would the flex work today?

[Chuck 54]

I actually don't think a team has to win every super bowl to be a dynasty...nor do you have to be the best team.

During our run of appearing in 17 straight postseasons back in the day, I would consider us a dynasty even when we struggled to reach and win the super bowl.

Great players come and go....when you win with guys like Aikman, Smith, and IRvin, and then go in the crapper for 15 years afterwards, I have a hard time viewing the Cowboys as a dynasty...they were simply a great team for a few years.

But when you are a perennial playoff team, even as star players come and go, even when people say you have no chance because you lost a star RB, QB, WR, or because your defense or OL is in transition, I consider that a dynasty because your organization is too good to lose.

I hate to admit it, but even though they've never won the big one, I view Philly and Andy Reid as a minor dynasty <ducking> because they keep reloading and winning with a questionable RB who's more of a 3rd down guy, WR's that people always have to look up their names, etc. etc.

I think the common denominator is having a great coach. The great coaches seem to win with and develop whatever players they have. What's the old line? "He can take his and beat yours, and he can take yours and beat his."

The Dallas Cowboys have had a long tradition of gutsy talented QB's, star RB's, big play WR's (though not always stars), solid OL play, and defenses that are sometimes dominant, sometimes just opportunistic, smart playmakers, and most importantly, great coaching. Landry built a true dynasty. Jimmy Johnson built another one that was diffused by poor coaching and a series of bad drafts.

Bill Parcells has supposedly built a better team...hmmm...just how good is very questionable...but...

While it's true the players play, and no coach has ever thrown a block, pass, or made a tackle or catch, I think coaching is highly under-rated today...great coaches find ways to win and develop players. The choice of coach to succeed Bill Parcells, whenever that is, is going to be more important than any draft choice or FA pickup, imo...We are at a crossroads where our next coach will either finish the job Parcells has begun or be at the helm while the ship slips back down into the murky water of mediocrity.

 

[lurkercowboy]

Very good post.

 

[burmafrd]

FA and the cap have destroyed any chance to build a great team again- you may get a real good one but you will not be able to keep it together for it to become great. An O line needs 3-4 years together to really be at its best; a Defense needs the same amount of time to learn to work together and anticipate each others moves. There is no way you can keep any real talent outside of draft choices for more then 4 years. And THAT is if you do not have a Manning or Brady to soak up 20&#37; of your cap space. I think the flex could work - look at the sack numbers the team was able to get with great players like Lilly, WHite, Martin and company. It could be done- but just at the time they started to really get great you would be replacing players- and that would sink it.

 

[snapper]

I'm not sure if anyone has already mentioned this but the flex also relied on quick, athletic players in the front seven -- size wasn't important as much as having the ability to read and react quickly. Keep in mind that the average size of a flex LB in those days was 215. The average size of a lineman was 260.

A team like Indy might conceivably be able to run a successful version of the flex but it would be a challenge for them, with free agency, to keep the type talent necessary to maintain the chemistry and integrity of the unit.

 

[Aikbach]

Free Agency relegated players not under contract to the role of mercenary and finally teams are discovering after much trial and error that you must still build through the draft and keep your own corp players intact.

With the advent of a robust salary cap we may eventually see the cap as a formal joke that makes the free agent market appear more like the pre-cap Plan B Free Agency which was comprised of waiver wire veterans and players from rival leagues.

Perhaps a dynasty will again be possible in the traditional juggernaut sense as the NFL appears to be trying to make subtle amends for the almost ridiculous nature of the parity they finally achieved.

Deep down the league understands that dynasty's are good for the sport, they are adored and reviled in equal measure which ensures ratings.

 

[burmafrd]

If you absolutely hit the jackpot in 2-3 consecutive drafts you can get the talent needed- its keeping it together long enough to get full benefit that is the killer.

 

[Aikbach]

If you absolutely hit the jackpot in 2-3 consecutive drafts you can get the talent needed- its keeping it together long enough to get full benefit that is the killer.

The team you speak of appears to be the San Diego Tomlinsons, excellent drafting starting with their new namesake.

 

[burmafrd]

SD is playing great this year- but they have some holes, and I think Rivers inexperience will bite them in the playoffs. If they had kept Brees, they would be even better.

 

[Aikbach]

SD is playing great this year- but they have some holes, and I think Rivers inexperience will bite them in the playoffs. If they had kept Brees, they would be even better.

