Fixing the Cowboys is up to Jerry Jones and Wade Phillips
by Dave Halprin on Jan 14, 2009 12:02 PM CST
in News
223 comments
How to fix the Dallas Cowboys? That's the billion-dollar question. (This is the Cowboys and Jerry Jones, we don't do million-dollar questions.) There's an old adage when things go wrong with a sports team that says: "You can't fire all the players so you fire the manager." Now, I'm not stating that Wade Phillips should be fired because that ship has sailed. Jerry Jones has unequivocally made it clear that won't happen this offseason. But the adage still has meaning in the sense that you have to use the players you have (even more so after free-agency and the draft) so if you want things to change you have to have a change in management, or in this case, management style.
Read the rest after the jump.
Wade Phillips has already offered up the idea that he is going to change, that he will be tougher on the players, the way they practice might change, there might be fines and punishments for infractions in practice like penalties, missed assignments etc. I applaud that approach although I fear it won't be enough. He needs to go further and establish the fact that the inmates aren't running the asylum. He doesn't need to become R. Lee Ermy in Full Metal Jacket but he does need to make it known that players will not be allowed to undermine the coaches. It can be argued that the players are correct (in the technical sense) when they speak out about the failings of the coaching staff, but that's not the point. A sports team generally can't function when players feel they have the right to say or do whatever they want and there will be no repercussions. Most organizations can't function well under that kind of structure. Unfortunately, that's exactly where the Cowboys find themselves.
At the risk of opening up another contentious Terrell Owens debate, he is an example of what you can't have on a team. Before you guys blow your top and start firing off comments dismissive of the idea, hear me out. I'm not advocating the dismissal of T.O. from the team and I don't debate the idea that he is our best wide receiver and provides us with a dangerous weapon that causes defenses to re-think their strategies when they play us. I think that is true. But when he, on multiple occasions this year, is publicly questioning the offensive coordinator's abilities he does so to the detriment of the team. He can coat it with the gloss of "I just want to win and when I get the ball it helps the team win" which has enough truth in it to make it hard to deny the statements validity. That's not the point though, what it does is have the effect of trickling down to other players who now start thinking, even if they don't say it publicly, that they are being wrongly used in the system or their talents are being overlooked. This can lead to a variety of ailments including apathy, not accepting responsibility for your own failings and various other thought-processes that hurt overall effort and cohesion. There are other players who have done the same thing and are equally as culpable as T.O. I will be blasted for singling out T.O. but he is the easiest example because he does it the most often and the most vociferously. So if you want to hang your objections on that point, so be it, but I think you miss the bigger picture which is that we have quite a few guys on this team that think blaming the coaches or others instead of looking in the mirror and examining their own efforts is the right way to go.
Who is ultimately to blame for all of that discontent? The coach and the GM/Owner. They need to be on the same page and I don't think they are, even though their relationship appears to be solid. It's not a matter of consciously undermining each other but it's their personalities and the way they approach things that end up striking a disharmonious chord. Wade Phillips is so much of a player's coach that he believes a player's happiness is paramount. He might say that's not the case but his actions belie that claim. We don't need him to call out his players publicly but behind closed doors he doesn't seem to be able to take on a player. Benching someone for a game or even the first quarter would be a good way to set an example. Limiting playing time is one of the few ways left to get a players attention in this coddling-culture of professional athletes that we currently live in. The argument against that is you can lose a player by doing something along those lines, but if you do, you have to wonder about that player's mental-makeup and whether he is the kind of guy who will help you get to where you want to go anyway. There are different examples just this year of coaches unafraid of taking on players or the team in a confrontational way. Mike Singletary sent TE Vernon Davis to the showers in the middle of a game. Afterwards, by most accounts, Davis played much better in the remaining games. Ken Whisenhunt, after his Cardinals got shellacked by the Patriots, told the team they better come to practice the next week with a new attitude and any player who didn't would find himself on the bench for the playoffs. They're now playing for the NFC championship. John Harbaugh, the Baltimore Ravens coach, was asked how he sold his philosophy to the players. He responded it wasn't his job to sell it, it was their job to buy it. They are now playing for the AFC championship.
The Cowboys have lapsed into a world where the belief in pure talent has blinded them to the other aspects that make a team successful. They do this at their own peril and that peril has been realized repeatedly in their recent past.
Jerry Jones is also responsible because we have seen him take the side of players, maybe not explicitly, but by not shooting them down when they turn to him or even when he is asked by the press about comments they have made. If he wants to ensure that the team respects, and even to some extent fears the coaches, he needs to make it known in no uncertain terms that the coaches have his confidence and if you, as a player, are undermining that effort there will be consequences. Jerry also has the habit of playing nice-guy with the players and fails to understand that his tacit approval of their complaints is killing this team's ability to perform at a high-level. Team-unity, a highly abstract concept, is nonetheless a critical part of a team's success. Counterarguments like the 70's Yankees are just exceptions that prove the rule.
Coaches can be nice and still succeed. Tony Dungy obviously comes to mind. But his success as a "player's coach" probably owes more to his personality and his particular brand of nice. I don't know for sure because I'm not in the Colts locker room but I would venture a guess that while he is not a screamer or thought of as a disciplinarian, one thing he does manage to do is command the respect of his players. I would go further and say that while on the surface his demeanor is light, in terms of the players he demands accountability and belief in what the coaches and the organization does as a whole. Whether it's verbal, implicit or just a result of the type of players they bring into that organization, Dungy manages to be "nice" but never sees his team in chaos in terms of player's comments or actions. I'd argue it's impossible to just copy his style because every coach's personality and demeanor are different. The point is that you have to reach a level of command and respect, whatever the methods, and the Cowboys don't seem to be there.
You can't silence players, everybody needs to be able to speak their minds and express their opinions or you end up with suppressed resentment which is no better than explicit resentment. People are adaptable though and most will comport themselves to the situation they are in if they believe they are doing it for the right reasons. Players will subvert some of their misgivings if they think there will be consequences for overt displays of undermining those in charge and that those in charge are truly working in their best interests. If a player can't do that, then they need to be made an example of so the virus doesn't spread. It's a fine line to walk but the Cowboys organization has veered from one side of the line to the other and has not been able to find the happy medium.
If the Cowboys are to succeed, the head coach and the GM/Owner must work in concert with each other and they must establish some boundaries for the players. It can be a difficult task at first and they might lose a player or two along the way. You might have to take a few steps back before you can take a step forward. Or you can continue along the same path they are currently on and end up with a talented stable of athletes who can't pull it together when the pressure comes down. Too many agendas spoil the meal.
That's what I think, anyway. Feel free to express your own thoughts, because unlike a sports team, this blog can actually thrive on dissenting opinions. Or if you agree, that's cool, too.
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Is there
Any team playing still who had a player call out one of the Coaches? I didn’t think so.
by GunsUp on Jan 14, 2009 12:23 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Did a team win the Super Bowl last year...
… that had players that called out thier head coach? I think so.
0 = The number of Super Bowls the Eagles have won.
by gee-roj on Jan 14, 2009 12:51 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Absolutely right
So how is T.O. wrong for calling out his coach?
Ray Lewis validated T.O.’s comments when he said that Garret had a simplistic offense.
Grizz asks for somebody to hold the players and coaches accountable and looks to me like T.O. is the only one doing just that.
Game Recognize Game
by pretty ricky on Jan 14, 2009 1:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Does Owens ever hold himself accountable?
by NCCowboy on Jan 14, 2009 1:12 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Heard he does in his book
I’m not much of a book worm so not positive since i never read it.
Game Recognize Game
by pretty ricky on Jan 14, 2009 2:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
It is Jerry Jones and Wade Phillips job to hold Garrett accountable
That’s not part of a player’s job description. Suggesting that the players hold the coaches accountable subverts the whole command structure and would lead to anarchy. Probably not a winning formula for a football team.
by Dave Halprin on Jan 14, 2009 1:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Yes I agree with you there
that it is Jones and Phillips responsibility but was trying to say that how can TO be faulted for doing something that needs to be done?
Game Recognize Game
by pretty ricky on Jan 14, 2009 1:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
TO can be faulted
for his concern exceeding his influence.
It’s not his job to call out the coaches, regardless of whether or not the coach needed it. There has to be a chain of command.
by Starred4Life on Jan 14, 2009 3:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
A solider can't have confidence in an incompetent leader
Not to say Garrett is incompetent, but he sure was at points last season. And if the coach/owner aren’t doing anything to rectify the situation, then the downward motion will continue.
Not to say players should openly bash the coaches in public. T.O. or any other player would be foolish to blast their coach to the media. But players ABSOLUTELY need to hold their coaches accountable within the organization. Football games can not be won by mindless drones.
One of my happiest moments in the season was when Brian Stewart’s responsibilities were stripped of playcalling — a move long overdue. I saw this as a chance for Wade to start pressing down on his coordinators and holding them accountable for their actions. But Garrett still got free reign — possibly since he’s JJ’s golden boy.
