Maybe it's simple...

[31smackdown]

So after having no excuse for the play of the defense the last few weeks or the overall emotion and focus of the team.. I've come up with this...

Here's a quote from Ronde Barber... who won't be going to the tournament this year..

"All you ever ask for is an opportunity to play in the postseason, to give yourself a chance to win a championship. It's the only reason we play this game, and to be completely out of it is frustrating."

And maybe.. just maybe.. it's that simple..

This team's goal was to "play in the postseason" and then they didn't care who they faced because they have the feeling that the can beat anyone in those conditions..

That goal was accomplished in week 14.. and while it may be easy to say that there was still a lot to play for.. maybe for a lot of these guys there wasn't.. they were already in.. nothing mattered until this week.. as much as they would try to convince themselves of something else, deep down they knew what was ahead of them.. so maybe they laxed a little bit in preparation during the week.. maybe they relaxed a little more than they should have.. played a little looser...

The postseason starts this weekend and as Barber said.. it's the only reason they play this game..

 

[dargonking999]

I can kind of see that, as when we were playng for a playoff spot against the giants, that was our last IMO good game. And we won it. Since that game though, we just went south. Hopefully we turn it arond

 

[Dave_in-NC]

All you want to do during the regular season is get to the playoffs.
Once you make the playoffs you want to get to the dance.
These knuckle heads look ready to dance to you?

 

[ManicDepressiveMan]

Actually it probably is simple.

Our Dallas Cowboys were vastly overrated, particularly on defense.

The team just sucks.

 

[theebs]

Actually it probably is simple.

Our Dallas Cowboys were vastly overrated, particularly on defense.

The team just sucks.

wow our team sucks?

a 4 game struggle at a bad time means we suck?

Look at the other teams in the nfc playoffs. Except chicago they have all had a spell like ours at one point or another.

Philly, new orleans, seattle, the giants.

All have struggled this year, the difference is we are struggling right now. The eagles defense with the same players on the field in october and november looked terrible, now they look great again.

Just the way it is right now. IF we can come out and have some fortune, get a lead, maybe a big turnover and a score out of the half that might be all it takes.

Some times you have to see hope before you can have it. I think something like a ware sack and forced fumble returned for a touchdown, or a long power running drive with barber or jones putting it in the endzone might be all this team needs to get going again.

 

[ManicDepressiveMan]

I just don't see much hope for a team that has a coaching staff that either cannot or refuses to make defensive adjustments.

It has happened just about every year Purcells has been here.

At some point (usually in December) teams figure the Cowboys out and the staff is powerless to do anything about it.

We lose by two TDs in Seattle 42-28.

 

[smarta5150]

No its not simple.

Teams just dont give up once they clinch a playoff birth.

Teams that do show their true colors which is sad to say since this is our team.

I am not giving up hope that we cannot string togther some wins because the talent is there.

They need to come togther and also look themselves in the mirror and be men.

 

[TtownCowboy]

So after having no excuse for the play of the defense the last few weeks or the overall emotion and focus of the team.. I've come up with this...

Here's a quote from Ronde Barber... who won't be going to the tournament this year..

"All you ever ask for is an opportunity to play in the postseason, to give yourself a chance to win a championship. It's the only reason we play this game, and to be completely out of it is frustrating."

And maybe.. just maybe.. it's that simple..

This team's goal was to "play in the postseason" and then they didn't care who they faced because they have the feeling that the can beat anyone in those conditions..

That goal was accomplished in week 14.. and while it may be easy to say that there was still a lot to play for.. maybe for a lot of these guys there wasn't.. they were already in.. nothing mattered until this week.. as much as they would try to convince themselves of something else, deep down they knew what was ahead of them.. so maybe they laxed a little bit in preparation during the week.. maybe they relaxed a little more than they should have.. played a little looser...

The postseason starts this weekend and as Barber said.. it's the only reason they play this game..

Man I hope this was not their attitude going in, cause if it is there is a lot more at stake once you get the playoffs, the bye week, home field (which may not be a good thing for us) and especially blowing a chance to win the division. The latter we've not done in how long? I'd like to see a team who has the stones and the drive to want it all.

 

[superpunk]

With their comments, they clearly weren't just mailing it in - at least not all of them.

 

[dougonthebench]

IMO,the Defense needs to play sound,fundamental football.I think they're thinking TOO much.