Chill Pills Dispensed Here
by 5Blings on Nov 15, 2009 11:56 PM CST
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Okay, brace yourselves, because I am going to chastise some of you. In my opinion, it is well deserved.
Looking at the titles of the posts coming off of the win against the Eagles, it is typical of many Dallas fans to come scurrying out of the woodwork after a big win to write posts about the future being so bright that they have to wear shades.
Here’s a sampling;
A good problem to have: no major draft needs
Playoff Chances: Week 9
Rogers does not survive this game...
We've only begun to fight, and we've got secret weapons
And if you believe the whole Tony Romo is such and such in November, the ‘Miles Austin has arrived’ and all the other garbage that surrounded last week’s win, then you don’t know the Dallas cowboys like I know the Dallas Cowboys. Having watched them now for 4 decades, I spend a lot of time thinking about the mental toughness and sacrifice needed to be a champion at anything and how you can almost see the grit and determination in the teams that won Super Bowls, the Companies that were successful in a competitive marketplace and the individuals who accomplished more than their social station would lead you to believe. It is palpable.
Look, I’m not going to make too much of this loss. Dallas was emotionally flat coming off of that game at the Linc last week. But it does confuse me when many of the same people who write and post on BTB (after a win like that) start raving about how we’ll be 9-2 and rolling into the playoffs and how this team is different only to see them then turn around and bitch and whine like wet cats when Dallas does what it has characteristically done in the Winnie era (and really, in the post-Jimmy era).
Teams and organizations emulate their leaders and Dallas still lacks the very businesslike approach to the game of football that is required to make it to the top. Dallas lacks that kind of leader in its head coach and in its GM. Teams that win consistently have a will and determination to never be comfortable, to never drink their own bath water or believe their own press clippings. In fact, they should never believe what gets posted by many fans on here who would have them believe they are better than they are or that they have turned a proverbial corner. Dallas cannot be viewed as one of those teams until they BECOME one of those teams.
This game will either be a wake up call for Dallas or the beginning of a difficult slide through a tough back end of the schedule. Before everyone swings to the other side of the pendulum and says the end is near, let’s all just calm down. Whatever you do, don’t overplay this loss and by the same token, try to refrain from giving out any Lombardi’s or MVP’s until we see more of the season play out.
GO COWBOYS!
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Agree and disagree
We’re not quite as good as we always proclaim we are after a win or as bad as we think we are after a loss. That’s absolutely, 100% true.
But I don’t think there’s one model to winning championships. I certainly don’t think this team is incapable of winning because they’re “soft” or “gutless” or whatever people want to call them after they lose a road game where everything happened to go wrong. I think Wade and company have done a pretty good job with this team. Much better than they’re given credit for.
Epic Fail since 1985
First to say I was afraid of this
you could almost sense it coming. Hope they have the testes to man up and regain some momentum with more solid play.
Always be more than you appear and never appear to be more than you are
Your post is a classic bait and switch.
By the way, I’d still nominate you and BPS for the blogger Hall of Fame because you guys offer your contrarian view in a classy way.
On the other hand, I want the names of all the Super Bowl champ teams who didn’t lose to an inferior opponent? ’04 Patsies that 19 regular season games in a row? Oh, they only lost to a 2-14 Dolphins team.
And you’ve still never offered a reasonable answer as to why Peyton Manning is your fairy godmother even though he posted 3 TD/7 INT when the Colts finally won it all.
My admiration for Peyton is as much for what he does between games as it is during them
Manning broke the TD record and had a watershed year. But they didn’t win it all. What did he do then? He made an off season commitment to not turning the ball over. Why on earth would the best QB in the NFL, coming off of a career year do that? Because he is driven and purposeful and possesses the leadership qualities that come once in a generation.
He’s already known for being an absolute freak when it comes to film study and preparation. Despite being the guy whose face you see on more commercials than any other NFL player, have you ever heard of him being at the center of any off-the-field crazyness that might distract him from his job as leader? Is there a better “guy” in the league?
Manning has had the Colts winning 12 games in what? SIX consecutive years? Who does that? What dynasty can you name that had similar success in terms of regular season games won? Have you seen the crappy run defense he’s had to overcome since he got to Indy? You win championships by running and stopping the run. Not in Indy. Not with Peyton. He wills his team to victory more often than any other QB (Terry’s belief that one player cannot elevate an entire team notwithstanding) and last night was another perfect example. Indy didn’t beat a better team, Peyton did.
No, Manning is the best I’ve seen play. Better than Montana (I had to live through his glory years when I lived in Northern California), better than Favre and better than Aikman.
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
maybe you should become a Colts fan if you love him so much
and what is this crazyness you speak of??
In Romo we Trust
By the same token...
Are you a Cowboys fan or a Romo fan?
