He was a very consistent player for the Cowboys during that stretch. Due to his success, he received a 70 million dollar contract, 45 million of which was gauranteed.
However, over the last 3 years due to injury and poor play, Bryant's production has faltered. Over the last three years, Bryant has averaged 50 catches for 678 yards and 5 touchdowns. Many criticize Bryant's sloppy route running and his lack of consistency. Additionally, Bryant lead the NFL with 12 dropped passes.
Hopefully, Bryant will be a good fit for his new team, and the Cowboys will be able to rebuild their wide receiver corps.
In the day and age of the salary cap, how teams allocate their money makes a big difference in whether or not the team can be successful on the field. Teams need to get good play from players who make the most money. The Cowboys need to spend their money on players who can consistently help them win.
Free agency presents a real challenge for Dallas. The salary cap makes it difficult for teams to retain their best players. After a team drafts and develops a player, it may not be able to keep the player. This is frustrating for NFL teams. It's also difficult for the Cowboys who place a premium on re signing it's own players. The Cowboys stay away from spending big on free agents. Instead, the team prefers to sign their own players who they know and are comfortable with. The Cowboys may sign second and third tier free agents, but rarely sign first tier free agents who command a premium salary.
The Cowboys signed wide receiver Deonte Thompson of the Buffalo Bills. Thompson is a speedy wide receiver who may give the Cowboys a deep threat. Of course, Prescott will have to be able to get Thompson the football on deep throws. In any event, Thompson figures to stretch the field for Dallas. The Cowboys have not had a speedy wide receiver who can go deep for a while. Adding Thompson will give the Cowboys' offense another dimension.
The Cowboys also added Allen Hurns, a talented possession receiver for the Jacksonville Jaquars. Hurns will start and be counted on by Prescott. He will be an important part of the Cowboys' passing game.
Cole Beasley, last year's leading receiver, returns for another year. Beasley is a sure handed receiver who can get open underneath. He is not a number one receiver with impeccable speed. Nevertheless, he is a good receiver who understands how to get open pick up some yards after the catch. In 2016, Beasley lead the team with 75 receptions and 833 yards. However, his numbers went down last year. During the 2017 season, Beasley had only 36 receptions for 314 yards. If Beasley could come close to duplicating his numbers from the 2016 season, it would help Dallas' passing game.
The Cowboys were not able to re sign linebacker Anthony Hitchens. The Cowboys are trying to offset this loss through the drafting of Leighton Vander Esch. They are also hoping that Sean Lee and Jaylon Smith can play at a high level next season.
Under defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli, the Cowboys have been competitive, but they still need to improve. Under Marinelli's guidance, the Cowboys have adopted a bend, but do not break defensive philosophy. They like to keep the play in front of them and they guard against the big play. They do their best to make the play in front of them. The Cowboys rarely blitz, because they are concerned about being beat with a big play. This defensive philosophy helps the Cowboys to avoid giving up big plays, but it also prevents them from making many big plays on defense.
The Cowboys have been trying for years to create more turnovers. Marinelli has the defense practice trying to take th football away from the offense. However, Dallas still needs to create more turnovers. They need to create more fumbles and intercept more passes.
Offensively, the Cowboys are trying to create a system that is suited to Prescott's strengths. This system has been termed "Dak friendly." This system has been difficult for the team to define. Presumably, it will involve roll outs, short so intermediate passes, sideline passes and the run option. Prescott is the kind of quarterback who can help a team win. However, he cannot carry a team. So, a "Dak friendly" offense will have to involve a power running game behind an effective offensive line.
Linehan, along with Garrett will need to design plays that take advantage of Prescott's strengths. He will have to design plays that can implement Prescott's ability to thrown into tight windows and throw on the run. This may also involve obtaining and acquiring wide receivers who can run routes that are suited to Prescott's strengths as a quarterback. It is is the job of the coaches to define what "Dak friendly" offense means. Then it is their jobs to implement the plays that are suited to Prescott.
A good offense needs counter moves as well. In today's NFL, the scouting is so advanced that teams can prepare for any offense or defense. Teams are aware of Prescott's strengths and what he likes to do as a quarterback. So, the Cowboys will have to keep teams guessing. They will have to be somewhat "unpredictable" as Jerry Jones as said in the past. Garrett and Linehan have to add wrinkles to the offense so that they can keep opposing defenses on their toes.
The Cowboys can continue to build their offense around the running game. Elliott is one of the game's best running backs and he is running behind one of the best offensive lines. The Cowboys can establish the run early in games, which would strengthen the effectiveness of the play action pass.
In addition to having a consistent offensive and defensive strategy, the Cowboys also have a good draft stategy. Jerry Jones, Stephen Jones, Jason Garrett, Scott Linehan, Rod Marinelli and the Cowboys' scouts all have roles in determining who the Cowboys draft. However, the man that brings everything together is Will Mc Clay, who is ultimately in charge of the Dallas draft board.
There are many different voices within the Cowboy organization, but Mc Clay helps bring all of the voices together. Mike Fisher of Dallas Fort Worth Radio says the following about McClay: "In addition to being the scouting guru, as he's often labeled, he is a unifier between ownership, coaching staff, scouting department and even the locker room." Mc Clay helps bring stability to the organization and the draft. He is someone who could serve as a general manager in other organizations. He could also be the general manager for the Cowboys, but that position is help by Jerry Jones. Nevertheless, Mc Clay's presence makes the Cowboys better. His presence helps the Cowboys to be the best team that they can be.
