To be or not to be. . . .

This season hinges on two players. The level of their success will make or break this team. I'm talking about Tony Romo and Julius Jones.

Fortunately, both players are in the last year of their contract. This, in itself raises the level of most players. If the player performs well, he's worth more next year. If he doesn't, he's worth less. Amazing how that all works out, isn't it?

So Tony Romo goes into this season as the starting quarterback. He has wanted his chance and this is it. If the offensive line is as improved as we're all hoping, Romo should have a good season. He'll look like the 1st 5 game Tony Romo we saw last season. . . mobile, quick decision making, accurate and unrattled. If that offensive line doesn't keep the dogs off, we'll see the last 5 game Tony Romo . . . . reticent, hurried, unsure of himself. He was crowned the 2nd coming of Brett Favre in his first few games. In his last few, he looked more like Quincy Carter running for his life. Even if the offensive line gets their job done, it's still up to Romo.

Romo became the starter last season and promptly proceeded to light it up. Within 5 weeks, he had enough people convinced he could do no wrong that he was voted into the Pro Bowl. Romo fever was rampant, with only a few of us saying it was much too early to declare him a hall of famer. Then the Cowboys imploded. From being the number 2 seed going into December, they dropped to the point they barely made it into the playoffs. Tony Romo's only playoff start ended as a disaster as the Cowboys dropped their wildcard game on a fluke play.

Julius Jones has to sustain a level he hasn't shown he can maintain in the past. He has had his moments of glory, but unfortunately, they've been few and far between. Getting through last season by Parcells keeping him on the bench a lot in the final games doesn't leave me with high expectations of him getting through the coming season. One year of playing all 16 games does not prove a running back is durable. But Jones said Parcells had him hampered and feeling like a robot. He won't have Parcells to point fingers at this season, so if he has a bad season, it's going to be all on Julius Jones. If he has a good season, he can say I told you so.

There has been talk of trading Jones. There has been talk of the Cowboys letting his contract run out and using one of their 1st round picks in the next draft to pick up a highly rated running back. I think there's enough history on Julius Jones now to be very nervous going into this season. Durability is still a question. Production is still a question. Even if he has an excellent season, how much money do you want to throw at a guy that waits until a contract year before showing he's a serious contender? Personally, I think the handwriting is on the wall and the Cowboys will be making a change at running back next spring, if not sooner. Others feel Jones can be one of the elite runners in the league. There would have to be a fundamental change in production for him to be what I considered "elite".

So, here we are. Going into the season with two guys that frankly make me nervous. We still don't know if Romo is the quarterback of the future for the Cowboys or if he's going to just become the latest failed experiment at the position. We don't know if Jones is right and all of his past woes have been because of Parcells or if Jones himself might have been a contributing factor. We don't know if Jones will make it through the season unless he's allowed to warm the bench at the end of the season. Emmitt Smith played at Giant's stadium, in freezing weather with a dislocated shoulder. Bill Parcells felt Jones had to be kept out of the games to keep him from getting injured toward the end of last season. You couldn't keep Smith out of the game. With Jones, you couldn't keep him in. We're accustomed to more at running back for the Cowboys.

If Romo and Jones can perform at a high level, the offense should be in the top 5. If either of them perform poorly, the entire season becomes in jeopardy.

Of course, we do have training camp and preseason. Although I'm not expecting the next Joe Montana to show up to try out for quarterback, I wouldn't be surprised to see a young running back with just enough talent to raise some eyebrows show up and compete for a starting position. No, I don't think the next Walter Peyton is on the squad. Yes, I do think Jones should be watching his back.

Let's hope Jones and Romo stay healthy and improve their game skills and that the rest of the offense does their job. It has been so long since we've had a truly elite offense. I know the old axium that defenses win championships. I've always felt that teams with the most points win championships. Go figure.

Rod

http://macsheadroom.blogspot.com/

Time to show my unmentionables. . . .

