The Missing Motivator - FEAR

[CouchCoach]

I am not talking about being afraid, I am talking about one of the greatest motivators next to self-preservation, the fear of failure.

The fear of failure is akin to the answer to the question "which is more motivating for action, the opportunity for gain or the avoidance of pain"? Anyone that's ever been in sales will tell you the avoidance of pain is by far the stronger motivator.

Where does that exist with the Cowboys? When has it existed since Booger bought the team? Johnson and Parcells instilled a level of fear that served to motivate even the players that were not in the line of fire. In case you missed it several years back, the account of the plane ride home after losing to the Eagles 44-6 and being done for the season was anything but sad. They were talking about vacations and there was far too much laughter allowed on that journey home. No team coached by the two I mentioned would have ever felt comfortable enough to even smile.

Add to this, Wade Phillips' request to increase the player fines to attempt to get it under control was not only denied, certain players had "media passes" and were allowed to be late for meetings. Textbook inmates running the asylum.

What happens when the Cowboys lose a game or a season? Not only nothing but excuses are made by the HC and GM. Remember that comment Booger made about "some were going to be uncomfortable at Valley Ranch"? That was assistant assistant coaches that their own families were unaware they were on the team.

This team has no fear. They do not fear management, coaching or even their own leaders. They do not have the basic fundamental factor for success, the fear of failure. Until that changes, they do not reach their full potential. The fear of failure makes people uncomfortable, do you see that with the Cowboys?

 

[G2]

Like Frankie Fear?

 

[StarMan2112]

It’s the culture Jerry has cultivated. Wish he’d sell the Cowboys and buy an NBA team.

 

[phildadon86]

It’s the culture Jerry has cultivated. Wish he’d sell the Cowboys and buy an NBA team.

Or a soccer team. That would be hilarious. Seeing Jerry trying to buy players and realize just how little money he really has now.

 

[Whyjerry]

I am not talking about being afraid, I am talking about one of the greatest motivators next to self-preservation, the fear of failure.

The fear of failure is akin to the answer to the question "which is more motivating for action, the opportunity for gain or the avoidance of pain"? Anyone that's ever been in sales will tell you the avoidance of pain is by far the stronger motivator.

Where does that exist with the Cowboys? When has it existed since Booger bought the team? Johnson and Parcells instilled a level of fear that served to motivate even the players that were not in the line of fire. In case you missed it several years back, the account of the plane ride home after losing to the Eagles 44-6 and being done for the season was anything but sad. They were talking about vacations and there was far too much laughter allowed on that journey home. No team coached by the two I mentioned would have ever felt comfortable enough to even smile.

Add to this, Wade Phillips' request to increase the player fines to attempt to get it under control was not only denied, certain players had "media passes" and were allowed to be late for meetings. Textbook inmates running the asylum.

What happens when the Cowboys lose a game or a season? Not only nothing but excuses are made by the HC and GM. Remember that comment Booger made about "some were going to be uncomfortable at Valley Ranch"? That was assistant assistant coaches that their own families were unaware they were on the team.

This team has no fear. They do not fear management, coaching or even their own leaders. They do not have the basic fundamental factor for success, the fear of failure. Until that changes, they do not reach their full potential. The fear of failure makes people uncomfortable, do you see that with the Cowboys?

Can I like this 100 times? Country Club Cowboys.

 

[Vanilla2]

But I thought we wanted to be the eagles?

And they won by having Fun!

Where the heck am I?

 

[northerncowboynation]

lol, fear eh! Fear of what? It doesn't matter which team a player is on they make their money win or lose. Average salary, $2 million/year, average life span of playing years, 3.You're talking like a rich fat cat owner Coach. Many of these guys grew up on the streets. Their fear is nothing like yours How many players/year have their name printed on the Lombardi! How many don't! The great motivator is money. Grab it while you can, 3 years ain't a long life span. You ever had a job coach where 3 years was the life span and then the career was over? What's your prime motivator then?

 

[CouchCoach]

But I thought we wanted to be the eagles?

And they won by having Fun!

Where the heck am I?

Interesting comparison, what do you think their fear was? That is the most frustrated and vocal fan base in the league, every player knew what was coming if those fans were left at the altar for a 3rd time.

 

[northerncowboynation]

Coach, you go out and play football in the NFL. You and I would last a day. The average player, just under 3 years. Motivation? Don't get injured. Make money while you can for the family. Someone said Parcells left coaching because TO was forced on him. One of the toughest sumabeach coaches in NFL couldn't handle it. This ain't Lombardi's world any more, or Landry's

 

[CouchCoach]

lol, fear eh! Fear of what? It doesn't matter which team a player is on they make their money win or lose. Average salary, $2 million/year, average life span of playing years, 3.You're talking like a rich fat cat owner Coach. Many of these guys grew up on the streets. Their fear is nothing like yours How many players/year have their name printed on the Lombardi! How many don't! The great motivator is money. Grab it while you can, 3 years ain't a long life span. You ever had a job coach where 3 years was the life span and then the career was over? What's your prime motivator then?

