Some ammo for your positive pistol

garyo1954

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Reading this lifts the positivity about the Oline.......

"“I’m loving the positive vibes,” said coach Mike McCarthy, who dealt with 15 different O-line combinations and four different starting quarterbacks in his first season as Cowboys coach. “They look great out there. I think Tyron, just going off of last year’s experience, I haven’t seen him smile so much. I think a big part of it is he’s healthy. He’s pain-free. He looks great. LC looks great; the big man can run. You watch him go through the workout."

"It's easy to discount offseason proclamations about the "best shape of their life” and other optimistic statements about players rebounding or looking great in practices. This happens every NFL offseason for every team in the league. Having a healthy skepticism about that is only right.

"In this case, though, it can be overstated how important it will be to have Collins and Smith back in the lineup. The Cowboys are a different team when they, and Zack Martin who is also healthy, are blocking up front. Everybody benefits."

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nf...-key-offseason-addition/ar-AAKPYD1?li=BBnb7Kz
 

CowboyRoy

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What's the positive pistol? Why that's what you use to shoot those negative vibes to give you a better outlook on anything. In this case the 2021 Dallas Cowboys season. I find it also comes in handy in the other, real, parts of life as well.

Is it necessary to have a little self sell in you? Yes, it is but wouldn't you rather be positive now and wrong later? What's the harm? Another year to stack on the 25 Years of Misery?

First off, let's put that to rest, this team won the East 6 times in that 25 year span and 3 of the last 7 years. So, is that really 25 Years of Misery? Oh, you are Super bowl or bust? Sorry, in 60 years, they've only been to 8 so you get 52 Years of Misery.

Now, concerning the NFC East, the last time a team repeated was 2004, 17 years ago so it seems that it's up for grabs every season. Does the NFC East look greatly improved from the one a team won with a losing record and promptly lost their first playoff game? A team with one more win than the Dallas Cowboys? Do they really look that good to you?

Or can you make a case for any of the 4, and I admit PHL is a bit of a stretch, winning the East this season. Then why not the Cowboys? Their QB is back and please don't turn this into a Prescott thread. He is yards better than anyone else they could put on the field last year and the best QB in the division by far. And reports are good about the returning OL.

There have been 120 participating teams in the Super bowls to date. There have been 18 teams that missed the playoffs the previous season, including the 2020 Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a 7-9 record in 2019. That's 15% of the teams and in the last decade we've seen few divisions with repeat winners except for the AFC East.

There have been disappointing and surprising teams every season as well. In fact, since 1988, 10 teams have failed to make the playoffs after a trip to the Super bowl the previous season.

One thing that has developed and in this situation the Cowboys were ahead of the curve, the NFL is a year to year proposition now with teams ready to pull the triggers on GM's, HC's and QB's quicker than any time before. It is the "what have you done for me lately" game now.

So, it's our choice, the level of positivity or negativity we decide to approach this season with and valid points to be made for either and both. We all have the same ability to feel as we want to feel about this season.

If you are so down on them that you can't sell yourself, I won't argue with how you feel even though I do not feel the same. I will continue to point to the positive ammo I see and 4 really good bullets I see are Prescott, Big Smitty, Collins and Martin returning healthy because this team rides the offense and offense is necessary to compete in the NFL.

The best defensive team in the playoffs was the WFT at 7-9 and they lost their only playoff game because of the lack of offense. The paradigm was shifted by the owners and they are getting exactly what they wanted.

And your Dallas Cowboys are in the sweet spot with what should be a top 5 offense is scoring and yards.

What you've really got to sell yourself on is that this D, with a change in coaching and additions through the draft and FA, has improved enough to take the East and maybe get past that division round on the strength of the offense. I do not see a NFC team that scares me.

A little self disclosure about the author of this thread. I was a card carrying pessimist for most of my life and quick to tell anyone that I was either right or pleasantly surprised, win-win for me. But I was wrong and didn't grasp the true value of optimism and positivity, even on events over which I had no control. I learned the only thing I could truly affect was my attitude because what was going to happen was going to happen. When it did and it was not what I wanted, in fact what I feared above all other things, I was still thankful for that time when I was positive.

The value is in the here and now, not the future and not even in the outcome, the payoff for positivity happens for us in the journey, not the destination. And we choose how to make that journey. Took me 60 years to learn that.

Kind words but this is football talk. WE can be both positive and realistic at the same time.

Dont agree that WFT had the best defense. They just had the best Dline. Rams were the #1 D in the NFL last year and the Bucs were also a very good D. We saw that in the SB.

Plenty of good teams in the NFC: Bucs are great, GB (with Rogers), Rams are better with Stafford, and the Niners will be back and healthy. Niners could be big trouble for a long time if their young stud QB works out. Could be a Seattle Seahawk situation there with a great D and and a young mobile QB. Washington is also better with Fitzmagic.

Cowboys have a great offense, but that can only get them so far as we have seen for the last 15 years with Romo and now Dak. That defense will need to be much improved if we have a shot and winning a playoff game.
 

