Now that the NFL’s 2017 regular season is coming to an end, heads are rolling as many teams look to blame their coaching staff for a lackluster performance. I have a feeling that the Dallas Cowboys will be one of those teams swinging the axe. Many people (including me) thought that Jason Garrett would be first to go, but in an interview with 105.3 The Fan, Jerry Jones stated that Garrett’s job was not in jeopardy. So who should be runner up? I’d like to nominate Offensive Coordinator Scott Linehan. Let’s start with reasons #1 and #2:

#1 During the Seattle Seahawks game, when there was 5:40 to go, and the Cowboys were down by nine,  why wasn’t the ball given to Ezekiel Elliot on 1st and goal at the three yard line?

#2 Why wasn’t it given to him on 2nd and goal at the two?!!

I mean isn’t that Football 101? I’m not a professional coach or anything, but even I know that giving Zeke the ball would have been the best bet. So, the Cowboys decide to throw it on the two yard line, the pass is incomplete, and Jason Witten gets called for holding. At the end of it all, the Cowboys are forced to go for three and to everyone’s surprise, veteran Dan Bailey misses the 34-yard field goal that would have cut the Seahawks lead to six. Might I also mention that Zeke should have been given the ball more than the 24 carries he had for the entire game. This was supposed to be his big return back and I don’t feel like the coaches gave him many opportunities.

Another knock against Linehan (and Garrett) is their failure to find an adequate replacement for left tackle Tyron Smith, who got hurt earlier in the season.  Because of that, Dak Prescott got sacked way more than he should have.  Thankfully he didn’t get hurt, but he did start playing like he didn’t really trust his offensive line and I don’t blame him.

If those aren’t enough reasons, then how about the offense not being prepared when Elliot was forced to serve his six game suspension? When the season started, the coaches knew there was a chance that Zeke would be suspended. Shouldn’t there have been some type of contingency plan? I mean isn’t that what good coaching is about? Instead, we lose by double digits the first three games during Zeke’s absence.

The thing is, the Cowboys have a lot of talented players but no one is tapping into it. As a fan, it’s just so disappointing to have such high hopes for your favorite team, only to get disappointed in the end. Something’s got to give. Let’s hope Mr. Jones agrees and makes the needed changes that will ultimately help the Cowboys get back on track.