Imperial Impressions: The Seahawks

[The Emperor]

Normally, I break my post down into six bolded parts, but this whole game was bad. I know Garrett in today's press conference said that the team responded well in the first half after that 10-point swing, but there was another half left to play. And they flat gave up the ghost.

It's not like they were down 27-7 going into halftime. No, it was still a manageable game at 13-7. All you needed were a few stops and some good drives, even if you just kicked field goals. And we probably could have won the game.

Against the Steelers in 2008, you could pin the loss on Romo. Against the Giants in Week 14 last year, you could pin the loss on the defense. There are games where you can blame a player or a unit.

Yesterday, you could blame the whole dang team. And when you can blame the whole team, there's one person to blame: the head coach.

I place this loss entirely on Jason Garrett.

Does this mean I want Garrett fired? No, it doesn't. Frankly, I'm tired of the coaching carousel. From 1960 to 1989, we had one head coach. Since then, we're on our seventh. I'm tired of Landry's seat being as rotational as Roz Doyle's bedchamber. Stay with Garrett 'til the end of the decade. What's it matter anyway?

He had 11 days to get this team ready to play Seattle. There were 11 days to prepare all three phases to play anything other than this. Instead, they come out Dave Campo.

Could it have been the success going to their heads, even if it was a solitary week? Jimmy Johnson sat down with Brad Sham on the pregame show and talked about how keeping a team in check after its success is the toughest part of being a coach, not motivating it after a loss. He said we'd know more about Garrett and the team after Week 2.

Heh. Some of us were expecting a close game, but always a victory. After that ignominious failure Sunday, we would settle for a loss as long as it was hard fought! Oh, the irony.

The hardest part of this game to watch was Sean Lee getting jacked up. I didn't like seeing our defensive captain take a humiliating hit like that. And I didn't like it afterwards when no one took up for him after Golden Tate was celebrating the hit.

Whatever happened to these Cowboys?

[youtube]aZwg2twff-s[/youtube]

That's what should have happened to Golden Tate after he celebrated that hit.

Yesterday was a huge setback. I love reading threads and posts around here that this is somehow supposed to motivate them.

If this team can't get motivated after losing a nail-biter in the playoffs, a home playoff game, a gang rape with a playoff spot on the line, another gang rape in the playoffs the following year, the firing of a head coach, and a passionless performance for the division title, when will this team ever get motivated?

It's not losing games that ever bothers me. It's quitting in games. It's looking impotent in games. I much preferred the close, heartbreaking losses to these because at least the team tried. Even if they lost it in a shocking fashion, they didn't lie down.

My friend told me we would know what we have with this team come next week. I told him we wouldn't. That's the optimist's line, but it's not entirely true. Come next week, if we lose, we'll know we have quitters. However, just because we win doesn't mean it's all clicked.

This team needs to prove it can be consistent, and that's something you can't do with just one game.

I want to believe Garrett is different, but yesterday was good reason not to do so. Yet I'll still believe.

 

[Zordon]

charles haley is right in the middle of that video. compare that to ware getting a front row seat to that lee hit, doesn't do anything but continue to jog by and then wait till the game is over to talk tough to the media.

the biggest difference between the 90s teams and the recent teams is not the talent as much as it is the personality of the players in the locker room.

yesterday, if they swarmed tate after that hit and gotten a 15 yd penalty, i would have started a paypal account on here today to help pay for the fine. the "dawgs" on those 90s teams>>>RKG BS

 

[fifaguy]

Normally, I break my post down into six bolded parts, but this whole game was bad. I know Garrett in today's press conference said that the team responded well in the first half after that 10-point swing, but there was another half left to play. And they flat gave up the ghost.

It's not like they were down 27-7 going into halftime. No, it was still a manageable game at 13-7. All you needed were a few stops and some good drives, even if you just kicked field goals. And we probably could have won the game.

Against the Steelers in 2008, you could pin the loss on Romo. Against the Giants in Week 14 last year, you could pin the loss on the defense. There are games where you can blame a player or a unit.

Yesterday, you could blame the whole dang team. And when you can blame the whole team, there's one person to blame: the head coach.

I place this loss entirely on Jason Garrett.

Does this mean I want Garrett fired? No, it doesn't. Frankly, I'm tired of the coaching carousel. From 1960 to 1989, we had one head coach. Since then, we're on our seventh. I'm tired of Landry's seat being as rotational as Roz Doyle's bedchamber. Stay with Garrett 'til the end of the decade. What's it matter anyway?

He had 11 days to get this team ready to play Seattle. There were 11 days to prepare all three phases to play anything other than this. Instead, they come out Dave Campo.

Could it have been the success going to their heads, even if it was a solitary week? Jimmy Johnson sat down with Brad Sham on the pregame show and talked about how keeping a team in check after its success is the toughest part of being a coach, not motivating it after a loss. He said we'd know more about Garrett and the team after Week 2.

