Takeaway Tuesday: Cowboys Coaches Should Be on Mid-Season Hot Seat

A loss in week in week 3 is subject to overreactions from NFL fans everywhere, something we should always be careful with. But as the Dallas Cowboys head to work after another terrible offensive performance, it’s tough to imagine the conversation going on in Cowboys Nation is an overreaction. I imagine I’m not alone in wishing that’s what it was. But it isn’t.

The Dallas Cowboys have opened their 2018 NFL season with a 1-2 record, and even though other teams (such as the New England Patriots) unexpectedly have the same record, or that other crazy stuff is going on around the league, the Jason Garrett-led Cowboys haven’t given us much reason to believe they can turn the offense around.

Without further ado, let’s get to another Takeaway Tuesday. As always, feel free to share your takeaways from last Sunday’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the comments section below or tweet me @MauNFL!

Coaches Must Be on Mid-Season Hot Seat

OK, it’s high time we have this conversation. Dak Prescott and the rest of the Dallas Cowboys’ offense has been struggling. Although the defense has been playing surprisingly well, there are simply no excuses for the way Scott Linehan’s unit has been playing.

There has been trouble at every single aspect of the offensive side of the ball, which was supposed to be this team’s strength heading into the season. As much as the future at the quarterback position is uncertain, the biggest problem is coaching. Sure, Prescott isn’t living up to the expectations so far, having terrible stats in the first three weeks of the season but the coaches could definitely be putting him in better positions to succeed.

Playing to his strengths. Prescott is at his best when the team runs play-action plays or lets him throw on the run or use his legs to hurt opposing defenses on the ground as well. Prescott could thrive on RPOs and read option runs, but that’s not how they’re utilizing him.

https://twitter.com/NotJackKemp/status/1044275830686404608

As much as it pains me to say it, it honestly feels like the Cowboys are stuck with Scott Linehan and Jason Garrett at the wheel. Although there aren’t big names in the pass-catchers positions, the offense is talented enough to keep the ball moving. Even still, they aren’t.

Right now, it’s not even about the offense not being the best unit for the team, but a unit that is costing them games and will continue to do so unless some drastic changes are made.

Not that the coaches are the only ones that should be accountable, just about every player should be, including QB Dak Prescott, who might be playing for his job the rest of the year. But if this mediocre performances continue into week 8, for instance, it might just be time to move on from the current coaching staff. What will change in the next seasons that can makes us believe Garrett and Linehan are the answer for the franchise’s future?

And yet, no changes will be made as far as the Cowboys’ play-caller is. Right now, it’s tough to imagine where this season is headed. But two things might be for sure. 1) It won’t be good. 2) We’ll see some RB screens on third and long and three tight end sets on first downs.

Dallas Cowboys LBs Jaylon Smith, Leighton Vander Esch, and Sean Lee

Defense Might Just Be Fine With Vander Esch Filling in for Sean Lee

Sean Lee hurt his other hamstring playing in Seattle last Sunday, which usually would have us freaking out about the linebacker position. However, as we’ve discussed since the preseason, Jaylon Smith is looking pretty amazing and healthy. But now, it’s not only Smith that’s been showing off his football skills.

It’s first round draft pick Leighton Vander Esch who’s having a pretty nice start to his career. At least, it’s been way better than what some expected (myself included) from his rookie season.

In just three weeks and limited snaps, Vander Esch has had 18 tackles and a tackle for loss. He’s been around the football a lot, just like Lee when healthy. If the Boise State product continues to play this week, one has to wonder about Sean Lee’s future in Dallas.

The Jury is Still Out on K Brett Maher

Kicker Brett Maher kicked a 50-yard field goal last Sunday as Cowboys’ fans at home breathed a huge sigh of relief. After letting Dan Bailey go, it was time for something positive to say about the kicker position in Dallas.

Maher was pretty good on the field last week, but there’s no denying his kicks were sort of scary and not perfect attempts right down the middle. Cowboys Nation should be more comfortable with the cut of Dan Bailey, but the jury should still be out on his replacement.