If Dallas could trade Romo straight up for Phillip Rivers, would you take it or are you so completely sold on him?
What if they could trade him for Drew Brees? Brady?
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I'm both but have been a Cowboys fan much, much longer
since ‘75, have only been a Romo fan since ’03. To answer your other question, I obviously wouldn’t trade Romo for any qb in the league and I’m pretty sure Wade and Jerry have been on record as saying the same thing.
I’ve been sold on Romo before most fans knew who he was because you could tell he was special and had the "it’ factor very early in his career.
In Romo we Trust
So even if Dallas could get a QB that could make us better, you would say no
Okay, thanks for clarifying.
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
You're assuming
that terry’s love for romo is just some sort of weird manlove and not based on Romo’s play.
Its probably both lol
But seriously, I wouldn’t trade Romo for anyone at this point. Hes our qb, hes a leader on this team. Is SBs all that matter? Would it really make you happy to just have Peyton Manning for a year and win a superbowl? Maybe theres something to this – why you only care about the Ws and Ls for this team and other fans can actually enjoy watching them play.
Yes, I want them to win Super Bowls
I know, crazy right?
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
and you're delusional
if you think Romo is the probelm with the Cowboys, I got news for you, he’s the main reason we have a good shot of winning each game.
In Romo we Trust
Yes Super Bowls are all that matter
Is that difficult to understand?
Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey
All that winning by the Colts...
…and yet only one Super Bowl trophy to show for it. Just can’t call a team with only one championship a “dynasty.” Winning in the regular season does not impress me; it’s in the post-season where legends are truly made.
If you’re going to give him credit for leading the Colts to six straight seasons of winning 12 or more games than you have to simultaneously fault him for having a below average 6-8 post season record over that same period of time.
Manning is a first ballot hall of famer all time great QB; but I cannot agree that he is unequivocally the greatest ever.
The 2009 Dallas Cowboys: Talk to me in December.
The NFC East has won 11 Super Bowls; oddly none of those have come courtesy of the Eagles.
I think Belichick had more to do with the Colts win than Manning did
and take a look at Peyton’s stats during the Colts’ Super Bowl run – dismal! And no need to get into all the first round losses the Colts have suffered during Manning’s tenure.
+1
Manning certainly has his flaws and limitations as a qb, don’t let anyone kid you otherwise.
In Romo we Trust
All great players have flaws
Do you dispute that Peyton is great?
Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey
Terry never likes to give credit
to any QB except Romo. You know that don’t you-LOL?
Okay that was a non-statement, which you often make for effect, but not substance
Let’s break this down…
How do you feel Manning’s flaws (maybe you coud list them?) compare with Romo’s?
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I'm sure Otto Graham was better
I never saw Johnny Unitas play. Maybe he was better.
But I was asked who I thought was the best that I’ve been privileged to see play and I’ve made myself clear.
Besides, who’s better at faulting others than ME????
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Let me see Joe Montana in his prime...
…running some of those 49er offenses with today’s rules that so heavily favor offense and the pass.
The 2009 Dallas Cowboys: Talk to me in December.
The NFC East has won 11 Super Bowls; oddly none of those have come courtesy of the Eagles.
They favor the offense because the CB's and Safeties are so much better
Montana couldn’t throw the hard out and really exploited the middle of the field. I doubt he could do that against today’s secondaries.
I also think Montana had a better supporting cast (offense and defense) than Manning, Aikman and Favre.
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I agree on Favre and Manning, but overall Aikman had better players around him
Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey
You could be right
I always wonder what would have happened if those two teams played each other at their peaks.
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Are you licensed to dispense chill pills?
First off, Austin is the real deal. Time to acknowledge that fact.
and B) This defense is playing very good football, and up until this snafu, the offense had been clicking as well.
I say more upbeat, positive posts. They’re more fun to read, and it balances out the negative nancy posts.
PS
The playoff chances post was well done and I don’t think he only posted it because Dallas had won, I think he stated in the post it was because it was mid point of the season.
PSS
I also like to discuss the draft needs, which is another post you called out kind of unfairly.
You can't stop Patrick Crayton, you can only hope to contain him.
I agree about Austin
It should’ve been assumed that he’d be shut down for a while after his big games. Hello? It’s called game planning. However, in the end, if Williams, Miles, Witten and the rest (including coaches) get and keep it together, his value will play out well.
Regarding your PSs:
Playoff chances are smart and all, but I always shudder when somebody includes a lot of pretty pictures and graphs. To me, it signals that they’re good at crunching raw numbers and making charts — and less good at thinking like a human and an athlete. It’s not all about stats, as I keep preaching here, for better or worse.
Draft needs? Yes, a lot of people are draft fetishists and feel the need to talk about it all year. But to say we have no major draft needs? Even before GB, were you satisfied with our depth at LB? At OL? At DB? Do you not think that our WR corps could still benefit from a top-flight receiver?