That’s why even though I still think Garrett has tremendous potential as a coach, I wouldn’t be too upset to see him go. This team needs one solitary, unequivocal leader. One who demands respect and accountability. Someone like Tuna, but younger and less conservative. As for who that can be — I don’t know. I only hope that can be Wade next season.
by no1cowboysfan on Jan 14, 2009 4:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
TO
To needs to be faulted, but by the HC, by Wade Philips. He should have been fined, talked to, suspended what ever. But every player knows that is not going to happen. Brad Johnson is still on this team. He has not been cut. Why would any player practice hard or even show up for meetings when failing is an option on this team.
by just4fun on Jan 14, 2009 4:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
hit the nail on the head Grizz
Two points from your comments that stand out as the core of the problems.
One, as you said players will speak their mind as they should. Its the me first personality that causes the friction and fissures in a team. TO comments albeit not destructuve are very me first oriented and self centered. Him calling out his coaches in media is the problem. I totally agree that this will filter down to players in the locker ala Patrick Crayton who had a loose mouth to begin with.
Team chemistry albeit a mystry is about “Trust”. Trust is foundation of every team regardless of sports or any organization one works at. There is a whole industry built around “buliding trust” in organizations. That trust was broken by TO and several others and that’s the irreparable damage that was done and it sunk the season. Trust is not about “not feeling threatened” by some one, but that someone not throwing you under the bus, talking to you and working out the problem. How it effected the team is instead of the players watchingfilm together, figuring things out together, planning together as a group (Romo, TO, Crayton, Witten, Austin) on how to beat the opponnent, are now focused on things that don’t matte. they aren’t working “together” but working as “individuals”, which doesn’t lead to success.
Thus we hear the term group of talented players but not a team. It also makes it difficult to focus on the task at hand ala the losses to Ravens and Philly at the end of the season.
The second point is the unclear lines of command. As you mentioned Jerry side steps his coaches and managers by taling and involving himself with the players in situations where he needs to point the player to the coach. I understand he has an investment to worry about and wants to make sure everything is ok, but that’s not how its done. In essence that’s what Jerry has done all along. With Jimmy his ego got the better of him and he was a bigger figuyre than Gaily, Switzer, Campo and allowed the inmates run the assylum. With Parcells he didn’t interfere much but then again he did by bringing in TO and getting involved with Bryant issue and often by passed Parcells on minor stuff that Irked Parcells at the end.
He is doing the same with Wade, over stepping Wades’a authority and the players know that they can by pass the coach, go to the owner specially if they think of themselves as special like TO does and they will see action.
until Jerry learns to step aside and not get involved in “every” locker room situation and player issue, we are going to continue to experience problems like this.
great commentary by the way.
by CowboysFanatic on Jan 14, 2009 12:35 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Addition by subtraction comes to mind when talking about TO....
Distractions….distractions..whether it’s his fault or not we will have them with him around. I don’t think this team can succeed with him in the locker room. We would miss his talents no questions about it, maybe even take a step backwards, but they would come together more as a team without the distractions. Look for the same BS next season because, I don’t see anything changing anytime soon…..
by Boyzfan94 on Jan 14, 2009 12:44 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
The BS won't happen...
if the team is winning next year. There was no TO BS in ’07 when they went 13-3. Give this team an offensive line that can pass protect and all interested parties will be happy.
As madden says, “winning cures everything”
0 = The number of Super Bowls the Eagles have won.
by gee-roj on Jan 14, 2009 12:54 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
but the damage is done
I’m not sure even winning can fix the rifts between T.O. and his people and Romo, Witten, and their people that were formed over the course of this season.
by quincyyyyy on Jan 14, 2009 1:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
But...
this assumes that ESPN is producing accurate reports…
0 = The number of Super Bowls the Eagles have won.
by gee-roj on Jan 14, 2009 1:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
and FWST, DMN etc. etc.
I sincerely doubt all of these media outlets are in on some grand conspiracy to ruin the Cowboys.
There are obviously some splits in the locker room. You are fooling yourself if you don’t realize that. What needs to be done is to cut the cancer, and over time the wounds will heal.
by quincyyyyy on Jan 14, 2009 1:44 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I thought that play in the last Game
where Romo tosses to Witten, throws to TO was pretty much a symbol that they will work together
by AustonianAggie on Jan 14, 2009 2:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
no it wasnt
so if witten hates TO or vice versa why would that play succedded
What the French?! Toast!
by thebigham on Jan 14, 2009 5:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Because they care more about winning than any petty disputes
"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."
by aussie_cowboy on Jan 15, 2009 1:56 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I would generally agree with that assessment Grizz
I think when Wade gets tough on the players they will probably laugh in his face at first, but if Wade follows through and maintains a strict policy of discipline and accountability among his players then they will start to get the idea that maybe they should be on their p’s and q’s from here on out.
As for T.O. I don’t think we can win with him. Despite him being the best player on the team, he ultimately ruins team chemistry, and you have to have chemistry with your teammates to win. Football after all is the ultimate team sport. Now some of his gripes were legitimate like the fact that there is obviously a snitch in the locker room, but you can’t just throw a hissy fit every time someone is mean to you, and that is what T.O. does.
Now if we let T.O. go do we run the risk of hurting our offense. Yes of course, but some risks are worth it, because I don’t believe we can make it to the championship with a chemistry killer on the team.
by quincyyyyy on Jan 14, 2009 12:48 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I mean T.O. is among the best players on the team
he certainly isn’t the best player on the team
by quincyyyyy on Jan 14, 2009 12:49 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
TO Is Not The Best Player On This Team
That comment is just plain nuts; TO is old and slow and losing his talent level; he is not an elite WR anymore; he is Jerry’s pet; Dallas will never win a championship with TO here; mark it down. TO needs to go find something else to destroy with his screwed up personality.
by Iowacowboy on Jan 14, 2009 8:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Slow?
This is the fastest he’s been in his career, you can say the corners in San Fran have no talent but they have speed, and TO blew right by them.
by joey7289 on Jan 14, 2009 8:44 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
San Francisco?
How about the other 14 games that really mattered and TO failed to show up? He ain’t that fast; quit salavating over his ballet uniform and see the real cancer that he is
by Iowacowboy on Jan 14, 2009 8:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
He caught for 1000 yards
But he didn’t show up, 10 TDs but he didn’t show up? I guess I was watching a different team.
by joey7289 on Jan 14, 2009 9:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
What do you mean he is slow?
Think of the GB game, TO didnt only keep up, but he caught up and overtook Felix Jones so he could block for him on the lng TD run. So if TO is slow, Felix must be too. I guess we should stop calling him Dash then huh.
"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."
by aussie_cowboy on Jan 15, 2009 1:58 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
He may not be as fast as he used to be, but he is not slow
Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey
by Seanrude on Jan 15, 2009 7:33 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
BTW.....I'm a big TO fan....
and I mentioned this before that I spent alot of doe on a TO jersey this year. It just sucks that so many distractions come with him. I come to realize over the past couple of months we won’t win anything with him on the team.
by Boyzfan94 on Jan 14, 2009 12:49 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
If we cut him were not winning anything next year
"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."
by aussie_cowboy on Jan 15, 2009 1:58 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
We didn't win anything this year with him
We didn’t win anything last year with him, or the year before—3 seasons with Owens, 0 playoff wins
by NCCowboy on Jan 15, 2009 6:55 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
We haven't won anything with any of the players we've had in what ten years?
So should we get rid of all them.
by joey7289 on Jan 15, 2009 8:19 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
That's not my point
I was pointing out the absurdity of Aussie Cowboy’s claim that: “If we cut him we’re not winning anything next year.” Owens is not indispensable.
by NCCowboy on Jan 15, 2009 8:22 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
He is to this team right now
"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."
by aussie_cowboy on Jan 15, 2009 5:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
The DNA is still corrupt
Let me rephrase: If the Cowboys are to succeed, the head coach must command the respect of the players. The GM/Owner must work to demand that the players support the coaches and otherwise have no other dealings with the players other than contract negotations. Neither will happen in Dallas under the current regime. There is a reason why Dallas joins Detroit and Washington as the only teams that have not played in the NFC Championship game since 1996—its our owner—and he isn’t going anywhere.
by NCCowboy on Jan 14, 2009 12:51 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
-1
"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."
by aussie_cowboy on Jan 15, 2009 1:59 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree 100% Grizz
The Cowboys have failed in recent years because the players, well at least the vast majority of players, do not respond to the coaches, whether it was Parcells or Phillips.
Parcells was too harsh and the players didn’t respect that, Phillips was too soft and the players obviously didn’t respect that either. Phillips says he’s going to change and he has to if the Cowboys are going to be successful next season. Its imperative that he hold the players accountable for everything they do team related.
