FISH on FOOTBALL Word From The Trenches, Past To Present: These Cowboys Aren't Done
by Mike Fisher on Dec 16, 2009 11:00 PM CST
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PrintIt is late Sunday night, and Leonard Davis wants to feed his hunger ... or maybe drown his sorrows ... with a meal. Now, the man is 6-6 and 365 pounds, so it might require one of those Flintstonean "brontosaurus burgers'' to do the trick. ... but here he is, post-Chargers-loss, scarfing down a sandwich at a restaurant near his home, when a big fan of his approaches the table.
The fan introduces himself to the Cowboys offensive guard. It is John Niland, who played the same position for Dallas for nine seasons, six of them ending with Pro Bowl berths, once even making All-Pro.
"Keep your head up,'' Niland tells Davis. "You guys aren't done. Believe me, I've been there. I know.''
The above-the-marquee modern-day Cowboys talk openly and often about the support they get from their star-headed ancestors. Michael Irvin likes to big-brother the receivers and Deion Sanders does the same with the DB's. We all know about the bond between Roger and Troy and Tony. And every time I talk to Jay Novacek, the first thing he wants to relay is how superior Jason Witten is to him.
But it's somehow comforting to know that a bond exists, too, between the NFL's version of the ditch-digger, the lowly-and-anonymous linemen. It's also comforting to reflect on Niland's consoling remarks to "Bigg'' and to realize ...
He's right. The Cowboys have been here before. And these guys aren't done.
This is not a dissertation on how the 2009 Dallas Cowboys are going to beat the hell out of undefeated New Orleans this Saturday night and then win the NFC East and then crush the Vikings or somebody in the NFC Championship Game on the way to a record ninth Super Bowl appearance.
Or not.
I'll leave such bold pronouncements/anti-pronouncements to the likes of Roy Williams, at his jibber-jabbery best/worst this week when offering his personal preview of the Cowboys-Saints game.
Roy:
a)Sarcastically says the NFL "might as well crown (the Saints as champions). ... We don't have a chance.''
b)Semi-guarantees a win this weekend. "If we pack our bags and show up in New Orleans on Saturday night,'' he said, "we should be victorious.''
c)Predicts that this is simply the first of two big Dallas-New Orleans games this winter. "I think we're going to see (the Saints) in the playoffs down the road.''
That all sounds lovely ... But far too specific for my purposes here.
Let's keep it general by recognizing Niland's been-there/done-that wisdom.
Niland was a rookie on the Dallas franchise's first-ever playoff entry in 1966 that lost in the NFL Championship Game to Green Bay. He and the Cowboys did the same thing a year later with another title-game loss to the Packers. The Cowboys lost in the playoffs in '68 and '69 but finally the 1970 team advanced to the Super Bowl. ...and lost Super Bowl V to Baltimore.
Five straight years of almost-championship-level play, five years of grinding, five years of disappointment. ... and all it earned the Cowboys was the unfortunate nickname "Next Year's Champions.''
And then came the breakthrough.
On Jan. 16, 1972, the Cowboys won Super Bowl VI, beating Miami 24-3. "Next Year's Champion'' became "America's Team.'' A truly legendary franchise was born. And from down there digging that ditch, a lowly, anonymous but pretty special lineman, John Niland, got his Super Bowl ring and thus found a payoff to having persevered, to having "kept his head up.''
Believe him, Cowboys. John Niland -- like all the other great Cowboys who've come before you -- knows.
You guys aren't done.
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Unfortunately Davis is an underachiever , has been an underachiever , and always will be an underachiever
someone needs to relay that little nugget to Niland, so he knows not to waste his time with “Bigg” or the vast majority of our over-paid o-line.
You're right
I would never ever think it appropriate to listen to anything John Niland has to say. Pffffttt
Just becuz you put yer boots in the oven don't make it bread
by dcfansinceiwasababy on Dec 16, 2009 11:11 PM CST up reply actions
You are confused
I didn’t say Davis should not listen to Niland; I said Niland shouldn’t waste his time because his efforts would be futile with this group of underachievers.
I refuse to hate
I am gonna route harder than ever, a win this weekend can turn it all around. I believe in this team, I think they can put it together.
I'm with you
As a true fan, you gotta believe, otherwise you’re just an interested spectator and nothing more.
In Romo we Trust
Wrong
How can you be interested if you don’t care? Some fans ignore the problems during the week and hope for the best on gameday. Other fans discuss the negative trends this team displays during the week and then hopes for the best on gameday.
by cow_fanatic on Dec 17, 2009 11:20 AM CST up reply actions
Believing isn't ignoring problems
quite the contrary, it’s believing they will be fixed and corrected and there will be improvement.
In Romo we Trust
I believe in tangible improvements.
If talk got things done, I would be wealthy married to a 6’2 Blonde with big T’s. As it is I make payments on my house and car, and am married to a 5’6 Brunette with B’s. Not complaining, just stating the difference between what I said I would do and what I did.
"Help, it's hot and dark in here and someone is laughing." Taco Bell
Never said I didn't warm up to the idea.
But, its not what I pictured for my self.
"Help, it's hot and dark in here and someone is laughing." Taco Bell
I've seen tangible improvements this year
on both sides of the ball and on special teams. It’s not all been perfect or as consistent as I’d like, but that doesn’t mean I’m giving up on them.
