State of the Cowboys Address

[jday]

The 2 biggest plays that cost the Cowboys a victory were made on the offensive side of the ball.

Considering how much heat the defense is taking this week (again) that's saying something.

I see what you are saying, but they scored over 30 points and put the Cowboys in position to win with just over a minute left in the game. The onus was on the defense to stop Aaron and they failed. No shame in that, by the way. Aaron is a great quarterback that makes comebacks like that look routine. Nevertheless, they still failed and if they have any hopes of being a playoff team, that's the type of stop they absolutely have to get.

 

[CCBoy]

I see what you are saying, but they scored over 30 points and put the Cowboys in position to win with just over a minute left in the game. The onus was on the defense to stop Aaron and they failed. No shame in that, by the way. Aaron is a great quarterback that makes comebacks like that look routine. Nevertheless, they still failed and if they have any hopes of being a playoff team, that's the type of stop they absolutely have to get.

The Packers have one of the worse set of cornerbacks in the NFL and aren't known for run defense. But 30 points was bullied out by Dallas, or what the Packers left them to play around?

How did a #3 running back put up 120+ yards on a Cowboys defense? Dallas attempted to limit the Packer pass defense, and in the void they blew up a running game. Then had the Dallas defense second guessing, which is where Rodgers is the strongest at attacking.

What did the Cowboys then do...but prevent and that left larger voids to attack.

 

[jday]

Christ...I'm 68, and was in Service from Viet Nam through Desert Storm. I was a NCO for 23 years. At age 66, I passed and became a certified ERT...handling rescue, recovery, hazardous materials, confined space, and fire fighting. My opinions aren't determined by the whim of emotion or caprice. I call a spade a spade. Try your preppie mode on some one it fits...

First off, one tackles by hitting center of mass...NOT a statistically chosen mental area that is theoretical. Since no one seems to interpret application, when a player is whiffed in the open repeatedly, instead of delivering a good hit and then wrapping up. What, that's a they'll get better down the road element? No, that at present, is acceptable level of play.

How is it that Green Bay has beaten the Cowboys for 6 of the last 7 times that they have played? Another, they'll get better at the end of the road?

Here is where the Rodgers walks upon water excuse comes out. No Sir, that is an excuse, and not dealing with all of the facts.

Hey, the Cowboys quarterback and running back are doing a merited job. But two of Prescott's four interceptions went right through the hands of the receiver. A 'rook,' no, Dez and Williams. As to Elliott, he is confronted by an opponent at a shorter distance, than almost all running backs in the NFL. What, that is because the offensive line is the best in the business? No, I hardly think excuse finding helps as well. Solutions help more.

First off, estimation of this team's real skill set were based upon projections of anticipation. They, through the first 1/4 of THIS season, have proven that they are a middle of road team, that also has high expectations. But that is a knee jerk, not on your ***.

This team is chunked full of young players and talent...but this is the catch on that. You learn by actual failures, and not game planning to limit potential.

That potential is a killer, as the record with the Cheeseheads shows. Do you think that Rodgers fears making a mistake...up front, no he doesn't. Mistakes motivate him to higher levels. The whole Packer team has that attitude...if they are caught cheating, they just save the same technique for a later time. But win.

There is no right way to do the wrong thing. That is why Landry was so effective, and the ownership of the Cowboys when the change from Murchison to Jones chose a money trail of privilege instead of concept of right. But cause is the same.

A football team has to attack an opponent, and not try not to lose...because he becomes the victim then. Youth or not.

This is not a dead season, based upon potential of theory. If at the 1/4 point, the team defeats only the pushovers...then that is what they are also. Close is still a second place finisher and no one cheers for less than a winner. If one loves the sport, don't pick a favorite team...but if one picks a favorite team, be honest in what they are. Period!

At this point, this team would have to take six games to redevelop an over-the-top attitude that would entitle them to earn a spot in the playoffs. Right now, the Cowboys are #3 in the NFC East...

But until they can make an opponent be one dimensional, rooks or not, they will remain a loser, at least for THIS season. Attitude or not...

