SkinsHokieFan
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Well Cowboy fans, I am sure my opinion will mean squat to you, but I have been following your coaching search carefully
And I am here, as a Commander fan, to make the case against you guys hiring Norv Turner
Why you ask? Well for one, I have witnessed 0 Commanders vs Cowboy playoff games in my life. Since I have been football aware (around 1989 when I was 8 years old) the Cowboys and Commanders have had very few compelling matchups (1991, 1992 and 2005 come to mind) and since 1995, both of our franchises have been stuck in the mud (1993 for us)
Well it is time for both you guys and us to make it back to the top. For our teams to meet in the NFC Championship game again and for the best rivalry in the NFL (and in all of sport in my opinion) to shine again
And it won't happen if Norv Turner becomes your head coach
A couple of things I'll add also. Norv is a pretty decent guy. I went to a football camp with his son Scott, who was a year younger then I am, and Scott was an all around first class guy. Clearly reflected the way he was raised by his parents.
I think Norv has a great offense. Timing based, power running, play action. Very sound, and he can call plays.
However, as head coach of the Washington Commanders, Norval was probably the most frustrating guy ever and he will never get you to the top
So here is the case against Norv
A) His team chokes in big games. Norv Turner never won a big game in Washington where the Commanders beat a superior team in a huge moment. In fact the Commanders layed some major eggs
Just a couple here
1) 1996, 37-34 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. This loss hurt as it would start the slide from 7-1 to a 9-7 finish. After losing on the road the week before in Buffalo, beating the sorry Cardinals at home was a must. The Commanders blew a 34-20 4th quarter lead
2) 1997, 30-10 loss to the NYG. This was the division championship game. If the Commanders won, they would be in the drivers seat to win the division in the last week of the season against the pathetic Eagles. Instead the team completely choked and decided not to show up. It was clear which team was ready to play that day and which team was not
3) 1999, 14-13 playoff loss to Tampa Bay. The Commanders had a 13-0 lead in the 3rd quarter and were less then 20 minutes away from the NFC championship game when the whole thing fell apart. Tampa rallied to win 14-13
All 3 of these games showed a Commanders team which was not prepared and not motivated to win. For some unknown reason to Commanders fans, the Commanders of Norv Turner could not get up for a big game, when the chips were on the line. Sure we could crush the Cowboys in a meaningless game when they were resting their starters (final game at RFK 37-10 win) but when it mattered 4 weeks earleir on Thanksgiving, the Commanders did not show up.
This pattern was very consistant from 1996-2000
B) Norv Turner's teams lacked discipline
One theme in some of the most frustrating losses were the lack of discipline and untimely penalties the Commanders would have. Michael Westrbook taking off his helmet to push us back 15 yards on a potential game winning FG attempt. Kicking a game winning field goal only to have it nullified by a holding call. A facemask penalty when we would make a stop on 3rd down to allow a drive to continue. A holding penalty on a TD pass
This consistantly occured time and again. Those examples are from the 1997 Giants-Commanders game, the 1996 Commanders-Cardinals game, the 2nd 1996 Commanders-Cardinals game and the first Commanders-NYG game of 1998
Many big plays would be nullified because of a stupid penalty. I am sure you guys realize some of the wins you got against us because of a lack of discipline or a bonehead play. One that comes to mind was your 41-35 comeback win in 1999. If you recall, the Commanders had a chance to win the game in regulation, but Matt Turk bobbled the snap on the FG attempt. Complete lack of discipline and focus, which reflects on the head coach
C) Norv is a bad talent evaluator
Now part of the blame goes to Charley Casserly also
But Norv had final say on all picks
Some of the biggest flops
1) Heath Shuler over Trent DIlfer. Granted Dilfer did not have a great career, but he did win a Superbowl and was light years better then Shuler. This was a Norv pick all the way
2) Michael Westbrook over Joey Galloway. Norv was trying to get his Michael Irvin in Washington, but instead got a head case who wasn't half the player Irvin was on the field
3) Trading up to acquire Andre Johnson. Johnson was a LT from Penn State, whom Turner coveted after coaching the senior bowl. Johnson never saw a snap on the field of play
4) Letting Trent Green sit on the bench for 4 years. Clearly Trent Green was the best out of the 3 QB's (Shuler, Frerrote, and Green) yet he did not get a shot until 1998. Poor judgement on Norv's part
These are 3 major reasons why the Dallas Cowboys should NOT hire Norv Turner If you are going to hire a retread hire Wade Phillips. I think you guys should just make Jason Garret your HC to be perfectly honest
While Norv is a great guy, and his offense is very sound, and he is a terrific play caller, his teams never step up in big games, due to being unprepared and not motivated, his teams were undisciplined and Norv could not properly evaluate talent
These are 3 key things a coach needs to be able to have in order to succeed in today's NFL. You have to have your team ready to play, and they have to play disciplined football. And as a head coach, you have a major role in which players you have
Good luck to you all (and I really mean that, its a lot more fun when we are both good!)