Heh. Some of us were expecting a close game, but always a victory. After that ignominious failure Sunday, we would settle for a loss as long as it was hard fought! Oh, the irony.

The hardest part of this game to watch was Sean Lee getting jacked up. I didn't like seeing our defensive captain take a humiliating hit like that. And I didn't like it afterwards when no one took up for him after Golden Tate was celebrating the hit.

Whatever happened to these Cowboys?

[youtube]aZwg2twff-s[/youtube]

That's what should have happened to Golden Tate after he celebrated that hit.

Yesterday was a huge setback. I love reading threads and posts around here that this is somehow supposed to motivate them.

If this team can't get motivated after losing a nail-biter in the playoffs, a home playoff game, a gang rape with a playoff spot on the line, another gang rape in the playoffs the following year, the firing of a head coach, and a passionless performance for the division title, when will this team ever get motivated?

It's not losing games that ever bothers me. It's quitting in games. It's looking impotent in games. I much preferred the close, heartbreaking losses to these because at least the team tried. Even if they lost it in a shocking fashion, they didn't lie down.

My friend told me we would know what we have with this team come next week. I told him we wouldn't. That's the optimist's line, but it's not entirely true. Come next week, if we lose, we'll know we have quitters. However, just because we win doesn't mean it's all clicked.

This team needs to prove it can be consistent, and that's something you can't do with just one game.

I want to believe Garrett is different, but yesterday was good reason not to do so. Yet I'll still believe.

nice, but i would substitute the word "hope" for "believe" in your last sentence.

 

[AbeBeta]

charles haley is right in the middle of that video. compare that to ware getting a front row seat to that lee hit, doesn't do anything but continue to jog by and then wait till the game is over to talk tough to the media.

There was a flag on the play -- I can't see how the players seeing that figured it was on Carter for a ticky tack shove of the QB vs. the hit on Lee which is clearly illegal.

In that context, you are down by 2 TDs, the penalty you expect is going to put the Seahawks in a 3rd and really long. You need the ball back. Even if the players knew the flag was on Carter, you simply can't afford to give the 'hawks another 15 yards.

A smart team doesn't retaliate in that situation. It is a dumb, hot headed move that would have totally eliminated any chance of winning the game.

 

[AbeBeta]

Whatever happened to these Cowboys?

If that happened today, we'd be without several of those players for a game or more.

So what happened is that you have to be smarter now.

 

[ologan]

There was a flag on the play -- I can't see how the players seeing that figured it was on Carter for a ticky tack shove of the QB vs. the hit on Lee which is clearly illegal.

In that context, you are down by 2 TDs, the penalty you expect is going to put the Seahawks in a 3rd and really long. You need the ball back. Even if the players knew the flag was on Carter, you simply can't afford to give the 'hawks another 15 yards.

A smart team doesn't retaliate in that situation. It is a dumb, hot headed move that would have totally eliminated any chance of winning the game.

Stop!!! Stop it now,I tell ya!!!! That makes waaaayyyy too much sense for this meltdown heavy board!!

 

[punchnjudy]

Jimmy Johnson sat down with Brad Sham on the pregame show and talked about how keeping a team in check after its success is the toughest part of being a coach, not motivating it after a loss. He said we'd know more about Garrett and the team after Week 2.

Lombardi used to say the same thing.

We're not going to know that this team can hold it together over a 16 game season until they do it. We didn't know whether they'd make the playoffs after week 8 or even week 10 last year; we're not going to know any more this year unless they truly stink.

I think the painful part for a lot of people is knowing they'll play well enough throughout the season to give everyone hope but that it might not end well. Hence, the fear of disappointment. But the only way to enjoy a good ending if it comes is to stick it out all the way.

 

[Zordon]

There was a flag on the play -- I can't see how the players seeing that figured it was on Carter for a ticky tack shove of the QB vs. the hit on Lee which is clearly illegal.

In that context, you are down by 2 TDs, the penalty you expect is going to put the Seahawks in a 3rd and really long. You need the ball back. Even if the players knew the flag was on Carter, you simply can't afford to give the 'hawks another 15 yards.

A smart team doesn't retaliate in that situation. It is a dumb, hot headed move that would have totally eliminated any chance of winning the game.

Abe you don't get it. In football just like in life you have to have your brethren's back, especially in hostile situations. If you have a true bond with your guy then you step that clown tate and at least check him verbally while he was doing his stupid dance. You don't have to chokeslam him to prove anything, there are other ways to handle. But this team didn't even acknowledge it until after the game. And to your point that we couldn't afford it....we could in the 4th quarter when the game was pretty much wrapped.

