It's all right to feel good after a loss!

[nathanlt]

Hey, looking back at that game yesterday, what a solid, strong performance by both teams. That was a quality game, not sloppy, everyone played hard. Games like that make teams better late in the season.

What an experience for our rookies, though. This whole season has been about playing hard, under pressure, in the 4th quarter, in overtime, where one mistake can change the game. And that mistake can happen during any minute in sixty. This year has compressed a wealth of playoff type pressure into multiple games and given our rookies more than a seasons worth of experience, ALREADY!

Our defense has grown into most of its potential, with James playing at his peak performance in the last few games. Canty and Ware are solid, but their ability to improve will make them great, and our defense dominant. Spears is a little slower, which means his potential to improve is greater. Who knows what his increased contributions will mean in the playoffs?

This defense can cross the line between good and dominant just as we make the playoffs, which is when we will need them.

The offense is still iffy, but CAN make sustained drives from time to time. A speedster like Bailey shutting down Glenn, and a ferocious blitz stifled everyone but Jason Witten. Our WR's were unable to make plays downfield, and we did have success with line of scrimmage passes to our WR's. With Crayton back in the lineup, Glenn and Key won't be our occasional threats, things will improve as more attention is paid to our third reciever. We're certainly missing Crayton, he was CLUTCH!! The running game has been stifled, I think running pitches and sweeps a little more is better for us than running it up the middle so much.

To sum it up, if our defense crosses the line from good to dominant, we will have a better chance than most other teams to win the Super Bowl! This year has been a GREAT learning year!

And we are STILL IN THE HUNT!!

 

[Fletch]

Excellent post nathanlt! Agree wholeheartedly.

Ya know, I was probably more pissed about losing this game than any of the other previous, but after cooling off and looking back, you can't help but think that the Cowboys can hang with any team out there in the NFL, including the Colts IMHO.

This team will be a team to reckon with for many seasons to come.

Plus, all the chicken littles out there need to realize that we are 7-4, with a very good chance of regaining 1st place when the Gnats head to Seattle.

Then it's a huge playoff type game in New Jersey vs. the Gnats for sole possession of first in the NFC East. Huge game!

 

[1fisher]

Excellent post nathanlt! Agree wholeheartedly.

Ya know, I was probably more pissed about losing this game than any of the other previous, but after cooling off and looking back, you can't help but think that the Cowboys can hang with any team out there in the NFL, including the Colts IMHO.

This team will be a team to reckon with for many seasons to come.

Plus, all the chicken littles out there need to realize that we are 7-4, with a very good chance of regaining 1st place when the Gnats head to Seattle.

Then it's a huge playoff type game in New Jersey vs. the Gnats for sole possession of first in the NFC East. Huge game!

ditto

 

[jcblanco22]

Hey, looking back at that game yesterday, what a solid, strong performance by both teams. That was a quality game, not sloppy, everyone played hard. Games like that make teams better late in the season.

What an experience for our rookies, though. This whole season has been about playing hard, under pressure, in the 4th quarter, in overtime, where one mistake can change the game. And that mistake can happen during any minute in sixty. This year has compressed a wealth of playoff type pressure into multiple games and given our rookies more than a seasons worth of experience, ALREADY!

Our defense has grown into most of its potential, with James playing at his peak performance in the last few games. Canty and Ware are solid, but their ability to improve will make them great, and our defense dominant. Spears is a little slower, which means his potential to improve is greater. Who knows what his contributions will be in the playoffs?

This defense can cross the line between good and dominant just as we make the playoffs, which is when we will need them.

The offense is still iffy, but CAN make sustained drives from time to time. A speedster like Bailey shutting down Glenn, and a ferocious blitz stifled everyone but Jason Witten. Our WR's were unable to make plays downfield, and we did have success with line of scrimmage passes to our WR's. With Crayton back in the lineup, Glenn and Key won't be our occasional threats, things will improve as more attention is paid to our third reciever. We're certainly missing Crayton, he was CLUTCH!! The running game has been stifled, I think running pitches and sweeps a little more is better for us than running it up the middle so much.

