Hostile
The Duke
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We all have stories about how we became fans of the Cowboys and the stories are as varied as our viewpoints on the direction of the team. Sometimes these differences lead to little wars of our own about the team, coaches and players.
I'm always encouraged when I see all of us combatants put down our swords and pull together. We usually see it happen when another team's troll shows up shooting their mouths off. We saw it again this year with the tragedy of May 2nd and the collapse of the practice facility. Optimists and pessimists alike united to wish good health and fast recoveries to our wounded people. Make no mistake about it, they are our people.
I tend to think of myself as a positive person. Others may see me as a homer, a koolaid drinker, or whatever nickname means trying to see the glass half full. I don't see it that way, but I don't mind people having their own opinions.
That's why I don't mind the negative opinions. I tend to think those who yell at the pessimists (me too) are hypocritical. I yell at the TV when Flo false starts. Don't tell me your blood pressure doesn't go up. No one is that serene. Tony fumbles and we all get pissed. The other team scores and we all probably share some blue words with the world or give the remote a heave.
I realize there is a difference between that and constant doom and gloom kind of negativity, but let's face it, every opinion matters and we are not going to agree on every point. For that matter, any point.
So I decided to take a look at the team from the optimist and pessimist view at the same time. I'll try to keep the points brief so this doesn't become a novel.
Quarterback
Optimism...Brad Johnson is gone and Jon Kitna is a more prepared backup if injury awaits us again in 2009. We finally drafted a QB to groom for the future.
Pessimism...December fades and untimely turnovers by Tony Romo have taken him from unquestioned next great QB to perhaps our most controversial player now that Owens is gone.
Running Back
Optimism...Not one of our three RBs was a liability last year. All were weapons and appear to be the backbone of this offense.
Pessimism...Two of our RBs were injured last year and our OC has not had an attack focused on Running the ball.
Wide Receiver
Optimism...Youth, hunger, and a desire to prove the skeptics wrong.
Pessimism...Youth, hunger, and a desire to prove the skeptics wrong.
Tight End
Optimism...Jason Witten is the best in the game and Bennett has proven to be a good weapon who can develop.
Pessimism...The number one reason why teams could not double team Jason Witten was released.
Offensive Tackles
Optimism...When on there may not be a more solid pair of bookend Tackles in the NFC.
Pessimism...False starts, age, high salaries, and no proven depth.
Offensive Guards
Optimism...When healthy these massive blockers are a strenght on this Offense.
Pessimism...Will Kosier be healthy? If he's not can Holland step in? Cory Proctor still lurks to kill the QB.
Center
Optimism...Andre Gurode is the best Center in the NFC.
Pessimism...Shotgun snaps.
Offensive Coaching
Optimism...Pride got wounded in 2008 and the staff will be motivated to redeem itself.
Pessimism...No changes on a staff that under achieved in 2008.
Defensive Ends
Optimism...Size, strength, and experience in Wade's systems.
Pessimism...Neither are likely to be voted to the Pro Bowl. They are solid but unspectacular.
Nose Tackle
Optimism...Jay Ratliff is the epitome of a player you can root for. He was unheralded yet excells by sheer drive and determination.
Pessimism...Depth behind Ratliff is questionable.
Outside Linebacker
Optimism...DeMarcus Ware is the best Defensive player in the NFL.
Pessimism...Opposite Ware is a crap shoot. Will Ellis continue to produce if he is even here? Will Spencer develop into the player we drafted him to be?
Inside Linebacker
Optimism...Bradie James came into his own and took over this Defense.
Pessimism...Can we find someone to fill the other inside spot who isn't ancient?
Cornerbacks
Optimism...The strength of the Defense might possibly be the coverage skills of the corners.
Pessimism...Despite talent there is also youth and inexperience.
Safeties
Optimism...Off season focus on improving coverage at Safety.
Pessimism...Injuries and lack of performance by backus in 2008 and an unknown commodity in newly acquired Gerald Sensabaugh.
Defensive Coaching
Optimism...The Defense stepped up when Wade took over and this year he will be in charge the entire season.
Pessimism...Even with Wade in charge, is this Defense good enough to carry this team if the Offense struggles?
Kicker
Optimism...As accurate on FGs as any good Kicker in the NFL.
Pessimism...Depth on Kickoffs forcing the need to carry two kickers.
Punter
Optimism...McBriar is the best weapon in the NFL on Punt Teams.
Pessimism...Coming off an injury.
Special Teams Coaching
Optimism...Goodbye Bruce "Lloyd Christmas" Read and Hello Joe DeCamillis, one of the most respected Special Teams coaches in the NFL.
