Reflections from a Middle-Aged Fan

[Hawkeye19]

I've been a fan since the early 80's. I was born in '76. Seen a lot of football. Weathered some lean, harsh years and experienced the thrills of more than my fair share of highs as a fan.

I realize we've suffered a LOT of disappointments as Dallas fans the past 20 years. A lot.

BUT-- I feel compelled to speak from my heart for a moment. IMO-- this season represents a key watershed moment for this franchise. A distinct cultural shift has occurred, and this team has "locked in" as professionals in a way that I haven't seen since Troy retired.

They have a fresh, hungry, focussed mentality I haven't seen since the 90's. There is a renewed passion for the game I haven't seen since Irvin was on the sideline. They have found their champions heart again. I just want to pause and acknowledge the new beginning in front of us. Out of the ashes of a 4-12 disaster last year, after hope was lost when Romo was writhing on the field in Seattle this pre-season-- out of 20 years of futility and frustration-- this team has FINALLY been reborn.

This is bigger than just what has happened this season-- they are now set up for success for the next decade. IMO-- we are witnessing the foundations of a championship legacy.

Enjoy it friends.... I'm for sure not the longest tenured fan on this board-- but I am old enough to know that these moments don't come around very often.

 

[Go Big D!]

I feel the same way. It's really exciting thinking about what the future holds for this team. And for the most part, a bunch of really good guys and that makes me cheer even harder for them. I honestly feel like they deserve this. I'm just really happy for them on a personal level too.

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

If we win tomorrow, the anxiety will really go up to something I hadn't felt since the early 1990's.

 

[dallasdave]

I've been a fan since the early 80's. I was born in '76. Seen a lot of football. Weathered some lean, harsh years and experienced the thrills of more than my fair share of highs as a fan.

I realize we've suffered a LOT of disappointments as Dallas fans the past 20 years. A lot.

BUT-- I feel compelled to speak from my heart for a moment. IMO-- this season represents a key watershed moment for this franchise. A distinct cultural shift has occurred, and this team has "locked in" as professionals in a way that I haven't seen since Troy retired.

They have a fresh, hungry, focussed mentality I haven't seen since the 90's. There is a renewed passion for the game I haven't seen since Irvin was on the sideline. They have found their champions heart again. I just want to pause and acknowledge the new beginning in front of us. Out of the ashes of a 4-12 disaster last year, after hope was lost when Romo was writhing on the field in Seattle this pre-season-- out of 20 years of futility and frustration-- this team has FINALLY been reborn.

This is bigger than just what has happened this season-- they are now set up for success for the next decade. IMO-- we are witnessing the foundations of a championship legacy.

Enjoy it friends.... I'm for sure not the longest tenured fan on this board-- but I am old enough to know that these moments don't come around very often.

They don't come around often, I have been a fan since 1968 and have watched all the Super Bowl Wins for the Cowboys and when Dallas lost Super Bowls. So enjoy and hope Dallas goes all the way this year and gets # 6

 

[Jinxx13x]

If we win tomorrow, the anxiety will really go up to something I hadn't felt since the early 1990's.

I am sort of there already LOL I really feel this team is special and they inspire a calm confidence !

 

[MagicMan]

I've been a fan since the early 80's. I was born in '76. Seen a lot of football. Weathered some lean, harsh years and experienced the thrills of more than my fair share of highs as a fan.

I realize we've suffered a LOT of disappointments as Dallas fans the past 20 years. A lot.

BUT-- I feel compelled to speak from my heart for a moment. IMO-- this season represents a key watershed moment for this franchise. A distinct cultural shift has occurred, and this team has "locked in" as professionals in a way that I haven't seen since Troy retired.

They have a fresh, hungry, focussed mentality I haven't seen since the 90's. There is a renewed passion for the game I haven't seen since Irvin was on the sideline. They have found their champions heart again. I just want to pause and acknowledge the new beginning in front of us. Out of the ashes of a 4-12 disaster last year, after hope was lost when Romo was writhing on the field in Seattle this pre-season-- out of 20 years of futility and frustration-- this team has FINALLY been reborn.

This is bigger than just what has happened this season-- they are now set up for success for the next decade. IMO-- we are witnessing the foundations of a championship legacy.

Enjoy it friends.... I'm for sure not the longest tenured fan on this board-- but I am old enough to know that these moments don't come around very often.

Agree with you 100%.......and as excited as I am for this season, I can't wait for next season when we get more help defensively and have a dominating team overall.

