The Woes of Dallas - Don't Bet on the Boys
Monday, October 18, 2010
I heard a story about a guy who, prior to the 2007-2008 NFL season, placed a $400 bet in Vegas saying the Patriots would go undefeated that season and win the Super Bowl. By the Super Bowl, the bet made it's way to $12 million. That's a tough bet to make (and if you read on you'll find out what happened to that bet!), but an even tougher bet would've been to say the Dallas Cowboys would start this year with a 1-4 record. 
I don't know anyone who would've guessed that, especially considering the majority of people considered the Cowboys a favorite to represent the NFC in this year's Super Bowl. So what exactly is going on in the big D that has the football world scratching its head?
At first glance it's tough to see why the Cowboys are struggling so much so far this season. After all, they're in the leagues top 5 in total offense, (400 YPG - *all stats as of week 6*) total defense (281 YPG) passing (305 YPG) and passing yards against (180 YPG). They seem to be getting production from the places they're expected to get production from, however some key aspects have made all the difference for the struggling Cowboys. Only 5 teams have been penalized more times so far this season (and the Cowboys have only played five games), and the teams turnover margin is -4 - 27th in the league. Compare that to the Jets who have a +11 margin. Needless to say, it's hard for the opposing team to score if they don't have the ball. The team has got to be frustrated because they know that their record is a reflection of their own careless mistakes and missed opportunities.
Wide receiver Roy Williams told Sports Illustrated, "We're 4-0. The Dallas Cowboys are 4-0. Our losses are because we beat ourselves. We can't turn the ball over, and make all these mistakes. I'm tired and I'm frustrated, because we're better than what we're doing.'' So while they've had the ability to win many games they've lost, the Cowboys have learned first-hand that little things done wrong add up, and ultimately lead to being unsuccessful. All four losses this year have been by 7 points or less, so it's clear that they've been in every game, but with that being said it's evident - as cliche as it is/sounds - that little mistakes and blown chances can be the difference between a winning and losing record. Between being the team you should be and the team you are.
It's clear that the Cowboys have all the talent a football team could want, so it's certainly conceivable that they could turn things around and maybe even find themselves in the playoff hunt, but it won't be easy at all for them. If they want to make the playoffs they're going to have to win at least eight or their
remaining eleven games, but with two against the Giants, two against the Eagles, one against the Colts, one against the Saints and one against the Packers, they had better figure some things out soon or they're going to be hitting up the golf courses early this year instead of playing for the Super Bowl on their home turf like everyone expected them to.
In the midst of all the disappointment and frustration going on in Dallas, they seem to be sticking with what they have. Jerry Jones made it clear that Wade Phillips' job is safe (for now at least) which may not be a popular decision in Dallas but it does tell you that the organization seems to trust their original plan, and they see what they have as being adequate. Speaking of adequate, I (as promised) have to explain what happened with that Patriots bet. Before the Super Bowl the place the man made the bet with told him the bet had been raised from the original $400 to $12 million. They said he could back out before the game and they'd give him $6 million on the spot, or he could stay in and go for the $12 million. Perhaps not seeing the $6 million as adequate or maybe being blinded by the Patriot's overwhelming status as favorites and shoe-in's for the Lombardi Trophy, he stuck in there, going with his original plan (much like the Cowboys are doing now) and ended up -$400. Come to think of it, maybe Dallas shouldn't stick with Wade Phillips...
I don't know anyone who would've guessed that, especially considering the majority of people considered the Cowboys a favorite to represent the NFC in this year's Super Bowl. So what exactly is going on in the big D that has the football world scratching its head? At first glance it's tough to see why the Cowboys are struggling so much so far this season. After all, they're in the leagues top 5 in total offense, (400 YPG - *all stats as of week 6*) total defense (281 YPG) passing (305 YPG) and passing yards against (180 YPG). They seem to be getting production from the places they're expected to get production from, however some key aspects have made all the difference for the struggling Cowboys. Only 5 teams have been penalized more times so far this season (and the Cowboys have only played five games), and the teams turnover margin is -4 - 27th in the league. Compare that to the Jets who have a +11 margin. Needless to say, it's hard for the opposing team to score if they don't have the ball. The team has got to be frustrated because they know that their record is a reflection of their own careless mistakes and missed opportunities.
Wide receiver Roy Williams told Sports Illustrated, "We're 4-0. The Dallas Cowboys are 4-0. Our losses are because we beat ourselves. We can't turn the ball over, and make all these mistakes. I'm tired and I'm frustrated, because we're better than what we're doing.'' So while they've had the ability to win many games they've lost, the Cowboys have learned first-hand that little things done wrong add up, and ultimately lead to being unsuccessful. All four losses this year have been by 7 points or less, so it's clear that they've been in every game, but with that being said it's evident - as cliche as it is/sounds - that little mistakes and blown chances can be the difference between a winning and losing record. Between being the team you should be and the team you are. It's clear that the Cowboys have all the talent a football team could want, so it's certainly conceivable that they could turn things around and maybe even find themselves in the playoff hunt, but it won't be easy at all for them. If they want to make the playoffs they're going to have to win at least eight or their
remaining eleven games, but with two against the Giants, two against the Eagles, one against the Colts, one against the Saints and one against the Packers, they had better figure some things out soon or they're going to be hitting up the golf courses early this year instead of playing for the Super Bowl on their home turf like everyone expected them to.In the midst of all the disappointment and frustration going on in Dallas, they seem to be sticking with what they have. Jerry Jones made it clear that Wade Phillips' job is safe (for now at least) which may not be a popular decision in Dallas but it does tell you that the organization seems to trust their original plan, and they see what they have as being adequate. Speaking of adequate, I (as promised) have to explain what happened with that Patriots bet. Before the Super Bowl the place the man made the bet with told him the bet had been raised from the original $400 to $12 million. They said he could back out before the game and they'd give him $6 million on the spot, or he could stay in and go for the $12 million. Perhaps not seeing the $6 million as adequate or maybe being blinded by the Patriot's overwhelming status as favorites and shoe-in's for the Lombardi Trophy, he stuck in there, going with his original plan (much like the Cowboys are doing now) and ended up -$400. Come to think of it, maybe Dallas shouldn't stick with Wade Phillips...
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