The Valley Ranch Review: Another take on Roy Williams vs. Terrell Owens
by Dave Halprin on May 24, 2009 7:00 AM CDT
in Dallas Cowboys News
Email
Print
A writer over at Scout.com is taking on the issue of Roy Williams replacing Terrell Owens. His argument is that if Roy Williams gives the Cowboys steady contribution and Dallas returns to the playoff mix, then that will be a good thing for the NFL. Why? Because it will be a validation of Jerry Jones' "get rid of malcontents" policy and that maybe other NFL teams would start following it. I consider this argument a pleasant fiction; I'd be elated if Roy was able to do that, but players with talent will always find employment and will always have teams willing to take a chance. So even if it happened for Dallas this year, it wouldn't affect other NFL franchises. Here's his argument.
If [Roy] Williams can be a steadier receiving threat, it'll open up opportunities in the running game and for the rest of the club's receivers. And the Cowboys could find a better balance offensively, putting a messy 9-7 season behind them for good.
That would reinforce a positive message to all of the owners in the NFL, who appear to be gradually realizing that problem players aren't worth the collateral damage they cause to a football team that has championship aspirations.
[snip]
If the Cowboys rebound back into the mix for the NFC title this year, the decision to part ways with problem players could serve as a great example to the entire NFL. As Jones has witnessed first-hand, even highly talented players with baggage do little more than weigh your team down.
The investigation of the indoor facility collapse takes a strange turn.
Rookie free agent Asaph Schwapp was arrested on weapons charges and then he was released...from jail that is, not the Cowboys.
The Cowboys held cheerleader tryouts yesterday. 700 women showed up to audition...and yes...there is video!
Some dudes wrote a book creating NCAA March Madness brackets for different kinds of competitions. For instance, in a 32-person field of greatest Olympians, Jesse Owens edges Michael Phelps in the finals. They also wrote one for NFL logos.
In the NFL team logos tournament, the Green Bay Packers' "G" makes it to the elite eight but runs into the formidable Dallas Cowboys' star and is eliminated in a heartbreaker.
Packers fans may be gratified to learn the Cowboys' star loses out in the championship to the unapologetically retro Cleveland Browns helmet.
What! Call the police, we got robbed!
41 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Joannah
The one they interview is hottttt!
by JimmyJohnson on May 24, 2009 8:07 AM CDT up reply actions
Dumping TO good for NFL
Grizz, I take your point.
But consider the message NFL teams would take from a Dallas collapse this year. If the Cowboys underachieve, teams will take that as proof that you have to hang onto those talented but troublesome players. It will certainly be taken that way by those players, which will just strengthen their leverage…and likely worsen their behavior.
It will be hard for the Cowboys to underachieve this year...
the bookies in vegas may like them, but who really thinks that the 61 year old phillips is going to change enough to finally win a playoff game (he’s 0-4, although he’d count the 2007 bye week as a playoff victory). I think most people expect a 9-7 or 8-8 season, after which phillips is mercifully shown the door. (Note: “most people” doesn’t include the optimists on this board, who I think are in the minority on their predictions of success).
Moreover, I think the message of a “Dallas collapse this year” would be to never, ever let a player like TO on the roster because it will take more than a year to get over it. In other words, the collapse could be attributed to the aftermath of TO’s departure more than his lost production.
To me, a failed season will tell us little about how much TO was missed. There are too many factors that go into making a successful season; there are too many factors that contribute to a bad season—TO being just one ingredient last season. In a lot of ways, the Cowboys 2008 disaster involved a confluence of factors—no leadership, poor head coach, injuries, lack of team unity, inexperienced offensive coordinator, players resting on their 2007 success, etc. Anyone of these could have contributed to the failure and anyone of them could rear their ugly heads this season to frustrate the fan base once again.
"Confidence doesn't come out of nowhere. It's a result of something... hours and days and weeks and years of constant work and dedication." --Roger Staubach
Sorry if I take exception to several points here...
Thought this post needed a bit of realism to balance the negative tone…
First, the bookies in Vegas make a living by being accurate. You’re entitled to your opinion, but I think Vegas might be a bit more informed.
Phillips and the Cowboys players need to get the “playoff win” monkey off their back. You have little faith in this happening, and you’re entitled to that opinion… I respectfully disagree.
