How many predicted 13-3 or 12-4 this year?

[InmanRoshi]

Technically I never said they were undisciplined, I said I expect a disciplined team, but point taken.

Before I speak without having the facts, were you one of the people on this board proclaiming Dallas was not playing conservative? I am asking not stating.

They were not playing conservative on Sunday, no. They were leaving the tackles isolated for most of the game and throwing on first down, even before the game got out of hand.

They were not playing overly conservative before Flozells injury.

They have been playing conservative between Flozell's injury and the KC game. I really had no problem with that, as it gave the Cowboys the best chance to win. Some people mistake that with "So you're saying we're automatically going to win if we play conservative". No, it doesn't mean we're automatically going to win, it just puts the team in the best chance to do so. It increases the probability of the Cowboys winning. When you go into the ring throwing haymakers, sometimes you're going to land a lucky shot (KC) but more often than not you're going to get knocked out by the 3rd round by a skilled fighter who knows what he's dong. We hit a haymaker on KC, but it could have just as easily been another Washington. Drew got sacked from behind and fumbled and it happened to fall right at our player's feet, and Dan Campbell tipped a ball in the air that Surtain let go right through his breadbasket. Those were breaks that fell our way that game ,but the more times you heave it up the more times you're going to get sacked from behind and the more times the ball is going to be tipped into the air. Especially when you have a team that can't protect the QB.

 

[BrassCowboy]

If you did, you have every right to be upset. The team did not live up to your expectations. Feel free to freakout, want to fire BP and start new and rebuild everything from stratch.

I seem to remember most people saying in the offseason saying they would be pleased with a 9-7 or 10-6 year, possibly getting into the playoffs. This is before we knew that our division would have 3 teams strongly competing for a playoff hunt and that the AFC West would arguably be the toughest top to bottom division in the NFL. Congratulations .. the team has met your expectations. Here's to looking forward to hurdling the next goal in 2006.

To those people who are throwing the biggest gripes are the ones who most adamently wanted to prove that they are "non rose colored glasses" fans and not afraid to question BP and predicted another 6-10 season because .. and I quote ... "Bledsoe aint no better than Testeverde". We've exceeded your expectations. Rejoice.

Once again, in the offseason fans love to portray themselves as cautious, non-homers as they go with guardedly optimistic predictions of 9-7 and 10-6 to give the appearance that they are not the typical "rose colored glasses" fans. Then they proceed to completely freak completely the F out when their guarded predictions come to fruition, making them to look even more absurd than than the homers they tried to seperate themselves from in the firstplace.

The problem with your assessment is the way we got to 8-8 to 10-6, i mean if Cowboys played all year like they have the past 5 to 6 weeks, they would be lucky to be 4-10...

if they would of started out rocky and then came on stronger as year went on, then yes that is what most of us would of been happy with about 8-8 to 10-6
clearly you have to see something lacking, and it is something that needs to be addressed.
There is something about this team for the past several years, and it seems to be the lack of preperation, lack of fire in the belly top get up and play.
The last time I saw it was the first game against Philly. yeah, 2nd game at Philly we won, but on one play changed the game. KC we won, but look at other teams like NY Giants, they make it look easy. It seems like aqll the teams we beat in a "comeback" or an "upset", the next team will make it look easy and no one makes a word of it.
I believe our offense lacks innovation and lack of adjustments made when needed.
Defense, alot of talent, but seems to be used wrong.

 

[DipChit]

Nobody should have expected nor appreciated a collapse after having everything in your favor and your own destiny in the palm of your hand...

Aint that the truth. But apparently, based on the way they played, destiny wasnt the only thing in the palms of thier hands...

 

[MichaelWinicki]

And you're smashing Inman for smashing people like you?

Take a deep breath DandyDon and I'll splain it to ya...

"Smashing Inman"?

No not really. Actually I'm very appreciative of what Inman adds to the board with this transcription of the press conferences and what not. He's a good member.

But make no mistake this is a "forum" where we can exchange ideas and prod each other on occasion. I take as good as I give and quite truthfully, I consider it fun to banter back & forth on opposing views.

Inman "prods" and people "prod" back. As long as it is light-hearted myself and the other mods don't have a problem with it. A forum needs some "heat" in order to stay fresh, interesting and relevant.

This is entertainment DandyDon, make no mistake about that. When people slam me I laugh and when I slam them hopefully they do the same. I'd be honored to sit down and have a cup of jobe with anyone on this forum (except maybe Juke and those "wandering" hands of his... but that's another story), but don't get too worked up about all this because all this is theater based upon something that when it comes right down to it... really isn't something that should be taken that seriously.

 

[chinch]

I said 8-8, probably no playoffs. I still cant figure out why all the 12-4 projections; maybe they misread the poll and thought "How do the Seahawks Finish?"

LOL. So true.


