Dallas 24 San Francisco 20

[theebs]

From what I understood-Aikman actually was moving his arm forward, and the officials blew the call-but they didn't have instant replay at the time to review it.

it was extremely controversial, but at the end of the game, irvin, emmit and troy made the plays that lost the game.

and a few weeks later that trio made the plays that won the game against philadelphia and then san francisco.

everyone needs to sit tight. I am as down as I have been in a long time. I am dissapointed for Tony Romo to have a poor game against a cocky bunch of guys who like to talk.

But romo can still have the final say in everything that happens, along with witten, T.O., bennet, barber, choice and Roy williams and his plantar fascitis which is what is ailing him.

 

[Muhast]

I have been wondering why we don't throw slants often. Some games we use it often and we do great. Other games we act as if it's a forbidden route.

It is the single hardest route for a corner to defend.

 

[TEUFELI]

Agreed. Look at the Dolphins. Half the talent we have but they're starting to play well down the stretch.

I know Parcells isn't coaching but Saprano (spelling) is a Parcells clone. Maybe Parcells' problem wasn't his system, but that he was too old a coach.

It seems like his system works. I mean, look at what they're doing with noodle-arm Chad Pennington. They're winning with a running game and a strong defense.

Parcells was a good leader, woulda made a good general. Some people are born/good leaders. Doesnt mean they are better people/Christians, just means they have a particular talent for leadership. BP had/has it, and knew how to get the most out of his talent. The problem with parcells was he wanted to play every game like it was a 40 mph wind snow (or today's conditions) meadowlands game. He wouldn't allow us to "unleash" the offense and just win 31-10. He HAD to win 14-7. HAD TO. Almost hated scoring over 21, b/c then it gave his defense room to lax. But as a whole, I will take his poor game management and his faults WITH his tough accountable leadership over this crap we have now. I am embarassed to root for this no heart team (i use that term loosely...i should say group of individuals)

 

[theebs]

I have been wondering why we don't throw slants often. Some games we use it often and we do great. Other games we act as if it's a forbidden route.

It is the single hardest route for a corner to defend.

not against a zone blitz team it isnt. And that is why they play off because of that zone blitz.

There are no magic routes.

 

[Boysboy]

it was extremely controversial, but at the end of the game, irvin, emmit and troy made the plays that lost the game.

and a few weeks later that trio made the plays that won the game against philadelphia and then san francisco.

everyone needs to sit tight. I am as down as I have been in a long time. I am dissapointed for Tony Romo to have a poor game against a cocky bunch of guys who like to talk.

But romo can still have the final say in everything that happens, along with witten, T.O., bennet, barber, choice and Roy williams and his plantar fascitis which is what is ailing him.

Frankly-I think I'm feeling better now.

You are right-the TWO WC spots are going to be up in the air until the final gun sounds on the final regular season game.

Today was a tough loss, but I feel we can bounce back the next 2 weeks which will put us in a decent spot!

 

[Muhast]

not against a zone blitz team it isnt. And that is why they play off because of that zone blitz.

There are no magic routes.

Tell that to Tampa. They seem to have no problem completing them. And when you take away the slant you give up a lot of other routes. It's very easy to look off a slant route and check down as well.

 

[Juke99]

If witten held his block you wouldnt be complaining.

If owens ran with the power of a man his size and layed it on the line for the team he would have got the first down on the third down play. He goes down as easy as shaun alexander.

there was absolutely nothing wrong with the call, just the execution. That play is on witten and it was a neccessary play because owens doesnt fight for yards.

Ok...lemme try one more time.

I am not talking about a single play call. I'm talking about having the balls to go for the kill...coaching, offense, defense, special teams.

I used the Harper slant call as an example of killer instinct not as an example of play calling. FIRST ya have to have the killer instinct...the play call is just how that instinct manifests itself on the field.

 

[theebs]

Tell that to Tampa. They seem to have no problem completing them.

what does that mean? They have no problem completing slants?

I will bet you anything you have, if they lined up today in that weather across from that defense, they would have had a very difficult time running slants.