Shoot, if Trent Dilfer and Brad Johnson and Rich Gannon and Kerry Collins and Ben Rothlisberger and Jake Delhomme can lead a team to the Super Bowl with half the fire power i fully expect Rivers to, only Baltimore can possibly beat them.

 

[superpunk]

Shoot, if Trent Dilfer and Brad Johnson and Rich Gannon and Kerry Collins and Ben Rothlisberger and Jake Delhomme can lead a team to the Super Bowl with half the fire power i fully expect Rivers to, only Baltimore can possibly beat them.

Baltimore is the team with less flaws. SD is incredibly beatable. Rivers can be flustered, their secondary can be had, and Baltimore's been consistent all year. That's my idea of a super bowl team.

 

[Aikbach]

Baltimore is the team with less flaws. SD is incredibly beatable. Rivers can be flustered, their secondary can be had, and Baltimore's been consistent all year. That's my idea of a super bowl team.

Everybody knows this is the inevitable AFC Championship game and true Super Bowl now.

 

[superpunk]

Everybody knows this is the inevitable AFC Championship game and true Super Bowl now.

Why? I am absolutely NOT buying that the AFC is this incredible machine that will just roll over any team from the NFC. I think New Orleans would destroy San Diego. They held up pretty well against Baltimore, and only lost because Brees turned the ball over in the redzone several times. The Ravens are the only team that has played consistent football all year long. The rest have all shown their warts - whether it's Indy's run defense, SD's passing struggles and defensive struggles, New England's lack of offense, Jacksonville's lack of playing at a consistent level....etc. They're all just as erratic as the NFC teams.

There's just no up and coming teams except for Tennessee in the AFC. Thus, those that should win, are winning, and there are few upsets. I see the warts.

 

[Aikbach]

Why? I am absolutely NOT buying that the AFC is this incredible machine that will just roll over any team from the NFC. I think New Orleans would destroy San Diego. They held up pretty well against Baltimore, and only lost because Brees turned the ball over in the redzone several times. The Ravens are the only team that has played consistent football all year long. The rest have all shown their warts - whether it's Indy's run defense, SD's passing struggles and defensive struggles, New England's lack of offense, Jacksonville's lack of playing at a consistent level....etc. They're all just as erratic as the NFC teams.

There's just no up and coming teams except for Tennessee in the AFC. Thus, those that should win, are winning, and there are few upsets. I see the warts.

New Orleans would not stop Tomlinson, they couldn't stop Julius Jones until Dallas refused to run the ball.

 

[superpunk]

New Orleans would not stop Tomlinson, they couldn't stop Julius Jones until Dallas refused to run the ball.

I didn't say anything about Tomlinson. I don't think you need to stop him to beat the Chargers.

 

[Aikbach]

I didn't say anything about Tomlinson. I don't think you need to stop him to beat the Chargers.

Then they control the clock.

 

[superpunk]

Then they control the clock.

Look at what Seattle did. LT got his. Unfortunately, Branch couldn't catch, Boulware couldn't cover, and Rivers finally completed a pass. And this is possibly our worst playoff team. They're not some unstoppable juggernaut.

 

[Aikbach]

Look at what Seattle did. LT got his. Unfortunately, Branch couldn't catch, Boulware couldn't cover, and Rivers finally completed a pass. And this is possibly our worst playoff team. They're not some unstoppable juggernaut.

Close games happen, San Diego is the best team in the league however.

 

[noshame]

Two rule changes greatly dimished the effectivness of the Flex IMO. First was the rule change that allowed OL to use their hands, second were the changes in pass defense (five yd rule). So, as much as I loved it, I don't think it's feasible today.(plus the other reasons mentioned)

As for the Super Bowl, I like the Chargers, but leave it to Shott-in-hiny to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory

 

[superpunk]

Close games happen, San Diego is the best team in the league however.

Does the best team in the league allow 30 points per game to STL, DEN, CIN, and CLE in consecutive weeks? Not IMO. They've got just as many problems as anyone else. They also have about the easiest schedule in the entire NFL.

 

[Aikbach]

Does the best team in the league allow 30 points per game to STL, DEN, CIN, and CLE in consecutive weeks? Not IMO. They've got just as many problems as anyone else. They also have about the easiest schedule in the entire NFL.

13-2 are they not?