It's 7:12 AM right now here in northeast Texas. The sun is coming up and beginning to shed the cold light of dawn on things. The dark shadows are disappearing, so places to hide are becoming fewer and fewer. Yesterday morning, some could have an expectation of greatness this season for the Cowboys. Today, it's cold and ugly and bright and painful.
For those that have ranted about us going to the NFC Championship game this year, my deepest sympathies. For those that ranted about Romo coming in and immediately being the 2nd coming of Staubach, my deepest sympathies. For those who have ranted about how big and bad the Cowboys defense is, my deepest sympathies. For those that have ranted about the much improved offensive line, my deepest sympathies. For those that have ranted about how great our receivers are going to be this year, my deepest sympathies. For those that believe the Cowboys are going to do well in the next three games, on the road no less, against teams that are playing well, my deepest sympathies.
Alas, the sun is up, the shadows are gone and the emperor has no clothes. If you see him wearing his royal regalia, you are delusional and in need of some form of treatment so you can function in a real world from day to day. Here's a few clues to what i'm saying:
1. The Cowboys offensive line simply doesn't get the job done.
2. The Cowboys offense cannot score consistently against a team with a winning record.
3. The Cowboys offense cannot keep possession of the ball against a team with a winning record.
4. Drew Bledsoe is going to either stand there like the Statue of Liberty or panic and throw an interception reminescent of Quincy Carter, when he's against a team with a winning record.
5. Tony Romo is a newbie. Practicing doesn't mean diddly squat when you get to where the rubber meets the road. He did the same stupid things most all rookie QB's do, including Aikman. Will he be the next Aikman? Perhaps. But there is no doubt that right now he most definitely is not. In case you didn't notice, he threw more interceptions than Drew did.
6. For all of TO's hype, he isn't delivering consistently. Forget the side shows that accompany him. I'm talking about in the game, with the ball in the air, on passes that could be caught and he's not getting them. He does catch a few, enough to get us fired up momentarily. Then he drops the big ones.
7. The Cowboys are now 3-3, facing 3 consecutive road games. The Cowboys don't win road games consistently. They will NOT win all three. Based on this year's performances, and regardless of which QB starts, we'll be glad to suck one win out of those games. That'll put us at 4-5. Out of the last seven games, five of those teams at this point look like they'll beat the Cowboys, based on performances this season. The other two might accidentally be winnable. That puts us at 6-10 for the season. The only way you can make any other statement than what you just read is using the word "if" over and over and over.
8. The Cowboys are average. Coming into the season they were hyped to be one of the best and a contender. They are not a contender. They are average. Period. This isn't the year, folks.
9. It was particularly sad to see Troy Aikman at the game, Michael Irvin at the game and Emmett Smith via satellite. Reminders of what we expected in a game that was showing the opposite.
10. The Cowboys have potential. Everyone has potential. They don't give points for potential. It sucks.
I vote that we all get us a big ole glass of ice tea, start rallying a campaign to get a new QB in the draft. We should draft high enough to be able to get some talent that will help us in the future. Enough with this "driving the bus" crap. We need a gun slinger with swagger and an offensive line that can keep the dogs off long enough for him to function. Let Romo get some experience this year. He should be better as he goes on. If not, cut him, cut Bledsoe, pick up an experienced QB in the off season, but get the best QB we can get in the draft and start building a team around him. Don't throw him in immediately, but let there be no doubt he will be the man at some point. And get one that's capable of being the man. Bus drivers are cheaper, but they pay the Superintendent more. And he's worth more.
We're not going to the Superbowl as a contender this year. I doubt we'll go next year. We don't have an offense worthy of that title yet. Or a defense either. They won't change the rules so the only thing that counts is punting, so there won't be another trophy on the shelf for awhile. Turn your flashlights off, folks. The sun is shining. And it's ugly out there.
