What ever happened to optimism in fans?

[Doomsday101]

Most of them are wastting it on a #6 WR (Ogletree) who might not make the team because he's, well, a #6 WR.

You seem to have it in for Ogletree. All the kid has done is work hard to make the team

 

[sonnyboy]

the thing that bothers me is this sense of entitlement.....many act as if though they own the team and are disappointed they arent getting what they paid for...like spoiled kids nothing is ever enough ......
over the years this team has given us more Rings and championship games than any team in the league history(except Steelers).....in the early 90's we had possibly the best team to ever take the field...but after injuries and free agency took its toll it left us with nothing for years ....so Jerry has been trying every way possible to get us back to that state....i believe he now has more or less figured it out....
after searching high and low weve finally found a franchise QB and things are most certainly lookin up for us...this team is talented enough to be champions ....
every one praises Steelers , Titans, Pats for their formula...but dont forget theyve had the same recent let downs we have as well.....2004 Steelers went 15-1...lost in the playoffs.....last season Titans 13-3....lost in first round.....Pats......go undefeated and lose SB.......its gonna happen it takes alot of luck to get to the big dance...
and to those who say "wah wah wah..we havent won a playoff game in 13 years" i say to you that this roster has very little to do with 10 of those seasons.....
to spend the off season ripping the team for its failures is one thing ,but to rip them based on your own uneducated analysis of what you THINK is gonna happen this season is ridiculous.....
to discuss weakness, and potential problems on the team is normal ...but to use every situation to abuse the team you supposedly love is not being a good fan IMO......
for example the owner just spent billions building US the greatest stadium in the world and some can only complain about a video board being too big and too low even though Jerry was abiding by league rules.....and the same people will defend to the death any and everything a T.O. or Pacman will ever do.......
and to say "im just keeping it real" is lame.....real is something that has happened or you can prove NOT your opinion of whats to come....

Great Post.

 

[JonJon]

The past 3 or 4 seasons have given us a chance to be a winner, yet we've fallen short. All fans want to believe their team has what it takes (especially at this time of the year). Are their things to be positive about this season? Of course! It doesn't erase the memory of shortcomings of the recent past. Just because some fans are in the "show me" state of mind doesn't mean that they aren't excited about their team. You don't have to be a blind homer and champion every move of the team to be a fan or to be excited about the season. The fact that this team has some serious questions to answer this season (and many fans are awaiting those answers) doesn't mean that the support isn't there. To call out people who are skeptical about this team and it's new sense of direction to just "stop it" is absurd and close minded.



It would be a damn good start to create this flood of optimism that all Cowboys fans are supposed to be overwhelmed with.



This is just probably too complex for the average homer to grasp (and no, cobra, I don't classify you or WG as blind homers. Just using your posts as some examples of the overall mentality of many on board, here). Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice shame on me. Fans have been fooled far too often the past few seasons with the Cowboys. To some, it's unfathomable that a fan would be skeptical at this point, regardless of any off-season aquisitions/releases, philosophy changes, or less than stellar drafts. God forbid anyone be realistic and not praise everything Cowboys when there are obvious questions about the ability of this team to truly be a champion.

Am I optimistic about this season? Hell yes! I can't wait to see a full season of Felix and the implementation of the Bennett and Witten attack! I'd love to see RW become that ever important chain mover and to see Austin stretch defenses. I'm excited about the latest diamond in the rough we may have uncovered (Ogletree) and see what he can bring to the table. I love the fact that Romo has looked sharp in the pre-season and seems to be more aware of ball protection in the pocket.

As a matter of fact I'm so damn giddy about those things that I'll completely ignore the fact that this team continues to commit stupid penalties that kill our drives and extend our opponent's. I'll disregard the fact that this team has collapsed EVERY SINGLE TIME it mattered most the past three seasons. I'll forget that the depth on our O-line and defensive secondary is paper thin. That's obviously what you're looking for here, right? Hell, I'm so excited I'm ready to sign a petition, right now, to change the name of this site to the Homer Zone. Because, obviously, doses of reality aren't welcome around these parts. OOHH I can't wait until we look just like ES!!!!!

Good post. We have been lead to believe the hype far too long only to be shot back into harsh reality. For years, I bought into the hype, and each year the dream ended more badly than the year before. We were hyped by stories like this....

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/preview08/news/story?id=3552727

Only to have our season end like this....

Which is why I'm not eating the cheese until I am 100% sure its not a trap.

 

[LucaBrasi]

What ever happened to optimism in fans?

There is a never-ending deluge of posts here trying to identify problems with the team, coaches, and players. It really appears that we are looking for things to be critical about.

Now, I don't care for ridiculous homerism. The Commanders fans who think they are going to the Super Bowl every year are absurd.

But optimism seems to me to be a requirement of being a fan. It can be guarded optimism ("this is going to be rough, but I'm sure hoping we are as good as I think we can be"). But there has to be optimism---certainly before the season even starts.