As to me, I was on our hurricane ride out crew, and we had an alarm go off in the lab. It took a fully equipped ERT with confined breathing apparatus, to take a reader into the lab. The overheating equipment was then turned off. The refinery next to our very fence line, had a level II escape of hydrogen sulfide. It will kill you in ten seconds. Did we show emotion, nope, we handled the problem.

Thank you for your service.

That said, unless you are a member of the organization, I find it hard to quantify the value of your assessments when speaking of their attitude and mental fortitude. You observe them through a TV screen...and that's it. So your making assessments based on images without the benefit of context fueled by the final score. Had the Cowboys won this past weekend, I wonder if you would still be lamenting their "attitude."

You speak of how to form tackle, which is a fairly easy concept to understand. But executing that on a tackling dummy is a completely different thing from doing so against a live professional football player. In the latter scenario, you get him down to the ground any way you can. If he gives you the opportunity to hit center of mass, absolutely do so. But I assure, most professional football players don't give center of mass options often.

I will agree that this team this team has some growing up to do. But it sounds as though you are wanting them to collectively adopt a mindset that Aaron Rodgers has already earned through playing the position for over a decade. So if that's what you are looking for out of this team as young as they collectively are, I suspect you are asking for a bit much. That said, they really don't need an Aaron Rodgers to win a championship as evidenced by the championships he hasn't won.

The difference between you and I on this issue, I suspect, is it may mean a little more to you that the Cowboys win now. Personally, I'm content with the knowledge that Dak is a franchise quarterback and if not this year, very soon they will be marching through the playoffs. That I believe wholeheartedly. I also understand that being a young team there are going to be growing pains...and I think much of the results we have seen has been a result of that. Gradually, the youth will get better. But like I've said several times now, I am in no way giving up this soon on a season this young. But that's just me...

 

[jday]

The Packers have one of the worse set of cornerbacks in the NFL and aren't known for run defense. But 30 points was bullied out by Dallas, or what the Packers left them to play around?

How did a #3 running back put up 120+ yards on a Cowboys defense? Dallas attempted to limit the Packer pass defense, and in the void they blew up a running game. Then had the Dallas defense second guessing, which is where Rodgers is the strongest at attacking.

What did the Cowboys then do...but prevent and that left larger voids to attack.

Without the benefit of the pick six, this game ends differently.

#3 running back or not, that player played a good game. I think you may be allowing his position on the depth chart to carry a little too much weight, and once again allowing emotion to override good sense. As a Cowboys fan, you have seen countless no-name players ascend to greatness. Why could it not be that the player is a good player and not just a terrible player that made the Cowboys defense look worse? I suspect the final score is once again carrying alot of weight in your assessment here.

I suspect you are taking issue with the prevent defense the Cowboys used to close both half's in the game. What defense would you have used that would have worked better against the great Aaron Rodgers?

 

[erod]

You, sir, are running on pure emotions right now. You and I watched two completely different games. Even Aikman pointed out Rodgers frustrations in that game. Without the benefit of a pick six that occurred at the end, the Packers would have had a completely different set of circumstances to deal with and most likely would have lost. Of a sudden, I suspect, what you saw in that game would have been completely different.

Think about what you said in the opening sentence: "They are fatally flawed because they simply aren't built to beat good teams with good quarterbacks and good defenses." The team you just described is a team 32 teams aspire to be. That's a winning formula. Not too many teams in the league can beat that, and the fact that the Cowboys have failed to do so thus far doesn't necessarily mean that they cannot eventually figure it out.

2 & 3, while not ideal, is not a death sentence. The Cowboys do have the necessary ingredients but they are absolutely going to have to play better than what they have to date...and I believe they will. In a weird way, I think it's a good thing the Cowboys will be armed with a sense of urgency this early in the season. I like this team flying under the radar. And I like more the idea that Garrett may not have an option but to keep his foot on the pedal throughout the season as opposed to sitting starters in the final game.