One and a half months until training camp. Players and coaches are getting in whatever R&R time they can manage because Two-A-Days are on the way. Maybe Three-A-Days. In Texas, in July and August. The Cowboys have made some major changes during the offseason. This is not your Tuna's Cowboys anymore. He has been lounging on Jimmy Johnson's boat, away from the microphones, away from TO, away from Jerry Jones. Meanwhile Coach Phillips is beginning his attempt to do what everyone wants him to do. Win sixteen games, go to the playoffs and win straight through to the SuperBowl where he leads the Cowboys to their seventh Lombardi trophy.

Unmentionable #1. Getting to the SuperBowl in their first year as head coach for a team is almost impossible. Winning sixteen regular season games in a row in the same season hasn't happened yet, so color it almost impossible, too. Taking a team to the playoffs and winning even your first playoff game, when that team has totally choked during the month of December for 11 straight years is probably somewhere on that improbable list, too. To expect Coach Phillips to get this team to the SuperBowl his first year in Dallas is unreasonable. Unless he figures out this December Meltdown problem, he'll be lucky to get to a wildcard game.

Unmentionable #2. Terrell Owens is quiet. Almost too quiet. I know we've all be harping on him to shut his mouth, me amongst the hardiest doing so. But at least when TO's mouth is moving, you know what's on his mind. I'm going to be optimistic and hope he's just maturing some and his famous Second Year With The Team troubles aren't about to start.

Unmentionable #3. Tony Romo should have gotten a confidence boost when Jerry Jones passed on the #8 guy in the draft by many team's standards and basically said to the world that he thinks Tony Romo has what it takes to lead the Cowboys. But with eleven games behind him, and five of them bring losses where the Cowboys were outscored 162-96, almost a two to one average. He played well in the one playoff game, at quarterback, at least. We won't mention the end of the game since that won't be a factor this year. The thing that will be a factor is have other teams seen enough film of Romo to have his number? December's games seem to indicate they have. The front line should be better this year. He should have more time. We'll see. What if he does poorly in his first few games and the negotiations for his new contract break down? What if he settles for a much lower figure than he thinks he's worth after reading six months of hype? What if resentment from that causes his production to drop?

Unmentionable #4. Jason Garrett is changing everything from a ball control type offense to the timing based offense of the early 90's. If Garrett has what it takes to teach this, and the players have what it takes to learn it, production should go up and that translates into more wins. After 11 straight years of December Meltdowns, they need all the wins they can get before and up until Thanksgiving. Everyone is talking about the more wide open offense. The ball going deeper, but not neglecting the running game. It sounds great on paper.

Unmentionable #5. Julius Jones is in the last year of his contract. If he's wanting to remain with the Cowboys, he's going to have to turn that burner wayyyyyyy up. Everyone's excited about having bigger guys on the offensive line. Hell, Julius Jones couldn't get around the smaller guys he had last year. Why do we expect he's going to get around these new guys who are larger? Why do we expect he's not going to run right into their huge backs when he was running into the backs of the smaller guys on his team last year? If Jones was being held back and turned into a robot last year by Parcells, he should set the woods on fire this year with this more dynamic offense. The new offense is the one Emmett Smith flourished in, surely Jones can pick it up enough to convince us he's not a robot and deserves to stay. And the bad part about this deal is if Jones is injured, there's not a whole lot of experience back there on 2nd string and beyond. MBIII is back there, but the concensus of opinions seems to be that he's not an every down back. If Jones goes down, how's Garrett going to handle his new offense? Hopefully we won't have to find out.

Unmentionable #6. What if Roy Williams really has lost a step. Or two. What if this great pass rush we're all expecting doesn't happen? What if they play 12 games and do fairly well, and choke during December for the 12th consecutive year? What if Greg Ellis' achilles tendon injury ends his career? Sure, Spencer's here. But he's a rookie. How many rookies come in and do the job of an experienced veteran at a level it takes to get to the SuperBowl? Yes it happens. No, not often.

