The Year Was 1991

[CrazyCowboy]

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.

I hear ya Hos.....I am so sad right now but we honestly did much better then I thought we would this year.....hope we can keep Garrett.

 

[DallasFanSince86]

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.

Agreed.

i am sad what happened today. I just hope the off-season will improve all of our returning players, we get a great draft, and next year will be THE ONE.

This is the first year I've been on CZ, and I'm really glad I found it. I've learned a lot about football, about the Cowboys, and my pleasure in watching the game has exponentially increased since the beginning of the season.

there's to 2008:starspin

Agreed.

We will make it next year.

 

[kingwhicker]

One thing I have learned in the past ten years is NEVER to compare any current Cowboys teams to those glorious teams from 1991-1995. It's a fruitless endeavor.

 

[Hostile]

I hear ya Hos.....I am so sad right now but we honestly did much better then I thought we would this year.....hope we can keep Garrett.

I thought Glenn and Owens were healthy. I am not so sure they were. Crayton dropping that 3rd down one where he might have been gone killed us. Reeves really killed us.

 

[utrunner07]

Can I add a special teams coach to your list?

And to that I would like to add a defensive coordinator.

 

[LucaBrasi]

A loss like this one could cause a hangover in 2008.

 

[windward]

One thing I have learned in the past ten years is NEVER to compare any current Cowboys teams to those glorious teams from 1991-1995. It's a fruitless endeavor.

Are we still the 1976 Cowboys? That means we're not far off at all.

 

[tyke1doe]

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.

That's my feeling as well. This team is still young. Romo hasn't even played too complete seasons and he's among the best quarterbacks in the league. We have Jason Witten, the most complete TE in all of football.

We have a young running back, a young defensive line and a dynamic player in DeMarcus Ware. We have a shut-down corner in Newman.

And we have TWO FIRST ROUND DRAFT PICKS!!!

This team is one of the youngest in football and has found its franchise quarterback.

Tony Romo will only learn from this experience.

Look how long it took Peyton.

Look how long it took Elway.

Look how long it took Favre.

Look how long it took Eli.

And fans are calling for Romo's head?

When you have no perspective, the sky falls all around you.

When you have perspective, you understand as much as you hurt, a new day is on the horizon.

I doubt this team will be shooting its mouth off next year and acting too loose like it can't lose these games.

 

[LarryCanadian]

Excellent post Hostile. I do think there are some very good young buiding blocks in place here.

Someone else posted a great reply listing the holes also:

2nd or 3rd CB. So Henry and the next CB on this team can play to their strengths.

Improvement at SS.

2nd WR behind TO as main weapon.

Backup RB and Backup RB (need a speed slasher, 3rd down type).

I'd also say backup FB behind Cricket. Get a veteran that can block, AND catch and even run a couple of yards if you are gonna use a roster spot here don't waste it.

Punt returner. Just being reliable catching it isn't enough.

*************
Coaching and veteran leadership will be key because the player talent isn't going to see wholesale changes. Execution will be the key for the coming seasons.

Honestly, I don't see another 13-3 season next year, but you'd more importantly want to establish some post-season success.

I hope Garrett realizes that he has a job left to do in this organization THAT HAS BEEN GOOD TO HIM. His job isn't done here. Romo is here to stay, so lets sharpen him as a weapon.

**************
Man I'd love to steal Larry Fitgerald somehow. But if we keep our 2 round 1 picks and 2nd rounder, we should really be able to look at CB, WR, and RB early in draft and get some MORE nice young talent.

The team will get still younger next year really. This is why Hostile's post is appropriate. The players that might leave, Flo, Glenn, Ferguson, Adoyle are a good chunk of our more veteran guys. Replace these guys with young players and you have a very young team again.


LarryCanadian

 

[tyke1doe]

A loss like this one could cause a hangover in 2008.

Then this team doesn't deserve to make the playoffs next year.

The Chargers had a loss like this last year. Exactly where are they today?

Playing for the AFC Championship.

The Colts had a loss like this two years ago. What happened to them last year.

Oh, yeah, they won the Super Bowl.

 

[Hostile]

Man I'd love to steal Larry Fitgerald somehow.

I still think Roy Williams of Detroit is coming and not for either of our #1 picks.

 

[bbgun]

The 1991 team had enough guts to actually win a playoff game. On the road. With a backup qb. We had many more advantages this afternoon compared to that team. 1983 might be a better comparison.

 

[tyke1doe]

we'll add a corner (likely Talib, Cason, etc) See what Hamlin and Watkins cna do with increased PT together. Rotate Roy in frequently.

Did you mean Rotate Roy infrequently?

 

[VietCowboy]

I still think Roy Williams of Detroit is coming and not for either of our #1 picks.

ray:

 

[Sarge]

This team has far more holes on defense than people either understand or want to admit, starting with Roy Williams and the secondary.

 

[cajuncocoa]

The main difference I see between this year and 1991 is that now Tony Romo has a huge monkey on his back in the fact that he's lost TWO playoff games in close fashion. In 1991, Troy was out for the playoff game we won vs. the Bears and didn't come into the game vs. the Lions until the game was already lost. He had a fairly clean slate coming into the 1992 playoffs.

 

[superpunk]

Last season was our "1991".

 

[cajuncocoa]

Last season was our "1991".

That's how I feel too. (Sad to say).

 

[AmishCowboy]

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.

Yeah, Our shopping list isn't that long a CB, Another WR and a back to team with Barber and we'll be fine.

 

[windward]

Then this team doesn't deserve to make the playoffs next year.

The Chargers had a loss like this last year. Exactly where are they today?

Playing for the AFC Championship.

The Colts had a loss like this two years ago. What happened to them last year.

Oh, yeah, they won the Super Bowl.

That is what is comforting to me. Would not surprise me if the Chargers "shock the world" next Sunday.