The divide of the Dallas Cowboy's fandom

[xwalker]

In the recent past, certain players/personnel have drawn a predominant amount of disdain from our fanbase -- Jerry Jones, Jason Garrett (especially the last two years), Nick Hayden, JJ Wilcox, Carr (depending on the day), even Greg Hardy.

Then, there were the fringe guys that towed the line of love and hate, depending on the particular fan -- guys like TWill, McFadden, Mo, Doug Free.

Now it's spilled over to fan favorites, guys that have done all they can to help the organization, and were at one point or another almost universally loved, two players specifically -- Tony Romo and Dez Bryant.

While Romo has always had his detractors for various reasons, most fans knew this guy was our backbone and always presented us a chance to win. The sole reason why we were even remotely relevant, and a cover up of a mediocre coaching staff and front office. At the same time, Dez was the guy that was the conduit for Tony and the endzone. Our guy we could count on to grab that ball in traffic and bring it down for 6.

Now, after a series of injuries to both players, the fandom is out and very vocal in their disapproval for our two Big Name, fan favorite players.

It's almost sad to see these two guys go down this path. Is this what happens as players age, as they go through various injuries. Is this a byproduct of a team that has toiled in mediocrity for over two decades, spilling out now into our assessment of our very best.

Perhaps it's because we have two new rooks, with sky-high potential on offense in Zeke and Dak, and they are simply pushing the older stars out the door.

Injuries happen, and, especially in the case of Dez, we should excercise patience, yet we aren't. With Tony, it's a bit more problematic, as his growing amount of injuries make it hard to defend him against his now growing amount of detractors (yet, I still try).

I get it, it's sports -- and perhaps that very simplistic statement answers my own question. Yet, I want to reflect with a post, how sad it is to see things going down the way they are. Especially since I'm new to a large fanbase that can hear my rant.

Dez and Greg Hardy seem like the same guy. I don't see much difference between the two players. Dez has actually had way more incidents in his career than Hardy. Both are difficult to coach and don't follow the rules. Both have tried to show-up coaches and teammates.

If you love Dez and hated Hardy, then something is wrong with your prespective.

 

[Trouty]

Dez and Greg Hardy seem like the same guy. I don't see much difference between the two players. Dez has actually had way more incidents in his career than Hardy. Both are difficult to coach and don't follow the rules. Both have tried to show-up coaches and teammates.

If you love Dez and hated Hardy, then something is wrong with your prespective.

I liked the Hardy signing. I was one of the very few that wanted him re-signed this offseason. But I'd prefer not to go into a Hardy debate. Or a how bad or wrong I am for liking Dez debate. I've said my stance in multiple threads, X. Respectfully. This thread wasn't about that.

 

[dallasdave]

I liked the Hardy signing. I was one of the very few that wanted him re-signed this offseason. But I'd prefer not to go into a Hardy debate.

Yeah, been there and done that !!

 

[Trendnet]

Dez and Greg Hardy seem like the same guy. I don't see much difference between the two players. Dez has actually had way more incidents in his career than Hardy. Both are difficult to coach and don't follow the rules. Both have tried to show-up coaches and teammates.

If you love Dez and hated Hardy, then something is wrong with your prespective.

So everyone else perspective is wrong, but not yours though right?

 

[Dodger12]

Cool story!!

So you're saying being disappointed over losses for a team you root for and not posting because of disappointment and being disappointed over wins for a team you root for and not posting are the same?

Thanks for helping me make my point.

You make a lot of false conclusions. The folks you have an issue with are here day in and day out. You're point is meaningless except for the fact you like to complain. You're a broken record.

 

[Gabe]

Dez also has been responsible for losing some big games. He has been playing with Romo for too long. Green Bay in the playoffs, NYG in the first game, etc... Constantly showing off on the field and in locker room. Some call it passion, I call it idiocy. There is no wonder he has never helped the Cowboys win anything of significance.

What I would give for an Amari Cooper over someone like Dez. Good consistent team player who also has the smarts to stay healthy and doesn't show his a** all over the place. The Cowboys management absolutely must make some key changes if they want to make a run for it all. Time to cut the dead weight.

There is absolutely no reason the Cowboys cannot compete for it all this season and the forseeable future... But a few key changes must be made.

