The Lightning Rod

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

2009-09-21T11:27:00.001-05:00

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

The Answer to the Question "Why"

2008-12-09T17:15:00.007-06:00

For 11 straight seasons prior to this one, the Dallas Cowboys failed to win more games than they lost after December 1st.

There is no logic to this. Players came and went. Coaches, including head coaches, came and went. Some years they practiced in Wichita Falls, other years in San Antonio, other years in California. They had coaches that were tyrants and coaches that were pushovers. One year, they entered December with an 11-1 record. And still choked in December. It didn't, and still doesn't seem to matter what they do. When December arrives, things go south.

I have been researching this phenomenon for several years. I've talked about it every season for 5 or 6 years. Finally, other writers are starting to bring it up.

But this year, I, at least, can provide you with a reason why this continues to happen to our favorite team. Yes, there is an answer to "why". And yes, I have found it.

As I have spent countless hours over the years reading about my favorite team, the Dallas Cowboys, I have payed close attention to many of the writers on the Cowboys beat. I have also payed close attention to how these writers' words were accepted in the Cowboys fan communities online. I have seen certain writers venomously attacked verbally because of what they had written. Some writers always get attacked. Others do on occasion. A few rarely get attacked. It appears that all that's required to garner a verbal attack is to say something that appears to be negative towards the Cowboys.

It doesn't seem to matter whether it's the truth or not, only that it be deemed negative. Before this begins to appear to be a whine session, and I assure you it isn't, I'm going to get to the answer to the question "why".

One of the reporters that I've seen villified on numerous occasions is Randy Galloway. Now, being a wordsmith myself, I happen to enjoy reading what Galloway says. He's witty and direct. He says what's on his mind without hesitation and he says it well, I think. No, I'm not starting the Randy Galloway Fan Club. The fact is, I fear the man.

You'll see why in a moment.

In a very obscure article found on the internet, posted on Thursday, August 31st, 2006 at 5:11 pm, it says:

http://www.knowyourdallascowboys.com/2006/08/31/randy-galloway-comment-in-1996/

"The year was 1996. The Cowboys were coming off of their third Super Bowl title, and other than the situation with Michael Irvin’s suspension, the team had retained much of its talent (recall that this was the year that Dallas was supposed to have the unstoppable duo of Deion Sanders and Kevin Smith at the corners).

During a pregame show for the opening game against Chicago, someone asked Galloway for his prediction for the season. He said he thought that Dallas would win one more that season, and then it would be a “very long time” before it won another. Obviously one prediction fell short, but the Cowboys seem to have rendered him a short-term prophet with respect to the second."

The author implies that Galloway meant the Cowboys would win another Superbowl that season, but one would have to change the question to come to that conclusion. The question, apparently was about Galloway's prediction for the season. His response was that it would be a very long time before they won another. I believe Galloway was talking about them winning another playoff game, which they did in the '96 season. And it has indeed been a "very long time" since they have won another.

Could this explain the Cowboys foibles over the past 12 years? Did Galloway, perhaps without even realizing what he was doing, place some kind of curse on the Dallas Cowboys organization? Could Galloway have unintentionally set forces in motion that caused the Cowboys to go into the post season with virtually no momentum and denied the Cowboys of a playoff victory for all these years?

I located this information last year and even announced then that I was going to reveal the reason for the Cowboys failures in December and the post season for so long. My exhuberance in discovering this obscure information quite frankly had me heady and I let that excitement get ahead of my thought process.

The more I considered how I would write the article, the more I thought of the power of this possible curse. Then I thought about what the repercussions might be should Randy Galloway become angry because I was accusing him of this. Anyone that could, by the mere speaking of words, cause all the events to transpire that have led the team to the point they are now should be feared. If his words were powerful enough to cause the mighty to fall, think of the damage he could inflict on the life of a relatively unknown Joe from east Texas.

So I didn't write the article. Oh, it beckoned me regularly. I even started a few drafts, but destroyed them before I published. The fear was grievous. But so was the need for the truth to come forth and for me to be the one to bring it.

So here we are. The cards are on the table. I've admitted what I've found. I've admitted my fears. I readily admit that this article is not meant by any means to cause Mr. Galloway any distress of any nature. My only wish is that he contemplate this and see if he can reverse that curse some way, somehow, for I do love the Dallas Cowboys and wish to see them return to their glory yet again before I pass from this realm of existence.

And please, please, Mr. Galloway, do not become angry at me and as they say "shoot the messenger". I only wish to be a harbinger of truth.

Now, I know there will be skeptics, but I challenge them to show us some other kind of proof that there is another cause that is more plausible..

OK, so what's next?

2008-12-08T20:22:00.002-06:00

I don't know about you, but I've written this season off. I don't for a moment believe that the Cowboys will be able to regroup from the Pittsburgh loss and win three games in a row against playoff contenders. Oh yes, you can rattle off all the mathematical ways it can happen, but we're talking heart here and desire to win. It's simply not going to happen.

So now, we're looking at the draft and trades. What are the areas that need to be dealt with? I can see several that I believe should get serious attention.

First of all, there are several players on the team that shouldn't be, in my opinion.

Stanback has proven himself to be brittle. Too many injuries, too often. I don't know what they've paid him but there's no way he's made enough plays to justify the amount. The only play I can recall him making this season was in yesterday's Pittsburgh game. He was a project when they drafted him. He's still a project. The Cowboys need players, not projects. Replace him with someone who can tie his shoes and get on the field to play.

Terrence Newman has also proven himself to be brittle. Again, too many injuries, too often. I don't know how long it's been since he was considered to be 100% well. Find a replacement.

Anthony Henry should be moved to safety.

Roy Williams (safety). The Cowboys need to trade him or cut him. If they don't, they're going to stick him out there in pass coverage again, and we know what we get when that happens. The best I can tell, the only thing he's ever truly been good at was horsecollaring, and that's no longer allowed.

Flozell Adams has been in the league for 11 seasons, all with the Cowboys. A four time pro bowler and 2nd team All Pro, he signed a new six year contract with the Cowboys, to the tune of $42 million, including $15 million in guaranteed money and about $13 million in signing bonus. He is generally the most penalized player on the team. Now, the argument is he protects Romo. The midseason games this year didn't seem to prove that. The line didn't protect anyone with Kozier gone. When he returned, the line got better. It looked to me that Kozier was much more important than Adams. His perpetual movement before the snap penalties changed games, took away momentum and yardage and caused all the other bad things that go with that. Remember, we're not talking about some rookie here. We're talking an eleven year veteran that hasn't learned the fundamentals. We have no reasonable expectation of him going another four years (to fill out his contract) without making more of those just plain stupid penalties. If he hasn't learned by now, it's not going to happen. Trade him to someone. Find a replacement. I'm tired of wasting money on people who are hurting the team or who can't be depended on to play from week to week.

Pacman Jones - Just say no. The only reasonable expectation you can have with this guy is that he's going to screw up and get banned from the league. I firmly believe that he's on his last rope with the NFL commissioner and that his next stunt will be his last in the NFL. And I also firmly believe that Pacman Jones will screw up. I don't believe it's a matter of "whether", only "when". Why waste the time, manpower and resources to train a guy that's not going to be available to play. Replace him.

Backup quarterback. Depending on these worn out, non-mobile has beens has not worked. Do something different. Look for talent, even if it doesn't come with lots of experience.

Starting quarterback. Two and a half seasons should be enough for Tony Romo to settle his ass down and stop throwing so many interceptions. He has gone wayyyyyy past the "acceptable mistake" mark. Great quarterbacks don't do that. If he's going to be great, it has to end.

Special teams. A new special teams coach is in order. Coverage and blocking need serious work. Folk is a keeper.

Offensive coaching. Playcalling is predictable and isn't even coming close to using the maximum talent available on the team. Jason Garrett needs to get creative. Presuming he's still here, of course.

Defensive coaching. Defensive playcalling needs some major work, too. It's hard to know exactly what they need since it's changed every frigging week, it seems and they only had one game that they truly dominated a good team. And they only did that for three quarters. I'm talking about the Pittsburgh game, of course. Some players need to be shifted around, such as Henry to safety. Some need to just move on, such as Pacman Jones and Terrence Newman.

Head coach. Phillips will probably be fired at the end of the season. Talk has it that Jason Garrett is the heir apparent. Jason Garrett has not performed well enough to be considered for a head coach position. Right now, if I were to be picking a new head coach for the Cowboys, it would have to be Bill Cowher. And give the man the authority to get the job done. This means Jerry Jones lets the man do that job without interfering with decisions, playcalling or players. If another puppet coach is installed, expect more of the same.

Strength and conditioning coaches. Fire the whole bunch. If they've been there longer than a month, fire them. The Cowboys have entered December every year for 12 straight years, out of condition and low of strength. They don't have enough steam left to finish games. So they wind up having a drop off in wins each December. I have no idea if these are the same coaches they've had every year or whether it was a new bunch each year, but regardless, they aren't getting the job done, so they need to be replaced. Then go find out who the strength and conditioning coaches are for Pittsburgh or New England and steal them. Either group should be adequate to get that job turned around.

I'm sure I can think of other things, and as I do, I'll try to mention them. But this should keep a couple people busy for a weekend.

Rod

It's December! Time to Smoke or Choke!!

2008-11-29T07:36:00.003-06:00

OK, folks. . . preseason is over!

The next game the Cowboys play is on December 7th in Pittsburgh at 3:15 PM Central time. Did you catch that? I said "December". The Cowboys went into December last season at 11-1. They finished 13-3. And their one playoff game against a lesser ranked team, the Giants, wound up as a loss.

I've ranted for several years about how badly the Cowboys have played in December. I've said that until the Cowboys figure out how to win more games than they lose in their final five games of the regular season, they are bound for mediocrity. I, and others, have scratched our heads trying to figure out why the Cowboys continue to crater in December year after year. The only continuous common denominator between Cowboys teams of each year seems to be Jerry Jones. And we know there's nothing anyone can do about that except Jerry Jones himself. And I can't for the life of me figure out what in the cat hair Jerry Jones could possibly be doing that would cause the cratering. I honestly believe that no one wants the Cowboys to win more than Jerry Jones.

Yet they don't win.

I believed back during preseason that this Cowboys team had the best chance to get into the playoffs and actually win some games and possibly even make it to the Superbowl. I truly thought they had a legitimate chance. But here we are on the precipice, looking ahead at possibilities. And anyone not blinded by homerism surely can see there is more potential for bad things to occur than there is for good things to occur.

The Cowboys are 8-4. If they win these last four games, they finish 12-4. This would guarantee them a playoff spot. Their final four games are against Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh, the Giants at Texas stadium, the Colts at Texas Stadium and the Eagles in Philadelphia. Personally, I don't see any guaranteed wins in that lineup. Pittsburgh will be tough, especially if the weather becomes a factor. They're accustomed to playing in it. The Cowboys aren't. The Giants quite simply are the best team in the NFC at the moment. Yes, they can be beaten. No, it isn't easy, nor is it expected that the Cowboys will do it. The Colts are not going to lay down for the Cowboys either. They have aspirations of their own. And Philadelphia is always up for the Cowboys. That bitter rivalry generally brings out the best in play and the worst in sportsmanship of any team the Cowboys play. Even if the Eagles are out of playoff contention, maybe because the Eagles are out of playoff contention by that point, they will be looking to spoil the Cowboys' chances to make the playoffs.

If the Cowboys lose only one of those final four games, they finish 11-5 and, depending on which team they lose to and how other teams finish, the Cowboys could make it into the playoffs. But it's not a lock that they'll be in the playoffs at 11-5.

If the Cowboys lose two of those final games, they finish 10-6 and their playoff hopes are no longer in their hands. They do not control their own destiny any longer. While they can still make the playoffs, their chances are greatly reduced and depend on bad things happening to other teams.

If the Cowboys lose three of those final games, they finish 9-7 and there will be no playoff game this season that includes the Cowboys. And all hell breaks loose at Valley Ranch. Expect heads to roll, both coaches and players.

So, the Cowboys season now depends on how they play in December. And they're not playing against the Forty Niners and Seahawks of the world. They're playing against playoff contenders and/or bitter rivals. Anyone who thinks the Cowboys have a cakewalk into the playoffs is simply kidding oneself.

And don't talk to me about current winning streaks. Three games does not constitue a "winning streak" of any merit. Granted, it's better than losing three, but as I said earlier, the Cowboys had an 11-1 winning streak going into last December and screwed the pooch on that deal.

Injuries scare me the most this season. It's been a perpetual problem. Seeing Ware and Barber both with issues in the Seattle game had me on pins and needles. Quite simply, I don't know how the Cowboys would have survived the loss of those two players. Facing the schedule they have, the Cowboys need everyone healthy for every game.

Just for the record, I'm beginning to take a hard look at the conditioning staff on the Cowboys. If the Cowboys are simply worn out by the time December gets here, then it's time for a change. Other teams play through December and win more than lose. Their teams are in good enough condition to hang in there till the end of the season, and into the playoffs. Maybe Jerry Jones needs to look at this in depth.

OK, back on topic. It's December. The Cowboys have a chance. But it's an uphill climb against tough odds. Do they have what it takes to get the job done? I believe that if they go to Pittsburgh and win there, they have a chance. If they lose to Pittsburgh, I will be shocked to see them make the playoffs.

In the meantime, pull up a chair, stay close to the fire. It's December and we have perilous times ahead.

Well, folks, we're back to "if" again

2008-11-15T06:42:00.001-06:00

We do this year after year after year. It's always "if the Cowboys can do this" or "if the Cowboys can do that". And obviously they haven't or we'd see, at the least, a playoff victory. Last year, we went into December looking great. It was "if the Cowboys can win out in December, they'll be the top seed yada yada yada". The year before that, it was basically the same thing.

And here we are this year. Nine games into the season and they're 5-4. And it's "if they can win against Washington, they'll get some confidence" and "if they can just win five more of the remaining seven. . . " and "if the defense steps it up. . . ." and "if the offense can score more points. . . ." and "if the defense can put pressure on the opposing quarterback. . . ." and "if Tony Romo can get the ball to his receivers. . . . and "if the receivers catch the ball. . . ." and "if the cornerbacks get some interceptions. . . ." and "if the offensive line decides to actually block this season. . . ."

You get the idea. It's all about "if". If this and if that. It is practically impossible to find an article or even a reply to a post on a forum that doesn't contain the word "if" when related to the Cowboys. Sure, it's a common word. And it's a very common word in Cowboys circles these days. Everything hinges on "if". When "if" doesn't happen, it sucks for Cowboys fans.

Last year, the Cowboys went into December 12-1. And there we were still hollering "if". What's wrong with that picture? "If" it's the coaching, then it's been the coaching for 12 years. "If" it's the players, then it's been the players for 12 years. "If" it's the owner's meddling, then it's been the owner's meddling for 12 years.

I say, "if" you're still a Cowboys fan after 12 years of this crap, then you're as crazy as I am. Obviously, we all are closet masochists to put up with this abuse over and over. Imagine what it would be like "if" we could have a season where we could proclaim our love for the Cowboys and not be ashamed of the way they ended their season.

Oh, man. . . . . what "if" . . . ."

Postcards from LaLa Land - Nov. 2008

2008-11-03T07:28:00.004-06:00

Well, okie dokie, folks. It's time to read a few postcards from LaLa Land. After watching the Cowboys go from (as one writer called it. . .) "first to worst", I thought it was time to take a look at the mailbag and see what we're hearing from LaLa Land these days. In LaLa Land, the Cowboys can be in the 16th week of the season, with one game left to play and a 1-14 record and someone will tell us that the Cowboys still have a chance to make the playoffs. They use a different kind of math in LaLa Land, you know. Anyway, here are some excerpts from LaLa Land mail"

cmoney said:

in the back of everyones head going into this week we knew we where going to loose this game... but the way i see it is, we can regroup and get healthy in the bye week... and when we come back we will hopefully have romo, and felix jones back, and i see us going 11-5 this season!

washingtion: we are coming off the bye with plenty of time to study for this offense again and this is a must win... we will!
san fransico: (should have newman back) win
seattle: win
pittsburg: hard fought game but we might loose this one!
new york: pay back time! win!!!
baltimore: we are finding our stride... win
philly: mcnabb should be out for the season, like he has been for the last several years and we need it to make the play offs... win!

so as you can see i think we have a legitimet shot at 11-5 or 10-6 at the worst, but as long as we get hot out of the bye we will be ok!

This person thinks this Dallas Cowboys team can win seven games in a row, with five of those games being the last five of the season. The Cowboys haven't won more than two of their last five games but once in the past twelve seasons. But, in LaLa Land, the Cowboys have a "legitimet" chance of this, whatever that is.

supercowboy8 said:

i agree we still have a great shot at the playoffs and going 12-4 11-5 or 10-6

A great shot, he says. . . . First of all, if they go 10-6, they'll need more than their record alone to get into the playoffs. This will require the Redskins and/or Eagles to lose some games, and no telling what else to happen to get the Cowboys into the playoffs with 10-6. The first thing that'll be required, of course, is for the Cowboys to win five more games. Contrary from what our first letter from LaLa Land intimates, there's certainly no guarantee this will happen. Sure, several of the injured players will be back on the active list, but those players have been sitting on the bench for weeks, even months for some and they are going to be rusty. So, I don't think there's a "great shot" for them to make the playoffs. In fact, I believe they have a much greater shot of not getting to the playoffs and it will require much less effort. Effort being one of the things that just happens to be lacking on this team right now. I also think they have a much greater shot of going 8-8 than I do 12-4. Do I like it? Of course not. But sometimes not living in LaLa Land has its downside.

supercowboy8 said:

this season is far from over. We can still make the playoffs easy. We have 7 games left and now we will have everyone back and healthy. All we have to do is win 5 out of the last 7 games and we get a wild card.

Well, of course, the first sentence is correct. The Cowboys have seven more games in which to show they are capable of climbing out of a huge hole like the Giants did last season. Unfortunately, they can use those seven games to show us they don't have to wait until December to begin their yearly meltdown, presuming they haven't already started it. And he's right that "all we have to do is win 5 out of the last 7. Unfortunately, in the past 12 years, they have only been capable of winning 3 out of 5 once. Yet, in LaLa Land, that 5 out of the last 7 seems like a walk in the park, regardless of the tough schedule ahead of them.

Mr_A said:

OFFENSE:
Johnson throws for 250 yards and 3 TDS.
Johnson throws 6 passes over 25 yards in-the-air.
Barber runs 17-for-105 yards 1 TD
T. Choice 7-for-205 yards 2TDs
Owens 6 pass receptions 130 yards / 1 running play of 9 yards.
Roy Williams 5 receptions 95 yards
Miles Ausin -1 TD, 4 catches 170 yards
M. Bennett, TE - 2 TDs 67 yards

Cowboys Defense shuts Giants down in the defensive game of the Century.

Cowboys 41
Giants 0

I had to include this one. This was in a thread predicting the final score of the Giants game. This person apparently believed (or hoped or prayed) that the Cowboys would win 41-0. Obviously, in LaLa Land, there's an over abundance of hallucinogens available. The writer must have had a lucid moment, a rare event in LaLa Land, because he tried to make fun of his own prediction in a later post.

Now, in my last post to my blog, I stated unequivicably that the Cowboys would not go to the Superbowl this season, nor would they win the NFC East. I also stated they would barely have a winning record at the end of the season, if they did at all. I also said they would lose the Tampa Bay game and the Giants game in New York. I was wrong on the Tampa Bay game. I was right on the Giants game.

I do not think having an extra week to rest up this week is going to re-energize the Cowboys. There are far too many problems with this team, beginning with the coaching and followed by discipline and heart. Too much of some, not enough of others. This isn't going to be a Superbowl season. And sadly, I believe this means it's going to be several years before the Cowboys see another one of those.

Man, it's tough being a Cowboys fan year in and year out. To see as much talent as they have on this team this season just going up in smoke is just tough. I'll be here next season. Anxiously waiting for next year's postcards from LaLa Land. In the meantime, I think I'll stamp this mail "Insufficient Postage, Return To Sender".

Rod

A Midseason State of the Union Address

2008-10-25T18:50:00.004-05:00

I hate to be the one to break it to you, but the 2008 Dallas Cowboys are going nowhere in a helluva hurry. Let me make this extremely clear to you so you have no doubt what I believe.

The Cowboys will NOT go to the Superbowl this season.

The Cowboys will NOT win the NFC East.

The Cowboys will be lucky to end with a winning record for the season.

Players whom I said in a previous article were critical to this team's success this season have suffered injuries. Tony Romo, Newman, etc. Other players that are critical are not close to playing to their potential. You can't tell me that Terrell Owens can basically be erased from the roster list by five different teams, leaving him with numbers that even rookies laugh at. You can't tell me that it takes nearly half a season for this team to start getting a few interceptions from this loaded with talent defense.

Well, I guess you can tell me that since it's true. You can't tell me that Tony Romo's interceptions and fumbles are ok. They aren't. And now we're dealing with Brad Johnson behind the center, leading this exalted team at the pace of a turtle on crutches.

The finger pointing is amok at the moment. Some blame the coaching staff. There's no doubt that neither Phillips or Garrett are living up to expectations. Some blame the defense. There are plenty of players to point your fingers at there. Some blame the offense. Again, you won't be looking long before you find plenty of problems to justify your claim. Starting with the offensive line, the erratic play of Tony Romo. The lack of production by Terrell Owens, etc. Some blame special teams. Can you say "field position"?

Personally, I blame it on the medical staff. They should have ran some tests to see if anyone on the team, coaches included, actually had a heart before they were hired. I see no evidence that any of them do because none of them are showing any heart with the performance of their job.

Twelve years ago (we're talking 1996 here) this team went to the playoffs and won a game. Since that time, this team has choked each and every year and are in the process of choking right now. I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing that they started early this season. We know based on the past 12 years that they're going to lose at least three of their final five games. It's what they do. Every year. Just like clockwork. If they only lose three of those final five and no other games, the best they could do this season would be 10-6.

Beginning tomorrow, they have four games to play before that final five. Romo's out for two of those games according to most reports. Newman has been nursing injuries for two seasons now, so counting on him to save the day isn't dealing with reality. Other teams have figured out how to deal with Owens, so he's not going to be the messiah either. Wide receiver Roy Williams is accustomed to losing. I wouldn't count on him being the saviour either.

Two of those four midseason games are against Tampa Bay and the New York Giants. With current injuries and the teams lack of heart and confidence, it is doubtful the Cowboys will win either of those games. By my calculations, that puts this team at 8-8 for the season. Oh yes, the mighty have fallen. Using "Superbowl" and "Dallas Cowboys" in the same sentence should only be done if one is talking about former glories or when looking forward to some point in the distant future.

OK, let's hear the accusations of me being a Redskins/Giants/Eagles fan or how I'm a hater or how I'm not a "true fan". Or try to convince me that I haven't watched this team get worse each game they played so far. Good luck with that. You'll need it.

The emperor is naked. He has no clothes.

And the 2008 Dallas Cowboys are in a death spiral this season. They're going nowhere. And they're gaining speed doing it.

It sucks. But it's what I perceive the reality to be.

Your mileage might vary. And good luck with that, too.

Are You A True Fan? - An Investigative Report

2008-09-18T20:57:00.005-05:00

Over the years, I have written several articles which outlined my opinion at the time of various Cowboys players as well as the team in general. Some of those articles were of a positive nature. Some weren't so positive. I'm one of those that calls a spade a spade and sometimes that doesn't go over well with some readers.

Some just ignore me. Some fire back a response which includes facts they believe prove my opinions are wrong. Others accuse me of being a hater, a Philly lover, a Redskins lover or other derogatory names. Some accuse me of not being a "true fan". This article is for that last group.

Being a wordsmith, my first reaction was to overwhelm them with an immediate response, but as I thought about it, I began to question whether I was indeed a "true fan". So I decided to find the definition of a "true fan". To say this was very enlightening doesn't do it justice.

My first discovery was that there is no centralized place on the internet that explains, leaving no chance for error, what a "true fan" is. Once this article is published, I suppose it will become the definitive resource that will answer once and for all the question about what is a "true fan".

First, I suppose I should explain what it was that caused me to do the research and eventually write this article. I had posted an article at cowboys central.com and received this response from SlickReBorn:

http://www.cowboyscentral.com/bb/showthread.php?t=23005&page=2

"Honestly those fans that only buy the merchandise and tickets when the Cowboys are winning aren't true fans anyways so who cares what they think? I remember when this team went 1-15. I wasn't ashamed to be a Cowboys fan then, and I aint now."

Now, for the record, I didn't feel like he was accusing me of not being a true fan. He had no data to base a claim I wasn't a true fan on anyway. He doesn't know if I have ever bought any tickets or merchandise ever in my life or if I own a museum of Cowboys merchandise I've purchased with the walls wallpapered with ticket stubs.

No, his statement just got me to thinking about what was required to be considered a "true fan". So, with no further adieu, let's learn exactly what a true fan is:

Actions & Practices

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2008/09/browns_welcome_test_against_co.html

“Happy NFL Opening weekend to you all, Browns win a shoot-out 34-31 over the Boys. Cowboy corners can't cover the Browns Wr's and a Dawson FG is the difference. DA continues to silence the BQ lovefest by throwing for 300 plus and 3 scores. See the true fans in the parking lot bright and early.

