The Zac Attack
(Dallas Cowboy style)
The definition for passion in a nutshell is having the drive and determination to strive for excellence. On Sunday afternoon, I saw none of that from the Dallas Cowboys. I'm going to be honest with you, I'm a Cowboy fan through thick or thin but this morning I'm disgusted with the effort that the Cowboys showed at Lincoln Financial Field and embarrassed that this team look unprepared to play a meaningful football game. A season that started with championship aspirations and almost every Cowboy fan booking reservations for the Super Bowl in Tampa Bay, ended with a 44-6 Eagles win, which by the way the worst loss (38 points) in 25 years.
I watched the game with my buddy and was in disbelief when the Oakland Raiders beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers giving the Eagles the opportunity to get into the playoffs with a win versus the Cowboys. I uttered the words, "Uh-oh" as soon as Tampa bay lost. I'm starting to think that even if the Eagles couldn't have gotten into the playoffs on Sunday with a win, that the Cowboys wouldn't have beaten the Eagles.
The definition for change in a nutshell is to make radically different. The Cowboys were flat out embarrassed and there is no way you can bring back a coaching staff that put forth that effort yesterday. The team looked unfocused, unprepared, unenthusiastic, and unwilling to win. That is what they did. This is now the 13th season without a playoff win and if the same coaching staff stays in place, lets just go ahead and say 14 seasons without a playoff win. I think there is something to the fact that Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis said their defense knew the exact plays the Dallas Cowboys offense was going to run and on Sunday the Philadelphia Eagles said the same thing. Jason Garrett doesn't need to be an Offensive Coordinator right now. Be a quarterback's coach and learn how to run an offensive with someone who knows what the hell they are doing. You have no deception and when I'm sitting on my coach and know what play your going to run, your not fooling defensive coordinators like Rex Ryan and Jim Johnson. Why would you yesterday on your first drive run 2 straight 3rd and 1 plays with two tight ends and run the ball down the Eagles mouth and then on the next 3rd and 1, you get into the shotgun and throw a screen. Why? NFC East football is to run the football. The Eagles offense was balanced yesterday and guess what, they won! Wade Phillips needed to be fired at halftime but the only problem with that is that means Jason Garrett would've finished the game as head coach.
Let's look at the Dallas Cowboys coaches:
Coaches who should be fired this off-season:
Bruce Read
Special Teams – This was the biggest weakness all season long and he should be gone and never be a special teams coach again unless it's for my Alma Mata the Callisburg Wildcats.
Joe Juraszek
Strength and Conditioning - Joe Juraszek joined the Cowboys staff as the strength and conditioning coach in February 1997 and I don't think this is a coincidence but since then, the Cowboys suck in December and haven't won a playoff since his hiring. It always seems like they are a step slower in December and January.
Brian Stewart
Defensive Coordinator – Every since the defensive play calling went back to Wade Phillips the defensive got better and on the sidelines it looked like he was always confused. Let Todd Grantham (defensive line coach) take over as DC and I'm not just saying that because his last name is Grantham either.
Hudson Houck
Offensive Line – Just because Tony Romo was on his back all season long. The offensive line was the reason why Romo was hurt all season long.
Ray Sherman
Wide Receivers – My little Brother runs better routes than the receivers on this team and Ray Sherman should know that.
Jason Garrett
Assistant Head Coach / Offensive Coordinator – I would fire Jason Garrett but then rehire him as the Quarterbacks coach for this team. He is too predictable as an OC and doesn't know how to use weapons like Jason Witten, T.O., Marion Barber, and Roy Williams.
Wade Phillips, Head Coach – He has lost this team. If you bring him back, then you will be wasting another season. Plus with the Cowboys going into the new stadium without any sizzle now, it just seems like Jerry Jones would create some by going after Bill Cowher (even thought he wouldn't come because he would want full control.)
Jerry Jones as General Manager – I think it's time to bring in someone who knows a little bit about football to be General Manager. Ever since the '95 Super Bowl win, Jerry Jones has thought he could win a Super Bowl without Jimmy Johnson. The problem with that is the '95 Super Bowl win was Jimmy Johnson's team even though Barry Switzer was the coach whether Jerry likes it or not. Step down Jerry with your leather bag face and go get a football guy. Hey you know I heard that Bill Parcells could be available??
Not to still any thunder from Barack Obama but change is needed for America's team and frankly, I'm embarrassed right now. I have pride in seeing that star on the helmets. You would think the coaching staff, front office execs, and players would have that same feeling.
This is not a good team. If the feelings are at Valley Ranch that you can tweak some things to win next year, then they are badly mistaken.
Zac Grantham's "The Zac Attack"