How a broken ankle will change Dallas Cowboys history

How will a broken ankle change the course of Dallas Cowboys history?

The book of Dallas Cowboys history will insert a new chapter in its 2019 season. Especially in the book of Dak Prescott, and Kellen Moore.

Prescott’s ascension into the starting QB role has become polarizing for many Cowboys fans these last 3 years. Let’s just think about everything that lead up to this moment.

We drafted Dak in the 4th RD of the 2016 NFL Draft at #135 overall. At that time the #3 quarterback on the depth chart behind Moore, and Romo respectively.

“Dallas had long been rumored to have preferred Prescott as a backup option to Tony Romo. There are physical, athletic, and leadership traits comparable to Tim Tebow, but Prescott is vastly more pro-ready as a passer. He’s an ideal backup as he continues to work on overall consistency, but he’ll bring a dynamic element if his name’s ever called.” ~Mark Dulgerian, NFL Research Department

We know what happened with Romo here in Seattle that pre-season game. Then 3 years later, however, things are now appearing to come full circle between Prescott and Moore. In essence, prompting one question for all Cowboys fans. After all the work the Cowboys the Jones’ have put into the “Draft Whisperer” Will McClay are we ready for the next step? Are we finally in a leadership position to win our 6th Lombardi?

Or will going “All Money In” with Kellen Moore as the OC be the downfall many Prescott fans are hoping and praying for? Could Moore get more out of Dak than what Linehan could? Many questions like this will be answered in the coming months.

Initially, I was not a fan of the OC move at all like Michael Irvin. I am trying to be more open-minded about it however and would like to see it translate on the field early. Like in game one against the midgets for the home opener.  So when questions like this burn in my mind at 3 am in the morning, I begin to research and try to connect the dots for our readers.

Apparently, the Cowboys leadership thinks Moore along with QB coach John Kitna has what it takes to help change the Dallas Cowboys history in 2019.

Also read: The power and influence of Cowboys fan base media

The Dallas Cowboys history book for 2019 can be written in two directions

Bottom line upfront. We will take the next step in making a deep playoff run to Miami in 2020. Or, the whole thing will backfire leading to round-the-clock turmoil among fans, and the NFL media.

Quite frankly, I’m hoping for the first one. But, there are many unanswered questions out there. Can the “Beautiful Mind” of Kellen Moore be the difference?

Many Cowboys fans in OAT are referring to this move to be the difference. Either good or bad.  I’m not sold, however. Neither are they I think. Open-mindedness is more of my current state. Especially after Michael Irvin came out in the media last week, and had this to say.

“I scratched my head when it went down,” Irvin told his former boss. “I scratched my head when the hire was made, when you gave Kellen Moore the offensive coordinator’s job.”

In the same setting, Irving follows up with this reported by Cowboys Wire.

“After speaking this weekend with Ezekiel Elliott,” Irvin continued, “I kind of did … a 180 on it.” (Irvin and Elliott had appeared at a charity event hosted by Irvin’s former teammate Emmitt Smith.) “One of the things Zeke said, he said, ‘Michael, this kid is smart.’ He said he’s smart, and I think the most important thing he said … ‘He’ll listen to us. What we see on the field, he’ll listen and incorporate it in the game plan.”

For Moore to be a a first-time OC he clearly is starting off on the right foot it seems. Listening more thank he speaks. Great leadership quality and way to get buy-in from the players and staff.

Also read: Are you a veteran who supports the Dallas Cowboys?

Let’s open the history book of Kellen Moore

Moore played football at Prosser High School. Where over a 4-year span he produced a 70% completion rate for 8330 yards thrown with a whopping 126 TD’s! In fact, Boise State’s assistant coach persuaded then Head Coach Chris Peterson into offering him a scholarship. Crazy right? After all that HS production he was still unattractive to many NCAA head coaches.

While at Boise State his 4-year production averages were 3,666 passing yards, 35 TD’s, and 7 INT while connecting on a whopping 69% of the time.  He was not selected in the 2012 NFL Draft, but was signed immediately post-draft by the Detroit Lions. Crazy right? What was it about this phenom NFL coaches wanted nothing to do with? Scott Linehan was the OC for the Lions at that time.

