The VRR: Can A Cowboys' Shutout Shut Down the "December" Criticism?
by Aaron Novinger on Dec 28, 2009 10:45 PM CST
in Dallas Cowboys News
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PrintThe December to remember has come to a close. It started out rough with the Cowboys losing back-to-back games against the rival Giants and the red hot Chargers.
In these last two weeks though, the team made statements - first, by handing the Saints their first loss on the season; then, by pitching its first shutout since 2003 against the Redskins.
Surely, there is always room for improvement in every game. But is it realistic to expect Dallas to play a perfect game week-in, week-out? They've secured a spot in the playoffs. The defense and Tony Romo are playing solid football. The team has found its leaders and seems to rally around them. They believe that they can win. And, judging by Romo's post-game comments, they are still looking to improve.
Indeed, it's been a December to build upon. And yes, there is still some building left to do. Let's start with Buck Harvey's list of the mistakes the Cowboys made last night.
There were other mistakes, which is the only reason the miserable Redskins hung around. This is also the reason playoff teams will not "fear" the Cowboys, as Brooking contends.
Wasteful teams don't advance, and one particular concern will come up in January, too. Can Jason Garrett figure out how to gain a yard? He couldn't on the goal line earlier in the month against the Chargers. And Sunday night, on three different short-yardage situations, Garrett called for a defensive lineman's dream — delayed handoffs.
More VRR after the jump.
On a slightly more optimistic note, Randy Galloway says the Cowboys have exactly what they need: good play from both Romo and the defense.
The Cowboys’ December hoodoo voodoo was lurking, and it doesn’t take a history lesson to chart franchise failures in these kind of win-and-get-in situations over the past decade-plus. Say, last December, for instance.
But a couple of vital positives converged on Sunday. The quarterback and the defense. I’m not rushing it, but the best playoff combo of all is strong QB play and strong defense. Just thought I’d mention it.
Yes, the defense dominated last night...wait, how many tackles did Bradie James have? Nice!
It limited Washington to 218 total yards and only 29 percent on third-down tries. Bradie James had 12 tackles and Jay Ratliff had two sacks.
The 4th-and-shorts. Should Dallas have tried the field goals? New kicker Shaun Suisham had the confidence that he'd make them. That's what a kicker needs, other than a big leg.
"This is a very successful football team and we won the game," Suisham said. "When I'm asked to kick, I'll kick. My job is to prepare in those scenarios like I'm going to kick. If they don’t call on me, they don’t call on me."
Suisham believes the field goals were within his range, but his career statistics don't inspire confidence on long field goals. He is 3-of-9 from 50 yards or longer, including a miss earlier this season at Cowboys Stadium.
Some fun statistical notes on the game:
David Buehler added two touchbacks today to give him 25 for the season - leaving him two shy of Lin Elliott for the most in a Cowboys season since 1991.
Newman's 23 career interceptions broke a tie with Don Bishop and tied Darren Woodson for 10th in franchise history.
Romo's 286 yards today gave him 4,172 for the season - his second 4,000-yard season and the second-most in team history behind his 4,211 in 2007.
As each game passes, the Cowboys are beginning to show signs that Felix Jones is a RB that they are inclined to feature.
"I saw one swing pass tonight, and three guys were on him," owner/GM Jerry Jones said. "I'm thinking, 'Hell, if that happens, somebody else has got to be open.' That's what he can bring."
But against Washington, Jones showed the ability to get the between-the-tackle yards. On the clinching, 68-yard drive that gave the Cowboys a 17-0 lead, Jones caught a pass for four yards and ran three times for 18 yards.
"He likes to run downhill," running backs coach Skip Peete said. "People who say he's just an outside runner; he's not. He can run physical just like he can run to the outside."
Tashard Choice and Keith Brooking = emotional leaders.
Apparently, Choice had an emotional, heart-filled speech to his teammates on the Monday following the Cowboys' 20-17 loss to the Chargers. Much of the speech centered around the health of DeMarcus Ware, who had suffered the scary neck injury the day before. And as far as Choice and the players were concerned, they weren’t sure when, or if, Ware would return.
"He felt like it was important enough to tell the team what he had on his heart and on his mind," Marcus Spears said. "And we listened. We all left the meeting room and went about our business. What he said was important and we needed to hear that."
Keith Brooking: Motivational Speaker.
Coach Joe DeCamillis is back home from his emergency appendectomy. He will soon be able to pat Wes Phillips on the back for ST-coaching in his stead last night.
Marc Colombo's rehab has been progressing; he could very well return to play in the first game of the postseason.
As much as Colombo has worked, the Cowboys don't need to rush him back just yet. Maybe if Sunday's game was a win-or-else game it would be different, but the coaches like what they have seen from Doug Free in Colombo's absence.
Pat Watkins could return for that game, as well.
Elsewhere on the injury front, safety Pat Watkins sounded like he needed another week to return from a sprained PCL in his knee. He has missed the last two games. He was scheduled to do some jogging for the first time Monday.
Week 17's Eagles @ Cowboys contest has been moved to the late afternoon slot.
The Philadelphia Eagles at the Dallas Cowboys will now start at 4:15 p.m. and still be broadcast on Fox.
Todd Archer breaks down the seasons in which teams closed out the regular season together, only to meet again to open the playoffs.
The team website is already offering Playoff Priority tickets if you reserve your 2010 season tickets.
Tomorrow, the Pro Bowl rosters will be announced. Matt Mosley lists which Cowboys he thinks will make it.
NT Jay Ratliff, OLB DeMarcus Ware, ILB Keith Brooking, CB Mike Jenkins, Special teams Sam Hurd, QB Tony Romo, WR Miles Austin, LG Kyle Kosier (Don't laugh. I'm told by scouts that he's been the Cowboys' most consistent offensive lineman).
You gotta love them Dallas Cowboys! Do the Cowboys Stomp!
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I hope we keep him around
even if he gets a long gray beard and a walker I want him to fire up the team before every game
Don't Panic!!!
Second!!!
Shot at the iggles should be good!
you can make a list of mistakes for every team
even the “vaunted” eagles have had many of them thepast couple weeks.
Agreed.
I get the sense that Harvey is the San Antonio version of JJT.
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 28, 2009 11:14 PM CST up reply actions
+1. I don't totally disagree with all of his points, but damn, any team can be
nitpicked to death if one tries hard enough.
The Panthers let Eli throw a TD to Smith.
