FRISCO — Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said Monday he disagreed with Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman’s description of his receivers running terrible routes and being lazy coming off the line of scrimmage.
McCarthy was answering a question about criticism the Cowboys have received for their poor play, especially from Aikman, and if he needs to address it with his team.
“For me to address those comments, I don’t because they don’t carry any weight with me because I watch all the tape,” McCarthy said. “I get to go to the meetings. I’m at practice. I’m part of the games.
“Troy’s statement, in particular, I don’t agree with the word selection. But there is definitely need for improvement in every position, not just one position that he commented on. So, I think you look at the whole picture. You break it down and that’s what coaches do. There’s a process to it. There’s always a plan. These guys bring great energy. Their work ethic is high.”
Last week during a radio interview with Sportsradio 96.7 FM/1310 The Ticket (KTCK-AM), Aikman, the former Cowboys’ quarterback and current ESPN Monday Night Football analyst, made critical comments about lead receiver CeeDee Lamb and others at his position.
“I think the routes are terrible,” Aikman said. “I think they run terrible routes and I’ve thought that beyond this year, and I think CeeDee’s got to improve in his route running. And as a quarterback, if you’re not certain where guys are going to be consistently, it’s hard to play the position.”
Cowboys receiver/returner KaVontae Turpin and tight end Jake Ferguson also disagreed with Aikman’s assessment.
“Troy whatever he (may) think he know outside the building, that’s his opinion,” Turpin said. “But in this we all in here together, we just trying to be better and do what we do to get a win.
“I heard about it but at the same time, Troy Aikman, I don’t see him, I don’t really know him,” Turpin continued. “Whatever he say is not relevant to me, but at the same time I feel like we’re doing good with our routes.”
Said Ferguson: “The only thing I worry about is the people in this room and what they say.’’
McCarthy said he will have a state-of-the-union address with his team Monday and make some tweaks to the practice structure. More team drills along with his annual “across the hall” meetings where offensive and defensive coaches talk about the other group should be a benefit.
“But I do clearly realize and focus on we need to improve,” McCarthy said. “We are about self-improvement. We understand who we’re playing, where we’re playing. That is secondary to what we’re about. We’re about self-improvement. We need to pick up our game.”
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