We're still the ones

by Dave Halprin on Jul 1, 2008 11:42 PM CDT in News Comment 29 comments

When it comes to getting eyeballs watching the screen, the NFL knows where its bread is buttered.

There are, however, four teams that even the NFL does not believe have a shot to reach the Super Bowl: Atlanta, Kansas City, Miami and St. Louis. Those are the only four teams that were not scheduled any prime-time national television games this season. There are four prime-time slots: Thursday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Only one NFL team was assigned to play on all four of those days – the Cowboys.

Bring on the haters, ‘cause everybody knows there’s no team in the NFL that consistently produces the ratings like the Dallas Cowboys.

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We talked about it before, but here’s another version of the "Wade better win big this year because Jason Garrett is looking good for the future and Jerry has to open Jerry World next season" story. Coaches on the hot seat:

1. Wade Phillips, Cowboys. Coaches from playoff teams aren't usually on the hot seat. Then again, not many coaches preside over teams that haven't won a playoff game since 1996, are expected to go to the Super Bowl in 2008 and have the next head coach, Jason Garrett, ready to step in at a moment's notice.

Wade Phillips has the temperament to withstand the pressure. Besides, he's no stranger to being fired. But it doesn't make the pressure any less real.

So if the Cowboys don't make the postseason, or if they don't win a game or two once they get there, Wade won't be back in 2009.

Can’t say I disagree with that.

Hat tip to the DMN blog for the link.

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Mickey spends a lot of ink defending Romo from the haters. Although I really don’t know who he’s defending Romo from, we’re just saying he has to win in the postseason to make that next leap to the Brady/Manning level.

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Nick Eatman has a good rundown of Jerry’s shifting opinion on Terry Glenn’s likelihood of being on the team.

Here’s Jerry on Glenn in late-April:

"We saw really good stuff from here out here," Jones said. "You can talk about what he is and what he can do, but you just have to see it. He's back here, he's doing all the kind of things . . . you can't tell by that. He would be a progress-stopper if he were here and you had 10-percent odds. So if we didn't think that he didn't have a chance to be everything we wanted him to be, then we wouldn't have him back here. It would push back the progress of the other receivers. But we're seeing everything we need to see. He's out here working with the quarterbacks. He's out here, and we're seeing it."

Here’s Jerry on Glenn last week:

"What I should be looking at is how he fits as a player this year," Jones told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "That is what this is about. It's not about my will against Terry's will. "Terry is someone I have a lot of interest in," Jones said. "We have worked good together. It was part of what Terry Glenn is about when we extended his contract."

Probably a negotiations tactic.

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My 2 Cents

We should always be on TV cause I live in LA and its no fun trying to find places better than your your home to watch Cowboys game… As for the coaching change, I think we have developed an organization with interchangeable parts in management like we did with our players on the field. It doesnt matter who the coach is, or who the Cordinators are or who the players are, we are going to be stacked and improving. Jerry has done a great job setting this up and it all does start with the cap management he does with his family. I am just kind of curious why we didnt get a WR, What do they know that we dont? Cause we didnt even try…

by NamingRightsOnSale on Jul 2, 2008 4:11 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Mickey has nailed it

Judging a QB by playoff success when he only started 27 games in his career is absolutely assinine, when a HOFer in Aikman didn’t win his first playoff game until he started 4 seasons and a future HOFer in Manning didn’t win his first playoff game until he started 6 seasons.

Mick’s right, we should be looking at his amazing season of 36 TDs and 4200+ yds passing as that was an incredible feat in just his second year starting.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jul 2, 2008 8:52 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

In all fairness

many questioned Aikman during his first few years, including Jimmy who had the infamous quote “He didn’t win in college, he won’t win here”

I think Romo will be fine, he’s won big games during the regular season and so far had the unfortunate luck of running into a team that got hot at the right time (Funny how people say Romo “choked” yet Farve and Brady were “beaten” by the same defense)

I do, however, worry about the Jessica effect. Not because of her but because her dad is a media-lover who won’t hesitate to sell them out for a paycheck, still think he was the one that told the paps about the Mexico trip (Paps are everywhere in the US but in Mexico celeb sightings are rare)

by Taylor on Jul 2, 2008 10:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

don't worry about her dad

its my understanding Romo has put him in his place.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jul 2, 2008 10:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mickey on Aikman

Thing was, he won all three of his first three playoff starts, which included Super Bowl XXVII.