Your “most people expect 9-7 / 8-8” and “optimists are in the minority?” … well, according to the fairly well informed BTB crowd (which includes fans of other teams…) your guess is not even close to being correct. Here are the numbers from the front-page poll:
187 (25 %) say 12+ wins
449 (59 %) say 11+ wins
629 (83 %) say 10+ wins
and your so-called majority that predicts 9 wins or less?
9 wins = 8 %
8 or less = 9 %
More than EIGHTY PERCENT disagree with you …
One final thought – if the team does fulfill your wishes and under-perform this year, the last thing you’ll be able to blame is “TO’s aftermath”
Just my opinion.
Tar Heels = National Champs in Basketball ... #1 in Baseball ... Top 10 this year in Football?
+1
The Democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those willing to work and give to those who would not. Thomas Jefferson
I like your signature
Here’s another Jefferson quote you might like:
“Timid men prefer the calm of despotism to the tempestuous sea of liberty.”
"Confidence doesn't come out of nowhere. It's a result of something... hours and days and weeks and years of constant work and dedication." --Roger Staubach
I really like Jefferson and that is a good quote. The more I learn about him the more facinated I am.
Im looking for a good biography on him and have read many of his quotes on the internet. His thinking and insightfulness still apply today. Our founding fathers were great men but Im afraid the people of today, with out technology, some how think we are much smarter than they were. From the reading Ive been doing Im realizing nothing could be farther from the truth. Reading some of his quotes and how much truth applies to them today is kind of scary.
Here is another," We in America do not have goverment by the majority. We have goverment by the majority who particpate."
He who knows best knows how little he knows......Thomas Jefferson
My favorite Jefferson biography:
American Sphinx by Joseph Ellis
"Confidence doesn't come out of nowhere. It's a result of something... hours and days and weeks and years of constant work and dedication." --Roger Staubach
Thanks, Im going to check it out. I always try to pick up
my reading this time of year. I like for football to be here soon but I want a long summer as well.
He who knows best knows how little he knows......Thomas Jefferson
One of my favorite's is:
“A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercises, I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise and independence to the mind. Games played with the ball, and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun, therefore, be the constant companion of your walks.” —Thomas Jefferson to Peter Carr
You can do a lot of things in life. You can't stab a teammate with a pair of scissors. - Kevin Smith
I have no problem with your difference of opinion
but two points:
How would you know how informed I am as opposed to the vegas odds makers? It seems that you would have to know me a little before you compare me to Vegas. [also see my reply below to see just how accurate vegas was last year].
I really don’t know what to do with this phrase:
if the team does fulfill your wishes and under-perform this year…
It shows 1) that you didn’t get my post, the whole point of which was that I think the team would have a hard time underperforming because not a lot is expected—Most analysts have them coming in third in the division! 2) You think that being a fan means blind faith in the coach… in other words, if I express my lack of faith then I must wish a failed season on my favorite team. Not everybody who disagrees with those in charge necessarily wish them failure. To the contrary, as a lifelong fan of the Cowboys, I wish and hope for Phillip’s success.
"Confidence doesn't come out of nowhere. It's a result of something... hours and days and weeks and years of constant work and dedication." --Roger Staubach
Dave33
It’s not just “optimists on this board” who feel the Cowboys will be a good bet for 10+ wins this season.
It’s football analysts in general, and those Vegas odds makers are pretty good at what they do.
The minority opinion is the one you share. You may not like Wade as a HC, but he’s taken the defense to a new level, and he’s got decades of experience to fall back on in the HC role. I can’t wait until he makes you eat crow.
Training Camp '09 = Mega Thunder Dome....80 men enter, 53 men leave.
by APerfectStar on May 24, 2009 7:39 PM CDT up reply actions
well... me too
I would gladly eat crow. And I will be rooting for Wade to be successful, just like last year and the year before. Sorry if I don’t have a whole lot of confidence in the guy. As BP used to say, confidence is demonstrated ability. Unfortunately for Wade, he has not demonstrated an ability to win consistently down the stretch or win in the playoffs.
But the point of my post was simply that if the team is not successful this year, it would be too simplistic to lay blame solely on TO’s departure.
But this is a pretty reactionary crowd around here sometimes. So You and Luke jumped on my “lack of faith” in Wade. And both you and Luke did something I didn’t expect-sided with Vegas odds makers. I thought that was a throwaway line when I wrote it, but you guys honed in on it. Its not a topic I know a whole lot about, but it doesn’t seem as if Vegas odds are very predictive of success (hopefully someone more knowledgeable—and hopefully without an ax to grind—can inform us as to how these odds are created and if they are indeed indicative of a team’s future success).
