Has the 2009 season broken you?

[sonnyboy]

I found myself somewhat surprised reading through some of the other threads as to just how low expectations appear to have fallen.

So are you a broken fan?

If so, perhaps you can take a longer term perspective and find some reasons for optimisim in 2009.

All of our teams from 1999-2005 were incapable of winning a SB. Don't want to hear about injuries, bad breaks, nothing. Most of those teams sucked, and a few were boderline play-off teams at best.

But none had even a remote chance at winning a SB.

Now lets look at recent history.

Our 2006-2008 teams all had a legit chance at winning a SB. Few more breaks, few less injuries and it could've happened.

How can anyone look at any of those teams and the SB winner from those years and say it couldn't have happened.

So why all the doom and gloom? Why do so many of you look at this team as you would the 2002 Cowboys?

 

[Big Dakota]

Anyone that can be broken isn't a fan.

 

[Apollo Creed]

Anyone that can be broken isn't a fan.

I'm about as die-hard as they come, but even the most die-hard Lions, Raiders, Bengals fans have to lose their drive at some point. Paying ridiculous ticket prices, 8 dollar beers, overpriced jerseys, etc.

The worst thing about Dallas is the expectations. I've just learned to lower mine.

 

[sonnyboy]

I'm about as die-hard as they come, but even the most die-hard Lions, Raiders, Bengals fans have to lose their drive at some point. Paying ridiculous ticket prices, 8 dollar beers, overpriced jerseys, etc.

The worst thing about Dallas is the expectations. I've just learned to lower mine.

That's not a good thing!

It's better to believe.

Or as my old manager use to say "If you don't believe, get up and leave"

 

[CF74]

If you're broken it wasn't the Cowboys doing, believe me it started a long time ago when you were a child..

 

[Dave_in-NC]

That's not a good thing!

It's better to believe.

Or as my old manager use to say "If you don't believe, get up and leave"

Why should long time fans leave? Those of us who have been fans of this team for years upon years or those who are newer fans but know and understand the history simply expect way better.

I have been a fan since the 70s, your damn right I have lowered my expectations recently.
I see a bad GM who started out lucky and has no clue how to repeat it.
My hopes are that GM will be gone soon one way or the other and we will pick back up on tradition.

 

[zack]

Anyone that can be broken isn't a fan.

Last season was real difficult for me and I am beginning to care less and less about this team. Why? Because winning didn't matter to the 53 guys on that team last year. The way played at Philly showed that they didn't care and have no heart. Hopefully, by the time next season rolls around, I will forget all about last season. Maybe this season, they will actually have chemistry and care about winning again...

 

[sonnyboy]

Why should long time fans leave? Those of us who have been fans of this team for years upon years or those who are newer fans but know and understand the history simply expect way better.

I have been a fan since the 70s, your damn right I have lowered my expectations recently.
I see a bad GM who started out lucky and has no clue how to repeat it.
My hopes are that GM will be gone soon one way or the other and we will pick back up on tradition.

You're missing the point. It's better to believe.

You want the GM gone?

Should he take his draft picks and FA signings these past two years with him?

If you want something to pump you up, give you hope? You need look no further than your own SIG.

 

[Rampage]

people are just very frustrated and rightfully so. from 1991-1996 we could beat anybody,win in the playoffs including winning 3 superbowls in 4 years. from 1997 -2008 we haven't done anything and it just has gotten worse with the way we lose some of these games(the bobble,vs ny,at philly last year). we're setting records but all the wrong ones like being the 1st nfc #1 seed to lose it's 1st playoff game since the wildcard format. the 1st team to lose an overtime game on a blocked punt. the 1st team to give up back to back 75+ yard runs in consectitive plays. people are pissed right now.

 

[Apollo Creed]

Last season was real difficult for me and I am beginning to care less and less about this team. Why? Because winning didn't matter to the 53 guys on that team last year. The way played at Philly showed that they didn't care and have no heart. Hopefully, by the time next season rolls around, I will forget all about last season. Maybe this season, they will actually have chemistry and care about winning again...

You bring up a very good point.

These guys don't care about losing, they care about what people will think of them losing. Thats the part that pisses me off the most. These guys are all over the web and papers, constantly monitoring public opinion, and quite often - I've felt this has been the reason they fall apart.

The minute they start to put it together, they get lazy. Then they want to rip signs out of your hands when you show up to let them know they let you down as a fan. Bradie James, as outspoken and awful in coverage as he is - lost my respect by doing that last year.

They want every bit of the credit, but never want any piece of the blame.

But it all starts at the top. **** rolls down hill.

 

[RoadRunner]

Being able to calculate in reality to your expectations doesn't make a person less of a fan. That is ridiculous. Being a fan should not require having to lie to yourself.

 

[jackrussell]

I'm not broken (regardless of what the wife says)...but after this much time without a playoff win, this team has way more to prove to me than I have to them.