Hmm, Aikman’s first playoff games 3-0, Brady pretty much the same, B-Roth, yup. Romo, 0-2.

I’m just saying.

by Dave Halprin on Jul 2, 2008 10:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

what about Manning

I’m just saying

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jul 2, 2008 10:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

But we know that Manning can win it all

We don’t know that about Romo yet, although we like to believe he can. Gee, I’ve made it this far without calling people I disagree with asinine.

by Dave Halprin on Jul 2, 2008 11:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not contradictory

Despite my stating previously that Romo’s ability to stay totally mentally disciplined and lead his team in the most clutch, do-or-die situations is as yet unproven doesn’t take anything away from his regular season stats, and what he has accomplished at this point in his career. It isn’t contradictory to say he had a fantastic season and has done extremely well for where he is in his career and has huge upside, and at the same time admit that he did make some mental errors in that one game that leave that one important marker, winning a playoff (and superbowl) game, yet to be accomplished. When he does, he’ll be fairly considered on the same tier with Peyton and Brady.

by scottmaui on Jul 2, 2008 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

This discussion is about definitions

What is it we’re looking for Romo to be? If you believe that he’s “elite” (whatever that really means) then he lacks the resume regardless of playoff wins. He needs more seasons under his belt period.

If you are handicapping him for the HOF, then he needs to win a Super Bowl and possible multiple.

If you want to know whether he’s one of the best in the game right now, playoffs may mean more to the fans, but it’s really not that different from all games. So unless he shows a real pattern (and please, that’s more than two attempts) of failing in playoff games, you can’t simply ignore all other accomplishments. Think about it – can we seriously downgrade his performance because in a year and half of starting for his team he’s taken them into the playoffs twice, gone to the Pro Bowl twice and set team records for passing? That’s a ridiculous standard to hold anyone to, and those who criticized P Manning, Aikman and Brees for that are now suddenly biting their tongues. Six years it took P Manning to win a playoff game. SIX years. Not 1.5.

I realize that no one is saying they aren’t glad to have him as the team’s QB, but this whole argument is typical MSM overhype-rush-to-judgment. You instantly coronate and then just as quickly call a guy overrated. The position of QB is complex. It requires exceptional physical, mental and mental abilities. I can think of only a few QB in the entire league who can play as well as Romo does. If that’s true, then playoff games won’t define him until later in his career.

Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig loves it.

by dunkman on Jul 3, 2008 6:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

dunk

I can think of only a few QB in the entire league who can play as well as Romo does.

In my book, thats the definition of elite, when you are one of the best at your position, regardless of what your team accomplishes.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jul 3, 2008 7:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I tend to agree BUT

I still think we will all have to see him perform consistently before we know. Just like saying two playoff games is enough to call him a choker (no one on this site, but plenty of others) or a guy who can’t get it done under pressure, I think it’s too early to annoint him – or Eli or even Brees – until they have a few years under their belts.

My guess is that he’s going to continue to get better and that’s really saying something. But it’s just a guess, while Brady and P Manning are a lock and that’s the point I’ve been making.

Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig loves it.

by dunkman on Jul 3, 2008 4:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think you know its more than a guess

Romo has that inner desire to continually get better, he’s never satisified or rests on his laurels, so I think its almost a lock to say he will get better

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jul 5, 2008 9:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Romo

You have to defend Romo. I have a buddy who is Browns fan and hates Romo and can’t tell me why. I can tell you why, because the Cowboys are back and Romo is one of the main reasons. Nothing like having a legit Franchise QB. Cowboy haters can’t stand the fact we have a QB that will have us Super Bowl contention for the next 10 yrs.