 

[Jinxx13x]

I've been a fan since the early 80's. I was born in '76. Seen a lot of football. Weathered some lean, harsh years and experienced the thrills of more than my fair share of highs as a fan.

I realize we've suffered a LOT of disappointments as Dallas fans the past 20 years. A lot.

BUT-- I feel compelled to speak from my heart for a moment. IMO-- this season represents a key watershed moment for this franchise. A distinct cultural shift has occurred, and this team has "locked in" as professionals in a way that I haven't seen since Troy retired.

They have a fresh, hungry, focussed mentality I haven't seen since the 90's. There is a renewed passion for the game I haven't seen since Irvin was on the sideline. They have found their champions heart again. I just want to pause and acknowledge the new beginning in front of us. Out of the ashes of a 4-12 disaster last year, after hope was lost when Romo was writhing on the field in Seattle this pre-season-- out of 20 years of futility and frustration-- this team has FINALLY been reborn.

This is bigger than just what has happened this season-- they are now set up for success for the next decade. IMO-- we are witnessing the foundations of a championship legacy.

Enjoy it friends.... I'm for sure not the longest tenured fan on this board-- but I am old enough to know that these moments don't come around very often.

Well said i was born in 1970 and definitly feels good to be back in the mix for a title !

 

[xwalker]

I've been a fan since the early 80's. I was born in '76. Seen a lot of football. Weathered some lean, harsh years and experienced the thrills of more than my fair share of highs as a fan.

I realize we've suffered a LOT of disappointments as Dallas fans the past 20 years. A lot.

BUT-- I feel compelled to speak from my heart for a moment. IMO-- this season represents a key watershed moment for this franchise. A distinct cultural shift has occurred, and this team has "locked in" as professionals in a way that I haven't seen since Troy retired.

They have a fresh, hungry, focussed mentality I haven't seen since the 90's. There is a renewed passion for the game I haven't seen since Irvin was on the sideline. They have found their champions heart again. I just want to pause and acknowledge the new beginning in front of us. Out of the ashes of a 4-12 disaster last year, after hope was lost when Romo was writhing on the field in Seattle this pre-season-- out of 20 years of futility and frustration-- this team has FINALLY been reborn.

This is bigger than just what has happened this season-- they are now set up for success for the next decade. IMO-- we are witnessing the foundations of a championship legacy.

Enjoy it friends.... I'm for sure not the longest tenured fan on this board-- but I am old enough to know that these moments don't come around very often.

Good point about being professionals. The Nineties Super Bowl teams were very "professional" in regards to their jobs. Yes, many partied away from work, but many professional people party hard but kick into professional mode when at work.

More than once I've heard Darren Woodson tell the story of when he came in as a rookie and realized how hard the Cowboys players, especially, the big name players, worked and realized that he needed to be certain to work as hard as them.

The Campo and Wade years were the opposite of professional. Parcells started instilling it into the team but didn't finish and was slowed in that process by the addition of TO.

Garrett has worked very hard to create a team of Professional type players. It's been difficult because one of the biggest name players (Dez) has been the opposite of Professional during the Garrett era. Jerry tends to be an enabler for knuckleheads like Dez, Gregory, Hardy, etc..

 

[Scotman]

I've been a fan since the early 80's. I was born in '76. Seen a lot of football. Weathered some lean, harsh years and experienced the thrills of more than my fair share of highs as a fan.

I realize we've suffered a LOT of disappointments as Dallas fans the past 20 years. A lot.

BUT-- I feel compelled to speak from my heart for a moment. IMO-- this season represents a key watershed moment for this franchise. A distinct cultural shift has occurred, and this team has "locked in" as professionals in a way that I haven't seen since Troy retired.

They have a fresh, hungry, focussed mentality I haven't seen since the 90's. There is a renewed passion for the game I haven't seen since Irvin was on the sideline. They have found their champions heart again. I just want to pause and acknowledge the new beginning in front of us. Out of the ashes of a 4-12 disaster last year, after hope was lost when Romo was writhing on the field in Seattle this pre-season-- out of 20 years of futility and frustration-- this team has FINALLY been reborn.

This is bigger than just what has happened this season-- they are now set up for success for the next decade. IMO-- we are witnessing the foundations of a championship legacy.

Enjoy it friends.... I'm for sure not the longest tenured fan on this board-- but I am old enough to know that these moments don't come around very often.

