Hostile
The Duke
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The day after Super Bowl XXX in Tempe, Arizona the quest for a 6th Lombardi Trophy (and beyond) began. The 1996 season still looked like there was a chance, but we knew the 49ers were tough and the Packers were coming on strong and in the AFC so were the Broncos and Patriots.
I had no confidence in Barry Switzer and the day he was hired I expected the players to begin to get into trouble. Those troubles began in 1996. A 2nd consecutive lackluster draft with no real proven help, injuries to key players, and a shift in focus and philosophy had me dreading the future. We did win a Wildcard playoff game, but then began our current drought after a crushing loss to the 3rd year Carolina Panthers.
Hey, if the Panthers and Jaguars could make the playoffs from expansion teams in 3 years, surely the Cowboys could turn it around right? After all, the team still had a lot of established stars on the team.
It didn't happen.
As the team began a downward spiral I began to lose sight of that quest for six. Questionable drafts, injuries, retirements, waivers, and horrible coaching decisions turned my optimism against me.
I thought the quest was back on as of January 2, 2003. That was the day Bill Parcells was hired to be the 6th Head Coach in Dallas Cowboys History. I boldly predicted he'd be our Head Coach for 6 years and add two more Lombardi trophies to the collection of five.
When we made the playoffs in 2003 with that collection of misfits I just knew my bold predictions were coming true. The optimism was back. There was no more need to hang my head in shame after 5-11 was stamped on my brain for three straight years. I swear the three straight 5-11 years were harder on me than the back to back 3-13 year in 1988 and the 1-15 year in 1989 coupled with the exodus of Landry, Schramm, and Brandt.
The only good things that had happened in that three year stretch were the continued dominance over the hated team in the Nation's Capital and Emmitt Smith eclipsing the all time rushing record. Last night they showed a replay of that milestone and then a shot of him and Moose hugging on the sidelines. It reminded me so much of why I love this team and why a quest for something is so important.
Draft picks started looking good again after Parcells was hired. The swagger was coming back. The GM seemed like he cared more about winning than stroking his ego. Time to get fired up again. And I did get fired up. My main complaint about Bill Parcells was that he was too married to his ways and his players. His ways worked in the 1980's and early 1990's, but the game had become fluid while he stayed static. Other teams were on to his system and how to beat him. They had moved on while he stayed firm in his commitments.
Even if you were the staunchest supporter of Bill Parcells who can appreciate the talent he assembled on this team in his four years at the helm, you still have to admit he stayed the course too long with his players and system. The minute Tony Romo was inserted as the starter this team began to be exciting again. The quest began to be visible again. He lost that vision with a bobbled snap on a Field Goal Attempt. I don't think the team lost that vision though.
The remaining problem was that the players felt restrained by the systems in place. They were thoroughbreds who wanted to run, not harnessed horses who wanted to pull the stagecoach. That wasn't the Parcells way.
Enter Wade Phillips, Jason Garrett, and a host of new coaches for the staff. No more reins. No more egg shells. No more discipline? That is the crucial question.
Is that what happened against the Giants at home when every card showing was in our favor? Or did the Giants simply suck out and catch a card on the river? It doesn't matter, the final score did not read in Dallas' favor...again.
No matter what you think of Wade Phillips, there is one fact that we as passionate, addicted fans cannot ignore. As a Head Coach he has never won in the post season. Camp cupcake, camp marshmallow, the yearly post Thanksgiving fade.
When you combine 12 years of frustration in the post season for a franchise with a History of failure in the post season for a Head Coach, is there room for optimism? Is there a reason to believe the quest is a legitimate goal once again? It has been a long time since January 29th, 1996. Maybe the maps have faded past the point that the goal can be found?
Just like there are reasons for doubt to creep in there is reason for renewed optimism in 2008. This team is returning 20 of 22 starters (minus Julius and Akin) from a very successful 2007 team, and have improved the team at some very critical levels. We're beginning the season facing some injury issues, but this team has one thing going for it that previous teams have not had. This team is a bit pissed off.
