Losing Faith

by Carl Shelton (GloryDayz88) on Dec 10, 2008 8:46 PM CST Comment 50 comments

Anyone on this blog who has read any of my posts knows that I am the relentless optomist. There is usually a lot of doom and gloom within this blog, and I usually try to combat that with every positive angle I can conjure up. I have to be honest with all of you, and with myself as well. As the number in the right hand column inches closer to 6, and the injuries continue to pile up like bodies tossed without remorse onto a mass grave, I am beginning to believe that this is simply not our year.

It's time's like this that I realize it is actually more fun dreaming about next season, than it is when it actually comes, and the reality is far less pleasing than the fantasy. I was much happier in my little dream land in August, when Terrell Owens was crying holding a Lombardi trophy, then passing it to his MVP quarterback. Wade Phillips was finally validated as an NFL head coach as Bigg and Flo hoisted his chunky ass up and gave him the classic shoulder ride.

Instead here we are in reality. In one season this team has seemed both overconfident and overconfident. They have been blown out by bad teams, and lost heartbreakers to good teams. This team has never had an opportunity to gel on either side of the ball due to this unforgiving rash on injuries. Injuries have comprised the continuity of the offensive line, the depth of the secondary, the development of the receiving core, and the quality of the special teams. Romo's injury in particular seemed to just rip the soul out of this team.

Look at where we are now. Our third string running back is about to make his second start. Tra Battle is going to see significant time at safety. Roy Williams is hurt. Barber is hurt. Hamlin is hurt. Holland is hurt. Pacman is hurt. Jenkins is hurt. Roy Williams is gone and forgotten. Felix is gone and forgotten. Kyle Kosier, Pat Watkins, Matt McBriar all gone and forgotten. Witten is wounded. Ware is wounded. Romo still isnt right. Everybody got dinged last week.

T.O. is simmering. Roy is starting to talk. Jerry is calling out Barber. Romo is still struggling in big games. Wade is on the hot seat. Pacman is.....Pacman.

I'm just starting to think that this is too much to overcome. I dont care how strong your locker room is, at some point you just run out of duct tape. Could any team overcome this many injuries? I would love to see a stat on how many games our starters have missed. Maybe we are just another team who was supposed to win it all, but didn't. And believe me, that is a crowded room.

I'm getting to the point where I just want to get this nightmare over with, so I can once again dream about next season. I can't wait until we break camp with our new serious but mellow head coach, and our new "run first" offensive coordinator. Man that defense is gonna be great with our brand new run stuffing nose tackle, and our stud rookie safety to be named later. And that offense, man that offense with our three headed running back monster toting it 40 times a game, and our speedy new #3 receiver who is also a menace on punt returns. And if Romo gets dinged again, no problem, because our new efficient backup QB will steer the boat until he gets back. Damn, I can almost taste the champagne.

I ya'll dont mind, I'm just gonna lay here for a while in my perfect little R.E.M. cycle.

Will somebody please wake me up just before the draft?

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I've barely watched or read anything since Sunday.

Along with the team, I’m also demoralized. Usually when people talk shit about the Cowboys I happily defend them. This week, I’ve just kinda sat there and taken it.

Nightmare is the perfect word to describe it.

But if somehow, some way Dallas can get it together and raise the Lombardi trophy in a couple months, how sweet would it be.

My hope is also dimming, but it’s still there. I’m going to continue to refrain from listening to any media garbage this week, but come Sunday night, I’ll be there.

Where will you be when the Sixers hoist the Larry O'Brien trophy? Hopefully Liberty Ballers.

by jsams on Dec 10, 2008 8:56 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

What a great post

I feel exactly the same way. Trying to be optimistic at this point in the season with all that has gone on is very tough. The toughest part is how the team is teetering between being good and being mediocre. It’s almost easier to have no expectations than be mediocre and having your hopes dashed right when you think everything is gonna be alright.

by cowboyup3181 on Dec 10, 2008 9:10 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Good post

But we will see at the end of the season. If we don’t make it we don’t. Period.

by letsgogetonefellas on Dec 10, 2008 9:39 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

The Dagger in the heart would be if the Dolphins win their division.

I live in Florida, and if the Bucs and Dolphins both make the postseason and the Cowboys don’t, it’s going to be a tough wait until next year’s post season.

On the upside, a convincing win over the Giants, and I think we’ll all be feeling much better.

by Baked Potato Soup on Dec 10, 2008 10:13 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I dont think you can give up hope yet.