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 28, 2009 11:47 PM CST up reply actions
Mistakes
I think the point is that beating the Eagles to win the division or continuing up and onward in the playoffs will depend upon most these mistakes being cleaned up. The Cowboys – like most teams even if they are elite – are not good enough to make mistakes and win in the playoffs.
Even JJT
has a balance and won’t hesitate to compliment Romo or the team. I don’t think think Buck Harvey has even written a good word about the Cowboys. He must be one of the wannabe’s that never gets a good interview. Serves him right.
"You have to have a stronger belief in yourself than the disbelief of others."
Antonio Ramirez Romo
True. JJT's latest on Wade's D is pretty complimenting.
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 29, 2009 9:06 AM CST up reply actions
unfortunately, there are many writers
that react as alot of fans do in the gameday threads. we seem to be the only 1 out of 32 teams that can’t play a perfect game.
Coach Winters: Mississippi State's offensive set. 2nd & 2 on our own 24, what defensive set might we call?
Alvin Mack: Eagle Zipper Hero, unless the setback shifts into the I.
Coach Winters: Good..[clicks to next slide], third and seven?
Alvin Mack: Oakie Thunder Lion. {What's your assignment?}
Alvin Mack: Kill the quarterback. {{Coach Winters clicks to next slide}}
Alvin Mack: Hit the tight end so hard his girlfriend dies. {{Coach Winters clicks to next slide}}
Alvin Mack: Kill everybody.
by KD Drummond on Dec 28, 2009 11:43 PM CST up reply actions
Great game to watch live!
Got 50yrd line tix for Christmas, and got to show my wife her first Cowboy game. We got there about an hour and a half early and it felt like a home game.
I noticed the pre-game that you have the video for, but even more impressive was the team unity in warmups, lots of shaking hands by the coaches to the players, and the coolest was the team gathering to welcome the starting linemen come out of the locker room – this is the key to our team – unity.
They played with energy from the beginning – and the crowd was with them the whole way – you may have noticed Sam Hurd pumpping up the Cowboy faithful during kickoffs.
To top it off, we saw Austin, Witten, Romo, Ratliff after the game getting on the bus and when I told Jerry Jones, “Thanks for the shutout, Jerry! We’re glad you ar’ent Dan Snyder!” He smiled and signed my Cowboy ballcap.
Fun night, great momentum – I think we are right where we wanted to be – Go Cowboys!
Great stuff.
Thanks for the first-person perspective. Did Jerry sign his name with a dollar sign? That would be awesome.
Jerry Jone$
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 28, 2009 11:16 PM CST up reply actions
Ha! no...but someone asked his daughter Haley to sign a hat
…thought she was a cheerleader!
oh, another note – Suisham was NOT making long FG’s in pre-game, which may be reason why we didn’t use him on the 4th and 1’s..
What was his range?
What was his range. Would be good to know since most playoff games ( assuming we win) would be in indoor stadiums
As I recall the temp was below 40, and seemed to affect Buehlers initial kickoffs…
He boomed them later in the game, so maybe he was directional kicking on the first one.
That sounds like a completely awesome evening. I thought I heard a lot of cheering
for the Cowboys after the game; sounded like a lot of the faithful were there.
There were a ton of Cowboy fans there
I actually had to get tickets on the Redskins side because the tickets I wanted were sold quicker on Dallas side. And if you woulda waited there were a ton of Redskin fans trying to dump there tickets off after the Giants thrashing.
Marine by trade, Cowboys fan by birth.
Can someone "translate" what Keith Brooking is saying?
"What the hell is going on out there?" - Vince Lombardi.
"WE'RE ALL GOING OUT THERE TO LITERALLY RISK OUR LIVES AND BODIES, NOT FOR COUNTRY OR IDEALS
but for a ball! In a made-up game! And that’s kinda stupid and crazy when you think about it! So let’s get our adrenalin pumpin’ and not think about it!!!!!!"
Pessimists say the cup is half-empty, while optimists say it's half-full. Well, isn't it both? Realist Larry, 2009
by Realist Larry on Dec 28, 2009 11:43 PM CST up reply actions
something about Redskins and fubar
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 28, 2009 11:43 PM CST up reply actions
lol...they both should be
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 28, 2009 11:58 PM CST up reply actions
FUBAR
Military acronym for " *ucked Up Beyond All Recognition."
Keep doing what you been doing, keep getting what you been getting.
Such buffoonery....
Larry, Aaron, Ben and Fern..
Thanks for nothin’
"What the hell is going on out there?" - Vince Lombardi.
"We're gonna bloody their nose!" was one line.
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 29, 2009 9:08 AM CST up reply actions
Postscript; I have no idea what he said, but damn, it's apparently effective.
I wish I could inspire while being unintelligible.
OK, I did make out
“Bloody their noses”.
Maybe if we all just contribute one sentence, we can piece it all together.
FREE THE OGLETREE!!!
Alright, so he start by repeating:
KB: “This is all we need!”
Players: “Yeah”
KB: “This is all we need”
Players: “Yeah!”
KB: “We’re gonna keep on hittin’ em”
Players: “Yeah”
KB: “We’re gonna keep on hittin’ em”
Players: “Yeah”
KB: " They might get back up"
Players: “Yeah”
KB: “We’re gonna hit’em again”
Players: “Yeah!”
Kb: “And when they’re barely hanggin’ on”
Tashard Choice: “What we’re gonna do?”
KB: “………………..”
TC: “What we’re gonna do what we’re gonna do?”
KB: “We’re gonna hit’em in the mouth”
TC: “What we’re gonna do?”
KB: “We’re gonna bloody their nose”
All: " Yeah"
KB: “We’re gonna dump’em to the ground”
All: “Yeah”
KB: “Hold up, hold up, hold up……………………….”
That’s almost all of it.. Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeesh
I think I need a nap now…
"What the hell is going on out there?" - Vince Lombardi.
Against the Saints, he had different stuff to say.
He was telling them that he believed in them and they had to believe in themselves. I think I saw a clip one year of Brett Favre (maybe) in one of those, and he was asking the guy next to him what the Hell the guy was saying.
by Baked Potato Soup on Dec 29, 2009 8:43 AM CST up reply actions
Yeah brooking started it out the same way
with “we got everything we need right here” twice
he said “I believe in you” twice
“believe in yourselves”
“believe in your team”
“Were the best team on this field”
“Let’s Get this thing done”
“You know what were going to do?”
