Scott Boehm - Getty Images
Cris Collinsworth took some time off from prepping for the Super Bowl to talk about the Cowboys
NBC football analyst Cris Collinsworth took a little time off during Super Bowl week to sit down and talk a little about the Dallas Cowboys with one of the local radio stations near where I live.
I thought this was an interesting interview to share with you, but first I need to explain a little something. We have a lot of new readers here all the time, and others may not have followed some of the BTB inside stuff, so for those who know this, bear with me while I bring everyone else up to speed.
As I mentioned, the radio station, KTBB, is out of Tyler, Texas, which is just about 40 miles from my house, and both the AM and ESPN FM side are on my car presets. Bill Coates, the head sports guy, is pretty good, and I listen to him, although his show comes on while I work, so I don't get to hear him regularly. But I didn't know about this video. I was tipped to it by OCC. Our resident German, who this week was on a "business trip" to France. (Of course, there is absolutely no reason to see any sinister implications in a German going to France.)
Now, those of us who have been paying attention have long suspected that OCC is no mere mortal. Given his prodigious talents in all things involved with posting stories, including the sheer volume of his work, and his near omniscient ability to find the most obscure facts and data in almost real time, as well as the fact that sometimes he seems to be on line around the clock, we have generally come to believe he is actually a cyborg with a supercomputer augmented intelligence, and some of us anticipate the day he comes to rule over the rest of us inferior beings, and we try to stay on his good side in order to secure a sinecure under his dominion (I am bucking for Official Inspector of Hot Photos of Scantily Clad Women).
So it really was no surprise when he noticed something originating in my own back yard from the other side of the globe. That's just how it works around here. But I wanted let you know.
On to the video after the jump.
NBC color analyst on Radio Row. (via ktbbam600)
Collinsworth had a good look at the Cowboys, as is pointed out, since he saw them play four times, including one game against the Eagles and both the losses to the Giants. Now, this may be the kind of thing that would give an analyst a decidedly negative view, since all four games were losses and the Eagles game on NBC was unquestionably the worst one of the year.
But that is a 25% sample of the Dallas games. He certainly had something to go on in forming his opinions.
What I found interesting was some of the nonverbal things going on in the interview. At the beginning, after a little obligatory schmoozing and then setting up the fact the Cowboys were on NBC a lot, and sucked for the most part, Coates asks him, in light of the close losses to the Giants (which was true in the first meeting, but shows a little homerism concerning that last game of the season), about whether the Cowboys are close, or if they are fooling themselves to think so.
Collinsworth kind of ducks the question. He talks about where they should be looking to improve, using the term "tinker". Now I don't see "tinker" as what you do to fix serious problems. He does mention needing to upgrade the secondary and the pass rush, which are two of the main issues the team had last year. And he mentioned the expected swap of Tyron Smith and Doug Free at the tackles, but sees that as a potential issue when he brings up the learning curve.
He finally sidles up to the issue, talking about what he seems to see as the difference maker.
"At the end of the day, in that division, you know, the team that at the end of the year was able to get the most pressure on the quarterback, and it was the New York Giants, is the one that goes on."
Coates then asks more direct questions that many of us want to know the answers to.
"Have the Cowboys overestimated their talent? Do you consider them to have elite talent?"
Collinsworth squirms a bit at this. He throws a little love at the offensive skill positions, and says that other teams don't have better talent. But I got the distinct feeling that he was well aware he was talking to a station from the Dallas market and was softening his answer. The very last thing, when he says that you have to beat the teams in your division, and the Cowboys could not defeat either the Eagles or the Giants, is as close as he comes to saying what I think he really meant, and that was that the Cowboys just weren't good enough to run with the rest of their division (outside of the Redskins) last year.
Is he right in his take on Dallas? I can't quibble with his evaluation of why the Giants won out in the division, or that we did not match up with Philadelphia when we actually played them. But I am very troubled by what he sees as the approach the team may take in fixing its issues. "Tinker" does not seem like a serious approach to major problems. I certainly hope that is not an accurate read by him of what the management and coaching staff are thinking at Valley Ranch. But there is certainly some precedent for that, and Jerry Jones has made some statements in the past few weeks that do have a bit of that flavor.
