DC.com: Spagnola: Don't Let Emotion Cloud Issue

[CCBoy]

Close, But ...
Spagnola: Don't Let Emotion Cloud Issue
Mickey Spagnola


http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/news.cfm?id=B5822F14-BFFD-F9DC-1E10D5AF22826E9E




IRVING, Texas - These were the final two paragraphs from my column on Sept. 9, 2011, two days before the Cowboys opened the season on Sunday Night Football against the AFC Super Bowl favorite New York Jets:

So to me, 9-7 should be expected, with 10-6 not out of the question if a few cards fall right, er, a few tipped passes by Cowboys receivers don't land in those other guys' hands like last season. This is not starting from scratch, and that is not and was not the Cowboys' intentions when cutting some fat, so to speak, off this roster. This is about trying to get better - this year.

Forward bound.

Now then, to all those who have been flying out the windows for the past week, spewing venom, writing scathing emails and making vicious accusations during phone calls, if you can just chill for a moment - just a moment - cutting the emotion out of your thinking, then ask yourself: Did the Cowboys get better this season? Better than last season?...

[CCBoy]

Jerry doesn't understand?

This is what he saw from the previous season:

'And as for fearless and tireless correspondent, allow me to remind you about last season, the 2010 one in which the Cowboys finished 6-10, the one matching the franchise's second-worst season record since going 1-15 in 1989 (They suffered through three consecutive 5-11s to start the century).

Needless to say, the Cowboys began that season 1-7, costing Wade Phillips his head coaching and defensive coordinator jobs. The defense was putrid - all season long - the club giving up 436 points, the most in franchise history. They finished 31st in scoring defense, and for good reason. The Cowboys surrendered 27 or more points in 10 of the 16 games. They allowed opponents to score at least 30 points eight times. Eight for goodness sakes! That included the 45 spot put on them by Green Bay and the 41 by the Giants.

They struggled on the offensive line, and that was with much higher-priced players, and really gave off little sense of hope.

So not sure what you expected this season'...

[CCBoy]

And this is the rain that has to be endured to find a rainbow, not a sunami:

'But look, what was so maddening should be somewhat encouraging: The Cowboys were what we thought they were back at the beginning of September, but nearly were what most probably never dreamed they could have been if not for some of the utterly ridiculous ways they lost games.

As slim a difference as two plays, and 8-8 could have been 10-6 and it would have been the Cowboys playing the Atlanta Falcons this weekend at Cowboys Stadium instead of the Falcons playing the Giants at MetLife. Take two, any two. What about maybe not having that blocked punt returned for a touchdown in the opener against the Jets? Without that, there is a real good chance the Cowboys hang on to beat what turned out to be a very beatable team (8-8).'

[CCBoy]

Oh, and for the group that can't follow two connected sentences unless reading insult, name calling, or protest - the Cliff Notes and conclusion:

'And take heart, the Cowboys understand their shortcomings. They know they must improve the back end of their defense. They know they need to find someone to help Ware put pressure on opposing quarterbacks. And they know they need help on the interior of their offensive line. Doing so will vault them forward even more.

But really, unless you had taken an unrealistic look at this season, with all the change that took place - head coach, defensive coordinator, defensive system, revamped offensive line, a quarterback who missed the final 10 games last year, just to name a few - not sure what you expected before this team sort of teased us along the way. Because frankly, in the end - realistically - with regards to Denny Green, the Cowboys were exactly who we thought they were, and but a couple of strange plays away from being far more than we ever should have imagined.'

[bbailey423]

Mickey seems out of touch with today's NFL. To point out that Micheal Irvin had a career high 10 TDs in a single season....but then point out Laurent Robinson had 11 this past season, is his way of saying we have added some unreal talent? What that says to me is that the modern day NFL is a passing league. Because Robinson will NEVER be Micheal Irvin. These comarisons are just silly. Victor Cruz had a 1500 yard season and he only started 7 games!

[Eddie]

Victor Cruz had a 1500 yard season and he only started 7 games!

Cruz is a beast and the Gnats got him for free.

[el_chevo]

Hey Mickey, stick to picking 80s hairband songs for your horrible show.

[ddh33]

I think there are times that people make bad decisions out of emotion, but there is also something to be said for using your emotion instead of rationalizing.

I think the Cowboys have rationalized some things over the last couple of years instead of taking an emotional approach. They have convinced themselves that Newman could be a very good corner again, if only he was healthy. They rationalized how older players wouldn't fall off of a cliff due to age or ability. Sometimes, you have to use your emotions too, get mad, and make some hard decisions.

[Juke99]

ah, Spagnola, the great enabler.

[CCBoy]

ah, Spagnola, the great enabler.

Or a good, consciencious, and faithful media professional who has walked a long and honest road.

[jjktkk]

Or a good, consciencious, and faithful media professional who has walked a long and honest road.

As a media member, being faithful is not a good thing imo.

[CCBoy]

As a media member, being faithful is not a good thing imo.

When I was growing up, values were placed in this order:

God
Family
Country
Self

Loyalty was a defining element, not object of scorn.:)

I'm sure Hos would leave out a box of kleenex for all those crying to the contrary.

[ScipioCowboy]

ah, Spagnola, the great enabler.

He's paid to be Jerry's mouthpiece, and he fills that role adequately.

[ChopBlock]

Or a good, consciencious, and faithful media professional who has walked a long and honest road.

Nah. He's a moronic enabler.

[SA_Gunslinger]

I really love Mick.....good, sensible columns most of the time. This go 'round, I definitely agree on the point of low expectations for this season (I'm trying to figure out how I saw a Yahoo poll of the most disappointing NFL teams this year that contained the Cowboys but not the Eagles. Huh? The Cowboys had no expectations at all and played for the division title in week 17), but I can no longer agree with him on this sappy optimism for the future. Being marginally better than the last crummy Cowboys team to play does little to tide me over. And 16 years of failures has finally driven me to finally stop trying to make myself feel better about the little victories. Bottom line, we're still miles away from being a championship contender again. We're not even close. And until we take MAJOR strides in that direction, these little baby steps do nothing to make me a happy Cowboys fan.

:starspin

[jjktkk]

When I was growing up, values were placed in this order:

God
Family
Country
Self

Loyalty was a defining element, not object of scorn.:)

I'm sure Hos would leave out a box of kleenex for all those crying to the contrary.

This isn't about morals. We're talking about a beat writer for the Cowboys. I have nothing against Spags, seems like a great guy, but I perceive him as a good guy, who fails to ask the tough questions needed at times, from the media.

[felix360]

IRVING, Texas - These were the final two paragraphs from my column on Sept. 9, 2011, two days before the Cowboys opened the season on Sunday Night Football against the AFC Super Bowl favorite New York Jets:

So to me, 9-7 should be expected, with 10-6 not out of the question if a few cards fall right, er, a few tipped passes by Cowboys receivers don't land in those other guys' hands like last season. This is not starting from scratch, and that is not and was not the Cowboys' intentions when cutting some fat, so to speak, off this roster. This is about trying to get better - this year.

Forward bound.


Let the offseason begin. http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/news.cfm?id=B5822F14-BFFD-F9DC-1E10D5AF22826E9E