Anyway you slice it,the season has been a success

[TheSkaven]

I just find it hard to believe that there are some Cowboy fans out there still holding on to the Super Bowl or bust theme.

The reason is that (a) this is a storied franchise with fans that do not accept mediocracy and (b) "progress" is fleeting in today's NFL.

I bet Atlanta thought they made "progress" last year, only to see their hopes dashed this year. Ditto for the 2004 Chargers. In fact, 5 of the 6 NFC playoff teams from last year will miss the playoffs in 2005. In today's NFL, what you did last year is only about last year, each new year is like starting from scratch.

I'm not a Super Bowl or bust guy, but this team needs to make the playoffs, and maybe even win a game, before I'd call this season (or ANY season) a success. We've been through too many 5-11 seasons this decade to take away moral victories.

 

[BoysFanInAustin]

Swept by the Skins... successful yr????

Cancels out with sweeping the Iggles

 

[Sarge]

I think the best thing about this season is that it was a good learning experience for the young players. The tough schedule, the experience of winning and losing tight ball games, losing and winning games in the final two min., and the amount of preparation, mentally and physically, it takes to be successful in this league.

Now if the players take these valuable lessons learned and build on them we will see a much better Cowboy team in 2006.

The coaching staff should by now know the talent level of the kids and I would hope they do some self evaluation as well. Quit holding back, exploit those talents to the fullest, and don't be afraid to challenge them.

Nice post.

 

[WoodysGirl]

I know most had us as a border line playoff team.

Seriously, like Hostile said, a team gets evaluated and re-evaluated week after week.

You know you had already cashed in that "first round bye" when we were 7-3 check .

All the money we spent and the "win now" approach by Big Bill equates to we need to get into the playoffs.

Im not talking about you but the mood of this thread in general as far as I am quite surprised at how we are going to let Big Bill get off the hook with regards to possibly not getting this team into the playoffs.

Again, I like the guy and my comments are about the topic, which is was this a successful season or not. He has us on our way, but I expected not a Super Bowl but heck maybe a Wild Card Game...

- Mike G.

How does saying the season is a success letting Big Bill off the hook? Not agreeing or disagreeing.

I could say this season was a success based on progress I've seen in some areas and still slam Bill for the things he didn't do or felt he didn't do...

Again it just goes back to what you consider a success. You said it's not if we don't make the playoffs. Ok say we make it and we're one and done and get bent over backwards like in 2003. Is that still considered a success? Is just getting to the tournament a success?

 

[mally]

Good point. Possible 10-6 and swept by the skins. BOOOOOOOO !!!!

Swept by the Skins... successful yr????

 

[Maikeru-sama]

How does saying the season is a success letting Big Bill off the hook? Not agreeing or disagreeing.

I just think expectations for Big Bill in his 3rd Season should be a little higher then just finishing above .500 but I agree, it is all about what individual expectations were.

Again it just goes back to what you consider a success. You said it's not if we don't make the playoffs. Ok say we make it and we're one and done and get bent over backwards like in 2003. Is that still considered a success? Is just getting to the tournament a success?

Yes, based on the league and based on our personell, a Playoff Berth and one and done is certainly a successful season. We get the rookies some playoff experience, let them taste success and also experience bitter defeat.

This a playoff caliber team, I think most people would agree with that.

I just cant let him off...

dunno maybe my opinion will change later on .

 

[wileedog]

I just think expectations for Big Bill in his 3rd Season should be a little higher then just finishing above .500 but I agree, it is all about what individual expectations were.

If you want to be technical about it, I blame Bill far more for basically standing pat in the 2004 offseason then anything he did or didn't do this season. I think that is what put us a year behind "schedule".

 

[Cbz40]

Nice post.

Thank you Sir.......

If those things I mentioned are adhered too.....this season will have been, in my humble opinion, a success.

 

[Sarge]

If you want to be technical about it, I blame Bill far more for basically standing pat in the 2004 offseason then anything he did or didn't do this season. I think that is what put us a year behind "schedule".

No doubt - it delayed everything by a full year.

 

[AtlCB]

Good point. Possible 10-6 and swept by the skins. BOOOOOOOO !!!!

Those 5-11 seasons under Campo when we constantly swept the Commanders were much more successful.

 

[mally]

Oh yeah, I guess because we go 10-6 and miss the playoffs its a success because we went 5-11 before. Hey lets keep going 10-6 and missing the playoffs and we can always compare it to the campo years and say well at least we are better than that. mmmmmk.

Those 5-11 seasons under Campo when we constantly swept the Commanders were much more successful.

