Jimmy Johnson on Mike and Mike

[Apollo Creed]

Motivator translates to Big Talker. Sorry but motivation is meaningless if you lack talent, discipline and proper fundamentals. The Cardinals hired a motivator coach in Dennis Green and he gives great speeches but it meant nothing because that team lacked discipline and fundamentals in addition to talent and depth. No speech is going to compensate for discipline, talent and fundamentals.

Wade Phillips is not the problem. Cowboys fans have bought into the media's overhyping us and calling us the most talented team in the league when it isn't the truth. I don't know who the best team is but I don't understand how you can clearly say it's us. We have a lot of problems on this team. Until now, we had issues at WR. We have huge problems in the secondary. We don't have a balanced every down running back we can rely on. Barber is a bruiser but lacks speed to truly carry the RB and is only reall good around goalline situations with some exceptions of course. Felix Jones shows promise but he is a rookie and lacks experience. I'm not bashing the Cowboys but for crying outloud the media acts like this team is loaded as if we were the Cowboys from 1992 and that we are just underachieving. Sorry but that's not really the case. The truth is the league is more competitive and we are not as good as the hype.

I have to go to class, but I'm sure someone else will pick this apart.

 

[rcaldw]

Motivator translates to Big Talker. Sorry but motivation is meaningless if you lack talent, discipline and proper fundamentals. The Cardinals hired a motivator coach in Dennis Green and he gives great speeches but it meant nothing because that team lacked discipline and fundamentals in addition to talent and depth. No speech is going to compensate for discipline, talent and fundamentals.

Wade Phillips is not the problem. Cowboys fans have bought into the media's overhyping us and calling us the most talented team in the league when it isn't the truth. I don't know who the best team is but I don't understand how you can clearly say it's us. We have a lot of problems on this team. Until now, we had issues at WR. We have huge problems in the secondary. We don't have a balanced every down running back we can rely on. Barber is a bruiser but lacks speed to truly carry the RB and is only reall good around goalline situations with some exceptions of course. Felix Jones shows promise but he is a rookie and lacks experience. I'm not bashing the Cowboys but for crying outloud the media acts like this team is loaded as if we were the Cowboys from 1992 and that we are just underachieving. Sorry but that's not really the case. The truth is the league is more competitive and we are not as good as the hype.

No team in today's NFL has EVERYTHING. Yes we have some problems, EVERYONE has some problems. But no team in the NFL has MORE than we have, and that is why we were everyone's pick.

Want a talented QB? We have him
Want talent at the RB spot that also has great variety? We have it
Want a great WR and a great TE, and great pass catching RB's? We have it
Want a pretty good offensive line? We have it

etc, etc.

And we have more DEPTH in some of these areas than anyone else.

You can try to dismiss coaching all you want, ESPECIALLY when there is so much parity in the league COACHING makes a real difference.

 

[mr.jameswoods]

I have to go to class, but I'm sure someone else will pick this apart.

I know people will pick it apart because the truth is a lot of our fans are in denial. No one wants to admit the truth that perhaps this team isn't as loaded with talent as the media gives us credit for. The Cowboys are one of many contenders. That's the truth. The idea that we should be some overwhelming favorite for the Superbowl is nothing but hype. There is a lot of parity in the league and it's going to interesting to see who wins. It could be us or it could be several teams.

 

[austintodallas]

I think Bill WAS that kind of coach, back in New England and New York - but he was never that guy in Dallas. Back in the day he was a fanatical in your face all the time never let up on kinda guy. Not here. Here he was just a grumpy old man who would still deliver one-liners from time to time, but the energy and fire that someone like Jimmy had was never there with Bill in Dallas.

I think that's what we need - the energy and fire. Not so much like Bill who was more of a curmudgeon, or like Wade who is just happy as hell to be here and everything is lovely and this is a family - Yippee!!! Someone like Jimmy.

I agee with every bit of this, but who?