“Were gonna hit’em in the mouth”
“Were gonna bloody their noses”
“Were gonna tackle them to the ground”
Then the last part is muted out because he must have been cussing like a sailor; I would have paid good money to hear what that last line was.
Ignore the Mainstream Media, EMBRACE THE HATE!!!!
We gotta get an insider in that group.
Maybe Fish can talk to TChoice again?
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 29, 2009 9:23 AM CST up reply actions
Cool
I’m gonna send this to the local little league team.
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by accidental innuendo on Dec 29, 2009 9:13 AM CST up reply actions
Nice, Nisri!
I like to watch it for Choice’s side karate jump. And then, Miles gets up in there and falls down…lol! They’ve got to perfect that for the Eagles.
Because it’s an NFC East rival again, I would assume it to be a similar “beat them down” kind of chant. Against the Saints, it was more about believing and playing the upset card I believe.
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 29, 2009 9:14 AM CST up reply actions
I had to go back and watch it a couple of times to figure it out myself.
The basic jist was:
Brooking: “WE’RE GONNA KNOCK’EM DOWN!!!”
Chorus: “YEAH!!!”
Brooking: “THEY MIGHT GET BACK UP!!!”
Chorus: “YEAH!!!”
Brooking: ‘THEN WE’LL KNOCK’EM DOWN AGAIN!!!"
And so on, and so forth.
I think if you put two of my best seasons together it wouldn't come up with the numbers he's going to have at the end of the season. -Troy Aikman on Tony Romo
by Big D Bam Bam on Dec 29, 2009 5:21 PM CST up reply actions
Something not discussed between the he says/she says short yardage debates:
Penalties the last 4 games, I noticed I didn’t seem to see as many, so looked them up:
5 – 30 yards
5 – 24 yds.
6 – 49 yds.
4 – 21 yds.
Not just few penalties, but a major lack of negative yardage also!
Which indicates, for one thing, not very many pass interference calls. Jenkins has made a huge difference.
(Newman looks like he’s got one more season then turns into Anthony Henry in 2011, but that’s another post.)
Overall stats for the season are still terrible, but interesting to note that along w/ the Raiders (of course) the Packers, Eagles, Bengals, and Ravens also have more penalties.
Dallas has the 8th most penalty yards in the league also-but the recent improvement has been a real reason for the improved play lately.
Not as many stupid penalties at the worst time, which indicates focus-which indicates leadership.
And I credit mostly Romo. His demeanor is completely different than earlier this year, and even more so previous seasons.
Pessimists say the cup is half-empty, while optimists say it's half-full. Well, isn't it both? Realist Larry, 2009
Yeah, I think they only had 1 penalty last week @ the Saints, too!
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 28, 2009 11:44 PM CST up reply actions
Weird that Witten has logged so many false starts this season
It’s unlike him, especially since he’s not always set up as an in-line player.
Not a big deal, he’s playing well overall, just noticed it and was surprised.
Larry Allen benched 700 pounds. That is Leonard Davis times two.
Not according to Terry.
He says Romo has always been like that and that guys like us were just too blind to see it.
by Baked Potato Soup on Dec 29, 2009 8:44 AM CST up reply actions
I don't think it's an either-or prosposition
I think it’s less about Romo lacking leadership before and more about the he and the team both setting conditions for him to be able to assert himself more. The biggest leadership difference in Romo is that he has managed to cut down on his own errors while still making plays. More than any of trait, athletes respect and follow high performers. Brooking can’t motivate if he’s not also one of the best players on the field. Once Romo is the best or one of the best players on offense, he has the platform to challenge other players to meet the standard. The Owens thing is only important because Owens wouldn’t take steerage from anyone and his performance no longer warranted the kid gloves treatment.
FREE THE OGLETREE!!!
Hmmm
Some will argue that Romo is the same QB today, in terms of leadership, that he has always been. I would disagree. Instead, I would point to what you are saying — improvement in his play has also led to improvement in his leadership capabilities.
There’s little to love about a QB that throws a dumb interception and mopes on the bench. Or one that has a bad game then brushes it off like it’s no big deal. Just think of how much we disliked Roy W. for smiling like the Chesire cat after that drop.
You are also on point about Owens. The man was a great asset to Romo’s development as a player but a hindrance to his development as a leader. This development, we have noticed, has accelerated since Owens was cut.
But the point is…there has been positive growth in his leadership and attitude. This is empirical — Romo is NOT the same QB he was last year, or even earlier this year.
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by accidental innuendo on Dec 29, 2009 9:12 AM CST up reply actions
I am not sure it was moping though
probably more like having to swallow his dialogue for fear of a TO-McNabb redeux. Interpersonal dynamics have certainly seemed to be a lot better this year.
FREE THE OGLETREE!!!
Dunk, I love Romo as our QB
But I’m calling a spade a spade.
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by accidental innuendo on Dec 29, 2009 10:01 AM CST up reply actions
I know, I hear that stuff all the time
It’s created to keep Ed Werder in bad toupes. I don’t buy that any more than Eli being uninterested or retarded. I bet most of us would be unhappy with what we saw if cameras recorded us non-stop, looking for footage that supported someone’s agenda to feed a narrative.
I don’t think Romo ever didn’t care about winning. He has just been asked to be more demonstrative, to take a more active role, and then was empowered to do it by taking out the team diva. I don’t think a spoiled, peevish little boy just suddenly changed his whole world view. Witten and others always credited him with leading by example. The team just asked him to step up a bit more and he has.
FREE THE OGLETREE!!!
I don't think Romo conciously changed his ways
I think he’s just really grown into his role. Hopefully, he’ll keep it up. Not sure there’s anyone I’d rather have right now.
He has just been asked to be more demonstrative, to take a more active role…
This just affirms my point. If everything he was doing was fine to begin with, then what you say would not be necessary. Look man, he can mope at home all he wants, but it feeds the dysfunction if this is happening on the sideline after a turnover. And you should realize this: When you’re in a team, and you hold the most important position in that team…body language matters because your teammates feed off you.
I don’t think a spoiled, peevish little boy just suddenly changed his whole world view.
C’mon Dunk, you’re better than this. Noone’s said that.
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by accidental innuendo on Dec 29, 2009 12:16 PM CST up reply actions
I'm not confronting you personally, AI
I am more generally addressing the worst of the stereotypes.
I thik he has stepped it up and I think it’s been effective. My point has been all along that it’s not about a guy who doesn’t care. It’s just a case of stepping up into the role. For all I know, he didn’t feel worthy of it as a UDFA with all-world guys on offense like TO and Witten.
