Chris Potter and Steve-Flickr
The jury is still out on which direction the 2014 Dallas Cowboys are headed. The Cowboys have not had a winning record since 2009 when the team finished 11-5 and easily won the NFC East division. However, the 2009 campaign ended, like many others of late, on a sour note when the Minnesota Vikings led by future hall of fame quarterback Brett Favre, defeated the Cowboys handily in a 34 to 3 rout Jan 2010.
The last time Jerry Jones hoisted the Lombardi Trophy over his head was in 1996. It was during the 1990’s the team enjoyed dynasty-like success under the leadership of legendary football mastermind, Jimmy Johnson. Johnson wasn’t on hand for the final Super Bowl victory when the team beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 27 -17. However, it is clear the team was benefiting from the residual effects of great scouting and personnel decisions under his leadership. In stark contrast to those golden years, the Dallas Cowboys now face a future of lowered expectations, diminished hopes, and outright uncertainty.
Since 2000 the Cowboys have had only 6 playoff appearences and many of those have ended in “one and done ” fashion during the wild card round. The team’s fortunes have taken a turn for the worse as the Cowboys have finished at a mediocre .500 in the last three consecutive seasons. I don’t know about you, but where I am from, getting 50% is a failing grade. Beyond these facts, a once perennial playoff team has only been to the playoffs twice in the past ten years. Both of those seasons ended with the Cowboys eliminated from the tournament with an early exit.
The 2014 season will be one of uncertainty, particularly on defense. The team lost the franchise’s all-time sack leader, DeMarcus Ware, in free agency to the Denver Broncos, while last year’s sack leader, Jason Hatcher, signed with divisional rival the Washington Redskins. Due to salary cap restraints, the team had to settle for lesser talent at bargain rates. Salary cap mismanagement has also created a severe lack of depth. When asked about the Cowboys current cap struggles Jerry Jones commented to ESPN, “When I look back on it, we probably paid some people that we probably would have been better off not paying.”
On top of these losses to the defensive line, linebacker Sean Lee, tore an ACL during OTA’s and is expected to be out for the season. Lee was expected to be relied on heavily by the young squad depleted of veteran leadership. The defense definitely has many questions heading into 2014 and very few answers.
While it is unclear what will become of the 2014 draft class, one anonymous GM stated “They really did not do enough to aid a defense that is just bereft of playmakers.” He went on to say, “They will be forced to outscore people with a 34 year old quarterback coming off back surgery,” in Tony Romo. While under Jason Garret’s leadership as head coach, improvements have been made, the draft is where championship teams are built in the modern era of the NFL, and if playoff records are any indication, this organization is failing to meet the mark. Unfortunately, it is unclear if (or when) this team will return to playoff form.
Christopher DuVall is a Writer for CouchRiderReport.net. Follow him on FB or Twitter.
