The Fourth Quarter and Michael Irvin
by dave33 on Jun 10, 2009 12:21 PM CDT
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Two things generally come to my mind when watching Michael Irvin’s Fourth and Long. First, I think it is misnamed and second, I wish the Cowboys had someone with Irvin’s brand of leadership (maybe they do, but we just haven’t seen it yet).
The show should be named the 4th Quarter. Certainly these players are in the 4th quarter of their chances to make an NFL team. This title captures the urgency of the situation just as well as 4th and Long. But more importantly, competing in the Fourth Quarter is the overall theme behind Irvin’s message. Here’s an example:
“Anyone can have a 40-inch vertical jump ... I want to know how high someone can jump in the fourth quarter with the game on the line to catch a football. ... That is the kind of player I will produce.”
When Irvin makes these kinds of statements, it’s almost as if he is sending a message to the current Cowboys team. And for good reason. I think three games last year told the tale of the season: the second Redskins game, Pittsburgh and Baltimore. These games were won and lost in the Fourth Quarter. In the Fourth Quarter of the Redskins game, Marion Barber was the player Irvin envisions. Then came the Pittsburgh and Baltimore games. The Cowboys should have won those games. Period. Had they won the Fourth Quarter, they would have.
Now I know a lot of you point to injuries as the main factor that led to the disappointment last season. And I agree that but for those injuries, this team could have had a better season. However, the Cowboys were talented enough to win despite the injuries. That, to me, is what Irvin’s Fourth Quarter mentality is all about: A team that’s injured and tired but finds a way to get it done (whether its in the fourth quarter of a game or the fourth quarter of the season).
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I
wish they would find him a spot to coach the WRs …. dude makes me wanna run through a wall everytime I watch that show.
Booyah!
Me too.
But I suspect he is not interested in being a full time coach. He makes a lot of appearances and TV and Radio spots, and I think he likes doing them. A full time NFL coach is 12 or more hour days during the season and a year round commitment.
by Baked Potato Soup on Jun 10, 2009 3:55 PM CDT up reply actions
When he was drafted, he said...
“I want to run a 4.4 in the first quarter and a 4.4 in the fourth quarter”.
"Well, we didn't block real good but we made up for it by not tackling."
- John McKay, the first coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It's funny how in the 4th quarter
against the Ravens, the offense gets a rhythm and gets touchdowns against the Raven defense and then the defense screws up. For most of the game, it was the other way around; the defense mostly did good and the offense mostly sucked
I don't like it
I think 4th and Long is the perfect name. The title basically says; not only is this your last shot, it’s a long shot. It’s a brutally honest, and a very fitting title IMO.
Love the show
Irvin should be a coach, he makes me want to try out next time….lol
The name of the show could be either one of them. They both pretty much mean the same thing. It’s their last shot, it’s gonna be hard and your gonna be tired. Last man standing wins!
I do think Irvin made a mistake on Luke Swann
He had potential and he had desire. Remember how he out ran everyone on the stadium steps? I’d like to see what he could do in the slot.
IMO that DB that made the cut is an automatic reception for Hawkins (let’s not even talk about that hook and ladder), and Moses Washington is not much worth it either. Maybe both will step up their games but they have yet to show it.
I’m seriously wondering if a few of these guys will show up on another team’s camp roster (at least).
I agree Gamble should have been cut
but Swan wasn’t going to make it anyway with that injured groin.
In Romo we Trust
Before that episode, I thought Gamble was the best DB out there.
Boy, Hawkins killed his confidence.
"Grow where you are planted."
by Aaron Novinger on Jun 12, 2009 10:59 AM CDT up reply actions
After seeing 3 episodes
I’d bet my next pay check that the winner will be a WR. None of those DBs would have a clue against NFL caliber WRs.
In Romo we Trust
Andrew Hawkins is the winner
I don’t think it’s hard to figure it out, the guys runs impeccable routes, runs a low 4.3 and you can see it in his burst, you telling me he wouldn’t be able to find a seam to get open in 4 Wr sets having him lined up as a slot WR?
It did suck to see Swann go, he was a really good WR and Irvin knew it, he’s the type of football player you want on your team, but Hawkins is a stud…
Think about it, if we gave Amendola a shot and brought him along on our PS, no reason Hawkins couldn’t get the same chances this pre-season, he’s the same size except MUCH more explosive and a bigger threat with the ball in his hands.
Stash Hawkins on the PS, I think it’ll be worth it.
by LonghornsLegend on Jun 12, 2009 11:02 PM CDT reply actions
Let me add, i also like Holley, but I think it’s very obvious with his size, and type of WR he is, he won’t do us any good, at least not before Ogletree or Manuel Johnson or any of the big WR’s we have…Hawkins is the only blend of WR we are lacking right now and should have drafted, so he has a role on this team.
by LonghornsLegend on Jun 12, 2009 11:03 PM CDT reply actions
+1
We are definitely lacking a WR of Hawkins’ build and speed. This offense/return game can use a guy like him.
"Grow where you are planted."
by Aaron Novinger on Jun 12, 2009 11:42 PM CDT up reply actions
I do think Hawkins is the winner of the show.
So far at least. I wonder what he’ll look like in camp?
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