Everyone's in an uproar this morning and I can understand why, but panicking at this point is just silly. We all know that the Cowboys could win the next nine games in a row which would have them entering December with a 10-1 record, and still have the whole season go down the toilet. Oh yes, they could potentially end the season with a 15-1 record by winning out after Dec 1.
With a 15-1 record, they would win the NFC East title and qualify for a by week in the playoffs. Man, wouldn't that be something. Think of the ramifications of that. We wouldn't be worrying about who our starting quarterback would be. Romo would have a lock on the position. We wouldn't be worrying about who will be the head coach in 2010. Wade Phillips would be in like Flint. Jason Garrett, the red headed genius would be offensive coordinator, of course. Jerry Jones would still be general manager, but we, the fans, would be praising his football accumen, his draft picks and the wisdom he used putting together the new Dallas Cowboys juggernaut.
Jerry Jones would not be worried about filling the seats of his new stadium. The stands would be packed for each game. And just imagine what life in a Cowboys universe where there was no negativity!!! Oh my, could we stand the adrenaline rush every time we even heard the name "Dallas Cowboys". Mr. Jones would be able to say "See! This is why you helped me fund the new stadium. See what I can do! See how great I am!"
Former Cowboys players would not have to feel like they're being a traitor for making negative comments about the team or individual players because the team and those individual players would be at the top of their game. Everyone could be a Tony Romosexual. All of us could praise the efforts of Flozell Adams. The Dallas receiving corps would be the envy of the NFL. We could say "See, this is why you provided us with the finest venue on the planet for playing football. We deserve it. We've earned it. See what we can do! See how great we are!"
But. . . .
If. . . .
Notice how those two words inevitably show up when one is discussing the Dallas Cowboys? And notice how long those two words have inevitably shown up when one is discussing the Dallas Cowboys?
Ahhhhh yes, but. . . .
But Flozell Adams is the most penalized man in football. But Flozell Adams added to his penalty record in last night's Giants game by tripping a Giants player. But, he tripped another player later in the game and didn't get caught the second time. But, he should have known that tripping was against the rules at the beginning of the game. But he got lucky and didn't get caught and the Cowboys didn't get penalized what was effectively 50 yards that time. But he's been playing for 12 years in the NFL and tripping has always been against the rules. But he didn't get caught. That time.
But Tony Romo has played extremely well sometimes in the last couple seasons. But he's a gunslinger type quarterback. You have to expect a mistake or two from that style player. But the Cowboys are now a cohesive team with no locker room issues. But Romo just doesn't seem to have the leadership qualities one could see when one looks at the careers of players such as Staubach, Aikman, etc. But most of Romo's mistakes have been when the front line broke down.
And here we go. . . . IF Romo had a little more protection in the pocket, he would not be making those mistakes. If Flozell Adams would learn the rule book, he wouldn't make so many penalties. If you fans would be more patient with these guys, you would recognize them as the great players they are. If you fans weren't in such a hurry for success, the Cowboys would be great. After all, Flozell has only been on the team for 12 years. Of course it's possible that the league could change the rule on tripping and the rule on jumping offsides. IF you'd be patient, it would all be allright.
If Tony Romo would get encouragement from you fans instead of negativity, he will lead the Cowboys to the promise land.
If the Dallas defense would simply play up to their potential, the Cowboys will be the next World Champions of football.
If the coaching staff for the Cowboys can figure out how to keep the players focused on the job at hand, Another Lombardi trophy will reside at Valley Ranch. If Wade Phillips can justify the hype about him being a defensive coordinator, the Cowboys can rule supreme. If the red headed genius is in fact a genius, the Cowboys offense will be unstoppable.
But. . . .
It isn't going to happen. Well, not this season.
Tony Romo is going to continue throwing passes that should never be thrown. And when he gets intercepted, he's going to sit on the sidelines pouting like he did last night. In a sport where men are supposed to be men and quarterbacks are supposed to be leaders, seeing him on the sideline whining like a freshly spanked schoolboy simply destroys any perception that he might be some kind of leader.
Seeing the Cowboys management keep players like Flozell on the team, instead of benching his ass because of his never-ending supply of penalties, convinces us that management is focused on selling tickets to their new stadium instead of putting a genuine competitive football team on the field.
