8-11 over our last 19 games - This mess didn't just start this year! - Dallas Cowboys Forum

**MichaelWinicki** · 11-08-2004

For you folks stuck in the "this year vs. last year" argument, just think about that 8-11 record over our last 19 games.

This car wreck isn't just a 2004 problem. It was there in 2003, but we didn't have the injury problems and bad luck that plagued us so far in 2004.

But just think who we beat in the beginning of 2003 to start out 5-1? Some pretty sorry teams like Washington and the Giants along with a lucky game against Philly.

But the fact is this crappy team started out being crappy the last half of last season and has progressed from there with plenty of injuries and bad luck thrown in.

This just isn't a 2004 problem and it never has been.

Jimz31 · 11-08-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelWinicki

For you folks stuck in the "this year vs. last year" argument, just think about that 8-11 record over our last 19 games.

This car wreck isn't just a 2004 problem. It was there in 2003, but we didn't have the injury problems and bad luck that plagued us so far in 2004.

But just think who we beat in the beginning of 2003 to start out 5-1? Some pretty sorry teams like Washington and the Giants along with a lucky game against Philly.

But the fact is this crappy team started out being crappy the last half of last season and has progressed from there with plenty of injuries and bad luck thrown in.

This just isn't a 2004 problem and it never has been.

Here's an eye opener for you.....take the last 5 years and look at the record.

We've been a bad team for quite a while.

We're the freakin' Cowboys, man! How can this be? Sheesh!

Eddie · 11-08-2004

But we lost to the crappy Bengals.

That hurts bad!!!

**MichaelWinicki** · 11-08-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimz31

Here's an eye opener for you.....take the last 5 years and look at the record.

We've been a bad team for quite a while.

We're the freakin' Cowboys, man! How can this be? Sheesh!

Jimz you are absolutely right.

We've been a bad team for a long time.

You take out the 5-1 start in 2003 and we've been consistently bad.

Juke99 · 11-08-2004

ON THE NOSEY, MW...

And I'll go ya one step further...we caught teams at very opportune times in the first half last year, when they were playing poorly...when key starters were missing...for sure, we had a few quality performances...but for the most part, when we faced a good team, our lack of quality players was very noticeable...

I thought it and said it, last year was a problem...

I locked horns with some who felt it was important for the franchise to get back to winning ways...I felt, a competitive team, that finished 7-9 with a good run in the second half of the season, rather than a team that finished 10-6, with increasingly poor play, was the better situation.

It hurt our progress.....it became apparent, that as the season moved on, Parcells and company became more interested in making the playoffs than in building the team..even though they HAD to know, it wasn't a playoff caliber roster...

I can't fault them for that, other than the first business rule...when you have a plan, stick to it...heck that got George Bush re-elected...

wileedog · 11-08-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelWinicki

Jimz you are absolutely right.

We've been a bad team for a long time.

You take out the 5-1 start in 2003 and we've been consistently bad.

Look no further than our drafts since Jimmah left. With few exceptions, we have been one of the worst drafting teams in the NFL for almost a decade.

Say what you want about Jerry, but Lacewell and the scouting department need a major overhaul.

Dye · 11-08-2004

the poor drafting after the jj years have long-lasting effect on our present situation. we've been sucking for a long time and we're going to continue sucking!

i'd rather we had built this team from the ground instead of taking veteran core players and putting them in skill positions. i like adding a veteran qb and wr to help our young players. the other acquisitions are a waste of time and money.

**MichaelWinicki** · 11-08-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juke99

ON THE NOSEY, MW...

And I'll go ya one step further...we caught teams at very opportune times in the first half last year, when they were playing poorly...when key starters were missing...for sure, we had a few quality performances...but for the most part, when we faced a good team, our lack of quality players was very noticeable...

I thought it and said it, last year was a problem...

I locked horns with some who felt it was important for the franchise to get back to winning ways...I felt, a competitive team, that finished 7-9 with a good run in the second half of the season, rather than a team that finished 10-6, with increasingly poor play, was the better situation.

It hurt our progress.....it became apparent, that as the season moved on, Parcells and company became more interested in making the playoffs than in building the team..even though they HAD to know, it wasn't a playoff caliber roster...

[View Full Quote]

That's true.

I feel they approached 2004 with two schools of thought...
1. Take advantage of their good fortune in 2003 buy trying to eke out another playoff team in '04, even though they probably new they were dealing with a short deck. The importing of all "Bill's guys" was the result of this thinking.
2. Build for '05. The swap of #1's and the trade for Drew Henson are prime examples of this thinking.

Obviously this two-pronged plan isn't working. Number 1 has crashed and burned. And I don't really blame them for trying it but now they have to realize that this won't work and have to fully concentrate on number 2.

percyhoward · 11-08-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juke99

It hurt our progress.....it became apparent, that as the season moved on, Parcells and company became more interested in making the playoffs than in building the team..even though they HAD to know, it wasn't a playoff caliber roster...

I agree. They thought they could have the cake and eat it too. And with some luck and a friendlier schedule, they probably could have. But this loss tells us it's time to focus on building again. Hope there's still time.