Life is hard. It can be a grind. We are in a constant struggle with stress, competition, obligations, and lack of time. People get worn down unless there are outlets.

Sports are a release. Being a fan is about enjoying cheering for something.

None of us are employed by this team. None of us are invested in this team. Being a fan is purely optional. And if you are not excited about the team or at least hopeful for the best, why would you be a fan? It makes no sense. No rational person cheers for a bad ending or a car wreck. We cheer for the hope of success.

So where is the optimism? What is with the never-ending, pathetic, and obnoxious constant hand-wringing over every single thing about this team?

In a perfect world, I'd change things about this team. But I enjoy watching them and cheering for them. I am hopeful that everything comes together and this is our season to cross that hurdle. I am eager and excited about our potential.

Again, I am not calling for extreme homerism. But there is an enormous difference between extreme homerism and the extreme pessimism we see here daily.

This is a call to stop it. Stop worrying about this team. Focus on the things to be excited about and get excited about this season. We have the potential to be good. So quit running everything into the ground and look at what we have to be thankful for as we enter the season that gives a chance to be the winner.

Optimism died at 44-6.

 

[DallasFanSince86]

Great posts cobra & dadymat.

I think some people are just guarded because it hurts to open yourself up to the possibility of something great and then be crushed when we don't accomplish our goals. So, they nitpick in an attempt to lower their own expectations so that they aren't as hurt.

However, I'm the eternal optimist. I'll just deal with the pain if it comes.

I'm with ya.

Not me ...... I love fans like CrazyCowboy.

They get me pumped up for the season.

Me too.

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

What ever happened to optimism in fans?

There is a never-ending deluge of posts here trying to identify problems with the team, coaches, and players. It really appears that we are looking for things to be critical about.

Now, I don't care for ridiculous homerism. The Commanders fans who think they are going to the Super Bowl every year are absurd.

But optimism seems to me to be a requirement of being a fan. It can be guarded optimism ("this is going to be rough, but I'm sure hoping we are as good as I think we can be"). But there has to be optimism---certainly before the season even starts.

Life is hard. It can be a grind. We are in a constant struggle with stress, competition, obligations, and lack of time. People get worn down unless there are outlets.

Sports are a release. Being a fan is about enjoying cheering for something.

None of us are employed by this team. None of us are invested in this team. Being a fan is purely optional. And if you are not excited about the team or at least hopeful for the best, why would you be a fan? It makes no sense. No rational person cheers for a bad ending or a car wreck. We cheer for the hope of success.

So where is the optimism? What is with the never-ending, pathetic, and obnoxious constant hand-wringing over every single thing about this team?

In a perfect world, I'd change things about this team. But I enjoy watching them and cheering for them. I am hopeful that everything comes together and this is our season to cross that hurdle. I am eager and excited about our potential.

Again, I am not calling for extreme homerism. But there is an enormous difference between extreme homerism and the extreme pessimism we see here daily.

This is a call to stop it. Stop worrying about this team. Focus on the things to be excited about and get excited about this season. We have the potential to be good. So quit running everything into the ground and look at what we have to be thankful for as we enter the season that gives a chance to be the winner.

By definition, blogs and webboards are negative forums so people will complain just because of where they post.

However, it is also a product of society today, it is far more negative. People get more attention *****ing about something than they do praising so they *****.

 

[30yrheel]

because for fans like myself, over 50 yrs. old, having watched the boys lose to the colts in the super bowl and all the other super bowl loses, there's been more dissapointment than gratification thru the years.
we had our 70's and early 90's sucess, but ever since it's been all these years without even a playoff win.
hard to remain positive for 20+ years.

 

[peplaw06]

because for fans like myself, over 50 yrs. old, having watched the boys lose to the colts in the super bowl and all the other super bowl loses, there's been more dissapointment than gratification thru the years.
we had our 70's and early 90's sucess, but ever since it's been all these years without even a playoff win.
hard to remain positive for 20+ years.

Well yeah... there are 31 other teams. You think we're gonna win half the Super Bowls?

We've been to 8 Super Bowls out of what 42 now? Almost 20% of them. Not many teams can say that.

 

[sonnyboy]

because for fans like myself, over 50 yrs. old, having watched the boys lose to the colts in the super bowl and all the other super bowl loses, there's been more dissapointment than gratification thru the years.
we had our 70's and early 90's sucess, but ever since it's been all these years without even a playoff win.
hard to remain positive for 20+ years.

Oh Boy, I really feel for you. At age 50 I'm guessing you've been a fan for 40 plus years. Must have been tough on you.

Through all that misery I sure you've considered what it might have been like to follow another team.

Perhaps a team with more winning seasons, play-off games, Championship Games, and Super Bowls.
Care to share that other team with us?