We're being sold a bill of goods, Cowboys fans. Jerry Jones' focus lately has been the stadium. I would imagine seeing the Cowboys screw the pooch last night and lose the inaugural game in that fine new venue took some of the luster off being seen with our former President. That had to be somewhat embarassment, and if it wasn't, well, there's another sign of what's wrong with the organization.
But. . . Kiss my butt. I'm not interested in your damned buts.
If. . . If I have to sit and listen to another barage of excuses for yet another meltdown season, I think I'll puke.
It's not December yet. The Cowboys are 1-1. The Cowboys will be extremely fortunate to break even this season.
Anyone that thinks the Cowboys have a chance to be competitive in the playoffs better show me some genuine proof that the Cowboys have enough heart to even get into the playoffs.
Fans of Tony Romo better start looking at the facts. One breakout game does not make Romo an elite quarterback. Elite quarterbacks win elite games. Elite quarterbacks win championship games. Elite quarterbacks take their teams to the playoffs. Elite quarterbacks do not whine on the bench when they're having a bad game. Elite, my chicken fried southern butt.
Cowboys fans need to remove the only thing that appears to be of interest to Jerry Jones. Cold hard cash. Instead of spending yours on memorabilia or game tickets, spend it on Emron stock or donations to the "Let's Bring Quincy Carter Back" bandwagon. But keep it out of Jerry Jones' hands. Until he decides that it's real football players that make a team, he doesn't deserve one copper penny of your money.
I haven't written one word of my Cowboys opinion in months. At first, I was simply at a loss for what to say after the December fiasco last year. Then as the offseason played itself out, I just waited to see what some of the new players looked like. Then the preseason came. There was much to talk about, but nothing that just tugged a my keyboard, screaming for input, so I remained quiet. Then the Tampa Bay game and still, I couldn't bring myself to write anything.
But, yesterday arrived. And the game last night. And I am so mad and frustrated by this team, yet again. I picked a couple players to mention in all this. Adams and Romo. They certainly aren't the only ones who are worthy of mention, but I didn't feel like sitting here going through the 53 man roster.
I'm a Cowboys fan. Sometimes that's a painful thing to be. Yes, I have very low expectations for this team this year. No, I'm not all gaga over the new stadium. They won't keep the opening of the new stadium in the NFL record book. They'll only keep wins and losses and team/individual stats. I won't be looking back 20 years from now remembering how fantastic the new stadium was on the night of its inaugural NFL regular season game. I will, unfortunately, remember how utterly frustrated I was yesterday, though.
I wish I had hope for this season. I don't. Your opinion may be different than mine. I wish you well with that. Just don't try to convince me that I really don't have that opinion.
So, relax. The Cowboys have only played two games. We have a ton of misery ahead of this season, so conserve your energy. You're going to need it.
The Cowboys are dead. Long live the Cowboys.
Rod
Monday, September 21, 2009
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
The Answer to the Question "Why"
For 11 straight seasons prior to this one, the Dallas Cowboys failed to win more games than they lost after December 1st.
There is no logic to this. Players came and went. Coaches, including head coaches, came and went. Some years they practiced in Wichita Falls, other years in San Antonio, other years in California. They had coaches that were tyrants and coaches that were pushovers. One year, they entered December with an 11-1 record. And still choked in December. It didn't, and still doesn't seem to matter what they do. When December arrives, things go south.
I have been researching this phenomenon for several years. I've talked about it every season for 5 or 6 years. Finally, other writers are starting to bring it up.
But this year, I, at least, can provide you with a reason why this continues to happen to our favorite team. Yes, there is an answer to "why". And yes, I have found it.
As I have spent countless hours over the years reading about my favorite team, the Dallas Cowboys, I have payed close attention to many of the writers on the Cowboys beat. I have also payed close attention to how these writers' words were accepted in the Cowboys fan communities online. I have seen certain writers venomously attacked verbally because of what they had written. Some writers always get attacked. Others do on occasion. A few rarely get attacked. It appears that all that's required to garner a verbal attack is to say something that appears to be negative towards the Cowboys.
