With the Cowboys returning to practice after a few extra days off, there’s one task at the top of the list: fixing their penalty problem. It is true that the team comes in a good mood after their victories against Vikings and Giants. Even more so after the team managed to improve its run defense and its passing game.
However, the faults continue to occur. And the ghosts of 2021 are making a comeback.
Against the Giants on Thanksgiving Day, the Cowboys committed 13 penalties for 84 penalty yards. In fact, there were two of them on defense that continued rival offensive series in the first half that ended in points. However, the team managed to come out on top in the second half, taking the 28-20 victory.
Despite this, the statistics are worrying. After Week 12, the Cowboys are the second most penalized in the NFL so far this season. The Cowboys have 83 penalties for 636 yards in 11 games, second only to the Broncos (87 penalties for 739 yards). Besides, they are the third team with the most pre-snap penalties, and the most penalized team at home with 45 penalties in total.
-The #cowboys have been flagged 83 times this season (2nd most). Their opponents have been called for 70 penalties.
-3rd most presnap penalties
-No team in the league has been penalized at home more than the Cowboys (45). Next highest is New Orleans (41).Gotta clean this up.
— Matt Owen (@ProfessorO_NFL) November 28, 2022
After what happened in 2021, and after committing 17 fouls against Denver in their first preseason game, it is unacceptable that these penalties continue to occur. However, the offensive line (one of the units that presents this problem the most) is already working on this aspect. This is how Terence Steele, Dallas right tackle, revealed it in statements for the cowboy team’s official website.
“(On Monday) we worked on the rhythm a bit, everyone trying to start with the same rhythm”Steele said Tuesday. “We just have to keep doing that and we’ll do it well. The coaches were trying to mimic Dak’s (Prescott) snap count, doing reps on it. Throughout the week we will do a full lane with Dak as quarterback to get used to the rhythm of him.”
It seems that part of the penalty problems on the offensive line have to do with quarterback changes during the season. After Dak Prescott was out for five games, the line five had to adjust to the pace of the Cooper Rush. Therefore, after the return of Prescott, it has been necessary to “recalibrate” the rhythm. And this is something that they must improve as soon as possible to avoid costing important games in 2021.
“We can’t have pre-snap penalties”Steele added. “They bite us on the butt.”
Of course, the offensive line isn’t the only Dallas unit that must avoid unnecessary fouls. This is a discipline issue that affects both offense and defense and special teams. However, this is still under the control of the team. This is how Jerry Jones, owner and general manager of the Cowboys, revealed it during a recent interview.
“That is under our control, it is something that we can focus on and that we can improve”Jones said Tuesday on 105.3 The Fan. “Our own mistakes really took the momentum out of us the other day. We have to make sure that we are aware of that. Teams have to do that and they have to do it individually, but then that has to translate to the unit. We need to improve.”
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on @1053thefan on if they just need to accept that this team is going to commit a significant number of penalties: “No. absolutely not. That is in our control. That is something you can get better at. … We’ve got to improve our penalties. We have to.”
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) November 29, 2022
However, head coach Mike McCarthy wants to address this issue without changing the team’s playing identity. He let it be seen in his statements during a press conference this Monday.
“Believe me, I am clearly aware of things that are not going well (in the team)”McCarthy told reporters present. “Penalties and penalty avoidance is something we spend more time on. But I don’t want to lose the aggressiveness of our playing style and our efficiency.”
Cowboys drew season-high 13 penalties Thurs. McCarthy’s take?
“Trust me, I’m clearly on top of the things that aren’t gong well. Penalties & penalty prevention is something we’re spending more time on. But I don’t want to lose the aggressiveness of our play style & efficiency.”
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) November 28, 2022
On paper, the next three games (against the Colts, Texans and Jaguars) would be ideal for Dallas to work on fixing its penalty problem. The toughest tests will come against the Eagles and Titans in weeks 16 and 17. In them, the Cowboys will have to show if they really are ready for the playoffs if they qualify. Or, if we will witness another debacle where all the team’s flaws come out.
