Cowboys' Mike McCarthy Reveals He'll Skip NFL Scouting Combine: A Major 'Workload' Mistake

Dallas Cowboys' Mike McCarthy Reveals He'll Skip NFL Scouting Combine: A Major 'Workload' Mistake

FRISCO - We are going to artfully find a way here to be both deferential to Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy's decision for him and new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer to skip next week's 2024 NFL Scouting Combine ... while also suggesting that the decision represents an organizational error in judgment.

“Zim and I will have a full week together here and cover a lot of ground with things we’re working on,'' McCarthy said in explaining the decision to a DFW media group. "At the same time, we can still participate in the Combine process and have direct contact through video calls and meetings, while having our coaches on the ground there as well.”

This sort of decision is not without precedent; Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay usually skips the annual sessions in Indianapolis, insisting that there are traits of players that he values that make the trip unnecessary. And the Cowboys have in the past kept McCarthy home rather than have him attend, say the NFL Owners Meetings.

But we do not agree with McCarthy's assertion, as ESPN put it, that "the workload capacity and time efficiency made more sense for them to remain at The Star.''

mccarthy and zimmer

Please explain this to us: There is no "cap'' on man hours devoted to the integration of new coach Zimmer into the system. Nor is there a "cap'' on man hours devoted to scouting research ahead of April's NFL Draft.

Therefore, how is there some sort of "time crunch'' that makes McCarthy/Zimmer an either/or when it comes to "workload capacity''? 

We're not advocating that coaches sleep on sofas in their offices here at The Star. Nor are we questioning the work ethic of two NFL lifers.

But the NFL Draft is two months away. There isn't enough time in the next 60 days to get Zimmer's scheme in place and to look draft prospects in the eye? To speak to them one-on-one? To gauge and judge ... well, everything about a draft-eligible player?

We thought it weird last year when McCarthy - who was then making offensive changes in his coming first year as the play-caller in the "Texas Coast Offense'' - essentially skipped Indianapolis ... but for a quick drive-by to meet with the media there.

So the Cowboys coach met with the media (which we appreciate!) ... but he didn't meet with the players?!

We give no extra credit to McCarthy, by the way, for noting that he will "still participate in the Combine process and have direct contact through video calls and meetings''; so the coach will watch videos? Great.

McCarthy and Zimmer will "view tape of the workouts to keep them informed on draft prospects''? You mean ... like millions of fans get to do? That's how the Cowboys plan to stay ahead of the game?

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Nor do the Cowboys gets points because, as McCarthy said, they will have "our coaches on the ground there as well.” ... because ... well, where the hell else would they be?

We've spoken to the Cowboys about this, and this we will grant: It is true that Jerry and Stephen Jones will spend time there. Personnel boss Will McClay and all the scouts and all the assistants will be there, too. Additionally, when Dallas has its "30 Visits'' and other such sessions? McCarthy and Zimmer will surely be in the mix. But ...

"On the ground'' matters. "On the ground'' is where you see a prospect not just run the 40 ... but also interact with others. It's where you not only see a print-out mentioning his hand size ... but also where you get to actual shake his hand. What's the kid's personality? His vibe? His mood? The head coach of the Dallas Cowboys thinks he can gauge that on Zoom?

We were taught, a long time ago, by some of the most heralded scouts in NFL history, a deep secret to their success. They told us that they showed up hours early to college games, and that they were usually the last to leave the stadium after the game. 

Why? As one told us: "I want to see how he prepares, how he warms up. I want to see if he's nice to his mom, to his girlfriend. I want to see how he interacts with his friends in the parking lot. I want to see if it pains him to lose.''

And Mike McCarthy and Mike Zimmer are going to pass on all of that ... because there isn't "time''?