Darren Woodson: "There are no days off"

[Chief]

Do you read all those gossip magazines?

No.

Do you watch TeleTubbies?

 

[CPonder14]

No.

Do you watch TeleTubbies?

Nope. I'm not 5 years old.

 

[tyke1doe]

On a side note, it's been WELL-DOCUMENTED(outside of this Cabo trip) that Romo spends hours, days and nights in the game film room. Even Parcells repeatedly praised him for this.(as well all know, Tuna NEVER praises ANYONE)

You make some valid points, but if, let's say, Romo locked himself in a closet the entire bye weekend, would that have sent positive messages to his team? The logic is way off.

The problems with these arguments are ...

1. No one knows what would have happened with a different approach
2. No one really knows whether the "relaxed" approach truly hurt the team.

All we're left with is this: the Cowboys loss even though they had the 13-3 record and the No. 1 seed. And we're left wondering why.

I guess it's within the human DNA to nitpick and analyze after the fact.

All I'll say is this: No one knows for sure why the Cowboys loss. But I do think Romo will be more circumspect next year. Not that he shouldn't go to Mexico for a get away. But I think he understands even if it doesn't affect him, the media will make a big deal about it, peppering his teammates with questions. And I think he'll understand that the team doesn't need that even if he personally sees nothing wrong with a brief excursion before the playoffs.

 

[Faerluna]

Forget perception. The reality is that it was reported by several assistants that the Cowboys practiced very well leading up to the game. That the days off did not affect anything in practice. Practices were as sharp and as consistent as they'd been in a long time and that the assistants were very shocked at how awful the 'boys played in the game.

Stop dragging the truth into this! You know how people feel about the truth.

They will probably try to say that this is some big coverup to save Wade and Jason's butts from the criticism, save their jobs or whatever other cockamamie idea they get in their pretty little heads.

The speculation has reached supermarket rag level.

 

[Maikeru-sama]

I agree, I do not think Tony Romo should have left the country.

But who cares, now he can go to Mexico as long as he wants .

 

[tyke1doe]

Forget perception. The reality is that it was reported by several assistants that the Cowboys practiced very well leading up to the game. That the days off did not affect anything in practice. Practices were as sharp and as consistent as they'd been in a long time and that the assistants were very shocked at how awful the 'boys played in the game.

With all due respect do you think assistants were going to say we had a sloppy practice?

Second, teams can practice well in controlled environments. Your teammates are the same as the opponent. You can look sharp in practice.

But what was lacking with these Cowboys is the mental part. They were not ready to face the Giants despite their sharp practices.

That's something that can't necessarily be measured in practice.

The Giants came into the game knowing they had to be mentally sharp and focused to win.

The Cowboys came into the game thinking they simply had to execute to win.

Not only did they not execute, they weren't mentally sharp, or as mentally sharp as the Giants.

Something went wrong. We may never know. But the speculation will be endless.

 

[Doomsday101]

I agree, I do not think Tony Romo should have left the country.

But who cares, now he can go to Mexico as long as he wants .

Would it have been alright to take an 4 or 5 hour flight back home to Wisconsin over the 1 1/2 hour flight to Cabo? Living in Texas I'm not sure many of us consider going to Mexico as leaving the country, it looks about the same. :laugh2:

 

[aikemirv]

How anyone could blame Romo for this loss I will never know!

 

[tyke1doe]

Its because of people like you...
Dont you get it? If people like you didn't exist, then there would be no controversy, or critisism

That's like saying if there were no people they'd be no war.

Humans exist. Critics exist.

There's no way you're going to get rid of either. But you can do something to prevent putting yourself in position to be criticized in a certain way just as we can do something to prevent going to war - like electing the right president.

Opps, better go.

 

[Doomsday101]

With all due respect do you think assistants were going to say we had a sloppy practice?

Second, teams can practice well in controlled environments. Your teammates are the same as the opponent. You can look sharp in practice.