If that were the case then none of the teams would be motivated and we've seen that many are.

Not disagreeing that they all play for money but there are additional motivations that are either self-instilled by coaching. Sean Lee is motivated beyond the money as Romo was because both tried to go back onto the field injured and unable to really perform. But they both have that most needed quality of the fear of letting their teammates down.

 

[Vanilla2]

Interesting comparison, what do you think their fear was? That is the most frustrated and vocal fan base in the league, every player knew what was coming if those fans were left at the altar for a 3rd time.

Yeah they were so scared after 50+ years they finally did something about it.

Everything cam up Mulhouse for them this season and they seized upon a down year for the league.

Simple as that

 

[atlantacowboy]

I am not talking about being afraid, I am talking about one of the greatest motivators next to self-preservation, the fear of failure.

The fear of failure is akin to the answer to the question "which is more motivating for action, the opportunity for gain or the avoidance of pain"? Anyone that's ever been in sales will tell you the avoidance of pain is by far the stronger motivator.

Where does that exist with the Cowboys? When has it existed since Booger bought the team? Johnson and Parcells instilled a level of fear that served to motivate even the players that were not in the line of fire. In case you missed it several years back, the account of the plane ride home after losing to the Eagles 44-6 and being done for the season was anything but sad. They were talking about vacations and there was far too much laughter allowed on that journey home. No team coached by the two I mentioned would have ever felt comfortable enough to even smile.

Add to this, Wade Phillips' request to increase the player fines to attempt to get it under control was not only denied, certain players had "media passes" and were allowed to be late for meetings. Textbook inmates running the asylum.

What happens when the Cowboys lose a game or a season? Not only nothing but excuses are made by the HC and GM. Remember that comment Booger made about "some were going to be uncomfortable at Valley Ranch"? That was assistant assistant coaches that their own families were unaware they were on the team.

This team has no fear. They do not fear management, coaching or even their own leaders. They do not have the basic fundamental factor for success, the fear of failure. Until that changes, they do not reach their full potential. The fear of failure makes people uncomfortable, do you see that with the Cowboys?

Nobody is afraid. We give dolts like Randy Gregory 3 million dollars which increased his net worth 3 million dollars and expect him to be grateful enough to do the right thing by the team. Thats just not how players work anymore. Now, once a guy has cashed him first big paycheck, you have to worry about not hurting his feelings and how that might reflect in his play. These guys are big, strong pansies for the most part more interested in what people think on Twitter than in getting better at their job. The only way to deal with players is how the Patriots deal with them. You get one opportunity and then your done and replaced by the next widget.

 

[foofighters]

I am not talking about being afraid, I am talking about one of the greatest motivators next to self-preservation, the fear of failure.

The fear of failure is akin to the answer to the question "which is more motivating for action, the opportunity for gain or the avoidance of pain"? Anyone that's ever been in sales will tell you the avoidance of pain is by far the stronger motivator.

Where does that exist with the Cowboys? When has it existed since Booger bought the team? Johnson and Parcells instilled a level of fear that served to motivate even the players that were not in the line of fire. In case you missed it several years back, the account of the plane ride home after losing to the Eagles 44-6 and being done for the season was anything but sad. They were talking about vacations and there was far too much laughter allowed on that journey home. No team coached by the two I mentioned would have ever felt comfortable enough to even smile.

Add to this, Wade Phillips' request to increase the player fines to attempt to get it under control was not only denied, certain players had "media passes" and were allowed to be late for meetings. Textbook inmates running the asylum.

What happens when the Cowboys lose a game or a season? Not only nothing but excuses are made by the HC and GM. Remember that comment Booger made about "some were going to be uncomfortable at Valley Ranch"? That was assistant assistant coaches that their own families were unaware they were on the team.

This team has no fear. They do not fear management, coaching or even their own leaders. They do not have the basic fundamental factor for success, the fear of failure. Until that changes, they do not reach their full potential. The fear of failure makes people uncomfortable, do you see that with the Cowboys?

Those days are long gone. The CBA has changed that type of mentality and today's workforce also demonstrates this. Now it's about reward and recognition and knowing how to manage under this. It's not fear that this team needs, it's true leadership from the top that knows how to manage.

 

[GenoT]

With the convoluted chain-of-command circle-jerk of Jerry/Stephen/McClay/Garrett, which formulates all roster decisions, fear of failure among players isn’t a high priority.