I hope that does not reflect the real thinking of the team. This team is not in a position to think it needs to just make a few adjustments to be a contender again. I generally find Chris Collinsworth one of the better analysts out there (he can't help it if he was evaluating a bunch of hot garbage from the Cowboys this year), but I certainly want him to be off on this.
1 recs | 105 comments
I take everything Collingsworth says with a grain of salt.
He didn’t say anything in the interview that all of us fans didn’t already know. We know as well as anyone what our team needs to do. Only difference is, he gets paid for it.
Mikellie - February 4, 2012
OCC's abilities have never been questioned here.
He even showed you how to color your charts Tom. I’m waiting for him to get a direct feed from the Cowboy’s war room on draft day so we can see what really goes on. I am sure he is working on it.
Collingsworth mentioned all the areas that have been covered here on BTB as far as issues. How the FO deals with these needs will give us a clear indication of whether they are improving their " self analysis " for long term benefit or short term gain. Hopefully it will be somewhere in between.
I am looking forward to a post breaking down the Cowboy’s " not ready for prime time player" and how they may or may not impact the FA and draft.
oldboysfan - February 4, 2012
JG is very analytical
The future success of the team, and his as a head coach is tied to his ability to correctly identify the problems with the team and fix them. He understands that “sugar coating” the situation will lead to further failure on the field.
nycowboysfan - February 4, 2012
Agreed, but with window on some of his core players getting shorter
Will he be under the pressure of trying to get more for now than long term.
oldboysfan - February 4, 2012
I think most coaches have to do that, though
There are very few franchises willing to take the long view and keep coaches around while they “build for the future”. It’s not right, but it’s true for most teams.
dunkman - February 4, 2012
JJ isnt nothing but a bum
Let a real GM run things …. He should be no more than president and owner..
Stay out of player personal and contracts !!!!!
lostar2009 - February 4, 2012 via mobile
Garrett is also the same guy who thought Phil Costa could be a starting center in the NFL,
made no attempt to bring in a mid level veteran (other than a JAG like Dockery) to provide depth and compeition on that challenged O-line, signed off on keeping the secondary essentially intact, and signed off on doing nothing to improve the defensive front seven. No question JG is a bright guy with big upside, but I just don’t trust that he has enough experience evaluating and developing talent to help rebuild the Cowboys. It’s sad to even use the word “rebuild” considering Parcell’s passed off a core group of players poised for a Super Bowl run, and one playoff win and 4 years later we’re still talking about how to “fix” this team. BTW, good luck to the Tuna with the HOF voting today.
jerry_jones_killed_our_cowboys - February 4, 2012
you could be correct but its not fair to judge Garrett with no real offseason & 1 draft.
i cant imagine Garrett not having a blueprint of everything to fix this team & a majority of that should show up this season. I will say i’m disapointed this team hasn’t done more with players like Ware, Witten, Romo & Ratliff.
were going to learn a lot about where Jerry thinks this team is by the calibur of players he signs in FA. if Jerry feels this teams close to winning a super bowl he’s going to go after the players they need.
DCNation73 - February 5, 2012
we have quite a few holes
esp in the trenches and the secondary. JG is trying to win in the trenches
ScottB1985 - February 5, 2012
considering the number of holes on D
right now we have a hole at LOLB, a hole at FS, and need 2 (3 when Newman goes) CBs. Thats more than tinkering, thats nearly half the D thats turning over. Even if they were to resign Spencer, theyre totally rebuilding the back 4. And this isnt even getting into the O line …
DB23 - February 4, 2012
From BBC News America...
Some guy was seen leaving de Gaul Airport in one of these.
Superchicken - February 4, 2012
OCC is that you?
ProBowlFactory - February 4, 2012
I'm not sure I even want to know the price per mile on that thing......
TruBluToTheCore - February 4, 2012
tinkering
i agree that we need more than just tinkering but i also feel that tinkering in the right places with the right personnel can atleast get the defense from mediocre to good (not elite). finding a new tackle (to allow ratliffe a move the de), new olb, a new corner and a new fs. thats 4 new players on defense. along with these players, the current defensive roster has a whole year in ryans defense. all this should be what they need to get from mediocre to good (not elite).
on the o-line i think they will sign a free agent (probably not nicks but someone decent) and draft someone in the first 3 rounds.
liveoakcowboys - February 4, 2012
Does this sound like "Tinkering"?
