Simple Lessons from the playoffs

CowboyRoy

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Football is actually a pretty simple game. The 4 teams in the two championship games this weekend gave us a consistent reminder about the simplicity of the game- the teams that win are the ones that have these consistent qualities game in, game out:
  1. They can block well.
  2. They can tackle well.
  3. They are physically and mentally tough.
Obviously you have to have some talent. So add talent to the three qualities above and you have a chance to be a team that wins in the playoffs.

Look at what the Niners have done so far in the playoffs- in the divisional win against the Vikes and the blowout of the pack in the NFC championship yesterday, they ran the ball 89 times for 471 yards. They only threw the ball 27 times! Defensively they made crisp open field tackles consistently. They look physically tough as nails.

And the chiefs surprised me twice with their mental toughness. Down 24 points in the divisional round then down 10 in championship game...no big deal. They were mentally tough as nails.

So my fellow Cowboys fans...ask yourself honestly...when was the last time our Dallas Cowboys could block well, tackle well, and show mental and physical toughness when the chips are down? Maybe 2014? But that team never got out of the divisional round. (When our fans scream about screwed in the Dez call, which we were, they fail to realize there were sill 4 min left in that game. But our defense couldn’t stop the pack from running out the clock.) I know this- those 70s and 90s teams were as tough as boot leather. I’m tired of looking at soft Cowboys teams.

This offseason as we look at who draft, who to keep and who to let go or cut, and who to sign as a FA- just remember that yeah, all that stuff is important. But the first thing this team needs is some football fundamentals. Blocking, tackling and toughness.

The teams that are winning these days have it. And we need start getting some more of that if we are ever going to get back to being playoff relevant again.

Most of the teams in the final 4 all did well what you showed. What all 4 had was that they are all well coached. Typically the better overall team with great coaching wins. Niners didn't even need to pass the ball because of the fact they had a great defense and could dominate in the run game.

Cowboys could do similar if they had quality coaching and accountability.

However, given the amount carries that Mostert had, Zeke gets half the yards in that game and 1 or 2 TD's.

Mosters burst and big play ability was what really made that oline blocking unreal.

With a great line like the Cowboys have, you need a big play back that can make the most out of the big holes. Zeke would be better for a team with a lessor line where he had to grind out the hard yards.
 

Mr_437

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Nah man, Cowboys players have brands so they're already winner's.
 

Alexander

What's it going to be then, eh?
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So my fellow Cowboys fans...ask yourself honestly...when was the last time our Dallas Cowboys could block well, tackle well, and show mental and physical toughness when the chips are down? Maybe 2014? But that team never got out of the divisional round. (When our fans scream about screwed in the Dez call, which we were, they fail to realize there were sill 4 min left in that game. But our defense couldn’t stop the pack from running out the clock.) I know this- those 70s and 90s teams were as tough as boot leather. I’m tired of looking at soft Cowboys teams.

It should be intriguing when we see this team take the field again.

IMO, the problem has never been just about blocking well, tackling well and showing mental toughness.

Yes, coaching can change some of this, but not all of it.

Our football teams have been quite stupid for a very long time.

And that gets down to the granular level where we evaluate talent.
 

Bobhaze

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It should be intriguing when we see this team take the field again.

IMO, the problem has never been just about blocking well, tackling well and showing mental toughness.

Yes, coaching can change some of this, but not all of it.

Our football teams have been quite stupid for a very long time.

And that gets down to the granular level where we evaluate talent.
When your GM’s primary talent is being a salesman, and he qualified for the GM job when his check to buy the team cleared the bank, it’s an uphill battle from there.

The stupidity starts in the brain of the man who refuses to stop pretending he can build a championship roster with his football brain. Maybe his hire of MM will show us he’s learned something. I will believe that when it happens.
 
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