The Jason Hatcher Affair: Is It Worth It?
by Dave Halprin on Feb 18, 2012 7:14 PM CST
in Dallas Cowboys General
Email
PrintThis is what you get in the middle of the dead season. A player makes a comment that comes out critical of the team, and it ignites a firestorm of commentary. In this case, that player is Jason Hatcher, and the comments were about the Cowboys lack of leadership. While speaking to Deion Sanders on a radio show, Hatcher spilled out these words (paraphrased):
Who are the leaders on the Dallas Cowboys?
"Dude. I gotta be honest with you: That's a good question. That's a good question. I really don't know. It's just another thing we really need ... like the Ravens, we don't have that. We've got the talent. We've got everything we need. I think we get like a Ray Lewis, like, everybody buy into him. When Ray Lewis speaks, everybody listens to him. A guy like that. We really don't got that. I think we definitely need somebody like that."
Do intangibles matter? Would that make a difference?
I think so. ... You've got to have somebody hold you accountable. With a leader like that [Lewis], everybody is accountable and guys aren't doing their own thing. [Lewis] is in there. Everybody's going in one direction. So once you have that, you'll be good. We're still looking for it."
While he was saying it, I don't know if Hatcher realized how his comments would be interpreted and dissected. Maybe he did, maybe he didn't, but once they're out there, there is no calling them back. In response, the Cowboys-related webishpere exploded in debate. Our own, very excellent FanPoster, ScarletO, penned his own response taking Hatcher to task. Kudos to ScarletO for his fine work, everybody should read it.
I'll be somewhat kinder to Hatcher, not because I don't think what he did was pretty stupid - it was - but because in the end I'm not sure of a couple of things. One, will Hatcher's comments really mean anything down the road? And two, is there any real validity in what he said?
In addressing point one, these things tend to get overblown in the dead season when there isn't any real news. Sure it creates a quick fire, but it tends to die out by the time the real stuff of the 2012 season rolls around. Since Hatcher didn't call out anyone specifically by name, it will probably be long forgotten by the time the draft and the OTA's are happening.
It's the second point, about the validity of the comments, that's the real debate to me. And when I say the validity of the comments, I don't mean the question of there being any real leaders on the Cowboys. I'm sure there are, and they may be as good as Ray Lewis at it, or not, I really don't know. I think it's hard for any of us to know without being in the locker room, on the field, or interacting with the team on a regular basis. But that's not really the issue to me. The real issue is, how much does that matter? I tend to believe in talent, coaching, scheme, execution and that kind of stuff as more the key to winning.
Take the New York Giants. The Super Bowl winning New York Giants. Today, it would be easy for the people who follow that team closely to say, this guy or that guy was a real leader and they helped us win the Super Bowl. Okay, but just imagine if Tony Romo had connected on that pass to Miles Austin in that first Giants game. Imagine Austin caught it and scored like he probably would have happened 99 out of 100 times in that exact same scenario. The Cowboys in all likelihood would have knocked the Giants out of the playoffs. No Super Bowl, no "leaders" who got them there. No nothing. Yet, the players who are acknowledged as "leaders" post Super Bowl would have been doing the very same thing all season long. Yet their efforts might go unnoticed because the Giants would have been just another also-ran.
This is my point, one or two plays in a game, or over a season, can determine success, and there's nothing a leader can really do about it. For instance, Ray Lewis, our poster child for leaders according to Hatcher, couldn't stop the Patriots cornerback from knocking the ball out of the hands of the Ravens receiver on the almost-touchdown that would have sent them to the Super Bowl. He couldn't stop Billy Cundiff from shanking his game-tying kick. Sure, the Ravens enjoyed good success on the season, better than the Cowboys for sure, but still, it's execution on the field, not words on the sidelines, that makes winners.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying there isn't room for leaders, and that they can't contribute to success. Michael Irvin in his day was a tireless driver of his teammates. There is definitely value there. I just tend to think these things get over-rated in terms of success. I don't think leadership is the problem for the Cowboys. A terrible secondary, an inconsistent offensive line, some questionable game-time decisions by a new head coach were more likely the cause for the Cowboys failure.
I'm all for leadership, but let's not forget what really wins in the NFL. So by these standards, I tend to think Hatcher's comments are, in the words of The Bard...much ado about nothing.
106 comments
|
1 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Unintentionally or not
That’s a bit of an insult to Tony Romo. Are you kidding me? After the season he had, the injuries he played through, the leadership he’s shown- how can Romo not be a leader?
Are you kidding me, Hatcher?
I see your point, but I think maybe he was talking more about the defense. I could be wrong,
obviously, but I get the impression these guys tend to focus on their own side of the ball. If he was talking about the whole team, including Romo, yeah, it was even more uncalled for.
by Fernie67 on Feb 18, 2012 7:29 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
That's why it's probably unintentional
but look at the way Deion phrased the question- he said of the team, Hatcher probably immediately thought of leaders on his side of the ball.