For the rest of you who don't believe the bandwagon is full and we aren't accepting new passengers.”

This was a blog response from someone predicting the Browns would beat the Cowboys in the first game of the 2008 season.

Since he was dead wrong on that, I don’t know how much credence to put in his statement that true fans would be in the parking lot bright and early. Others have intimated that true fans do get to the stadium early, though, so I included this one.

Actions & Practices

http://www.ultimateredskins.com/our-take-on-the-schedule/

“I believe that true fans of each team hate each other far more than any of the players hate anyone in the League.”

This is the opinion of some Redskins fan and isn’t a statement of known fact, so take it with a grain of salt. On the other hand, he’s a Redskins fan and we hate him. What could he know about it in the first place?

Actions & Practices

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F02E0DB1130F930A15752C0A9659C8B63&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

“In his 1994 novel ''Fever Pitch,'' Nick Hornby outlined the edifying effects of the male sports obsession. True fans, he wrote, ''become repressed, they fail in their relationships with women, their conversation is trivial and boorish, they find themselves unable to express their emotional needs, they cannot relate to their children, and they die alone and miserable. But, you know, what the hell?"”

Finally, someone who truly has a grasp on the subject!

Actions & Practices

http://blog.denverbroncos.com/jsaccomano/2007/10/17/rockies-parallel-1977-broncos/

“What is your definition of a fan? You bad mouth people who state their displeasure with the production of their team? In my opinion - your not a true fan for accepting this garbage that has been thrown on the field lately. A bad fan - or “bandwagon” fan - is someone who doesn’t even bother to boo or voice their displeasure when their team underachieves on a level that is embarrassing. They just get up and leave - and don’t come back until the team is good again. True fans voice their displeasure with mediocrity - and they show up the next week to watch them again. And if they play the way the Broncos have been lately - they boo even louder. But we always come back the next week.”

As you can see, true fans can voice their displeasure with an underachieving team. But they remain loyal.

Age & Longevity As A Fan

http://blog.dallascowboys.com/forums/t/35173.aspx

“I have been a 4 seat season ticket holder for 14 years. Now he wants me to pay $64,000 for the seat license plus the annual ticket price of $12,600 and parking about another $1,000.

FORGET IT!! Jones is successfully getting rid of the hard-working middle class die-hard fans to fill his own pockets. These are the people that have supported him for the last 15 years and he is pricing us out of the new stadium. Their goes our tailgating days.

Glad you're thinking of your TRUE fans Jerry. The only ones that can afford these prices are the corporate and the rich. Just people who want to attend games just for the notoriety, not because they are TRUE FANS.

Thanks Jerry, for alienating your true fans. We'll now be watching on TV. I really despise you now,Jerry Jones.”

True fans can and do get angry at Jerry Jones. (True Cowboys fans do, anyway.)

Age & Longevity As A Fan

http://www.bearsgab.com/2008/07/08/dead-end-ahead-road-to-super-bowl-blocked-by-lack-of-offense/

“So called fans like you are a joke! The only dead end is the blood flowing to your brain! It is fair weather fans like you we can do without! With so called fans like you,who needs enemies!

The sky is always falling in your mind.The glass is always half empty.Why do you even bother,if everything is so bad? Your a joke, that does not understand the game of football or the Financial end of it.Thank god you are not making the decisions!

I have been a die hard bear fan for 38 years.You have no clue what a true fan is all about.True fans support their teams.True fans dont talk smack about their team or back stab their players.True fans are there win or lose.You are probably too young to understand what a true fan is.You only support when the going is good.No team stays on top all the time,get a clue.

TRUE BEAR FANS ARE PROUD & BLEED BLUE!! You probably are too young to even know what bleeding blue is! The true die hard Bear fans know what i am talking about. We need fans who support our team,not dig for negativities constantly! You should join the packers or Cowboys,if you dont like what the bears bring on sundays.

Your opinions are idiotic,& us true fans dont care.Send your opinions to Mariotti,Die hard bear fans dont care to hear it.True fans start out each year with hope,not despair.The games havent even been played yet!! If you dont enjoy being a fan,your not a fan. Be a Fan or be Gone !!!! GO BEARS!!! YOUR TRUE FANS BELIEVE,& WILL ALWAYS BE THERE FOR YOU!!”

I debated on adding this to my article, but there’s just so much in there that helps to show us what a “true fan” is. It’s difficult to ascertain exactly what he’s talking about, between the misspellings/poor grammar (which is apparently approved for true fan usage) and the absolute beligerence coming from the writer.

I believe he’s upset because someone said something negative about the Chicago Bears and the writer took exceptional offense to anyone saying something bad about the Bears.

Apparently, it doesn’t matter whether what was said negatively is the truth or not, only that it was said.

Age & Longevity As A Fan

http://12thmanrising.com/2008/07/20/keeping-it-real/

“This brings me to the purpose of this piece. I want to finally lay down the law on what constitutes a true fan. Nothing pisses me off more than meeting someone who tells me that they are Cowboy fan, “Because I’ve always just liked them.” What the hell is that all about? What they mean to say is that, “During the 90’s when they were really good, I decided to hitch my wagon to a winner and it felt so good rooting for all of those Super Bowls that I decided to stick around.”

I know, total crap right? As we all know, it was easy rooting for the Cowboys when they were running rough shot through the league. Who didn’t enjoy the show when the triplets dominated the NFC? But “fans” like this are missing the essence of being a fan.

Bottom line, the best part of being a fan is being able to celebrate when success finally shines upon your squad. When you were in the stands watching that 2-14 season, that Super Bowl victory is so much sweeter (I image…remember this is a Seahawks blog.)

When you jump from team to team because it just happens to be their turn in the winners circle defeats the entire purpose of being a fan. It isn’t rocket science to determine which team you should root for.

As a matter of fact it can be determined this easily. Either your ass lives in the state, has lived in the state, or one of your immediate relatives are from the state. Case closed”

This is another site that wasn’t specifically a Cowboys site, but they discuss the Cowboys in particular and fanhood. I personally object to him laying the law down regarding what a true fan is without proving he has the authority to do so. This tirade is his opinion and nothing more, apparently.

He also discusses longevity as a fan and claims one cannot be a true fan if one hasn’t paid one’s dues by supporting the team through the hard times. Only supporting a team when they become winners makes you a “fairweather fan”, which is another whole study and goes beyond the scope of this article.

Age & Longevity As A Fan

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Dallas-Cowboys-Comforter-and-Sheet-Set-Twin/2659963/product.html

“True fans start young and you can support them with this FANtastic comforter set Ideal for the Cowboys fan in your life, the set includes comforter, flat sheet, fitted sheet and two pillowcases (one in twin set)”

A mere $49.99, however those desiring to support the "true fan" in their life will have to wait because they are out of stock.

Clothing & Dress

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/35952-nfl-fans-support-your-team

“A fan of a less than successful team doesn't necessarily hate on the teams that win, but it doesn't mean that we necessarily like them either. I am an Eagles fan living in Atlanta, which is ok since there are very few real Falcon's fans.

I just wanted to comment that I am indeed a Cowboys hater, primarily because they are division rivals. Obviously the Eagles-Cowboys rivalry has been a big part of the lives of true fans of either of these teams.

What I find the most irritating are the "fans" that claim loyalty to a team that

A) Have no connection to the team or city (primarily bandwagoners)

B) "Fans" that can't name any player on the offensive or defensive line and doesn't even know who the coaches are

C) "Fans" that sport the "in" jersey but yet know nothing about the player they have on their back.

Of course, some could make the arguement that an exception could be made in certain situations- for example, my girlfriend is in possession of my Brian Westbrook jersey however knows only that he is #36, a running back, and had the most yards from scrimmage in the league last year (because I've drilled it into her). In this situation, I am ok with the jersey-wearer not being informed however these girls (or guys in some rare instances) should not call themselves fans until they have demonstrated knowledge of the game, the position of the player and the name of his back-up, the college the player attended, what round they went in the draft (or from what team they were aquired from in free agency), and the ability to pick a buffalo wing clean.”

So, regular fans must know these things before they can call themselves a “fan”.Some sort of “connection” to the city the team is from is also apparently necessary. Apparently, some knowledge of the coaches is necessary. Presumably, a “true fan” would have a much deeper knowledge of the game and the players than an ordinary fan..

Clothing & Dress

http://search.neckties.com/search.aspx?Action=11&Grid=0&SH=QT1EYWxsYXMgQ293Ym95cyB_Qj1EYWxsYXMgQ293Ym95cyB_RD0xMn5JPVByaWNlfks9NH5MPTF_TT0xfg&SI=95884560-f898-45d2-8927-f417ac607715

“NFL Dallas Cowboys Grid black polyester ties.

There are the fair weather fans and then there are the true fans. Those diehard fans that journey out to New Cowboys Stadium every Sunday, rain or shine. This necktie is for the diehards. Featured within is a detailed patter of Dallas Cowboys logos set atop a rich woven black background. With silks and design as fine and sharp as Cowboys fans, this necktie is a necessity for any who call themselves a true Cowboys fan. Don't be caught without it come game day!”

True fans journey out to New Cowboys Stadium every Sunday, regardless of weather and it is necessary that they wear this necktie.

Clothing & Dress

http://www.amiannoying.com/(S(craik155hhs4vl45mnpr1355))/view.aspx?id=9009&collection=1443

True fans often dress or paint themselves in the team colors of Royal Blue and Metallic Silver.

I looked at Cowboys jerseys this evening. They were on sale for $69.99.

Clothing & Dress

http://www.stylefeeder.com/i/9nm5qh14/Dallas-Cowboys-Star-Toe-Ring-Solid-Sterling-Silver

“Show Your Team Spirit with this Officially Licensed high quality product. Logo Art manufactures the broadest and most elegant collection of collegiate and sports licensed jewelry products. Constructed using metal molds and injected plastic patterns to give repeatable and highly detailed castings. Then, each piece is hand filed and polished to give it a handsome finish. A must have for all true Fans. Most products are available in 14k & 10k gold and sterling silver.”

OK, for those that didn’t click on the link above, this is a Dallas Cowboys Toe Ring. “A must have for all true Fans.” Don’t blame me. I didn’t write it.

Geography

http://12thmanrising.com/2008/07/20/keeping-it-real/

“This brings me to the purpose of this piece. I want to finally lay down the law on what constitutes a true fan. Nothing pisses me off more than meeting someone who tells me that they are Cowboy fan, “Because I’ve always just liked them.” What the hell is that all about?

What they mean to say is that, “During the 90’s when they were really good, I decided to hitch my wagon to a winner and it felt so good rooting for all of those Super Bowls that I decided to stick around.”

I know, total crap right? As we all know, it was easy rooting for the Cowboys when they were running rough shot through the league. Who didn’t enjoy the show when the triplets dominated the NFC? But “fans” like this are missing the essence of being a fan.

Bottom line, the best part of being a fan is being able to celebrate when success finally shines upon your squad. When you were in the stands watching that 2-14 season, that Super Bowl victory is so much sweeter (I image…remember this is a Seahawks blog.)

When you jump from team to team because it just happens to be their turn in the winners circle defeats the entire purpose of being a fan.

It isn’t rocket science to determine which team you should root for. As a matter of fact it can be determined this easily. Either your ass lives in the state, has lived in the state, or one of your immediate relatives are from the state. Case closed”

This is another site that wasn’t specifically a Cowboys site, but they discuss the Cowboys in particular and fanhood. I personally object to him laying the law down regarding what a true fan is without proving he has the authority to do so. This tirade is his opinion, apparently.

I left this part in my article because he does show that geography has a large part to your qualifications as a true fan. Apparently, to be a true fan, one must live in the state currently, must have lived in the state in the past or have immediate relatives that are from the state, in order for you to qualify to be a fan of a particular team.

If you have never lived in Texas, do not live in Texas currently, and do not have immediate family from Texas, you do not qualify as a true fan. As he said “Case closed”.

Geography

http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/BEST_FANS_IN_FOOTBALLwho_tops_the_list_you_ask/301618

“This fan base, which was really a bunch of band wagon jumpers during the Aikman-Irvin-Emmitt dynasty, apparently has transformed into die-hards. With fans in every city, "America's Team" is wildly popular. Simpletons flock to the star and seem to be enamored with it. Of course, the rules about cheering for a team you have no connection with is still a violation.”

A violation of what? I presume he’s referring to this generally held belief that a fan must have a “connection” to the team they claim to be a fan of or they’re violating some cosmic standard rule of applied physics.

Knowledge

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/35952-nfl-fans-support-your-team

“A fan of a less than successful team doesn't necessarily hate on the teams that win, but it doesn't mean that we necessarily like them either. I am an Eagles fan living in Atlanta, which is ok since there are very few real Falcon's fans.

I just wanted to comment that I am indeed a Cowboys hater, primarily because they are division rivals. Obviously the Eagles-Cowboys rivalry has been a big part of the lives of true fans of either of these teams.

What I find the most irritating are the "fans" that claim loyalty to a team that

A) Have no connection to the team or city (primarily bandwagoners)

B) "Fans" that can't name any player on the offensive or defensive line and doesn't even know who the coaches are

C) "Fans" that sport the "in" jersey but yet know nothing about the player they have on their back. Of course, some could make the arguement that an exception could be made in certain situations- for example, my girlfriend is in possession of my Brian Westbrook jersey however knows only that he is #36, a running back, and had the most yards from scrimmage in the league last year (because I've drilled it into her).

In this situation, I am ok with the jersey-wearer not being informed however these girls (or guys in some rare instances) should not call themselves fans until they have demonstrated knowledge of the game, the position of the player and the name of his back-up, the college the player attended, what round they went in the draft (or from what team they were aquired from in free agency), and the ability to pick a buffalo wing clean.”

So, regular fans must know these things before they can call themselves a “fan”.Some sort of “connection” to the city the team is from is also apparently necessary. Apparently, some knowledge of the coaches is necessary. Presumably, a “true fan” would have a much deeper knowledge of the game and the players.

Loyalty

http://www.topix.com/forum/source/newsday/T4B2TP5S3LE9QEANG

“Dallas won both games os to say we'll win is kind of crazy I agree. But we do have a shot at this stage those other two games don't matter. The 91 before this don't. This is the biggest game in this rivalries history. Eli has taken a step back but the Giants running games is better than the Cowboys.

Eli also ranks in the top ten in most categories(sufficient)in an overall down year for qb's not named Brady,Favre and Romo or P.Manning.

All true fans and or pundints know the Cowboys secondary is suspect and that their running game isn't all its cracked up to be. Lets not pretend that the Giants don't have an excellent front seven(led the league in sacks), as well. Like I said we lost twice so its tough to be cocky, but I know we are a live underdog.”

I gave the Eagles and Redskins fans a presence in this article. I might as well let the Giants fans run their mouth, too. I would point out that this person puts “true fans” and “pundits” into the same classification. There must be a hidden meaning there somewhere.

Loyalty

http://www.sportsfilter.com/news/9144/most-popular-nfl-teams-order-cowboys

“I don't think steelerbroad meant that those teams are the only ones with "true fans". Of course other teams have true fans. I think she means that a large percentage of the fanbase in those cities are not fairweather fans. Those 3 teams will always be near the top of these type of polls.”

Other teams can have “true fans” also.

Loyalty

http://lonestarstruck.com/blog1/2008/03/pacman_to_the_cowboys_oh_no_sa.htm

“I love my Cowboys as all other true fans do.”

No comment is necessary to this.

Loyalty

http://www.bearsgab.com/2008/07/08/dead-end-ahead-road-to-super-bowl-blocked-by-lack-of-offense/

“So called fans like you are a joke! The only dead end is the blood flowing to your brain! It is fair weather fans like you we can do without! With so called fans like you,who needs enemies!

The sky is always falling in your mind. The glass is always half empty.Why do you even bother,if everything is so bad? Your a joke, that does not understand the game of football or the Financial end of it.Thank god you are not making the decisions!

I have been a die hard bear fan for 38 years.You have no clue what a true fan is all about.True fans support their teams.True fans dont talk smack about their team or back stab their players.True fans are there win or lose.You are probably too young to understand what a true fan is.You only support when the going is good.

No team stays on top all the time,get a clue.TRUE BEAR FANS ARE PROUD & BLEED BLUE!! You probably are too young to even know what bleeding blue is! The true die hard Bear fans know what i am talking about.

We need fans who support our team,not dig for negativities constantly! You should join the packers or Cowboys,if you dont like what the bears bring on sundays.Your opinions are idiotic,& us true fans dont care.

Send your opinions to Mariotti,Die hard bear fans dont care to hear it.True fans start out each year with hope,not despair.The games havent even been played yet!! If you dont enjoy being a fan,your not a fan. Be a Fan or be Gone !!!! GO BEARS!!! YOUR TRUE FANS BELIEVE,& WILL ALWAYS BE THERE FOR YOU!!”

I debated on adding this to my article, but there’s just so much in there that helps to show us what a “true fan” is. It’s difficult to ascertain exactly what he’s talking about, between the misspellings/poor grammar (which is apparently approved for true fan usage) and the absolute beligerence coming from the writer.

Apparently youths cannot be true fans either, nor could they have any knowledge about the team or its true fans.

Loyalty

http://www.igglesblog.com/iggles_blog/2008/09/a-must-win-game.html

“The team itself also seems raaaaaaather confident as well. (I covered this in detail a few weeks ago. I'm not nauseating myself by doing it again.) It's as if that whole organization, the local media ("Dallas Cowboys' greatest obstacles are history, high expectations"), its true fans, and all those wannabe front-runners across the nation believe Dallas' appearance in the NFC Championship Game is simply a matter of scheduling ("That third Sunday of January good for you?") rather that a goal to be achieved.”

I threw this in just because it’s an Eagles fan writing it. I wonder if he’s feeling any different after last Monday’s game.

Loyalty

http://www.amiannoying.com/(S(craik155hhs4vl45mnpr1355))/view.aspx?id=9009&collection=1443

"True fans bleed Blue and Silver."

If they do, they need medical attention, quickly.

Loyalty

http://www.amiannoying.com/(S(craik155hhs4vl45mnpr1355))/view.aspx?id=9009&collection=1443

"True fans have the audacity to claim that the hole in the roof of their stadium is there so that God could watch His team."

Apparently, Jerry Jones believes this also. He's putting in a new hole in the room (although this one can be closed) hoping God comes back after a dozen years of no playoff wins.

Loyalty

http://www.amiannoying.com/(S(craik155hhs4vl45mnpr1355))/view.aspx?id=9009&collection=1443

"True fans like to shout the phrase made famous by former head coach Jimmy Johnson, 'How 'bout them Cowboys!"

Everyone knows it's "dem Cowboys!", not "them Cowboys!".

Loyalty

http://www.amiannoying.com/(S(craik155hhs4vl45mnpr1355))/view.aspx?id=9009&collection=1443

"True fans love their mascot."

Personally, I miss Whistling Ray.

Loyalty

http://www.amiannoying.com/(S(craik155hhs4vl45mnpr1355))/view.aspx?id=9009&collection=1443

"True fans refer to the Cowboys as 'America's Team'."

Well, duhh!!!

Loyalty

http://www.totalcowboys.addr.com/nfceastrankings2000.htm

“True fans will follow the season and watch Emmitt Smith run his way into NFL history.”

Presumably, this only pertains to true fans who were around when Emmitt Smith was still playing for the Cowboys and they are no longer required to follow that season or watch Emmitt Smith run any longer.

Hopefully, today’s true fans are not required to watch Emmitt Smith run his mouth as an announcer. There is a constitutional right against cruel and inhuman punishment, afterall.

Loyalty

http://www.nydailynews.com/forums/thread.jspa?threadID=34846

“What a shame... we were so close to cutting Manning's dead weight last year and he was booed at home more than he was cheered and now the fairweather fans love him because of a hail mary. I guess it's just football fans these days, hardly any true fans who actually stick to their convictions even if the truth is right there to see.”

This not a Cowboys-specific posting, but it does show us that true fans actually stick to their convictions, even if the truth is slapping them in the face.

Loyalty

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080411005801AA1Upuc

"When asked why you like the team you like, true fans will say: “ it's not the wins or losses that matter dont get me wrong its very important BUT its all about the team you have been loyal to forever no matter what the record be!!!”

Miscellaneous

http://www.amiannoying.com/(S(craik155hhs4vl45mnpr1355))/view.aspx?id=9009&collection=1443

"True fans are sometimes distracted by team cheerleaders who are as famous as the team."

Double Duhh!!!!!

Other Purchases

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Dallas-Cowboys-Comforter-and-Sheet-Set-Twin/2659963/product.html

“True fans start young and you can support them with this FANtastic comforter set Ideal for the Cowboys fan in your life, the set includes comforter, flat sheet, fitted sheet and two pillowcases (one in twin set)”

A mere $49.99, however those desiring to support the "true fan" in their life will have to wait because they are out of stock.

Other Purchases

http://www.american-flag.com/content/Car_Flags.htm

“Where and when the car flag became so trendy is debatable. Waving flags at sporting events goes back many years and is a part of the soccer culture in Europe and South America. But tailgating is the quintessential American way to party and proudly waving the standards of the New York Yankees, the Dallas Cowboys, Jeff Gordon's # 24 and the LSU Tigers is paramount to identifying yourself as a true fan.”

This is how you can identify yourself as a true fan. Stick a Dallas Cowboys car flag on your vehicle.

Loyalty

http://www.amiannoying.com/(S(craik155hhs4vl45mnpr1355))/view.aspx?id=9009&collection=1443

"True fans root for their team."

That's like saying "Colonel Sanders liked fried chicken!"

Spelling & Grammar

http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/05/observing-the-dallas-cowboys-otas.html

“Its guys that feel the need to correct a guy doing a fun gig for Cowboy fans that validates all the sheeottt I have fed "Cow-Girl" fans over the past 4 months - what effen losers!!! Why do you think that we have no access from either the players and/or the media? It's BC of a-holes that nit-pick!!!!!!! JC this is not rocket science it is football and I want to see inside of it as much as possible!!!!! But cocker-blockers like the "Proper English Grammar Guys", who will be obsolete down the road soon, keep effen it up! Congrats - we have no new info BC of you guys! Go away and let us true fans try to figure out the game with assistance from the people who in the future would not be afraid to give it w/out repercussions from the grammar police!!! Go back and read Chaucer and Yeats and Poe if you want the proper English and meter!”

True fans get somewhat upset when their grammar is corrected.

So, there you have it. Everything you need to know to determine whether you're a "true fan" or not. I found all this information right there on the internet, so we all know it must be true.

Now, to review the criteria one must meet to qualify as a "true fan, here's the list:

True fans do get to the stadium early.

True fans of each team hate each other far more than any of the players hate anyone in the League.

True fans become repressed, they fail in their relationships with women, their conversation is trivial and boorish, they find themselves unable to express their emotional needs, they cannot relate to their children, and they die alone and miserable.

True fans can voice their displeasure with an underachieving team. But they remain loyal.

True fans can and do get angry at Jerry Jones.

True fans don't care whether what was said negatively is the truth or not, only that it was said. And they don't like it.

True fans have paid their dues by supporting the team through the hard times.

True fans start young.

True fans have a "connection" with the geographic area where their team resides.

True fans journey out to New Cowboys Stadium every Sunday, regardless of weather and it is necessary that they wear this necktie.

True fans often dress or paint themselves in the team colors of Royal Blue and Metallic Silver.

True fans have and wear a Dallas Cowboys Toe Ring.

True fans must live in the state currently, must have lived in the state in the past or have immediate relatives that are from the state their favorite team resides in, in order for them to qualify to be a true fan of a particular team.

True fans may make misspellings and grammar mistakes at will and without repurcussion.

Youths cannot be true, nor could they have any knowledge about the team or its true fans.

True fans can lie without penalty about bleeding silver and blue.

True fans claim that the hole in the roof of their stadium is there so that God could watch His team.

True fans like to shout the phrase made famous by former head coach Jimmy Johnson, 'How 'bout them Cowboys!

True fans love their mascot.

True fans refer to the Cowboys as 'America's Team'.

True fans are confused about whether to watch Emmitt or not.

True fans actually stick to their convictions, even if the truth is slapping them in the face.

True fans are sometimes distracted by team cheerleaders who are as famous as the team.

True fans have a Dallas Cowboys flag on their vehicle.

True fans root for their team.

True fans get somewhat upset when their grammar is corrected.

Now, if I get in the mood at some point, I'll investigate what a "hater", a "real fan", a "bandwagoner" and a "so-called fan" is.

Look Guys. . . .

2008-09-10T07:58:00.003-05:00

I guess I just have an active imagination, but I consider myself pretty good at getting mental images of various things and events. To set the stage for this one, I guess you need to read this.

OK, so now you know what she did. Here's what I think he (Tony Romo) did.

First of all, I envision him at his home. He's up early because he knows she's going to be on Good Morning America and he wants to see how she does. So he's diddling around his home, having breakfast, getting dressed, showering, etc. and not necessarily in that order. The television is on and finally she's on TV. There's a glitch when she's not able to hear herself because of something wrong with the sound system or the settings. At any rate, he hears her say "Go Cowboys". His head snaps towards the television. He knows she's in Philadelphia. Then he hears her say "That's next week! We're gonna kick your butts, too!"

