Flag football league owner rips Cowboys' final play vs. 49ers
Even a flag football owner ripped the Cowboys' disastrous, final play in a 19-12 divisional-round loss to the 49ers on Sunday.
"That was a stupid-ass play," United Flag Football League owner Norm McLean said of the long-shot attempt to score. "I don't understand what they were trying to accomplish."
On the ill-fated play, Dallas lined up in a formation that looked like one from a flag football playbook or a backyard game. Running back Ezekiel Elliott played center with linemen and other players split wide. The result was awful.
49ers linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair trucked Elliott, and Cowboys QB Dak Prescott rushed a short pass to WR KaVontae Turpin, who was tackled as soon as he caught the ball.
"It didn't get going," Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said in a post-game news conference.
Perhaps Dallas should've taken a cue from McLean, who has 42 years' flag football experience. He believes it was poorly designed because using Elliott on the O-line limited the Cowboys' options and made him an ineligible receiver.
"Lining up Zeke at center took him out of the game," McLean said. "That play should've been a quick hit to a WR, then a lateral to Zeke or CeeDee Lamb."
Elliott and Lamb are two of Dallas' premier skill players. Elliott led the team in rushing touchdowns (12), and Lamb led the team in receiving yards (1,359). So not getting them the ball in the final moments is baffling.
It's also one the Cowboys might regret after getting roasted on social media.
"Whoever drew up that final play... needs to just quit altogether," said former Saints star RB Reggie Bush.
On Twitter, The Ringer's Rodger Sherman claimed he found the play so mind-boggling that he watched it "50-75 times."
Regardless, it was another awful playoff loss for the Cowboys, who haven't won a Super Bowl or made a conference championship in 27 years.
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