jmnichols75
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My father was born in Dallas just before the Cowboys joined the NFL. He took what was probably an infatuation resulting from being a pre-teen boy in a city getting a new football team and carried it with him his entire life, eventually passing it along to his kids. This was especially true of me, his first child and oldest son. I remember crying as an eight-year-old when the Cowboys lost a Monday night game when both my mom and dad were watching the game together with me (something that didn't happen often and was special for personal reasons WAY too deep/involved for this post but probably contributed to the tears!). I'll only briefly mention suffering through the end of the Landry years, as well as the early Johnson ones, the elation of the 90s championships, etc. to keep my resume as a fan short. Put succinctly, I was borderline obsessed with the team for a long time, win or lose.
So, it pains me to have to admit that I am losing interest in the team and the events surrounding it. I get annoyed at Jerry Jones' comments that have devolved from brash and boastful to painfully unaware. I've seen the team go from aggressive spending to being penny pinchers (or, at the very least, much less aggressive than in the 90s and 2000s). The players are just not as charismatic as those from the past. Michael Irvin could be a hyperagressive jerk, but it was usually more directly related to "let's win" competitiveness than "you all are making me look bad" kinds of outbursts. Somehow, more team oriented than all about himself.
Yes, age is likely getting the best of Jerry Jones, his seemingly more conservative son is probably calling more and more of the shots, and my memory of things like Irvin (and other past players' behavior) has rose colored glasses effect going on. I'm also willing to admit that age is getting the best of me and that I view outbursts, etc. a little more negatively than when I was also young and, much like the players on the team I was rooting for, full of piss and vinegar. I also think that fans, me included, are much more aware of every little foible and, when stacked up with the big ones that even made the news in times past, probably poison the well a little.
But I find it more difficult to feel emotionally invested in this team/organization. And even though it was limited, compartmentalized, etc. I probably never should have been truly emotionally invested in a group of football players whose success or failure made no practical difference in my life other than, perhaps, which direction the bragging rights and friendly ribbing went between me and my friends (I'm not a gambler...LOL!). Still, I recognize that I am just not "feeling it" with this roster, coaching staff, and front office. Part of it is that I knew this season was going to be a bust, even if they did do slightly better than expected, coupled with some time-consuming personal obligations that happen to be coinciding with it. I'm turned off by things like Diggs' leaving the locker room before even changing clothes after a game to confront someone who said something about him in a tweet. Some of the stuff Parsons says on his podcast is not endearing. Dak is, apparently, a much better locker leader than the face of the most valuable, successful, and history laden (at least in the Super Bowl era) franchises, but he does nothing to inspire confidence in his ability to elevate the team or motivate them to elevate themselves. Elliot seems like a petulant bully. Cooper Rush, while doing an acceptable job as a backup despite some physical limitations, doesn't evoke that "root for the underdog" feeling it seems like someone in position would. Lawrence seems like he'd be insufferable to be around.
It's not all bad. Well, it's all subjective, I guess, as to what is "bad" and what isn't. I love Jordan Lewis' scrappiness. Lamb is, slowly, working his way out of my doghouse (playing through what appeared to be a very painful injury has helped with that). Even Parsons' latest comment about not having to be the highest paid player in the league at his position has helped me keep an open mind about the possibility that I've been too harsh on him (even if, on the whole, Dak's and Ceedee's insistence on being so counterbalances that a little). I like Ferguson's attitude, even if it hasn't shown up lately...which, some ways, I'm glad about, otherwise it could have veered toward Bill Romanowski levels of idiocy. Despite all this, there's just very little charm to the current team.
I really liked Overshown. Ironically, Bland is another player that I'm interested in, but his name may be indicative of what's to come in terms of generating interest in the team again (I doubt there's another Cinderella story of a record number of pick-sixes). I've even started like Kendricks as one of those "just takes care of business" type players with little to no flash (that I'm aware of). In the absence of other potential feel-good stories, I've taken a liking to Mazi Smith and hope that he can overcome the still insufficiently explained weight loss that seems to have been a negative aspect of Dan Quin's time here. Obviously, it helps the team if he can turn out to be worth where they picked him but, as an individual player, I like seeing someone who was mishandled make a comeback. By all accounts (right?), he is putting the work necessary to do it, so you hope that it pans out for someone like that.
However, a lot of the positive and/or interesting things I just mentioned are somewhat manufactured. They're deliberate, probably as a result of my feeling deep down inside that I'm supposed to care about what happens to this team and its players. It doesn't have that same "organic" feeling to it like it did when I was younger and was hoping that Quincy Carter could silence his critics, that Anthony Spencer could get the respect he deserved and not have make a slow exit due to a chronic and progressive injury, that Emmitt Smith would break the all-time rushing record, that Romo would continue to prove that even NFL teams (and draft experts) often overlook the potential for excellence from late round picks, or that the organization would set records like franchise wins, playoff appearances, etc. rather than for consecutive sellout crowds, the highest TV ratings, merchandise sales, or other non-football categories. Something is just "off" about this team. Again, I'm aware of my own evolution and the effects of age-related cynicism. Even taking those things into account though, I feel that something just isn't quite right with the Dallas Cowboys. As I've started to have conversations with other long-time fans I've gotten to know, in addition to the comments I see here and other places online, I know that I'm not alone and that it isn't only because I'm getting older and may like to complain more.
I have no idea why I felt the need to post this rant. I know that's what it is. I also know that I'll continue to root for, and love, the Dallas Cowboys. I don't want my dad to haunt me (he passed away in 2013, talking on his literal death bed about how just knew another Super Bowl win for the Cowboys was just around the corner)! I am confident that the previously spontaneous and effortless nature of my passion about the team will return, but I think it will take some time to change the coaching the staff, roster, and front office (or, for that matter, the media environment and the PR approach of the team) to the point where it will happen. I am sure that others here feel the same way and I hope that earns me some forgiveness for such a long and cathartic diatribe.
