Dallas Cowboys players have come to head coach Mike McCarthy's defense amid reports the newcomer has lost the locker room early in the 2020 NFL season.
Veteran linebacker Sean Lee said Wednesday the team would not be concerned with anonymous sources. On Thursday, outside linebacker Jaylon Smith encouraged his teammates to own their words and speak their mind in the locker room rather than addressing reporters behind closed doors:
“(Mike McCarthy) is a players coach. If you got something to say, own up to it,” Smith said, via Jon Machota of The Athletic. Coach wants us to be grown men. It’s a blessing to have him as a coach. We have to perform…If you got something to say, put your name on it.”
Jane Slater of NFL Network reported Tuesday Cowboys players felt the coaching staff has been unprepared thus far, adding there has been a failure to make adjustments.
#Cowboys players initially bought into keeping things internal. Now as they sit 2-4 the discontent is leaking out. On the coaching staff “totally unprepared. They don’t teach. They don’t have any sense of adjusting on the fly.” Another “they just aren’t good at their jobs”
— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) October 20, 2020
However, Lee's comments on Wednesday suggested the improvements must come from the players, specifically on the defensive side of the ball.
Smith's apparent endorsement of McCarthy is encouraging. But he is also one of the defensive players who could stand to see improved performance going forward.
The 25-year-old is coming off a Pro Bowl campaign in 2019, but Smith has struggled to adapt to a new role as more of a pass rusher. He has just 0.5 sacks and two quarterback hits on the season, though the five tackles for a loss are a good sign.
Dallas needs Smith and the rest of the defense to step up and make plays, especially with Dak Prescott out and the offensive line decimated by injuries.
The Cowboys are still atop the weak NFC East at 2-4, but time will tell whether internal turmoil will derail their season or not.
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