Shutdown Corner - NFL

When the Philadelphia Eagles finally decided yesterday that they were finished slapping the Cowboys around, the Cowboys boarded the team plane to head home to Dallas. But the mood on the team plane maybe wasn't as somber as you'd imagine.

DallasSportsFans.com heard a radio report from Mark "Friedo" Friedman on 1310 The Ticket saying that the mood on the Cowboys team plane was pretty damn festive. I'll pass along a snippet of their report:

[Friedman] described the scene as “like the last day of school”, with dominoes being played in the back and lots of laughing and carrying on. He said that he was reluctant to say anything, seeing as how the Cowboys are nice enough to allow media members on the charter, and that only leads me to believe that he may have muted the reality of what was actually going on. Friedo did not mention any specific names, nor did he say if alcohol was flowing, but he made it pretty clear that if you did not know who won the Cowboys-Eagles game, you just might assume it was the Cowboys from their conduct on the plane.

Interesting. If you're a Cowboys fan, do you care? Would it bother you if your team was laughing and smiling after getting beaten down in a do-or-die game? It's not like this was the Pro Bowl. This was essentially a playoff game against a hated rival who some would argue that the Cowboys should beat. This is occasion for a frown.

My own thought is that there are occasions where stuff like this can happen, and it doesn't necessarily mean that someone doesn't care.

Tony Romo is a competitor. Terrell Owens is a competitor. Marion Barber is a competitor. Tank Johnson, Pacman Jones, DeMarcus Ware, Jason Witten ... all competitors. I think very few athletes ever reach an elite level like the NFL without being extremely competitive people.

What can happen, though, is that in a game like yesterday's, when the outcome gets determined very quickly, the guys have plenty of time during the game to digest the sadness. The game started at 4:15 EST. By about 5:15, everyone knew that the Eagles were going to win. Say the team plane boards at around 8:15 ... that's three hours there for the initial sadness to wear off.

Or maybe they're all just very Zen people, and they believe that right now is the only thing that exists. I don't know.

I just won't believe that the Cowboys players, as a whole, didn't care about the outcome of that game. I won't believe that they weren't upset about missing the playoffs. I don't buy it. Some people just get over things quickly, or find a way to pass the time on a team flight. Who knows?

Now, maybe it's an indication that this isn't the most cohesive, right-minded, focused-on-winning team that's ever existed. That, I could believe. But I absolutely couldn't be convinced that the players didn't care about losing yesterday.

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  1. Older_than_Moses_Shaq
    1. Posted by Older_than_Moses_Shaq Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:56 pm EDT

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    They're the stinking Cowboys. Who the heck cares. They suck.
  2. emphrank
    2. Posted by emphrank Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:54 pm EDT

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    cowgirls suck! always have. romo is a flat-out choker. go birds!!!
  3. Melcher
    3. Posted by Melcher Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:15 pm EDT

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    After all the problems all season it was probably a relief for it all to be over. I liked Wade Phillips press conference when he said he'll talk with Marv Levy and Marty Shottinheimer, and adjust his coaching style. He needs to be tougher and demand leadership from players,..hopefully that is what he learns. Go Cowboys!
  4. Turtle
    4. Posted by Turtle Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:25 pm EDT

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    They were happy about not having to be 1 and done in the playoffs.
  5. billc
    5. Posted by billc Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:07 pm EDT

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    Romo might compete but for a major franchise he has not produced when the chips are on the table ! Dallas should consider taking a long hard look at the team assembled for the dollars paid the team is a underachiver I don't see of these players giving a damn about the team or their teamates . Fear the Star not with this bunch .
  6. AngelFlirtStarr
    6. Posted by AngelFlirtStarr Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:46 pm EDT

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    Win or loose, dallas will always be my favorite football team. not everyone can be #1.
    i have been a dallas fan since i knew what football was.
    go dallas cowboys. fan from kansas
  7. domenick2x
    7. Posted by domenick2x Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:46 pm EDT

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    We always hear about players having a 'short memory' when it comes to a bad game. I think this is a perfect example. These guys were looking forward to vacation... at least, those who were guaranteed to have a job next season.
  8. SteelerB
    8. Posted by SteelerB Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:14 pm EDT

