Dallas Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith has never been one to shy away from voicing his opinions about the team he helped lead to greatness. Now, at 55 years old and nearly two decades removed from his playing days, Smith is once again in the spotlight, criticizing the Cowboys' management for their handling of key players like Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb.
Concerns Over Player Management
Smith's criticisms are not without merit. Dak Prescott is playing under the final year of his contract, and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb is currently holding out due to unresolved contractual issues. According to Smith, this situation puts undue pressure on Prescott. "He should be in a position, as your franchise quarterback, to be successful. And right now you're putting him behind the eight ball. And that is not right," Smith emphasized.
Smith further elaborates on Lamb's value to the team and its quarterback. "He is a very, very valuable asset to the Dallas Cowboys. He is a very, very valuable asset to Dak Prescott. Without him on the football field, they're putting all of the pressure on Dak Prescott now. And that is unacceptable."
Cowboys' Recent Moves Under Scrutiny
The Cowboys have also been scrutinized for their offseason moves. Having let running back Tony Pollard go via free agency, the team is leaning heavily on Ezekiel Elliott. In addition, Brandin Cooks is now the Cowboys' No. 2 wideout, a critical position given the uncertainty surrounding Lamb.
Emmitt Smith's words reflect the deep-seated frustrations felt by many Cowboys fans who have watched their team stumble year after year. "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."
A Call for Organizational Reassessment
Smith believes the problems run deeper than just player management. He calls for a comprehensive assessment of the entire organization. "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?" Smith's words echo a sentiment that has been building among the fanbase for years.
He further adds, "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."
The Long Wait for a Super Bowl
The Cowboys have not won a Super Bowl in over two decades, a drought that weighs heavily on the team’s legacy. Despite consistent playoff appearances, the promised breakthrough has remained elusive. For a franchise with such a storied history, this prolonged absence from the pinnacle of NFL success is hard to swallow.
Smith's frustration is palpable and resonates with a fanbase that has watched their team fall short year after year. His criticisms are a stark reminder of the high standards set by past Cowboys teams and the need for current management to make decisions that will help the team reclaim its former glory.
As the Cowboys prepare for another season, the spotlight will be firmly on how they address these issues. For Dak Prescott, playing under the weight of an expiring contract, and for CeeDee Lamb, stuck in contractual limbo, the stakes couldn't be higher. The organizational reassessment Smith calls for may be just what the Cowboys need to bridge the gap between potential and reality.
In the world of professional sports, legends like Emmitt Smith command respect and attention, not just for their achievements on the field but for their insights and perspectives off it. His pointed criticisms serve as both a warning and a rallying cry for a franchise yearning to ascend once more to the heights of NFL supremacy.