Deja vu for the Cowboys

I just finished reading the book Boys Will Be Boys by Jeff Pearlman, a fantastic read about the early-mid '90s Dallas Cowboys. One of the more interesting angles in the book is how hard-ass extraordinaire Jimmy Johnson shaped a team that would win three Super Bowls, two of which were at his helm. The third was won by Barry Switzer, a laid-back, "player's" coach who replaced Johnson after the team's second Super Bowl win.

Although Switzer won the dynasty's third Super Bowl, the team culture he introduced was quite a respite from that of Johnson's.

Johnson came in more as a dictator than anything else. He was an extremely good talent evaluator who had a knack for understanding what parts of his team's roster needed help. Despite alienating many players by yelling at them like a drill sergeant and making examples out of some of the team's lower-profile players, Johnson was a great motivator who knew how to take the temperature of his team, so-to-speak. Although many of his players hated his ego and arrogance, there is no denying his success with the team. They won two Super Bowls under Johnson and essentially won the third (Deion Sanders notwithstanding) largely with players traded for, signed and drafted by Johnson.

Switzer came into the fold in '94, an old buddy of owner Jerry Jones. Although his open demeanor and buddy-buddy philosophy with his players proved a welcome change-of-pace after Johnson's regime, Switzer didn't install the one characteristic critical to the 'Boys' downfall in the mid-90s: accountability. He ran light training camps and in-season practices, but his most glaring downfall was his inability to instill discipline and accountability to the team.

Although the '94 and '95 Cowboys seemed relieved to be removed from high level of pressure and anxiety that permeated through the locker room during the Jimmy Johnson Era, a level of remorse and subtle reflection settled amongst some of the players. They realized that even though Johnson was a mean, stubborn and unrelenting S.O.B. at times, he helped produce a winning attitude. He kept the players motivated and hungry to win. Switzer's laisezz-faire attitude promoted a lazy, content attitude that took down the 'Boys.

Now, sound familiar? Just replace Jimmy Johnson with Bill Parcells and Barry Switzer with Wade Phillips. The similarities aren't entirely accurate. Neither the Parcells- nor Phillips-led Cowboys have even competed in an NFC Championship game, much less a Super Bowl. And Phillips hasn't created quite as undisciplined an environment as Switzer.

But there's no doubt Parcells assembled the core of this team, although he wasn't around to forsee Romo's development into an elite NFL quarterback. But Phillips isn't near the disciplinarian that Parcells was, and perhaps it's more evident than ever that with the 'Boys embroiled in a difficult stretch, they might need a Parcells-style coach who demands only the best out of his players. The players don't fear Phillips, as was smartly noted today by ProFootballTalk.com. And the teams that win championships are those that fear letting down each other and their coaches.