10 D-FW leaders you can count on

[cheaptrick77]

This list is dominated by players from the World's two greatest sports ... love it, LOVE IT! :D

 

 

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dw...or.2dbe221.html

 

 

(by Jean-Jacques Taylor | Dallas Morning News)

 

 

You simply can't ignore the irony. It's too delicious.

 

The Cowboys, a team with eight captains, just completed the most disappointing season in franchise history because they're devoid of leadership.

 

Can you say pathetic?

 

Actually, the Cowboys' demise led me to ponder the importance of leadership, and rank the 10 best leaders among our pro teams.

 

It's a difficult question because leadership has so many definitions.

 

A leader doesn't have to be one of the team's best players. He doesn't even have to start.

 

Players can lead with work ethic or performance. Either way, they must inspire their teammates and make the team better.

 

See, T.O. is the Cowboys' most charismatic leader, but he's considerably more concerned with his own statistics and production than the team's success. And his powerful personality has affected the ability of Tony Romo and Jason Witten to lead.

 

That's one of the reasons Jerry Jones is deciding whether the Cowboys are better with or without the petulant receiver.

 

Leadership doesn't require pre-game speeches or postgame soliloquies, but it does require accountability. Leaders don't hide when the team loses, and they willingly accept blame.

 

"You can't win without it," Stars coach Dave Tippett said of leadership. "If you don't have leadership, you don't have direction. You can't win in a team sport when everyone is going in their own direction."

 

Every season has an ebb and flow to it.

 

Teams with strong leadership can endure the difficult times like the Stars did during the Sean Avery saga. Now, the Stars are in the midst of the playoff race.

 

It's why the Mavericks overcame a dreadful start and find themselves 10 games over .500 at the All-Star break.

 

A lack of leadership is why the Cowboys fell apart in December, culminating with an embarrassing 44-6 loss to Philadelphia in the final game.

 

"Each team has to stay a certain course – win or lose," Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said. "If it's not having immediate success, then leadership can keep people focused on what's important."

 

 

TOP 10 LEADERS

 

10. Marlon Byrd, Rangers outfielder

Byrd, the epitome of role player with a leadership role, was the same positive guy in the clubhouse – the consummate professional – whether he was hitting .228 in the season's first two months or .338 after the All-Star break.

 

 

9. Keith Davis, Cowboys safety

The toughest player pound for pound on the Cowboys can't be intimidated and always believes he's the biggest, baddest dude on the field – even though we all know he's not.

 

If his teammates matched his intensity, the Cowboys would've won a playoff game last season.

 

 

8. Jason Kidd, Mavericks point guard

At 35, he can't impose his will on the game every night as he could five years ago. But there's a reason the Olympic basketball team wanted a veteran point guard with a disdain for shooting on its roster.

 

"You have to be accountable when you're taking the path of trying to lead a group," Kidd said.

 

 

7. Mike Modano, Stars center

The 38-year-old former captain, the team's most-skilled two-way player, has accepted his role as third-line center and remained one of the Stars' most efficient players.

 

Modano's consistent commitment to playing defense serves as a constant example to the club's younger forwards like Loui Eriksson and James Neal, while reinforcing the style of play Bob Gainey established.

 

 

6. Ian Kinsler, Rangers second baseman

Now that he's an All-Star and recognized as one of the game's best players, Kinsler's leadership role will only increase in the next few years.

 

He played an important role this off-season in helping Michael Young decide to rescind his trade request after the Rangers told him he'd be moving from shortstop to third base.

 

 

5. Jason Terry, Mavericks shooting guard

Terry, who has an infectious, upbeat personality, has emerged as a leader because he's fearless.

 

He's not afraid to win a game. Or lose it.

 

 

4. Marty Turco, Stars goalie

When the Stars played poorly in the season's first two months, Turco accepted responsibility.

 

These days, he's playing his best hockey as are the Stars.

 

"I want to be the best, and I want to be the best for this group," Turco said. "And for this group to be the best it can be, then I have to be as good as I can be."

 

 

3. Dirk Nowitzki, Mavs forward

Nowitzki, the most under-appreciated perennial All-Star in the NBA, leads with his work ethic and his devotion to the franchise.

 

While he didn't like the direction Avery Johnson was leading the team last year, Nowitzki refused to publicly lambaste the coach because he knew it would've ripped the team apart.

 

Sometimes, being a leader means putting the team ahead of yourself.

 

 

2. Michael Young, Rangers third baseman

Day after day, year after year, Michael Young seemingly never comes out of the lineup.

 

Young has played at least 155 games each of the last seven seasons.

 

"Josh Hamilton was battling some scrapes and nicks last year, and he could've used some time off," said Rangers general manager Jon Daniels, "but he saw Michael in the lineup every day, and he worked through it."

 

 

1. Brenden Morrow, Stars winger

It doesn't matter that Morrow played only 18 games before a torn ACL ended his season, he's the epitome of what a captain should be regardless of the sport.

 

He plays with passion. He's not afraid to criticize the team's effort or his own performance.

 

He plays well in the most important games, and he has the ability to impose his will on a game or a series as he did against San Jose in the playoffs last season.

 

"When we're on the bench watching him play," said Stars defenseman Stephane Robidas, "all we can say is, 'Wow.' "

 

[Guest imyahuckleberry]

JJT hit the nail on the head. Great read.