It’s a marathon not a sprint

[Bobhaze]

Watching a quick sprint event in track is almost always more popular with fans than watching a 3 hour marathon endurance event. Most people like the quick results of a sprint.

My observation is it’s the same with some football fans. Too often looking at one game and defining the entire season. Like a sprint.

But with a 17 game season this year, this is a marathon like we haven’t seen before. Here are a few thoughts to chew on at this juncture of the season:

• It’s a test of grit, endurance, mental toughness and strategic management of the roster as much as talent.
• Even good teams will have surprise games- either way.
  
• This season is littered with surprises. Expect some more.
• Looking at the Cowboys flat performance Sunday is a perfect example of this being a marathon season. We played terrible on offense.
• Flat performances like last Sunday are exactly what will measure the toughness of this team. How can they respond to adversity?
• There are 7 games left. There is still a ton of football left to played. I consider it 7 one game seasons that will reveal what this team is made of.

It’s a marathon- not a sprint my friends. There are many miles to go. Can this team prove it’s a real contender with all the toughness required of a contender? The next 7 weeks will decide that.

 

[GMO415]

I'm enjoying the journey. Only get 17 of these a year.

 

[Ranching]

It's a game....enjoy it.

 

[Aviano90]

If it’s a marathon the Cowboys are in the self-transcendance 3100 mile race.

 

[Bobhaze]

I used to run marathons. Most runners I knew would talk about the “wall” they sometimes hit before mile 20 with 6 miles to go. It required mental fortitude as much or more than physical stamina to finish strong. Oftentimes I found if I could get past the wall feeling I felt somewhat revived. I was never a great marathon runner as far as times go, but I did always finish my race without stopping.

 

[KJJ]

We got off to a pretty fast start hopefully we don’t run out of gas by the time we reach the finish line. We’re starting to breath a little heavy hopefully we catch a second wind.

 

[ShortRound]

25 year marathon

 

[Corso]

I used to run marathons. Most runners I knew would talk about the “wall” they sometimes hit before mile 20 with 6 miles to go. It required mental fortitude as much or more than physical stamina to finish strong. Oftentimes I found if I could get past the wall feeling I felt somewhat revived. I was never a great marathon runner as far as times go, but I did always finish my race without stopping.

My youngest brother-in-law is 51 and has qualified for his 4th consecutive Boston Marathon, which is quite hard to do.
I admire marathon runners (which means you) and watching him was always a wonder to me.

One of the funniest guys I've ever hung out with and I've hung out with many, many comedians.

We were installing a sink for one of his daughters this week and our sides were splitting with our self-vid clips of aping This Old House and Bob Vila.

"Uh... what we doin' here Bab is lookin' at this guy not knowing how to measure".

LOL!

 

[RaZon]

What Raider once beat Bob Hayes?

 

[805BoysInBlue]

The Marathon Continues....#LLNH

 

[Streifenkarl]

It's not just the loss vs KC itself, but how they lost. Of course it's a long way to go and 7-3 is a good position to be in mid-season.

But while you can use some tactics to run a marathon and have some slower parts when necessary, or even fall along the way and get up again, the O half of the team took a damn nap at kilometer 22 while a contender gave them the finger and I wonder how that could happen. Just because Amari and Tyron were out? Well the D seemed to be able to compensate their missing players pretty nicely. I said it in another thread, "just" a win vs the Raiders won't restore my confidence in them. Win a couple and show some grit, focus and yes, style on the way, and I can see the light again.

I thought this ain't about just finishing that marathon but winning it this year. Injuries or no injuries. I know you can't do that in week 11, but some proof of work would have been nice.

 

[lostar2009]

We lost that lap but we can recover. Just hate seeing this team lose in this fashion. Second game this team hiccup when the opponent came to play.

 

[Hadenough]

It's OK to have a loss but to be knocked out 2 out of 3 weeks and your supposedly your franchise QB looks like he is confused and scared and is turning the ball over.

 

[Bobhaze]

What Raider once beat Bob Hayes?

Cliff Branch?

 

[ultron]

We’re right there with everyone else. Just gotta get to the playoffs and hopefully we’re healthy!

 

[Bobhaze]

We’re right there with everyone else. Just gotta get to the playoffs and hopefully we’re healthy!

This is why roster and load management are more important than ever. Because of the long season, Depth matters more now than ever before.

 

[Aven8]

So many ebbs and flows to a season. Buffalo for instance has lost 3 of 5. They will turn it around as well I’m sure.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Watching a quick sprint event in track is almost always more popular with fans than watching a 3 hour marathon endurance event. Most people like the quick results of a sprint.

My observation is it’s the same with some football fans. Too often looking at one game and defining the entire season. Like a sprint.

But with a 17 game season this year, this is a marathon like we haven’t seen before. Here are a few thoughts to chew on at this juncture of the season:

• It’s a test of grit, endurance, mental toughness and strategic management of the roster as much as talent.
• Even good teams will have surprise games- either way.
  
• This season is littered with surprises. Expect some more.
• Looking at the Cowboys flat performance Sunday is a perfect example of this being a marathon season. We played terrible on offense.
• Flat performances like last Sunday are exactly what will measure the toughness of this team. How can they respond to adversity?
• There are 7 games left. There is still a ton of football left to played. I consider it 7 one game seasons that will reveal what this team is made of.

It’s a marathon- not a sprint my friends. There are many miles to go. Can this team prove it’s a real contender with all the toughness required of a contender? The next 7 weeks will decide that.

Healthy, this team can contend with anyone. The #1 priority at this point is to get everyone healthy going into the playoffs and resting anyone that is dinged up until then.

If that means we win half our games going forward then so be it.

 

[cowboyblue22]

Healthy, this team can contend with anyone. The #1 priority at this point is to get everyone healthy going into the playoffs and resting anyone that is dinged up until then.

If that means we win half our games going forward then so be it.

i am glad jimmy johnson and the nineties cowboys didnt have this attitude

 

[glimmerman]

Enjoying the trip but I hate to see how good we can play and then watching them flop. Let’s get to the playoffs and get healthy along the way and peak at the dance..