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The second place to look for leadership is obviously within the team itself. A leader makes his teammates believe deep in their hearts that if you follow him, you will win. This requires a lot of responsibility and charisma on the part of the leader, but it???s also what separates good players from the Hall of Fame players. Often, this role falls to the QB as the most exposed player (Brady, P. Manning, Big Ben, others), but also to other players on the roster (Ray Lewis, L.T., Marvin Harrison etc.).

Which current player displays these leadership abilities? The answer, I believe, is simple. Not one. We certainly have a number of outstanding players but a LEADER OF MEN? Not one. Case in point: the whole T.O. disaster is a direct result of the absence of leadership in the locker room and on the field with this team. Allowing a petulant child to act up will only happen in situations where there is no leadership to put that child down. And in our case, neither the coaches nor the players were willing or able to step up to T.O.. Nope it had to be handled by the head honcho J.J. himself.

Vince Lombardi once said "Leaders are made, they are not born. They are made by hard effort, which is the price which all of us must pay to achieve any goal that is worthwhile."

Without some players stepping up and taking on visible and strong leadership roles, we will continue to be an average team with great individual players that disintegrates at the slightest bit of pressure.

Now more than ever, the Cowboy nation is looking to our veteran players to man up, take leadership, unite the locker room and instill a sense of accountability. If the team can get this done, playoff glory beckons.

Good points. I believe you hit the nail on the head here. I can't argue with anything you said, because I, for one, agree that Jerry Jones is "a lot" of the problem, as he won't allow anyone to get the "credit" for anything that is good for the team, other than himself.

When Jones got T.O., he did so without Parcells agreeing to it, in my opinion. One could tell that Parcells did not agree to have "the player" on the team for the fact that he refused to call him by his name.....just "the player". I think that's one, or maybe the main reason Parcells "retired". As I've said before, it's highly probable that the 'Boys won't ever make another SB until Jerry is out of the picture, unless he relinquishes some of the control and credit to others.

Whether Romo or any other player can become a leader, I don't know. But, with Jones being the "Master", if you will, and controls things such as gagging their speech, and anything such as that, then this team, I'm afraid, will always be "wannabes", or runners ups, if that. The years between SB's, and counting, tell the whole story. You would think he would learn after what happened with Jimmy Johnson.

Good blog, OCC.

By the way, the "RHG" is not as much a genius as people think. If he had taken either the Atlanta or Baltimore job last season, the question is, would either of them had made the playoffs? I myself, kind of doubt it. There was a reason he was a back up all of his playing career, but that shouldn't affect his coaching. He did have help from Sparano in 07, but the offense went with him to Miami, and we all saw what happened there. Sparano might have been the better choice for head coach here. Maybe, depending on Jones.......again.

So, if Garrett manages to become head coach after this year, I don't expect anything to be much different. But, that's just my opinion.

I think there are leaders in that locker room and on that team just not the ones we want as fans while watching from the sidelines and on TV.

Romo is not a "get in your face" type of guy...but, I think the team does rally around him on offense and we will see with TO gone as to who will the "voice" be...

On D, there are several guys but we just rather not acknowledge them...in Ware, James and Hamlin...heck, even Ellis is a voice in the locker room.

Listen, we all want the Ray Lewis type of leader, but guys like him are not made that often.

Wade and the RHG are solid co-ordinators but Head Coaches they are not.

Personally, I do not think that Garrett or Wade for that matter will be here beyond next season if the team does NOT get at least 1 playoff win.

With the likes of Cowher, Shanahan and Holmgren all on the sidelines "waiting" literally for the "right" coaching spot to come available, the pressure is on.

I'm sure there are leaders on this team, but to what degree? I'm hoping that since T.O. has been released, someone (or more than just one) will take charge, and keep the team in line, and focused. T.O. had the team so out of focus because he wanted everything focused on him, and the media ate it up. There really was no reasons, other than injury, for what we witnessed last year. They just quit playing, especially against Baltimore and Philadelphia.

Those were piss poor performances.

What I'm about to suggest is only hypothetical, and I have no information or evidence to back this up. Just a thought that came to mind. Also, it will give us something to debate as well being how there's nothing else to talk about, other than retread stuff, like Favre's "retirement".

What if the team wanted Owens to "go away", but knowing Jerry Jones wouldn't go for that? We all know he re signed him to a big deal, w/o going into details. Thus, JJ wanted him to stay, but what if the team had already had their fill of him? Of course, they'll say the "right things" in that "he was a good friend"..."he will be missed"..........etc. etc.

So, to get Jerry to do what was needed, their play went to hell in a hand basket. Owens's touches declined. The team started being sloppy, and lost games they should have won.
Can players "throw" games you ask? Of course they can, and in this case, it's highly UNLIKELY that they did, but what if they did?

