Once Upon a Time

[coult44]

Years ago in Cowboys Stadium, guys would sacrifice because they believed . They believed in the franchise, their head coach, the system, and each other. There was a greater cause, and a mission that this proud franchise once had. Now days, talk is just that, talk. Everyone will say they believe, they will say on Twitter or IG that they want a championship, but again, it's just talk. They spew off the company lines straight from JG's private notebook, but their isn't any conviction in their voice, and their actions speak volumes. Where are the guys playing with separated shoulders and torn muscles? Do they exist anymore? Do Cowboys fans that are older than twenty know these guys played just twenty five years ago?

How many guys played hurt for Jimmy? How many "team leaders" would play in in critical games with injuries that could end up causing off season surgeries, or even career ending ones? The phrase, "it's not worth it" didn't hold as much weight. Why? Because they believed in what they were trying to do. They had a goal every year that it was super bowl or bust. Shouldn't that still be what the grind is all about? But not with Cowboys players from this era. Again, why not? For the past twenty years, We have guys who will be HOF guys, and others who could be HOF guys that are more worried about an injury getting worse, than they are their team getting worse. Funny thing is, I don't necessarily blame the players. If the culture was a super bowl or bust environment, they might put personal risk aside for the betterment of the team and their brothers...They might be OK with a seven year career and two championships, more than an eight to ten year career with none.

 

[big dog cowboy]

How many "team leaders" would play in in critical games with injuries that could end up causing off season surgeries, or even career ending ones?

Dak, Witten and Lee. Probably several more.

 

[Ranching]

Years ago in Cowboys Stadium, guys would sacrifice because they believed . They believed in the franchise, their head coach, the system, and each other. There was a greater cause, and a mission that this proud franchise once had. Now days, talk is just that, talk. Everyone will say they believe, they will say on Twitter or IG that they want a championship, but again, it's just talk. They spew off the company lines straight from JG's private notebook, but their isn't any conviction in their voice, and their actions speak volumes. Where are the guys playing with separated shoulders and torn muscles? Do they exist anymore? Do Cowboys fans that are older than twenty know these guys played just twenty five years ago?

How many guys played hurt for Jimmy? How many "team leaders" would play in in critical games with injuries that could end up causing off season surgeries, or even career ending ones? The phrase, "it's not worth it" didn't hold as much weight. Why? Because they believed in what they were trying to do. They had a goal every year that it was super bowl or bust. Shouldn't that still be what the grind is all about? But not with Cowboys players from this era. Again, why not? For the past twenty years, We have guys who will be HOF guys, and others who could be HOF guys that are more worried about an injury getting worse, than they are their team getting worse. Funny thing is, I don't necessarily blame the players. If the culture was a super bowl or bust environment, they might put personal risk aside for the betterment of the team and their brothers...They might be OK with a seven year career and two championships, more than an eight to ten year career with none.

Oh please, like players on other teams aren't the same.

 

[Jake]

Years ago in Cowboys Stadium, guys would sacrifice because they believed . They believed in the franchise, their head coach, the system, and each other. There was a greater cause, and a mission that this proud franchise once had. Now days, talk is just that, talk. Everyone will say they believe, they will say on Twitter or IG that they want a championship, but again, it's just talk. They spew off the company lines straight from JG's private notebook, but their isn't any conviction in their voice, and their actions speak volumes. Where are the guys playing with separated shoulders and torn muscles? Do they exist anymore? Do Cowboys fans that are older than twenty know these guys played just twenty five years ago?

How many guys played hurt for Jimmy? How many "team leaders" would play in in critical games with injuries that could end up causing off season surgeries, or even career ending ones? The phrase, "it's not worth it" didn't hold as much weight. Why? Because they believed in what they were trying to do. They had a goal every year that it was super bowl or bust. Shouldn't that still be what the grind is all about? But not with Cowboys players from this era. Again, why not? For the past twenty years, We have guys who will be HOF guys, and others who could be HOF guys that are more worried about an injury getting worse, than they are their team getting worse. Funny thing is, I don't necessarily blame the players. If the culture was a super bowl or bust environment, they might put personal risk aside for the betterment of the team and their brothers...They might be OK with a seven year career and two championships, more than an eight to ten year career with none.

None of those years took place in Cowboys Stadium, aka Jerryworld.

You have to go back to Texas Stadium to recall those days.

 

[coult44]

Oh please, like players on other teams aren't the same.

Sure there are, but I couldn't care less about other players on other teams. You???

But then again, 70% of the league has played in more championship games than we have in past two decades.

 

[Reality]

The one thing everyone has to remember is that player safety is different now than it was 20 years ago. Back then, a player could get hit in the head, stagger around, say he's alright and get back on the field. Even when team doctors were told to test players, they weren't doing it thoroughly so the NFL implemented new policies that require an independent doctor evaluate a player when a concussion is even remotely possibile.

Players usually want to play and most will tell you they are fine and able to play. The problem is that even beyond player safety, all players make a lot more money now than they did 20+ years ago. Whether it is PC to say it or not, players are assets in a high demand, low supply market and risking a player's season or career over a single game, outside of a Super Bowl, is just not a smart business decision for the team or even the players.

And make no mistake .. today's NFL is a business, and I am not just talking the NFL or teams .. the players themselves are a business as well. While fans like to think of it as just a game, it stopped being that long ago when free agency opened it up. It's sad, but that is the reality of the NFL we live with now.

 

[Tabascocat]

The one thing everyone has to remember is that player safety is different now than it was 20 years ago. Back then, a player could get hit in the head, stagger around, say he's alright and get back on the field. Even when team doctors were told to test players, they weren't doing it thoroughly so the NFL implemented new policies that require an independent doctor evaluate a player when a concussion is even remotely possibile.

Players usually want to play and most will tell you they are fine and able to play. The problem is that even beyond player safety, all players make a lot more money now than they did 20+ years ago. Whether it is PC to say it or not, players are assets in a high demand, low supply market and risking a player's season or career over a single game, outside of a Super Bowl, is just not a smart business decision for the team or even the players.

And make no mistake .. today's NFL is a business, and I am not just talking the NFL or teams .. the players themselves are a business as well. While fans like to think of it as just a game, it stopped being that long ago when free agency opened it up. It's sad, but that is the reality of the NFL we live with now.

Try watching MLB and find a team to root for. It is a slow process watching your team die a slow death. It is better for your heart health rather than ripping off the inevitable Dallas Cowboys band-aid