It will be difficult for the Cowboys to return to consistent excellence. The salary cap makes it difficult for any team to achieve sustained success or consecutive championships. However, the Cowboys need to prove that they can win even one championship in the salary cap era. So, far they have not done that.
The salary cap mitigates against the creation of dynasties because it makes it difficult for teams to keep their own players. Often, teams lose the players that they draft and develop. A team's best players often leave when they are free agents to make more money elsewhere. Therefore, teams have to try and win while dealing with the cap. Good teams that are well run can at least remain competitive every year even if they cannot win multiple championships. The Cowboys have to figure out how to remain a top notch team every year.
The 2018 NFL draft may help the Cowboys improve their team. They were able to address holes on their team and needs for improvement. The draft gave them some depth and may have given them some starting players.
In the first round, the Cowboys selected Leighton Vander Esch, a linebacker out of Boise State. He had 114 tackles last year. He moves well from one side of the field to the other. He is fast and a good tackler. He pursues the ball carrier well and is a hard worker. He has similar size to Brian Urlacher and Anthony Barr, two players who were both selected 9th in the first round of their particular drafts. It is uncertain whether Vander Esch can be as good as Urlacher or Barr. However, Vander Esch should start from day one and mitigate the loss of Anthony Hitchens who went to Kansas City as a free agent.
In the second round, the Cowboys drafted Connor Williams, an offensive lineman from the University of Texas. Williams grew up in the Dallas area. Williams played tackle in college, but may transition to guard. Williams was seen as a first round or early second round talent, but the Cowboys were able to select him with the 50th overall pick. He will bolster the team's offensive line, which is already the team's strongest unit.
Michael Gallup, a wide receiver from Colorado State, was the team's third round pick. Gallup was an All-American at Colorado state. Last year, Gallup caught over 100 passes for over 1,000 yards. Gallup could win a starting job or provide depth at the wide receiver position for Dallas.
With their first pick in the fourth round, the Cowboys selected Dorrance Armstrong, jr. a defensive end from Kansas University. Armstrong can rush the quarterback and bat down passes. As the quarterback steps up in the pocket, Armstrong can tackle him from behind.
In the fourth round, the Cowboys also selected Dalton Schultz, a tight end from Stanford. Schultz runs routes well, has good hands and can fight for every yard. Schultz can line up on either side of the line of scrimmage. He can line up on the line or in the slot. In addition to blocking at the line, he also can block down field. Schultz will not be a full time starter, but he can compete for snaps and get playing time.
In 2018, the Cowboys will have to adjust to the release of Bryant. Defenses may play an extra man in the box to stop Elliott. Defenses may not respect the Cowboys' receivers. The receivers will have to prove themselves so that defenses will take them seriously. The Cowboys have no certain number one receiver, so teams do not have to double team one of the receivers. Elliott is a good runner, but he will be more successful if defenses have to guard against the pass. The need to establish respect for their receivers will be one of the biggest challenges the Cowboys face in 2018.
However, the absence of a number one wide receiver may be good for Dallas. Prescott will not have pressure to force the football to one player. He can make his reads and pass the ball to the open receiver. The absence of this kind of pressure may give Prescott the confidence that he needs to make his own decisions. The Cowboys may do fine without a number one receiver. They may have enough cululative talent at the position to offset the need for a go to receiver.
Defensively, the Cowboys also will have challenges. Can Demarcus Lawrence prove that last year was not a fluke? Lawrence was one of the better pass rushers in the NFL last year. He finished with 14.5 sacks last season. Can he duplicate that next season?
The Cowboys face many questions entering the 2018 season.
Can Sean Lee stay healthy? Lee, when healthy, is one of the best linebackers in the NFL. He is the leader of the Cowboys' defense. He is a good tackler and leader. If he can stay healthy, he can anchor the Cowboys' linebackers and their overall defense.
The Cowboys' defense is improving. The team has made good draft picks and they are gradually becoming a solid defense. Will that improvement be enough for Dallas to be one of the better defenses in the NFC? Will they be able to create more turnovers this season? Marinelli puts a premium on creating turnovers, but so far the Cowboys have not been able to consistently create turnovers during Marinell's tenture as defensive coordinator.
Will the Cowboys be able to overcome the loss of Bryant and the retirement of Witten? Both experienced much success in Dallas during their careers. Both were go to guys in the Cowboys' offense. Prescott will have to spread the football around to different receivers. The Cowboys do not have a number one receiver. They do not have a go to receiver. So, they will have to rely on many different receivers.
Will Elliott remain active and avoid future suspensions? Elliott is a talented running back, but he needs to behave in a mature manner off of the field. He needs to stay out of trouble and avoid being suspended in the future.
Will the Cowboys' offensive line remain a strength? Dallas' offensive line is among the best in the NFL. Tyrone Smith, Zach Martin, Travis Frederick, Connor Williams and La'el Collins make up a formidable offensive line. The Cowboys' offensive line is especially good in the running game. They could still improve in the passing game, but they are the best run blocking offensive line in football. The Cowboys' offensive line needs to continue to be the major strength of the team.
The Cowboys need to continue to make good decisions in the draft. Successful teams build through the draft. Successful teams draft the right players and develop them. The best teams annually add talent to their team through the draft. It is the best way to build a good team. Draft picks in the NFL are very valuable. Teams need to draft starters in the first three rounds. Teams need to draft good back up players in rounds 4-6. Additionally, teams need to acquire good non drafted free agents. The Cowboys need to continue to develop through the draft. They need to accurately assess college players and pick the right players for their team.
The Cowboys may be on the verge of another successful era. They have improved over the last few years and appear to be headed in the right direction.
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