Those corners are playing off begging for the ball to be thrown, and the backers and lineman that are dropping sporadically are dropping right into that passing lane.

 

[theebs]

Ok...lemme try one more time.

I am not talking about a single play call. I'm talking about having the balls to go for the kill...coaching, offense, defense, special teams.

I used the Harper slant call as an example of killer instinct not as an example of play calling. FIRST ya have to have the killer instinct...the play call is just how that instinct manifests itself on the field.

And that was my point.

When aikman hit irvin on the skinny post it looked like a huge play that gained the first down they needed, but he fumbled and the skins recovered. It started a chain of events that found Dallas backed up on thier side of the field, to where the star players ultimately failed.

That was one game, as was this.

Much like those guys did the next three weeks to finish and into the playoffs, these guys will have their chance.

I think if you are inferring this team doesnt have a risk taking side your wrong. They just need to find a way to win one of these games late and the monkey will be off their back.

 

[tyke1doe]

And that was my point.

When aikman hit irvin on the skinny post it looked like a huge play that gained the first down they needed, but he fumbled and the skins recovered. It started a chain of events that found Dallas backed up on thier side of the field, to where the star players ultimately failed.

That was one game, as was this.

Much like those guys did the next three weeks to finish and into the playoffs, these guys will have their chance.

I think if you are inferring this team doesnt have a risk taking side your wrong. They just need to find a way to win one of these games late and the monkey will be off their back.

Well, that game against the Commanders was an aberration for Troy, Irvin and Emmitt.

They didn't have many games like that.

But Romo is developing a penchant for these type of games at this stage in the year.

I'm not ready to throw the towel in on him. Far from it.

But I don't think you can compare the consistency of that team with this team.

Moreover, weren't the Cowboys like 11-2 going into that game? That team had a margin for error this team does not.

It's like the Giants losing today. Yeah, they didn't have a great game. But they could afford to lose a few.

 

[theebs]

Well, that game against the Commanders was an aberration for Troy, Irvin and Emmitt.

They didn't have many games like that.

But Romo is developing a penchant for these type of games at this stage in the year.

I'm not ready to throw the towel in on him. Far from it.

But I don't think you can compare the consistency of that team with this team.

Moreover, weren't the Cowboys like 11-2 going into that game? That team had a margin for error this team does not.

It's like the Giants losing today. Yeah, they didn't have a great game. But they could afford to lose a few.

I am not comparing the teams or the players. Just the situation. And yes that team was 11-2.

and yes Tony and the whole offense seem to be way to passive about turnovers. No matter how many they have, the team seems to act like that is what is going to happen and they have to bounce back instead of being more careful.

This is twice now the ball has been in his hand in this situation at that point of the game. We have lost both games. I think that will even out somewhere. Hopefully starting this week.

I am more dissapointed for Tony Romo tonight than I am in him. I know he will bounce back this week. I think this offense will be high flying these next two games even against those defenses. At home in 70 degree weather this week should be very favorable for our offense.

At some point, things have to come back our way this year. I just hope the team can keep up the effort. Zach thomas and leonard davis said they would after the game. I hope they do.

 

[kramskoi]

Bad example.

Because the first week of december in 92, the cowboys lost to washington. It was their last loss of the year. The loss kept washington, the defending champs in the hunt.

We lost in this manner.

we had the ball with the opportunity to go win the game, aikman hit irvin on a skinny post and irvin fumbled with washington recovering.

The defense then made a 4 play goalline stand, stopping rypien and the skins from the 1 on 4th down.

Aikman tried to throw out of the endzone, fumbled, emmit tried to pick it up and run with it and fumlbed, the skins recovered for a td and won the game.

so bad example. Cause that game was like this one.

I think emotionally this team took a hit today and why the offense couldnt get aligned right constantly, especially the wr after 10 days to prepare for a game is beyond me.