"Why everything that's supposed to be bad, Make me feel so good?"

by Wmillion on Jul 2, 2008 8:59 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

well said

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jul 2, 2008 9:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

If I had a combo of Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn, I would hate Romo too… Poor browns, the look like sh**

by NamingRightsOnSale on Jul 2, 2008 8:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Sure

Yes, Romo learned nothing his first four years in the NFL. Training camps, practices, OTA’s were all for nothing. The idea that Romo is equivalent to a second-year quarterback is ridiculous. However, this will be proven in time. He is what he is, and that is a sixth-year NFL quarterback—not a just-better-than-rookie, as you would make him out to be. When all fans can understand that he is a seasoned quarterback developed in the coveted manner that all coaches would like to develop quarterbacks, maybe we can just say that he is a sixth year player that is an outstanding quarterback rather than trying to pretend that his first four years didn’t count for anything.

by rrb on Jul 2, 2008 11:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

starter

you’re right he has been fortunate to have that time to develop on the bench, and that does count for something, but it’s not the same as being a starter. He’s been a starter for only a year and a half, and that is different that if he had been a starter for six years now.

by scottmaui on Jul 3, 2008 12:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

No substitute for real games. Sure he benefited from the time he spent before becoming starter, but that’s a big difference from being “The Main Man”.

T-New, shutting down WR's for Dallas since 2003

by APerfectStar on Jul 3, 2008 2:18 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

rrb, you can't dismiss actual game experience

we’re not saying the 4 years of non starting didn’t help develop him, we’re saying there’s no way he can be seasoned after only 1 and half years of starting, which is light years different than watching from the sidelines and just practicing.

Romo is just in his infancy of QB development, he is sure to get much better over time, much better.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jul 3, 2008 7:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Disagree on the Romo comment

Mickey spends a lot of ink defending Romo from the haters. Although I really don’t know who he’s defending Romo from, we’re just saying he has to win in the postseason to make that next leap to the Brady/Manning level.

Uh – gotta disagree with you here. he needs to win a playoff game to be in the same category as McNabb, Palmer, Bulger, Hasselbeck – very good QBs that have won some palyoff games but not a SB.

To be in the same catgory as Manning and Brady – he does have to win the Super Bowl. I love Romo – and hope he is our guy for a long time. Right now he is probably “he guy with the most upside, who has never won a playoff game”. Stats are stats, playoff/championship wins put you in the next category up.

For the record, I think he crosses the first line this year – and has a better than average chance to even up with the Manning boys for SB wins.

Long Live Teague - the defender of the STAR

by ibleed blue on Jul 3, 2008 3:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

If you only mean being

considered as good as P Manning and Brady, maybe. But it’s a team sport. If the defense falters again, they won’t win because playoff time is when defenses have to be able to get stops and offenses all tighten up. So I am not prepared to judge Romo only on playoff and SB wins, any more than I would dismiss the career of Dan Marino. I think Jerry has built a really good team, but as important as his position is Romo is one of 53.

Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig loves it.

by dunkman on Jul 3, 2008 4:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I dont blame the playoff loss all on Romo....

Heck, he looked like the only guy that wanted it at the end. But, my point is that we currently have a QB that has all the upside in the world that also has 2 straight early exits in the playoffs. We know he can amass stats – can he lead (i.e. play great AND rally the team around him) his team to a deep playoff run. I hope he can – I think he can. He just has not done it yet. Its Eli better because he led his team to a SB win last year…...... all I know is that as the future goes – I would rather have Romo. But I am also the guy that places more emphasis on SB wins that a career of record stats. I think Tom Brady is the top active QB over Payton because he has more SB wins and has done it with much lessor receivers. So for now – I don’t put Romo in the elite category – he has to have playoff wins under his belt to be there. But hey, he does not have to be elite yet – as noted above, he is 1.5 years in. He has plenty of time to build his legacy. Lets just see him win a playoff game before you start to put him in the Aikman / Staubach discussion.

