This actually is a defense of Garrett by seemingly equating what he had during his tenure to what McCarthy had last year and this year, and that's not the case.
You can take it however you want. My point is that this team still kinda sucks, is all, like it has for a while now. We have thought at various times we are so talented but it's become apparent that we really aren't. Especially on defense, and it's been this way for quite some time.
The 2014 and 2016 teams were infinitely more talented than this one with Romo/Dez/Murray at the peak of their powers in 2014, Elliott seemingly at the peak of his in 2016, and an OL that I'd argue was historically great during both seasons. I'll say the defenses overall were mostly a wash between 2014 to 2016 to now (except for last season).
Yeah the defenses are most certainly a wash. The OL and Elliott have decreased, but the WR talent is up like 200-fold. Prescott is also assumed to be much better a player going into this season than he was in say, 2017.
Again, I don't see much difference in terms of an across-the-board talent level from 2016-18 and 2019-20.
And as I sit here I feel like my prediction even with a healthy lineup would be maybe wildcard or divisional round, and taking advantage of a weak division at that.
I didn't feel like that last year. With another year of reflection on the state of the roster, that seems to be what makes sense.
And in retrospect that's how it has been for a decade now. If things go right, we can make the playoffs and not much more.
We will see. Of course McCarthy is capable of getting the team to overachieve and do more.
But at this point it doesn't seem like anyone is counting on it.
Just saying at some point the finger has to be pointed at someone besides the coach here for this decade long stagnation. We have almost no hope that our talent is capable of going up against the league's elite like Tampa, Green Bay, the Chiefs, and the Ravens.