It doesn't seem to matter whether it's the truth or not, only that it be deemed negative. Before this begins to appear to be a whine session, and I assure you it isn't, I'm going to get to the answer to the question "why".
One of the reporters that I've seen villified on numerous occasions is Randy Galloway. Now, being a wordsmith myself, I happen to enjoy reading what Galloway says. He's witty and direct. He says what's on his mind without hesitation and he says it well, I think. No, I'm not starting the Randy Galloway Fan Club. The fact is, I fear the man.
You'll see why in a moment.
In a very obscure article found on the internet, posted on Thursday, August 31st, 2006 at 5:11 pm, it says:
http://www.knowyourdallascowboys.com/2006/08/31/randy-galloway-comment-in-1996/
"The year was 1996. The Cowboys were coming off of their third Super Bowl title, and other than the situation with Michael Irvin’s suspension, the team had retained much of its talent (recall that this was the year that Dallas was supposed to have the unstoppable duo of Deion Sanders and Kevin Smith at the corners).
During a pregame show for the opening game against Chicago, someone asked Galloway for his prediction for the season. He said he thought that Dallas would win one more that season, and then it would be a “very long time” before it won another. Obviously one prediction fell short, but the Cowboys seem to have rendered him a short-term prophet with respect to the second."
The author implies that Galloway meant the Cowboys would win another Superbowl that season, but one would have to change the question to come to that conclusion. The question, apparently was about Galloway's prediction for the season. His response was that it would be a very long time before they won another. I believe Galloway was talking about them winning another playoff game, which they did in the '96 season. And it has indeed been a "very long time" since they have won another.
Could this explain the Cowboys foibles over the past 12 years? Did Galloway, perhaps without even realizing what he was doing, place some kind of curse on the Dallas Cowboys organization? Could Galloway have unintentionally set forces in motion that caused the Cowboys to go into the post season with virtually no momentum and denied the Cowboys of a playoff victory for all these years?
I located this information last year and even announced then that I was going to reveal the reason for the Cowboys failures in December and the post season for so long. My exhuberance in discovering this obscure information quite frankly had me heady and I let that excitement get ahead of my thought process.
The more I considered how I would write the article, the more I thought of the power of this possible curse. Then I thought about what the repercussions might be should Randy Galloway become angry because I was accusing him of this. Anyone that could, by the mere speaking of words, cause all the events to transpire that have led the team to the point they are now should be feared. If his words were powerful enough to cause the mighty to fall, think of the damage he could inflict on the life of a relatively unknown Joe from east Texas.
So I didn't write the article. Oh, it beckoned me regularly. I even started a few drafts, but destroyed them before I published. The fear was grievous. But so was the need for the truth to come forth and for me to be the one to bring it.
So here we are. The cards are on the table. I've admitted what I've found. I've admitted my fears. I readily admit that this article is not meant by any means to cause Mr. Galloway any distress of any nature. My only wish is that he contemplate this and see if he can reverse that curse some way, somehow, for I do love the Dallas Cowboys and wish to see them return to their glory yet again before I pass from this realm of existence.
And please, please, Mr. Galloway, do not become angry at me and as they say "shoot the messenger". I only wish to be a harbinger of truth.
Now, I know there will be skeptics, but I challenge them to show us some other kind of proof that there is another cause that is more plausible..
There is no logic to this. Players came and went. Coaches, including head coaches, came and went. Some years they practiced in Wichita Falls, other years in San Antonio, other years in California. They had coaches that were tyrants and coaches that were pushovers. One year, they entered December with an 11-1 record. And still choked in December. It didn't, and still doesn't seem to matter what they do. When December arrives, things go south.
I have been researching this phenomenon for several years. I've talked about it every season for 5 or 6 years. Finally, other writers are starting to bring it up.
But this year, I, at least, can provide you with a reason why this continues to happen to our favorite team. Yes, there is an answer to "why". And yes, I have found it.
As I have spent countless hours over the years reading about my favorite team, the Dallas Cowboys, I have payed close attention to many of the writers on the Cowboys beat. I have also payed close attention to how these writers' words were accepted in the Cowboys fan communities online. I have seen certain writers venomously attacked verbally because of what they had written. Some writers always get attacked. Others do on occasion. A few rarely get attacked. It appears that all that's required to garner a verbal attack is to say something that appears to be negative towards the Cowboys.
