CFZ Adversity measures greatness

Bobhaze

Staff member
Messages
18,373
Reaction score
72,327
CowboysZone ULTIMATE Fan
All five of the greatest Cowboys teams in team history had one of the most important qualities of a truly great team: The ability to learn from and overcome adversity. Every one of those teams that raised a Lombardi had to overcome some major disappointments and adversity. It was part of what made them great. Greatness finds a way to overcome adversity.

Here’s what those teams had to overcome:
  • 1971 team- the Cowboys of the mid to late 1960s had lost heartbreaking close conference championship games, and despite often being considered “the most talented“ team in the league, they had the reputation of choking in the biggest games. They had made it to a SB in 1970, only to have 4 turnovers in a 16-13 loss in SB V to a much less talented colts team. In 1971, the Cowboys started 4-3, then rolled off 10 straight wins to win SB VI.

  • 1977 team- This team had acquired Heisman winner Tony Dorsett in the ‘77 draft and looked unbeatable. They had a dominating defense and the offense became great too with Dorsett behind Roger S. But in late Nov, the offense looked putrid in back to back losses to the cards and Steelers, scoring 30 points in two games. They went on tear after that winning 7 straight including a 27-10 whipping of Denver in SB12.

  • 1992 team- the core of this team had suffered mightily in 1989-90, losing 24 of 32 games. Most of the players later talked about how much the adversity of those tough years made them hungry to get better. The team certainly got better talent-wise but they also worked hard and used their setbacks as motivation to get better. This core went on to win 3 of the nest 4 SBs.

  • 1993 team- this team was highly favored going into ‘93 but they stumbled out of the gate while Emmitt S was in a holdout, losing first two. When Emmitt came back, they rattled off 7 straight wins. But in Nov, the offense went south for two straight weeks losing back to back games to the falcons and the dolphins, scoring 28 points combined in those losses.As They started Dec, they were 7-4. They won 8 straight including a dominant win over the bills in SB 28.

  • 1995 team- this team still had a great core, but they had to overcome the drama of the fight between Jimmy and Jerry which resulted in Jimmy’s exit in Feb.of ‘94. His replacement, Barry Switzer was very lax in his control of the team. The ‘94 team had been disappointed by their NFC championship game loss to SF in which some questionable calls were made by the refs. During the ‘95 season, the team often struggled and lost back to back games in Dec scoring a combined 34 points in those games. The rattled off 5 straight wins including a SB 30 win over Pitts.
Bottom line: If you want to be great, you have to be more than talented. You have to be able to overcome all adversities, including bad officiating calls, bad luck, unlucky bounces, a starter being out, etc. Adversity measures greatness.
 

maryquality

Well-Known Member
Messages
6,928
Reaction score
18,659
CowboysZone DIEHARD Fan
I hate to say it, but I just don't believe our guys have "mental toughness". I truly wished they did. But, I'm not seeing it. I would love nothing more than the boys to prove me wrong. But, as of now, it's not there.
 

Praxit

Well-Known Member
Messages
12,724
Reaction score
13,807
I hate to say it, but I just don't believe our guys have "mental toughness". I truly wished they did. But, I'm not seeing it. I would love nothing more than the boys to prove me wrong. But, as of now, it's not there.
...yep, I just posted a post along this similar situations. They lack mental toughness. Is it players or coaching?
 

Vtwin

Safety third
Messages
8,665
Reaction score
12,121
The other side of this coin is how the team handles success. This era has shown this team is much to prone to lapping up the hype that comes with success. Once you start believing you're all that and a bag of chips the edge is lost.
 

Bobhaze

Staff member
Messages
18,373
Reaction score
72,327
CowboysZone ULTIMATE Fan
The other side of this coin is how the team handles success. This era has shown this team is much to prone to lapping up the hype that comes with success. Once you start believing you're all that and a bag of chips the edge is lost.
Great point.
I hate to say it, but I just don't believe our guys have "mental toughness". I truly wished they did. But, I'm not seeing it. I would love nothing more than the boys to prove me wrong. But, as of now, it's not there.
Yeah this team hasn’t shown that mental toughness yet. Until they prove it with some big road wins in the playoffs, your team is what it has been.
 

