The choice to half methods got here late Saturday night.
He had one other job by Monday afternoon.
This timeline doesn’t assist the notion some maintain of Kellen Moore. It definitely doesn’t match the social media caricature of the just lately departed Cowboys coordinator, one the place disgruntled followers counsel the offense shall be higher off with out him, that Dak Prescott will now recapture his former glory and the entire staff’s offensive ills will instantly fade away.
If Moore is that this clueless, why did the Los Angeles Chargers scoop him up just a few hours after he drove residence from The Star that night? Why was he requested to interview for seven head teaching vacancies within the final two years if he doesn’t know his bubble display from a gap within the floor?
The constructing backlash to Moore has at all times appeared disproportionate. The Cowboys led the NFL in offense twice and by no means completed decrease than No. 11 in his 4 seasons as offensive coordinator. Dallas was among the many highest scoring groups within the league in that interval and ranked exterior of the highest eight in passing solely as soon as.
Is Moore one of the best offensive coordinator within the league? No, however he’s a lot nearer to the highest than he’s the underside.
Does his relative inexperience as a play caller present at instances? With out query. However on the age of 34 it’s protected to say he’s forward of the curve.
Moore is artistic and collaborative. He’s proven a capability to adapt. By way of explosive performs — a key indicator to success within the eyes of Mike McCarthy — he’s finished a very good job. His relationship with and mentoring of Prescott has lengthy been a constructive for the franchise.
Philadelphia was the primary NFL staff to ask Moore to interview to grow to be its head coach. He misplaced out to Nick Sirianni, who has led the Eagles to the Tremendous Bowl in solely his second season as head coach.
Afterward, Prescott spoke to Moore and promised there could be different alternatives for him going ahead.
“Let’s concentrate on this,’’ Prescott informed his pal and coordinator. “Let’s concentrate on getting higher, each other, simply with our relationship.
“Getting higher as a play caller, me as quarterback, so we can assist one another.’’
That occurred, up till this season when Prescott suffered via a career-high 15 interceptions and an unusually erratic efficiency. What had been thought of a power was now considered as Prescott needing a brand new voice. This hits on one other subject.
Moore’s voice.
A giant character? An imposing presence? Neither describes Moore. His command of a room relies on the power of his concept relatively than the drive of his character.
Moore and Prescott began out as teammates earlier than he retired and have become No. 4′s place coach. One 12 months later Moore had risen to offensive coordinator, partially, due to Prescott’s lobbying efforts.
This isn’t your typical coach-player dynamic. The 2 view one another extra as friends. In some methods, Moore was indebted to Prescott for his assist.
Once more, none of this can be a dangerous factor. We’re speaking about mutual respect.
However for those who began out as Prescott’s teammate and don’t have a commanding presence, are you demanding sufficient of your quarterback every day? Are you as forceful as wanted?
When progress stops, because it did with Prescott this season, these are inquiries to discover.
None of that is an indictment of Moore. This isn’t an egregious lapse in teaching protocol.
The quickest technique to lose respect and an NFL locker room is fake to be somebody you’re not, to behave powerful when everybody is aware of it’s an act. Moore should stay true to his character.
However it does hit on why Moore gained’t be again this season. It explains why you hear the Cowboys speaking about how Prescott wants a brand new voice.
Moore was the suitable particular person for the job 4 years in the past. However for him to develop as an offensive coordinator he wants one other problem. He could have a unique relationship with Justin Herbert than he had with Prescott.
Prescott could have a unique relationship with McCarthy than he did Moore.
Pretty much as good as Moore and Prescott have been for one another, the time had come for them to be aside.
Catch David Moore and Robert Wilonsky as they co-host Intentional Grounding on The Ticket (KTCK-AM 1310 and 96.7 FM) each Wednesday night time from 7-8 p.m. via the Tremendous Bowl.
Twitter: @DavidMooreDMN
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