Now, females don't quite understand the male/macho need to not be embarassed by your woman. Tony Romo is riding a wave of success in the NFL, a man's game. His team is mentioned daily right now as being the most probable team to represent the NFC in the Superbowl. Romo's the field general. He is the most macho of the macho. He's a good looking guy, making tons of money, and leading one of the hottest teams in the NFL. When Tony Romo speaks, everyone listens. To say that Tony Romo wouldn't have a problem finding a dinner date is a huge understatement. There are probably thousands, if not millions of females who would trade places with Jessica Simpson in a heartbeat. But he picked Jessica.

And now, she's opened up her mouth.

It's not like he can pretend it didn't happen. It was on Good Morning America. I think they record their viewership in bazillions or gozillions, I forget which.

So he can't hide from it. He remembers last year when she showed up for the Philly game wearing the pink shirt. And the Cowboys lost 10-6. The Jessica Curse was announced. Now she's told all Philly fans, plus the team, plus most of the civilized world that "We're gonna kick your butts, too!"

It's Tuesday, and there's no practice, so Tony decides that since it's 5 o'clock somewhere, he'll have a beer. He spends the rest of the day going about his business, but her words linger in his mind all day long.

Wednesday morning arrives and he gets up, does the breakfast/shaving/getting dressed/etc. thing again and heads to Valley Ranch. When he parks his car, he lingers for a few minutes, knowing the guys are going to be in there, knowing there's no way he's getting out of the locker room without someone saying something. It would be be a travesty of maleness if someone didn't bring it up. He knows it's coming. So he gathers up the courage and goes inside.

He walks in the locker room and notices that conversations cease, sees guys looking at each other. There's not many guys smiling or joking. What few are seem to stop as he walks to his locker.

Finally, the inevitable. . . . one of the guys says "Man, can't you keep that bitch quiet?"

Someone else says "they (the Eagles) probably have that sh** taped on their wall".

Tony can feel the heat of the red flush of embarassment creep up his neck and into his face.

Someone says "Man, you need to control her better than you're doing."

Now we're talking loss of manhood here. This is a male society, macho, manly. Men should not be dealing with the aftermath of some silly woman running her mouth. Tony knows they're right. He didn't control his woman.

Someone else says something, but Tony is so deep in thought the words don't register.

Finally, he turns to the crowd that has gathered and sees all eyes on him. He looks down at his shoes for a brief second and says "Look guys. . . it's just good pu**y." He looks at the crowd, lips somewhat pursed, shrugs his shoulders and turns back to his locker.

The guys look at each other. For a moment no one says anything. Then one guy shrugs his shoulders and kind of nods his head. More heads begin to nod. Someone says "OK, I can see that". The crowd breaks up and everyone goes about their business.

Tony sighs in relief. The embarassment is over. He explained the whole thing with four words. He's still a man. He's still the king of the Cowboys.

Not this year. . . .

2008-09-08T10:12:00.002-05:00

My blog is about reality. Sometimes reality doesn't fit so well with the denizens in Cowboys Nation. But it's still reality. So here's some reality for you.

I watch several of the Cowboys related message boards and have for several years. Historically, Cowboys fans by this point time have lathered themselves into such a frenzy that message traffic is at a pinnacle for the year.

Arguments about particular players and their (perceived) impending positive effect on the team abound. As an example, one says "Quincy Carter will lead us to the promised land". Another says he isn't. Then the arguments about whether Terrell Owens should be brought in or not. Differences in opinion fueled the message boards. Everyone had an opinion and few were reticent to voice them.

Not this year.

This year, there has been a marked and quite noticeable decrease in message traffic during training camp and preseason. Normally, this time of the year, one can log onto the message boards and easily spend an hour viewing new posts, reading new articles about the Cowboys and just generally keeping up with what's going on in Cowboys land. But this year, I can peruse three or four different Cowboys message boards and be through in half an hour at most.

Has eleven years of high (although false) expectations finally sunk in? Are today's fans finally convinced that until the Cowboys prove to us they can end their regular season by winning more games than they lose in December, those fan's aren't going to invest the emotion and money (Read that, Mr. Jones!) into a team that has let them down year after year after year.

Jerry Jones has predicted Superbowl seasons every year practically since they actually did have one back in '95.

Not this year.

I have no doubt he believes this team has the potential to make it to the Superbowl. Whether he's thinking that mentioning the "S" word might somehow jinx them, I don't know. I just know he's dodging that word like he would dodge a Texas rattlesnake.

The players aren't talking smack either. Most of them stay away from the "S" word also. But what's most interesting is that the fans online aren't talking smack about Superbowls either. Sure, you hear one occasionally, but more often than not, if they do mention going to the Superbowl, there's a caveat included about the Cowboys cratering in December or being able to win one playoff game first.

It appears to me that regardless of what we want, the reality of what the Cowboys have shown us for eleven years has set in for most of us. Perinneal losers is the reality. Losing more games in December than they won is the reality. Going into the playoffs on a negative note is the reality. Getting our hopes up as fans only to be disappointed at season end is the reality. Can they change that reality.

Of course. but until they do, reality remains as it is.

We've seen one game so far this season. The Cowboys looked great in almost every facet of the game, handily giving the Browns a 28-10 defeat. For the first time since 1995, we got to see a Dallas offense step onto the football field and just methodically march the ball downfield, seemingly indifferent to what the Browns were trying to do defensively. We haven't seen a Dallas offense with that kind of swagger since the last Cowboys Superbowl season in 1995.

Now, does that mean they're to clear off the shelf for the new trophy? Does it mean the Cowboys will play like that all season? Of course not. It means they owned the Browns yesterday. There are 15 more games to be played this regular season. Four of those are in December. The Cowboys suck in December. They have for 13 years straight. That's the reality.

On, January 1, 2007, I wrote this in my blog:

"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"

Here we are in 2008 now, facing another season with hopes (albeit rather quiet hopes this year). It's hard to get fired up for this team at this point. Yes, they looked good yesterday. But we all ate the cheese last year when they entered December having lost only one game. The December Meltdown showed up right on cue and they went into the playoffs on a downward spiral, only to lose to the Giants, a team they had already beaten twice last season.

No, eating the cheese is much harder this season. How can we get fired up in September. Or even October. We did that last year. Or November. We did that last year, too. Do we want to go spend a ton of money on Cowboys paraphenalia before December? I don't. And I firmly believe there are lots of other fans that don't, either. There are few things worse than watching your favorite team just turn into mush. Is this silence an indication that the fans are hanging onto their hard earned dollars until they see some viable positive results from the Cowboys? I contend it is. And I believe this was inevitable. Most loyalties are a matter of convenience. We want to feel like "our team" is the best. When "our team" wins, we feel better. "Our team" has disappointed us for years. And I contend many are jumping ship because of it. At the least, many are holding on to their dollars until they see some results. If Jerry Jones hasn't already seen a change in his bottom line, I truly believe he will.

Now, if the Cowboys play the rest of the season (that includes December!) like they did yesterday, then I believe they can go all the way. Yes, I'm talking Superbowl Championship winners. World Champions.

If they crater in December, regardless of their record before then, they will not go to the Superbowl.

Now, is that a prediction?

Not this year. . . . .

I wouldn't want to interrupt the silence. . . .

Rod

Jessica Simpson Reportedly Pregnant!!!

2008-07-31T20:27:00.001-05:00

Remember, you heard it here first!!!

Oh, the rumor mill is buzzing with this one.

According to Pop On The Pop, Jessica Simpson may be pregnant! The photograph at this site does show a bit of a bulge in the tummy area, as well as what appears to be larger than her normal breasts. The site says:

"Jessica Simpson has gained at least 10 pounds and we finally know why. Jessica Simpson is pregnant with Tony Romo's baby. Ashlee's pregnant, Jessica had to have a baby of her own too."

According to PR-Inside.com:

Jessica Simpson has sparked rumours she is pregnant. The 'Come on Over' singer was photographed with an apparent baby bump as she celebrated her 28th birthday in Sherman Oaks, California, yesterday (10.07.08). Wearing a flowing, short-sleeved brown and white dress, topped off with a cowboy hat, Jessica grinned broadly as she walked along with friends, but appeared to have larger breasts and arms than usual. An onlooker said: "She definitely looked bigger than she usually does, and her breasts seemed to have swollen too. It could have just been down to a big lunch, but it looked like more than that. She also kept holding a grey jumper in front of her stomach, as if she was trying to hide something." Jessica - who is divorced from singer Nick Lachey - has reportedly been finding it hard to disguise her jealousy about her 23-year-old sister Ashlee's news she is expecting her first child with husband Pete Wentz. A source said: "Jessica has yearned for a baby for years. She's told friends that she can't wait to be a mom and has even joked that if she has to, she'll resort to making her hairstylist pal Ken Paves the adoptive daddy. Jessica never imagined that her tomboy younger sister would have a baby first. It would be very hard for her not to be jealous."

PopCrunch.com says:

“She definitely looked bigger than she usually does, and her breasts seemed to have swollen too,” an onlooker says. “She also kept holding a grey jumper in front of her stomach, as if she was trying to hide something.”

And according to AndhraNews.net:

Jessica Simpson has sparked rumours that she too may be expecting after being with a 'baby bump' on her 28th birthday party in Sherman Oaks, California.

Jessica, who celebrated her birthday with her beau Tony Romo sporting a free flowing short sleeved, looking curvier than ever.

Nick Lachey's ex-wife appeared to have larger breasts and arms than usual with a slight bump on her tummy, which she was trying to hide with a grey jumper, reports news.com.au.

"She definitely looked bigger than she usually does, and her breasts seemed to have swollen too ... She also kept holding a grey jumper in front of her stomach, as if she was trying to hide something," an onlooker revealed.

If the reports are true, then Jessica's parents will become grandparents twice over, what with younger daughter Ashlee Simpson also expecting her first child with hubby Pete Wentz.

Is all this stuff true? Time will tell. If it isn't, we'll know soon enough. If it is, will it affect Tony Romo's performance on the field?

Just what we needed.

Rod

The Unmentionables - July '08 Edition

2008-07-31T11:37:00.000-05:00

Training camp is here, with preseason knocking on the door and a mere 38 days before the first game of the season arrives. There is little doubt that on paper this Cowboys team should be a serious contender. All of this hinges on the word "if", though.

There are some key players on the team that are quite simply critical for the success of the Dallas Cowboys. Losing one of these players changes the dynamics of the team and their ability to compete, which could turn the team from a serious contender to a "could have been" in a heartbeat.

The first and most obvious is Tony Romo. The expectation is that Romo will be a better, more competent, more confident quarterback. The hope is that he's as elusive and as durable as he's shown himself to be so far. But, if the unmentionable happens and he's injured, what do the Cowboys have in their arsenal for backup? Johnson and Bartel? A has-been kinda sorta and a kid. Gone are the elusive, "make it happen anyway" plays that Romo creates out of thin air often. No matter how good the offensive line is, they won't be able to stop the rush enough to make Johnson look competent. And Bartel so far in training camp has not left us with the warm fuzzies.

There's been talk about trading for Chris Simms, although the asking price at this point seems too high. Health concerns are a dark cloud over Simms at the moment. There's a lot of discussion about this subject at Blogging the Boys. I agree with the general opinion that Brad isn't the answer and that Simms is too expensive of an option at the moment. One thing I do believe, though, is that if Romo goes down, the Cowboys are in serious trouble.

The next obvious one is Terrell Owens. He is such a threat on offense that teams spend a week preparing to defend against him and still he burns them. But he has a history of injuries and missed games. If the unmentionable happens and Owens is injured the Cowboys offense changes immediately and becomes much easier to defend against.

At dallascowboys.com, Jonathan Hazel of Glen Allen, VI asked a question regarding the depth at the wide receiver position. Mickey, Rob and Nick all gave various reasons why the Cowboys didn't grab a wide receiver during the offseason or the draft. Frankly, I believe the Cowboys should have put a higher priority on the situation and hope that their lack of movement on this issue doesn't bite the team in the rear this season. Losing Owens could be a disaster.

The loss of either of those players could potentially be a threat to the season, depending on when it occurs. The loss of both would be monumentally damaging.

Terrence Newman is already down with an injury and missing training camp because of it. Coach Phillips described it as "significant". If it's keeping Newman off the field, give that statement a "well, duhhhh". The Cowboys are ripe with talent at cornerback, so Newman's injury alone, while unwanted, wouldn't necessarily put an end to a great season. But remember, Anthony Henry, the #2 cornerback has a history of being brittle, also. If the unmentionable occurs and both of them go down at the same time, things don't look so ripe anymore. Remember, some of that depth at cornerback is already in jeopardy with an injury to Ball.

An injury to Andre Gurode would be significant. He missed a couple games in 2007. While the Cowboys survived, the concensus of opinion is that the offense is much better with Gurode at Center. I concur. Much of Tony Romo's success hinges on the play of Andre Gurode. If this unmentionable happens, the offense will struggle, at least for a few games.

The Cowboys have a new starting running back. Not new to the Cowboys, but new as starter. Marion "the Barbarian" Barber is currently expected to be the starting running back. The question is, "can he be the main man taking most of the snaps playing at the intensity that is so natural for him?" No doubt that Felix Jones is going to get a share of the snaps and rightfully so. But can Barber stay healthy for an entire season as the primary running back? And if the unmentionable happens and he doesn't stay healthy, can Jones step up to the plate and deliver an effective running attack at the NFL level?

Jason Witten has become to Romo what Jay Novacek was to Troy Aikman. With Terry Glenn missing in action for most of last season, Witten's job became more and more important as the season progressed. He was effectively the #2 wide receiver. The Cowboys haven't hired a wide receiver with the experience and talent Glenn had, so expect Witten's job to be equally important this season. Tony Curtis is Witten's backup. If this unmentionable occurs and Witten goes down, it's a different offense for the Cowboys.

Keeping guys healthy is a priority, as it should be, but it is even more vital this season when the injury to just a couple of key players can make the difference between seriously contending for a Superbowl championship and yet another year of disappointments. Just don't mention it. It's a secret.

I'm just mad as hell. . . .

2008-07-30T12:01:00.000-05:00

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

It wasn't supposed to be like this. . . .

2008-02-04T07:57:00.000-06:00

It was supposed to be Tony Romo's photo hoisting the ball.

It was supposed to be Jason Witten saying "we needed to make the play. . . . we made the play".

It was supposed to be Wade Phillips walking out of the stadium, looking back wondering when it'll ever be this good again.

It was supposed to be Jason Garrett being interviewed after the game.

It was supposed to be the Cowboys with their new Lombardi trophy after beating the unbeatable New England Patriots.

But. . . . .

The Cowboys didn't want it enough. The Giants did.

The Cowboys coasted (some say laid down) in December. The Giants fought like bears to remain with a slim playoff chance. In the end, it required mathematics to determine that they did make it into the playoffs. A wildcard team, of course.

Against what was considered a very good defense, the Giants beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Their next game was against the Dallas Cowboys, who had beaten them twice in the regular season. And here's where reality fell into the laps of the Dallas Cowboys. That Giants team walked on the field with determination to play for 60 minutes. More if necessary. None of them were taking any time off. They understood the reality, the finality, the absolute pain of giving 110% for that game.

Who knows what was in the Cowboys minds. Everything from coaching to sore thumbs has been blamed. What it looked like was a team that simply wasn't mentally or physically prepared for the seriousness of playoff competition. The Giants were ready. And they stunned the Dallas Cowboys and their fans.

Who knows what might have happened had the Cowboys come to play football that day. "If" the Cowboys had won that game, perhaps they would have had some fire inside them that wanted that Super Bowl trophy. Perhaps they could have left the Packers laying on the field at Texas Stadium in January, defeated. And perhaps the Cowboys could have given the Patriots their first loss this season.

We'll never know. The Cowboys came to the January game against the Giants with no fire. The Giants had fire. Fire made the difference. Fire was something the Giants had been building through December, on into January. And the Giants' fire was getting hotter weekly. The Cowboys were barely smoldering, if at all, by that time. We know what happened.

The Giants went on to Lambeau Field and even the cold of that place in January wasn't enough to quell the fire of the Giants. The Packers were also defeated by a red hot Giants team.

And then yesterday. The unthinkable happened. What no rational human being on this planet could envision, took place. The Giants wanted it more. The Giants had more fire. The Giants came to play for 60 minutes. . . more if necessary. And the unbeatable New England Patriots got their ass kicked.

And the New York Football Giants, who maintained their fire, who stoked their fire, and who used that fire to propel them from a team that barely made it into the playoffs, are now the World Champion New York Football Giants.

I congratulate them with all of my being. They deserved that trophy. They played like champions. Something our Cowboys need to study and learn how to do. They'll get the opportunity next season. The Cowboys will play the defending World Champions twice next season, as usual.

It was supposed to be the Cowboys as the defending World Champions. It won't be. They didn't want it as badly. They weren't hungry enough. The Giants were. And the Giants had fire when they needed the fire.

I'm a Cowboy fan, through and through. I'll hate the Giants again tomorrow. But today, I congratulate them on truly being the new World Champions. They proved better than any team I've ever seen that what is important is not the dog in the fight, but the fight in the dog. Congratulations.

The Fog is Lifting. . . .

2008-01-27T10:38:00.000-06:00

As many of you are more than well aware, I have been watching and researching this December Meltdown phenomena for several years and commenting on it regularly. I have on numerous occasions stated how identifying the cause of this phenomena has been elusive.

Please be advised that I am very close to solving this mystery and a vital announcement regarding this matter is forthcoming.

Rod

Uncle Herman

2008-01-21T11:39:00.000-06:00

In northwest Louisiana, back in the late 1800's, in a part of Desoto Parish known as the Dollette Hills (pronounced "doley"), there wasn't a dense population. Small communities dotted the landscape, but they were sparse. Very few businesses existed, and many of those were what we'd call saloons. In the early 1900's, my grandfather had settled there and was raising his family there. His sister who lived nearby was also raising her family in that area.

This was the badlands. Where the bandits and bank robbers would hide out from the authorities. These guys were bad and tough and strived to become badder and tougher. None of my bunch were involved with the bank robbing, that I've been able to discover, anyway, but they grew up in that neck of the woods. Folks down in that area weren't considered sissyboys by any means.

My grandfather had a nephew named Arthur Robbins. Arthur had just turned 18 years old when this event occurred. And for the first time was able to go to the saloons legally. Arthur was a man of small stature and had a speech impediment, but that didn't deter him from deciding he would go to the saloon to celebrate his 18th birthday.

So he went. The music was playing and people were drinking and having a good time. Suddenly, the door opens loudly and a man steps in and in a loud voice proclaims "I'm the baddest, toughest man in North Louisiana and I'll whip anyone's ass who says any different."

Well, the crowd backs up against the wall, with no one challenging the man at the door. Arthur, being of small stature, ducked under a table hoping to stay out of the melee that was sure to come. It almost got completely silent for just a moment in the nightclub. From Arthur's vantage point under the table, he saw a pair of legs scoot a chair back and straighten up as the owner of those legs stood up. Arthur heard a voice say "No, I don't think you are the toughest guy in North Louisiana."

Then, from the door, Arthur heard the man at the door say "Oh, Mr. Hendricks, I didn't see YOU here!! And he backed out of the door and left immediately.

The man that belonged to those legs was my dad's brother, Herman Hendricks. Apparently my uncle had quite a reputation in an area where bad was really bad. And tough was really tough. This is a true story and definitely part of family lore now.

Now, what does that have to do with football? Nothing directly. It has to do with swagger. The man at the door walked in with confidence. And swagger. It might have been alcohol induced, but regardless, he had it until he saw Uncle Herman standing there. Before he saw Uncle Herman, the entire population of the nightclub was scared of the man at the door. Except one. When Herman stood up and spoke, the swagger changed. The man at the door lost his confidence and his swagger and did the only smart thing he could think of. He left. From other things I know of Uncle Herman, it was a wise decision. He was tall and lanky, but loaded cross ties by hand for a living.

Uncle Herman had a couple things going for him in that scenario. He had a reputation established. And he had the skills to back up that reputation,

Here's where the Cowboys come into this story. The Cowboys have twelve Pro Bowlers on the team. And other players that are rock solid. The talent and skills are there for the most part. The Cowboys dominated the NFC through 12 games this past season, losing only one of those, and that was to the Patriots. There was little doubt who THE team to beat in the NFC was. And December got here, and something happened to the Cowboys. I don't know if it was loss of concentration, loss of confidence, injuries, an ongoing curse, or what, but the general concensus is they sucked during December. They're like the guy standing at the door. Their swagger left. And the Giants proved to be the tall lanky one in this scenario. The one that said "No, I don't think you are the team to beat in the NFC."

Now, next season will get here, and the Cowboys will be the former NFC East Champions. And regardless of the outcome of the SuperBowl, the Giants will be the NFC Conference Champions. They are THE team to beat as the season begins. The Cowboys, because of the late season collapse will have to play their entire season and a couple playoff games before anyone takes them serious next season. Imagine having to go into the 13th game of the season still unable to have confidence in your own team, or have others have confidence in your team. Unfortunately, that's the scenario that the Cowboys have now created for themselves.

Now, champions stand up and speak loudly and with conviction. Not necessarily with words, but with actions. The only thing that will overcome the personna the Cowboys have created is for them to come into next season and dominate. Not like they did last year, but like the 1992 Cowboys did. Like the Bears did in the 80's. Like the Steelers did in their day. Like the Patriots do today. The Cowboys need to step on the field and strike fear into the other team. That isn't going to happen in the first few games. They don't have that reputation yet. As Yogi Berra said years ago, "this game is 50% physical and 90% mental." It's time for the Cowboys to stand up and say to the Giants and the rest of the world "No, we ARE the team to beat and today's not looking very good for you". And back it up with action. It's time for some earned swagger.

Rod

Just for the record - Romo Last 5 games

2008-01-17T20:05:00.000-06:00

In games played in December and January, Tony Romo is 3-7.

2006
Week 14 NOR 42 DAL 17
Week 15 DAL 38 ATL 28
Week 16 PHI 23 DAL 7
Week 17 DET 39 DAL 31
NFC Wild-Card Playoff DAL 20 SEA 21

2007
Week 14 DET 27 DAL 28
Week 15 PHI 6 DAL10
Week 16 CAR 13 DAL 20
Week 17 WAS 27 DAL 6
NFC Div.Playoff NYG 23 at DAL 17

His Passer Rating average for the 5 games after Dec 1, 2007 was 62.8.
A quick search of the internet failed to produce the passer rating numbers for 2006.

Rod

What would Jimmy Johnson do. . . .

2008-01-16T08:38:00.000-06:00

In an article by Tim MacMahon:
(http://cowboys.beloblog.com/archives/2007/11/jimmy_blasts_burnett.html)

While ranting about bonehead penalties by Bradie James and Kevin Burnett, Studio JJ morphed into Coach Johnson, giving what amounted to a tongue-lashing aimed at Burnett in particular.

"Because you’re an idiot and you can’t keep your mouth shut, now it’s tied," Johnson bellowed, veins popping in his forehead. "And now they’ve got the momentum. They feel good. We have to play disciplined football if we’re going to win this game. We can’t go out there and lose our cool."

Moments later, Johnson wondered: "What would Bill Parcells think in that same situation?" Then, in an obvious reference to the difference between the Parcells Era-Cowboys and the Wade Phillips Era: "Relaxed-type atmosphere. You can’t have a relaxed-type atmosphere."

End of article quote

We've had relaxed before, sometimes with Campo, sometimes with Chan Gailey. The results were lack of discipline. On the other hand, the Parcells method didn't work either. The players responded to his method, but not in a positive way.

The results prove that Jimmy Johnson's method worked when he was coaching a team with talent. Tom Landry's method, while different than Johnson's, worked also when he had talent. Unless you had a bunch of slackers, you didn't see an undisciplined Landry team or Johnson team. And slackers didn't last long around here.

Since Johnson left, we've watched Larry Allen cash his checks and barely show up for most games in his last few years with the Cowboys. We watched Julius Jones run into the back of his teammates seemingly hundreds of times and just fall down. We've watched Flozell Adams make penalty after penalty after penalty, usually false start penalties, costing the Cowboys yards over and over, and usually when they needed those yards the most.

Discipline. That has to be the key. Parcells used fear and humiliation which, as I've already said, didn't work with the Cowboys. Johnson used intimidation, but also taught his players how to focus on the job at hand. We've watched 12 years of December Meltdowns where one player or another just didn't seem to be focused on winning the game. Sometimes it was entire units that weren't focused.

If Jimmy Johnson had been coach of last year's Cowboys, or this year's Cowboys, and any member of the team slacked off, he would have gotten benched. Or fired. Jimmy Johnson got his players' attention. A receiver dropped a sure touchdown pass during a playoff game under Jimmy Johnson. The next morning, that player no longer worked for the Dallas Cowboys organization.

Jimmy taught players that it was a serious business and that they were hired to do a job and that their focus had damned well better be on doing that job or they didn't work here anymore. For the record, the Cowboys went on to win the SuperBowl that season and you can bet your hiney there wasn't any more dropped passes in the endzone that season.

When you look at the tremendous effort required to get to the 13th game of the season with a 12-1 record, at all the struggles each player had to endure, at the studying and planning and manipulating schemes and plays, to make such a thing happen, a player should be publicly shamed when he doesn't put out his best effort for his teammates, for himself, and for the simple fact that he's getting paid to do it.