Last year, the Cowboys got hot early and fizzled out in the end. My hope is they can weather the next few games coming away with unconvincing wins and then get hot just as they hit the deep end of their schedule. There are certainly no gimme-games going forward, but I wouldn't have described any of the games they have played thus far that way either. The parity in this league gets more pronounced every year and the phenomenon of Any Given Sunday rears it's ugly head every weekend.

Personally, I cannot see what you see as a fatal flaw. Players get better. Teams, as a whole, get better. Coaches get better. And if they can get hot at the right time, there is absolutely no teams the Cowboys can't beat. Of course, alot will have to go right for that to happen, but is absolutely possible.

I see reason to be optimistic...after another offseason.

 

[jday]

I see reason to be optimistic...after another offseason.

You certainly have the odds in your favor...

 

[erod]

You certainly have the odds in your favor...

If they win a playoff game, I'm wrong.

I smell 7-9 though.

 

[CCBoy]

Thank you for your service.

That said, unless you are a member of the organization, I find it hard to quantify the value of your assessments when speaking of their attitude and mental fortitude. You observe them through a TV screen...and that's it. So your making assessments based on images without the benefit of context fueled by the final score. Had the Cowboys won this past weekend, I wonder if you would still be lamenting their "attitude."

You speak of how to form tackle, which is a fairly easy concept to understand. But executing that on a tackling dummy is a completely different thing from doing so against a live professional football player. In the latter scenario, you get him down to the ground any way you can. If he gives you the opportunity to hit center of mass, absolutely do so. But I assure, most professional football players don't give center of mass options often.

I will agree that this team this team has some growing up to do. But it sounds as though you are wanting them to collectively adopt a mindset that Aaron Rodgers has already earned through playing the position for over a decade. So if that's what you are looking for out of this team as young as they collectively are, I suspect you are asking for a bit much. That said, they really don't need an Aaron Rodgers to win a championship as evidenced by the championships he hasn't won.

The difference between you and I on this issue, I suspect, is it may mean a little more to you that the Cowboys win now. Personally, I'm content with the knowledge that Dak is a franchise quarterback and if not this year, very soon they will be marching through the playoffs. That I believe wholeheartedly. I also understand that being a young team there are going to be growing pains...and I think much of the results we have seen has been a result of that. Gradually, the youth will get better. But like I've said several times now, I am in no way giving up this soon on a season this young. But that's just me...

I played, in College, on an Air Force Academy team that played Tennessee in the Sugar Bowl. I also played for Texas A&I, that won a NAIA Championship, with 6 people from that very team that ended up playing professionally. Five of them played in a Pro Bowl. Ernest Price, Levi Johnson, David Hill, Eldridge Small, Dwight Harrison, and Don Hardeman.

I know a thing or two about whiffing...but first off, business decisions involving ankle level tackling attempts start with the head down.

 

[CCBoy]

Without the benefit of the pick six, this game ends differently.

#3 running back or not, that player played a good game. I think you may be allowing his position on the depth chart to carry a little too much weight, and once again allowing emotion to override good sense. As a Cowboys fan, you have seen countless no-name players ascend to greatness. Why could it not be that the player is a good player and not just a terrible player that made the Cowboys defense look worse? I suspect the final score is once again carrying alot of weight in your assessment here.

I suspect you are taking issue with the prevent defense the Cowboys used to close both half's in the game. What defense would you have used that would have worked better against the great Aaron Rodgers?

You keep on making up excuses for not approaching a cause/effect view, and then further try to submit words for mine.

If one can't win a discussion, just go abstract.

I'll explain for your own benefit, a one last time:

When all is on the line, the team is going passive, not aggressive. With a team that thrives in adversity, one is merely setting his 'men' before a firing squad.

One can dream all day that the cavalry is coming, but don't forget the clean-up after the mess.

All accomplishments on the professional level comes from personal sacrifice and also paying the price, despite potentials.

Fact, Elliott and Dak have both been let down by their team mates. No maybe, coulda, woulda, shoulda.

That's called leaving it all on the field, not a slice in a pie chart in the meetings room.