It’s on Deion, trying to discredit Romo again. At least that’s how I interpret it.
but he meant leader as one who would get in your face
Romo showed leadership in those times but still didn’t match that description of someone to hold accountable the others around him, i’m sure romo doesn’t gets in hatcher’s face when something he’s doing stupid stuff like this, Romo is different
Accountable
Wouldn’t it be the coaches and I mean all of them to hold the players accountable? To me another player in my face wouldnt exactly be the same as a coach screaming at me he was gonna cut me the next day if i didn’t make more plays
Make sure you smell it before you eat it
i agree but say that to them
and how it would be possible if you know your coaches are not more than puppets, that resumes the fiasco of post jimmy’s era
Accountability
Adult human beings being paid millions of dollars a year to play at the level their skills allow shouldn’t need someone else on the team to hold them accountable. Their paycheck and desire to win should inspire them to perform. Hatcher and his ilk are the reason fans get perturbed with pro athletes. Dishing the blame and fabricating excuses to explain their own subpar performances seems to have become the norm with today’s athlete.
I’m as sick of it as I’m sure everyone else is….
Yeah, if you take this to its logical conclusion, he's saying
“I didn’t play as well as I could because I needed someone to push me because I can’t push myself”.
Don't believe everything you think.
REAP IT...
Do you show up to work every single day and give absolutely everything you possibly have, and then some?
If you don’t, then you’re like 98% of the populace. I don’t know why we tend to classify athletes as professionals who don’t need to be motivated.
Case in point: when you and I accept a job, we (most likely) need to keep that job to pay our bills, feed our families, etc., right? It’s this fundamental need that motivates us to work hard and keep our jobs.
Contrast that with most pro athletes: when they accept their job, their signing bonus alone means their financial concerns are over, for the rest of their lives.
What’s their motivation to work hard?
by Starred4Life on Feb 20, 2012 10:26 PM CST up reply actions
Hatcher is talking defensive side of the ball, not offensive
Tony Romo has become a good leader offensively. Jason Witten is a good leader as well. But who’se the leader of the defense? Tony isn’t running into the huddle between plays and yelling at Jenkins for slacking off.
Ratliff and Ware a great players and great character guys but they don’t have that leader personality. Nothing wrong with that, absolutely nothing wrong with that.
But that leaves a leadership vacuum. I think someone could fill it, I think Sean Lee might be a candidate, but Hatcher is right. Right now no player is stepping up as the leader of the defense.
by Blue Eyed Devil on Feb 18, 2012 7:28 PM CST reply actions
Saying it was dumb, no arguement
but frankly those saying it does not matter are just as dumb.
Ray Lewis is a very visible and well known leader. Irvin was the same way with our dynasty.
I think it depends on the type of coach you have and the type of team you have.
Some teams need someone kicking butt. Our 90’s team did because as we now know there was a lot going on off field.
Our team in the 70’s had Roger.
Sometimes a leader just does it by example; that was the way it was with Roger. Early on there was Lilly and the D leading the way; then Roger led the team later on.
you're right, but this should be kept in house
Besides, if you’re mentioning Roger than I believe Romo is similarly a leader and face of the franchise. Not at the same level; no, of course not. But he fills the role.
Pretty much:
I just tend to think these things get over-rated in terms of success. I don’t think leadership is the problem for the Cowboys. A terrible secondary, an inconsistent offensive line, some questionable game-time decisions by a new head coach were more likely the cause for the Cowboys failure.
As others have pointed out, winning makes everything smell better. Suddenly, as you say, the Giants have great leadership, blah, blah, blah. Miles makes that catch? The defense doesn’t give up a 12-point lead? The so-called leaders on the Giants are just also-rans.
That said, Hatcher should keep his yap shut or else man up and set an example. Then he has room to talk.
Have you ever noticed that Miles Austin didn't make that catch?
And not only that, but the game didn’t end after that play. The Cowboys still had ample opportunity to take that game, but they didn’t.
What I’m saying is that with us, it always seems like it’s “if Crayton had made that catch, if Austin had made that catch, if Witten had leaned forward a little more, if we had gotten a sack, etc.”
I think that it’s ironic that we are all saying that Hatcher doesn’t know what he’s talking about, when he’s the one on the team, on the field, and in the locker room.
by Baked Potato Soup on Feb 19, 2012 1:19 PM CST up reply actions
Meh, of course that's what it comes to. Until it doesn't. What if the D holds a 12-point lead?
What if Newman weren’t old and getting leaped over? Chalking it all up to a failure of “leadership” is just another excuse to ignore bigger problems.
As for Hatcher, I don’t know if he knows what he’s talking about or not. I’m saying, he should shut his fat mouth and take it up face-to-face with whomever he has a beef with. Or he should step up if he thinks there’s a leadership gap and do it himself instead of throwing his teammates under the bus.
Yeah.. one more giant loss or cowboy win
And this so called amazing Giant team just finished its third 2nd half season collapse to miss the playoffs in a row and most likely in store for major changes.
