The first Monday of the NFL season I told everyone, “The Cowboys are garbage!”
After they beat down the Cleveland Browns 28-10, it seemed as if I did not know what I was talking about. But, I knew the Cowboys were a Hollywood team.
The blinding lights reflecting off of Tony Romo’s helmet must be why Terrell Owens cannot catch a ball.
The fact is everyone crowned the Jerry Jones led, Dallas Cowboys, Super Bowl contenders far before the pre-season even. How was this possible when the Cowboys have not won a playoff game in over a decade? That is right Cowboy fans, this is going to be painful.
The last time they won a playoff game was in 1996. Anybody born that winter is in puberty by now. What have you done for me lately Jerry Jones? Besides bringing in Bill Parcels, who by the way is mostly responsible for making Dallas the powerhouse it is, not much else. Okay, he got them on HBO twice but he also got plenty of face time, as did his players.
Too bad he cannot lead them to the Super Bowl. Wouldn’t everyone love that? America’s team on top of the world again.
The truth is that star has not shined since George Teague crushed Terrell Owen for celebrating in it. That’s when they had heart.
I do not have a problem with the Cowboys. In fact, I rock a Cowboys jersey every now and then. The problem is seasoned NFL analysts like Tommy Jackson, Chris Berman and countless others, practically handing them Super Bowl rings before Romo even took a snap. Championships are won in the playoffs, not the regular season. The Giants taught us that, knocking off the previously undefeated Patriots.
Going 13-3 last year and demolishing the NFC was impressive. They also moved Marion Barber into the number one running back spot and drafted Felix Jones. They have Jason Whitten, one of the top tight ends in the league. Topping all that off with Tony Romo and a “gorilla offensive line” should solidify a championship offense.
They also have T.O. He’s a touchdown machine, pulling in 28 grabs for six in the first two years at Dallas. But he is that same character from the 49ers and the Eagles. The Eagles are still recovering from his tumultuous attitude off the field. The “divo” named Terrell Owens got his contract for four years, $34 million dollars, and his face in the limelight, only because Bill Parcells is not around.
With all the pieces the Cowboys accumulated to construct their masterpiece squad, one piece they will miss is Bill Parcells. He bought in Terrell Owens.
He started Tony Romo the undrafted quarterback from Division I-AA Eastern Illinois. Since taking over mid-season in 2006, he has thrown for 8,803 yards and 69 touchdowns. He put Jason Whitten on the field. He drafted that dominant front with the 11th and 20th picks in the first round of the 2005 draft. Since then Marcus Spears and Demarcus Ware have accumulated 375 tackles, 48 sacks and forced 15 fumbles.
Wade Phillips is known for being a player’s coach, he is the opposite of the disciplinarian coach Parcells. Whether it was a strained career between he and Terrell Owens or a power struggle between he and Jerry Jones, Parcells exited Dallas and it was the one team he did not succeed with. He is branded with turning struggling franchises into championship contenders, after winning two with the Giants, taking the Patriots to the Super Bowl, and getting the Jets to an AFC Championship.
Phillips coached the New Orleans Saints, Denver Broncos, Atlanta Falcons, and Buffalo Bills who he took to the playoffs twice. Son of coach Bum Phillips, the well-spoken Texan has won more hearts more than football games, with a winning percentage of .572.
Nevertheless, he has an opportunity to win a ring with the most talented team in the NFL. They are not the best, as a matter of fact they look closer to garbage. They got thrashed by the despairing Rams 34-14 and let Stephen Jackson put up 160 yards averaging 6.4 yards a carry. They got beat by division rivals Washington Redskins and the NFC West Arizona Cardinals.
Unfortunately, Adam Jones has become a distraction, being suspended indefinitely not even halfway through the season. Their already weak secondary is decimated with injuries. Their powerful offensive line in showing chinks in its armor and Tony Romo could sit out 3 more games.
Felix Jones is out . They already lost three games. They almost lost in a highly competitive NFC East and a breakdown. Owen’s maliciousness is out of hibernation is leading to a total breakdown.
Let us face it, the loveable Coach Phillips is not the right coach to keep it together. They lack the character it takes the win championships. That character left with Emitt Smith and Troy Aikman. Jerry Jones has yet to bring in any of the same quality. Even with the talent of the same quality, Terrell Owens and Roy Williams., they still may fall apart.
The Cowboys may make the playoffs this year, but it will not be the year to end the 12-year playoff drought. Super Bowl teams do not lose to the Rams and Cardinals in back-to-back weeks.
Tell Jerry Jones pray to the football gods, not the glam gods.