The Dallas Cowboys have had a decent off-season. The team has moved on from some of its less impactful players and added depth. Unfortunately, there have been a few incidents of poor judgement involving players who are expected to contribute in 2017. Off-the-field issues will not deter the Cowboys progress under the leadership of head coach Jason Garrett.
Dallas Cowboys Off-Field Issues Will Not Deter Progress
When the Cowboys began building the team’s current roster, player character was a top priority. The team puts players through a grueling interview process before signing any of them to contracts but it hasn’t mattered.
The coaches can’t hold their players’ hands. They can’t assign bodyguards to players or hire private investigators to follow them, either. What the team’s brain trust has done is put the onus on the player.
Ezekiel Elliott
In March, budding superstar Ezekiel Elliott was caught in what seemed like a playful moment with a lady friend that was captured on film. The images have fallen under public scrutiny, enabling people to label him an immature, loose cannon with little to no respect for women. Of course, Elliott expressed that the incident wasn’t an incident at all but it was still a bad look.
He was also involved in a late-night car accident that disrupted his participation in OTA workouts for a few days. For the most part, his off-the-field issues have been considered minor. There have been no legal ramifications or suspensions been handed down by the league.
Nolan Carroll
Newly acquired defensive back Nolan Carroll was recently arrested for suspicion of driving while intoxicated. He has since been released from jail but the incident will not be forgotten. Coach Garrett has expressed his discontent with the situation but he has also made it clear that the veteran cornerback has accepted responsibility for his critical mistake.
It’s probable that the wealth of talented rookie defensive backs make it much easier for the coach to get his point across to Carroll. Carroll’s incident is still being investigated. The NFL has not rendered any ruling against the player but many expect him to miss a few games due to suspension.
Randy Gregory and David Irving
Defensive end Randy Gregory is gone for the season due to a substance abuse suspension. The Cowboys are much more concerned with the player’s well-being than they are with his ability to help the team, at this point.
Another defensive end David Irving has also been suspended for the first four games next season on a substance abuse violation. Irving is disputing the penalty but chances are he’ll miss at least two games.
What has become clear is the Cowboys have built a roster that can withstand the loss of a few role players. No one wants to have to deal with off-the-field issues but the team has gotten much younger. With youth comes growing pains but growing pains are easier to deal with when the players are fast and athletic. Experience under fire will offer these young players the best education.
Though Gregory and Irving will be missed, the team has added enough depth through the draft and free agency to handle their loss. Coordinator Rod Marinelli has addressed the off-the-field issues with the media. He has stated that the team has built itself in such a way that position flexibility is now a strength.
He has several players at his disposal that allow him to utilize them at a number of positions along the defensive front. Veterans like Demarcus Lawrence, Benson Mayowa and Damontre Moore have made the most of their opportunities during the team’s voluntary workouts.
Jaylon Smith
The line-backing corps currently remains without incidents. The only concerns the group has is the health and availability of potential phenom Jaylon Smith. Smith is still recovering from a severe leg injury but the player participated in OTAs, making his presence felt without pads on. If Smith is able to duplicate his off-season efforts in training camp, Sean Lee may finally have another playmaker to work alongside him like the team intended Rolando McClain to do a few seasons ago.
Overall, the Cowboys have really only been hit by the dumb-bug on the defensive side of the ball. The good thing is the players who have made the mistakes aren’t considered detrimental to the team’s potential for success in 2017. They are expected to contribute but not one of them has been declared the bell cow of the defense.
The Cowboys defense will be a committee in 2017 but it will be a faster, more athletic committee with the ability to create havoc that hasn’t been seen around Dallas for a while. Do not expect Garrett to allow any bad seeds to remain on the roster. If a player does not tow the company line, he will become expendable in a hurry.
