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Mailbag: ​Why is discipline still a problem?

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(Editor's Note: Time to check the mail! The DallasCowboys.com staff writers answer your questions here in 'Mailbag' presented by Miller Lite.)

Why does discipline continue to be a major problem forthe Cowboys? This was supposed to be fixed, but it continues to plague the team. Despite new coaches and new players each year, how is it that they still struggle to correcttheproblem?Morice Wellington III*/Virginia Beach, VA*

Mickey:If you are referencing the 15-yard penalty on Javonte Williams for taunting at the conclusion of his 17-yard touchdown reception by holding out the ball as he was crossing the goal line at Giants safety Tyler Nubin, that was so out of character for the sixth-year veteran. Not sure this was lack of discipline but maybe more so the release of some frustration, knowing this offense was underperforming the majority of this game. Now if you also are meaning the number of penalties (nine for 90 yards), the Giants actually had more, 10 penalties for 114 yards. And if you are referring to a specific penalty that might be classified as undisciplined, my guess is if Jaxson Dart was not a quarterback DeMarvion Overshown would not have been penalized 15 yards for a late hit. Go back and look at the play. When DeMo was lowering his head to make the tackle Dart surging forward had just stepped out of bounds. In Game 1 of the 2026 season, 15 teams had at least eight penalties, with 12 the first week's high that came to an average of 7.41per team.

Tommy:I think part of it could just be Week 1, being back on the field, a lot of guys not having played in the preseason, and seeing the flags come flying for that reason. Now, the ones that just can't happen are those like DeMarvion Overshown's hit on Jaxson Dart out of bounds and Javonte Williams' taunting penalty on his way to a touchdown that only made it a one score game. I would say those will be uncommon or unseen as the year goes on because they're more out of character, especially Williams' penalty. But you're right, it has been an issue dating back to last year, where the Cowboys averaged 66.8 penalty yards against them per game. Ironically enough, the Giants had the second-most penalty yardage per game with 63.2, and actually had more penalties (10) than Dallas did (9) with more yardage as well (114) in the season opener. Regardless, it's something that Brian Schottenheimer and his staff need to correct, because it's only hurting the team's chances at winning especially in close games like Week 1 where every possesion mattered.

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