TheWarrenReport
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The Bears beat the Cowboys, 27-20 — Vegas odds, on-paper advantages and home-turf intangibles be damned. However, don't let the defeat cloud judgment. Dallas could still advance to the playoffs... or squander a season in which the once-beastly NFC East is more docile than Siegfried following Roy's run-in with Montecore. Argue amongst yourselves, if you like, but why not let reason and faith unite us instead?
How to regain the team's off-season-alleged competitive edge is the question of the day. Or, really, the year. On the downside, the switch can't be flipped nor will Wade take a switch to the backside of his under-achievers. No one will be fired and professionals shouldn't need to be fired up. So, let's examine the core conundrum: if the players are so skilled, why do we keep getting killed?
Talent doesn't matter; neither does heart. Contrary to majority misperception, they aren't mutually exclusive either. You need both to win championships. (Arguably, the Cowboys possess half the equation already.) Pro football isn't David versus Goliath nor Bill Bates versus Bo Jackson. As much as I love RUDY, you can't field a team of five-foot-nothin's, 100 and nothin's without a speck of athletic ability and expect to survive any given Sunday. I understand the calls to start third-stringers and practice squad survivors, but really, these please are silly. Jesse Holley, for instance, isn't better than Roy Williams. Frankly, Roy's played better these past two weeks than he has the past two years, his heart-breaking fourth-quarter fumble notwithstanding.
Speaking of sacrificial hams, David Buehler has been humbled yet remains heroic in his own way. My lord, without him, several kick-offs would have been returned for touchdowns. He's a better tackler than most folks thought Mike Jenkins was after his rookie year. I love Buehler for his gutsy play but can't bear to watch him attempt another field goal. Beuhler's a two-game goat that can be saved simply by letting him focus on what he does best: boom the ball to the back of the endzone, indiscriminately. Bring in Matt Stover and take your chances, Jerry. That's your only easy fix. We're jones-ing for the others.
For the rest of the roster: Man up. Recommit. Remember why you play the game. Yes, the cynical will say most pros play only for the paycheck, but no one I know likes to look incompetent, consistently, in front of millions other than Keanu Reeves. Players ought blame themselves (only!) and model better practice habits. No need to point fingers, just embrace peers who prioritize excellence over endorsements, technique over the jacuzzi.
Terence Newman claims teammates aren't focused during the week? Well, instead of calling them out, he should lead by working his hardest then asking Dave Camp for more instruction. Marion Barber III is a Captain, he should act like one. On Wednesday, insist the line stay behind to figure how to make a hole. Get in the face of Marc Columbo, if need be. That'll earn respect. Wade could penalize vets for sloppy play; rotate young guns in while the yellow-flagged deride the bench for a series. Every player should be as desperate to get (back) on the field as Jason Witten was... post-concussion! (Our tight end is the epitome of the talent/heart bond necessary to succeed in any sport, any life.) How long do you think it'd take the 'Boys to register a win if everyone was as driven as Michael Irvin on the field and as devoted as Larry Allen in the weight room? Lots of people dumped on Tashard's choice to fight for extra yards at the end of last week's half. Yes, it was a mistake, but at least he wasn't quitting. Alex Barron may have quit before his flight from St. Louis touched down at DFW.
Crucial to all the above is a supervising authority capable of assessing strengths and weaknesses, evaluating any individual's capacity for fulfilling his potential. Could be the head coach. Could be the GM. Really doesn't matter, as long as someone's willing to be honest with those under his command and... himself. Of course, such critical self-analysis may prove harder than concocting a game plan that favors hot hands rather than some Little League inspired notion of fairness mandating everyone have a turn at bat. (Just because you have three running backs doesn't mean they require an equal number of touches, Jason.)
As much as I once dreamed of being an NFL star, I recognized that my stature — just slightly greater than Sean Astin's — would preclude even a pipe-dreamed run at the prep team for Notre Dame. Sadly, sometimes ambitions and the opposite sex are out of our leagues. Out of mine.
But as I've aged — and yesterday was my birthday, so that's another year of wisdom chalked up along with the Cowboys' unbearable loss — I have learned to place myself in situations in which I know I can compete and honestly believe I can triumph. If, I commit. A friend once gave me this back-handed compliment: "Warren, I can't imagine you failing at anything you attempt. I also can't imagine you attempting anything you might fail at." Fair enough.
At the NFL level, this uncommon sense should be worthy of Hall induction. General managers and coaches must be able to release players regardless of sentiment or signing bonuses if they prove they are incapable or unwilling to match their contracted worth. At the same time, managers and coaches must be able to demand each player, each coach try their hardest before making such unkind cuts necessary. Better yet, the individuals ought expect the best of themselves rather than accept maximum reward for contributing the bare minimum to the team.
