Parcells... afraid of change?

[InmanRoshi]

For most of the season, there has been nothing wrong with the defense. Until the Saints game we had been a solid Top 10 defense in the most important categories, especially in points allowed. Before the Saints game we had given up 20,10, 14 points in the three previous games repsectively, and that's including Manning and the Colts. Its only in the last three games that the defense has gone downhill. I would prefer the coaches not make wholesale changes in December after a couple of bad games. I know fans like to freak out after one game, like primitive monkeys throwing fecal matter at each other and batting themselves over the head with femur bones, but I actually like a coaching staff using a more measured and analytical approach.

 

[theogt]

For most of the season, there has been nothing wrong with the defense. Until the Saints game we had been a solid Top 10 defense in the most important categories, especially in points allowed. Before the Saints game we had given up 20,10, 14 points in the three previous games repsectively, and that's including Manning and the Colts. Its only in the last three games that the defense has gone downhill. I would prefer the coaches not make wholesale changes in December after a couple of bad games. I know fans like to freak out after one game, like primitive monkeys throwing fecal matter at each other and batting themselves over the head with femur bones, but I actually like a coaching staff using a more measured and analytical approach.

This is largely how I feel. Even in the Atlanta game I think the defense played pretty well. One of the TDs was off the INT and Atlanta started at about the 10 yard line. That and about 2-3 other plays (i.e., Henry and Glenn getting burned deep) made the defense look pretty bad, when in reality they played pretty well. Of course, there were the freakish fullback plays, but hopefully have been fixed.

The thing that bothers me, though, is that Parcells is deciding to change. Because of his history of being unwilling to change, it seems that he's lost confidence in the defense.

 

[BadKarma]

The problem with not making whole-sale changes is that our defense has been exposed and exploited. If we don't fix the defense and make some adjustments, we're going to end up playing in a shootout-type game, hoping Romo and the offense can win.

 

[theogt]

The problem with not making whole-sale changes is that our defense has been exposed and exploited. If we don't fix the defense and make some adjustments, we're going to end up playing in a shootout-type game, hoping Romo and the offense can win.

Eh...I think a little creativity (as long as it is well executed) can go a long way. Wholesale changes, however, can backfire in your face big time.

 

[InmanRoshi]

I don't mind changes being made once a TREND has been spotted, but a bad game, or even a couple of bad games does not a trend make. You could say that we've officially seen a trend after these last three games, and I wouldn't necessarily disagree. But if most fans had their way they would fire the entire coaching staff, change schemes and bench half the starters on the spot after a bad first half (You wonder if they sell their entire retirement plan after one day of negative trading). So I don't mind Parcells being more prudent than what fans would like on the matter, but that doesn't make him inflexible. I don't see Lovie Smith changing to the 3-4 because his defense has allowed 27, 31 and 21 points in the last three games (to much worse offenses than the Saints and the Eagles). I believe most can agree the Chargers have one of the better defenses in the NFL, but they had a five game stretch where their defense gave up 30, 24, 25, 41 and 27 points in five consecutive games. Yet, somehow, Shotty didn't scrap his entire system. Believe or not, most coaches don't scrap their system midway into the season. Its not just a Parcells being stubborn thing, although that seems to be a HUGELY popular theory among Cowboy fans that seems to be attributed to all kinds of kooky, half baked blame assesments.

I'm just more reserved and skeptical about what impact a change in scheme would make. I believe the 4-3 is some sort of nostalgic, security blanket for Cowboy fans since that's what they're accustomed to. Now its been attributed with mystical and magical properties capable of providing an instant panacea to all our problems. If the 4-3 system was inherently so great at providing a pass rush, how come our pass rush sucked so bad in it from 1996-2003? And how come it still sucks today when we go with 4 down linemen in the nickel?

 

[hendog]

I don't mind changes being made once a TREND has been spotted, but a bad game, or even a couple of bad games does not a trend make. You could say that we've officially seen a trend after these last three games, and I wouldn't necessarily disagree. But if most fans had their way they would fire the entire coaching staff, change schemes and bench half the starters on the spot after a bad first half (You wonder if they sell their entire retirement plan after one day of negative trading). So I don't mind Parcells being more prudent than what fans would like on the matter, but that doesn't make him inflexible. I don't see Lovie Smith changing to the 3-4 because his defense has allowed 27, 31 and 21 points in the last three games (to much worse offenses than the Saints and the Eagles). I believe most can agree the Chargers have one of the better defenses in the NFL, but they had a five game stretch where their defense gave up 30, 24, 25, 41 and 27 points in five consecutive games. Yet, somehow, Shotty didn't scrap his entire system. Believe or not, most coaches don't scrap their system midway into the season. Its not just a Parcells being stubborn thing, although that seems to be a HUGELY popular theory among Cowboy fans that seems to be attributed to all kinds of kooky, half baked blame assesments.

