Has the 2009 season broken you?

[Nav22]

We've been collapsing each December for several consecutive years now. The problem is bigger than T.O.

What was so disheartening about the way we lost to the Eagles last year to end the season... is that it was essentially a playoff game for us. Win and you move on, lose and you go home.

We didn't show up. It was as if we had home-field advantage wrapped up and were playing for nothing. What does that say about the heart on this team? If you can't get yourself amped for THAT game, what does that say about your ability to keep focus for an entire season? Maybe that is why we can't finish a season strong.

It was one of the most disappointing losses I've ever witnessed. We didn't lose the game because we had less talent or because they were a much better team. We lost because we didn't care as much as the other team did. We didn't want it enough.

For a die-hard fan who cares more than he probably "should" about the fate of this team, that was pretty tough to swallow.

I never jumped off the bandwagon and never will. Not my style. I didn't want T.O. cut, but I applaud Jerry for the move because it shows that he's willing to make the tough choice for the greater good. Change was necessary... whether or not it will backfire remains to be seen, but we needed to do SOMETHING drastic.

Otherwise, like we saw in Philadelphia week 17... they're not even trying.

 

[Dave_in-NC]

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.

For all the good our GM does do he does just as many poor things.
He cancels himself out regularly. When he learns to make solid moves without
cancelling himself out with garbage moves we will stand a chance.
Until then, yeah my expectations have lowered.

 

[JonJon]

I agree with Nav22. The way that the seasons have ended the last few seasons shows that the culture of this team is heartless when it matters most and that loss to Philly left a very nasty taste in my mouth.

I don't think that TO was the problem, but I agree that something needed to be done to change the mindset of these players. Maybe Jerry's latest gimmick will work and maybe it one. But I've learned that you simply cannot depend on this team.

Yes I am still a fan, but I've learned not to put all my heart and energy into it. The team has to earn that. Right now I am in wait and see mode. The regular season means nothing. Prove to me that you can win when it matters most.

Its a shame that I should feel that way, but I simply cannot afford to give a team my all and to see the team not even show up for the most important game of the season. Prove to me that you are for real. Until then, may expectations will remain at the minimum.

 

[Hostile]

Quite the contrary, I find myself more excited than I have been since 2003 when Parcells first got here.

 

[JonJon]

I agree with Nav22. The way that the seasons have ended the last few seasons shows that the culture of this team is heartless when it matters most and that loss to Philly left a very nasty taste in my mouth.

I don't think that TO was the problem, but I agree that something needed to be done to change the mindset of these players. Maybe Jerry's latest gimmick will work and maybe it wont. But I've learned that you simply cannot depend on this team.

Yes I am still a fan, but I've learned not to put all my heart and energy into it. The team has to earn that. Right now I am in wait and see mode. The regular season means nothing. Prove to me that you can win when it matters most.

Its a shame that I should feel that way, but I simply cannot afford to give a team my all and to see the team not even show up for the most important game of the season. Prove to me that you are for real. Until then, may expectations will remain at the minimum.

 

[JonJon]

Mods please delete my duplicate post and this one. Blackberry error.

 

[tomson75]

Never have, never will be broken on or by the Dallas Cowboys.

This forum on the other hand....is a constant threat to my sanity.

 

[DandyDon1722]

We've been collapsing each December for several consecutive years now. The problem is bigger than T.O.

What was so disheartening about the way we lost to the Eagles last year to end the season... is that it was essentially a playoff game for us. Win and you move on, lose and you go home.

We didn't show up. It was as if we had home-field advantage wrapped up and were playing for nothing. What does that say about the heart on this team? If you can't get yourself amped for THAT game, what does that say about your ability to keep focus for an entire season? Maybe that is why we can't finish a season strong.

It was one of the most disappointing losses I've ever witnessed. We didn't lose the game because we had less talent or because they were a much better team. We lost because we didn't care as much as the other team did. We didn't want it enough.

For a die-hard fan who cares more than he probably "should" about the fate of this team, that was pretty tough to swallow.