Word of caution though – just like Wade, Romo needs to win a playoff game with this team. We are loaded – 3 years of improved personnel in a row, there are no excuses for an early exit and as the QB (LEADER) of this team, a lot of blame will be shared between coach and QB.

Long Live Teague - the defender of the STAR

by ibleed blue on Jul 4, 2008 7:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

My thoughts

Last year we were the colts of 2005- Great Season, Good Coach, #1 seed in their Conference, and a Great QB who had the tag of being a big game choker. In 2005 they met the eventual super bowl winners (Steelers) in the playoffs and lost in their 1st playoff game, we meet the eventual super bowl(Giants) winners and lost. Then guess what happened next year, Super Bowl Champs. Colts did it win good D, running the football effectively, and Peyton managed the game opposed to trying to throw for 50 TD’s. I see us using that same game plan.

"You can't win until you're not afraid to lose"

by Wmillion on Jul 4, 2008 8:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

good comparison

following that formula sounds like a good idea!

by scottmaui on Jul 4, 2008 2:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You made some good points

until you said Eli was better. He’s not any more than Dilfer was better than Marino or Kelly.. He had a better defense around him and played well enough to win. But he didn’t take that team on shoulders and lead it through adversity to a win. That notion almost insults all the QBs who actually DID lead their teams to victories – Montana, Bradshaw, Aikman, Staubach… Eli avoided mistakes so that his defense and WRs could make plays. If you want that guy as your QB, fine, but I don’t. I’d rather root for the guy who plays his heart out, win or lose.

It just makes no sense whatsoever to me to call a guy a better QB when clearly he’s not, just because his team has won in the playoffs. It really carries very little logic. The “stats” that everyone glibly dismisses in the regular season have just as much meaning as the playoff ones. Teams are trying to win and every games is a big deal. Sure everyone is playing to win it all, but only one does. Do you think that the Eli is better than Brady? Don’t argue that Brady has already one. A player is only as good today as he can play, right? So maybe Brady USED to better but now Eli has passed him. That where your logic takes you.

Now, if at the end of their careers Eli has more playoff success than Tony, it's a discussion. But Eli is not better now and possibly never will be.

Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig loves it.

by dunkman on Jul 4, 2008 9:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I actually agree with you completely

That sentence should have read “IS Eli better” – then I went on to make the point I would rather have Tony. I totally agree with what you say above.

Long Live Teague - the defender of the STAR

by ibleed blue on Jul 4, 2008 2:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I understand your point

I just happen to be one of those people who look at the whole body of work as the measure of a player. Really, the Eli-mania is what bothers me. Ten months ago I defended him to Giants fans I know who said he was a moron and a bust and needed to be replaced, and now he’s modeling for his bust in Canton . The whole thing sounds like it’s “Whoa Nelly” time to me…

Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig loves it.

by dunkman on Jul 4, 2008 3:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Its the Manning family thing.......

the NFL’s poster family, ESPN’s poster family…... I live in Indy now so I have to hear all the junk. I am not any Manning fan – the funny thing is, I think Peyton is someone I would enjoy hanging out with. He still drives a truck to work everyday.

Long Live Teague - the defender of the STAR

by ibleed blue on Jul 4, 2008 10:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

cant blow it

The best team Coach Wade has had, he realizes this may be his last chance to win, winning SB here is just IT! as a coach u set.
Yep defense wins championships(latest exmpl diff. sport but Boston Lockd down Kobe-same idea) Team sport, everyones got to do their part.
you cant compare sittn on the bench observn to playn rite out of college.endless argument, QBs in the league prove both points. Romo’s 1 1/2 yrs. startn looks good to me, i expect to get better

by bleedn blu on Jul 3, 2008 8:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs