Vela: Same As It Ever Was

[ethiostar]

I didn't see this posted anywhere. Sorry if repost.

He's got a point.


http://www.blueandsilverreport.com/Same As It Ever Was

• 2006, at this point — 4-3;
• 2008, at this point — 4-3;

• 2006, penalty yards rank: 5th;
• 2008, penalty yards rank: 2nd;

• 2006, net punting - 38.0;
• 2008, net punting - 38.7;

• 2006 KO ret. avg./rank — 23.3/8th
• 2008 KO ret. avg./rank — 23.9/11th;

• 2006 punt ret. avg./rank - 8.4/19th;
• 2008 punt ret. avg./rank - 6.7/27th;

• 2006 opponent avg. start after kickoff — 28 yard line;
• 2008 opponent avg. start after kickoff - 31.5 yard line;

Bill Parcells was known as a disciplinarian. A hardass. He told Jerry when he was hired that he would need to win right away because his act would not wear well over time. Kind of like Jimmy Johnson’s. The Tuna’s teams didn’t take stupid penalties.


Bruce DeHaven had a reputation as one of the league’s better special teams coaches. His Buffalo squads, with Hall-of-Famer Steve Tasker leading, were superb.


Then, both of them came to Dallas. Their last team couldn’t stop committing stupid penalties. It was mediocre on special teams. It’s numbers are about the same as this year’s team.


We can cry for Wade Phillips’ head and Brian Stewart’s head and Bruce Read’s head but lets put the fair share of blame on the players. Hard coach/soft coach. Well known special teams coach/no-name special teams coach. The results are almost identical.


And what has changed on the roster? On defense, there are only two starters who were not here in ‘06 — Ken Hamlin and Zach Thomas. On offense, Leonard Davis is the only member of the starting eleven who wasn’t a starter or key role player two years ago.


You can bring in a Bill Cowher or a Jimmy Johnson but if you don’t give him the saws and scalpels to perform radical roster surgery you have what you have.


Unless the players hearts — and brains — grow three sizes, Grinch style, it’s the same as it ever was.

 

[Dodger12]

We've got a more talented team and a more seasoned QB than we had in 2006. 2007 and 2008 should have been a continuation of building and improving this franchise. Instead, it was an affirmation to the owner that the "hard approach" didn't work and he left his foot off the gas. It's a shame, really, because I think GM Jerry did his part to stock the roaster for a serious run. I just think he (again) underestimated the value and importance of his HC.

 

[DaBoys4Life]

the penalties have always been there its not because Wade is a laid back coach....I never understood when people said that stuff.

 

[HTownCowboysFan]

This was Norm's take this AM on THE TICKET. It's the same stuff under two very different Head Coaches. When should the players take the blame? Now, I think.

I agree, there needs to be a churning of the roster. But you've got a lot of money invested in many of these guys and it's just flat impossible to let loose many of them.

We've got 9 games -- let's see how it plays out. :starspin

I didn't see this posted anywhere. Sorry if repost.

He's got a point.


http://www.blueandsilverreport.com/Same As It Ever Was

• 2006, at this point — 4-3;
• 2008, at this point — 4-3;

• 2006, penalty yards rank: 5th;
• 2008, penalty yards rank: 2nd;

• 2006, net punting - 38.0;
• 2008, net punting - 38.7;

• 2006 KO ret. avg./rank — 23.3/8th
• 2008 KO ret. avg./rank — 23.9/11th;

• 2006 punt ret. avg./rank - 8.4/19th;
• 2008 punt ret. avg./rank - 6.7/27th;

• 2006 opponent avg. start after kickoff — 28 yard line;
• 2008 opponent avg. start after kickoff - 31.5 yard line;

Bill Parcells was known as a disciplinarian. A hardass. He told Jerry when he was hired that he would need to win right away because his act would not wear well over time. Kind of like Jimmy Johnson’s. The Tuna’s teams didn’t take stupid penalties.