I know a lot of fans think JJT is an idiot, but I think he is right in that Garrett and T.O. can’t co-exsist together. If they are both on the team next season, we’ll have the same problems we had this season with the offense, nothing will change.
I believe if Garrett doesn’t get hired as a HC somewhere, Jerry has to release T.O. Sure, the offense won’t be as talented, but the team as a whole will be better. T.O. is who he is which is an egotistical, selfish, and self-centered player who will never change. When the team is winning, he’s fine, but when they start losing, his whinning becomes a cancer in the locker room. So long as he is on the team, I highly doubt the Cowboys will have the right chemistry to become a true team capable of winning in the playoffs.
In Romo we Trust
by Terry on Jan 14, 2009 12:52 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Owens won't be released
Combine Jerry’s fiscal handcuffs and his otherwise gutlessness and there is no way he will cut Owens. Rather, he is probably hoping that someone hires Jason Garrett to relieve him from making the call. This isn’t likely to happen so Jones will delude himself that he can persuade everyone to play nice. The first time we try to establish a running game and lose, Owens will start waving his arms on the sidelines and shouting at anyone that will hear and begin his whispering campaign to Deion Sanders and Michael Irvin, et al that Garrett’s playcalling doesn’t center around him and we will be back here next year writing these same season postscripts.
by NCCowboy on Jan 14, 2009 12:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
You do realize
That asking TO to run a fly on every snap of the ball isn’t the best way to use him right? Let’s not pretend like Garrett did a great job of calling and designing plays last year.
0 = The number of Super Bowls the Eagles have won.
by gee-roj on Jan 14, 2009 1:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Read what I wrote
I wrote nothing about how great a job Garrett did in calling plays. What I said is Owens is not going to be released, he is not going to change, and if Garrett is still here, or even if he isn’t, if the game plan doesn’t center around Owens and we struggle, you are going to hear about it. And the Cowboys will not succeed.
By the way, I don’t recall Owens running a fly on every snap. I do recall a deep out against the Steelers that he quit on and allowed Troy Polomalu an uncontested interception. I recall a couple of slants in the first Giants game and 2nd Redskins game that he coughed up when hit. One fly pattern (was it against the Ravens or the Giants?) I recall him losing in the lights. I also recently read Jerry Rice’s critique on Owens’ route running-perhaps the fly pattern is the only pattern he runs well?
by NCCowboy on Jan 14, 2009 1:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
-1
"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."
by aussie_cowboy on Jan 15, 2009 2:00 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
When I say he is running a fly pattern on every play I’m being a bit facetious.
That said I do think that a great coach like Belichick designs a game plan that best utilizes the talents of his given players. A bad coach forces his players to play a "system" without considering the best attributes of his given players. Owens is a natural at catching a 5-yard cross or hitch and then turning that play into a larger gain but he is rarely used that way. And it’s not just him. All the receivers’ patterns just take too long to develop and are run way too far down the field.
There rarely seems to be anything designed underneath the coverage.
The Ravens saw this and kept their safeties 20 yards of the line of scrimmage the entire game. And sure enough for nearly 55 minutes every pattern run by the wide outs was at least 15 yards up the field, right into the strength of the coverage.
Owens did run plenty of terrible routes this year and he drops too many passes, I’m not denying that. Romo also threw plenty of terrible passes. The O-line did a terrible job of blocking etc…
I just don’t believe that Owens is the key distraction that makes all this happen.
0 = The number of Super Bowls the Eagles have won.
by gee-roj on Jan 14, 2009 1:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Ok, I was being a little facetious myself
But, I am going to repeat the following facts until everyone on this blog gets it:
In the 13 games Romo started, the Cowboys averaged 25.1 points and gained 370.5 yards. In 2007, the Cowboys averaged 28.4 points and 365.7 yards per game. Those numbers are too similar to suggest that Garrett wasn’t utilizing this offense properly. Don’t forget—he may have taken 55 minutes to figure out the Ravens offense, but the Cowboys did manage to ring up 24 points. Not too many teams did that this year. And, if the defense had held the Ravens, you have to think we would have scored again.
by NCCowboy on Jan 14, 2009 3:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
A three point drop is still quite significant
And with the talent we added to the offense it should have gone up. Watching the games it was clear to see that the talent was no being properly utilised
"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."
by aussie_cowboy on Jan 15, 2009 2:26 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Give me examples
I assume you have joined the coaches in the film room, knowing each play that was called, and each player’s assignment, and know, definitively, that it is “clear to see that the talent was no[t] being properly utilised”.
by NCCowboy on Jan 15, 2009 6:58 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Here is an example
Terrell getting consistently run down the field and not running him through the middle…you don’t need to sit with them in film to see he runs the same route 75% of the time.
by joey7289 on Jan 15, 2009 8:20 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I've made this point to you elsewhere on this board
It is a gross exaggeration to claim Owens runs the same route 75% of the time or play after play as you stated elsewhere. Even if there is a smidgen of truth there, it is probably due to the fact that (1) Owens can’t beat the press coverage and get free over the middle, and often when he did, he coughed up the ball (see 1st Giants game, 2nd Redskins game) and (2) he runs poor or “not crisp” routes (see Jerry Rice).
by NCCowboy on Jan 15, 2009 8:25 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I said before
And have the link, Jerry Rice said he would like to see the route run better, not he runs bad routes, the Giant game the ball was thrown behind him and that is why he fumbled. You wanna go back and watch the games with the safety over the top. Wanna watch how many deep posts, or out routes he runs, he can beat the press, it’s the safety after that he has trouble with, and you would too. Wanna know how you beat that, you run quick routes off the line, if he doesn’t beat him you look elsewhere, but I’m hard press to think Garrett did that, if he has such a hard time beating press coverage why did he beat the Giants corner off the line only to get a horrible ball thrown his way.
by joey7289 on Jan 15, 2009 8:28 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I just watched the replay on NFL.com
The ball was poorly thrown—but Owens still caught it, and then fumbled.
by NCCowboy on Jan 15, 2009 8:45 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
When TO Ran a Slant
We ended up with interceptions or TO dropped the ball; TO is sloppy and he won’t run through tackles; he is not that quick or short term fast anymore. He is below par for a one WR; ask the Cardinals what an All Pro one WR looks like. Dallas has had one in a long time.
by Iowacowboy on Jan 14, 2009 8:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
He ran a GREAT slant route
Against the Giants, only to get a ball thrown behind him. Another great drag route, which was thrown behind him.
by joey7289 on Jan 14, 2009 9:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Dallas hasnt had an all pro WR in a long time?
What about last year when TO wnt to the pro bowl. Sounds like an all pro WR to me
"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."
by aussie_cowboy on Jan 15, 2009 2:27 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Last year was years ago . . .
Especially in the NFL when you are 36
by NCCowboy on Jan 15, 2009 6:59 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
And is still in the best shape of his life, and one of the fastest WR in football...
by joey7289 on Jan 15, 2009 8:21 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
He is one of the fastest . . .
after he has about 3-4 seconds to get a head of steam. That is a long time.
by NCCowboy on Jan 15, 2009 8:26 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Thats a bit of an exageration there
"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."
by aussie_cowboy on Jan 15, 2009 5:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
you're right NCCowboy
If T.O. and Garrett are on the team in 2009, we’ll have the same type of season, nothing will change.
In Romo we Trust
by Terry on Jan 14, 2009 1:06 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
TO… TO… TO… TO… TO… TO…
When will you all stop listening to ESPN’s BS?!
TO is not the reason the Cowboys missed the playoffs.
0 = The number of Super Bowls the Eagles have won.
by gee-roj on Jan 14, 2009 12:57 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
nobody is saying T.O. is the reason we missed the playoffs
There were a lot of reasons why we missed the playoffs, injuries played as big a role as any, but team chemistry was another reason, and T.O.’s bashing of Garrett to the press contributes to that greatly.
In Romo we Trust
by Terry on Jan 14, 2009 1:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
yes
But TO is right with what he said, Garrett is awful, try something other then having TO run routes down the field, why not put him in the slot, or run a comebacker, quick slant like they did against the Giants, only have Romo throwing the ball. It’s the same predictable stuff with Garrett and if I was a WR I would be frustrated as hell as well.
by joey7289 on Jan 14, 2009 2:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
it doesn't matter if T.O. is right or not
what matters is keeping that kind of stuff in house and not airing dirty laundry to the media.
In Romo we Trust
by Terry on Jan 14, 2009 3:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
+1
That’s right. How can TO complain about other players in the locker room talking too much to the media about what goes on in that locker room and then he does the same thing?? He’s got a double standard for himself.
by kameleon_o on Jan 14, 2009 10:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
He kept it in House
Until some anonymous source spilled everything. People are so quick to jump on TO, he never came out and said that stuff, someone else said what he said. He kept everything in house. Someone else let it out.
by joey7289 on Jan 14, 2009 10:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Not just that one time though
He had been complaining about the play calling and the way he was being used even when BJ was QB’ing. I wish he could just keep it in house.
by kameleon_o on Jan 14, 2009 10:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Ok Agree
But if you were constantly being run down field wouldn’t you be feed up? I know he shouldn’t have publicly called out Garrett, but someone had to…he’s so predictable it’s boring.
by joey7289 on Jan 14, 2009 10:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
someone should have publicly called out Garrett?