So yeah, I agree with 5Blings calling them out. To me, being a fan is not about “hurray hurray, go Boys!” — it’s about being consistently unaccepting of mediocrity and complacency.
This is what it is to be a Cowboys fan
it’s about being consistently unaccepting of mediocrity and complacency.
Let Eagle fans get all tangled up in that other crap.
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I don't take it that way
It’s not all about stats, as I keep preaching here, for better or worse.
I’m not running out and betting my net worth on a stat post no matter how well it’s written. It’s only an entertaining fanpost that enhances enjoyment of the season. The game is certainly not all about stats, but that doesn’t make them any less interesting.
The draft post was a discussion of draft needs, I’m sorry quincyyy didn’t title it better, but if you bother to read it, (yes I commented and voted in his poll for OT) you’d see most bloggers feel Dallas needs a variety of positions filled.
Guys (and Gals) that feel like you aren’t allowed to post anything celebratory because it’s not the end of the season yet and we haven’t won the SB are entitled to your viewpoint, but don’t expect them to be embraced by the majority of fans that like to derive some enjoyment during the season. I’m sorry you can’t.
You can't stop Patrick Crayton, you can only hope to contain him.
by APerfectStar on Nov 16, 2009 6:42 PM CST up reply actions
I enjoy the wins and lament the losses
…but I also take comfort when they play well, when they improve, when they adapt and overcome. In the same way, I am frustrated by the team being what I thought they were, because I dearly want them to be something different.
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Thanks
…for your reply, but to be honest, you’re wrong about one thing: I LOVE celebrating the wins. I loathe the losses. It’s all ebb and flow. I’ve been a diehard for years, and I’ve been through all the highs and all the very lows for a long time. I live and breathe this team and would NEVER say or imply that people shouldn’t post something celebratory. It’s like I said — I don’t ever get too high OR too low. I don’t apply that standard to everyone else, but I do think that always being reasonable about our position, always knowing we can improve, and always holding the bar as high as possible — well, those are things that I do, simply as a fan. I wish it made an actual difference to the team itself, but ah well, right?
That’s my approach as a fan. I don’t expect anyone else to agree with it or like it, and I wouldn’t try to tell anyone else how to be a fan. I have my viewpoint and I share it occasionally, but that’s all.
I share mine frequently
:-)
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
No
Go look at other SBNation sites. No one was writing about the playoffs that I found…
Who doesn’t like talking about the draft? The point I made was something entirely different and I’m sorry you missed it.
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The point was you cherry picked fanposts that sounded good for your argument
I don’t care if no other sites had a cool stat post about playoff chances, this is the best blog in SBNation, so that doesn’t surprise me a bit.
And quincyyyy’s post was all about draft needs, maybe he could have worded the title better since we obviously have draft needs.
It’s awfully convenient that since you don’t agree with what I said and that you don’t share my point of view, you blame me for not getting your point.
5Blings, fail. Sorry guy, they can’t all be good posts.
You can't stop Patrick Crayton, you can only hope to contain him.
by APerfectStar on Nov 16, 2009 6:30 PM CST up reply actions
Dallas beat Philly , classic nemesis.
What did you expect? A lack of euphoria? And if you have a few spare hours, feel free to read the endless negative vortex on today’s game thread. It is what it is, an extreme of highs and lows. So with all your experience with this team you’ve reached a more level plane of observation. Congrats, let the “extremists” post whatever they want. There are, after all, nothing but opinions on this blog.
+1
Been a fan since 1977, before the SB win over Denver. So I’ve seen a lot, but not four decades’ worth.
The community here is great, but as I’ve mellowed with age, something stands out: as fans, we are either WAY too high or WAY too low.
As is true with most things, moderation is key. Things are rarely as good — or as bad — as they seem. Keeping perspective — true perspective, not just blind Homerism — is key.
Sure, I’m a Homer, if it comes to WANTING the Boys to win every game and thinking they CAN win every game. But thinking they WILL win every game?
No. We’re not the only team in the league. The world doesn’t revolve around us. There are other teams, on other missions, with different dynamics and situations. That came into play today in Green Bay. That’s doesn’t make me any less of a fan — trust me, I’ve been a fan longer than most of you.
It just makes me realistic.
With respect to our leadership — I agree. You can see it on the field, on the sidelines, and on the expressions and body language of some of the players. We do not yet have the business-like mentality of teams like New England, Indianapolis and now even the Saints.
If you can’t see that — and feel it — then I don’t know what to say. It’s not like I want us to be that way. It just is what it is.
And lest you think I’m a Negative Nancy, I do still think we go 10-6, and with the right intra-division wins, we make the playoffs.
It’s just depth of soul that I question. And that was a concern long, long before the GB game, our four-game streak, or even this season.
