2009 Dallas Cowboys: This Time It Feels Different

You’re a good man, Brandon, and we miss your insightful posts. And I agree with everything you say except that I am still not 100% sure Romo has his head in the game and is taking it as serious as he should – this is really the only thing that keeps me awake nights. Nice post.

There’s a ton of pressure on the team, but there is a vaguely optimistic vibe, despite what the media portrays as a mess waiting to happen.

The Cowboys are never going to be that “blue collar” team like Green Bay, Pittsburgh, etc. They’re always going to be in the spotlight, portrayed as cocky, flashy, glamorous, dramatic, etc. But they CAN change their approach, and it looks like that’s what Jerry and company are doing.

The fact that they’re putting a lot more emphasis on attention to detail, as opposed to just putting “the most talented team assembled” on the field and hoping they do their job I think is the biggest indicator that the mentality has shifted. There’s also the fact that Jerry’s moving on without players who are extremely talented but come with too much baggage. Then there’s the simple fact that Jerry has handed the keys to the team to Romo. There’s a lot of indications that Jerry/Wade/whoever is taking doing it the right way this time very seriously.

Amen, brother. Preach on.

I have the same hopes you do, Brandon. I think we really have a chance to be cohesive this year, and avoid the sloppiness that brought us so close, yet so far in 08.

This site is just so infinitely better than the DMN blog, so glad I found it.

“Looking at the past Super Bowl champions, you see teams that pulled together and played for each other.”
One of my most fervent hopes for the upcoming season. It’s been a long long drought in that aspect for the Cowboys.

change hey im all for it. I too shared the same feelings about the 2008 season that inside gut feeling. After watching the preseason games i knew we had issues. At the same time i felt if we just made it to the playoffs we can get to the superbowl.

There is a special glow this season what i dont know, something is in the air. If you look at it things cant get any worst . We didnt make the playoffs, we were embarssed plenty of times (cardinals,giants,ravens,eagles,rams,steelers) crazy. The way we let some of these game slip out our hands,poor play or just bein man handle by some of these guys was just embarrasing.

Nothing can last forever so i hope we just change the table this year. I have no fear about this team my head is up high. i just want to hear those old chants come back to play “how about those cowboys”

may this dynasty come back to life!!!!!!!!!

eagles we will be waiting at the door!

Miss these posts from you. And I agree, right direction, right players, and the right attitudes going into this TC. Let’s just hope it lasts through the entire season and hopefully beyond.

I agree with everything you said, Brandon, and I like what we did this offseason. But we’re still a tremendously talented team— I don’t want us to make it an easy Hollywood story of “last year was talented individuals, and this year’s a gritty cohesive team that overcome their lack of talent together!”

The current team is still immensely talented; in fact, I’m hoping/thinking they’re just as talented as last year’s.

I understand we let go of some malcontents, but I would argue that every cut we made was made for more than just chemistry reasons. Greg Ellis, Zach Thomas, even Terrell Owens (who had ceased beings able to beat press coverage)— these were all players with diminishing ON FIELD production, not just locker rooms issues. Tank Johnson did not appear to be a fit in the 3-4 and produced in a very limited way, and Pacman Jones freelanced far too much for Dave Campo’s liking. Let’s not make it seem like we cut Demarcus Ware in his prime solely for chemistry reasons. Certainly we parted ways with these players PARTLY for locker room reasons, but their diminished on-field ability made that possible.

On the other side, we’ve got a lot of young players (Martellus, Jenkins, Choice, Scandrick, Felix Jones) who should be markedly better this year than last, simply because they are one year older and more experienced. Gerald Sensabaugh should be an upgrade over Keith Davis, who took the majority of snaps at SS last year. Montrae Holland has a year in the system and should in shape. Our backup QB is significantly better. We’ve got Roy Williams, who was a nonfactor last year, for a full season.

The chemistry storyline has gotten old to me, and I’m sure if we come out of the gate playing well, I’m sure ESPN will give me many more chances to tire of it. I hope this year’s team has a great locker room vibe and I hope they give 100% on the field. But if last year’s team had suffered a handful fewer injuries, they would’ve made the playoffs, chemically imbalanced or not. And I see no reason to think that this current team is less talented than that version. So this year I’m praying we stay healthy, and I’m happy to have a team I can be proud of if they win.

Don’t know about you, but the most significant sign I saw about feeling dfifferent for this team, was ironically, the roof accident. It spoke volumes to me about the character of the team, especially the rookies and even Wade. Hearing how the rookies and others did not hesitate to help without concern for their own safety tells me these guys will sacrifice for the team. You can never tell how people will react under stress – well, this gave us some insight.

Like many of you, I groaned throughout the draft with our picks, but the character exhibited during the roof accident made me feel better about the team

We were hoping the Cowboys were going to win the championship because most of us thought we were unbeatable. But I had that feeling we were going to suck bad and I wasn’t wrong. I knew the Cowboys were still full of it even though hey got their asses handed to them by the Giants back in the 07 playoffs. So far this year I like the fact that the Cowboys seem to do just about everything right and the media isn’t taking us seriously. But this doesn’t mean anything if they get full of it again as they usually do. I don’t believe it until I see it, I’ve been fooled too many times the last couple years. They need to prove themselves in December (e.g. Eagles, Chargers, Saints) (and in big games e.g. Giants + Panthers) before I think we’ll win a playoff game. It’s a good start but we must keep pressing.

First off great post. I was absolutely dismayed by the lack of heart in the philly loss last year. And my first reaction to our draft this year was “how many teams win super bowls the year after a special teams draft?”

