Jimmy Johnson "I Want To Score."

[bsheeern]

One guy was never afraid to put his ba**s in a vise, to challenge his players, and make them believe they were going to win. That guy, time and time again, rolled the dice, staking his rep, his credibility (because, remember he came into league with none). His gut instinct proved more reliable than any chart and he didn't burn timeouts to reconsider. The man was all-in and his players would follow him anywhere.

I don't doubt Jason's passion, and who could doubt the man's intelligence? We might question his football acumen on some level. What I do wonder about is his ability to lead and sell his brand to the players. The final question would likely be more of an indictment on the organization and structure. But that's another thread entirely.

In a league that sees most of it's games come down to the final couple of minutes, the smallest of details matter; it's the little things that get you beat. The least of which should be whether or not your players believe they can close out a game. That much should be ingrained. Call it confidence or whatever.

What we are seeing these days more resembles doubt all the way up to outright panic. And that's when we have a lead late in games. Perhaps that is why we seem more brazen on the field when we are trailing on the scoreboard. What risk is there? You were going to lose anyway.

And Jimmie Johnson said himself. I KNEW I was holding the royal flush all I had to do was lay the cards on the table.
HE HAD THOSE SAME CARDS WITH THE HURRICANES AND HE EVENTUALLY HAD THE SAME CARDS IN DALLAS. BUT GUESS WHAT HE QUICKLY REALIZED HE DIDN'T HAVE THOSE SAME CARDS WITH THE DOLPHINS AND THAT'S WHY HE'S NOT COACHING ANYMORE.

The league has changed. Jimmy started to see that soon after he became the coach of the Miami Dolphins. He realized the salary cap turned his poker game into a crapshoot. I love Jimmy to death. But I also know the game he was coaching no longer exist. It's not coming back either. The NFL has made sure that every team not only has a chance to compete but is forced to spend money to at least put a product on the field that will compete. The NFL didn't care about that back when Jimmy was the coach of the Cowboys.

You see any man would have brass balls when he knows he's got the best players. There's no team in the NFL like that anymore.

This league has evolved into having depth to cover your *** for all the injuries. And turning every stone possible to try to catch that lightning in a bottle and hope that once you do catch it you can ride that wave to a championship. Sure it still takes solid clutch performances to win close games and playoff games that lead to championship wins, but sometimes those solid clutch performances are now just as dependent on which team doesn't fall apart versus which team grabs the reigns.

There's an old saying in poker and it goes like this "all you need is a chip and a chair".

 

[kevm3]

You can't play scared or coach that way. The truth is this defense sucks and has consistently not been able to stop a team when it counts. Glad you agree with Garrett, until then enjoy the losing.

More like the offense only has to play one quarter of ball and then the defense gets the blame because they aren't playing 4 quarters of perfect ball. This notion that the offense 'gave' the defense this huge lead is nonsense. The only two scores that came off of the offense's own doing was two monster YAC touchdowns from Dez and Williams in the fourth quarter, which happened after Dez started screaming and we actually decided to take shots down the field. The other scores came from excellent field position given to the offense from defense and special teams. The cowboys entered the fourth quarter in the lead 13 to 7 with only 88 yards of offense. We ended the game with half the yards as the Lions, but only 1 point less. That's because the offense was getting easy scores off field position given to them by defense and special teams. If the specialteams/defense doesn't score/give us easy field position, there are a couple of more games we lose, like against New York.

That first touchdown was because the offense started at the Lion's 5 yard line. The field goal before half was because the offense started in field goal range. That field goal at the end of the game that the offense 'gave' to the defense was because the defense FOUR and outed the lions and the offense took over in field goal range and yet they almost knocked themselves out of it. The offense three and outed two times in a row. 2 runs and a pass that stops the clock. 3 and out. The lions get the ball back around their twenty. The defense stops them on FOUR plays and gives our offense the ball back on the lions 20 in field goal range. The offense didn't 'give' the defense a 6 point lead, as if they marched down the field, burning the clock up to put us in field goal range. More like the defense's four and outting the lions and giving the offense a gimme field goal, but the offense failing to burn time off the clock because they fail to even try for a first down. In fact, they fail at even burning the clock out because of the 3rd down penalty. Here comes a depleted defense on the field AGAIN.

