Dallas City News

Mike McCarthy reacts to Jerry Jones ripping Cowboys play-calling – Josh Sanchez, Sports Illustrated

Mike McCarthy takes responsibility in response to Jerry’s criticism.

The Dallas Cowboys are in full preparation mode for the San Francisco 49ers after spending the bye week reflecting on some of the embarrassing losses at the start of the season.

On Tuesday, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones made his weekly radio appearance and answered a handful of questions from why the team did not pursue Derrick Henry to providing updates on some of the team’s injured stars.

During the appearance, Jones also fired off some unexpected, but honest criticism about head coach Mike McCarthy and the team’s offense.

On Wednesday, McCarthy met with the media before the team hit the field for practice and was asked about Jones’ comments which included criticizing the team’s play-calling and offensive schemes.

McCarthy took responsibility for the offense not being where the team wants it to be.

“I talk to Jerry all the time. We’ve had time to go through the self-scout. I didn’t see the comments specifically. But I don’t think we have bad concepts and bad plays. But I’ll go back and check,” McCarthy said.

“We’re not where we want to be. That’s clear, and that’s ultimately my responsibility and I’m fully aware of that. We’re very diligent. We’re on top of what we want to do.”

Hopefully things can get back on track after the bye week.

Kickoff between the Cowboys and 49ers is set for 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC, with live streaming on Peacock.

Are Jerry Jones’ fan tours a hurdle to a Cowboys Super Bowl? – Kalyn Kahler, ESPN

Another round of scrutiny on the Cowboys tours of the facility.

FRISCO, Texas — A tour guide presents a wall display of the Dallas Cowboys’ proudest achievements to a group of 20-plus people crowded in front of him, many wearing a mix of Cowboys jerseys. At the other end of the hallway, less than a football field away, are the Cowboys’ position meeting rooms. A player opens a door and walks out.

“Before we get started, we have a few ground rules,” the tour guide says. “If a player or coach walks by, don’t yell, don’t talk to them. Don’t take pictures of any people. If they come up to you, that’s fine.

“It’s a work day here at the Dallas Cowboys.”

For $40 a pop, fans can experience what the employee manning the tour information booth that day described as “a day in the life of a Cowboys player.” (It’s $70 for the Ultimate Fan Experience, which includes an Authentic Letter of Fandom from Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, a souvenir tote, a lapel pin and a dining and shopping coupon to use at The Star, $90 to add on a Q&A session with an AI Jerry hologram.)

The Cowboys say tours of The Star and AT&T Stadium combined sell about 500,000 tickets per year and generate nearly $10 million of annual revenue, which is considered football-related income and included in the league’s revenue share with players, who receive 48%.

Most NFL clubs work to limit distractions for players and staff. Paranoia motivates owners to keep the public and media out of the minutiae of football business. But Jones is built differently. “I have always thought that the way to promote the Cowboys and to add interest into what we were doing was to involve in every corner that’s possible, fan interest,” Jones says.

First Cowboys injury report for Week 8 raises major concern about Micah Parsons – Jerry Trotta, The Landry Hat

Even after the bye, many of Dallas’ stars may still be unavailable.

While the 49ers have dominated this matchup over the last three years, Dallas will get a neutered version of the reigning NFC champs. That is important, but the Cowboys have their own injury concerns to worry about.

While defensive lineman DeMarcus Lawrence and Marshawn Kneeland remained on IR, Dallas is hopeful to get a number of players back this week. All-Pro defenders Micah Parsons and DaRon Bland top that list.

Parsons and Bland returning is no guarantee, though, and the first injury report of the week underlined that in a concerning manner.

Parsons worked with the rehab group at Wednesday’s practice and was listed as a DNP (did not participate). While it is still early in the week, this is not a great sign for Parsons’ availability.

Jerry Jones said Tuesday on 105.3 The Fan that Parsons will be “game-time decision” for Sunday night. Mike McCarthy added that Parsons has made progress and revealed that Parsons was among several players who remained at the facility putting in additional work during the bye week.

Never short on confidence, Parsons himself is optimistic about returning.

“My hopes are always very high,”Parsons said about his chances of playing. “I love great challenges. I love being able to beat the odds. I’m going to put this up to my trainers and my coaching staff.”

Parsons has now missed two games – the first games he’s ever sat out because of an injury – with a high-ankle sprain he suffered in Week 5.

Fair shake or raw deal? Why Mike McCarthy has had it easier than prior head coaches of the Cowboys – Dan Rogers, BloggingTheBoys.com

Has Mike McCarthy been set up for success of failure?

Things are not going all that well for the Dallas Cowboys. Their record is a mediocre 3-3, but their three wins come against teams with bad quarterbacks, while their three losses have come in a blowout fashion against teams with good quarterbacks. Coming out of their bye week, they are searching for better performances while finding themselves in a dogfight to keep their playoff hopes within reach. That’s a tough spot to be in.

One could make a strong case that McCarthy has had it considerably better than many of the head coaches before him. He’s had a good quarterback and better defenses, and the overall roster talent has been better. Let’s examine.

A good quarterback

The Cowboys have been lucky to have a good quarterback for nearly 20 years. Tony Romo took over the starting QB job from Drew Bledsoe in 2006, and then Dak Prescott took over for Romo in 2016. Both quarterbacks can be considered blessings as Romo was an undrafted free agent and Prescott a late fourth-round compensatory pick.

Better overall talent

Not only do the Cowboys have a good list of star players, but their depth in recent years has been miles better than what they’ve had in the past. As a whole, McCarthy has had a strong roster to work with.

While McCarthy’s repeated 12-5 seasons are something to hang a hat on, the Cowboys’ two best seasons based on winning percentage have been seasons under Garrett. McCarthy, like Garrett before him, can’t get the team past the divisional round of the playoffs, but even more frustrating is the Cowboys’ playoff exits under McCarthy have been very disappointing while Garrett’s squads have been really close a few times.

McCarthy has had a fair shake, and if the team comes up short again this season, it’s hard to feel like he wasn’t allowed to succeed.

Here is the Cowboys’ first injury report for Sunday Night Football at San Francisco.