Cheers, and let’s beat the Skins.
Nice
You can see it on the field, on the sidelines, and on the expressions and body language of some of the players. We do not yet have the business-like mentality of teams like New England, Indianapolis and now even the Saints.
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I'd say O-line is a pretty big draft need.
Our guys are getting old.
2009 Dallas Cowboys: 10-6
2009 New York Jets: 11-5?
2009-2010 Dallas Mavericks: 57-25
This loss has absolutely nothing to do with leadership
Landry was the greatest coach of all time IMO, and yet his teams often lost games like this..many, many times.
So the lack of leadership argument is completely without merit.
The Cowboys lost because they once again beat themselves committing 3 turnovers while creating none and the fact that GB has a good team and played well. They were a desperate team and played like it.
I’m confident the Cowboys will once again get on another winning streak starting this Sunday.
In Romo we Trust
No
Dallas was outplayed by a lesser team and if you look at my commentary about Manning above, you’ll see that teams with great leaders don’t succumb to lesser foes.
And that’s not just football, it’s true of world history, in the business world, in academia and anything that involves competition.
The difference between winning and losing is often an intangible thing called “personal leadership”.
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
First, we dn't know for sure GB is a lesser foe
they could very well make the playoffs.
Second, we’re now liek 18-3 with Romo against losing teams (assuming GB finishes sub500). Thats still one of the best records in the league so….your point isn’t valid
Fighter 15, Terry and others said they were after they lost to Tampa Bay
I was simply rebutting.
However, we went up against a team that had yielded 37 sacks in 8 games. That is almost 5 a game. It also says nothing of the pounding Rodgers had been taking.
TB hung 38 on them and we were lucky to score a point.
They were 4-4 and we were 6-2.
If they are indeed an equal foe, then it is likely that most of the forecasts for a playoff winning season for Dallas are now in doubt.
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
not true at all
I’ve seen New England the Indy to lose to lesser opponents plenty of times…so nice try but no dice Blings.
In Romo we Trust
As usual, you missed the point, Mr. Myopeia
Of course teams get upset.
The point I made in the post is that it happens few and far between with great leaders and much more often when there is a leadership void.
Dallas is proof positive of that in the Post-Jimmy era.
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
see above
Romo lead teams rarely lose to inferior opponents as well…..again, nice try.
In Romo we Trust
So the Packers, Giants and Broncos are better than we are?
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I said rarely, I didn't say never
and GMen certainly aren’t inferior by any stretch. They won our division last season and the SB in 2007.
In Romo we Trust
So is it rarely or is it becoming more frequent?
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Cowboys win 70% of their games
with Romo under center and that 30% has come mostly against good teams.
In Romo we Trust
Just Not of the games in December and January
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
actually 99% of the teams we've played in Dec and Jan
have been very good teams which is a big reason for our meltdowns the last few years.
In Romo we Trust
so that's the excuse!
So you’re saying Romo is good against bad teams and can’t man up against the good ones.
I never thought of it in those terms, but maybe OCC or BishopWest can take a statistical look at it.
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
asked and answered
Stat Nuggets to ponder, point 4
by One.Cool.Customer on Nov 16, 2009 5:38 PM CST up reply actions
That's why you are the MAN
So, his issue is clearly not about his opponents being good teams (as Terry implied), maybe it’s about his conditioning?
Someone please solve this riddle!
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
If someone could solve this riddle, they'd get the BTB Nobel Prize
I may be mistaken, but I believe in 06 Dallas had locked the Wildcard by week 15 or perhaps even week 14, so I wouldn’t be surprised if the whole team played with a little less intensity. They dropped the week 16 game for the division against the Eagles, and the Detroit game in the last week was meaningless, and they dropped it as well.
In 07, the team had clinched the division by week 14, and team turned on the cruise control, dropping two against the Eagles and the Redskins en route to the embarassment in the divisional playoff game.
In 08, the team was just too banged up to put up a good enough effort towards the end.
Notice the recurring theme of team – perhaps that is part of the overall explanation.
by One.Cool.Customer on Nov 17, 2009 2:19 AM CST up reply actions
Let me ask the question differently
Take a look at Romo’s previous Decembers.
What, from a statistical standpoint, does Tony Romo need to do in December of 2009 that he hasn’t done in previous Decembers to propel the team forward?
Limit turnovers? increase completion %? dump his blonde bombshell girlfriend?
By the same token, what does the defense need to do differently during that time? Increase turnovers? Up the sacks (my choice)?
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
You're on the right track
Dallas is 5-8 over the last three Decembers. TO ratio for the 5 wins: +1. TO Ratio for the 8 losses: -16.
by One.Cool.Customer on Nov 17, 2009 1:51 PM CST up reply actions
Come on OCC
Bring it home!!!
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Like the Giants
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
You think it is his conditioning?