FREE THE OGLETREE!!!
And that was always going to be a problem with T.O. on the team
Because TO came in with the big brother mindset and lots of experience. Once these relationships are established, it’s very difficult to change the dynamic. Romo was NEVER going to be able to chastise T.O. like he did Austin.
And I know he cared, maybe too much, and that’s why he would get so introspective. But there’s a game going on, and the self-doubt can wait. Happy to say, I’ve seen little of that this year, especially lately.
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by accidental innuendo on Dec 29, 2009 12:24 PM CST up reply actions
I think more than the media ever talks about
Romo’s situation was a very good parallel to Eli’s in NY. Eli also had outspoken, high profile, very talented team mates who also sucked the O2 out any room. Once they were gone, he could step up without having to watch his back. But I don’t believe Eli was ever a hick retard, just a guy who was “outshined” by bigger personalities.
FREE THE OGLETREE!!!
I respectfully disagree. And agree.
I agree that playing at an ever higher level gives Romo more latitude in directing other players, but that is as much on him as it is on them. Before when he was playing poorly, he would sulk or grin, but this year he is staying focused and remaining tough.
The other guys will look to him in those situations, and this year they have found inspiration. I know that many people don’t believe that appearance counts, but in my opinion, it absolutely does. When your quarterback appears confident and in charge, it inspires the rest of the team. You hear Patriots and Colts players say stuff like that all the time, that they knew Brady or Manning would lead them to victory despite how poorly they had played to that point.
A negative example is the St. Louis game last year when it was believed that Romo could have played but chose not to. The team came out flat, lifeless, and didn’t appear to give a damn whether they won or lost. Why? I believe it was because they felt their leader had not come through for them. Compare that to Demarcus Ware coming out and playing after getting carted off the field and how inspirational that was to his teammates.
There was one point that used to infuriate me about Owens, Garrett, and Romo. The argument that they HAD to throw him the ball and that they could not give him direction. I think that’s similar to saying that they limited Romo’s leadership conditions. If you are a leader, then take charge. I think this year’s Romo would handle TO just fine. I think TO wants a QB that is strong enough to give him that direction when necessary. It’s like a bratty kid, what they are really crying out for is structure and discipline.
by Baked Potato Soup on Dec 29, 2009 9:13 AM CST up reply actions
Regarding Romo
I always have things I want to point out on here, and sometimes forget to do it. Here’s one that’s been percolating for a few weeks:
All season Romo has seemed to be a more conservative passer. He has tamped down the wildman and has taken what defenses have given him. He has just seemed to not really wing it like he used to. Just a little observation, however. He’s all of like 40 yards away from breaking his own single season yardage total. He has been deceptively conservative, because he’s still putting up big numbers. I think the difference between this season and 2007, is that he hasn’t put up any clunkers this year. Though he’s been more conservative, somehow he has managed to gain yardage in record numbers. Now that’s my kind of conservative QB. You go, Tony!
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!!!'
Yeah, I think he's definitely learned from experience.
Romo has always seemed to me to be a hard worker who is always looking to get better. That seems to have started to pay off.
"Everybody wants something but nobody wants to pay the price" - Michael Irvin
I agree with both of you but I also think
there were some accuracy issues early on. Not serious ones, just slightly off. Could have been lingering finger issues, not sure, but his accuracy over the past six or so games has gotten significantly better.
FREE THE OGLETREE!!!
And despite what we were told would happen, he's still making plays.
In the past, when it was suggested that Romo could improve his turnover ratio and protect the ball better, people insisted that the only way that could ever happen is if he stopped making any positive plays too. I’m glad that I had more faith in him than they did, and that he has justified that faith this season.
by Baked Potato Soup on Dec 29, 2009 12:21 PM CST up reply actions
Austin doesn't hurt the YAC either.
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 think people read waaay too much into momentary shots of Romo on the sideline
That’s the psychological equivalent of reviewing a book for the Times based solely on the cover. Who seriously thought he could play in the St Louis game? That’s a new one for sure. He was injured. After what Quinn did, it was clear that Romo should not have played. Ware played because he was cleared to. We’re talking broken bone vs no broken bone.
I don’t think Owens is OK with ANYONE being stronger than his personality. It’s what split Garcia and McNabb from him. Romo tried being a buddy and it worked, but only for Owens. The rest of the team suffered for it. Haley tried giving him structure and discipline, remember? Didn’t work out well for Todd.
FREE THE OGLETREE!!!
It's called the difference between winning and losing
Last year fans wanted a scapegoat and Romo was it so every little facial expression or thing he did off the field was over analyzed to death to such ridiculous conclusions like he was mopping or wasn’t showing leadership and thats all crap.
This year because we’re winning and made the playoffs, fans now think they see leadership qualities in Romo when in reality they’ve always been there but fans choose to ignore then it because they wanted a scapegoat to blame for losing.
In Romo we Trust
Give me a break
Has it even crossed your mind that maybe they’re winning BECAUSE Romo has improved his play and leadership?
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by accidental innuendo on Dec 29, 2009 10:04 AM CST up reply actions
Oversimplying to an unreal level. Yes, Romo is playing somewhat differently;
that IS part of the maturation process of a quarterback, a maturation process more than one person in this thread whined and bitched their way through instead of being patient, watching, and waiting. But it is way more than Romo suddenly changing his whole style to please the armchair QBs on this site. It is also about young players such as Jenkins and Jones and Spencer coming into their own. It is about bringing in mature players who know how to help coaches motivate. It’s about players like D Ware stepping up their games late in the season. It is about getting rid of disruptive influences, and I don’t just mean TO. It’s about team cohesion. Jerry finally gets it that the Cowboys don’t exist to be a sideshow attraction for his convenience. It’s about Garrett starting to work on balance in his playcalling. What makes a good team? So many factors.
I apologize that I was lazy and did not spell it out fully
But I was hoping one would be smart enough to realize that Romo alone could not be responsible for this team’s turnaround.
Again, sincerest apologies.
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by accidental innuendo on Dec 29, 2009 12:44 PM CST up reply actions
I've seen way too much blame laid at Romo's feet to assume
that you weren’t saying exactly what you meant. Thanks for clarifying.
the defense is why we're winning
Romo has always been consistently good, that hasn’t changed other than he’s protecting the ball a little better.