Anything less is disrespectful to your teammates.

Missed tackles? Dropped passes? Poor blocking? In a playoff game? I think Jimmy Johnson used the word "idiot". I concur. And I add the word "shameful" to it.

Rod

Reality Check - 2008

2008-01-15T18:58:00.000-06:00

1977:Long hair
2007:Longing for hair

1977:KEG
2007:EKG

1977:Acid rock
2007:Acid reflux

1977:Moving to California because it's cool
2007:Moving to Arizona because it's warm

1977:Trying to look like Marlon Brando or Liz Taylor
2007:Trying NOT to look like Marlon Brando or Liz Taylor

1977:Seeds and stems
2007:Roughage

1977:Hoping for a BMW
2007:Hoping for a BM

1977:Going to a new, hip joint
2007:Receiving a new hip joint

1977:Rolling Stones
2007:Kidney Stones

1977:Screw the system
2007:Upgrade the system

1977:Disco
2007:Costco

1977:Parents begging you to get your hair cut
2007:Children begging you to get their heads shaved

1977:Passing the drivers' test
2007:Passing the vision test

1977:Whatever
2007:Depends

Just in case you weren't feeling too old today, this will certainly change things. Each year the staff at Beloit College in Wisconsin puts together a list to try to give the faculty a sense of the mindset of this year's incoming freshmen. Here's this year's list:

The people who are starting college this fall across the nation were born in 1989.

Their lifetime has always included AIDS.

Bottle caps have always been screw off and plastic.

The CD was introduced the year they were born.

They have always had an answering! machine

They have always had cable.

They cannot fathom not having a remote control.

Jay Leno has always been on the Tonight Show.

Popcorn has always been cooked in the microwave.

They never took a swim and thought about Jaws.

They can't imagine what hard contact lenses are.

They don't know who Mork was or where he was from.

They never heard: "Where's the Beef?", "I'd walk
a mile for a Camel", or "de plane, Boss, de plane."

McDonald's never came in Styrofoam containers.

They don't have a clue how to use a typewriter.

These people who are starting college this fall were
six years old the last time the Cowboys won a
playoff game.

Rod

A letter to Dallas Cowboys, Inc.

2008-01-15T07:52:00.000-06:00

Dear Mr. Jones,

I've been a user of your company's product since 1972. That's 35 years. For many years before you acquired the company, I was happy with the product. Although some competing companies' products managed to come out ahead in the market place many times, I was brand loyal for many years, even though the quality of the product began to drop considerably in the 1980's.

When you acquired the company, I was concerned with the direction the company might take, but within very few years, you had my complete confidence as the company soared to the top of the market place, winning awards and acclaim well into the 1990's. Then the quality of your product began to deteriorate again. It continues to be in decline. During this entire time, I have remained loyal to your company's brand, although I must admit to much disatisfaction for over a decade now.

No longer does your company win awards and the envy of your peers. Other companies have dominated your market place for years. This past year, your company appeared to be on a path to reclaim your value in the market place. With the acquisition of new personnel handling various facets of the company, your company began an upward climb appearing to be reclaiming the status of "elite" in your market.

Then the Christmas sales season began and your company's product quality began a nosedive, yet again. For twelve years your company's product quality has deteriorated beginning in December to the point your consumers lose their confidence in your product. As of the national showing of your product this past weekend, I would contend that confidence in your product is now at an all-time low.

Because of the nature of your company, the market place cannot manage a corporate takeover and remove management which apparently is incapable of righting the ship of this once fine organization. This leaves us, the consumers of your product, three choices.

1. To continue using the poor quality product your firm produces and just live with our own disatisfaction,

2. To switch to another company's product, or

3. To rise up, united, and demand, with our pocketbooks, that you, as head of this corporation, fix the problem or lose our business.

A concerted effort by us, your consumers, to not purchase your product, not use your product, not display your product until such time as we see you actually beginning to meet your customers' needs is not inconceivable. Many of us have the stamina to continue to love your product, in spite of the poor quality, but there are enough consumers out there who will choose option 2.

The group I'm speaking for is group 3. The only method we have to get your attention is to stop buying and using your products. We, as a group, are many times ashamed to admit that we are users of your product, and frankly, we're tired of feeling that way.

Perhaps if a thousand of us would decide to not buy tickets to see your product displayed, not to buy jerseys, cups, mugs, teeshirts, caps, posters, etc, we would get your attention. If each of us normally spent $100 per year, that's $100,000.

I contend we can show that much unification. If ten thousand were to decide to stop the usage of your product until we see positive results, not promises, of product quality improvement, that would be $1,000,000.

If a hundred thousand of us were to decide to throw our hands up in fisted rage and speak as one voice that enough was enough, that would be $10,000,000.

Heaven help us if we could dream to get a million of your consumers to decide that we're sick of an inferior product, we're starting to talk about some serious money here.

As an individual, my voice is weak and barely audible. But, Mr. Jones, there are a lot of users of your product that are just sick of this. Listen to us. One becomes two. and two become four, and four become eight, and the next thing you know, there's an army of dissatisfied consumers of your product out there and they're not spending any more money with your company until they see a fundamental change in quality control.

Can you imagine your first public display of your product in your new billion dollar showroom, and only a few people in attendance? Unlikely, yes. Completely impossible, no.

We, as users of your company's product want you to hear us. It's time to show us that you deserve the hard earned money we bestow upon your company each year. That your company deserves the loyalty we, as your consumers, give.

Mr. Jones, fix it. Within your company, you have the power. Outside your company, our dollars have the power.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Rod

Last night on the Ticket. . .

2008-01-14T16:26:00.000-06:00

Last night on the Ticket, there was a caller that brought up something that I have been pondering over today. The caller asked whether it was possible that Tony Romo might be another Danny White. Meaning that Romo might get you into the playoffs, might even win a game or two, but won't get you to the Super Bowl.

1980 NFL NFC Championship 12 - 4
1981 NFL NFC Championship 12 - 4
1982 NFL NFC Championship 6 - 3
1983 NFL NFC Wild-Card Playoff 12 - 4
1984 NFL 9 - 7
1985 NFL NFC Divisional Playoff 10 - 6
1985 NFL NFC Divisional Playoff 10 - 6
1986 NFL 7 - 9
1987 NFL 7 - 8

This is a snapshot of a portion of Danny White's career. Some of these years, mainly the poorer record years, Danny did not take all the snaps as QB. For the years he did take all or most of the snaps, the Cowboys had a winning record and went at least to a divisional playoff game, with three appearances in the NFC Championship game. But, of course, what's missing is that Super Bowl appearance. Whether it was Danny's fault or not, he must carry the rep of being the QB that just couldn't get you there.

Personally, I have always been a huge fan of Danny White. Until this season, he had held the single season passing yardage record for the Cowboys organization. Romo surpassed that record this season. Danny was a good quarterback and excellent leader. But he didn't win the big one.

Now, I haven't checked planetary arrangements or horoscopes or birthweights or anything like that to prove up some theory that Romo is just the next Danny White.

It's a different game now than it was in Danny's day. Faster, bigger players are involved. Rules are different. Even the playoff scenario is different now. Equipment is better now, affording better protection to the players. And, of course, there's free agency. All of these things could affect what Danny would do these days, so it is impossible to know how Danny would play under today's circumstances.

We do know a little more now about how Tony Romo plays. A full season this year and roughly half of last regular season has show us that he can be competitive. It has also shown us that for some reason or another, his performance appears to degrade as the season goes on.

We've watched him in two playoff games. Both have been losses. Both have ended with a last ditch effort involving Tony Romo as one of the ball handlers on the last play. You have to give Romo credit for having the Cowboys in position to potentially win the game, no doubt. But you have to wonder if he's getting rattled from the pressure of such a game. Slick ball last year was the excuse/reason. Receiver cut too early this season seems to be the concensus of opinions as to this year's failure to score.

But the bottom line is that no Tony Romo led Cowboys team has won a playoff game yet. The Cowboys probably wouldn't have been in those playoff games without Tony Romo. But both games were losses.

Now, as to the caller's question about Romo being the next Danny White. No, I don't think he is. I think he's the next Tony Romo. And I don't think we all quite know what that is yet. I still contend that it's much too early to start casting his hall of fame bust. Probably more people believe that this season, after yesterday's loss. Tony needs to show us he lead this team to a playoff victory. Then he can worry about the NFC Championship and finally the Super Bowl. But right now, all we know is he can get the team into the playoffs. He hasn't even shown us he can get the team into playoffs with some momentum going their way yet.

At this point, though, I would say that Tony Romo needs to provide us with more stats before we could call him the 2nd Coming of Danny White. But it's an interesting concept, regardless.

Rod

If's and December and Lunacy. . .

2008-01-14T07:18:00.000-06:00

It's 5:38 on the Monday morning after the Cowboys lost the NFC Divisional game. Their 13-3 regular season record now looks meaningless. Had they not done so well during the regular season, they'd be drafting higher, so in some ways it actually hurt the team.

For the first 12 games, I watched and cheered and remained hopeful that this was the real deal. But one thing was sure. There was no way I was going to start talking smack about the Cowboys until I saw what they did in December. When they went into December beginning to lose games and being less productive, all those uneasy feelings started flooding in. I voiced my opinion and was called a hater, not a fan, etc. Well I'm a big ole boy. I can take the name calling. What I can't take is another season of this crap. You can talk until you're blue in the face and you're not going to convince me of how well the Cowboys played in December. You're not going to convince me that this team had a snowball's chance in hell (yes, i said it again) of going anywhere in the playoffs with their twelfth December Meltdown in a row freshly behind them.

Here are the numbers for the last 5 games of each season going back to '95.

2007 3-2 Playoff game (1 loss)
2006 2-3 Playoff game (1 loss)
2005 2-3
2004 2-3
2003 2-3 Playoff game (1 loss)
2002 1-4
2001 2-3
2000 1-4
1999 2-3 Playoff game (1 loss)
1998 2-3 Playoff game (1 loss)
1997 0-5
1996 2-3 Playoff games (1 win, 1 loss)
1995 3-2 SuperBowl win

We're talking back to the Barry Switzer regime (what's that? 5 coaches ago???) before the Cowboys accomplished something of meaning. The one playoff win in '96 looks good on paper. A 40--15 tromping of the Vikings. But then Carolina shut down that mighty offense and sent the Cowboys home the following weekend with a 26-17 loss. How many of us back then would have believed that 12 years later, we would still be waiting for our next NFC Divisional win? For that matter, any playoff win!

Look at that list above again. That's 12 years since a playoff win. For the first time in 12 years, the Cowboys won more of that last 5 regular season games than they lost. But look back at this season's play in December. They were not the juggernaut that everyone feared. They barely beat Detroit. Philadelphia slapped them around. They played fairly well against Carolina and won by one touchdown. Then the Redskins manhandled them. Yes, they won more games than they lost in the final 5 of this past season, but they weren't building momentum, they were losing it.

Oh sure, there will be those that will say the Redskins game was meaningless. It's not so meaningless that they've removed it from the team statistics. It's not so meaningless that we can't look and easily see similarities in how the team played in that game and yesterday's game.

This December Meltdown thing is the most bizarre phenomena I've ever seen anywhere. With coaching changes every few years, quarterback changes, running back changes, wide receiver changes, linebacker changes, cornerback changes, kicker/punter changes, over a 12 year period virtually a completely new team with the exception of Jerry and Stephen Jones, and it's the same results, year after year after year.

They've tried going easy in training camp so they're not so tired towards the end of the season. That didn't work. They tried the 100+ degree temperature days in San Antonio for training camp to toughen the guys up. That didn't work. We won't talk about the coaching and quarterback carousel that's been going on in Dallas for 12 years. Those didn't work either.

As the season progressed this year and the Cowboys started stacking up wins, I got enthusiastic. They were looking like champions again. The "Cowboys rule" and "Fear the Cowboys" proclamations were rampant amongst fans of various message boards. "Romo rules" was readily available.

Well, neither the Cowboys, nor Romo, rule today.

While much can be said for individual and team records this year, how many Cowboys fans can say they're happy with the outcome right now. Damned few, I'd imagine. Put me down in the Not Satisfied column, just for the record.

Now, this season is history. It will be well recorded history. Next year, when everyone is trying to prove to you that we didn't have that bad of a December and they point to the last Washington game as being meaningless, the stats will still show that game as a Loss. When everyone starts with the "if Crayton had made his cut quicker on that last play, the Cowboys would have won the Divisional Playoff game", the stats will still show that game as a Loss.

It's over for this year. Finished, kaput, in the bag, whatever. Finality is a bitch sometimes.

It's a bitch today.

Now, it starts anew.

There are contracts that have to be dealt with, free agents to be hired, draft picks to be had, etc. Perhaps some coaching changes. Here are my suggestions, for what they're worth.

Draft a running back with one of the #1 picks. Stop playing around with these late rounders and let's get some talent at this position finally. This means Julius Jones goes. There are not enough roster positions on this team to justify keeping him. He simply isn't productive enough to be playing running back for the Dallas Cowboys. Barber's performance yesterday was incredible. He proved again that he's a great running back. For half a game. Unfortunately, he proved that he's not an every-down back. Maybe it was conditioning, who knows. Barber should stay and be used as that 2nd half back that's fresh when defenses are getting tired. It worked last year and this year. We have reason to believe it will work again. We do not have reason to believe Julius Jones will be anything other than what he's been in the past.

Re-sign Terrell Owens. I can't believe I'm actually saying that, but the guy is a playmaker. And he's becoming a true leader.

Jacque Reeves and Roy Williams need to go. Take the hit on Roy Williams salary and trade him, give him away, pay someone to take him or whatever. He's costing the Cowboys wayyyyyyy more money playing than he will gone. Reeves simply isn't talented enough to trust on the field other than situational plays, and damned few of those.

Crayton isn't good enough to be running his mouth. While we all know it was poor play from many different players yesterday that cost the Cowboys their shot at the SuperBowl, Crayton's mistakes were just so visible that he'll get plenty of blame from many sources. Someone shut him up, please. He's an embarassment.

Romo needs to go back to Mexico. And tell Jessica Simpson what a lucky man he is. Lucky that he got his contract signed while the Cowboys were in their winning streak. Had Jerry Jones waited until today to start negotiations, he could have saved himself a lot of money. Romo didn't play like a $60+ million dollar quarterback in his past 5 games. It looked to me like the fire that defined Romo was just gone towards the end of the season.

Jason Garrett's chances at a head coaching job have probably diminished considerably in the last month. That coaching genius wasn't able to come up with an answer to the December Meltdown. Knowing that the defense just wasn't getting the job done, the offensive coordinator needed to step the offense up so they could go into the playoffs on a roll. Well, it was a downhill roll unfortunately. And history repeated itself. Another meltdown and another one and done in the playoffs.

Coach Phillips is and should remain the head coach. There is no doubt that his coaching methods worked better than his predecessors going back to '97, anyway. His much-mentioned defense didn't appear to get the job done most of the year. Perhaps it's personnel and that can be rectified. The offense carried the team through most of the season. A good defense would have made the difference in yesterday's game.

Now, I do believe there should be a change in Coach Phillips' contract. There should be an addendum to the existing one that says for each time he says to anyone "I just didn't have the team ready for the game", he should be fined $50,000. I don't know about you, but that statement was wearing awfully thin towards late December. If he was going through that many games without getting them ready for the game, why is he the head coach? Was he simply not doing his job, or what?

I know he was just wanting to accept blame in lieu of the team, but at a point, humility becomes arrogance. Fine his ass $50,000 and maybe he'll have them ready for the next one or at least stop with the false humility thing.

While I'm on the subject, let me say this. I think Parcells had some really good methods. I also think he had some really lousy ones. Making players accountable is an excellent practice. Belittling them is not.

I like the laid back attitude of Phillips most of the time. But when Roy Williams screws the pooch over and over and over, it's time to climb into someone's ass and the head coach is the one that needs to do it. Anyone not producing should be subject to being benched. That includes coaches, players, waterboys, whomever.

Draft another good wide receiver. Or grab a good free agent. TO and Glenn aren't getting any younger. Crayton is making me older faster than I want to go there. Austin and Hurd are works in progress.

Make it a part of contracts, coaches and players, that for games after Thanksgiving, they get extra incentives when the team wins.

Make it a part of contracts that penalties during games mean penalties in their paychecks. Make it a sliding scale penalty. The more stupid the penalty, the higher the chunk taken from their paycheck becomes. Have Columbo and Flozell initial their new contracts twice at that point.

Missed tackles should be dealt with the same way. Miss a tackle, lose $5,000. All of this will help the salary cap, of course.

Dropped passes should cost the wide receivers in their paycheck, too. Let each dropped pass cost them $5000 or so and at some point, you'll get someone's attention. Make it a $10,000 penalty for each one dropped after Thanksgiving in a season. It's a simple logic, really. They're hired to catch balls. They should be paid for catching them. When they drop one, they should pay the Cowboys to waste a roster spot on someone who drops balls.

OK, some of this is lunacy, of course. Can you tell I'm frustrated? I just want someone to do something constructive that is pointed directly at putting an end to this December Meltdown phenomena. Something. Someone! Please!!!

This year's Cowboys team had a shot at the brass ring. It's doubtful they could have gotten past the Patriots who appear unbeatable, but they had a shot at trying, anyway. And they quite simply pissed it away. Yesterday, there were dropped passes, poor special teams play, poor blocking by the offensive line, poor quarterback decisions, poor route running by receivers, poor coverage by cornerbacks and safeties, and stupid penalties. About the only player on the team who didn't look stupid at some point in time was the punter.

Quite simply, the Cowboys lost because they didn't deserve to win. Not with the way they played, as individuals or as a team. They just didn't do their job.

It's over for this year. Who knows when the next opportunity will come. Will it be twelve more years? Can we, as fans, hang in there that long?

Now we can look ahead to next season. Just remember, as you're getting all hyped up in September, October and November, that December is coming. And December is what decides on what kind of team the Cowboys truly are. As we've seen this year, their 11-1 record going into December didn't get them any further in the playoffs than they've gotten in the prior 11 seasons. You have to watch 16 games before you know what kind of team the Cowboys put on the field.

December rules the Cowboys. For the Cowboys to rule anything, they first have to rule December. This year, they didn't. It's over. . . . finished.

Finality is a bitch.

Rod

PS: If you're going to respond to this, try doing it without using the "if" word. Because "if" all the other teams had just forfeited their games, the Cowboys would have had a perfect season. You can "if" all day long and get nowhere. For every "if" you can come up with, I can come up with a better one. Deal with reality. It bites today, but it's what will be remembered.

The Sleeping Bear Awakens

2008-01-03T06:21:00.000-06:00

I won't go into the myriad of things that have kept me from blogging this year, but I will state emphatically that I have kept up with the Dallas Cowboys as I always do in spite of those things. While there have been minor occurrences that have caught my attention, none of them have been big enough to turn my attention away from where it was focused previously.

But it's time you hear from me now.

I've stated in the past that I'm out of the prediction business, so you're not going to hear me declare how this season is going to end for the Cowboys.

But you are going to hear my opinion on a few issues.

First of all, what has happened to Tony Romo? This is his first full season and he played like a maniac the first half of the season. The last half, and particularly in December, his numbers just dropped from week to week for the most part. If you look only at his December stats, you see a very average, if that high, quarterback. You certainly don't see the saviour of the Dallas Cowboys. With the numbers Romo put up early last year, the fever began. Then his production fell off, or other teams figured out how to defend against him or something happened that shut him down for the last 5 games of the season. This year, he looked great for the first half of the season. Then adequate for the next few games. Then the clock tolled at 12:00 AM December 1st, and the world changed. He became Bad Tony. And the Cowboys became Bad Cowboys. In case you've forgotten, Romo is 0-1 in the playoffs.

Second of all, what has happened to the offensive line? One yard of rushing in a whole game? I don't care if you were starting the waterboys and playing them the whole game, even they should have gained more than one measly yard. This is shameful. There is no other word to describe it.

Third of all, is this offense incapable of scoring when Terrell Owens is not on the field? When he does come back to the field, are you going to be surprised when teams just unload on him with hopes of putting him back on the sidelines? It looks like the formula is simple, No TO=No Cowboys offense. Knock TO out of the game, you've eliminated the effectiveness of the Dallas Cowboys offensively.

Fourth of all, what's with Coach Phillips and this head in the sand routine he's doing? Yes, we all want to have the warm fuzzies and the guys need to be positively motivated. And I have no problem with that, so long as the guys are positively positive they just flat out royally sucked and are positively embarassed because of it. Smack talk from players is great until they don't back up their talk. Then they look like idiots. Coach Phillips can talk all day long and he won't convince me how great the Cowboys played in December. He might as well be trying to convince me that I like liver. He won't get very far there either.

Fifth of all, speaking of December, the Cowboys are well into their 2nd decade now of not having a winning record in regular season in games played after December 1st. While other teams are getting pumped and finding their groove heading towards the playoffs, the Cowboys convinced us, yet again, that they're closer to a Marx Brothers impersonation than an NFL team.

Sixth of all, running backs. After the last game of the season, I'm convinced there is a major problem at this position. Yes, the offensive line provided nothing to help those guys this past weekend, but one yard of rushing through an entire game is, as stated above, shameful. Both the running backs and the offensive line should be ashamed to be seen in daylight after such a poor performance. Julius Jones has proven this season, beyond any doubt, that he is what I've been saying for several years now. He's not the running back this team needs and frankly, I don't think he's capable of being a starting running back for any team that has serious playoff aspirations. At best, he's Plan B. On the other hand, I don't think Marion Barber is the "every down" running back the Cowboys need. Oh, he's a load for the opponent to have to contend with, no doubt. But I believe he's a situational player. He has excelled as that in the past and continues to do so. And he's one of my favorite Cowboys. He hasn't achieved Robert Newhouse status in my eyes, but he's working on it steadily. Julius Jones should not be wearing a star on his uniform next year. I've said it in years past and I'm saying it again. Someone listen to me this time.

Seventh of all. December. I've said in the past as I've harped on this subject, and I'm saying it again, until the Cowboys figure out how to get around this December Curse, they will be relegated to anonymity. SuperBowl winning football teams do not crater in December. The Cowboys do crater in December. It's business as usual at Valley Ranch yet again. If the Cowboys should somehow manage to get to the SuperBowl this season and then of all things, win it, they would defy reason, logic and common sense. Yes, I've heard the axium that "anything can happen in the playoffs". And yes, it can. But put your warm fuzzies and homerisms aside for a moment and tell me honestly. Do you think the Dallas Cowboys have a snowball's chance in hell of being competitive throughout this postseason?

To be or not to be. . . .

2007-06-29T04:42:00.000-05:00

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. . . .

2007-06-12T21:41:00.000-05:00

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

2007-04-13T08:42:00.000-05:00

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. . .

2007-01-23T09:37:00.000-06:00

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!

2007-01-01T05:52:00.000-06:00

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.

You can't walk to the promised land these days.

2006-12-27T08:58:00.000-06:00

The Dallas Cowboys will not make it to the SuperBowl this season. Write it down, carve it in stone, cast it in bronze, whatever. But understand it, let it sink in, and get ready for next season. They won't make it to the SuperBowl because they do not have a running back that can consistently make a difference in ball games.

Oh yeah, they get some production out of this running back by committee thing they've had going for several years, but let's look at history. I'll put a few names out on the table to look at:

Emmitt Smith
Barry Sanders
Walter Peyton
Thurman Thomas
Franco Harris
Tony Dorsett
Marcus Allen
Earl Campbell
Ricky Watters
Larry Czonka
Corey Dillon

First of all, most of those running backs have a SuperBowl ring. Some have three. All of them played for playoff contenders. A couple of them, Sanders and Peyton, played for really lousy teams and still became great running backs. And who can say how much more lousy those teams would have been without that great running back. Earl Campbell immediately elevated the play of the Houston Oilers by just showing up.'

You can go look at the stats of all the SuperBowl winners throughout history and find that almost certainly, there was a top grade running back lined up for that team. Not some guy that might get you the yards you need, but a guy that the other team had to change their defense because he was in the game. I don't care how bad the Detroit Lions were, teams had to account for Barry Sanders. Or he'd burn them. Same for Emmitt Smith. And Franco Harris.

I contend that to get to the big game, a team must have a top 3 running back. Not a top 3 committee. There has to be one guy that the opposing team simply fears. Yes, there has to be a decent offensive line in front of him and all the other supporting cast, but bad running backs don't always do well even if they have all that. Good running backs, really good running backs, make a difference in almost every game they play. Even if it's just a matter of making the defense account for him on every play.

Emmitt Smith has 3 SuperBowl rings, the NFL record for yards gained and God knows how many other records. Barry Sanders allowed the Lions, who weren't good at all without him, compete. Walter Peyton was just Walter Peyton. Sweetness. For his team. Danger to opposing teams. The Chicago Bears would have been looking up to see the basement without Walter. Thurman Thomas only took his team to 4 SuperBowls. They lost them, but he got them there, which is more than all but one other running back could say each year. Franco Harris has the SuperBowl rings to prove he did his job. So do Tony Dorsett and Marcus Allen. Earl Campbell never made it to the SuperBowl, but he was a huge part of the Houston Oiler offense and got them into the playoffs when they would have never made it without him. The Forty Niners of the early 90's wouldn't have been what they were without Ricky Watters. No one played them without having to account for Ricky. Larry Czonka is the only one of those listed above that can claim a perfect regular season. 14-0, and a SuperBowl ring after winning out in the playoffs. Corey Dillon is the current guy that's making his mark in history with the Patriots. Tomlinson looks to be the real thing out in San Diego.