The long season too much for his body?
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I completely agree that it is never quite as good as it appears after a win and never quite as bad after a loss.
I expected a tough game in GB, but I thought we would pull it out. Of course, I didn’t foresee our offensive line falling apart completely or us catching so many bad breaks. The best thing that can happen is for our team to learn from this like they learned from the other losses and focus on important things such as third down defense (specifically long situations) and blitz pickup. This team still has potential to have a big year, but it will only be met if we learn and improve from this loss.
If I had a nickel for every Super Bowl the Eagles have won, I would have zero nickels.
And I think you're right
Dallas, because of its leadership vacuum, can never get too comfortable.
Your comments on the O-line are well taken. Houck’s boys, even WITH Colombo, were getting beaten.
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
so your saying that teams with so called "leadership"
can actually get too comfortable?? That makes no sense whatsoever.
In Romo we Trust
You're right, it makes no sense whatsoever
But that isn’t what I said.
Are you going to blame this on computer problems again?
Internet connectivity in Pennsylvania so bad that you can’t decipher my comment?
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
thats exactly what you said in your first sentence
you implied that teams with leadership can get comfortable because they have leadership.
In Romo we Trust
No
I did not.
You, once again, make illogical extensions of others.
Here’s the simpler version, for those who live too close to Eagle fans;
Teams that have great leadership seldom allow themselves to believe their own press clippings, especially when they know they have proven nothing. It’s not until they reach the top that those teams gain a certain swagger that allows them to mentally dominate lesser opponents. That’s a confidence steeped in performance.
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I don't think it is a leadership vacuum
I think it is a talent vacuum. They are not good enough to take any team lightly
Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey
I disagree only because Pittsburgh was not the most talented team last year
The Giants were certainly not the most talented team the prior year.
Teams that win execute better…no arguments there. But teams that are better coached, and I mean Head Coach, Coordinators and position coaches, generally execute better.
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Next week just became a huge game
This team came out flat but if RW does his job, if the refs don’t screw us on the Felix fumble and if Redball calls a run play from 1st and goal, we win this game.
I disagree with the phrase “championship teams have a businesslike approach to games” because it implys that championship teams never lose to inferior opponents and that Dallas has no shot to be a champ because of yesterday’s game.
Ask Pats fans how they feel about Belichek today after his terrible call yesterday. Ask Philly fans about the “businesslike approach” that Reid and Lurie use to run their team.
The fact is, Dallas turned their season around with tough defense and smart offense and yesterday was a kick in the nuts. If they are serious about this season, they come out next week and slam the skins then follow that up with a beatdown on the Raiders. Then they must travel to NY to exact revenge on the Giants and these are all winnable games.
This team has shown a lot of heart, as championship teams must do. Now it is time to take that to the next level and that will show the true makeup of this year’s cowboys.
I disagree
…particularly with your comment “Dallas turned their season around” because I think people don’t have a clue what this season is yet.
Can you say more about how you think this team has shown a lot of heart?
They haven’t had to overcome big imnjuries and such. In fact, they’ve been very healthy.
They have struggled with teams like Tampa and KC, got big wins in Philly and against Atlanta, but where is that “heart” thing you referred to?
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I agree with you........
I don’t have a problem with losing but it’s the way we lose by stupid penalties etc. The one that really got me was when we had to burn a time-out because we only had ten men on the field. What made it even more unacceptable was it was right after a time-out. This is undisciplined and totally unacceptable. I have been watching the Cowboys since the 60’s like you and so I have pretty much seen it all as well. I was saying last week that this game scared me, but nobody wanted to listen because they had already “annointed” this team. I’m not at all surprised by this loss. The true character of this team will show up shortly. It’s too early to write them off but we’ll see what they are made of.
Exactly right
What they do now will be a study in character.
They should come out and smack the Redskins around.
If they struggle with Washington, then we’re not who a lot of people proclaimed we are.
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
they're likely going to struggle with washington
despite the scores, the eagles and giants did not move the ball very well on them. The Eagles survived with 3 big plays, but without those, they were pretty poor. In fact, the redskins really haven’t been blown out this year aside from that philly game.
When it comes to a division rival, a win is a win. If they tough out a win, I will not be complaining.
But if they lose thats a different story.
We’re nowhere near as good offensively as the COlts, Pats, Vikings and Saints, but I’ll take the great defense we’ve been playing and the more mature Romo when it comes to december games. I think this team can finish strong.
Oh yeah
How much heart did it take to play down to their level until OT?
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It took a lot of heart to come back and win that game in OT
I don’t care who we were playing, that showed tremendous guts and courage.
In Romo we Trust
LOL
Answer the question…
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
actually we only played down to their level in the 1st half
We played pretty good in the second half, at least offensively.