It doesn't seem to matter whether it's the truth or not, only that it be deemed negative. Before this begins to appear to be a whine session, and I assure you it isn't, I'm going to get to the answer to the question "why".
One of the reporters that I've seen villified on numerous occasions is Randy Galloway. Now, being a wordsmith myself, I happen to enjoy reading what Galloway says. He's witty and direct. He says what's on his mind without hesitation and he says it well, I think. No, I'm not starting the Randy Galloway Fan Club. The fact is, I fear the man.
You'll see why in a moment.
In a very obscure article found on the internet, posted on Thursday, August 31st, 2006 at 5:11 pm, it says:
http://www.knowyourdallascowboys.com/2006/08/31/randy-galloway-comment-in-1996/
"The year was 1996. The Cowboys were coming off of their third Super Bowl title, and other than the situation with Michael Irvin’s suspension, the team had retained much of its talent (recall that this was the year that Dallas was supposed to have the unstoppable duo of Deion Sanders and Kevin Smith at the corners).
During a pregame show for the opening game against Chicago, someone asked Galloway for his prediction for the season. He said he thought that Dallas would win one more that season, and then it would be a “very long time” before it won another. Obviously one prediction fell short, but the Cowboys seem to have rendered him a short-term prophet with respect to the second."
The author implies that Galloway meant the Cowboys would win another Superbowl that season, but one would have to change the question to come to that conclusion. The question, apparently was about Galloway's prediction for the season. His response was that it would be a very long time before they won another. I believe Galloway was talking about them winning another playoff game, which they did in the '96 season. And it has indeed been a "very long time" since they have won another.
Could this explain the Cowboys foibles over the past 12 years? Did Galloway, perhaps without even realizing what he was doing, place some kind of curse on the Dallas Cowboys organization? Could Galloway have unintentionally set forces in motion that caused the Cowboys to go into the post season with virtually no momentum and denied the Cowboys of a playoff victory for all these years?
I located this information last year and even announced then that I was going to reveal the reason for the Cowboys failures in December and the post season for so long. My exhuberance in discovering this obscure information quite frankly had me heady and I let that excitement get ahead of my thought process.
The more I considered how I would write the article, the more I thought of the power of this possible curse. Then I thought about what the repercussions might be should Randy Galloway become angry because I was accusing him of this. Anyone that could, by the mere speaking of words, cause all the events to transpire that have led the team to the point they are now should be feared. If his words were powerful enough to cause the mighty to fall, think of the damage he could inflict on the life of a relatively unknown Joe from east Texas.
So I didn't write the article. Oh, it beckoned me regularly. I even started a few drafts, but destroyed them before I published. The fear was grievous. But so was the need for the truth to come forth and for me to be the one to bring it.
So here we are. The cards are on the table. I've admitted what I've found. I've admitted my fears. I readily admit that this article is not meant by any means to cause Mr. Galloway any distress of any nature. My only wish is that he contemplate this and see if he can reverse that curse some way, somehow, for I do love the Dallas Cowboys and wish to see them return to their glory yet again before I pass from this realm of existence.
And please, please, Mr. Galloway, do not become angry at me and as they say "shoot the messenger". I only wish to be a harbinger of truth.
Now, I know there will be skeptics, but I challenge them to show us some other kind of proof that there is another cause that is more plausible..
Monday, December 8, 2008
OK, so what's next?
I don't know about you, but I've written this season off. I don't for a moment believe that the Cowboys will be able to regroup from the Pittsburgh loss and win three games in a row against playoff contenders. Oh yes, you can rattle off all the mathematical ways it can happen, but we're talking heart here and desire to win. It's simply not going to happen.
So now, we're looking at the draft and trades. What are the areas that need to be dealt with? I can see several that I believe should get serious attention.
First of all, there are several players on the team that shouldn't be, in my opinion.
Stanback has proven himself to be brittle. Too many injuries, too often. I don't know what they've paid him but there's no way he's made enough plays to justify the amount. The only play I can recall him making this season was in yesterday's Pittsburgh game. He was a project when they drafted him. He's still a project. The Cowboys need players, not projects. Replace him with someone who can tie his shoes and get on the field to play.
