Emmitt Smith Weighs in on Dallas Cowboys' Current Crisis
Emmitt Smith, revered as one of the greatest players in Dallas Cowboys history, has recently spoken out about the ongoing issues plaguing his former team. At 55 years old and nearly two decades into retirement, Smith's voice remains influential in the realm of football, especially when it comes to America's Team.
Smith's candid assessment of the Cowboys’ management and their handling of critical team members like Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb has sparked considerable conversation. His comments come at a pivotal time for the franchise, facing numerous challenges and mounting pressure to return to their former glory.
One of the most pressing issues Smith highlighted is the contractual holdout of wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. "He is a very, very valuable asset to the Dallas Cowboys,” Smith remarked. “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."
Prescott, the team's franchise quarterback, is playing under the final year of his contract, adding to the urgency. Smith expressed concern for Prescott's position, stating, "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."
The Cowboys' management of their roster and contractual obligations has been under scrutiny for a while. Brandin Cooks has now taken the role of the team’s No. 2 wideout, a position held by Lamb previously, which has added another layer of complexity to an already fraught situation.
A recent significant decision by the team was letting go of Tony Pollard via free agency, which surprised many fans and analysts. This move has led the Cowboys to rely heavily on running back Ezekiel Elliott, raising questions about the strategic direction of the team. Smith, who once carried the Cowboys' offense on his back, understands the pressure that Elliott now faces. The reliance on one player to carry the offensive load can be risky, especially if other key elements like the quarterback’s needs are not met.
Furthermore, Smith's frustrations extend beyond individual players to the broader organizational structure. “Over the last 20-some odd years,” Smith reflected, “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.”
The Cowboys have not secured a Super Bowl victory in over two decades, a drought that weighs heavily on long-time supporters and former players alike. This dry spell, coupled with unmet expectations, underlines the systemic issues within the organization. Smith called for a comprehensive assessment of the team’s mission and alignment, emphasizing the need for a cohesive strategy. “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?”
According to Smith, there appears to be a disconnect between the Cowboys' organizational goals and their on-field performance. “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 pointedly noted.
As the Cowboys navigate through this turbulent period, the words of legends like Emmitt Smith serve as a stark reminder of the franchise's storied past and the high standards it once maintained. Addressing the concerns raised by Smith is not just about appeasing a former player; it’s about realigning the team’s objectives with the aspirations of its legion of devoted fans.
Smith’s critique, while poignant, comes from a place of passion and care for the team that he helped lead to numerous victories. His insights might just be the catalyst the Cowboys need to revive their championship-winning ways and restore their standing as one of the NFL’s elite franchises.