Dallas Cowboys: Put Up or Shut Up Time

By Pete Packowski | Oct 15, 2015

Oct 11, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; A general view as the Dallas Cowboys play against the New England Patriots at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports

After a 30-6 thumping at the hands of the New England Patriots, the Dallas Cowboys miraculously sit in 2nd place in the NFC East, with a record of 2-3. However, their record does not do this team justice. Since Tony Romo and Dez Bryant went down, they have continuously been unable to move the football and capitalize on key possessions.

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While their defense looked more than capable in the first half, the Patriots adjusted and left this team with their tail between their legs running all the way back to Jerry World. The defense recorded zero sacks in the second half and, not surprisingly, the offense recorded 6 three-and outs and failed to score an offensive touchdown for the first time since 2011.

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Brandon Weeden has continuously showed Cowboy Nation that he does not possess the necessary tools to be a starter in the NFL. His inability to look down the field and throw the long ball will result in overusing and potentially injuring Darren McFadden. Truthfully, its not even that Brandon Weeden has played bad. He has completed 71-of-98 passes for 739 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

The problem is that Brandon Weeden isn’t helping this team win games. At this point for the Dallas Cowboys, nothing is more important than winning games. It doesn’t matter if its an ugly win or a completely sound game, treading water until Tony Romo and Dez Bryant come back is this team’s only hope.

So, that begs the question: What is next for the Dallas Cowboys?

Aug 29, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Matt Cassel (16) during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

I’m sorry, but the answer is cliche: It’s time for the Cowboys to strap up their boots and shake this roster up. First and foremost, Jason Garrett has to decide who the quarterback is. After the game on Sunday, Jason Garrett, Jerry Jones, and even Brandon Weeden himself would not endorse who the starting quarterback will be after their Week 6 Bye.

How can a team get behind their quarterback when they don’t even know who he is? After very uneventful performances with their current starters, the Cowboys should give newly acquired Matt Cassel a try and see if they can catch lightning in a bottle. Its important to remember that, while he has struggled throughout his career, he did lead the Patriots to a 11-5 record and made the Pro Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2010.

While Matt Cassel has gone 10-17 as a starter since 2011, with 30 touchdowns and 34 interceptions, Weeden has been even worse. In his past 11 starts, Weeden is winless, but the numbers don’t do him justice yet again. His numbers are fine, but his hesitation to throw the football and be a field general is the reason he will never be a good NFL quarterback.

If the Cowboys want to have any chance of making the playoffs this season, they will need to make a change at the quarterback position and rely on their newfound solid defense.

With the addition of Rolando McClain and Greg Hardy, who both returned from 4 game suspensions Sunday, this defense will surprisingly keep the Cowboys in most of their remaining games this season. They have a stout Front 7, which should make up for their mediocre secondary. Any offense led be Rod Marinelli is an offense that has my full support.

Jason Garrett has to realize the type of team that he has right now, in Week 6 of the 2015 NFL season. He cannot look at the team he could have had because that does not help them in their current sticky situation. If Garrett is able to change his philosophy to a more possession oriented offense led by a great pass rush, this team could surprise and win a couple of close games.

When Dez Bryant and Tony Romo return from injury, whenever that time may be, this team will be scary. If, by some miracle, they are able to make it into the playoffs and are completely healthy, then they will threaten the Green Bay Packers for a spot in the Super Bowl.

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