Wait just a minute. Before anyone out in the football world starts saying that Dallas is the team to beat they need to step back and look at the overall situation when it comes to the Cowboys. Now I am the biggest Cowboy backer in the world and it is painful to write a column like this but since I want to become a professional, unbiased columnist its a tough pill to swallow. Lets look at some of the things this team will face this year.First there is the matter of playing all sixteen games like they are important and to stay relativly healthy in the process. As a fan I am a little worried if Tony Romo goes down because I would not want the hopes of my team making the playoffs on Brad Johnson’s shoulder. The only 38+ year old QB I trust now plays for the New York Jets. It would be a even bigger blow if Terrell Owens goes down and lets face it.. he is a little injury prone ( ask the Eagles). What I am saying is the team’s depth is a little lacking at key positions. If they want to make a run they need to stay healthy and take it one game at a time
Next is the fact that they play in the toughest conference in the NFL which is the NFC East. All of the teams save the Giants have made improvements this offseason and the Giants are coming off a Super Bowl win. Even though Jim Zorn is now the coach the Redskins are always a tough matchup and then there are those tenacious, pesky Eagles who have a world of confidence right now. Of course the Giants are there and you know what they can do. For Dallas to be a contender they need to take care of business in the NFC East and come out better than .500.
They also face a tough non coference schedule this year with games in Green Bay, Cleveland, and a December matchup against the Steelers who are arguably a Super Bowl favorite. Speaking of December the Cowboys need to make a habit of getting hot in December because of the last two seasons December has been thier downfall. Thier shoddy play in the 12th month of the year has carried into the playoffs. Get hot towards the end and stay hot untill you reach your goal.
Thier talent is undeniable. This team has the possibility to put up huge numbers on offense and shut down opponents on defense. But will they learn how to close out the season and play to thier potential. Dallas had 13 pro bowlers last year and they could have more this year. But as a fan I would rather have 52 players with 52 Super Bowl rings instead of 13 round trip tickets to Hawaii. So would Jerry; and if Bum Phillip’s baby boy don’t deliver, then the new JerryWorld in Arlington will open up with Jason Garrett leading things and possibly some notible position changes. But I could be wrong and just be overreacting… could I?? Hopefully Tony and the Boys will prove me wrong
One reply on “Hold you horses Cowboy Nation”
This is more of a…. journal entry than an article in my opinion. Your points are great, but elaboration might be necessary to draw this out and make it more of an article, and a more compelling read! I was at the third paragraph and I was liking what I was reading, and then all of a sudden it ends at paragraph five. Make it longer dude! I love football, and I love reading about football. Not every team is under such a microscope like our teams (You; Cowboys, Me: Packers), and it’s necessary to make sure we keep our readers interested so that we aren’t considered “posers” whenit comes to the writing game! Go at it bro!
By the way, I’ll be in Green Bay for the Cowboys game. Thats when we’ll see how Rodgers does in some serious pressure situations!