GM Decisions in 2014 for Dallas Cowboys

photo: CBS Sports.com

Since the Dallas Cowboys have fallen short three straight years in a row at the end of the season to finish a dismal 8-8, here are some of the options the Cowboys need to view:

Offense

Kyle Orton has shown he can be a true relief backup for Tony Romo. He may not be Mariono Rivera, but he can get the job done. The true test is getting the offensive coordinator and the head coach to understand game management and game situations.

If Dallas has a big lead, run the ball and sprinkle in some pass plays. Sprinkle in, not run three straight pass plays for three and outs to run no time off the clock. When the Cowboys lost their third straight “Win or Go Home Game” to the Eagles last night, DeMarco Murray finished with 17 carries for 51 yards rushing. He was averaging 3 yards per carry. Wile Kyle Orton, who played once all season, had 46 attempts. Incredible!

photo: KC Chiefs.com

The Dallas offensive line protected Romo pretty well throughout the year and the offense proved, once again, they can score points. The biggest issues come down to coaches calling the right plays at the right time. The first half of games seemed to be masterful for Garrett this season. It’s the second half adjustments that were not made that consistently killed him.

Utilize your tight ends more, especially Gavin Escobar. Defenses don’t respect him and leave him in one on one match ups. Bill Calllahan needs to utilize his mismatches more often. The only time they seem to focus on mismathces is if Dez Bryant gets a one on one match up. Dallas needs to utilize the whole field like a chess board. Think ahead of what the next play should be, but don’t overthink it. Scheme just to throw of the defense, but keep life simple!

Defense

photo: Black Sports Online.com

According to SB Nation.com, the Cowboys are expected to fire Defensive Coordinator (DC) Monte Kiffin. After only one year, Kiffin posted some of the worst defensive stats in NFL history. To make matter worse, Rob Ryan was the 2012 DC for the Cowboys and got fired. Ryan went on to become the New Orleans Saints DC in 2013 and changed their defense from the 32^nd ranked team in 2012 to the 4th ranked defense in 2013, according to ESPN.com.

If I were the General Manager, I would seriously take a look at hiring a DC who can relate to the players, teach the players, and get creative. The defensive players obviously respected Kiffin, because the aggressive turnover stats showed up in the first game against the Giants with six in one game.

Not sure how well the Cowboys defensive personnel studied enough film during the season to understand where they were supposed to be on the field. Also, I am not sure if the defensive coaches were able to teach and relay those messages to the players. Communication is key in any relationship. Just ask any office employee to speak about their supervisor, any business owner to speak about their employees, or ask any married couple. With poor communication, signals can be missed, misinterpreted or simply taken the wrong way. The defense seemed to be missing every piece of communication possible and a new defensive coach must fix that.

The DC must be creative in his schemes. The NFL is all about schemes. Too often in 2013, the defense was in a base Tampa 2 look and there was no movement on the defense. With no movement, offenses can scheme, move their pieces around and not worry about what the Dallas defense would do. Since Wade Phillips left as head coach and DC, the Cowboys blitz scheme has been horrific. Many people see Peyton Manning come to the line and change calls or whatever he does. Even if he does not change it keep the defense guessing. The same thing goes on defense. The new Dallas DC must keep opposing offenses and their QBs guessing.

Again, the new DC must (1) be relatable to the players, (2) be a good teacher, and (3) create different schemes.

Special Teams

photo: Fox Sports Southwest.com

There is not much to be done here. Kicker Dan Bailey has been the most consistent player on the Cowboys the last three years. Punt/Kick Returner Dwayne Harris has made phenomenal strides each year. He may have made the Pro Bowl if he did not miss significant time in the season with hip and hamstring injuries. The kick and punt coverage teams covered the ball very well all year long.

Right now, kicking coach Chris Boniol and company is excellent. Don’t change anything.

Conclusion

Dallas needs to draft 70% defense and 30% offense. Of the seven rounds in the draft, the Boys need at least five picks for defense. Technically, four of the first five picks should be defense in my opinion.

1. Safety – Darren Woodson has been missing for years. You cannot replace him, but surely Dallas can find a formidable safety. Rookie Jeff Heath (#38) tried his best, but he was lost when it came to locating the ball in the air. Dallas seriously needs a first round upgrade.
2. Defensive End – Someone to rush the QB
3. Defensive Tackle – Someone to clog the middle. Our run game was gashed up the middle this season.
4. Wide Receiver – Call me crazy, but Dallas needs someone to take the pressure off of Dez. Whitten is getting older and Miles may not be around with his high dollar contract. Dez needs a complementary receiver. I believe Terrance Williams is a good receiver, but Dez needs help where the defense is actually scared. Similar to the Bears Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffries.
5. Linebacker – Decimated by injuries year after year, the Cowboys need healthy backup linebackers who can step up and contribute. Sean Lee has too many injuries to believe he will always stay healthy.
6. Offensive Tackle/Guard – The Travis Frederick pick from Wisconsin turned out to be a great pick. Whether he is picked number one or number five, the guy needs to be a stud like Frederick.
7. Cornerback – Brandon Carr was routinely toasted and Morris Claiborne could not stay on the field due to a bad shoulder, a hamstring, or something else. The Boys need someone other than Orlando Scandrick stepping up to be the leader of the CBs.