In Romo we Trust
It was 20-20 at the end of regulation
We are a coin toss away from having lost the same kind of game you chide the Eagles about…
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
You are reaching blings
Yes, Dallas turned this season around to this point in the season. We were a 2-2 team about to lose in KC and if that happens, the downward spiral begins. Everyone had already written us off and instead, we win, and go on a 4 game win streak. We beat the trendy pick Atlanta and won in Philly, that took heart.
Blings, you make great points but you are so quick to bury this team and almost completely unable to praise them. In the last 5 games they are 4-1, in today’s NFL that is damn good. Business like Belichek’s team completely blew the game yesterday, they should have won by two touchdowns but they choked and Belichek blew the game. F*** the Saints, they haven’t won anything yet and have had this high powered offense for the last three years.
I got news for you buddy, a win is a win and a loss is a loss so you can qualify all day long but the bottom line is that you are only happy when you can find fault and predict doom for this team. If you look around TODAYS NFL, the cowboys are having a good year with room for a lot of improvement.
We were 5-4 after nine games last year at the bye
Then we went 3-0.
We were 8-4.
Go check the posts that were getting thrown up there at that time.
Then December struck and we went 1-3.
You can NOT qualify all day long, but history is history. I root like hell for this team to be better than it is, but I fear we have become too happy with inconsistency and will take whatever we can get.
You can say that’s me being negative, or you can say I want to bury this team. It is small-minded of you, but it is what it is.
I wish we all could take the moral high road and, instead of challenging another fan’s commitment, which is just an acquiescence by the party doing it) just say that we have a difference of opinion as to what is and isn’t worthy of fanfare about our team.
You want to criticize me because I see it differently? Go ahead. I appreciate the passion. Just don’t hold your breath in the hopes of it having your desired impact. I mean, if it hasn’t worked by now…
:-)
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Ditto
You want to criticize me because I see it differently? Go ahead. I appreciate the passion. Just don’t hold your breath in the hopes of it having your desired impact. I mean, if it hasn’t worked by now…
You can't stop Patrick Crayton, you can only hope to contain him.
by APerfectStar on Nov 16, 2009 6:46 PM CST up reply actions
Not sure where I criticized you
You have admitted ad nauseum that you are not satisfied with anything less than perfection and are an enemy of mediocrity. I said
you are only happy when you can find fault and predict doom for this team
A few weeks ago, all your doom and gloom was ringing true but that four game win streak means nothing to you? It was a hiccup? Now after one loss, the “real” cowboys team is rearing its ugly head just like you knew all along?
Blings, I respect your opinions and you offer great posts on this blog. You may be right about this season but I will hold out hope until there is no mathematical reason to do so. Maybe I’m wrong and you’re right but I feel sorry for you if the only enjoyment you derive from watching the cowboys is being able to eloquently explain how they will eventually fail.
Never said perfection, but a pursuit of perfection is not a bad thing
You hear it coming out of the mouths of great leaders.
It will be interesting to see how they respond next week.
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
yeah, Romo preaches it all the time
He’s always trying to get better and improve, no matter how bad or well the team is playing.
In Romo we Trust
That is the key
If this teams starts losing and pointing fingers, then everything you said will come true. If they can man up and go on another 3 game win streak, we may see the beginnings of team greatness in the Tony Romo era.
These next two games should be "get well" games for this team, especially on offense
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Guess I should have capitalized SHOULD
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Everyone loses
I actually don’t have a problem with yesterday’s loss. GB is not a horrible team. This isn’t like Philly losing to Oakland.
Think about it, everyone and their brother limped off the field at one point yesterday and the Cowboys were still in it until the 4th quarter. The biggest issue to be worried about from yesterday is the loss of Columbo. I think we could be in trouble for a few games until everyone gets in synch again. Luckily we’re playing Washington and Oakland.
With that, this team needs to lose some times. They get too cocky and need something for the coaches to yell at them about. I fully expect them to play well and win their next two games before their brutal December schedule.
One problem I think we all have is that the Dallas reporters are no different than regular fans. They don’t think logically and they say stupid things. Example: This morning Cowlishaw is ripping Romo for not taking personal credit for the loss. And I swear he’s more upset about the fumble after the blind side hit than he is about the interception at the goal line. Tell me how that makes sense! No mention of Roy Williams two horrific blunders or Scandrick’s total loss of confidence. Let’s rip Romo for not seing a blind side corner blitz. If he was in New England he’d probably rip Brady for not talking Belicheck out of going for it on 4th and 2 last night.
The media are worse about jumping on and off bandwagons than any fan I
know, even on this blog. As usual, it’s easier to focus ire on one person than think through how it all went down. It’s Cowlishaw’s job to do the latter; too bad he’s not very good at it.
I don't agree with you about much, particularly, the "I told you so" vibe I
often get from your posts, but I do agree that it’s best not to get too high or too low with so much football left to play.