If we win out the rest of the season we should be favourites in hte first round of the playoffs. It might sound like alot to ask but the Giants looked alot worse than us last week.

by aussie_cowboy on Dec 10, 2008 10:32 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I'm going to give it

one more game. If the Pokes beat down the G-men Sunday night then I, as well as every other fan on here, will be propelled in to the what-if world again. What if we win the next two? What if the Falcons lose? What if all the injuries disappeared and we rose again like an army of the dead?
My greatest wish is that this team gets in to the playoffs and at least wins its first game. I think it would do wonders for the psyche.
But I feel your pain Glory. After last week I realized Lady Luck has only crapped on us this year. I’m ready for her to move on to the Giants bathroom.

by Benthere on Dec 10, 2008 11:45 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Depressing...

But I’m going to to stay positive, still a lot of football left. No telling what will happen with the other teams in our conference.

" high and tight Martellus, high and tight."

by Staggolee87 on Dec 11, 2008 12:33 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Man

has an 8 – 5 team ever been under so much scrutiny?

the defense is playing awesome, and Romo got his worst game of the season out of the way(against the best defense in the NFL, even). if they can just make it to the playoffs, they’ll be alright, methinks.

by the red scare on Dec 11, 2008 12:54 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

To put it into perspective…

The Falcons are also 8-5 but are receiving tons of love and praise from the media, while Dallas at 8-5 you’d think was 2-11 with the way the media portrays them.

by gee-roj on Dec 11, 2008 7:25 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Umm

Read what you wrote again, and see if the comparison between the Cowboys and Falcons is valid.

In-YOUR-endo

by accidental innuendo on Dec 11, 2008 7:47 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

????

what?

by gee-roj on Dec 11, 2008 7:56 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Think about the expectations of either team at the start of the season.

In-YOUR-endo

by accidental innuendo on Dec 11, 2008 7:58 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Very true.

Prior to the season, all you heard on Atlanta’s sports talk radio was whether or not they were as bad as one of the preseason pundits had predicted ( CNNSI’s Don Banks? if I recall) that they’d be lucky to win a single game and/or he didn’t see how they could win a single game. A couple of the shock jockeys agreed with Banks that they’d have just as tough a time finding a win this season as last year’s Dolphins did while the most optimistic expectation for them was around 5 wins.

In proportion to each team’s “realistic” expectations heading into the season, it’s easy to see why the Falcons’ 8-5 is seen in a much more glowing light.

by MadMick on Dec 11, 2008 6:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Like the BCS

We shouldn’t rank or rate teams until 6-8 games are played.. Pre-season rankings and expectations are worthless.

"If you see me up in the mountains with a lion, I ain't lyin
don't help me, help the mountain lion"

by Wmillion on Dec 11, 2008 6:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Very true…

Maybe a better comparison would be the Patriots, (also 8-5). They were the Super Bowl favorites heading into this season on saw that opportunity torn apart by injuries. When the media focuses on them they talk about how great this team has been despite the injuries. When it comes to Dallas the talk is of failure as if they haven’t also been torn apart by injuries.

by gee-roj on Dec 11, 2008 8:15 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Injuries are a big deal to the media...

When they occur at 3 specific postions to Pro-Bowl calibre players: QB, RB and WR.

Frankly, noone gives a hoot about no-name guys. You and I realize how important it is for Keith Davis, yes Keith Davis, to be healthy this week. Other than Cowboys fans, who else does?

In-YOUR-endo

by accidental innuendo on Dec 11, 2008 8:23 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm with you Glory

to me, last Sunday was the season. I know the team showed a ton of heart but championship teams always find a way to win and this team just keeps finding ways to lose. Let’s be honest, we should have won that game 28-10 and instead choked it away in the final minutes.

Add to that the fact that even a routine tackle seems to put a cowboy on IR and it is hard to stay optimistic this year.

I have changed my mindset to being blown away by our rookies and having my faith restored in Wade’s Defense. I put Redball much more on the hotseat than Wade but if we can put together another draft like last year, if Redball can get his head out of his azz and learn to use the incredible weapons at his disposal and if this team can come together a little more, there is no reason why they can’t win it all next year.

In the meantime, I’ll watch and pull for the team in the event of a miracle.

by Billito on Dec 11, 2008 8:40 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

28-10? Really, man?

