Super-sized expectations no problem for Cowboys
A liberal dose
September 25, 2007
IRVING -- Three hours before kickoff in Chicago and more than a few miles away from Soldier Field, a former Texas Ranger turned new Chicago Cubs favorite was asked about the upcoming Cowboys-Bears game.
'You know I'm a Cowboys fan. I've already made plans to go to Glendale,' Cubs infielder Mark DeRosa said at Wrigley Field on Sunday. 'This is it. They're going.'
Glendale as in Glendale, Ariz. The home of Super Bowl XLII.
Premature? Definitely. Possible? Why not?
The Cowboys are one of five 3-0 teams in the NFL, and their 116 points are the most in the league. Less than 24 hours after scoring one of the biggest wins in years, the Cowboys have joined the fraternity of teams considered the best in the NFL.
That means the Cowboys are in the discussion along with the New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Cowboys have been at the adults' table before, only to be put in a high-chair time and again.
But this time the Cowboys believe they can handle the responsibility, adulation and expectations their success will bring.
'We're a different team. I'm a different player. People are a little older in a lot of areas,' quarterback Tony Romo said. 'We've been through it, so we probably understand it a little more. So that will help us.'
Two years ago, the Cowboys were 7-3, and the playoffs were well within reach. They only won two more games and missed the postseason.
Last season, the Cowboys were 8-4 and had a shot at a first-round bye in the playoffs. They were the first team to defeat the eventual Super Bowl champion Colts, and NFL TV heads from Jimmy Johnson on down had the Cowboys as a likely candidate to go to the Super Bowl.
'After we beat Indy last year, it was taboo to say we were good,' linebacker Bradie James said. 'It was a trap.'
Turns out, the Cowboys were good enough to make the playoffs, but nothing more. Everything came apart and they didn't win a game after Dec. 16.
With their next two opponents a combined 0-6, the Cowboys are expected to be undefeated when they host the Patriots on Oct. 14. It comes with the territory of being 3-0 and averaging almost 40 points a game.
Unlike seasons gone by, the Cowboys believe in themselves and their record. There is no waiting for the proverbial steel-toed shoe to drop on their collective heads. There is a genuine confidence.
A lot of the confidence comes from having a play-making quarterback the entire locker room believes in. A lot of it has to do with talent. A lot of it is no longer fearing a mistake will lead to a chain reaction of anger on the sideline. And a lot of it has to do with maturity.
When coach Wade Phillips walked off the team plane Saturday in Chicago, two of the flight attendants asked him what he was doing differently with his players.
'They studied all the way on the plane,' one flight attendant told Phillips.
'That's when I knew they wanted to win the game,' Phillips said.
'They were disciplined enough and it was important enough to our players that they were studying on the plane, getting ready to play. And that's what... I want them to do.'
The Cowboys want it. And they all realize 3-0 is nothing more than a nice start. But there is a belief that this start and this success is not fleeting, but an indicator of what can be.
'It's a lot more confidence,' linebacker DeMarcus Ware said. 'Guys know now they can make plays. We know. We thought last year, but now we know we can compete with those [elite] teams.'
And at least one fan knows it so much he's already made his Super Bowl plans.
ONLINE: dallascowboys.com
FAST STARTS
The Cowboys are 3-0 for the first time since 1999, but their best start ever was 8-0 in 1977. The Cowboys won Super Bowl XII that season. Here's a look at the Cowboys' best starts:
Season Start Finish Result 1977 8-0 12-2 Won Super Bowl XII 1983 7-0 12-4 Lost in wild card game 1969 6-0 11-2-1 Lost in Eastern Conference championship; lost in playoff bowl* 1968 6-0 12-2 Lost in Eastern Conference championship; won playoff bowl* 1976 5-0 11-3 Lost in divisional playoff 1995 4-0 12-4 Won Super Bowl XXX 1981 4-0 12-4 Lost in NFC Championship Game 1975 4-0 10-4 Lost Super Bowl X 1966 4-0 10-3-1 Lost in NFL Championship Game
COWBOYS VS. RAMS, NOON SUNDAY, KDFW/CH. 4
September 25, 2007
IRVING -- Three hours before kickoff in Chicago and more than a few miles away from Soldier Field, a former Texas Ranger turned new Chicago Cubs favorite was asked about the upcoming Cowboys-Bears game.