In Romo we Trust
Romo is protecting the ball a LOT better.
I think that the large drop in turnovers has contributed as much to the improvement in scoring defense as improved defensive talent and play, if not more. Improved special teams play has also been a factor.
For example, in December 2008, 23 points were scored against our offense, and another 26 came on drives started inside Dallas territory. This year, only 7 December points were scored when the defense wasn’t on the field (punt return), and another 7 on a drive that started in Dallas territory. That’s an improvement of 8.75 points per game right there. The difference in scoring D last December vs. this December? 9.25 points per game.
by Baked Potato Soup on Dec 30, 2009 9:46 AM CST up reply actions
Right
it’s both. Romo is managing better and the defense is a LOT better. Additionally Austin can actually get spearation, which Owens had lost the ability to do. Those two factors give me hope this post-season. Not confidence yet, but hope. If the O-line were playing a little better, I’d be confident. Romo is a surgeon when he has time.
FREE THE OGLETREE!!!
Actually, I can pinpoint when those qualities came out.
And it was when he finally decided to start wearing his baseball hat like a man and not like a frat boy.
by Baked Potato Soup on Dec 29, 2009 12:07 PM CST up reply actions
The preoccupation with facial expressions drives me nuts. I can see it now:
Tony’s agent: Tony, you need to man up and look tough on the sidelines. It means more endorsements and your team will love you more.
Tony: Okay, (insert agent’s name). I’ll get right on that.
Look, no way was RW smiling happily or without concern when he didn’t make the catch. No. Way. It was a look of disgust or a grimace, or whatever. I also don’t for a second believe that Romo was smiling and happy after losses in previous years, and I believe it’s ridiculous to suggest that he was indifferent. The main thing I will say I do like this year is seeing him up and watching when the D is on the field at the end of crucial games. I do think that is a leadership thing, just like it’s new and excellent to see the D up cheering on the O. I don’t think anyone’s personalities suddenly shifted; what’s new this year is overall cohesion. They are in this for each other. It’s a team thing. Buh Bye, TO.
Nonverbal communication is more effective than verbal.
When guys talk about a player’s posture or demeanor, that’s why. Do you not judge people by their facial expressions and tone more than their actual words? If there was a major mistake at your workplace, would you be inspired if your boss or team leader was sitting there with an I just farted look on his face, or if he was slump shouldered, staring at the ground and feeling sorry for himself? Or would you want a guy who looked confident and ready to walk through a wall to fix the situation?
If you had a complaint at a store and the clerk just grinned at you stupidly, how would you feel? Confident that they actually care about the situation?
Do those expressions accurately present what those people are feeling? Maybe not. But when you are in a role where other people are looking to you for direction, leadership, and guidance, appearance is part of it. Especially if you are asking those people to trust and support you.
Just to clarify, all of the above is simply my opinion, and your mileage may vary. No offense or insult is intended.
by Baked Potato Soup on Dec 29, 2009 12:15 PM CST up reply actions
Yikes
I think we’re sharing a brain today.
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by accidental innuendo on Dec 29, 2009 12:18 PM CST up reply actions
Great minds think alike.
And so do ours today.
I think that we just agree that Romo has become a better leader and a better player, while some people think he has just become a better player and see admitting his leadership skills have improved as saying that he was weak somehow.
by Baked Potato Soup on Dec 29, 2009 12:27 PM CST up reply actions
Gah, soooo true
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by accidental innuendo on Dec 29, 2009 12:33 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah but it's not communication
when a camera catches you interacting with absolutely no one and then some Werder clone provides his interpretation of how that “look” is so telling.
FREE THE OGLETREE!!!
If someone sees you, you're communicating.
Just because you aren’t talking to someone, it doesn’t mean they’re not listening. If the cameras see him on the sidelines, so do his teammates.
by Baked Potato Soup on Dec 29, 2009 12:24 PM CST up reply actions
He's not in a vacuum Dunk
There’s people around that can see the same, and it’s only human to start speculating from there.
“What’s wrong with Tony?”
“Is he really bummed out?”
“Will he be okay on the next possession?”
“That last play looked like it sucked the life from him.”
“Do we still have a shot?”
See, easy.
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by accidental innuendo on Dec 29, 2009 12:29 PM CST up reply actions
It's kind of funny, actually.
The discussion appears to be about what Romo used to do, but I think we all agree that he is currently playing great and showing great leadership skills.
Whether he’s been that way all along or has developed his skills, it’s nice to see.
by Baked Potato Soup on Dec 29, 2009 12:30 PM CST up reply actions
No, I agree with that. I think he is showing signs of growing
into this job. Not everyone comes into their positions, whatever they may be, knowing right off the bat how to handle the pressure (and the pressure on the Cowboys starting QB is unreal). The difference seems to be between those who were willing to give him the benefit of the doubt and those who weren’t, those who were willing to blame every ill on the team—offense, defense, and special teams—on him, and those who felt like the problems were systemic. I will never believe that Romo was indifferent to what was happening around him or that he didn’t care if they won or lost. I absolutely think that too many people were overly willing to think the worst of every expression on his face or word he said instead of empathizing with his situation. I found the constant chatter about how they should trade him for Cutler or the fact that he was undrafted and therefore this pedigree wasn’t good enough. blah, blah, blah, was irritating.
I don’t know what will happen the rest of this season, but for now, it’s nice to see Romo finding a balance between game manager and swashbuckler (and I think exciting, swashbuckler Romo was awesome, just to be clear). It’s been interesting to watch him work his way through this.
Well, you brought it up, so I'm going to throw out my thoughts...
I am hoping Newman is more in the mold of Darrell Green than Anthony Henry. Darrell Green is obviously a singular player in NFL history, but I’m saying Newman will at least proceed along his own version of that career arc.
The reason I put him in that category is that he doesn’t have Henry’s history of bad knee problems, which led to AH being almost immobile his final season with the Boys. Terence has a track star pedigree from K-State, and has always been a workout warrior. He maintains his body extremely well, and does not seem to have lost much speed over the course of his career (even thought he has already cracked age 30).
For that reason, I see him gradually losing his top gear speed, little by little, but not falling off a cliff in the way that Anthony Henry did. I would think Terence could maintain his conservative, cover corner style (he’s never been a ballhawk) for another few years, with the acknowledgment that he will cede covering opposing teams’ top WRs to Mike Jenkins and maybe even Scandrick eventually.
Larry Allen benched 700 pounds. That is Leonard Davis times two.