1) Needing to upgrade 2 of 3 starters on the interior offensive line?
2) Needing to upgrade the secondary
3) Needing to upgrade the Dline
4) Needing to upgrade the Pass Rush
This sounds more like an overhaul than a tinkering job.
Rohpuri - February 4, 2012 via mobile
Considering that 3 and 4 are nearly synonymous
and completing 4 could mask most of 2 (if you don’t believe me look at how terrible the Giants’ secondary was for most of the season until Tuck, JPP, Osi, Kiwi all got healthy), needing to upgrade two spots on offense and two or three spots on defense doesn’t seem too bad.
niceville56 - February 4, 2012
not what they need
if your only getting one player in each needed area, then yes its tinkering. 4 new players on defense in all those areas is tinkering, but if they were the right 4 then the defense could become good again, not elite.
i feel the oline is only in need of aquiring that 1 player. i hope its nicks or decastro but it probably wont be. costa was bad at times last year but i think he will be better. i’m not ready to give up on arkin just yet. i like that they redshirted him and he will have had an entire year building bulk and strength. if, and i know its seems like a big if for fans who expect greatness (me too) but we need to know about some of the players who may have starter roles in the future. for me thats arkin, bruce carter and possibly kowalski.
kowalski i felt did very well when called upon to play both center and guard.
liveoakcowboys - February 4, 2012
according to Pro Football Focus
Costa was worse his second season than he was in year 2.
Rohpuri - February 4, 2012 via mobile
You mean than he was in his rookie year?
He had very little play time that year, only due to a injury at G.
Rena - February 4, 2012
Costa plays, Romo doesn't
because he is in the morgue
burmafrd1944 - February 4, 2012
i'm predicting dallas to move up in the draft & take a CB.
how good would Claiborne look with a star on his helmet? i honestly think J.jenkins could go in the top 10 but theres zero chance he slides past 20. CBs with that much talent dont grow on trees if Jenkins isnt the next pac man then either Claiborne or Jenkins would be instant starters.
DCNation73 - February 5, 2012
My assessment also!
Though I doubt we can get Claiborne… I don’t think talent wise he’s as good as Jenkins anyway. Jenkins had it all… I mean this kid has speed, agility, ball skills… knows all the angles and how to play the position in either zone or press coverage. Size is his biggest problem not strength… He might be only 5’10 and 180 ish but that’s all muscle. The kid’s only down is the drug use and the trouble but then again he was barely 19 at the time. I got to see a few interviews and the kid really seems to have dialed it down. I think he will be there and 14-20. I think we take him at 14 and it’s not a bad choice. I would rather choose DeCastro myself.
Rex Pfister - February 5, 2012
attitude
why is that we dont have anyone on defense that has that bad a$$ attitude and swagger with skill to match? it always seems like good defenses have that one guy who’s a bad a$$ and the defense takes on his personality. we dont have anyone like that yet.
liveoakcowboys - February 4, 2012
There not Garrett's RKG's.
Mikellie - February 4, 2012
Ummm...
Nuthin’ there saying bad ass isn’t RKG. Depends on the definition of “bad ass”.
Consider Ware with LT’s on-field attitude. Trick’s finding the combo. Think Manster.
tanstaafl - February 4, 2012
btw, quotes from and elaboration here.
tanstaafl - February 4, 2012
Exactly!
Mikellie - February 4, 2012
Think Randy'd qualify? Both ways.
tanstaafl - February 4, 2012
more players to come
i am always optimistic in the off season that we will get quality players in the draft. money to spend, a decently high pick in each round of the draft, should be a chance for us to make quality changes. just need scouting departments to do their due dilgence and for the gm and hc to listen to them.
liveoakcowboys - February 4, 2012
France surrendered
DIRE WOLF - February 4, 2012
AGAIN???
I didn’t even realize they were being threatened. This has to stop, France.
dunkman - February 4, 2012
Maybe they'll give us another statue.
Mikellie - February 4, 2012
Yeah, France surrendered to Duchy of Grand Finwick,
after they sent in 27 Eagle Scouts.
DIRE WOLF - February 4, 2012
Up till early 41, French Army was the laughingstock of the world
Then the Italians beat them out.
Poor Italy.