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    How bout dem cowboys!!!!!!!!!! go steelers
  9. Mott
    9. Posted by Mott Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:56 pm EDT

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    The Cowboys will be back. Romo will come around in time (maybe five years) as plenty of QB's start out with terrible careers. J.J. needs to put aside the practice of hiring established stars. Find guys who want to play and will compete - stars will form. See Pittsburgh Steelers for management that works. J.J. needs to get out of the way of success.
  10. Christopher S
    10. Posted by Christopher S Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:16 pm EDT

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    [profane]K PHILLY, The Cowboys still have five rings!!!!!! So go eat a big Bowl of D*cks, Haters
  11. mondo
    11. Posted by mondo Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:48 pm EDT

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    I think this was probably relief that this nightmare of a game, & season was over.
    Do any of them care about losing. Yes, I think they do care about losing.
    Do any of them care if this team is kept together, Probably not.
    They will probably all get paid next year no matter what team they are on,
    & it looks to me like that is the only thing they care about.
    Please, Please keep these guy's away from San Fran., We are just now
    recovering from TO's last stay on our team.
  12. domenick2x
    12. Posted by domenick2x Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:46 pm EDT

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    Stumpy, I bet you loved that gimpy horse that liked getting kicked around by the other horses....
  13. Daniel B
    13. Posted by Daniel B Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:20 pm EDT

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    Hmmm, all this humility from a classless organization b/c they got whipped. Jerry Jones is who to blame that's why everyone feels relieved. Same goes for Al Davis and the Raiders. People have issues especially professional sports players; however, the Eagles TEAM and organization display a better club on and off the field and it showed - NICE NICE butt whoopin'!!!!
  14. sam spade
    14. Posted by sam spade Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:12 pm EDT

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    Adam "Pac-Man" Jones and Tank Johnson are infamous party animals. If they were not on the plane, then maybe this report could be dismissed. How about them believing they would win, to the point that a party was planned for the plane ride back. Tank and Pac-Man got together some strippers. Decided to use them any way; after the loss. it would be typical of Pac-Man and Tank. Wade; of course, was at the front of the plane. If he read this, it's the first time he's heard of it.
  15. Fritzprince
    15. Posted by Fritzprince Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:03 pm EDT

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    The loss yesterday is naturally not something that will elevate any Cowboy Fan's spirit much, to be sure. I'll take the Zen approach to get over it.
    From my earliest understanding of the game, the Dallas Cowboys became my team so to speak.
    Win or loose, that will not change.
    Next season is upon us faster than one would think
    Go Cowboys .
    Nil desperandum
    Dietrich
    FP
  16. Oscar
    16. Posted by Oscar Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:23 pm EDT

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    'all competitors'??? Really??? What was the score??? Competitors?
  17. domenick2x
    17. Posted by domenick2x Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:46 pm EDT

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    But Dietrich... this isn't about your fandom (misguided though it clearly is)... it's about the Cowboys players all sorts of happy after being whupped like a red headed stepchild.
    Of course, if you consider recent history, they were probably expecting ... nay, looking forward to.... that kind of whupping.
  18. The Boss
    18. Posted by The Boss Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:03 pm EDT

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    **jb8810
    Dallas 5 rings
    Philly 0 rings
    Philly Sheagles stink they will always stink .
    Their are lots of teams that wish the had 1 ring like the Sheagles.
    Let me ask a question jb8810 how old was Romo when the Sheagles won a super bowl?
    Choke on that jj8810 you Co*k su*ker.
  19. mondo
    19. Posted by mondo Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:48 pm EDT

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    To The Boss, I am no Beagle fan, but as is said
    " it's not what you have done, It's what you have done lately "
    And your Cowgirls just got a thorough a$$ whippin by as you say
    " the Sheagles " I predict " no ring Romo " as the saying for the 2000's.
    FEAR THE WHAT?
  20. John H
    20. Posted by John H Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:39 pm EDT