 

[The Emperor]

charles haley is right in the middle of that video. compare that to ware getting a front row seat to that lee hit, doesn't do anything but continue to jog by and then wait till the game is over to talk tough to the media.

the biggest difference between the 90s teams and the recent teams is not the talent as much as it is the personality of the players in the locker room.

yesterday, if they swarmed tate after that hit and gotten a 15 yd penalty, i would have started a paypal account on here today to help pay for the fine. the "dawgs" on those 90s teams>>>RKG BS

You're exactly right. I don't know what we need to do to get that back. We've lost it so bad.

It's nice to have character guys. But taking up for a teammate and sending a message is character too.

Was Marc Colombo the last enforcer type we had? Frankly, he was mild compared to what we really need.

 

[kristie]

You're exactly right. I don't know what we need to do to get that back. We've lost it so bad.

It's nice to have character guys. But taking up for a teammate and sending a message is character too.

Was Marc Colombo the last enforcer type we had? Frankly, he was mild compared to what we really need.

kind of.

 

[nyc-cowboy]

Normally, I break my post down into six bolded parts, but this whole game was bad. I know Garrett in today's press conference said that the team responded well in the first half after that 10-point swing, but there was another half left to play. And they flat gave up the ghost.

It's not like they were down 27-7 going into halftime. No, it was still a manageable game at 13-7. All you needed were a few stops and some good drives, even if you just kicked field goals. And we probably could have won the game.

Against the Steelers in 2008, you could pin the loss on Romo. Against the Giants in Week 14 last year, you could pin the loss on the defense. There are games where you can blame a player or a unit.

Yesterday, you could blame the whole dang team. And when you can blame the whole team, there's one person to blame: the head coach.

I place this loss entirely on Jason Garrett.

Does this mean I want Garrett fired? No, it doesn't. Frankly, I'm tired of the coaching carousel. From 1960 to 1989, we had one head coach. Since then, we're on our seventh. I'm tired of Landry's seat being as rotational as Roz Doyle's bedchamber. Stay with Garrett 'til the end of the decade. What's it matter anyway?

He had 11 days to get this team ready to play Seattle. There were 11 days to prepare all three phases to play anything other than this. Instead, they come out Dave Campo.

Could it have been the success going to their heads, even if it was a solitary week? Jimmy Johnson sat down with Brad Sham on the pregame show and talked about how keeping a team in check after its success is the toughest part of being a coach, not motivating it after a loss. He said we'd know more about Garrett and the team after Week 2.

Heh. Some of us were expecting a close game, but always a victory. After that ignominious failure Sunday, we would settle for a loss as long as it was hard fought! Oh, the irony.

The hardest part of this game to watch was Sean Lee getting jacked up. I didn't like seeing our defensive captain take a humiliating hit like that. And I didn't like it afterwards when no one took up for him after Golden Tate was celebrating the hit.

Whatever happened to these Cowboys?

[youtube]aZwg2twff-s[/youtube]

That's what should have happened to Golden Tate after he celebrated that hit.

Yesterday was a huge setback. I love reading threads and posts around here that this is somehow supposed to motivate them.

If this team can't get motivated after losing a nail-biter in the playoffs, a home playoff game, a gang rape with a playoff spot on the line, another gang rape in the playoffs the following year, the firing of a head coach, and a passionless performance for the division title, when will this team ever get motivated?

It's not losing games that ever bothers me. It's quitting in games. It's looking impotent in games. I much preferred the close, heartbreaking losses to these because at least the team tried. Even if they lost it in a shocking fashion, they didn't lie down.

My friend told me we would know what we have with this team come next week. I told him we wouldn't. That's the optimist's line, but it's not entirely true. Come next week, if we lose, we'll know we have quitters. However, just because we win doesn't mean it's all clicked.

This team needs to prove it can be consistent, and that's something you can't do with just one game.

I want to believe Garrett is different, but yesterday was good reason not to do so. Yet I'll still believe.

You finally starting to get it - I told you about Wade and now we are seeing the same soft crap under Jason...

I just dont get why you wanna keep him around for the rest of the decade - for what?

If there were truly a "culture change" you would have seen it in his first full year as HC.

I get we all want stability with our HC - but he has to be the right one - remember ppl were sayin the same thing about Wade, imagine keeping that guy for 8-10 years.

 

[OklahomaCowboy88]

Agree with the OP completely.

 

[Zordon]

You're exactly right. I don't know what we need to do to get that back. We've lost it so bad.

It's nice to have character guys. But taking up for a teammate and sending a message is character too.