CowboyRoy

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For the life of me I don't understand why if you're a fan of a team like the Cowboys whom haven't won much but show some good promise, why not get behind them and try to explore optimism? Through the years we've all seen teams that were suppose to fail succeed, and we've seen teams that were suppose to succeed fail. The negativity with our fans on this forum that bothers me the most is the unwillingness to really look at the big picture. I mean, it's okay to decide you don't think Dak is a great QB, or you think he can't win the big one, but in your nut rolling agenda, you might want to consider that this is a team sport and all pieces need to come together to win. We've all seen Qb's like Trent Dilfer win the big one even though he was a pretty suspect talent. I think logic would go along way to creating a much more pleasurable experience. My gun is loaded with optimism, I'm ready to embrace hope for a nice season.

Why cant people just talk reality? Whether that's positive or negative it is what it is. You want to be lied to or you want the truth? There are a whole host of fans that come on here to find out whats up about the team. People that exaggerate one or the other are doing them a disservice.

And what is the point of setting the team or expectations up for failure? I prefer to have educated, rational realistic conversations about football. Not pom pom waving cheerleaders or hater trolls.
 

Rockport

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How about just being honest, whether it’s positive or negative?
He's talking about people like you who are negative all the time. It's ok to be negative about certain things like when Zeke fumbles or McCarthy makes a bad decision. But people like you who are always negative just brings down the enjoyment of the board.
 

john van brocklin

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What's the positive pistol? Why that's what you use to shoot those negative vibes to give you a better outlook on anything. In this case the 2021 Dallas Cowboys season. I find it also comes in handy in the other, real, parts of life as well.

Is it necessary to have a little self sell in you? Yes, it is but wouldn't you rather be positive now and wrong later? What's the harm? Another year to stack on the 25 Years of Misery?

First off, let's put that to rest, this team won the East 6 times in that 25 year span and 3 of the last 7 years. So, is that really 25 Years of Misery? Oh, you are Super bowl or bust? Sorry, in 60 years, they've only been to 8 so you get 52 Years of Misery.

Now, concerning the NFC East, the last time a team repeated was 2004, 17 years ago so it seems that it's up for grabs every season. Does the NFC East look greatly improved from the one a team won with a losing record and promptly lost their first playoff game? A team with one more win than the Dallas Cowboys? Do they really look that good to you?

Or can you make a case for any of the 4, and I admit PHL is a bit of a stretch, winning the East this season. Then why not the Cowboys? Their QB is back and please don't turn this into a Prescott thread. He is yards better than anyone else they could put on the field last year and the best QB in the division by far. And reports are good about the returning OL.

There have been 120 participating teams in the Super bowls to date. There have been 18 teams that missed the playoffs the previous season, including the 2020 Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a 7-9 record in 2019. That's 15% of the teams and in the last decade we've seen few divisions with repeat winners except for the AFC East.

There have been disappointing and surprising teams every season as well. In fact, since 1988, 10 teams have failed to make the playoffs after a trip to the Super bowl the previous season.

One thing that has developed and in this situation the Cowboys were ahead of the curve, the NFL is a year to year proposition now with teams ready to pull the triggers on GM's, HC's and QB's quicker than any time before. It is the "what have you done for me lately" game now.

So, it's our choice, the level of positivity or negativity we decide to approach this season with and valid points to be made for either and both. We all have the same ability to feel as we want to feel about this season.

If you are so down on them that you can't sell yourself, I won't argue with how you feel even though I do not feel the same. I will continue to point to the positive ammo I see and 4 really good bullets I see are Prescott, Big Smitty, Collins and Martin returning healthy because this team rides the offense and offense is necessary to compete in the NFL.

The best defensive team in the playoffs was the WFT at 7-9 and they lost their only playoff game because of the lack of offense. The paradigm was shifted by the owners and they are getting exactly what they wanted.

And your Dallas Cowboys are in the sweet spot with what should be a top 5 offense is scoring and yards.

What you've really got to sell yourself on is that this D, with a change in coaching and additions through the draft and FA, has improved enough to take the East and maybe get past that division round on the strength of the offense. I do not see a NFC team that scares me.

A little self disclosure about the author of this thread. I was a card carrying pessimist for most of my life and quick to tell anyone that I was either right or pleasantly surprised, win-win for me. But I was wrong and didn't grasp the true value of optimism and positivity, even on events over which I had no control. I learned the only thing I could truly affect was my attitude because what was going to happen was going to happen. When it did and it was not what I wanted, in fact what I feared above all other things, I was still thankful for that time when I was positive.

The value is in the here and now, not the future and not even in the outcome, the payoff for positivity happens for us in the journey, not the destination. And we choose how to make that journey. Took me 60 years to learn that.
Thanks for the positively
 

Creeper

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Positive thinking: I just know this slot machine is going to pay off eventually. I'll keep dropping my life savings into it until it does. :muttley:
 

CouchCoach

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How about just being honest, whether it’s positive or negative?
I do not assume anyone is being dishonest based on their negativity or positivity.

