Although the Cowboys had high expectations for their offense in 2021, they were held back by penalties at key moments throughout the season. The Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones is focusing on reducing penalties as the team prepares to reset for 2022.
After a disappointing playoff loss Stephen Jones spoke to the media about the penalties that held back the Cowboys.
“We’ve got to clean that up,” said Jones, via The Athletic’s Jon Machota. “Holding penalties are drive-killers. We’ve got to clean those things up and I think it will certainly impact some of the games we weren’t successful in.”
There are few ways to reduce penalties. Unless they choose to make roster moves or change coaches, then there is not much. Given the strength of the roster’s return in 2022, Mike McCarthy received a vote-of-confidence from the front office.
The Cowboys hold the No. 24 pick in 2022 NFL Draft, which they can use together with limited cap space to address roster holes and limit penalties.
The expectations were high for the Dallas Cowboys wide receiver team this season. The trio of Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb along with Michael Gallup were expected to set the NFL ablaze with quarterback Dak Prescott.
Despite the fact that the numbers looked good on paper, there were some disappointments at the end. Cooper felt that he should have been receiving more targets at times, especially since he is one of the top NFL receivers.
Dallas Cowboys Executive vice president Stephen Jones explained why Cooper wasn’t getting the touches he desired. Jones stated that sometimes it is down to coaches opening Cooper’s eyes, especially when he has to pay all that money.
Jones stated that sometimes it is not all about the receiver. It’s not the receiver who is the target, but the scheme. … However, if you are going to give someone a lot of money, then you expect them to be the best at their job…
Cooper was not the team’s top receiver for the first time since joining. Lamb was the recipient of that distinction, with 1,102 yards and six touchdowns from 79 receptions. Cooper had eight touchdowns more than the former Oklahoma native. Cooper finished with 68 receptions and 865 yards.