Relax everyone, it's not December yet. . . .

Everyone's in an uproar this morning and I can understand why, but panicking at this point is just silly. We all know that the Cowboys could win the next nine games in a row which would have them entering December with a 10-1 record, and still have the whole season go down the toilet. Oh yes, they could potentially end the season with a 15-1 record by winning out after Dec 1.

With a 15-1 record, they would win the NFC East title and qualify for a by week in the playoffs. Man, wouldn't that be something. Think of the ramifications of that. We wouldn't be worrying about who our starting quarterback would be. Romo would have a lock on the position. We wouldn't be worrying about who will be the head coach in 2010. Wade Phillips would be in like Flint. Jason Garrett, the red headed genius would be offensive coordinator, of course. Jerry Jones would still be general manager, but we, the fans, would be praising his football accumen, his draft picks and the wisdom he used putting together the new Dallas Cowboys juggernaut.

Jerry Jones would not be worried about filling the seats of his new stadium. The stands would be packed for each game. And just imagine what life in a Cowboys universe where there was no negativity!!! Oh my, could we stand the adrenaline rush every time we even heard the name "Dallas Cowboys". Mr. Jones would be able to say "See! This is why you helped me fund the new stadium. See what I can do! See how great I am!"

Former Cowboys players would not have to feel like they're being a traitor for making negative comments about the team or individual players because the team and those individual players would be at the top of their game. Everyone could be a Tony Romosexual. All of us could praise the efforts of Flozell Adams. The Dallas receiving corps would be the envy of the NFL. We could say "See, this is why you provided us with the finest venue on the planet for playing football. We deserve it. We've earned it. See what we can do! See how great we are!"

But. . . .

If. . . .

Notice how those two words inevitably show up when one is discussing the Dallas Cowboys? And notice how long those two words have inevitably shown up when one is discussing the Dallas Cowboys?

Ahhhhh yes, but. . . .

But Flozell Adams is the most penalized man in football. But Flozell Adams added to his penalty record in last night's Giants game by tripping a Giants player. But, he tripped another player later in the game and didn't get caught the second time. But, he should have known that tripping was against the rules at the beginning of the game. But he got lucky and didn't get caught and the Cowboys didn't get penalized what was effectively 50 yards that time. But he's been playing for 12 years in the NFL and tripping has always been against the rules. But he didn't get caught. That time.

But Tony Romo has played extremely well sometimes in the last couple seasons. But he's a gunslinger type quarterback. You have to expect a mistake or two from that style player. But the Cowboys are now a cohesive team with no locker room issues. But Romo just doesn't seem to have the leadership qualities one could see when one looks at the careers of players such as Staubach, Aikman, etc. But most of Romo's mistakes have been when the front line broke down.

And here we go. . . . IF Romo had a little more protection in the pocket, he would not be making those mistakes. If Flozell Adams would learn the rule book, he wouldn't make so many penalties. If you fans would be more patient with these guys, you would recognize them as the great players they are. If you fans weren't in such a hurry for success, the Cowboys would be great. After all, Flozell has only been on the team for 12 years. Of course it's possible that the league could change the rule on tripping and the rule on jumping offsides. IF you'd be patient, it would all be allright.

If Tony Romo would get encouragement from you fans instead of negativity, he will lead the Cowboys to the promise land.

If the Dallas defense would simply play up to their potential, the Cowboys will be the next World Champions of football.

If the coaching staff for the Cowboys can figure out how to keep the players focused on the job at hand, Another Lombardi trophy will reside at Valley Ranch. If Wade Phillips can justify the hype about him being a defensive coordinator, the Cowboys can rule supreme. If the red headed genius is in fact a genius, the Cowboys offense will be unstoppable.

But. . . .

It isn't going to happen. Well, not this season.

Tony Romo is going to continue throwing passes that should never be thrown. And when he gets intercepted, he's going to sit on the sidelines pouting like he did last night. In a sport where men are supposed to be men and quarterbacks are supposed to be leaders, seeing him on the sideline whining like a freshly spanked schoolboy simply destroys any perception that he might be some kind of leader.

Seeing the Cowboys management keep players like Flozell on the team, instead of benching his ass because of his never-ending supply of penalties, convinces us that management is focused on selling tickets to their new stadium instead of putting a genuine competitive football team on the field.

We're being sold a bill of goods, Cowboys fans. Jerry Jones' focus lately has been the stadium. I would imagine seeing the Cowboys screw the pooch last night and lose the inaugural game in that fine new venue took some of the luster off being seen with our former President. That had to be somewhat embarassment, and if it wasn't, well, there's another sign of what's wrong with the organization.

But. . . Kiss my butt. I'm not interested in your damned buts.

If. . . If I have to sit and listen to another barage of excuses for yet another meltdown season, I think I'll puke.

It's not December yet. The Cowboys are 1-1. The Cowboys will be extremely fortunate to break even this season.

Anyone that thinks the Cowboys have a chance to be competitive in the playoffs better show me some genuine proof that the Cowboys have enough heart to even get into the playoffs.

Fans of Tony Romo better start looking at the facts. One breakout game does not make Romo an elite quarterback. Elite quarterbacks win elite games. Elite quarterbacks win championship games. Elite quarterbacks take their teams to the playoffs. Elite quarterbacks do not whine on the bench when they're having a bad game. Elite, my chicken fried southern butt.

Cowboys fans need to remove the only thing that appears to be of interest to Jerry Jones. Cold hard cash. Instead of spending yours on memorabilia or game tickets, spend it on Emron stock or donations to the "Let's Bring Quincy Carter Back" bandwagon. But keep it out of Jerry Jones' hands. Until he decides that it's real football players that make a team, he doesn't deserve one copper penny of your money.

I haven't written one word of my Cowboys opinion in months. At first, I was simply at a loss for what to say after the December fiasco last year. Then as the offseason played itself out, I just waited to see what some of the new players looked like. Then the preseason came. There was much to talk about, but nothing that just tugged a my keyboard, screaming for input, so I remained quiet. Then the Tampa Bay game and still, I couldn't bring myself to write anything.

But, yesterday arrived. And the game last night. And I am so mad and frustrated by this team, yet again. I picked a couple players to mention in all this. Adams and Romo. They certainly aren't the only ones who are worthy of mention, but I didn't feel like sitting here going through the 53 man roster.

I'm a Cowboys fan. Sometimes that's a painful thing to be. Yes, I have very low expectations for this team this year. No, I'm not all gaga over the new stadium. They won't keep the opening of the new stadium in the NFL record book. They'll only keep wins and losses and team/individual stats. I won't be looking back 20 years from now remembering how fantastic the new stadium was on the night of its inaugural NFL regular season game. I will, unfortunately, remember how utterly frustrated I was yesterday, though.

I wish I had hope for this season. I don't. Your opinion may be different than mine. I wish you well with that. Just don't try to convince me that I really don't have that opinion.

So, relax. The Cowboys have only played two games. We have a ton of misery ahead of this season, so conserve your energy. You're going to need it.

The Cowboys are dead. Long live the Cowboys.

Rod