Dallas Cowboys: Solving the absence of player development
Dallas Cowboys receiver Terrance Williams is the same receiver now, that he was when he entered the NFL. Where’s the growth and the development?
Many players begin their NFL careers because of this magical factor called – potential. This potential factor blinds coaches and general managers to fantasize about how great a player can be in the future. Seeing potential isn’t completely bad, I’ve been fortunate to have had a few relationships because women saw potential in me. After a haircut, some new clothes and help finding a steady job – I could be a catch once I return from “the sunken place”.
It never lasts long though. Once ladies realize I’m a failed project, they move on to the next challenge. The front office of the Dallas Cowboys could learn a few things from my ex’s. They wouldn’t have given wide receiver Terrance Williams a four year contract for $17 million. Williams is the same receiver now, that he was when he entered the NFL. As far as potential goes, basketball great Michael Jordan said it best – “His ceiling is the roof”.
His entire career could have been summed up during quarterback Tony Romo‘s insanely efficient drive against the Philadelphia Eagles. That drive ended with Romo’s 248th touchdown pass and added a cherry on top of his 34,183 passing yards. To recap: Williams quit on his route and caught two passes with his chest. His biggest flaw is the inability to become a number one receiver during the absence of receiver Dez Bryant due to injury.
The front office panicked as the Washington Redskins lost their two receivers: DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon in free agency. They must’ve thought it would be a run on receivers. Trust me – Williams was going to be available.
As I watched my son play football this weekend, I could see the improvements in his play. That got me to wondering – Why hasn’t Williams improved? Why was his ceiling the roof?
The players that have improved most are the hungry ones. The guys like Romo that enter the league undrafted and work on their craft. They slowly become great by working hard when nobody’s watching. Our greats start as greats and our undrafted guys become great, but our good just remain good – when they don’t get worse.
For all the praise given to our offensive line – wouldn’t you expect dominance from a group with three first round picks? Our receivers feature Bryant and Cole Beasley – one was great in college, the other was hungry. The rest of the guys are kinda blah.
Linebacker Sean Lee was great but what happened to Anthony Hitchens? Hitchens should’ve dominated this year Rolando McClain but they brought in Justin Durant. Cowboy Nation wants pass rushers, but defensive ends Randy Gregory and DeMarcus Lawrence are supposed to dominate this year. Ask yourself, where’s the growth and the development?
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I came up with two solutions. Options #1 – This offseason, we need to find good players with chips on their shoulders that want to be great. Option #2 – We need to find younger position coaches with potential. I can’t put my finger on it, but what we’re doing now isn’t working.
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