Bruce Bowen Calls Out the Cowboys for Not Having a 'Team First Mentality'

The nice thing about being anyone on the San Antonio Spurs is that, well, you can generally sling criticism around; it's not a characteristic trait of any particular player on that team, but after so many years of solid team play and, well, just winning, they've got some sturdier walls than most glass houses.

Hence Bruce Bowen's recent comments to the San Antonio Express about the Dallas Cowboys, his favorite football team. See, it appears that Bruce, like every single person in the free world except Jerry Jones and Wade Phillips, doesn't think the Cowboys really have good chemistry.

"It's very disappointing," Bowen said of Sunday's painful showing by his favorites, "but character wins out over talent any day, at least in my book. You can see how infectious certain characters can be down the end of the road."

Bowen declined to name which of the Cowboys characters he considered "infectious," but he made it clear he believed the Cowboys were doomed by self-centered players.

Well, Bowen might have declined, but allow me: Pacman Jones, Terrell Owens and Roy Williams (the receiver). Of course, Pacman was probably more of a distraction than a totally destructive locker room presence, but still, anyone who thought bringing him to the Cowboys would result in anything positive is running a fool's errand.

And while Bowen is getting a bit aggressive in calling out another sport's players, what are the Cowboys going to do? Tell him he's wrong? Because, um, he's not.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

12-30-2008 @ 7:31PM

Thatsabsurd said...

Yes absolutely true but so deserving of the "self proclaimed" Americas team.

Now if everyone would face the fact that Dallas is a cancer and disgrace to the league just as the mentioned players are a disgrace to sheep shit smelling dallas organization. Then get them out of the league we could play some football.

12-30-2008 @ 7:56PM

Pete said...

Don't hold back there Thatsabsurd, tell us what you REALLY think!

12-30-2008 @ 9:03PM

What I really think!!!!!!!!!

I thinks Dallas sucks has the worst fan base and is a total disgrace to the league.

Does that summarize it for you?

But hey; they have TO

12-31-2008 @ 4:02PM

Enrique said...

Whew...little guy arn't you. You need some anger managment and maybe an IQ.

1-15-2009 @ 6:08AM

Bull_Shirt said...

Of course they aren't team oriented....look who they have for an owner/president/general manager/offensive genius/defensive guru/wannabe coach. I won't name any names but his initials are Jerry Jones. The same man who will give you The Jerry Jones Stadium next year. The spotlight is of the most importance, regardless of whether the publicity is negative or not, and regardless of whether or not the team wins. The money, spotlight, and the attention......sounds like some of the players as well.

1-01-2009 @ 7:50PM

My anger mngt therapy is to take it out on the worthless disgrace to the league Dallas Cryboys.

Self proclaimed arrogant obnoxious cryboys

Hey how is TO anyway?

1-01-2009 @ 9:01PM

Gym Bear said...

New England Patriots and Spurs coaches have had cross-sports meetings-an appreciation for each other. Same philosophy of team first, sublimating egos for the purpose of winning championships. Both teams get the most out of what they have and at the end of the day, 9 times out of 10, you have to go through them to win a championship. Pop calls it "corporate culture" and emphasizes it big time with the Spurs. Any new player, whether rookie or free agent acquisition, soon learns it's their job to fit into the system, and no system is going to revolve around one or two players.

Enter the Dallas Cowboys-devoid of any discernable unifying corporate culture, fragmented locker room, even coaches aren't on the same page.

Winning organizations understand the importance of vision, strategy, culture, executing their system and bringing in guys who fit that system. Jerry has this mistaken idea that if he spends enough money, and brings in enough "celebrities" errrr, "star" players, the wins will come. Jerry is a marketing genius and a horrible puppet master coach and GM.

What he should do: Hire Bill Cowher and sit in the back room and write checks. But that's too logical.

Dallas should have hired Singletary. I called for that one before Jones hired "yes man good old boy" Phillips. He needs fire and brimstone with this bunch, and he needs to cut his losses with several players. But again, too logical.

Opie (Garrett) should go. Lions want to interview him? Great. Let him go. HIre an O-Coordinator who will grind it out with Barber, Jones and Choice and use Witten for over the middle stuff and Roy Williams for the long ball. I'm hoping T.O., Crayton are gone next year. Maybe sign a reliable wideout to compliment Wiliams, but grind it out on the ground.

Again. Too logical.

Rein in Romo. The guy needs a coach in his grill. Until he can win in December, he needs a simplified game plan (ground game emphasis would help). Bring in another QB to compete with Romo. The kid has it too easy and doesn't have the threat of being benched. But again, too logical.

So Jerry will hire some new assistant coaches. He'll let Tank go. Probably Carpenter. He'll make all kinds of bizarre trade down moves on draft day to accumulate more picks. He'll start the new year talking about the great changes in attitude and goals for the new year that will compliment the new stadium. He'll sell tickets. The 'Boys will go 9-7 or 10-6 and either not make the playoffs or exit in the first round, much to Jerry's dismay and the frustration of Cowboy fans.

There's a sucker born every minute. Jerry knows this. Until people start calling his hand (half filled stadiums and lots of noise from the fans on the radio in the papers would help), Jerry will continue to make a mockery of the tradition Landry built.

1-02-2009 @ 6:13PM

You really think maybe 10-6? I was thinking along the lines of 5-11 for 3 years. Not that I would want that, but it seems feasible and more importantly, can be accomplished too. I am being a bit sarcastic, but I think we fans have that right after this season.
I think last year they peaked at 13-3. Slid back down to 9-7 again, as they were Parcells last year. Given that there is a 4 game difference, and if they continue imploding next year, then another 4 game drop would put them at 5-11. Campo's years.
Opie?...laffin....good one.

1-03-2009 @ 4:36PM

Eagleshield said...

Jerry Jones is in denial. The Cowboys need to fire Wade as HC and move him to DC, and hire a Marty Schotenhiemer type who will not "vasilate" but hold the players accountable. Perhaps the new HC will bring in his own staff, but Phillips could be a help on the defensive side of the ball, where he is most comfortable. Jason Garrett NEEDS help, or he may need to be shown the door. Also, Dallas needs to find one or two strong QBs who are free agents, or even draft choices to either challenge Tony Romo or to carry the team when Romo is not available. Further, Dallas needs to drop Terrell Owens, and Pacman Jones. They are selfish "heavy baggage" especially Owens. Roy Williams deserves a second chance since the guy just got snatched up at the last minute. He needs a chance to learn the system.

2-06-2009 @ 8:01PM

mrjaydave said...

Jerry Jones still in the aikman,smith irvin era,He must relealize that those days are OVER!!!!!,dead,and gone and never be resurrected again...Dallas cowboys suppose to be a football team not a namebrand..