FRISCO, Texas - Football season is getting closer and closer.
The Cowboys are set to depart for training camp in less a month. That's when we'll get the first up-close look at Brian Schottenheimer's first season with this revised roster and coaching staff. When we get to Oxnard, that's when we'll start to get some real answers about this 2025 Cowboys team.
But what are the questions? We've compiled our annual list of pressing questions that need answers heading into the regular season. The staff writers, consisting of Patrik Walker, Tommy Yarrish, Nick Eatman, Mickey Spagnola, Kyle Youmans and Kurt Daniels, weigh in on some of the pressing issues.
Today, we'll take a look at the new culture that has been established by this new coaching staff. The biggest question is if it will actually translate to on-field success.
8) Does the new culture translate to the field?
Tommy: You would certainly hope so. Where you'll want to see it come through is the tough stretches where nothing seems to be going right and someone has to make a play. Or when the team finds themselves in a big deficit, and someone provides a way to dig out of the hole they're in. Those are the moments that Brian Schottenheimer's culture can show up on the field, and now the question is whether or not the Cowboys have the personnel and gameplan to make it pay off. Culture can only get you so far, your plan on the field and the players you put out there have todo the rest. In my opinion, the Cowboys have everything they need to at the very least hold their own in most games on the schedule, but the ability to execute and finish is something we'll have to wait and see if they can do.
Kyle: One way to describe the Cowboys first offseason under Brian Schottenheimer, happens to be a baseball metaphor. So far, Schottenheimer and his staff have done everything right. They've created a completive culture and ensured that there's an edge to the players in the building. All this equates to right now is taking batting practice. While it's a good thing that hitting a batting practice pitch means the swing is crisp and fundamentally sound, it doesn't mean anything until someone else is trying to strike you out in the game.
So yes, I believe the culture does translate to the field and it can only be seen as a positive at the moment. But the true test will come when other teams and coaches take the field against a first-year head coach and test him in new ways. Will they have taken enough batting practice to hit the curveballs coming their way?
Patrik: That is indeed the six million dollar question. I can tell you the vibe around the building right now is definitely one that invokes a ton of optimism and that's saying the least. No, seriously, it's impossible to not be infected by the way Schottenheimer and his staff have integrated themselves into the locker room and to the media and fans as well. Yes, I have questions regarding his lack of experience as a head coach and, as such, that portion of my mind is taking a wait-and-see approach, unapologetically. I can also admit, however, that I am intrigued by his style of team management and his balance between being an old school-type coach (shades of the late, great Marty) and one who can so easily connect to the players and their youthful ways. It's a recipe for success, combined with an offseason that included key additions (and at least one key readdition) to the roster — along with the blockbuster trade for George Pickens — to help set the Cowboys up to potentially make waves in Schottenheimer's inaugural season. Do I believe the new culture will translate to the field? Initially, yes, but it's what comes during and after the inevitable rough patches that will ultimately answer that question.
Nick: Here's one thing I'm positive about - if it doesn't translate to wins, then it won't be deemed as a culture change. If the Cowboys go out and struggle and miss the playoffs once again, then most of the pundits will just say "same ol' culture" from the Cowboys. So really, it's only going to be new culture, if they win.
Right now, it feels way different. And it looks different as well, with the coaches and players showing much more enthusiasm. But we all know, if they don't beat Philly on the first game of the season, no one will think there's a big change to the culture. That doesn't mean it's true. Personally, I think it takes about a full year to really change and establish a new culture. It's not just about having a positive attitude, it's about doing the little things right on a consistent basis. It's study habits with the film and extra weight-room sessions. It's taking your laptop home and studying your opponent for hours when it's easy to just play video games or watch TV instead.
Culture is a lot of things that can't be changed in a few months. Ultimately, if the players are good enough, the team will win some games. And of course, that's when there will be credit given to the new culture.
