A Touch Of Hostility...Season Ends
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Danny White
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Nice post Hos.
I've been looking for a thread to post my brief thoughts in, and this seems as good as any.
Despite the bitterness following this nasty loss, I leave this season with very good memories.
This has been the most enjoyable Cowboys season for me since our last Super Bowl. This is a likable team, with fun, talented, high-character players who are easy to root for.
What's more, they should be back next year, hopefully with a few key improvements, but largely intact and ready to take on all-comers in the NFC and compete for the title yet again.
The stadium was great as well, and it was a joy to go to 7 games there this year, rooting for the team I love so much, and make some good friends and have some great times that will be remembered for a long time in the process.
In the end, I hope the team learns from its failures and comes back next year even stronger.
Go Cowboys!
I've been looking for a thread to post my brief thoughts in, and this seems as good as any.
Despite the bitterness following this nasty loss, I leave this season with very good memories.
This has been the most enjoyable Cowboys season for me since our last Super Bowl. This is a likable team, with fun, talented, high-character players who are easy to root for.
What's more, they should be back next year, hopefully with a few key improvements, but largely intact and ready to take on all-comers in the NFC and compete for the title yet again.
The stadium was great as well, and it was a joy to go to 7 games there this year, rooting for the team I love so much, and make some good friends and have some great times that will be remembered for a long time in the process.
In the end, I hope the team learns from its failures and comes back next year even stronger.
Go Cowboys!
CowboyMcCoy
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Danny White;3241306 said:
I concur.
MapleLeaf
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...for this week I hope to avoid the irrationality of my feelings right now and the inevitable embarrassment that happens when I opening my mouth. Here goes...
First, I'm not a Wade fan, but if he/they all stay I would like to see this team built with the strategy that we build our momentum to peak with a run at the playoffs. Build the team to win the playoffs.
Part of this is to look carefully at the young talent and get them their stripes early while winning games. We have to have the young kids and second string ready to go and contribute.
Second, I would like to see the Cowboys and specifically Jerry work to get us more draft picks in the upcoming year. He has to avoid dipping into his draft picks for FAs and work the draft despite the fact that the upcoming year the SB is at home. If he gets FAs on price alone with no picks or extremely low picks great, but try to avoid that scenario.
Third, he needs to look at a couple areas of concern with his draft.
A. The o-line. They are aging and as you said have bouts of difficulties that won't go away, but will only get worse. Throw more darts at this target.
B. Specialists. Bring back Folk, Suisham and add in whomever in the mix to create a really competitive environment for the FG kicker's job.
Give Decamillis, who has done a superb job in his first year, the carte blanche to have up to a fourth round pick to pursue a punt returner, kick returner or kicker to improve his special teams even more.
Make this a goal for the off season to dig deep in their scouting to find quality special teamers.
It's hard for us to know who is the poison in any given year, but they have to be strong in their convictions and weed those guys out ala Pacman, T.O. and Tank. If there are guys who don't fit the locker room chemistry and unwilling to give their best for this team take a good look to see if the team is better by subtraction.
Identify them early and work towards weeding them out.
Last, but not least, I would like to see Jerry be more distant from the team this year. We have a lot to build on and the foundation is a quality one, but we need our GM/Owner to be more standoffish with the players so they know that there is someone watching and holding them accountable.
Less of the "friend" culture and more of the "employer" culture. I'm willing to see a more stern and negative Jerry than a supporter Jerry. It doesn't mean that he isn't a supporter of the guys, but I would like him to reserve and temper those feelings.
Good, but not great year. Too up and down for me (inconsistent). But there's always next year in sports.
First, I'm not a Wade fan, but if he/they all stay I would like to see this team built with the strategy that we build our momentum to peak with a run at the playoffs. Build the team to win the playoffs.
Part of this is to look carefully at the young talent and get them their stripes early while winning games. We have to have the young kids and second string ready to go and contribute.
Second, I would like to see the Cowboys and specifically Jerry work to get us more draft picks in the upcoming year. He has to avoid dipping into his draft picks for FAs and work the draft despite the fact that the upcoming year the SB is at home. If he gets FAs on price alone with no picks or extremely low picks great, but try to avoid that scenario.
Third, he needs to look at a couple areas of concern with his draft.
A. The o-line. They are aging and as you said have bouts of difficulties that won't go away, but will only get worse. Throw more darts at this target.