 

[sonnyboy]

because for fans like myself, over 50 yrs. old, having watched the boys lose to the colts in the super bowl and all the other super bowl loses, there's been more dissapointment than gratification thru the years.
we had our 70's and early 90's sucess, but ever since it's been all these years without even a playoff win.
hard to remain positive for 20+ years.

Not trying to be harsh, but could imagine the response of a 50yr old die hard Lions fan to your last post.

I'm thinking they might want to cause you bodily harm.

 

[sonnyboy]

Well yeah... there are 31 other teams. You think we're gonna win half the Super Bowls?

We've been to 8 Super Bowls out of what 42 now? Almost 20% of them. Not many teams can say that.

I think only one can say that.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

What ever happened to optimism in fans?

There is a never-ending deluge of posts here trying to identify problems with the team, coaches, and players. It really appears that we are looking for things to be critical about.

Now, I don't care for ridiculous homerism. The Commanders fans who think they are going to the Super Bowl every year are absurd.

But optimism seems to me to be a requirement of being a fan. It can be guarded optimism ("this is going to be rough, but I'm sure hoping we are as good as I think we can be"). But there has to be optimism---certainly before the season even starts.

Life is hard. It can be a grind. We are in a constant struggle with stress, competition, obligations, and lack of time. People get worn down unless there are outlets.

Sports are a release. Being a fan is about enjoying cheering for something.

None of us are employed by this team. None of us are invested in this team. Being a fan is purely optional. And if you are not excited about the team or at least hopeful for the best, why would you be a fan? It makes no sense. No rational person cheers for a bad ending or a car wreck. We cheer for the hope of success.

So where is the optimism? What is with the never-ending, pathetic, and obnoxious constant hand-wringing over every single thing about this team?

In a perfect world, I'd change things about this team. But I enjoy watching them and cheering for them. I am hopeful that everything comes together and this is our season to cross that hurdle. I am eager and excited about our potential.

Again, I am not calling for extreme homerism. But there is an enormous difference between extreme homerism and the extreme pessimism we see here daily.

This is a call to stop it. Stop worrying about this team. Focus on the things to be excited about and get excited about this season. We have the potential to be good. So quit running everything into the ground and look at what we have to be thankful for as we enter the season that gives a chance to be the winner.

Optimistic fan?

I thought it was clear: Dallas Cowboys will win the SUPER BOWL this year!

If you dont believe .....call me at BR-549

 

[peplaw06]

I think only one can say that.

I was pretty sure that was the case, but forgot how many the Steelers have lost. I know they have lost one to us, but can't remember if they lost another one. Didn't feel like lookin it up.

 

[Rampage]

I was pretty sure that was the case, but forgot how many the Steelers have lost. I know they have lost one to us, but can't remember if they lost another one. Didn't feel like lookin it up.

thats the only one they lost. they're 6 for 7 in SuperBowls

 

[poke]

because for fans like myself, over 50 yrs. old, having watched the boys lose to the colts in the super bowl and all the other super bowl loses, there's been more dissapointment than gratification thru the years.
we had our 70's and early 90's sucess, but ever since it's been all these years without even a playoff win.
hard to remain positive for 20+ years.

over 50 myself, i still get far more gratification than disappointment from The Boys.

 

[Clove]

13 years no playoff wins.

My first year ever missing a game (pre-season) to attend and record a high school football game.

I still love my Cowboys more than ever, but I'm far from excited, I'm sure I'll be stoked when the real season gets here though, I always am.

 

[30yrheel]

over 50 myself, i still get far more gratification than disappointment from The Boys.

it's just been too many years of failure since a playoff win.
and yeah, it would be worse to be a lion fan for instance. but i'm a cowboy fan, so i expect better. i grew up with success so i guess i'm spoiled.
i don't expect to win in the playoffs every year. but guys, it's been since 1996!

 

[30yrheel]

Not trying to be harsh, but could imagine the response of a 50yr old die hard Lions fan to your last post.

I'm thinking they might want to cause you bodily harm.

ha, ha. no worries, i think this old vet can still take care of himself.
bottom line, go cowboys!:shoot2:

 

[ableg02]

im very optimistic but like others very realistic also. i guess we just need at least ONE post season win and get this old monkey off our shoulders.

 

[Mansta54]

13 years no playoff wins.

So what!!! It doesn't take away my love and passion for the team and I'm very optimistic about this year. This team, to me, is the most talented in the league and it will show this year because of hard work, focus, togetherness, and good coaching. Yes, I said good coaching. We're already seeing JG hands all over this offense thru tough running and sustain drives. Defensively, we couldn't have a better man then WP running it. He knows his stuff. I'm a lil nervous about WP the HC but he's proven so far that he can change by running a tuff discipline TC that I wasn't sure he was capable of doing. The knuckleheads are gone and its been ALL FOOTBALL at Valley Ranch. I'm extremely OPTOMISTIC about this season....