(Editor's Note: Time to check the mail! The DallasCowboys.com staff writers answer your questions here in 'Mailbag' presented by Miller Lite.)
I'm loving everything about Brian Schottenheimer, but I'm also a realist. It took Dan Campbell two years to truly implement his culture in Detroit and get the Lions to buy in. Is too much being asked of Schottenheimer in his first year? Or will the team be ready to compete now? – Anna Kovalenko/San Diego, CA
Mickey: I would thing no, not really too much to ask. Staying healthy, this offense has a chance to be prolific as long as the offensive line comes around, and that has little to do with Schotty's system or implementing his culture. Remember, Dan Campbell took over a 5-11 team that had not won more than six games in each of the previous three years. Sure, the Cowboys were 7-10 last year, but at least Schottenheimer had been with the team those previous three seasons, so no newcomer to these players. Plus, Schotty's had 23 years of coaching experience in the NFL, Cambell just 11 an NFL assistant, though one of those seasons Miami's interim head coach for 12 games. And for sure Schottenheimer is not asking for a honeymoon first season. Plus, Campbell had just inherited Jared Goff his first season in Detroit when going 3-13-1 while Schottenheimer has a seasoned and healthy Dak Prescott at quarterback. Big difference.
Tommy: I think it's too early to tell in some aspects. From a culture standpoint, I don't think there's been any issue when it comes to implementing it and buy in from the players. Where I think it's too early to tell if a lot is on his plate is how he handles being both a play caller and a head coach. There are some coaches that make it look easy, and others that struggle. The reason it's too early to answer that question is because we don't have a sample size of that yet. In one game, it looked like the operation was shaky at times with a lot of penalties, guys coming on the field late, etc. That doesn't fall solely on Schottenheimer though, and is also just typically what you see from teams in the preseason. Brian Schottenheimer has been waiting for this moment his entire life. He's had 30+ years to prepare for being in the chair he's long dreamed of being in. I find it difficult to see him being completely overwhelmed, but we'll see.
Mailbag
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