B. Specialists. Bring back Folk, Suisham and add in whomever in the mix to create a really competitive environment for the FG kicker's job.
Give Decamillis, who has done a superb job in his first year, the carte blanche to have up to a fourth round pick to pursue a punt returner, kick returner or kicker to improve his special teams even more.
Make this a goal for the off season to dig deep in their scouting to find quality special teamers.
It's hard for us to know who is the poison in any given year, but they have to be strong in their convictions and weed those guys out ala Pacman, T.O. and Tank. If there are guys who don't fit the locker room chemistry and unwilling to give their best for this team take a good look to see if the team is better by subtraction.
Identify them early and work towards weeding them out.
Last, but not least, I would like to see Jerry be more distant from the team this year. We have a lot to build on and the foundation is a quality one, but we need our GM/Owner to be more standoffish with the players so they know that there is someone watching and holding them accountable.
Less of the "friend" culture and more of the "employer" culture. I'm willing to see a more stern and negative Jerry than a supporter Jerry. It doesn't mean that he isn't a supporter of the guys, but I would like him to reserve and temper those feelings.
Good, but not great year. Too up and down for me (inconsistent). But there's always next year in sports.
burmafrd
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Hoss I hate you for being able to say what I wanted to but did not have the words to do it as well.
Kicker. I agree bring back Folk for another shot. There ain't no one out there we can get who is better.
O Line. I am sorry to say I think we have to look at Houck as well as the players. At a certain point most coaches lose the touch and after 2 seasons I no longer think Houck is a top O line coach.
Wade. I want better but that is a big gamble with young coaches and as its been pointed out look how long Cowher took to win one. Gruden- no for me. Outside of them who is available that would not be a big gamble?
Kicker. I agree bring back Folk for another shot. There ain't no one out there we can get who is better.
O Line. I am sorry to say I think we have to look at Houck as well as the players. At a certain point most coaches lose the touch and after 2 seasons I no longer think Houck is a top O line coach.
Wade. I want better but that is a big gamble with young coaches and as its been pointed out look how long Cowher took to win one. Gruden- no for me. Outside of them who is available that would not be a big gamble?
MinnesotaCowboy
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Hos, you amaze me...............I have observed you over the years and you seem to 'dead on' regarding cowboy sucesses and failures. Keep up the good work
P.S. Whenever you start a thread on this forum, that is the first one I read! Best compliment I can give you
P.S. Whenever you start a thread on this forum, that is the first one I read! Best compliment I can give you
dallascowboyfanboy
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Nice post. I still got high hopes for our Cowboys. High hopes. Can't wait for next season.
Air Force One
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I agree with the OP as well. It didn't end the way I wanted, but we accompliched some things this year and that's something we haven't been able to say in 13 years.
For a change, we having something to build upon. I'm excited about next season.
We need some OL help and need to plug a few holes on defense, but overall, I think we have a solid foundation to build on.
Wade has earned a shot a taking us further.
I will now spend the next seven months re-living the threesweep of those Eagles, and enjoy every second of it. Revenge is sweet....sweet enough to get me thru this off-season.
Thanks Dallas Cowboys, thank you Wade and Jerry, and most of all, thank you Cowboyszone, just for being here and providing a place for like-minded folks to gather.
For a change, we having something to build upon. I'm excited about next season.
We need some OL help and need to plug a few holes on defense, but overall, I think we have a solid foundation to build on.
Wade has earned a shot a taking us further.
I will now spend the next seven months re-living the threesweep of those Eagles, and enjoy every second of it.
Revenge is sweet....sweet enough to get me thru this off-season.Thanks Dallas Cowboys, thank you Wade and Jerry, and most of all, thank you Cowboyszone, just for being here and providing a place for like-minded folks to gather.
notherbob
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Good post as usual, Hos.
I'm a happy camper, the me-me-me-ers are gone and this team came together better and went further by subtraction. Jerry, by getting rid of them has shown he is willing to make some changes and I will eagerly wait to see how this team changes and how it comes back together over the summer.
With the improvements, it was fun to watch them this year for a change.
I am no longer quite as mad at Jerry as I have been in the past because he seems to be learning, I hope so.
I'm a happy camper, the me-me-me-ers are gone and this team came together better and went further by subtraction. Jerry, by getting rid of them has shown he is willing to make some changes and I will eagerly wait to see how this team changes and how it comes back together over the summer.
With the improvements, it was fun to watch them this year for a change.
