What Makes This Team Different

[Apollo Creed]

Opinions vary in regard to what makes the 2009 Cowboys different.

-No more Team Obliterator.

-No more individuals, Pac, Tank, Owens, etc

-Vastly upgraded defense. Brooking for Zach. Sensy for Biscuit. Igor for Canty. Spencer for Ellis. Jenkins for Henry.

-Much more autonomous offense that isn't built around one player.

-Romo's ball security.

-Philosophical changes in the locker room. Players preaching accountability, team first mentality, etc.

-Or our players are tired of the embarrassment of the last 3 seasons.

But the reason I think this team is different is maturity. You gotta understand this is a very young team, one of the youngest in the league. Our core of home grown guys (Romo, Barber, Flo, Gurode, James, Newman, Ratliff, Ware, Witten) are just now creeping into their 30s. This has been a very young team searching for an identity, and this year I think they've finally found it.

I credit the growth and maturation of our core, as our young guys have developed into leaders - especially now that we've rid our locker room of polarizing me-first players. This is their team, and I don't think they are going to let us lose this December.

Maturity is the reason why I think this team is different, how about you guys?

Certainly its a confluence of forces and it isn't just one single thing but what do ya'll think is the driving force behind a much different looking 2009 squad.

 

[CATCH17]

I think getting rid of TO has worked to our advantage.

TO was a heck of a player dont get me wrong. But he put us over the top as far as bringing attention to this team.

People actually bought into the thought that we were nothing without him and once he left everyone would be terrible.

Dallas is about as under the Radar as we can possibly get and we still have a great team.

 

[Maikeru-sama]

 

[Apollo Creed]

How could I forget.

I remember two training camps ago, Romo was hinting around to either Archer or McMahon about one receiver on our squad that was going to have a breakout season. I think throwing 100+ balls to Owens last year really slowed his progress. But I credit our staff for actually developing a receiver and Jerry for not biting on the Jets trade offer. He's going to be a stud for years to come.

 

[Maikeru-sama]

I really believe Jerry Jones came as close as he ever has to firing a Head Coach during the Season.

I know he has said countless times that Wade Phillips' job was safe and even stated that he regrets what happened with Chan Gailey.

However, if we would have lost to Kansas City, I think it would have been hard for the team and the Head Coach to bounce back from that.

Releasing Terrell Owens, bringing in Keith Brooking and the emergence of Miles Austin is a major reason why this team is 8-3.

Personally, I don't really see a big difference in Tony Romo. He has always been a good Quarterback, I always felt there were some issues around him, mainly in the locker room and the Coaching Staff.

 

[ShiningStar]

Opinions vary in regard to what makes the 2009 Cowboys different.

-No more Team Obliterator.

-No more individuals, Pac, Tank, Owens, etc

-Vastly upgraded defense. Brooking for Zach. Sensy for Biscuit. Igor for Canty. Spencer for Ellis. Jenkins for Henry.

-Much more autonomous offense that isn't built around one player.

-Romo's ball security.

-Philosophical changes in the locker room. Players preaching accountability, team first mentality, etc.

-Or our players are tired of the embarrassment of the last 3 seasons.

But the reason I think this team is different is maturity. You gotta understand this is a very young team, one of the youngest in the league. Our core of home grown guys (Romo, Barber, Flo, Gurode, James, Newman, Ratliff, Ware, Witten) are just now creeping into their 30s. This has been a very young team searching for an identity, and this year I think they've finally found it.

I credit the growth and maturation of our core, as our young guys have developed into leaders - especially now that we've rid our locker room of polarizing me-first players. This is their team, and I don't think they are going to let us lose this December.

Maturity is the reason why I think this team is different, how about you guys?

Certainly its a confluence of forces and it isn't just one single thing but what do ya'll think is the driving force behind a much different looking 2009 squad.

Nothing yet, we have to see how the season ends, December is here and all eyes are on Romo.

 

[Apollo Creed]

Nothing yet, we have to see how the season ends, December is here and all eyes are on Romo.

I've never thought Romo was the problem in December. Our pass protection, inability of receivers to make plays, and defensive let downs have cost us more in December than the play of Romo.

Sure he stastistically slides this time of year, but its really hard to perform when the entire team falls apart around you.

 

[theogt]

- A healthy Romo.

- An steadily improving defense.

That's about all that really separates this team from last year's.

 

[The Realist]

 

[ShiningStar]

I've never thought Romo was the problem in December. Our pass protection, inability of receivers to make plays, and defensive let downs have cost us more in December than the play of Romo.

Sure he stastistically slides this time of year, but its really hard to perform when the entire team falls apart around you.

i concur, but the eyes will be there

 

[sonnyboy]

Opinions vary in regard to what makes the 2009 Cowboys different.

-No more Team Obliterator.

-No more individuals, Pac, Tank, Owens, etc

-Vastly upgraded defense. Brooking for Zach. Sensy for Biscuit. Igor for Canty. Spencer for Ellis. Jenkins for Henry.

-Much more autonomous offense that isn't built around one player.

-Romo's ball security.

-Philosophical changes in the locker room. Players preaching accountability, team first mentality, etc.

-Or our players are tired of the embarrassment of the last 3 seasons.

But the reason I think this team is different is maturity. You gotta understand this is a very young team, one of the youngest in the league. Our core of home grown guys (Romo, Barber, Flo, Gurode, James, Newman, Ratliff, Ware, Witten) are just now creeping into their 30s. This has been a very young team searching for an identity, and this year I think they've finally found it.

I credit the growth and maturation of our core, as our young guys have developed into leaders - especially now that we've rid our locker room of polarizing me-first players. This is their team, and I don't think they are going to let us lose this December.

