FRISCO, Texas – Injuries to key players, including Dak Prescott, plagued the Dallas Cowboys and they also lost six of seven games in the NFC East to get out of the argument, raising questions about the team’s efforts, leaving coach Mike McCarthy’s first year in disarray.
“We’re where we don’t need to be. Clearly. Our record reflects that,” McCarthy said Friday. “We can improve on a lot of things. It’s not just one area, it’s one person. Right now everyone has -9, so we all need to do better.”
This is the worst 12-game start McCarthy has suffered. It was 4-8 in its first year with the Green Bay Packers in 2006, and the team has won its last four games. He was fired in 2018 with a 4-7-1 record. 1989 was Jimmy Johnson’s first year, the Cowboys’ 3-9 mark was the worst in the franchise since it was 1-11 in 1989.
“It’s definitely a challenge. We’re in all of this to win. Make no mistake about it. No one is happy,” McCarthy said. “No one likes where we are today. But I think the man thinks everyone sees an opportunity to continue building. There are still many opportunities in front of us. With that, my focus has always been on improvement. We definitely need it. To improve
“This has been a tough pull. And it’s really really a tough pull because every challenge in this league goes through a number of challenges. Not only are we doing that, we’re also going to pick multiple challenges that we’ve had. It’s a pleasure to be a cowboy. I love him here. This is a wonderful opportunity. Make no mistake about it. This is not where we intend to be. This is not the place where we will live. “
McCarthy signed a five-year deal with the Cowboys in January. Owner and general manager Jerry Jones has not spoken to the media since the start of the training camp, but he and executive vice president Stephen Jones have repeatedly endorsed McCarthy in their weekly appearances at 105.3 The Fan in Dallas.
Defenses can change, especially on employees. The Cowboys have conceded the most points in the NFL (32.8 per game) and have the worst-ranked run defense. Defensive co-ordinator Mike Nola has taken over as chairman of a unit that has allowed yards to run first and third in the game in franchise history, Oct. Oct. 4 and 294 on Tuesday gave the Baltimore Ravens 307 yards to the Cleveland Browns.
In his last 40 games as head coach, McCarthy recorded a 14-25-1 record, but he said he has not lost faith in his belief in putting the program together.
That said, there is no doubt that you have to keep paying attention to everything and be honest about it. “I think it goes back to the preparation of the football team. How did you set your planning schedule in our limited time? Just expecting a change. Honestly, I don’t think any of us expected much. Are we handling it systematically? Are we as organized as we can be in between? So I think, sometime, so many times I can confirm that.
“I believe we will be much better off with this experience and all these adversities are happening for a reason, and with adversities and negative experiences, naturally you have the opportunity to learn and increase your instincts and awareness. And I think this is the way to go. Our program and our team will be better. It can’t be done quickly. “
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