What game were you watching? 28-10 if the Cowboys didn’t shoot themselves in the foot?

Because I watched a game where Pittsburgh’s defense showed themselves to be the real deal. Even though that INT by DeShea Townsend was most definitely Romo’s fault, he was drilled by Woodley on the throw so you can hardly claim that was an unforced error. Even on Ike Taylor’s pick, he did a masterful job of baiting Romo. Sure, the goofy short punt that hit a Cowboys player that would’ve gave them possession right at Pittsburgh’s 30 was flukey. But who says the Cowboys would’ve gotten any more than a field goal out of that possession? Also keep in mind that on Romo’s TD pass, the Steelers actually kind of outsmarted themselves by dropping both Harrison and Woodley into coverage.

I really don’t see how the Cowboys could’ve easily won 28-10.

by MadMick on Dec 11, 2008 6:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

At least twice

Romo missed wide open WRs which could have led to scores. If they kick a FG in the 2nd instead of going for it, that’s three more points. Maybe not 28-10 but for 3.5 quarters, they had all the momentum and could have at least scored 20.

by Billito on Dec 11, 2008 8:27 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

What a difference a week (or two) makes

After getting screwed and tattooed by the Ravens, the Eagles Blog site had this very same feel. Misery ruled the day. Lose to the Giants and I’ll be the first to shovel dirt on your smelly carcass. But a Cowboy’s win combined with an ATL loss, and you’ll be a bunch of happy rednecks come Monday morning.

I bleed green and I piss silver and blue

by oldasquick on Dec 11, 2008 9:34 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

+1

You'll never get in a traffic jam,while going the extra mile. -Roger staubach

by TrueBlue24 on Dec 11, 2008 9:36 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm totally psyched for

THIS GAME!!!!!
You think we’re going to let the Giants
walk in here and stomp us in our last matchup
with them EVER at Texas stadium?

ROMO will come out on fire….remember that sunday was his 1st game without the splint…the conditions were horrid and he,admittedly had a bad day.
Our defense has been awesome lately……we’re going to the playoffs guys…..mark it down!!!!

This is what we’ve been waiting for all year….and you guys are ready to give up on this team??? this is where we see what we’re made of…..nothing that has happened up to this point matters…..we win…we’re in!!!

I can’t wait for sunday night!!!!
Lets get it on!!!!!!

You'll never get in a traffic jam,while going the extra mile. -Roger staubach

by TrueBlue24 on Dec 11, 2008 9:34 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

+100000

by AikmanNailedMySis on Dec 11, 2008 10:19 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Lets hear it for the....

Viva Mexico Boy, Tony Romo and how about Jerry Jones and his great marketing ploy of allowing Hard Knocks to show up at the training camp and his idiotic trade for Roy Williams II, who is getting about as much action as the other Roy Williams. Last but not least the great Jason Garrett, probably the highest paid offensive coordinator who can’t seem to call the right play in critical situations such as 3rd and 2 or 1 or whatever. I’m sure the Ravens and possibly the Falcons are thanking their lucky stars that he decided to stay in Dallas. Congrats.. to Ratliff, Ware, Witten, Barber, Felix, Choice, a couple of the OL, and the Defense the last few games.

by El Jofre on Dec 11, 2008 10:11 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

GD88, if feel your pain

But the thing is, this is why it’s great to be a fan. At least with the Boys, there’s a chance for a Superbowl; I mean, we could be Lions’ fans, right? I know, I know, that’s not the point, but season’s like this put the ~~good~~ great seasons in prospective. Like Romo said, the story on this season has yet to be written however, it is closing quickly . If only it was one of those “Choose Your Own Adventure Books”, I guess it is for the players, in a way. So with that said, “Tony, please choose the right path!!!!”

by WestTxHornFan on Dec 11, 2008 10:54 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Being a true fan is sometimes hard.

Giving up on the season early is way to manage the pain. It’s a poor and lame way. I love fans calling out the team for lack of heart and then deciding to bag it, so they can feel less disapointed when the team loses.

The season has been tough. The first Washington game was harsh, Arizona was disapointing, the Rams loss was pittiful and the Pittsburgh loss was brutal. The Giants loss was the only one that did not sting so bad, as it was expected. So what, it cost the Cowboys as much as any other loss. For hard core fans, losses can have a personal impact that measure well past the actual importance of football. Deal with it. The team’s season is not about our emotional experience as fans.

