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I Wanna Be A Cowboy: Lesson #3
“HELLO. My Name Is…”
(Note that this is part three of an ongoing series. To read Lesson #1, please click here: http://thewarrenreport.com/?p=7943)
Lesson #3: Be careful how you are identified. Labels have a tendency to stick.
Tony Romo is an elite quarterback. Terrence Newman is a shutdown corner. Roy Williams is a #1 receiver. The Dallas Cowboys are perennial Super Bowl contenders. All of the above may, or may not, be true. Doesn’t matter. The labels have been affixed, the team and the players identified. They will be judged.
Last night, Dallas played their second home game in their new, Brobdingnagian stadium. Last week, they lost to Giants. Last night, they stood tall over the Liliputian Panthers, winning 21-7. However, like Gulliver on his travels, it is important to note the globe-trotter never changed, the team hasn’t shape-shifted, only the scale of those they’ve encountered have, and yet, judgements are drawn according to the the varying specs of their competitors rather than in relation to the team’s own true measurements. Thus, the first problem with labels is that they fail to recognize context. Beating Carolina’s 0-3 squad led by Jake Delhomme, a quarterback whose shoulder and confidence haven’t fully recovered from 2008 is no more proof of Dallas’ might than the last-second loss to New York served notice that the Cowboys are dust… mites.
Back in the ’70s, a couple of supermarket chains introduced “no frills” products. Others experimented with the concept. By the early ’80s, “generic brand” items populated shelves, distinguished by their hype-less, black-on-white labeling. Customers could buy “no name” green beans, cake mix or cola. And while sales briefly surged — a reflection of the tougher economic times, more likely, than a public embrace of Amish-envied “plainness” — the ‘labels’ Americans had previously attributed to these items led to their ultimate dissatisfaction with the brand-less contents regardless of taste. Cola’s not cola unless it’s Coke. Cake mix isn’t cake mix unless it’s boxed by Betty Crocker. Green beans aren’t green beans unless they’re canned by the Jolly Green Giant and Little Sprout. Thus, the second problem with labels is that they are prejudicial. Once we have the perception cemented in our minds we allow engineered expectation to color honest evaluation.
Most quarterback play fluctuates. Tony Romo throws for over 300 yards in the season-opener, throws three interceptions a week later then throws almost exclusively to Jason Witten last night. During this stretch, pigskin pundits have yo-yoed in their critiques; Romo’s gone from godsend to goat to bus-driver. Yet there is always the stink of disapproval Romo for not living up to the elite status they accorded him prematurely. But frankly, he’s the same guy week to week, a free agent find who idolizes Brett Favre and emulates both the best and worst of his hero’s actions, only the results vary… wildly. If you want the playmaker who, last night, threw a bold (unwise?) cross-field “screen” to Tashard Choice you must also accept the playmaker who threw an unwise (bold?) deep route that was picked off by New York’s Kenny Phillips last week. Tony Romo is not Troy Aikman. Don’t condemn him for not being a first-round draft pick with laser accuracy. That’s not Romo’s pedigree no matter how much you might argue it should be.
Clearly, Pro Bowl cornerback Terrence Newman likes a challenge. It seems his game improves when isolated on the opposing team’s star receiver as he was against the Panthers’ Steve Smith. Newman’s 4th quarter interception return for a touchdown sealed the victory for the ‘Boys against Carolina. A week earlier, Dallas played a soft zone — Newman included — that allowed the Giants’ Steve Smith to catch 10 passes for 124 yards. Did Newman’s coverage skills suddenly blossom or did the scheme and his teammates contribute to the difference in his quality of play?
But of all the Cowboys whose perception plagues him, currently, I relate most to Roy Williams. Acquired last year in a trade, Jerry Jones overpaid the Lions a first, third and sixth round draft pick for the rangy receiver. During the off-season, the Cowboys unloaded their premiere wide-out, Terrell Owens, and promoted Roy to #1. Consequently, everyone expects him to replace or replicate T.O.’s production when that has never been Williams’ m.o. He’s a possession receiver not a game-breaker and criticizing him for not being so is akin to blaming Jay-Z for not singing more like Judy Garland. This season, Roy’s made one spectacular play and failed to make a few catches you wish he would have. Sadly, though, most overlook that his contributions have been in keeping with a more accurate assessment of his talents. When thrown to, in traffic, on third downs, he converts. Lob him a jump ball and he’ll come down with it. Sadder still, watch closely, and you’ll see what most fail to note: the most dedicated downfield blocker the Cowboys have had in years. Dallas has had two consecutive games in which they’ve rushed for over 200 yards. Replay any of those longer runs and you’ll discover Roy making crucial blocks allowing his backs to scamper further. Truly, his dedication to this aspect of the game is award-worthy. T.O. may have flashed the ability to do the same, but R.W. is consistent in his efforts.
