ATouch of Hostility...Week 12

[Hostile]

Well, the guests have gone, the leftovers are in the refrigerator, and the pecan pie is calling my name. But the only thing I care about right now is 8-3. We will wake up tomorrow and still be all alone in first place in the NFC East, in control of our own destiny. Eight and three!

We will also be one day closer to December. Is the dread going to set in? Coming into November I posted a thread about how well Tony Romo has played in November. I knew the thread would not be met with mutual acclaim. That's because December follows November. Before I get to that, and I will get to it, let's update Tony Romo's November record and stats. The "realists" will have to get over it. I refuse to cater to their misery.

15-2 won - loss record
350 of 515
68.0% completion %
4643 yards
41 TDs (Only 1 game where he failed to throw a TD pass.)
12 INTs (Only 1 game with multiple INTs.)
113.11 QB Rating

I can't help it, I really like the kid. He makes Thanksgiving a greater holiday than it already is.

While I am at it, I might as well update Jason Witten as well. I have been doing that every week. 2 more receptions and he is #2 on the all time Cowboys list.

All Time Cowboys Receptions

1. Michael Irvin...750
2. Drew Pearson...489
3. Jason Witten...488


All Time TE Receptions

1. Tony Gonzalez...968
2. Shannon Sharpe...815
3. Ozzie Newsome...662
4. Kellen Winslow...541
5. Frank Wycheck...505
6. Ben Coates...499
7. Steve Jordan...498
8. Jason Witten...488

By the time we play the Giants it will be December and the story does change dramatically. First, this is a team game, so let's look at the fact that it isn't only Tony Romo who struggles in December. Since 1997, the year after we won our last post season game, this has been the Cowboys record when Santa Claus is coming to town.

1997...0-3
1998...2-2
1999...2-3
2000...1-3
2001...3-3
2002...0-4
2003...2-2
2004...2-3
2005...2-3
2006...2-3
2007...2-2
2008...1-3

That is 19-34 in December since 1997. A complete 180 degree swing from 3 Super Bowls in 4 years, just 2 years before this started happening to the Cowboys. What changed in 1997? I've seen every theory out there. Rowdy became the team mascot. We made the Salvation Army our Official Thanksgiving Day charity. Joe Jurascyk became the strength and conditioning coach. About the only thing that hasn't been theorized is that Barry Switzer's late Father put a bootlegger's curse on the team for firing his son. Conspiracy theories abound, one fact is irrefutable, the December collapses pre-date the arrival of Tony Romo.

Okay, time to throw Tony under the bus. His detractors will be thrilled. There is no doubt that Tony has struggled in December. Here are his numbers.

5-8 won - loss record
262 completions
435 attempts
60.1% completions
2992 yards
14 TDs
19 INTs
73.46 QB Rating

Pretty stark contrast from the glorious Novembers. Makes those mashed potatoes and gravy taste even better. Okay, so it doesn't, but I for one appreciate today even more because of it.

I know that it is inevitable that something was horribly wrong about the Cowboys win today. For the life of me though, I just don't care nearly as much as I care about 8-3. I know that makes me the absolute worst kind of fan. It stings to know that. I find that I just don't care.

Screw the "broader perspectives" of those who still look at 2008, think it somehow matters, and predict doom in 2009. All season long they have looked like idiots, and I can't help the smile on my face. I point no fingers here ladies and gentlemen. If someone feels the sting of guilt at my commentary that is not my fault. I have not controlled anyone else's keyboard.

I know, I know, you hope you are wrong. I wish I could believe that. I really do.

We averaged 7.8 yards per carry today. Three of our runners topped 60 yards rushing. No turnovers. Anthony Spencer got 2 sacks. Roy Williams caught a touchdown. Doug Free filled in admirably again. No one went down to injury. We won the time of possession battle. Didn't commit an inordinate number of penalties. And the pass run mix was 29 to 25. I am sure none of these things are good enough to pass muster, but damnit, 8-3 alone on top of the NFC East is.

In my book anyway.

