Although several options certainly exist, there is no one thing that the Dallas Cowboys fans can point to as to why this team is underachieving. Is it the defense? At times, certainly. Does the offense share blame? Of course. Have players and coaches made mistakes in equal measure? You bet.
But when Brian Schottenheimer stepped to the podium on Wednesday, following Tuesday's trade deadline (in which Jerry Jones stood pat and did nothing), he expressed that he and the organization are seeing eye-to-eye on the fact that this Cowboys team is talented enough to win.
“At the end of the day it shows you we are confident in our roster," Schottenheimer said of Dallas' inactivity (h/t ESPN's Todd Archer).
Talk about painting yourself into a corner.
Brian Schottenheimer's confidence in Cowboys' roster is double-edged sword
While an argument certainly existed for Jones to wave the white flag and admit defeat on this season, fans were also prepared for the Cowboys to be buyers. Instead, Dallas did what Dallas never does: nothing. No fireworks, no blockbuster deals, no drama. Just a good old-fashioned day going by.
And the fact that the roster being good enough is a sentiment held in the building is bad news for Schottenheimer. If the roster has enough talent, how do you explain the 4-5 record? The bad losses to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Arizona Cardinals? The narrow win over the Indianapolis Colts?
The shortcomings fall back on Schottenheimer, the head of the snake.
Oftentimes, a coach will get grace if the roster is in rebuild mode or if they are working with a hodgepodge of a staff.
Schottenheimer brought Klayton Adams in, and he hand-picked Christian Parker. It's not like he is being held back by coaches who have a different philosophy than him; Parker was brought in to run his own defense. If he fails, Schottenheimer picked the wrong guy.
Although they dealt Micah Parsons last fall, the team has acquired George Pickens, Kenny Clark, Quinnen Williams, Caleb Downs, Joey Porter Jr. and more since Schottenheimer took over. They've spent tons of money and draft capital to build this roster to win right now.
Dallas is not winning right now. They sit at second in the NFC East with a divisional crown still in sight, yes, but does anyone actually think they'll get there? Sure, teams flip the switch at the midway point all the time, but does Schottenheimer's team look like it is poised for a playoff push this winter?
Jones, intentionally or unintentionally, has set this whole thing up for Schottenheimer to sink or swim. If Jones is sitting at the top and insisting that this roster can achieve what he wants to achieve, then Schotty better get the Cowboys there, or he'll be on the chopping block in January.
Is this Dallas roster really good enough to compete right now?
Obviously, this Dallas team is good enough to compete. Certainly in the NFC East, but also in the conference and NFL at large.
With a top-tier quarterback, two elite pass-catching weapons, a Pro Bowl-level running back and one of the best offensive lines in the league, the offense should be more consistent. Their bottom-line numbers look fine, but the journey to that production has been quite wonky and underwhelming.
Defensively, they have two very good defensive tackles and a handful of other solid veterans at the spot, a young pass rush that should be improving, a superstar cornerback, a talented linebacker, a young star at nickel and a big free agent addition at free safety.
To be fair, Dallas does lack depth at several positions, and they have a few weak links in the starting lineup. But this team has been better constructed than most in the league, so they shouldn't have more losses than wins.
Now, injuries have gotten in the way a bit, but again, that's not an excuse; this Cowboys roster is way too talented to be 4-5. Should they be 9-0 or even 7-2? Perhaps not. Again, they've had a few key absences and have played a handful of tough opponents. But this team should be 6-3 at a minimum.
If Dallas doesn't get to at least 10-7, they won't have a chance in the world of making the playoffs. And while that would be improvement from the previous season, it wouldn't be a representation of what this team is actually capable of. And it would not be good enough for Jerry Jones.
So, with a strong roster and a front office that recognizes the nature of the team's talent, Schottenheimer has to deliver wins. If he can't do that, the onus will be on him, and the Cowboys may be venturing back into the head coach wilderness next offseason.
Add us as a preferred source on Google