[observer]

---

Some pertinent posts presented on the DMN
Blog regarding yesterday's playoff loss to the
Giants:

---
http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/
---

January 14, 2008
Crayton faces the music
2:10 PM Mon, Jan 14, 2008
Tim MacMahon

Patrick Crayton didn't comment after the playoff
loss other than to wish the Giants good luck, but
he faced the media like a man today.

Crayton said he didn't regret providing the Giants
with bulletin-board material. And he didn't have
a problem with the Giants calling him out after
the game, either.

"They got the last word," Crayton said. "I wish
them the best, because I think if we were in that
situation, we would probably take some shots at
them as well."

Crayton also acknowledged that he should have
scored the game-winning touchdown on third
down in the final minute. He admitted that he
hesitated after getting good separation from the
cornerback on a vertical route. As a result, Tony
Romo's on-the-money pass sailed over Crayton's
head. As Wade Phillips said during this after-
noon's press conference, the Cowboys win the
game if Crayton doesn't slow down.

And Crayton learned a painful lesson.

"If you hesitate for one moment," he said, "that
can be the difference."

---

'The best team lost the game'
1:48 PM Mon, Jan 14, 2008
Tim MacMahon

That was Wade Phillips' take on the Cowboys'
loss to the Giants.

The Cowboys had a signicant advantage in total
yardage (336-230). Same for first downs (23-16).
And Dallas dominated the time of possession
battle, controlling the ball for 36:30.

But the only numbers that meant anything were
on the scoreboard: Giants 21, Cowboys 17.

"After looking at the tape, I certainly feel like
the best team lost the game," Phillips said, a
statement sure to make Big Blue bulletin boards
next season. "I feel like we outplayed them, but
we lost."

Phillips said he'd accept the blame. But he made
sure to mention that the Cowboys exceeded ex-
pectations and advanced into the divisional
round for the first time since 1996. He thought
the Cowboys would still be playing, but the
Giants made the plays that mattered Sunday.

"I just thought that we had a better team than
they had," Phillips said. "We'd proven it twice,
and I think we proved it again."

Yep, the Cowboys sure showed those Giants.

---

Cowboys can't flip the switch
11:04 PM Sun, Jan 13, 2008
Tim MacMahon

Reckon we shouldn't be too shocked by the Cow-
boys' premature playoff exit. After all, this team
didn't play well all December.

They finished the regular season 13-3, as we were
told repeatedly, but the Cowboys last looked like
a Super Bowl contender when Green Bay came to
town in November. They ended the regular season
with an absolutely pathetic performance against
a Redskins squad fighting for a playoff berth.

The Cowboys fessed up to being uninspired that
day. They had the NFC's top seed all wrapped up,
so what did they care? They'd be able to flip the
switch come playoff time. No worries.

Too bad the Cowboys played today a lot like they
did the last month.

"We played with no emotion - the same way we
did in Washington," CB Terence Newman said.
"Everybody knows you can't flip the switch."

If they didn't know before, they learned that lesson
today.

---

Cowboys tie NFL record!!!
10:48 PM Sun, Jan 13, 2008
Tim MacMahon

History was made at Texas Stadium today. The
NFL's longest playoff losing streaks:

6 N.Y. Giants 1939-1950

6 Cleveland 1969-1985

6 Minnesota 1988-96

6 Detroit 1991-current

6 Seattle 1984-2004

6 Kansas City 1993-current

6 Dallas 1996-current

---

Archived from group: alt>sports>football>pro>dallas-cowboys

[Rast]

On Mon, 14 Jan 2008 15:48:39 -0600,
observer (observer@shinyfeet.com) wrote:
> "After looking at the tape, I certainly feel like
> the best team lost the game," Phillips said, a
> statement sure to make Big Blue bulletin boards
> next season. "I feel like we outplayed them, but
> we lost."

....

> "I just thought that we had a better team than
> they had," Phillips said. "We'd proven it twice,
> and I think we proved it again."

Fricking hilarious.

--
"Sometimes I stand by the door and look into the darkness. Then I
am reminded how dearly I cherish my boredom, and what a precious
commodity is so much misery." -- Jack Vance

[Fred Goodwin, CMA]

On Jan 14, 3:48 pm, "observer" wrote:

> 'The best team lost the game'
> 1:48 PM Mon, Jan 14, 2008
> Tim MacMahon
>
> That was Wade Phillips' take on the Cowboys'
> loss to the Giants.
>
> "After looking at the tape, I certainly feel like
> the best team lost the game," Phillips said, a
> statement sure to make Big Blue bulletin boards
> next season. "I feel like we outplayed them, but
> we lost."
>
> "I just thought that we had a better team than
> they had," Phillips said. "We'd proven it twice,
> and I think we proved it again."