That's the problem with the Cowboys and Garrett. We get a little lead and we stop playing the game on offense or we don't start playing until the 4th quarter. There's a reason Romo has the highest 4th quarter QB rating in the lead. It's because the offense doesn't start playing until the fourth. There's a reason Rob Ryan isn't having the same 'ahh why can't the defense stop anybody at the end of game' complaints with the Saints that he had here and that Kiffen and Marinelli are getting now. The Saints' offense knows how to burn time off the clock and they know how to get a lead and sustain them. Kiffen and Marinelli aren't the problem. Garrett and this offense are. We talk about how many points this offense is scoring, but how many of these scores are because of excellent field position given by special teams and the defense? Dwayne Harris scoring touchdowns or the defense scoring and giving the offense gimme touchdowns. We can switch defensive coaches again, but we will get the SAME results. No defense can hold up against some of the best qbs and receivers in the league if all of the offense has to do is score a couple of times and 3 and out the rest of the game.

 

[scottsp]

And Jimmie Johnson said himself. I KNEW I was holding the royal flush all I had to do was lay the cards on the table.
HE HAD THOSE SAME CARDS WITH THE HURRICANES AND HE EVENTUALLY HAD THE SAME CARDS IN DALLAS. BUT GUESS WHAT HE QUICKLY REALIZED HE DIDN'T HAVE THOSE SAME CARDS WITH THE DOLPHINS AND THAT'S WHY HE'S NOT COACHING ANYMORE.

You are missing the point. I am not asking Jason Garrett to be Jimmy Johnson of the early 1990s, much like I cannot expect this club to contend on that level.

I am simply wishing for a day that we might be able to figure a way to close ballgames in a more efficient manner; one that isn't centered around the element of hope.

No matter how hard you try, you cannot say this regime is good at finishing games. Sunday, for example, we weren't throwing the Cleveland offense on the field. The Lions defense would never be mistaken for the Steel Curtain. But somehow, we played much of the game - and especially the final minutes - as if we were protecting the baby from Mike Singletary and Richard Dent.

I'm sorry, but it's tough for me to imagine more ways to screw up late-game situations again and again than this group has demonstrated over the past few seasons.

The reference to Jimmy and "I want to score" has more to do with a particular mindset. I see clubs in the NFL each and every week with as much (and sometimes less) talent than Dallas going for the sticks given the same situation. With us, it seems like we are watching the clock. Hoping.

 

[Zordon]

Oh please. Catastrophic interceptions? This is what drives me nuts. We needed a SINGLE FIRST DOWN in the middle of the field, and the Lions had to play against the run. How in the hell do we not put the ball in our best player's hands to get a single first down? They KNEW they couldn't run out the clock but obviously when into "clock killing mode" instead of "we need a single stinkin' first down" mode anyway. With guys like Dez, Cole Beasley and Witten, we can't find a way to pick up 10 freakin' passing yards in three freakin' plays? It's utterly insane. And I'm now on the "Fire Garrett" bandwagon because of it. This man had play calling duties removed so he could focus on managing a game in specific instances like this. And yet again, he blows it. I'm so sick of his playing not to lose routine. We needed ten yards. That's it. After grinding out an entire game, this buffoon decides that gaining ten yards through the air is just too difficult a task.

I agree with u man. I was just trying to see things from Jason's viewpoint. I think he's wary about taking chances bc he's naturally a conservative guy but also bc romo has a knack for doing something utterly stupid at the worst time.

 

[footballnflstyle]

Garrett is in over his head - clear as day.

in over his head and not in charge,when the buck doesn't stop with the head coach you can't win.you cant bring 53 men together...

 

[beevomav]

More like the offense only has to play one quarter of ball and then the defense gets the blame because they aren't playing 4 quarters of perfect ball. This notion that the offense 'gave' the defense this huge lead is nonsense. The only two scores that came off of the offense's own doing was two monster YAC touchdowns from Dez and Williams in the fourth quarter, which happened after Dez started screaming and we actually decided to take shots down the field. The other scores came from excellent field position given to the offense from defense and special teams. The cowboys entered the fourth quarter in the lead 13 to 7 with only 88 yards of offense. We ended the game with half the yards as the Lions, but only 1 point less. That's because the offense was getting easy scores off field position given to them by defense and special teams. If the specialteams/defense doesn't score/give us easy field position, there are a couple of more games we lose, like against New York.

