All of us on here love football and the Cowboys. Some us on here wish we could play for the Cowboys but almost all of us would like to be GM. A chance for an opportunity to run a team and build a winner would be a dream job for many fans. I feel its one of the reason so many play fantasy football. It the reason why many video games offer the same chance to build a team and draft. .

The downside of this is these games is it isnt what you do. Caps, players who fit your system, attitudes, lockerrooms, arrests, and team unity are completely overlooked in a quest to get guys with better stats. When the season ends and draft and FA rule the airways/blogs, everyone seems to go crazy wanting everybody and everything regardless of how they actually fit in with your team and system.

 This just doesnt work in the real world. You have to have a short term plan and a long term plan. You have to believe in your plan and stick to it. About a year ago I ran across this on another blog. Its Ted Leonis 10 step plan for building a winner. I think everyone on here would enjoy reading this and many of you it should be required reading. Im not trying to say this is right, do what it says, but more as a guideline to build your own plan. Also to understand how things are done.  I hope you guys find it as interesting as I did and, also some of you guys I debate the most,  what some of my thinking behind  my posts are. 

What I have learned about a rebuild to date: A 10 point plan. A Washington Capitals perspective:

1. Ask yourself the big question: "Can this team--as constructed--ever win a championship?" If the answer is yes -- stay the course and try to find the right formula -- if the answer is no, then plan to rebuild. Don't fake it--really do the analytics and be brutally honest. Once you have your answer, develop the game plan to try to REALLY win a championship. Always run away from experts that say, "We are just one player away." Recognize there is no easy and fast systemic fix. It will be a bumpy ride--have confidence in the plan--"trust and verify: the progress -- but don't deviate from the plan."

2. Once you make the decision to rebuild--be transparent. Articulate the plan and sell it loudly and proudly to all constituencies, the media, the organization, the fans, your partners, family and anyone who will listen. Agree to what makes for a successful rebuild--in our case it is "a great young team with upside that can make the playoffs for a decade and win a Stanley Cup or two."

3. Once you decide to rebuild--bring the house down to the foundation--be consistent with your plan--and with your asks--we always sought to get "a pick and a prospect" in all of our trades. We believed that volume would yield better results than precision. We decided to trade multiple stars at their prime or peak to get a large volume of young players. Young players will get better as they age, so you have built in upside. Youngsters push vets to play better to keep their jobs, and they stay healthier, and they are more fun--less jaded by pro sports.

4. Commit to building around the draft. Invest in scouting, development, and a system. Articulate that system and stay with it so that all players feel comfortable-- know the language-- know what is expected of them-- read the Oriole Way*. It worked and it is a great tutorial. Draft players that fit the system, not the best player. Draft the best player for the system. Don't deviate or get seduced by agents, media demands, or by just stats or hype. Envision how this player will slide into your system.

5. Be patient with young players-- throw them in the pool to see if they can swim. Believe in them. Show them loyalty. Re-sign the best young players to long term high priced deals. Show the players you are very loyal to them as compared to free agents who achieved highly for another team. Teach them. Celebrate their successes. Use failures as a way to teach and improve. Coaches must be tough but kind to build confidence.

6. Make sure the GM, coach, owner and business folks are on the EXACT same page as to deliverables, metrics of success, ultimate goal, process and measured outcomes. Always meet to discuss analytics and don't be afraid of the truth that the numbers reveal. Manage to outcomes. Manage to let the GM and coach NOT be afraid of taking risks, and make sure there are no surprises. Over communicate. Act like an ethnic family--battle around the dinner table--never in public. Be tight as a team. Protect and enhance each other. Let the right people do their jobs.

7. No jerks allowed. Implement a no jerk policy. Draft and develop and keep high character people. Team chemistry is vital to success. Make sure the best and highest paid players are coachable, show respect to the system, want to be in the city, love to welcome new, young players to the team, have respect for the fan base, show joy in their occupation, get the system, believe in the coaches, have fun in practice, and want to be gym rats. Dump quickly distractions. Life is too short to drink bad wine.

8. Add veterans to the team via shorter term deals as free agents. Signing long-term, expensive deals for vets is very risky. We try to add vets to the mix for two year or three year deals. They fill in around our young core. They are very important for leadership, but they must complement the young core (NOT try to overtake them or be paid more than them). Identify and protect the core. Add veterans to complement them, not visa versa.

9. Measure and improve. Have shared metrics--know what the progress is--and where it ranks on the timeline-- be honest in all appraisals; don't be afraid to trade young assets for other draft picks to build back end backlog-- know the aging of contracts-- protect "optionality" to make trades at deadlines or in off season; never get in cap jail. Having dry powder is very important to make needed moves.