Gee, Wade, I guess Dallas had the better team when the Pats, Eagles &
Skins beat them, too?

Would this guy claim it was a sunny day during a thunderstorm?

[Walter Bushell]

In article ,
Rast wrote:

> On Mon, 14 Jan 2008 15:48:39 -0600,
> observer (observer@shinyfeet.com) wrote:
> > "After looking at the tape, I certainly feel like
> > the best team lost the game," Phillips said, a
> > statement sure to make Big Blue bulletin boards
> > next season. "I feel like we outplayed them, but
> > we lost."
>
> ...
>
> > "I just thought that we had a better team than
> > they had," Phillips said. "We'd proven it twice,
> > and I think we proved it again."
>
> Fricking hilarious.

Give that man a "What we do works award."


Anyway there is no prize for having the better team. One only is
rewarded for winning. I would be happy for the 'Boys to have a better
team for the next 10 years so long as the 'Skins can beat them 3 times a
year.

[Preacher]

riggodeezil@hotmail.com wrote:

> Wade Phillips = Marty Schottenheimer?

Hate to say it, but I think Schottenheimer is probably better. But for
now, Wade is our guy.

> Of course, the Cowboys will be competitive next year. They have too
> much offensive talent to not be. But, the NFC East will probably be
> pretty tough overall...3 playoff teams and the Eagles were on the come
> at the end of the season. There really isn't much difference between
> going 9-7 and 13-3...a play here, a play there. The way the NFL is
> these days, it wouldn't surprise me either way if the Cowboys went
> 12-4 or 7-9. Same way for the 'Skins, NYG, and Philly.

Fair enough. Hate that about today's NFL, btw.

> Cowboys = Redskins?
>
> Both teams have meddlesome owners and a decided dearth in the
> "football mind" department. The Tuna partially righted the ship in
> Dallas and Gibbs and his crew of geriatrics partially righted the ship
> over here. Seems they both accomplished these feats in spite of
> ownership and/or ownerships lackeys. It will be intersting to see how
> long these ships stay righted and if the new blood finishes the job or
> sinks the thing.

Seems to me that the main differences are that the Cowboys cap situation
is much better, and I think the Cowboys are better set at QB. But the
parallels are not lost on me.

Btw, said this elsewhere, but I was sorry to see Gibbs go. Glad he could
leave the game on his own terms, though, as he seems like one of the
true "good guys" of sports. Can't blame a guy for wanting to spend time
with his family, doubly since he's got nothing left to prove.

[riggodeezil]

On Jan 15, 12:29 pm, Preacher wrote:
> riggodee...@hotmail.com wrote:
> > Wade Phillips = Marty Schottenheimer?
>
> Hate to say it, but I think Schottenheimer is probably better. But for
> now, Wade is our guy.
>
> > Of course, the Cowboys will be competitive next year.  They have too
> > much offensive talent to not be.  But, the NFC East will probably be
> > pretty tough overall...3 playoff teams and the Eagles were on the come
> > at the end of the season.  There really isn't much difference between
> > going 9-7 and 13-3...a play here, a play there.  The way the NFL is
> > these days, it wouldn't surprise me either way if the Cowboys went
> > 12-4 or 7-9.  Same way for the 'Skins, NYG, and Philly.
>
> Fair enough. Hate that about today's NFL, btw.
>
> > Cowboys = Redskins?
>
> > Both teams have meddlesome owners and a decided dearth in the
> > "football mind" department.  The Tuna partially righted the ship in
> > Dallas and Gibbs and his crew of geriatrics partially righted the ship
> > over here.  Seems they both accomplished these feats in spite of
> > ownership and/or ownerships lackeys.  It will be intersting to see how
> > long these ships stay righted and if the new blood finishes the job or
> > sinks the thing.
>
> Seems to me that the main differences are that the Cowboys cap situation
> is much better, and I think the Cowboys are better set at QB. But the
> parallels are not lost on me.

Cap situation in Dallas is probably way better. Heck, I wouldn't be
surpised if the 'Skins were still paying Deion.

I really wonder about QB long-term though. No doubt Romo is skilled
and athletic and despite not having won a playoff game is a proven
commodity. Part of me wonders though if he has topped out-- i.e.,
he's as good as he's ever going to get. Good enough start, win, put
up numbers, etc. but can he win playoff games and/or the SB?

