In defense of optimism

by Nelson... on Dec 19, 2009 6:04 PM CST

We are still allowed to root for the team, right?

OK, I get it. The Cowboys aren't playing well. The Cowboys are mediocre. They'll likely be one-and-done, IF they make the playoffs at all. And Wade (and possibly Garrett too) will be shown the door. I recognize all of those things, and say...

I don't care. I still root for them every game, I still hope they win every game. Whether it's the lowly Raiders or the mighty Saints (first time you could say "mighty" and "Saints" with a straight face) I still look forward to victory.

I understand the realism/pessimism out there. I recognize what kind of a team we have. And I am understanding and OK with that fact that some/many have given up on the team.

But what I am NOT OK with is the belittling of those who haven't.

We're fans. Not Vegas bookies (at least I don't think any of us are). Our lives aren't significantly impacted whether the Cowboys win or lose. If they win, hey great! If they lose, oh well. Wearing rose-colored glasses isn't a crime. We don't have to get it right. The worst that could happen is your buddies at work ribbing you Monday morning (like my Dolphins fan coworker did after we got embarrased by the Rams last season,as soon as I walked in the door....UGH) It happens. Plenty of NFL teams have won next to nothing during the Super Bowl era.

It really seems like it's not enough for some to simply be down on the team, they get bent out of shape if everyone else isn't in the same boat with them.

I'm not going to do that. I'm not going to hope for another Cowboy face-palm. I'm not hoping for Wade's firing (I like Wade). I'm not hoping for Jerry to hop aboard the Retread Express AGAIN (this time featuring Mike Shanahan and Jon Gruden) and who knows who else. I'm not hoping for some college coach who'd probably flake out and take off at the first sign of trouble ala Saban and Petrino.

If I were to do any of those things, then there would be absolutely nothing to enjoy. I couldn't be happy when the Boys won, I couldn't do a sober examination when they lose. What would be the point? Why bother?

With that said, I believe Cowboys will beat the Saints tonight. Even though that flies against all manner of logic and game-film, that's still the way I see it.

And if they don't, then I like my crow well-done with lemon pepper seasoning.

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Comments

Great great great post.

I believe the same, and besides i’ve recently been through alot of stuff and have discovered how truly gorgeous life can be, optimism is a better outlook on life.
I do think the Cowboys can do it, no one and I mean no one but the players and coaches themselves believe we’ll win this game and I think all the cards are put in place for an upset. Let’s see what happens

"Aw Shucks" - Wade Phillips

by MrMinority on Dec 19, 2009 6:35 PM CST reply actions

You don't eat crow

for supporting the Cowboys. If we all ate crow everytime we believed they would win and didn’t, there wouldn’t be any left. As much as it is easier to feel good after a win, if they played hard I don’t feel as bad. I’ll cheer and swear and laugh and get p.o.ed,but I’ll wear my jacket proudly and never apologize for being a Cowboy fan. We all hope they do well deep down. Go Cowboys

by oldboysfan on Dec 19, 2009 6:35 PM CST reply actions

Awesome post

I get down on my Boys too….But I Truly believe that this team can beat anyone…and I feel we’ll win tonight. There is absolutely nothing wrong with believing,hoping,praying…that our team is successful.
I’ll be trudging into FEDEX Field next sunday night,wearing my 5X SUPER BOWL CHAMPS Leather Jacket…Fully expecting to be ridden unmercifully by the skin fans…and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
The pessimist fans among us are fence sitters……We WIN….Yay..woohoo!!!!
But if we lose….I told ya so…We suck…seasons over…fire Wade/Garret/Jerry….Blah Blah Blah….

GO COWBOYS…we got’em right where we want’em…..Who Dat??? It’s Dem COWBOYS…DAT WHO!!!

You'll never get in a traffic jam,while going the extra mile. -Roger staubach

by TrueBlue24 on Dec 19, 2009 6:49 PM CST reply actions

well said, awesome post

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Dec 19, 2009 6:58 PM CST reply actions

thank you! we can win this game. we can win this all. if for no other reason than why the hell not? GO ROY WILLIAMS! GO WADE PHILLIPS!

by DavidLaFleur on Dec 19, 2009 7:40 PM CST reply actions

Good post man

I am down on them lately but only because I’ve had my heart broken the last four years. I love the cowboys but take the losses really hard so sometimes I act pessimistic to “prepare” myself if they lose.

At the time of this posting, however, they are up 17-3 over the Saints so here’s hoping you read this post on sunday are the boys are 9-5.

by Billito on Dec 19, 2009 9:05 PM CST reply actions

Instant Rec

I’m with you brother.

by Taoboy on Dec 19, 2009 11:17 PM CST reply actions

Excellent post.

You must have lived through the Chan Gailey / Campo years. That’s a bad coach.

This team is good and consistently competitive. If they don’t win a SB I’ll still like this team. I like the players (Romo, Whitten, Felix, Ware, Jenkins, Newman) and I like their style.

And I can’t believe after beating one of the top NFL teams and a week after a good game against SD (4-74) people are calling for Roy to get benched.

by Fan in Thick and Thin on Dec 20, 2009 8:35 AM CST reply actions