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    Well here we go, Eagles have tons of luck and get the losses they needed and now the trash talk begins. I didn't hear them talking last week. This whole situation is the fault of Jerry Jones. He had them believing they had it all when such victories have to be earned in this league. He bought the players tickets for them and their families to NFC championship game before the season started. He had banners saying they going to the Super Bowl printed and for sale. He had HBO sports running all over the place during preseason. He has acted as coach when he should have let Wade do his job by giving the team speeches before and after the game. Dallas is a damn good team that got mentally screwed from within. All of you fans that are not for Dallas, try to have some class for once and just shut up and try supporting your team and be thankful Jerry is not your owner!
  21. wallyowesme
    21. Posted by wallyowesme Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:40 pm EDT

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    Not a shocker! They ar relieved season is over.
    Romo choked again! They gave up in the 2nd quarter.
    Go Iggles! F*** Dallas
  22. DALLAS_B
    22. Posted by DALLAS_B Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:03 pm EDT

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    Cowboys Fan first and foremost, of course all the Haters are out today and that is no surprise. Shocking how they are never around on years like last year when we kill the entire league for the most part, but they sure were around when we lost in the first round, so of course when we lose yesterday I knew they would be out. Every one of them saying see, see I told you blah blah blah like they need to be sitting next to Mike Ditka on the ESPN pre game show instead of " Key". Told myself after yesterday's HORRID performance that I would just ignore yahoo and espn for a few days but I wanted to see if Jerry had changed his tune on coaching changes after that embarrassment and I find this lil story. I think its funny the BRILLIANT PHILLY fan above who said " 5 Rings, who cares?" Uh the answer to that has to be everyone that works/plays for an NFL team as I believe each teams goal every year is winning the super bowl, don' t think to many teams come into the season going, lets just get to 8 -8, now some teams probably should as that is a more realistic goal for them ( i.e. Lions, Rams ) but then again what should I expect from a fan of the Eagles which is an organization that has won how many championships? RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT goose egg, just like the boys laid on the field yesterday, except I don't remember the Cowboys making three straight NFC championship games with nothing but one super bowl loss to show for it. Guess what Im trying to say is I'm glad they didn't make the playoffs at all rather than to skreetch in playing as up and down as they had to lose in the first or second round. Maybe this is the type of shake up SOME of these players need. But the main thing I wanted to say was, ALL of these IDIOT fans ( Cowboys fans included as well as the HATERS) that keep grouping ALL the guys on the team in with the FEW troublemakers we have is ridiculous. Is Demarcus Ware ( lead league in Sacks) a problem? Bradie James a problem? Marion Barber a Problem? Jason Witten a Problem? NO they are just really good players who work their rears off each week but unfortunately go over looked or not talked about unless ESPN is trying to drudge up some controversey. I admit Owens and Pac bring it on themselves but to say that there are no mental tough guys or leaders on the team is garbage, talking about them is just not top ratings for ESPN and their COWBOY HATER viewers who are the reason the Cowboys have their own portion of ESPN's bottom line. COWBOYS for life baby, never scared of any of these so called FRANCHISES that the rest of the NFL is composed of, to many of you Giants fans were thanking your lucky STARS that we didn't get in to I know it, thats why I know we'll be Fine, Someone Needs to knock off Pittsburgh so we can still be FIRST TO SIX! New Stadium, New Season, New Trophy? would be a nice way to open that building, see ya next year Haters!
  23. Doug C
    23. Posted by Doug C Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:47 pm EDT

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    emphrank: "cowgirls suck! always have. romo is a flat-out choker. go birds!!! "
    you obviously don't know your football history if you think they "always have." I wouldn't say they suck now, they just have no chemistry and have an owner with no football IQ at all. What they really need to do is hire a real GM who takes care of business and lets the coaches do their job. Nobody can look at the Cowboys roster and tell me that it is full of players that suck.
  24. stan r
    24. Posted by stan r Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:39 pm EDT

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    A bunch of individuals, not a team. No one wants to own the problem(s), it is always someone else's fault or they aren't getting me the ball or you name it. They will not EVER be a team until they overcome themselves and put others ahead of themselves. This team is full of cry babies and not enough men who want to win, it is and will be "all about me". T.O. should appologize to his teammates for the distractions, Romo for his play, and Jerry Jones for buying the team and trying to be its coach.

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