Look, I know there are 5 games left. I know the History. I know the teams we are facing are not pushovers. Not even the stupid Commanders. I know we could miss the playoffs if the team melts down. I know the shadow ahead is Santa Claus coming to town and we have once again been naughty. I don't care.

Like I said earlier, I refuse to succumb to the misery that is December dread about this team. I will worry about that misery when it gets here and not until then. That has been my modus operandi all season long and it has worked. Don't get too high about the wins, or too low about the losses.

I've noticed something about this team all season long and it has given me hope about the stretch run ahead of us. This team is more focused than I have ever seen it. I think they were pissed off about many things in the media in recent years. Camp Cupcake, team obliterater, distractions, and constant reminders of December fades.

The team will get a well earned weekend to enjoy their family and their food. Once again, come 6:00 AM Monday Tony Romo will be in the film room studying the Giants and guys will not take it easy. Victory Mondays have been celebrated with 90% of the team at work studying film anyway. I won't be shocked if some are working out on Saturday. They want it.

I think they know what is ahead. I think they want to get that monkey off their backs. I think they are ready. They need to be more ready than the 5 teams still ahead.

If you take a dinner roll and slice it in half, pile on some turkey breast, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and a tiny bit of mashed potatoes...it will put a smile on your face. But not as big as 8-3 will.

Bring on the Giants. Bring on Santa Claus. I ain't skeert. Come what may, I am ready too. Even if it means we fade in December yet again and break down my hopes. I can live with it. I learned a long time ago to Embrace the Hatred.

 

[Tusan_Homichi]

Great post. I'm ready for some December football. I think things are different this year.

 

[Maikeru-sama]

Good Post.

It was so stupid to hear people claim that Jason Witten had lost a step and that he wasn't as good without Terrell Owens.

Thankfully December is finally here and the Cowboys get to exorcise some Demons.

I wonder if this is one of most underrated 8-3/Several games above .500 Cowboys teams in history?

I just think if you don't put too much pressure on this team and the media isn't fawning all over them, they will be mentally stronger to handle this really difficult stretch.

I had a Co-Worker try to convince me yesterday that at 8-3, we still had no shot at going to the Playoffs because of our history in December.

I literally had 2 words for him:

Miles Austin

 

[NextGenBoys]

I think the December stuff is hogwash to be honest.

Throw out the years from 2000-04 because we simply weren't a good football team. I know 10-6 says otherwise, but we weren't talented.

But last year we played four of the top five defenses in December if I recall. Not many QB's put up great numbers against them.

Call me an eternal optimist or what have you, but I think this December will be different. I'm not expecting 5-0, but I am expecting 3-2. I could care less if we lose to the Chargers or Saints. Well, I care, but not really. As long as we win our division games we'll be fine.

New York has not once scared me this season. I never thought they were a great team, and predicted them to miss the playoffs before the season started.

Washington plays us tough as always, but we can most definitely win that game.

And the closer against Philly is going to be a tough one. The division is likely going to come down to that game. Philly always plays us tough the 2nd time around. They whipped us in 07 on Christmas and we all know what happened last year.

Even if we go 2-3, we're 10-6, and that could get us in the playoffs. But 11-5 is likely a NFCE championship and a game at home in the playoffs.

December? Bring it on.

 

[ologan]

Hos,what a fitting topping to the last piece of punkin' pie! Great read....ain't skeered either...embrace the hatred!!!

 

[kmd24]

Very nice. It's Santa Claus, btw.

 

[jobberone]

One of your better offerings. Congrats.

 

[ScipioCowboy]

I hate to evoke the Gambler's Fallacy, but at some point, the Cowboys must be due for a good December.

 

[NextGenBoys]

I hate to evoke the Gambler's Fallacy, but at some point, the Cowboys must be due for a good December.

True that

 

[Hostile]

Very nice. It's Santa Claus, btw.

Fixed, thank you. I knew that.

 

[Cover 2]

I'm what most would consider a pessimist, but I think the December collapse won't happen this year. They may not win as many games as earlier in the year, but that will be due to the end of the schedule being harder. I don't expect to see a collapse at all.