But what was lacking with these Cowboys is the mental part. They were not ready to face the Giants despite their sharp practices.

That's something that can't necessarily be measured in practice.

The Giants came into the game knowing they had to be mentally sharp and focused to win.

The Cowboys came into the game thinking they simply had to execute to win.

Not only did they not execute, they weren't mentally sharp, or as mentally sharp as the Giants.

Something went wrong. We may never know. But the speculation will be endless.

True but speculation is not truth. For those that think going to Mexico was the reason for the loss or was a contributing factor then they will believe what they want and there is nothing Romo could ever say to change their minds. For me it was not a big deal and had Romo stayed home and we lost I'm sure people would come up with some other reasons be it Jessica or some other off the wall complaint. I don't think Romo was shocked or surprised about the reaction I think he knew if we lost people would question him just as they did last year over a bobbled snap. I don’t think Romo cares about the perception issue he knows if you win they will love you and lose and they will come after you no matter what you did.

 

[Maikeru-sama]

Would it have been alright to take an 4 or 5 hour flight back home to Wisconsin over the 1 1/2 hour flight to Cabo? Living in Texas I'm not sure many of us consider going to Mexico as leaving the country, it looks about the same. :laugh2:

He is a grown man, he has the means, so he can go anywhere he chooses.

My statement centered on the fact that I agree that he shouldn't have went to Mexico and that he knew he would face criticism if we lost.

Doesn't matter what the distance is, Mexico is still another country and most of the people I know in Texas consider it another country.

Buy hey, like Anthony Ramiro Romo said, "I was just following the coaches orders"

 

[tyke1doe]

I agree, I do not think Tony Romo should have left the country.

But who cares, now he can go to Mexico as long as he wants .

And no one will care now - at least not people covering football.

 

[Boysboy]

I agree, I do not think Tony Romo should have left the country.

But who cares, now he can go to Mexico as long as he wants .

What if he went to New Orleans(Read-the NUMBER 1 Party City in America)??

Last I checked, Mardi Gras festivities started during that bye week(The Mardi Gras holiday is on the weekend of Feb 1st).

Pt being that if he and Jason Witten were seen on Bourbon Street with Jessica that weekend instead, would you think differently?

After all-New Orleans, LA *is* in the country.

 

[Doomsday101]

He is a grown man, he has the means, so he can go anywhere he chooses.

My statement centered on the fact that I agree that he shouldn't have went to Mexico and that he knew he would face criticism if we lost.

Doesn't matter what the distance is, Mexico is still another country and most of the people I know in Texas consider it another country.

Buy hey, like Anthony Ramiro Romo said, "I was just following the coaches orders"

He knew he would hear it no matter what he did if we lost just as he heard about it all off season after the bobbled snap last year. You lose people are going to question any and everything you win and they love you. To me this is just about winning and losing not Mexico or Jessica or some other issue. I think Romo knows that quite well. In the meantime you can't live your life based on precetptions of what others think. You are going to catch hell if you lose and you will get praise if you win.

 

[tyke1doe]

True but speculation is not truth. For those that think going to Mexico was the reason for the loss or was a contributing factor then they will believe what they want and there is nothing Romo could ever say to change their minds. For me it was not a big deal and had Romo stayed home and we lost I'm sure people would come up with some other reasons be it Jessica or some other off the wall complaint. I don't think Romo was shocked or surprised about the reaction I think he knew if we lost people would question him just as they did last year over a bobbled snap. I don’t think Romo cares about the perception issue he knows if you win they will love you and lose and they will come after you no matter what you did.

I agree with you, but it's not just about Romo. It's about his teammates and his team.

So as a teammate do you want to be peppered with questions as to why your quarterback is vacationing in Cabo or do you want to answer questions about football?

That's what leadership is about, and that's what I think is missing in this discussion here.

No one is saying DEFINITELY that that trip affected Romo's play or the play of his teammates.

But what we can say is that it provided an undue distraction.