 

[weaver21]

There's definitely a divide between our fanbase and it's unfortunate. Being a guy in his 20s, I've never witnessed a Super Bowl. Hell, I've never even seen the Cowobys in a NFC Championship game lol. I'm frustrated with the lack of success by this franchise, but I've never been an complaining kind of guy. I like to have a positive outlook on life in general and that extends into talking about the Cowboys. I've been called a homer numerous times on this board and although I would disagree with that assessment, I'm not offended by it.

There are several posters on this forum that are negative and they know who they are. Not saying they shouldn't be negative because they have the right to be after all this team has put this fanbase through for the last 20 years. But there's a difference between being a "realist" and saying what needs to be said and just being a negative nancy for the hell of it. Take this thread for example. It's nearly seven pages long and there's hardly been any heated arguments or disagreements. You don't see those posters (aside from Gabe, whom I'm positive is a troll) that are constantly negative and complaining. This thread isn't the "norm" for them and they stay away. They probably think it's too "positive" for their state of mind.

My point in all this is that there is a divide in this forum, but we all want to see increasingly more success from the Cowboys. When we start having that success, then the divide will lessen. The most important thing is that we're all Cowboys fans and we'll all be rooting for them tomorrow to win that game. Go Cowboys.

 

[Dodger12]

Most thing are not that way, this franchise has so under performed over the last decade (I think there is a whole generation of boys fans that have never felt the greatness that was once this team) that has caused a lot of frustration in the fan base and rightly so.

Good post DC. You'll find most of the older fans around here are the salty guys that don't accept what Jerry is selling. The younger guys have never seen the franchise during any of it's dynasty years. They've bought in to the competitive nature of the team.....hey, we're 8 and 8 but damn if we weren't in most games. That type of team is completely acceptable to some and any negative critique kicks in their defense mode.

It's the WWE evolution of the Cowboys and NFL in general. Remember, it's entertainment. It's why Jerry's world was built. Awe and entertainment first, football and home field advantage second. That's not good enough for me (and only speaking for myself). We stand almost alone with the Browns and one other scrub team that hasn't been to a Championship game in 20 years of NFL parity. That's some exclusive company. When folks say something negative about the Browns or their organization, little do they know the level of dysfunction we have at home and how similar we are in terms of results.

Now watch the sheep come in and tell me that we've got a better overall record than the Browns and defend mediocrity while missing the point that we've been underwhelming for the past 20 years, even when we've had a franchise QB.

 

[haleyrules]

I liked the Hardy signing. I was one of the very few that wanted him re-signed this offseason. But I'd prefer not to go into a Hardy debate. Or a how bad or wrong I am for liking Dez debate. I've said my stance in multiple threads, X. Respectfully. This thread wasn't about that.

Say what you want. Hardy could help this club. Too bad Garrett and him could not have worked it out. Johnson or old Tom would have found away to control Hardy.

 

[haleyrules]

Dez and Greg Hardy seem like the same guy. I don't see much difference between the two players. Dez has actually had way more incidents in his career than Hardy. Both are difficult to coach and don't follow the rules. Both have tried to show-up coaches and teammates.

If you love Dez and hated Hardy, then something is wrong with your prespective.

Amen. Bryant has always been a bigger distraction.

 

[Dodger12]

I always wonder how anybody could play on a team at any level and not appreciate how hard it has to compete as an NFL athlete.

That's interesting because as I read some of these threads (and responses) I often find myself thinking how anyone who has ever been in a locker room at any level could not understand the importance of coaching and individual accountability. Missing meetings, rehab or any other scheduled event is unacceptable, for the most part. Is it the end of the world? Of course not. But don't make excuses for certain conduct. I would think these matters are even more important in the NFL where people are playing and fighting for their jobs.

 

[haleyrules]

Yep. Boysfan knows what time it is, for sure.

I don't like the divide myself, but I have a hard time with the disrespect. I always wonder how anybody could play on a team at any level and not appreciate how hard it has to compete as an NFL athlete. Playing on fracture legs and with broken ribs and punctured lungs, are you kidding me? Trying to get back on the field before a trainer can stop you because you've broken bone?

Then thinking the disrespect is justified because the players probably don't see it, or because you paid for a ticket a couple times to see a game you wanted to go to. There's a divide between my attitude and theirs all right. Thank God.

Idgit...Garrett is still a turd!!.

 

[PA Cowboy Fan]

Good post DC. You'll find most of the older fans around here are the salty guys that don't accept what Jerry is selling. The younger guys have never seen the franchise during any of it's dynasty years. They've bought in to the competitive nature of the team.....hey, we're 8 and 8 but damn if we weren't in most games. That type of team is completely acceptable to some and any negative critique kicks in their defense mode.