On September 6, 2015, Moore was signed by the Dallas Cowboys to the team’s practice squad, reuniting with former Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan. Then he broke his ankle in 2016. In 2018 Moore retired from the NFL as a result., Eventually, he became the Cowboys’ quarterbacks coach after the Cowboys decided not to bring back coach Wade Wilson. Under Scott Linehan as the then Cowboys OC. On January 31, 2019, the Cowboys officially announced Moore would be promoted to “Offensive Coordinator” after releasing Linehan.

But what do Moore, Linehan, and John Kitna have in common Cowboys fans may find even more interesting?

The Pacific Northwest Dallas Cowboys Pipeline

While attempting to capture the totality of this OC decision by the Cowboys I discovered something. We all know how our owner loves to talk about the Cowboys as a family organization. It couldn’t be more true when you look at the current roster we have with talent recruited from Boise State. Beyond that, however, what I found was something even way more interesting.

Given the obvious connection, we touched on above between Scott Linehan, the Detroit Lions, and Kellen Moore. But check this out. Both Moore and Linehan were products of WA state. Specifically the lower eastern area around Yakima, and the state of Idaho. Linehan was born in Sunnyside, a city in Yakima county. Moore however grew up and played high school football in Prosser near Tri-cities. Lower eastern WA.

And it gets even juicier. You guys know who John Kitna is currently on the Dallas Cowboys. In addition, I’m certain you know his past with us. Kitna however was a product of Tacoma, WA. About 20 minutes where I am currently retired from the Navy in 2016. Even after all his stints with us, Kitna found his way back home as a high school math teacher until 2015 at Lincoln High in Tacoma, WA. 

Now I understand drafting players from Boise State is not anything new here. It’s clear the Cowboys have struck gold there multiple times. Even with Idaho Salmon River High School homegrown, eventual Boise State phenom Leighton Vander Esch. What I do find neat is that all of these players and coaches are connected to the pacific northwest. Small I know yet interesting.

So will Kitna supply the mathematical mechanics for Dak that Moore needs to display his inner genius play calling? Mark Holmes recently stated Moore was a big reason why the Cowboys even drafted Dak in the first place.  Check out his take on Moore, and more.

Everything is always based on leadership

Now don’t think for one second I’m “All Money In” on Moore. Optimistic more so now. As we progress through OTA’s, training camp, and pre-season let’s see his body of work. But when it comes to a broken ankle changing the course of the Dallas Cowboys history, it’s going to happen. It’s either going to be explosive, or it’s going to be destructive. Meaning on 1 hand it will succeed beyond expectations, or it will crash and burn on the other.

The temperature among fans I feel currently are optimistic much like Mark above. Initially, however, I felt otherwise because I didn’t personally know what the Cowboys organization knew as a fan about Moore. Maybe this is general knowledge I missed about it all. Either way I wanted it documented here for our own historical documentation.

Can we both agree that if this Moore OC move doesn’t work out, we could see the end of the Garrett coaching era? Just like our leadership produced stale play-calling under Linehan with Dak. I truly believe that if this were to backfire our fan base will break the internet, yet again. Especially after fixing it from breaking once Jerry agrees to write Dak a handsome check.

Jerry Jones is yet again setting the table for the Ultimate hand of Texas Hold’em this season. Going “All Money In” on Moore with this well-put-together team over the last three years. I ultimately want to believe it’s going to pay off big. Then again only time will tell.

Also read: Why Jerry Jones is all business at the end of the day

 Conclusion

The Dallas Cowboys history is all hinged upon the broken ankle of Moore currently. Had it never happened, this conversation would be totally different. It did however and now it appears it could be a pivotal moment for our fans. Can he really come in green like this with all his genius? Will Kitna supply the mathematical mechanics Dak need’s to take the next step?

Or will the Dak haters prevail in this case? All those who argued against the Cowboys for allowing Romo to essentially walk out and into the booth because of Dak’s play? Either way, it’s safe to say that history will be made this season in one of 2 ways. I believe at this point it’s going to have to work.

Between Jerry, Stephen, and Will McClay over the last 3 years the Cowboys are in a prime position to take the next step in 2019. Besides, after this year’s financial obligations with players, this will be a whole new conversation. For the time being however the Boise State connection and the Cowboys family look to make a significant change in Dallas Cowboys history.

 

Want my personal thoughts on the matter? Check it out at the 7:22 mark below.