No, that is not how you do it..
"Protect the Romo, Save the Cowboys!!"
by Wmillion on Jan 14, 2009 11:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
How do you do it then?
Because down the stretch no one said anything…and well we didn’t put up the results we should have, so what do you do then?
by joey7289 on Jan 15, 2009 12:25 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Garret got
called out plenty. T.O. never had to say anything. The fans all said it for him.
by GunsUp on Jan 15, 2009 6:50 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I'll try this again
In the 13 games Romo started, the Cowboys averaged 25.1 points and gained 370.5 yards. In 2007, the Cowboys averaged 28.4 points and 365.7 yards per game. If that is predictable and boring, I’ll take it. And, Owens was not constantly being run down the field.
by NCCowboy on Jan 15, 2009 7:01 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
And yet we didn't make the players, and got pounded by the team in AFC Championship game.
That has one of the best players on the defensive side of the ball…saying it’s predictable, you keep to your stats, i’ll take the guy who actually played the offense.
by joey7289 on Jan 15, 2009 8:22 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I don't know why I bother
But, I’ll try this one more time. Why do you think Ed Reed and Ray Lewis criticized the Cowboys offense as simple? Do you think they were trying to help the Cowboys? Or do you think they were administering payback to Jason Garrett for snubbing the Ravens head coaching offer last year?
by NCCowboy on Jan 15, 2009 8:28 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
They could have cared less.
That defense has been in place for years, if you think they were trying to make fun of Garrett for not coming to the Ravens that is just dumb, this isn’t high school, that defense knows regardless of who they got to be the coach they would succeed.
by joey7289 on Jan 15, 2009 8:30 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I am finished with this debate
Joey—you are passionate about the Cowboys, but have fallen into the trap of so many that it is always someone else’s fault—but not your favorite player(s). The Cowboys ran the same offense in 2008 as they did in ’07. The statistics, when Romo started, were remarkably similar. Averaging 25 points a game in this league with even an average defense should guarantee you a playoff spot. The playcalling and scheme, although certainly not infallible, are not to blame here. As Raf has made the point time and time again in reviewing games this year, it was the execution, or the failure of the players to execute their assignment or to avoid stupid mistakes and penalties, that cost this team a playoff berth. The players ultimately are to blame, not the coaches.
by NCCowboy on Jan 15, 2009 8:39 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I am not disagreeing
But something changed, I know Garrett never put Romo in max protection and that was costly but to think this team is better without Owens is something I can’t agree with. Could they both be at fault yes, but I just refuse to believe letting Terrell Owens go is the right idea, in the end neither of us have the say, and that could be unfortunate.
by joey7289 on Jan 15, 2009 8:43 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
+1
"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."
by aussie_cowboy on Jan 15, 2009 5:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
And
I agree with the statement about stupid penalties, and unfortunately that comes down on the head coach.
by joey7289 on Jan 15, 2009 8:43 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Comes down on the head coach,
but not the offending player?
by NCCowboy on Jan 15, 2009 8:46 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
gee-roj
I assure you that my opinions of T.O. are not shaped by ESPN. They are shaped on his comments made, direct quotes that I have seen on tape and read in print. I could care less what Mark Schlereth, John Clayton, Skip Bayless or any of the other personalities on ESPN have to say about T.O. To suggest that I, or others, can only come to our opinion of T.O.‘s off the field conduct by listening to ESPN paints us as weak-minded robots. it’s wildly off the mark and borders on insulting. I could easily say your defense of T.O. is based on an anti-ESPN mindset that only allows you to believe the opposite of what they say. I bet you would say that isn’t the case and that your opinions are built on more integrity than that. Give the rest of us a little credit, please.
by Dave Halprin on Jan 14, 2009 1:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
A lot of those direct quotes you’ve heard and read may be presented out of context.
You may have done your due diligence and have truly read and heard more than just what’s on the surface but you’d be in the minority in that respect.
Some people are posting things on BTB as if they know exactly what happens in the locker room as if they’re a fly on the wall. I’m sorry but to me that just seems like a tabloid story and not a sound reason to cut a future hall of fame receiver.
Show me footage of TO actually disrupting practices and play me audio of what it is he actually screaming about on the sidelines. If any or all of it supports the theories many of you have espoused on here then I’ll be the first to admit I’m wrong. Until then it’s all conjecture as far as I’m concerned.
BTW, the Deon interview which might have been his most out of line moment didn’t bother me once I saw the whole thing. A lot of the highlights from it are taken out of context.
0 = The number of Super Bowls the Eagles have won.
by gee-roj on Jan 14, 2009 2:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
AGREED
Everyone thinks they know what happens in the locker room, they know who the good guys are and the bad guys, why? Because some unnamed sources comes out and says something? Until i get a name of the person who said all that I don’t buy it.
by joey7289 on Jan 14, 2009 2:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Is it your contention
that since we aren’t privy to the specific conversations and tones of those conversations in the locker room that we do not have enough evidence to suggest T.O. can sometimes be a tad selfish?
Did you need to know what T.O. was yelling about specifically when he was with San Francisco to come to the conclusion he was berading his offensive coordinator? That does not come from an unnamed source. There is your evidence.
Did T.O. undermind McNabb? There is more evidence of his selfishness and loving me some me.
I have always defended T.O. because I believe he is an easy story for lazy journalism. I believe he receives way too much attention, so much so that Werder doesn’t cover the Cowboys in press conferences, he covers T.O. However, having said all that, he has brought it on himself and unfortunately you don’t get to filter bad media attention when you want the attention.
by cow_fanatic on Jan 14, 2009 2:51 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Understandable
And when they show TO on the sidelines that’s understandable but when people close to him like Deion say stuff about TO, say the stuff ESPN is reporting isn’t true, I tend to believe them because they are a lot closer to TO, then someone like Ed Werder.
by joey7289 on Jan 14, 2009 3:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
And San Fran and Philly
Those were years ago, if TO was going to blow up this team he would have already, and I’m sorry but people think Roy Williams is going to come in and be a one, and Miles Austin a two, then your in for one long season.
by joey7289 on Jan 14, 2009 3:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Nobody is suggesting "TO can be a tad selfish"
people are calling him a locker room cancer who disrupted the team and blaming him for the fact we missed the playoffs. There is a big difference between the two
"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."
by aussie_cowboy on Jan 15, 2009 2:30 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
TO is precisely what is wrong with this team
TO is exactly the problem; cut him and send a message that this type of conduct like scheduling interviews with D. Sanders and whispering to M. Irvin to undermine the coaching staff has gotta stop. TO is a cancer and it destroyed this team this year; he has gotta go for this team to recover.
by Iowacowboy on Jan 14, 2009 8:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
-1
"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."
by aussie_cowboy on Jan 15, 2009 2:31 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Getting the best from the players
There is a fine line between being too nice and too disciplinarian. The players need to be accountable for their actions (and I am talking about on the field here). The press seems to spend a lot of time saying that the modern player cannot be disciplined in any way because they have too much money, too much security etc. The coach needs to hold his players accountable, that means, as Grizz says, less time on the field if they aren’t doing what they are supposed to on the field.
Did any Cowboy get benched for bad play, bad penalties or bad attitude this year? Maybe it happened but it certainly did not happen with any regularity.
BTW not just football where this happens. I live in Ottawa and our hockey team has gone from the finals to second last place, no one has been benched, on one has been released, they just keep talking about how much talent they have… maybe its just a bad sports year for me.
by Gibster121 on Jan 14, 2009 1:04 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
very true
If players don’t have the fear of being benched, suspended or cut, they won’t practice hard and therefore won’t play hard. There is no fear of losing their job which directly leads to lazy and undisciplined football.
In Romo we Trust
by Terry on Jan 14, 2009 1:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Nobody here has questioned T.O.'s
ability or performance but yet somehow find a way to blame him for the teams misfortunes? baffling
Game Recognize Game
by pretty ricky on Jan 14, 2009 1:09 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
no true
T.O.‘s performance has also been called into question as he runs sloppy routes, drops too many passes and can’t beat press coverage.
In Romo we Trust
by Terry on Jan 14, 2009 1:12 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Bingo; TO's play has been below par
I bet there are at least six Romo interceptions that are directly TO’s fault. And other plays where TO missed a reception because he ran a poor route; then there are the drops; the failure to run through the play and make a first down; he made a critical drop in the Giants playoff last year, remember? Send the cancer tumor packing; now.
by Iowacowboy on Jan 14, 2009 8:44 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
You wanna talk about that Giant game?