When straight-laced HC Garrett’s roster of “quality individuals” is regularly peppered with the likes of Joseph Randle, Rolando McClain, Greg Hardy and Randy Gregory, simply because Riverboat Jerry thinks he’s getting over on the rest of the NFL, everyone else knows that all they gotta do is perform to a reasonable level and stay off the police arrest blotters.

 

[Fletch]

I am not talking about being afraid, I am talking about one of the greatest motivators next to self-preservation, the fear of failure.

The fear of failure is akin to the answer to the question "which is more motivating for action, the opportunity for gain or the avoidance of pain"? Anyone that's ever been in sales will tell you the avoidance of pain is by far the stronger motivator.

Where does that exist with the Cowboys? When has it existed since Booger bought the team? Johnson and Parcells instilled a level of fear that served to motivate even the players that were not in the line of fire. In case you missed it several years back, the account of the plane ride home after losing to the Eagles 44-6 and being done for the season was anything but sad. They were talking about vacations and there was far too much laughter allowed on that journey home. No team coached by the two I mentioned would have ever felt comfortable enough to even smile.

Add to this, Wade Phillips' request to increase the player fines to attempt to get it under control was not only denied, certain players had "media passes" and were allowed to be late for meetings. Textbook inmates running the asylum.

What happens when the Cowboys lose a game or a season? Not only nothing but excuses are made by the HC and GM. Remember that comment Booger made about "some were going to be uncomfortable at Valley Ranch"? That was assistant assistant coaches that their own families were unaware they were on the team.

This team has no fear. They do not fear management, coaching or even their own leaders. They do not have the basic fundamental factor for success, the fear of failure. Until that changes, they do not reach their full potential. The fear of failure makes people uncomfortable, do you see that with the Cowboys?

I agree. The Jones’ have allowed this culture since Jimmy left. Let’s hope we acquire all-world talent to overcome management.

SeanLee50, please PM bout your avatar. Adjustments are needed.

 

[CouchCoach]

Coach, you go out and play football in the NFL. You and I would last a day. The average player, just under 3 years. Motivation? Don't get injured. Make money while you can for the family. Someone said Parcells left coaching because TO was forced on him. One of the toughest sumabeach coaches in NFL couldn't handle it. This ain't Lombardi's world any more, or Landry's

No argument, it is a players' league now but there are still fear motivators coaches can use when they are allowed to do it.

Do you think Booger would have allowed Garrett to bench Malcolm Butler for the biggest game of the season and I am certain there are some on that team that feel that could have changed the outcome. So, why didn't Kraft intercede? Because in the area of football, the game not the business, he knows his team is Belichick's team. And you can bet that got every players' attention except the QB.

The fear of failure begins with the selection of players. That's why I have always favored taking team captains that have to lead early on and players form big time winning programs. Too often, you take a player from a team used to losing, that becomes acceptable. It is not intentional, it just happens.

 

[jazzcat22]

Jerry needs to instill fear into Garrett....win it all, or a SB appearance or be fired.....at least no less than the NFCCG. And if it is against Philly, they must win.

Garrett has no fear of losing his job, he needs it.

 

[CouchCoach]

With the convoluted chain-of-command circle-jerk of Jerry/Stephen/McClay/Garrett, which formulates all roster decisions, fear of failure among players isn’t a high priority.

When straight-laced HC Garrett’s roster of “quality individuals” is regularly peppered with the likes of Joseph Randle, Rolando McClain, Greg Hardy and Randy Gregory, simply because Riverboat Jerry thinks he’s getting over on the rest of the NFL, everyone else knows that all they gotta do is perform to a reasonable level and stay off the police arrest blotters.

The best example of that was signing Owens. No doubt about the man's talent as an individual but Booger overlooked all concept of what kind of team Parcells was trying to build.

That's where Belichick excels and this season we saw Pederson do the same thing. The reason they both made it is that both were mentally tough. That's where the Falcons come up short. I think Zimmer did a good job ion that area but his QB is not mentally tough.

 

[CouchCoach]

Jerry needs to instill fear into Garrett....win it all, or a SB appearance or be fired.....at least no less than the NFCCG. And if it is against Philly, they must win.

Garrett has no fear of losing his job, he needs it.

If that were to happen, he would need to bow completely out and let Garrett fulfill all of the duties that the other HC's carry out. That is not going to happen.

 

[Bobhaze]

Well said Coach.

Jimmy said a few years ago that he felt like the players did not fear Jason Garrett. Nothing has changed since then except 3 or 4 more years of entrenching the cancer that eats this culture: No accountability at the top of the organization or with star players for failure.

The people this org holds “accountable for failure” are mid to low level asst coaches and non- star players. This team has had a problem with accountability for so long, it’s baked in the organizational cake.