Unmentionable #7. What if Jerry Jones gets back in meddling mode? What if he's standing on the sidelines breathing down Coach Phillips' neck? We know Jason Garrett will be intimidated by Jones, so Jones' meanderings on the sidelines might get him more nervous than a cat on a hot tin roof. Phillips is in his layed back mode, but how long will he maintain it with "the man" wandering around closeby?

Unmentionable #8. What if all readers of this simply take it for what it is, a bunch of questions or statements of possibilities, and don't accuse me of being negative, a "half empty glass" kinda guy, or not a real fan. Of all the ones on here, this is the least likely.

Unmentionable #9. What if I get to eat these words next February when the Cowboys are polishing their new Lombardi trophy? As Bill Parcells said once, "wouldn't that be something?"

Rod

The Silence Ends

OK, I've been quiet while the post season trades were going on, but now that we see the schedule for the next season, I felt like I should end my silence. Here's my opinion of how the season will go. These aren't predictions, as it were. These are just my opinions and expectations, based on the knowledge I have at this moment regarding the Cowboys and upcoming opponents. Your mileage may vary.


Sept. 9, NY Giants - 7:15 p.m. (KXAS/5)

This one could go either way. I would say Dallas has the advantage because of home field but between these two teams, that hasn't historically been true. The Cowboys haven't come out swinging in several years either. But I'll pick this one for Dallas.

Sept. 16 at Miami - 3:05 p.m. (KDFW/4

Weather should be beautiful, Cowboys should feel good after beating the Giants. I give this one to the Cowboys, too.

Sept. 23, at Chicago - 7:15 p.m. (KXAS/5)

Chicago will improve their offense during the offseason. Cowboys will still be finding their groove. Hometown crowd will help the Bears. Chicago wins this one.

Sept. 30, St. Louis - Noon (KDFW/4)

The Rams will still be looking for an identity. Cowboys wins this one at home.

Oct. 8, at Buffalo - 7:30 p.m. (ESPN).

It's a shame Bledsoe isn't still on the roster. He'd enjoy this one. It'll still be early enough that weather shouldn't be an issue. Cowboys should get this one.

Oct. 14, New England - 3:15 p.m. (KTVT/11)

By this point in the season, Romo should be in sync with his offense. But the Patriots will be ready and capable. Cowboys lose this one.

Oct. 21, Minnesota - Noon (KDFW/4)

The only thing that would make the Vikings' quarterback issues worse would be if they could coax Quincy Carter out of his forced retirement. Cowboys win this one.

Oct. 28, bye week

Nov. 4, at Philadelphia - 7:15 p.m. (KXAS/5)

This is the 8th game of the season. Philadelphia will be tough. Owens wanted to put on a show for us last year in Philly. Philly packed his lunch for him and sent him home with no cookies. Philly wins this one.

Middle of the season, Cowboys are 5-3

Nov. 11, at NY Giants - 3:15 p.m. (KDFW/4)

The Cowboys, reeling after the Philly loss will go to New York and right the ship. Cowboys win this one.

Nov. 18, Washington - Noon (KDFW/4)

It's still November. The Cowboys should win this one.

Nov. 22, NY Jets - 3:15 p.m. (KTVT/11)

Thanksgiving Day, at home, Cowboys should be sitting at 7-3 going into this game. It'll be a war, but Cowboys will prevail.

Nov. 29, Green Bay - 7:15 p.m. (NFLN)

Thank God it's not in Green Bay at the end of November. Cowboys should win this one.


As the Cowboys head into December, they sit at 9-3. Now for the December Meltdown.