However, if we can get these next two home games we will be in good shape heading to philly.

i think 20-17 was the score and Johnson freaked out on the plane afterward and laid into a few players...he was actually depressed for days following that loss and if iirc he kinda teared up explaining to the media why he had the emotional meltdown...he opined that the loss had'nt hurt the players enough for his liking...he REALLY hated losing that game, especially to the Commanders...it hurt him tremendously and his treatment of the players did'nt go over well with some of the veterans like Aikman...Johnson was a man that had a particular distaste for losing, unlike Phillips...he constantly risked mutiny in manipulating his players...but he knew how to get the best out of them...a week later they destroyed Atlanta on a monday night 41-17 enroute to the Superbowl...it was indeed their last loss of the season.

They have precious little time to ruminate over today's debacle because much work is left to be done. However, we should'nt kid ourselves any longer about this team.

As is stands today, they still have'nt proved that they can close the deal in either the Parcells or Phillips eras. The offense has misfired in key games for inexplicable reasons.

They'll be on the road the entire way and will face cold, inclement weather and top tier defenses. If today is any indication of how they will respond then big changes could be coming in Dallas next year.

 

[Boysboy]

i think 20-17 was the score and Johnson freaked out on the plane afterward and laid into a few players...he was actually depressed for days following that loss and if iirc he kinda teared up explaining to the media why he had the emotional meltdown...he REALLY hated losing that game, especially to the Commanders...it hurt him tremendously and his treatment of the players did'nt go over well with some of the veterans like Aikman...Johnson was a man that had a particular distaste for losing, unlike Phillips...

They have precious little time to ruminate over today's debacle because much work is left to be done. However, we should'nt kid ourselves any longer about this team.

As is stands today, they still have'nt proved that they can close the deal in either the Parcells or Phillips eras. The offense has misfired in key games for inexplicable reasons.

They'll be on the road the entire way and will face inclement weather and top tier defenses. If today is any indication of how they will respond then big changes could be coming in Dallas next year.

I agree-I'm not a "throw in the towel" kind of guy, but we have to be realistic here.

We've pretty much seen this same movie over and over and over again the last 5 years. One minute we would be peaking at the right time, the next, TSHTF.

And as for playoffs? Yeah-I know anything can happen, but the LAST thing I want to see is this team yet again doing is going in through back doors like they have been-you saw the results.

 

[theebs]

i think 20-17 was the score and Johnson freaked out on the plane afterward and laid into a few players...he was actually depressed for days following that loss and if iirc he kinda teared up explaining to the media why he had the emotional meltdown...he REALLY hated losing that game, especially to the Commanders...it hurt him tremendously and his treatment of the players did'nt go over well with some of the veterans like Aikman...Johnson was a man that had a particular distaste for losing, unlike Phillips...

They have precious little time to ruminate over today's debacle because much work is left to be done. However, we should'nt kid ourselves any longer about this team.

As is stands today, they still have'nt proved that they can close the deal in either the Parcells or Phillips eras. The offense has misfired in key games for inexplicable reasons.

They'll be on the road the entire way and will face inclement weather and top tier defenses. If today is any indication of how they will respond then big changes could be coming in Dallas next year.

Yep jimmy refused to lose. They allowed washington to hang around by beating themselves that night. The feeling I had as a sophmore in high school that night is almost identical to the one I have now.

and I agree on this team. They have a monkey on their back and need to win these next 3 games in a close tight fashion to shake it.

but i do disagree about the inclement weather. There is a good chance if we get in we could get sent to minnesota or arizona and with a win go to Tampa. That would be wonderful conditions to throw the football.

now on the flipside, we could get in and go to soldier field and then win and go to carolina or ny too..not good places for a passing game.

 

[Boysboy]

Yep jimmy refused to lose. They allowed washington to hang around by beating themselves that night. The feeling I had as a sophmore in high school that night is almost identical to the one I have now.

and I agree on this team. They have a monkey on their back and need to win these next 3 games in a close tight fashion to shake it.

but i do disagree about the inclement weather. There is a good chance if we get in we could get sent to minnesota or arizona and with a win go to Tampa. That would be wonderful conditions to throw the football.

now on the flipside, we could get in and go to soldier field and then win and go to carolina or ny too..not good places for a passing game.