I never jumped off the bandwagon and never will. Not my style. I didn't want T.O. cut, but I applaud Jerry for the move because it shows that he's willing to make the tough choice for the greater good. Change was necessary... whether or not it will backfire remains to be seen, but we needed to do SOMETHING drastic.

Otherwise, like we saw in Philadelphia week 17... they're not even trying.

Nav...great post. As someone who cares A LOT, the Philly game was such a signature moment, such an utter disgrace that I have never felt the way I do because what's wrong isn't talent. You can justify it with injuries and a brutal end of season schedule but that lose has stayed with me because we didn't even compete.

I'm not going anywhere and I'm sure friends and family will continue to question my maturity (I'm in my 40's) but 2008 was a tough pill to swallow.

 

[5Stars]

I never get broken about the Cowboys. In fact, you have to experience the worst to enjoy the success when it finally comes. That's the fun part...

If the Cowboys were to win the SuperBowl every year...that would be boring!

 

[Everlastingxxx]

The offseason has broken me, so freakin boring without football.

 

[5Stars]

The offseason has broken me, so freakin boring without football.

I hear you!

 

[Dave_in-NC]

Quite the contrary, I find myself more excited than I have been since 2003 when Parcells first got here.

I am too Hos, just leery of some stupid move to screw it all up.

 

[Ren]

Not broken but you got to ask your self If the team doesn't care if they win or lose why should we care?

It's a lot easier to care about a team that gives it their all every game and never quits even if they only win 4 games then a team that wins 9 games and quits every time things don't go their way

 

[Bleu Star]

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

Yep. Me too. I see 8-8 and can venture out to enjoy the games with the fellas, as I do every year, with the comfort of at least knowing what to expect. Fool me once...

 

[Vintage]

Yep. Me too. I see 8-8 and can venture out to enjoy the games with the fellas, as I do every year, with the comfort of at least knowing what to expect. Fool me once...

Agreed. I was disappointed with how our 13-3 season ended.... but was excited about how we could build on that with the following draft....

Then we regressed back to 9-7.


It was pretty back-breaking.

I'm expecting another 9-7 season this year.

So I shouldn't be too disappointed this season. I think 9-7 is achievable.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

The way this team embarrassed itself against Baltimore and flat-out quit in Philly has left a scare on my psyche.

Perhaps the two most horrible losses a Cowboy's team (that had playoff expectations) had ever suffered back to back.

 

[Clove]

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?

We've gone the opposite direction in talent, stayed the same in bad coaching and QBing, same old Jerry. What's to be happy about?

 

[Royal Laegotti]

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?

You can usually tell either by the 1st or 2nd game after Thanksgiving what the Cowboys are going to do and it's absolutely NOTHING, it's just like clock work every single year!

Thanksgiving is the warranty deadline for the Cowboys every year then the paint chips, the engine locks up, the wheels fall off and whatever else you want to add to this. After that we're screwed!

It's like failing after the warranty is up, for the Cowboys, is designed by the manufacturer!

 

[Beast_from_East]

Noway I am broken by the Boyz, I went to the mall tonight in Austin and wore my Cowboys T-shirt and shark-tooth Cowboys hat.

I am as die-hard as they come, I have only missed 2 games since Jerry bought the team!!!



With that said, last year was one of the worst seasons for the Boyz because expectations were so high. Preseason magazines had us in the SB and coming off a 13-3 season it looked like we could make a serious run.

We then proceed to not even make the playoffs and I agree with others on here, the worst part was watching the team just quit.

I would rather watch a team of scrubs giving it their all and trying their hardest to win and losing because the other team is just better than to simply quit. Then when the papers report that the players were having a party on the plane trip back to Dallas celebrating the season being over...............well, its just infuriating.

So I think that is where most fans are right now, just pissed the way the season ended and how the team reacted. However, this is now a new season and I love the team too much to not get excited about a new season.

I will be wearing my Cowboys gear, I will be going to training camp in San Antonio, I will be watching all the games, and I will be hoping Cupcake and Tecmo can finally end the playoff drought!!!!!

 

[TellerMorrow34]

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?

Nope it hasn't. I'm still crazy with my fandom in that I believe we'll go at least 11-5 and get at least 1 playoff win.