Dec. 9, at Detroit - Noon (KDFW/4)

If this was the last game of the season, I'd say Detroit wins. But Dallas will win this one. 10-3

Dec. 16, Philadelphia - 3:15 p.m. (KDFW/4)

Philly comes to a Dallas team that's looking for revenge for the previous loss to the Eagles this season. Dallas won't get that revenge. Eagles win this one. 10-4

Dec. 22, at Carolina - 7:15 p.m. (NFLN) Carolina wins this one. They owe the Cowboys one from last year. 10-5

Dec. 30, at Washington - Noon (KDFW/4)

Oh crap! It is December this time! Cowboys need the win for playoff positioning. Washington is out of the "tournament". Redskins win this one.

Dallas ends the season 10-6.

Is this what I want? Nope. But it's what I expect. Now, if they shock me and get a handle on that December Meltdown thing after 12 seasons of it, things could be different.

I'd hold up ordering those SuperBowl champ Cowboys caps for this season, too. I think they'll make it into the playoffs, although at 10--6, they very well could be doing the wildcard thing again. If they make it into the playoffs, I won't venture at this point to dream of coming up with an expectation of how they'll do.

No, this isn't the SuperBowl year either. New coaches, new schemes, etc will affect the early games. The December Meltdown affects the latter games. There isn't enough in the middle to make up for it. They'll be a bit better than average, but the glory days haven't returned yet.

Rod

An open letter to Jerry Jones. . .

Mr. Jones, my silence ends. I've been purposely quiet awaiting the decision by Bill Parcells. He's made the decision now, so my slience ends.

There was no need in talking about which direction this team needed to take without knowing whether there was going to be a change at head coach or not. We now know there will be a change there, so some serious discussion can now begin. Anything prior to this would have just been pure speculation. And even now, not knowing who you will choose as the next head coach, most of this will be speculation, also. But we do have some facts we can discuss regarding players.

I do want to say I think the way Parcells announced his leaving was pretty ball-less. After controlling the press for four seasons at Valley Ranch, the least he could have done is face the crowd one last time. An email for an announcement was pretty weaslish, if you ask me. At least he had enough balls to call you 20 minutes ahead of time, Mr. Jones.

And I know, all these delusions of Parcells working as GM and all that for the Cowboys aren't going to happen. Parcells is headed back to the northeast. We might see him at one of the teams up that way at some point as an advisor, or GM, or whatever, but his days in the Texas heat are over.

Now, to discussions of things we do know.

I've seen several statements regarding Tony Romo. Many are convinced that he's the quarterback of the future. No doubt, he did play well in several games. But here are some stats I'm sure you've looked at that tell a somewhat different story. These are games Tony Romo started against playoff contenders and his quarterback rating in those games.

Colts 89.5
Giants 58.1
Saints 58.8
Eagles 45.5
Seahawks 89.6

Average 68.3

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playe...le?statsId=6624

Of course, you know that the Cowboys lost three of those games. Against playoff contenders, Tony Romo did not play well. Yes, I know he finished the season with a 95.1, but he also finished the season on a downward spiral. His rating for his first five full games was 112.2. His rating for his last five games of the regular season was 77.6. I wouldn't be counting my chickens before the eggs hatch on this one, folks. I have high hopes for Romo, but there is no way I could say I'm convinced he's the quarterback of the future. At best, I'm presuming him to be the starter going into training camp at this point. And the next head coach could change that immediately. Unless you're more convinced than I think you are, Mr. Jones.

Mr, Jones, the concensus of opinion I hear is that Drew Bledsoe will be hanging up his helmet which means there's going to be at least one quarterback hired. I'm for grabbing a good QB in the draft and getting him plenty of time in practice and post season. Maybe a veteran QB also to act as immediate backup for Romo, or to compete for the starting position if Romo can't get his head together after the way this past season ended. For the record, I was never real comfortable playing over half the season with only two QBs on the active roster.