Terrence Newman has also proven himself to be brittle. Again, too many injuries, too often. I don't know how long it's been since he was considered to be 100% well. Find a replacement.
Anthony Henry should be moved to safety.
Roy Williams (safety). The Cowboys need to trade him or cut him. If they don't, they're going to stick him out there in pass coverage again, and we know what we get when that happens. The best I can tell, the only thing he's ever truly been good at was horsecollaring, and that's no longer allowed.
Flozell Adams has been in the league for 11 seasons, all with the Cowboys. A four time pro bowler and 2nd team All Pro, he signed a new six year contract with the Cowboys, to the tune of $42 million, including $15 million in guaranteed money and about $13 million in signing bonus. He is generally the most penalized player on the team. Now, the argument is he protects Romo. The midseason games this year didn't seem to prove that. The line didn't protect anyone with Kozier gone. When he returned, the line got better. It looked to me that Kozier was much more important than Adams. His perpetual movement before the snap penalties changed games, took away momentum and yardage and caused all the other bad things that go with that. Remember, we're not talking about some rookie here. We're talking an eleven year veteran that hasn't learned the fundamentals. We have no reasonable expectation of him going another four years (to fill out his contract) without making more of those just plain stupid penalties. If he hasn't learned by now, it's not going to happen. Trade him to someone. Find a replacement. I'm tired of wasting money on people who are hurting the team or who can't be depended on to play from week to week.
Pacman Jones - Just say no. The only reasonable expectation you can have with this guy is that he's going to screw up and get banned from the league. I firmly believe that he's on his last rope with the NFL commissioner and that his next stunt will be his last in the NFL. And I also firmly believe that Pacman Jones will screw up. I don't believe it's a matter of "whether", only "when". Why waste the time, manpower and resources to train a guy that's not going to be available to play. Replace him.
Backup quarterback. Depending on these worn out, non-mobile has beens has not worked. Do something different. Look for talent, even if it doesn't come with lots of experience.
Starting quarterback. Two and a half seasons should be enough for Tony Romo to settle his ass down and stop throwing so many interceptions. He has gone wayyyyyy past the "acceptable mistake" mark. Great quarterbacks don't do that. If he's going to be great, it has to end.
Special teams. A new special teams coach is in order. Coverage and blocking need serious work. Folk is a keeper.
Offensive coaching. Playcalling is predictable and isn't even coming close to using the maximum talent available on the team. Jason Garrett needs to get creative. Presuming he's still here, of course.
Defensive coaching. Defensive playcalling needs some major work, too. It's hard to know exactly what they need since it's changed every frigging week, it seems and they only had one game that they truly dominated a good team. And they only did that for three quarters. I'm talking about the Pittsburgh game, of course. Some players need to be shifted around, such as Henry to safety. Some need to just move on, such as Pacman Jones and Terrence Newman.
Head coach. Phillips will probably be fired at the end of the season. Talk has it that Jason Garrett is the heir apparent. Jason Garrett has not performed well enough to be considered for a head coach position. Right now, if I were to be picking a new head coach for the Cowboys, it would have to be Bill Cowher. And give the man the authority to get the job done. This means Jerry Jones lets the man do that job without interfering with decisions, playcalling or players. If another puppet coach is installed, expect more of the same.
Strength and conditioning coaches. Fire the whole bunch. If they've been there longer than a month, fire them. The Cowboys have entered December every year for 12 straight years, out of condition and low of strength. They don't have enough steam left to finish games. So they wind up having a drop off in wins each December. I have no idea if these are the same coaches they've had every year or whether it was a new bunch each year, but regardless, they aren't getting the job done, so they need to be replaced. Then go find out who the strength and conditioning coaches are for Pittsburgh or New England and steal them. Either group should be adequate to get that job turned around.
I'm sure I can think of other things, and as I do, I'll try to mention them. But this should keep a couple people busy for a weekend.
Rod
So now, we're looking at the draft and trades. What are the areas that need to be dealt with? I can see several that I believe should get serious attention.
First of all, there are several players on the team that shouldn't be, in my opinion.
