Emmitt Smith, the legendary running back whose name is synonymous with the Dallas Cowboys, remains a prominent voice within the franchise, even after nearly two decades of retirement. At 55, Smith has not shied away from vocalizing his concerns regarding the team's current trajectory, particularly in relation to their management decisions and player handling.
Smith's Stance on Management Decisions
In recent comments, Smith targeted the Cowboys' management for their handling of key players like Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb. Lamb, who is embroiled in contractual disputes, has chosen to hold out, a situation Smith believes places undue pressure on Prescott. "He is a very, very valuable asset to the Dallas Cowboys. He is a very, very valuable asset to Dak Prescott. Without him on the football field, they're putting all of the pressure on Dak Prescott now. And that is unacceptable," said Smith.
Smith’s criticism extends to how Prescott, the Cowboys’ franchise quarterback, is being positioned in the final year of his contract. "He should be in a position, as your franchise quarterback, he should be in a position to be successful. And right now you putting him behind the eight ball. And that is not right," Smith stated emphatically. The Hall of Famer’s words reflect a deeper concern that management's missteps are not just tactical errors but fundamental problems impacting the team’s future success.
The Broader Picture
Smith's scrutiny isn't isolated to individual players. He expressed frustration over the franchise's prolonged championship drought and questioned the strategic vision of the organization. It's been over two decades since the Cowboys last hoisted the Lombardi Trophy, a dry spell that has not gone unnoticed by their passionate fan base. "Over the last 20-some odd years, watching our team get to the playoffs time and time again, being told that we're going to do better. This is going to be a Super Bowl year for us. And we just get completely let down," Smith remarked.
Such statements underscore a broader discontent, hinting at a disconnect within the organizational structure of the Cowboys. "We have to try, as an organization, we have to go and do a complete assessment in terms of the organization itself. What is our mission? And how does our mission align with the football team?" Smith posited. His rhetorical questions suggest a need for the Cowboys to reassess their internal alignment and strategies comprehensively.
Smith's perspective is that the resolution of these internal issues is paramount for the team to pivot back to its winning ways. "On the surface we would think everything is in alignment. But to me, I think there's a little disconnect there. And we need to resolve that fairly quickly because 20-some odd years, man, that's a long time," he concluded.
Current Roster Challenges
Besides management blunders, the Cowboys are facing immediate roster challenges that could impact their performance in the upcoming season. CeeDee Lamb’s holdout due to contractual issues and the departure of Tony Pollard in free agency present significant hurdles. The Cowboys have heavily relied on Ezekiel Elliott to fill the void left by Pollard, but Elliott carrying the burgeoning expectations of the team's run game could overstrain him.
In addition, Prescott’s performance will be under intense scrutiny as he navigates the final year of his contract without the full support of key receivers and a stable backfield. Complementing him, Brandin Cooks stands as the team's No. 2 wideout, a slot that adds yet another layer of tactical considerations that the coaching staff must address.
As the Cowboys gear up for the new season, Smith’s critical observations serve as a cautionary tale. The echoes of his formidable career and keen understanding of the game's intricacies add weight to his words. Whether Dallas takes heed of their icon's advice remains to be seen but what’s clear is that the team stands at a crossroads where strategic clarity and robust management can either resurrect their glory days or lengthen the drought.