The only problem? Humans are only a little bit like clay, some are more like clay more than others, and others can just never be molded, at least for the purpose of a coach developing a 5’5” quarterback…we’ve just never seen that happen. But even the most athletically gifted, and instinctive players have limitations. It’s called being human. Not all of us are athletic.Some aren’t interested, et cetera.
But, in today’s times, competition is fierce. The athletes coming through college football programs nowadays come in like they always have. However, it’s not just the best athletes in high school, who were the best athletes in college, and then only the very best of those athletes in the pros: it’s still that; we still get the very best athlete per capita from a much larger population — a population where a significant portion of those youth puts as much time into football as, say, literature. I realize not everyone plays, some stick with the band, some play other sports (whereas I wis I would have focused on one year round), and aren’t full time players.
But still, the NFL is a numbers game. Ever since I can remember, there have been guys who come in as rookies and take almost no time at all getting up to the speed of the game. Times are changing. Or, in other words, the NFL is evolving. But before we take a look at that, let’s recap.
The Late 1990s Decline
The 90s was a time when Jerry couldn’t solve the algebraic portion of the cap rules. Bleeding money and indebted for selling his soul for three Super Bowls in four years, Jerry was heavily involved in the business aspect of the Dallas Cowboys.They had succeeded in establishing Dallas as a juggernaut when it came to bragging rights, team loyalty, the brand, and all of the flash.
It was at that time that Jerral seemed to forget something very crucial along the way: the business of winning. That proverbial thrill of winning was gone for our beloved nostril picker. Jerral Wayne had been there done that. He’d conquered Texas with his childhood joy and part-time obsession.Everyone needs a hobby, Jerral Wayne had made his a business, which propelled him amongst the cushest of the cush. Was his complacency in regards to winning was borderline abusive?
Those were my worst times as a fan, and I resented Jerry deeply for it. The same goes for all of those torturous clapper years, with that . . . rosy clapper.
I accepted the idea after mulling it over for a while, thinking I was just being too critical. But I knew after a full year of Jason Garret that that dog would never hunt. I’m pretty sure even the good Lord would tell Jerral that he stuck with the wrong coach, for far too long.I mean, cripes, this is his team. We can’t have that up here. You are commanded.
28 Years! But, No, Really, Now What?
If you’re here, it’s possible you’re among the most fortunate to have been born after those glorious 1990s. Because as we all know, 28 years has gone by, and that means, well, you’re still young compared to us oldies. But Jerry has a duty to the legacy of this team. If he wants to get the most bang for his buck in terms of what he passes on to his heirs, solidifying its longevity with a win before he slips on the old banana peel is probably the top priority on his agenda.
Anyway, let’s fast forward some. I liked the Zeke pick, and Dak worked out. If you had to have two players work out from that draft, those would be it, in my opinion. I don’t think many foresaw the drastic impacts additions like Mike McCarthy, CeeDee Lamb, Diggs, Micah Parsons would have year one, and two, now coming into his third year. It actually feels like I’ve been watching Parsons forever. But his freakishness is what brought me back from a football hiatus after I was spending time and focus embedded into some other things, and I would watch some highlights, but I really fell off there with engagement. Most of my life, I’ve been pretty tuned in, however.
What I’ve noticed, back in the 90s days, it was that nearly impossible to find a team of top-notch athletes to plug-and-play in a team and fill hole. You needed free agency. Not only that, the league upped the ante with competition by implementing the salary cap, which I think is the best thing that ever happened to the league. Otherwise, it’s just sort of Harlem Globetrotter-esque. But now, with the population booming, the league is hybridizing, the chess board aspect of the game is changing, the X’s and O’s scheme, and all aspects because we have more talented athletes here. So it takes a lot of moving parts nowadays. Continuing on with their focus on culture change is likely going to be their best best.
I think the Cowboys need to win now, for their brand. To set the stage for the NFL as a whole, bring on the haters, but also building the Cowboys brand is great for the league, and every other team in the NFL. And most important, not only take advantage of, but nurture the young talent they have.