They had the title for almost 50 years until the Iraqi army took it away.
burmafrd1944 - February 4, 2012
The French had a good army
they just had the misfortune of being neighbors with Germany. Heck, even the Soviet Union, which had the most powerful, advanced army for 40 years took four years and a lot of retreating to defeat the Germans.
But yes, the Italian army was awful!
ScottB1985 - February 5, 2012
I've always considered Collinsworth a pretty good guy.
Sometimes I can’t stand him, but you have to admit, he was a pretty good guy to give this interview to a relatively unknown (nationally anyway) radio guy from Texas. I think his points are well taken. He hit on the issues…except for interior O-line.
Although I don’t want to, I have to give the Giants some props. This is the second time in four years that they’ve ripped through not just the NFC East, but the entire NFL. They were in danger of not making the playoffs, and they won and won and won with their backs against the wall. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if they won again tomorrow.
The Eagles were a lot like the Cowboys this year. Inconsistent. Of course they destroyed us, but it’ll shift again next year. For the most part, the Cowboys were a pretty tough W for a lot of teams this year. But their problems continue to be almost the same every year. They’re getting closer IMO.
TTTT, I am more worried about Rob Ryan’s statement that he’s only thinking about DB’s. I really do believe we need at least one more dynamic pressure player. If I was going to be honest with myself, which is a motif of your piece, Tom, that are we overestimating our talent, then I have to question our entire defensive line.
Would one more good pass rusher truly rehabilitate this defensive line? Is Rob pandering to Jerry? Is he trying to be a team player, saying he can get the job done with just DB’s? Now if we get a beast NT, and move Rat to DE, that may be an upgrade to both positions. When I look at our DE’s I see Lissemore with some potential, but what after that? Rotation players. Not one of these guys would see the field in Tom Landry’s or Jimmy Johnson’s defenses. We need more than DB’s.
White Wolf - February 4, 2012
I agree
I think part of it is their approach – they invest heavily in the foundational positions, the front five and front seven. It doesn’t mean you win it every year, but I certainly think it permits consistency and give you a much better chance of doing something late in the season.
dunkman - February 4, 2012
You 2
make
worth common. Common’s worth?
tanstaafl - February 4, 2012
a good pass rush & a good running game will always give you chance to win games.
add in the fact we have a franchise QB, Murray, Witten, 2 tackles, a stable of Wrs (if they resign Robinson). replace Bennett with a TE/Power Forward that can catch the pass & find a quality Center that Romo can trust.
the biggest problem is on defense & finding a DL, OLB, CB, FS & even a vet ILB incase Carter doesn’t work out or incase of injury. until that DL/OLB can get instant pressure on the QB theres alwats going to be 5 or 6 of those QBs in the NFL that will burn any secondary. Dallas wont ever dominate games with coverage sacks lol
DCNation73 - February 5, 2012
+1
that DL is a bunch of jags & until Lissemore proves something potential dont win games. resigning Spencer even at a cheap price does nothing to improve that position. i cant stand to see players just barely doing enough to get by & keep finding a way back on the roster.
players like sensabaugh & scandrick really need to prove there worth the contract next season bc i didnt see it this year.
pass rushers are a must on the front 7 or this team will be in the same shape next season. Spears, Spencer, Coleman all need to be upgraded & 1 of those need to be major upgrade in the pass rush.
DCNation73 - February 5, 2012
Jerry is the master of TINKER
He doesn’t take the safety position serious.
Elam = tinker
Ball = tinker
D line
Coleman = tinker (hey Jerry how about drafting some d linemen ?)
O line > nuff said > tinker
One thing Jerry doesn’t tinker around with though is wr’s. He is gonna get him some wr’s. He may not spend any premium picks on any other positions but he is gonna spend picks on lb’s and wr’s.
It ain’t hard. Jerry has been tinkering for a long time now. He never seems serious with thinking he can just move Alan Ball and signing Elam. Why even add Coleman ? Seriously ? Does he up grade the d line at all ?
football mensa - February 4, 2012
Defense? Apparently not important.
This years Super Bowl #27 defense vs #31 defense.
Mikellie - February 4, 2012
Defense matters.
Did you not see Wilfork dominate the interior oline of the Ravens ? Have you not seen the Giants pass rush ?