I am no longer quite as mad at Jerry as I have been in the past because he seems to be learning, I hope so.
diehard2294
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good post Hos, It amazes me how people felt Romo could have done more yesterday
I do feel we need to tweak some things to keep people on there toes
I do feel we need to tweak some things to keep people on there toes
casmith07
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Great post, can't really disagree with any of it except the coaching staff part. After being mostly emotional about it, I think Houck needs to be held accountable and Dave Campo needs to be shown the door. I've got one foot back on the "Fire Garrett" bandwagon, but for me I suppose the jury is still out.
We really need to focus on the offensive line in the off-season. I want to be one of those teams that drafts for the trenches this year. We're good enough at the skill positions to get it done, but if you don't protect your best player on the field (Romo) you're not going to win, even against a team that uses a 4-man rush :ralph:
Here's to 2010!
We really need to focus on the offensive line in the off-season. I want to be one of those teams that drafts for the trenches this year. We're good enough at the skill positions to get it done, but if you don't protect your best player on the field (Romo) you're not going to win, even against a team that uses a 4-man rush :ralph:
Here's to 2010!
terpfan
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Thank you for your post, Hostile. As you can see, I almost always do not post. I'd much rather read the articles and opinions from the media and fans than anything else. I do want to say, however, that over the years your comments are usually on the mark. You are generally level-headed, not one of extreme reactions to wins or losses. For that, I want to say thank you.
As Cowboys fans, we tend to be over the top sometimes. But perhaps that is true of many other team fans. Not many people were calling for Wade's scalp during our four-game winning streak. But the minute we lose to the Vikings, people want to can him. We all want quick fixes in today's win-at-all cost mentality. I would agree that Wade didn't adequately prepare his team and, yes, it wasn't Garrett's better game plans. But there is something to be said for continuity. We just can't hire new HC or OC every year. Players pay a price for such disruptions (see the Commanders).
Like Hostile, I see more the positives of this season than the negatives. Despite the many ups and downs, I enjoyed the ride. In due time I will get over this disappointing loss and will appreciate the plays of Austin, Spencer, Jenkins, Felix, Buehler, etc. If anything, these players have brought hope for me for next year.
As Cowboys fans, we tend to be over the top sometimes. But perhaps that is true of many other team fans. Not many people were calling for Wade's scalp during our four-game winning streak. But the minute we lose to the Vikings, people want to can him. We all want quick fixes in today's win-at-all cost mentality. I would agree that Wade didn't adequately prepare his team and, yes, it wasn't Garrett's better game plans. But there is something to be said for continuity. We just can't hire new HC or OC every year. Players pay a price for such disruptions (see the Commanders).
Like Hostile, I see more the positives of this season than the negatives. Despite the many ups and downs, I enjoyed the ride. In due time I will get over this disappointing loss and will appreciate the plays of Austin, Spencer, Jenkins, Felix, Buehler, etc. If anything, these players have brought hope for me for next year.
TheSkaven
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Hos, I was waiting for your thread and input on the game.
I agree with most of what you wrote, but I must say that I did believe this was a Superbowl team. Maybe I was tricked by the win streak or it was just blind homerism. But I felt that this team is as talented if not more than any team in the league. I still believe it.
I have said since Week 1 that the only team that could stop the Cowboys from winning it all was the Cowboys. It was proven true in every one of their losses. Some weeks it was stupid penalties, others it was stupid turnovers. To me, yesterday was a day of missed opportunities.
Having said that, I do feel like it was a good season. I enjoyed it. Winning the NFC East again, and our manner in doing so, gave me great satisfaction. But we are the Dallas Cowboys. Next year, expectations go up and another NFC East title won't cut it. Not for me, and I suspect not for most of the fans.
I won't comment much about the "running up the score" and sportsmanship issue as I've already done so in countless threads here over the past 24 hours, but suffice it to say that I believe if one team is still calling time outs, still going for it on 4th down deep in their own territory, that the other team has an obligation to go for the throat and keep the pressure on until the gun sounds. If Wade had raised the white flag and ran some halfback draws, I can almost guarantee the Vikings wouldn't have been calling play-action pass.
I agree with most of what you wrote, but I must say that I did believe this was a Superbowl team. Maybe I was tricked by the win streak or it was just blind homerism. But I felt that this team is as talented if not more than any team in the league. I still believe it.
