Cowboys' Coaching Choices: A Look at the Big Decisions

The Dallas Cowboys are at a crossroads. Brian Schottenheimer, the team's offensive coordinator, is keeping a close eye on defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. This isn't just a routine check-up. Schottenheimer has good reasons to scrutinize Eberflus's work. Maybe if Schottenheimer had hired Eberflus himself, he might be more lenient. But he didn't, and that's the reality. Midway through the season, the Cowboys' record stands at 5-4. If they maintain this pace, they'll finish with a 8-8-1 record. That means no playoffs, no drama in January, just a long wait until the draft. In the World Series, a team with a massive payroll and a superstar player saw a 36-year-old infielder, earning just $5 million, make the biggest impact. It's a reminder that money and fame don't always guarantee success. Over at the Mavericks, Jason Kidd has a lot on his plate. Maybe if he lightened his load, Cooper Flagg could shine. And what's the deal with D'Angelo Russell? He's one of the few Mavs shooting better than 30% from three, but he hasn't started a game yet.Steve Sarkisian, the Cowboys' head coach, admitted his offense wasn't "mature" early in the season. That's a polite way of saying it wasn't good. But Arch Manning's recent performances suggest he's improving. Let's hope he keeps it up before facing Georgia. Brandon Aubrey has the potential to break Cam Little's 68-yard field goal record. But with the Cowboys' defense, settling for field goals often leads to losses. Back in 1983, the University of Houston and SMU played a football game in Tokyo. It was part of the Mirage Bowl, a series that ran from 1977 to 1993. The games were more of a spectacle than a serious competition. Japanese fans were more interested in the cheerleaders and bands than the actual games. The yard lines, marked with talcum powder, would lift into the air during the games, creating little white clouds. It was quite a sight.