Cowboys writer makes compelling argument regarding Kellen Moore
One of the biggest question marks surrounding the 2022 Dallas Cowboys lies at offensive coordinator. Over the last few years, Kellen Moore has shown flashes of what makes him a rising head coach candidate in the NFL. But he's also shown several issues, from predictability to the apparent lack of scheme to fall back on. […]
One of the biggest question marks surrounding the 2022 Dallas Cowboys lies at offensive coordinator. Over the last few years, Kellen Moore has shown flashes of what makes him a rising head coach candidate in the NFL.
But he's also shown several issues, from predictability to the apparent lack of scheme to fall back on.
Recently, a drastic decline in production in the second half of the 2021 season and underperforming in the playoffs has been the main topic of conversation when discussing Moore.
But fans and media members might be giving up on the Dallas Cowboys' 33-year-old coach too early. The early success of some of the other young coaches around the league has left Cowboys Nation wanting more out of the fourth-year coordinator. By excellence, Sean McVay has been the benchmark for young, offensive-minded coaches in football.
Earlier in June, Rob Phillips – writer for the Cowboys' official website – provided some essential perspective on Kellen Moore:
"The thing that maybe people don't realize about Rams coach Sean McVay — and I'm saying this because every rising offensive coach gets compared to him — is that he was an NFL assistant for eight years, including three as an offensive coordinator, before he got the Rams job at 31. Kellen Moore has been a coach — at any level, period — for four years. He's 33. He's got plenty of time to eventually reach that level."
Although there are critical concerns when it comes to Moore's offenses, there's no denying his units have been efficient. Going by Expected Points Added per play*, here are where the Cowboys' offense has ranked under Moore:
- 2019: 3rd
- 2020: 25th (Dak Prescott missed most of the season)
- 2021: 7th
*Numbers by RBSDM.com
Pro Football Focus even put together a complex formula that had Moore ranked next to elite company.
At the very least, we should acknowledge Kellen Moore has managed to put together efficient offenses and he's done so with little experience. Clearly, there are problems as well and he must prove himself if he wants to fulfill his career aspirations.
But storylines indicating Kellen Moore is "washed" or bad at his job seem overblown. With a lesser supporting cast in 2022, this could be the biggest year of his career. Can he make an offense with question marks at wide receiver and offensive line work?
Featured image via Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
