Someone convince me this team is different

[BotchedLobotomy]

Needing to get this off my chest here.

I've thought all year this team had a special feel. The energy of the rookies and the rejuvenated vets. The defense in the regular season somehow making plays when we needed them. Things seemed to be lining up for the Cowboys toward a destiny resembling the 90s dynasty. I want to be positive and tell myself the future is bright but all I can think about are the countless devastating losses for the past 20 years.

I'm 30 years old. I was 7 in 93' when I begged my parents for a Cowboys starter jacket and became a fan. I was too young to realize how rare and special that era was. My life as a Cowboys fan where I've truly understood the game has been filled with disappointment and angst. I can't help but look on the future with a doubtful eye because that's all I have to fall back on.

This loss in particular has crushed me. I don't know that I've ever felt the kind of gutted feeling over football as I did last night. So what makes this team different than the recent past? How do we become one of those teams to always contend with, one that makes the playoffs every year as opposed to once in a great while? We often times seem to "have the talent" but consistently fall short. I want to feel optimistic that this is the start of a new era for the Cowboys but I'm finding it tough.

Help me out here.

Can I get back to you about this time next year with my answer?

 

[basilhayden]

I don't agree with the rookie QB part. I don't know what more Dak could've showed yesterday or this entire season to prove he's the real deal. I don't even think Romo could've led us to that comeback yesterday. We fell into a 21-3 hole yesterday because 1) our defense is awful, 2) our coach is afraid to set the tone, and 3) we're full of losers (Williams, Butler) who don't know how to respond to pressure. But Dak was excellent yesterday. So was Zeke. As long as we have those two guys and this O-line, we'll be competitive. I just hope we don't waste his career by continuing to run with a defensive coordinator who doesn't think anyone with talent fits his scheme, or a head coach who needs years of being criticized (not running enough, not managing clock) before attempting to change. Doesn't help that we have Jerry as GM. I think the leadership of this organization will continue to haunt us. But Dak is the real deal.

Most of your explanation falls back on incompetent coaching which includes failure to provide mental preparation. This staff currently exists because the GM allows it. This is why we continually fail.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

When you have no defense and a rookie QB you have no shot at winning a Super Bowl.

I don't think the rookie QB was the problem.

 

[RS12]

We need some playmakers on d. Who knows how we'll get them or when

If we weren't embarrased last night, Ryan and Jones would've slaughtered us. We were not equipped for the big show

As to part A, I dont really see that. Too me of the four remaining QBs Ryan is the shakiest. Their defense is middling. I think a white hot Rodgers and their very good O Line was the worst possible matchup for the Cowboys. As to part B they all have warts.

 

[unionjack8]

Brace yourself. We don't have the talent. We never did. We have a collection of stiffs on defense. When half your team is garbage and your offense is led by a rookie QB you shouldn't expect to talent your way to a title.

Bill belichick hasn't got the most talented roster.
He has the most prepared team week in week out.
Coaching and prep make a HUGE difference at the NFL level.
W3 fail at that on a consistent basis.

 

[RS12]

I don't think the rookie QB was the problem.

Welp Mike, were on the same page there. Sean Lee didnt think so either.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Welp Mike, were on the same page there. Sean Lee didnt think so either.

You put up 31 points and you win the vast majority of the time.

Yeah going FG, punt, punt the first three drives hurt, but the real hurt was giving up TD, TD, TD. That's the real fly in the ointment.

 

[RS12]

Only one team every year wins it all.

Second place is the first loser theory?

 

[xwalker]

13-3 and no loss by more than 3 points, except for a throw away game in Philadelphia.

A 'rook' QB that ranked top five as to throwing stats and a 'rook' that led the NFL in rushing yardage, by quite a bit.

A really tough defense would make losing a lot harder for the Cowboys.

Great post.

 

[RS12]

They were lucky Houston didn't have a QB. They looked terrible.

I saw no walking on water, I'll put it that way.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

I don't think the rookie QB was the problem.

Yep. Dak is unbelievable. I love Romo. He's always been an excellent QB. But Dak has a poise I haven't seen in a young player since Brady. Hopefully he can continue to develop and improve. Brady wasn't very good early on. Dak is much better now than Brady was then.

 

[Risen Star]

Bill belichick hasn't got the most talented roster.
He has the most prepared team week in week out.
Coaching and prep make a HUGE difference at the NFL level.
W3 fail at that on a consistent basis.

Bill Belichick has never won anything with a rookie QB and a bad defense.

Other than that, great post.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Second place is the first loser theory?

If someone wants to call it that fine.

But it is reality.

 

[RS12]

You put up 31 points and you win the vast majority of the time.

Yeah going FG, punt, punt the first three drives hurt, but the real hurt was giving up TD, TD, TD. That's the real fly in the ointment.

Yep, that is exactly what Lee said after the game. You know, the guy who other LBs in the league call to get help diagnosing plays.

 

[ksadler1]

I said all along this year that next year will be more telling than this year was. If we tank next year, that will tell us all we need to know.....

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I said all along this year that next year will be more telling than this year was. If we tank next year, that will tell us all we need to know.....

There some truth to that.

Personally I don't see them tanking unless there are massive injury concerns on the offense.

 

[Jake]

I said all along this year that next year will be more telling than this year was. If we tank next year, that will tell us all we need to know.....

I just don't see Dak and Zeke falling off next year, but the defense must be improved. If we slip next year, barring a QB carousel like 2015, it'll likely be because we have a 2013 type defense.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I just don't see Dak and Zeke falling off next year, but the defense must be improved. If we slip next year, barring a QB carousel like 2015, it'll likely be because we have a 2013 type defense.

I don't either.

 

[willia451]

I don't think the rookie QB was the problem.

Agreed. Giving up 34 points at home, I don't care who its against, is simply horrid. Especially coming off a bye week with that kind of time to rest and prepare.

Sean Lee said the defense didn't even show up until the 2nd half. And he had no idea why that happened.

OMG!!! Unbelievable.

I can tell him why. Because we have to wait until it becomes clear what the other team is trying to do to us. And then make adjustments. That HAS to be the reason. And that's on the coaches.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Agreed. Giving up 34 points at home, I don't care who its against, is simply horrid. Especially coming off a bye week with that kind of time to rest and prepare.

Sean Lee said the defense didn't even show up until the 2nd half. And he had no idea why that happened.

OMG!!! Unbelievable.

I can tell him why. Because we have to wait until it becomes clear what the other team is trying to do to us. And then make adjustments. That HAS to be the reason. And that's on the coaches.

Yeah, I get that.

But keep in mind the defense simply isn't strong enough to dictate like the offense does. The defense has to counter-punch because it's not nearly as talented a unit.

The trick this offseason is to up the overall talent level of the defense.