Offenses have the advantage because of the rules. Hard to get shutouts in the nfl. The skill players are too good and with the lax rules it only helps the offenses. However at some point you have to stop the other team. Dallas hasn’t stopped very many. Against the Eagles it looked like they were playing flag football.
football mensa - February 4, 2012
Actually
Both teams are in the SB because they found their defense late in the season or during the playoffs.
Like I said a few posts ago. In the words of Jimmy Johnson, you have to win two of the three to be successful. Offense, Defense, and Special Teams.
staubachfan - February 4, 2012
unless you are the San Diego Chargers....
have the number 1 offense, 1 defense, but miss the playoffs becuz your special teams are the worst in the league last year….
TruBluToTheCore - February 4, 2012
Alternatively, they're the top 2 defenses playing this Sunday
Top 2 ST’s, top 2 O’s…
tanstaafl - February 4, 2012
Giants D got hot late; Pats did as well
Just like the Colts did when they won it; late in the year they got back some players and that D was the reason they won since Manning did not exactly light it up in the playoffs
burmafrd1944 - February 4, 2012
T. e. a. m.
Takes 2 to play. Otherwise you’re just playing with yourself.
tanstaafl - February 4, 2012
At least we would know the outcome.
Mikellie - February 4, 2012
Tinkering vs. Overhaul
In any complicated system (not just talking about football) a few minor changes can have great effect on the outcome.
The offense could use an upgrade on the OL but the fact that Romo had one of his best statistical years and the emergence of the running game (when all key players were healthy) and the fact that most of the skill position players are returning in their prime means to me that the offense will probably be better next year. If just the center position is addressed I think the offensive line will be improved. They will probably be better at 3rd down conversions and will probably be more consistent as a unit, which in itself would make the offense better.
If that one change does mean the offense is better the defense will be on the field less and will be playing with a lead more often, making opposing offenses more one dimensional. Making our defense a little better.
Now if the draft is focused on defense and we happen to successfully address one or two positions, we are upgraded even further. Add a CB to replace Newman and I think the entire DB unit is greatly upgraded. Add a NT or DE and the pass rush will be upgraded. Add a new starting ILB (Carter) and the ability to get that quick pass out will be reduced, increasing the defense as a unit.
That’s as few as adding 1 – 3 new players and/or promoting from within 1 – 3 players. That might not be tinkering but in my mind that’s a far cry from an overhaul.
staubachfan - February 4, 2012
hmmm...seeing as how our defense last year gave up leads in 5 of our 8 losses in the 4th quarter how would having them play with a lead more often help?....
all kidding aside I see your point, but I think this push to improve the offense first is the same thing that the Atlanta Falcons did last draft…..You cant sacrifice one unit to the detriment of the other.
Year One was all about JG tearing apart the offensive line that he knew would not be able to handle the long haul anymore. You can only do so much each offseason as you only have so many resources available each year.
Rob Ryan brought in two players that knew his defense and were capable of being onfield coaches to the players to increase their learning curve in the new defense. He was not given too many new toys to play becuz he needed to honestly evaluate who would not fit in his scheme, who could not pick it up, and who just absolutely needed to be replaced.
Year Two is going to see a ine tuning of the offensive line, and a huge infusion of talent into the defense. How they go about it as in which players is the biggest question but I have a feeling this is how its going down this offseason.
TruBluToTheCore - February 4, 2012
LOL! Yes maybe playing with a lead isn't the answer.
I really wasn’t trying to present the idea that we need to fix the offense first. My only point is that even a small change can have an effect on what might seem like an unrelated part of the team. I also hope that we focus on defense but again if we get just 3 quality improvements on the team it can be huge.
staubachfan - February 4, 2012
If we look to improve the TEAM instead of a POSITION I think we will come out ahead of the game this year...
TruBluToTheCore - February 16, 2012
Business trip?
Went on one once…
tanstaafl - February 4, 2012
bucking for Official Inspector of
Hot Photos ofScantily Clad Womentanstaafl - February 4, 2012
Piney can have all the photos he wants....
someone needs to be the “hands on” quality inspector…..
TruBluToTheCore - February 4, 2012
I think that's OCC in the middle.
DIRE WOLF - February 4, 2012
Ouch!
No. Bad Wolf. Bad, bad Wolf.
Here’s an actual photo, don’t ask me how I got it….
