The Year Was 1991

[Hostile]

All year long I felt like we were a year early. I couldn't believe we were the best team in the NFC. Of course I am shocked Green Bay was as good as they were too.

In 1991 I had the feeling the team was doing things right and preparing for a run. I felt the same earlier this year and I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop. When it didn't I thought maybe, just maybe...

In 1991, we qualified for the Wildcard Round with an 11-5 record. We won a 4 point squeaker over the Bears, and then got throttled in the Divisional Round by the Lions. I'll never forget that game because I lost a bet that required me to get the Lions logo shaved in one side of my head and the score in the other and go to work that day without a cap. I was bald the very next day of course as I got rid of all evidence.

Going into 1992 I just had a feeling we had arrived. 2008 isn't even close to arriving yet, and I already feel that way. Just as we weren't ready in 1991, we weren't ready this year.

It was a hell of a fun ride. One I enjoyed and am obviously quite sad is over. But I'm not heartbroken and just like 1991, I am not upset. Well, back then I was upset about the hair. This year I didn't bet my hair with anyone, though I do owe someone lunch.

There will be some changes this off season. Some good, some bad. We have 2 first round draft picks, and most of the critical players are signed long term.

I'm pretty down about today. No doubt about it. I still think we should have won in a runaway. I won't be sure about this team until December and beyond isn't an albatross. That's my focus for next year. Finish strong.

They were better than I hoped this year, but in the end fell short of my expectations. I can't describe it any other way.

 

[StevenOtero]

 

[JakeCamp12]

Hos, this team has nowhere near the talent that the 91 team had nor does it have the killer instinct to win a Super Bowl. I think you are looking through blue colored glasses. This team has a lot of holes versus that 91 team going into 92. Sorry, but I just can't agree with you...

 

[Hostile]

Hos, this team has nowhere near the talent that the 91 team had nor does it have the killer instinct to win a Super Bowl. I think you are looking through blue colored glasses. This team has a lot of holes versus that 91 team going into 92. Sorry, but I just can't agree with you...

I think there are fewer holes. JMO.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Umm I believe this team lacks football smarts at a lot of positions...

 

[SultanOfSix]

Sorry Hos, I know you're trying to be optimistic, but that team was a young one on the rise. We have a young team in certain areas, but one getting older in others. We had hope for optimism in 1991 because we actually won a playoff game on the road, only to lose to a team we were expected to lose to. Here, we lost to a team that we should have won, and we did it with mistakes, penalties, and a choke job on defense.

 

[utrunner07]

I want to agree with you and have kind of felt like we were still a year away all year as well, (does not make the loss today any better though). But I just don't think the similarities between this team and the 91 team are that great. The 91 team was on the rise quickly and were young at a lot of the key positions, this team seems like it may be quickly plateauing. We are too old at some key positions and I don't think are coaching staff has IT, like Jimmy and his guys did. I really hope I am wrong and could see you being right, but im not convinced.

 

[JakeCamp12]

What holes do you see on this team?

I say we need another stud wideout

A strong safety

A third corner

Possibly a Left tackle

A second running back

A fullback

A punt returner

The list is getting long...

 

[Woods]

Hos, this team has nowhere near the talent that the 91 team had nor does it have the killer instinct to win a Super Bowl. I think you are looking through blue colored glasses. This team has a lot of holes versus that 91 team going into 92. Sorry, but I just can't agree with you...

Our main hole is our Secondary, IMO.

It was clear before the season began we needed to shore up the CB position.

And it's even more clear now.

Oh, and we need a legimate 2nd WR.

This can EASILY be fixed this off-season via FA - and we haven't even gotten to adding our draft picks yet.

Not too many holes.

 

[Jimz31]

I would LIKE to agree with you, but the NFL of today isn't quite the same as it was back then. Back then, you KNEW who the bad teams were going to be every year, now you can go from cellar to the top floor over night....just look at the NFC South where the last place team has been the division winner the next year....and it's been that way for 5 years now.

How many players will we lose this year? How many on the coaching staff? Will we get a coaching staff that goes for the jugular?

Is THIS coaching staff remotely as good as what we had then? Jimmy and his staff brought this team a swagger that couldn't be matched by any team previously or since.

Like I said, I hope you are right, but I'm not convinced at this point.

 

[mmohican29]

Hos you know I respect your opinions always, but really can't feel ya on '91 as a viable comparison. That team didn't have Terrell Owens at WR and 11 other "Pro Bowlers" on their roster, and wasn't the top seed in the NFC entering the playoffs.

