Cowboys: Super Bowl studs to duds in seven games
By Stephen Hawkins | Of The Associated Press
October 21, 2008
With three losses in four games, reality has finally hit the Dallas Cowboys.
Those 13 wins and 13 Pro Bowl players last season that led to Super Bowl expectations this season? None of those mean anything now.
''It's like we've been riding a wave. Now, the wave is gone. We're just like everybody else,'' linebacker Bradie James said Monday. ''No matter what the talent is, publicity, whatever goes on here, it doesn't really matter.''
Not a day after a 34-14 loss at St. Louis, with the Rams reeling off 34 consecutive points after Dallas scored on the game's opening drive.
Less than halfway through the season, the Cowboys (4-3) already have as many losses as they had all last season. The only victory the past four-game stretch was a lackluster performance at home against winless Cincinnati, the NFL's only seven-loss team.
''Our identity is missing. We need to realize and figure out who we are and what we are going to be and be it and live and die by it,'' nose tackle Tank Johnson said.
That could apply to the entire team though Johnson was referring specifically to the defense, which allowed 160 yards rushing and three touchdowns by Steven Jackson, the running back Dallas passed on in the 2004 draft and got Julius Jones instead.
America's Team came into the season with such high expectations, and started by winning its first three games. The Cowboys now are in third place in NFC East and their only division victory came against Philadelphia, the only team below them in the standings.
Owner Jerry Jones is having to answer about second-year coach Wade Phillips' job security. Jones on Monday reiterated his postgame comments that no coaching change is planned.
''That kind of talk comes up with coaches all the time when things aren't going well,'' said Phillips, 17-7 with the playoff loss included. ''Things aren't going well here, I understand that. But it's not going to affect how we prepare this week.''
Before a much-needed bye in two weeks, Dallas plays a pair of division leaders. It hosts Tampa Bay on Sunday, then visits the rival New York Giants.
''Now it's time for us to come together, not only find solutions, but find a cure, and really the only thing that cures that is winning,'' James said.
Phillips expressed his disappointment but said he and the players were ''determined to turn this thing forward and better.'' The coach also indicated that changes would be made.
When pressed about what kind of changes, Phillips said that wouldn't necessarily be lineup or personnel changes.
October 21, 2008
With three losses in four games, reality has finally hit the Dallas Cowboys.
Those 13 wins and 13 Pro Bowl players last season that led to Super Bowl expectations this season? None of those mean anything now.
''It's like we've been riding a wave. Now, the wave is gone. We're just like everybody else,'' linebacker Bradie James said Monday. ''No matter what the talent is, publicity, whatever goes on here, it doesn't really matter.''
Not a day after a 34-14 loss at St. Louis, with the Rams reeling off 34 consecutive points after Dallas scored on the game's opening drive.
Less than halfway through the season, the Cowboys (4-3) already have as many losses as they had all last season. The only victory the past four-game stretch was a lackluster performance at home against winless Cincinnati, the NFL's only seven-loss team.
''Our identity is missing. We need to realize and figure out who we are and what we are going to be and be it and live and die by it,'' nose tackle Tank Johnson said.
That could apply to the entire team though Johnson was referring specifically to the defense, which allowed 160 yards rushing and three touchdowns by Steven Jackson, the running back Dallas passed on in the 2004 draft and got Julius Jones instead.
America's Team came into the season with such high expectations, and started by winning its first three games. The Cowboys now are in third place in NFC East and their only division victory came against Philadelphia, the only team below them in the standings.
Owner Jerry Jones is having to answer about second-year coach Wade Phillips' job security. Jones on Monday reiterated his postgame comments that no coaching change is planned.
''That kind of talk comes up with coaches all the time when things aren't going well,'' said Phillips, 17-7 with the playoff loss included. ''Things aren't going well here, I understand that. But it's not going to affect how we prepare this week.''
Before a much-needed bye in two weeks, Dallas plays a pair of division leaders. It hosts Tampa Bay on Sunday, then visits the rival New York Giants.
''Now it's time for us to come together, not only find solutions, but find a cure, and really the only thing that cures that is winning,'' James said.
Phillips expressed his disappointment but said he and the players were ''determined to turn this thing forward and better.'' The coach also indicated that changes would be made.
When pressed about what kind of changes, Phillips said that wouldn't necessarily be lineup or personnel changes.
posted by The Gryphon at 7:33 AM
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