Campbell on the other hand is anything but a proven commodity. Having
Collins come in and lead the 'Skins to the playoffs with a 4-game
winning streak just underscored how woefully prepeared he is to lead a
team. He seems to have the proverbial "upside" but he is going to
have to start delivering W's. He had some fabulous stretches this
season but he also put up a few clunkers. Now, with a new regime on
the horizon you've got to wonder what that is going to do to his
development. It is for this reason alone that I hope that Snyder
doesn't go too radical on the coaching decision.

>
> Btw, said this elsewhere, but I was sorry to see Gibbs go. Glad he could
> leave the game on his own terms, though, as he seems like one of the
> true "good guys" of sports. Can't blame a guy for wanting to spend time
> with his family, doubly since he's got nothing left to prove.

I'm guessing most fans around the league probably feel the same way
about Coach Gibbs as they do about Coach Landry. I always admired and
respected Tom Landry. You could "hate" the Dallas Cowboys but you
could never "hate" Coach Landry. I

[Rodney Parker]

On Jan 15, 12:11 pm, riggodee...@hotmail.com wrote:
> On Jan 15, 12:29 pm, Preacher wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > riggodee...@hotmail.com wrote:
> > > Wade Phillips = Marty Schottenheimer?
>
> > Hate to say it, but I think Schottenheimer is probably better. But for
> > now, Wade is our guy.
>
> > > Of course, the Cowboys will be competitive next year.  They have too
> > > much offensive talent to not be.  But, the NFC East will probably be
> > > pretty tough overall...3 playoff teams and the Eagles were on the come
> > > at the end of the season.  There really isn't much difference between
> > > going 9-7 and 13-3...a play here, a play there.  The way the NFL is
> > > these days, it wouldn't surprise me either way if the Cowboys went
> > > 12-4 or 7-9.  Same way for the 'Skins, NYG, and Philly.
>
> > Fair enough. Hate that about today's NFL, btw.
>
> > > Cowboys = Redskins?
>
> > > Both teams have meddlesome owners and a decided dearth in the
> > > "football mind" department.  The Tuna partially righted the ship in
> > > Dallas and Gibbs and his crew of geriatrics partially righted the ship
> > > over here.  Seems they both accomplished these feats in spite of
> > > ownership and/or ownerships lackeys.  It will be intersting to see how
> > > long these ships stay righted and if the new blood finishes the job or
> > > sinks the thing.
>
> > Seems to me that the main differences are that the Cowboys cap situation
> > is much better, and I think the Cowboys are better set at QB. But the
> > parallels are not lost on me.
>
> Cap situation in Dallas is probably way better.  Heck, I wouldn't be
> surpised if the 'Skins were still paying Deion.
>
> I really wonder about QB long-term though.  No doubt Romo is skilled
> and athletic and despite not having won a playoff game is a proven
> commodity.  Part of me wonders though if he has topped out-- i.e.,
> he's as good as he's ever going to get.  Good enough start, win, put
> up numbers, etc. but can he win playoff games and/or the SB?
>
> Campbell on the other hand is anything but a proven commodity. Having
> Collins come in and lead the 'Skins to the playoffs with a 4-game
> winning streak just underscored how woefully prepeared he is to lead a
> team.  He seems to have the proverbial "upside" but he is going to
> have to start delivering W's.  He had some fabulous stretches this
> season but he also put up a few clunkers.  Now, with a new regime on
> the horizon you've got to wonder what that is going to do to his
> development.  It is for this reason alone that I hope that Snyder
> doesn't go too radical on the coaching decision.
>
>
>
> > Btw, said this elsewhere, but I was sorry to see Gibbs go. Glad he could
> > leave the game on his own terms, though, as he seems like one of the
> > true "good guys" of sports. Can't blame a guy for wanting to spend time
> > with his family, doubly since he's got nothing left to prove.
>
> I'm guessing most fans around the league probably feel the same way
> about Coach Gibbs as they do about Coach Landry.  I always admired and
> respected Tom Landry.  You could "hate" the Dallas Cowboys but you
> could never "hate" Coach Landry.  I- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Come on, Riggo. You know civil discourse isn't allowed between Skins
fans and Cowboy fans.

Aside from that, I agree with a bunch of what you and Preach are
saying. The only thing I'm not so sure about is the draft. Call me
naive, but I think Jerry may have learned a few things by having
Parcells in here. Such as the concept of trusting your coaching
staff's input on the kind of players needed for their schemes.

I don't think the staff was as involved in the draft when Campo,
Gailey, and even Switzer were here. Those were Jones/Lacewell drafts,
and it showed. I hope Jerry will tust that Wade knows what kind of
defensive players work best in the "Phillips 3-4".

Same goes for offense. Garrett (and Cam Cameron, who is my pick to be
the next OC if Garrett leaves) spent a lot of time working with Norv
Turner, and hopefully he'll be allowed the same input on the offensive
side of the ball.