I hope you're right
But I’ve never seen him as a ‘savvy’ type of player who can cover diminishing physical skills with ‘experience.’
He’s never had great technique and has relied on speed. Like TO, when it goes I think there’ll be a sudden and huge drop off.
Also, he used to be a good tackler-he’s looking terrible this year and is starting to give up a lot of YAC.
Pessimists say the cup is half-empty, while optimists say it's half-full. Well, isn't it both? Realist Larry, 2009
by Realist Larry on Dec 29, 2009 12:00 PM CST up reply actions
The tackling is the troubling part.
He was always pretty good in run support and at making a tackle, so getting beat occasionally was compensated for in other areas. This year he has struggled somewhat in tackling, which further highlights the times when he has gotten beat.
by Baked Potato Soup on Dec 29, 2009 12:17 PM CST up reply actions
Newman's greatest strength
Was always being able to keep up with the receiver and discourage throws his way. And now that you mention it, I am concerned about a possible nosedive towards the end of his career.
But I still think he has a few decent years left in him.
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by accidental innuendo on Dec 29, 2009 12:20 PM CST up reply actions
I think he'll be OK next year-assuming he stays healthy again
which is not given either.
But by the end of next season I hope someone else is ready to step in as a starter the next year, Scandrick or whoever.
Pessimists say the cup is half-empty, while optimists say it's half-full. Well, isn't it both? Realist Larry, 2009
by Realist Larry on Dec 29, 2009 4:01 PM CST up reply actions
Meh, disagree with that Buck guy on Romo at the end of the first half for a couple
of reasons. First, I’m guessing he (Buck) thinks that Romo should have thrown the ball out of bounds instead of to Austin in the middle? That would have been a hell of a long kick. Elsewhere on this blog, we were discussing the fact that the Cowboys were most likely going for those 4th and shorts (and had Barber do a pretty perfunctory 3rd and short run at the end to set up a chip shot field goal) because they weren’t ready to put pressure on Suisham. A 50-something yarder is lots of pressure.
Second, damned if you do, and damned if you don’t. Why should Romo protect Austin from the cameras if he believes a bad play was on Austin? Since I don’t think Romo had much choice on that throw, I’m glad, as old Buck says, that he felt comfortable enough to talk (not yell or chew, since Romo looked like he was simply instructing a young receiver) to Austin without fearing a pout-fest a la Owens.
Agreed...
I think all Romo was telling Austin was that he should have gone for the sideline after making the catch since I believe Tony pointed to the sideline right before he threw the ball. It really wasn’t that big of a deal and actually shows the trust Tony has in Austin since it appeared Roy was open for a short out route.
If I had a nickel for every Super Bowl the Eagles have won, I would have zero nickels.
by Cowboyfan729 on Dec 29, 2009 2:31 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
It may be a lack of trust in Roy as well
I would be pretty fed up with him if I were a QB and he kept dropping third down balls like he has been. Gotta make you start to look elsewhere.
Larry Allen benched 700 pounds. That is Leonard Davis times two.
Very true
If I had a nickel for every Super Bowl the Eagles have won, I would have zero nickels.
by Cowboyfan729 on Dec 29, 2009 4:29 PM CST up reply actions
Excellent point
I thought the same thing after that. This is what they wanted out of the whole overly-ridiculed “Romo Friendly” concept – let the QB take charge and point out what they can do to help the team without the player going ballistic and disrupting the team. Could not do that with a TO or Keyshawn. Ever.
FREE THE OGLETREE!!!
In the heat of the moment, they're not gonna care that there's cameras around.
Stupid argument for Buck’s sake!
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 29, 2009 9:15 AM CST up reply actions
Healthy Season
One thing that may kind of being overlooked here is how freakin’ healthy the Cowboys are at this point in the season.
I mean look at their injured reserve…
Injured Reserve:
LB Brandon Williams (torn ACL)
LB Stephen Hodge (knee)
Non-Active PUP:
OL Robert Brewster (torn pectoral muscle)
Three rookie mid-round draft picks who were not expected to play a big role this season anyway. No starters on IR. Not even any significant backups on IR. A few key players have missed a few games, but we’ve played through those and overall this has been a remarkably healthy season. Columbo was our biggest loss as we feared the depth at oline, but Free stepped in well and now Columbo is due back. Marion and Felix seem to be back near 100% just in time for the final push into the playoffs. DWare gets carted off the field and then is back the very next game as league defensive player of the week. And we’ve had no injuries at all the last 2 games. Barring anything major next week, we’ll head into the playoffs with our roster pretty much completely intact from the first game of the season, with all our original starters and backups playing (minus Nick Folk, so sad).
In a game of attrition where adjusting to injuries is just part of the strategy, very few teams (if any) can say that and it could a remarkable and somewhat underreported advantage going into the playoffs.
Just don't let
DalaiLuke say anything about the team’s health. The whole roster would on IR in seconds…
FREE THE OGLETREE!!!
haha
true
So I had to establish the rules and regulations of the game...85!
by aussie_cowboy on Dec 29, 2009 7:41 AM CST up reply actions
Yeah Free has played very well but...
could our sudden short yardage difficulties be related to Free? Columbo is a nasty customer and if memory serves Columbo can flat knock DE/LB off the ball. Just a thought..
Always hard to say
My guess is that it might help somewhat because he and Bigg had a lot of snaps together.
FREE THE OGLETREE!!!
No doubt
Continuity on the line breeds success.
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by accidental innuendo on Dec 29, 2009 9:14 AM CST up reply actions
~show~
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 29, 2009 9:23 AM CST up reply actions
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by accidental innuendo on Dec 29, 2009 9:26 AM CST up reply actions
That's PacPeep in the middle right!
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 29, 2009 9:27 AM CST up reply actions
HellzyeahPacPeepgonmakeitrain
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by accidental innuendo on Dec 29, 2009 9:29 AM CST up reply actions
My neighbor just game me a weird look for laughing while alone in my house!
… this whole thing is hilarious…
Doomsday returns... Wade Phillips style.
Nope
We weren’t a good short yardage power running team in 2008 either. It’s not Free’s fault. And it’s certainly not his fault when Haynesworth blows up Gurode and works down the line to submarine everyone.
Larry Allen benched 700 pounds. That is Leonard Davis times two.
i know especially when you compare with last year
we had enough for 2 years it seems… and that’s how it worked out! lol
And really, I don't remember our bretheren in the NFC east getting beat down last year.
