Why Are The Cowboys Considered An "Elite" Football Team?

[Milton145]

I don't get the hype in the Cowboys. Tony Romo is a [i]good[/i] QB, IMO. Good...not great.

Same with Miles Austin. Good receiver but I wouldn't put him in an elite or great category just yet.

They, just like us, have a questionable secondary, but even though ours is better, they still get recognized as a Superbowl team.

That's how I see it. Can someone just please explain how the Cowboys are one of the "elite Superbowl teams" in the NFL. Playoff team, yes. Superbowl, I just don't see it.

[theFRANCHISE]

It has to do with the long history of the Cowboys and their large fanbase. Also, having a lot of big names on the team certainly helps. Granted, having big names doesn't guarantee anything, but it certainly helps give the [u]appearance[/u] of an elite team.

Really, the only storied team that you can practically bet on being "elite" almost every year is the Steelers; as much as we Ravens fans hate them, the Steelers have backed up their long-standing reputation as one of the best teams in the league. It's hard to recall a time when they struggled for an extended period of time.

[H8R]

I'd say the Colts fit the bill for elite status too. At least in the regular season.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='H8R' date='26 May 2010 - 09:03 PM' timestamp='1274922219' post='414770']
I'd say the Colts fit the bill for elite status too. At least in the regular season.
[/quote]
But then you'd have to acknowledge that they have the old Baltimore Colts' history -- which is technically true, but is complicated by the move from Baltimore, so people simply look at the Indianapolis Colts as an expansion team rather than an extension of the old Colts.

[EdReedFTW]

Why? Elite QB (Rank 8 in passer rating) Excellent running game (7) Very good defense (9) Yea, I think that's pretty much why. I'm no cowboy fan, in fact I hate them with a passion but they're an excellent team.

[George70]

I believe the perception of the Cowboys as an "elite" team comes from their days of dominance in the seventies, when, at one point, their merchandise outsold all the other competitors. Their nickname, "America's Team", comes from this.

[AwakenTheDemon]

The Cowboys and their fans need to stop living in the past. "America's Team", heh, not anymore.

[YYZ66]

I agree with Hank Hill:

"Dallas? I don't want you goin' to Dallas at all. That place is crawlin' with crack-heads and debutantes, and half of 'em play for the Cowboys."

[BuckWilds]

[quote name='EdReedFTW' date='26 May 2010 - 09:54 PM' timestamp='1274925250' post='414805']
Why? Elite QB (Rank 8 in passer rating) Excellent running game (7) Very good defense (9) Yea, I think that's pretty much why. I'm no cowboy fan, in fact I hate them with a passion but they're an excellent team.
[/quote]

And they've been getting elite team press for the past 15 years, when they were much worse across those categories. They get a lot of extra resources so they can build a good platform underneath their [b]bad[/b]wagon. That way their pseudo-fans won't break their ankles getting on and off.

[EdReedFTW]

[quote name='Zhamtao' date='04 June 2010 - 12:55 PM' timestamp='1275670529' post='417785']
And they've been getting elite team press for the past 15 years, when they were much worse across those categories. They get a lot of extra resources so they can build a good platform underneath their [b]bad[/b]wagon. That way their pseudo-fans won't break their ankles getting on and off.
[/quote]

Past=/=Present. Hate all you want on the press that they've gotten even when they were mediocre but for now they are a VERY good team. I've hated the cowboys even before I used to like watching football because I hate the type of press they get but unfortunately they are a good team NOW.

[BuckWilds]

[quote name='EdReedFTW' date='05 June 2010 - 03:42 AM' timestamp='1275723732' post='418177']
Past=/=Present. Hate all you want on the press that they've gotten even when they were mediocre but for now they are a VERY good team. I've hated the cowboys even before I used to like watching football because I hate the type of press they get but unfortunately they are a good team NOW.
[/quote]

Well, [i]hate all you want[/i] on my comments, but it's true they have been getting charity press for a long time. They might be good now, but they'd be getting this press whether or not they were legitimate.

I think we both know the Cowboys are a decent team, but the common theme for a lot of people is that they're tired of the hype.

[Ravenglenn]

Plus Jerry Jones spares no expense in promoting his team...

[Ravenglenn]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='26 May 2010 - 08:53 PM' timestamp='1274921607' post='414766']
It has to do with the long history of the Cowboys and their large fanbase. Also, having a lot of big names on the team certainly helps. Granted, having big names doesn't guarantee anything, but it certainly helps give the [u]appearance[/u] of an elite team.

Really, the only storied team that you can practically bet on being "elite" almost every year is the Steelers; as much as we Ravens fans hate them, the Steelers have backed up their long-standing reputation as one of the best teams in the league. It's hard to recall a time when they struggled for an extended period of time.
[/quote]

In recent history I agree, however, taking their entire history, the Steelers were doormats from their early days (1933) until the mid 1970's. They were quite mediocre during Noll's last years in the 80's.

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/pit/

[EdReedFTW]

[quote name='Zhamtao' date='11 June 2010 - 04:17 AM' timestamp='1276244242' post='420882']
Well, [i]hate all you want[/i] on my comments, but it's true they have been getting charity press for a long time. They might be good now, but they'd be getting this press whether or not they were legitimate.

I think we both know the Cowboys are a decent team, but the common theme for a lot of people is that they're tired of the hype.
[/quote]

As I said before, in the past it was false hype. Now they actually deserve most of it. Even if people like you and I are tired of hearing about it. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go and throw up for having defended the cowboys...

[lowrider]

They have such a good team. They should be the type of team that does go to the Super Bowl. I mean they have the number 2 offense, their defense is solid, they got Dez Bryant this year. But somehow they choke their chances away. I think its because of the coaching, and I think part of the reason why the coaching sucks is because they are afraid to take risks because of Jerry Jones. I thought it was interesting when we played them, Ray Lewis said they were the most simple offense the Ravens had played. For such a high powered offense to be very simple does not say good things for the Cowboys coaching

[WinnipegRaven]

[quote name='EdReedFTW' date='26 May 2010 - 07:54 PM' timestamp='1274925250' post='414805']
Why? Elite QB (Rank 8 in passer rating) Excellent running game (7) Very good defense (9) Yea, I think that's pretty much why. I'm no cowboy fan, in fact I hate them with a passion but they're an excellent team.
[/quote]
excellent on paper maybe

[BuckWilds]

[quote name='EdReedFTW' date='20 June 2010 - 11:16 PM' timestamp='1277090174' post='424166']
As I said before, in the past it was false hype. Now they actually deserve most of it. Even if people like you and I are tired of hearing about it. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go and throw up for having defended the cowboys...
[/quote]

People know they're decent now, and Romo is better than most give him credit for. But it's been forever and a day since they were this good... it takes some getting used to and people are conditioned to ask, "Why do you force this doo-doo upon us, ESPN?"

Hopefully they earn all of their attention for the next 5-10 years.