A lot of people think Jerry will revert to his old ways, but I give
him credit for at least some intelligence. After the 3 SB wins,
several mediocre (at best) seasons does a lot for a person's
humility. Of course, I could be wrong about that, but I don't think
so...at least not right now.

Rod

[riggodeezil]

On Jan 15, 2:12 pm, Rodney Parker wrote:
>
> Come on, Riggo.  You know civil discourse isn't allowed between Skins
> fans and Cowboy fans.

Nah...both teams are done for the year so we can put away the
tomahawks and six-shooters until next season (or at least until
March). It's a great rivarly...fans should be able to enjoy it some
with a little NG smack-talk every now and again...

> Aside from that, I agree with a bunch of what you and Preach are
> saying.  The only thing I'm not so sure about is the draft.  Call me
> naive, but I think Jerry may have learned a few things by having
> Parcells in here.  Such as the concept of trusting your coaching
> staff's input on the kind of players needed for their schemes.

Snyder claims that he also learned a lot from Gibbs and company too.
I can only hope that is true. Honestly, however, I probably would not
put Gibbs in Parcells' class as an evaluator of pure football talent
(re:Desmond Howard). But, he was good at finding "his guys" and
building the sort of team environment that eventually leads to
winning. I really hope Snyder goes with an internal hire and that
they keep building on what Gibbs started.

No matter what any of us sports fans think, Jerry Jones and Dan Snyder
are not dummies. They are smart, successful businessmen. They just
need to apply some of their business acumen to football operations.
Parcells seemed to have brought a sense of fiscal responsibility to
the Cowboys by not overpaying for questionable talent. Can you
imagine what Snyder and Jones would do if there was no salary cap?

>
> I don't think the staff was as involved in the draft when Campo,
> Gailey, and even Switzer were here.  Those were Jones/Lacewell drafts,
> and it showed.  I hope Jerry will tust that Wade knows what kind of
> defensive players work best in the "Phillips 3-4".

He has always been touted as a defensive guru in all of his stops. I
would think he knows how to build and maintain a good defense.
They've really got a lot of talent in the front 7. Parcells stocked
the cupboard well in that department. To me, their DBs are
questionable though.

>
> Same goes for offense.  Garrett (and Cam Cameron, who is my pick to be
> the next OC if Garrett leaves) spent a lot of time working with Norv
> Turner, and hopefully he'll be allowed the same input on the offensive
> side of the ball.

Cameron is a hot commodity. Any team that gets him will be fortunate
to have his services. I'm a bit surpised at the rush to grab
Garrett. I give him credit for designing a pretty effective passing
game that bordered on exceptional early in the year. But, I don't
think he utilized the run enough. He should have insisted on Barber
as the feature back from about Week 2. Can you imagine what that
would have done to the play action passing game with a healthy TO
running routes? Nonetheless, if Garrett goes to Baltimore, he will
have his work cut out for him. You are talking about a team that has
had virtually no offense for almost 10 years. Ironically, when he was
hired Billick was also touted as an offensive guru.
>
> A lot of people think Jerry will revert to his old ways, but I give
> him credit for at least some intelligence.  After the 3 SB wins,
> several mediocre (at best) seasons does a lot for a person's
> humility.  Of course, I could be wrong about that, but I don't think
> so...at least not right now.

As I stated earlier, Jerry Jones is no dummy. Neither is Dan Snyder.
They have both had the benefit of being in the presence of true
"football men" and have hopefully learned that it takes a lot more
than throwing money at talent and big names to have a successful
franchise.

>
> Rod-

[micronerdo]

"Walter Bushell" wrote in message @70-1-84-166.area1.spcsdns.net...
> In article ,
> Rast wrote:
>
>> On Mon, 14 Jan 2008 15:48:39 -0600,
>> observer (observer@shinyfeet.com) wrote:
>> > "After looking at the tape, I certainly feel like
>> > the best team lost the game," Phillips said, a
>> > statement sure to make Big Blue bulletin boards
>> > next season. "I feel like we outplayed them, but
>> > we lost."
>>
>> ...
>>
>> > "I just thought that we had a better team than
>> > they had," Phillips said. "We'd proven it twice,
>> > and I think we proved it again."
>>
>> Fricking hilarious.

Does that mean whoever loses against the Pats in the Super Bowl
are ACTUALLY the better (or best) team?
LOL

[Venger]

Rodney Parker wrote:
>
> I hope Jerry will tust that Wade knows what kind of
> defensive players work best in the "Phillips 3-4".

It's the Phillips 0-4 we should be worried about.

Venger