Hatcher needs to shut up.. with winning comes leadership. You don’t see “leadership” on losing teams…
"Obviously, I felt like if I ran into my lineman there it was going to help the play" ~Tony Romo
I just don't like that kind of disunity, particularly from guys who haven't proved
a damned thing. I don’t doubt Hatcher thinks he needs someone to tell him what to do and to play hard. My question is, why, and how does what he said play with DWare and Rat? Guys who have proved they can play hard and get the job done over a lot more years than Hatcher has been around. If not DWare and Rat, then is he directing his comments, albeit passive aggressively, at players like Spencer? Newman? The guys in the D backfield who pointed fingers at each other? If he is, then, again, be an adult and talk to them, not to a pot stirrer like Sanders.
Ware and Ratliff have only been around one more year than him.
The guy has been with the team since 2006, they have been here since 2005.
I think he directed his comments at Deion Sanders. I don’t even think he said anything that controversial, honestly.
by Baked Potato Soup on Feb 19, 2012 11:17 PM CST up reply actions
Oh, since he hasn't done anything for the team approaching what Ware
and Rat have done, it seemed like he’d been around less time. The fact that he’s not all that after being around almost as long makes him seem even wimpier.
Again, that's not what happened.
And again, that’s always how the conversation goes with the Cowboys: if only this had happened, then we wouldn’t be talking about what actually happened." Yeah, no kidding.
by Baked Potato Soup on Feb 19, 2012 11:19 PM CST up reply actions
And? What you're saying is pointless. Are you saying that Miles not having
enough burst is a failure of leadership? I’d say it’s a bad hamstring. Are you questioning Witten’s leadership and determination? Since I think Hatcher was talking about the D, what are you trying to say?
More what ifs.
That’s the point. It’s always what ifs with this team.
What teammates do you believe he has a beef with or threw under the bus? If he says, we need to do a better job stopping the run, does that mean he is throwing the team under the bus? I don’t think so; I think it means he thinks they need to do a better job stopping the run as a team. If he says we need more player leadership, why does that mean he’s throwing someone under the bus or is a malcontent? It just means that he thinks someone needs to take charge on the field.
by Baked Potato Soup on Feb 19, 2012 11:15 PM CST up reply actions
Why? Because you're questioning more than someone's play on the field. In his
interview, did he point to himself and say the change should start with him? Nope.
OH, and to be specific, I think he's throwing Ware and Rat under the bus. Now,
if they’re behind the scenes admitting that they’re not really team leaders, he’s may be right that they need someone. And then I’d still say to keep it in house.
PREACH IT POTATO, PREACH IT!!!
It ain’t talent folks, I hate to break it to ya. Yes, we are not All-Pro at every position, I will grant you that. But if talent is what wins, then HOW IN THE HECK did the Giants and Patriots just play in the Super Bowl???
I know, I know, it’s our defense that’s awful. Just for kicks, here a just a few luminaries who logged significant minutes (starters, in most cases) on defense this year for the two most talented teams in the world:
Chase Blackburn, MLB NYG
Chris Canty, DE NYG
Julian Edelman, DB NE (a 4th WR on D for God’s sake!!!)
Devin McCourty, CB NE
Rob Ninkovich, LB NE
Mark Anderson, DE NE
Deon Grant, S NYG
Jacquian Williams, LB NYG
Aaron Ross, CB NYG
James Ihedibgo, S NE
Kyle Love, DT NE
That extremely unimpressive group right there makes up roughly 50% of the defensive starters for the two Super Bowl teams. To me this illustrates, in bold, italic and underlined font: talent is overrated, and the importance of leadership has never been more underrated!
by Starred4Life on Feb 20, 2012 10:50 PM CST up reply actions
much ado about nothing
Winning teams have chemistry and leadership attached to them retroactively. After 12 games NYG fans were talking about who the next coach should be, get rid of Osi, Tuck is finished, etc. Now they love all those guys, true heroes, stayed the course, blah blah.
Fans are idiots. Who knows what goes on behind closed doors? I agree with most of what's being said, but we have
to look at it from the players’ perspective, not our own. I thought Jason Pierre-Paul was the surest thing to being a bust as possible. Thank the Lord that I’m not the GM.
Though I maintain that the “rah-rah” types that we assign roles as “THE guys” don’t really exist. They are leaders when the team wins, goats when they lose. These are usually the best players on the team. Justin Tuck and Demarcus Ware are two such guys. They “lead” by working hard and doing everything they can to be on the field.
I think, however, that real leaders exist within the locker room, though we wouldn’t necessarily attribute them to being THE guys. One example I can give is from my own team (duh). Deon Grant. On the surface….marginal player, who does an average job as the third safety. That’s the extent of what fans and media know.
Antrel Rolle came out and said that Grant is the person he, and most of the defense goes to for guidance. Not just for the game, but for life. Rolle was close to basically quitting the team this year; he had had enough of Coughlin’s ways, and by his own admission was going to become a cancer in the locker room. Grant talked to him, calmed him down, and made him understand what Coughlin wanted to accomplish. That, again by Rolle’s words – not mine, led to a more confident player and an upswing in his game.
Ray Lewis is another one of those veteran guys. He’s more visible because he’s a great player and he talks alot/isn’t camera-shy, but that’s what it is. He’s the glue guy. You’d consider Ed Reed a leader because of his play, but he really isn’t. He just does his thing and plays well. Lewis is the one that people go to for help.