You, Mr. Jones, are now the center of attention. Everything else comes in a distant second. You're going to decide on who gets the honor of being the man to come in and try to clean up the mess that Bill Parcells has left. No, I don't think there's a big player mess, but there's definitely a coaching mess. The chances are extremely high of it happening, but if I had my choice, I'd like to see Jimmy Johnson as head coach, Dave Wanstadt as defensive coordinator and Norv Turner as offensive coordinator. Throw Avezzano into the mix there, too. We need a good special teams coach and he is that. Others can call all this living in the past if they want to, but these are guys that have a proven track record and have worked together successfully for you in the past. I see no reason why they couldn't do it again. This is highly improbable, but is not beyond the realm of reason. If you, Mr. Jones, are indeed serious about seeing the Cowboys return to the top of the NFL, you have the money to get it done and I sincerely believe this is the easiest way to get there. I don't think the Cowboys will be in the Superbowl in 2008, but I believe they can be there by the time the new stadium is open and the seats will be full. And last I heard, that is something that you want, Mr. Jones.

I believe there will be some personnel changes on the offensive line. There needs to be changes. They didn't get the job done in games that mattered. Whoever becomes your next head coach, and offensive coordinator, one of their first decisions y'all have to make is what to do about Terrell Owens. In my opinion, you send him packing. This morning's newspaper articles have us listening to him saying how glad he is that Parcells is gone, and how much better the Cowboys would have been had he (TO) been the focus of the offense. It's always all about TO. It's never TO's fault. I think anyone that perfect should be shared and not selfishly kept by the Cowboys. You should let him go to another team so they can share in that perfection and you can show your true benevolence to the league. No, I will not bring up dropped passes or distractions in this letter. Period.

Resign Terry Glenn and Crayton, Mr. Jones. Pick up another good wide receiver in free agency or a 2nd rounder in the draft. some of the younger guys like Hurd, etc. will begin to step up this coming season to fill in the other gaps.

At running back, there needs to be a change. Julius Jones has had enough time to prove whether he's going to be "the man" and it's clear to me that he isn't. Marion Barber isn't an "every down" back but is definitely the red-zone guy. I think Jones needs to be shopped around and a running back needs to be drafted. Someone with some heart and the ability to get past the first defensive guy on most runs. You know the kind I'm talking about, Mr. Jones. You've got his name on the ring of honor at your stadium.

I think there will be some changes with the defense. Not nearly as much as on offense. I think coaching and play calling improvement will do more for the defense than just player changes. Putting the right guys in the right place at the right time will improve this defense without any player changes at all. I do think that if you can make an improvement at a position without it giving away the farm, then changing players would be in order, but I think good coaching of the present personnel will improve this defense considerably. As far as the 4-3 vs 3-4 controversy, I think good coaching and good execution will make either scheme work.

The Cowboys have a fairly good special teams group right now. Getting Avezzano back would improve it immediately. Avezzano had the uncanny ability to find guys that could be had for very little money that could get the job done as kicker. He definitely knew how to get the most out of kickers and did it repeatedly. I have no problem with keeping Gramatica as kicker. I wouldn't be opposed to seeing a younger guy as kicker either, but Gramatica was at least predictable in a good way. Obviously the punting game is in good shape with McBriar at the helm. Miles Austin did a good job for the most part.

Regardless of all of the above, one thing that has to be gotten under control is this December meltdown thing that has just completed its 11th consecutive year. Mr. Jones, eleven years in a row of a losing record in your final 5 games of the season is enough. If it's conditioning, get it done. If it's coaching, get it done. If it's a mental thing, get a handle on it and get it done. Enough is enough. You are professionals and right now, for the month of December, you are a bunch of professional losers. Fix it. This next season. Get it done.

The retirement of Bill Parcells has probably moved any chance, if there was even one to begin with, of the Cowboys going to the Superbowl to 2009 at the earliest. This next season is going to be a rebuilding year with new coaches, etc. Getting the coaching staff I've mentioned above would cut down on some of that, but even with that experienced group, I don't see them coming in, not knowing the personnel and having to make some changes at some positions, and getting there in 2008. At the earliest, it would be 2009. More likely is 2010. The new stadium is anticipated to be open for play in 2009, just in time for the Cowboys to make their Superbowl run.