The 1991 team peaked late in the season and played spectacular football until being absolutely being derailed by a very, very good and veteran Lions team in the Silverdome.

The loss today was absurd, unfathomable and while not the biggest in team history- a fairly good choke job overall.

Noone forced the Cowboys to carry on a charade of a pass defense featuring Jacques Reeves and Roy Williams for 16 games. Noone forced the Cowboys to fail to address special teams kick coverage as a potential achille's heal.

Great teams overcome penalties like the phantom offsides on Ware on the Giants first scoring drive. This year's squad simply yielded points.

The closest game I can think of that this reminds me of was this year's Buffalo game, and this time on the biggest stage we didn't get it done, not even close.

 

[TheSkaven]

I love the optimism Hos, but I can't say that I feel the same way. Next year, Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn are a year older. We have several key free agents, including Flozell Adams, next year. Most importantly, key offensive staff like Jason Garrett and Tony Sporano will likely be gone.

It's going to take awhile to get over this one. Weeks.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Dallas definitely needs get a real 3rd CB... I believe Glenn won't be back so therefore go get another WR, clearly Crayton is a go to 2nd WR.

 

[Da Hammer]

too bad T.O is not around the age Mike was in 1992 and that our oline is not as good even though this oline isnt bad. i agree we have a bright future but i also dont like that we dont have a killer instinct like our early 90's teams had.

 

[Mojorisen]

Ahhhhh 1991, it was a very good year

 

[Hostile]

I'm not trying to be optimistic folks. Please don't take this as optimism. I still feel like we blew it. A year early or not we choked. No denying that.

 

[Wolfpack]

The pieces are in place here for a great run.

What's nice is that is the hard part, adding a few guys to put you over the top is easier and thats where I see the 91 team that Hos noted. Jerry will do everything in his power to push the pile over the top.

 

[cowboyfan4life_mark]

So with everyones thoughts going to our secondary, what do you propose that can be done?

I know that a 3rd CB would be an easy decision but does anyone really think that the Cowboys will part ways with Roy? And if so, what do you do? Start Hamlin (if he resigns) and Watkins? Do you try to resign Hamlin with the thought of drafting or signing a vet to play along side him? And suppose Hamlin gets a bigger offer somewhere else, now what?

I frankly don't know what will happen, but I just can't see going into next season with the same secondary.

 

[windward]

All year long I felt like we were a year early. I couldn't believe we were the best team in the NFC. Of course I am shocked Green Bay was as good as they were too.

In 1991 I had the feeling the team was doing things right and preparing for a run. I felt the same earlier this year and I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop. When it didn't I thought maybe, just maybe...

In 1991, we qualified for the Wildcard Round with an 11-5 record. We won a 4 point squeaker over the Bears, and then got throttled in the Divisional Round by the Lions. I'll never forget that game because I lost a bet that required me to get the Lions logo shaved in one side of my head and the score in the other and go to work that day without a cap. I was bald the very next day of course as I got rid of all evidence.

Going into 1992 I just had a feeling we had arrived. 2008 isn't even close to arriving yet, and I already feel that way. Just as we weren't ready in 1991, we weren't ready this year.

It was a hell of a fun ride. One I enjoyed and am obviously quite sad is over. But I'm not heartbroken and just like 1991, I am not upset. Well, back then I was upset about the hair. This year I didn't bet my hair with anyone, though I do owe someone lunch.

There will be some changes this off season. Some good, some bad. We have 2 first round draft picks, and most of the critical players are signed long term.

I'm pretty down about today. No doubt about it. I still think we should have won in a runaway. I won't be sure about this team until December and beyond isn't an albatross. That's my focus for next year. Finish strong.

They were better than I hoped this year, but in the end fell short of my expectations. I can't describe it any other way.

Great post, Hos. Thank you for being a voice of sanity as always.

 

[Hostile]

So with everyones thoughts going to our secondary, what do you propose that can be done?

I know that a 3rd CB would be an easy decision but does anyone really think that the Cowboys will part ways with Roy? And if so, what do you do? Start Hamlin (if he resigns) and Watkins? Do you try to resign Hamlin with the thought of drafting or signing a vet to play along side him? And suppose Hamlin gets a bigger offer somewhere else, now what?

I frankly don't know what will happen, but I just can't see going into next season with the same secondary.

Draft Antoine Cason with Cleveland's pick. He is an immediate improvement over Reeves and he can return punts too.