To sum it up, if our defense crosses the line from good to dominant, we will have a better chance than most other teams to win the Super Bowl! This year has been a GREAT learning year!

Nice job Nathan! I too agree with you for the most part. The only thing that Parcells needs to make sure of is that these "learning experiences" cross the line into also being victories more often.

 

[nathanlt]

Nice job Nathan! I too agree with you for the most part. The only thing that Parcells needs to make sure of is that these "learning experiences" cross the line into also being victories more often.

Hey... good point. I say, if we're going to lose games and learn something from it, make it in the in the early/mid regular season. Toward the end, when the playoffs start (sometimes late in the regular season), lock it up... NO losses.

I have NO DOUBTS that the Cowboys CAN do it.

 

[Etonicas]

I don't feel good but I don't feel bad either. Am I Heartbroken? Yes. But I wasn't exactly confident about our chances going into this game.

 

[Da Hammer]

I felt and still feel dissapointed that we lost yesterdays game BUT i didn't get angry because of pretty much everything you pointed out. The team played real hard and with a young team like we have, you know this team is only going to continue to grow till the end of the year. Thats why i think we can make some serious noise in the playoffs and even perhaps make it to the SuperBowl.

 

[EveryoneElse]

How far have our expectations fallen over the last ten years? Almost wins are acceptable? Not for me. It hurts, and pissing me off every single time we lose these close ones. If we could close out a game we would be sitting with 2 losses right now, instead we are in a dog fight with the NYG's. BP is ending this team the wrong message, imo. When we play a bad team, we play close to the vest. When we play a good team we do just enough to stay in the game and hopefully pull it off at the end. We need to go out every week and ATTACK the team across the field. Beat the bad teams into the dirt and show the better teams that we are on their level. Play to win for crying out loud. Take it to somebody. Make a friggin statement. Yesterday should have been our statement game, but instead we're back to the team that nobody can figure out.

 

[Fletch]

How far have our expectations fallen over the last ten years? Almost wins are acceptable? Not for me. It hurts, and pissing me off every single time we lose these close ones. If we could close out a game we would be sitting with 2 losses right now, instead we are in a dog fight with the NYG's. BP is ending this team the wrong message, imo. When we play a bad team, we play close to the vest. When we play a good team we do just enough to stay in the game and hopefully pull it off at the end. We need to go out every week and ATTACK the team across the field. Beat the bad teams into the dirt and show the better teams that we are on their level. Play to win for crying out loud. Take it to somebody. Make a friggin statement. Yesterday should have been our statement game, but instead we're back to the team that nobody can figure out.

I think most of us can figure out this team. There was a major overhaul from top to bottom with this team. We have a lot of young guys playing. A lot of rookies. We are 7-4 and will probably be right back in first place after this Sunday when Seattle takes on NY in Seattle.

Deep down, I don't think anyone really expected the Cowboys to have been this good, this early. And nobody thought the Cowboys would sweep the Iggles this season either, or be fighting for first place in the NFC East and considered one of the better teams in the NFC.

So if you are still having problems with trying to figure out who the Cowboys are, then you are not giving them half the credit that they deserve.

 

[EveryoneElse]

So if you are still having problems with trying to figure out who the Cowboys are, then you are not giving them half the credit that they deserve.

Sorry I wasn't more cleear. I can't figure out the team as a whole. The game management and play calling. It's been questionable for quite some time. Thats what I can't figure out.

 

[DallasInDC]

Hey, looking back at that game yesterday, what a solid, strong performance by both teams. That was a quality game, not sloppy, everyone played hard. Games like that make teams better late in the season.

What an experience for our rookies, though. This whole season has been about playing hard, under pressure, in the 4th quarter, in overtime, where one mistake can change the game. And that mistake can happen during any minute in sixty. This year has compressed a wealth of playoff type pressure into multiple games and given our rookies more than a seasons worth of experience, ALREADY!