'You know I'm a Cowboys fan. I've already made plans to go to Glendale,' Cubs infielder Mark DeRosa said at Wrigley Field on Sunday. 'This is it. They're going.'
Glendale as in Glendale, Ariz. The home of Super Bowl XLII.
Premature? Definitely. Possible? Why not?
The Cowboys are one of five 3-0 teams in the NFL, and their 116 points are the most in the league. Less than 24 hours after scoring one of the biggest wins in years, the Cowboys have joined the fraternity of teams considered the best in the NFL.
That means the Cowboys are in the discussion along with the New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Cowboys have been at the adults' table before, only to be put in a high-chair time and again.
But this time the Cowboys believe they can handle the responsibility, adulation and expectations their success will bring.
'We're a different team. I'm a different player. People are a little older in a lot of areas,' quarterback Tony Romo said. 'We've been through it, so we probably understand it a little more. So that will help us.'
Two years ago, the Cowboys were 7-3, and the playoffs were well within reach. They only won two more games and missed the postseason.
Last season, the Cowboys were 8-4 and had a shot at a first-round bye in the playoffs. They were the first team to defeat the eventual Super Bowl champion Colts, and NFL TV heads from Jimmy Johnson on down had the Cowboys as a likely candidate to go to the Super Bowl.
'After we beat Indy last year, it was taboo to say we were good,' linebacker Bradie James said. 'It was a trap.'
Turns out, the Cowboys were good enough to make the playoffs, but nothing more. Everything came apart and they didn't win a game after Dec. 16.
With their next two opponents a combined 0-6, the Cowboys are expected to be undefeated when they host the Patriots on Oct. 14. It comes with the territory of being 3-0 and averaging almost 40 points a game.
Unlike seasons gone by, the Cowboys believe in themselves and their record. There is no waiting for the proverbial steel-toed shoe to drop on their collective heads. There is a genuine confidence.
A lot of the confidence comes from having a play-making quarterback the entire locker room believes in. A lot of it has to do with talent. A lot of it is no longer fearing a mistake will lead to a chain reaction of anger on the sideline. And a lot of it has to do with maturity.
When coach Wade Phillips walked off the team plane Saturday in Chicago, two of the flight attendants asked him what he was doing differently with his players.
'They studied all the way on the plane,' one flight attendant told Phillips.
'That's when I knew they wanted to win the game,' Phillips said.
'They were disciplined enough and it was important enough to our players that they were studying on the plane, getting ready to play. And that's what... I want them to do.'
The Cowboys want it. And they all realize 3-0 is nothing more than a nice start. But there is a belief that this start and this success is not fleeting, but an indicator of what can be.
'It's a lot more confidence,' linebacker DeMarcus Ware said. 'Guys know now they can make plays. We know. We thought last year, but now we know we can compete with those [elite] teams.'
And at least one fan knows it so much he's already made his Super Bowl plans.
ONLINE: dallascowboys.com
FAST STARTS
The Cowboys are 3-0 for the first time since 1999, but their best start ever was 8-0 in 1977. The Cowboys won Super Bowl XII that season. Here's a look at the Cowboys' best starts:
Season Start Finish Result 1977 8-0 12-2 Won Super Bowl XII 1983 7-0 12-4 Lost in wild card game 1969 6-0 11-2-1 Lost in Eastern Conference championship; lost in playoff bowl* 1968 6-0 12-2 Lost in Eastern Conference championship; won playoff bowl* 1976 5-0 11-3 Lost in divisional playoff 1995 4-0 12-4 Won Super Bowl XXX 1981 4-0 12-4 Lost in NFC Championship Game 1975 4-0 10-4 Lost Super Bowl X 1966 4-0 10-3-1 Lost in NFL Championship Game
COWBOYS VS. RAMS, NOON SUNDAY, KDFW/CH. 4
posted by The Gryphon at 7:36 AM
<< Home