Dallas is favored verse NYG. If your head is so certain they will lose then go and bet your next pay check against them. The reality is, that most of the fans who decided the season is hopeless are not do it because their head tells them to accept the reality of it, but because the heart does not want to risk another disappointment.

The hard reality, is that the seaon is not over until its over. Atlanta will likely lose one more game and the Cowboys need to lose two more games to miss the playoffs. Its will be fun to watch the seaons end if Dallas wins out. It will be painful to watch, if the Cowboys back in despite a loss to NY or Baltimore.

If Dallas makes the playoffs they will again be favored to win their first game. If they win that then, there is not a team in the league that will feel lucky to have drawn the swooning Cowboys in January.

by Trey, on Dec 11, 2008 12:59 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

How about you deal with the season your way

and not tell anyone else how to deal with it? After the ridiculous rash of injuries and up and down play from the team this season, what gives you the right to tell someone they have a “poor and lame” way of dealing with their personal hopes for this team?

You are the kind of fan I personally cannot stand, who thinks that he is the truest fan and everyone else’s opinion doesn’t matter. I will be watching the game sunday, cheering as hard as ever but just because I am grounded in reality and feel pessimism from all the injuries and hard losses, don’t think you know anything about me or how I root for a team.

by Billito on Dec 11, 2008 2:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

reality is that the Cowboys are currently

the #6 seed in the playoffs and all teams suffer injuries so Trey makes a very valid point.

If you rooted for the Lions then I could see the grounded in reality speech and being pessimistic, otherwise I don’t see a true fan giving up on this team.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Dec 11, 2008 2:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree it is lame and heartless

and pathetic actually.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Dec 11, 2008 2:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Hey, we're currently the #6 seed for crying out loud!

why so many fans are losing hope is beyond me.

Injuries happen, the good teams over come them and we will.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Dec 11, 2008 2:27 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

and I say the same thing to you terry

don’t tell me or anyone else how to be a fan. Glory posted his opinion on this season and just because you don’t agree, you have no right to say it is lame and heartess. If you want to know the truth, I think your obsession with Romo borders on creepy but I haven’t ever said anything before because that is your opinion, and I never had the right to say it was right or wrong just because I didn’t agree.

Not everyone has to be blind to the deficiencies of a certain player or think that no matter what the cowboys are going to win a super bowl to be a real fan. I follow this team with as much heart as anyone and have no desire to have you, Trey or anyone else tell me I am not a true fan because our opinions differ.

by Billito on Dec 11, 2008 4:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

exactly

by Deke on Dec 11, 2008 5:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

-1

I agree with Terry we are the #6 seed right now and to read a post about Dallas packing it up just doesn’t make sense to me..

I’m just starting to think that this is too much to overcome. I dont care how strong your locker room is, at some point you just run out of duct tape.

Every team has injuries and problems, gut check time. Our roster even with injuries rivals anyone else active roster.. NYG rated #1 in NFC is missing it’s top 2 pass rushers, top RB, and Top WR.. The door is wide open..

"If you see me up in the mountains with a lion, I ain't lyin
don't help me, help the mountain lion"

by Wmillion on Dec 11, 2008 6:44 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

well said

I can’t see how we’re in any worse shape than the GMen were at this time last season.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Dec 11, 2008 7:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, Gut Check Time

You are right about that; problem is this team shows no sign of having any guts.

by wasmarcus on Dec 11, 2008 7:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

not true at all

they showed plenty of guts last Sunday, actually couldn’t have showed more toughness.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Dec 11, 2008 7:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

You'll never get in a traffic jam,while going the extra mile. -Roger staubach

by TrueBlue24 on Dec 11, 2008 8:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I didn't write this post to suggest that we all stop rooting for our team.

You better believe that Sunday night will be life or death for me just like the last 14 weeks have been.

I’m just saying that the obstacles that have been in front of our favorite team this season may prove to be insurmountable.

Channeling my inner Pacman.

by Carl Shelton (GloryDayz88) on Dec 11, 2008 8:02 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

it will make victory all the more sweeter

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Dec 11, 2008 8:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

I’ll never stop rooting for Dallas but I take exception to being called a fan with no heart just because I am a realist. The front page of Yahoo is screaming about “TO tearing another team apart” and people on this blog keep saying “all is well” and call anyone who disagrees a hater. That is BS.

