In all seriousness, Do the players even care if they make the playoffs?

[Rynie]

Originally Posted by Illini88228

Why do people hate Mike Jenkins so much? The guy played last year when is arm kept getting ripped out of its socket. Yes he's dogged it on some tackles over the year, but lots of cornerbacks have done that. I'm just amazed that somehow Jenkins has become the poster child for not caring.

Uh, all the business decisions, him crying when we got mo, not re-habbing in Dallas area so the coaches can be kept up to date on his progress, chomping it up with redskins coaches. I don't care how good a player is. It's extremely obvious he doesn't care.

[juck]

Originally Posted by Everson24

Even if they were to play the wild card game and win their way to the Super Bowl championship they would earn a total of $170K. That amount is less than 10% of some of the players individual game check. I have a hard time believing that amount of money is any motivating factor for many of our highly overpaid players.

I remember reading somewhere that Walt Garrison made something like 30% of his annual salary if they went to and won the Super Bowl. Now I can understand that making a difference in your motivation.

[View Full Quote]As far as getting more publicity for winning, We lack motivation for that too. Win or lose what team gets more publicity than the Dallas Cowboys? I just don't think there is anything these players really care about other than staying on an NFL roster,getting their paychecks and planning their family vacation as soon as game 16 is over. Think about it. Would you be excited to give up a two week family vacation in Aruba for %10 of your weekly salary not to mention a chance to rest and get healthy again? I didn't think so. This may explain why we see many players laughing it up on the sidelines while we are down 21-3 against our division rivals. I'm getting tired of caring more about winning than some of the players do. And really who could blame them?

Post of the year. Great post and so true. Fans care more than the players. They ALL have one thing in common and thats an NFL logo on their jerseys.
In the grand scheme they all play on the same team. Maybe the older players want a ring before they retire thats about it. The joke is on us and they laugh the whole way to the bank on the biggest reality show on the planet. Professional sports.

[tyke1doe]

Originally Posted by Risen Star

It does speak volumes on Felix. People wanted to blame the injury for it. I don't buy it. You're not talking about some extreme test of conditioning here. RBs should pass it in their sleep.

I think it shows the lack of desire in Felix's belly that has been very apparent since he's been here. That's why a guy with his ability has underachieved like he has.

As for the overall premise of this thread, I don't believe so. The Cowboys are one of 32 teams operating under the same financial structure. They all have millionaires playing for thousands in the postseason. Most of these guys would run through a wall for a title. They care. They just aren't very good.

The unfortunate thing about football now is that it's a year-round sport. Once the season is over, guys have to stay in shape, continue to throw (if you're a quarterback) or keep sharp mentally. You can't just take off and then come to training camp ready to get back into the swing of things, especially when your competitor is doing those things that go toward him being ready for the season.

I think some players, like Felix, think, "Man, I'm glad the season is over. It's now time to chill and relax." And then when it's time for training camp, they're dragging their Dorito/Cheetoes-munching, soda-gulping, couch-laying bodies back into camp, hoping to shed a few pounds instead of being ready to start camp with carefully chiseled and conditioned bodies honed by off-season workouts.

[MagicMan]

Generally speaking, and thats generally, the player of today is ready to take vacations and spend time with their families once the regular season is over. They have made their millions for the year and ready to spend some. Used to be back in the 60's & even 70's, players did not have million dollar salaries and going to the playoffs was BIG.....most of their contracts had bonuses for playoff games and even SB's. Now not only the bonuses but the salaries are based on stats, stats and more stats. That is why most don't wanna come outta games. Salary renegotiations start with stats, not playoff wins.

that has become more important than a measley 170K. Sure they want a ring to satisfy the ego and get bragging rights with their peers....but they know only one team a year will get it and as long as they are healthy for the coming year, that is ok with them.

that is my story, and im sticking to it.....

[lane]

ray lewis

cowboy or not

he's a true football player that could play in any era

[Bluestang]

Originally Posted by Rynie

I guarantee you Mike Jenkins doesn't care. Probably Orlando scandrick also.

Watch the video of Garrett's speech after the Browns game.

Rob Ryan is going around thanking all of his defensive players for their efforts in the game and when he gets to Jenkins, Jenkins turns his back to him and continues getting dressed.

I know Jenkins didn't play that game and he probably didn't contribute much in practice that week but there's no reason for that.

[Rynie]

Originally Posted by Bluestang

Watch the video of Garrett's speech after the Browns game.

Rob Ryan is going around thanking all of his defensive players for their efforts in the game and when he gets to Jenkins, Jenkins turns his back to him and continues getting dressed.

I know Jenkins didn't play that game and he probably didn't contribute much in practice that week but there's no reason for that.

Yeah, what the hell? Wow.

[Proximo]

Originally Posted by Everson24

I'm getting tired of caring more about winning than some of the players do.

You are grossly underestimating the competitive nature of the individuals that get drafted to play in the NFL. Yes, there are some players that lose their competitive spirit once they get paid, however your generalization is completely ridiculous.

Do you really think that you care more about winning than some of the players do? Seriously? The guys that train in the offseason, go through OTA's, training camp, injuries, preseason, and endure the physical hardships of putting their body through 16 regular season games? You think you care more than they do? From your couch? Please.

[Everson24]

Originally Posted by Proximo

You are grossly underestimating the competitive nature of the individuals that get drafted to play in the NFL. Yes, there are some players that lose their competitive spirit once they get paid, however your generalization is completely ridiculous.

Do you really think that you care more about winning than some of the players do? Seriously? The guys that train in the offseason, go through OTA's, training camp, injuries, preseason, and endure the physical hardships of putting their body through 16 regular season games? You think you care more than they do? From your couch? Please.

Yeah I think by the end of the season I want to see more football games than they do. The players have such a long season and with OTAs,mini camps and training camp, they now have a very short offseason. I'm not the one getting my body beat up so it does seem to make more sense that I would want the season to last longer than the players would.

[Zimmy Lives]

I think they do but they are not losing any sleep over losing.

The problem with getting the RKOGs is that they put things in perspective and believe family and faith are more important in the grand scheme of things. At least that is how I would see things.

Personally, I wish this was a team of hard arses that were obsessed with winning.

[jobberone]

While I agree there statistically has to be players who could care less and just want to clock out and go home, I don't think that is the case for many.

First there is the competitive nature of football. Most players have to want it badly just to be competitive.

Second there is a lot more financial incentive for doing well esp as a team. Teams that do well have to pay their players more as they are perceived as being more valuable. Players who play long enough get several contracts in their careers. There probably are a few players who have so much talent they can 'win' their battles on the field just on talent. Most have to want to win individual battles each game all season. So there is incentive to play well as an individual player as well as be part of a successful team.

Having said that, again I believe there are players who are just collecting a check.