In Romo we Trust
We keep misunderstanding each other.
I have not given up hope, but I have tempered my enthusiasm for them.
"Help, it's hot and dark in here and someone is laughing." Taco Bell
what tangible improvement have you seen Terry?
just asking.
well for one
Romo’s ball protection and INT% is tremendously improved, RW seems to have gotten better, Austin keeps getting better each game, as with Jenkins.
The pass rush was non existent at the beginning of the year and it has picked up some.
Sometimes it’s hard to see improvements when the team plays inconsistent at times.
Hopefully they put it all together Saturday night.
In Romo we Trust
During the Week?
You mean the last decade and a half!
Confused?
You are hilarious. I meant what I said, shoulda used a sarc tag so you wouldn’t be. It’s just, well, I really value his opinion more than yours. Sorry. Plus, I like his optimism, people like you make that frame of mind difficult at best. I can’t figure out why you even bother to watch the Dallas Cowboys, the chronic underachievers.
Don’t go into an angry rant that I’m not realistic. I fully understand where the Boys are right now and it’s not real encouraging. What John Niland (bless his heart) was trying to do was encourage our current lineman, something you think is a waste of time, probably a lot like my response to you. Think I will go do something useful now, this sure isn’t going to turn you around and by the time I get back here you will have eviscerated me every which way possible. Again, I’ll say it: you and your ilk astound me with the reasons you give for even putting yourself through the torture of watching 3 hours of Dallas Cowboys football, knowing they don’t have it in them to win anything.
Just becuz you put yer boots in the oven don't make it bread
by dcfansinceiwasababy on Dec 17, 2009 8:08 AM CST up reply actions
Don't buddy me
I would never watch football with you, you’re just a whiny “aginer”.
Just becuz you put yer boots in the oven don't make it bread
by dcfansinceiwasababy on Dec 17, 2009 9:41 AM CST up reply actions
Thank you sweetie
Just becuz you put yer boots in the oven don't make it bread
by dcfansinceiwasababy on Dec 18, 2009 9:54 AM CST up reply actions
Ah, the internet:
where men are men, women are men, and children are FBI agents. LOL
Just kidding, DCfan. ;) Glad to have a few women around here. Funny, we rarely can tell the difference between male fans and female fans. The infant “fans” like Tex stand out like a sore thumb, though.
LOL
Sorta like that drunk 4 year old crossdresser who stole his neighbors presents at 2:00 a.m. the other day, huh. What is this world coming to, thought I’d heard and seen just about everything you could dream up.
Prolly how Tex got his start if truth be known, he’s really on the straight and narrow now, why he’s so down on Tony for his immoral life choices. (Read: floozy divorcee’ flings:)
Just becuz you put yer boots in the oven don't make it bread
by dcfansinceiwasababy on Dec 18, 2009 9:49 AM CST up reply actions
lol, must be.
I’m sure I really want to speculate on Tex’s past, I fear it would take me places I don’t want to go. :)
Good form.......Pretentious and insulting all in one post.
The fact that some scouts saw a 360 lb man and said he was the next comming of Johnathon Ogdon does not make Davis an underachiever. He dominates in situations, which leads to false expectations.
He has limitations that are not mental. He has below average lateral mobility for a NFL lineman and cannot get low to the ground. He ends up holding sometimes because a quicker man beats him to the gap. He has still managed to become a darn good guard. He has great raw power, solid blocking technique and good strait ahead speed. He was voted into the probowl as a Guard by NFL players and coaches, not due to his draft position or any previous reputation, but because of the fact that he dominates his man on most plays and not any any.
The team could mix in some powerruns on his side when his RT could do his part. The real o-line problems on this team are at left tackle and center.
Yes, he did not have a good game last week and got beat on the goalline plays. He seems to have a hard time getting his 6’6" butt lower then the 6’1" NT and his Center failed to pick up his man when he pulled. He is the best o-lineman on this line and is not the problem.
Get out here with that football talk
How is remotely interesting when you didn’t opine about his desire or speculate about his dedication??
FREE THE OGLETREE!!!
bwahahaha
It's not that I'm saying we're due a playoff win, but I didn't have my license to drive when we won our last one...
by bulldog jeeper on Dec 17, 2009 3:44 PM CST up reply actions
This year he hasn't had many good games this, and this isn't just my opion it is Bryan Broadus's opinion
You hit the nail on the head. The guy doesn’t get good leverage, which is why guard is not a great position for him.
Furthermore, safety Roy Williams got voted into the pro bowl routinely. Those pro bowl ballots mean next to nothing. Plus Davis did have a very good year his first year here, so he did deserve it then. Since then I have seen a decline in his play.
Also I don't know enough to say who's responsibilities are who's
but often times when teams blitz us there seems to be a general breakdown on the o-line.
That's a fair statement
I think a lot of people assume they know who was supposed to do what. But I agree, too many breakdowns for the offense to run smoothly.
FREE THE OGLETREE!!!
so the bigger question dunk
is why does that keep happening?
I think it's the players at this point
We’ve seen Garrett dumb down the play book. We’ve seen Romo stop trying to do too much. We’ve seen the emergence of three competen-to-excellent RBs. We’ve seen great TE play and more than adequate, sometimes brilliant, WR play. There’s only one component left and that’s O-line play. Since they play well in spurts and badly in spurts, I think they as individuals have consistency issues (except mayeb Kosier, and Gurode seems to be decently consistent). Parcells had trouble with that as well.
