Post by prossman on Dec 17, 2009 17:06:29 GMT -7
Cowboys Can Change Image By Beating Saints
Nick Eatman - DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
December 16, 2009 5:50 PM
IRVING, Texas - You name it, and there's a Cowboys fan out there who feels it.
And all week long, the emails and phone calls have come in. The fans are mad, irate, humiliated, upset, disappointed or just downright pissed off. Some have given up, threatened to turn in their Cowboys gear and "40 years" of fan-ship all because they've had enough.
In a way, a lot of Cowboys fans have given up; the same exact way they've accused the players of acting last week. And I'm sure the terms "gutless" and "heartless" will again be thrown around if there is indeed another loss this season, regardless of the final score.
However, the more I think about it, the more it hits me - you guys are right. The fans should be upset. They should be extremely disappointed in "their team." It's not a shot against the players, owner or coaches. But these fans should have the right to be fed up with this.
How many teams must they go through this same ending? The Cowboys have teased them for a few years now - some years a little more than others - but the result has pretty much been the same. After a while, you can't blame the fans for getting upset.
And no, they're not going anywhere. For those of you who say you've had enough after 50 years and you've never seen a more embarrassing team . . . OK, we all know you'll be back in front of your TV on Saturday night with your Blue & Silver on, yelling and screaming for no one other than your neighbors to hear. And that's what this team needs. They need some passion like that.
But being upset at this team is not only understandable, but warranted.
While the players and coaches don't talk about last year, or the years before, the fans do. Because while this season and this game might be the only thing that matters now, that's not the case on the streets, at the water coolers or fan forums.
You listen to any fan of any team and they've always got that one ace in the hole. Anytime the conversation gets heated, the old "when is the last time you've won a playoff game?" comes flying out. It's an old joke that Cowboys fans are getting tired of.
And now, it's not even about playoff wins, it's just winning in December. With each loss in this month, the jabs are getting greater. And it's frustrating for the fans because it never stops until the players actually do something about it.
That's the worst part of any situation. When you feel the brunt of it, but have no way to change it.
And while this hole seems to be getting deeper and deeper with each season and each loss, the more you think about this upcoming game in New Orleans, the more it hits me:
Everything can change in three hours.
Not three hours from right now, of course. And not just any three hours in particular. I'm talking about the three hours and change beginning Saturday night in New Orleans. Once that ball kicks off at 7:15 in the Superdome, the Cowboys have a real opportunity in front of them. In fact, they have lots of opportunities.
First and foremost, regardless what you think of this team's chances, the Cowboys can win this game. The Browns could win this game. The Lions and Rams maybe, too.
I know this team is 13-0. I see the record and I know there is something to be said for teams that just "find a way." The Saints haven't won all of these games in dominating fashion. But this isn't the BSC; you don't have to. So not taking anything away from what these Saints have accomplished.
But beatable? Of course. And that's the biggest opportunity in front of the Cowboys. They can win this game and get right back in the middle of things in the NFC playoff picture, and in the race to win the NFC East. If, and it's a monstrous IF, the Cowboys win out, they will win the division at 11-5, regardless what any other team does.
What do they always say, can't win them all without winning the first one?
Now obviously, the biggest and most important opportunity facing this team is beating the Saints. At this point, to accomplish most of the goals that were set before the season, you've got to beat the Saints, as daunting a task as it appears to be.
But honestly, what happens if this team wins?
How different do we look at this team? This quarterback? This head coach? This entire season?
You probably just read that last line and answered with "not at all." That's normal. It's natural to try and diffuse another opinion. But seriously, think about it.
Think about the scenario that must play out Saturday night. And if the Cowboys go down to New Orleans and knock off the Saints, giving that team with a Wonder-Boy head coach and Superman at quarterback its first loss of the year, I think we automatically have a different opinion of the Cowboys.
You can disagree all you want, and probably will, but if the Cowboys go down and beat the Saints, you can't say this team can't win a big game.
You can't say the quarterback can't win on the road, or win in December, or win a big game either.
You can't say this team is finished. You can't say they don't have any heart, or any fight.
You can't say Wade Phillips can't get his team ready to play (although they'll come up with someone else).
I understand this isn't a playoff game. And win or lose, those postseason demons will still be there for Romo, Phillips and this entire team. Plus, a win Saturday will immediately increase expectations again to the point that any loss after this will be considered in the "choke" category.
But they can't worry about that - only this game and this opportunity in front of them.
If this sounds like over-the-top optimism, then let's squash that right here. I'm not exactly saying the Cowboys will win this game on Saturday. Two weeks ago, I did go on record and say the Saints wouldn't be 14-0. (Was kind of hoping Washington or Atlanta would take me off the hook, but that didn't happen - thanks). So I guess I'm stuck with this prediction, but I'm not actually seeing it right now.
Do I think the Cowboys can win? Of course. And we're not talking about needing miracles or early Christmas presents. A few stocking-stuffing interceptions would be nice, but the Cowboys just have to play sound football, score touchdowns when they get into the red zone and get their defense off the field. Unfortunately for the Cowboys, it means playing different than they have here in recent weeks.
But the opportunity to win is certainly there. And if you do that, it'll be amazing how the perception of this football team will change.
And that doesn't happen every week. Had the Cowboys beaten the Chargers, not much would've been different. If they lose Saturday, but win the next two, including the season-finale against the Eagles, you can't rid themselves from most of those perceptions.
But go down there and beat the big-bad Saints in their rockin' house, with all the pressure facing the Cowboys here in December - do that and it will go a long, long way in swaying the opinion of this team.
