# 2005 Dallas Cowboys - Tough Love **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 3, 2005, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2005-dallas-cowboys-tough-love/324546 "2005-10-03T08:29:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![cardsfan1975](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f9b8f/32.png) [@cardsfan1975](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cardsfan1975)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2005, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2005-dallas-cowboys-tough-love/324546/21 "2005-10-03T20:41:03Z")
As a card carrying, charter member of the Dallas/Ft. Worth chapter of the Anti-Cowboy Faction, I’m greatly enjoying how the season is shaping up. 🙂 cf’75 ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2005, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2005-dallas-cowboys-tough-love/324546/22 "2005-10-04T02:43:17Z")
It’s been pointed out to me by someone who lurks that I should amend my earlier statement about the Redskins reaching the Superbowl soon. I don’t anticipate them going any farther than the Wildcard round this year. I do, however, expect them to be serious contenders next year. Just so you all don’t think I’m blowing a 3-0 start out of proportion. ---
**Author:** ![Roland\_Orzabal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c2a13f/32.png) [@Roland\_Orzabal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roland_Orzabal)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2005, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2005-dallas-cowboys-tough-love/324546/23 "2005-10-04T04:51:08Z")
Fuck Dallas. Fuck the Redskins. That is all. Oh, no, wait, that’s not all. My mistake. I said it [a year ago](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=5251582&postcount=14), and now I’ll say it again, loud and proud: **GO CHARGERS!!!** But yeah, the Cowboys really do need to learn how to pass. They used to know, back in The Day of Aikman, but they were hit upside the head with the Good Player Retirement Train, and they’ve developed some pretty severe amnesia. Almost makes me feel bad for continuing to hate them. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2005, 9:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2005-dallas-cowboys-tough-love/324546/24 "2005-10-04T09:50:41Z")
> [@Madd Maxx](#): > > Washington Redskins are back atop the NFC East, arguably the toughest division in the NFL. It’s really not [post=6649340]arguable[/post] at all. Whether or not the East holds on is another question entirely. That Chiefs game did suck balls. Fuck the Eagles. As a Giants fan, I was annoyed and embarassed for Joe Gibbs when he appeared to be a doddering old fool in a league that passed him by. The NFC East has a rich and proud tradition of winning, and I didn’t like the way that history was being sullied. So I’m rooting for the Redskins to get competitive and get eliminated in the Wilcard round. I am greatly encouraged that Gibbs has seemingly pulled it together. Also, as a Giants fan, I am not concerned in the least about the Redskins. Ditto the Cowboys, for that matter. In the east, it’s all about the Eagles. As such, I find myself rooting for both the Cowboys and Redksins for pride of the division. ---
**Author:** ![Try\_As\_I\_Might](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ea666f/32.png) [@Try\_As\_I\_Might](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try_As_I_Might)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2005, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2005-dallas-cowboys-tough-love/324546/25 "2005-10-04T15:42:36Z")
Well, I think all giants fans, deadskins fans, and cowboy fans can all agree on one thing: T.O. is getting absolutely screwed in Philly. He should go back to doing sit-ups on his driveway as a protest to the tyrannical business practices of the iggles. FIGHT THE POWER, T.O.! ---
**Author:** ![Mtgman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Mtgman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mtgman)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2005, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2005-dallas-cowboys-tough-love/324546/26 "2005-10-04T16:07:12Z")
> [@cardsfan1975](#): > > As a card carrying, charter member of the Dallas/Ft. Worth chapter of the Anti-Cowboy Faction, I’m greatly enjoying how the season is shaping up. 🙂 > > cf’75 As someone who lives near Texas Stadium and whose major nearby East-West thoroughfares clog hopelessly on game days I’m right there rooting with you. The sooner the season ends the better as far as I’m concerned. Enjoy, Steven ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2005, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2005-dallas-cowboys-tough-love/324546/27 "2005-10-06T05:41:39Z")
OK… Parcells interview on [www.dallascowboys.com](http://www.dallascowboys.com) He was asked about the strategy of trying to establish the run instead of throwing it downfield more. His response was essentially that it would be nice to throw the ball downfield more, but he prefers to stick to his scheme, which is a reflection of the talent he has available. In sum, he does not think the team is strong enough in certain positions to sustain more downfield passing. When asked where he thought some of the weakness was, he said he has a rookie right tackle, for example. He doesn’t think it would be smart to put that much pressure on the rookie. He didn’t say it, but I also think he doesn’t have much confidence in his running backs to throw good blocks on pass plays. I don’t have much experience coaching Super Bowl Champion NFL teams, but I think, Bill, if you’re reading the Dope for pointers, you should pass downfield a bit more earlier in the game. ---
