Brian Schottenheimer Says Cowboys Refined Protocols After Ravens Loss

FRISCO, Texas — Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said Friday that calling plays, managing the game, and running the Dallas Cowboys does not overwhelm him, and that the week after the loss in Rio de Janeiro was used to test and refine the team’s game-management protocols.

Schottenheimer took responsibility Tuesday for the final 28 seconds of the 34-31 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. He said Friday the protocols themselves did not change.

“No, it doesn’t get overwhelming. I think what we’ve done this week is it’s been good for us to go back and test our protocols and make sure the protocols are all functioning properly and all that stuff. But, no, I mean, it moves fast,” Schottenheimer said. “I think one of the benefits for me is, I’ve been around this game a long time. I’ve seen a lot of football, I’ve seen a lot of situations. And at the end of the day, it’s more of the protocol and how this thing played out was just, again, I didn’t do a very good job last week. And that will not happen again.”

“Nope. No, we just refined things, make sure we all saw it the same way and all that stuff,” Schottenheimer continued. “But like I said, it’s something that if we’re going to walk through the fire, which we did this week, let’s learn from it.”

Schottenheimer had a direct conversation with his staff after the game. He listed several moments across all three phases that could have pushed the game to overtime.

“Absolutely. That goes back to the protocol question. There was a number of instances that could have forced that game into overtime. Me making a better play, calling third down, not messing up Dak, us having a communication, kicking the ball short, us calling and executing the defense better on the first down,” Schottenheimer said. “So that goes to all levels. And like I said, I have no problem standing out in front of the world and taking the criticism for what I deserve, but as a staff, we need to be better.”

Brian Schottenheimer Will Not Peek At Tampa Bay

Dallas plays at the Houston Texans on Sunday and hosts the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday, Oct. 8. Schottenheimer said he cannot look ahead to the Buccaneers because, as a play-caller, game plans run together.

“I don’t. And here’s why. When you’re the play caller, you can’t. Because it does, I’ve tried to do it. And it runs together,” Schottenheimer said. “So this is where you have to lean on your staff. And Klayton will. Klayton’s got a feel for Tampa Bay. Because he doesn’t have to call the game. But as a play caller for me and Christian, guys like that, you can’t. Because it does, it has messed people up in the past. You’re thinking about third down something, and you’re like, oh, shoot, that was the other team.”

Offensive coordinator Klayton Adams, who does not call plays, has been handling the early Tampa Bay work.

Cowboys Map Out The Short Week Before Tampa Bay

The Cowboys flew 10 hours home from Rio and had Monday and Tuesday off. Wednesday was what Schottenheimer called a mock plus: 15 minutes of individual work, 10 full-speed plays on each side, then a walkthrough with helmets off. Thursday was in pads, and Friday was in shells.

“It’s not just this game, which will be a very physical game against a very physical opponent. It’s the travel, the travel back, and then the short week for Tampa Bay,” Schottenheimer said.

Next week starts with a walkthrough Monday and another mock plus Tuesday. Schottenheimer said the Cowboys are good on Thursdays, and this one gives them a little more time than Thanksgiving because it is a night game.

“Yeah, Monday will be a walk. Tuesday we’ll do a mock plus where we’ll move them a little bit, and they’re going to feel it because you’re going to be removed from this game pretty quick. But the one thing I do feel great about is we know how to do short weeks. We’re really good at Thursdays,” Schottenheimer said. “And honestly, this week’s a little different because we’re used to playing on Thanksgiving, which is an afternoon game. This is a night game, so we actually buy the morning as well.”

The flight to Houston is about 45 minutes. Schottenheimer said the players will not be sleeping as much on that one as they did on the trip home from Brazil.

Kickoff at Reliant Stadium is set for noon CT Sunday on Fox.