 

[FCBarca]

Sloppy is the best way to describe the play, even when it has resulted in wins...Discipline, lacking...sorely

 

[Boysboy]

I know people will pick it apart because the truth is a lot of our fans are in denial. No one wants to admit the truth that perhaps this team isn't as loaded with talent as the media gives us credit for. The Cowboys are one of many contenders. That's the truth. The idea that we should be some overwhelming favorite for the Superbowl is nothing but hype. There is a lot of parity in the league and it's going to interesting to see who wins. It could be us or it could be several teams.

I've said what you said many, many times since our playoff loss to the Giants-of course, I've gotten alot of flack for it so many times.

I'll bet you at this time next year Wade will be in New Orleans, and his Saints D will be wrecking havoc, while we'll still have the SAME problems like we're having now. So it's like the finger pointing will be toward someone else instead.

 

[CATCH17]

You Parcells-apologists make me laugh. First you say how he's a great coach and that Jerry should have kept him.

Then when we point out how we underachieved badly under him, you same guys start making excuse after excuse for him-"Oh, he was too old and didn't have the same energy", blah, blah, blah.

BTW-he succeeded largely with the NYJ b/c he took over a team that happened to have alot of very good players.

Parcells was a great coach.

He preached all the right things to this team and hammered them about a lot of the same things that still hurt us till this day.

He couldn't knock it out of them and hes the best ever at it.

We can overcome penalties. This team has proven that.

They just become very ordinary when they dont play with focus and enthusiasm.

I dont think a coaching change is going to change a darn thing personally.

Romo has to put some blame on his shoulders as well. Not as a Quarterback, but as a leader.

This team goes as Romo goes. If he plays uptight. So do they. If he plays with Enthusiasm. So do they.

Everything trickles down from Wade / Tony.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I know people will pick it apart because the truth is a lot of our fans are in denial. No one wants to admit the truth that perhaps this team isn't as loaded with talent as the media gives us credit for. The Cowboys are one of many contenders. That's the truth. The idea that we should be some overwhelming favorite for the Superbowl is nothing but hype. There is a lot of parity in the league and it's going to interesting to see who wins. It could be us or it could be several teams.

I think you hit it Mr. Woods.

I don't think it's as loaded either.

I think both Canty & Spears (except for brief intervals) are two of the worst players in the NFL at their positions.

I think there are others like Brady James who are OK but are nothing special.

I ask, what did Jimmy accomplish in Miami?

Jack squat.

It isn't ALL about coaching.

I'm not a Wade Phillips fan, but God almighty, we have corners who just do not have the sense to jump a route now and then.

We have a many on this team that look like Tarzan and play like Jane.

I think someone else was absolutely correct when they said that we have a lot of stupid players.

Anyone that's dealt with stupid people knows that you can yell all you want at'em...

It won't jump-start their IQ.

 

[mr.jameswoods]

No team in today's NFL has EVERYTHING. Yes we have some problems, EVERYONE has some problems. But no team in the NFL has MORE than we have, and that is why we were everyone's pick.

Want a talented QB? We have him
Want talent at the RB spot that also has great variety? We have it
Want a great WR and a great TE, and great pass catching RB's? We have it
Want a pretty good offensive line? We have it

etc, etc.

And we have more DEPTH in some of these areas than anyone else.

You can try to dismiss coaching all you want, ESPECIALLY when there is so much parity in the league COACHING makes a real difference.

Romo is talented but he has also choked in the playoffs and big games at times. There are teams with better QB's.

Barber lacks speed to be explosive. Felix Jones is a rookie

TO is almost 35 and we had no one opposite of him until we picked up Roy Williams.

Yes, we have a great offensive line.

Who can apply pressure on our DL besides DeMarcus Ware?
We had one good corner in Terrance Newman and he is injured. We were settling with the other corner which is similar to our WR situation
Our safeties still can't cover.

