Does the negativity seem unusually high this year?

[Chocolate Lab]

I know fans are emotional creatures, but I swear the negativity around here seems unusually high this year. I don't remember so many people being so down on our players, our coaches, our schemes, our everything... In preseason. Preseason!

And before the self-proclaimed "realists" call me out, I'm not above criticizing parts of the team. You should know that. But we haven't even played a game yet, and it's not like we've had some Browns vs. Giants or Skins vs. Panthers beatdowns in the exhibition games we have played -- our starters have actually looked pretty good. Yet there's still an overwhelming sense of foreboding about this team. Why?

I don't know, but at this rate I can't imagine if we lost a few games during the regular season... Which, guess what, is probably going to happen.

Has it been like this every year, and I've just missed it?

Anyone?

 

[dbair1967]

Seems about the same to me to be honest.

David

 

[Doomsday101]

I think expectations are so high that any negative gets blown out of proportion.

 

[Stash]

I think the negativity is the result of the combination of last season's disappointing end and the high expectations placed on this team for this season.

 

[Kilyin]

I don't remember our special teams ever being this bad, which is my primary concern. Would've liked to see our front 7 get to the QB a bit more, but it is preseason.

 

[Fletch]

I agree with dbair1967. It's about the same for this time of year. But I guarantee the overall expectation level has skyrocketed for this Cowboy's team. And if expectations (Super Bowl) aren't met, then in most minds, it will be a complete failure.

 

[zrinkill]

I think the great season we had brought a lot of "fans" into the fold that otherwise would have just had a slight interest in Football.

And after that season .... they demand greatness every time the Cowboys take the field .... they get easily frustrated when the Cowboys second, third, fourth, and soon to be cut members do not live up to those unreasonable expectations because they cannot tell the difference.

I do not think its a coincidence that most of these newest negative posters joined from last November - this year.

 

[Coakleys Dad]

very appropriate post, as many my only real concern is special teams, but I will have confidence in the coaches that that will be fixed by Cleveland.

 

[zeroburrito]

people are just frustrated from the disappointing season. the things that were killing us during the last 5 games or so are showing up again. its hard to be real positive when your team was pretty damn good last year and still ultimately failed like every other year. no playoff wins. we will have some negativity until we start to win in november when the real season starts. i don't blame them.

 

[Brandon]

If we win Week 1, we will talking about Super Bowl.

If we lose Week 1 to a team that will more than likely win 6 games, there will be a very large suicide rate in Texas and the surrounding area.

 

[Hostile]

I know fans are emotional creatures, but I swear the negativity around here seems unusually high this year. I don't remember so many people being so down on our players, our coaches, our schemes, our everything... In preseason. Preseason!

And before the self-proclaimed "realists" call me out, I'm not above criticizing parts of the team. You should know that. But we haven't even played a game yet, and it's not like we've had some Browns vs. Giants or Skins vs. Panthers beatdowns in the exhibition games we have played -- our starters have actually looked pretty good. Yet there's still an overwhelming sense of foreboding about this team. Why?

I don't know, but at this rate I can't imagine if we lost a few games during the regular season... Which, guess what, is probably going to happen.

Has it been like this every year, and I've just missed it?

Anyone?

I don't know if it's more negativity so much as it is more faith in pre-season. I don't remember there being so much emphasis on pre-season results before.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I don't know if it's more negativity so much as it is more faith in pre-season. I don't remember there being so much emphasis on pre-season results before.

Me neither. Maybe that's what I really meant.

But even then, it's not like our starters are getting crushed out there. Denver's the only game you'd say they "lost".

Good point from zrin about the new fans, too.

 

[Phrozen Phil]

people are just frustrated from the disappointing season. the things that were killing us during the last 5 games or so are showing up again.

Expectations for this team are clear in alot of people's minds: Super bowl or Bust. It's interesting to hear folks talk about 13 - 3 being a "disappointing season" , but the reality is that the pressure is on. I, for one, intend to enjoy the season and hope for the best. "Blessed are those who expect nothing, for they shall never be dissapointed".

