Emmitt Smith is not just a legend in the annals of Dallas Cowboys history; he remains a voice that commands respect and attention even nearly 20 years post-retirement. Smith, now 55, has recently turned that voice toward the management decisions surrounding the Cowboys' current roster, notably their handling of quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb.
Smith’s recent criticisms come amid a challenging period for the Cowboys. Dak Prescott is playing under the final year of his contract, and the team has yet to secure the star quarterback’s future. Adding to the complexity is CeeDee Lamb's holdout due to contractual disputes, leaving Prescott without one of his primary offensive weapons. This situation has prompted Smith to vocalize his discontent.
"He is a very, very valuable asset to the Dallas Cowboys. He is a very, very valuable asset to Dak Prescott," Smith remarked. "Without him on the football field, they're putting all of the pressure on Dak Prescott now. And that is unacceptable."
Smith’s words underscore a broader concern: the perceived misalignment between the Cowboys’ organizational goals and their actions. Despite consistent playoff appearances, the Cowboys have failed to capture a Super Bowl title for over two decades. For an organization with such storied success, this dry spell has been more than frustrating—it’s led to significant introspection.
Smith continued, "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."
The Cowboys' offensive lineup has seen significant shifts. Brandin Cooks occupies the No. 2 wideout spot, a notable addition, but the exit of running back Tony Pollard via free agency places even more burden on Ezekiel Elliott, now the team's primary rushing option. For Smith, these changes are symptomatic of deeper issues within the Cowboys' strategy and management.
Smith didn’t mince words about the urgency of addressing these issues. "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 questioned, emphasizing the need for a unified direction.
Such a comprehensive review, in Smith's view, is necessary to understand the disconnections that might be hampering the Cowboys’ path to success. "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," Smith pointed out.
The issue of alignment and strategic coherence resonates not just with former players but also with a fanbase hungry for a return to the glory days of the Cowboys. With Prescott’s contract situation unresolved and Lamb’s holdout continuing, there’s an air of uncertainty clouding the upcoming season.
Management's decisions in the coming months could be pivotal. Successfully addressing these challenges might reinvigorate the team and set them on a path to break the two-decade-long Super Bowl drought. However, failure to do so risks further alienating not only veteran voices like Smith but also a loyal fanbase that has been waiting far too long.
In conclusion, Smith’s critique serves as a clarion call for the Cowboys. It’s a call for introspection, for realignment, and most importantly, for action. The echoes of past glories will mean little if the present continues to fall short, and for an organization as storied as the Dallas Cowboys, the time for change is now. With the right moves, the future can bring the success that the team's rich history demands it to achieve.