They are sick of hearing about the problems facing this team individually and collectively. A pissed off football team that is stockpiled with talent is a very good thing.
The Quest begins anew on September 7th, 2008. Better get your popcorn ready.
I had no confidence in Barry Switzer and the day he was hired I expected the players to begin to get into trouble. Those troubles began in 1996. A 2nd consecutive lackluster draft with no real proven help, injuries to key players, and a shift in focus and philosophy had me dreading the future. We did win a Wildcard playoff game, but then began our current drought after a crushing loss to the 3rd year Carolina Panthers.
Hey, if the Panthers and Jaguars could make the playoffs from expansion teams in 3 years, surely the Cowboys could turn it around right? After all, the team still had a lot of established stars on the team.
It didn't happen.
As the team began a downward spiral I began to lose sight of that quest for six. Questionable drafts, injuries, retirements, waivers, and horrible coaching decisions turned my optimism against me.
I thought the quest was back on as of January 2, 2003. That was the day Bill Parcells was hired to be the 6th Head Coach in Dallas Cowboys History. I boldly predicted he'd be our Head Coach for 6 years and add two more Lombardi trophies to the collection of five.
When we made the playoffs in 2003 with that collection of misfits I just knew my bold predictions were coming true. The optimism was back. There was no more need to hang my head in shame after 5-11 was stamped on my brain for three straight years. I swear the three straight 5-11 years were harder on me than the back to back 3-13 year in 1988 and the 1-15 year in 1989 coupled with the exodus of Landry, Schramm, and Brandt.
The only good things that had happened in that three year stretch were the continued dominance over the hated team in the Nation's Capital and Emmitt Smith eclipsing the all time rushing record. Last night they showed a replay of that milestone and then a shot of him and Moose hugging on the sidelines. It reminded me so much of why I love this team and why a quest for something is so important.
Draft picks started looking good again after Parcells was hired. The swagger was coming back. The GM seemed like he cared more about winning than stroking his ego. Time to get fired up again. And I did get fired up. My main complaint about Bill Parcells was that he was too married to his ways and his players. His ways worked in the 1980's and early 1990's, but the game had become fluid while he stayed static. Other teams were on to his system and how to beat him. They had moved on while he stayed firm in his commitments.
Even if you were the staunchest supporter of Bill Parcells who can appreciate the talent he assembled on this team in his four years at the helm, you still have to admit he stayed the course too long with his players and system. The minute Tony Romo was inserted as the starter this team began to be exciting again. The quest began to be visible again. He lost that vision with a bobbled snap on a Field Goal Attempt. I don't think the team lost that vision though.
The remaining problem was that the players felt restrained by the systems in place. They were thoroughbreds who wanted to run, not harnessed horses who wanted to pull the stagecoach. That wasn't the Parcells way.
Enter Wade Phillips, Jason Garrett, and a host of new coaches for the staff. No more reins. No more egg shells. No more discipline? That is the crucial question.
Is that what happened against the Giants at home when every card showing was in our favor? Or did the Giants simply suck out and catch a card on the river? It doesn't matter, the final score did not read in Dallas' favor...again.
No matter what you think of Wade Phillips, there is one fact that we as passionate, addicted fans cannot ignore. As a Head Coach he has never won in the post season. Camp cupcake, camp marshmallow, the yearly post Thanksgiving fade.
When you combine 12 years of frustration in the post season for a franchise with a History of failure in the post season for a Head Coach, is there room for optimism? Is there a reason to believe the quest is a legitimate goal once again? It has been a long time since January 29th, 1996. Maybe the maps have faded past the point that the goal can be found?
Just like there are reasons for doubt to creep in there is reason for renewed optimism in 2008. This team is returning 20 of 22 starters (minus Julius and Akin) from a very successful 2007 team, and have improved the team at some very critical levels. We're beginning the season facing some injury issues, but this team has one thing going for it that previous teams have not had. This team is a bit pissed off.
They are sick of hearing about the problems facing this team individually and collectively. A pissed off football team that is stockpiled with talent is a very good thing.
The Quest begins anew on September 7th, 2008. Better get your popcorn ready.