 

[Doomsday101]

If we win Week 1, we will talking about Super Bowl.

If we lose Week 1 to a team that will more than likely win 6 games, there will be a very large suicide rate in Texas and the surrounding area.

Cool a thinning of the heard is sometimes needed. :laugh2:

 

[WoodysGirl]

The negativity is about the same, IMO. Surprising considering the overall talent level of the team.

I guess the higher the expectations, the bigger the let downs...

 

[FCBarca]

My take is pretty much this...Expectations rose pretty high based on the mercurial season of last year, and for good reason I contend...And early showings in preseason have underscored the deficiencies of the past that still seem to linger...Personally, I think the negativity stems from that right there...Reality returning that while it would have been optimistic to expect some great strides/improvement from last year, particularly in those areas where the team was weakest, the early impressions are that the status quo remains...Just my take.

If I had to have listed the concerns going into preseason/draft, they would've been these.

1. December slide, aka focus
2. Penalties
3. Legit WR to backup TO
4. secondary help/depth
5. pass rush improvement
6. Special Teams, coverage & returns

So, it's August so hard to gauge December yet but gotta wonder where the focus is, even now...Penalties still seem to be a problem and as we all know, this often stems from focus/discipline...Tenets that were concerns under Camp Cupcake...Miles and Hurd seemed to be gaining on Crayton in preseason but we lose Miles for a spell and no one else really stepped up despite a lot of hype on everyone from Stanback to Amendola.

Depth is there in the secondary and Hamlin was resigned but whether it's the zone scheme or simply early they haven't been this vaunted secondary it 'should' be...Pass rush disappeared in December and while Tank has had a great camp and DWare still seems to get pressure, there's been a healthy devoid of sacks much less hurries in preseason...You combine that with the shaky secondary and we're looking at a D under Stewart that resembles the same December slide crew...Makes matters worse considering there seemed to be a concerted effort to remove Stewart in the offseason which should tell everyone something.

Special teams under Read...This will get more headlines than whether Roy is overrated or not, this season, IMHO...How he maintained his job after last season seems to beg a lot of questions, especially after this preseason...Hard to even see the resemblance between this lot and the one that kept Hester in check last season...If it weren't for Folk being a gem and McBriar an ace, there'd be a lot to be down about on ST.

So, yeah, I think there's reason to be a bit negative or 'down' on the preseason performances, even if it isn't the regular season.

Everyone knows the good, this offense apart from a WR to compliment T.O., is terrific...Question is, will it have to outscore everyone and our own D in order to succeed?

 

[ndanger]

I think the great season we had brought a lot of "fans" into the fold that otherwise would have just had a slight interest in Football.

I do not think its a coincidence that most of these newest negative posters joined from last November - this year.

I am a member of a football related site where guys "honestly" revealed their age and was shocked at the number of 15 year olds there were. Albeit many were very knowledgeable, it put in perspective why I seriously considered taking up drinking and doubled up on my meds on more than one occasion.
On a side note, I am positive that Nors is a pimple faced 14 year old with a laptop who locks himself in the bathroom, a lot.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

actually, it is about like this each year.

 

[Doomsday101]

Right now I'm taking Romo comment to heart when asked if he would like to fast forward to the playoffs. He said no I enjoy playing the games so no I’m not looking that far down the road. Well I plan on enjoying the ride and whatever happens in December or January we will find out in December and January. I do know this is a good team with good players and I believe in them.

 

[speedkilz88]

I am a member of a football related site where guys "honestly" revealed their age and was shocked at the number of 15 year olds there were. Albeit many were very knowledgeable, it put in perspective why I seriously considered taking up drinking and doubled up on my meds on more than one occasion.
On a side note, I am positive that Nors is a pimple faced 14 year old with a laptop who locks himself in the bathroom, a lot.

The one problem with that is he's been around for several years. Funny nonetheless.