Do not do it!
Regardless of struggling by one other embarrassing Dallas Cowboys playoff defeat, Jerry Jones ought to pause earlier than pulling the plug on the Mike McCarthy experiment. The longtime proprietor ought to keep away from making an emotional resolution that may set again the franchise for the subsequent decade.
Positive, the staff’s current playoff failures fall in need of the “Tremendous Bowl or bust” expectations in Dallas, however McCarthy has guided the Cowboys to a pair of division titles and three straight playoff berths since 2021. As well as, the one-time Tremendous Bowl champion has received 12 video games in every of the previous three years, with the second-most wins (36) within the league behind the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (37) throughout that span.
With McCarthy personally overseeing the NFL’s top-ranked scoring offense (29.9), a quarterback enjoying at an MVP degree and a receiver pushing for the league’s WR1 crown, the Cowboys would make a giant mistake dismissing an elite head coach as a result of staff’s playoff failures.
Amongst coaches who have been on NFL sidelines in 2023, McCarthy’s 167 profession wins place him behind solely Invoice Belichick (302), Andy Reid (258), Mike Tomlin (173) and Pete Carroll (170). His 62.0 successful share ranks forward of these of esteemed offensive coaches Sean McVay (60.9%) and Kyle Shanahan (55.7%).Â
Given the problem of discovering an “elite” coach, Jones mustn’t let his disappointment cloud his judgment when evaluating this system over the subsequent few days. The Cowboys’ offensive success and defensive prowess below McCarthy ought to encourage the loquacious proprietor to run it again with a number of tweaks to the staff and employees, notably with the celebs flourishing throughout the system.
Dak Prescott loved among the finest years of his profession attributable to McCarthy’s quarterback-friendly play designs and play calls. The eighth-year professional posted profession bests in completion share (69.5%) and passer ranking (105.9), with an distinctive touchdown-to-interception ratio (36:9) that mirrored his effectiveness throughout the system.
With the second-team All-Professional enjoying with supreme confidence directing the offense, the Cowboys watched their WR1 evolve into the league’s premier playmaker. CeeDee Lamb led the NFL with 135 receptions whereas tallying 1,749 receiving yards and 12 scores as the highest possibility within the passing recreation. The speedy improvement of the quarterback and receiver ought to assist Jones resist the temptation to explode the offense.
That mentioned, the offense must evolve and develop to allow extra gamers to make important contributions at essential moments. The Cowboys want a workhorse runner to create a extra balanced assault to counter the coverage-based schemes that stymied the staff in huge video games in opposition to the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Payments and Miami Dolphins. As well as, including a high-end WR2 with velocity and big-play potential may alleviate the strain on Lamb to hold the passing recreation as a one-man present on the perimeter.
What went fallacious: Cowboys fall to Packers in first spherical of playoffs
Defensively, the Cowboys’ dismal playoff displaying will overshadow a stellar common season efficiency by a unit specializing in takeaways. Dan Quinn’s turnover-obsessed group has led the NFL in takeaways over the previous three seasons, with a set of scrappy ballhawks swiping the soccer at each flip. The protection’s dominance within the recreation’s greatest space has keyed the Cowboys’ re-emergence as a perennial playoff contender.
Though the lasting pictures of the Inexperienced Bay Packers working by and round a confused and overwhelmed protection will result in powerful questions for the defensive employees, Jones ought to take a panoramic view of the unit. The defensive employees has unlocked the disruptive potential of Dallas’ blue-chip playmakers (Micah Parson and Trevon Diggs) whereas growing an unheralded star (DaRon Bland) right into a gold-star participant. With a forged of veterans thriving round them, the teaching employees is aware of how you can maximize the expertise at its disposal whereas accumulating wins in the course of the common season.
Whereas the playoff failures are perplexing based mostly on the staff’s assortment of expertise and rock-solid scheming, the Cowboys would make a colossal error evaluating McCarthy’s time period purely on postseason efficiency. The staff has undoubtedly improved below his course, with Dallas qualifying for the playoffs for 3 straight seasons for the primary time since making six consecutive appearances from 1991 to 1996.
May Jim Harbaugh or Invoice Belichick substitute Mike McCarthy?
Furthermore, the Cowboys have discovered a coach who has helped the franchise QB play the very best soccer of his profession. Although it has not been ok to assist Dallas attain the championship rounds, Prescott’s consistency in a quarterback-driven league ought to earn McCarthy one other 12 months if he can current a plan to assist the staff transfer nearer to title contender standing.
Whether or not altering the playoff observe plan or making delicate changes to the teaching employees to make sure higher performances in January, the veteran coach should present solutions for the staff’s playoff struggles. Though the uncomfortable conversations will create pressure for the teaching employees all through 2024, the Cowboys’ greatest plan for a title run subsequent season ought to embody McCarthy because the squad chief.
Bucky Brooks is an NFL analyst for FOX Sports activities. He additionally breaks down the sport for NFL Community and as a cohost of the “Transferring the Sticks” podcast. Observe him on Twitter @BuckyBrooks.
Get extra from Nationwide Soccer League Observe your favorites to get details about video games, information and extra