That first touchdown was because the offense started at the Lion's 5 yard line. The field goal before half was because the offense started in field goal range. That field goal at the end of the game that the offense 'gave' to the defense was because the defense FOUR and outed the lions and the offense took over in field goal range and yet they almost knocked themselves out of it. The offense three and outed two times in a row. 2 runs and a pass that stops the clock. 3 and out. The lions get the ball back around their twenty. The defense stops them on FOUR plays and gives our offense the ball back on the lions 20 in field goal range. The offense didn't 'give' the defense a 6 point lead, as if they marched down the field, burning the clock up to put us in field goal range. More like the defense's four and outting the lions and giving the offense a gimme field goal, but the offense failing to burn time off the clock because they fail to even try for a first down. In fact, they fail at even burning the clock out because of the 3rd down penalty. Here comes a depleted defense on the field AGAIN.

That's the problem with the Cowboys and Garrett. We get a little lead and we stop playing the game on offense or we don't start playing until the 4th quarter. There's a reason Romo has the highest 4th quarter QB rating in the lead. It's because the offense doesn't start playing until the fourth. There's a reason Rob Ryan isn't having the same 'ahh why can't the defense stop anybody at the end of game' complaints with the Saints that he had here and that Kiffen and Marinelli are getting now. The Saints' offense knows how to burn time off the clock and they know how to get a lead and sustain them. Kiffen and Marinelli aren't the problem. Garrett and this offense are. We talk about how many points this offense is scoring, but how many of these scores are because of excellent field position given by special teams and the defense? Dwayne Harris scoring touchdowns or the defense scoring and giving the offense gimme touchdowns. We can switch defensive coaches again, but we will get the SAME results. No defense can hold up against some of the best qbs and receivers in the league if all of the offense has to do is score a couple of times and 3 and out the rest of the game.

The Cowboys offense scored 17 points in the 4th quarter..The Lions scored 24 and you blame the offense.

 

[beevomav]

What are you even talking about with the "glad you agree with Garrett?" I'm all for letting Romo air it out. Picks are going to come - as they will anytime a guy throws 30+ a game. But, Romo gives you the best chance to win every week. I agree that the defense sucks, and Dallas needs to win in spite of them.

Sorry Mr Heizenberg..I was probably responding to the wrong post..Seems you actually understood the post and like you, I don't care if we throw a pick or not..just get the first down, oh and hope someone doesn't lose the ball in the lights.

 

[5Stars]

You need to re-read OP, in all three scenarios, Romo tossed 2 TD passes in the fourth quarter, which means he is making plays to give the lead to the defense, which defense failed to stop opponents, your hatred toward Romo makes you irrational and childish.

Yeah, how Romo got hooked into this OP is nothing new to me from him. smh

 

[kevm3]

The Cowboys offense scored 17 points in the 4th quarter..The Lions scored 24 and you blame the offense.

And how many points did the cowboys score the other three quarters that didn't involve gimme touchdowns and field goals from excellent field position given to them by special teams and defense? The offense scored 14 points in the 4th of their own volition. That field goal to put us up by 6 was GIVEN to them by the defense that four and outted the lions in their own territory. In fact, they were in field goal range, didn't gain any yards and got a penalty to not only push them back, but to stop the clock. Offense entered the 4th quarter with 88 yards of offense, yet had a lead.

 

[ufcrules1]

More like the offense only has to play one quarter of ball and then the defense gets the blame because they aren't playing 4 quarters of perfect ball. This notion that the offense 'gave' the defense this huge lead is nonsense. The only two scores that came off of the offense's own doing was two monster YAC touchdowns from Dez and Williams in the fourth quarter, which happened after Dez started screaming and we actually decided to take shots down the field. The other scores came from excellent field position given to the offense from defense and special teams. The cowboys entered the fourth quarter in the lead 13 to 7 with only 88 yards of offense. We ended the game with half the yards as the Lions, but only 1 point less. That's because the offense was getting easy scores off field position given to them by defense and special teams. If the specialteams/defense doesn't score/give us easy field position, there are a couple of more games we lose, like against New York.

That first touchdown was because the offense started at the Lion's 5 yard line. The field goal before half was because the offense started in field goal range. That field goal at the end of the game that the offense 'gave' to the defense was because the defense FOUR and outed the lions and the offense took over in field goal range and yet they almost knocked themselves out of it. The offense three and outed two times in a row. 2 runs and a pass that stops the clock. 3 and out. The lions get the ball back around their twenty. The defense stops them on FOUR plays and gives our offense the ball back on the lions 20 in field goal range. The offense didn't 'give' the defense a 6 point lead, as if they marched down the field, burning the clock up to put us in field goal range. More like the defense's four and outting the lions and giving the offense a gimme field goal, but the offense failing to burn time off the clock because they fail to even try for a first down. In fact, they fail at even burning the clock out because of the 3rd down penalty. Here comes a depleted defense on the field AGAIN.

