Over-Reaction Mondays

by what_the_crap on Dec 8, 2009 1:21 PM CST Comment 26 comments

You've seen it. You've read about it. You've heard it. It happens every single Monday during the NFL season. Overreaction Monday. The day where tons of NFL fans grab a rope and tie it around their neck. Others get their flight plans for the Super Bowl ready. Both are completely dumb.

It seems that every week, no matter what the outcome of the game ..... people tend to overreact. I wrote a Fanpost right after the Denver game about how both teams' fans were overreacting. Dallas fans thought the team would end up with a losing record. Denver fans thought their team would go undefeated all year, and Josh McDaniels was God. What happened right after? Dallas has gone 6-2 since that loss, Denver has gone 4-4. Basically, the opposite of what everyone thought.

We're seeing the same thing this week. The Cowboys went into New York, and lost. They didn't get blown out, but they didn't win. It was a big loss to a division rival who was playing for their season. It really could have put a nail in the Giants season, but it didn't. Now, is it the worst thing ever? No. Did it even come close to comparing to the 44-6 debacle last year? Hell no. It was one loss. All it means is that Dallas has to sack up and win 2 of these next 4 games, at least. It can be done. San Diego can be beaten, I believe. I do think the Boys will lose to the Saints. The Redskins game will be the one they NEED to win. If they can go 2-1 the next 3, that makes the Philly game not as stressful, in my opinion.

This "Overreaction Monday" is also happening for the Giants. Are people really trying to tell me that Brandon Jacobs is "back" just because he had one 72 yard catch? Seriously? Just last week, the Giants were no good. Now they're back and are making the playoffs. The Giants D has been average the last 2 months. Now they're back cause they beat the Boys 31-24? Didn't they give up almost 400 yards passing? They did a great job against the run, but they're not "back" yet.

Now all this week, I keep reading new stuff on BTB that's funny in my book. Things from "Romo shouldn't have gone to Vegas" to "Cut Scandrick" to "Cut Folk" to "Fire Wade" to "My Butt Hurts" ... you get the picture. Everyone just needs to chill, again. There's still 4 games left. Like it or not, the Cowboys STILL control their own destiny. They're not dead yet. Don't let that December bull s**t get into your heads. The Giants have had the same exact "slump" that the Cowboys have had the last 3 years, as you can read here. No one mentions that, do they? "Experts" are only there to give an opinion, they don't predict the future.

Let's see what how this team is going into Washington in Week 16 before hitting the panic button. I realize the schedule is brutal, but it doesn't mean the Cowboys are going 0-4 ..... how do you know they won't go into New Orleans and beat them? How huge would that be? How do we know that Dallas can pull out a W against San Diego? We don't . Oh, for the record, I want them to kill the Chargers ... cause my wife is a Chargers fan, and I don't wanna hear it. But with my luck, the Boys will get stomped.

Basically, I've adopted a new slogan for BTB, and that slogan is:

I will not panic, unless Raf or Grizz panics first.

But I could be wrong .... and I'm the one who's not thinking right. EXCUSE ME for being positive!! :-P

Another user-created commentary provided by a BTB reader.

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agreed

I hate the over-reactoin mondays ALMOST as much as the in-game thread over reactions.

Good post.

JERRY: I worked a club in Dallas one time and they couldn't afford to pay me so they gave me these. Oh, I can't wear these! They look ridiculous!

KRAMER: Ah, you look like a cowboy! Huh?

JERRY: But I don't wanna be a cowboy!

by HEpennypacker on Dec 8, 2009 1:33 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Nice post..I agree

If someone told me before the season that dallas would be in first and in control of their own destiny after week 12 i would have been extreamly happy…

by scandrick32 on Dec 8, 2009 2:00 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

great post

We would be wise to follow Grizz and Raf’s lead regarding this team. When they start to throw in the towel or become very pessimistic, then we as fans should hit the panic button.

