Biggest difference between 2009 and 2007

[Galian Beast]

Sure we had 13 pro bowlers in 2007, we went 13-3.

But how many of those were pro bowlers in name only? Flozell Adams (maybe), Roy Williams. I would say McBriar is playing just as well as he did in 07, if not better. Our kicker obviously isn't going to the pro bowl.

Our defense was not legit like it is now.

But the biggest difference that not many people are talking about... is simply the experience and the emotion that our team has now.

A more experienced and evolved Tony Romo is obvious but I'm talking about...

Keith Brooking, Tashard Choice, Anthony Spencer, Mike Jenkins...

Everyone who was on that 2007 team, now has two more years playing experience in the nfl...

 

[Galian Beast]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Nnstylh2g8

 

[Yeagermeister]

The biggest difference....no Jacques Reeves and Anthony Henry or Keith Brooking

 

[casmith07]

The biggest difference....no Jacques Reeves and Anthony Henry or Keith Brooking

I think one of the biggest improvements nobody is talking about is Mike Jenkins over Anthony Henry.

 

[Yeagermeister]

I think one of the biggest improvements nobody is talking about is Mike Jenkins over Anthony Henry.

That's pretty much what I was referring to.

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

First of all....that was Romo's FIRST year as a full time starter. Wades FIRST year as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys...Brian Stewarts FIRST year of being a defensive coordinator....Jason Garrets FIRST year as an offensive coordinator AND play caller.

That team relied on OUTSCORING everyone....it was NOT a team. The special teams were awful...the defense was suspect.....the penalites were a killer...and the team 'leaders' were not 'leaders' at all. The QB should and MUST be a team leader...on the 2007 team, the QB was NOT for many reasons.

When we cut TO we put the DEFENSE on notice that we are going to play REAL football now...which meant the defense had to start playing to their paycheck and draft status.

The loudest mouths and the biggest personalites on that team were negative influences and led the meek guys in the wrong direction

Lastly, people will argue that the 07 team was better because of the amount of pro bowlers and the record. But I STRONGLY disagree. Spencer is a more complete player than Ellis was near the end. Jenkins is better than Henry EVER was and EVER will be. Heck Jenkins is BETTER than Newman ever was and ever will be. Sensabaugh is BETTER than Roy Williams was at that point. Bennet/Phillips is BETTER than Fasano was. Brooking is BETTER than Akin Adoyle. Romo now is better than Romo then. Barber/Felix Jones is better than Barber/Julius Jones. Ratliff now is better than Ratliff then. And honestly, Wade as a head coach NOW is better than Wade as a head coach then...and a lot of that is due to the guys REMOVED from that team.

Lastly, Coach D and the guys playing special teams value their role and understand that field position is important. We were so explosive that we gave up TONS of yards in field position because we KNEW some how or another our offense would make it up.

 

[casmith07]

That's pretty much what I was referring to.

That's why I quoted you

Anthony Henry just didn't have the athleticism to play at a high level anymore. He needed to move to Free Safety a long time ago with his coverage instincts but for whatever reason the coaches wouldn't do it.

It probably had more to do with our depth at CB in 2007 than it did anything else, though.

 

[Yeagermeister]

That's why I quoted you

Anthony Henry just didn't have the athleticism to play at a high level anymore. He needed to move to Free Safety a long time ago with his coverage instincts but for whatever reason the coaches wouldn't do it.

It probably had more to do with our depth at CB in 2007 than it did anything else, though.

I still don't think he would have made a good safety either. He couldn't stay healthy covering wr's no way he would have covering te's or rb's.

 

[zeroburrito]

First of all....that was Romo's FIRST year as a full time starter. Wades FIRST year as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys...Brian Stewarts FIRST year of being a defensive coordinator....Jason Garrets FIRST year as an offensive coordinator AND play caller.

That team relied on OUTSCORING everyone....it was NOT a team. The special teams were awful...the defense was suspect.....the penalites were a killer...and the team 'leaders' were not 'leaders' at all. The QB should and MUST be a team leader...on the 2007 team, the QB was NOT for many reasons.

When we cut TO we put the DEFENSE on notice that we are going to play REAL football now...which meant the defense had to start playing to their paycheck and draft status.

The loudest mouths and the biggest personalites on that team were negative influences and led the meek guys in the wrong direction

Lastly, people will argue that the 07 team was better because of the amount of pro bowlers and the record. But I STRONGLY disagree. Spencer is a more complete player than Ellis was near the end. Jenkins is better than Henry EVER was and EVER will be. Heck Jenkins is BETTER than Newman ever was and ever will be. Sensabaugh is BETTER than Roy Williams was at that point. Bennet/Phillips is BETTER than Fasano was. Brooking is BETTER than Akin Adoyle. Romo now is better than Romo then. Barber/Felix Jones is better than Barber/Julius Jones. Ratliff now is better than Ratliff then. And honestly, Wade as a head coach NOW is better than Wade as a head coach then...and a lot of that is due to the guys REMOVED from that team.

Lastly, Coach D and the guys playing special teams value their role and understand that field position is important. We were so explosive that we gave up TONS of yards in field position because we KNEW some how or another our offense would make it up.

damn you tourette!

 

[burmafrd]

I disagree that Jenkins is better then TNew ever was. Not yet.

 

[casmith07]

I disagree that Jenkins is better then TNew ever was. Not yet.

Yeah I was waiting for someone else to say that as well. I still think people unfairly criticize Newman. Don't forget that aside from a couple outstanding pass breakups, Newman has been covering DeSean Jackson for the majority of the snaps this season.

 

[Bad Fan in Lewisville]

I just posted this in another thread, but it fits here, too:
In my opinion, this team is exhibiting the perfect blend of swagger and humility.
They're confident enough to play through adversity, but not so cocky that they take the field unprepared.

I think the 2007 team suffered from big-headedness and entered the playoffs on a down note ... 2009 is so much different in all aspects of the game. I don't see any personalities standing alone this season ... just a team.

 

[dbair1967]

That's why I quoted you

Anthony Henry just didn't have the athleticism to play at a high level anymore. He needed to move to Free Safety a long time ago with his coverage instincts but for whatever reason the coaches wouldn't do it.

It probably had more to do with our depth at CB in 2007 than it did anything else, though.

His tackling was too poor to be anything more than a nickel safety.

How quick people forget, but it was Henry blowing the gimmee tackle on Toomer that gave the Giants their first TD. Thats just one blatant example, there were others.

He's gone, and he needed to be gone.