Call out Patrick Crayton…not Terrell Owens.
by joey7289 on Jan 14, 2009 8:48 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Crayton yes, but TO too
TO dropped a critical pass; TO apologists like to forget this; if TO played golf, his name would be Phil Mikelson.
by Iowacowboy on Jan 14, 2009 9:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
HAHAHAHAHA
phil mickelson won the big one buddy, get with the picture. If TO isn’t a number one, who is, who is our number 1?
by joey7289 on Jan 14, 2009 9:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
six of Romos Ints huh
If youre going to throw out those claims at least back it up. The only two I can think that were even remotely TOs fault were in the Skins game where a ball was thrown low and when he got hit it popped up to a defender and in the Steelers game, but I still maintain that was a miscommunication rather than him giving up on the route.
So although those are questionable I’ll give them to you. Now show me the other 4
"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."
by aussie_cowboy on Jan 15, 2009 2:34 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I'll take Jerry Rice . . .
over your idolization of Owens. Did you happen to read Rice’s analysis that Owens’ route-running needs improvement? Did it ever occur to you at the age of 36, it is unlikely he will improve a basic skill set required for his profession? So, you have a WR, now 36, who runs poor routes, has bad hands, and is bad for team chemistry. But, it is the offensive coordinator’s fault for not utilizing him better?
by NCCowboy on Jan 15, 2009 7:06 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
There isn't a comparison
Rice is the best to ever play WR, anyone would take him. That isn’t what we’re debating, we’re debating whether we’d keep Owens or not, and well since Rice thinks Owens is a top 5 receiver of all time, I think we should keep him.
by joey7289 on Jan 15, 2009 8:24 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
+1
nice point
"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."
by aussie_cowboy on Jan 15, 2009 5:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Yet he somehow manages
to gain 1,000 yards and double digit TD’s year after year.
Amazing because your statement make him sound like Braylon Edwards.
Game Recognize Game
by pretty ricky on Jan 14, 2009 1:40 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
well, if he would have
run crisp routes, catch almost every pass and beat press coverage, his numbers could be much, much better.
In Romo we Trust
by Terry on Jan 14, 2009 1:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry he can't be a PERFECT WR
Very few WR do everything you just said.
by joey7289 on Jan 14, 2009 2:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I can think
Of maybe three WR who do it…Calvin Johnson, Boldin, and Fitz.
by joey7289 on Jan 14, 2009 4:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
more then that.
"Protect the Romo, Save the Cowboys!!"
by Wmillion on Jan 14, 2009 4:27 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Like?
Maybe Moss, Maybe Andre Johnson…
by joey7289 on Jan 14, 2009 4:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
You're kidding me right?
You’ve obviously never watched Moss play. He takes 85% of the plays off.
by mhuff13 on Jan 14, 2009 5:37 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
That is why I said maybe.
I asked the question, everyone is so quick to rush WR in elite status.
by joey7289 on Jan 14, 2009 5:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
There's very few elite WR anymore
IMO
Too many 1 year they are great, next they are not.
by mhuff13 on Jan 14, 2009 6:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Elite.
Randy Moss
Calvin Johnson
Anquan Boldin
Larry Fitz
Andre Johnson
Steve Smith
"Protect the Romo, Save the Cowboys!!"
by Wmillion on Jan 14, 2009 6:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Eh I'll play devil's advocate
I’ll give you CJ, Fitz, and Andre.
Moss is elite when he feels like playing. Bolding is injury prone. Fitz, well I’d say he’s elite too. Steve Smith is the best WR in football one year, and invisible the next.
I think Calvin Johnson and Andre Johnson are the 2 best in football. It’s going to be a shame watching a freak of nature rot away in Detroit.
by mhuff13 on Jan 15, 2009 12:16 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Oh and I'd honestly put Brandon Marshall in there
But you say Moss is elite? 69 catches, 1008 yards, 11 TD.
Owens had 69 catches, 1052 yards, and 10 TD
I know you’ll say Brady was out, but elite is elite. CJ and Johnson had elite seasons with crap QB’s.
I’m not arguing if T.O. is elite or not, just hat Moss is not.
by mhuff13 on Jan 15, 2009 12:19 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I wouldnt say Boldin is elite
he could be a #1 and just puts up great numbers because hes opposite Fitz who is better and the Cards pass 70% of the time
"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."
by aussie_cowboy on Jan 15, 2009 2:37 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Boldin is elite.
He’s a freak of nature.
by joey7289 on Jan 15, 2009 8:24 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
anyone WR
in the league would be much much better if they did that! if Romo hit every receiver in the numbers, i bet he’d be better too!
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
by what_the_crap on Jan 14, 2009 2:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
EXACTLY!
Did TO throw ducks on every deep route? Did TO open up like the Red Sea so the Squeelers and Ratbirds could carve up our D?
Maybe TO can’t beat a jam like he could 10 years ago, but what separation did Roy Williams produce?
Teams win and team get beat. The Boys – not only TO, got beat down the stretch.
by birdness on Jan 14, 2009 3:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
T.O. has twice as many drops
than Romo has bad throws, its not even close.
In Romo we Trust
by Terry on Jan 14, 2009 3:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
That's just silly
Of course Romo had more bad throws than Owens had drops. Come on…
by DavidH22 on Jan 14, 2009 3:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah Terry thats gettng a bit ridiculous
"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."
by aussie_cowboy on Jan 15, 2009 2:45 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Everyone knows that Terry IS Tony Romo!
Wharter
by Wharter on Jan 14, 2009 6:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
More likely...
Terry is Jessica…
I don’t think Romo even loves Romo as much as terry…
by TLCM on Jan 14, 2009 7:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
lol
"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."
by aussie_cowboy on Jan 15, 2009 2:46 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
If Terry were Jessica, his posts would be written in crayons
Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey
by Seanrude on Jan 15, 2009 7:37 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I don't play fantasy football
And that was the most inconsequential 1,000 yards and double digit TD’s year of his career.
by NCCowboy on Jan 14, 2009 1:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
TO Chokes
Remember his drop in the Giants game? Almost as bad as his loudmouth soulmate in revolution, Patrick Crayton. TO is way overrated; send him to the gallows.
by Iowacowboy on Jan 14, 2009 8:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
With his stats
He’s overrated, I would love to see underrated by your definition.
by joey7289 on Jan 14, 2009 8:48 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Overrated?
We’re talking about Hall of Fame type numbers.
Far from overrated ON the field…
by mhuff13 on Jan 15, 2009 12:19 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
+1
"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."
by aussie_cowboy on Jan 15, 2009 2:46 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
T.O. had a good season this year
but he is no spring chicken, and if this year is any indication his skills are on the decline. Owens used to be a top 3 receiver. Now he is probably a top 20. What about next year? There is a good enough possibility that he will do even worse going on 36. I think if he was a younger player I would not be so worried, but that is obviously not the case.
Skills aside. The distractions and the animosity he has caused in the locker room is enough reason in itself to make one consider dropping him from the team all together.
by quincyyyyy on Jan 14, 2009 1:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
While his decline is inevitable
I dont think he has started yet. His stats were down this year but they were still pretty good, and the year before they were near career bests. To me this year was more about poor scheme than TO declining. I think that he can still put up #1 type numbers for two years at least if used correctly
"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."
by aussie_cowboy on Jan 15, 2009 2:48 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Get over the mancrush
Shawn Springs and the Washington Redskins showed the league how to play Owens and he NEVER recovered from it. Only the 49ers, who inexplicably gave the slow-starting, aging receiver 3-4 seconds to get a head of steam before engaging him, failed to shut him down this year. Poor scheme was not the issue . . .
by NCCowboy on Jan 15, 2009 7:08 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
WOW
It’s easy to put a safety over the top of a guy and mirror his every move. Wanna know what you do if that happens, you have your WR run quick routes over the middle. a 15 year old kid playing Madden could figure that out. But Garrett continues to run Owens down the field, and on long post routes, and out routes…He plays into the defense hands.
by joey7289 on Jan 15, 2009 8:26 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Not if the receiver can't beat the press coverage
and get separation. And when he did, he often coughed up the ball (1st Giants game, 2nd Redskins game).
by NCCowboy on Jan 15, 2009 8:31 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
For the 1 millionth time
The Giant game, when we ran him over the middle that time, he had beat the corner off man coverage hence why he was open, and then got the ball thrown behind him. He got separation on the quick slant, and yet another horrible ball was thrown his way by Brad Johnson.
by joey7289 on Jan 15, 2009 8:34 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
And again in the Cincinatti game
Owens got separation on a route across the middle and scored a TD
"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."
by aussie_cowboy on Jan 15, 2009 6:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I knew I ran the risk of what this thread would turn into
if I mentioned T.O. as an example. I actually considered not doing it for this very reason. The commentary was not meant to be an indictment of T.O. although I’m admitting I opened that door. I was also displeased with comments made by T-New, Romo, whoever was the guy who called out T.O. as Ed Werder’s source and probably a few more if I thought about it. What the commentary was supposed to highlight is the fact ultimately I blame Wade and Jerry for failing to police and control their team. They’ve allowed an atmosphere where these things are tolerated and I think that has been detrimental to the team’s performance.
by Dave Halprin on Jan 14, 2009 1:48 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
The difference is with all the other players you mentioned
Wade or any coach can go up to Romo, Newman, James etc. and tell them to shut up. You can’t do that with Owens, or you risk a major blow up.
