Don’t count out Dallas just yet
One of my readers, Jeff Leatherock, sent the following email:
“After an humiliating loss to St. Louis dropped the Super Bowl possible underachievers to one game over .500, the rumblings for the firing of the head coach grew louder. Generally regarded as an excellent defensive coach, and fine person, he was seen as unable to win in the postseason. He was seen as not being as in touch with his team as he needed to be. His teams were thought be prone to folding under the pressure, often described as ‘chokers.’
“The next day, he had an emotional team meeting, and told them that he may not be the choice to take them to the next level, and was uncertain about the future.
“From that point, the 5-4 team didn’t lose again in the regular season, or conference playoffs, earning Tom Landry and the Dallas Cowboys their first Super Bowl appearance. Super Bowl V, Jan. 17, 1971, which they ultimately lost to the Colts. But the perception of the Cowboys was changed from then on, and they were no longer seen as disappointments.”
Excellent comparison. I love that kind of historical perspective. My readers are sharp, most of them. They don’t just read about sports, they think about sports.
With all that said, I don’t necessarily buy the theory. I think there are major differences between the Cowboys 1970 and the Cowboys 2008.
Namely, the status of the franchise. Yes, Dallas in 1970 was known as the franchise that couldn’t win the big one. But the Cowboys had been to two NFL title games in the previous four years. The current Cowboys are known as a franchise that can’t win the little one — no playoff victories since 1996. And second, Tom Landry in 1970 was much more solidified than is Wade Phillips today.
The Cowboys were a stable franchise in 1970, with Clint Murchison and Tex Schramm. They didn’t go around making rash decisions. Landry coached Dallas 29 seasons and wasn’t fired until Jerry Jones took over the team. Phillips today is on very thin ice. It would surprise no one if he’s fired after Dallas’ next loss or even after Dallas’ next game.
Finally, know that the NFL in general is much more volatile today than it was in 1970. Teams were more consistent from year to year back then, either winning or losing. Dallas was good in 1969 and 1971. Good in 1968 and 1972. Good in 1967 and 1973.
The same can’t be said today. Teams fluctuate much more today. Teams like the Colts and Steelers and Patriots are rare. The Eagles and the Buccaneers and the Packers go up and down much more frequently. These Cowboys, too.
But Leatherock’s thesis basically holds true. Which is this: Don’t write off talented NFL teams until you have to. The Cowboys were the NFL’s best team in September. They stink in October. But who knows what November holds?
-------------Berry Tramel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4:40-5:20 p.m. on The Sports Animal radio network, including AM-640 and FM-98.1. You can e-mail him here and follow him on Twitter @BerryTramel. Visit Berry's website here.
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