(French colleague is pictured, center, seeking guidance.)
dunkman - February 4, 2012
Believe that is a picture of the Sacred Eniac
first real computer
burmafrd1944 - February 4, 2012
O saCred eniaC?
tanstaafl - February 4, 2012
The first "real" computer was a Macintosh.
Mikellie - February 4, 2012
thought Britain built the first computer,
to decipher German codes?.
oh a Brit invented the internet too , before you steal that invention as well.
:(
scotscowboyfan - February 4, 2012
Uh, hello?
Ever heard of Al Gore????
dunkman - February 4, 2012
Hahaha...
Classic dunk.
Luke. - February 5, 2012
Brits were also the first to embrace radar but also
Alan Turing was a Brit.
Some say Britain invented the concentration camp but they most likely just made the term popular. I wouldn’t try to claim that one though lol
ScottB1985 - February 5, 2012
We did invent? , create the first concentration camp sadly in the Boer war.
not everything in a countries past is good, Abu Ghraib anyone?.
scotscowboyfan - February 6, 2012
That wasn't a hit on the Brits
Britain made the term popular in the Boer war, though concentration camps had been used sporadically before then. The Germans gave it the bad name.
Abu Ghraib was a black eye for the U.S. but it doesn’t even belong on the map of atrocities committed by humanity in the last 100 years.
ScottB1985 - February 6, 2012
Didn't say first...said "real".
Mikellie - February 5, 2012
you don't get more "Real" than helping to win WW2.
scotscowboyfan - February 5, 2012
The old robot overlord disguised as a tower trick. We looked everywhere for him. Esp the brothels.
btw, -1 on the competition for SCW Inspector. Thanks, Dire.
tanstaafl - February 4, 2012
The NFC East is very tough and very competitive. Even the Redskins.
But I do not think the Giants are some model franchise. They were one loss or Cowboy win from having their THIRD late season collapse in a row. They are horrible in the 2nd half of the year.
Both Superbowl appendices they backed into the playoffs and got hot. So can someone explain that? They have a horrible horrible 2nd half every year for the past 5 or 6 years. They are lucky to break even 4-4 over the 2nd half but they are some model franchise? The one year they manage to take charge they got bounced by the Eagles 1 and done.
Whats the common trend? Does it take luck to win in the playoffs? Check it out, see if you can explain it to me.
I am just getting tired of hearing how the Giants are some model of success. Coughlin has been on one year probationary contracts for a while now, for a reason.
thebigham - February 4, 2012
Well, I am not sure I'd use "model franchise"
but I respect their focus on the fundamental positions. If Dallas had just a marginally better line on each side of the ball, they would have shut the Giants out of the playoffs. But they didn’t because they have not done well in those areas. Unlike those who equate JJ to Satan, I think they are on the right path to fixing that mentality. I think it started, as BD26 said, with restructuring the front office in 2008, and continues with hiring a very serious, organized and intelligent HC who has deep family history in the scouting side of the game, as well as being a player.
dunkman - February 4, 2012
Well if they restructured in 08 then why was 09 an unmitigated disaster ?
Bigham the Giants are in their second superbowl in 4 years. Would you rather be them or continue what we have ? Me I would take the 2 appearances. Wallering in mediocrity sucks especially with the gm’s refusal to step down.
Remember the Gmen have like 18 players on ir this year. Yet they are playing for the bling. They have overcome. When do you see Dallas overcome ? When do you see Dallas get hot ? When do you see Dallas step up in money time ? Remember vs the Eagles with a playoff spot on the line ? They folded like a wet paper towel. That game was over in the first 5 minutes. Gmen have shown some mental toughness. Dallas has shown some mental weakness.
Kinda hard to dog the Giants right now. They are playing tomorrow and Dallas is at home trying to figure out why they fold in pressure situations.
football mensa - February 4, 2012
Wallering?
Wallowing?
Remember the calls that the game didn’t matter? Starts with who? Team? Fans? Ends? Both? Starts and ends with fans and team. Vicious circle and not one easily broken, unlike records and wailing whines.Fold the crying towel.
tanstaafl - February 4, 2012
Been said a gazillion times...
O-Line and D-Line. Get those right first, then worry about everything else. Period.