 

[Apollo Creed]

people are just very frustrated and rightfully so. from 1991-1996 we could beat anybody,win in the playoffs including winning 3 superbowls in 4 years. from 1997 -2008 we haven't done anything and it just has gotten worse with the way we lose some of these games(the bobble,vs ny,at philly last year). we're setting records but all the wrong ones like being the 1st nfc #1 seed to lose it's 1st playoff game since the wildcard format. the 1st team to lose an overtime game on a blocked punt. the 1st team to give up back to back 75+ yard runs in consectitive plays. people are pissed right now.

The beauty of our struggle in the 90s was how far Jimmy brought us from the bottom. We went from having maybe 6 players that could start on other teams, to having 53 guys that could start for most average NFL teams. As well as 3 or 4 that arguably were the best at their position all-time. Jimmy built a culture of meticulously working, and psychologically prodding his players to get the absolute best out of them.

They absolutely hated him, but he brought out the best in them.

And looking back on my high school and short college career, those are the best coaches you'll ever have. The ones you hate. Garrett some something like this during training camp, but I have a hard time seeing him as anything more than a coordinator. Too reserved and not polarizing enough for these idiots. We need someone that will constantly make them accountable, no one on our staff; not even our owner that 'demands results'. No one is held accountable. Ever.

 

[Jon88]

I wouldn't say I was broken, but very disappointed. I was disappionted in the team Jerry assembled in Madden-like fashion, especially when it involved thugs like Pacman and Tank and a troublemaker like TO. But, Jerry is a businessman and I knew 2009 was probably a wakeup call for him. I was glad when he cut Pacman and chose to not resign Tank, but I was disappointed again when he alluded to keeping TO. However, I've regained a little hope after he cut TO, and like I said before, he never should have been signed in the first place. This is exactly what I predicted. I've never been broken, just extremely pissed. Maybe some good can come out of 2009. Hopefully Jerry has learned his lesson. You just don't bring in players like Deion, TO, Tank, and Pacman to draw in more fans and win games. They destroy your lockerroom, you don't function as a team, you lose games, and the fans get pissed. Maybe this organization has finally learned that, from the draft to free agency. We've been burned both ways, and it's time that ends.

 

[rathalarge]

Anyone that can be broken isn't a fan.

Enough said!!!!!

 

[amuze]

Absolutely not. Fan for life.

Glad they took out a lot of the trash during this offseason.

 

[lcharles]

I was broken but I am 100% healed since Jerry cut T.O.

 

[goliadmike]

Sunnyboy, I’m not broken, but my enthusiasm for this team is tempered. I know the strengths of this team and I know what they are capable of doing, but I’m not sure the strengths can overcome the weaknesses that we saw at the end of the season. Unlike some on this board, I’m not sure which direction this team should take. I feel like the moves we have made are lateral moves which lead me to the feeling that this team is not improving. I just don’t get the feeling right now that this is a young team on the rise learning how to win. Is this Jerry’s fault for overhyping and promoting this team? Is it our fault for overrating our players and only looking at the upside of our guys? The biggest question to me is how will this team come together?
I’m hopeful that we will have a strong running game that will take the pressure off Romo and he doesn’t have to throw the ball over thirty times a game. I’m hopeful the defense will be stout with Phillips calling the plays for a full year. I’m hopeful that our special teams play will improve with a new coach.
Now the things I fear. I fear that the feelings of discord and mistrust from last year are lingering just under the surface and will jump up to bite when the going gets tough and at some point I guarantee you the going will get tough. I fear that if we do happen to get off to a good start that this team still is not mature, levelheaded, and disciplined enough to continue to do the things that put them at the top of the league. I fear that they will start squawking to anyone that will listen and buy into their own hype AGAIN! I fear Romo might have lost a bit of confidence and will be indecisive with the football. I fear that Garrett didn’t learn his lesson from last season and abandon the run. I fear that Wade is not strong enough to keep this team focused and together through the tough times. I fear that they will not play as a team with various breakdowns at the end of games. I fear this team will not play smart football (example: Leonard Davis spiking the football after a late touchdown after the ref had already spotted the ball for the extra point against Arizona).
For me sunnyboy, I have more fears than hopes that is why my enthusiasm is tempered, however I’m still going to cheer for them, talk about the boys to whoever will listen, and hope for the best.

GM

 

[DoomsDayD]

I am not broken,my expectations are just somewhat lower then recent years. I guess after so many years of being let down and frustrated i figured WHAT THE HELL lets not expect a playoff win and maybe just maybe they will surprise me!!!! I am not broken but i do have to admit i am a disappointed fan.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Never broken.

But I must say... the seasons are starting to act out like that part in the movie Ghost.

2nd verse same as the first.. I am Jerry the 8th I am, Jerry the 8th I am I am


Over and over and over... especially in Dec.