Here’s an article discussing Vegas odds for last season:
Two things in the article jump out at me:
1) even as late as December 30, Vegas had the Giants and the Titans in the SB (that’s the Giants minus Plexico and coming off a late season collapse that the media refused to talk about).
2) “The two preseason favorites – the New England Patriots (2-1) and Dallas Cowboys (7-1) – failed to reach the playoffs.”
So I don’t know what you guys are hanging your hats on. My guess however, is that if the odds makers put the Cowboys at 55 -1 to win the SB you guys would dismiss them just like you dismissed my predictions. Its the same with everything I suspect, whether football or politics, we (humans) just want to hear that which reinforces our own point of view.
"Confidence doesn't come out of nowhere. It's a result of something... hours and days and weeks and years of constant work and dedication." --Roger Staubach
On the odds-makers point
The pre-season favs NE and DAL were both afflicted by injuries, and in the case of the Boys, TO’s lack of production and beginning meltdown. So talent wise, those were smart picks before the unexpected occurred.
The 12/30 odds
The Titans were playing extremely well and held some homefield tie breakers, so I think that is in line with being a favorite. I have no idea about the Midgets pick at that point, except that none of the other teams in the NFC looked much better.
At any rate, if Vegas sets odds for the Boys to win the SB as low as 55-1, I’m assuming there are significant questions about that team. If that was the case, I would be praying for a miracle season, but I wouldn’t feel too good about our chances. I sure wouldn’t be making any 10 win season predictions.
See, I’m a fan, but I am also fairly realistic when it comes to expectations. It seems to me your dislike of Wade as HC, has convinced you that the Boys won’t have what it takes to make the playoffs. That seems to be the main point of your argument for failure in 2009.
Training Camp '09 = Mega Thunder Dome....80 men enter, 53 men leave.
by APerfectStar on May 26, 2009 12:19 AM CDT up reply actions
I am taking that 55-1 bet... I'm going to finally get online, open an account with one of the gambling sites, and put down real $$ on that number...
When the Cowboys make the playoffs this year, that 55-1 number will be tremendous odds. And yes, I say WHEN not IF … because I am in the majority when I say I think we improve on last year’s win total. I’m guessing more like 12 wins, but if 10 gets us in, I’ll take it.
Tar Heels = National Champs in Basketball ... #1 in Baseball ... Top 10 this year in Football?
I don't think it's overly optimistic.
I mean 10-6 is maybe getting into the playoffs.
Is that really that optimistic?
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
No probably not overly optimistic
But that seems to reinforce my main point: its going to be hard for the Cowboys to underachieve this year. It was easy to underachieve last year b/c it was Super Bowl or bust before the season even began. I think expectations are right where they should be: 7-9 to 10-6 (with maybe a playoff win).
"Confidence doesn't come out of nowhere. It's a result of something... hours and days and weeks and years of constant work and dedication." --Roger Staubach
This is how I see it.
If I was looking at this as objective as possible, Dallas went 9-7 last year with a nice series of injuries including it’s QB.
They haven’t went worse than 9-7 since before Bledsoe was QB, which was what 2004.
While I think the rest of the division is better in aspects, I also think that people are assuming nobody on Dallas’s schedule will have a set back year or injuries.
I honestly think that 9-7 should be the worst that Dallas can do this year, with 12-4 being the best.
You’re right, it’ll be hard for them not to meet expectations, but I think people forget this is still a hella talented team.
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
by AirforceBat on May 25, 2009 11:38 AM CDT up reply actions
dave, glad to see you retracting your original comment...
What I took offense to was not only your dismissal of Wade’s abilities and your dire predictions, but also your assumption that you were in the majority. Now you’re retracting the no-playoff, at least as bad as last year stuff…
As for the debate between you and Vegas, I like Vegas’ odds… of course everything is pre-season, and don’t forget that Vegas INCLUDES general public bias when setting the odds. For example, many people like to take a heavy favorite, so if Vegas sees a football team as 13 point favorites, they may post it at 15 points, as their goal is to balance the bets … they don’t care if they are right, they care about balance.
But, in general, they know that being accurate is at the heart of their business, and while pre-season predictions are weak at best, I still like theirs better than an armchair Cowboy fan’s.