**Author:** ![soulmurk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b782af/32.png) [@soulmurk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/soulmurk)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2005, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2005-dallas-cowboys-tough-love/324546/28 "2005-10-06T07:12:39Z")
> [@Ellis Dee](#): > > Also, as a Giants fan, I am not concerned in the least about the Redskins. Ditto the Cowboys, for that matter. In the east, it’s all about the Eagles. As such, I find myself rooting for both the Cowboys and Redksins for pride of the division. You might want to start worrying a little, considering the Giants are giving up 425 yards per game and are [31st](http://www.nfl.com/stats/teamsort/NFL/DEF-TOTAL/2005/regular?sort_col_1=4) in total defense. Not that either Washington or Dallas has an overpowering offense, but as KC has proven, a potent offense isn’t anything to rest too heavily upon. Frankly, I root for the Giants over the Iggles, and wouldn’t root for the Cowgirls if I had a gun to my head (what do you call a drug ring in dallas? a huddle!), but the G-men need to start stopping the pass or someone’s gonna figure them out and show everyone else how to do it. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2005, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2005-dallas-cowboys-tough-love/324546/29 "2005-10-06T18:57:55Z")
> [@soulmurk](#): > > You might want to start worrying a little, considering the Giants are giving up 425 yards per game and are [31st](http://www.nfl.com/stats/teamsort/NFL/DEF-TOTAL/2005/regular?sort_col_1=4) in total defense. Not that either Washington or Dallas has an overpowering offense, but as KC has proven, a potent offense isn’t anything to rest too heavily upon. > > Frankly, I root for the Giants over the Iggles, and wouldn’t root for the Cowgirls if I had a gun to my head (what do you call a drug ring in dallas? a huddle!), but the G-men need to start stopping the pass or someone’s gonna figure them out and show everyone else how to do it. So true. The Giants are not yet a great team, and if we don’t draft all defense next year, we will likely be mired in above-average mediocrity (ala the Chiefs) for several years to come. However, ever since that kickoff out of bounds on MNF a couple years ago that allowed Dallas to come back and beat us with 11 seconds on the clock, we have had the Cowboys’ number. And the Redskins? They’ve never been much to worry about. I don’t remember the last time they swept us in a season. To put it in perspective, last year we had 6 wins all season. Two were at the expense of Dallas, and one was against the Redskins. That’s half our wins for the year. As I said, even when we suck, those teams haven’t been much cause for concern. It’s the Eagles that make me lose sleep the night before. ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2005, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2005-dallas-cowboys-tough-love/324546/30 "2005-10-07T03:48:04Z")
[From an article…](http://www.dallascowboys.com/news.cfm?id=C84EB243-062F-2E40-229E923D458CEDB0) > [@Drew Bledsoe of the Dallas Cowboys](#): > > I’d like to see us throw the first punch … Our offensive mentality as a group, we need to come out with the same energy and urgency as we do in the fourth quarter. The mistakes we’re making, I think, are setting us back. I want to come out with the force and intensity that we’re going to put the ball in, right away. I like to play with a lead. We have the weapons, we have the horsepower. > [@Dan Campell of the Dallas Cowboys](#): > > I don’t know if it’s a mentality or what … But we have to come out from the get-go, as soon as the clock starts. Right now, we’re taking everybody’s best shot and trying to respond to it, instead of giving everybody (our) best shot. > [@Head Coach Bill Parcells of the Dallas Cowboys](#): > > So now we have to score in the first three minutes? It would help but it’s not a necessity… That might not be the best way to approach the game … You might be setting yourself up for minus plays and turnovers if you do that. ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2005-dallas-cowboys-tough-love/324546/31 "2005-10-10T00:38:51Z")
Now we’re talking! Dallas opened up the offensive passing game against Philly in the 1st Quarter. Result: 17-0 Dallas lead in the 1st Quarter, having been outscored 24-0 in the 1st Quarter all season, and a lead too big for Philly to overcome. Dallas wins against the reigning NFC champs! ---
**Author:** ![Chanteuse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9de053/32.png) [@Chanteuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chanteuse)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2005-dallas-cowboys-tough-love/324546/32 "2005-10-10T07:09:35Z")
Yeah, baby! What a game! I could NOT believe it when we scored in under three minutes–and it only got better from there! Sacking McNabb on Philly’s first play from scrimmage was SOOO sweet! I bet we didn’t punt five times (I don’t really know the number, but it was pretty low)! I will say that I held my breath when we went for the fourth down conversion and called that stupid pitch-back (a play I just _loathe_), but amazingly, we got it! It was a fabulous day! 🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Chanteuse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9de053/32.png) [@Chanteuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chanteuse)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2005-dallas-cowboys-tough-love/324546/33 "2005-10-10T07:12:40Z")