And maybe, will get these Cowboys back in good graces with their fans once again. At least for a little while.
www.dallascowboys.com/news/ne...torialAuthor=2
__________________
Nick Eatman - DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
December 16, 2009 5:50 PM
IRVING, Texas - You name it, and there's a Cowboys fan out there who feels it.
And all week long, the emails and phone calls have come in. The fans are mad, irate, humiliated, upset, disappointed or just downright pissed off. Some have given up, threatened to turn in their Cowboys gear and "40 years" of fan-ship all because they've had enough.
In a way, a lot of Cowboys fans have given up; the same exact way they've accused the players of acting last week. And I'm sure the terms "gutless" and "heartless" will again be thrown around if there is indeed another loss this season, regardless of the final score.
However, the more I think about it, the more it hits me - you guys are right. The fans should be upset. They should be extremely disappointed in "their team." It's not a shot against the players, owner or coaches. But these fans should have the right to be fed up with this.
How many teams must they go through this same ending? The Cowboys have teased them for a few years now - some years a little more than others - but the result has pretty much been the same. After a while, you can't blame the fans for getting upset.
And no, they're not going anywhere. For those of you who say you've had enough after 50 years and you've never seen a more embarrassing team . . . OK, we all know you'll be back in front of your TV on Saturday night with your Blue & Silver on, yelling and screaming for no one other than your neighbors to hear. And that's what this team needs. They need some passion like that.
But being upset at this team is not only understandable, but warranted.
While the players and coaches don't talk about last year, or the years before, the fans do. Because while this season and this game might be the only thing that matters now, that's not the case on the streets, at the water coolers or fan forums.
You listen to any fan of any team and they've always got that one ace in the hole. Anytime the conversation gets heated, the old "when is the last time you've won a playoff game?" comes flying out. It's an old joke that Cowboys fans are getting tired of.
And now, it's not even about playoff wins, it's just winning in December. With each loss in this month, the jabs are getting greater. And it's frustrating for the fans because it never stops until the players actually do something about it.
That's the worst part of any situation. When you feel the brunt of it, but have no way to change it.
And while this hole seems to be getting deeper and deeper with each season and each loss, the more you think about this upcoming game in New Orleans, the more it hits me:
Everything can change in three hours.
Not three hours from right now, of course. And not just any three hours in particular. I'm talking about the three hours and change beginning Saturday night in New Orleans. Once that ball kicks off at 7:15 in the Superdome, the Cowboys have a real opportunity in front of them. In fact, they have lots of opportunities.
First and foremost, regardless what you think of this team's chances, the Cowboys can win this game. The Browns could win this game. The Lions and Rams maybe, too.
I know this team is 13-0. I see the record and I know there is something to be said for teams that just "find a way." The Saints haven't won all of these games in dominating fashion. But this isn't the BSC; you don't have to. So not taking anything away from what these Saints have accomplished.
But beatable? Of course. And that's the biggest opportunity in front of the Cowboys. They can win this game and get right back in the middle of things in the NFC playoff picture, and in the race to win the NFC East. If, and it's a monstrous IF, the Cowboys win out, they will win the division at 11-5, regardless what any other team does.
What do they always say, can't win them all without winning the first one?
Now obviously, the biggest and most important opportunity facing this team is beating the Saints. At this point, to accomplish most of the goals that were set before the season, you've got to beat the Saints, as daunting a task as it appears to be.
But honestly, what happens if this team wins?
How different do we look at this team? This quarterback? This head coach? This entire season?
You probably just read that last line and answered with "not at all." That's normal. It's natural to try and diffuse another opinion. But seriously, think about it.
Think about the scenario that must play out Saturday night. And if the Cowboys go down to New Orleans and knock off the Saints, giving that team with a Wonder-Boy head coach and Superman at quarterback its first loss of the year, I think we automatically have a different opinion of the Cowboys.
You can disagree all you want, and probably will, but if the Cowboys go down and beat the Saints, you can't say this team can't win a big game.
You can't say the quarterback can't win on the road, or win in December, or win a big game either.
You can't say this team is finished. You can't say they don't have any heart, or any fight.
You can't say Wade Phillips can't get his team ready to play (although they'll come up with someone else).
I understand this isn't a playoff game. And win or lose, those postseason demons will still be there for Romo, Phillips and this entire team. Plus, a win Saturday will immediately increase expectations again to the point that any loss after this will be considered in the "choke" category.
But they can't worry about that - only this game and this opportunity in front of them.
If this sounds like over-the-top optimism, then let's squash that right here. I'm not exactly saying the Cowboys will win this game on Saturday. Two weeks ago, I did go on record and say the Saints wouldn't be 14-0. (Was kind of hoping Washington or Atlanta would take me off the hook, but that didn't happen - thanks). So I guess I'm stuck with this prediction, but I'm not actually seeing it right now.
Do I think the Cowboys can win? Of course. And we're not talking about needing miracles or early Christmas presents. A few stocking-stuffing interceptions would be nice, but the Cowboys just have to play sound football, score touchdowns when they get into the red zone and get their defense off the field. Unfortunately for the Cowboys, it means playing different than they have here in recent weeks.
But the opportunity to win is certainly there. And if you do that, it'll be amazing how the perception of this football team will change.
And that doesn't happen every week. Had the Cowboys beaten the Chargers, not much would've been different. If they lose Saturday, but win the next two, including the season-finale against the Eagles, you can't rid themselves from most of those perceptions.
But go down there and beat the big-bad Saints in their rockin' house, with all the pressure facing the Cowboys here in December - do that and it will go a long, long way in swaying the opinion of this team.
And maybe, will get these Cowboys back in good graces with their fans once again. At least for a little while.
www.dallascowboys.com/news/ne...torialAuthor=2
__________________