Another Cowboys season has come to an end with the same results from the past few seasons. It's beyond difficult being a Cowboys fan recently. Always hoping something will change, only to be let down at the end of the season. Can anyone really say the Cowboys are closer to a championship or even a deep run in the playoffs that they were two, three, four, five or even six years ago?
Back in 1989 when Jimmy Johnson became the head coach the Cowboys finished 1-15, but even back then fans could see progress. They could see the team moving in the right direction. They improved in 1990 and then again in 1991 and of course becoming the team of the 90s with three Super Bowl titles. To me those are key words...PROGRESS AND IMPROVEMENT. I just don't see it with current Cowboys.
Progress - growth or development; continuous improvement
Improvement - a change or addition by which a thing is improved
With the current Cowboys I've seen no progress or improvement. So what is the problem with the Cowboys? Is it the talent level of the players? Is it the coaching? Is it the ownership/GM of Jerry Jones? As fans there are many different opinions. Most blame Jerry Jones simply because everything has changed with the team since the mid-90s except one thing and that one thing is Jerry Jones. Others believe the blame should go to Jason Garrett since he is only 29-27 since becoming the coach in 2010 and has yet to make the playoffs. Maybe the Cowboys just don't have the talent that most fans believe they do? Some also say that injuries have held that Cowboys back recently. But when it comes to injuries I don't really buy into it that much. Why? Just look at a team like the Patriots who had many key season ending injuries in 2013, but yet they still won 12 games and a division championship. So with that said does it bring everything back to coaching?
Since Jason Garrett has been the head coach of the Cowboys all we have heard about is getting the right kind of players and that it's a process. Well, I'm one Cowboys fan who is tired of hearing the word process. How long does this process take for the Cowboys to take the next step? I would say this team needs a complete rebuild from top to bottom, but once again as each layer is fired or let go the one thing that will remain is Jerry Jones. Do I believe that an experienced head coach can come into Dallas and lead them back to greatness? Yes, I do, but only if Jerry Jones stops being involved like he currently is, but of course no one believes that will happen.
When you look around the league there are so many teams over the last few seasons that have made progress and have improved and continue to improve even more. There is never a word about a process with these teams. They hire coaches to teach and players to play. They put it all together and good things happen. Yes, I understand that this is not always the case, but take a look at some of the examples listed below and then tell me if you see anything you can compare to the Jason Garrett led Cowboys.
1. The Saints finished the 2012 season with a 7-9 record without their head coach Sean Payton. In 2013 with Sean Payton back as head coach the Saints finished with an 11-5 record and got back into the playoffs. Payton has also led the Saints to the playoffs five of his seven seasons as head coach, which includes a Super Bowl title in 2009.
2. Since hiring Pete Carroll as head coach in 2010 the Seahawks have improved and have made the playoffs three of the last four seasons. In 2013 they finished with a 13-3 record and earned the number one seed in the NFC.
3. The 49ers from 2003 to 2010 never won more than 8 games in a season and never made the playoffs. Since hiring Jim Harbaugh as head coach in 2011 the 49ers have made the playoffs every season and have become one of the league’s best teams, which includes a trip to Super Bowl XLVII last season where they lost 34-31 to the Ravens.
4. The Colts finished 2011 with a 2-14 record without Peyton Manning who was injured. The Colts went out and hired new head coach Chuck Pagano in 2012 and also decided to part ways with Peyton Manning after 14 seasons. With the number one pick the Colts selected new quarterback Andrew Luck. As a rookie in 2012 Luck led the Colts to an 11-5 record and the playoffs. Then again in 2013 the Colts finished 11-5 and won the division.
5. The Chiefs finished 2012 with a 2-14 record. They hired new head coach Any Reid in 2013 and also brought in their new franchise quarterback Alex Smith. The Chiefs were one of the best teams in the league in 2013 and finished with an 11-5 record and made the playoffs.
6. With new head coach John Fox, the Broncos made the playoffs and won a playoff game in 2011 with Tim Tebow at quarterback. Then the Broncos brought in Peyton Manning in 2012 to be their quarterback and they have become one of the best teams in the league since then, winning 13 games in 2012 and 2013, which also included being the number one seed in the AFC both seasons.
Those are just a few examples of teams progressing and showing improvement in a short amount of time. So WHAT is so different with those teams compared to the Cowboys? And WHY have these franchises been able to turn things around and do so much in a short amount of time?
I just don't know any more to be honest with you. But what I do know is that whatever the Cowboys are doing is not working and I'm tired of it.
Blame Jerry Jones
Blame Jason Garrett
Blame the players
Blame all the above if you want
But just keep this in mind while you are choosing who to blame. Nothing is changing with the Cowboys. They are who they are. Same owner, same coach, same players for the most part and then add in the fact that they are in salary cap hell does not do a whole lot as far as confidence in this team. While Garrett continues to talk about the process, other teams are making the playoffs, getting to the Super Bowl and winning the Super Bowl.
Looking at things as they stand today tells me that the 2014 Cowboys will be lucky to win those eight games that they have won each of the last three seasons.
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