These are the situations where we have traditionally fallen apart under Garrett

[Boyzmamacita]

One thing I'm seeing less of this team shooting themselves in the foot. Still happens as we saw on opening week and vs Rams but penalties seem to be down right now and while defense has struggled in some phases they have done a good job of winning 3rd down battles and getting turnovers. Offense no doubt the steady dose of running is big and in turn has opened things up in the passing game. But for this team to make it over the hump they have to learn to be mentally tough something they have not shown in pervious seasons

I'd say coming back from 21 down on the road and not letting the Saints make a comeback shows some mental toughness, so they're on the right track.

 

[Doomsday101]

I'd say coming back from 21 down on the road and not letting the Saints make a comeback shows some mental toughness, so they're on the right track.

I think you could look at that as a sign of mental toughness but this team has done that before. Mental toughness I'm talking about is knowing that in a do or die situation you can be mentally tough enough to relish the challenge not go out and play stiff and overly cautions. people love saying it is Romo fact is in these type of games the team has looked poor in all phases of the game.

 

[Boyzmamacita]

I think you could look at that as a sign of mental toughness but this team has done that before. Mental toughness I'm talking about is knowing that in a do or die situation you can be mentally tough enough to relish the challenge not go out and play stiff and overly cautions. people love saying it is Romo fact is in these type of games the team has looked poor in all phases of the game.

Oh, you mean like the last game of the season with a playoff spot/division title on the line type deal. Gotcha. The good thing is if they keep going at this pace, I will be a lot more confident of the outcome of do or die situations.

 

[DeaconMoss]

Romo and the Cowboys typically play good in September.....switch it around.....they play horrible in December......I enjoy the wins but I am not drinking the kool-aid until I see this team WIN in December.....

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

The way fans here, and critics around the league are viewing this team feels very familiar. We've seen and heard this song and dance before. And I'm not going to lie - I'm feeling optimistic. This offensive line is looking stout and the offense is running like a well-oiled machine.

But let's look at history for a second.

2011:
We lost a close one to the Jets to open the season, a game we should have won, and then the classic win over the Niners and a close one over the Commanders. There was a lot of positive energy around here, until Romo and Garrett went out the next week and monumentally choked away the Lions win. They got back on track for that 4-game win streak and there was a sense around here that the team "finally got it", but the wheels fell off when Bailey was famously "iced" by Garrett in the loss to Arizona and we ended the season laying our backs, staring up at the lights.

2012:
Come on, when we opened the season by smacking around the Giants in NY, who around here didn't have us pegged as a SuperBowl favorite? Of course, we came back down to earth after that, but that 3-game win streak late in the season surely had people buzzing that once again, the team had finally figured it all out and found its way. Once again, we couldn't finish and lost the last two to go 8-8.

2013:
We were feeling good after that Broncos shootout. Yeah, it was a tough loss, but damn did the offense look good or what? Then we win the next two, including a dominant win over the much-hyped Chip Kelly-led Eagles. Then, of course, we go into Detroit and lose a game that really had NO business losing, and from there it was back to the usual Jekyll and Hide Cowboys that we're used to.

So now we sit at 3-1, on an emotional high after the Saints win. Traditionally, this is where we fall apart. This is where Garrett or Romo usually take a winnable game and throw it away in mind-boggling fashion.

What do you guys think? Is this team different?

I don't think we fall apart. Usually we continue to set he table for an eventual 8-8.

Lose next 2 or lose 2 out of next 3. Putting us at 3-3 or 4-3.

I am raising my glass to toast for "change". Break the pattern!

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

I have been burned before after a good game so my overall out look is tempered.

However I will say this.

This team this year is different SO FAR in that they are committed to the run.

I have heard it in offseason before, before games, after games and so on only for them to stick with it a game and move back to the same old pass happy abandon the run offense from Red and or Romo.

However this year, SO FAR, they are sticking with the run.

I don't know if it is because of Romo's back early on. I don't know if they thought that the only way they can help the defense is to keep the offense on the field more. I don't know if Jerry/Stephen told red they are going to run the ball and stick with it, I don't know if Linehan and Romo has been told to stick with the run more or they all collectively decided that this Offensive line now is just so good at run blocking they are going to take advantage of it.

