Bobhaze
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If I could select one quality I believe this team needs to take it to the next level it is this: TOUGHNESS. Physical and mental.
Sure talent, speed, scheme, coaching and some others are all good answers. We need those too. But it takes a long time to think of a Cowboys team in recent memory that was tough both physically AND mentally on a consistent basis. I have followed this team since I was a little kid in the 60s. Those teams in the 70s and 90s were tough as boot leather. Which is why our 5 SB wins happened with them. Haven’t seen much of that lately.
So why is this an ongoing problem? Why the lack of mental and physical toughness? Here’s some theories:
Sure talent, speed, scheme, coaching and some others are all good answers. We need those too. But it takes a long time to think of a Cowboys team in recent memory that was tough both physically AND mentally on a consistent basis. I have followed this team since I was a little kid in the 60s. Those teams in the 70s and 90s were tough as boot leather. Which is why our 5 SB wins happened with them. Haven’t seen much of that lately.
So why is this an ongoing problem? Why the lack of mental and physical toughness? Here’s some theories:
- As the clear “face of the franchise”, Jerry Jones is more like a combo doting daddy and used car salesman. Most men in charge of a football organization don’t wear rose colored glasses. This leadership style at the top is too easy on the troops.
- The stars on this team are almost all high paid now and yet they have collectively won one playoff game. Many teams don’t pay guys that kind of money if they haven’t proven anything beyond stats.
- The previous HC was soft on discipline. Garrett talked a good game, but if you see some of the quotes that came out after his firing, it was obvious few if any players feared Garrett’s authority.
- OTAs and TC should have a “boot camp” feel. I believe the message needs to be sent that this team has been soft and needs to get tougher. Maybe a couple of “asthma field” moments would help. When was the last time this team wasn’t coddled?
- Coach Mac should publicly and privately say to this team, coaches and staff, “We never make excuses- period.”
- Return to the Parcells days of “no tap outs”. Instill a message that toughness and resiliency is expected, especially of the team’s leaders.
- Be willing to bench a guy- even a star- for loafing or showboating.
- Make drafting players with mental and physical toughness a priority.
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