I've rooted for these Cowboys non-stop since they became Cowboys...even when name calling and insults were the order of the day. Even by yourself, then...

I'm not half cocked or shallow as a dinosaur devouring meat at every turn...but that part is now upon your view. I talked facts, and you chose not to listen. Your quarter now.

 

[waldoputty]

Without the benefit of the pick six, this game ends differently.

#3 running back or not, that player played a good game. I think you may be allowing his position on the depth chart to carry a little too much weight, and once again allowing emotion to override good sense. As a Cowboys fan, you have seen countless no-name players ascend to greatness. Why could it not be that the player is a good player and not just a terrible player that made the Cowboys defense look worse? I suspect the final score is once again carrying alot of weight in your assessment here.

I suspect you are taking issue with the prevent defense the Cowboys used to close both half's in the game. What defense would you have used that would have worked better against the great Aaron Rodgers?

there are lots of if, but could have, should have, might have been etc.
bottom line is do we think this team is going any where?
lets be honest.

i am glad garrett and marinelli will probably stick around at least till end of season.
their loser ways will get us the best draft possible.

 

[jday]

If they win a playoff game, I'm wrong.

I smell 7-9 though.

If they win more than 7, you are wrong.

 

[CCBoy]

Looking back on history does not reflect kindly on the chances for the Cowboys to make the playoffs either. Since 2007, only five teams in the NFC have won nine games and made the postseason.

Ten wins is almost a necessity with just eleven left to play which means Dallas needs to finish 8-3 or better.

https://thelandryhat.com/2017/10/10/2017-dallas-cowboys-expectations/

 

[TheHerd]

You keep on making up excuses for not approaching a cause/effect view, and then further try to submit words for mine.

If one can't win a discussion, just go abstract.

I'll explain for your own benefit, a one last time:

When all is on the line, the team is going passive, not aggressive. With a team that thrives in adversity, one is merely setting his 'men' before a firing squad.

This is the crux of the matter to me. Rarely in professional sport does the passive team win the big games. A passive athlete is always at a disadvantage.

 

[jday]

I played, in College, on an Air Force Academy team that played Tennessee in the Sugar Bowl. I also played for Texas A&I, that won a NAIA Championship, with 6 people from that very team that ended up playing professionally. Five of them played in a Pro Bowl. Ernest Price, Levi Johnson, David Hill, Eldridge Small, Dwight Harrison, and Don Hardeman.

I know a thing or two about whiffing...but first off, business decisions involving ankle level tackling attempts start with the head down.

I'm sorry, but from my point of view, none of that qualifies you for the task of watching players through a television screen and assessing where their head is at when they do or don't make a play. I honestly wouldn't trust your word on this if you actually specialized in body language psychology...but that's just me. The main thing that plagues this team currently is quite simply inexperience, a lack of overall team health (specifically Sean Lee, but the injuries that have plagued the rookies since preseason certainly hasn't helped matters and contributes to the aforementioned lack of experience), and the wrench Free's retirement threw in the Cowboys offseason plans. As far as the mental, winning cures all. If the Cowboys can bounce back and play like we all know they can play following the bi-week, I'm sure you will start seeing the body language you were hoping for at the outset.

 

[jday]

You keep on making up excuses for not approaching a cause/effect view, and then further try to submit words for mine.

If one can't win a discussion, just go abstract.

I'll explain for your own benefit, a one last time:

When all is on the line, the team is going passive, not aggressive. With a team that thrives in adversity, one is merely setting his 'men' before a firing squad.

One can dream all day that the cavalry is coming, but don't forget the clean-up after the mess.

All accomplishments on the professional level comes from personal sacrifice and also paying the price, despite potentials.

Fact, Elliott and Dak have both been let down by their team mates. No maybe, coulda, woulda, shoulda.

That's called leaving it all on the field, not a slice in a pie chart in the meetings room.

I've rooted for these Cowboys non-stop since they became Cowboys...even when name calling and insults were the order of the day. Even by yourself, then...