I’m not going to make any judgements about whether the Cowboys have this “glue guy” or not, but I’m pretty sure that person is important. He’s the anti-locker room cancer. Another example, Tony Richardson from the Jets, who fell apart after he was let go and went to the Chiefs. Brian Dawkins was another one.
It’s not winning teams either. Baltimore could’ve been uber-pissed at Billy Cundiff, and I’m sure they were…but Lewis calmed everyone down with his famous post-game comments. Doesn’t even have to be an old dude. The Carolina Panthers sucked balls, but the locker room chemistry in that place can’t be higher, and it’s cause Cam Newton became that glue guy by promising a bright future.
"We will not be denied." - Antrel Rolle
by BigBlueIntervention on Feb 18, 2012 8:42 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I have thought this for a few years
That Jerry missed out on signing ray lewis when he last contract was up. And we should have signed Brian Dawkins when we had the chance. All Dawkins did was walk onto the Broncos and instantly became their team captain.
by Professor1 on Feb 18, 2012 7:49 PM CST via mobile reply actions
Leadership has many different definitions to many people
And thats why its the most overrated concept in sports
In Romo we Trust
+1
Farve was considered a great leader and instantly became Capt of the Jets and Vikes because of his talent or reputation but he proved to be the wrong kinda guy.
Yet a Tebow-type had borderline talent, but his teammates seemed willing to run through a wall for the good of the team.
He's good, but he's no Danny White!
by Shaymer on Feb 19, 2012 9:49 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
-1
if a leader helps inspire teammates to “run through a wall for the good of the team,” then that sounds pretty damn important to me in a league with such parity.
Ernie Accorsi to Wellington Mara upon drafting Eli Manning, "This kid id going to win you a championship, and he's going to win you more than one."
Ernie is the Man(ning)
Hatcher is right ...
Blame this one on Deion. He set Hatcher up and the man gave an honest answer. Deion has been very critical of the Cowboys lockeroom — and who can blame him?
The evidence speaks for itself, continual December collapses, or in 2010, a team that had to score 40 points to win because the defense quit. Spencer admitted he didn’t go all out and if a couple of others were honest with themselves they did to. I primarily speak of Mike Jenkins. His play in 2010 was abysmal.
Real leaders on the team wouldn’t let that kind of thing happen. And they would have willed that team to a W in NJ on New Year’s Day.
This team is lacking that intangible quality and this is another drawback of JJ as GM. He should know this is lacking and execute a plan to fix it. He doesn’t and unless Jason Garrett works a Jimmy Johnson-like miracle, it will happen again unless those ingredients emerge with newcomers or players like Sean Lee.
by TomLandryFan on Feb 18, 2012 7:51 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
BS...players don't will teams to victory
Teams execute as a team to win games, its that simple
In Romo we Trust
I woud respectfully ...
disagree.
There are key players in team sports that will their team to victory.
It happens all the time.
Yes, part of the equation is talent, and we know that’s sorely lacking with the Boys, but great players — leaders of a team — will rally everyone and produce a motivation, a passionate response that will not be denied.
I would also admit it’s simply players taking advantage of a situation in front of them. It is an intangible quality of the heart and mind working together — and on a team — it works i. cohesion.
Some examples, Ray Lewis, Evgeni Malkin in the NHL, Larry Fitzgerald, Maurice Jones-Drew, Pete Rose in MLB, Don Mattingly, Dale Murphy, Alonzo Mourning, Dennis Rodman, Dino Ciccarelli — ex NHL,
How did our own Emmitt Smith do such great things while injured when they played that critical game vs the Giants in the early 1990s?
Yeah talent, but he also willed his team to a W and he had no business doing so.
by TomLandryFan on Feb 19, 2012 6:11 AM CST up reply actions
That Emmitt shoulder game
changed my feelings about him as a player. Before that, I just hated him cause he was a Cowboy. After that, I wished he either was a Giant or on an AFC team. Ever since then I respect the hell outta him and appreciate his greatness.
Just imagine what that does in a locker room. To know your battling with someone who refuses to lose. It’s inspiring, pure and simple.
Ernie Accorsi to Wellington Mara upon drafting Eli Manning, "This kid id going to win you a championship, and he's going to win you more than one."
Ernie is the Man(ning)
by tommy d. on Feb 19, 2012 11:41 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Check last years draft, how many captains did we draft?
Answer, almost every pick was.
it wasn't like Hatcher didn't know Deion was going to ask questions to cover his own rear.
all Deion needed was 1 player that was stupid enough to say something like that on the air & well he found himself a sucker in Hatcher. now on gameday Deion has quotes from a player in the locker room of the Cowboys to back his mumble jumble
Every team has a great gameplan until they get Punched in the Mouth. Sean Lee is a welcomed addition at ILB & Kegabear's prediction about Spencer looks spot on so far.
