JUST IN: Mike McCarthy acknowledges lack of run game on both sides of the ball…

The running game is always a key component of success or failure in football, regardless of the era. The Cowboys

failed to meet the mark this past season on both sides of the ball.

The Cowboys’ inability to run the ball effectively on offense and their defense’s glut of running yards were evident in

their season-long losses.

For his first offseason media meeting, head coach Mike McCarthy was asked especially to address the run, both on

offense and defense, on Thursday.

In the grand scheme of things, McCarthy stated, “I think we need to be better in both areas over the course of the

year, I believe it’s something we were discussing.”

Regardless of the age, the running game is always a major factor in determining a football team’s success or failure.

This past season, the Cowboys fell short on both sides of the ball.

The Cowboys’ season-long deficits were a direct result of their defense’s plenty of running yards and their incapacity

to run the ball efficiently on offense.

Head coach Mike McCarthy was specifically asked to discuss the run, both on offense and defense, at his first

offseason media conference on Thursday.

McCarthy said that, overall, “I think we need to be better in both areas over the course of the year, I believe it’s

something we were discussing.”

In both categories, the Cowboys’ location was essentially in the middle of the pack. At 112.9 yards per game on

offense, they were 14th out of 32 teams in terms of rushing yards per contest. They ranked 16th in defense, giving up

112.4 yards per game, and were exactly in the center of the pack.

In both categories, the Cowboys’ location was essentially in the middle of the pack. At 112.9 yards per game on

offense, they were 14th out of 32 teams in terms of rushing yards per contest. They ranked 16th in defense, giving up

112.4 yards per game, and were exactly in the center of the pack.

When questioned by reporters about his discussions with Smith, McCarthy responded, “I think the biggest thing for

Tyron is, you know, we talked about the path of his season and the training plan that was in place for him.” “This is

without a doubt the best season I’ve had with him since 2020. That made him feel incredibly good.

Granted, Smith dealt with injuries all season long and missed a total of four games. In all those, he was missed. With

a revised deal full of playing-time incentives, the Cowboys reduced the risk associated with his erratic health.

It seemed like there was a doubt about whether or not Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy would return. They will

without a doubt welcome back quarterback Dak Prescott.

It is unrelated to his play, which was excellent in the regular season but insufficient in the playoff defeat to the

Packers. It is entirely related to his contract. Rather of wearing the second franchise tag, Prescott signed a four-year

contract, which he is now entering its last year of. He was franchise-tagged for the first time when his four-year

rookie contract expired, and he reached the second tag because the Cowboys declined to renew his rookie contract

after three years.

He was in a powerful position in the beginning of 2021. With it, he took exactly the same action that team owner

Jerry Jones has used whenever he has had significant influence throughout his life.

He used it to his fullest advantage. Prescott’s cap figure will thus soar from $26.832 million in 2023 to $59.455

million on opening day of the 2024 league year. To avoid paying the hefty cap charge, the Cowboys are forced to

extend his contract before then.