Otherwise, show some faith for crying out loud, we are fans you know, not just interested spectators.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Dec 8, 2009 3:05 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I agree with you what_the_crap, except for one point...

No one talks about the Giants “slumping” in december for one simple reason….

They won the freaking Super Bowl!

Our december troubles have been magnified because we haven’t done anything in over a decade! That’s why it’s a big deal!

While I agree the whole december thing is completely overblown, it is a somewhat valid point of argument, as december is commonly used a barometer for how a team can perform during the postseason. I think it’s more likely a team on a hot streak going into the postseason is more likely to succeed. Confidence is up, execution is better, etc.,etc.

The overreactions on most player/personnel decision are largely unwarranted… But the fear is there for a reason, history is against us.

by tkosmith on Dec 8, 2009 3:53 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

if we had good teams over the past decade

I would see the merit in that argument, but most of that time our team sucked and we had bad records in every month, not only December.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Dec 8, 2009 4:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

EXACTLY!

Why that point is lost on most people is beyond me.

"Right after the game, say as little as possible."

- Tom Landry

by BillyBates on Dec 8, 2009 10:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I never said we had good teams....

However, the last few years we’ve been pretty damn good, only to fizzle out late in the season.

I could care less about anything prior to ‘06 at this point, as that is when our team took on a dramatic change… And since then we’ve been pretty crappy in December.

‘07 team was money, until it counted. ’08 team had the talent, and totally collapsed when it counted. ’09 remains to be seen, but this team will have to pull it’s head out of it’s ass to get going. Another defensive stink job like the last game, and I’ll have pretty much lost all hope. If it is a loss, I hope the D shows a little heart, ‘cause that’s the only way I’d have faith.

by tkosmith on Dec 9, 2009 2:10 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

my response to the past fews is this

2007, we had the NFC pretty much wrapped up after the beat down on the Pack and you could tell we were on cruise control in December as we really didn’t need to have a winning December that season, we still got the #1 seed.

2008, we had injuries, locker room turmoil and easily the toughest December schedule.

2009, to be determined.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Dec 9, 2009 2:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Terry, you seem to be a knowledgable enough fan...

But how about this…

2007, EXCUSES

2008, EXCUSES

2009, HANDLE SOME DAMN BUSINESS!

I don’t mean that to be rude when I say that. It’s just that this is the stretch-run we’re talking about, and what good does limping into the playoffs get you?

To quote Singletary – “I WANT WINNERS!”

by tkosmith on Dec 9, 2009 5:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I will say there are no excuses this season

the team is healthy and the locker room is united. If they don’t get have a good December this year, they probably never will.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Dec 11, 2009 7:53 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Rec'd

good post

The Knights season may have just ended, but the Cowboys year is just begining!

by aussie_cowboy on Dec 8, 2009 4:30 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

You make valid points

I came into this season with low expectations because I had lost faith in Wade and the staff. The season has played out well and the team has played above my expectations. This loss was bad because of the remaining schedule and because of the way they lost but you are right, there is a lot of football left.

I am not freaking out because the way I see it – A. The cowboys win the games they have to and make the playoffs or B. They choke and we get a new coaching staff.

That is not to say we will get a BETTER coaching staff but if the team chokes again, nobody can argue that change is not needed.

by Billito on Dec 8, 2009 4:49 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I think I've gotten used to this reaction

although I was equally perplexed after the first Giants game. I made a similiar fanpost after the week 2 loss. It was also the last time I did more than peek in a game thread. Too much emo, no reasoning. I can work myself into a knot all by myself, no help needed. I recommend it to anyone who is looking for positive reenforcement. Enjoy the game, read the blog on Monday or Tuesday. Stay off the game thread.

by Benthere on Dec 8, 2009 6:11 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

...Giants 2007, Cardinals 2008...