I'm just more reserved and skeptical about what impact a change in scheme would make. I believe the 4-3 is some sort of nostalgic, security blanket for Cowboy fans since that's what they're accustomed to. Now its been attributed with mystical and magical properties capable of providing an instant panacea to all our problems. If the 4-3 system was inherently so great at providing a pass rush, how come our pass rush sucked so bad in it from 1996-2003? And how come it still sucks today when we go with 4 down linemen in the nickel?

Nice use of the English language. 50 cent word of the day.

 

[notherbob]

I don't mind changes being made once a TREND has been spotted, but a bad game, or even a couple of bad games does not a trend make. You could say that we've officially seen a trend after these last three games, and I wouldn't necessarily disagree. But if most fans had their way they would fire the entire coaching staff, change schemes and bench half the starters on the spot after a bad first half (You wonder if they sell their entire retirement plan after one day of negative trading). So I don't mind Parcells being more prudent than what fans would like on the matter, but that doesn't make him inflexible. I don't see Lovie Smith changing to the 3-4 because his defense has allowed 27, 31 and 21 points in the last three games (to much worse offenses than the Saints and the Eagles). I believe most can agree the Chargers have one of the better defenses in the NFL, but they had a five game stretch where their defense gave up 30, 24, 25, 41 and 27 points in five consecutive games. Yet, somehow, Shotty didn't scrap his entire system. Believe or not, most coaches don't scrap their system midway into the season. Its not just a Parcells being stubborn thing, although that seems to be a HUGELY popular theory among Cowboy fans that seems to be attributed to all kinds of kooky, half baked blame assesments.

I'm just more reserved and skeptical about what impact a change in scheme would make. I believe the 4-3 is some sort of nostalgic, security blanket for Cowboy fans since that's what they're accustomed to. Now its been attributed with mystical and magical properties capable of providing an instant panacea to all our problems. If the 4-3 system was inherently so great at providing a pass rush, how come our pass rush sucked so bad in it from 1996-2003? And how come it still sucks today when we go with 4 down linemen in the nickel?

I agree, I don't think this is the time to be making any major changes, just a few adjustments like a surprise blitz on obvious passing downs and instilling a little confidence and enthusiasm rather than doubt and despair. I have a lot of respect for Parcells but he's not much of a motivator. I don't think his dour game face and questionable game decisions inspire much confidence, personally. As we say out in west Texas, "He's put together a pretty good team, he just hasn't figured out how to Gee-Haw them."

On the other hand, Gibbs, with his high-powered and even higher paid OC and DC and his ability to motivate players, isn't doing nearly as well - somehow, 5-11 seems familiar.

Ultimately it comes down to the players and their ability to respond when the heat of competetion and the hitting intensify in December. So far, this young team has not yet responded well.

The main changes this team needs are in attitude and determination and cranking up the hitting a couple of notches from the opening kickoff.

We'll know more about it this afternoon.

 

[Bleu Star]

I also think thats why you saw Bill leave the Jets and Patriots after 4 years, he is good at building teams, but making changes, installing new defenses like Billichick did, Parcells is too stubborn to change, that maybe the reason he may not be back next year.

Excellent point. His shelf life in Dallas is just about up. Anything short of a deep run into the playoffs, perhaps an NFC Title, would be selling the team short yet again.

 

[cowboyed]

I disagree,and I'll explain you why.
Remember Raiders vs Buccaneers in the Super Bowl?
The Bucs abused the Raiders.Why?
Because they knew the plays the Raiders ran.
The Raiders didn't change a thing when Gruden left and it showed.
The Bucs players were amazed to see that everything Gruden told them about the Raiders(every play,route and tendency) materialized before their eyes.
It doesn't matter who you have out there executing. As long as the other team practically has your playbook,you are going to lose.
Ask Sean Payton.

What is beguiling is that Parcells the coaches of all coaches, the mentor of all mentors, the comforter of all comforter should be very aware that head coaches intimately familiar with the team will exploit the weaknesses. Like chess don't you counter move to adjust to some degree at least.

His reluctance to change has extended to his underwear. Notice that nobody stays within 20 feet of him on the sidelines.

 

[dbair1967]

He emulates the D he ran with the Giants. By the way a D that had three great LBs.

and had Bill Belichick as DC

and was from 1983-1990...notice the calendar says 2006 today

David

 

[STSINAZ]

ok he doesnt like change but he:
move gurode to center, he is playing great

moved hoyte to FB, played well

changed qb's in midseason, no way we would be here without it

brought TO in, something he probably never would have done 10 years ago, even though i want TO replaced, if we had key right now instead of him we probably arent here, that being said if TO catches the clutch ones we win the division hands down

changed to austin, a rookie, playing well
and the list goes on, today we switch back to the 4-3....something parcells doesnt run....so he doesnt want to change????????????????

 

[justbob]

I think there was a time when teams(90's Cowboys) where so dominat that a coach could be like Parcells. Although Norv T would throw a wrinkle in every down and then, they would line up and dominate you.Even when you knew the play. The teams are so equal now the coaches have to adjust or teams(Saints) will take you apart. Old coaches ,stuck in their ways (BP), should
go play in CBZ" s yard