I kind of like where this is going
And Deon is just the guy to stir the pot. He was the ultimate kind of leader this team needs to help get them over the top. I’m glad he asked the question and glad Hatch had the guts to speak up and say what he thought. Better than just being quiet and sitting back and collecting a paycheck. It must be in him himself to want to take more of a leadership role. The spotlight will be him now. Hope gets hjs chance to shine.Maybe some neon will rub off. lol!!!
I'll take a great player over a great leader of I have to choose
And thats exactly what we got #94. Leader or not
by P.N.Westernboysfan on Feb 18, 2012 7:54 PM CST via iPhone app reply actions
GREAT point!
Would much rather have Ware on my D than Tebow on my O.
He's good, but he's no Danny White!
by Shaymer on Feb 19, 2012 9:52 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
The Ray Lewis kind of leader is not something you can find everywhere.
That is not a style you can teach. You either have it, and the personal talent to back it up, or you don’t. Someone trying to make that happen (cough) Keith Brooking (cough) is not going to have any meaningful impact. It has to be genuine, spontaneous, and, oh, yeah, the other guys have to buy into it.
Formerly Pineywoods - different name, same cockeyed view of the world.
Jason Garrett - Lord of Order
Rob Ryan - Lord of Chaos
+1
As this team this team comes together a leader may emerge in time still pretty early to tell on our young guys which were going to have more of
by P.N.Westernboysfan on Feb 18, 2012 8:21 PM CST via iPhone app up reply actions
I am looking at Dez and hoping for Lee to do this kind of thing.
Dez is very passionate and goes up and down the sideline trying to hype up and get going the team during games. It has been documented that he comes in early and stays late for extra practice, he coaches praise his work ethic, etc. Hopefully he takes that next step this year and explodes like Lee did last year.
I am hoping Lee turns into a leader on the D. He is young, smart and would be a rock for us for a very long time.
thats what I see with dez too
Anthony Spencer is not the Egg McMuffin of 3-4 OLB's
by Archie Barberio on Feb 19, 2012 11:40 AM CST up reply actions
+1
they really need Dez to step up & take the #1 WR position this year. so much talent there & with Jimmy Robinson coaching them up it should help Dez a lot this season.
he just has way to much talent not to be a major contributor on offense.
Every team has a great gameplan until they get Punched in the Mouth. Sean Lee is a welcomed addition at ILB & Kegabear's prediction about Spencer looks spot on so far.
1 often overlooked thing is that Robinson was injured last training camp and missed time.
I am not sure how long he was out, but it had to have hurt our young WR’s.
Robinson was a post TC acquisition
released by SD 9/3, picked up by DAL 9/7 then released by us after tweaking a hammy and added back 9/20. Grateful DAL was able to keep him when he was available 2x – thanks Norv!
'I have wasted Time and Time doth waste me'
Jerry Jones as Richard II - Act 5, Scene 5
Yes, I am. He was run over on the sideline and was hurt.
I know they took him to the hospital and he missed some time. I just don’t know how much he was out. I remember that JG was running routes with the WR’s while he was out of action. Trying to show the young guys where to go.
I don't fault Hatcher for saying what he said.
But he shouldn’t have said it on the radio. At the NFL level you have to be prepared for questions like that. Say it to your teammates, not to the world. It has to be frustrating to play on that defense. They have a recent history of collapsing. I don’t think a leader shouting in the huddle is the answer though. Better players are needed to fix the 4th quarter collapses.
We have the goal of winning Super Bowls. If you don't have that, find the door.
Jason Garrett
I'm sick of Deion Sanders acting like he speaks for Cowboys nation
I don’t see him as a Cowboy, just another player-turned-wanna-be-journalist. I will listen to Michael Irvin, Drew Pearson, Staubach, and others and pay them extra attention as ex-Cowboys, but Deion? C’mon. He comes off more as a mercenary. He played for like 5 teams, his best year was with the 49ers, and he made his name as a Falcon.
"How 'Bout them Cowboys!"---Jimmy Johnson
"...and the Cowboys...STUN the Bills!"--ESPN MNF
You can see him however you want, but...
it doesn’t take away the fact that he’s one of the top 20-30 players of all-time, still lives in Dallas, is close to Jerry, loves his Cowboys legacy, has plenty of the great Cowboy’s as his friends, and wants the Cowboys to succeed.
His opinions of what’s wrong with the team may not be popular or accurate (who exactly has had the real answers to that?), but don’t you dare question his love for the Cowboys and his trying to get to the bottom of what’s wrong with them.
by ChuckCowboy on Feb 19, 2012 12:12 AM CST up reply actions
lol
Anthony Spencer is not the Egg McMuffin of 3-4 OLB's
by Archie Barberio on Feb 19, 2012 11:40 AM CST up reply actions
personally
I am glad Hatcher said what he had to say
good for him
Anthony Spencer is not the Egg McMuffin of 3-4 OLB's
by Archie Barberio on Feb 18, 2012 9:48 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
I can handle the truth
No big deal
by P.N.Westernboysfan on Feb 18, 2012 9:58 PM CST via iPhone app up reply actions
me-2
reminds me of some of the candid stuff that Rolle, Osi, etc., would say when the Giants were in the dumps. For the most part, the coaches and players simply used it as motivation and came out fighting…and ultimately won it all again.