Was Marc Colombo the last enforcer type we had? Frankly, he was mild compared to what we really need.

i'm listening to JTT on the radio right now and they are discussing this topic. he said the last enforcer was Roy W. i personally think it goes back to george teague.

i wish our guys had more edge. for some reason when i make these type of comments some on here misunderstand what i mean. i don't want thugs, i want guys with edge, guys who look a little crazy in the eyes. san francisco has it. baltimore has it. it's a difficult trait to describe but when you see it, you know it.

the reason i am so supportive of JG at times is because he was in those championship locker rooms. he saw the personality of the players first hand and what type of guys you need to win in that fashion. i was hoping he would recreate it...i'm still hopeful despite yesterday, but that type of performance really has me doubting my belief in him. that was a wade phillips 2010 effort.

 

[ethiostar]

You finally starting to get it - I told you about Wade and now we are seeing the same soft crap under Jason...

I just dont get why you wanna keep him around for the rest of the decade - for what?

If there were truly a "culture change" you would have seen it in his first full year as HC.

I get we all want stability with our HC - but he has to be the right one - remember ppl were sayin the same thing about Wade, imagine keeping that guy for 8-10 years.

I don't agree with that. It maybe very visible in the first full year in some instances but I would argue that most fundamental "culture changes" take longer.

I am willing to give Garrett the current year as well as the next one to see what he can do before I give up on him. He is smart and it seems like he has a plan to turn this team around. I already see many changes and I like many of them(i.e., I like how they've drafted in the last couple of years, everyone, players and coaches, seem to have bought in to the plan and approach, etc...). My concern is whether or not he will have and continue to have full cooperation from Jerry to do his thing without too much distraction or compromise.

 

[SMASHMOUTH9473]

I see both sides of the whole Lee hit, yet I wish we had an enforcer or two who would lay the smack down the way Tate did. Wish it would of been on Felix instead of Lee.

 

[nyc-cowboy]

I don't agree with that. It maybe very visible in the first full year in some instances but I would argue that most fundamental "culture changes" take longer.

I am willing to give Garrett the current year as well as the next one to see what he can do before I give up on him.
NYC - The guy has been here for 5-6 years, yes only a year and a half as HC, yet we still saw last year and this year the team just coming out lookin like hot crap.

IMO players should fear their coach a bit, it makes them more focused and intense.


He is smart and it seems like he has a plan to turn this team around.
NYC - Well he's educated, dont know if he's football smart - I think we could all agree he def has issues when it comes to game management.
As for his plan - yes all coaches have plans - he says the right things but I dont see a change yet from Wade to Jason.

Lee gets hit like that and nobody does anything....Jacobs humps the star and not a peep...


I already see many changes and I like many of them(i.e., I like how they've drafted in the last couple of years, everyone, players and coaches, seem to have bought in to the plan and approach, etc...).
NYC - Well he did have top 10 picks in both drafts...and we dont know about this years draft yet. As for the players buying into it...I dont know - it sure didn't seem like it on Sunday.

My concern is whether or not he will have and continue to have full cooperation from Jerry to do his thing without too much distraction or compromise.

NYC -We will soon find out about Jason but for me, I have a feeling I've seen this movie before.

 

[ethiostar]

NYC -We will soon find out about Jason but for me, I have a feeling I've seen this movie before.

You may well be right but like I said, in the end, he may turn out to be a complete disaster but I don't think he has had enough time to do much. A year and a half as a head coach, the first full year without off-season activity with his team.

 

[CowboyMcCoy]

I place this loss entirely on Jason Garrett.

Whinority report to this.

 

[gdogg24]

Good post Emp, I don't think the guys quit I was discouraged that they couldn't close out the 1st half with a score that was when I thought we were gonna lose the game. Not because of anything in particular but that's just the feeling I was starting to get. I think it was an example of poor half time adjustments and just really being out muscled. Against New York the physicality this team played with was what caught my eye I didn't see it this game. After the half Seattle adjusted to our D and we didn't adjust back. So that led to a couple of very long drives. As a result the ball was taken out of Romo's hands in the 2nd half which wouldn't have been that bad is it wasn't for the early int and the dropped passes in the 1st half. The no call and bad call on the Lee play I don't think decided the game but I think certainly closed the door on the game. Say they call the 15 yard penalty Romo gets it back potentially cuts it down to 6 at least puts the D in a spot to make a stop. Would they have stopped them? Who knows get the D some time to rest up I think they might have fared better than they did having to continue that drive without Lee playing.

 

[cowboy_ron]

charles haley is right in the middle of that video. compare that to ware getting a front row seat to that lee hit, doesn't do anything but continue to jog by and then wait till the game is over to talk tough to the media.

the biggest difference between the 90s teams and the recent teams is not the talent as much as it is the personality of the players in the locker room.

yesterday, if they swarmed tate after that hit and gotten a 15 yd penalty, i would have started a paypal account on here today to help pay for the fine. the "dawgs" on those 90s teams>>>RKG BS

As much as I like Ware I have to admit I lost a speckle of respect for him at that point. I guess I'm old school military but you always have the back of your fellow soldier