I'm not shocked we lost two games to two respectable teams in the Commanders and Cardinals. Yes, this team has enough talent to win the Superbowl but it's not like our talent is as dominating as everyone wants to think

 

[Hostile]

What do you think Gailey, Switzer or Campo would've done if they inherited the same 5-11 team that BP did?

That is irrelevant. They didn't inherit those teams. Your speculation on it and mine are simply irrelevant. We know what did happen. We have no idea what might have.

Also, in making these coaching comparisons, many state that at least Switzer won a Super Bowl. Of course he also took over a team that was loaded and had just won back-to-back Super Bowls. I say it would be a good bet Gailey or Campo would've won at least one also if they took over in '94.

You will never catch me defending Barry Switzer, so I don't even know why this is being brought up. I have zero respect for him.

Bottomline is that BP was the best coach we've had since Jimmy. He wasn't as effective as I would've liked and I have no problem with him leaving and being replaced. I'd just like to see him replaced with a quality HC instead of us going back to the old B.S.

Again, I didn't say he wasn't. I said you only told 1/4 of the story in your zeal to bash Jerry ebcause of Campo. If the best ammo you have is that Parcells was better than Campo I say whoop-dee-freaking-doo. Parcells also did better with Campo's players than he did with his own.

Once again, he's the yellow belly who left the job unfinished.

Switzer was just Jerry trying to make a point. And it was true that any of 500 coaches could've won with what was in place at that time. Too bad Jerry's goals were so low back then.

Read my Switzer comments above. This literally means nothing to me.

As for Gailey, Campo and Wade - they all basically the same, glorified coordinators with no real control.

My only problem with Wade at this point is his "poor, poor, pitiful us you're all big bullies" attitude with the media.

I'll take Wade's results over Parcells every year.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

If I could bring in a coach to be the Head Coach of the Dallas Cowboys, it would probably be Del Rio. To me, he would be a real good fit but honestly, it's not very realistic IMO. We are far from out of it. We are 4-2 with one 2 point lose and one overtime lose. Lets let things settle down and maybe re-think the whole idea of throwing the deck chairs over the side until we are sure we are actually sinking.

Just a thought.

 

[CoCo]

Its not surprising at all that as disappointment swirls, that Wade has come under fire. It was predictable. As soon as trouble appears he is an easy target because of his "aw shucks" demeanor. For all his alledged defensive expertise its his personality that has always made people uneasy when trouble reared its head as it does in every organization. I'm not saying its right necessarily, just predictable.

And it was just as predictable that when trouble appeared on Jimmy's watch there were whispers that his abrasive style had worn out its welcome. When BP left it was "no more walking on eggshells" and how that held the team back.

What I don't buy are the perspectives that suggest there is one tried and true formula for SB success whether its in how you construct a team (bus driver vs elite QB) or the style of your head coach. History just doesn't prove that out IMO.

That said, I am fully on board with having Wade on a short leash and with holding him accountable at seasons end to evaluate whether he's the leader this team needs in 2009.

Yes, ask the questions & do the evaluation. I just hope its not done against someone's flawed template that says an effective coach must look exactly like X.

Wanted to also add that even in the midst of his incredible 20 winning season's streaks Landry's teams often played unemotionally and uninspired. Tom was very direct in saying that he believed that as pros that was the players responsibility.

It took Landry a long time to win a SB. In the end he won 2. There are few situations in the NFL today where he would even be given that chance. Gasp! *sacrilege*

 

[rcaldw]

Its not surprising at all that as disappointment swirls, that Wade has come under fire. It was predictable. As soon as trouble appears he is an easy target because of his "aw shucks" demeanor. For all his alledged defensive expertise its his personality that has always made people uneasy when trouble reared its head as it does in every organization. I'm not saying its right necessarily, just predictable.

And it was just as predictable that when trouble appeared on Jimmy's watch there were whispers that his abrasive style had worn out its welcome. When BP left it was "no more walking on eggshells" and how that held the team back.