10. Never settle--never rest--keep on improving. Around the edges to the plan, have monthly, quarterly and annual check ups. Refresh the plan when needed but for the right reasons-- "how are we doing against our metrics of success and where are we on our path to a championship." Never listen to bloggers, media, so called experts--to thine own self be true. Enjoy the ride.

I published this on the Cowboy blog and wanted your opinion as well. I reworded it. 

When it became obvious that the game was going into OT I looked over at Farve and then looked over at Brees and thought if we dont win the flip we lose.

I realize that stats show that its close to 50-50 chance of winning regardless of who wins the flip but I think the numbers are altered by bad teams/QBs. I think who dat nation would have been devasted to never have even got a sniff of the ball.

Watching the NFC championship game last night as Farve threw his last pick and it became obvious it was going to over time I glanced over at Farve and and then glanced over at Brees and realized a fans worse nightmare. If you lose the coin toss you lost the game. The QBs are just too good in the playoffs and teams will use all 4 downs (within reason) to prevent the other QB from getting his chance.

I realize that stats show a pretty equal chance of winning regardless of who wins the flip but I think the numbers are off because of many bad teams/QBs. When your dealing with top teams and a lose and go home senario,  I want the ball in Romos hand. I would be devastated to see Brady or Manning win the flip.

Wow! This was the hardest I have taken a loss since I was nine years old. Like many others, when Romo threw that deep int to Phillips I wanted his head on a platter. Thankfully I didnt have access to the internet after the game. I read many of the comments and as mad as I was I would have been in the thick of it. It might be best just to make your comment for stress release but maybe avoid reading posts by individuals you dont agree with on a good day. nothing good is gonna come out of being that riled up.

By waiting a day or two emotions die down and more information becomes available that gives a clearer picture. Romos throw infuriated me but when hearing Collinsworth saying that the Phillips was really at an odd, deep location and Romo saying he didnt see him, I wasnt quite as mad.

For me, I dont have a problem when a QB has a bad day throwing the ball. Micheal Jordan was the best player I ever saw(BB) and he had games when he was 4 for 20 shooting with 3 dunks. What I have a problem with is bad decisions. That has to stop or we will see duplicate careers of Kitna and Shaub. Good numbers but with little substance or post season success.

Romo was off on his throwing. When he isnt in sync with Witten you know he is having an off day throwing. Romo and Garrett need to take a veiw from above and see whats working and not working and adjust.  The call really was a good call, but completely un neccessary. Its ok to pound a team into submission.

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Spencer seems to be everywhere and active. He doesnt have a sack yet but neither does Ware. Comparing him to Ellis is short sighted. Ellis by the end of the season will be fading and look old and tired. Spencer having his first full year of starting should be coming into his own by the end of the year. Remember, we dont need more guys who fade in Dec.

Can we please sign Ware immediately. Most guys step up in a contact year. Ware has always stepped up. I cant help but think signing him now will allow him to focus on playing ball and not on a contract. 90% need the money for motivation in a contract year. The other 10%, its just a distraction. Ware and Jerry need to put this to rest.

I wrote a comment right after the release of TO that this new offense might need 8-10 games to become fully in sync. With the optimism of Felix, Bennett, the new season, the easy early season schedule, and the double TE, I conviently forgot about that post. There is no doubt about the matchup problems it creates. The big plays and the trouble even a great D like the Giants have matching it shows its vast potential. Trouble is its still a work in progress. These guys are still bringing it all together but their are times they still arent all on the same page. EX. Bennett looking for a jump ball and Romo throwing a stop fade against Tampa. Difference,  4 points and confidence/momentum.  Its coming guys, its coming. just be patient.

Leave Flo alone. He is playing well and his 2 penalties were not dumb penalties. The tripping penalty was as smart as Crayton kicking the ball out of bounds. We can ill afford for Romo to go down.

Scandrick, this isnt the 215lb Austin,214lb RW, or the 210lb Hurd. This is the 185lb Manningham or the 180lb Desean Jackson or 190lb Santana Moss. Their first step is lethal. Do not come barreling up there out of control or you will find yourself full time in the slot.  I prefer Jenkins on the outside. He gets his hands on more balls. I like Scandrick just as much but like him in the slot more. No matter what our DBs need to take a major step forward. Newman included. I thought these guys would be  one of our strengths not a weakness. 

We went into the Giant game with the intent to stop the run and if we are going to lose it will be on Eli's arm. Well he did it. He played a fantastic game. Maybe his best. Thing is, without those TOs and lucky bounces the game plan would have worked. With the exception of 2 runs we shut Jacobs ass down.