Bruce DeHaven had a reputation as one of the league’s better special teams coaches. His Buffalo squads, with Hall-of-Famer Steve Tasker leading, were superb.


Then, both of them came to Dallas. Their last team couldn’t stop committing stupid penalties. It was mediocre on special teams. It’s numbers are about the same as this year’s team.


We can cry for Wade Phillips’ head and Brian Stewart’s head and Bruce Read’s head but lets put the fair share of blame on the players. Hard coach/soft coach. Well known special teams coach/no-name special teams coach. The results are almost identical.


And what has changed on the roster? On defense, there are only two starters who were not here in ‘06 — Ken Hamlin and Zach Thomas. On offense, Leonard Davis is the only member of the starting eleven who wasn’t a starter or key role player two years ago.


You can bring in a Bill Cowher or a Jimmy Johnson but if you don’t give him the saws and scalpels to perform radical roster surgery you have what you have.


Unless the players hearts — and brains — grow three sizes, Grinch style, it’s the same as it ever was.

 

[Word Mofo]

I think this blog is spot on. How many coaches do we have to go through for the players to EXECUTE!!!

 

[CrazyCowboy]

long season.....we will be ok

 

[BAT]

This was Norm's take this AM on THE TICKET. It's the same stuff under two very different Head Coaches. When should the players take the blame? Now, I think.

I agree, there needs to be a churning of the roster. But you've got a lot of money invested in many of these guys and it's just flat impossible to let loose many of them.

We've got 9 games -- let's see how it plays out. :starspin

You are absolutely correct, it is not cost effective to churn the TOP of the roster, that's why Bill always preached churning the BOTTOM of the roster, especially when he needed to get the team's attention.


That is one thing I have always agreed with Parcells.

 

[TNCowboy]

What's not mentioned is that Parcells made a drastic change (qb) 6 games in. Wade has shown no tolerance for any change at all, and said as much today.

This penalty nonsense is ridiculous. That is coaching. I've seen coaches square that away at the high school and college level, so there's no excuse for it at this level. As Jimmy Johson said, our guys were too busy strutting in front of the camera in training camp instead of getting the practice that weeds out the unforced errors we're seeing weekly.

At some point the coach has to be willing to say, "you commit stupid mistakes, you don't play," (of course, our coach may not have the authority to say that). And that has to go for even your best players. Frankly, I'd do that at pretty much every position but QB.

The guys who really care crave playing time. Having to watch for a quarter or a half will make an impact on them. The guys who don't care aren't worth the effort anyway.

 

[Hypnotoad]

What's not mentioned is that Parcells made a drastic change (qb) 6 games in. Wade has shown no tolerance for any change at all, and said as much today.

This penalty nonsense is ridiculous. That is coaching. I've seen coaches square that away at the high school and college level, so there's no excuse for it at this level. As Jimmy Johson said, our guys were too busy strutting in front of the camera in training camp instead of getting the practice that weeds out the unforced errors we're seeing weekly.

At some point the coach has to be willing to say, "you commit stupid mistakes, you don't play," (of course, our coach may not have the authority to say that). And that has to go for even your best players. Frankly, I'd do that at pretty much every position but QB.

The guys who really care crave playing time. Having to watch for a quarter or a half will make an impact on them. The guys who don't care aren't worth the effort anyway.

Quick Coach, put the backup secret weapon everyones been yelling at you to start for 6 weeks now. Come on, even an idiot can see your not going anywhere with the starting old statue QB you have to start the young QB with moxie.

Sound familiar? There is no secret weapon that brings us wins easily.

If there was a player to put in, we would have put him in. The have to find out whats wrong, the coaches have to change the culture, and if that means losing against the rams before we get there...if the players respond....we will all be happier in the long run.

It made me sick to hear players talking about how when we lose they just go home and they aren't sad or upset. They just get over it. Losses should never happen, players have to be disappointing in themselves and angry that they lost.

I want to see how the team responds.