Stanback has proven himself to be brittle. Too many injuries, too often. I don't know what they've paid him but there's no way he's made enough plays to justify the amount. The only play I can recall him making this season was in yesterday's Pittsburgh game. He was a project when they drafted him. He's still a project. The Cowboys need players, not projects. Replace him with someone who can tie his shoes and get on the field to play.
Terrence Newman has also proven himself to be brittle. Again, too many injuries, too often. I don't know how long it's been since he was considered to be 100% well. Find a replacement.
Anthony Henry should be moved to safety.
Roy Williams (safety). The Cowboys need to trade him or cut him. If they don't, they're going to stick him out there in pass coverage again, and we know what we get when that happens. The best I can tell, the only thing he's ever truly been good at was horsecollaring, and that's no longer allowed.
Flozell Adams has been in the league for 11 seasons, all with the Cowboys. A four time pro bowler and 2nd team All Pro, he signed a new six year contract with the Cowboys, to the tune of $42 million, including $15 million in guaranteed money and about $13 million in signing bonus. He is generally the most penalized player on the team. Now, the argument is he protects Romo. The midseason games this year didn't seem to prove that. The line didn't protect anyone with Kozier gone. When he returned, the line got better. It looked to me that Kozier was much more important than Adams. His perpetual movement before the snap penalties changed games, took away momentum and yardage and caused all the other bad things that go with that. Remember, we're not talking about some rookie here. We're talking an eleven year veteran that hasn't learned the fundamentals. We have no reasonable expectation of him going another four years (to fill out his contract) without making more of those just plain stupid penalties. If he hasn't learned by now, it's not going to happen. Trade him to someone. Find a replacement. I'm tired of wasting money on people who are hurting the team or who can't be depended on to play from week to week.
Pacman Jones - Just say no. The only reasonable expectation you can have with this guy is that he's going to screw up and get banned from the league. I firmly believe that he's on his last rope with the NFL commissioner and that his next stunt will be his last in the NFL. And I also firmly believe that Pacman Jones will screw up. I don't believe it's a matter of "whether", only "when". Why waste the time, manpower and resources to train a guy that's not going to be available to play. Replace him.
Backup quarterback. Depending on these worn out, non-mobile has beens has not worked. Do something different. Look for talent, even if it doesn't come with lots of experience.
Starting quarterback. Two and a half seasons should be enough for Tony Romo to settle his ass down and stop throwing so many interceptions. He has gone wayyyyyy past the "acceptable mistake" mark. Great quarterbacks don't do that. If he's going to be great, it has to end.
Special teams. A new special teams coach is in order. Coverage and blocking need serious work. Folk is a keeper.
Offensive coaching. Playcalling is predictable and isn't even coming close to using the maximum talent available on the team. Jason Garrett needs to get creative. Presuming he's still here, of course.
Defensive coaching. Defensive playcalling needs some major work, too. It's hard to know exactly what they need since it's changed every frigging week, it seems and they only had one game that they truly dominated a good team. And they only did that for three quarters. I'm talking about the Pittsburgh game, of course. Some players need to be shifted around, such as Henry to safety. Some need to just move on, such as Pacman Jones and Terrence Newman.
Head coach. Phillips will probably be fired at the end of the season. Talk has it that Jason Garrett is the heir apparent. Jason Garrett has not performed well enough to be considered for a head coach position. Right now, if I were to be picking a new head coach for the Cowboys, it would have to be Bill Cowher. And give the man the authority to get the job done. This means Jerry Jones lets the man do that job without interfering with decisions, playcalling or players. If another puppet coach is installed, expect more of the same.
Strength and conditioning coaches. Fire the whole bunch. If they've been there longer than a month, fire them. The Cowboys have entered December every year for 12 straight years, out of condition and low of strength. They don't have enough steam left to finish games. So they wind up having a drop off in wins each December. I have no idea if these are the same coaches they've had every year or whether it was a new bunch each year, but regardless, they aren't getting the job done, so they need to be replaced. Then go find out who the strength and conditioning coaches are for Pittsburgh or New England and steal them. Either group should be adequate to get that job turned around.
I'm sure I can think of other things, and as I do, I'll try to mention them. But this should keep a couple people busy for a weekend.
Rod
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