Maturity is the reason why I think this team is different, how about you guys?

Certainly its a confluence of forces and it isn't just one single thing but what do ya'll think is the driving force behind a much different looking 2009 squad.

Great Post. You pretty much hit on everything except Austin.

Brookings was by far the best and most impactful addition. Seldom does a player come in and exceed my highest expectations.

I believed in August we could have a top5 defense and perhaps needed that to get to the SB. We didn't have that the first 4 weeks, but we've had it the last 7.

That's why we've won 6 of our last 7. And that's why I believe we can win 3 or more of our last 5.

Brookings and the improved speed and coverage ability of our secondary will be the difference.

Defense is the answer to our December brain teaser.

 

[CATCH17]

Great Post. You pretty much hit on everything except Austin.

Brookings was by far the best and most impactful addition. Seldom does a player come in and exceed my highest expectations.

I believed in August we could have a top5 defense and perhaps needed that to get to the SB. We didn't have that the first 4 weeks, but we've had it the last 7.

That's why we've won 6 of our last 7. And that's why I believe we can win 3 or more of our last 5.

Brookings and the improved speed and coverage ability of our secondary will be the difference.

Defense is the answer to our December brain teaser.

I heard a stat, correct me if I am wrong, but Dallas hasn't allowed a 100 yard rusher all season and only 2 receivers had 100 yard days and it was in the same game (S.Smith, and Manningham)

 

[TNCowboy]

Everyone was jumping on the defense bandwagon a year ago at this time.

Yet when we got to the final 2 games, the defense crumbled when we needed it most.

I'll believe it when I see it. Frankly, I don't see how even the most optimistic fan isn't somewhat skeptical of this team.

 

[CATCH17]

Everyone was jumping on the defense bandwagon a year ago at this time.

Yet when we got to the final 2 games, the defense crumbled when we needed it most.

I'll believe it when I see it. Frankly, I don't see how even the most optimistic fan isn't somewhat skeptical of this team.

Im somewhat skeptical of how they will perform but im 100% confident of the product that is on the field.

We have a heck of a team.

The defense is just on another level. I mean Ken Hamlin is probably our biggest weakness and he is at worst solid.

 

[adbutcher]

 

[The Realist]

The David Buehler

 

[Chocolate Lab]

A much better locker room and much better health.

 

[TNCowboy]

Im somewhat skeptical of how they will perform but im 100% confident of the product that is on the field.

We have a heck of a team.

The defense is just on another level. I mean Ken Hamlin is probably our biggest weakness and he is at worst solid.

I disagree on Hamlin. I think he's one of the weaker starting safeties in the league.

On another level? I can't really say, at least compared to last year. Last year everyone was going nuts over how they were ranked, and we led the league in sacks.

They still had that problem of giving up crucial 4th quarter drives, but overall were playing well (like the Steeler game).

Then against Baltimore, a team that was hardly an offensive juggernaut, they collapsed right before our eyes. The following week wasn't much better, even though it was a season deciding game.

Brooking has upgraded the D, but for the most part, these are the same guys we watched fold last December. As for the impact of intangibles like leadership, I'm going to have to wait and see. Not that I don't think that has an impact, but these guys will have to prove it to me. I've seen too much failure from them - and Wade Phillips - to believe otherwise.

I hope they prove me wrong, but I doubt it. I expect a 2-3 finish, and a first round playoff exit. The one thing that would give me pause with that is Romo has the potential to get hot and carry the team this month. But he's got some proving to do as well.

 

[Apollo Creed]

I disagree on Hamlin. I think he's one of the weaker starting safeties in the league.

On another level? I can't really say, at least compared to last year. Last year everyone was going nuts over how they were ranked, and we led the league in sacks.

They still had that problem of giving up crucial 4th quarter drives, but overall were playing well (like the Steeler game).

Then against Baltimore, a team that was hardly an offensive juggernaut, they collapsed right before our eyes. The following week wasn't much better, even though it was a season deciding game.

Brooking has upgraded the D, but for the most part, these are the same guys we watched fold last December. As for the impact of intangibles like leadership, I'm going to have to wait and see. Not that I don't think that has an impact, but these guys will have to prove it to me. I've seen too much failure from them - and Wade Phillips - to believe otherwise.

I hope they prove me wrong, but I doubt it. I expect a 2-3 finish, and a first round playoff exit. The one thing that would give me pause with that is Romo has the potential to get hot and carry the team this month. But he's got some proving to do as well.

Thats the reason why I think it wont happen again. Last December and that game in Philly is still looming in their heads. The leaders on this team wont let it happen again. Not saying they won't lose a couple of games, but I don't see this team laying any eggs this month or next.

 

[sonnyboy]

Everyone was jumping on the defense bandwagon a year ago at this time.

Yet when we got to the final 2 games, the defense crumbled when we needed it most.

I'll believe it when I see it. Frankly, I don't see how even the most optimistic fan isn't somewhat skeptical of this team.

It could happen again. Who knows.

I'm confident for two reasons.

1) We're healthier, more talented and simply a better team in all three phases than last year.
2) I don't subscribe to the December collapse theory/myth. What I mean is that I honestly believe the results of each year have little to no influence on the following year. 2006, 2007 and 2008 all had a similar end yet were very different years. Each had it's own story/reason for the ultimate failure in Dec.

I'll define 2009 Dec success as 3 or more wins. We'll either do it or we won't. If we fail to do it, they may be a reasonable explanation (such as a season ending injury to Romo) or their won't be.

But I can assure you it will have nothing to do with anything that occured prior to 2009.