I guess based on that and age, to steala Raf term, you carpet bomb the line in the next draft and in FA and see what you can do.
FREE THE OGLETREE!!!
exactly, well said dunk
I think a lot of our late season problems has been the OL simply not playing well late in the season for whatever reason.
In Romo we Trust
A large part, yes
Romo, STs and defense all played roles too. I blame Romo less because he was at least competing his a** off, although unproductively at times by trying to force things that were low percentage. The franchise has made a real effort to shore up a lot of weak spots. All that is left to clean up a position or two on the line.
It’s shame.
FREE THE OGLETREE!!!
that's because our Center is our dumbest OLineman
he’s supposed to be the one directing the other linemen to the scheme / blitz pickup
a dumb Center = a dumb OLine = a smooshed QB
It's not that I'm saying we're due a playoff win, but I didn't have my license to drive when we won our last one...
by bulldog jeeper on Dec 17, 2009 3:45 PM CST up reply actions
I don't know
You could be right. But I think he makes fewer execution mistakes than Flo or Bigg.
FREE THE OGLETREE!!!
Funny
coming from somebody who post on this team far more than most.
So, John Niland should not be like you?
by Rafael Vela on Dec 17, 2009 12:53 PM CST up reply actions
I was implying that he should not waste his time trying to make this o-line better
they are what they are. Overpaid underachievers.
Should he be more like me? Advocating getting new players to replace the current starters? Yes.
John Niland is one of the two best guards to ever wear a Cowboys uniform
There is nothing you, or I can tell him about offensive line. Oh sure, we can try, but it’s pointless.
No, quincyyyyy, your points as I see it, is that John Niland, who was offering support to a Cowboys player, should not do so.
His support may indeed come to nothing but I find it sad that you’re quite proud of advocating that John Niland should not be a kind, supportive human being, who is trying to be emphathetic to a player suffering as he did in the late ’60s.
Kindness is stupid, That’s how I read you. If you think more people should be like you, so be it. I find it callous.
It's amazing
All five men have the same dominate personality trait and the proper football decision is the same for all five starters.
News from the Bengals
WR Chris Henry was involved in a car accident and is now on life support in hospital.
The Knights season may have just ended, but the Cowboys year is just begining!
super sad
"No matter where you go, you are what you are playa"-Jay Z
Twitter Account
by Wmillion on Dec 17, 2009 12:58 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
Yeah..big shame..
But the kid has done himself in countless times ever since College..Damn shame..and the ironic thing is the fact that he had a domestic argument with the girl he claimed was his salvation..I hate to say it but Henry has led a life that was an accident waiting to happen..Hopefully he recovers and this is is final lesson in order to straighten out.
Yeah, unfortunately not this time
Maybe this’ll help some other athlete as a morality tale. Poor guy.
FREE THE OGLETREE!!!
I think a great deal of fans in general expect smooth sailing ALL the time, now.
Once things get even a tad bit rocky, they abandon ship. Not just Dallas fans, but NFL fans in general. If you don’t have 9 or 10 wins by now, your team is doomed, apparently.
We’re probably a bit more antsy than others. The whole December thing coupled with no play off wins in 13 years. But it’s been done many times before. 8-5 isn’t all that bad on paper. Probably two wins away from the play offs. Very achievable, regardless of how difficult the remaining schedule is.
This team is good enough to compete with and beat anybody in the league. It’s good to see somebody who’s been there before relay that message to this team.
And I’ve never heard of Niland. Before my time. But I’ll take anybody who was around for his day at their word when they say the guy knows what he’s talking about.
Epic Fail since 1985
by the red scare on Dec 16, 2009 11:17 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
10-6
I’m a little surprised you haven’t heard of John Niland, despite the fact that you’re young. He’s a pretty big part of Cowboys lore.
Regardless, yes, we nut up late in the season because Cowboys and their fans expect nothing less than playoffs and rings, every year. It shouldn’t be any other way, IMHO.
The post-1996 drought is killing everyone — including me.
by dfan77 on Dec 17, 2009 5:50 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
10-6 won't do it this year...
The Giants should win out from here and finish 10-6 themsleves and they have the tie-break. Dallas will need 11 wins to make it in this year.
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.
Dont think so
NY wont win out. They will lose somewhere along the way
The Knights season may have just ended, but the Cowboys year is just begining!
by aussie_cowboy on Dec 17, 2009 7:35 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Exactly...
they play the Skins’ this week. Say what you want, but it’s an NFC East game.
I'm a limousine-riding, jet-flying, kiss-stealing, wheeling-dealing son of a gun!!! Wooooo!!!
by Noble_Bloodlines on Dec 17, 2009 9:44 AM CST up reply actions
Cowboys play at Washington...
…the following week and it won’t be a picnic for Dallas either.
I’ve been saying all year that someone will eventually lose to Washington in the division. The NFC east just does not ever have teams that finish 0-6 in the division for the season. I’ve felt all year that whichever team did end up losing to the Redskins would be the team that misses the playoffs.