I vehemently disagree with some of what you've written.

I completely agree with everything you said about the Cowboys, though.

But you're a decade younger than me. I bristle at you calling yourself middle aged.

 

[THEHEREAFTER]

Great post Hawkeye.... born in '74... I can certainly relate. Grew up in the post Staubach/Danny White era...

 

[Hawkeye19]

I vehemently disagree with some of what you've written.

I completely agree with everything you said about the Cowboys, though.

But you're a decade younger than me. I bristle at you calling yourself middle aged.

Heh heh... apologies sir. Perhaps I should have titled the thread "reflections of a Gen Xer" instead

 

[Hawkeye19]

Good point about being professionals. The Nineties Super Bowl teams were very "professional" in regards to their jobs. Yes, many partied away from work, but many professional people party hard but kick into professional mode when at work.

More than once I've heard Darren Woodson tell the story of when he came in as a rookie and realized how hard the Cowboys players, especially, the big name players, worked and realized that he needed to be certain to work as hard as them.

The Campo and Wade years were the opposite of professional. Parcells started instilling it into the team but didn't finish and was slowed in that process by the addition of TO.

Garrett has worked very hard to create a team of Professional type players. It's been difficult because one of the biggest name players (Dez) has been the opposite of Professional during the Garrett era. Jerry tends to be an enabler for knuckleheads like Dez, Gregory, Hardy, etc..

Too right about Jerry being an enabler...

Honestly-- he has made it the hardest for me to stay a fan. I loved Landry and detested the way JJ handled that situation-- although a change needed to be made for sure-- I just think it could have been done with a lot more class.

Then the ego and drama and salesmanship just got tiring... I have stayed loyal despite him and have come to appreciate JJ's gifts and talents as well over time.

Anyway-- some of the decisions he makes really bug me, but I am hopeful that maybe Stephen and the front office have learned a thing or two and what we are seeing now is the maturing of a philosophy of management as well.

 

[xwalker]

Too right about Jerry being an enabler...

Honestly-- he has made it the hardest for me to stay a fan. I loved Landry and detested the way JJ handled that situation-- although a change needed to be made for sure-- I just think it could have been done with a lot more class.

Then the ego and drama and salesmanship just got tiring... I have stayed loyal despite him and have come to appreciate JJ's gifts and talents as well over time.

Anyway-- some of the decisions he makes really bug me, but I am hopeful that maybe Stephen and the front office have learned a thing or two and what we are seeing now is the maturing of a philosophy of management as well.

I never understood the criticism that Jerry got for how he fired Landry. Jerry spent his time going to Austin to meet Landry in person because he didn't want it to play out in the media before he talked to Landry and he didn't want to fired him over the phone. It was a no-win situation for Jerry. People loved Landry and didn't want to see some Hillbilly taking over the team.

Jerry was a big part of the 3 Super Bowl wins, so I've always appreciated him to that. Yes, Jimmy built the team, but Jerry made it possible for him to take risks and have the freedom to operate without the restriction that many teams put on their GMs (Jimmy gave up in Miami because they forced him to keep Marino).

Stephen is basically running the team now, but Jerry still has his input. I'm fairly certain that trading up for Claiborne, drafting Gregory, signing Hardy, drafting Jaylon Smith and other questionable moves were Jerry initiated. We'll see if Jaylon was a good move. Hardy was a low risk from a salary cap perspective. The scouting dept. was completely unprepared when the Rams called Jerry directly to make the Claiborne trade so that' s not all on Jerry himself. I was OK with the Gregory risk. Jerry did make good decisions on the trade down that resulted in getting Fred. Giving Leary a guaranteed contract as UDFA also appeared to be a good Jerry move. I'm fairly certain that giving in to Dez and his contract demands was a Jerry move and the Stephen was going to Franchise him and either get a reason deal or move on. Now they're stuck with the massive contract for guy that does not play like a #1 WR in many games.

I think the direct enabling of players by Jerry has almost ceased at this point. I think Stephen and Garrett work together to prevent it from happening for the most part. He might still be involved in enabling Dez and Gregory to a small extent, but that's about the only players where that might be an issue. During the Wade era, Jerry was directly involved with many players and would overrule Wade. Ratliff is the prime example.

 

[dallasdave]

I am sort of there already LOL I really feel this team is special and they inspire a calm confidence !

 

[dallasdave]

Well said i was born in 1970 and definitly feels good to be back in the mix for a title !