I am also not admonishing anyone for being negative and do not want to send that signal. I am not the fan police.

I am suggesting we all have a choice in how we approach this season and there's no need to rain on every positive thing being said. You see it in every quote coming out of the OTA's, anything positive gets rained on by some, which is human nature after a season like the last one, but what if Elliott looks renewed and Big Smitty, Collins and Martin are fully recovered?

People can set up a negative shield, really unbeknownst to themselves, and that serves as a filter to anything coming in.

When I see the amount of negativity within the forum, I will try and stem that tide. It's a disease and can spread rapidly and sooner or later tires out the ones trying to be positive and they feel they're fighting uphill in a losing battle and they just shut down.

We don't like admitting it but we are one of the most entitled fanbases in all sports. We use that 25 years like we are owed something when in reality, we have won 6 division titles and in the thick of this "25 Years of Misery" we won 3 of the last 7 division titles, more than any other East team. I admit it, I was spoiled by 20 straight winning seasons and the playoffs a given but that is no more, those Cowboys teams were in the past and no longer applicable to the sport today.

I am not a rah rah guy and not putting down my cocktail shakers for pompoms but I just feel there is good news that we're not picking up on as well as we could. Why expect the worst?
 

Blackrain

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Im with you Coach . I see a lot of positive in this years team . First we stopped being in denial and made a concentrated effort on fixing the defense . A Coach on defense all the players have a positive feeling for and will play for is worth the price admission in itself .
QB and Oline back at full strength . Zeke looking like he got the wake up call and is in shape and focused . What other than Jerry and we have no Haloti Nagta in his prime type run stopper is not to like ???

This team should flat out give us some really good football to watch right up until about the 2nd round of the playoffs . And Hey thats good enough for me and where I have put my expectations with Jerry as owner . Absolutely no reason we cant make the playoffs and possibly win a game
 

tyke1doe

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Great post and outlook. I have been a Cowboy fan since their very first game. Have had the privilege to meet many of the greats in Don Meredith, Bob Lilly, Roger Staubach, Tony Dorsett, etc., etc. So I have lived with the good and the bad and been accused of being to bias for them but they are my team.

I to had to learn to be positive in light of a bad season or even in everyday life. Doctors believe that I have cancer yet they aren't sure exactly where all the spots are or how bad but that will change on June 24th with biophys and testing. Yet I have approached it as we don't know anything yet and if it is bad then I will deal with it like going into a draft and hoping the guys I pick are going to change everything for the better.

Had the opportunity to watch America's Got Talent last night as she loves that show and the final contestant last night was a 30 year old gal who has beat cancer three times and she was quite a good singer for a fragile person. She confirmed afterward that she has a 2 percent chance of surviving the new cancers and doctors have given her six months. Her attitude is basically I am not the sum of the bad things but much more of the good things, she is determine to see positives and let life happen. Had to admire that because frankly been a bit down with my news so still working on that positive attitude and the good things.

Will Dallas be better this year? I believe they will be. If they can stay healthy then they could do great things. A Super Bowl? Who knows because fate always plays into things but like every year, I will be going into the year with high hopes of great things and frankly it won't change until they are either Champs or eliminated.

Being a Cowboy fan is difficult sometimes but really would you rather be a Bengal or Brown or Jet fan. Might think about that one.

I'm pessimistic about the Cowboys, but I'm going to give you a like for your post and being optimistic in your current situation. :thumbup::clap::flagwave:
 

JoeKing

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Brax, I didn't say championship, I said winner of the East and at least gets to the division round and don't call me Jerry, you can call me Booger.
:facepalm: Understand, the winner of the East is the East division champion. They will be selling hats in the Cowboys Pro shop that celebrates the NFC East Championship.
 

Aviano90

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He's talking about people like you who are negative all the time. It's ok to be negative about certain things like when Zeke fumbles or McCarthy makes a bad decision. But people like you who are always negative just brings down the enjoyment of the board.
Thanks for your input, Pyle. You need some jelly donuts?
 

johneric8

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Why cant people just talk reality? Whether that's positive or negative it is what it is. You want to be lied to or you want the truth? There are a whole host of fans that come on here to find out whats up about the team. People that exaggerate one or the other are doing them a disservice.

And what is the point of setting the team or expectations up for failure? I prefer to have educated, rational realistic conversations about football. Not pom pom waving cheerleaders or hater trolls.
I agree with this, but I also see nothing wrong with being optimistic and excited. I think there is a middle ground that is rationale and then there is the craziness..
 

Corso

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I agree with this, but I also see nothing wrong with being optimistic and excited. I think there is a middle ground that is rationale and then there is the craziness..
Some of the "honest realists" here would make absolute sure that they cheer every good play and boo every single unsuccessful play because that is what they should do at live games.

It would be the worst crowd ever and the same people commenting online would whine about the crowd.


If the last play was bad, then they have to make a good play before I believe they can do it.
 
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