Don't you realize? This is how toughness is built.

[nathanlt]

In watching the Cowboys this year, it has been difficult to see them struggle. They have played hard, they have made mistakes, they are being micro examined at every little thing.

But... have you noticed that they are standing together? Marcus Spears was talking yesterday on DFW Sportsbeat, saying that they are going to press, continue to play hard on Defense, and play hard enough to win it alone, if necessary. A side note, Randy White's comments were inspiring as well, and he has as much Dallas Cowboy pedigree as anyone to ever put on the uniform. Tony Romo has questioned the media's self-given right to call him an underachiever, and he will continue to give the game all he has. He seems more determined than ever to win.

Yes, it's tough to watch the Cowboys struggle. There are many seemingly boneheaded plays, and some agonizing losses. But this could be the crucible that forges the individual talents into a cohesive team, the pressure is certainly there.

Because of this rough start, the Cowboys could emerge as a better team from it all. Adversity brings about teamwork better than nearly anything.

 

[Big Dakota]

Let's hope we can be like the 07 Giants. Hang together, battle all year and get hot at the end.

 

[THUMPER]

I do like what I am hearing, and more importantly, what I am NOT hearing, from this team. I am less than thrilled with what I am seeing on the field though. Poor tackling, poor pass blocking, poor route running, poor passing, poor preparation, etc. They are talking tough but playing weak.

These guys need to get mad and play with passion and abandon. Every game should be played as if it were the SuperBowl and not be treated as just another game. We are not seeing these guys make big plays and that's what I am looking for from them.

 

[Maikeru-sama]

I think most of the players have always stood together.

Because Terrell Owens was in the locker room, it created the perception that the entire locker room was like this.

I don't think this team is transforming into a mentally tough unit, filled with discipline and leadership because of the adversity they have faced this year.

I think they are coached by a guy that is 0-4 lifetime in the Playoffs and the results, or lack thereof, are showing on the field.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Because of this rough start, the Cowboys could emerge as a better team from it all. Adversity brings about teamwork better than nearly anything.

Let's hope we can be like the 07 Giants. Hang together, battle all year and get hot at the end.

I dont know if this is whats happening right now. But if it does work out for us in the end IT WILL BE Because it was no cakewalk in the beginning of the season.

Personally, I would ok with being in a dogfight every game this year. Winning by the slightest of margins. Never having the feeling "oh, things are ok".

Always feel like next game the season could end.

I think that serves us better in the end.

 

[adbutcher]

In watching the Cowboys this year, it has been difficult to see them struggle. They have played hard, they have made mistakes, they are being micro examined at every little thing.

But... have you noticed that they are standing together? Marcus Spears was talking yesterday on DFW Sportsbeat, saying that they are going to press, continue to play hard on Defense, and play hard enough to win it alone, if necessary. A side note, Randy White's comments were inspiring as well, and he has as much Dallas Cowboy pedigree as anyone to ever put on the uniform. Tony Romo has questioned the media's self-given right to call him an underachiever, and he will continue to give the game all he has. He seems more determined than ever to win.

Yes, it's tough to watch the Cowboys struggle. There are many seemingly boneheaded plays, and some agonizing losses. But this could be the crucible that forges the individual talents into a cohesive team, the pressure is certainly there.

Because of this rough start, the Cowboys could emerge as a better team from it all. Adversity brings about teamwork better than nearly anything.

Great post! Pressure will either burst the pipe or forge a diamond. The team's cohesiveness has me leaning towards the latter.

How we approach the KC game will be paramount to the direction this team will take for the remainder of the season. I can't wait till Sunday, it is almost like week one all over again.

 

[TheCount]

The Lions must be super tough then, they've been losing and taking it on the chin for years.

Seriously though, I'd expect nothing less at this point in the season. It's barely October, if you're going to turn on your team mates in october, the season is doomed anyway.

 

[adbutcher]

The Lions must be super tough then, they've been losing and taking it on the chin for years.

Seriously though, I'd expect nothing less at this point in the season. It's barely October, if you're going to turn on your team mates in october, the season is doomed anyway.

Yep the talent levels of the Cowboys and Lions are equal. You nailed it!

 

[DaBoys4Life]

In watching the Cowboys this year, it has been difficult to see them struggle. They have played hard, they have made mistakes, they are being micro examined at every little thing.

But... have you noticed that they are standing together? Marcus Spears was talking yesterday on DFW Sportsbeat, saying that they are going to press, continue to play hard on Defense, and play hard enough to win it alone, if necessary. A side note, Randy White's comments were inspiring as well, and he has as much Dallas Cowboy pedigree as anyone to ever put on the uniform. Tony Romo has questioned the media's self-given right to call him an underachiever, and he will continue to give the game all he has. He seems more determined than ever to win.

