Cowboys biggest third down issue is coaching arrogance

The Dallas Cowboys issues on third down stem from an overabundance of arrogance on their coaches part, and not necessarily from a lack of talented personnel.

The Dallas Cowboys have had trouble converting on third downs this season. What’s even more frustrating, is that this talented offensive line has been manhandled on several third and short efforts this year. And it’s easy to point the finger at the players, or lack thereof, as the reason behind these issues. But the fact it, it likely more due to an overabundance of coaching arrogance.

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The Cowboys coaching staff wants this squad to be a power running team. And why not? This offensive line bolsters three Pro Bowl players in left tackle Tyron Smith, center Travis Frederick and right guard Zack Martin. Let’s throw in three tight ends and run the ball down their throats! Unfortunately, with a back-up quarterback under center, opposing defenses know you are going to run the ball. And they are ready.

Here’s comes the Cowboys biggest issue when it comes to converting short third downs…arrogance. This coaching staff flips the opposing defensive coordinator the metaphorical middle finger, and says hat on a hat, one on one, you can’t beat us. We’re running the ball. You know we are running ball. Bring it on! And they do…stopping Dallas dead in their tracks nearly 65% of the time.

The Cowboys have attempted 156 third down conversions so far this season. They have only been successful 55 times. That conversion rate is a whopping 35.3%. That’s good enough to be ranked 26th in the NFL. What’s the definition of insanity?

"“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” – Albert Einstein"

The Cowboys coaching staff is under the assumption this is the same team that converted 47.3% of their third downs in 2014, the second best conversion rate in the league. It is not. The current running back is Darren McFadden, not DeMarco Murray. This offensive line is coached by Frank Pollack, not Bill Callahan. And that’s Matt Cassel under center, not Tony Romo.

The harsh reality is, this is the 2015 Dallas Cowboys, not 2014’s version. This team has a record of 4-9, not 12-4. It’s time to try something different to help this squad convert more of their third downs, and more importantly, jump start a stalled offense. DallasCowboys.com analyst Nick Eatman believes he knows a solution for the team’s third down woes.

"“It starts with figuring out a way to get 3-5 yards on the ground,” Eatman responded to a mailbag questions on the team’s official website on Friday. “I think they have no choice but to spread out the defense and create room to run. That being said, defenses won’t spread too far if they don’t think Cassel will throw it. Fades to Dez and even Escobar will at least keep them honest. But this 13 bunch personnel stuff doesn’t work because they’re not physical enough this year.”"

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This Cowboys coaching staff needs to drop their arrogance and coach the team that is on the field right now. Don’t try to make this group into something they are not. Throw out last year’s playbook and design plays that take advantage of this current group’s strengths. Because all they are doing now is banging their heads against a wall trying to be something they clearly aren’t.

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