Quote:
Originally Posted by milkman
(Post 12859852)
Under Todd Haley and Romeo Crennel, this team underachieved.
The change at the top, from Dorsey to Reid and his staff is the reason this teamed righted itself, and to his credit, Alex Smith didn't screw that up.
But, let's be clear here.
Alex Smith isn't the reason this team started to play at the level they are capable of.
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As a native Texan, I grew up cheering for the Cowboys. My dad and granddad also liked the Packers as they were both big fans of Vince Lombardi and Tom Landry. I became a Chiefs fan after the first Super Bowl even though I was in single-digits in age. :) My granddad thought Hank Stram was a blend of Lombardi and Landry, plus he liked Lamar Hunt's dedication to forming the AFL.
Cowboys fans. . . we had Danny White after Roger Staubach retired. White was good, but not capable of taking us to the Promised Land, even though we had some outstanding offensive and defensive talent. Then comes Troy Aikman and a few more weapons and we take three out of four Super Bowls--and rather handily, I might add.
Then after several seasons of struggle and disappointment, Tony Romo enters the picture. Again, a Danny White type of guy--solid citizen, athletic, smart. . . but doesn't have that unidentifiable intangible to take us to the Promised Land. Last season, Dak Prescott burst onto the scene and a big thing he brought with him was confidence.
Now, Kansas City. We suffered through Bono and Grbac and a few others. Alex Smith helped solidify a talented and potent offense enough to get us in the playoffs, at home, where once again we lost in a heartbreaking fashion.
I see Patrick Mahomes in the same light in terms of bringing that unidentifiable intangible with him that Aikman brought to the Cowboys. By now, everyone has seen the undeniable other-worldly talent that Mahomes possesses, and his work ethic and intelligence has been verified at all levels from the coaches down to internet forum participants.
Mahomes has that special, magical ability that pushes players to play above their normal levels and capabilities. Aaron Rodgers has that, so did Favre. Tom Brady has it and I think Dak Prescott has it.
That is the difference and that is why I think we'll see a noticeable change in attitude and enthusiasm every time Mahomes steps on the field for many years to come.
Alex Smith helped get the bus to the playoffs level. Mahomes has the ability and sheer will and determination to take it all the way to the loading dock where the Lombardi trophy will be loaded onto it.
--JD