The Cowboys dropped to 1-2 on Sunday after a second straight home defeat. Sunday’s game against the Ravens included a late comeback attempt but it was defined in large part by another poor showing against the run. 
Baltimore amassed 274 rushing yards during the win, one which followed a blowout loss to the Saints including major production on the ground. Struggles in that department – along with an ineffective rushing attack – have led to renewed questions about changes in the lineup or on the sidelines. When speaking after the the game, though, owner Jerry Jones confirmed no such moves are imminent.
“I don’t have any concern about our players buying into the coaching staff, or the staff buying into the players,” Jones said (via WFAA’s Ed Werder). “That’s not it.”
Dallas leads the league in passing yards per game, but the team ranks 29th with an average of less than 74 yards per game on the ground. Defensively, the team sits at or near the bottom in a number of categories; that includes the NFL’s worst run defense (186 yards per contest allowed).
Plenty of work therefore needs to be done by defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer and Co. during his first year back as the Cowboys’ defensive play-caller. Head coach Mike McCarthy is of course in a lame-duck season at the moment, and continued struggles could lead to increased calls for a change on the sidelines. Jones’ remarks illustrate his confidence in the veteran staffers, however.
With respect to personnel, a similar mindset is in place. No major in-season move is currently being contemplated, something which could of course change closer to the trade deadline. With nearly $24MM in cap space, the Cowboys have more financial flexibility than most teams at the moment. Jones is confident Dallas’ in-house players will be able to rebound from a disappointing start and render a midseason addition unnecessary.
“Well, I love out quarterback, highest paid guy in the NFL,” Jones added (via ESPN’s Todd Archer). “Love our receiver,” a reference to CeeDee Lamb. “Like our offensive line. And, frankly, I like some of the things we’re doing on the defensive line… I say ‘all-in’ on personnel… I don’t see personnel changes out here. I see everybody doing better. Getting better.”
The Cowboys’ offseason consisted of few outside additions while negotiations with Lamb and Prescott took place. The former landed the second-highest AAV for receivers ($34MM) while the latter agreed to a record-breaking $60MM-per-year pact hours before Dallas’ first regular season game. An accord similarly moving Micah Parsons to the top of the edge rush market is expected for next offseason. In the meantime, the incumbent staff members and players will be counted on to deliver another postseason appearance after a slow start to the campaign.
Coach should be packing up his office right now
The DC? For sure!! That defense is horrible
There’s more to it than this, but on the offensive side of the ball, they need their young linemen to get some seasoning and clean up their game. Personnel changes aren’t going to solve that. On the defensive side of the ball, they’re once again too soft against the run up the middle, but bringing in more 30-something DTs to try to make up for Mazi Smith’s failings isn’t going to fix that either. Few things worse in team building than when you reach to draft for need and then the guy isn’t even good at the need.
For the love of god never again draft a UM D linemen
I think the Lions would disagree.
Sorry defensive tackle
That’s great that Jerry likes his players. What he should be doing is hiring a football staff and asking them what they think of the players.
Need someone to ask Jerry why he gave his QB outside the top 10 the most money in the NFL
That’s not fair. You can argue that Dak is in the lower tier of the Top 10. Saying that, yes the contract is still questionable though.
He will never win but he is not outside the top 10…..
Misery isn’t Dallas doesn’t have money to spend it’s that they overpay certain players that Jerry is enamored with and run cheap on positions where they need help.
His 60M and 34M will consume a large chunk of cap in the future with there being 1-2 players on D that’ll get big bucks so 47- 49 other players are having to be paid on the cheap.
Dallas has money to spend. Don’t buy that BS Jerry feeds the fans.
As I stated “money to spend” just doesn’t seem to do it wisely. More like ‘impulse’ buying at times.
Even Jerry Jones has got to be able to see that the defense is not working. Pretty much the same players as last year but they have a new Defensive Coordinator in Mike Zimmer that doesn’t have the ability or the want too evolve any of his schemes to compete in the current NFL. The game has passed him by and the Cowboys will be looking for a new Head Coach and new Defensive Coordinator next year if they even make it through this season.
It’s not the same players. Lost Fowler, Gilmore, Armstrong and Hankins. Replaced with cheap garbage and a bust of a draft pick.
The Giants will be a needed tonic for them on thursday
You sure I don’t feel that’s a garuntee
Dallas has no running back(s). A real GM would be out looking for some.
Time for Dalvin Cook to get some playing time. Dowdle will get better but with Ferguson back in the line-up, defenses will worry more about the passing game.
Just a horribly ran team in almost every facet
Whats funny about this game is that the Cowboys got hot and came back but couldnt convert the two-point attempts. Had they just kept kicking extra points with Aubrey, who also kicked a 65 yrd FG, they would have had their chance to try to tie the game at 28, instead of losing by three. There was plenty of time. The rookie Carson at CB, will be a good player but King Henry welcomed him to the NFL with that vicious stiff arm …
Didn’t know the Cowboys had all that space. Where is Jones sense of urgency to win one SB now. Jones doesn’t spend like he used to and when he does it’s on the wrong players.
Got no new horses to hitch too. Running game is nowhere to be found. Bet in their practices Ezekiel actually looks good cause of that D-line. Tough to be Cowboy fan these days, teams spinning in circles.
Cowboys lucky my team up next. Giants are horrible again this year.
Wow … I thought I had my bet won until Aubrey finally missed from 51 yrds. I blame it on those crummy uniforms … haha