I'm just mad as hell. . . .

And for a number of reasons which I'm going to elaborate on right now.

1. It makes me mad as hell that I'm embarassed about being a fan of a team that just tied their franchise record for season wins. They went 13-3 for the second time in the history of the team. Team records were set right and left last season. And what do we have to show for it? An entry in the record book and another one and done playoff record.

2. It makes me mad as hell that it's already training camp and for the first time in several seasons, we don't have fans on the Cowboys message boards touting how "this is the year" and "the Cowboys will win the Superbowl". It's deathly quiet out there. I see postings of articles written about Cowboys happenings, but those fans who are always ready to throw caution to the wind and declare this season's Cowboys as being the best team in the NFL are simply non-existant this year. Have the Cowboys gotten us to the point where we're sick of predicting great results only to see the same bad results year after year.

3. It makes me mad as hell to see someone say "America's Team" when if that were true, that simply means that when we get to where the rubber meets the road, America chokes and loses. If this is America's Team, it doesn't say much about America.

4. It makes me mad as hell that I can't get all fired up about the upcoming season when I know that none of it matters until we see whether they're going to choke, for the 13th year in a row, in December.

5. It makes me mad as hell that Jerry Jones managed during the offseason to accomplish most of the suggestions that I posted in my Cowboys blog (http://the-lightning-rod.blogspot.com/2008/01/ifs-and-december-and-lunacy.html) the morning after the Cowboys playoff loss in January including:

A. Draft a running back with one of the #1 picks

B. Julius Jones goes

C, Keep Barber, but as part of a "committee"

D. Re-sign Terrell Owens

E. Jacque Reeves and Roy Williams need to go (OK, he didn't get rid of Williams)

F. Crayton isn't good enough to be running his mouth (someone must have told him to shut up, he did)

G. Coach Phillips is and should remain the head coach.

H. Draft another good wide receiver. Or grab a good free agent. (OK, this one is still up for grabs)

Because Jerry Jones tended to most of these items, I'm now in the position where if the Cowboys have another one of those disappointing seasons, I'll look like I'm just another idiot out here spouting my mouth off about something I know little to nothing about. Thanks, Jerry.

6. I'm mad as hell about all the clouds certain personnel are having to operate under. Coach Phillips seems to get reminded daily that either he wins a Superbowl or he's gone. Or he's reminded that his replacement is right there down the hall, ready to take over at any moment. Tough way to live, if you ask me. Roy Williams with the cloud over him that he can't defend the pass. Perhaps if he'd simply defend passes that cloud would vanish. I know it's a strange concept, but hey, I'm mad as hell, remember. How about the cloud over the whole offense right now that says if Terrell Owens gets injured, the Cowboys offense becomes much easier to defend and their ability to move the ball drops drastically.

7. I'm mad as hell that the Cowboys continue yearly to be a disappointment, yet they're building the greatest sports venue in the world. Won't it be wonderful for us to look back and remember the Cowboys getting their collective asses handed to them in a huge loss in their first game at the new stadium? Fortunately, it won't be in December. Won't it be even more disappointing if you're one of the fans who has payed the high ticket prices only to watch your favorite team have another December Meltdown in their first season at the new stadium?

8. I'm mad as hell about being so damned mad as hell at the Cowboys.

Win some games in December. Win a playoff game. Win the division championship. Win the Superbowl. Dammit, do something to shut me the hell up.

Rod