I have said since Week 1 that the only team that could stop the Cowboys from winning it all was the Cowboys. It was proven true in every one of their losses. Some weeks it was stupid penalties, others it was stupid turnovers. To me, yesterday was a day of missed opportunities.
Having said that, I do feel like it was a good season. I enjoyed it. Winning the NFC East again, and our manner in doing so, gave me great satisfaction. But we are the Dallas Cowboys. Next year, expectations go up and another NFC East title won't cut it. Not for me, and I suspect not for most of the fans.
I won't comment much about the "running up the score" and sportsmanship issue as I've already done so in countless threads here over the past 24 hours, but suffice it to say that I believe if one team is still calling time outs, still going for it on 4th down deep in their own territory, that the other team has an obligation to go for the throat and keep the pressure on until the gun sounds. If Wade had raised the white flag and ran some halfback draws, I can almost guarantee the Vikings wouldn't have been calling play-action pass.
ladiewolve
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I agree hos!
This team acomplished alot this year to which I'm proud of. Of course it is a disapoinment as a fan when the season is over and your team isn't this years superbpowl contenders!
I always remind myself of the other fans in the NFL that might be Rams fans or Chiefs fans or any team that hardly ever has a shot to even to get into the playoffs .
I feel like the Cowboys will get there ...and I will be right here waiting when they do!
Go Cowboys!
This team acomplished alot this year to which I'm proud of. Of course it is a disapoinment as a fan when the season is over and your team isn't this years superbpowl contenders!
I always remind myself of the other fans in the NFL that might be Rams fans or Chiefs fans or any team that hardly ever has a shot to even to get into the playoffs .
I feel like the Cowboys will get there ...and I will be right here waiting when they do!
Go Cowboys!
burmafrd
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When you are up by 24 pts, with less then 3 minutes to go, in a game you are dominating and the opposing offense is all but helpless, with the ball deep in your opponents end and throw the ball for a TD then you are running up the score. Its NOT ABOUT what your opponents are doing its about YOU. That is what sportsmanship is all about. Its about YOU. And Favre and the Vikings showed a lack of class.
To have even tied the game would have required 3 TDs with 3 2 Pt conversions in less then 3 minutes. Which has never happened in the history of the NFL. Taking a knee would have been a classy move. THey had no class.
To have even tied the game would have required 3 TDs with 3 2 Pt conversions in less then 3 minutes. Which has never happened in the history of the NFL. Taking a knee would have been a classy move. THey had no class.
trueblue1687
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The majority of what you wrote is dead on. I do think that more people than not can/have seen that Romo wasn't the blame for this loss. Everyone contributed, but if you had to assign a percentage of responsibility to a group or groups of players...it would most certainly fall on the O-line to the tune of probably 95%. It was the most disgusting performance I have seen all year from them. I really couldn't pick out one thing in particular...they looked completely lost. The end result of the seaon is really on par with 2007, but then again...that's when the December crap started in the media. I do feel the team has turned a corner, but just like you said about looking at past seasons to predict successes...it goes that way with future seasons as well. It's anybody's guess how they'll do in 2010. I hope it's better. Unlike you, I DID get my hopes up this post season. Not because they were IN the post season...I examined their positions and found no GLARING weaknesses. Having played in college, I felt I knew what I was looking at and still do. Sometimes those things don't matter, but I really thought we could get it done this year.
MachPilot
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Great post.
Sometimes we all just have to stop a second, breathe, and really look at what transpired here.
The most important tangible improvement that was made this season was our QB (the most maligned scrutinized figure in football today), got his first playoff win and a huge surge of confidence. There is no doubt in my mind that the very act of winning that game and strong December football will do wonders for our franchise QB.
Now its time to figure out where we improve, what we do (/gasp hint O-line). It really wasnt a bad a year as some are making it to be. We lal wanted a SB - did you really deep down think this team was going to deliver it?
You know that the answer was no....
Sometimes we all just have to stop a second, breathe, and really look at what transpired here.
The most important tangible improvement that was made this season was our QB (the most maligned scrutinized figure in football today), got his first playoff win and a huge surge of confidence. There is no doubt in my mind that the very act of winning that game and strong December football will do wonders for our franchise QB.
Now its time to figure out where we improve, what we do (/gasp hint O-line). It really wasnt a bad a year as some are making it to be. We lal wanted a SB - did you really deep down think this team was going to deliver it?
You know that the answer was no....