While some teams are ready to dance in the NFL playoffs, others are headed home to watch. So in essence, it’s time for the finger pointing to begin.
Some of this season’s hopefuls had multiple chances to earn spots in the playoffs, but the likes of Dallas, Oakland, New York (Jets), Chicago, amongst others find themselves on the outside looking in. Other teams just had dismal seasons from the start. Losing star players and team chemistry (or the lack thereof) eliminated them from contention from the jump.
It’s proper protocol for someone to get the blame when the season and the team does not meet expectations. But, as I sit and watch ESPN on this Monday evening I’m finding it so ironic that all of the repercussions of tumultuous seasons (or just the ending) are coming down on the men that never take the field.
My primary example will be with the Dallas Cowboys. As much as I try to distance myself from this team – I simply cannot. I grew up in Dallas, and I’ve followed this team since I was a little girl. I fondly remember the days when we had a complete team.
Despite the attempt to get back into the game against the Giants, the minute the Cowboys lost last night – both my Facebook and Twitter timelines were full of such posts as: FIRE JASON GARRETT… GET A NEW DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR… WE NEED A NEW COACHING STAFF!
Of course there were those who still found issue with Tony Romo, who despite having a hand swollen to the size of a grapefruit still managed a decent game and gave a valiant effort.
Nonetheless, my social networking friends baffled me. I wondered “Are they blind?” Is there some type of wool over their eyes, just like the wool over Jerry Jones’s eyes?
Cowboys Head Coach Jason Garrett has more plays on that note card than the secret service has tricks. Rob Ryan is arrogant enough to instill a cocky and confident Dallas defense that will be effective for years to come. The Dallas defensive line is a group of talented men, all of whom want to win. The linebackers have been consistent.
The problem with the Dallas Cowboys does NOT lie on offense, it’s not the defensive line, nor is it the linebackers.
THE DALLAS COWBOY’S SECONDARY IS TERRIBLE.
For several years now I’ve listened to commentator after commentator suggest that Terence Newman, “the veteran” is such a leader. I’ve often wondered what games these people are watching. The man is clearly NEVER in the right spot. He’s always chasing his man, because his man ALWAYS makes the catch. I do believe he was hurdled at least three times against the Giants because of lazy tackling. And since he’s the leader, perhaps Mike Jenkins, Orlando Scandrick, Alan Ball and Gerald Sensabaugh are following his example.
YES, this is the Dallas Cowboy’s secondary: Newman, Jenkins, Scandrick, Ball and Sensabaugh.
These six men represent everything that is not fair about professional sports in America. All of them, at any time during a Dallas game appear to not know what they’re doing. Newman, “the best” of the secondary players will always be assigned to the best receiver and that receiver is almost ALWAYS guaranteed a big game. When the Cowboys lose, Newman will be interviewed and utter something to the effect “we just have to do better as a team.”
Jenkins can accidentally knock a ball down with the back of his helmet and his cocky nature will annoy even the most faithful Cowboy fan.
Scandrick and Ball are usually guilty of holding or pass interference whenever they’re on the field, but when they see the yellow flag – the expressions on their faces are priceless.
Sensabaugh is probably the most harmless of this secondary. He usually just finds himself the victim of Terence Newman’s shrugged shoulders (as if to say “why weren’t you covering my butt – you knew I would get torched).
When I watch these guys I’m not sure if they were never taught the primary functions of a secondary, or if they simply don’t care now that Jerry Jones has made them all millionaires several times over. I do know that it’s nauseating to think that someone like Terence Newman will continue to make his $50.2 million dollars to blow the coverage. At times it looks like the character “Precious” could run a deep route on these guys with ease.
But, forget about all of the facts. Forget about the lack of performance. Forget about the lack of HEART. Just fire the coach. If the defense doesn’t respond to a new scheme – it must be Rob Ryan’s fault.
So let’s fire the man that never takes the field. Let’s fire the man that simply calls in the plays and encourages. Let’s fire the man that still pats the guys on the back when they screw up the play.
Truth be told – in a perfect sports world, the entire Dallas Secondary should have been handed pink slips this morning. Every other career in this country has somewhat of a performance stigma attached. Doctors can’t repeatedly botch surgeries and continue their practice. Teachers can’t repeatedly have failing scores without repercussions. Why is it that these men can be HORRIBLE at their jobs year in and year out, and the responsibility be the coaches alone?
The list is long and certain to be growing on ESPN. Coaches are out. Even a general manager finds himself out of job. But I’ve yet to see one of these ‘million dollar babies’ ousted. Not one! Perhaps - they will all go home for the offseason and think long and hard about the failed season. Or maybe, they’ve already forgotten about the lackluster performance and shifted focus to their fortune and the trouble they can get into for the next several months. After all – they can return next season, press REPEAT and still get the same $$ result!
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