Mac Engel: Before confronting local media members, Cowboys' Trevon Diggs should check the film

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs retreated to “safe harbor” by appearing on teammate Micah Parsons’ podcast, and by doing so made it worse for everybody.

Before he buried his coaching staff, Diggs explained why he pursued a local reporter after the team’s loss Sunday at San Francisco.

“I felt it was unnecessary,” Diggs told Parsons why he confronted WFAA’s Mike Leslie over his now viral, and benign, Tweet. “I felt he was using my name for clicks.”

Trevon Diggs contributes as many clicks for WFAA and Leslie as he does picks for the Cowboys. According to Pro Football Focus’ rankings of the NFL’s defensive backs, Diggs ranks 94th out of 110 players. Explain that to Mike Leslie.

The delicious irony here is that it’s Diggs’ own teammate who is using him for clicks.

In the span of two weeks the Cowboys’ big boss suggested he would have different members of the team’s flagship station conduct his weekly radio interviews; now the team’s big-money cornerback is showing more pursuit against local media than opposing ball carriers.

This is America’s Team; confusing fame for production, and perceived value for achievement while showing the sensitivity of a child. As is so often the case the man’s-man whom us media lionize for their gladiatorial feats of strength and athleticism are but scared kids who are afraid of words.

A player lashing out as us weaselly media members is a goal many of them aspire to complete; most of them have the smarts, and lack the courage, to complete the task. Most of these guys are so angry not just at the constant criticism they receive from people “who never played the game,” but the enormous pressure that stems from the responsibility they have incurred as a primary breadwinner.

Diggs’ empty woof at Leslie is as troubling as it is stupid, and indicative of where the team sits: 3-4 in search not of answers but rather excuses as plenty of losses sit on the horizon.

An NFL player was not even out of his uniform before he’s scrolling his phone to see what people are saying about him. Son, you make lot of money for a team that just lost again and your defense allowed 30 points to an offense whose best players were out with injury.

What did you think people are going to say in a sphere of anonymity, and techno protection that turns the meek into monsters? Turn it off. Don’t look at any of it. You aren’t going to win, and neither Mike Leslie nor any member of the media, is your main concern.

Players do this a lot more than you think. Texas Longhorns cornerback Kris Boyd Tweeted during halftime of a loss at TCU in 2015. Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant famously checked his social media accounts a few minutes after a loss against Seattle that same year.

Diggs is not a bad person, or a bad player. He is, however, a pro athlete whose life is ball, and he’s stuck in a bad season. He has not looked the same since he suffered a season-ending torn ACL early in the 2023 season.

He can waste his time explaining that he was actually doing what he was assigned to do on the play in question, where he wasn’t actively pursuing 49ers tight end George Kittle on a long pass and catch.

Diggs can spend a few minutes detailing that Kittle wasn’t his man, and his task was to ensure that the ball carrier can’t cut back. Bravo; his defense gave up a 43-yard play and it wasn’t all his fault.

When Diggs digs in here, he leaves himself up to the flood of video evidence of other plays where he has been a liability. When your defense is second-to-last in the NFL in points per game allowed, and you’re one of the highest paid players on that unit, don’t explain how good you are, and that it’s not your fault.

Let your agent make that case during contract negotiations.

Now all Diggs has done is further a perception that this team is imploding under the weight of a series of decisions made by management, and the pressure created by big money contracts to Diggs, receiver CeeDee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott.

Diggs didn’t help himself on his appearance with Parsons when he all but blamed the coaching staff for the loss against the 49ers. He specifically referenced the lack of changes made by the staff that led to the 49ers scoring 21 third-quarter points.

The creation of social media platforms has given players places to voice their opinions, and their “side” outside of traditional media outlets. Most of it is an example of famous people opening their mouths, and glorified product endorsements.

It’s a place where they aren’t challenged, and they can “boys club” it without us media dorks who were never good enough to be on their teams. Exceptions are granted for famous people, the uber wealthy who pick up the check, and good looking women they want to have sex with but not marry.

You can decry this evolution of the marriage between sports and media all you want, but it exists because the market supports it. Players have podcasts, Twitter accounts, IG handles, et all to sell themselves. And because it’s fun.

The players, and those who profit from it, champion this as “new media.” It’s all the same, except where the checks go.

Trevon probably doesn’t realize that by going on Micah’s podcast he got used for clicks, and that in his effort to explain himself he somehow managed to look worse.

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