For my birthday, I wished for the strength to accept the things the I can't change and the courage to change the things I can.
For the Cowboys, I wished for a head coach and GM with the wisdom to know the difference... between the truly gifted and the truly hungry.
How to regain the team's off-season-alleged competitive edge is the question of the day. Or, really, the year. On the downside, the switch can't be flipped nor will Wade take a switch to the backside of his under-achievers. No one will be fired and professionals shouldn't need to be fired up. So, let's examine the core conundrum: if the players are so skilled, why do we keep getting killed?
Talent doesn't matter; neither does heart. Contrary to majority misperception, they aren't mutually exclusive either. You need both to win championships. (Arguably, the Cowboys possess half the equation already.) Pro football isn't David versus Goliath nor Bill Bates versus Bo Jackson. As much as I love RUDY, you can't field a team of five-foot-nothin's, 100 and nothin's without a speck of athletic ability and expect to survive any given Sunday. I understand the calls to start third-stringers and practice squad survivors, but really, these please are silly. Jesse Holley, for instance, isn't better than Roy Williams. Frankly, Roy's played better these past two weeks than he has the past two years, his heart-breaking fourth-quarter fumble notwithstanding.
Speaking of sacrificial hams, David Buehler has been humbled yet remains heroic in his own way. My lord, without him, several kick-offs would have been returned for touchdowns. He's a better tackler than most folks thought Mike Jenkins was after his rookie year. I love Buehler for his gutsy play but can't bear to watch him attempt another field goal. Beuhler's a two-game goat that can be saved simply by letting him focus on what he does best: boom the ball to the back of the endzone, indiscriminately. Bring in Matt Stover and take your chances, Jerry. That's your only easy fix. We're jones-ing for the others.
For the rest of the roster: Man up. Recommit. Remember why you play the game. Yes, the cynical will say most pros play only for the paycheck, but no one I know likes to look incompetent, consistently, in front of millions other than Keanu Reeves. Players ought blame themselves (only!) and model better practice habits. No need to point fingers, just embrace peers who prioritize excellence over endorsements, technique over the jacuzzi.
Terence Newman claims teammates aren't focused during the week? Well, instead of calling them out, he should lead by working his hardest then asking Dave Camp for more instruction. Marion Barber III is a Captain, he should act like one. On Wednesday, insist the line stay behind to figure how to make a hole. Get in the face of Marc Columbo, if need be. That'll earn respect. Wade could penalize vets for sloppy play; rotate young guns in while the yellow-flagged deride the bench for a series. Every player should be as desperate to get (back) on the field as Jason Witten was... post-concussion! (Our tight end is the epitome of the talent/heart bond necessary to succeed in any sport, any life.) How long do you think it'd take the 'Boys to register a win if everyone was as driven as Michael Irvin on the field and as devoted as Larry Allen in the weight room? Lots of people dumped on Tashard's choice to fight for extra yards at the end of last week's half. Yes, it was a mistake, but at least he wasn't quitting. Alex Barron may have quit before his flight from St. Louis touched down at DFW.
Crucial to all the above is a supervising authority capable of assessing strengths and weaknesses, evaluating any individual's capacity for fulfilling his potential. Could be the head coach. Could be the GM. Really doesn't matter, as long as someone's willing to be honest with those under his command and... himself. Of course, such critical self-analysis may prove harder than concocting a game plan that favors hot hands rather than some Little League inspired notion of fairness mandating everyone have a turn at bat. (Just because you have three running backs doesn't mean they require an equal number of touches, Jason.)
As much as I once dreamed of being an NFL star, I recognized that my stature — just slightly greater than Sean Astin's — would preclude even a pipe-dreamed run at the prep team for Notre Dame. Sadly, sometimes ambitions and the opposite sex are out of our leagues. Out of mine.
But as I've aged — and yesterday was my birthday, so that's another year of wisdom chalked up along with the Cowboys' unbearable loss — I have learned to place myself in situations in which I know I can compete and honestly believe I can triumph. If, I commit. A friend once gave me this back-handed compliment: "Warren, I can't imagine you failing at anything you attempt. I also can't imagine you attempting anything you might fail at." Fair enough.
At the NFL level, this uncommon sense should be worthy of Hall induction. General managers and coaches must be able to release players regardless of sentiment or signing bonuses if they prove they are incapable or unwilling to match their contracted worth. At the same time, managers and coaches must be able to demand each player, each coach try their hardest before making such unkind cuts necessary. Better yet, the individuals ought expect the best of themselves rather than accept maximum reward for contributing the bare minimum to the team.
For my birthday, I wished for the strength to accept the things the I can't change and the courage to change the things I can.
For the Cowboys, I wished for a head coach and GM with the wisdom to know the difference... between the truly gifted and the truly hungry.