To get to the Promised Land, you have to run. Walking won't get you there. What these guys brought to games was heart. These guys came in, did their jobs and made differences in ball games. Consistently.

That's the difference in what the Dallas Cowboys have had for several years now. Consistency. Julius Jones has proven to be average, at best. Barber has scored touchdowns all season, but nothing shows he's capable of being an every down back.

There are several problems with the Cowboys team right now. Defense, of course, particularly safeties and pass rushers. The offensive line is a problem that has not been properly addressed. But Jerry Jones knows what it took last time to get the Cowboys to the big game. A good quarterback. Tony Romo has the potential of being that. No doubt he needs some more experience. Good wide receivers, with one being a game changer. Dallas isn't in too bad of a shape at wide receiver right now. And a top grade running back. Dallas does not have that currently.

Add to that a defense that can just shut down the other team, regardless of whether it's passing or running and the Cowboys can add to their trophy case. Fiddle farting around with these half-assed running backs and trying to fix a position for one year by bringing in someone like TO hasn't worked. This running back by committee thing might get things done early in the season, but it hasn't worked late in the season and I don't see it working well in the postseason with current personnel.

If you'll spend $5 million on a kicker, Mr. Jones, surely you will consider spending some real money on a running back. Especially since you have the privilege of being able to look at the results of spending good money on one in the past by just glancing up at your trophy case.

You can't walk to the promised land these days. You have to run.

Of course, this will be read by fans, not by anyone on the team. So It won't make one iota of a difference. But damned if I don't feel better after writing it.

I am just livid with myself. . . .

2006-12-27T07:09:00.000-06:00

I know better than this. I held out longer than almost all of you. Amidst claims of going to the promise land, the SuperBowl, all that, I maintained a wait and see attitude.

But last week, I bit the cheese. Romo had done well, played consistently and I just felt like it was all coming together. The Cowboys had it going their way. NFC East title was within reach. The #2 spot in the playoffs was within reach, albeit with some outside help. Someone had to beat the Saints. The Cowboys had cinched the playoffs, now it was just a matter of jockeying for position.

But there was a minor problem. The Philadelphia Eagles. Not only that, it was the Philadelphia Eagles coming to Texas Stadium. Here at the end of the season, when the Cowboys should be building momentum to go into the playoffs, they started losing home games. And not just any home game. No, they lost home games that were critical to playoff posturing. New Orleans came to Texas Stadium and just had their way with the Cowboys. The Philadelphia Eagles did the same thing yesterday.

The odds are that Dallas will finish the season 10-6. The should beat the Detroit Lions. But don't put your money on it. This is the inconsistent Cowboys. Change the score on two games and the Cowboys basically win every other game. They had a 4 game streak after Romo first became the starter, but since then, it's been win one, then lose one, repeat.

I posted an article back on Nov. 6th and said:

"Seeing half a season go by with the pattern of up one week, down the next, and seeing our record at this point being exactly where it should be based on performance, 4-4, one can only come to the conclusion that the Cowboys are mediocre, average. . . .bordering on bad. Yes they can improve. Yes, they can get worse, too. It's a wash."

I guess I left off the fact that they could just stay like they were, middle of the pack. Oh sure, they had the 4 game winning streak, which improved them from a 50% team after game #8 to a 60% team where they are now.

60% . . . Let that one soak in.

I don't know about you, but where I went to school, anything less than 70% was failure. And before anyone comes up with the argument that if it hadn't been for that freak play at the end of that Washington game, the numbers wouldn't be the same. The bottom line is it wasn't different at the end of that Washington game and the numbers are the same. There certainly was no freak play in the New Orleans game. Or in the Philly game yesterday. The Philadelphia Eagles kicked asses and took names. When someone asks the Cowboys "who's your daddy", they can collectively say "The Eagles are my daddy!" It sucks, but it's reality.

Also reality is the inconsistency. In training camp and preseason, the expectation was that Dallas would have a great defense this season. At no point in this season could you have claimed the Cowboys had a great defense. The best game they played, in my opinion, was against the Colts. One game does not a great season make. They won't be a great defense this season. The playoffs aren't the time of year to begin learning how to work as a unit. If a defense hasn't learned it by the time the playoffs begin, they won't be learning it this season. No pass rush, poor secondary play, giving up too many long plays and plays across the middle will send them home early from the playoffs. They haven't played well enough to deserve to be there and they won't be there very long. Again, it's reality.

As for the offense, the first half of the season, Drew Bledsoe's immobility was a factor. Most folks blamed him on the four losses in the first half of the season. This second half has shown us that even Romo's excellent mobility and decision making isn't enough to overcome a porous offensive line. It's hard for a quarterback, regardless of how mobile he is, to dodge 4 defenders simultaneously. Danny White had the same problem. The poor play of his front line kept him from being the SuperBowl winner he surely could have been. A quarterback cannot win games flat of his back. Period. Another reality.

Terrell Owens proves one more time that he's going to make sure everyone knows it's all about him. Wasn't it convenient that there was a camera crew there to film him visiting all of his former Eagles buddies. He did his talking before the game. The Eagles did their talking on the field. TO was hardly a factor in the game. One touchdown, when the opposing team is having their way with you, is hardly a contribution. But TO got his name mentioned on TV and that's what's important. If Parcells decides to stay, and if Jones and Parcells decide to keep TO in Dallas, I think they have both left their senses. It's a team sport and you simply cannot have one guy that spends every waking moment of his life trying to make sure that everyone knows the sun, moon, planets and stars orbit around him, regardless of method or consequence. Terrell's play is not good enough to make up for his lack of team spirit. There are other receivers out there that don't come with the financial cost or the distraction cost. They need to find one and let TO go play elsewhere.

The only person who can possibly find something to be happy about on the Cowboys is possibly Gramatica. At least they can't blame this one on him. I'm sure that's great comfort for him. NOT!

I cannot see any team going into the playoffs without momentum, with a defense playing as poorly as they have basically all season, with an offensive line being as porous as they are, and with all the distractions this team has and almost certainly will have to tolerate so long as TO is on the roster, going very far in the playoffs. To even consider they are legitimate SuperBowl contenders this season isn't founded in reality. If, by some freak circumstance, they make it to the SuperBowl, the AFC has so much better teams, they'll eat them alive. The playoffs are big games. Important games. And the 2006 Cowboys haven't shown they are consistent in those games. And you don't get but one inconsistent game in the playoffs. Then you go home.

No, it won't happen this year, folks. There'll be no 6th trophy on the shelf at Valley Ranch after this season.

I screwed up and bit the cheese, drank the kool-aid and looked around for more. My deepest apologies to those that expected better of me. It won't happen again. As Parcells said, "you are what you are". The Cowboys are at the moment 9-6. That's a 60% team. And lucky to be there with the problems that they have to get corrected.

Now, how do i get the taste of bad cheese out of my mouth. . . . . .

Posted on http://www.dallascowboystalk.com/forums/showthread.php?p=7573#post7573

Business as usual. . . .

2006-12-27T07:06:00.000-06:00

I've said several times this year that the Cowboys haven't played well in December. I was basing that on memory, but I pulled the stats just to make sure I was right. The stats didn't have actual dates of the games, so I pulled the final 5 games for each season and looked at the W-L ratios. Here's the facts:

2006 2-2 (one game left)
2005 2-3
2004 2-3
2003 2-3 Playoff game (1)
2002 1-4
2001 2-3
2000 1-4
1999 2-3 Playoff game (1)
1998 2-3 Playoff game (1)
1997 0-5
1996 2-3 Playoff games (2)
1995 3-2 SuperBowl win

So you have to go back eleven years before you find a winning record in the final 5 games of a season. It's been since 1996 that the Cowboys have won a playoff game. If the Cowboys can manage to pull out a win against the Detroit Lions this next weekend, they will have stopped that losing December streak they have going. Then they have a 3 game run to get to the SuperBowl. More than likely, on the road. The Cowboys have had only one 3 game winning streak this season and it was the first since 2003. If the Cowboys can beat the Lions, that begins that streak. As we know, one loss and you're out in the playoffs, so the Cowboys will have to beat the lions, then win 3 more in a row just to get to the SuperBowl.

To achieve a SuperBowl win, the Cowboys would have to win 4 playoff games, probably on the road. Potential opponents include the Bears, Seahawks, Giants, Eagles, or Saints. Three of these teams have already beaten the Cowboys this season. The Cowboys didn't play the other two. If you throw in winning the game against the Lions to go into the playoffs off a win, that makes it a 5 game winning streak necessary.

With a defense giving up 113 points in their last four games, an offense who just had their lowest scoring game of the season, and an offensive line that is letting defenses camp out in the Dallas backfield, the likelihood of a five game winning streak is slim to none. I'm sorry, TO, they don't start games early enough to get you in it to make up for the problems the Cowboys have on their team. I thought for a short time there that we had a good team that had some bad luck with the Saints and was going to head into the playoffs with a good head of steam. After yesterday's Christmas flogging, I've decided they've been a lucky team, being fortunate to make enough plays in a couple games to win them, giving the illusion they were a good team. I'm a Cowboys fan. Don't get me wrong, I'm not dissing the luck. I'm just sorry it's running out as we head into the playoffs.

I don't think a team that goes into the playoffs with a losing record in their last 5 games of the season is going far at all. One and done, as they say, wouldn't surprise me. I wouldn't be lining up airplane tickets for a Cowboys SuperBowl this year, folks. The likelihood against it is just too high.

No, this is more "business as usual" for the Cowboys. For the past 10 years, the Cowboys have had losing records in their last 5 games each season. This year looks no different. There's a problem when a team goes that long without having a winning record. It can't be all Parcells. He's only been here 4 of those 10 years. The Cowboys have a letdown in December each year. They've had another one this season. It's a December to remember. It's just not a very good memory.

Needs and Hopes and Wants and Shoulds and Ifs. . . .

2006-12-16T10:30:00.000-06:00

"We should win out even though"

"Cowboys need to answer the bell"

"If they don't understand it now, they're never going to."

"We need to play better against Atlanta"

"I hope Parrish can get prepared enough to start"

"if we had a quality speedy FS then we could let roy actually play his position"

"I just want them to win"

These are just a sampling of what's been posted in the past week. Monday morning brought a different light on the Dallas Cowboys after suffering humiliation at home against the Saints. Now, we're not so sure about the defense. Or the offensive line. Or Tony Romo. Or the coaching staff. One game and the questions are back. With a vengeance. Because one loss at this point can be devastating. Playoff positioning is at stake. Hell, the playoffs themselves are at stake.

Rope is being purchased for public hangings. The contract for building the gallows is still up for grabs, but let one more loss happen and expect a contractor to be hired immediately.

As a fan myself, I understand how people focus their anger towards one aspect of the game, or one player. When you have a game like the Saints game where the Cowboys were just outplayed at virtually every aspect of the game, it takes a few days for it to all sink in. We all seem to admit that there were many problems, but many focus the blame on one part of the game. Fans of Julius Jones and/or Marion Barber point out that the Cowboys shouldn't have abandoned he running game. Fans of the coaches point out that any coach can call a play, but if the players don't execute, it is all for naught. Fans of Tony Romo point out the lack of protection as the cause of his poor play. Fans of the defense point out that the offense was unable to maintain drives and the defense was forced to stay on the field too long and thus became tired.

And guess what. They're all right. I have said all week that this was a total team meltdown. No one is exempt from blame or criticism. Everyone could have done better than what they did. Period.

And we all know what "needs" or "should" or we "want" or "hope" to happen. And we all know the answers. They all begin with "if".

If the defense picks it up a notch. If the safeties can get the job done. If the offensive line provides protection. If Tony Romo can come back from such a loss. If, if, if. Seven days ago, most of us weren't doing much if'ing. Now, that's all we're doing and frankly it just sucks. While I never bit into the Tony Romo/Pro Bowl/Hall of Fame cheese, there's no doubt his play had been superb and riding the high was very infectuous. Dallas Cowboys football was a whole lot more fun before Sunday night's game. Now, to quote Bill Parcells, it's "critical". Critical isn't fun, in case you're wondering.

Now, it's Saturday morning and tonight is the game against the Falcons. While I did have some concerns about the Saints game last week at this time, there's no way I expected the absolute asskicking that transpired. Until last week, I wasn't overly concerned with the Falcons game. Sure, it's a road game and all that, but the Cowboys were on a roll. That roll got buttered last week by the Saints. Now, I'm right in there with most of you. I have no clue what's going to happen. This team has come back from some losses. Tony Romo has come back from losses and performed well. But this team hasn't come back from anything remotely resembling the Saints game. Can they? Of course. Will they? I have no idea and neither does anyone else.

I do have to say this, though. The Cowboys seem to be living a charmed existence this season. When they need other teams to lose, games the Cowboys aren't playing in, it seems to happen. The Bears drop a game. Seattle drops a game. Will this continue? I have no idea about that one either. Someone's going to be the winner in the Giants/Eagles game. And someone's going to be the loser. The Giants losing would be better for the Cowboys than Philly losing. I think. On the other hand, Philly is getting on a roll with Garcia and no one's buttered that roll yet. And we don't need to be facing a hot Philly team next week. Regardless, the Cowboys need to tend to their own business by winning this game. Next week will have enough of its own "if"s.

We "should" win out the rest of the games. We "need to" and "I hope" we do. I "want" the Dallas Cowboys to play like men on a mission. "If" we do, maybe some of this uncertainty will go away.

In the meantime, it sucks.

I'm Not Really Into It. . . .

2006-12-13T08:38:00.000-06:00

"On the field, sometimes, I'm not really into it," T.O. said. "It's almost like I'm kind of faking it. I'm not happy, and it really was, it was affecting my game."

And of course, most of us saw the video from the interview Michael Irvin had with Terrell Owens which explained the source of his unhappiness. He doesn't trust his teammates. Someone's saying bad things behind his back and that has manifested itself in bad play on TO's part.

Pardon me, but wouldn't you think that a player deemed good enough to earn gozillions of dollars would be capable of coping with that without letting it cause him to drop balls?

What is he really saying? And is it anything new? Well, to me, it looks like he's saying that he's not responsible for any dropped passes. If that nasty person wasn't running his mouth behind TO's back, he wouldn't have missed one ball. It's all Mr. Unknown's fault.

To really make it juicy, no one elaborated on what Mr. Unknown was saying behind TO's back. Mr. U might have been talking about him sleeping in meetings. Mr. U might have been talking about how stupid his touchdown celebrations were when they were costing the Cowboys field position by drawing penalties. Mr. U might have said something bad about TO's mother. Mr. U might have said that TO wasn't the Number One Receiver. Mr. U might have mentioned TO throwing hissy fits during games early in the season, games they were losing partially because Owens had dropped balls. Mr. U might have just called him a bad name, like PooPoo Boy or Mister Balldropper.

Whatever it was, it was awful. It had to have been to cause such a psychological reaction from TO. It was damaging enough for Owens to come on national television and proclaim to the world that it was "affecting my game".

Go back and read that quote again. Nevermind, here it is a second time:

"On the field, sometimes, I'm not really into it," T.O. said. "It's almost like I'm kind of faking it. I'm not happy, and it really was, it was affecting my game."

Sometimes he's not really into it? He's cashing the checks, isn't he? If that's not enough to keep his attention, why is he here? It's "almost" like he's "kind of faking it"? What in hell does that mean? Faking what? Faking playing? Well, I guess enough dropped passes would lead an observer to come to that conclusion.

And the best part of that whole thing. "I'm not happy?" I thought he had umpteen million reasons to be happy!!! Who cares if he's happy in the first place? Like I said, he's cashing the checks, isn't he? If he's so unhappy it's affecting his game, he needs to leave. This is the biggest crock foisted upon an NFL team since Ricky Williams did his dog and pony show in New Orleans and later Miami.

Terrell Owens, you are being paid to produce positive results for a football team. If your unhappiness is causing you to not produce positive results or produce negative results, then you need to get therapy, take up crossdressing or needlepoint, change your diet, buy another diamond earring, go visit Michael Jackson and see if he'll let you play in Neverland, go to Six Flags, learn organic gardening, visit Ravi Shankar, go to the boats in Shreveport, La., or whatever else it takes to get over it. Hell, start a career in professional wrestling, they love the drama crap over there. This is the National Football League. You're a multi-million dollar player and you're sounding like some whiney assed crybaby squawling because the other kids are pointing at your feet and laughing at you.

TO, you're NOT the Number One Receiver for the Dallas Cowboys. And your mother dresses you funny. Get frigging over it. You have a job to do.

Side note: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/statistics

ESPN QB Rankings 12/12/2006

1. Drew Brees, NO 101.2
2. Carson Palmer, CIN 98.7
3. Damon Huard, KC 97.6
4. Tony Romo, DAL 96.6
5. Philip Rivers, SD 96.3

"We are at a critical time of the season."

2006-12-13T08:17:00.000-06:00

That's what Bill Parcells said on Monday after the Saints opened up a can of whipass on the Dallas Cowboys Sunday night. He's right. If this team is a contender, they will make a statement in Atlanta Saturday night. If Tony Romo is the "real deal", so will he.

I can talk all day long about what the team "needs to do", but everyone knows. The bottom line is the entire team, coaching staff included, needs to climb back on that pony and ride it like there's no tomorrow. For all intents and purposes, there isn't one. If they lose the Atlanta game, it'll be more of a psychological breakdown, Philadelphia will get pumped up even more, as will the Giants and the NFC East title will be in serious jeopardy.

This will be the fifth critical game in a row for the Cowboys. The one that I declared to be the defining game for this season was the one against the Indianapolis Colts. The Cowboys won that one and the first serious talk about playoff contention began. Then the Thanksgiving Day game against Tampa Bay. Tampa isn't a contender, but if the Cowboys dropped that game in front of a national audience, the questioning would begin whether they were serious contenders or not. They won that one. Then the Giants game. On the road, NFC East opponent, NFC East title on the line, playoff positioning on the line, and the Cowboys won it. Barely. But barely counts. Then the Saints, again for playoff positioning. And the Cowboys screwed the pooch on that one.

Now, all the Romomania has stopped. The road to the promise land doesn't look like it's paved in gold quite yet. No one is expounding on how Romo's previous games have proven that he will come back from a 42-17 knockout punch. And the reason they're not expounding on that is very simple. They have no clue how he'll react to that game. There is absolutely no data to draw from that would give anyone an indication one way or the other. This week, what we hear is "I hope" and "they need to" and "he needs to". Well duhhhh. Of course we hope, and the Cowboys need to, and Romo needs to.

Bill Parcells says it's a "critical time". I agree, and so do most Cowboys fans. Extremely critical. I firmly believe that a loss to the Falcons will cause several catastrophic events to occur. I think a loss will bring about a psychological letdown that they won't recover from this season. They might limp into the playoffs, but they won't stay long. I already believe this will be Parcells' last season in Dallas. But a loss here will just cinch it, I believe. Then we're talking new coach, new philosophy, etc. And that leads to a year or two of getting things lined up for the new way of thinking before the Cowboys would get back into contention. Yeah, I'd consider this one "critical".

For Romo, this one's critical. If he comes in, with renewed confidence, has another stellar game like we know he's capable of having, that will filter to the rest of the team. If he comes in looking like the second coming of Quincy Carter, running like a scared jackrabbit, throwing the ball just because he can, not necessarily at anyone in particular, folks, we're in trouble. We desperately need Tony Romo to be "the man", "the real deal", etc. Did I say "desperately"?? I meant it. We need to be able to use that annointing oil Parcells mentioned. The pressure is on Tony Romo with a vengeance. The moon eyed, blindly staring minions are no longer lined up to get on the train to the promise land at Romo's mere beckoning. Someone stuck up a sign that reads "Bridge Out" and Cowboys Nation is wandering around in mindless stupor like Katrina victims were doing last year after the hurricane struck.

What a time for Fathead to come out with their Romo rendering. I bet sales haven't met expectations this week. See, this need for Romo to be "the man" actually affects lives. We all know it's just a game, but there are real life consequences to the ups and downs of particular players and teams. There is pressure on Tony Romo. From his team, his fans, his coaches, and probably more than from anyone else, from his own self.

There are still a few more things I want to see before I decide to climb on the Romo bandwagon. Obviously, one is to know whether there's even a bandwagon to climb on. Another is to see how he handles getting hammered several times in one game. He stuttered for a moment after that solid hit in the Giants game. We don't know how he'll do if he gets several of those in one game. No discussion needed. We simply don't know. And we don't know how Tony Romo deals with an absolute buttkicking. We'll know the answer to that question Saturday night.

One of two things happen this weekend, in my opinion. The Cowboys win, definitively, proving the Saints game was a fluke and gain their confidence back, proving they're a legitimate playoff contender with potential of going further than one game. Or the Cowboys lose, and you can stick a fork in them, they'll be done. You'll get no prediction from me today, either way. Not at a critical time like this.

Parcells - Get Up or Get Out?

2006-12-11T13:01:00.000-06:00

I have been a Cowboys fan since 1972. Diehard Cowboys fan. That was a great time to become one, too, with Staubach and Doomsday and Drew and Preston and Tony Dorsett and all the guys on those great teams.

I learned to loathe the Washington Redskins, Philadelphia Eagles, St. Louis Cardinals and of course, the New York Giants. I didn't like their fans or their players. To this day, I don't like to watch Jaworski or Theissman as analysts. It's just old habits.

I didn't like their coaches. And of course, one of those coaches was Bill Parcells. Even when Parcells went to the Jets, those emotions remained. I couldn't bring myself to root for Joe Gibbs in his racing endeavors. When the Cowboys signed Randall Cunningham as backup to Troy Aikman, I never did like it. I rooted for the guy when he played for the Cowboys, but never liked him.

Players and coaches changed teams. I knew that. Still know it. And now with free agency, there's even more change. It's not uncommon at all to find guys that have played on 4 to 5 different teams.

But this article is about a coach, not about players. Specifically, Coach Bill Parcells. When Jerry Jones fired Dave Campo and handed the reins to Parcells, I was not happy. My mind's eye simply couldn't see Parcells pacing the Dallas sideline. He was the enemy. Sure he had the credentials. And we needed the credentials, badly. But he once coached the Giants. Ewwwwwww

But being the fan I am, I bolstered the courage to get behind him and give him my support, if not my total trust. First, we had the Quincy Carter year. And a One and Done playoff experience. Then the QB controversies and then Parcells was getting his old players in, reminding me in some twisted way like the next Rocky movie. Even this season, we've seen quarterback changes.

But what I want to talk about is play calling and coaching. The Cowboys have been a mediocre team for many years. Eleven years ago, in another millenium and with another coach, the Cowboys won a SuperBowl. Since 1995, they have struggled. Parcells arrival led expectations to soar that we were two or 3 years away from a SuperBowl appearance. Of course, that hasn't happened yet. After a couple years as head coach in Dallas, I started liking Parcells. I don't know how or why it happened, it just did.

Last night, Sean Payton, now head coach of the Saints, formerly assistant coach under Parcells for the Cowboys, just embarassed the Cowboys. When Payton was here, many accused him of being too conservative offensively. Last night should have shut that argument up once and for all. Over 500 yards and 42 points is not conservative. Hammering the nail in the coffin with an onside kick when you're 20 points ahead is not conservative.

Where was that kind of play calling last year? Obviously Payton didn't suddenly become annointed by the football genies into greatness.

On the other side of the ball in Dallas, Mike Zimmer has been coaching the defense. His playcalling during Parcells' first year was incredible. With a bunch of not so outstanding players, he created an NFL #1 defense. Since then, the playcalling has become very conservative. Rushing the passer appears to be an afterthought. "Bend, don't break" is the buzzword. The problem is, they do break.

For some reason, there are players like Roy Williams who are not playing to their strengths. They're in the wrong place to truly use their talents. Williams is in pass coverage, when everyone admits he's better as a run blocker. The Cowboys are in their second year of 3-4 defense, a style Zimmer hadn't coached previously, so some of it could be simply ignorance of the nuances of the 3-4. We saw glimpses of how good that defense could be if given the leeway to be aggressive, not conservative, in the Indianapolis Colts game. The Colts were the hot offense and the Cowboys stayed in Manning's face the whole game. Why they didn't do that last night with the Saints, also a hot offense, we'll never know.

But I have an opinion. I think Parcells is keeping a bridle on both the offensive coaches and the defensive coaches. Too tight of a bridle. After seeing the offensive performance the Saints had last night, you can't call Payton conservative. After seeing that Colts game this year, you can't call Zimmer conservative or ignorant. I don't for a minute think Zimmer suddenly popped up with one great defensive game, enough to beat an unbeaten playoff bound team, all at once. That wasn't a fluke. That game was planned to be that way. And I don't think Zimmer would have one great game like that and not do similar things in other games, in hopes of having another great game.