Maybe it was my perspective or focus. It just seems this year we’ve been spared the injuries whereas our competition has taken some major hits.
Talked to my friend the Eagles fan...
….needless to say, he is concerned about Nick Cole matching up against Rat in the middle.
If Wade dials up any one-on-one situations, Rat is going to blow right by him. Cole is a fire hydrant (6 foot, 350), but he doesn’t have the necessary quickness to stay with Rat’s punch-and-first-step combo.
Larry Allen benched 700 pounds. That is Leonard Davis times two.
and by demanding constant double teams to help in the middle
it just opens things up more for ware and spence on the edges
It might but
Reid is an offensive braniac. He’ll figure ut some way to work around it.
FREE THE OGLETREE!!!
I'm thinking it opens up the middle for Brooking and Carpenter blitzes, actually
Larry Allen benched 700 pounds. That is Leonard Davis times two.
in the last 4 years
we’ve imo been easily the most heathy team in the league. We’ve had one injury plagued season (last year), and even then, we had every shot at making the playoffs.
Compare us to the Giants – this Giants team is just ALWAYS hurt. ALWAYS. They suffer injuries to key players week after week and it happens year after year (generally). 2007 they didn’t. 2008 they lost plax, which was kinda like the way TOs play seriously declined in 08 for us i guess.
It resembles the 2007 season in that way
Last year we were behind only the Seahawks in “Player Games Lost to Injury.” In 2007, we were miraculously healthy. This season seems to be going more along the 2007 path.
I would note that we HAVE had injuries, we just haven’t had season-ending injuries. Hamlin has missed a few games, Columbo obviously has been out which we would have considered catastrophic in the preseason, and Sensabaugh missed a game as well and then played with a cast for a while.
Felix also missed a game, as did Marion— we were forced to start our third string running back 2 weeks in a row. We just happen to have excellent depth at that position.
And our preseason #1 WR missed a game due to bruised ribs.
So I actually think we’ve gotten our fair share of nicks, we’ve just been lucky that they have not been season-ending, and we’ve been lucky that they have occurred at positions where we have decent depth.
Larry Allen benched 700 pounds. That is Leonard Davis times two.
Pro Bowl for McBriar??
that is a big list he’s got there, don’t know about Jenkins and Brookings, but we’ll see.
Pessimists say the cup is half-empty, while optimists say it's half-full. Well, isn't it both? Realist Larry, 2009
I'd vote for McBriar
the guys been really good for us this year. Jenkins too. Brooking, no…he may be our emotional leader, and I’m happy as hell to have him, but there are certainly lbers playing better than him.
Interview with Jenkins after the game.
He sure is confident!
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 29, 2009 12:05 AM CST up reply actions
After all the issues with the secondary
over the last few years, Jenkins has become my hero. I love his style of play and that swagger that has been missing for so long.
He seems to play as much man as zone.
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 29, 2009 9:16 AM CST up reply actions
In the zone?
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by accidental innuendo on Dec 29, 2009 9:17 AM CST up reply actions
lol
Just being a smarta$$.
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 29, 2009 9:18 AM CST up reply actions
So
You’re being yourself?
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by accidental innuendo on Dec 29, 2009 9:19 AM CST up reply actions
Ha! Pretty much.
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 29, 2009 9:19 AM CST up reply actions
I kid, I kid
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by accidental innuendo on Dec 29, 2009 9:19 AM CST up reply actions
One of my favorite things this year
Is not having to defend him for one missed tackle against all the nuts that wanted to tar him, feather him and run him out of town. Please raise your hand if you were among them.
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by accidental innuendo on Dec 29, 2009 9:18 AM CST up reply actions
My hand stays down.
I defended him. Phew! I’ve eaten enough crow with some of these guys.
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 29, 2009 9:20 AM CST up reply actions
I was.
He has gotten much better. Much, much better. But I never wanted to run him out of town. And it wasn’t just one missed tackle, either.
by Baked Potato Soup on Dec 29, 2009 9:30 AM CST up reply actions
Foos to watch hom play.
The excitement and yes, skill, that we have been missing for a long time!
by Chris in Va on Dec 29, 2009 11:46 AM CST up reply actions
"Good to watch him play..."
Is noon too early to start drinking on a Monday?
by Chris in Va on Dec 29, 2009 11:47 AM CST up reply actions
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 29, 2009 7:04 PM CST up reply actions
agreed
I value him mostly for his leadership and emotion — which counts for a lot for us! But not necessarily for the Pro Bowl.
Plus, well, I just hate the Pro Bowl.
No Pro Bowl
Since the Pro Bowl is the weekend before the Super Bowl this year, let’s hope we don’t have to worry about which Cowboys get voted in, since they will a bigger priority for the game the following weekend! ;)
Forget about winning and losing; forget about pride and pain. Let your opponent graze your skin and you smash into his flesh; let him smash into your flesh and you fracture his bones; let him fracture your bones and you take his life. Do not be concerned with escaping safely - lay your life before him. - Bruce Lee
this whole "weekend before the SB" thingy MIGHT actually salvage it a bit?
Once the SB is finished, it seems so anti-climatic. Now we’ll all still be in NFL mode, so maybe just maybe I’ll actually watch it for the first time in a decade?
Doomsday returns... Wade Phillips style.
I hate the fact that we got the late slot in this game.
4 of 5 losses came in this slot this year. Broncos, Packers, Giants, and Chargers were all late games. Only the Sunday nighter in the first Giants loss was out of this time slot. Oh well, maybe our Boys are ready to end all jinxes.
Don't forget the Joe Suck / Troy Aikman dynamic
Who here would like to join me in smacking the smug off Joey face?
Oh, man, I didn't even think about that!
Can’t stand that team. Especially Joey. As a baseball Cardinal fan, I’ve got lots of love for his old man. And he ain’t his old man.
Felix has got to be our featured back
if we are going to make kind of noise in the playoffs. He has Chris Johnson type of ability, he just needs to get the rock more.
In Romo we Trust
I agree.
I think if he got the same number of touches, he would have comparable numbers. It might not be popular, but at this point, he should probably be the short yardage guy too, since he appears more explosive at the snap than Barber right now. Use Barber in the 3rd down and clean up role, and Choice as the relief back for both guys.
by Baked Potato Soup on Dec 29, 2009 8:50 AM CST up reply actions
Yep..
