Bull Frog
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Every Sunday for the past four years is like a scene from the movie Groundhog Day. It is almost as if each season in this decade never ends, it only pauses. Each year some teams surpass us and some drop below us, but there we are right in the middle. My loyalty to this team is unwavering, however, my game day enthusiasm for this team is and overall emotion is waning because I already know what is coming.
Being a kid in the ‘70’s and having watched the dynasty of the ‘90’s spoiled me. Over the years the slow attrition of those rosters occurred, but expectations for this franchise were still high. Everything changed for this franchise when Michael Irvin was injured in a playoff game against the Kerry Collins led Carolina Panthers in 1997. We lost the game: we would soon lose players. Jerry world became like an NFL amusement park complete with a coaching carousel and roller coaster seasons.
Consistency is typically a positive word; however, this team is mired in the consistency of mediocrity. This is not a thread to bash Jerry. I will never doubt Jerry’s passion for the Cowboys, or his desire to win and I appreciate his liberal spending to achieve success, but the more we change the more things stay the same. New coaches, new players, same ole story. This was true again on Sunday.
I contemplated creating a thread before the Kansas City game addressing concern for something I read. I forget which player said it, but it was something similar to, “they (Giants) were taking away the deep ball and giving us the stuff underneath”. That statement was a huge red flag for me. The teams in the ‘70’s, early '80's and ‘90’s dictated the game. They did not “take what the defense gave you” they went out and did what they did best. Emmitt saw 8 man fronts his entire career. Yes, I know he had a great offensive line, but they still exposed teams. Maybe they had superior talent, but the Cowboy teams of the last few years only game plan to “take what they are given” on offense and “bend don’t break” on defense.
A common discussion on this board is how the Cowboys play down to the competition. This is somewhat true, but the Cowboys often rise to the level of the competition once they have to deviate from their game plan. They typically deviate from the original game plan when the original plan has totally failed them and they are behind. We are always in close games. We may win by 3 or “only lose by 3”, but the result is 8-8. Nothing says conservative like an Even-Steven, 8-8 season.
Reverting back to my childhood I recall the Tom Landry days. I remember the flea-flicker, the reverses, the fullback pass by Robert Newhouse, the Flex defense, the kickoff reverse to Hollywood Henderson and the well-executed middle screens to Tony Dorsett. I am talking about the ‘70’s and ‘80’s. Landry was more innovative 40 years ago than our current offensive staff. When is the last time this team executed a successful screen-pass?
Football has evolved with bigger, faster players and coaches are taking advantage of their talents. Bryant, Austin and Williams average 6’2 215lbs. How does this not create matchup problems for defenses? Why are we running 3 step, quick outs and slants to these guys? Granted we can only run for two yards a carry, but the reward for a two yard route is low with a greater risk.
With 1st and 10 before Bailey’s last field goal, Romo threw 3 quick incomplete passes. On 3rd down he threw to Witten before Williams and Austin were even 4 yards down the field. Is this the design of the offense or is Romo protecting an injury? I’d like to blame it on injury, but I’ve seen this for years. When we need six yards we throw a 3 yard pass. When we need four yards we throw a 2 yard pass because that what the defense is giving us. One of our better plays was on 3rd and 2 when Romo hit Williams for a big gain. Imagine that.
I don’t question the effort of this team. I just think the coaches game plan conservatively every week. There doesn't seem to be a killer instinct nor any true identity. I believe the talent exists on this roster to be successful and needs to be unleashed. Use the players strengths to exploit the competition.
I’d like to move on from this perpetual season.
Now let’s go out there and beat the Rams by 1!!!!!!
Being a kid in the ‘70’s and having watched the dynasty of the ‘90’s spoiled me. Over the years the slow attrition of those rosters occurred, but expectations for this franchise were still high. Everything changed for this franchise when Michael Irvin was injured in a playoff game against the Kerry Collins led Carolina Panthers in 1997. We lost the game: we would soon lose players. Jerry world became like an NFL amusement park complete with a coaching carousel and roller coaster seasons.
Consistency is typically a positive word; however, this team is mired in the consistency of mediocrity. This is not a thread to bash Jerry. I will never doubt Jerry’s passion for the Cowboys, or his desire to win and I appreciate his liberal spending to achieve success, but the more we change the more things stay the same. New coaches, new players, same ole story. This was true again on Sunday.
I contemplated creating a thread before the Kansas City game addressing concern for something I read. I forget which player said it, but it was something similar to, “they (Giants) were taking away the deep ball and giving us the stuff underneath”. That statement was a huge red flag for me. The teams in the ‘70’s, early '80's and ‘90’s dictated the game. They did not “take what the defense gave you” they went out and did what they did best. Emmitt saw 8 man fronts his entire career. Yes, I know he had a great offensive line, but they still exposed teams. Maybe they had superior talent, but the Cowboy teams of the last few years only game plan to “take what they are given” on offense and “bend don’t break” on defense.
A common discussion on this board is how the Cowboys play down to the competition. This is somewhat true, but the Cowboys often rise to the level of the competition once they have to deviate from their game plan. They typically deviate from the original game plan when the original plan has totally failed them and they are behind. We are always in close games. We may win by 3 or “only lose by 3”, but the result is 8-8. Nothing says conservative like an Even-Steven, 8-8 season.
Reverting back to my childhood I recall the Tom Landry days. I remember the flea-flicker, the reverses, the fullback pass by Robert Newhouse, the Flex defense, the kickoff reverse to Hollywood Henderson and the well-executed middle screens to Tony Dorsett. I am talking about the ‘70’s and ‘80’s. Landry was more innovative 40 years ago than our current offensive staff. When is the last time this team executed a successful screen-pass?
Football has evolved with bigger, faster players and coaches are taking advantage of their talents. Bryant, Austin and Williams average 6’2 215lbs. How does this not create matchup problems for defenses? Why are we running 3 step, quick outs and slants to these guys? Granted we can only run for two yards a carry, but the reward for a two yard route is low with a greater risk.
With 1st and 10 before Bailey’s last field goal, Romo threw 3 quick incomplete passes. On 3rd down he threw to Witten before Williams and Austin were even 4 yards down the field. Is this the design of the offense or is Romo protecting an injury? I’d like to blame it on injury, but I’ve seen this for years. When we need six yards we throw a 3 yard pass. When we need four yards we throw a 2 yard pass because that what the defense is giving us. One of our better plays was on 3rd and 2 when Romo hit Williams for a big gain. Imagine that.
I don’t question the effort of this team. I just think the coaches game plan conservatively every week. There doesn't seem to be a killer instinct nor any true identity. I believe the talent exists on this roster to be successful and needs to be unleashed. Use the players strengths to exploit the competition.
I’d like to move on from this perpetual season.
Now let’s go out there and beat the Rams by 1!!!!!!