No, something else is happening. I think Parcells' idea of managing a game, working the time clock to your advantage, playing conservative ball control football is a great idea. Until you're getting beaten 42-17. Then you simply have to say that what you're doing is just not working.

Parcells on several occasions this year has looked like he was ready to scream. His team in some games have looked like a bunch of undisciplined hooligans. Last night's game is the best example of that so far this year. I have a couple theories why I think all this is happening.

Theory #1: Parcells is just hung up on the past too much. Hiring several of his former players is the clue. Testaverde and Bledsoe. Everyone knows both of those guys were past their prime when he hired them. Neither of them were going to improve from game to game. And neither were the longterm solution at QB. Parcells was just confortable with them. And he planned games based on their declining abilities. Meaning more conservatively. Has the game passed him by? I'm beginning to think it has. We haven't seen the Cowboys go into the locker room at halftime and come out a different team in the 2nd half. Last night, the 2nd half was simply a continuation of the first half. What didn't work in the first half, still didn't work in the second. What did work wasn't tried very often. There's just something fundamentally wrong with that strategy.

Theory #2: Parcells has lost control of his team. I think this began with the hiring of Terrell Owens. The Bill Parcells of old would not have completely ignored that alleged drug overdose by Terrell Owens without having some kind of comment directly to Owens. The Bill Parcells of old wouldn't have let that "naptime" celebration of Owens after a touchdown go with no punishment. The celebration cost the Cowboys 15 yards on the ensuing kickoff, if you remember. The Bill Parcells of old wouldn't have put up with Owens saying he disagreed with Vanderjagt's firing, a snide comment about being asleep in team meetings and missing what Parcells said about playoff contenders, and an interview in which he said he "felt like he was faking it" during games. No, the Bill Parcells of old would have a comment in each of those instances.

I think Jerry Jones forced Owens on Parcells. And Parcells is having to suck it up and play all the shenanigans that come with Owens. And other team members are seeing all this. For a long time this season, the Cowboys were the most penalized team in the league. An undisciplined team isn't going far. And once again, the Cowboys were very undisciplined last night.

I believe this will be Parcell's last season. I'm not predicting that, simply telling you that I fully expect it. I've proven I'm no prophet, so take it at face value. But I believe he's had enough. Win, Lose, or Draw, I believe he'll retire this season. Games like last night take too much of a toll on him these days. He's comfortable and I think he has lost that competitive edge. So it is time for him to retire. For his sake and for the Dallas Cowboys' sake. He'll go back to New Jersey and do what old coaches do. Become a talking head or just play golf and bet on the ponies. I wish him well.

Now, what that does to the future of the Cowboys is anyone's guess. In the meantime, let's hope the players get their heads out of their asses and get the job done going into the playoffs. Trying to mold this team into a mirror of the Giants during Parcells' tenure hasn't worked. Different personnel, free agency, different schemes have all pushed the game beyond Parcells' reach, I think. It's up to the players now to get the motivation required to get them far in the playoffs. I don't think Parcells will do much more than ride the bus.

Lessons from LaLa Land

2006-12-11T11:00:00.000-06:00

It's Monday morning, after the Cowboys/Saints game where the New Orleans Saints came into Texas Stadium and absolutely humiliated the Dallas Cowboys. 42-17 was the score, in case you might have been held incommunicado somewhere in Bangladesh and didn't hear.

Crown Prince Romo was discovered to have soiled his pants during that drubbing. Two interceptions and not enough production to play Pop Warner football, much less in the National Football League. Drew Brees showed why experience matters. Tony Romo showed why inexperience matters.

The offensive line for the Dallas Cowboys should simply be marked absent for the game. So should the Dallas secondary on defense. Automatica became Cosmetica, shanking one to the right as good as Vanderjagt ever did. How much more humiliating could it be for the Cowboy to watch Brees begin kneeling down to let the clock run out with three minutes left in the game? Coach Sean Peyton took mercy on his former mentor, but that mercy had its own form of humiliation.

Terrell Owens had a break out game. Everything thrown to him broke. Out, In, Up Down. It didn't matter. It just broke. One touchdown pass and a bunch of opportunities is all he had. Perhaps he was still too sensitive and just couldn't get into it. Perhaps we should be more understanding and not hurt his little multi-million dollar feelings.

And the fans. How many jumped off that Romo bandwagon last night? Fickle is such an ugly color on a Cowboys fan. I actually saw some folks online last night wanting to see Bledsoe in the game. The pretense was to protect Romo from injury. I suspect that many just couldn't bare to see the reality that Romo is after all, human. I did see a couple messages online from folks who have been diehard Romo fans. You know the type. The ones that get almost violently angry when one even mentions the remote possibility that Romo isn't quite ready for induction into the Hall of Fame. Those messages eluded to all the problems the Cowboys had last night. . . offensive line play, receivers screwing up, defense just not there, special teams screwing up, Gramatica, etc. But no mention of the two interceptions. Apparently, that's now allowed in LaLa Land.

I predicted a win by the Cowboys last night. As I stated last night, I am now officially out of the prophecy business. I'll talk statistics, tendencies, whatever. But you're not going to get a prediction out of me. But you will get opinions. Lord knows I have a lot of them this morning.

Speaking of statistics, here's a little fact I dug up this morning. These are stats on the final 5 games played in the past 10 years.

2006 1-1 (three games left to play)
2005 2-3
2004 2-3
2003 2-3
2002 1-4
2001 2-3
2000 1-4
1999 2-3
1998 2-3
1997 0-5
1996 3-2

Stats from http://www.pro-football-reference.c...ms/dalindex.htm

You might have heard me mention that the Cowboys haven't had what you'd call a banner December in years. Well, the facts are they haven't had a winning record in their final 5 regular season games for 10 years. And after last night's fiasco, this December might match that. It isn't a long reach to see this team implode like many, including me, were claiming the Giants were going to do. Getting absolutely humiliated like they did last night could have a serious psychological effect on the Cowboys. It could also work as a rallying cry to boost their play. Based on statistics, the reasonable assumption is to look for bad news.

Of course, in LaLa Land, today's buzzword is "everyone has a bad day, it'll be all right". Unlike before yesterday's game, when the buzzword was "he can do no wrong, he will lead us to the promise land". I guess they forgot the promise land is full of Saints.

Before any of you start typing responses telling me how happy I am because I was right about not seeing how Romo handled adversity and dealing with massive pressure, let me tell you emphatically how I feel about this situation. I would revel in having been wrong. I am almost sick at my stomach over watching Romo look like he was a high schooler who made a wrong turn and wound up in Texas Stadium with the big boys. I would much rather see him throwing 5 touchdown passes, while the Dallas defense had a field day with the Saints offense. It didn't happen. Romo sucked, along with the rest of the team, coaches included. I wouldn't be surprised if the towel boys didn't screw up something, too. This was an absolute total meltdown of the entire team. No one escapes blame for this one.

Now, the question remains, will they snap back and get the much more difficult job done. Who knows. You can bet your hiney that every team facing the Cowboys will be dissecting the film from last night to see what it takes to disrupt the Dallas Cowboys. If they follow history, they'll finish 9-7, maybe 10-6 and a wildcard berth. One and Done is another buzzword I'm hearing this morning. One playoff game, losing it, and watching the rest of the playoffs from home is what that one means, if you don't know. Sounds very Quincy Carterish doesn't it?

Last night was bad. Really, really bad. This morning, not only does the emperor have no clothes, but the whole empire has no clothes. The Cajun Cowboys turned this place into a nudist camp. And there's no Jessica Simpson around to make it even somewhat palatable.

Anyone else want to argue with me that we have seen enough of Tony Romo to vote him into the Hall of Fame? I say we haven't. But then, I don't get my mail at the LaLa Land Post Office.

Deal or No Deal

2006-12-07T18:35:00.000-06:00

Tony Romo is heading into his 7th game as the starting quarterback. Has he been perfect so far? One can argue that he isn't the one that lost the Washington game, that that loss falls completely on the botched field goal attempt or the ensuing penalty which gave Washington just enough field goal range for them to successfully make the play. On the other hand, one could argue that if it weren't a 3 point game at that point in the first place, all that would be irrelevent, and therefore Romo, as de facto leader of the offense, holds the blame. But regardless, Tony Romo has not been perfect. Stellar, most definitely, but not perfect. Perfection is simply not possible in this realm of existence.

But we have seen amazing things at that position since he took the reins. His mobility has changed the entire offense. His ability to adjust to the speed of NFL play almost immediately is nothing short of phenomenal. For a quarterback who, although had two years on the bench watching but had not seen any regular season action, Tony Romo has been the most pleasant surprise for the Dallas Cowboys in years.

But the question at hand for many of us remains "is he the real deal or not?" So, what yardstick do we use to determine the answer to that question? Should we use quarterback rating? If so, he's been top of the totem pole for several weeks. Ahead of Peyton Manning and everyone else in the NFL. Is six games enough to declare him able to sustain that level of play? Five wasn't to me. Six is getting closer. Will seven be the magical number for me? It may very well. He just had his worse game to date as a starter. And he rallied the Cowboys to a win over the Giants in the last minute. When a play from the quarterback was needed, he made the play. He hasn't panicked, nor has he lost his confidence.

Perhaps we simply look at number of wins as the barometer to decide if Tony Romo is the real deal or not. If that's the case, then again, he's at the top of the totem pole. He's coming off of his fourth consecutive win, and 5 wins out of the 6 games he's started. He is the one with the "hot hand" in the league. Seasoned veterans are watching this guy and just shaking their heads in amazement that he is playing at the level he has so far. Coaches who are looking at a game against the Cowboys are definitely factoring Tony Romo into their defense. So far, not one has shut him down.

We could also look at leadership ability as the measuring stick for judging Tony Romo. He trots onto the field in the second half of the first Giants game and immediately throws an interception. But he came back on the field when the Cowboys got the ball and proceeded to produce. The Cowboys lost that game, but he had started carving his notch on the team. The next game, he was the starter. And they won. Then the freak Washington game, another loss. And since then, he's been "the man". The offense stepped it up a notch and both the running game and the passing game has improved. Points per game have increased. No longer are only a couple receivers getting the ball. Now, the guy that's open gets it. And defenses haven't been able to stop it. Tony Romo has shown he has great field vision. He sees the open receivers and gets the ball there. And because of all this, his team believes he'll get the job done. He has earned their respect and their trust. He walked on that field and just took command. Rightfully so, he is now the leader of the Cowboys.

If winning big games is an important criteria, Tony Romo fills the bill there, also. He led the Cowboys to a win against the unbeaten Baltimore Colts. He has now finished 6 games, winning 5 of them. The last one put the Cowboys in the lead in the NFC East. With 3 of the final 4 games in the season being played in Texas Stadium, everyone expects the Cowboys to be in the playoffs, and quite possibly with a bye week.

How about winning "big games"? I've already mentioned the game against the unbeaten Colts. Romo led the team to a victory there. And then the Thanksgiving Day game, before a national audience, Romo led the team to a victory over Tampa Bay. And also previously mentioned, the Giants game for lead in the NFC East. He put the team in position to win at the very end of the game. And they did win. Yes, he can play in the big ones.

So, what's the negative side of things? As I said earlier, no one is perfect. The biggest obstacle to declaring Tony Romo as the "real deal" is simply the number of games he's started. We're talking 6 games here, folks. Pop Warner seasons last longer than that. This isn't a career yet. Sure, he's been in the NFL too long to call him a rookie. But sitting on the bench is not a career. Neither is 6 games. If he were injured tomorrow, beyond return, would we talk about his great career? No, we'd talk about his potential to have a great career and have to settle for the "what if" routine.

Tony Romo, so far, has shown just about everything one needs to show to be declared the "real deal". Except longevity and the ability to sustain play at his current level. And there's no way to magically make those two items appear tomorrow. It's going to require him receiving snaps, throwing passes, making decisions, etc. Bill Parcells can't give it to him, his teammates can't give it to him, you can't give it to him and neither can I. Not today, anyway. It's simply going to take time.

So, in answer to the question "Deal or No Deal?" I have to say "No Deal". Not because he won't be the real deal, but because he hasn't had time to become the real deal yet. I fully expect him to do just that. But, isn't it fun watching him mature into what this team has needed for years?

Cowboys win against the Saints. Dallas' defense tightens the vise. Tony has a better game than he did in New York. It won't be in Gramatica's hands this time.

Rod

Romo-itus - Is It a Disease or a Religion - A clinical analysis

2006-11-29T18:39:00.000-06:00

Originally posted at www.dallascowboystalk.com

Everywhere you look these days, you see the symptoms. Rapid pulse, dilated pupils, rapidity of speech, muscle twitching, an unconstrained impulse to speak opinions as being fact, the tendency to ignore well established practices of interpreting factual statistics and a belief that one is part of a larger group that has discovered the fountain of youth.

Yesterday, I was in the office of a local insurance agent and the discussion turned to the Cowboys. I told him I was one of the staff writers on a Cowboys forum and told him that I was the boogie man. One of the few really vocal ones that chose to wait a bit before crowning Tony Romo as a gift from the one true God, who everyone knows is a Dallas Cowboys fan Himself. As the old joke goes. . . "why does Texas Stadium have a hole in the roof? Answer: "so God can watch his team play football."

My friend was duly impressed by my exalted status as staff writer. Not being one to let that diminish in any manner, I neglected to tell him that my salary for my writing efforts amounts to the same number the Pittsburg Steelers had in their column for points scored in their last game. Zilch, Zero, Nada, Nothing. For the mathematically challenged, here's the figure: $0.00.

That would have made him think less of me and since I was holding court, as the obvious expert as an exalted staff writer, I just left off that bit of information.

Anyway, I told my friend that I thought Romo had done amazing things in his first five games. And that if he continues, he will definitely be what the Cowboys have been looking for since Aikman left the stage.

Of course, we discussed the upcoming Giants game and came to the conclusion there's no real reason for the Giants to even show up this weekend. The Cowboys are going to win. They can use it as a voluntary bye week and heal up some of the injured guys.

I was not surprised to hear my friend say he thought it was a bit early to be talking Pro Bowl and Hall of Fame and all that for Romo at this point. Most fans around my neck of the woods love the way Romo is playing, but are realistic enough to know it's just too early to tell.

There are a few, though, of the hardcore Romo fans. The ones that believe the NFC East title is in the bag, that the Playoffs are a mere formality before Romo leads his team into the NFC Championship game, only to totally humiliate the Bears defense, while the Dallas offense dissects Chicago's offense like a frog in biology class, and the SuperBowl game pitting the Dallas Cowboys against the AFC winning Colts will be a replay of their earlier meeting this season, except Romo will toss 6 touchdown passes this time, just to add a personal touch to the season. The Pro Bowl might not even be played, since no other quarterback can be found to step on the field, only to look pathetic beside Romo, whose head has strangely started to have a glow around it, like many of the older paintings of Jesus. Even Drew Bledsoe wouldn't step on the field against Romo when politely asked to. Defenses, of course, know they cannot play in the glare of that light, so they won't step on the field either and the game is forfeited without one play being run.

All of this is, of course, made up, but if you listen to these guys, this is the picture that comes to your mind of what they think is likely. Not just possible, but likely.

Numerous times this year, I have been chastised for what was perceived to be my unbelief. Because I wasn't ready to place the crown, jump on the bandwagon, and become a "Romo Homo", "Romosexual" or whatever. I just didn't drink the Kool-Aid.

So I've studied this phenomena. Trying to figure out whether it's a disease/malady/condition, etc. or if this is a religion. I lived through, and survived, the Quincy Carter religion. Before you start saying I'm comparing Romo to Carter, you're out to lunch. I'm comparing the two fevers that overtook some Cowboys fans during these QB tenures. Quincy Carter shouldn't be allowed on the same field with Tony Romo.

In the Quincy Carter years, there were those fans who simply believed he would be the one to take the Cowboys to the Superbowl, i.e. the "promised land". No infusion of facts to the contrary would sway them. Here's a quote from about a week ago from a Cowboys forum:

Re: Romo being "the man"

"Romo is the chosen one.... Follow him and he will lead us back to the promise land!" - after Romo's 4th game

See any similarities?

After Chad Hutchinson entered the picture, there was a three way rift. Those who were Carter fanatics, those who were Hutch fanatics, and a few of us that didn't think either of them were going to make it. Fans of each of those QBs elaborated on why each of them would make the Pro Bowl. Particularly Carter, who, with the help of a fairly good defense managed to put together some wins, most of the time, in spite of Carter whose stats were dropping like a lead balloon. But the hardcore Carter fans were saying Carter would be in the Pro Bowl. Here's another quote from the other day:

Re: Romo in the Pro Bowl

"speaking of that, i need to vote him into the pro bowl" - after Romo's 4th game

Note that this speaker didn't say he was going to vote "for" him, but that he, apparently, thought he had the power to actually vote him "into" the pro bowl. Also note, this wasn't expressed as a desire to do this, but a "need".

Some of Carter's die hard fans thought he would eventually be selected to the Hall of Fame. Granted, there was only a couple, but they were there, nonetheless. Here's what a couple fans have said recently on a Cowboys forum:

Re: Romo being a Hall of Fame Inductee

"You wont need to worry about that because I already commissioned a reputable sculptor to start on Romo's bust after the Colts game." - after Romo's 5th game

"I used Aikman as an example simply because this is a Cowboy site. I could just as easily have said that he is playing better than any number of other HOF QBs." - after Romo's 5th game

Now, by the end of the season, Tony Romo might have shown the world why he should be in the Pro Bowl, and actually be elected to go. But these statements were made after he had played 5 games. I recall some statements similar to these about Julius Jones in his first few games. I guess the potential of him not completing a full season just didn't enter into the thought process. Nor has that potential entered into the thought process in regards to Tony Romo.

Of course, Carter was compared to Aikman, whom he replaced. When the fever struck some of the fans, they were not reticent to inform us quickly how great Carter was/would be. Comparisons to Aikman abounded. So here's a few things that have been said in the last few weeks.

Re: Romo being better than Aikman

"He is playing better than Aikman ever did." - after Romo's 5th game

"The facts are that Romo is more accurate than Aikman ever was though a 5 game peiod. (Editor's note: the original poster's misspelling, not mine)" - after Romo's 5th game

"I'll take what I've seen from Romo over Troy any day." - after Romo's 5th game

"We all realize that 5 games is not a career and nobody knows what Romo's future play will bring but the reality is that he is playing better football over his 5 starts than Troy Aikman ever played." - after Romo's 5th game

"No, I would argue he is playing better than Troy ever did over any five game stretch of his career." - after Romo's 5th game

Did you notice that these things are stated as fact. "the reality is. . . ." and "the facts are". When Carter was playing, and his QB rating was dropping weekly until he was in the lower 1/3 of NFL QBs by rating, Carter fanatics still would argue how well Carter was playing. I remember posting statistic after statistic, but it went into deaf ears. The fever, or religion, or whatever it is, simply prevented them from absorbing cold hard facts. One of those quotes says "we all realize that 5 games is not a career". I would have to classify that as an untrue statement. I firmly believe there are some out there that are clueless to that point, therefore "all" could not be true.

Now, I've said all that, to say this. I think Tony Romo has done a fantastic job as quarterback since he became the starter. He's making the throws, not turning over the ball and generally doing what great quarterbacks do. But great quarterbacks have a track record behind them that shows that quarterback can sustain that type play for an extended time. 1/3 of a season is simply not an extended time. It's not Romo's fault he doesn't have that track record. And he won't ever have that track record if he doesn't play any more games. At this point, for Dallas Cowboys fans, he's the greatest quarterback anomaly to come down the pike since the invention of football. If he continues like he has been playing, he will prove to be the best quarterback the Dallas Cowboys ever did have, or probably ever will have. I would venture to say that if the Cowboys, with Romo at the helm, play consistently like they have played since Romo took over for 5 more years, they'll be the owner of a minimum of 4 new SuperBowl rings.

But folks, it hasn't happened yet. Romo's number of SuperBowl rings equals the salary I get for my exalted position as staff writer. The number of times Romo has received a solid hit equals that number also. The number of playoff games Romo has won equals that number. The number of Pro Bowl appearances Romo has made equals that number. The number of NFC Championship games he's won equals that number. The number of NFC East titles he's won equals that number, too. Zero, Zilch, Nada, Nothing. I repeat: $0.00.

So, is this a religion, or is this a medical condition. Frankly, I'm beginning to think it's a medical condition that manifests itself after what is perceived to be a spiritual experience. Lord knows, there are many things on this planet that can make a man lose touch with reality. A nice pair of legs in a short skirt. A snake crawling in your fishing boat when you're miles from shore. Telling your buddies about the shot you made to kill the prize deer at the hunting lodge. And apparently, quarterbacks who haven't played enough games yet to be crowned Emperor of the NFL, but are playing well at the moment.

Having a team like the Cowboys have been for this millenium as your favorite football team is just tough. You want them to excel. You want them to regain the glory of what they have been in the past, on several occasions. You want to be able to point with pride and say "that's MY team!" The playoff famine that has been our plague for years can make one see visions of grandeur, even when that grandeur is not a proven thing yet.

The Cowboys have had quarterbacks that started cold. Aikman is a prime example. His first year would give no one reason for hope. Staubach got the starting job, lost the starting job, got the starting job, lost the starting job his first couple years. No one would have predicted his success in the beginning. On the other hand, Quincy Carter had a couple good games in the beginning of his first full season as the starter. But it went south quickly. And we all know how that deal turned out.

Tony Romo has had an excellent beginning of his real career with the Dallas Cowboys. If he continues, he'll be King of the Mountain. But he's got to earn his crown first. Bill Parcells keeps saying that and folks accuse him of just never saying anything positive to a quarterback. I tend to lean on the wisdom and experience of a man who has been around the block a couple of times with quarterbacks. I can't imagine why a coach would want to spend his time convincing his quarterback that he's going to screw the pooch any day now. If anything, I would think he would be working to help him keep a positive mental attitude. No, I don't buy that Parcells is just trying to get into Romo's head. I think Parcells is simply calling a spade a spade. Romo is going to screw the pooch. The question isn't whether, it's when. Then we get to see what the boy is truly made of.

Until then, take two aspirins and call me in the morning.

Rod

Giants & Cowboys - Round 2

2006-11-28T07:10:00.000-06:00

Giants vs Cowboys - Round 2

Round 1 was humiliating for the Cowboys. Played in Texas Stadium, the Giants had their way with the Cowboys. The only good that came from that game was the change in quarterbacks at halftime. No one could have predicted the success Tony Romo would have in future games, nor could anyone have predicted the difference this made for the entire team.

While I have been very reticent to proclaim Tony Romo as the next Joe Montana, simply because we haven't seen enough of him yet, only an idiot could ignore the success the team has had since Tony Romo became the starting quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys.

Sunday, the Dallas Cowboys step onto the field at Giants Stadium for their second meeting. Much has changed since their first. The Cowboys have gone 4-1, with the only loss being to a freak play by Washington at the end of the game. The Cowboys handed the Indianapolis Colts their first loss this season. And four days later took care of business by delivering a Thanksgiving beating to Tampa Bay, while the world watched.

The Giants, on the other hand, won their first two games following the Dallas game, over Tampa Bay and Houston, both low ranking teams. Then they dropped three in a row, including last weekend's game where the Giants led 21-0 going into the fourth quarter, only to lose 24-21 by giving up 24 unanswered points in less than 10 minutes. Injuries have played a part of this meltdown, but many suggest that Eli Manning has lost confidence and may not get it back this season. Tiki Barber blamed the loss to the Jaguars on being outcoached. Coach Tom Coughlin is fighting to keep the ship from sinking.

Round Two will be a tale of two teams. At this point in time, one is a wounded tiger. How wounded that tiger is remains to be seen, but no one would deny that the Giants are currently in a downward spiral. The Cowboys are playing the best football they've played all season currently. Romo fever has attacked the Cowboys nation with a vehemence, with no known cure in sight for many. Tony Romo has gone from virtual obscurity to a place on the ballot of the Pro Bowl in 5 games as a starter. He currently holds the highest quarterback ranking in the league at 110.8. Eli Manning has dropped to #23 on the list at a rating of 76. The Cowboys now hold the lead in the NFC East. The Dallas Cowboys are playing confidently and are getting better each week. The Giants are now giving up 21 point leads to lose to a lesser ranked team in the last 10 minutes of a game.

And the vocal Jeremy Sharper (TE - Giants) steps up to rally his team by declaring there's "no way" the Cowboys can come into Giants Stadium and win. I think Jeremy Sharper is forgetting the fact that the coach of the Dallas Cowboys has more wins in New York than anyone playing or coaching for the Giants at this time. The Cowboys will win this game and this game will be spoken of next year by announcers and game analysts pointing to the point in the season where the Cowboys settled the question of who owned the NFC East. The Giants will lose.

As a somewhat sidenote, I should mention the release of Vanderjagt as Cowboys kicker. I was somewhat shocked to see a couple messages from folks who were surprised it happened. Frankly, I'm surprised it didn't occur before the Tampa Bay game. If Vanderjagt couldn't get up to play the Colts, his former team, why expect him to get up to play any of the other games ahead. Personally, I think Vanderjagt is still affected by that game-losing shanked kick in the AFC Championship game last year. I don't think he has ever recovered from that. Regardless, he's no longer a Dallas Cowboy. His replacement is Martin Grammatica who has had good years and so-so years. The Cowboys are hoping for the former.