As a leader, you can't just think about yourself - especially when options are available to you. You have to think about perception and about how your actions (however well-meaning) affect your team and your teammates.

It's the selfish person who says "Screw you, I'll do what I want to do because it only affects me."

If only life were that simple. It's not. And leaders realize this.

 

[Doomsday101]

I agree with you, but it's not just about Romo. It's about his teammates and his team.

So as a teammate do you want to be peppered with questions as to why your quarterback is vacationing in Cabo or do you want to answer questions about football?

That's what leadership is about, and that's what I think is missing in this discussion here.

No one is saying DEFINITELY that that trip affected Romo's play or the play of his teammates.

But what we can say is that it provided an undue distraction.

As a leader, you can't just think about yourself - especially when options are available to you. You have to think about perception and about how your actions (however well-meaning) affect your team and your teammates.

It's the selfish person who says "Screw you, I'll do what I want to do because it only affects me."

If only life were that simple. It's not. And leaders realize this.

You mean like Crayton trashing talking during the week. These players are professionals and Romo should not be blamed for some of their own mistakes. Romo went in that Monday which was still a day off and hit the film room and he did what he needed to do to get ready and every other players is responsible for themselves in getting ready. This is not high school or college these are paid professional and Romo should not have to baby sit these guys and make sure he does not date this person because she could be a distraction or don't go here because that could be a distraction. I expect more out of these guys if all it takes is Romo going to Mexico for them to screw up then we need to see about replacing some very weak minded players.

 

[Maikeru-sama]

He knew he would hear it no matter what he did if we lost just as he heard about it all off season after the bobbled snap last year. You lose people are going to question any and everything you win and they love you. To me this is just about winning and losing not Mexico or Jessica or some other issue. I think Romo knows that quite well. In the meantime you can't live your life based on precetptions of what others think. You are going to catch hell if you lose and you will get praise if you win.

Of course this is about winning and losing.

However, the current topic asks us to ponder whether it was a good idea to go to Mexico. As you have no doubt observed, I merely stated that my answer was no, it probably wasn't a good idea.

As I have opined ealier and on a myriad of other occassions, Tony Romo's trip to Mexico probably had little to do with the outcome of the game.

What we do know is the Dallas Cowboys lost their first Playoff Game of the 2007 Season. I am sure we can point to several historical precedents that prove that off the field matters can be a distraction and vice vesa. Was Tony Romo distracted by his trip to Mexico a week before the game? I doubt it, but can we really truely rule out that he wasn't?

 

[gbrittain]

Anybody want to take a wager on Romo going to Mexico again next year if we are in the same situation?

Football players put in a lot of work during the off season and sacrifice their bodies during the regular season for one thing (minus the money/business part of football) and that is play in the playoffs and hopefully make it to and win the SuperBowl.

I don't think it is too much to ask to stay focused on the most critical part of the season. Go to Mexico when your season is over.

 

[tyke1doe]

You mean like Crayton trashing talking during the week. These players are professionals and Romo should not be blamed for some of their own mistakes. Romo went in that Monday which was still a day off and hit the film room and he did what he needed to do to get ready and every other players is responsible for themselves in getting ready. This is not high school or college these are paid professional and Romo should not have to baby sit these guys and make sure he does not date this person because she could be a distraction or don't go here because that could be a distraction. I expect more out of these guys if all it takes is Romo going to Mexico for them to screw up then we need to see about replacing some very weak minded players.

Last time I checked, Crayton wasn't the leader of this team. Romo is by virtue of his position.

Don't tell me it's the same if your neighbor cheats on his wife. If the president cheats on his wife, it's going to be a bigger deal because he is not only considered a leader, his influence is wider and greater.

 

[CPonder14]

That's like saying if there were no people they'd be no war.

Humans exist. Critics exist.

There's no way you're going to get rid of either. But you can do something to prevent putting yourself in position to be criticized in a certain way just as we can do something to prevent going to war - like electing the right president.

Opps, better go.

yeah you better