What's Wrong with Dallas Cowboys 'Texas Coast Offense'? 'Growing Pains,' Says Brandin Cooks
Five weeks into the season, we are still unsure exactly what to make of Mike McCarthy's "Texas Coast Offense'' as the Dallas Cowboys try and rebound from their 42-10 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
During the preseason, McCarthy's new system was given the fun nickname, a play on the West Coast Offense. However, the system that is predicated on quick throws and a quarterback's timing with his receivers has not been too successful so far.
Part of the reason is game script, but another, as receiver Brandin Cooks says, is simply getting used to the new system.
"We really just gotta execute," Cooks said. "Every player has to be better. I guess you could call it natural growing pains ... We're five, six weeks in. We just have to go back to work and do the things we said we were gonna do. Get on the same page, timing, get open."
With the addition of Cooks to the Cowboys' arsenal this offseason, many thought Dallas had an abundance of receiver weapons that could cause serious headaches to opposing defenses.
But through the first five weeks, CeeDee Lamb leads the team in receiving yards with 358, but then there's a big drop off. Michael Gallup (180 yards), Jake Ferguson (175 yards), and Cooks (73 yards) have all struggled to make a consistent impact during games.
Cowboys receiver Brandin Cooks knows the locker room has to put in the work following the loss to San Francisco.
Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Especially for Cooks, his nine receptions on 19 targets for 73 yards isn't what many envisioned, and with the offense struggling to get things going in a positive direction, he is taking that rather personally.
"We got so many playmakers on this offense," Cooks said. "The thought process is when you have that many playmakers, you get the ball to them. But right now, as receivers, I take it personal. We gotta be better. I'm trusting the process, and that's always what I'm gonna do. At the end of the day, just come in and work harder and be better so when those opportunities do come, I'll be ready."
The Cowboys' offense was lauded heading into the regular season. But, after five weeks, McCarthy's unit ranks eighth for scoring (26.8 points a game), 21st for average passing yards per game (217.8), 10th for rushing yards per game (124.4), and perhaps most strikingly, is 18th in total yards per game (342.2).
McCarthy's offense needs to get going and quickly. After the embarrassment of how inept the unit looked against the 49ers, Dak Prescott and his playmakers need to get to work against the Chargers.
Was last week's offensive effort against the 49ers an outlier? With CeeDee Lamb frustrated and Cooks taking it personally, Monday night could see the West Coast Offense finally come alive. ... in the form of the "Texas Coast Offense.''
