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“ 3 Quarters: Thoughts after the 1st Quarter of the 2008 season “ |
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Geschrieben von John Rosenberg
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Mittwoch, 28. Mai 2008 |
It is normal in the GFL, with the Relegation concept, that a team that promotes up to the 1st League from the 2nd League will struggle and have a difficult time. “New” GFL teams often lose games by big scores. Many “first year” teams are back in the Relegation game. Some stay up, some go back down.
In 1994-1995, a team from a smaller city in the North, moved up to the 1st League. In its first GFL season it struggled, had to win it’s last game of the year to avoid playing in the Relegation series again. Two years later, the Braunschweig Lions won the German Bowl, the first of many as they became a dynasty in the GFL.
Other teams have moved up, and stayed at the bottom of the GFL, until eventually moving back down to the 2nd League. The Saarland Hurricanes, whom the Cowboys beat in the Relegation series last year, have that history.
A first year GFL team, one quarter of the way into the season, normally does not lead the League in turnover ratio, or have a running back with the 3rd highest average yards per carry, or a defensive player who leads the League in interceptions, or tackles. But this team is the Munich Cowboys. And this is a team that feels at home in the GFL, and not like a “new” team that is playing in the “big league” for the first time.
This is a Munich Cowboys team that in it’s first 4 games, against South teams that were playoff teams last year, and one solid North team, did the following : Near the end of the 3rd quarter of each game, the scores were Cowboys leading 7-6 and 20 –6, and Cowboys losing 9-14 and 6-8. The bad news is that the 4th quarter counts, and the Cowboys ended up losing 3 of those games. The good news is that this is a Cowboys team that can compete in the 1st League, and is one quarter away from winning.
Now the task for the Cowboys is to play with less mistakes, play physically stronger through the entire game, and develop more depth to overcome injuries. And we have 3 quarters of the season remaining to accomplish these goals, and become a 4 quarter team,and a team that is home again in the GFL.
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Pre-Season Interview with Munich Cowboys Head Coach John Rosenberg |
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Geschrieben von Markus Gebhardt
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Donnerstag, 13. März 2008 |
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MC: During the off season, there were rumors about you and Head Coach jobs with other teams.
Why do you decide to continue with the Munich Cowboys?
JR: First, it is important to understand that I am self-employed, So, technically my position as Head Coach with the Munich Cowboys is a consulting relationship. When we agreed to work together last year, we were thinking about a 3 year plan. Every year I am contacted by a few teams in Europe about Head Coach positions, and, other possible consulting or clinic situations. I am providing a service in consulting and coaching, and any team and person can hire me for that service. That is the freedom of being self employed.
In 2008, I will do some clinics or consulting projects with other teams, about coaching strategy, or team development. This would be on weekends before or after the Cowboys season, or maybe during the July break. This is not in conflict with my position with the Cowboys. We agreed on a cooperation like that. Sometimes, if there is talk about my consulting with a team in another country, or a team in Germany, this can be misunderstood, or misinterpreted, or mistranslated as a Head Coach job situation.
On the personal side, I like Germany, and especially the city of Munich, and the people in the Cowboys family. I believe that there is a great future for the Cowboys organization and why not be were you like to be and do the job that you love to do. For me, it is not always about the money. That’s why I’m here. For me, if it was about the money, I would be coaching in the USA.
As a Head Coach in Europe, I would like to lead the Cowboys into the German Bowl.
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weiter …
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PERSPECTIVE : Then and Now |
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Geschrieben von John Rosenberg
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Sonntag, 9. September 2007 |
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One year go at this same time in September, I came to Munich to help the Cowboys in Relegation.
2006 was a very bad year for the Cowboys: 1 tie, 1 win, and 10 losses, last place in the GFL1 South, and preparing to play Weinheim in Relegation. There was no Head Coach, and under 30 players. For the second relegation game, there were only 3 lineman. Back-up QB Alex Scholz (now a starting DB) put on a 70-number jersey and played Center because he could shotgun snap. Injured players dressed for Pass Check, so there would be the minimum number of 25 players. The Cowboys lost the two Relegation games, and dropped down to League 2. It was bad -- and it was sad.
But the courage and determination of that "Band of Cowboys" planted seeds that today have grown into a new Cowboys. New President Werner Maier and a dedicated group of Club members have worked very hard to build the new organization. Many new players from the Munich area, who believed in the Cowboys tradition and future, joined the team. Now, one year later, the 2007 team has 1 tie, and 0 losses, and 12 wins, and plays the Franken Knights today for the Championship of the 2nd League, and the opportunity to play in the Relegation series and move back to the GFL 1.