It's funny how our "collapse" is a missed FG losing to one of the elite teams in the NFL (DEN), a road loss we hung in the entire game in NJ, beating a very good AFC team at home (KC) and a road game that just got away.

A "collapse" to anyone with a clue is losing to the Jets, 49ers, NO and AZ all in a row.

 

[InmanRoshi]

The problem with your assessment is the way we got to 8-8 to 10-6, i mean if Cowboys played all year like they have the past 5 to 6 weeks, they would be lucky to be 4-10...

And the problem with your assessment is you're using hypotheticals.

And if we had played the way we had before Flozell's injury we could have been 12-4. If we would have drawn the AFC East instead of the AFC West in scheduling we could have been 11-5. And if we we're in the NFC Central we could be leading the division with possibly playing for homefield advantage. And what would our record be if Anthony Henry not gotten hurt? And what would our record be if Cundiff makes the kick against Denver. I don't get to use hypotheticals to state my case, why should you?

We've got some good breaks, and we've had some crappy breaks. At the end of the day you are what you are. In this case, likely 9-7. You can play the hypothetical game all day to make it worse or better than it actually is. The Eagles were far worse than expected, and the Giants and Commanders were slightly to significantly better. Things usually balance out.

 

[Hostile]

I don't understand the reasoning behind this "well, isn't this what we all expected?"

Nobody should have expected nor appreciated a collapse after having everything in your favor and your own destiny in the palm of your hand, which we did just three weeks ago.

I don't care what the meaningless "preseason predictions" said. Failure is failure. Whether or not it was "expected" is just trying to put a positive spin on it.

I completely agree with you. Expectations change as the season goes along. They have to. No one here saw the Eagles collapsing. When we were at 7-3 it was perfectly natural to raise our expectations to a division crown and to even dream that we could have a first round bye or even home field advantage. When you couple the favorable record with the way the 3 losses came about optimism was not hard at all.

Since being 7-3 we have gone 1-3. The loss to Denver didn't carry as much sting because we played them so well, but it did bring us back to earth a bit. Losing to the Giants stung because it could have righted the ship. We were coming off a 10 day rest and played flat. When you combine that with the blowout to the Commanders we have gone from expectations of a division crown and hopes of a first round bye to treading water water and hoping other teams lose to give us a break.

Maybe it's just me, but I hate relying on other teams to tank to make the playoffs. Whether I would have been fine with 10-6 to begin this season is irrelevant to me now. My expectations changed at 7-3 and rightfully so. This collapse is deflating.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

me. i thought 12-4. looks like 9-7 now. and you know what? i'll take it if it means playoffs.

CrazyCowboy thought 12-4 also, so don't feel like the lone ranger!

 

[chinch]

I said 10-6 and a wildcard, with 11-5 with the division crown possible.

post #3 says 11-5
http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26182

still, if we went 10-6 and missed the playoffs anyways there would be outrage and continual bashing in the offseason.

41% said 11-5 or BETTER which was very homeristic and/or best case scenario given our rookies on D, new QB and schedule

36% said 10-6 which is possible

16% said 9-7 which is most likely

I completely agree with you. Expectations change as the season goes along. They have to. No one here saw the Eagles collapsing. When we were at 7-3 it was perfectly natural to raise our expectations to a division crown and to even dream that we could have a first round bye or even home field advantage.

Come on. That was NOT perfectdly natural. You conviently dismissed the early Skins loss though? No wonder why you guys are OUTRAGED. This disappointment was self-induced.

 

[Hiero]

post #3 says 11-5
http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26182

still, if we went 10-6 and missed the playoffs anyways there would be outrage and continual bashing in the offseason.

41% said 11-5 or BETTER which was very homeristic and/or best case scenario given our rookies on D, new QB and schedule

36% said 10-6 which is possible

16% said 9-7 which is most likely


Come on. That was NOT perfectdly natural. You conviently dismissed the early Skins loss though? No wonder why you guys are OUTRAGED. This is your fault not Tuna's.

Not even close. you can't compare a fan's expectations at the start of the season after going 6-10 to us being 7-3. Being 7-3 comes with high expectations, and the cowboys managed to lose every big game possible to get us to the point where we have to hope other teams lose, and we dont control our own destiny. How is that our fault? The cowboys play great then get beatdown the rest of the season and you are surprised people are angry? :bang2:

 

[chinch]

Not even close. you can't compare a fan's expectations at the start of the season after going 6-10 to us being 7-3. Being 7-3 comes with high expectations, and the cowboys managed to lose every big game possible to get us to the point where we have to hope other teams lose, and we dont control our own destiny. How is that our fault? The cowboys play great then get beatdown the rest of the season and you are surprised people are angry?

Wrong. 7-3 is a static moment ignoring a 16-game season.

we had 4 TOUGH road games late (Car next) that many HOMERS felt was a god-given right to win, ignoring our injuries, etc. Sorry but get over it.

