The Heart of a Team

[Viper]

Last night, Bill set the mood for the team. He had just said his last goodbyes to his brother earlier in the day. On the sidelines he was lethargic, who could blame him? You could see his mind was in another place. The team’s mindset was overcome by his mood. We played like Bill felt most of the night. This has to be, for me, one of the worst overall performances by a Bill Parcells’ coached cowboy team.

Yet, the coach and his team never quit. A day like yesterday and Parcells was still on the sidelines. Doing what he loves, being with the players he considers part of his family, as the team responded to his dedication. Last night this team grew a heart. Last night they came together, facing adversity, facing a wounded enemy, only to pull out a victory for their leader. Last night this became a Bill Parcells team, beware NFL, here comes the Cowboys!

My prayers are with you Bill.

 

[Fletch]

Last night, Bill set the mood for the team. He had just said his last goodbyes to his brother earlier in the day. On the sidelines he was lethargic, who could blame him? You could see his mind was in another place. The team’s mindset was overcome by his mood. We played like Bill felt most of the night. This has to be, for me, one of the worst overall performances by a Bill Parcells’ coached cowboy team.

Yet, the coach and his team never quit. A day like yesterday and Parcells was still on the sidelines. Doing what he loves, being with the players he considers part of his family, as the team responded to his dedication. Last night this team grew a heart. Last night they came together, facing adversity, facing a wounded enemy, only to pull out a victory for their leader. Last night this became a Bill Parcells team, beware NFL, here comes the Cowboys!

My prayers are with you Bill.

Well said Viper. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Bill.

 

[Portland Fanatic]

I'm seriously choked up......very nice read.

 

[JeffInDC]

Last night, Bill set the mood for the team. He had just said his last goodbyes to his brother earlier in the day. On the sidelines he was lethargic, who could blame him? You could see his mind was in another place. The team’s mindset was overcome by his mood. We played like Bill felt most of the night. This has to be, for me, one of the worst overall performances by a Bill Parcells’ coached cowboy team.

Yet, the coach and his team never quit. A day like yesterday and Parcells was still on the sidelines. Doing what he loves, being with the players he considers part of his family, as the team responded to his dedication. Last night this team grew a heart. Last night they came together, facing adversity, facing a wounded enemy, only to pull out a victory for their leader. Last night this became a Bill Parcells team, beware NFL, here comes the Cowboys!

My prayers are with you Bill.

Great post, Viper. I'm wondering if Bill will ever admit that, in this instance, being a head coach in the NFL kind of helped him get through an extremely tough day. That, for 3+ hours, the sideline (as chaotic as an NFL sideline probably is) was his sanctuary.

 

[RCowboyFan]

I agree, I think the team took Bill's mental makeup yesterday. And I am guessing the preparation also was little off for the team, most likely becuase BP couldn't be his normal self last week.

I.e he had too much on his mind than football, understandibly. Unfortunately he doesn't have too much time to grieve or recover from his loss either.

 

[Dye]

someone, please hand me a crying towel! i'm feeling it too.

good post!

 

[SAboys889]

Last night, Bill set the mood for the team. He had just said his last goodbyes to his brother earlier in the day. On the sidelines he was lethargic, who could blame him? You could see his mind was in another place. The team’s mindset was overcome by his mood. We played like Bill felt most of the night. This has to be, for me, one of the worst overall performances by a Bill Parcells’ coached cowboy team.

Yet, the coach and his team never quit. A day like yesterday and Parcells was still on the sidelines. Doing what he loves, being with the players he considers part of his family, as the team responded to his dedication. Last night this team grew a heart. Last night they came together, facing adversity, facing a wounded enemy, only to pull out a victory for their leader. Last night this became a Bill Parcells team, beware NFL, here comes the Cowboys!

My prayers are with you Bill.

Nice post Viper. I really do hope this team "grew" as a result of this game. We will know what this team is made of after the Thankgiving Day game. If we win the next two, then a Superbowl appearance may be likely.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I agree with you. I actually thought during the game if it wouldn't have been better for Parcells to stay with his family in New Jersey and let Zimmer take over the reigns for that night and let the team go out and "just win one for the Tuna".

Parcells was like a zombie on the sidelines and there is no doubt the team reflected him.

 

[Asklesko]

Hm, how sweet. They played like crap for 57 minutes. Where you see heart, I see none. Where you see emotion, I see apathy. That's the bottom line. Let's hope they bring to the table more... energy next time.

 

[TheEnigma]

Hm, how sweet. They played like crap for 57 minutes. Where you see heart, I see none. Where you see emotion, I see apathy. That's the bottom line. Let's hope they bring to the table more... energy next time.

I disagree with you there. The team grew a heart during those last 3 minutes. The Cowboys did not have Parcells riding their tails during those first 57 minutes, and in order to win, the Cowboys had to grow up. The players on the field had to become leaders, and lead themselves. They stepped up, and became a cohesive unit. They became a TEAM, and more importantly, they furthur imbedded the idea of family in each of their minds. The execution wasn't perfect, even during those last 3 minutes. But the team overcame, and found heart.

I'm pretty sure Parcells broke down after his press conference, and if the players saw any of this from Parcells, that in itself made the team stronger.

 

[Lifetimeboyzfan]

Incredible post!

 

[Bungarian]

I know that the Cowboys of a few years ago would have folded and got blown out.

 

[jksmith269]

Most coaches look at 3 games in 11 Days as a burden, but I think it is a God send for BP this year. After losing Mara and then his Brother I think BP will use the short turn around as a kind of therpy.

 

[Viper]

I know that the Cowboys of a few years ago would have folded and got blown out.

That’s just it; a few years ago this team would have thrown in the towel. With 3 min. left, down 13 points this team could have folded, it didn’t. We could have been like McNabb, walking off the field with a limp. Instead, we walk off winners! This team played with heart, we have a lot to build on after this win.

Never say die…”05 Cowboys”

 

[wesleyc288]

That’s just it; a few years ago this team would have thrown in the towel. With 3 min. left, down 13 points this team could have folded, it didn’t. We could have been like McNabb, walking off the field with a limp. Instead, we walk off winners! This team played with heart, we have a lot to build on after this win.

Never say die…”05 Cowboys”

Be careful....Jerry will have this in a form of a t-shirt on dc.com you better get the rights before he makes money off of it.

In all seriousness....This team showed me a lot of heart last night. although it wasnt always pretty......We got a W and thats all that matters to me!

 

[Juke99]

Good post. Thank you.

I've watched the game three times.

I think the turning point was the Keyshawn catch where the safety came up to lay him out and instead became the victim of the hit. It just seems as if things changed right there.

Veteran leadership.

We've got a great blend of that and youth.