Romo said something a while back to the effect that when Witten complains in the huddle that Romo “missed him on such and such play” or “was not throwing to him enough” Romo just bluntly tells Witten to shut up, but when Owens does the exact same thing Romo either humors him or ignores him. And that has been our policy with Owens, however you can only ignore a cancer for so long before it metastasizes.
by quincyyyyy on Jan 14, 2009 1:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
you could have made this article about the cowboys...
changing their uniforms for 2009 and a TO debate still would have broken out.
0 = The number of Super Bowls the Eagles have won.
by gee-roj on Jan 14, 2009 2:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I asked for Wade's firing
the day he was hired. I knew this was going to happen when you go from one extreme(Parcells) to another(hillbilly). Initial reports are of pleased players with a new, relaxed atmosphere which turns in to lack of focus and no direction. But as every day passes I get angrier at Jerry Jones for keeping him on for next year and the only thing that makes sense as to why hillbilly still has his job is the coach JJ wants isn’t going to coach until next year. There is no other explanation I can come up with. I don’t believe the continuity argument.
by cow_fanatic on Jan 14, 2009 2:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Sure the blame falls on Jerry, mostly
But, when you have a TO, and he outlasts a Parcells, you are giving a key to the inmates. Jerry deserves all the blame; 13 years in a row; when are the fans gonna demand Jerry be accountable? Maybe we can start wearing bags over our heads to the games like the NO Aints a few years ago.
by Iowacowboy on Jan 14, 2009 8:49 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
OT - Is LT a hall of famer?
Sorry just had a question here for my fellow btb’ers. Couple sportswriters think LT is future hall of famer. Agree ? Disagree?
by icouldusesomebaseball on Jan 14, 2009 1:54 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
yeah of course
maybe not first ballot, but was the best rb in the league for enough years to warrant a place in the HOF. And he has the stats to prove it.
by quincyyyyy on Jan 14, 2009 1:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Id agree with that assesment
"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."
by aussie_cowboy on Jan 15, 2009 2:49 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Very nice post Grizz
Very insightful. Thank you
by Ridgelake on Jan 14, 2009 1:54 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Benching Players
I think if players are not producing bench them. Holland sat on the bench all year and when they finally benched Proctor it was night and day. But you must have capable replacements for that to happen. Wade doesnt need to scream and yell just take guys out who dont perform. If T.O keeps running routes short or dropping passes take him out for a quarter. Same for OL or any position, it seems the players are too comfortable making mistakes with no consequences(i hope i spelled it right).
by B-Real on Jan 14, 2009 1:57 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I agree the Cowboys coaches were too tolerant of 'learning on the job' mistakes
But if Holland can only make in on the field for one game maybe he should go. We definately need improvements in our interior OL depth. I’m not confident we’ve done anything to get real depth at OT.
by AustonianAggie on Jan 14, 2009 2:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Dungy
Great comments, Grizz. You used Dungy as an example of quiet leadership, and I’d like to springboard off that. My respect for Dungy is sky high, but his job was made easier by having a QB who took no crap from himself or anybody else. While I love Romo, I don’t know he has that in him. Haven’t seen it so far, unfortunately.
John 14:6
by DMorgan on Jan 14, 2009 2:02 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Yeah I'd like Romo to be one of the vocal leaders
and apparently he’s not been. I miss that Troy Aikman attitude of owning the offense.
Sometimes I wonder if older players (ellis, TO) are limiting the younger players from being leaders. I think losing Tiki and Shockey did wonders for Eli’s leadership.
by AustonianAggie on Jan 14, 2009 2:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Glutton for punishment today
Thinking about this team a lot lately—and wanted to determine, like a coronor, the exact time and death of this team—and it had to be those two long TD runs in the Ravens game. Watch the highlights on the NFL.com website. McGahee’s run—Spears gets a G/T doubleteam, gets too high and is blown 10 yards down the line of scrimmage into Bradie James’ lap screening James off from making the tackle. Meanwhile, the double team is so effective on Spears that the tackle then is able to scrape off and take out Zach Thomas. The safeties dive at McGahee’s feet from opposing sides and both miss. But, Spears’ failure to take on that double team was the proximate cause of the failure on that play—couldn’t see who was at NT on that play, but he kept the LG/C doubleteam engaged. Then on McLain’s run, hard to blame Spencer as he very niftily dodged a block to get an arm on McLain in the backfield, slowing him down enough where the pursuit should have cleaned up. But, Ratliff (playing LE) shoots so far inside that he is pushed out of the play, and Tank “I’m a free agent” Johnson gets crumpled and buring into the ground, face turned away from the run, by his doubleteam enabling the guard to roll off to cut Zach Thomas— a really good play by that RG. Lorenzo Neal drilled Bradie James and knocked him back several yards. Davis missed low again, but Hamlin chose to miss high. Both plays, though, may have been stopped if the defensive linemen had successfully taken on their double teams.
by NCCowboy on Jan 14, 2009 2:26 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
That should be "buried" into the ground, not "buring"
by NCCowboy on Jan 14, 2009 2:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
The time of death was the Eagles game
Look at the Cards, teams can rebound from poor performances as long as they make the playoffs. The Eaagles game knocked us out and therefore thats when our hope died
"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."
by aussie_cowboy on Jan 15, 2009 2:51 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree
Those 2 runs totally sucked out any life or heart this team had at that point. Its really no wonder how bad they played the following week, its if they knew they were going to get their azzes kicked and just went through the motions.
In Romo we Trust
by Terry on Jan 14, 2009 2:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
The sad thing is…
Philly lost an equally horrible game to the Redskins, maybe even worse. But they bounced back with fire while Dallas seemed to have already given up. I sometimes wonder how that game might have played out had the Eagles been mathematically eliminated by kickoff. They seemed to be extra charged by the late breaking news of, "win and you’re in."
0 = The number of Super Bowls the Eagles have won.
by gee-roj on Jan 14, 2009 2:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
They would have only beaten us
by 20 if they had been mathmatically eliminated
by cow_fanatic on Jan 14, 2009 2:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
well we were led by a guy whose mantra is...
oh well – if this is the worst thing that ever happens to me – then that’s a pretty good life….we’ll strap it up next year and if we win – we win….and if we dont – well that’s ok too
the whole team played like that (vs philly) so its tough to tell if they all have that kind of johnny paycheck attitude….because if they do – well, lets not even go there
by McLovin9 on Jan 14, 2009 3:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
sorry mang
not meant to become a romo debate – but if that is the prevailing attitude (aside from romo) then that comes down to coaching – players who display that kind of attitude need to be shipped out before they contaminate the rest – and that is what happened this year
somebody has a problem with gameplanning? then lets gripe to Deion on NFL Network? like how does that do anything other than make Garrett look like a fool?? TO couldn’t have had that conversation with Jerrah??
by McLovin9 on Jan 14, 2009 3:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Owens probably did speak with Jones
Star players who are unhappy with Cowboy coaches have in the past complained directly to Jerry Jones. I recall that Deion Sanders was known to do this. This is sheer speculation, but you can easily imagine Owens complaining to Jones about Garrett and being rebuffed, or maybe Jones did not respond to Owens’ satisfaction. So how do you get your owner’s attention? Complain about Garrett to others who you know have the ear of the owner. Former players with media gigs like Michael Irvin and Deion Sanders.
by NCCowboy on Jan 14, 2009 3:27 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I didn't get
to watch the game, but listening to it on the radio, all I heard all day was Barber/Choice hit at the line or Romo drops back, gets pressure. The defense could get no pressure what soever and according to the announcer McNabb has all day to throw, and Westrbrook could basically skip through the holes in our line. It sounded like the Eagles came to play football and the Cowboys were still in their Walkthrough.
by GunsUp on Jan 14, 2009 3:49 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
OMG, not an excuse for this sorry group
This football group is rotten to its core; go back to the Rams game or the Philly meltdown; these are losses that show this team is seriously screwed up; it has no heart; no fire. It is divided. They need to be blown up and lobotomized. The Cowboys need a new identity; a new personality; fire the malcontents and the malcontent supporters.
by Iowacowboy on Jan 14, 2009 8:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
All Cowboys fans should watch those 2 plays again
The first run we had only 7 men in the box, but on the 2nd run we had 9. We knew they were going to run, it was a contest of wills, and Spears, Johnson and James absolutely get blown up. In addition to our offensive struggles, lets not delude ourselves into thinking our defense is necessarily fixed. I still think we are too weak up the middle and those 2 plays prove it.
by NCCowboy on Jan 14, 2009 2:34 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I agree.