MRV52

rat2k8
Messages
8,788
Reaction score
9,863
This is a soft team that is affected by the sports media and social media. Undisciplined and have low football IQ. McCarthy is also at fault here.
 

Diehardblues

Well-Known Member
Messages
58,148
Reaction score
38,758
Hopefully this wasn’t meant to make comparisons of this team to our championship years ?

Probably more posturing to those who may not want to let go of the SB Hype or not ready to accept reality this era continues dishing out.
 

ArtClink

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,121
Reaction score
4,711
All five of the greatest Cowboys teams in team history had one of the most important qualities of a truly great team: The ability to learn from and overcome adversity. Every one of those teams that raised a Lombardi had to overcome some major disappointments and adversity. It was part of what made them great. Greatness finds a way to overcome adversity.

Here’s what those teams had to overcome:
  • 1971 team- the Cowboys of the mid to late 1960s had lost heartbreaking close conference championship games, and despite often being considered “the most talented“ team in the league, they had the reputation of choking in the biggest games. They had made it to a SB in 1970, only to have 4 turnovers in a 16-13 loss in SB V to a much less talented colts team. In 1971, the Cowboys started 4-3, then rolled off 10 straight wins to win SB VI.

  • 1977 team- This team had acquired Heisman winner Tony Dorsett in the ‘77 draft and looked unbeatable. They had a dominating defense and the offense became great too with Dorsett behind Roger S. But in late Nov, the offense looked putrid in back to back losses to the cards and Steelers, scoring 30 points in two games. They went on tear after that winning 7 straight including a 27-10 whipping of Denver in SB12.

  • 1992 team- the core of this team had suffered mightily in 1989-90, losing 24 of 32 games. Most of the players later talked about how much the adversity of those tough years made them hungry to get better. The team certainly got better talent-wise but they also worked hard and used their setbacks as motivation to get better. This core went on to win 3 of the nest 4 SBs.

  • 1993 team- this team was highly favored going into ‘93 but they stumbled out of the gate while Emmitt S was in a holdout, losing first two. When Emmitt came back, they rattled off 7 straight wins. But in Nov, the offense went south for two straight weeks losing back to back games to the falcons and the dolphins, scoring 28 points combined in those losses.As They started Dec, they were 7-4. They won 8 straight including a dominant win over the bills in SB 28.

  • 1995 team- this team still had a great core, but they had to overcome the drama of the fight between Jimmy and Jerry which resulted in Jimmy’s exit in Feb.of ‘94. His replacement, Barry Switzer was very lax in his control of the team. The ‘94 team had been disappointed by their NFC championship game loss to SF in which some questionable calls were made by the refs. During the ‘95 season, the team often struggled and lost back to back games in Dec scoring a combined 34 points in those games. The rattled off 5 straight wins including a SB 30 win over Pitts.
Bottom line: If you want to be great, you have to be more than talented. You have to be able to overcome all adversities, including bad officiating calls, bad luck, unlucky bounces, a starter being out, etc. Adversity measures greatness.
That's very bad news then considering how the fuhrer runs this organization. "Hope" is our main strategy.
 

john van brocklin

Captain Comeback
Messages
39,618
Reaction score
44,840
I hate to say it, but I just don't believe our guys have "mental toughness". I truly wished they did. But, I'm not seeing it. I would love nothing more than the boys to prove me wrong. But, as of now, it's not there.
Yep, we have a front office that has created a soft as Charmin culture.
You punch these guys and they go into the fetal position.
 

CCBoy

Well-Known Member
Messages
46,734
Reaction score
22,459
I hate to say it, but I just don't believe our guys have "mental toughness". I truly wished they did. But, I'm not seeing it. I would love nothing more than the boys to prove me wrong. But, as of now, it's not there.
Christ, that is as easy as staying focused and making the first game changing play for the game...do able.
 

CCBoy

Well-Known Member
Messages
46,734
Reaction score
22,459
This is a soft team that is affected by the sports media and social media. Undisciplined and have low football IQ. McCarthy is also at fault here.
You definitely weren't watching Lawrence and Parsons....
 

Praxit

Well-Known Member
Messages
12,724
Reaction score
13,807
Bullet, I think we have to play smarter football.

That encapsulates the penalties and commiting of bonehead plays.

EX, Edoga last game, and even Luepke. I do feel fumble was his fault more than Daks.
 
Top