Question of the week - Which Cowboys wide receiver has seemed to completely drop from the radar of the press since he pretended he was taking a nap on the field as his touchdown celebration a few games back? His celebration drew a 15 yard penalty which didn't please Bill Parcells at all. I have said on several occasions that I believe Parcells had a heart to heart talk with that unnamed receiver and led him to the light. I acknowledge that there has been no further discussion of that receiver's sleeping habits during team meetings nor has there been any controversial touchdown celebrations. I think Parcells might have gotten the boy's attention. Time will tell.

Cowboys win this one. Giants implode the rest of the season. Tiki Barber will remember his last season in the NFL with less than fondness. The Dallas defense will make sure of it. Someone send Jeremy Shockey a sympathy card. Address it to:

No-Way Shockey, c/o
New York Football Giants
Giants Stadium
East Rutherford, NJ 07073
(201) 935-8111

Rod

There's no way the Cowboys can come into Giants Stadium and get a win

2006-11-25T09:53:00.000-06:00

In an article that appeared at the Fort Worth Star Telegram site (http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/sports/16088631.htm) on Thursday, Randy Galloway reports Jeremy Shockey has made a declaration to Ed Werder of ESPN.

(quoting Randy Galloway) "There's no way the Cowboys can come into Giants Stadium and get a win."

It's simply not possible.

Parcells, upon hearing about Shockey's pompous statement said, "I need that Shockey tape from this week. I need it in my hands." Delivery was promised to be forthcoming.

While most of the buzz on the Giants fan websites has mostly been about Tiki Barber's statements about the team being outcoached in their last outings, little has been said about Shockey's statement. Expect to hear much more about this proclamation in Dallas in the coming week. The Cowboys players got an early Christmas present when Coach Parcells sent them home for a much-welcomed three day rest. Practice resumes Tuesday. Parcells himself said "I just need a break." Shockey's remark should become a major topic of conversation beginning Tuesday morning.

So let's dissect Shockey's statement for a moment. First of all, let's look at "no way". This indicates it's completely and utterly outside of the realm of possibility for this to happen. No way. Period. Even the most ludicrous fan shouldn't expect the impossible to occur.

Then the limiting factor of the statement, "come into Giants Stadium and get a win". This implies that the Cowboys cannot, regardless of how good the Cowboys play or how badly the Giants play, expect to win. If the Cowboys merely show up for the game, they lose. It's beyond possibility for the Cowboys to win a game in Giants Stadium.

What does history say about this? The last time the Cowboys won in Giants Stadium was in 2003, when the Cowboys finished 10-6 before losing to the Panthers in postseason. That win in Giants Stadium in 2003 was led by the mighty Quincy Carter, who struck fear into the hearts of opponents with his rocket release and mind blowing accuracy. (translate: the Cowboys barely beat the Giants that day (35-32) and won in spite of Carter). But it was a win. That 2003 Cowboys team couldn't stay on the same field with the 2006 Cowboys and Carter couldn't stay in the same state with Tony Romo.

The Giants do have the edge so far this millenium. But this includes the Campo years (three 5-11 seasons in a row), Parcells first year where he made very few personnel changes and the "QOTD" years (quarterback of the day) when the Cowboys tried several guys at the quarterback position. With only 5 games into the Romo experiment, we still don't know if those QOTD years have ended, but the outlook is very bright at this point. The Cowboys team that Jeremy Shockey last faced on the field is not the same one that will show up for the NFC East matchup at Giants Stadium. Perhaps that's where he's confused. He's comparing this team to the one from a month ago.

Now, we have an added factor that simply must be considered in the face of Shockey's declaration. The Cowboys played Tampa Bay on Thanksgiving Day. It was ugly. For Tampa Bay. The Cowboys now have a 10 day break before stepping on the field for another game. Aches and pains get some well deserved rest. Coaches get to clear their minds and prepare a plan for the ensuing battle. And other than the season ending injury to Greg Ellis, no major contributor on the Cowboys team is injured. The Giants, on the other hand, have several major players that are out or questionable. And the Cowboys historically have been hard to beat after their 10 day post-Thanksgiving break. And the Cowboys aren't in the middle of a controversy (Barber's "outcoached" remarks) at the moment. (Of course, that could change, but let's all just knock on wood and move forward.)

No way. . .

Perhaps Roy Williams and Demarcus Ware should deliver a few clues why No-Way Shockey's (remember that name and use it often this next week) declaration might be somewhat flawed in fact. Expect the Dallas defense to step up the pressure on the struggling Eli Manning. Expect Shockey to get "special" attention. I fully expected TO to have a breakout game on Thanksgiving and while he had an excellent game, it wasn't quite what I expected. In this game, expect TO and Terry Glenn to have big days. Romo will be a bit more rushed than he has been in his previous games, but he won't be the same QB in this game that he was coming into the 2nd half of the last Giants game. Expect him to get the ball out early and open up the running game with short quick, but successful passes. Then Barber and Jones can do their thing. The Giants aren't going to roll over and give this game to the Cowboys, and this game might very well come down to the foot of Wide-Right Vanderjagt. Let's hope this doesn't happen. If the offensive line does its job, Romo will do his. I believe the defense can handle the Giants offense.

Cowboys win this one and take sole control over the NFC East.

Billese - An Interpretive Primer

2006-11-24T16:53:00.000-06:00

I know there are many on here that think I live to throw water on the Cowboys fire, but I assure you that isn't true. What I am, I repeat, is a realist. I think Bill Parcells is a realist. He's also a very closed-mouth realist. He's coached teams that looked good for awhile then started falling apart. Last year's Cowboys team for example.

One of the first thing Parcells did was establish the "If They Ask, Don't Tell" rule for coaches and players. Assistant coaches aren't allowed to address the press. So the "inside info" you get from Valley Ranch comes from Parcells or Jerry Jones. Even Jones is more guarded with what he says since Parcells moved in. And Parcells has his own language, with different meaning for words than what you find at dictionary.com. I call it Billese.

In Billese so called superstars are referred to as "the player". Quarterbacks who move from a backup to the highest rated QB in the league in 5 weeks are referred to as "the kid". The playoffs are referred to as "the tournament". Getting into the playoffs, with a viable chance to go to the SuperBowl is referred to as "something". All this while the #1 draft pick for the current season hands him his water to keep his throat from drying out too much to offer this Billese to us. Parcells will never be accused of being one to overstate one's situation.

So, here are two quotes coming from Parcells on Thanksgiving Day that I deem the most notable:

#1 (referring to Tony Romo):

"He's a football guy and he's interested in playing well"

As many of us know, a "football guy" is an exalted status endowed by Bill on certain players who exhibit a combination of skill, class, competitiveness, knowledge, willingness to learn, ability to learn, willingness to perform, ability to perform, durability, and wisdom. Simply being a so called superstar will not get you to "football guy" status. Terrell Owens is not a "football guy". Terry Glenn is. Marion Barber is. And as of yesterday, Tony Romo is now officially one.

#2. (referring to the future of the Dallas Cowboys this season):

"I think we're going to be in it here for a little while"

"in it", if my Billese translations skills are what I think they are, means "having the status of being a viable contender to get into the playoffs (otherwise known as "the tournament"). "little while" is a bit more vague, but I'm going to go out on a limb and make a linguistic guess and translate that to mean "a few games, at least". That could very well be a poor translation and could actually mean anything from "at least one game" all the way to "winner of the SuperBowl". In this instance, one must simply hazard a guess as to the exact intent of the speaker. Billese linguistics is not an exact science.

So, let's review what we've learned here today. Tony Romo is now a "football guy", meaning he's shown enough to Bill Parcells to be added to a very elite group of guys that have exhibited certain desirable characteristics to set themselves apart from ordinary players or your average superstar. And the Cowboys players have convinced their coach that they have a legitimate chance of getting to the playoffs, at least for one game, if not much, much more.

Now, wouldn't that be "something"?

Not Yet, But. . .

2006-11-24T12:03:00.000-06:00

While I'm not ready to declare Romo as a Hall of Fame inductee quite yet, I am hereby claiming copyright on the term "Romo Mojo" as of this date. Public use of this term is hereby allowed, so long as the accompanying "©2006 Optyk, all rights reserved" tag is added, unless prior written permission is granted.

Rod

Ready or Not, Here I come. . . .

2006-11-22T22:44:00.000-06:00

Game Preparation

Thanksgiving Day and the Dallas Cowboys. That move got made in the sixties and arguably is one of the things that makes the Cowboys "America's Team". Having that game every year on their schedule gives them national recognition, no doubt. Those of us who have watched them for years have seen great games and horrible games. But the Cowboys are 23-14-1 on Thanksgiving Day.

Detroit also plays every year on Thanksgiving Day, but they don't have five SuperBowl trophies in the lobby of their home office. No, the Cowboys, by marketing and winning have propelled themselves into the position of "America's Team". The Cowboys are very much like me. Folks either love them or they hate them. There's very little apathy to be found. Many football fans of other teams hate when they hear that "America's Team" monicker. But it's hard to argue with success and although the Cowboys have had very little of that lately, the general expectation is that they are a team on their way back.

But this article isn't about expectations or whether the Cowboys deserve that "America's Team" designation. It's about game preparation. The Cowboys have a very distinct advantage in the Thanksgiving Day game. They have a history of having to get prepared in four days for a huge, nationally televised game. Since this game is in November, late in the season, at this point every game becomes a big game, even without the national spotlight. The Cowboys need this win to confirm their turnaround, to maintain the momentum they are beginning to build. So this game is a big one.

They just played a big one. And won it. And now, with 4 days available, three actually since they play on the 4th, they have to get ready. They practiced lightly on Monday. Tuesday, they practiced. The coaches had begun prepping for this game against Tampa Bay last week, so that part of things was already done. They'll practice today also. And I'm sure tomorrow morning, there will be all the immediate pregame preparation.

On the Tampa Bay side of the coin, a team that hasn't played on Thanksgiving Day at least as long as Ronde Barber has been on the team, I watched the game Monday Night, Giants vs Jaguars. Ronde Barber was in the announcer's booth for most of the 2nd quarter. He had come to the game to watch his twin brother play. I was thinking at the time how strange it was for him not to be in Tampa Bay preparing for this game.

This morning, i read this comment by Ronde, regarding the Thanksgiving Day game:

''It's a challenge, but teams have been doing it for years,'' cornerback Ronde Barber said. ''This is our first experience with it. I think Jon (Gruden) will be smart with the schedule.''

You're right, Ronde. Teams have been doing it for years. And 60.5% of those teams went home sucking eggs. And some of those teams actually prepared. According to another article about the upcoming game, the Bucs plan to have only one full practice and a "walkthrough" on Thursday.

Coach Gruden, for the Buccaneers said "You can't practice everything, we've got a lot of young guys playing. I'm a little uneasy about it, but I'm eager to see what we can get done.''

Well, I agree with Gruden that they can't practice everything with only one day's practice. I don't think age comes into factor there. I think it's a matter of time to get it done. The rumormill is just abuzz about Gruden as a potential replacement for Bill Parcells as head coach for the Cowboys. Some have said that this Thanksgiving Day game is an "audition" for that position.

Well, let me be the first to say it. Teams that don't get ready for this game against the Cowboys generally don't win it. If your audition for any position shows that you won't prepare for the audition, what would lead one to think you'd prepare for the actual job? Bill Parcells is taking this game very seriously. I believe the Cowboys players are taking it deadly serious, based on comments all week. They seem to be maintaining their focus and not just riding a high from the win against the Colts.

Bill Parcells has been working on this game since the middle of last week, knowing that it's a big game and that the Cowboys need the win to "get into the tournament". Gruden seems to be acting like this is a preseason game. I don't understand that "lot of younger guys" remark. To me, that would be more reason to have them on the field practicing. No, I think Gruden is dropping the ball on this one. I think preparation will be the key to this game and one side is preparing and the other is not.

I don't usually get into the prediction business, but I'm going out on a limb on this one. The Cowboys will win this game. They'll be prepared and fired up. Tampa Bay will not be prepared and the Dallas defense will stomp on them. It'll be Thanksgiving Day and Terrell Owens is a showboat and loves the big stage, so expect him to come out smoking and stroking. Romo should have a field day. Expect it to be a real ass whupping.

And Gruden, well, let's just say his audition won't go very well.

Cold Hard Facts - Pro Bowl Selections

2006-11-22T11:15:00.000-06:00

Here's a list of Pro Bowl QB's selected from 1970 until present:

1970 Bob Griese 14 games
1970 Daryle Lamonica 14 games
1970 John Brodie 14 games
1970 Fran Tarkenton 14 games
1971 Len Dawson 14 games
1971 Bob Griese 14 games
1971 Greg Landry 14 games
1971 Roger Staubach 13 games *
1972 John Hadl 14 games
1972 Daryle Lamonica 14 games
1972 Joe Namath 13 games *
1972 Billy Kilmer 12 games*
1972 Norm Snead 14 games
1973 Bob Griese 13 games*
1973 Ken Stabler 14 games
1973 Roman Gabriel 14 games
1973 John Hadl 14 games
1974 Bob Griese 13 games*
1974 Ken Stabler 14 games
1974 James Harris 11 games*
1974 Jim Hart 14 games
1974 Fran Tarkenton 13 games *
1975 Ken Anderson 13 games *
1975 Terry Bradshaw 14 games
1975 Dan Pastorini 14 games
1975 Mike Boryla 7 games *
1975 Jim Hart 14 games
1975 Roger Staubach 13 games *
1975 Fran Tarkenton 13 games *
1976 Ken Anderson 14 games
1976 Bert Jones 14 games
1976 Ken Stabler 12 games *
1976 Jim Hart 14 games
1976 Roger Staubach 14 games
1976 Fran Tarkenton 13 games *
1977 Bob Griese 14 games
1977 Ken Stabler 13 games *
1977 Pat Haden 12 games *
1977 Jim Hart 14 games
1977 Roger Staubach 14 games
1978 Terry Bradshaw 16 games
1978 Bob Griese 11 games*
1978 Archie Manning 16 games
1978 Roger Staubach 15 games*
1979 Terry Bradshaw 16 games
1979 Dan Fouts 16 games
1979 Archie Manning 16 games
1979 Roger Staubach 16 games
1980 Dan Fouts 16 games
1980 Brian Sipe 16 games
1980 Steve Bartkowski 16 games
1980 Ron Jaworski 16 games
1981 Ken Anderson 16 games
1981 Dan Fouts 16 games
1981 Steve Bartkowski 16 games
1981 Joe Montana 16 games
1982 Ken Anderson 9 games *
1982 Dan Fouts 9 games *
1982 Joe Theismann 9 games *
1982 Danny White 9 games *
1983 Dan Fouts 10 games *
1983 Bill Kenney 16 games
1983 Dan Marino 11 games *
1983 Joe Montana 16 games
1983 Joe Theismann 16 games
1984 Dave Kreig 16 games
1984 Dan Marino 16 games
1984 Neil Lomax 16 games
1984 Joe Montana 16 games
1985 Dan Fouts 14 games *
1985 Dan Marino 16 games
1985 Ken O'Brien 16 games
1985 Jim McMahon 13 games *
1985 Joe Montana 15 games *
1985 Phil Simms 16 games
1986 John Elway 16 games
1986 Boomer Esiason 16 games
1986 Dan Marino 16 games
1986 Tommy Kramer 13 games *
1986 Jay Schroeder 16 games
1987 John Elway 12 games *
1987 Jim Kelly 12 games *
1987 Bernie Kosar 12 games *
1987 Dan Marino 12 games *
1987 Neil Lomax 12 games*
1987 Joe Montana 13 games *
1988 Boomer Esiason 16 games
1988 Dave Krieg 9 games *
1988 Warren Moon 11 games *
1988 Randall Cunningham 16 games
1988 Wade Wilson 14 games *
1989 John Elway 15 games *
1989 Boomer Esiason 16 games
1989 Dave Krieg 15 games *
1989 Warren Moon 16 games
1989 Randall Cunningham 16 games
1989 Don Majkowski 16 games
1989 Joe Montana 13 games *
1989 Mark Rypien 14 games *
1990 Jim Kelly 14 games *
1990 Warren Moon 15 games *
1990 Randall Cunningham 16 games
1990 Jim Everett 16 games
1990 Joe Montana 15 games *
1991 Jim Elway 16 games
1991 Jim Kelly 15 games *
1991 Dan Marino 16 games
1991 Warren Moon 16 games
1991 Ken O'Brien 16 games
1991 Troy Aikman 12 games *
1991 Chris Miller 15 games *
1991 Mark Rypien 16 games
1992 Jim Kelly 16 games
1992 Dan Marino 16 games
1992 Warren Moon 11 games *
1992 Troy Aikman 16 games
1992 Brett Favre 15 games *
1992 Steve Young 16 games
1993 John Elway 16 games
1993 Boomer Esiason 16 games
1993 Joe Montana 11 games *
1993 Warren Moon 15 games *
1993 Troy Aikman 14 games *
1993 Brett Favre 16 games
1993 Bobby Hebert 14 games *
1993 Phil Simms 16 games
1993 Steve Young 16 games
1994 Drew Bledsoe 16 games
1994 John Elway 14 games *
1994 Jeff Hostetler 16 games
1994 Dan Marino 16 games
1994 Troy Aikman 14 games *
1994 Warren Moon 15 games *
1994 Steve Young 16 games
1995 Jeff Blake 16 games
1995 Steve Bono 16 games
1995 Jim Harbaugh 15 games *
1995 Dan Marino 14 games *
1995 Troy Aikman 16 games
1995 Brett Favre 16 games
1995 Warren Moon 16 games
1995 Steve Young 12 games *
1996 Drew Bledsoe 16 games
1996 Mark Brunell 16 games
1996 John Elway 15 games
1996 Vinny Testaverde 16 games
1996 Troy Aikman 15 games
1996 Kerry Collins 13 games *
1996 Brett Favre 16 games
1996 Gus Frerotte 16 games
1996 Steve Young 12 games *
1997 Drew Bledsoe 16 games
1997 Mark Brunell 14 games *
1997 John Elway 16 games
1997 Warren Moon 15 games *
1997 Chris Chandler 14 games *
1997 Trent Dilfer 16 games
1997 Brett Favre 16 games
1997 Steve Young 15 games *
1998 John Elway 13 games *
1998 Doug Flutie 13 games *
1998 Vinny Testaverde 15 games *
1998 Chris Chandler 14 games *
1998 Randall Cunningham 16 games
1998 Steve Young 15 games *
1999 Mark Brunell 15 games *
1999 Rich Gannon 16 games
1999 Peyton Manning 16 games
1999 Steve Beuerlein 16 games
1999 Brad Johnson 16 games
1999 Kurt Warner 16 games
2000 Rich Gannon 16 games
2000 Elvis Grbac 15 games *
2000 Brian Griese 10 games *
2000 Peyton Manning 16 games
2000 Daunte Culpepper 16 games
2000 Jeff Garcia 16 games
2000 Donavan McNabb 16 games
2000 Kurt Warner 11 games *
2001 Tom Brady 15 games *
2001 Rich Gannon 16 games
2001 Kordell Stewart 16 games
2001 Brett Favre 16 games
2001 Jeff Garcia 16 games
2001 Donovan McNabb 16 games
2001 Kurt Warner 16 games
2002 Drew Bledsoe 16 games
2002 Rich Gannon 16 games
2002 Peyton Manning 16 games
2002 Brett Favre 16 games
2002 Jeff Garcia 16 games
2002 Brad Johnson 13 games *
2002 Donovan McNabb 10 games *
2002 Michael Vick 15 games *
2003 Peyton Manning 16 games
2003 Steve McNair 14 games *
2003 Trent Green 16 games
2003 Daunte Culpepper 14 games *
2003 Brett Favre 16 games
2003 Donovan McNabb 16 games
2003 Matt Hasselbeck 16 games
2003 Mark Bulger 15 games *
2004 Tom Brady 16 games
2004 Peyton Manning 16 games
2004 Drew Brees 15 games *
2004 Daunte Culpepper 16 games
2004 Donovan McNabb 15 games
2004 Michael Vick 15 games *
2005 Tom Brady 16 games
2005 Peyton Manning 16 games
2005 Steve McNair 14 games *
2005 Trent Green 16 games
2005 Carson Palmer 16 games
2005 Michael Vick 15 games *
2005 Matt Hasselbeck 16 games
2005 Jake Delhomme 16 games

* played less than a full season

Fewer than 10 games = 2.8%

Fewer than 12 games = 7.4%

Fewer than 14 games = 20.3%

14 or more games = 79.6%

12 or more games = 92.6%

10 or more games = 97.2%

No quarterback has ever been selected that had played in less than 7 games that season. Only one has been selected that had played less than 9 games that season.

Apparently at no time has a majority of voters for Pro Bowl candidates felt that anyone that played less than 7 games had accomplished enough to be elected.

This isn't wishes or desires. These are the results of actual votes for Pro Bowl candidates. Does this mean Romo isn't qualified? Absolutely not. What it does mean is that it's highly unlikely that he could get selected for the Pro Bowl if the election happened today. If he wins out the last 6 games, and the election was held then, of course he'd have a chance. And would have the credentials to back it up. But at 4 games, you're not going to convince enough people that he's a viable candidate to garner their votes.

Rod

Two Scenarios - Cowboys vs Colts

2006-11-20T00:00:00.000-06:00

Scenario #1:

The Cowboys lose the coin toss and the Colts elect to get the ball first. With the crowd noise at an all time high, the Cowboys kick off high and deep, forcing the returner to back up and ultimately signal for a fair catch at the 11 yard line. The Cowboys defense come on the field and line up. The ball is snapped, Manning drops back only to find the line is already collapsing, so he hands it off to his RB, who gets snuffed for a 2 yard loss. On second down and 12 to go, Manning takes the snap, drops back only to see a virtually untouched Roy Williams coming at full speed towards him. He ducks to his knees and is sacked for a loss of 5 more yards.

The crowd is wild as Manning tries to signal a change of play at the line of scrimmage .The ball is snapped, he takes a three step drop and fires one to his tight end on a crossing pattern. A violent hit just as the ball arrives causes it to leave the TE's hands, falling to the carpet and is promptly pounced on by the Cowboys. The ruling on the field is that it's an incomplete pass so it's now 4th down and 17 yards to go at the 4 yard line.

From inside the endzone, the Colts barely get the kick away. The ball is returned by the Cowboys to the Colt's 44 yard line.

Beginning there, the Cowboys offense moves onto the field and systematically marches down the field using an equal mix of runs by Julius Jones and passes to four different receivers, plus one short scramble for 5 yards by Romo himself. The scoring play is a five yard bullet from Romo to Witten. The extra point is good and the Cowboys have the lead.

For the rest of the first half, Dallas' defense stays in Manning's face, allowing him some short passes, but taking away the big plays. One fumble by Manning causes a turnover and Anthony Henry puts an end to Manning's tendency to pick on him by taking an interception to the bank for Dallas' second touchdown and the second turnover of the game by the Colts.

The Colts get a break with a reception and 38 yard run after catch to get to the 14 yard line. Dallas' defense holds and forces the Colts to settle for a field goal. The half ends on the score of Cowboys 14, Colts 3. Only two penalties have been charged to the Cowboys for the entire first half and the Cowboys had no turnovers.

Coming back onto the field after halftime, the Cowboys find themselves staring at a stadium full of fans giving them a standing ovation. The noise level is deafening in Texas Stadium. Tony Romo is caught on camera as he's being talked to by a Coach Parcells with a very stern face. Tony is nodding his head and smiling. The announcers have a field day with this for a few minutes, then ball is kicked off to the Cowboys.

The Cowboys kick returner catches the ball, scrambles for a few moments then is down at the 17 yard line. Romo and company walk on the field. Players have to signal the crowd to quieten down so they can hear what they're doing on the field. The crowd cooperates and on 1st down and 10 at the 17, Romo fakes a handoff to Julius Jones who causes the defense to pursue, only to see Romo loft one up towards Terrell Owens. TO becomes airborne between two defenders and snatches the ball from the air, hangs onto it, hits the ground running and never looks back until he's at the 5 yard line and heading into the endzone. Vanderjagt's extra point is good, making it a 21-3 game in favor of the Cowboys.

The Colts are again smothered deep in their own territory by Dallas' special teams. Roy Williams has already spent half the game pressuring Manning and gets another sack on third down as the Colts are not able to move the ball. The Colts finally get a touchdown towards the end of the third quarter, going into the fourth quarter with a score of 24-10, Cowboys leading. Tony Romo spreads the ball around between receivers and running backs during the fourth period and manages to get the ball to Terry Glenn at the 22 on a short pass. Glenn evades tacklers and takes it to the endzone, making the score 31-10. Dallas' defense tightens up even further, allowing short yardage, but no big plays and the Colts are only able to get one more field goal before the final buzzer goes off with the Cowboys winning 31-13. Manning is held to 178 yards passing with two interceptions, three sacks, one fumble and one touchdown. Romo finished the day with 323 yards, one interception no fumbles, one sack and three touchdowns.

A shot from one of the cameras catches Manning shaking hands with a smiling Vanderjagt as the teams exit the field. Another shot shows a smiling Bill Parcells walking into the tunnel.Yet another camera shot catches a jubilant Jerry Jones with a huge smile as he hugs Terrell Owens that proves that today would be a great day for anyone to go ask Jerry for a raise.

