DMN Blog: For the record, expectations have been raised

[WoodysGirl]

9:15 AM Fri, Jan 04, 2008 | Permalink
Tim MacMahon E-mail News tips

Wade Phillips didn't mention the Cowboys' 13-3 record once during his press conference the last couple days.

That's a good thing. Everybody knows how many games the Cowboys won in the regular season. Those 13 wins earned the Cowboys a pat on the back, a bye and the right to sleep in their own beds during the playoffs.

Those wins don't guarantee a playoff win, which Phillips should know better than anybody. The Chargers won 14 games and were one-and-done in last season's playoffs.

It comes across as insecure to keep saying "13-3" every time it's pointed out that this team isn't perfect (and was mediocre last month), and my biggest criticism of Phillips in his fine first season at Valley Ranch is that he's too sensitive to criticism.

Phillips doesn't need to keep reminding reporters and fans about how much success the Cowboys enjoyed in the regular season. He deserves credit for a job well done, since 10 wins and perhaps the franchise's first playoff win in 11 years were a realistic expectation entering the season. You had to be wearing some pretty thick blue-and-silver glasses to expect this team to tie a franchise record for wins.

In the process, Phillips has raised expectations around these parts. Nothing less than a trip to Arizona will be acceptable.

 

[Woods]

So, what is acceptable in terms of Wade's success this season?

Sure, the easy answer is a trip to the Super Bowl, or a Super Bowl win. That's what we strive for.

I would consider this season successful with at least 1 playoff game win. That said, I would be disappointed if we only got 1 post season win because I think we are good enough to go all the way.

But I can't call Wade's first season a "failure" if he's able to do what no one has been able to do at Valley Ranch for the past 12 years, or so. Maybe we'll all just be disappointed because we could have gotten further.

For Wade's sake as much as this team's sake, I think we really need to win our 1st playoff game to get the monkey off both his back and the team's back.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

So, what is acceptable in terms of Wade's success this season?

Sure, the easy answer is a trip to the Super Bowl, or a Super Bowl win. That's what we strive for.

I would consider this season successful with at least 1 playoff game win. That said, I would be disappointed if we only got 1 post season win because I think we are good enough to go all the way.

But I can't call Wade's first season a "failure" if he's able to do what no one has been able to do at Valley Ranch for the past 12 years, or so. Maybe we'll all just be disappointed because we could have gotten further.

For Wade's sake as much as this team's sake, I think we really need to win our 1st playoff game to get the monkey off both his back and the team's back.

I agree. One playoff win is more than we've done in a decade.

As much as I'd hate to lose to the Packers in the NFC Championship, it could happen. We're better, but they're good too, and anything can happen in one game. It won't mean the season was a disaster to me... Though I guess it will to a lot of people.

 

[Woods]

I agree. One playoff win is more than we've done in a decade.

As much as I'd hate to lose to the Packers in the NFC Championship, it could happen. We're better, but they're good too, and anything can happen in one game. It won't mean the season was a disaster to me... Though I guess it will to a lot of people.

Sure, I will be disappointed if were to lose in the NFC Chamionship game. I hate any loss.

But I can't consider the season a failure.

For me a failure season would be not making the playoffs with the team we currently have.

 

[Idgit]

If the press is going to insist on writing stories about the problems with a 13-3 team, then it's absolutely fair game for the HC to remind them how good the team has been generally this year. More than that, it's his responsibility to keep that perspective with the players. He can't do anything about the fact that reporters ask the same leading questions over and over again. Insecurity doesn't enter into it.

 

[BigDFan5]

Phillips doesn't need to keep reminding reporters and fans about how much success the Cowboys enjoyed in the regular season.

I disagree the media and some fans act like we are a 9-7 wild card team someone needs to slap them back to reality

In the process, Phillips has raised expectations around these parts. Nothing less than a trip to Arizona will be acceptable.

Media already getting ready for their bashing stories. First it was a playoff win, now its superbowl or get bashed

 

[Everlastingxxx]

Super Bowl or bust, i dunno about that. I mean i would just love for us to be in the Championship game and have a chance to get to get to the Super Bowl. How great would playing in the Championship game be? That would be great in my eyes.

 

[Maikeru-sama]

I disagree, Wade Phillips has to make it to the NFC Championship Game or I think alot of people will consider it an extremely disappointing season.

JMO, but if we are not able to make it to the NFCCG, Wade Phillips' job may be on the line. Again, just pure Message Board speculation, but I wouldn't be suprised if that were true.

Especially given the fact that we are 4-1 against 3 of 6 Playoffs teams, which includes the #2 Seed.

Personally, if we don't make it to the Super Bowl, I think it will be a huge disappointment.

 

[Dave_in-NC]

All teams are 0-0 going into the weekend. 13-3 was great, don't mean a thing in a first round out.

 

[NewJCowboy]

If the press is going to insist on writing stories about the problems with a 13-3 team, then it's absolutely fair game for the HC to remind them how good the team has been generally this year. More than that, it's his responsibility to keep that perspective with the players. He can't do anything about the fact that reporters ask the same leading questions over and over again. Insecurity doesn't enter into it.

I was thinking the same things when I read that blog post.

 

[theogt]

All teams are 0-0 going into the weekend. 13-3 was great, don't mean a thing in a first round out.

Sure it means something. Technically it means that we couldn't possibly have a first round out.

 

[Dave_in-NC]

Sure it means something. Technically it means that we couldn't possibly have a first round out.

Got me. I did mean our first round.

 

[AdamJT13]

Nothing less than a trip to Arizona will be acceptable.

History says the No. 1 seed has less than a 50 percent chance of reaching the Super Bowl.

So anything less than beating the odds is "unacceptable"?

 

[WarDaddy]

I think Wade will even out his post-season record at 3-3 by the end of this season's playoffs...:wink2:


:lombardi:

 

[cowboyed]

Exactamundo and we better be ready to play steady on both sides of the ball.

 

[TheSkaven]

You guys need to stop lowering the bar, don't do it. You are hedging on this team so that you're not disappointed if they miss out on the Superbowl.

This team needs to win at least one playoff game for this to be a successful season and, no, the bye week does NOT count. It's time for the fans to have the taste of a victory in the playoffs. This team hasn't done it since 1996.

A victory in the divisional round and a loss in the championship game? I wouldn't like it, I'd sulk for a few days, but I wouldn't consider it a failed season. But one and done? You betcha, it's a failure (and it would mean underachieving).

 

[windward]

You guys need to stop lowering the bar, don't do it. You are hedging on this team so that you're not disappointed if they miss out on the Superbowl.

This team needs to win at least one playoff game for this to be a successful season and, no, the bye week does NOT count. It's time for the fans to have the taste of a victory in the playoffs. This team hasn't done it since 1996.

A victory in the divisional round and a loss in the championship game? I wouldn't like it, I'd sulk for a few days, but I wouldn't consider it a failed season. But one and done? You betcha, it's a failure (and it would mean underachieving).

agreed, my goal coming into this year was a playoff victory. If we don't do it who gives a frick about HFA?