I’ll be there sunday night as well, hoping the boys can overcome ANOTHER obstacle.

by Billito on Dec 11, 2008 8:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Just let go, Jerry.

We can only hope that Jerry sees he is the one constant in the debacle the last 12 years has been. I know this will never happen, but what if we got a real GM? The uber-optimist blind homer Jerry defenders say the players play the game and not the front office, but who hires the coaches and picks the players? Jerry, I did enjoy those three Super Bowls, I enjoyed them very much. But this ain’t workin’! Let go!

by Baron Von Vondervon on Dec 11, 2008 10:07 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Don't you know that Jerry Jones is the longest tenured GM in the NFL

and is therefore super ultra fantastic?

Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey

by Seanrude on Dec 14, 2008 8:38 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I think being

a true fan often involves seeing a lot through the perverbial ‘rose colored glasses.’ And i LOVE the optomism around here, but man.. REALLY………… look what has taken place the last few weeks….

- defense… really come on…. we beat up on San Fran, Seattle, and the Steelers (and as they are a good team, not great, they are a defensive team… and they proved it…)
we have not done much all year against teams that were good or even decent offensively, the Rams for god sake were healthy and absolutley destroyed us…

- injuries, they happen and sometimes you can’t overcome them… sometimes GREAT teams or well coached teams can over come a few… we are not a well coached team and we have taken some hits in some MAJOR areas and we did not play to the backups ability or strengths…

- offensively – we should be absolutely unstopable on offense (again poor coaching) T.O. IS a #1 WR, Roy E. IS a #1 WR, Crayton is a fine #3, Austin is a darn good #3, Witten is the best in the league, MBIII is a real good back (i don’t think he is a great back and i don’t think he was worth all they gave him.. i am happy he is our starter, but PART of what made him look so good WAS J. Jones setting him up and keeping him fresh, really, any back could have done that so this is not a ‘i wish we had JJ back’ thing. Remember Troy Hambrick? MBIII is infinately better than Ham was but many were screaming for Ham to be the #1guy also, and when he had to carry the whole load and be the guy with a target on his back, he was not good.
and Bennett is a real good OTHER option.. so why the hell are we not scoreing 30+ a game.. who the hell is covering all these targets?
why wasn’t there a better game plan vs. the Rams, Giants, and Bucks (we won but the game plan could have been better) why didn’t they play to Brad’s or Brook’s strengths, they tried to keep the same plan (seemingly as i am not in their offensive meetings) but we all saw Brad try to throw deep, or throw the tough outs…
- Special teams.. not so special ALL year… enough said there (don’t think anyone would argue with that)
- then you throw in the Jerry Jones Barnum and Bailey Circus – Jerry OBVIOUSLY means well he is trying to get the players necessary to win and keep the ones that will help to win for years to come, but it has been proven over and over in the NFL, i.e. dan snyer and al davis, you can’t JUST buy great players, throw in any coach, and win an NFL title..

ok, this is really me just venting. i will be all over the game on Sunday, as i live in Giant country and REALLY have to hear it when we lose to them.. so not only will winning that game, again, save our season for a week, but maybe get everyone back on track and at least get us to the tournament where anything can happen…

p.s. i really belive the T.O. thing is becoming a problem, he is angry the they are not winning and he is seeing his hall of fame careen creeping to a close without an NFL title..

by stephena on Dec 11, 2008 10:19 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I'm fed up with people talking...

about how the Cowboys suck. I really wanted to slap this oe guy (NE Cheatriots fan) in face for saying Matt Cassel is better than Romo. I’m gettin tired of having to defend yhe boys

"A winner never stops trying."
-Tom Landry

"Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence."
-Vince Lombardi

"We'll fight 'em 'til hell freezes over, then fight 'em on the ice!"
-Dutch Meyer

by CowboyLonghorn on Dec 12, 2008 8:58 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I just want the Boys to pull a 2007 Giants so I can laugh in his face

"A winner never stops trying."
-Tom Landry

"Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence."
-Vince Lombardi

"We'll fight 'em 'til hell freezes over, then fight 'em on the ice!"
-Dutch Meyer

by CowboyLonghorn on Dec 12, 2008 8:59 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Depressing thought...

If we do miss the playoffs (which I don’t think we will but definitely a possibility)…and we wake you up for the draft in April…we don’t have our first rounder to dream about!

by rangerjake on Dec 14, 2008 4:46 PM CST reply actions 0 recs