Three truths to narrowing the field of view for the Cowboys

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The Cowboys fan is trying desperately to figure out what the heck happened.

The finger pointing is at its max and nobody is safe.

So, let’s try to narrow things down just a bit to see if we can’t factor in some truths from this season.

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Truth

The Cowboys knew the offensive line was incomplete.

They did, otherwise they wouldn’t have had a competition at left guard during camp and a mini competition in the middle of the season with a huge lead in the division.

Connor Williams has lacked in many areas, so much so that the coaching staff wanted to see if he could play center. Why? Because the center position was a second year guy that just kinda got thrown in there with the perception that he was on the same level as Travis Fredrick.

What we learned was that the Cowboys were weak up the middle.

Terrance Steele was serviceable as a backup tackle on the right side, but didn’t work supremely on the left and its hard to replace Tyron Smith. That being said, Smith has his own set of problems.

If the Cowboys are going to be better on offensive line next year and down the road, they may need to roll out a similar tactic they did this off season. Invest in the position through draft and smart free agency pickups.

I trust Will McClay to find the personnel, but I don’t know if I trust the Jones’ to admit they have a hole in their game.

My buddy Jeff Cavanaugh may have the right answer, draft well, move Steele to right guard and Collins inside to left guard. You should theoretically be much better up the middle.

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Truth

Creativity is cool, but basic fundamentals are king.

The offense looked unstoppable early in the season because they were doing so many unique things with so much talent on the field. But they lost sight of what made them good.

They didn’t turn the ball over too much, they picked up yards to get first downs and when they had single coverage they exposed the opponent. Maybe Fangio was right and he found the one Kellen/Dak kryptonite, but the Cowboys should have been able to adapt to that a little more.

On the defensive side, they punched at the football, they disguised their defenses and forced turnovers.

But they lacked in basic run stopping still and their amazing pressure they were getting late was then exposed by offenses that could put them on their heels in the run game.

It was beautiful to watch Dan Quinn creatively use Micah Parsons and Jayron Kearse and so much more, but somehow, some way this organization still needs to find a way to stuff the run if they are going to compete at the next playoff level.

Truth

This team will not be the same next year.

There are some cap casualties as well as some coaching changes that will definitely take place, but there also should be a different motivation.

The players have to look within and figure out what went wrong, hold themselves to being better and showing they can become a transcendent team.

Cowboys fans get tired of arguing about well this team hasn’t done this since year X. Every year the team is a little different, the Cowboys biggest struggle is building on the year before. They are an up and down roller coaster, and while some guys like Dak are here for the long haul, a lot of names and faces will change from year to year.

I just hope next year’s team can narrow the field of view to only the things that matter to winning.

Featured Image Photo Credit: USA Today Sports © Jerome Miron