Dallas Cowboys Problems: The Issue Goes Beyond Jerry Jones and Wade Phillips

Let’s just get this out of the way.

I’m a Dallas Cowboys fan.

For those of you who don’t want to read my musings anymore…G.T.F.O.

For those of you still here(which may be only me), let’s figure out what’s going on here.

Now I’m not normally one of those armchair QB’s who think they could coach the team better than the guy who’s in charge. I only played football when I was a kid and I’ve never coached, however I am quite the beast on the 360.  Regardless of qualifications, I have been a football fan since about the age of 8 and sometimes common sense outweighs x’s and o’s.

Most people are quick to jump on the same old cast for the Cowboys problems, namely Jerry Jones, Wade Phillips, and Tony Romo.  They are not the problem.  Whatever you want to say about Jerry Jones the man spends money and gets players on the roster to go with his three Lombardi trophies.  Wade Phillips has a 60% winning percentage in his career, and he took the Buffalo Bills to the playoffs…that in itself should be enough to make him at least a decent coach.  Tony Romo is an absolutely horrible quarterback.  Only 3 out of his 4 seasons has he made the playoffs or the Pro Bowl.  Not to mention the fact that he’s third in NFL history for QB rating.  Where’s Quincy Carter and Chad Hutchinson when you need them?

The Cowboys problems are actually pretty easy to diagnose.

#1 You remember the old adage that having 2 QB’s is like having none?  I think the same thing applies to 3 running backs.  Barber, Choice, and Jones are as talented as any threesome in the league, but it doesn’t matter because they’re misused.  Barber’s best season was when he closed games for Julius Jones, not started them.  Jones is just as talented as Chris Johnson, Jamaal Charles, Jahvid Best and the like, but they never get him the ball in space and he never gets enough touches to do any damage.  Choice is a combination of both, but he’s the odd man out in this rotation.  He should be traded for a pick of some sort.

#2 Penalties, penalties, and more penalties.  I’ve never seen a team commit more boneheaded penalties with the game on the line than these guys.  I know it’s easy to blame the coaches, but they’re not the ones on the field.  Mental toughness isn’t something you can be taught, it’s something that is inside of you.  When it’s crunch time, nothing is more apparent.  The Cowboys need to sack up and quit shooting themselves in the foot.

#3 Toughness.  The Cowboys have one of the biggest offensive lines in the NFL…and they spend the majority of the time in the shotgun.  I know the NFL has moved to more of a passing league, but lining up and kicking someones ass still works in the NFL…just ask the New York Jets.  The Cowboys need to quit calling a finesse offense and just run the ball down people’s throat.  Utilize your talent at running back and the passing game will fall in place.  Romo is best when he’s on the move out of play action anyway.

Simple problems-simple fixes.  From this point forward I wouldn’t be surprised if Dallas won out, or went 4-12.  It’s a long season and it’s way too early to panic, but if the ‘Boys want a home game for the Super Bowl they’re going to have to right the ship this week against Houston.  If they don’t Jerry, call me…or G.T.F.O.