Even as the Raiders rallied from 0-3 to 8-4, I remember not being too impressed. Many close wins along the way. Marcus got too much gruff for that Eagles loss. Yes, he did fumble, but two plays prior - 3rd & 20 from Phi's 47 - he caught a 26-yard pass from Plunkett; and then ran for five on the next play to put Raiders further into FG-range. Now why didn't they simply kick it right there and then if not the play before already?
Their loss to the Eagles and then at Seattle, 37-0, the following week reminds me a bit of the '79 Saints' back-to-back games as the season wound down. First losing a heartbreaker to...the Raiders themselves, and then getting blasted by SD a week later, 35-0! Only difference was that whereas '79 NO were now out of it after that, the Raiders were still in control of their own destiny with two weeks to go at 8-6! Home vs KC who were also 8-6, and then home vs Indy who by that very finale were coming off their first two wins of the year under newly-aquired Ron Meyer. They'd lose
both games thus officially ending their 'Era of Excellence'.
Three of the, arguably, four best Dolphin seasons under Marino were his first three before they'd hit that wall in '86. 1990 would have to be the other great one though they did make the AFCCG two years later. Very disappointing if you're a Dolphin-fan during Dan's time there. And that four-year drought to end the '80s has to be the first thing to think of.
The Steelers could actually be in this very conversation with these other three. But they decided to join the fall-from-grace 'party' one year earlier in Noll's first losing season since '71. But to see
all four of those '70s powerhouses miss the playoffs in '86, '87, and '88 had to serve as the three final nails in the '70s coffin.
fgoodwin wrote:Every time I hear a 90s (or later) Cowboy fan bitch about how Jerry Jones fired Tom Landry, I ask them how Jerry should've done it differently? In thirty-four years, not a single one has come back with a decent answer. "Well, I would've done it differently" is usually the best they can do.
Some fault Jerry for firing Landry over the radio or TV rather than face-to-face. Until I remind them that face-to-face is EXACTLY what Jones did by flying to Austin to meet Landry on the golf course. The Friday-night-massacre press conference at Vally Ranch happened AFTER Jerry got back from firing Landry in Austin.
Some say Jerry should've offered Landry another season then ease him out the door -- until I show them the quotes where Landry himself said he would not have taken a "caretaker" position as a coach or in the front office, looking over Jimmy's shoulder.
The fact is, Jerry did just about everything right. Even though he says he could've handled it better, I don't see what he could've done differently. Bum Bright himself offered to fire Landry but to his credit, Jerry said no, that was his (Jerry's) job.
Fans today (or at least those since Jerry bought the team) have no idea how badly Cowboy Nation wanted Landry gone in the late 80s. That's all you heard on talk radio in Dallas. It was even a cover story in Sports Illustrated. But try to find one of those fans today? They all swear by St. Landry and NONE of them will admit they wanted him fired.
I think the real reason so many fans hate Jerry is to absolve their guilt when in fact they were one among MANY who wanted Landry gone.
Agree with just about all of that as sad the subject is. However, I would have simply asked Tom to come to headquarters at his soonest convenience and meet me alone in my office to give him the news, Not fly to Austin, intruding on a family golf outing, yet alone doing the deed in front of his son. This, sure-enough, is where Jerry's regret and guilt (grading himself an 'F') mostly comes from. And to those in Big D who were all onboard with the idea the years leading up who, now that it
was done, suddenly resented the change - that may have been the main reason for such resentment.
But, otherwise, there really wasn't any better way for Jerry to go about this difficult and unenviable task. And, yes, willing to do it himself was better than letting Bum do it instead.
Also as mentioned, Jerry did suggest that he should have maybe given him one more year. But what would that have done? It would have delayed things to get started for a year and likely butterfly away some - or maybe plenty - of what would develop within the next five years.
It also would have given Jimmy opportunity for more offers as he further strengthens his stock at the 'U' with what likely would be another National Championship (which Dennis Erickson, of course, actually did accomplish in '89).
And when if Landry bounces back with a respectable 7-9 or 8-8 campaign in 'Year One' under Jerry; or a 'strong' 6-10? Much more difficult it would have been to make the change than simply a year prior upon buying the franchise coming off 3-13. "After just one year? And an improvement, nonetheless? Why didn't he just fire him last year then? What was the point?" would have been the consensus in Big D.
So, sadly, doing so right off the bat was what had to happen. Just should have been done in the privacy of Jerry's office.
And if I were Tex Schramm, it would hve been quite difficult - after my long history with TL - for me to stay with Jerry for one second longer upon knowing officially of the change. Hand in my resignation after getting back with Jerry from the golf course at the latest.