That's the problem with the Cowboys and Garrett. We get a little lead and we stop playing the game on offense or we don't start playing until the 4th quarter. There's a reason Romo has the highest 4th quarter QB rating in the lead. It's because the offense doesn't start playing until the fourth. There's a reason Rob Ryan isn't having the same 'ahh why can't the defense stop anybody at the end of game' complaints with the Saints that he had here and that Kiffen and Marinelli are getting now. The Saints' offense knows how to burn time off the clock and they know how to get a lead and sustain them. Kiffen and Marinelli aren't the problem. Garrett and this offense are. We talk about how many points this offense is scoring, but how many of these scores are because of excellent field position given by special teams and the defense? Dwayne Harris scoring touchdowns or the defense scoring and giving the offense gimme touchdowns. We can switch defensive coaches again, but we will get the SAME results. No defense can hold up against some of the best qbs and receivers in the league if all of the offense has to do is score a couple of times and 3 and out the rest of the game.

Everyone needs to read this post. This fan couldn't be any more right if he tried to be ^^

 

[5Stars]

He had 66 yards passing In the 1st half, he looked really good in the "hey we got nothing to lose" game against Denver but he's playing to avoid criticism. Look at this Romo and compare him to the 2007 Romo and its a noticable difference. He took more chances then, yeah he had ints but made more big plays, which we are going to need to go deep in the playoffs.

OMG...now I have heard it all! lmao

(where do they come from?)

 

[beevomav]

Don't forget the Denver game they kept throwing with the lead and ended up tossing a pick. At this point it looks like it don't matter which one they do imo.

In Dallas' four losses, the offense has scored 17, 15, 10 and 3(Kansas City)..

Dallas Offense is 4th in the league in scoring at 28.3 PPG...
Dallas Defense is 18th in scoring defense at 23.3 a game.

It's not the offense

 

[romothesavior]

You are missing the point. I am not asking Jason Garrett to be Jimmy Johnson of the early 1990s, much like I cannot expect this club to contend on that level.

I am simply wishing for a day that we might be able to figure a way to close ballgames in a more efficient manner; one that isn't centered around the element of hope.

No matter how hard you try, you cannot say this regime is good at finishing games. Sunday, for example, we weren't throwing the Cleveland offense on the field. The Lions defense would never be mistaken for the Steel Curtain. But somehow, we played much of the game - and especially the final minutes - as if we were protecting the baby from Mike Singletary and Richard Dent.

I'm sorry, but it's tough for me to imagine more ways to screw up late-game situations again and again than this group has demonstrated over the past few seasons.

The reference to Jimmy and "I want to score" has more to do with a particular mindset. I see clubs in the NFL each and every week with as much (and sometimes less) talent than Dallas going for the sticks given the same situation. With us, it seems like we are watching the clock. Hoping.

+1000. Very well put.

It's cliche and overused, but the Cowboys' current mentality really is "avoid losing" and not "go for the win."

 

[5Stars]

Exactly. What's going on here on Cowboys Zone right now is nothing more than hindsight is 20/20, hindsight is 20/20, hindsight is 20/20, hindsight is 20/20, hindsight is 20/20, hindsight is 20/20, hindsight is 20/20, hindsight is 20/20.

Consider the source and you will be fine, trust me. lol

 

[beevomav]

the difference is romo vs aikman. say what you want about romo, that catastrophic interceptions has led to a loss of trust.

Then bench him and see what see what "catastrophic interceptions has led to a loss of trust" really look like.

 

[kevm3]

Problem is those 28 points the "offense" is averaging includes special teams and defensive scores.

 

[03EBZ06]

OMG...now I have heard it all! lmao

(where do they come from?)

Under the rock and mommy's basement.

 

[beevomav]

Problem is those 28 points the "offense" is averaging includes special teams and defensive scores.

All scoring includes that or do you think the three teams ahead of them don't get turnovers or return kicks?

 

[Oh_Canada]

Romo is paid like a top tier QB, so let him make a play. Sorry, but this crappy conservative approach has to stop.

 

[5Stars]

It's going to be a struggle making it through all of the really bad takes this week. Wednesday can't get here fast enough.

What is going to change Wednesday? What is going to change next week/ What is going to change the next win? What is going to change the next loss?

Nothing...Romo will be at fault for all the losses and the next win will be despite of him. So, if you think tomorrow is going to change anything, you are as irrational as the Romo haters.