Tar Heels = National Champs in Basketball ... #1 in Baseball ... Top 10 this year in Football?
look, I am not going to argue who is in the majority...
If I mention that a majority of journalists pick the Cowboys as the third best team in the division, then you’ll question my sources. So it seems a pointless debate.
As to my “retraction”: I have no confidence that Wade will win a playoff game. That’s just something I’ll have to see to believe. But I am not so recalcitrant so as not to entertain the possibility of catching a few breaks here and there, staying healthy, having the ball bounce in our favor and getting to 10 wins (and perhaps a playoff win). I wonder if you, in a true spirit of compromise, would at least entertain the possibility of an 8 -8 season?
I also have to ask you this, because I am left wondering whether we watched the same team last season: Whence comes your confidence in Wade? What is your definition of confidence? You disagree with Parcells that its demonstrated ability? When has Wade demonstrated an ability to get it done in December and January?
Finally, why would you be offended at all by my comments? I am certainly not offended by your optimism. How could you be offended by my suggestion that Wade is not a good head coach. Its a well-reasoned position to take and I am not necessarily in bad company. I would hope that two people such as ourselves who share a common ground (love for the cowboys) would be able to have a debate without the other being offended.
"Confidence doesn't come out of nowhere. It's a result of something... hours and days and weeks and years of constant work and dedication." --Roger Staubach
Dave, you have a good point here...
I guess I am taking offense to the BARRAGE of anti-Wade writers, not just you. Your only comment was “mercifully shown the door” … and that was a bit offensive, but my reply was more to the collective.
Throughout last year, I was saying to all the Wade detractors: “give the guy a chance, the season is not yet complete.”
Well, we all know how that turned out, and I was every bit as disappointed and disgusted at the result as I’m sure you and everyone else was. The last 5 quarters (including Ravens) were abysmal, and nobody gets off the hook when looking for those responsible. (I’m a big Romo fan, but he obviously contributed to the swoon)
I also like your “demonstrated ability” Parcells comment. This team can talk about talent, we can talk about Wade’s defensive schemes, but the results to date don’t support much.
Having said all this, my confidence in Wade comes from a sincere belief that 13-3 was not a complete abberation… that the injuries, fumbles, and yes, even penalties are not totally on his shoulders. I don’t think being laid back and encouraging the players to step up and fill part of the leadership role is an entirely bad strategy. It is the opposite of Parcells, it goes against military philosophy (and to take George Carlin’s perspective, this is, after all, war!) … but just because Wade doesn’t command authority in the press room – like Parcells did – doesn’t mean his style cannot work in the locker room.
Now, the results to date? You have it all over me… no argument. But I do think if we can avoid the injury bug and enter the season with a little humility, this can easily be our year.
But mostly I enjoy the debate, and like to contest the pessimists.
Tar Heels = National Champs in Basketball ... #1 in Baseball ... Top 10 this year in Football?
RickT
My point was that whether Roy Williams succeeds or not, that will have no bearing on what other teams do in this area. As pointed out in my commentary, teams will always take chances on questionable character players – if they have talent. My guess is that Dallas will also do it again in the future regardless to what happens this year. I considered both sides (success/failure) and feel they will have no real effect on the NFL as a whole..
by Dave Halprin on May 24, 2009 9:58 AM CDT up reply actions
The only way that becomes reality,
is if he lights it up in Buffalo. Otherwise any Cowboys underachieving will be laid at the foot of the coaches.
When did I become a Cowboy fan? When my mom told me I was.
Something to consider
Two years ago, when T.O. was hurt, Dallas’ offense came to a halt. The WR’s couldn’t get separation from the DB’s and the SS moved up in the box and stuffed our running game. What or who now is different? We have the exact same players that cannot separate from good CB’s. The only two players that can are Miles Austin, who is injury prone and not a proven WR and Roy Williams who separates by using his body and jump attributes.
Will that be enough?
by torchindefenses on May 24, 2009 12:11 PM CDT reply actions
Its enough in N.O. Colston uses his body and size and Moore uses the space he creates.
The Democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those willing to work and give to those who would not. Thomas Jefferson
I would love fro teams to stack up the LOS and we let the WR loose, because
it translates to easy TD’s, I’m just saying that I am not 100% confident we can do it. Actually only time will tell, I hope my glass half empty approach is wrong
I have my fears as well. I worry about being a little out of sync when the season opens.