This defense excels with a lead and when the offense is putting up some points.
I don’t think the Cowboys have the kind of defense that can hold an opponent down for 60 minutes. 55 maybe. 60 no.
But if the offense is producing and putting up somewhere between 24 to 35 a game, the defense can absolute dominate as the opposing offense struggles to keep up and become more one-dimensional.
The cowboys are built to win 28-17, not 14-3.
0 = The number of Super Bowls the Eagles have won.
by gee-roj on Jan 14, 2009 2:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Respectfully disagree, sir
I remember how our D played stellar in home wins over Tampa Bay and the Giants, in a road win at Washington, and in a road loss at Pittsburgh.
It seemed like after da King forced Wade to take over the defense after the embarrassing loss to St. Louis, Phillips finally unleashed the havoc-wreaking Phillips 34.
In the games I mentioned above, our O didn’t score that many points.
"I got a fever. And the only prescription is more cowbell." -- Bruce Dickinson
www.brainfriednetwork.com [NEWS/SPORTS/FOOTBALL]
by silverblue5 on Jan 14, 2009 4:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Whe did we trade Fergeson again?
Because our GM is retarded.
by Iowacowboy on Jan 14, 2009 8:54 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
The same Ferguson
That had 22 tackles, 0 sacks, 0 FF, and 0 recoveries this year?
by mhuff13 on Jan 15, 2009 12:21 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
-1
Howd he do this year in Miami again?
"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."
by aussie_cowboy on Jan 15, 2009 2:53 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I disagree with the thesis
Newman, for this crowd, is the better example of an idiot mouthing off and sniping at coaches and players. He’s better example of how broken down team discipline is, as he doesn’t have the wherewithall or skins on his wall enough to call down anyone.
by Joey2zs on Jan 14, 2009 2:48 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Yes, add Newman to the list
And the list is probably much longer than we realize. Newman did join the “its the coach’s fault” club this year. And after the Philly game he was still talking about how much talent was on the team. I translate the talent argument as an excuse that it was the coach’s fault, not the players. Again, look at those Ravens TDs and tell me where the coaches failed that defense. Not to mention Newman was still focused on the Werder/Owens/ Romo contretemps talking about the “coward”. I saw 53 cowards on the field and sidelines in Philly.
by NCCowboy on Jan 14, 2009 2:54 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Good post Grizz
But I’m not sure why we waste our breath debating whether or not Phillips can really change.
At the NFL level, asking a HC—especially one as a old as WP—to change their ways is just dumb. Phillips has been coaching for what, 30+ years now? But now, in one tiny offseason, he’s supposed to just reverse alllllllllll those habits/mentalities?
Who are we kidding? It certainly won’t be the players, that is virtually certain. Someone said earlier that the players will laugh in his face the first time he tries to be “Wade the hard-ass,” and Phillips will back down like the coward he is. It’s all he knows.
I’ll always believe the players take on the mentality of the HC. To me, these Cowboys are no different: they play like cowards.
As much as I hate to admit it, we’re stuck with this guy for another year, and the best we can possibly hope for is 7-9, 8-8, maybe 9-7.
by Starred4Life on Jan 14, 2009 3:21 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
why if we won 13 before, and limped in to 9?
"Protect the Romo, Save the Cowboys!!"
by Wmillion on Jan 14, 2009 4:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I think winning 13 last year
was a result of the philosophies/principals instilled by the previous regime. It’s happened time and time again in the NFL: disciplined coach leaves, softer coach replaces him, team remains competitive for one year, but fails to remain sharp in year two, three, etc.
I think it’s true that players tend to play ‘looser’ the year after a demanding coach leaves, which can and has led to success on the field for many teams, including the ‘07 Cowboys. It’s year two and beyond, however, where the players begin practicing and playing too loose, and lose focus.
It really is quite amazing how perfectly the Cowboys are following this template!
by Starred4Life on Jan 15, 2009 8:22 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Wade doesn't need to be hostile
But, he can’t allow players to make a mistake on the field and not hear about it right after.. No more waiting until film study, it is too late then..
"Protect the Romo, Save the Cowboys!!"
by Wmillion on Jan 14, 2009 3:45 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Give me
better OL play, a good safety in the draft, a new ILB to replace Zach, better ST play and we are right back in the mix. We will have the draft pick to get some of this accomplished – hoping Jerry and the scouting department are doing their homework!
by tyler2 on Jan 14, 2009 3:53 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Wade is the problem
I don’t buy the crap that Bill Parcells was a failure. This team got better under him the majority of the talent responsible for the wins we got were because of him (Romo, Witten, Ware, James, Newman). Wade’s been a HC for six years, each time (Dallas, Denver, Buffalo) he inherited a playoff team. In each instance his teams get worse his teams have gotten worse. It is a fact that he has failed the make any team better when head coaching. It is the head coaches job to make sure the players buy in to the system, know the plays and he doesn’t get it done. To expect him to suddenly “get it” after failing twice and not changing is preposterous. Why didn’t he change his approach in Denver after failing at Buffalo? Why no in Dallas the first year? Or even this year? If he couldn’t see that “hey, my teams got worse doing it this way in Denver and Buffalo, and i got fired” How can anyone expect it to happen now. That is why Jason Garrett is apparently disparate to get a job else where. He can probably figure out that his and Wades expensive salaries in combination with the bad economic times are the only thing saving his job right now. He is now stuck. Next year, Wade will get fired, the team will go around 6-10 (Wades teams always get worse after his first year).
by just4fun on Jan 14, 2009 3:54 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Nice job grizz..
your argument is well crafted, and I agree with you. It all starts at the top.
The discipline will come mainly from the position coaches, I believe, and then Wade will back up their decsion. While I think the coaches and owner do have to adopt a different attitude of leadership, we are still lacking leaders on the field. I really think that’s what this team needs most.
Who are the team leaders on offense and defense? I’m beginning to think that we have a team full of individuals, none with the charisma or ability to grab the respect of the others.
This team should be able to come back and work together. It’s a game where you try to knock the snot out of the guy, then help him up. I don’t think words have a long lasting effect.
"He has a peculiar felicity of expression." John Adams
by Jim Vance on Jan 14, 2009 4:09 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Remembering the other JJ
When Jimmy Johnson was commentating the year between his stint with the cowboys and dolphins, he said something that made a whole lot of sense to me. It was in reference to the lack of discipline the Cowboys were displaying and the resulting team conflicts as a result. He said “you can’t expect the players to be the heavy”. So all this talk of the team lacking leaders is irrelevant. Who was the team leader of the Giants last year? I’ll tell you who it was, it was Tom Coughlin. Who is the leader of the Eagles? Andy Reid. Anytime the player is the leader of your team you are in trouble. Think of where you work. If one of the lower level (meaning not the boss of anyone) employees is the leader of the unit, that unit will fail. What happens it other lower level employees get resent full and jealousy, anger, politics ensue. I’ve seen this happen where i work because the Manager wanted everyone to like her. Wade wants the players to like him. Thus, undermining himself.
by just4fun on Jan 14, 2009 4:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
This.post.is.dead.on.
I co-sign on this sentiment.
"I got a fever. And the only prescription is more cowbell." -- Bruce Dickinson
www.brainfriednetwork.com [NEWS/SPORTS/FOOTBALL]
by silverblue5 on Jan 14, 2009 4:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm talking about team leaders...
..in opposition to the management, but in tandem. It’s hard to explain unless you’ve experienced it, but having team leaders almost acts as a force multiplier of what the management is trying to communicate. Have you ever had someone who you really cared for (an equal, not a boss), who was a hard worker, who you respected and wanted them to respect you, someone who you really wanted to see succeed and so you were willing to work harder when you worked with them? It’s kind of like that, but still unique in it’s own right.
Who was the Giants team leader? I’m guessing, but maybe on D, a guy like Strahan. He was a senior guy who was respected, he wanted to win, others wanted him to succeed, when he talked in the locker room, others listened. On many teams, it’s the QB, or on the Ravens, Ray Lewis. Being a leader doesn’t have to mean you’re the heavy.
"He has a peculiar felicity of expression." John Adams
by Jim Vance on Jan 14, 2009 7:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
that should have said, NOT in opposition, but in tandem
"He has a peculiar felicity of expression." John Adams
by Jim Vance on Jan 14, 2009 7:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
+1
"Ask Philly was it hard tryin' a stop TO, he da main reason that the fans would come fo'."
by aussie_cowboy on Jan 15, 2009 2:54 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Jerry is not the problem
Contrary to popular belief. Jerry has done a decent job at GM lately. The last draft was okay and some of the free agent pick ups have been good. It’s not his job to discipline the players or make the head coach be a leader. He let Parcells do his thing when he was here. To suggest that Jerry is responsible in anyway for “undermining Wades authority” is inconsistent with history. Ask Denver and Buffalo fan’s about that. Wade is a great Coordinator and not HC material. I don’t really fault Jerry for hiring, as there were not that many rock solid HC candidates out there that year. He wanted a known commodity for a talented team. That is rational. Wade Philips would have been the HC in San Diego if Schottenhiemer had been fired earlier. So it’s not like Wade wasn’t well respected. It’s just hard to believe that he can be such a great strategist and play caller and such an awful head coach.