 

[Maikeru-sama]

If you want to be technical about it, I blame Bill far more for basically standing pat in the 2004 offseason then anything he did or didn't do this season. I think that is what put us a year behind "schedule".

I think not investing in a Young QB also hurt us.

Evaluating his entire tenure here. 2 out 3 years (we still could make it, just speculating) we miss the playoffs.

We are headed in the right direction but even Parcells and definately Jerry Jones will tell you he doesnt think 10-6 or 9-7 and no playoffs is a Success.

- Mike G.

 

[mally]

Thank you Thank you Thank you...Thats what I have been saying.

I think not investing in a Young QB also hurt us.

Evaluating his entire tenure here. 2 out 3 years (we still could make it, just speculating) we miss the playoffs.

We are headed in the right direction but even Parcells and definately Jerry Jones will tell you he doesnt think 10-6 or 9-7 and no playoffs is a Success.

- Mike G.

 

[Cbz40]

I think not investing in a Young QB also hurt us.

Evaluating his entire tenure here. 2 out 3 years (we still could make it, just speculating) we miss the playoffs.

We are headed in the right direction but even Parcells and definately Jerry Jones will tell you he doesnt think 10-6 or 9-7 and no playoffs is a Success.

- Mike G.

This I totally agree with........This a mistake that will be hurting us for years too come.

This should have been addressed years ago......say 10

 

[Maikeru-sama]

Good stuff Mally.

BTW, I am just now noticing your signature.

LMAO...classic

 

[AllLoyaltiesAside]

I think NFC teams will breathe a sigh of relief if Dallas doesn't make it, b/c all season this is a team that's proven it can play w/ the best. Other than the 2nd Washington game, it's been a late-game collapse or a particularly awful performance from an otherwise decent corp (other than the kicking game, which is the only consistently bad unit) that's brought the team down.

Dallas isn't what it once was, for sure, but if you told me Philly was going to fall I'd have said Dallas was next in line in the east. 10-6 is hardly a "bad" season, but given how they've lost, the season could've been alot more.

 

[mally]

Thanks.

Good stuff Mally.

BTW, I am just now noticing your signature.

LMAO...classic

 

[wileedog]

I think not investing in a Young QB also hurt us.

I blame JJ for insisting we keep Carter and Hutch. Leftwich was the only viable QB we have had a shot of drafting and we passed on him.

We could have signed Delhomme as well, but again I think Jerry pressed for Quincy to start, and quite frankly I'm not a big Delhomme fan anyway.

Evaluating his entire tenure here. 2 out 3 years (we still could make it, just speculating) we miss the playoffs.

We are headed in the right direction but even Parcells and definately Jerry Jones will tell you he doesnt think 10-6 or 9-7 and no playoffs is a Success.

- Mike G.

True.

Again, its about individual expectations. I'm relatively happy with what the team achieved this year and expect much bigger things next year.

Bill and Jerry are entitled to their opinions too.

 

[Maikeru-sama]

This I totally agree with........This a mistake that will be hurting us for years too come.

This should have been addressed years ago......say 10

Hahahaha

I need to go see who we could have drafted in 2003, which of course anybody you draft is not a sure thing.

Man, I think all of us would be excited having a young QB in his early 20s saddling up for his 4th season in 2006.

Bledsoe has been a great and pleasant surprise...but seriously...can anybody look at themselve in the mirror with a straight face and say they rather miss the playoffs with wiley Vets and win 10 games...as opposed to stockpiling talent, playing a young QB and missing the playoffs...because we are missing them anyway.

Quite simply put, if Bill gets us in the Tourny, he will be God...if not...it's time to break out...

 

[Maikeru-sama]

I blame JJ for insisting we keep Carter and Hutch. Leftwich was the only viable QB we have had a shot of drafting and we passed on him.

We could have signed Delhomme as well, but again I think Jerry pressed for Quincy to start, and quite frankly I'm not a big Delhomme fan anyway.



True.

Again, its about individual expectations. I'm relatively happy with what the team achieved this year and expect much bigger things next year.

Bill and Jerry are entitled to their opinions too.

Yep. The insistance of whoever it was to go with Hutch and Quincy and heck, I am even going to throw it out there, Romo and Henson is really holding franchise hostage. I really do think Romo and especially Henson are keeping us from drafting a guy that is devoted to football and played it at high level in college with no baseball vacation in-between.

And again, I agree, all about the individual's expectations...but you really got to remember what Parcells told us in his first Press Conference that he told the players...

"Get your expectations up"...well Big Bill I did, I have seen this team not make the playoffs, that's nothing new...I want to see the old dog do a new trick...make the playoffs and be competitive while doing it.