I'm not half cocked or shallow as a dinosaur devouring meat at every turn...but that part is now upon your view. I talked facts, and you chose not to listen. Your quarter now.

I didn't know this was a competition. I thought we were having a difference of opinion. To put it a different way, it seems to me you have come away from this games focused on the negative. Whereas, I choose to focus on the positive. Just a difference in approach, as far as I'm concerned. And while for this exercise, there is no wrong way of looking at things, one way is far more conducive to leading a happy life.

 

[jday]

Looking back on history does not reflect kindly on the chances for the Cowboys to make the playoffs either. Since 2007, only five teams in the NFC have won nine games and made the postseason.

Ten wins is almost a necessity with just eleven left to play which means Dallas needs to finish 8-3 or better.

https://thelandryhat.com/2017/10/10/2017-dallas-cowboys-expectations/

Good thing history doesn't necessarily dictate the future.

 

[CCBoy]

I'm sorry, but from my point of view, none of that qualifies you for the task of watching players through a television screen and assessing where their head is at when they do or don't make a play. I honestly wouldn't trust your word on this if you actually specialized in body language psychology...but that's just me. The main thing that plagues this team currently is quite simply inexperience, a lack of overall team health (specifically Sean Lee, but the injuries that have plagued the rookies since preseason certainly hasn't helped matters and contributes to the aforementioned lack of experience), and the wrench Free's retirement threw in the Cowboys offseason plans. As far as the mental, winning cures all. If the Cowboys can bounce back and play like we all know they can play following the bi-week, I'm sure you will start seeing the body language you were hoping for at the outset.

Find a mirror and argue with it...

 

[jday]

there are lots of if, but could have, should have, might have been etc.
bottom line is do we think this team is going any where?
lets be honest.

i am glad garrett and marinelli will probably stick around at least till end of season.
their loser ways will get us the best draft possible.

I am likely in the minority, but I like where this team is headed. I think they will be better off for having to fight there way all the way to the playoffs as opposed to have the option to take their foot off the gas at the end, as they did in 2016. We all saw how that turned out, so this crappy beginning very well may prove to be their salvation...in a weird kinda way...

 

[jday]

Find a mirror and argue with it...

I feel as though you are deflecting your disappointment in the Cowboys on me. I am merely stating my point of view on the situation. I apologize if you don't agree, however, that really cannot be helped. Your above included cartoon would seem to discourage one voicing their opinion here. And yet, what exactly is this place for? Stating your opinion, as I have seen you do so several times. Again, I apologize if my opinion today fly's into the face of what you believe to be true, but it is what it is. If you don't agree with me, and further, take offense to the opinions I espouse, the ignore feature very well may be a service you should consider employing. However, if you can discuss your difference in opinion in a respectful manner, by all means, please continue to do so.

 

[CCBoy]

I feel as though you are deflecting your disappointment in the Cowboys on me. I am merely stating my point of view on the situation. I apologize if you don't agree, however, that really cannot be helped. Your above included cartoon would seem to discourage one voicing their opinion here. And yet, what exactly is this place for? Stating your opinion, as I have seen you do so several times. Again, I apologize if my opinion today fly's into the face of what you believe to be true, but it is what it is. If you don't agree with me, and further, take offense to the opinions I espouse, the ignore feature very well may be a service you should consider employing. However, if you can discuss your difference in opinion in a respectful manner, by all means, please continue to do so.

Sorry, buddy...I was a NCO, and taught not to walk away from a wrong. If one sees it, he then owns it. If you don't like being objected to on principal, stay out of the discussion...or quit offering a non inclusive response. That, instead of a discussion, is bias.

I offer actual reasons for questioning status of the current team...but that is objective, not merely opinionated.

You walk away then, you are the one doing the crying for disagreement Plus you stereotyped responses instead of reflecting what was presented. Don't then hide behind an excuse of bias on another's behalf. Address some of the points that I provided, and leave out the insult, and we have a discussion. Not before...

No one assaulted your right to be positive, but a discussion with you, has proven another animal.

If YOU want ignore, use it, buddy.