Whatever the case it seems like they are going to stick to their words, for once, and commit to the run.

I am loving it and I really hope they stick with it.

 

[Galian Beast]

Has less to do with Garrett and more to do with having legitimate coordinators. Garrett really hasn't been in position to mess anything up either.

 

[EST_1986]

The way fans here, and critics around the league are viewing this team feels very familiar. We've seen and heard this song and dance before. And I'm not going to lie - I'm feeling optimistic. This offensive line is looking stout and the offense is running like a well-oiled machine.

But let's look at history for a second.

2011:
We lost a close one to the Jets to open the season, a game we should have won, and then the classic win over the Niners and a close one over the Commanders. There was a lot of positive energy around here, until Romo and Garrett went out the next week and monumentally choked away the Lions win. They got back on track for that 4-game win streak and there was a sense around here that the team "finally got it", but the wheels fell off when Bailey was famously "iced" by Garrett in the loss to Arizona and we ended the season laying our backs, staring up at the lights.

2012:
Come on, when we opened the season by smacking around the Giants in NY, who around here didn't have us pegged as a SuperBowl favorite? Of course, we came back down to earth after that, but that 3-game win streak late in the season surely had people buzzing that once again, the team had finally figured it all out and found its way. Once again, we couldn't finish and lost the last two to go 8-8.

2013:
We were feeling good after that Broncos shootout. Yeah, it was a tough loss, but damn did the offense look good or what? Then we win the next two, including a dominant win over the much-hyped Chip Kelly-led Eagles. Then, of course, we go into Detroit and lose a game that really had NO business losing, and from there it was back to the usual Jekyll and Hide Cowboys that we're used to.

So now we sit at 3-1, on an emotional high after the Saints win. Traditionally, this is where we fall apart. This is where Garrett or Romo usually take a winnable game and throw it away in mind-boggling fashion.

What do you guys think? Is this team different?

It feels a lot different, I think last year we would have blown that lead against New Orleans and lost.

 

[Colo]

I think the big difference between this team and those of the recent past is that our success is based on something that is consistent. If you have a great offensive line, that's usually something you can depend on from week to week. Dependable o-line play helps you control the clock with running and passing when necessary which keeps your defense off the field, allowing them to be fresh, which helps them be successful. In the past, our success wasn't based on something so dependable.

 

[Seven]

It's different for me.

My favorite game so far is the Rams game. Years previous we would have caved.

I like how they took it to the Saints. Mashed the gas and didn't look back.

This team is different in the way it's winning/playing........so far.

No more half efforts, EVERYONE is hustling as a team and there's a scent of accountability.

I hope the one thing that ends up missing for ever more................... is the crap culture that was infecting this ball club.

 

[Doomsday101]

Oh, you mean like the last game of the season with a playoff spot/division title on the line type deal. Gotcha. The good thing is if they keep going at this pace, I will be a lot more confident of the outcome of do or die situations.

I agree with you, that to me is a key and I would add there were some games Dallas needed to win to secure the playoffs before the final week of the season and again let it slip from them. They have got to be able to close the deal when the opportunity is there for the taking.

 

[DOUBLE WING]

Interesting that you make no mention at all of the crippling injuries to the defense the last two years. Especially since they had such a direct impact on both seasons.

Your assessment seems tainted with your personal feelings about Romo and coaching. Why don't you be more specific about winnable games that Romo has thrown away? I can think of many he's won on game winning drives, but only a couple he "threw away" by his fault alone.

I don't think it would be fair to mention our injuries without mentioning injuries of the teams we faced, and I have no idea what the extent of those injuries were. Every team gets dealt tough blows like that. Denver made the Superbowl last year without their starting LT. Things happen to every team.

 

[slomoxn]

I hope so. There is less Garrett now that Linehan is here and less Garrett can never be a bad thing.

There is also less Romo, another plus. In the form he is in now if he HAS to throw to catch up do what you have to do; good thing his kill kill kill is no longer a pass at third and two, or 2nd and goal line. If Garrett and Romo can stay out of their own way I think this team has a shot to do something good this year. At least lay a foundation for next year now that Romo has someone forcing him to use the run.