Pessimism...The Special Teams were so bad in 2008 that an entire Draft was focused on improving this area. Improvement depends on rookies stepping up.
I'm always encouraged when I see all of us combatants put down our swords and pull together. We usually see it happen when another team's troll shows up shooting their mouths off. We saw it again this year with the tragedy of May 2nd and the collapse of the practice facility. Optimists and pessimists alike united to wish good health and fast recoveries to our wounded people. Make no mistake about it, they are our people.
I tend to think of myself as a positive person. Others may see me as a homer, a koolaid drinker, or whatever nickname means trying to see the glass half full. I don't see it that way, but I don't mind people having their own opinions.
That's why I don't mind the negative opinions. I tend to think those who yell at the pessimists (me too) are hypocritical. I yell at the TV when Flo false starts. Don't tell me your blood pressure doesn't go up. No one is that serene. Tony fumbles and we all get pissed. The other team scores and we all probably share some blue words with the world or give the remote a heave.
I realize there is a difference between that and constant doom and gloom kind of negativity, but let's face it, every opinion matters and we are not going to agree on every point. For that matter, any point.
So I decided to take a look at the team from the optimist and pessimist view at the same time. I'll try to keep the points brief so this doesn't become a novel.
Quarterback
Optimism...Brad Johnson is gone and Jon Kitna is a more prepared backup if injury awaits us again in 2009. We finally drafted a QB to groom for the future.
Pessimism...December fades and untimely turnovers by Tony Romo have taken him from unquestioned next great QB to perhaps our most controversial player now that Owens is gone.
Running Back
Optimism...Not one of our three RBs was a liability last year. All were weapons and appear to be the backbone of this offense.
Pessimism...Two of our RBs were injured last year and our OC has not had an attack focused on Running the ball.
Wide Receiver
Optimism...Youth, hunger, and a desire to prove the skeptics wrong.
Pessimism...Youth, hunger, and a desire to prove the skeptics wrong.
Tight End
Optimism...Jason Witten is the best in the game and Bennett has proven to be a good weapon who can develop.
Pessimism...The number one reason why teams could not double team Jason Witten was released.
Offensive Tackles
Optimism...When on there may not be a more solid pair of bookend Tackles in the NFC.
Pessimism...False starts, age, high salaries, and no proven depth.
Offensive Guards
Optimism...When healthy these massive blockers are a strenght on this Offense.
Pessimism...Will Kosier be healthy? If he's not can Holland step in? Cory Proctor still lurks to kill the QB.
Center
Optimism...Andre Gurode is the best Center in the NFC.
Pessimism...Shotgun snaps.
Offensive Coaching
Optimism...Pride got wounded in 2008 and the staff will be motivated to redeem itself.
Pessimism...No changes on a staff that under achieved in 2008.
Defensive Ends
Optimism...Size, strength, and experience in Wade's systems.
Pessimism...Neither are likely to be voted to the Pro Bowl. They are solid but unspectacular.
Nose Tackle
Optimism...Jay Ratliff is the epitome of a player you can root for. He was unheralded yet excells by sheer drive and determination.
Pessimism...Depth behind Ratliff is questionable.
Outside Linebacker
Optimism...DeMarcus Ware is the best Defensive player in the NFL.
Pessimism...Opposite Ware is a crap shoot. Will Ellis continue to produce if he is even here? Will Spencer develop into the player we drafted him to be?
Inside Linebacker
Optimism...Bradie James came into his own and took over this Defense.
Pessimism...Can we find someone to fill the other inside spot who isn't ancient?
Cornerbacks
Optimism...The strength of the Defense might possibly be the coverage skills of the corners.
Pessimism...Despite talent there is also youth and inexperience.
Safeties
Optimism...Off season focus on improving coverage at Safety.
Pessimism...Injuries and lack of performance by backus in 2008 and an unknown commodity in newly acquired Gerald Sensabaugh.
Defensive Coaching
Optimism...The Defense stepped up when Wade took over and this year he will be in charge the entire season.
Pessimism...Even with Wade in charge, is this Defense good enough to carry this team if the Offense struggles?
Kicker
Optimism...As accurate on FGs as any good Kicker in the NFL.
Pessimism...Depth on Kickoffs forcing the need to carry two kickers.
Punter
Optimism...McBriar is the best weapon in the NFL on Punt Teams.
Pessimism...Coming off an injury.
Special Teams Coaching
Optimism...Goodbye Bruce "Lloyd Christmas" Read and Hello Joe DeCamillis, one of the most respected Special Teams coaches in the NFL.
Pessimism...The Special Teams were so bad in 2008 that an entire Draft was focused on improving this area. Improvement depends on rookies stepping up.