I disagree about Minny-yeah, it's perfect for passing teams, but I sure wouldn't want to play a playoff game in a VERY loud Dome AND going up against a very, very dangerous back.

Arizona is just not very good-perfect weather, yes, but that's not my concern at all.

 

[Rogerthat12]

You are spot on Juke, this team has virtually NO killer instinct.

They found a way to lose today, the confusion, the penalties, the dumb interceptions all speak of a undisciplined team that makes dumb mistakes with game on the line.

This team, even when it is beating the other team, finds a way to unravel by the end of the fourth quarter.

Very disappointed in this team and franchise for the long and emotionally draining lackluster product put on the field year in and year out.

The hype is just that "hype" and this team is going nowhere fast. Sorry, homers and apologist, lets face the facts, this team is simply not very good.

 

[Arch Stanton]

You are spot on Juke, this team has virtually NO killer instinct.

They found a way to lose today, the confusion, the penalties, the dumb interceptions all speak of a undisciplined team that makes dumb mistakes with game on the line.

This team, even when it is beating the other team, finds a way to unravel by the end of the fourth quarter.

Very disappointed in this team and franchise for the long and emotionally draining lackluster product put on the field year in and year out.

The hype is just that "hype" and this team is going nowhere fast. Sorry, homers and apologist, lets face the facts, this team is simply not very good.

Yep, for example two timeouts were called, one by Hamlin and one by Romo at the end of the first half when we had no timeouts left. Confusion about the number of timeouts left and confusion caused the use of those timeouts. Despite all that confusion we could have won this game.

 

[MONT17]

92 Boys! im just glad i was alive to see it... this current group of Cowboys like many talented teams in nfl history, u know the names, who never won anything worth talking about... they r just not motivated by winning, they are motivated by what winning brings!

 

[RainMan]

1992 playoffs...4:22 left in the game. Norv Turner calls a slant play (Ace Right 896 F Flat) Alvin Harper makes the catch and goes 70 yards to ice the game.

Exactly who on this team has the guts and killer instinct to make that kind of call...and the killer instinct to execute the play on offense?

And that killer instinct is also lacking on defense and special teams.

I have no interest in breaking down individual plays in this game in search of a reason for why we lost.

This loss, just like the playoff game vs the Giants last year, was not about a single play or even a few plays...because it is my strong opinion that even IF Romo didn't throw that INT for a Steeler TD, we would have come up with a different way to lose. Losers do that.

There is something very wrong with his team during crunch time...and it has been that way dating back to when Parcells was here.

I don't know if I necessarily agree with the Harper parallel, but I absolutely agree with the end point that this team is missing something that winners have.

The only thing I can come up with is this: We're a team that puts everything on our quarterback. From September-to-November, Romo's an all-time great, and our record and overall play typically reflects as much. But he's very pedestrian in December and January, and so is our team. Until he starts playing like a championship quarterback this time of year, I don't see any of this changing. This team isn't constructed to win with an Aikman-like effort, nor is Romo. Romo's a gun slinger and, I'm afraid, can't convert and play an Aikman-like game from time to time when needed.

And even for the gunslingers, you need to occasionally win one like Aikman would. You can't throw for 300 every game. Romo needs to develop that part of his game, if it can be developed.

 

[Boysboy]

I don't know if I necessarily agree with the Harper parallel, but I absolutely agree with the end point that this team is missing something that winners have.

The only thing I can come up with is this: We're a team that puts everything on our quarterback. From September-to-November, Romo's an all-time great, and our record and overall play typically reflects as much. But he's very pedestrian in December and January, and so is our team. Until he starts playing like a championship quarterback this time of year, I don't see any of this changing. This team isn't constructed to win with an Aikman-like effort, nor is Romo. Romo's a gun slinger and, I'm afraid, can't convert and play an Aikman-like game from time to time when needed.

And even for the gunslingers, you need to occasionally win one like Aikman would. You can't throw for 300 every game. Romo needs to develop that part of his game, if it can be developed.

FWIW-Romo didn't go undrafted for nothing. I remember when the QB controversy came up in '06 when Bledsoe started choking it up, Jean-Jacques Taylor WARNED us about him.