==========================================

Scenario 2:

The crowd is wild and loud as the Cowboys win the toss and elect to receive the ball. The Colts kick off to the Cowboys and the kick returner is brought down after a 6 yard runback to the 21 yardline. A penalty for holding against the Cowboys moves the ball back to the 11 where Romo and company take over. On first down, Julius Jones gains 6 yards out to the 17. On second down, Romo hits Witten on a crossing pattern for a 6 yard gain and a first down. On first and 10, Romo fires a bullet to Terry Glenn who is hammered by a defender, but hangs onto the ball for a 12 yard gain. The next play is a pass to Terrell Owens on the left sideline which rolls off his fingers for an incomplete pass. On second down and 10, Romo hands the ball to Julius Jones who jukes and jives for a 5 yard gain, bringing up 3rd and 5. A flag for movement on the line brings a five yard penalty, making the play a 3rd and 10. On 3rd and 10, the ball is snapped, but all receivers are covered. Romo spots an opening and scrambles for six yards, but not enough for a 1st down. The Cowboys kick to the Colts.

The Colts begin by trying a running play to the right which is stopped at the line of scrimmage. On 2nd down, Manning rolls to the left and hits Harrison for a 15 yard gain. On the next play, Manning hits the TE on a fade route for another first down. A couple more pass plays and the Colts on a short touchdown pass take the lead.

The Cowboys offense takes the field again after the kickoff and under Romo's guidance, move the ball down to the 7 yard line of the Colts where they are stymied. A field goal by Vanderjagt makes the score 7-3, Colts leading.

The rest of the first half is similar to the previous, with the Colts scoring two more touchdowns, and Dallas scoring one touchdown and missing a 46 yard field goal attempt after a 15 yard facemask penalty had pushed the Cowboys back on the previous play. After Vanderjagt's miss, the camera pans the Colts' sideline showing all the laughing and high fiving going on over there. Parcells is shown clutching his clipboard to his chest with a look of disgust. Halftime ends with a score of 21-10, Colts leading.

The Cowboys come back to the field and kick off to the Colts. A holding penalty adds 10 more yards to the Colts runback, putting them on the 36 yardline. On first down, Manning again hits Harrison, who runs out of bounds at the 48 for a 1st down. Two more plays and the Colts are on the 27 yard line of Dallas' with a 1st and 10. Manning decides to go for it all but is intercepted by Roy Williams on that same type play the sportscasters have belittled Williams' about this season.

Dallas takes over at the 12 yard line and moves the ball down the field for a score on a 32 yard pass to Hurd. The score is now 21-17, Colts leading. On the ensuing kickoff, the Colts get a long return out to the 49 yardline of Dallas. Manning marches the team down to the 11 yardline, but is again stymied by Dallas' defense and the Colts settle for a field goal, bringing the score to 24-17 Colts leading.

Two minutes into the fourth quarter, Dallas gets the kickoff from the Colts and after another poor runback, takes over at their 16 yardline. Romo comes out firing, with a 12 yard pass to Glenn, a 6 yard pass to Witten, and a 27 yard pass to TO. With the ball on the 39 yardline of the Colts, Romo hands the ball off to Julius Jones who breaks through the line and is finally brought down at the 2 yardline of the Colts, a 37 yard run. Two plays later, Marion Barber bulls his way into the endzone for the touchdown. Vanderjagt nails the extra point and the stadium crowd goes crazy.

With 8:32 left on the clock, the Colts take the ensuing kickoff and the returner is hammered immediately, putting the ball on the 13 yard line. Manning and company comes on the field and attempt a couple passes. One falls incomplete, the second is batted away by the defender. Roy Williams looks like he has set up permanent camp in the Colts' backfield. The Dallas defense is fired up and prevents the first down. With 4:48 left in the game, the Colts kick off to a fired up Dallas specials team unit. After the first good runback to the 39 yardline by the Cowboys, a holding penalty moves the ball back to the 29 where it's 1st and 10. The Cowboys quietly start moving the ball down the field with running plays.
A reverse sweep gets the ball to Terry Glenn who gains 17 yards on the ground. The clock continues to run, with neither team wanting to give extra time to the opponent. At the two minute warning, the clock stops with the Cowboys on the 46 yardline of the Colts and 2nd down and 6 yards to go. Marion takes the handoff and gains 4 more yards, leaving it at 3rd and 2. The clock continues to run. A short pass to Witten barely gets the 1st down, but he's stopped before getting out of bounds, so a time out is called with 47 seconds left in the game. The ball is snapped, but Romo can find no receivers open so he scrambles for a 5 yard gain, leaving the ball on the 31 yard line. Two more failed running attempts leave the Cowboys with a 4th and 5 at the 31. And 9 seconds left on the clock.

Vanderjagt lines up for the field goal attempt. A time out is called by the Colts. So the waiting continues. The noise level has reduced dramatically. The announcers in the booth analyze what this kick means to both teams while we all wait.

Finally, we hear the signal from the referee to start the play. The linesmen get into their stances. Vanderjagt gets into position. The ball is snapped. The holder catches it, plants it perfectly just in time for Vanderjagt's foot to strike the ball. The kick is up and it's . . . . . .

time to find another writer. This one's tired. :-)

Rod

Dead Man Walking

2006-11-17T14:19:00.000-06:00

Have you noticed how different it is this week? Normally, there's all the smack talk from guys giving guarantees about how great the Cowboys are going to play. And of course, some speaking for the opponent's side saying how badly the Cowboys will get beaten. But not this week. Oh, there's one or two that have voiced their wishes, but if you look at the way they word it, they don't sound too convinced themselves.

This is the first real test for this team, in my opinion. A real playoff contender that's not where they are because they played a bunch of losing teams. These guys earned their 9-0 record by being dominant in their games. While their defense isn't the best, they are a far cry from the worst. And their offense is simply superb. The Dallas Cowboys had better bring their A+ game to this one, folks, or there's going to be no joy in Mudville this weekend.

Notice how quiet it is. The volume of messages has dropped drastically this week. It's almost like a wake. Everyone know's there's going to be a funeral and a burial. And they know it's inevitable. The only solace is we're not sure at this point who's going to get buried. But if most of us were betting serious money on it, most of us would be betting on Dallas to lose.

And the waiting is awful on this one. I want this game to be over and done so we can see what we're truly dealing with for this season. I've said earlier that I think this game is going to be the pivotal game for this season for the Dallas Cowboys. If they win, confidence rises, their standings improve, etc. If they lose, I think it'll knock the wind out of their sails and they'll finish at absolute best, 9-7 and not make the playoffs.

This is THE game. Their earlier games have vaulted this game to that status. This is the Cowboys' SuperBowl. If they win, then make the playoffs and go to the real SuperBowl, then they can accurately say they played two SuperBowls this season. Winning this one is everything. Losing this one will result in an unsuccessful season, in my opinion. The other six games after this one will matter little, should the Cowboys lose this one.

I know I'll hear the arguments that the season isn't over just because of this game, yada yada yada. All I can say is wait and see what happens if they lose this one. There'll be the meltdown. It's a psychological thing. Why fight to get into the playoffs if you're going to eventually wind up playing the Colts, or a team good enough to beat the Colts when you couldn't, in the SuperBowl? I think there will be guys that start slacking up, figuring they're going to get paid regardless and thinking that even if they get to the playoffs, they aren't going far.

No, this game is THE game. There are no others after this one if they lose. Consider the final 6 as practice games for next season.

Now, if the Dallas Cowboys win, their remaining schedule will suddenly look winnable. All of it. Beating the 9-0 Colts will be a shot in the arm that can last through January and beyond. If they beat the Colts, I wouldn't be surprised if they win 5 more of the six remaining. And depending on which teams they beat, they might wind up with the NFC East crown. And a bye week in the playoffs.

This one's it, folks. THE game. If they win it, it's skyrocket time. If they lose, it's over.

Someone put on some coffee. We have a long time before the hearse arrives. . . .

It's Put Up or Shut Up Time, folks. . .

2006-11-15T10:42:00.001-06:00

Reality:

Games Already Played W/L

Jacksonville Jaguars Loss
Washington Redskins Win
Tennessee Titans Win
Philadelphia Eagles Loss
Houston Texans Win
New York Giants Loss
Carolina Panthers Win
Washington Redskins Loss
Arizona Cardinals Win

Remaining Games Current Record

Indianapolis Colts 9-0
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2-7
New York Giants 6-3
New Orleans Saints 6-3
Atlanta Falcons 5-4
Philadelphia Eagles 5-4
Detroit Lions 2-7

This is where the Dallas Cowboys are as of right now. Top 10 rankings in various statistics are nice, but they didn't help the Cowboys in the last Redskins game or in the New York Giants game or in the Philadelphia Eagles game.

Granted, there's a new quarterback at the helm in Dallas, but he's one on a team of 53 men and can only carry so much of the load. The Cowboys are now missing Greg Ellis, a defensive leader and playmaker, on defense. And the #2 receiver on the team is questionable at this time.

Five out of the seven remaining games to be played are against teams with winning records as of this moment. There's also that fact that the Dallas Cowboys have not consistently played well in December since Troy Aikman was quarterback.

Their first real test against a proven good team is this weekend. The Colts aren't reknowned for their killer defense, so it's very possible that the Dallas Cowboys can put points on the board. Having the home field advantage will surely help matters. The Dallas defense will be surely tested. You can count on Peyton Manning finding out what Carpenter is made of in this game. Having a rookie stepping in on some downs at Greg Ellis' position is an autographed invitation for the Colts to give him a thorough testing. If Carpenter and Ware can't get pressure on Peyton Manning, he'll pick the defense apart.

Is this a winnable game? Of course it is. All games are winnable, given the right circumstances. Good teams create most of their circumstances. Bad teams spend most of their games reacting to circumstances dictated to them by the other team.

A win in this game for the Dallas Cowboys would be huge. It would not make them instantly into a SuperBowl team. It wouldn't even make them instantly into NFC champs, although it would tighten the race considerably.

A loss in this game would put the Cowboys at 5-5, average. . . mediocre. It would also mean they would have to win 5 of their last 6 games, a most formidable task for a team that has so far this season been inconsistent.

What do the Cowboys need to win? More points on the scoreboard than the Colts at the end of the game, of course. Who needs to make sure this happens? On offense, Tony Romo needs another game like the last three he's played. The offensive line needs to be the brick wall we've been expecting them to be all season. Terrell Owens needs to catch the catchable passes thrown to him. The other receivers need to copy Terrell Owens. Julius Jones and Marion Barber need to be effective and consistent. Two more words: No Turnovers!

On defense, there needs to be consistant pressure on Peyton Manning. The Colts receivers need to be well covered and no big plays allowed. The running game of the Colts needs to be stymied so Manning is forced to throw to those well covered receivers. Two more words: Create Turnovers!

Special teams need to do their job superbly. Field goals and extra points need to be made. Tackles need to be made, kicks and punts need to be deep and high so they can be downed deep in Colts territory. No long runbacks for the Colts need to be allowed.

Add to the above two more things:

1. Crowd noise. Just do it.

2. No stupid penalties. In all phases of the game. Eliminate the penalties.

If the Dallas Cowboys can pull this one out of their hat, I'll eat crow and gladly say I have misjudged them and might even start getting some realistic hope for this season. If they lose it because of turnovers, stupid penalties and dropped passes, well, i won't be surprised. I won't be happy, at all. But I won't be surprised.

Reasonable Expectations vs Delusional Fantasy

2006-11-09T10:48:00.000-06:00

Reasonable: not exceeding the limit prescribed by reason; not excessive

Expectation: the act or state of looking forward or anticipating

Reasonable Expectation: the act or state of looking forward or anticipating that which does not exceed the limit prescribed by reason

1. The Cowboys can win six of their final eight games.

The Cowboys have only had one three-game winning streak since Chan Gailey was the coach. Mathmatically, it would require at least one three game winning streak to get there. The reasonable expectation is that they won't win three in a row.

2. The Cowboys can win six of their final eight games.

This will require a minimum of three wins in December. This team has not had a good December in years. The reasonable expectation is they won't have a good December this season.

3. The Cowboys can win six of their final eight games.

This will require that the Cowboys maintain a good balanced offense. The passing game has been hindered by dropped passes. TO said this week that he's a changed man. Where have we heard that before . . . . The reasonable expectation is he isn't. And unfortunately right now, he's dropping game changing passes. And Terry Glenn is now missing practice because of an injury and it's not sure whether he'll play against the Cardinals.

4. The Cowboys can win six of their final eight games.

This will require that the Cowboys maintain a good balanced offense. The running game has been one of the pleasant surprises this season. Unfortunately, Tyson Thompson is down for the count for the season. Which leaves us with Marion Barber, the short yardage guy who is playing superbly. And Julius Jones. Injury prone Julius Jones. Jones is also playing very well. So far. One injury and this team is in critical condition on offense. The reasonable expectation is that Jones will miss at least one game with an injury.

5. The Cowboys can win six of their final eight games.

This will require the Cowboys to beat a minimum of three of the following teams: the Colts, the Saints, the Eagles, the Falcons and the Giants. Because of the way the Cowboys have managed to shoot themselves in the foot this year, the reasonable expectation is that with luck, they'll win two of these games, not three.

6. The Cowboys can make the playoffs with a 9-7 record.

This will require that the Cowboys win a minimum of five of the last eight games and that certain other teams lose particular games down the stretch. While in the realm of speakable possibility, the reasonable expectation is that good teams will win games and bad teams will lose games. Average teams can go either way. Counting on a 9-7 record to get into the playoffs is an unreasonable expectation when one is behind other teams on the tie-breakers.

7. The Cowboys can make the playoffs.

The Cowboys have only been in the playoffs once since Chan Gailey became the coach. They barely made it in that year and lost that playoff game. The defense was a huge reason why the Cowboys managed to even make it to the playoffs that year. The defense this year isn't playing as well. The reasonable expectation is that they will not make the playoffs this year.

8. The Cowboys can make it to the SuperBowl.

I won't even go there on this one. If you're at this point and still delusional, you need to go tell your mommy what a bad, bad, bad, man I am for saying the Cowboys are average and have a cookie. Preferably a chocolate cookie. I understand chocolate triggers a metabolic response that makes one feel more loved. It might help come January.

Rod

It's over for this year

2006-11-06T10:42:00.000-06:00

Good teams don't make the mistakes or commit the penalties the Cowboys are doing. I've read all the messages and everyone has a different opinion on who's to blame for yesterday's loss.

The undisputable fact is that the Cowboys were in the game until 6 seconds before the final buzzer. When the kick was blocked, they were still in it. but the special team on the field let the Skins pick up the ball and run down the field without tackling him until he was almost to their field goal range. Even then, that would have thrown them into overtime because it was unlikely the kicker could make it from that point. But the penalty gave them 15 more yards on the end of the runback. And that put them within range, barely. Their kicker had already missed a 49 yarder. So the Cowboys give him another chance at the 47. And he made that one.

Up to the point of that penalty, the Cowboys were still in the game. They had a chance. That 15 yard penalty, regardless of the 60 minutes of football already played, regardless of good or poor coaching, regardless of caught or dropped passes, regardless of missed tackles and all the other crap that we watched during the game, was the cincher. That penalty put the ball on a place on the field where their kicker could make the winning field goal.

Now, back to where I started.

Good teams don't make those mistakes or commit those penalties. The Cowboys simply aren't a good team. Their record, and their play from game to game is the proof I offer for this claim. Sure, they have a flash of brilliance. But they follow it with a flash of lunacy to make up for it. You can type all day and "if" until the cows come home, but the bottom line is they are 4-4. And the rest of the schedule looks to be a repeat of the 1st half of the season. 8-8 is the most probable outcome of this season, based on already played games by all concerned. 9-7 would be considered by me as an achievable, although unlikely goal. Anything beyond that is devoid of reality.

I hate this. I hate having all the expectations every year and have the whole thing wind up being this canker sore just oozing with vile memories. I hope Romo lights it up, whether they lose or not. We need to go into next season with a QB we can count on. TO was a nice folly, but he's simply not getting the job done. Zimmer isn't getting the defense where it needs to be. Time for him to go.

Parcells. . . . . . I have mixed emotions here. I think he was a great coach. I'm beginning to believe he isn't anymore. And I don't know if he's got the fire in him anymore. It looks like every game we have like yesterdays just rips him to shreds. Recouping from that looks to be very difficult for him.

I agree with his philosopy, bend, don't break on defense, manage the clock on offense and become a disciplined team. But we don't really have that. The defense does well 3/4 of the time. It's that other 1/4th of the time that costs us games. The offense under Romo is doing fair on the time management thing. It will get better, I suspect. Probably too little, too late, though. The discipline thing is just simply out of hand. It's fine for the 1st round pick to be disciplined to have that water in Parcells hands right on time. Unfortunately, they don't give points for that. It would be much better for receivers to keep their eyes on the ball and actually catch the damned thing instead of dropping it. It would be better for players to stop making penalties or missing blocks. I bet Jerry Jones would hire someone to get Parcell's water if the team would start playing professional football instead of this crap they're dishing out every other week this season.

Seeing half a season go by with the pattern of up one week, down the next, and seeing our record at this point being exactly where it should be based on performance, 4-4, one can only come to the conclusion that the Cowboys are mediocre, average. . . .bordering on bad. Yes they can improve. Yes, they can get worse, too. It's a wash.

Maybe next year. . . .

Rod

If wishes were horses, beggars would ride. . . .

2006-10-24T10:01:00.000-05:00

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.

It's Eagles week!

2006-10-02T19:35:00.000-05:00

This, of course isn't news to Cowboys fans. And you can bet your hiney that Eagles fans know it's Cowboys week for them. And where the game is being played. . . Philly.

I don't expect the Cowboys will go up there and leave with a 45-14 win. I think it'll be a very physical game. They have a good offense, but they'll be facing a defense that's gelling into what looks to be a VERY good defense. This will most definitely be a test of how good the Cowboys defense is.

As far as offense, the Cowboys will have their hands full against the Philly defense. This has all the signs of being one of those really big games. This being TO's first visit back to Philly since last year's fiasco starts this thing out as being special. Add to that the fact that both these teams are after the NFC east title. Throw in a long term rivalry, add a dash of just good old downhome hatred for each other's franchises and you've got the making of a real barn burner. The networks know this. They're sending their A Team of analysts and broadcast folks.

It would be great if the Cowboys got some help from the Packers tonight. Maybe the Green Bay guys will send the Philly team back home with a loss, aching and whining from how sore they are from the whipping they took.

I dare say though, even if that does happen, the Eagles will bring their best game to the Cowboys, anyway.

I have no predictions. I truly believe this one can go either way. The team that gets hot will win. I think it's a very close matchup, all in all. Of course, I hope the Cowboys pull it all together and get the job done.

My wish? 73-3 for a Cowboys win, of course. My expectation? Hmmm, 20-17 sounds a little more realistic. Flip a coin to see who has the 20.

Your turn to post your prediction.

Monday Morning Musings

2006-09-18T09:45:00.000-05:00

It was a win. Ugly, no doubt, but a win. With all the talk this past week, I had no expectations. I figured this one could go either way. If it wasn't for the Redskins making more penalties than us, it very well could have gone the other way. It almost looked like a preseason game because of the yellow flags.

On offense, I think the line played much better, except for the penalties, of course. Bledsoe had much more time. And Bledsoe, with time, can be very effective. Because of the line playing better, the running game looked much better. Jones, Barber and Thompson all contributed. It sucks when good runs are called back because of penalties, though. TO was there, made a few good plays, but I think he was more effective at freeing up the other receivers than by what he actually did himself. There was a lot of dropped balls. Too many. Timing looked to be off somewhat, but not nearly like it did against Jacksonville. It sucks about TO's hand, but the bye week will help, and there's other talent on the team, so they'll survive it.

I think the quarterback controversy folks will quieten down some. Bledsoe drove the bus, for the most part. I do think Parcells should have put Romo in on that last drive of the Cowboys, just to get the boy some real NFL experience. With a 17 point lead in the last few minutes, they could have even turned him loose a little just to see how he handled it.

On defense, it was a much more cohesive team on the field. The guys worked well together. The pressure they kept on Brunell all night definitely made a difference. The defensive line set up light housekeeping in the Redskin's backfield and stayed there most of the night. Ware and Ellis strutted their stuff quite well, I think. Again, too many penalties and some of them plain stupid ones. Late hits, etc. simply shouldn't happen like they did last night. Roy Williams is just a stud. On the field he doesn't look like he's that big, but he plays like a very mobile brick wall. When opposing players meet up with him, they just stop. He hits them and whatever momentum they had going forward simply vanishes. There are very few yards gained after contact with Roy Williams. Great play on the interception from Roy, too. Santana Moss was held to basically nothing until that last Redskins drive when the Cowboys were just in a prevent type defense.

Special teams was a mixed bag. The kicking game, which was the hot topic this past week, was on the money last night. Field goals were made, extra point attempts were made, punts were good ones. Just a good performance. Return game wasn't bad. It wouldn't have taken much for a really big return to occur. One did, unfortunately it wasn't ours. The coverage game could have been better. That touchdown play for the Redskins shouldn't have happened. It almost looked like the Cowboys froze long enough to let Rock get loose. Obviously someone was not in position to make the play.

I thought the coaching and play calling was much better than last week. Obviously there needs to be some discussion about the penalties. And the dropped passes. And I'm sure there will be.

All in all, I think last night's game was a team effort. Obviously the win outweighs the penalties and dropped passes and missed blocks.

The Giants looked very good yesterday, overall. For that matter, so did Philly until the 4th quarter. The Cowboys will have to be an improved team to beat either of those two. The winner of the NFC East is going to earn it this year. It is not going to be a cakewalk. I don't believe the Cowboys could have beaten either of those teams yesterday, if they had as many dropped passes or penalties as they did in last night's game.

If the Cowboys improve as much by the next game as they did between the last two, and continue to improve thereafter, we should be in excellent shape to make a serious run at the big enchilada. I can't wait!

Season Record - ???

2006-09-02T21:41:00.000-05:00

Well, understand up front this is a lot of optimism, hopefully tempered with some reality.

We've got a tough schedule overall. We've got a lot of new guys that haven't worked together. We've got some new weapons that may or may not pan out the way we want them to. The defense I believe will be solid. The offense will live and die by the front line.

I think 10-6 is reachable and expected. I think 11-5 is possible and "If" (there's that word again. . . .) enough of that 11 is against NFC East opponents, then I believe we're a lock to go at least two games into the playoffs. If somehow we go 12-4, then I think they win the SuperBowl. They will have gelled enough by that point to take on anyone. I don't dare go higher than 12-4.

But reality has now set in. I guess we'll have to wait until they actually play the games to know exactly what will happen.

I'm ready.

Rod

Jones isn't the 2nd coming of Emmitt Smith. Period

2006-08-29T20:59:00.000-05:00

While I have been very hopeful that Jones would be as great as Emmitt, folks, it just isn't going to happen. It's amazing how accustomed I am to seeing a top level running back on the field every week for the Cowboys. Dorsett, Walker, Emmitt, others before those three. We aren't accustomed to having a mediocre running back around this joint.

And Jones has shown some real potential at times. That thanksgiving game really had my hopes up.

But the injuries happened. And then Parcells got here and I think he realized that Jones wasn't the man to carry the load like his predecessors did. So we have the "running back by committee" routine going on now. And I believe it's the best way to handle our present RB situation. I don't think we have the next Emmitt Smith on this team at present. The ones we have are pretty good. And by using them the way Parcells is using them, we wind up with a decent running game. Relying on either of them extensively would reduce our total running yards, I do believe.

Now, I do believe a large part of Jones' lack of huge yardage is the OL which isn't opening up holes for him. But great running backs make their own holes. A perfect example is Walter Peyton. The Bears teams he played on weren't the greatest teams that ever stepped on the field. But Peyton made it happen. Jones just doesn't have the vision nor the strength and conditioning to do what Peyton did. Yes, defenses are faster now, and larger. But so are running backs and offensive lines.

This isn't a slam against Jones. It's more of a reality check. As much as we would love for him to outdo Emmitt's performances, it just isn't going to happen.

With the committee routine going, and working fairly well overall, I can't see the Cowboys investing in a Top Ten Drafted running back while Parcells is coach.

So I said all that to say this. Your poll is kind of silly because it serves no real purpose. It's not like the more of us that vote he'll get 1000 yards will help him actually get them. The ones that vote him low yardage won't cause him to lose yards either. At best, you'll get a concensus of opinions. And a lot of those won't actually be opinions. Many will be optimistic desires. If we're doing optimistic desires, put me down for 2400 yards, not counting the 280 he gains in the SuperBowl win.

If you're really wanting a reasonable expectation, I'm guessing maybe 850 or so. And that's wishful thinking on its own merit. The wish being that he doesn't have another injury. His durability isn't something that gives me the warm fuzzies.

Jones is good enough to play in the NFL. I don't think he's good enough to play in the NFL very long. And so far, his history shows us that if we're counting on him playing 16 games and leading us into the playoffs while playing with a dislocated shoulder against the Giants so we have homefield advantage, we're going to be greatly disappointed.

I wish it were different. But it isn't.