I empathize with Roy Williams because there have been many times in my life that I have felt judged by others’ presumptive desires for me rather than by any realistic analysis of my potential or acknowledgment of my passions. Having tested well as a kid, my intelligence was determined to allow me to succeed at anything “I put my mind to.” Of course, this universal, parental pat-on-the-back rarely calibrates for the fact that there are some things kids would just as soon as not put their minds to and other challenges they’re truly not equipped to overcome. This is not to suggest we shouldn’t try, but at some point, isn’t it smarter to play to your strengths than assume you can conquer all? Isn’t it wiser and more productive to hone your skills than to stretch to achieve mediocrity across the board? I will never be exactly the friend, lover or collaborator others wish I was. I work hard to accept and respond to constructive criticism and be respectful of others’ needs in these relationships, though I can never fully alter who I am at my core. I can be me. I am candid, sometimes abrasively so, but ask me for an opinion and I’ll proffer a well-considered one. (Everyone loves a straight-shooter until they’ve been shot.) I write this not to excuse any bad behavior — I am painfully aware of my faults — but to attempt to reduce the self-flagellation I inflict for my own shortcomings. Yes, I may suffer from external expectations but the penance I serve for my failure to adhere to others’ labeling is far more punishing.
So, as I learn to adjust my expectations of Roy Williams’ play in accordance with his capabilities and with admiration for his best traits, I will try to show myself a similar compassion. Rather than habitually critique myself for not being, say, a better-budgeter or friend-juggler, I will catalogue these mistakes and archive them. For the first time in my life, I fully understand the Serenity Prayer. (Forgive me, I pay about as much attention to prayer as I do Lady GaGa’s lyrics.) I will accept the things I cannot change, courageously tackle the things I can and, if lucky, find the wisdom to know the difference.
In turn, I will not proclaim the Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl contenders after a victory of a dubious opponent nor will I write them off having failed to topple the NFC’s (current) best team. Three weeks into a season, labels needn’t be affixed. Let the team find its way. Play now, judge later.
(Note that this is part three of an ongoing series. To read Lesson #1, please click here: http://thewarrenreport.com/?p=7943)
“HELLO. My Name Is…”
(Note that this is part three of an ongoing series. To read Lesson #1, please click here: http://thewarrenreport.com/?p=7943)
Lesson #3: Be careful how you are identified. Labels have a tendency to stick.
Tony Romo is an elite quarterback. Terrence Newman is a shutdown corner. Roy Williams is a #1 receiver. The Dallas Cowboys are perennial Super Bowl contenders. All of the above may, or may not, be true. Doesn’t matter. The labels have been affixed, the team and the players identified. They will be judged.
Last night, Dallas played their second home game in their new, Brobdingnagian stadium. Last week, they lost to Giants. Last night, they stood tall over the Liliputian Panthers, winning 21-7. However, like Gulliver on his travels, it is important to note the globe-trotter never changed, the team hasn’t shape-shifted, only the scale of those they’ve encountered have, and yet, judgements are drawn according to the the varying specs of their competitors rather than in relation to the team’s own true measurements. Thus, the first problem with labels is that they fail to recognize context. Beating Carolina’s 0-3 squad led by Jake Delhomme, a quarterback whose shoulder and confidence haven’t fully recovered from 2008 is no more proof of Dallas’ might than the last-second loss to New York served notice that the Cowboys are dust… mites.
Back in the ’70s, a couple of supermarket chains introduced “no frills” products. Others experimented with the concept. By the early ’80s, “generic brand” items populated shelves, distinguished by their hype-less, black-on-white labeling. Customers could buy “no name” green beans, cake mix or cola. And while sales briefly surged — a reflection of the tougher economic times, more likely, than a public embrace of Amish-envied “plainness” — the ‘labels’ Americans had previously attributed to these items led to their ultimate dissatisfaction with the brand-less contents regardless of taste. Cola’s not cola unless it’s Coke. Cake mix isn’t cake mix unless it’s boxed by Betty Crocker. Green beans aren’t green beans unless they’re canned by the Jolly Green Giant and Little Sprout. Thus, the second problem with labels is that they are prejudicial. Once we have the perception cemented in our minds we allow engineered expectation to color honest evaluation.