The Knights have had a great season also, same record as the Cowboys, and the 2 teams tied in their first game in June. The success of the Knights is the result of a 3 year plan, and the Franken management, coaches, and players should be congratulated for their achievement. Franken is an excellent example for all Clubs to follow in building a program. While the Knights are led by outstanding American imports at QB (Chris Warrick) and WR (Brian Gallick), they have built their team around a solid foundation of local German players.
Whatever happens today, both teams should be proud of their 2007 season. One of the lessons and values of sport comes from the journey to success, no matter whether the final destination is reached.
For the Cowboys, a win today would put the 'frosting on the cake' of an unexpected and unbeatable season. But whatever the result today, the Cowboys can look back on the past 12 months with special feelings: remembering how it felt in September 2006, and now, in September 2007, how it feels today. The 2007 season has been a special experience of tradition, competition, and comradery. On this day, no matter what the final score, we can all say that we are proud to be Cowboys.
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Last Weeks Win and Todays Challenge |
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Geschrieben von John Rosenberg
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Sonntag, 26. August 2007 |
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Last weeks game vs 3rd place Plattling was the strongest team effort by the Cowboys this season.
The Cowboys defense dominated a high scoring Plattling offense, holding their star QB and Wide Receiver to their lowest stats of the season. This effort included 3 interceptions and 2 sacks. After the first series of 6 plays, Plattling had no more than 3 plays in each of their next 6 possessions. They were 0 - 5 converting 3rd and 4th downs.
On offense, the Cowboys had 425 yards of total offense. Nine backs ( 3 Tailbacks, 3 Fullbacks, and 3 Quarterbacks) rushed for 288 yards. Domenic Kandolo averaged 12 yards per carry. Travis Harvey was 6 - 10 passing and Gary Lautenschlager was sharp, completing 4 - 5 passes, and running for 1 TD. The Cowboys converted 70% of their 3rd (and one 4th) down opportunities. No fumbles, no interceptions.
While the players and coaches are proud of last weeks effort, this weeks game will be a new and different challenge. Konigsbrunn is a better team than most people understand. In the first game earlier in the season, the Cowboys only won by a score of 14 - 9. The Ants defense did the best job of any team this season of slowing down the Cowboys offense. On offense, they have an option Quarterback, George Henley, who is a playmaker who can score at any time. He has been limited in recent weeks because of injury, but with no game last week, he will be 100% healthy today against the Cowboys. The Ants coaching staff, led by Head Coach Kevin Herron, a former Cowboy assistant coach, does a great job of preparing special strategies for each opponent. Two weeks ago, with QB Henley playing about half of the game, the Ants beat the Kirchdorf Wildcats 14 - 13 in a very close and exciting game.
These Ants can be dangerous. The Cowboys must stay focused and play at a high level to
win this game.
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Geschrieben von John Rosenberg
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Sonntag, 19. August 2007 |
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September 9, 2007 … THE game. 21 days from today. The Cowboys family, and everyone who follows 2nd League South, look forward to that game. The "showdown" between the Cowboys and the Franken Knights. Two undefeated teams. The winner will play in the Relegation series and have a possibility to move up to the GFL 1st League. The game will be played at home, here in Dante Stadium, the last game of the regular season. The drama is greater because the two teams tied 28 - 28 in their first play of the season in June. It is 21 days until the Knights.
Stop !
Maybe the Plattling Black Hawks, visitors to Dante today, have a different scenario in mind. On this day, their goal is to beat the Cowboys and end our undefeated season. It is super important that the Cowboys stay focused on the game on this day. The Black Hawks are the 3rd place team in the League, behind the Cowboys and the Knights. Three weeks ago they lost to Franken 28 - 31, in a game they were leading until the 4th quarter. In May, the Cowboys beat the Black Hawks in Plattling in a close game, 31 - 20. The Black Hawks have an outstanding group of imports and a 'big play' passing attack. Quarterback Nathan Thompson (#17) is the leading passer in the League. Wide Receiver and Returner Andrew Blakley (#2) is the leading scorer and the most dangerous playmaker in the League. Mike diBattista (#4), who played for me when I was Head Coach of the Bergamo Lions in 2005, plays both ways as a Corner and Wide Receiver, and is a former Canadian Football League player. Plattling is the second leading scoring team in the 2nd League (south and north).
One of my philosophies in coaching I learned from Jim Mora Sr, a long time NFL Head Coach. It is : "one game at a time, one play at a time " . When you are playing the game, there is nothing you can do about the future, you can only do your best on the play that is taking place in this moment. On this day, August 19, there are no Knights. The day of the Knights will come. This day is the day for the Plattling Black Hawks.
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English Version 