Mr. Jones, you are the one who will ultimately benefit or lose from his decision. The Cowboys are in their longest period of playoff win drought in franchise history. You can build a mansion around an outhouse and it's still an outhouse. Building that beautiful stadium to house a franchise that loses to the Detroit Lions, a 1-14 team, won't be enough to keep folks spending their hard earned money there. It's all about the almighty dollar. You give us a winning franchise, Mr. Jones, and we give you our money. Give us losers or teams that choke every December and you leave a bad taste in our mouth and we don't give you our money. You are the one that has to choose which one tastes worse to you, a little crow when you go to Jimmy Johnson to hire him back, or the crow when you look at your financial report at the end of the year after another losing season.

We've waited for eleven seasons for you to fix this team. How much longer do you expect us to wait? How much longer can you expect us to say "America's Team" without snickering? Which is worse, Mr. Jones, admitting you were wrong when you fired Jimmy Johnson, or watching your franchise fall further into mediocrity, with the ensuing drop in revenue? How much longer do you think you can ride on those Superbowl championships from the 90's?

This time, the change is not your choice, Mr. Jones. For the first time in history, a head coach for the Dallas Cowboys has left without you firing him, Mr. Jones. I don't know how that affects your ego and frankly don't care. What I do care about is seeing you do what's right for this team. I think hiring anyone that has shown he couldn't get the job done for other franchises as head coach isn't the answer. This leaves out Mariucci, Phillips, and some others. I think hiring anyone that has never coached in the NFL isn't the answer. This leaves out all the college coaches. I think any coach you consider has to have shown he can get a team to the Superbowl or at least been an assistant head coach or coordinator on one of those teams. This narrows the list considerably. Now we're down to Jimmy Johnson, Lovie Smith, Bill Cowher, Jeff Fisher, possibly a few others. Fisher and Smith are probably impossible to sign. Cowher is doubtful.

Eat the crow, Mr. Jones. Pay the money and eat the crow. We'll all be happier for it. Including you.

On behalf of Cowboy fans everywhere, thank you, in advance.

I've Had It!

Enough is enough! We can now look to a chance it'll be an even dozen next season. The Cowboys have not had a winning record in their last 5 games in any season since 1995. That's an 11 year span, folks. There's a problem, obviously. But there's been four different head coaches over that period of time. Obviously players have come and gone during that time. Just at quarterback, we're talking seven starters, and that doesn't count Hensen. Some years, we blamed the offense. Other years we blamed the defense. Still in other years, we blamed the lack of a good kicking game. Quarterback has been a point of contention. So has running back. And offensive line. And defensive secondary. And pass rush. I think the only one I haven't seen blamed is the towel boy.

Hell, yesterday, someone was blaming yesterday's game on the referees. The Cowboys gave up 39 points to the 2nd (after this game) worst team in the NFL and this person was blaming it on the referees. I agree. The refs should have demanded that Parcells just throw in the towel so everyone could just go home. How dare those referees for not being more forceful.

This December thing this year just killed the season. They won 2 and dropped 3 of them. Two out of the 3 they dropped were critical playoff position games. The Cowboys gave up the NFC East and the 3rd seed in the playoffs in one game. They gave up a potential 2nd seed in another. It was theirs to claim in both instances.

Coming into December, the team was on an upward ride headed towards the playoffs. They finished in a death spiral, still headed for one playoff game, but it's doubtful you could find anyone that would take even odds that the Cowboys will win that first playoff game.