It's the WWE evolution of the Cowboys and NFL in general. Remember, it's entertainment. It's why Jerry's world was built. Awe and entertainment first, football and home field advantage second. That's not good enough for me (and only speaking for myself). We stand almost alone with the Browns and one other scrub team that hasn't been to a Championship game in 20 years of NFL parity. That's some exclusive company. When folks say something negative about the Browns or their organization, little do they know the level of dysfunction we have at home and how similar we are in terms of results.

Now watch the sheep come in and tell me that we've got a better overall record than the Browns and defend mediocrity while missing the point that we've been underwhelming for the past 20 years, even when we've had a franchise QB.

I think that's what it is too. Some fans haven't known anything but mediocrity. Some of us remember when going to the playoffs was a given and a bad year was when we didn't make a SB. We remember what a good organization looks like. Just sick and tired of the mediocrity. I was 30 the last time we won a SB. I'm 51 now. I'd like to see another SB before I die.

 

[Idgit]

That's interesting because as I read some of these threads (and responses) I often find myself thinking how anyone who has ever been in a locker room at any level could not understand the importance of coaching and individual accountability. Missing meetings, rehab or any other scheduled event is unacceptable, for the most part. Is it the end of the world? Of course not. But don't make excuses for certain conduct. I would think these matters are even more important in the NFL where people are playing and fighting for their jobs.

On a team, if you can deliver when it matters, and the team wins, that covers up everything. If you care, work hard, deliver, and are highly strung or a sore loser, or a difficult teammate, it doesn't matter. guys will go to war with guys who help them win, period.

They may not like them, they may not respect them all that much, but they accept them. Winning is a deodorant. Unique ability is a deodorant. There are 53 guys on a roster; not everybody likes everybody, but make as many plays as Dez does, and works like he does, and there's a spot on every team for that guy.

 

[haleyrules]

I think that's what it is too. Some fans haven't known anything but mediocrity. Some of us remember when going to the playoffs was a given and a bad year was when we didn't make a SB. We remember what a good organization looks like. Just sick and tired of the mediocrity. I was 30 the last time we won a SB. I'm 51 now. I'd like to see another SB before I die.

Amen.

 

[Idgit]

Idgit...Garrett is still a turd!!.

I choose to believe you're compensating for a deep seated admiration for a level of coaching you just don't understand.

 

[haleyrules]

I choose to believe you're compensating for a deep seated admiration for a level of coaching you just don't understand.

I knew it something like that!!!

 

[Idgit]

I think that's what it is too. Some fans haven't known anything but mediocrity. Some of us remember when going to the playoffs was a given and a bad year was when we didn't make a SB. We remember what a good organization looks like. Just sick and tired of the mediocrity. I was 30 the last time we won a SB. I'm 51 now. I'd like to see another SB before I die.

I refuse to believe any fan who demonstrated blatant disrespect for the players or the organization wants to see them win any more than I do. They just don't handle frustration and disappointment as well over the internet.

 

[Dodger12]

On a team, if you can deliver when it matters, and the team wins, that covers up everything. If you care, work hard, deliver, and are highly strung or a sore loser, or a difficult teammate, it doesn't matter. guys will go to war with guys who help them win, period.

They may not like them, they may not respect them all that much, but they accept them. Winning is a deodorant. Unique ability is a deodorant. There are 53 guys on a roster; not everybody likes everybody, but make as many plays as Dez does, and works like he does, and there's a spot on every team for that guy.

I don't completely disagree but when we "win," you may have a valid point. But right now, to deal with the constant silliness under the umbrella and guise of "passion" while going .500 or less with a couple of seasons better than .500 is really kind of a farce. Team chemistry matters and has an impact on the type of environment that is conducive to winning.

 

[haleyrules]

I think that's what it is too. Some fans haven't known anything but mediocrity. Some of us remember when going to the playoffs was a given and a bad year was when we didn't make a SB. We remember what a good organization looks like. Just sick and tired of the mediocrity. I was 30 the last time we won a SB. I'm 51 now. I'd like to see another SB before I die.

For God's sake. Danny White was run out of Dallas because he lost 3 straight Conference Championship games. What would todays young Cowboys fans say if they had a player like Danny playing now. Heck, he would be a God.