Now, according to several “unnamed sources” in reports by espn and others, Jerry and other GM’s are stuck with there head coaches due to difficult economic times. I can believe this as a couple teams have even laid off several employees. I hope in vein that Garrett gets a job in Detroit or St. Louis and frees up enough contract money to bring in a more suitable HC.
by just4fun on Jan 14, 2009 4:09 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
That clicked
I don’t really fault Jerry for hiring, as there were not that many rock solid HC candidates out there that year
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
You think JJ is possibly not going to put himself in the same position in needing a coach when one isn’t available. That further proves my point that Hillbilly is here another year because there are no qualified candidates Jerry wants as a head coach this year but there will be next year
by cow_fanatic on Jan 14, 2009 4:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Shanahan
The Shannahan rumors make sense as they’ve been friends for a long time. (don’t know if your recall the “there’s a problem with your defense” phone call from Shannahan to Jerry during the Switzer years.) I believe that if Jerry weren’t cash strapped he might be our head coach right now. I just can’t belief all this continuity BS.
by just4fun on Jan 14, 2009 4:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
nothing will change next year...
face it – Wade goes into next year knowing its win now – or he’s outta here….you get somebody like TO acting up or if Romo starts chuckin ducks or putting the ball on the ground (like this year) – what is he gonna do?? he really cant bench/release/trade his better players because he knows that he has to go with who gives him the best chance to win now
you bring someone else in here who knows that he has 3 years to get things right – maybe he takes the short-term pain in exchange for the long-term gain
wade does not have that luxury right now….he’s been neutered, he’s been given a team of underachievers and told to win in 2009 or else….recipe for failure
by McLovin9 on Jan 14, 2009 4:12 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
While I agree with waht you are saying
I would like to point out that even if you gave Wade another 3 years, nothing would change. The guy is soft and he does not discipline. He seems to be a great friend to the players, but that is not what they need. To put it quite simply, Wade is a loser, he will not win anything that matters.
by witten82 on Jan 14, 2009 4:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Wade
His been told that before. In Denver, in Buffalo, after the St.Louis game. Yet he doesn’t change. He just doesn’t have it in him. If you don’t here players complaining about the difficulty of training camp, and see several get cut then he hasn’t changed. If you here “oh yeah, Wades a lot tougher on us now, he’s doing great” then nothing has changed. He’s already backed away from enforcing more discpline. In an interview with Norm he said he wasn’t getting tougher on players, he’s changing the structure of practice. So Wade believes the problem is that practices are at 10am and not at 9am.
Sorry to tell u but it’s doom and gloom next year.
by just4fun on Jan 14, 2009 4:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Romo
Romo will be fine when he isn’t getting killed because of the O-LIne. Adams going to the probowl makes the whole Pro-bowl concept a joke. Most of the INTs are due to pressure on the qb and missing blitz pickups
by just4fun on Jan 14, 2009 4:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
A quarterback is only as good as his offensive line.
by witten82 on Jan 14, 2009 4:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
truer words have never been written
Everyone thinks Brady and Manning are God, but they have clean pockets 95% of the time.
In Romo we Trust
by Terry on Jan 14, 2009 8:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Wade is very knowledgeable about the game
But I have come to realize that is hardly needed in a head coach. We need skilled coordinators, but i would pass on a soft coach who knows the game like Wade does for a disciplinarian and hardass that isn’t extremely knowledgeable about the game. (I guess Tom Coughlin would be the best example of that)
by witten82 on Jan 14, 2009 4:27 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Jerry
is a good owner in that he is willing to pay whatever it takes to build a ‘talented’ team, but he is a bad owner for not being willing to admit he might not be the right guy to pick a coach for all these high profile players. I know he thinks of all the attention this team is getting for having high profile players and that might make sense for him in the status area. But what I don’t understand is how he doesn’t realize ANY player that comes here and performs will become high profile simply because he is a Cowboy! The team name and history makes our guys high profile. We do not need big name guys, we need players that want to play for the team not themselves. The team will make them bigtime.
So if he insists on having every star name out there then he must find a coach that can deal with it. Wade is not that guy, Unfortunately Jerry has not been able to find the guy that can be. How can he not see that after all this time?
by cowboyz4ever on Jan 14, 2009 4:28 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Jerry probably knows he isn't the right guy to pick a coach
He just doesn’t care. He likes Wade because Wade is soft and easy to manipulate. Put a drill sargeant like Parcells in there and Jerry feels like he is losing control of the team.
by witten82 on Jan 14, 2009 4:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
If that were true.....
He would have run Parcells out of town. Jerry was begging him to stay. Philips was well respected and it was understandable to think he would change his approach after failing twice. (there are seveal examples of coaches changing there approach after failing, not the least of which is Tom Coughlin). Obviously that didn’t work out, but there were no Cowhers or Shannahans out available then.
by just4fun on Jan 14, 2009 4:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
He needs
to examine what is important then
by cowboyz4ever on Jan 14, 2009 4:34 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
He won't, he loves control, he loves power
He is a jerk ( I would use other words to describe him if it wasn’t on this blog). Just like Wade can’t change, Jerry can’t either.
by witten82 on Jan 14, 2009 4:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Then this team
is doomed to keep losing when it is important and us fans that have been here for so many years are going to suffer for a long time. Too bad because just like everyone on here and every other Cowboy fan out there I cannot imagine rooting for another team, but geez this is starting to get old.
by cowboyz4ever on Jan 14, 2009 4:40 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Doomed next year
But not indefinitely. There is talent here. There are good RB’s, great defensive talent. There just needs to be discipline. Denver won two superbowls after Wade was fired. Shannahan was the coach, and probably will be the coach next year.
by just4fun on Jan 14, 2009 4:44 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I hope
you are right j4f….I guess my thinking is why not get Shanahan now? These guys will all be a year older so why waste time?
by cowboyz4ever on Jan 14, 2009 4:49 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Money
It has been reported, that several teams, including the cowboys. held off on making coaching changes due to money problems related to the economic problems the country is experiencing. Several teams have even laid off employees. Jason Garrett make 3 mil/year, Wade probably more, include all the contracts for assistant coaches and were talking serious cash. Remember Jerry has to pay the coaches if he fires them. He may not be comfortable with coughing up 20-30 million it would take to fire them. Shannahan is getting 20 mil from denver.
The exception is if Garrett quits, to take another job, then the contract is voided, that may free up enough cash to fire Wade. There is a rumor to that effect. According to rumor, Jerry considered doing it anyway. I think it’s a financial issue.
by just4fun on Jan 14, 2009 5:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
and maybe
and maybe Shannahan really does want to take a year off. The Jets job was his for the taking.
by just4fun on Jan 14, 2009 5:05 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
As it is now
Look for this team to come apart at the seams. The lack of discipline will really get out of control over the summer. TO will be more of a problem now that his skills are diminishing. However, I do think that TO is a symptom of the problem, not the actual problem. That is to say that if TO was cut for his antics it would be like trying to kill and ant bed with a hammer. You have to get the queen or the ants just keep coming. No team has all Witten type personalities.
by just4fun on Jan 14, 2009 5:11 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I Say Wade needs an extension and more input on the offensive game and JJ is right
Parcells had five years to build his team. So yes, most of the players come from that regime. Fjones,Jenkins, MBennett,Scandrick, TChoice …….not bad for the Ist year players on WP’s era. No defensive personnel ala WP mold- yet.
WP and the team must overcome all obstacles of this year, and they have to do it together. However, it must be done with one philosophy……that means WP’s imprint in all aspects of the game, including the offensive game. THis also means JJ must be on the same page.
This year’s fiascal I believe was caused by JJ as many have mentioned and like grizz stated in his second point. However, JJ is correct in that this team needs continuinty.
That means a unified philosophy for winning.
THus, JJ should extend WP’s contract, after next year, 2more years. THis will send the message to the players that their HC is backed up by JJ and that ii’s time to get on board and prepare go win a SB……….
JJ is the key to the success of the outcome…….for WP or any other coach.
by Geeter on Jan 15, 2009 5:49 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
I'm not sure where this article belongs
In The American Journal of Psychology or a sports blog.
by ym on Jan 15, 2009 11:35 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
I take that as a compliment
even though you might not have intended it that way! Thanks. ;-)
by Dave Halprin on Jan 15, 2009 12:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
great piece Grizz regardless
In Romo we Trust
by Terry on Jan 15, 2009 3:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
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