But the main thing is that with the Giants, those same guys showed what kind of leaders they were by stepping up personally (their coaching capability and talent doesn’t hurt either). Now that Hatcher took some good strides this past year, hopefully he steps up even more this year and leads by example…and doesn’t let his thought-provoking comments on real leaders just go to oblivion
by ChuckCowboy on Feb 19, 2012 12:30 AM CST up reply actions
yup
Rolle did the same thing, so I have no problem with Hatcher doing this
Anthony Spencer is not the Egg McMuffin of 3-4 OLB's
by Archie Barberio on Feb 19, 2012 11:40 AM CST up reply actions
I find it ironic that you have no problem with a guy throwing his team under the bus but
apparently doing nothing about it himself. Lead by example. Be the best DE ever. Stop the run. Rush the passer. Lead by example. Exhort your teammates. Is he doing any of that? Is he emulating Ray Lewis? I haven’t seen it. I find it incredibly hypocritical to go public with a statement like, when, evidently, he’s part of the problem. Now, if he owns that he’s part of the problem…in public…that I can respect. But I’m pretty sure he didn’t.
By saying there's a problem, he owned that he was part of the problem.
Does the team that you are a member of have a problem? Yes, we do. What more do you want from him.
I’m confused, though. He’s saying that there’s a lack of leadership and you’re upset that he’s not providing it. So then you agree with him, obviously. So what’s the problem?
by Baked Potato Soup on Feb 19, 2012 11:03 PM CST up reply actions
Nothing good comes from saying things like that to the media.
Keep it in house.
"Obviously, I felt like if I ran into my lineman there it was going to help the play" ~Tony Romo
Really? He pointed to the D backfield specifically. He pointed to a lack of
leadership. I’m pretty sure he didn’t mention himself in any helpful way. And quit putting words in my mouth. If you’ve bothered reading my posts, I said that I don’t know if there is a problem on the D with leadership. I said Hatcher should keep it in house and be part of the solution, not part of the problem. I hope Ware and Rat show some leadership and tell him that.
To those denying the truth of Hatcher's comments, saying that leadership doesn't matter, only execution does....
How do you think execution happens in those crucial moments of games? Why is it that some teams can regularly perform under pressure and others (cough Cowboys cough) can’t?
As some of you say, and the poster, just a few plays a year can change a team’s fortune. True.
But-when the pressure’s on, which team is it that will come through and make those plays? Not necessarliy the one with more talent.
Teams win not with execution but with focus-mental focus, and an ability to keep that focus during the crucial seconds at the end of games. That’s what leads to “execution.”
And leadership on the field, not just from the coaches, is a huge part of that! Those of you in denial see football as a video game and x’s and o’x on a chart. It’s real people, under pressure, and while some of them can handle it, some can’t without someone else to help them.
It can be quiet leadership, in-your-face leadership, “I’m going to will us to victory so follow me” leadership (Staubach), but in the tight times a group of 11 people will perform better when there are some real known leaders who step up and take over.
To completely rule emotions out of a violent sport like football is stupid.
As far as what Hatcher says, it’s pretty much right there to see every week-or, not see. Look at the sidelines. I’ve never seen very much in the way of someone taking charge, walking up and down the bench, encouraging, maybe berating if that’s what’s needed, etc.
Pessimists say the cup is half-empty, while optimists say it's half-full. Well, the real question is, is it a good beer? Realist Larry, 2011
by Realist Larry on Feb 19, 2012 12:59 AM CST reply actions 3 recs
I've seen Dez and Romo
walking up and down the bench numerous times encouraging and pumping up teammates. The cameras don’t show every single thing that happens on the bench. If there is a “clutch” moment and a players number is called, he shouldn’t need one of his teammates to encourage him to do his job to the best of his abilities. They already need that from him and everyone else to win the game. If you need someone holding youre hand to make certain plays at certain times, you shouldn’t be a professional football player. These are grown men who get paid MILLIONS.
by BrickTop on Feb 19, 2012 4:01 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
Yeah, there have been videos of Romo posted on this blog showing him on the bench.
Going up and down, talking to everyone. Saying things like “hell of a stop there D guy”, great job, etc. Dez also goes up and down the sideline talking and trying to get the guys pumped up.
The encouragement is great...
but what I took from Larry’s comment is, and I agree with it, is that alot of times leaders lead ON THE FIELD and make the big play under the highest of pressure situations.
Ernie Accorsi to Wellington Mara upon drafting Eli Manning, "This kid id going to win you a championship, and he's going to win you more than one."
Ernie is the Man(ning)
yes, grown men payed millions who SHOULDN'T need a Leader
but also humans, playing a game based on emotion as much as anything.
And, many of these guys are immature and DO need leadership. They’re people and fall across a whole spectrum of personalities.
Any group of people, trying to accomplish anything, need leadership.
Even more, in any group of people working together, there WILL be leaders. Someone wil rise to that role, good or bad. The vacuum will be filled, for better or worse.