See? You finally agree with me!!!
I told you so.
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Ah Terence...
You know, he also said “Charity begins at home”.
So be charitable and let me have my moment in the sun, will ya?
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
How sad
They get too cocky and need something for the coaches to yell at them about.
That’s the biggest indication that the team lacks leadership.
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I had a bad feeling about this game.
After the DAL win in PHL last week and GB losing to TB, I knew GB would be fired up for this game and they were. We came out flat and the ball just didn’t bounce our way this week.
I am not seeing a collapse in the making nor was I seeing a 9-2 run prior to this game. I am a homer, but I try to keep it realistic for the most part. It does always seem to happen after a big win that media/fans start looking 3/4 games ahead, when you cannot do that with ANY team. The term “Any Given Sunday” always applies. The same thing applies when we lose, it is not the end of our season either.
I also must say that this was not a “bad” team that we just played. GBs offense and defense are ranked fairly high aren’t they? Their record just doesn’t show it. People are acting like we lost to Cle, TB, Det, etc. We actually lost to a good football team who had their backs against the wall and came out fired up. We just didn’t match their intensity.
It is time to regroup an get ready for WAS this week. Then everyone can “overreact” all over again! -—-Playoffs or season over———
"Coaches who can outline plays on a black board are a dime a dozen. The ones who win get inside their player and motivate." Vince Lombardi
Here's an interesting look at what is ahead
It worries me that Dallas clearly has the toughest stretch in front of them relative to the Gnats and Eagirls.
http://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2009/11/15/1158897/nfc-east-schedules
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Honestly, this post annoys me
I personally have never been one to get too high or two low, but who are you to say i told you so to fans who are just happy about their team? I feel like quite a few of the recent fanposts are from optimistic fans who i haven’t seen on BTB much. The college one was from quincy…hes only made posts like that every other week. And I think week 9 is an appropriate time to begin discussing playoff chances.
I know you have a deep hatred of everything Wade, but coaching and leadership were not our problem yesterday. Execution was. Our oline got manhandled. Flo let up multiple sacks, and his struggles against small, quick players is evident. Our #1 wr dropped two HUGE balls – how is that on the coaches? Our qb played solid, smart football throughout the game and bailed out the line on 10 or so occasions. Everything we wanted him to pick up this offseason seems to have set in. Austin and Felix were on top of two fumbles yet didn’t hold on. Our defense played great football for a while before they wore down due to our offensive ineptness.
I saw a team yesterday that worked their butts off for the whole game but couldn’t make a couple key plays when they had the opportunity to early in the game. The Packers had more intensity when we had the ball I agree, but executing some of those longer plays would’ve made them think twice about blitzing.
Wasnt it you in the offseason talking about how our run D was subpar? Yet they a re playing very good, disciplined football. Which is EXACTLY the sign of a championship team.
Frankly, I think you are making poor execution by the offense into an unnecessary much bigger issue, which is a coaching problem.
well said
I actually think it’s kinda sad how some fans can’t comprehend that poor execution has nothing to do with leadership.
Either a player is going to execute and perform or he’s not, there’s really nothing a coach can do about it once the game begins. It’s all in the players hands at that point.
In Romo we Trust
The one SINGLE area
that I would consider a coaching problem from that game is the ol. For the second time this year, the looked helpless against a 3-4. Theres probably some sort of coaching problem there.
But otherwise…is a coach gonna get RW to catch the ball
You always say "it's kinda sad how some fans"
…when you want to poke at me.
Well, I THINK it’s kinda sad when some fans romanticize their team’s QB into something he is clearly not because they simply NEED him to be something he is not.
It’s also kinda sad when some fans don’t have the wherewithall to recognize the reality that if a team (or a QB) has been poorly (or inconsistently) executing for over 12 years, that it probably isn’t about poor execution.
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
lol, very funny Bling
The fact is I don’t have to romantize anything about about Romo, it’s quite obvious he’s one of the best qbs in the league on his own merit, numbers and facts speaks for themselves.
And yes, it is simply about poor execution and if making Wade or Romo into scapegoats make you feel better, have at it.
In Romo we Trust
I told you the world revolves around me
If you’d just get with the program…
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
THe Coach could put the ass of the non-executing player on the bench
I remember the glare from Parcells when Vanderjagt (sp?) shanked yet another FG. You just knew the guy was toast
Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey
Vanderjaegermeister?
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I'm relatively pleased with the run defense (they are 10th in YPG, so let's not call them Doomsday just yet)
and they are 16th in total YPG, which isn’t anything close to Championship level, but still above average…and that’s a function of a being a good DC and Wade is certainly one of the best DC’s out there.
When I was deriding the run defense in the off season, it was because Dallas didn’t draft/sign a beefy NT to spell Ratliff because I thought he would wear down. We’ll see if I was right or wrong come December.