It was Stephen Jones, if I'm not mistaken, who finally convinced his father to release T.O. But, again, what if he had inside information that the team wanted him to .......go away? Anything is possible. As long as T.O. was on this team, they were going nowhere. He is a superb athlete, but his selfishness was just not conducive to team unity.

Again, I am only speculating, and have no grounds for proving anything like this. Just food for thought, you might say. Before anyone decides to curse me, or call me names, or whatever, think about it. I doubt very seriously anything like I said happened, but what if?

T.Newman, D.Ware, M.Barber, J.Witten, T.Romo.
Those are your veterans with credentials. All they have to do is lead.(DB Jenkins should be better too)
It's not always about being a "Ra-Ra" guy, but to lead by example will impression the younger players to fall in line. With the departure of Owens, the circus is over, and I believe you will see a more balanced and efficient attack. R.Williams is a stud WR, Jason Witten is awesome. And Barber, Jones, and Choice should be heavily involved. The offense could not reach it's potential with the pressure to force feed Owens the ball to keep him happy. That should not be a problem this year, thus a more relaxed Romo and co.
I do agree to a certain extent about Jerry Jones taking more of a backseat approach, and letting his coaches coach. Him pacing the sideline every time they are down 7 points must be a little unsettling for the players and coaches alike.
His desire to win though is commendable, if more owners were that passionate about their teams...we wouldn't have to witness 0-16. That is just not acceptable.

QUOTE(#6):

Originally posted 03:03 PM ET  05.10 by phillyfan5

T.Newman, D.Ware, M.Barber, J.Witten, T.Romo.Those are your veterans with credentials. All they have to do is lead.(DB Jenkins should be better too)It's not always about being a "Ra-Ra" guy, but to lead by example will impression the younger players to fall in line. With the departure of Owens, the circus is over, and I believe you will see a more balanced and efficient attack. R.Williams is a stud WR, Jason Witten is awesome. And Barber, Jones, and Choice should be heavily involved. The offense could not reach it's potential with the pressure to force feed Owens the ball to keep him happy. That should not be a problem this year, thus a more relaxed Romo and co.I do agree to a certain extent about Jerry Jones taking more of a backseat approach, and letting his coaches coach. Him pacing the sideline every time they are down 7 points must be a little unsettling for the players and coaches alike. His desire to win though is commendable, if more owners were that passionate about their teams...we wouldn't have to witness 0-16. That is just not acceptable.

It's great to have another team's fans come and discuss a rival team without getting offensive. What you say makes a lot of sense as well. I, for one, appreciate you being objective in your observations and comments, and I'm sure other Cowboy fans here will as well...........well, most of them anyway. There will be some drive bys unfortunately.
So many Romo bashers, including some Cowboy fans. But, I would bet you a plugged nickel that if he was on the market, teams would be lined up to sign him.

Bull Shirt, I am an Eagles fan, but I am a fan of the game. I love it. Cant get enough of it.
We have the best division, and rivalry's in the NFL, period!
Check this out, my best friend of over 20 years is a Cowboys fan, and we work together 6 days a week for the past 14 years. We have taken road trips to the Vet, and the Linc. If Texas stadium was closer, we'd be there too. Unfortunately...we live Rhode Island. That's the small state between Connecticut and Massachusetts. And full of bandwagon Patriot fans who proclaim themselves as "die hard" fans. What a bunch of horse ****! I used to go to Foxboro for free to see the Eagles when they came up cause Pats fans gave up the tickets. They didn't become "die hard" fans till 2001. LOL. Now you cant get a ticket till someone dies.

QUOTE(#8):

Originally posted 11:21 PM ET  05.10 by phillyfan5

Bull Shirt, I am an Eagles fan, but I am a fan of the game. I love it. Cant get enough of it.We have the best division, and rivalry's in the NFL, period! Check this out, my best friend of over 20 years is a Cowboys fan, and we work together 6 days a week for the past 14 years. We have taken road trips to the Vet, and the Linc. If Texas stadium was closer, we'd be there too. Unfortunately...we live Rhode Island. That's the small state between Connecticut and Massachusetts. And full of bandwagon Patriot fans who proclaim themselves as "die hard" fans. What a bunch of horse ****! I used to go to Foxboro for free to see the Eagles when they came up cause Pats fans gave up the tickets. They didn't become "die hard" fans till 2001. LOL. Now you cant get a ticket till someone dies.

