The Dallas Cowboys finished another season in mediocrity. “America’s Team” is just another team this day and age. Owner Jerry Jones is one of the most well-known owners in the NFL. He preaches winning and is a major part of personnel on the field and on the coaching staff. The Cowboys haven’t won a Super Bowl since 1996 and this year, just like every year, that was Jones’ goal for his team. Yet, the Cowboys missed the playoffs again.
The Cowboys finished with a record of 8-8 for the third consecutive season under head coach Jason Garrett. There were three positive things I took away from their 2013-2014 season. First, the Cowboys lost 6 of their 8 games against playoff teams. Second, was the fact that DeMarco Murray stayed healthy for the majority of the season, as he and Dez Bryant had solid seasons. Third, Jason Hatcher and Sean Lee had great seasons on defense and George Selvie filled in nicely for an injured Anthony Spencer.
That’s where all the positivity ends for the Cowboys. Jerry Jones brought in Monte Kiffin to bring the best out of the many talented players on defense. With players like the ones mentioned above, Brandon Carr, Morris Claiborne, and all-pro DeMarcus Ware, the Cowboys still finished with the NFL’s worst defense. They were the only team this season who gave up over 400 yards per game, while giving up 27 points per game.
They were so bad Kiffin was demoted with Rod Marinelli, former head coach of the 0-16 Detroit Lions, being promoted from defensive line coach to defensive coordinator.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Cowboys were once again led by Tony Romo. Romo had a solid season passing just under 4,000 yards, throwing for 31 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Romo also finished in the top 10 in passing percentage and QB rating at 64% and 96.7, respectively. But, as we have become accustomed to, Romo wasn’t able to close in December. He went 1-2 and missed the final loss of the year due to injury.
Tony Romo doesn’t deserve all the blame for the annual late season collapses. He is the quarterback and face of the franchise, but the defense completely let him down this season. Overall, the Cowboys finished the season in the middle of the pack offensively with Romo under center.
With the defense being the main issue for the Cowboys season, Jerry Jones still decided to demote Bill Callahan from offensive coordinator. Callahan was replaced by Scott Linehan, Jones won’t allow Callahan to leave while still under contract.
Another case of the Jones favoritism that is hard to ignore. Garrett may be on the best offensive minds in the league, but he obviously is not head coaching material. Jones makes the coordinators and players scapegoats on a yearly basis, instead of starting at the source. Garrett is the person in charge of the players and the product they put out on the field, but Jones will not address it.
With Jones making decisions for Big D, the Cowboys will never be “America’s Team” again.