This team was outplayed in every phase of the game yesterday. Clearly, they were not mentally ready to play a physical battle with GB after the Eagle win.
People oversimplify issues of leadership, direction and professionalism with words like “it was all execution” and “they had more intensity”.
If I lose a competitive battle in the marketplace because my competitor is more “intense” than my organization is, then that is on me as their leader. I didn’t prepare them well enough. I didn’t see their deficiencies and address them. I may have allowed them to think they were better than they really are.
Winners win because they understand the sacrifice needed to be the best. Charles Haley always says the teams he played on had lots of leaders and were all willing to make sacrifices to win and be the best. In my estimation, Jimmy was at the heart of that.
I know Wade and Wade is not the kind of leader who will inspire such sacrifice.
So you are wrong. Coaching and leadership are our problems. They have been for years.
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
we've been playing much better than those stats say
a poor first two games is still crushing those defensive stats. After week after week of solid defensive play, are you really gonna count that season opening TB disaster?The defense, outside those last couple minutes of the half/game has been absolutely great since week 3. Is it too much to give anyone on this team some credit.
They weren’t outplayed “in every phase of the game”. Our D outplayed GB’s offense. They had 3 at halftime. They really did nothing untill our defense wore down due to multiple 3 and outs from the offense.
I see a team that absolutely has the mental makeup of a championship contender right now, but one thats stil working on its execution, particularly on offense. But I guess its just easier to blame wade for everything right?
Their Defense was solidly in Romo's face all day
Our defense had spotty pressure. I think their defense outplayed our defense. Sorry if I was looking at it differently.
On the stats, I count everything and don’t give Dallas a pass because I’m a fan. Let’s also be fair…which teams have we faced that had a ‘great’ running game?
I think our best performance stuffing the run was against Carolina. Philly was missing Westy. We played well versus Atlanta. I can’t talk about the Giants game because they had so much success throwing the ball against us on short fields. I can’t say we’ve faced Peterson or Chris Johnson or elite backs and shut them down consistently.
Do you disagree?
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
What teams in the nfl
have a “great running game” anymore? The list of NFC teams begins and ends with the Vikings. The list of AFC teams pretty much begins and ends with the Titans. This isn’t too much different from last year yet our defense looks much better. Yet you fail to give them credit.
Their offensive players made plays. Rodgers made some ridiculously clutch throws on third downs. Their receivers made ridiculously tough catches. We had two huge chances to make big plays and make the packers pay for their pressure, and Roy failed on both.
You’re telling me you can’t see the obvious difference in the way this defense has played in its last 7 games compared to the first two?
Well THAT is a great point!
The run games in the NFL have certainly taken a hit.
So now we’re back to why Dallas wasn’t as mentally ready to play this game as GB?
Leadership?
:-)
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
they were mentally ready to play
they simply failed to execute, you know that happens sometimes.
In Romo we Trust
you're saying the reason roy dropped two balls was entirely due to mental preparedness and leadership?
and the reason flo got beat by a small quick pass rusher was lack of mental preparedness?
Oh right, because BooFoo Pennsylvania is everyone's dream lifestyle
You are absolutely the LAST person on earth who should be crafting those kinds of barbs.
People in the poorest, vermin-infested parts of India would have to take a step down to become your next door neighbor.
Come on, you don’t want to go there…
LMAO!!!
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
hahaha
I shouldn’t laugh…im from philly…ish.
Hopefully, you left...
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
No
I’m saying that the whole team underwhelmed.
Penalties in all three phases, poorly thrown balls, poorly run routes and poorly disciplined team.
Flo went up against better players the prior week and stood his ground.
The outcome of games, much like court cases, can be traced back to the preparation. A commitment to that preparation comes from good leadership and team cohesion.
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
+1
Well said foyesboys:
I saw a team yesterday that worked their butts off for the whole game but couldn’t make a couple key plays when they had the opportunity to early in the game. The Packers had more intensity when we had the ball I agree, but executing some of those longer plays would’ve made them think twice about blitzing.
"Coaches who can outline plays on a black board are a dime a dozen. The ones who win get inside their player and motivate." Vince Lombardi
So do you think they executed well on all but those key plays?
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I know you have a deep hatred of everything Wade, but coaching and leadership were not our problem yesterday. Execution was.
I don’t get this line of thinking. Coaching is a factor in how well plays are executed. Not saying coaches are totally to blame if players do not execute, but they deserve at least some blame
Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey
IT'S KINDA SAD
…how some fans can’t see the importance of great coaching and leadership to a winning team.
Obviously, there’s some sort of pro-union, anti-management sentiment driving that mentality.
"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Local555!
I can see for miles and miles and miles and miles and miles...
by Aaron Novinger on Nov 17, 2009 10:05 PM CST up reply actions
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