Honestly it wouldn’t surprise me if both the Cowboys and Giants were to lose the Redskins over the next couple of weeks.
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.
Sad but that could happen...
Cerrato just resigned..I’m not sure what impact that will have on the players and coaches, but it certainly signals that change is on the horizon..They are already hungry..Will that make them even hungrier?..I don’t know.
the giants haven't proved that they can win out
all that they’ve proved is that they can beat Dallas.
they play like Dallas (on our off-days) the rest of the time – hence losing 6-8
It's not that I'm saying we're due a playoff win, but I didn't have my license to drive when we won our last one...
by bulldog jeeper on Dec 17, 2009 3:49 PM CST up reply actions
Hell, 10-6 COULD win the division
If Philly loses one more game before we face them, and we sweep them, we’re NFC East champs. Very possible.
Epic Fail since 1985
by the red scare on Dec 18, 2009 1:32 AM CST up reply actions
Certainly possible
They have to beat Denver, who seems to be playing well again.
You can't stop Patrick Crayton, you can only hope to contain him.
by APerfectStar on Dec 18, 2009 1:38 AM CST up reply actions
John Niland was blocking in championship level games
for the likes of Don Perkins, Calvin Hill, Duane Thomas, and protecting Don Meredith, Roger Staubach, Craig Morton, Jerry Rhome . . .
"We'll see." --Bill Parcells
This franchise has accomplished next to nothing for over a decade
forgive me if I’m a little disgruntled
When you point out the obvious you're a hater
I love the people on here who question your fandom because you’re sick of collapses and losing.
by StillHateTheGiants on Dec 17, 2009 9:45 AM CST up reply actions
Somebody call a whaaaambulance
Stop crying. We have rings in our pocket and an owner willing to spend lots of money on his team. He makes mistakes but you know he’s trying to win.
We are not entitled to anything because we are the Cowboys. We have to earn it just like everyone else. I’m just happy we found a QB, because that will give us a chance to compete every single year.
by DoomsdayD75 on Dec 17, 2009 2:26 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Crying?
It’s the ostriches like you with your head in the sand who cry everytime anyone is realistic about the Cowboys. It’s good enough for you that the owner spends a lot of money on the team and that he tries to win. I set the bar a little higher. I expect the team to play up to it’s potential and actually achieve something other than pre-season accolades. That’s called being a fan.
by StillHateTheGiants on Dec 17, 2009 3:38 PM CST up reply actions
I'm with you
There are a few exceptions, but most owners want to win. I like that Jerry spends money, I just wish that some of it was spent on a General Manager.
Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey
if you're comfortable with losing,
poor strategy, poor tactics, stupid and underperforming players and self-inflicted wounds, then you should be THRILLED with this Cowboys team. I’m glad they make you happy.
Why do I feel like I'm being accosted for maintaining a little bit of faith?
Clearly me being at least somewhat optimistic about the remainder of the season has somehow insulted you. I guess I should apologize for not dwelling on all the negatives?
I’m not comfortable with losing, and the “self-inflicted wounds” drive me crazy as much as the next guy. I simply don’t see the point in bashing the team I enjoy watching and cheering for just because they’ve managed to lose two close games in a row. The team is far from perfect, but there are some things remaining to be a tad bit optimistic about, and I’ll stick with those, as opposed to calling players “stupid” and nitpicking our strategy and/or tactics.
I’m sorry a sport you’re supposed to enjoy has made you so miserable.
Epic Fail since 1985
by the red scare on Dec 18, 2009 1:23 AM CST up reply actions
You could offer Joey an umbrella in a deluge
and get criticized by him.
You want to be an optimist and get the most enjoyment out of watching your team play? Good on you. It’s a great way to go through life.
FREE THE OGLETREE!!!
I love how the pessimists on this site justify their stance.....
by calling themselves ‘realists’. Like they are kidding anybody.
by Road Warrior on Dec 18, 2009 9:25 AM CST up reply actions
I didn't know about this supposed bond between Tony/Troy/Roger and other
former and current players. Wouldn’t know it to read all the sniping the past players do at the current ones, in particular, lately, Roger and Troy.
I don't think Roger sniped anyone except Clint Stoerner.
Troy just snipes Dallas.
"Help, it's hot and dark in here and someone is laughing." Taco Bell
Yeah, he has. He's chirped about Romo, including, if I'm not mistaken,
the 14-hour trip for the charitable event in Vegas that had no impact whatsoever on Romo’s performance in the next game.
I haven't heard or read anything that I would call sniping..
I just think they are disappointed and frustrated..Afterall, they are far more than being fellow Cowboy fans, they ARE Cowboys.
Maybe this team plays about like its' fanbase expects it to.
50/50. Half naysayers, half optimists. Too bad it occurs at a crucial point in the season when there IS still a chance to do something. I guess you get what you deserve.
Great post
Let’s all hold hands and cheer really hard together, that’ll change the outcome against the Saints. It’s the fans fault for collapsing every year and playing undiscilined football.
by StillHateTheGiants on Dec 17, 2009 9:46 AM CST up reply actions
Quack, quack, quack
Just becuz you put yer boots in the oven don't make it bread
by dcfansinceiwasababy on Dec 17, 2009 9:51 AM CST up reply actions
BTW, did you guys see where Vinny Cerrato got shown the door?
