Emmitt Smith: A Critical Voice on the Current State of the Dallas Cowboys
Emmitt Smith, an iconic figure in Dallas Cowboys history, is once again the focus of attention, this time for his outspoken criticism of the team's management. With Smith now 55 years old and nearly 20 years into his retirement, his legacy as one of the greatest running backs in NFL history is well-secured. However, his frustration with his former team's recent decisions is palpable.
Smith's primary concerns center around the handling of key players such as Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb. Recently, he expressed vehement disapproval over the management’s strategies and the impact they have on the team’s performance. “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 commented, highlighting the precarious situation created by Lamb's contractual holdout.
Lamb's absence is evidently a significant blow to the Cowboys. As Prescott enters the final year of his contract, the added pressure without his top wideout is a scenario Smith finds deeply troubling. “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,” Smith stressed.
Smith’s candor extends beyond immediate personnel issues; he reflects a broader frustration shared by many Cowboys fans regarding the team’s prolonged championship drought. The Cowboys have not clinched a Super Bowl title in over two decades, a period marked by playoff disappointments and unfulfilled promises. “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, illustrating the emotional toll on long-time followers.
Adding to the fraught atmosphere is the departure of Tony Pollard via free agency, leaving the Cowboys more reliant on veteran running back Ezekiel Elliott. Brandin Cooks has stepped up as the No. 2 wideout, but the lack of depth and the ongoing uncertainty cast a shadow over the team's aspirations.
Smith believes the issues run deeper than just on-field performance. He emphasizes a need for a thorough organizational reassessment. “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?” he advocates, urging a fundamental examination of the team's internal alignment and strategy.
Despite an alignment seemingly in place, Smith senses a disconnect that has hindered the team’s progress. “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 noted, underscoring the urgency for change.
Smith’s critiques serve as a stark reminder of the high expectations and storied history associated with the Dallas Cowboys. While his stature and insight lend significant weight to his words, it remains to be seen how the team’s management will respond or if tangible changes will follow. One thing is certain, as long as voices like Emmitt Smith's continue to speak out, the call for the Cowboys to rise to their former glory remains loud and clear.