And I am here, as a Commander fan, to make the case against you guys hiring Norv Turner
Why you ask? Well for one, I have witnessed 0 Commanders vs Cowboy playoff games in my life. Since I have been football aware (around 1989 when I was 8 years old) the Cowboys and Commanders have had very few compelling matchups (1991, 1992 and 2005 come to mind) and since 1995, both of our franchises have been stuck in the mud (1993 for us)
Well it is time for both you guys and us to make it back to the top. For our teams to meet in the NFC Championship game again and for the best rivalry in the NFL (and in all of sport in my opinion) to shine again
And it won't happen if Norv Turner becomes your head coach
A couple of things I'll add also. Norv is a pretty decent guy. I went to a football camp with his son Scott, who was a year younger then I am, and Scott was an all around first class guy. Clearly reflected the way he was raised by his parents.
I think Norv has a great offense. Timing based, power running, play action. Very sound, and he can call plays.
However, as head coach of the Washington Commanders, Norval was probably the most frustrating guy ever and he will never get you to the top
So here is the case against Norv
A) His team chokes in big games. Norv Turner never won a big game in Washington where the Commanders beat a superior team in a huge moment. In fact the Commanders layed some major eggs
Just a couple here
1) 1996, 37-34 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. This loss hurt as it would start the slide from 7-1 to a 9-7 finish. After losing on the road the week before in Buffalo, beating the sorry Cardinals at home was a must. The Commanders blew a 34-20 4th quarter lead
2) 1997, 30-10 loss to the NYG. This was the division championship game. If the Commanders won, they would be in the drivers seat to win the division in the last week of the season against the pathetic Eagles. Instead the team completely choked and decided not to show up. It was clear which team was ready to play that day and which team was not
3) 1999, 14-13 playoff loss to Tampa Bay. The Commanders had a 13-0 lead in the 3rd quarter and were less then 20 minutes away from the NFC championship game when the whole thing fell apart. Tampa rallied to win 14-13
All 3 of these games showed a Commanders team which was not prepared and not motivated to win. For some unknown reason to Commanders fans, the Commanders of Norv Turner could not get up for a big game, when the chips were on the line. Sure we could crush the Cowboys in a meaningless game when they were resting their starters (final game at RFK 37-10 win) but when it mattered 4 weeks earleir on Thanksgiving, the Commanders did not show up.
This pattern was very consistant from 1996-2000
B) Norv Turner's teams lacked discipline
One theme in some of the most frustrating losses were the lack of discipline and untimely penalties the Commanders would have. Michael Westrbook taking off his helmet to push us back 15 yards on a potential game winning FG attempt. Kicking a game winning field goal only to have it nullified by a holding call. A facemask penalty when we would make a stop on 3rd down to allow a drive to continue. A holding penalty on a TD pass
This consistantly occured time and again. Those examples are from the 1997 Giants-Commanders game, the 1996 Commanders-Cardinals game, the 2nd 1996 Commanders-Cardinals game and the first Commanders-NYG game of 1998
Many big plays would be nullified because of a stupid penalty. I am sure you guys realize some of the wins you got against us because of a lack of discipline or a bonehead play. One that comes to mind was your 41-35 comeback win in 1999. If you recall, the Commanders had a chance to win the game in regulation, but Matt Turk bobbled the snap on the FG attempt. Complete lack of discipline and focus, which reflects on the head coach
C) Norv is a bad talent evaluator
Now part of the blame goes to Charley Casserly also
But Norv had final say on all picks
Some of the biggest flops
1) Heath Shuler over Trent DIlfer. Granted Dilfer did not have a great career, but he did win a Superbowl and was light years better then Shuler. This was a Norv pick all the way
2) Michael Westbrook over Joey Galloway. Norv was trying to get his Michael Irvin in Washington, but instead got a head case who wasn't half the player Irvin was on the field
3) Trading up to acquire Andre Johnson. Johnson was a LT from Penn State, whom Turner coveted after coaching the senior bowl. Johnson never saw a snap on the field of play
4) Letting Trent Green sit on the bench for 4 years. Clearly Trent Green was the best out of the 3 QB's (Shuler, Frerrote, and Green) yet he did not get a shot until 1998. Poor judgement on Norv's part
These are 3 major reasons why the Dallas Cowboys should NOT hire Norv Turner If you are going to hire a retread hire Wade Phillips. I think you guys should just make Jason Garret your HC to be perfectly honest
While Norv is a great guy, and his offense is very sound, and he is a terrific play caller, his teams never step up in big games, due to being unprepared and not motivated, his teams were undisciplined and Norv could not properly evaluate talent
These are 3 key things a coach needs to be able to have in order to succeed in today's NFL. You have to have your team ready to play, and they have to play disciplined football. And as a head coach, you have a major role in which players you have
Good luck to you all (and I really mean that, its a lot more fun when we are both good!)