If you'd read some of the comments I've made on various blogs, you'd notice I've said basically the same thing as you. I love the game itself, and watch all teams when given the chance, even the Lions. There were times when there were certain teams I despised, but as I grew older, I came to realize that these teams were only competing for the same thing the 'Boys were. So, I don't "hate" any of them anymore. If I didn't like the Lions for example, I very well could have missed watching Barry Sanders, or Billy Sims and man was they fun to watch. Same with Earl Campbell, but he looked out of place in a Saints uniform.

The NFC East rules! Not sure about the 'Skins tho, whether they will be good enough to make the playoffs, but then, not sure about the 'Boys either.....lol........Now that Owens is gone, I like our chances. I pity Buffalo tho.

I know someone from Rhode Island. He used to come down here occasionally to see my sister, but they never got together, so he's off somewhere driving a truck I think. He talks a little fast for me, and I have to get him to slow down a bit............lol.Have you ever watched "Ghost Hunters" on the sci fi channel? They're from Rhode Island if I'm not mistaken. I know it's all made up, for the most part, but it's entertaining.

Texas Stadium is no more, I'm afraid. It's still standing, but the 'Boys had their last game there with Baltimore at the end of last season. I never got to attend a game. Probably never will either, but I can live with it.

leadership is a problem for dallas right now. when you look at past yrs when they had success, you say an aikman or strong personality coach. when that leadership started to fade.... when jimmy left and they brought in switzer, things began to change, and their star players were also aging. dallas has talent, but no true leader on the sidelines or on the field. romo has some talent, but just not the driven personality of an aikman - so yes, i think the lack of a leader left T.O. in a position to become more outspoken... and he did and it made things worse. so..... solution??? don't know. i would think bringing in a young, strong personality as head coach would be beneficia, but that's not happening yet. i think wade's days are limited... and finally, yes, jerry is a micromanager! and the bad thing is that he's not going to change and he will probably be in this position for many, many yrs to come.

but not to sound doom and gloom. dallas is a good team and if they can get some strong wins early next season i think it will help them build a foundation that may carry them deep into the playoffs next season. but, they need to come out strong and win some games early and win them big to gain this confidence. i'm getting more upbeat about how there going to do next season.

Cowher in 2010

QUOTE(#10):

Originally posted 04:27 PM ET  05.11 by DallasFan77

leadership is a problem for dallas right now. when you look at past yrs when they had success, you say an aikman or strong personality coach. when that leadership started to fade.... when jimmy left and they brought in switzer, things began to change, and their star players were also aging. dallas has talent, but no true leader on the sidelines or on the field. romo has some talent, but just not the driven personality of an aikman - so yes, i think the lack of a leader left T.O. in a position to become more outspoken... and he did and it made things worse. so..... solution??? don't know. i would think bringing in a young, strong personality as head coach would be beneficia, but that's not happening yet. i think wade's days are limited... and finally, yes, jerry is a micromanager! and the bad thing is that he's not going to change and he will probably be in this position for many, many yrs to come.

Think about this......What if Owens, in his never ending quest to be glorified, was also intimidating? Given his personality, I can see that. Romo, not wanting to upset the apple cart, knowing how good of a player Owens is, lets him do so, and for awhile, it works out.

Until the playoffs. Both 07 and 08 and especially the latter part of 08.

Owens can be quite the actor too. All of those alligator tears he shed about "his quarterback" and such as that. In the meantime, someone is getting really tired of the antics, the attention and the selfishness. From what I understand, Stephen Jones went to his father and convinced him to release Owens. Jerry didn't want to, but he finally did. Why would Stephen do such a thing, without having some kind of inside information on what really was happening between team mates?

Now that "The Cancer" is gone to North America, will Romo step up and be the leader of this team? I think he will. He may not win anything this year, but I don't think we will have a losing season either. Quarterbacks have to learn and grow with the team. Personnel changes and such as that, always affect things. But, I think now that he's not being "intimidated", if you will, he can become what we thought he'd be.

I don't know how true any of this is, or if I'm way off in left field. This is pure speculation on my part, but why else did Jones release Owens? "Romo friendly"? C'mon now, that was just an excuse with no detail.
He cannot make me believe that, because Jones is as much of a gloryhound as Owens.
My opinion anyway, but I think Romo and company will take charge this year.

I think I, more or less, repeated myself from an earlier statement............lol.................I'm suffering from CRS (can't remember ****)

As America???s Team the Boys deservedly get more flack than any other franchise in the NFL


That's because the title is "self proclaimed" and doesn't mean sh|t to anybody else.

QUOTE(#15):

Originally posted 05:46 PM ET  05.11 by 3-Ds

As America???s Team the Boys deservedly get more flack than any other franchise in the NFLThat's because the title is "self proclaimed" and doesn't mean sh|t to anybody else.

Self proclaimed? You're wrong. Do your homework and look it up...The Cowboys did NOT name themselves that.