Are we who we think we are?

by tdships on Dec 8, 2009 2:47 PM CST

It occurred to me after the game - is the question, have we overestimated our talent? In assessing our 12 year period of playoff failure, only one constant emerges. I now realize we have bought into our Marketer-in-Chief's rhetoric time after time and really need a critical assessment of who we are.

Short and sweet, I think we've overestimated talent levels in the following areas:

O-Line: Pick anyone
O-Skill positions: MBII is simply not a featured back, but a closer. Felix-jury out, trend line not good, but has not had the impact we hoped nor what a Draft pick in that position should be. RW-chronic underachiever to date, doubt there is any debate on this
D-Line/LB: Marcus Spears, but we kind of know this. B Carp-much worse, but we already know this. I'll add Bradie James because we just give up too many big/critical plays in his area. To an extent, I think he suffers in his attempted 'Leadership' role because his team mates know his play doesn't rise to the level of his rhetoric. Possibly why K Brooking has filled that void in so short a period of time.
DB's - T New is maddeningly inconsistent and K Hamlin has spent entire games MIA.

How many other 'Championship' teams have so many questions/underachievers across their roster like this? About 4 on the starting Offensive and Defensive units apiece - over 1/3 of all Starters?

With a nod to Bill Clinton for authorship, 'It's the Talent, Stupid.'

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The answer will come in 4 weeks

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Dec 8, 2009 2:56 PM CST reply actions

It may not take that long to know the answer...

"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."

- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

by 5Blings on Dec 8, 2009 3:11 PM CST up reply actions

no ,the story will be written then, not any sooner

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Dec 8, 2009 3:36 PM CST up reply actions

I'll check back with you in 2 weeks

"Emotion is highly overrated in football. My wife Corky is emotional as hell but can't play football worth a damn."

- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

by 5Blings on Dec 8, 2009 5:17 PM CST up reply actions

I'm not talking over the cousre of this season only

But during the 12 year playoff drought. I cite examples from the current roster to illustrate the scope of the problem. A large % of this roster under-performs against their reputation.

Who remembers during the Inaugural Hard Knocks when Jerry/Campo at the pool party after TC stating unequivocally they were a playoff team? When in point of fact, it was probably our worst team of the decade? Sometimes you fall in love with your own marketing, and it appears that is at the core of our issues.

Always be more than you appear and never appear to be more than you are

by tdships on Dec 8, 2009 3:57 PM CST reply actions

I disagree

From 97-05, we pretty much just sucked and really did perform up to our talent level.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Dec 8, 2009 4:10 PM CST up reply actions

true

I am sure glad Dallas fired the GM who put together those crappy teams

Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey

by Seanrude on Dec 8, 2009 4:21 PM CST up reply actions

I'm pretty sure every team in the league has multiple question marks

The Salary cap means that there are no “elite” teams in the traditional sense. Everyone is flawed.

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

by aussie_cowboy on Dec 8, 2009 4:33 PM CST reply actions

and it sure makes the game suck IMO

by DavidLaFleur on Dec 8, 2009 5:19 PM CST up reply actions

I don't think Marcus Spears is bad in what he is asked to do

and it is hard to call him or Carpenter overrated considering neither really get that much pub.

If I had a nickel for every Super Bowl the Eagles have won, I would have zero nickels.

by Cowboyfan729 on Dec 8, 2009 5:31 PM CST reply actions

Agree M Spears is not an extreme example

But as a #1 Draft pick, shouldn’t he be more of an impact player? With #54, it’s even more pronounced.

Always be more than you appear and never appear to be more than you are

by tdships on Dec 8, 2009 9:25 PM CST reply actions

he is an impact player...

The fact that teams generally can’t run on us; and the fact that our OLB’s are able to pressure the QB are a direct result of the impact that Spears has in the game. 3-4 DE’s just don’t get that many sacks. I also think that Spears is pretty high on the team’s “tackles for a loss” tote board.

by mrbelk on Dec 9, 2009 7:47 AM CST up reply actions