Our defense has grown into most of its potential, with James playing at his peak performance in the last few games. Canty and Ware are solid, but their ability to improve will make them great, and our defense dominant. Spears is a little slower, which means his potential to improve is greater. Who knows what his increased contributions will mean in the playoffs?

This defense can cross the line between good and dominant just as we make the playoffs, which is when we will need them.

The offense is still iffy, but CAN make sustained drives from time to time. A speedster like Bailey shutting down Glenn, and a ferocious blitz stifled everyone but Jason Witten. Our WR's were unable to make plays downfield, and we did have success with line of scrimmage passes to our WR's. With Crayton back in the lineup, Glenn and Key won't be our occasional threats, things will improve as more attention is paid to our third reciever. We're certainly missing Crayton, he was CLUTCH!! The running game has been stifled, I think running pitches and sweeps a little more is better for us than running it up the middle so much.

To sum it up, if our defense crosses the line from good to dominant, we will have a better chance than most other teams to win the Super Bowl! This year has been a GREAT learning year!

And we are STILL IN THE HUNT!!

I agree wholeheartedly. After the game I was disappointed with the loss, but I was extremely happy that we played hard and proved that we can go toe to toe with any team. I think the Cowboys know that as well and asthey continue to grow andlearn together they will develop into a legitimate Super Bowl contender----If, of course, we can actually find a legitimate field goal kicker. Considering that is the only difference between being 10-1 as opposed to 7-4.

 

[big_neil]

I agree as well. Consider that the last time Drew started a season 7-3 was 1996, and the team he faced was Denver, and the Patriots lost 34-6 at home. The Pats still went to the Super Bowl, beating Jacksonville, who beat Denver.

 

[jimmy40]

I agree as well. Consider that the last time Drew started a season 7-3 was 1996, and the team he faced was Denver, and the Patriots lost 34-6 at home. The Pats still went to the Super Bowl, beating Jacksonville, who beat Denver.

That post made me dizzy.

 

[Drederick Tatum]

I can't agree with this. For all the good things that you say, the Cowboys have to win win-able games. To me this has developed into a disturbing pattern, I am not encouraged by losing close games consistently.

I am sorry, I saw the same positives you mention in the preseason, so I am not that impression with relativism and by potential, jut winning. Winning is winning and losing is losing. I don't take comfort in feeling good by how the game is lost.

 

[Hostile]

Hey Nathan, another reason for you to feel good. #81 still belongs to Peerless Price.

 

[nathanlt]

Hey Nathan, another reason for you to feel good. #81 still belongs to Peerless Price.

Huh?? I don't know if you were trying to be sarcastic in that... Besides one big catch for a large gain, Price has been quiet. I'm looking forward to Crayton resuming his 3rd WR duties. As I've said, he's been CLUTCH!

 

[Hostile]

Huh?? I don't know if you were trying to be sarcastic in that... Besides one big catch for a large gain, Price has been quiet. I'm looking forward to Crayton resuming his 3rd WR duties. As I've said, he's been CLUTCH!

No, I wasn't being sarcastic. I was serious. TO is an Eagle. More reason to celebrate.

 

[nathanlt]

I can't agree with this. For all the good things that you say, the Cowboys have to win win-able games. To me this has developed into a disturbing pattern, I am not encouraged by losing close games consistently.

I am sorry, I saw the same positives you mention in the preseason, so I am not that impression with relativism and by potential, jut winning. Winning is winning and losing is losing. I don't take comfort in feeling good by how the game is lost.

Hey, I admit that losing games, close games, is not good for the team. However, these kinds of games forge the steel, will and determination to finish out ALL games. These rookies will contribute more and more each week, and none of the losses to this point prove that we can't make the Super Bowl and win it. I want that!! And we CAN have it, if our rookies improve. It's not over. This last game was just a bump in the road.

Our season lookback video for 2005-2006 is going to be an exciting compilation!