> [@MsRobyn](#): > > Maxx, honey, you know I love you, but fuck you and the horse you rode in on. 😉 > > That the Redskins are unbeaten shows there is no justice in the world. > > Robin Oh, and justice returns–at least for THIS week! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2005-dallas-cowboys-tough-love/324546/34 "2005-10-10T07:43:35Z")
> [@Chanteuse](#): > > I bet we didn’t punt five times (I don’t really know the number, but it was pretty low)! Dallas punted twice… both in the 4th Quarter. ---
**Author:** ![Madd\_Maxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Madd\_Maxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Madd_Maxx)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2005-dallas-cowboys-tough-love/324546/35 "2005-10-10T11:25:58Z")
> [@Chanteuse](#): > > Oh, and justice returns–at least for THIS week! > > 😃 The tuck rule rears it’s ugly head again and takes a safety off the board, which by the end of the game would have meant we only needed an PAT to win the game, not a two point conversion to tie. Add in a blocked field goal by the Broncos (admittedly that was a good play on their part), and the 'Skins could have won this one. Bad officiating throughhout the game, but the 'Skins looked alright and kept it close. I’m disappointed we didn’t win that one, but it was a tough game at Denver in a cold rain, which made things difficult for both teams. Next week at Arrowhead will be another tough game. Maybe we can pull a come from behind there ala Philly. In better news; Penn State is 6-0 and ranked in the top ten nationally. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2005-dallas-cowboys-tough-love/324546/36 "2005-10-10T12:43:38Z")
I’m hoping the NFL channel will replay this one as their NFL Game of the Week. What with the MLB Houston/Atlanta divisional championshion game going to 18 innings, I just saw bits and pieces of what appeared to be an awesome performance. Really hate to have missed that. Way to go, Boys. Cool beans. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2005-dallas-cowboys-tough-love/324546/37 "2005-10-10T13:42:07Z")
> [@lieu](#): > > I’m hoping the NFL channel will replay this one as their NFL Game of the Week. What with the MLB Houston/Atlanta divisional championshion game going to 18 innings, I just saw bits and pieces of what appeared to be an awesome performance. Really hate to have missed that. I can’t imagine they would pick that blowout as the game of the week. My guess would be Patriots @ Falcons. Since this is a Cowboys thread, what do you guys think about next week’s matchup, when you host the Giants? I think _that_ game is shaping up to be a game of the week. ---
**Author:** ![Albert\_Rose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de053/32.png) [@Albert\_Rose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Albert_Rose)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2005-dallas-cowboys-tough-love/324546/38 "2005-10-10T14:27:03Z")
I’m just glad that I finally get to come into one of these threads and spread smack about the Jags without being embarrassed. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2005, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2005-dallas-cowboys-tough-love/324546/39 "2005-10-11T05:25:26Z")
> [@Ellis Dee](#): > > Since this is a Cowboys thread, what do you guys think about next week’s matchup, when you host the Giants? I think _that_ game is shaping up to be a game of the week. Yup. Should be a good one. The NFC East is shaping up to be one helluva fight. If Dallas comes out firing like they did against Philly, they will be hard to stop. Too hard for the Giants. **Current NFC East Standings** Was…3-1 NYG…3-1 Dal…3-2 Phil…3-2 **Week 6** NYG @ Dal [Dallas win] Was @ KC [KC win] Phil [Bye] **Next Week’s Standings** Dal…4-2 [All alone in 1st Place!] Was…3-2 NYG…3-2 Phil…3-2 ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2005, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2005-dallas-cowboys-tough-love/324546/40 "2005-10-11T13:11:17Z")
> [@Ellis Dee](#): > > I can’t imagine they would pick that blowout as the game of the week. My guess would be Patriots @ Falcons. Heh, **Ellis** , as usual you’re right but my typically myopic view of anything _Cowboy victory_ related is always going to take precedence over, you know… reason. “What, the entire NFL viewing populace wouldn’t consider a blowout of Philly as the most entertaining viewing possible?” AFA next week’s tussle? What **Bear** said; if’n the same Cowboys show up as the ones that manhandled Washington in the first three quarters of their game and apparently (I missed much of it) had their way with Philadelphia then the Giants have a problem. Otherwise, I’m not holding out for another MNF miracle like a couple of years back. Incidentally, we of course don’t get much Giant coverage down here and I’m looking forward to a full afternoon of “Manning analysis”. Maybe he’ll prove worthy of the same grudging respect we used to have for Simms, Cunningham, Theisman, etc. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2005-dallas-cowboys-tough-love/324546.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2005-dallas-cowboys-tough-love/324546.md?page=3)