Boys will be Boys take on Jimmy Johnson

by LongviewLegend315 on Sep 25, 2008 9:09 PM CDT

After reading Pearlman's new book, I couldn't help but wonder what the Jimmy Johnson of the '90s would be able to accomplish with a team as talented as the 2008 Dallas Cowboys. I know the Cowboys were great back then, but one of the reasons that was the case is because of how hard it was to play for Johnson. He would cut a good player if he didn't put his heart and soul into the team, on and off the field. Because of Johnson, there were no weak links on the team. That is kind of how I feel about this year's squad.

Now I didn't start this post to question the coaching of Wade Phillips, and believe-you-me, I think he has done an excellent job as head coach. 16-4 in his first 20 games speaks for itself. But I really worry about the discipline of this squad. If you played for the Cowboys in the '90s and you contined to make stupid penalties in games, you would incur the wrath of the Jimster. Players didn't like him personally, but they would go out on Sundays and kick ass because he motivated them. And after winning 2 superbowls in a row, Irvin and Aikman would run through a wall for him.

I just don't want to see this team's ability go to waste. I think everyone on this board believes that the Dallas Cowboys have the most talent in the NFL. Furthermore, with the Patriots' dominance of the league not in play this season, the Boys need to strike when the iron is hot. The NFL is too hard a league for a team to be done in by coaching and discipline, wasting a window of opportunity.

Do you think Wade Phillips can lead this team to the Superbowl?? I don't want to hear anymore post-playoff game press conferences in which Phillips is having to make excuses for why his team didn't win.

For Johnson, winning it all was the only thing that mattered. I hope that is how Phillips feels inside.

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Question

What “good” player did Jimmy ever cut?

"Well, we didn't block real good but we made up for it by not tackling."

- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

by 5Blings on Sep 25, 2008 10:02 PM CDT reply actions

didn't say he did...said he "would"

In the book, Pearlman mentions how Johnson highly considered cutting Irvin after his first season with the team..

by LongviewLegend315 on Sep 25, 2008 11:37 PM CDT up reply actions

-1

That is conjecture. I highly doubt someone so committed to winning as JJ would ever cut a productive player. Lets face it, if you perfromed on the field for him, you were untouchable, regardless of what happened off it. He got a lot of pub for cutting John Roper, but admitted publicly that he would never do that to a Troy Aikman or Emmitt Smith.

"Well, we didn't block real good but we made up for it by not tackling."

- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

by 5Blings on Sep 26, 2008 12:20 AM CDT up reply actions

Yes

I think he can lead this team to a Super Bowl victory. He won’t accomplish it the same way as Jimmy did, but I think he can do it. The players have to police themselves a little, but I think the tackling and punt return blocking will clean up with practice. This team knows the expectations. I get mad every time I hear talking heads say Dallas fans expect the super bowl or assume they will win it, because that is not the case. But it’s certainly the goal, and with this team, it’s attainable.

by grapejoos on Sep 25, 2008 10:24 PM CDT reply actions

Well said

It is the Season of Wade.

"Well, we didn't block real good but we made up for it by not tackling."

- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

by 5Blings on Sep 26, 2008 12:21 AM CDT up reply actions

I am on page 350

I thought the HBO special Hard Knocks would give me a behind the scenes look at the organization I have loved for so long, I realize now that Hard Knocks was only showing us what they wanted us to see. This book will really open your eyes to the character flaws of the many people in the organization, it definitely humanizes athletes we have so naively thought of as gods……….With all the sex, drugs, and alcohol, this book would make one hell of a movie.

"The Cowboys are the Greatest team in the History of the NFL. The Philadelphia Eagles Suck, and should be ashamed of them selves. Dallas is a true Champion and we are just posers" yophillybro Sep 16, 2008 7:49 AM CDT

by Tdorsett499yds on Sep 25, 2008 10:59 PM CDT reply actions

yeah, man. I finished it a couple days ago.

Pearlman is an amazing story-teller. When I was done, I was sad that there wasn’t more!

by LongviewLegend315 on Sep 25, 2008 11:39 PM CDT up reply actions

I take exception

With this statement

Furthermore, with the Patriots’ dominance of the league not in play this season, the Boys need to strike when the iron is hot.

You make it sound like we can actually win since Brady is out for the year, but only because he’s out. Personally, I wish he was in top notch health all year.
The Giants have been kind of disrespected to the extent that they won the SB and people still openly say “Oh sure they won and they did a great job of shutting down the Patriots that day, but there’s no way they were the best team in the league”. Can you imagine what would be said about them if Brady had been hurt?
Oh no, if we make it to the big stage, I would just assume the other teams players all be in tip-top shape. No excuses.

The greatest two yard run ever!

by WB3forMB3 on Sep 26, 2008 7:05 AM CDT reply actions

I agree with you...

But since the Patriots will not be the same this season, there SHOULD be no excuse for anything less than a championship in my opinion. I want to see the Cowboys beat the best, but I don’t believe the Cowboys had the pass rush or the secondary to beat the Patriots last season in the Superbowl. That is where I give the Giants credit.

The bottom line is the Patriots are the one team whose experience could negate the overall talent of the Cowboys and I’m glad they won’t be an issue this year.

by LongviewLegend315 on Sep 26, 2008 7:39 AM CDT up reply actions

My 2 cents....

As good as this team is I really don’t think even Tom Brady would make a difference. In my 36 years watching the Cowboys I’ve developed a feel for knowing when we have a legitimate shot a the Super Bowl. I had that feeling last year, and have no doubts that if Wade hadn’t pick his foot up off the gas, the Cowboys don’t “vapor-lock”, and we are the ones that make Brady look like an over matched JV quarterback in SB42. This year the feeling is even stronger than I felt it in ’93…..ah memories.

by SmittyCityMo on Sep 26, 2008 11:48 AM CDT reply actions