The calendar year started in a very unfortunate way for the fans. A good production from the team was expected from the training camp after a season to be forgotten. Dak Prescott‘s injury had derailed all plans in week 5 in 2020. However, the return of the quarterback made believe in the possibility of a favorable outcome. That would be out as early as the wild card round.
Several days have passed since the loss at home against the 49ers that put an end to those illusions. The mistakes to get to that disappointing elimination were many. As many as those responsible for not meeting the demanding expectations that the roster had generated. Taking into account that soon it will be time to look forward, there is still some space to qualify the performances of each protagonist. Today: the head coach
Mike McCarthy, head coach 😀
The rating isn’t any better because the reason he was hired is for the franchise to make a quality leap over the Jason Garrett era. In a process that was highly criticized for the lack of variable alternatives that Jerry Jones interviewed, the path chosen by the owner was that of a consecrated veteran. Other options with projection were discarded due to the intended immediacy of results.
Although the manner in which the elimination occurred is very descriptive of McCarthy’s tenure with the Cowboys. Not so much because of the loss itself against a great adversary like San Francisco, but because of how it all happened. The innumerable amount of infractions committed by the players speaks of a team without any discipline. Penalties like defensive pass interference can pass, but not the kind seen last Sunday.
It is true that they are errors of those who are on the ground. But that may serve to explain when viewed in isolation. In this case it is an undisciplined roster. Fouls before the snap are inexcusable for any pro. That in the first action there is an invasion of the neutral zone is difficult to accept. Even more serious were the two false starts when returning from halftime that transformed an accessible 3rd and 4 into 3rd and 14.
Two consecutive DAL false start penalties makes it 4th & 14, Prescott sacked by Arik Armstead for 6-yd loss .. 3 & Out#49ers 16 #Cowboys 7 Q3 pic.twitter.com/5skxWtZ6JB
— Sᴘᴏʀᴛs 24/7 (@Sports_24x7_) January 16, 2022
Referees often make mistakes. In situations like Thanksgiving Day with the Raiders they were decisive against Dallas. However, it is a very basic excuse when a team is the most penalized in the entire NFL through 17 games. It is possible to be deprived of a victory on occasion, although believing that this occurs in the duration of an entire season is a fallacious simplification. They were the most punished for the lack of attention.
A worrying lack of accountability is another obvious weakness in the head coach. Not taking care of one’s own is something McCarthy falls into often. The perfect test is in what happened in what was the last image of the team in the playoffs. Beyond the opinion that each one may have, when a decision is condemned by all the experts in a sector such as former players and coaches, it is probably because there was a mistake.
Nobody believed that opting for a QB draw with 14 seconds was a good idea. It was too much of a risk to gain ten or fifteen yards. Especially since perfect timing was needed. That all participants were focused on their task. For Prescott to have time to whip the ball every detail had to go right. If that action had really been trained to exhaustion, it had to work.
What a way to end the game! #SuperWildCard pic.twitter.com/esKKpbkrQn
— NFL (@NFL) January 17, 2022
The fault in that play is shared by several. From Kellen Moore, through McCarthy and logically to Prescott for not sliding before or giving the ball to the referee. But that the head coach doubled down days later saying it was the right thing to do speaks to an alarming lack of self-criticism.
In such a bizarre ending for an important team like the Cowboys, the characteristic that defines the HC was evident. Every time a duel enters the decisive part, what reigns is not tranquility. In those instances it is chaos who takes the reins of the team. That way you can win the NFC East, but you’re incompetent against well-coached opponents.
That had already been seen in 2020. The excuse of the coronavirus served as the ideal scapegoat for McCarthy, despite the fact that other new coaches did not go through the problems that Dallas showed. Prescott’s injury was the other argument used. However, until Dak’s injury, disorder had also been seen everywhere.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones: “I’m not trying to be any way. It’s just not in our best interest to talk about where we are with members of this staff right now. We’ve got 29 coaches. …I’ve got a lot to think about regarding these coaches.” Same for scouts, other aspects of team. https://t.co/9WrdEqOema
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) January 21, 2022
During the week Stephen Jones said he was convinced that the coach would continue in office. In his presence conference, HC himself was confident. However, on Friday Jerry’s word was different. “I have a lot to think about when it comes to these coaches,” he said in his radio interview with 105.3 The Fan.
“I’m not going for that. I have tried to boost it. I want those things to be acknowledged and addressed after the first game. Or the sixth. I don’t want to wait until we’re sitting here with no season to see what we’re doing or not doing. You have to adjust or you don’t have a job, ”he replied about correcting details in the offseason.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones certainly did not give a ringing endorsement of Mike McCarthy and his coaching staff during his @1053thefan appearance this morning pic.twitter.com/lE1ZYYyOG4
– Jon Machota (onjonmachota) January 21, 2022
The truth is that you will have to have some patience to know what the owner of the franchise will do. For now, the contribution of the head coach was indebted. His five-year contract could be a relevant factor, although it should not depend on it. The disappointing exit from the playoffs had him primarily responsible for not making the right decisions.