Supposedly, he resigned (wink-wink). They already have Bruce Allen in as the new GM. Word is they are possibly moving for Gruden or Shanahan. This could get interesting.
Well there is one meddlesome owner who’s making the right changes on the GM level…
Too bad he resides in the Nation’s capital and not Dallas.
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.
right changes?
how on earth can qualitatively judge this move? I’d suggest you look back on Snyder’s career path to make speculations on football decisions.
Bruce Allen...
was a very solid GM in Tampa. This is a good move (FINALLY) by Snyder.
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.
Lol
Wut? JJ brought us 3 rings and one of the best teams ever. Snyder has made a joke of a once proud franchise.
by DoomsdayD75 on Dec 17, 2009 1:39 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
yep..Jimmy Johnson
Problem with guys like him and Cowher and the rest of the really good coaches out there is they reached ‘easy street’..They get paid big bucks and don’t have to work 24X7 anymore..best alternative is finding the young agressive guys to coach a team in the NFL anymore.
You'd be surprised how many people around here truly believe that jerry Jones was making personnel decisions back then
Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey
Jimmy didn't make trades
even then. Seriously, you can’t bash the guy for his GM failures if you don’t give him credit for his successes in the same job.
I think a fair criticism of him might be that he has adjusted too slowly to the salary cap and FA processes in the NFL.
FREE THE OGLETREE!!!
Jimmy made the personnel decisions, Not Jerry
You did notice the tremendous drop off in talent after Jimmy left, didn’t you?
Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey
Neither of us were in the front office at the time but
Jerry has claimed that his role as final decision maker in personnel moves has not changed since he bought the team. Based on what we know about Jerry Jones, I seriously doubt he ever turned those keys over to anyone.
FREE THE OGLETREE!!!
Jerry asked Jimmy to talk to him while the cameras were on them during drft day so it would look like Jimmy was consulting with Jerry before making the picks
I am sure that Jerry has convinced himself that he was the man when it came to personnel decisions since day one, his ego is that big, but that doesn’t make it true. Every single interview I have sen with former players and every book and article that I have read says that it was Jimmy making the decisions, not Jerry. Couple with the serious dropoff in talent coming to Dallas after Jimmy left, and I am convinced that Jerry is full of crap when he says that he was making those decisions.
Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey
That's not to say that Jimmy
didn’t positively influence the team’s make-up. But a lot of factors came into play, including the salary cap era.
FREE THE OGLETREE!!!
According to Jimmy he made all the personnal moves.
One of the many reasons they parted is Jerry was trying to get more and more involved in what Jimmy thought was his responsibility. Jimmy was the HC/GM back then. Jerry got his way and see where it got him.
How bout dem Frogs!!!!
hey
that’s not nice. what did drew ever do to you.
LMAO
We have a Saints fan having words with a Giants fan on a Cowboys blog.
You can’t make this stuff up.
by Road Warrior on Dec 17, 2009 2:34 PM CST up reply actions
Simple..He embarrassed us..and he walks around like..
His crap doesn’t stink..Let him try on another superior NFC East team..I hope he faces a good dose of a healthy DWare..Feed-em some Crawfish DW!!!
it don't smell that bad, really, kinda nutty.
superior nfc east team? ya’ll need to up date ya’lls soft ware, this is nfl 2009.
with the way things are playing out ,the weaker seed (nfc east team) will have to travel to new orleans and face the “knome in the dome”.
this game on saturday is just a practice game for us, we don’t need to win. dallas needs it, to knock the giants out of the running.
Hey this is funny!!..LOL..We're borrowing this site for a fun jab or two..
You guys have the best team this year than you ever, ever had, but don’t count the ‘Boys out..If you clean out the NFC East then come talk to me..Your facing a team that is good and more solid than you think..and it won’t be a pushover…At least y’all didn’t have to break out the paper bags this season..I’m sure those “tree-huggers” meeting over in Copenhagen are proud of ya..
i think....
it will be a close game,13 -1 ain’t so bad, but dallas will have to play a perfect game, no turnovers, limit their penalties, run the ball, then they got a shot.
now that we are playing good, i’m sure you would like to see us switch to plastic bags instead of paper
That is right..Dire, the Saints have shown some weaknesses and have won some very..
Close games..Keep their offense off the field..We couldn’t maybe you guys can..
it's gonna be great football....
now that the saints’ offense is finally healthy, maybe we can put up some point in primetime.
if ware plays it’s gonna be even better,
It'll be a great game..there have been alot of them this..
We can complain and moan about our teams but we have seen some very good football games this year..Can’t beat it..
Hahaha!!..No plastic is a suffocation hazard..But your right, no mistakes
Usually wins games..
Well, my wife is a Cowboy fan...
And I am a diehard Giants fan (48 years)..but I am also rare in that I’ll root for the NFC East..So I’ll be rooting for the Cowboys even though it may have ramifications on us getting in…..BUT having said that, if we all lose out (the east) then I will be rooting for New Orleans to take it to the house this year..I’ll be rooting for the Saints in the playoffs..You guys deserve it after all these years..
my sister's boyfriend is a dallas fan,that's almost unbearable.....
but a wife…..it must be true love.
don’t count eli out yet, three games is a lot of football in a tight race.
Haha!..Actually we have alot of fun with our little rivalry..
