Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy has strong response for Troy Aikman's viral criticism of offense
When former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman speaks on the state of his old team, people listen. That's the credentials you earn after winning three Super Bowls while staying on top of the game just like he has. That's why last week, his comments on the Cowboys offense went viral, as he took hard shots at […]
When former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman speaks on the state of his old team, people listen. That's the credentials you earn after winning three Super Bowls while staying on top of the game just like he has.
That's why last week, his comments on the Cowboys offense went viral, as he took hard shots at the team, specifically the wide receivers. Aikman said he thought the routes were "terrible" and that players were "lazy" off the line of scrimmage.
"I think the routes are terrible," Aikman told 96.7 The Ticket earlier in the week. "I think they run terrible routes. And I've thought that beyond this year. I think CeeDee (Lamb) has got to improve in his route running. As a quarterback, if you're not certain where guys are going to be consistently, it's hard to play the position. That's what I see. I see guys lazy coming off the line of scrimmage."
Naturally, in Mike McCarthy's first press conference since then, he faced questions about his thoughts on Aikman. His response was strong and firm, as the head coach essentially dismissed the legend's take on his Cowboys offense.
“They don’t carry any weight with me because I watch all the tape, I get to go to the meetings, I'm at practice, I'm part of the games," McCarthy firmly told reporters. "I have a clear understanding of what and where. Troy’s statement, in particular, I don’t agree with the word selection. There is definitely a need for improvement in every position.”
McCarthy also said he doesn't feel the need to address Aikman's comments with the locker room, adding that the team needs to "move away from (the external focus)," admitting than in Dallas, the potential for distractions is higher than other places in the league.
Aikman's criticism is right when it comes to the receivers, but in all honesty, McCarthy is handling the right way. The Cowboys must improve in all areas but they need to do it in-house and not let the outside noise get to them. They simply can't afford it at 3-3 and a killer schedule up next.
NFL player just gave the Cowboys all the more reason to pull off much-needed trade
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