Then we get nervous and start pressing a bit. I hope Garrett has learned a thing or 2. i hope he has a feel for when to open up the offense and when to grind it out a while.
The Democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those willing to work and give to those who would not. Thomas Jefferson
good point torchin,
TO’s absence was sorely missed in 06. I think the difference now will be RW’s ability to catch in traffic (a quality TO doesn’t posess) and the clear expectations of Austin/Hurd. Crayton will be exactly as he has been in years past, IMO. A big advantage will be the reps that Austin/Hurd get with the first team from the get go.
Additionally, and I may be in the minority on this one, but I think Montrae Holland will be a huge difference maker on the o-line. Romo will have more time to find the open man.
The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings; the inherent virtue of socialism is the equal sharing of miseries.
-Winston Churchill
I don't think it's that cut and dry.
The Dallas offense had slowed down in the Philly game before Owens got hurt. Then he gets hurt into the first quarter of the Carolina game and the offense did slow down, but it could be partially attributed because they had get used to a change in style without his prescence.
The Washington game IMO you weren’t going to see much. There was nothing to play for besides not getting any other injuries.
Then in the Giants game, Dallas scores 14 points in the first half only to be held to 3 in the second.
Also you said that the defenses stuffed the running game but in 2 of the three games played without Owens, Marion Barber had over 100 yards.
They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.
by AirforceBat on May 24, 2009 10:04 PM CDT up reply actions
Gotta agree
with the notion that a solid contribution from Roy that opens the offense to all our strengths will be a marked improvement over the aging talent and ageless narcissism of what’s-his-name. If Roy helps get us to the playoffs, he will have been an upgrade.
I also agree that such success would validate Jerry’s cleansing action, which would definitely be a good thing for the NFL.
Guess I am starry-eyed that way.
Keep doing what you been doing, keep getting what you been getting.
"What's his name"-lol!
Sometimes I can’t stand typing TO-I insist on referring to him as “Owens” sometimes.
But maybe I’ll Harry-Potter it to, “He Who Cannot Be Named”!
Hard to type though…..
by Realist Larry on May 24, 2009 7:25 PM CDT up reply actions
i wonder what happened to BoyzRBack/cowboysRnumba1/ my_2_cents
i miss his commentary and perspective haha
You wouldn't happen to be... uh... nevermind
Tar Heels = National Champs in Basketball ... #1 in Baseball ... Top 10 this year in Football?
I don't know about
NFL cleansing, but I do wish Jerry realized if we could just get a group of players to play together without being ‘me first’ , they will be super stars just because of the ‘team’. We don’t need problem players to be in the spot light. This team is in the spot light for the name alone. I would love to go through one season with no distractions. Hopefully we will have success this year and he will give up the urge of collecting misfits once and for all.
2006
yes back in 2006 when to got hurt our offense sucked. what’s different is we have another speed threat
(f.jones). we also have another te that can stretch the field from that position. so we will see. i don’t think it will matter much to being gone. we will have to come together as a team. do that and we will go far.
Las Vegas
Odd on 2009 NFL: Via Vegas Insider dot com;
http://www.vegasinsider.com/nfl/odds/futures/
I live and die with the Dallas Cowboys
WOW ... 9-1 odds the Cowboys win the Super Bowl this year?
Now THAT number speaks to my earlier comment — there are enough folks out there willing to take the Cowboys that is skews the number. Like I said, the bookies seek accuracy, but mostly they seek balance. And 9-1 … even for this optimist, feels like a reach. Then again, once the playoffs start, and there are only 12 teams at it, the Cowboys will be able to match up with any NFC team in terms of talent!
5-1 odds just to MAKE the Super Bowl… and Vegas does FAR more research than any pre-season prognosticators or ESPN journalists.
Tar Heels = National Champs in Basketball ... #1 in Baseball ... Top 10 this year in Football?
For the record, Vegas is basically saying that the Cowboys 13-3 record was MORE accurate than last year's 9-7
Pessimists, you’re life in the land of the minority is getting harder to defend!
Tar Heels = National Champs in Basketball ... #1 in Baseball ... Top 10 this year in Football?
+1
The Cowboys are a very good football team and really injuries were the main reason this team failed to make the playoffs whether some fans want to believe that or not.
They are certainly capable of reaching and winning the SB, no question about it.
In Romo we Trust
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