And yes it is a tight race over here..but the best team willl get in, and then you never know what can happen in the second season..
Fundamental difference between you and I?
You assume the outcome of the next game and the seasons’ end are predetermined. I’m still holding on to hope. I wouldn’t even watch the games if I felt the way you do, much less visit a blog dedicated to the team you seem so certain will fail.
+1
I love the way “some” people are sooooooo offended when called a “hater”, yet have absolutely no problem telling others how ignorant/blind they are for still waiting until the end of the season before throwing in the towel.
You can't stop Patrick Crayton, you can only hope to contain him.
by APerfectStar on Dec 18, 2009 1:44 AM CST up reply actions
that is ironic
how they feel calling a fan a homer is ok and justified, but being called a hater is insulting.
To me, there is no difference, the negative fans want to call me a homer because I have faith in the team and believe in them, thats fine, I don’t care, just be a big boy though and handle being called a hater when they’re being extremely negative and a naysayer.
In Romo we Trust
Those 60's teams were drafting great players every year.
Future hall of famers for that matter. They had Tom Landry, the innovater, and Tex Schramm, GM extraordinaire. Even when they were losing NFL Championship games, Vince Lombardi was calling the Cowboys the greatest team he had ever played against.
John Niland makes a good point though. If we can fix this line, and get a few more players to add to the core of players we already have, this team can rise to the top and stay there. We may not get there this year, but we’re close.
The tribulations of Winter...
90% of Americans say 'OH SHIT!' before going into the ditch on a slippery road.
The other 10% are from TEXAS and they say, 'HOLD MY BEER AND WATCH THIS!!!'
I agree they are close
The sad part is that they invested so heavily in the O-line and have only gotten so-so results. Talented but flawed performances. At this point I’d say Colombo and Bigg are lesser problems, but it’s so hard to tell because they all take turns making mental errors during games.
FREE THE OGLETREE!!!
Kosier has been the best and most consistent player since he's been in Dallas
by StillHateTheGiants on Dec 17, 2009 9:48 AM CST up reply actions
And the irony of that is
he’s the least talented. I wish these guys with freakish ability also had some freakish consistency to go with it…
FREE THE OGLETREE!!!
I actually think Columbo has been.
by The Immortal Iron Fist AKA AFB on Dec 17, 2009 1:26 PM CST up reply actions
In terms of talent
Colombo is better. But it’s my impression that he’s a more penalized player and probably misses a few more assignments/blitz pick ups. Kosier seems more likely to do what he is supposed to, although he can’t dominate a player like the others. Does that make sense?
FREE THE OGLETREE!!!
NIland, Larry Cole and another O-Lineman
formed the ‘0 Club.’ Whose sole purpose was to toil in obscurity and avoid being mentioned by the press. Pretty comical when you think about it. I appreciate the effort to console and motivate a contemporary Cowboy. He should know.
I think there’s only 2 ways to go against NO:
- Throw caution to the wind and get into a track meet. Last team with the ball wins. Blitz mercilessly every down, if you get burned, so what. Just keep flinging the ball around the lot. Throw Run/pass ratio, balance away.
or
- Play keep away. Grind out as many yards, long drives as you can to hang onto the ball.
Either way, go down swinging, stop trying not to lose and just sell out taking the game to them they way they did to NE a couple of weeks back
Always be more than you appear and never appear to be more than you are
I'm aware
but the third member of the 0 Club was an O-Lineman. Might have been John Fitzgerald, C
Always be more than you appear and never appear to be more than you are
I remeber they had a lineman club of some sorts,
but didn’t rememer it being called the O lineman club.
How bout dem Frogs!!!!
0 as in Zero
It was called the Zero club
Always be more than you appear and never appear to be more than you are
Larry Cole was a funny guy
I’m sure you remember he was not a fast DL. Bob Lilly said Cole ran like a water hydrant all in one place.
How bout dem Frogs!!!!
My favorite Larry Cole memory
Staubach lead an improbable playoff comeback with a TD to Billy Park against SF. At the end of the game, Cole writhed around on the ground in pure joy.
I believe Cole was almost voted out of the zero club for scoring a TD off a fumble or a batted ball because his name would be in the paper in the box score.
Always be more than you appear and never appear to be more than you are
Remember it well.
I was watching it with my first wife’s father ( a miserable little man that hated the Boys for some reason). He was giving me hell about the Cowboys were done and here comes Roger roaring back to win the game with two TDs in like Two minutes. Never really liked that SOB or his daughter.
How bout dem Frogs!!!!
keep away sucks when you don't score
i vote for option A – get into the track meet.
It's not that I'm saying we're due a playoff win, but I didn't have my license to drive when we won our last one...
by bulldog jeeper on Dec 17, 2009 3:59 PM CST up reply actions
+1
Those teams had Tom Landry, this team has Wade Phillips… Enough said.
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.
Not only did Schramm/Landry draft talent, they developed it and they demanded it. This crew is a bunch of rich, spoiled knuckleheads, from ownership on down. The name is still “The Cowboys”, but the legacy is dead. JJ is on the road to becoming the next Al Davis.
I bleed green and I piss silver and blue
Our initial team (1960) was made up of scraps from other teams... it wasn't pretty.