Mikellie - February 4, 2012
Watch which way the line's moving, something, something...
sumthin’ some old guy said.
tanstaafl - February 4, 2012
I'm southern. Wallering > Capiche ?
Fold the crying towel. You should.
Starts and ends with fans and team. Inaccurate. Teams should stand on their own. But it’s you.
football mensa - February 4, 2012
You're cryin'. Whinin' and wailin's your schtick. Capiche?
Sickness a team can’t afford. Nor a fan that claims they have the answers.
tanstaafl - February 4, 2012
You're a fluff kind of fan.
The world is filled with your kind. Truth in your world is a hindrance. Obtuse even.
Comprender ?
football mensa - February 5, 2012
As I hear the story
Wade did not trust the scouts, and had his own concept about how to draft and apparently JJ let him have too much say.
But I would turn it around and ask how have they done since then? I think Dallas has had two really good drafts in a row. Not a trend yet, but enough to give me some hope.
dunkman - February 4, 2012
Who were the defensive picks under Wade?
07: Spencer (worse than expected), Alan Ball (awful)
08: Jenkins (good), Scandrick (average)
09: Jason WIlliams (cut), Victor Butler (hopeful but don’t know) and a bunch of later rounders that didn’t pan out. This is the Roy WIlliams draft.
10: See (very good), AOA (very bad), and the rest were cut I think.
I don’t know who had what say in these picks but I would rate them below average
ScottB1985 - February 5, 2012
Mensa
Nothing personal bro but you have that choice! You can make it any time you want. The players and coaches don’t. The owner is the owner and until that changes then it’s beating a dead horse. I know you like beating that horse over and over but it does no good what-so-ever.
If you feel this is more then you can take… jump ship. The Giants are playing in the Superbowl today and you can be a fan just by saying you are. Simple! No more Jerry and you had Two Superbowls in 4 years. You can stand up and be proud!!!
But when the crap starts to roll, and the kool-aid sours…
Rex Pfister - February 5, 2012
Uh all that because I said Eli has played well and delivered.
Is it against fandom law to give a player credit on another team ? Or does it bother the hell out of you that Eli has won his second superbowl mvp ? So I guess when the 9’ers were winning superbowls with Montana I should have jumped ship ? Or does Montana deserve credit for being a great qb ?
You folks let emotion cloud your rationale. I hate the Gmen as much as the next Dallas fan. That doesn’t mean however that I am not going to recognize superb play.That’s foolish. SO Eli plays for the Gmen so I should just say he sucks ? LOL. Really you should look in the mirror and ask yourself are you being honest with yourself.
Honestly can you criticize Eli and the Giants ? It was a great game too.
football mensa - February 5, 2012
I think after this interview we have a new name for stop gaps players
Tinker Toys. Players like Elam, Ball, Coleman, Olshansky and maybe even Brooking, all tinker toys.
ProBowlFactory - February 4, 2012
Tinker Toys
Ideal. Consider it
copy-leftedcopy-lifted.tanstaafl - February 4, 2012
Nnamdi, Nicks… – shiny tinker toys.
Oh I like this plenty…
tanstaafl - February 4, 2012
I didn't think he was pussyfooting around; I believe he was giving thoughful answers.
What I feel is most significant is that he nailed what, IMO, really divided the Giants from the Cowboys (and most of the other teams the Giants beat on the way to the Super Bowl other than SF, and that was all about freak plays on special teams), and that was that the Giants D came together as the season progressed. The Cowboys D went in the opposite direction.
Fernie67 - February 4, 2012
Play to...
… win more than division rivals, make the playoffs, jell to peak SB Sunday.
Simpleton simple.
tanstaafl - February 4, 2012
Chris is hedging his bets in this answer because he knows he has an anti-Cowboy reputation...
He knows a lot of us thinks he hates the Cowboys so I’m guessing he he’s way more opinionated than he lets on.
Ultimately though he’s right. We split with the Giants and Eagles or in fact win just one of those games and we’re in the playoffs, the Giants aren’t and I don’t hafto to freaking pull for TOM BRADY tomorrow. Ugh.
Sorry. Still a lil bitter.
Tuna Helper - February 4, 2012
Giants win in a landslide
and the NFC East collects another Lombardi Trophy. Best division in football. Always has been, always will be.