But your post makes sense, and its gives me hope. I do have one big problem though, some coaches win playoff games and some don’t. I just dont have the confidence in wade. I hope he proves me wrong.

I even question if it’s possible that the Cowboys will fall under .500 at the end of the season (though I know that’s extremely unlikely). I still think they will win 10 games this season, as is evidenced by my signature.

Which two embarrassing losses are you talking about? St. Louis and Philly or Baltimore and Philly? All three were horrendous.

When I think of the Cowboys, I still have this feeling of despair, thanks to the Philly Flop. It won’t be until the new season starts that it will go away, probably. That’s also why this upcoming season makes me anxious. If we had a proven number one receiver I’d probably feel better. Here’s hoping Roy Williams succeeds!

Nice post. :)

Can the offensive line play up to their salaries? If they don’t, forget it.

Can Tony Romo get his mojo back? Yes, and it looks like he’s trying. Injuries affected his whole season last year. He needs to stop tinkering with his play, and just play. If he can change two things, it’s to protect the ball, and not make wild throws.

Can the defense continue it’s progress? Yes, they SHOULD be better.

Can Garrett use his intelligence for something besides intellect? He better.

While the world won’t crumble if the Dallas Cowboys do, I think the bigger questions are out there in the NFL. There’s a lot of talent out there in the NFL. There’s as much to overcome out there in the NFL as there is right here in the locker room.

I hope they’ve found answers, but I’m done assuming things will be great. The players and coaches have to do it, and if one cog breaks down, this season will be very very difficult.

Great post as always.

Money line:

players on the team that went out of their way to be individuals

The whole leadership angle is wildly overplayed, but the angle that almost no one has talked about is being a team player. You point is an excellent one. As long as guys focus on themselves and the attention they want, rather than how to make themselves fit the team and help keep each other on the same sheet, the sum of the parts will aways be less than the whole.

I had the same feeling last year, but actually felt that if we could win the Washington game, we’d run the table. I remember watching the Cowboys – Steelers game and saying “we’ve got this in the bag, beating the big physical Steelers at their own game.” We were going toe to toe and punishing ’em and then my season fell apart after Santonio Holmes caught that deep past to convert a huge 3rd down. Although I watched the Ravens game and fully expected a win, that Steelers game really crushed me and ended my season deep down inside.

With all the malcontents and disruptive personalities removed, the 2009 Cowboys will be much better than the 2008 version, that much seems certain to me, especially if the team remains relatively healthy.

I see the young players making great strides this season and leaders, Romo, Witten and Ware, will have brilliant years as well.

year, not so much. I’m thrilled that Jones cleaned house; I just don’t feel all that great about Phillips or Garrett. I hope they make me eat my words.

feels different this year. With the exception of “Marty B” everyone seems to have their focus on football, and on making the team and themselves better. No one can question Tony Romo’s work ethic, he has always worked very hard, and I believe will continue to do so! This team was once full of “All talk and no action” players and in one off season has changed to a team full of “Lunch Pale” players!

The Cowboys are the Cowboys. They don’t need headaches from “star” players. They need guys who can work together and just plain love to play football.

I just don’t get it when people suggest bringing in a Mike Vick or a Matt Jones. Hasn’t this offseason shown us all that the front office isn’t messing around? Team chemistry is about guys growing together and bonding through competition and the hatred of losing. That’s tough to do when avenues are focused on resurrecting the career of some free agent. At least with Marty B, the Cowboys drafted him and he is theirs to groom. He can just stay the funny guy he is and grow with the team, or he can turn out like Grumpy Greg. Surely, John Garrett will keep a thumb on him when it’s football time.

I feel like this team now has a “let’s prove ourselves” attitude (coaches included). Last year, it was “watch what I can do”. Honestly, that attitude nearly embarrassed me as a Cowboys fan. I didn’t make excuses or come to the defense of a player when a family member or friend would harass me. What sucked was just because I’m a Cowboys fan doesn’t mean I was a TO or PacMan fan. Both of those guys were bad news and I wanted them gone. I really don’t know how I would cope if either of them were on this team this year. I guess I’d just be waiting, again.

Now, this team is stocked with players that have both talent and room to grow. Now, instead of thinking “he’s right” when my grandpa talks smack about the Cowboys I have regained my right to argue with him that he doesn’t know what he’s talking about. I respect this team and have alot of respect for each of these players (Kitna still has to grow on me) and coaches and what they all want to accomplish. It’s just been a couple handfuls of moves, but this offseason has retooled Dallas in a way that just feels right.

Cool thought-provoking read, Brandon W.
+1

+1, lets hope you are right

one thing I wanted to throw out there, especially about comments on coaching.
I think Wade adapted to the players he had and can do that again this year. he brought the blitzes and he stepped in a bit the 2nd half of the season so I can cut him some slack. unless we are getting cowher, no reason to throw him to the wolves yet.

I am more concerned with seeing what campo does with the secondary and if garrett can keep the offensive sparking

call me superstitious, but i’m tellin’ you that every team that has been featured on HBO’s Hard Knocks has NOT made da playoffs.

emphasis on NOT.

Cowboys twice.
Ravens (the year after they won their only Super Bowl title)
Chiefs

it’s a curse i tell you…

I must say that I always have a “good” feeling at the beginning of the season. I guess that is the fan in me. The Cowboys are a big part of my life and it kills me to end the season the way we did last year. I can’t wait for the season to begin!

And yes, I have a good feeling about this year.