If we had BTB back then, would have loved to see the comments when we finished 0-11-1 (along with 0-6 at home).
by Road Warrior on Dec 17, 2009 9:23 AM CST up reply actions
Ha.... and the funny thing is... we tied the freakin' Giants 31-31 in
…. Yankee Stadium.
Another interesting note is the fans gave Landry a huge ovation when he came onto the field. Landry was a the defensive coach for the Giants the previous year.
by Road Warrior on Dec 17, 2009 2:38 PM CST up reply actions
We got a few good players from the expansion draft...
namely Frank Clarke from Cleveland.
by Road Warrior on Dec 17, 2009 3:25 PM CST up reply actions
Good one.
I knew we got Eddie from the Skins, but wasn’t aware it was for a #1.
by Road Warrior on Dec 17, 2009 4:01 PM CST up reply actions
you know where you can shove your
old timey, lunch pail, heart of america, gritty good ol’ boy myths about what “real athletes” and “real Cowboys” are?
I’m glad you no longer like the Cowboys. Move along.
Hey Joey (Joey??? What are you, 12?)
I never “liked” the Cowboys, but at one time I respected them. Move along? Blow me.
I bleed green and I piss silver and blue
They are getting enough dissing
from MTV and Jersey Shore.
You can't stop Patrick Crayton, you can only hope to contain him.
by APerfectStar on Dec 18, 2009 1:48 AM CST up reply actions
Let me clear something up
Too many people think ‘Jersey Shore’ is an accurate portrayal of New Jersey. It is not.
The Sopranos, on the other hand, gets it right.
Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey
This doesn't seem stupid to you?
“Not only did Schramm/Landry draft talent, they developed it and they demanded it. This crew is a bunch of rich, spoiled knuckleheads, from ownership on down. The name is still "The Cowboys", but the legacy is dead. JJ is on the road to becoming the next Al Davis”
It sure seems stupid to me, oldasquick. As stupid as making fun of a handle on a message board. Move along.
Remember it was said Dallas drafted so well back in the 60s and 70s
because they used a computer. We didn’t know what a computer did, but it must be like magic. :)
How bout dem Frogs!!!!
I know
It probably looked like Eniac and just had like names and phone numbers in it, but it sounded so advanced.
FREE THE OGLETREE!!!
Landry was only involved in the first few rounds of the draft.
He would chime in some, but not that much. he had total trust in Brandt and his ability to recognize the best talent available.
How bout dem Frogs!!!!
Damn right Gil Brandt and Tom Landry..Masterminds
The first and your feeling it biggest mistake Jerry Jones made..dissing the two guys that architected a perrenial winner..
Bobbi......
there is a reason that Sirius Radio calls Gil Brandt “The Godfather.” He knows a lot doesn’t he? Sad thing is, Jerry let his ego get in the way by not hiring Dan Reeves as a consultant. I guess he doesn’t realize that Dan Reeves had a lot to do with the offensive success of the Cowboys during the Landry years.
yeah, cause I think he could have taught......
Garrett a lot on the offensive side of the ball. I’m not bashing Garrett, but Reeves could have helped Garrett immensely. Don’t know if you were a fan back in the day, but I remember when Reeves was calling the plays for Landry. He had some very imaginative plays for his time. Tom Landry used to give a lot of Dallas’ success to Reeves-called him an offensive genius.
Although..
the rich owner has more superbowl rings than anything your team has ever had.
If you truely jumped from the Cowboys to the Eagles, than you have no sense of loyalty and are complete joke.
by The Immortal Iron Fist AKA AFB on Dec 17, 2009 10:56 AM CST up reply actions
Is it just me or are we getting more trolls than usual?
I don’t go to other sites to talk trash do you guys? Just wondering if this is the norm for guys to trash talk on others sites.
Eagle fans are jealous of the Cowboys 5 Eagles 0 in SB trophies,
that they have to vent anger in some way. I kinda fell sorry for the losers.
How bout dem Frogs!!!!
Well, can you blame them....?
And didn’t we kick the Cardinals out of our division for not winning a championship? Maybe we should trade them for the E-gals since they at least got close to winning one last year.
by Road Warrior on Dec 17, 2009 11:13 AM CST up reply actions
I say that all the time...
I’m not sure why they don’t stick to their blog.
by The Immortal Iron Fist AKA AFB on Dec 17, 2009 11:25 AM CST up reply actions
I must say, after perusing the Saint's site,
there is no place like home. I’m not sure where their fans are, but it takes days to get over 30 posts there. This post has been up less than twelve hours and has 21 already. We fight like cats and dogs sometimes, but we are the most avid fans around.
"Help, it's hot and dark in here and someone is laughing." Taco Bell
Guns.... all there fans are over here. :)
by Road Warrior on Dec 17, 2009 9:24 AM CST up reply actions
wat doo u meen 3 0 psots ..............? ol
I saw a dog today. Have you seen a dog? You probably have. How was school? Was it fun? Did you get a lot of homework? Huh? Do you have any friends? Do you have a best friend? Does he have a big coat, too?
by Aaron Novinger on Dec 17, 2009 1:19 PM CST up reply actions
s aint fanm cooolllllll
I saw a dog today. Have you seen a dog? You probably have. How was school? Was it fun? Did you get a lot of homework? Huh? Do you have any friends? Do you have a best friend? Does he have a big coat, too?
by Aaron Novinger on Dec 17, 2009 1:20 PM CST up reply actions
It's weird, isn't it
I occasionaly spend some time on the Falcons blog as well (which sometimes feels like a troll-highway for Saints fans) and I can’t remember a single Saints fan comment without some serious orthographical issues there either.
by One.Cool.Customer on Dec 17, 2009 3:52 PM CST up reply actions
orhogrwha?
