Woodson: “I Honestly Think It's About Fear”

Most everyone in Dallas with even a passing interest in football has joined the debate of how the Dallas Cowboys can turn around the comedy of errors that is the 2010 season thus far, and now, Cowboys greats are getting involved.

The latest to weigh in is former safety Darren Woodson, who appeared recently on 103.3 ESPN Radio, and like many (everyone), he sees the need for a drastic change around Valley Ranch. Woodson said that whether newly installed head coach Jason Garrett can redeem the season to any degree remains to be seen, but that--in order for the Cowboys to be successful--the element of fear has to return to the locker room.

I honestly think that it's about fear,” Woodson said, via the Dallas Morning News. “I really do. I think there is no fear factor around Valley Ranch right now and guys are going to go out there right now and had been going out there this entire season and they haven't been held accountable for anything they do.”

Woodson cited his playing days in his argument, saying that the idea of being lambasted by a head coach, an assistant or even a teammate was a great motivating factor. We won’t presume to say that this element was completely absent under Wade Phillips; but Woodson believes this sense of accountability--or, more accurately, the lack thereof--is a chief factor in what’s wrong with the Dallas Cowboys.

“You weren't playing up to your capabilities; that's what made me feel like, hey listen, I'm going to go out there and play as hard as I can because I don't want to go in there on Monday and not only have to look at my coach's staff but guys like Deion Sanders, Larry Brown and Kevin Smith and say, "Hey man, I wasn't holding up my end of the bargain," and I think that's what's not happening over there right now,” Woodson said. “They could care less; there is no one who is going to jump in your face right now after you have a bad game.”

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