Comments on: Any Given Sunday

By: Redskins Guy

Redskins Guy — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 01:30:26 +0000

I think it really depends on your operational definition of the term “trap game.” I tend to define it as “A game everyone assumes you’re going to win that might actually give you problems.” By that definition, this is exactly what you’re describing.

Probably a more accurate term of a trap game is “a game the players assume they will win and thus do not work as hard to prepare for as they might normally.” This is the definition I’m assuming you’re using.

I’m not sure what that has to do with fire and motivation and your theory about “the team with the most intensity wins.” If the team doesn’t prepare itself properly it does hurt their chances both on defense AND on offense. That is a consequence of a “trap” game no matter which definition you use. It has nothing to do with this emotional intensity theory you’re (correctly) debunking.

By: dwagner

dwagner — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 20:59:18 +0000

Well thanks, Dave. I wasn’t really thinking about you or the Cowboys when I wrote it, but if you would like to think I was influenced by you on some deep-seated subconscious level, please feel free. At any rate, I’ll never turn down a compliment from a Cowboys fan, no matter how backhanded, because they are so rare.

I don’t personally see any reason why Zorn can’t keep the professionalism and the even keel all year. He inherited a team of class guys and he has continued much of what was already being done from a character point of view. The question for me is not the team’s attitude but whether such a veteran (read: old) team can stay healthy all year. So far, the loses we’ve absorbed have been short term and have been in places we’ve had good draft picks ready to step in, but I don’t know what we’d do if Taylor stayed out and we lost another DE or if Doughty and Horton are out at the same time. I like our offensive depth, but the defensive depth can’t be tested too much more.

-DW

By: davedallasfan

davedallasfan — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 20:34:22 +0000

thank you for taking my any given sunday comment. this is what i’ve been trying to tell all my brethern cowboy fans that are screaming that we have no heart. fire wade because he’s flat and un-emotional. this is a game of professionals. they need to absorb as much info as they can about their opponent, perfect their game plan, and execute to their fullest on sunday. that brings a winner. that is being professional. that is what i was trying to say. you guys are playing great football right now. can zorn get these guys to sustain that level? this we’ll see. that will mark how good a coach he is. this modern game has to be approached in that manner. it is a game of intence emotions and adrenelin pumped athletic feats. but it must be approached with business like professionalism as well. know your skills, and talents, and execute. i believe wade phillups is a good coach for that in dallas. jimmy johnson was a great fit for a different era in cowboy history, and with this team, i believe wade is a good fit. he’s not going to overshadow any talent on the field, but stay in the background and work that talent to it’s fullest. his personallity fits. tom landry fit his teams, george allen fit his teams…….it’s finding what works on “any given sunday” thank you for the kudos…..davedallasfan