 

[arglebargle]

Someone had a post here a while back, that showed the Cowboys' record for December throughout there history. As I recall it, it showed that the Cowboys were never that good in December, even in the playoff runs and Landry years.

Of course, you have to be good enough in December to get to the playoffs in the first place. 2-3 or 3-2 should do it. Nice place to start would be spanking the Giants next week, especially after their lackluster performance tonite.

 

[Hostile]

Someone had a post here a while back, that showed the Cowboys' record for December throughout there history. As I recall it, it showed that the Cowboys were never that good in December, even in the playoff runs and Landry years.

Of course, you have to be good enough in December to get to the playoffs in the first place. 2-3 or 3-2 should do it. Nice place to start would be spanking the Giants next week, especially after their lackluster performance tonite.

http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2731671&postcount=24

 

[Kevinicus]

If you take a dinner roll and slice it in half, pile on some turkey breast, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and a tiny bit of mashed potatoes...it will put a smile on your face.

I disagree.

 

[SaltwaterServr]

Good Post.

It was so stupid to hear people claim that Jason Witten had lost a step and that he wasn't as good without Terrell Owens.

Thankfully December is finally here and the Cowboys get to exorcise some Demons.

I wonder if this is one of most underrated 8-3/Several games above .500 Cowboys teams in history?

I just think if you don't put too much pressure on this team and the media isn't fawning all over them, they will be mentally stronger to handle this really difficult stretch.

I had a Co-Worker try to convince me yesterday that at 8-3, we still had no shot at going to the Playoffs because of our history in December.

I literally had 2 words for him:

Miles Austin

I'd have given him two different ones, that rhymed with Duck Cough.

 

[AbeBeta]

as always, the post game post I make sure to read.

 

[arglebargle]

http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2731671&postcount=24

Thank you, sir!

Now have another piece of pecan pie....

 

[The30YardSlant]

We played pretty well today. Our offense was much better, but we HAVE GOT to get more than 24 points out of a 500 yard performance. Way too many offensive penalties.

The defense was really good again, but Oakland's offense was just so inept

 

[Aikbach]

I hate to evoke the Gambler's Fallacy, but at some point, the Cowboys must be due for a good December.

The Soviet Union said that about their crops.

 

[RainMan]

I'm what most would consider a pessimist, but I think the December collapse won't happen this year. They may not win as many games as earlier in the year, but that will be due to the end of the schedule being harder. I don't expect to see a collapse at all.

Agreed. I think that's the inherent, unfortunate trap these Cowboys have awaiting them.

Compared to our first 11 games, the final five are fairly brutal. The only "easy" game is Washington -- and it's a road game against our arch rival who always plays us better than they play anyone else. Even if we were go 3-2, which would be a fairly astonishing finish, there will be those who say those two losses represent a "slide" from losing three over our first 11.

I say whatever. I consider myself a realistic homer -- a person who puts the blinders on during the 3-hour window of game time but likes to look at a broader picture the rest of the week.

Frankly, this is what I'm looking for, even more than the won-loss record: I just don't want to see Romo committing heaps of silly turnovers. I can live with a turnover, sometimes even two if there's a lot of positive plays to counter balance them. What I can't deal with are his fingers-crossed deep throws that were intercepted by Ed Reed, the turnover fest against Pittsburgh, etc.

To Romo's credit, he's won big games in December. People just like to sweep them under the rug because there has been more failure than success. Last year's win over the Giants was, at the time, astronomic.

Again, I just don't want to see his play go down the pooper for a prolonged stretch of games. He's not always going to throw for 300 yards, but I want to see a smart quarterback who isn't self destructing.

As for the rest of the team, I want to see the offensive line play smart football where unblocked blitzers aren't killing Romo's chances; I want to see Miles continue his emergence as an elite playmaker by learning how to make catches even when doubled; I want the defense to simply continue what it's doing, knowing full well there will be bad days at the office, but hoping the bigger picture remains as clear as it currently looks.