What I don't buy are the perspectives that suggest there is one tried and true formula for SB success whether its in how you construct a team (bus driver vs elite QB) or the style of your head coach. History just doesn't prove that out IMO.

That said, I am fully on board with having Wade on a short leash and with holding him accountable at seasons end to evaluate whether he's the leader this team needs in 2009.

Yes, ask the questions & do the evaluation. I just hope its not done against someone's flawed template that says an effective coach must look exactly like X.

Wanted to also add that even in the midst of his incredible 20 winning season's streaks Landry's teams often played unemotionally and uninspired. Tom was very direct in saying that he believed that as pros that was the players responsibility.

It took Landry a long time to win a SB. In the end he won 2. There are few situations in the NFL today where he would even be given that chance. Gasp! *sacrilege*

I, for one, haven't said that Super Bowl winning coaches all come in one flavor, but I do think that consistently successful coaches have some common denominators and discipline and the ability to motivate are a couple of them. I think history DOES prove that out.

And in terms of Landry, it is true he led his teams to 2 Super Bowl wins, but don't forget 3 more Super Bowl appearances, and 2 more NFL Championship games, along with numerous NFC Championship game appearances and multiple division championships.

I knew Tom Landry and Wade Phillips is no Tom Landry

 

[Disturbed]

......We have a many on this team that look like Tarzan and play like Jane.

I think someone else was absolutely correct when they said that we have a lot of stupid players.

Anyone that's dealt with stupid people knows that you can yell all you want at'em...

It won't jump-start their IQ.

Priceless.....

 

[mr.jameswoods]

Hey Michael Winicki

Good afternoon my friend! I think the NFL is exciting. This is exactly how I like it. I like parity. The truth is this is a very exciting time. The Cowboys are a good team but I honestly think the media hypes our talent to put us down and create headlines. It makes for a great story to say: "Superbowl contending Cowboys are underachieving with 2 losses. How dare they lose since they are favored to win the Superbowl."

I use this same tactic on my friend who is a Wisconsin Badgers fan. He is such a hardcore Badgers fan that has given me crap for my Sooners losing to Boise St. LOL So anyway, I always give him a hard time by acting so suprised that Wisconsin lost to Ohio St. and Penn St. at home. I hype his team so I can put it down for losses that were justified. The media does this with us. Now it's unacceptable that we can lose to anyone because we are contenders. Give me a break, the NFC East is a tough conference. I wouldn't be suprised if the Arizona Cardinals beat the Panthers next week and finish with 10 or 11 wins.

 

[AKATheRake]

Yea, I know, it all means nothing, it always means nothing, and meanwhile we continue to have a coach who has NEVER won a playoff game. We continue to have a team, that was picked by most to win it all this year, underachieve in notable fashion. Yea, bla, bla, bla, bla, bla, all the way to another wasted year if something doesn't change.

Listen, I don't know what the answer is either. And changing head coaches in the middle of a 4-2 season probably ISN'T the answer. I just know I get sick and tired of watching him raise his hands on the sidelines as if he is absolutely helpless, and I get sick and tired of watching us play sloppy football.

How about his constant gasping for air after losses? You sick of that too? Cause I'm sick of it!

 

[rcaldw]

How about his constant gasping for air after losses? You sick of that too? Cause I'm sick of it!

Not really. I'm much more sick of the status quo, "all is well", when it is quite obvious that all is not well.

 

[CATCH17]

That is irrelevant. They didn't inherit those teams. Your speculation on it and mine are simply irrelevant. We know what did happen. We have no idea what might have.

You will never catch me defending Barry Switzer, so I don't even know why this is being brought up. I have zero respect for him.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

rcaldw, who is this young, fiery, next Noll/Shula/Jimmy coach you want?

Let's have some names.

 

[CATCH17]

rcaldw, who is this young, fiery, next Noll/Shula/Jimmy coach you want?

Let's have some names.

Im just glad I don't have to hear anyone say Bob Stoops anymore.