Mikellie - February 4, 2012
Sorry to differ with u Mik
but best coach + best Qb = another sb trophy for NE. Belichek will find a way to shut cruz down and Wilfork will be defensive mvp. Cowboy brass will get edicated and receive a blueprint on how to get r done.
letsgtld - February 4, 2012 via mobile
This part is true…it really can’t be argued…
CaliFanInTx - February 4, 2012
I we had a good to great Front 7
Eli doesnt march down the field (TWICE) with 5 min left and NE would be playing another team tomorrow, simple as that
Ed-G - February 4, 2012
I think the word "Tinker" was just a political answer
If Collinsworth were to be thrown into the head coaching job he would immediately seek out 2 cornerbacks and 2 d-line studs whether by FA or Draft or both. He would grab a G or C and hunt up a rangy Free Safety and possibly either a TE or Return Specialist/WR. And then he would say, let’s play ball!
LiveNDieBlue - February 4, 2012
Perhaps Collinsworth's opinion is based on the fact that the Cowboys are rarely dominated by other teams...
…when we lose, it’s usually by the smallest of margins. The only game I remember this year where we were dominated from beginning to end was the 1st Eagles game. Are we where we want/need to be? Nope. Do we need to keep improving? Yep. The only question fans are disagreeing with, is how…
I like how we are approaching improving the team the past season. I just shake my head when I read some of the revisionist history from some posters. Case in point…We knew we had weaknesses in the secondary, especially the Safety position (remember Ball’s safety play?). We had a salary cap issue at the beginning of the season (although many have forgotten about this), and we used a multi pronged approach to strengthen our backend with the resources we had available. We brought in Abe Elam to improve the safety position (inexpensive stop gap since we had few great options in the draft), and the safety position became less of a liability. We went after Asomugha to replace Newman…we already realized Terrance was near the end of his career, but few saw how quickly/completely his game deteriorated. Finally, we targeted Ray Horton to upgrade coaching in the secondary, as well as Henderson (whom the Browns denied us permission to interview). Not only do we clearly identify the weaknesses, but I see a methodology to how we approach problems now. I used the secondary as an example, but it is happening across the board.
CaliFanInTx - February 4, 2012
Refreshing
It’s not as satisfying as being angry at Jerry or Garrett, but I think this is very accurate.
dunkman - February 5, 2012
I keep checking Cowboys news to see if Terence Newman has been released yet
And everyday he’s still on the team.
Grady90 - February 5, 2012
They can't/won't til the new season starts in March.
thebigham - February 5, 2012
...and I think they can save more cap space if they release him after June 1
CaliFanInTx - February 5, 2012
The might even wait until after June 1, when part of the salary cap impact of the cut can be moved to 2013.
One.Cool.Customer - February 5, 2012
True, but I guess it depends how the draft and FA goes, didn't they respectfully cut some guys last year.
thebigham - February 5, 2012
Not last year. But the year before they released Flozell and Hamlin ‘early’, on April 2nd.
One.Cool.Customer - February 5, 2012
true ..#lockout
thebigham - February 5, 2012
just sign Carl Nix
trade up and get Quinton Coples
and a CB in the second round
The Cowboys don’t have to go according to script.
No process
No rebuilding necessary.
Jonathan Stern - February 5, 2012
Sign IMPACT FAs and then DRAFT the best young talent.....DE, OLB, CB, or OT/OG at PICK #14
Giants and Eagles DO THIS every year…..sign big-name Free Agents to shore up glaring weak spots on the DL, OL, or Secondary and then draft a stud IMPACT player in first two rounds (which could be an OT or OG if that’s the best player available)!!!!!
For example, Jerrah should sign Carl Nicks (OG), Mario Willliams (DE) or Calais Campbell (DE), and Paul Soliai (NT). With Carl Nicks on the OL and Mario or Calais and Paul added to our DL, we’d SEE a drastic improvement to our PASS RUSH and RUN DEFENSE!!! Dallas would ONLY have to draft a decent CB or two (i.e. Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson) and backup stud RB like Terrance Ganaway (6’1" 241lbs/3rd & short/goal-line battering ram) in the DRAFT and pay them at the Rookie Pay Scale rate.
I’d guarantee that BIG D would be extremely competitive in the Black&Blue division and competing for our elusive playoff and championship appearances.
Pacerman - February 6, 2012
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