…ironically, the thing that gives me the most hope for the Cowboys is the season that NY had in 2007…being left for dead after losing to Dallas at the Meadowlands, only to rebound to a VERY high level of play in the post-season…Nothing indicated that New York would be the team to win it all down the stretch…the Cardinals enjoyed a similar renaissance although they did’nt get the final win…

by kramskoi on Dec 8, 2009 7:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

its all about making the playoffs

make the playoffs, get over that hump by winning the first round game and anything is possible.

by foyesboys on Dec 8, 2009 7:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Also, they played the Pats awfully tough the last game

and almost cost them an undefeated regular season. This year, we will face a likely undefeated Saints team. I hope we get up for that game and beat them, or at least play them tough to the end. Then if we can manage to win the other three games (tough, but definitely doable) we will be in a good position in the playoffs.

"Right after the game, say as little as possible."

- Tom Landry

by BillyBates on Dec 8, 2009 10:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

dude

i read an article after the cowboys beat the eagles about 10 reasons why the cowboys will win the superbowl

by Dr. Cowboy on Dec 8, 2009 11:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Anyone that said Romo had a bad game

Is an idiot, he had a great game

"We play to win the game" - Herm Edwards

by nicholas.rodriguez on Dec 9, 2009 2:47 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Rec'd - Nice post.

After every win, we’re the Super Bowl Champs threatening the greatness of the 90’s dynasty…after every loss, we suck and everybody needs to be fired, traded or cut. Part of what makes BTB the greatest Cowboys blog on earth.

So I gotta ask, did “what_the_crap” come about as a reaction to chicken little comments and posts that you’ll find here at any given time?

Drinking the Blue Kool-Aid since 1980. "Ohhhhhh yeeeaaaaahhhh!"

by ImpactNate on Dec 9, 2009 8:39 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

ummm

honestly, it’s a phrase I say all the time when I watch sports, and my wife keeps getting on me for it. I figured, since I say it during sporting events, and SN is a sports blog …..

I regret my name right now, cause I feel bad that people gotta type the word “crap” when they reference me. lol.

by what_the_crap on Dec 9, 2009 10:08 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

and

I also now regret using the phrase “lol” …. what the hell happened to me?!?!?

by what_the_crap on Dec 12, 2009 4:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Great Post!!

I absolutely LOVE this article!This is right in so many ways.The minute the Cowboys/Giants game was over Sunday my phone blew up with text messages from “How bout them Cowboys” to “Of course they lost its December ,and you know how that goes”.I am sick of hearing they can’t win in December and they can’t win big games!I know we have lost games we shouldn’t have in the past and I know we have played big games bad,but unfortunately you don’t win them all.I have been a Cowboys fan since I was 5 years old,and that will never change regardless of what goes on.Of course I want them to win the superbowl,I mean what true fan doesn’t ?People seem to forget what things were like when we had Quincy Carter or Drew Henson,Chad Hutchinson,Clint Stoerner,Anthony Wright,Vinny Testaverde, or Drew Bledsoe.I mean do we really wish things would regress and go back to those days?I know some people ask me when I say these things"are you complacent with what the Cowboys are",and my response is no I think we have seen what its like to be very bad.I just want the “true fans” to quit saying the same things the media is saying and give the Cowboys a chance.Once again they do overact on Mondays!! I do believe that we are headed down the right path(of course I believe with the wrong head coach not the wrong d-coordinator). Have some faith , I mean come on they are not the Cubs of football they will win a superbowl before 100 years comes!

by ems247 on Dec 9, 2009 11:08 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I understand the venting in game threads, I use it too, as a method of

blowing off steam, rather than internalizing it and carrying it around all week. It’s frustrating watching this team many times, even if they win they can cause ulcers doing so. So I don’t think anyone should knock people reacting in game threads.

That said, it should end there. Post game, people should cool down and sober up. Put your manners back on, and realize the season isn’t over until it’s over. It’s the only way to be emotionally invested in a sport but not letting it rule you and define how you live your life.

This team has plenty of goals still available this season, including the biggest. There is plenty of room for concern, but there is also plenty of reason for hope.

by mdlusk on Dec 11, 2009 2:43 AM CST reply actions 0 recs