The Dallas Cowboys have seen Pro Bowl talent but have no Super Bowls to show for it.
From 1995-2010, the Dallas Cowboys have selected 15 Pro Bowlers in the NFL Draft, including defensive end DeMarcus Ware and other impact players such as wide receiver Dez Bryant and linebacker Sean Lee.
Throughout the past decade, the Cowboys have continued with their good drafting, having selected 10 Pro Bowl players with quarterback Dak Prescott, linebacker Jaylon Smith, running back Ezekiel Elliot and more joining the fold.
Just this past offseason, the Cowboys landed potential Pro Bowl wide receiver CeeDee Lamb in Round 1, once again showing that owner Jerry Jones can draft quality players (with some help of course from Stephen Jones and Will McClay).
But despite their ability to draft and produce quality players, one thing is missing: a Lombardi Trophy. In fact, since 1995 when Dallas defeated Neil O’Donnell in Super Bowl XXX, the Cowboys have failed to reach even the NFC Championship Game. So many good players yet no rings on their fingers and no banners being dropped. Which begs this simple albeit difficult question: Why can’t the Cowboys win with all this talent?
What’s keeping the Dallas Cowboys from Super Bowl contention?
You can point the finger in a multitude of directions and who’s to say that you are wrong. Interestingly enough, there are a few reasons as to why they cannot move past Round 2 of the playoffs.
One reason is the coaching. Sure, Barry Switzer won a Super Bowl but that was mostly with Jimmy Johnson’s team. And in 1995, the draft was so bad for the Cowboys that it set them back a bit. Yes, they brought in Bill Parcells but they forgot to add Lawrence Taylor, the player who helped transform Parcells into a legend.
But many will ask, if that’s the case, how did Parcells get to the AFC title game with the Jets? The answer is this: sometimes the stars align at the right time and a 10-point lead evaporated and thus ended the run of the Jets. In other words, it was a name hire and not so much a disciplined move.
Plus, who can forget “The Clapper”, Jason Garrett? Multiple 8-8 seasons and only one playoff victory? No sir. Hopefully, Mike McCarthy can be the answer.
Another reason is a string of fluke plays, particularly in this past decade. Dez Bryant’s “no-catch” in 2014? That hurts. What about the fluke Aaron Rodgers throw in 2016 that derailed a 13-3 start. How about R.W. McQuarters with a big interception in 2007 for the Giants? The list goes on and on.
In addition, several calls during regular-season games that could’ve changed the outcome of key games. The most recent was the call on Michael Gallup when Dallas lost to the Rams in Week 1 this season. What can go wrong, does go wrong with the Cowboys. More often than not, it just seems to be perpetuating at every opportunity.
Lastly, it’s the expectations. One good season at any point in time can create headlines and cause immense pressure on the players to live up to them. Loyalty is undeniable in Dallas given the proud fanbase that others may despise but the team loves.
Cowboys fans, rest assured that talent will always be on the field in Dallas — but getting the Lombardi Trophy again, that will take a while to do. Mike McCarthy did win a Super Bowl in AT&T Stadium 10 years ago. Hopefully he can do it again, this time for the team that plays in that arena.