 

[Hostile]

post #3 says 11-5
http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26182

still, if we went 10-6 and missed the playoffs anyways there would be outrage and continual bashing in the offseason.

41% said 11-5 or BETTER which was very homeristic and/or best case scenario given our rookies on D, new QB and schedule

36% said 10-6 which is possible

16% said 9-7 which is most likely

You brought up one post. Not only that, but it backs up what I said. It's not like I'm backpedaling and saying 8-8. I went out on a limb and put 11-5. It won't happen now. Before the season I'd have been thrilled with 10-6. At this point I can't say I will be given this collapse.

Come on. That was NOT perfectdly natural. You conviently dismissed the early Skins loss though? No wonder why you guys are OUTRAGED. This disappointment was self-induced.

I didn't dismiss any loss. I'm also not "outraged."

Get a clue.

 

[chinch]

I'm also not "outraged." Get a clue.

I used the word "guys for a reason.

You brought up one post. Not only that, but it backs up what I said. It's not like I'm backpedaling and saying 8-8. I went out on a limb and put 11-5. It won't happen now. Before the season I'd have been thrilled with 10-6. At this point I can't say I will be given this collapse.

If anyone needs a "clue" it is you given your liberal use of the word collapse ignoring the teams we played and the fact these were late road games with a young defense.

Hello. Earth calling.

I didn't dismiss any loss.

Yes you did based on the unrealistic expectations you posted above.

 

[Hostile]

If anyone needs a "clue" it is you given your liberal use of the word collapse ignoring the teams we played and the fact these were late road games with a young defense.

1-3 isn't a collapse? Okay.

Hello. Earth calling.

Given the statement above I believe this is for you.

Yes you did based on the unrealistic expectations you posted above.

No seriously...

 

[InmanRoshi]

Not even close. you can't compare a fan's expectations at the start of the season after going 6-10 to us being 7-3. Being 7-3 comes with high expectations, and the cowboys managed to lose every big game possible to get us to the point where we have to hope other teams lose, and we dont control our own destiny. How is that our fault? The cowboys play great then get beatdown the rest of the season and you are surprised people are angry? :bang2:

So, essentially the biggest problem with a 9-7 season is that we started 7-3. Had we gone 4-6 in our first 10 games, 9-7 would be a rather optimistic season. That will teach Parcells to win those early season games. Set the epxectations low.

 

[Hiero]

So, essentially the biggest problem with a 9-7 season is that we started 7-3. Had we gone 5-5 in our first 10 games, this would be a rather optimistic season. That will teach Parcells to win those early season games.

its that we fell apart when we had such a good chance to make the playoffs, what cant you understand about that?

 

[Hiero]

So, essentially the biggest problem with a 9-7 season is that we started 7-3. Had we gone 4-6 in our first 10 games, 9-7 would be a rather optimistic season. That will teach Parcells to win those early season games. Set the epxectations low.

the biggest problem wit ha 9-7 season is that we just barely miss the playoffs. My prediction of 10-6 and playoffs was pretty close, if we can win the next two games and get lucky with other teams. If we still manage to squeak into the playoffs id be happy, but you just cant predict things like Flo going down etc. etc.

 

[chinch]

its that we fell apart when we had such a good chance to make the playoffs, what cant you understand about that?

again fell apart is losing 4 home games to the bottom teams in the league.

we had a TOUGH LATE ROAD schedule and many here ignored it wearing silver/blue goggles. some of you probably expected CAR to be a walk in the park and had the SKINS game as a lock.

it's mind boggling people can't comprehend the season is 16 games

 

[Hiero]

again fell apart is losing 4 home games to the bottom teams in the league.

we had a TOUGH LATE ROAD schedule and many here ignored it wearing silver/blue goggles. some of you probably expected CAR to be a walk in the park and had the SKINS game as a lock.

it's mind boggling people can't comprehend the season is 16 games

so you expected us to lose all of the games against tough teams? I mean I didnt expect to win them all, but to LOSE them all, giants, seahawks, Commanders we should have one at least one of them to keep our playoff hopes in our own hands. All we needed was ONE OF THEM to keep the chances of 11-5 going and 10-6 with a panthers loss, but we completely collapsed.

 

[chinch]

so you expected us to lose all of the games against tough teams? I mean I didnt expect to win them all, but to LOSE them all, giants, seahawks, Commanders we should have one at least one of them to keep our playoff hopes in our own hands. All we needed was ONE OF THEM to keep the chances of 11-5 going and 10-6 with a panthers loss, but we completely collapsed.

Slow down.

No i expected to win some. In fact we DID!

We beat SD, Phillyx2, NYG, KC last i checked. Had SEA & DEN on the ropes but we failed. Skins too for MNF.

We're not the Colts or NE last i checked.

You guys are cherry picking wins ignoring where games are played, injuries, etc. TOTALLY UNREALISTIC SOUR GRAPES