Emmitt Smith, an iconic figure in Dallas Cowboys history, has recently voiced his concerns regarding the direction of his former team. At 55 years old and nearly two decades into retirement, Smith's critique carries the weight of a true insider’s perspective on the franchise’s operational pitfalls.
Management Criticism
Smith’s primary concern is the Cowboys' management's handling of key players, particularly quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. Lamb is currently in a holdout scenario due to contractual disagreements. Smith argues that this predicament places unnecessary pressure on Prescott, who is already playing under the final year of his contract.
"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," Smith emphasized. The Hall of Famer believes that a franchise quarterback like Prescott should not be put in such a precarious position, calling the management's approach "not right."
"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," argued Smith.
Struggles with Consistency
CeeDee Lamb's holdout isn't the only issue plaguing the Cowboys. The front office let running back Tony Pollard go via free agency, leaving the team to lean heavily on Ezekiel Elliott. Additionally, Brandin Cooks has stepped in as the Cowboys' No. 2 wideout, a role that carries its pressures.
"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 lamented. The last two decades have been devoid of Super Bowl victories for the Cowboys, a fact not lost on one of their greatest legends.
Organizational Assessment
Smith's analysis extends beyond individual player issues to the overarching structure of the Cowboys' organization. He contends that a thorough and honest assessment is desperately needed to align the team’s mission with its operational realities.
"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 posed. The icon believes that while the surface might suggest everything is aligned, there’s an underlying disconnect that is troubling.
"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 remarked.
The Path Forward
Smith's words echo a growing sentiment among Cowboys fans and analysts alike. The organization must resolve these internal conflicts and misalignments to restore the team’s glory days. As Smith points out, the team's repeated playoff appearances have not translated into the ultimate prize, a Super Bowl victory. With the right changes and a truly unified approach, perhaps the Cowboys can finally break their two-decade drought.
Ultimately, whether the Cowboys' management heeds Smith’s sage advice and addresses these longstanding issues remains to be seen. What is clear is that for Smith, and many who hold the Cowboys dear, the urgency for change has never been greater.