I watch the game and read the post game thread. I saw some of the things people talked about but didnt see others. I rewatched the game with these things in mind and just randomly wrote down things that popped into my head. I saw Jenkins struggle a little with the 10 yard cushion and pass off his guy too early on the TD but I thought he played better than others thought. If Romo continues to play like this I might have to change my handle to Terry II.

I think the way our team has focused on our percieved weaknesses has given the impression we will be ball control team. We really need  the ability to do both. With Romo, I think the big play ability is always there. I like the way we have gone about our business this TC . Someone ask what was better to score fast or slow. It depends on the situation. Sometimes your D needs a break or run out the clock and sometimes you need to makeup points in a hurry. The 90s Cowboys could do both. It looks like this years version can do both as well.

Relax on Austin. We just arent playing his game right now. Its by design as is(Im hoping) the 10 yard cushion by the CBs. It does you no good to play to your strengths in preseason. We were warned by Raf that the Titans matched up against our precieved weaknesses. To cash in on an opportunity to work on these "weaknesses" was to good to pass up and it will pay major dividends during the season. Without further dribble here goes......

Romos passes were a little high on the first few passes but dialed it in quickly. His accuracy looks closer to the 07 model than the 08. This is great because its one of the best attributes. Rewatch that pass to Witten on the sideline and you will appreciate it more with each reveiw.

Gosselin is an interesting guy. Didnt know much about him but I like what I see. Gets positive yards

Man, does Flo look fit. (for a 350lb man) He really looks to be in good shape. I dont remember him looking this slim last year.

The line looks good against a very solid Dline.

Witten seem to be in mid season form already.

Igor is even bigger than I thought. He sure looks good at the point of attack. Your not moving that dude when he anchors. I think he may be an upgrade and not a push.

Why are our corners playing 8-10 yards off of the WR. This is not Jenkins strength and something we were told we would see less of this year. I want the bump and run not zone man.

Brooking looks like an upgrade.

Barber looks quicker.

Felix reminds me of Westbrook. Boy was I ever wrong about him.

Watkins is a walking special teams penalty waiting to happen. I dont like to dump on young guys but this guy knows better than to run down the sidelines out of bounds. He is stupid. He needs to go if we plan on being a smarter team.

I finally gave up on Carp and now he starts looking like he belongs. Nice open field tackle on Young. He seems to be very active and in good position. Im actually impressed.

Free seem to be struggling a little more than last week..

McQ is seems to be playing better than last week.

I havent noticed Proctor at all. I dont know whether this is good or bad. 

Ogletree looks promising though its a little early. He needs a few reps against better personel. I wouldnt count on him for anything this year but I could see having an impact in the future.

Is it diffulcult to field punts in the new stadium. Seems to be a lot of drops.

Might of spoke to soon on McQ. A big guy getting a running start on him on pass plays is giving him trouble. He is getting the job done but ..

I cant get a feel on McGee yet. I want him to do well but its too early for me to tell.

We wont go far if we dont get smarter about our penalties.

Im really starting to like Octavien. He is becoming my pet cat.

Wade seems different on the sideline but I cant put my finger on it.

Wade and Garrett both called a good game.

The one question coming into the new season that doesnt seem to have a wrong answer is, "Should Jenkins or Scandrick be the starting CB opposite of  Newman." With the skills, speed, youth, and play of their rookie years their just doesnt seem to be a wrong answer. Every report I read or quote from Phillips is alway about how good these guys are at man to man coverage. How they not giving up catches in 7 on 7 drills. Though I havent been to camp to see it with my own eyes, Tnew seems to be giving up more catches than the young guns. These guys are already good and they seem to be getting better fast.

I havent heard this question asked but, "Why cant  Scandrick and Jenkins start." I guess the thought of someone as talented as Newman being benched is scary. He is still a top notch athlete who happens to be a savvy vet. The thought of him not being on the field for 2 youngsters is a big leap of faith and can quickly cost a season and a bunch of jobs. For a coach the easy choice seems to be Newman. He is a guy you wont lose any sleep over.

The thing is both of these young guys can play, and regardless of what happens, will play at least 60% of defensive snaps. I cant also help thinking that switching Newman to the 3rd corner will extend his career and lessen his chances of being injured or "dinged up." Newman is on the wrong side of 30 and has has numerous dings the past couple of years. The fact that we dont have a 4th corner who can step up and play scares me.

Their are several questions that need to be considered. Will Newman being moved to 3rd CB and his playing time being cut 30-40% lessen his chance of being injured? Will it extend his career and help him hold up to the end of his contract? Will he pout and demand a trade? Will Wade Phillips annoucing both CB positions are up for grabs light a fire under Newman? Is he still that much better than the other 2.

Terrance Newman is still a top CB and a proud athlete. This question might be a year to early but  "Should Scandrick and Jenkins be starting?"