So, with all this finger pointing in so many directions, with so many possibilities, what is the problem? And what is it going to take to fix it? I've given this thing some thought over the past few weeks and I can find justification to blame almost all facets of the team this year for their failure to achieve what most of us believe was high potential. Much higher than what they did achieve, anyway. But you can find justification in previous years also, but it wasn't the same players/coaches/etc. in those previous years. So fixing one player this offseason, or 5 or 6 players might not do it. In fact, they've patched several areas on the team in different years. But for 11 straight seasons, we're right back where we started. Losing in December.

Is this a conditioning issue? If so, why are we 11 seasons into it, with four different coaching staffs, and still don't have it corrected. Is there something else? Something we're not seeing? The only constant in this equation, that I'm aware of, is Jerry Jones. And I can't imagine what Jerry could be doing to affect player performance that wouldn't have gotten leaked to the press by now. So I'm not going with the Jerry theory. I truly thinks he wants a winning team more than anyone else. And I think he has, for the most part, done what he believed each year would make it a better team. I think he's going to be doing some of that doing shortly, too. After this season, heads are going to roll. And it might start with the head coach. But that's another article.

Regardless of who is coaching next season, they need to start dealing with this December thing. You're looking at a minimum of 25% of your regular season. No coach would head into the season spotting his opponents 4 games. Historically, that's what the Cowboys have been doing. They've been laying down in December and the record shows it. And the lack of playoff contention shows it.

If this is still America's Team, and much argument could be had that it isn't, the December thing must be corrected. This is an embarassment. Remember that feeling from yesterday when you realized the Lions were going to beat the Cowboys? That's what I'm talking about, but it's an 11 continuous year old feeling. I mentioned several times that the Cowboys have not had a good December in years. I, myself, didn't realize how long or how bad it had been. If you're looking for consistency in the Cowboys, there's a place to look. The Cowboys have consistently sucked in December since 1995.

Do I have the solution for this? I can tell you flat out I don't. I can't even identify the problem. But it's the same problem, year after year after year. Without identifying the specific problem, I don't know how one could go about fixing it. But someone needs to get a handle on this. This sucks the life out of the team and is just hell on fans. I know not everyone is the fan I am, coming back every year only to be letdown at the end of the season. But lining up for another dose of it again the next year. That's me. I'll be back there next year, with hope and aspirations that it'll be better. Based on history, it won't be. Unless it's corrected.

To those that might possibly read this that can actually effect a change in the Cowboys organization, be aware that not every fan is going to be like me. Not every one of them is going to return to the trough every year for more of the putrid feed you've been serving us for the past 11 years. Some of those fans are going to find other teams to root for, or another sport. Those fans won't spend money on your merchandise and tickets. And that will make your cash register smaller. And that will mean you have less money to spend in places you really need to spend money. The formula is really quite simple.

Win Games = More Money, Lose Games = Less Money

So why are we in an 11th year where we basically give the rest of the league a month of games? And when is it going to get fixed? Is 11 years long enough for this to happen? 12? Or are we looking at a 20 year hiatus for the Cowboys in December? Can I hang in there as a fan for 20 straight years of losing Decembers? I don't know. I do know I'm over halfway there now.

This is nuts. Get it fixed. I don't care who's coaching the team. I'm not in love with Parcells, Gailey, Campo, Switzer, Landry or Jimmy Johnson. I don't care if you hire the whole Philadelphia Eagle team and coaching staff, stick them into Cowboys uniforms and start winning games. Just get it done. 11 years of this crap is enough. I bit the cheese this year, got my hopes up, knowing full well that December was coming. And sure enough, what happens? We get scrambled like an egg at IHOP.

I'll be back here next season, hopeful and exhuberant that will be the season it all comes together. I will be supportive, but realistic. When you do well, I'll say so, when you suck, I'll say so. But as December approaches, I will get apprehensive. And if you drop 3 out of your last 5 games next year, you won't catch me by surprise like I've let you do for 11 straight years.

Now, if you want to blindside me, go 5-0 next December. I'll probably pass out from the shock of it.