In Dallas, though, that role is consumed by Jerry Jones. He puts himself front and center, and takes that role. It’s difficult for coaches and players to be viewed as true leaders as long as he’s around.
Pessimists say the cup is half-empty, while optimists say it's half-full. Well, the real question is, is it a good beer? Realist Larry, 2011
by Realist Larry on Feb 20, 2012 1:05 AM CST up reply actions
Firing guys up has its place
but only when they are capable of playing the position at a high level, consistently and within the scheme. Ray Lewis could scream until is vocal cords burst, but he’s not going to make Ball cover better, or Newman regain his speed, or Costa become stronger or Kosier healthier. If this team were more solid in these spots, maybe you’d next look to cohesion issues, but that doesn’t look close to their issue.
Don't believe everything you think.
All correct.
But leadership, cohesion, and not wanting to let your teammate down can come into play in the big moments of the biggest games in a league where the talent levels on these teams are so close.
Ernie Accorsi to Wellington Mara upon drafting Eli Manning, "This kid id going to win you a championship, and he's going to win you more than one."
Ernie is the Man(ning)
maybe
but I think it is possible his fire causes these guys to tackle more aggressively for example. ie I don’t think Newman makes that pitiful excuse for a tackle on Hynoski this year.
Football is a very violent game. The best defenses also seem to hit the hardest – ie Bears 49ers Steelers Ravens. Its not JUST talent. Theres got to be a belief. Great Ds have players who are willing to put their body on the line for a big hit or a big play. The Cowboys haven’t been a swarm to the ball, hard hitting D for the last decade + regardless of who was starting.
while the leader of the offense is the QB...
I think the leader of the D is the Defensive Coordinator.
A current player is always in the wrong when criticizing leadership, cuz he’s saying he ain’t one either.
He's good, but he's no Danny White!
by Shaymer on Feb 19, 2012 9:35 AM CST via mobile reply actions
So much for Romo
putting the players through the equivalent of OTA’s during the lockout, ensuring each player got a personal invite, the drills were organized and purposeful, schedule was tight, field, refs and medical staff available and players that didn’t attend were appropriately ‘motivated’ when they didn’t show. Because it was so long ago.
PT is a tool because, well he’s a tool, Hatcher just comes off as ignorant at best, disloyal otherwise. And this would have resonated no matter when it came out because its negative and regards the Dallas Cowboys.
'I have wasted Time and Time doth waste me'
Jerry Jones as Richard II - Act 5, Scene 5
I know Witt was a big part of that effort
and I believe DWare was as well.
'I have wasted Time and Time doth waste me'
Jerry Jones as Richard II - Act 5, Scene 5
and Bradie
"Obviously, I felt like if I ran into my lineman there it was going to help the play" ~Tony Romo
Another reason to trade.......
Ware and Ratliff. Trade Hatcher too.
trading Ware would make about as much sense as trading Romo lol
you could maybe argue about Jerry extending Ratliffs contract but other then that he’s been one of the best players on this Defense & without him on that DL its a huge loss.
Every team has a great gameplan until they get Punched in the Mouth. Sean Lee is a welcomed addition at ILB & Kegabear's prediction about Spencer looks spot on so far.
It's called rebuilding....
in the very first paragraph JJ states he has the talent, this is a fail.
You scrap the defense first, they are a fail in their ownright. If the compensation was there you might get to respectable relatively quickly with more numbers.
Ware and Ratliff are the best players at the moment, both over 30. It isn’t personal it’s business Sonny.
people who point fingers are part of the problems imo.
Ware might not be Ray Lewis vocal on the field but leading by example is sometimes better then just baking at people..
maybe other teams knew of Hatchers problems & thats the reason no one wanted to sign him in FA.
Every team has a great gameplan until they get Punched in the Mouth. Sean Lee is a welcomed addition at ILB & Kegabear's prediction about Spencer looks spot on so far.
This team don't need a leader. No team does.
What it needs is guys who can play their positions competently. Ray Lewis is a leader but he does it by getting the team fired up. He doesn’t have the authority to hold anyone accountable for a mistake. What can he do? Yell at his teammates? That’s not being held accountable. And that only brings dissension. What if he makes a mistake, does anyone yell at him? The leader has to be the coaches. Now, that being said, there should be several guys on the team who take it upon themselves to get loud and try to pump up their teammates because they have to hold the other team on a crucial set of downs. That’s what the Cowboys need. A true leader calls out his players, but never in public.
by Frankster_1 on Feb 19, 2012 12:31 PM CST via mobile reply actions
It's not just "firing up" your teammates.......
it’s believing that you are going to win when the chips are down. Look at Irvin, he always believed they would win. Against the 49ers in the Championship game back in the 90’s, he said that he really believed they were going to come back against the 49ers even when they had all of the turn-overs etc. He was shocked when they lost. That day proved that he was the true leader on this team. By his belief that they would win every game, he got the whole team to buy into believing in winning. That’s what a “leader” in imo, not A CHEERLEADER.
to take it a step further......
a true leader “believes” they are going to win every time. They get everyone else to buy into “believing” they will win and every player will do their part to win. When adversity strikes, they still believe they will win. Nothing will stop them from their goal-winning
What team doesn't want to always win?