 

[Blackspider214]

Agreed. This is a massive game in terms of our perception. Shall we lose, we are going to take a pounding nationally and rightfully so. We will still be known as a team who can't win in the playoffs. Every team needs that game to jump start their success. For the Patriots, it was the Oakland divisional round game. For the Niners in their little run, it was beating the Saints in 2011 in the divisional round.

We desperately have to get over the hump of the divisional round.

 

[Hawkeye19]

I never understood the criticism that Jerry got for how he fired Landry. Jerry spent his time going to Austin to meet Landry in person because he didn't want it to play out in the media before he talked to Landry and he didn't want to fired him over the phone. It was a no-win situation for Jerry. People loved Landry and didn't want to see some Hillbilly taking over the team.

Jerry was a big part of the 3 Super Bowl wins, so I've always appreciated him to that. Yes, Jimmy built the team, but Jerry made it possible for him to take risks and have the freedom to operate without the restriction that many teams put on their GMs (Jimmy gave up in Miami because they forced him to keep Marino).

Stephen is basically running the team now, but Jerry still has his input. I'm fairly certain that trading up for Claiborne, drafting Gregory, signing Hardy, drafting Jaylon Smith and other questionable moves were Jerry initiated. We'll see if Jaylon was a good move. Hardy was a low risk from a salary cap perspective. The scouting dept. was completely unprepared when the Rams called Jerry directly to make the Claiborne trade so that' s not all on Jerry himself. I was OK with the Gregory risk. Jerry did make good decisions on the trade down that resulted in getting Fred. Giving Leary a guaranteed contract as UDFA also appeared to be a good Jerry move. I'm fairly certain that giving in to Dez and his contract demands was a Jerry move and the Stephen was going to Franchise him and either get a reason deal or move on. Now they're stuck with the massive contract for guy that does not play like a #1 WR in many games.

I think the direct enabling of players by Jerry has almost ceased at this point. I think Stephen and Garrett work together to prevent it from happening for the most part. He might still be involved in enabling Dez and Gregory to a small extent, but that's about the only players where that might be an issue. During the Wade era, Jerry was directly involved with many players and would overrule Wade. Ratliff is the prime example.

Really? He bought the team and fired Landry soon after (the next weekend IIRC)...

There had been one owner and one coach in Dallas for 29 years at that point. Jerry basically dismissed Tom unceremoniously and it could have been handled a LOT more respectfully IMO.

 

[Established1971]

I vehemently disagree with some of what you've written.

I completely agree with everything you said about the Cowboys, though.

But you're a decade younger than me. I bristle at you calling yourself middle aged.

lol, I bristle too he is 16 years younger than me Im a fan since 71

 

[xwalker]

Really? He bought the team and fired Landry soon after (the next weekend IIRC)...

There had been one owner and one coach in Dallas for 29 years at that point. Jerry basically dismissed Tom unceremoniously and it could have been handled a LOT more respectfully IMO.

How?

You can't have a half time ceremony to fire coach.

A lack of respect would be to have Jimmy at Valley Ranch before he met with Landry or to have fired him over the phone.

Jerry spent his time going to Austin to meet Landry.

 

[BlueStar22]

I've been a fan since the early 80's. I was born in '76. Seen a lot of football. Weathered some lean, harsh years and experienced the thrills of more than my fair share of highs as a fan.

I realize we've suffered a LOT of disappointments as Dallas fans the past 20 years. A lot.

BUT-- I feel compelled to speak from my heart for a moment. IMO-- this season represents a key watershed moment for this franchise. A distinct cultural shift has occurred, and this team has "locked in" as professionals in a way that I haven't seen since Troy retired.

They have a fresh, hungry, focussed mentality I haven't seen since the 90's. There is a renewed passion for the game I haven't seen since Irvin was on the sideline. They have found their champions heart again. I just want to pause and acknowledge the new beginning in front of us. Out of the ashes of a 4-12 disaster last year, after hope was lost when Romo was writhing on the field in Seattle this pre-season-- out of 20 years of futility and frustration-- this team has FINALLY been reborn.

This is bigger than just what has happened this season-- they are now set up for success for the next decade. IMO-- we are witnessing the foundations of a championship legacy.

Enjoy it friends.... I'm for sure not the longest tenured fan on this board-- but I am old enough to know that these moments don't come around very often.

I too, was born in 1976, but i'm not middle aged lol.