I really think Felix would have picked up that 3rd and 1 near the goaline since his burst would have gotten him to the hole before the DE got under our OL. Plus, I distinctly remember Felix doing a seemingly good job on the goaline in preseason against both the Titans and the 49ers (TD runs of 1-yard and 3-yards).
If I had a nickel for every Super Bowl the Eagles have won, I would have zero nickels.
by Cowboyfan729 on Dec 29, 2009 4:36 PM CST up reply actions
I think so too
but i think most backs in this league would get that. Even Barber usualy. He just hesitated too much.
Felix would be just as fast if he didn't smile while he ran.
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 29, 2009 9:21 AM CST up reply actions
Ha!
My wife noticed that about Miles. She said, “How can he smile so much and stlll catch the ball, break tackles and take it to the endzone?”
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by accidental innuendo on Dec 29, 2009 9:23 AM CST up reply actions
I think he's grimacing, actually.
With those teeth, it’s hard to tell. Sorry, Miles! But when you get your signing bonus, you should take care of that.
by Baked Potato Soup on Dec 29, 2009 9:31 AM CST up reply actions
I'm just glad to see Felix's burst back.
I really noticed it against the Redskins.
"Everybody wants something but nobody wants to pay the price" - Michael Irvin
Yep...
I love seeing his lateral quickness because that is what really makes him special.
If I had a nickel for every Super Bowl the Eagles have won, I would have zero nickels.
by Cowboyfan729 on Dec 29, 2009 4:37 PM CST up reply actions
Pro Bowl will kind of suck this year.
Not that it is ever any good, but the super Bowl teams won’t have any guys in it. The conference championship runner ups probably won’t have most of their guys playing in it either, in all likelihood. And I don’t know if the veteran players will be all that pumped up about going, since it’s in Miami.
by Baked Potato Soup on Dec 29, 2009 8:54 AM CST reply actions
Yeah, it's gonna be a bummer not to see any Cowboys play in the Pro Bowl.
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 29, 2009 9:17 AM CST up reply actions
Miami rocks
Have you been to south beach? Take a drive down Ocean Drive and your neck will snap back and forth looking at all the talent here – plus, it might be warm that weekend, which means scantily-clad world-class talent…
Forget about winning and losing; forget about pride and pain. Let your opponent graze your skin and you smash into his flesh; let him smash into your flesh and you fracture his bones; let him fracture your bones and you take his life. Do not be concerned with escaping safely - lay your life before him. - Bruce Lee
I live in South Florida.
Miami’s great, but it’s no Hawaii. I think half the players in the NFL grew up there, too. And I know those guys are rich, but $20 drinks really sucks.
by Baked Potato Soup on Dec 29, 2009 12:34 PM CST up reply actions
For $2 drinks and enough talent to keep 7000 sailors happy, there's always Thailand
:)
Doomsday returns... Wade Phillips style.
for the North Texas folks with cable...
Thousands of television viewers in North Texas could lose access to Dallas Cowboys games, American Idol and Family Guy by New Year’s Day if two media giants don’t resolve a fee fight.
The nation’s second-largest cable provider, Time Warner Cable, is wrestling over contracts to air programs owned by Fox parent News Corp. that expire at midnight Thursday. They’re expected to negotiate through the wee hours of the holiday.
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?
oh no not American Idol!!!
So I had to establish the rules and regulations of the game...85!
by aussie_cowboy on Dec 29, 2009 9:32 AM CST up reply actions
me either actually
So I had to establish the rules and regulations of the game...85!
by aussie_cowboy on Dec 30, 2009 9:22 PM CST up reply actions
But maybe
a little Australian Idol?? C’mon, you can tell us. I swear we won’t tell anyone else…
FREE THE OGLETREE!!!
Maybe a little...
/bows head in disgrace.
So I had to establish the rules and regulations of the game...85!
by aussie_cowboy on Jan 1, 2010 8:23 AM CST up reply actions
Doesn't Time Warner also refuse to carry NFL Network?
Man, DirecTV is salivating over the opportunity if this goes down.
by Baked Potato Soup on Dec 29, 2009 9:32 AM CST up reply actions
they won't provie espn360 either...
some crap about ‘fighting for their customers’ to keep them from getting the content they want
by kevinkinsler on Dec 29, 2009 9:35 AM CST up reply actions
Yes, They're not very customer friendly.
How do you keep N. Texas from being able to view the Cowboys games? Horrible.
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 29, 2009 9:50 AM CST up reply actions
Well...
I won’t miss it regardless because I got rid of cable a long time ago. I will deal with satellite outages before I give another cable company one red cent.
I would like to see Time Warner actually follow through with that empty threat, see how many people in this area cancelled them before signing up with someone else
I've never had Time Warner,
but it sounds like they suck. I’ll stay with Dish.
How bout dem Frogs!!!!
Time Warner is always in some kind of dispute like that. A couple of years ago, Austin
lost NBC for about a month or so, while the local affiliate’s parent company negotiated with TW. Typical.
what the duece man...
Oh c’mon man…
Really..
Really….
Really….
Really
Really…
I don't need a compass to know which way the wind shines....
by hashishkabob on Dec 29, 2009 6:28 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Oh man
That song at the end was absolutely terrible! Good stuff otherwise Aaron :)
Summarizing the Dallas Cowboys in two words; inconsistently amazing.
Congratulations Cowboy Fans..
On clinching a playoff berth…Keep up the good work…My team decided they need to take the post-season off this year…
thanks Bobbi
We felt they same way last year, it is gut wrenching to see your team play so bad this time of the year.
In Romo we Trust
speak for yourself
with so many friends and family being Giants fans… it was ANYTHING BUT gut wrenching … I enjoyed every moment of it and hope they go 0-16 next year. Well, maybe 1-15 (tied with the skins)
Doomsday returns... Wade Phillips style.
I meant it was gut wrenching for us to play badly, not the GMen
I fully enjoyed their swoon as well.
In Romo we Trust
I got my buddy a customized Giants jersey for Xmas (yes, it was painful to press the “checkout” button with a Giants article in the shopping cart), but when I wrapped it I put my Romo jersey on top, and when he opened it, he had the biggest “WTF is THIS!” look on his face – PRICELESS, wish I had a pic, I would post it here.
Forget about winning and losing; forget about pride and pain. Let your opponent graze your skin and you smash into his flesh; let him smash into your flesh and you fracture his bones; let him fracture your bones and you take his life. Do not be concerned with escaping safely - lay your life before him. - Bruce Lee
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