Signed,
An Eternal-but-Currently-Despondent-Fan
So, it pains me to have to admit that I am losing interest in the team and the events surrounding it. I get annoyed at Jerry Jones' comments that have devolved from brash and boastful to painfully unaware. I've seen the team go from aggressive spending to being penny pinchers (or, at the very least, much less aggressive than in the 90s and 2000s). The players are just not as charismatic as those from the past. Michael Irvin could be a hyperagressive jerk, but it was usually more directly related to "let's win" competitiveness than "you all are making me look bad" kinds of outbursts. Somehow, more team oriented than all about himself.
Yes, age is likely getting the best of Jerry Jones, his seemingly more conservative son is probably calling more and more of the shots, and my memory of things like Irvin (and other past players' behavior) has rose colored glasses effect going on. I'm also willing to admit that age is getting the best of me and that I view outbursts, etc. a little more negatively than when I was also young and, much like the players on the team I was rooting for, full of piss and vinegar. I also think that fans, me included, are much more aware of every little foible and, when stacked up with the big ones that even made the news in times past, probably poison the well a little.
But I find it more difficult to feel emotionally invested in this team/organization. And even though it was limited, compartmentalized, etc. I probably never should have been truly emotionally invested in a group of football players whose success or failure made no practical difference in my life other than, perhaps, which direction the bragging rights and friendly ribbing went between me and my friends (I'm not a gambler...LOL!). Still, I recognize that I am just not "feeling it" with this roster, coaching staff, and front office. Part of it is that I knew this season was going to be a bust, even if they did do slightly better than expected, coupled with some time-consuming personal obligations that happen to be coinciding with it. I'm turned off by things like Diggs' leaving the locker room before even changing clothes after a game to confront someone who said something about him in a tweet. Some of the stuff Parsons says on his podcast is not endearing. Dak is, apparently, a much better locker leader than the face of the most valuable, successful, and history laden (at least in the Super Bowl era) franchises, but he does nothing to inspire confidence in his ability to elevate the team or motivate them to elevate themselves. Elliot seems like a petulant bully. Cooper Rush, while doing an acceptable job as a backup despite some physical limitations, doesn't evoke that "root for the underdog" feeling it seems like someone in position would. Lawrence seems like he'd be insufferable to be around.
It's not all bad. Well, it's all subjective, I guess, as to what is "bad" and what isn't. I love Jordan Lewis' scrappiness. Lamb is, slowly, working his way out of my doghouse (playing through what appeared to be a very painful injury has helped with that). Even Parsons' latest comment about not having to be the highest paid player in the league at his position has helped me keep an open mind about the possibility that I've been too harsh on him (even if, on the whole, Dak's and Ceedee's insistence on being so counterbalances that a little). I like Ferguson's attitude, even if it hasn't shown up lately...which, some ways, I'm glad about, otherwise it could have veered toward Bill Romanowski levels of idiocy. Despite all this, there's just very little charm to the current team.
I really liked Overshown. Ironically, Bland is another player that I'm interested in, but his name may be indicative of what's to come in terms of generating interest in the team again (I doubt there's another Cinderella story of a record number of pick-sixes). I've even started like Kendricks as one of those "just takes care of business" type players with little to no flash (that I'm aware of). In the absence of other potential feel-good stories, I've taken a liking to Mazi Smith and hope that he can overcome the still insufficiently explained weight loss that seems to have been a negative aspect of Dan Quin's time here. Obviously, it helps the team if he can turn out to be worth where they picked him but, as an individual player, I like seeing someone who was mishandled make a comeback. By all accounts (right?), he is putting the work necessary to do it, so you hope that it pans out for someone like that.
However, a lot of the positive and/or interesting things I just mentioned are somewhat manufactured. They're deliberate, probably as a result of my feeling deep down inside that I'm supposed to care about what happens to this team and its players. It doesn't have that same "organic" feeling to it like it did when I was younger and was hoping that Quincy Carter could silence his critics, that Anthony Spencer could get the respect he deserved and not have make a slow exit due to a chronic and progressive injury, that Emmitt Smith would break the all-time rushing record, that Romo would continue to prove that even NFL teams (and draft experts) often overlook the potential for excellence from late round picks, or that the organization would set records like franchise wins, playoff appearances, etc. rather than for consecutive sellout crowds, the highest TV ratings, merchandise sales, or other non-football categories. Something is just "off" about this team. Again, I'm aware of my own evolution and the effects of age-related cynicism. Even taking those things into account though, I feel that something just isn't quite right with the Dallas Cowboys. As I've started to have conversations with other long-time fans I've gotten to know, in addition to the comments I see here and other places online, I know that I'm not alone and that it isn't only because I'm getting older and may like to complain more.
I have no idea why I felt the need to post this rant. I know that's what it is. I also know that I'll continue to root for, and love, the Dallas Cowboys. I don't want my dad to haunt me (he passed away in 2013, talking on his literal death bed about how just knew another Super Bowl win for the Cowboys was just around the corner)! I am confident that the previously spontaneous and effortless nature of my passion about the team will return, but I think it will take some time to change the coaching the staff, roster, and front office (or, for that matter, the media environment and the PR approach of the team) to the point where it will happen. I am sure that others here feel the same way and I hope that earns me some forgiveness for such a long and cathartic diatribe.
Signed,
An Eternal-but-Currently-Despondent-Fan