Yes, it's tough to watch the Cowboys struggle. There are many seemingly boneheaded plays, and some agonizing losses. But this could be the crucible that forges the individual talents into a cohesive team, the pressure is certainly there.

Because of this rough start, the Cowboys could emerge as a better team from it all. Adversity brings about teamwork better than nearly anything.

yawn.

 

[adbutcher]

yawn.

 

[visionary]

not sure i agree with this

adversity does not necessarily BUILD character, it REVEALS character i.e. if you have a backbone, you will stand up to adversity but you wont develop a backbone in the face of adversity if you dont have one.

as they say "you are not defined by what happens to you but by how you react to what happens to you"

how this team responds going forward will tell us a lot about this team.

 

[TheCount]

Yep the talent levels of the Cowboys and Lions are equal. You nailed it!

I guess I should have known some people would only read the first sentence. Maybe next time I'll cover it in smilies.

 

[Oh_Canada]

not sure i agree with this

adversity does not necessarily BUILD character, it REVEALS character i.e. if you have a backbone, you will stand up to adversity but you wont develop a backbone in the face of adversity if you dont have one.

as they say "you are not defined by what happens to you but by how you react to what happens to you"

how this team responds going forward will tell us a lot about this team.

BINGO! The only thing adversity has revealed about this team under Wade Phillips is that they crumble under adverse conditions, why anyone thinks it will change this year is beyond me.

 

[THUMPER]

not sure i agree with this

adversity does not necessarily BUILD character, it REVEALS character i.e. if you have a backbone, you will stand up to adversity but you wont develop a backbone in the face of adversity if you dont have one.

as they say "you are not defined by what happens to you but by how you react to what happens to you"

how this team responds going forward will tell us a lot about this team.

A very good point!

 

[Stash]

Interesting topic on Sirius NFL Radio this morning rang true with me.

They were talking about the 49'ers success thus far and calling them the surprise team of 2009.

They then mentioned that people had been waiting for this since Singletary took over.

They brought up how NFL team's become the image of their head coach.

Singletary was a passionate player who prepared as hard and as diligently as anyone. And his team looks to have taken on that image, playing sound fundamental football.

And San Francisco is one Hail Mary away from being undefeated despite not having a wide receiver to speak of, Gore missing time, and a QB who has thrown for about 700 yards in 4 games.

And all this in the short period of time that Singletary has been head coach.

And then I look at the Cowboys and they look to also be a reflection of their head coach.

Laid back, undisciplined, unprepared, lacking in fundamentals, with a 'we'll get 'em next time' attitude.

 

[ddh33]

I think we are likely to find this team is tougher than some think.

Guys like Romo, Barber, Witten, are fighters. So are Ratliff, Brooking, and Bradie James. That's just a few...

I know this team is having a hard time right now, but I think a lot of the drama queens are gone. I think this is a group that wants to win and will work to make sure that they do...

I like the character of this team more than I have any team since Parcells left.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I think we are likely to find this team is tougher than some think.

Guys like Romo, Barber, Witten, are fighters. So are Ratliff, Brooking, and Bradie James. That's just a few...

I know this team is having a hard time right now, but I think a lot of the drama queens are gone. I think this is a group that wants to win and will work to make sure that they do...

I like the character of this team more than I have any team since Parcells left.

Thank Gawd there are still some reasonable posters around here.

 

[adbutcher]

Thank Gawd there are still some reasonable posters around here.

Ain't that the truth.

 

[Stash]

I think we are likely to find this team is tougher than some think.

Guys like Romo, Barber, Witten, are fighters. So are Ratliff, Brooking, and Bradie James. That's just a few...

I know this team is having a hard time right now, but I think a lot of the drama queens are gone. I think this is a group that wants to win and will work to make sure that they do...

I like the character of this team more than I have any team since Parcells left.

Romo's a fighter?

I sure hope so.

But I haven't seen enough to give him that label yet.

And that's a list of six players out of 53. I'd like to see more.

And more so than 'toughness', I'd like to see more 'preparedness'.

But I put that on the coaches, not the players.

 

[ddh33]

Romo's a fighter?

I sure hope so.

But I haven't seen enough to give him that label yet.

And that's a list of six players out of 53. I'd like to see more.

And more so than 'toughness', I'd like to see more 'preparedness'.

But I put that on the coaches, not the players.

He's a former undrafted free agent who has made mulitple pro-bowls. He carries footballs around with him so he can throw the ball to friends. He throws the ball into his couch and works on little things that no one else notices or cares about. You don't get to where Romo has gotten without being a scrappy guy and fighting for everything you got.

I think other guys on this team take a lot of pride in their jobs as well.

Like I said, I think this team has good character. But they are still going to have to win on the field.