Which players don’t always want to win? People are acting like they hear every word spoken in the locker room, on the field, and on the sidelines. None of you know what a “leader” is, because none of you are in the NFL.
by BrickTop on Feb 19, 2012 12:46 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Do u think the Cowboys go into a game thinking they're going to lose?
U can’t will your team to a win. You can show emotion enough and have the want and desire to win a game and the produce the results to win a game but willing it alone does not work. If believing u were going to win was enough, nobody would lose. You can say Irvin believed he would win, but then what does that say about the years they didn’t win it all? Did he not want it bad enough? It’s all about execution and letting your teammates know that this game could be won or lost on this play might be enough to “will” a win.
by Frankster_1 on Feb 19, 2012 12:49 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
No, but when adversity strikes like say a turnover
you see some guys on the sideline with their heads hung low. They don’t really believe they can come back. When you are at this level, you have a lot of talent on every team. What separates those teams is execution. When you have a turn-over, you have everyone believe they can come back. In other words, they are mentally tough.
grow up Hatch
The pep talks in Pop Warner are over…if u need someone to motivate you to play and to basically hold your hand after every play then u don’t deserve to wear The Star….the Giants didn’t have Ray Lewis…
"This is J-Witt.......................dawwwg"
How the hell would Jason Hatcher know what is going on in the locker room?
What an idiot. How would someone who actually plays for the team know if they need more player leadership or not?
by Baked Potato Soup on Feb 19, 2012 1:04 PM CST reply actions
Why the hell does he need to ask for it
Than be that guy is the question you should ask.
by BrickTop on Feb 19, 2012 2:03 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Why should I ask anything?
An actual member of the team feels the team is lacking player leadership. Who am I, as a fan who is not out there battling on the field, to suggest that I know more than him what the team needs?
by Baked Potato Soup on Feb 19, 2012 11:08 PM CST up reply actions
Thank you very much. (Yes, I see through your sarcasm)
A corrollary is, why does it UPSET so many fans here to hear it ??!
My gosh, it’s like they were personally insulted. So many fans here can’t admit what to me has been obvious for years, that this team lacks a couple of true leaders who are players.
Why is it so hard for them to admit it?
Pessimists say the cup is half-empty, while optimists say it's half-full. Well, the real question is, is it a good beer? Realist Larry, 2011
by Realist Larry on Feb 20, 2012 1:08 AM CST up reply actions
I think
its due to the fact that the team is constantly under fire in the media for pseudo issues that nobody actually knows about like “leadership” and “heart”, while nobody takes the team to task for a declining talent base since 2007. Romo gets criticized seemingly once every month or two for this crap despite obvious evidence to the contrary, so fans tend to get defensive which I think is understandable.
But again, I think this is a serious overreaction. Its not like Jason Hatcher scheduled a press conference to say that this team has no leadership. He was asked a question in an interview, he was obviously surprised by it, and he gave what probably was an honest answer, which in this day and age will cause an entire fanbase to get on your back.
And his answer was not ridiculous – when players and fans think of leaders, I’m sure the first one that comes to mind is Ray Lewis. To an extent though, that is an unrealistic standard – outside of a couple players like Lewis and Brian Dawkins on defense, and Manning and Brady on offense, I can’t think of too many truly great leaders, but those are the gold standards everyone wishes they had.
I personally think many leaders are defined that way after they win the superbowl, and overall the issue is somewhat overdiscussed in the media outside of a few notable players, and therefore it doesn’t surprise me that when a player is asked that question his first thought is no we don’t have someone like Ray Lewis.
Also, on many teams the DC is the leader. I’d expect that to be the case with the Cowboys and Rob Ryan. We’ll see what happens now that RR has a full offseason.
I don’t understand how this is being viewed by so many as throwing the rest of the team under the bus though. It is truly the silly season. Luckily, things are about to pick up with FA, the combine and the draft so we’ll have more important things to talk about.
This reminds me of
Keith Brooking. The year he came in is when Wade Phillips defense was at its peak for the Cowboys.
need this kind of shakeup the old sugarcoated entitlement crap needs to get flushed down the toilet
apparently somethings going wrong when Dallas is “overrated” 4 of the last 5 years but no one wants to speak on change for the good just meander the river of mediocrity.
some guys actually want to win. not just collect a check
The realist keepin it real amongst the surrealists
Use em and throw em away, see a pro a day is essential. If you want a piece of the rock, trick, go to Prudential
by starbury_to_s-jaxci2000 on Feb 19, 2012 3:09 PM CST reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Blogging The Boys
Related FanShots on Blogging The Boys
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
SBNation.com Recent Stories
In Association With
Shutdown Corner - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
- Things to know about NFL men who served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam
- How Kyle Orton almost cost the Colts Andrew Luck
- Detroit Lions DT Nick Fairley arrested again; now has more NFL arrests than NFL sacks
- Former high-school star Brian Banks does serious time on trumped-up charge, now hopes for an NFL shot
- Former ‘idiot kicker’ Mike Vanderjagt in trouble after accosting junior-high heckler
