Will Allen says Cowboys problem is lack of cohesion
By Mike Dyce
The Dallas Cowboys started safety Will Allen in the first two games of the season. He was released in early October and has since signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he provided some insight into the Dallas Cowboys based on his time with the club.
“It was a very micromanaged atmosphere,” Allen told Sirius XM NFL Radio on Tuesday night. “Everything was heightened. Everything was very tight. I didn’t feel the relationship and the bonding between players and coaches. Maybe just the players. Or maybe just a few coaches and a few players.
“I think that’s the rift that you get, and everybody wonders why Dallas can’t finish, why Dallas isn’t completing everything it needs to. The players are great. The players are tremendous. The coaches are some of the best in the business. You just need a cohesion there that allows players and coaches to really execute and do their jobs and it’s not something hanging over their heads, that if they mess up you’re going to get cut or you’re not going to play or not going to do this. That’s not fun for anybody.”
It is interesting to hear someone pinpoint why specifically the Cowboys don’t succeed despite the talent on the team. Usually people point to Romo, or injuries, or play-calling. People even point to Jerry Jones and his meddling. He pinpoints a different and specific reason.
That cliquish attitude isn’t something he sees in the Steelers locker room.
“Everybody’s given a chance to prove themselves, given a chance to play together and the guys we truly sincerely believe in everyone,” Allen said. “The coaches believe in the players. The players believe in the coaches, and you just see this even path now. If guys are consistently not performing, you’re not going to be on the field. Obviously you’re not going to play. But everybody is encouraging, everybody is uplifting, everybody is pushing for everybody’s best. That’s what you want. We understand that it’s a business, but football is a business. Winning is our business. But if we’re not a team, if we’re not together in it all, then we have nothing. That’s the mindset in Pittsburgh.”