I saw a dog today. Have you seen a dog? You probably have. How was school? Was it fun? Did you get a lot of homework? Huh? Do you have any friends? Do you have a best friend? Does he have a big coat, too?
by Aaron Novinger on Dec 17, 2009 4:26 PM CST up reply actions
Sometimes I lol because the "l" is conveniently located under the "o".
But I’m truly in an lol fit right now!
I saw a dog today. Have you seen a dog? You probably have. How was school? Was it fun? Did you get a lot of homework? Huh? Do you have any friends? Do you have a best friend? Does he have a big coat, too?
by Aaron Novinger on Dec 17, 2009 6:33 PM CST up reply actions
Sweet
I miss “The Far Side”
Funniest comic strip ever.
You can't stop Patrick Crayton, you can only hope to contain him.
by APerfectStar on Dec 18, 2009 1:51 AM CST up reply actions
Very interesting stat about this December issue
over the past four years, the Cowboys are 6-10 in December, while the Saints are 6-11. Interesting enough seeing that is you listened to the MSM you would think that the Cowboys can’t possibly beat a team like the Saints in the seasons final month.
The Knights season may have just ended, but the Cowboys year is just begining!
Just saw where Chris Henry died......
I know the guy had issues, but it’s really sad. Also, with Zimmer’s wife dying earlier, this team has really been hit hard.
Dear Lord Jesus
Please comfort his family, requiem aeternam
Just becuz you put yer boots in the oven don't make it bread
by dcfansinceiwasababy on Dec 17, 2009 9:53 AM CST up reply actions
Yeah, just heard it
pretty sad, young, starting to turn his life around and he had kids. A sad story, may he rest in peace.
Ignore the Mainstream Media, EMBRACE THE HATE!!!!
Yes..but true parents guide their children..
I am not sure he ever had that..I and many of you have teenagers..You and I know how things can go if you don’t stay on top of them
Never want to see a young man die.
I remember seeing him and thinking, “This guy is one of the most physically gifted receivers I’ve ever seen.” Seriously he had talent that I eventually think would have made him an elite receiver in the NFL.
Unfortunatly personal issues derailed him, but lately he had resolved those, and all the Bengals were so solidly behind him.
It’s sad that it takes these things to make you remember that football is just game, and that these people are just people.
Rest in peace Chris Henry
by The Immortal Iron Fist AKA AFB on Dec 17, 2009 9:54 AM CST up reply actions
well said Immortal.......
I really feel bad for the Bengals (not from a football standpoint) but from a emotional standpoint. First, Zimmer’s wife and now this? This has got to be really hard on them.
that is sad
however when you live your life the way Henry did, bad things are likely to happen. I had a brother just him and ended up the same way.
In Romo we Trust
What makes it sad Terry...
is that he had turned his life around.
He had, by all reports, gotten away from all the drugs, and lifestyle that had hurt a talented guy.
I’m as harsh on guys as the next guy, but this guy had by all records turned his life around.
by The Immortal Iron Fist AKA AFB on Dec 17, 2009 11:05 AM CST up reply actions
since we don't know the facts......
I don’t think it’s fair to judge someone. It’s just a sad situation for not only Chris Henry’s life but his 3 small children too. I feel bad for the Bengals players and especially Zimmer because they have already had to go to one funeral this year. Let’s not judge someone when we don’t know what really happened and leave it at that.
I don't judge peoples personal life.
I have done some bad things in my life, so who am I to judge anyone.
How bout dem Frogs!!!!
I thought those were the facts texstar
since when is jumping on a moving truck during a domestic dispute normal behavior. Look, his death is a tragedy, however, he lived his life in the fast lane and when you do that, things like that happen. Like I said, I know from personal experience.
In Romo we Trust
Cowboys not done?
Show me.
Keep doing what you been doing, keep getting what you been getting.
3 games left with an 8-5 record and still a shot at making the playoffs.
THAT means they are not done.
Despite all the naysayers...
Great post Mike. Niland is that part of the Cowboys that DOES understand the angst of making the playoffs and winning. I’ve been a Cowboys fan since the 70’s and have felt all the heartaches with this team all through the years. This current team is exasperating but not unexpectedly so. They are a very undisciplined bunch and for proof of that, their Red Zone stats is all one needs to look at. That is most the fault of inferior coaching and hopefully that will change after this season.
fan
i’m sick of the people on here that question your fanhood just because you have negative comments about dallas. if i have something negative to say about dallas so what. it’s from my personal observations and it’s my opinion. yey it doesn’t make me less a fan. i don’t think dallas has the heart to win even one more game much less two. now do i hope they win 2, yes. hell i hope they win all 3 but the realist in me says they won’t even win one. it’s about being realistic not about being a fan.
Nice to hear about Niland
He’s my grandfather’s cousin and a lot of the reason my mom roots for the Cowboys. I am sure it played a role my rooting for them as well.
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