Cowboys Legend Troy Aikman Slams Dallas’ Wide Receivers

The Dallas Cowboys have not started out the 2024 season in the way that they had hoped. The team was trounced by the New Orleans Saints 44-19 in Week 2, and was recently embarrassed by the Detroit Lions 47-9.

More news: Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb Clarifies Intense Sideline Exchange With Dak Prescott

There appears to be something off with the team’s current offense, and legendary Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman has zeroed in on exactly what that is. Aikman spoke to The Athletic’s Jon Machota, taking aim at the current wide receivers on the team.

Former Cowboys QB Troy Aikman on @dfwticket on Dallas’ wide receivers: “I think the routes are terrible. I think they run terrible routes. And I’ve thought that beyond this year. I think CeeDee (Lamb) has got to improve in his route running. As a quarterback, if you’re not…

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) October 17, 2024

According to Machota by way of 96.7 The Ticket, Aikman had this to say:

“I think the routes are terrible. I think they run terrible routes. And I’ve thought that beyond this year. I think CeeDee (Lamb) has got to improve in his route running. As a quarterback, if you’re not certain where guys are going to be consistently, it’s hard to play the position. That’s what I see. I see guys lazy coming off the line of scrimmage. Sometimes they run, usually if they do, it’s because they’re anticipating they’re going to get the football on that play, but if they’re not, they don’t. And it all ties together. I’m not impressed with that part of it.”

“I just finished watching the Baltimore Ravens because I have them this week. You put on film of theirs and watch their receivers run routes and they come off the football, so does San Francisco’s and Green Bay’s and others. But it’s hard to play the (QB) position if you’re not certain how guys are going to run routes or where they’re going to be. And I’m not speaking for Dak (Prescott). Dak may say, ‘Hey, I think (their routes) are amazing.’ But as a former quarterback watching it, it’s gotta get a lot better.”

Aikman went after the Cowboys’ receivers but targeted CeeDee Lamb, saying that he must improve his route running. Interestingly, Lamb and Dak Prescott appeared to get into a sideline argument that went viral.

Lamb had to explain that they were not arguing, but he was simply reminding Prescott to throw “jump balls” considering the 6-foot-2 receiver is great at catching contested passes.

Regardless of that incident, Aikman also indicated that it’s hard for Prescott to be on point considering he never knows where his receivers are going to be. Receivers can often change their routes or tweak them in certain ways, but the playbook is meant to alleviate miscommunication between the quarterback and receiver. A missed route could lead to a costly turnover.

Aikman also stated that Prescott might be too nice in supporting his receivers, instead of needing them to take accountability for whatever blown routes the former Cowboys quarterback saw on film.

It’s hard to disagree with Aikman when the Cowboys’ offense is struggling to score points. Through the last three weeks, Dallas has put up a total of 49 points of offense. That equates to around 16 points per game.

The Cowboys have generally been high scorers, but there appears to be a disconnect with Prescott and his receivers. It could be the route running, or it could be something else entirely. Either way, Dallas is looking like it might struggle to reach the postseason.

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