Most quarterback play fluctuates. Tony Romo throws for over 300 yards in the season-opener, throws three interceptions a week later then throws almost exclusively to Jason Witten last night. During this stretch, pigskin pundits have yo-yoed in their critiques; Romo’s gone from godsend to goat to bus-driver. Yet there is always the stink of disapproval Romo for not living up to the elite status they accorded him prematurely. But frankly, he’s the same guy week to week, a free agent find who idolizes Brett Favre and emulates both the best and worst of his hero’s actions, only the results vary… wildly. If you want the playmaker who, last night, threw a bold (unwise?) cross-field “screen” to Tashard Choice you must also accept the playmaker who threw an unwise (bold?) deep route that was picked off by New York’s Kenny Phillips last week. Tony Romo is not Troy Aikman. Don’t condemn him for not being a first-round draft pick with laser accuracy. That’s not Romo’s pedigree no matter how much you might argue it should be.
Clearly, Pro Bowl cornerback Terrence Newman likes a challenge. It seems his game improves when isolated on the opposing team’s star receiver as he was against the Panthers’ Steve Smith. Newman’s 4th quarter interception return for a touchdown sealed the victory for the ‘Boys against Carolina. A week earlier, Dallas played a soft zone — Newman included — that allowed the Giants’ Steve Smith to catch 10 passes for 124 yards. Did Newman’s coverage skills suddenly blossom or did the scheme and his teammates contribute to the difference in his quality of play?
But of all the Cowboys whose perception plagues him, currently, I relate most to Roy Williams. Acquired last year in a trade, Jerry Jones overpaid the Lions a first, third and sixth round draft pick for the rangy receiver. During the off-season, the Cowboys unloaded their premiere wide-out, Terrell Owens, and promoted Roy to #1. Consequently, everyone expects him to replace or replicate T.O.’s production when that has never been Williams’ m.o. He’s a possession receiver not a game-breaker and criticizing him for not being so is akin to blaming Jay-Z for not singing more like Judy Garland. This season, Roy’s made one spectacular play and failed to make a few catches you wish he would have. Sadly, though, most overlook that his contributions have been in keeping with a more accurate assessment of his talents. When thrown to, in traffic, on third downs, he converts. Lob him a jump ball and he’ll come down with it. Sadder still, watch closely, and you’ll see what most fail to note: the most dedicated downfield blocker the Cowboys have had in years. Dallas has had two consecutive games in which they’ve rushed for over 200 yards. Replay any of those longer runs and you’ll discover Roy making crucial blocks allowing his backs to scamper further. Truly, his dedication to this aspect of the game is award-worthy. T.O. may have flashed the ability to do the same, but R.W. is consistent in his efforts.
I empathize with Roy Williams because there have been many times in my life that I have felt judged by others’ presumptive desires for me rather than by any realistic analysis of my potential or acknowledgment of my passions. Having tested well as a kid, my intelligence was determined to allow me to succeed at anything “I put my mind to.” Of course, this universal, parental pat-on-the-back rarely calibrates for the fact that there are some things kids would just as soon as not put their minds to and other challenges they’re truly not equipped to overcome. This is not to suggest we shouldn’t try, but at some point, isn’t it smarter to play to your strengths than assume you can conquer all? Isn’t it wiser and more productive to hone your skills than to stretch to achieve mediocrity across the board? I will never be exactly the friend, lover or collaborator others wish I was. I work hard to accept and respond to constructive criticism and be respectful of others’ needs in these relationships, though I can never fully alter who I am at my core. I can be me. I am candid, sometimes abrasively so, but ask me for an opinion and I’ll proffer a well-considered one. (Everyone loves a straight-shooter until they’ve been shot.) I write this not to excuse any bad behavior — I am painfully aware of my faults — but to attempt to reduce the self-flagellation I inflict for my own shortcomings. Yes, I may suffer from external expectations but the penance I serve for my failure to adhere to others’ labeling is far more punishing.
So, as I learn to adjust my expectations of Roy Williams’ play in accordance with his capabilities and with admiration for his best traits, I will try to show myself a similar compassion. Rather than habitually critique myself for not being, say, a better-budgeter or friend-juggler, I will catalogue these mistakes and archive them. For the first time in my life, I fully understand the Serenity Prayer. (Forgive me, I pay about as much attention to prayer as I do Lady GaGa’s lyrics.) I will accept the things I cannot change, courageously tackle the things I can and, if lucky, find the wisdom to know the difference.
In turn, I will not proclaim the Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl contenders after a victory of a dubious opponent nor will I write them off having failed to topple the NFC’s (current) best team. Three weeks into a season, labels needn’t be affixed. Let the team find its way. Play now, judge later.
(Note that this is part three of an ongoing series. To read Lesson #1, please click here: http://thewarrenreport.com/?p=7943)
