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2009-2010 Regular Season: Postgame -
Cowboys Beaten
But Not Burnt To A Crisp As December Delirium Dominates
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- December
14, 2009
At 2:38 AM CST
By Eric M. Scharf
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- December – for most tried and true
Dallas Cowboys fans – has been a nightmarish month of frustration,
numbness, and silence for more than a decade.
Another Unexpected
Performance – Another Untimely Loss
Most fans expected either a close, high-scoring game between the San
Diego Chargers and the Dallas Cowboys or a Chargers blowout that left the Cowboys
charbroiled. The game was neither – with a close low-scoring game.
The resultant Cowboys loss did nothing to quell a deepening onset of
the freakishly familiar December doom and gloom . . . shared by the
Cowboys’ coaches, players, and fans alike.
The Chargers’ offense creates matchup problems galore for most teams
in the NFL – with at least four receivers at 6’ 4” – along with
LaDainian Tomlinson and Darren “The Spark Plug” Sproles. The Cowboys
survived those problems just long enough to literally come up empty
at the very end of the game.
What Must They Be Saying?
I can imagine a number of Cowboys’ players – in answering questions
during the post game news conference – have chosen to respond like
the Boston Celtics’ Rasheed Wallace from when he was with the
Detroit Pistons during a playoff series from a few years ago: “Both
teams played hard. Both teams played hard.”
Saying anything else might just get that player fined, benched, or
cut from the team. Then, again, Cowboys players who react to game
day situations and press conference questions like their head
coach – Wade Phillips – should consider doing or saying something .
. . anything . . . to shake themselves of their December debacle.
The fans – as usual – cannot force the Cowboys’ coaches or players
to change their approach to their shortcomings. The fans – as usual
– can only cheer them on to better performances, boo them for not
delivering the goods, or throw an ostrich skin boot at their
favorite 60” flat screen.
Jerry Jones – who must be suffering from a migraine for the second
straight week – must have secretly had a prehistoric size Cowboy
boot made for just such a day like this one. The Cowboys Stadium
JumboTron – the largest television set in the universe – may be
sporting the largest dent in the world by tomorrow morning, as well.
Jogging Forgettable
Memories
The electric home game against the high-powered Chargers must have
reminded many fans of the game the Cowboys played against the
Minnesota Vikings in week 13 of the 1998 season. The Cowboys lost
that game 46-36, and the game was not nearly as close as the score
suggests.
The Cowboys – with the still relatively healthy triplets of Troy
Aikman, Michael Irvin, and Emmitt Smith – were playing against a
Vikings team loaded with offensive talent in (a rejuvenated) Randall
Cunningham, Cris Carter, Randy Moss, Jake Reed, and Robert Smith.
The Cowboys were with Darren Woodson but without Deion Sanders – who
was suffering from Plantar Fasciitis – and the Cowboys secondary
just plain suffered all day long.
The Vikings moved to 11-1, and they eventually got within a single
play of reaching the Super Bowl. The Cowboys ran into a similar buzz
saw a few years later when Daunte Culpepper and a nearly as talented
Vikings team came to town and won 27-15.
The common theme among all three of these games – the two past
battles against the Vikings and the Chargers game - was a
feeling of total fear, utter helplessness, or both.
The Cowboys were simply outgunned in the games against the Vikings.
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- The Cowboys had enough guns to match
most of what the Chargers are capable of doing on offense but - as
has been the case over the past two games and at times during the
season - the Cowboys simply shot blanks at the worst possible times.
While the Cowboys have the defensive skill players to compete with
the Chargers, they still needed to play a perfect game to not only
compete but also to win. Fans and everyone within the Cowboys
organization were essentially holding their collective breath every
time Chargers QB Phillip Rivers dropped back to pass.
Romo 2-0 In December 2009
Yes, it is true. Cowboys QB Tony Romo is officially 2-0 in December
of this year. Crazy, you say?
Let me clarify. Romo is 0-2 on paper, but there is a huge moral
technicality. Romo – with the exception of the missed touchdown pass
to a wide open Roy Williams against the New York Giants last week –
has played error free for two straight games in December.
You can refer to several of his teammates as screw-ups, or you can
call his coaches creatively challenged and emotionless, or you can
say error-free is nothing without maximum productivity on every down - but do not
call Romo a loser in December . . . of 2009.
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- Romo is reasonably doing his part -
finally beginning to click with all of the receivers he has
available to him (except for the disappointing but talented
Martellus Bennett and the stuck-with-special teams Sam Hurd).
It goes without saying that the rest of Romo's teammates must do
their part to support, enhance, and convert his error-free effort
into a more productive effort.
Special Teams Returns
Wearing A Kick Me Sign
The Cowboys special teams unit performed much better this week
against the Chargers. Only one area of special teams continues to
malfunction. Fans continue to get a real kick out of it, too.
When a professional sports player performs poorly over a longer
stretch of games than is considered acceptable, the common remark
among team owner, head coach, and fans is “do not think about buying
a home anytime soon.”
The real estate market remains lousy, so Nick “Shank You” Folk can
still afford to buy a home despite his poor performances of late.
Folk’s only positive over the past several games is that he is a
well-liked teammate who has
become the Cowboys newest head case. He never complains to Romo
- unlike T.O. - that he is not receiving enough attention on offense. Folk even went
on record to applaud the Cowboys QB for doing such a marvelous job
at holding on field goals . . . during practice.
You can bet Jerry Jones has already had at least one conversation –
or made at least one demand of Wade Phillips and Joe DeCamillis –
regarding Folk’s immediate future. Fans will be curious to learn how
soon an announcement will be made that powerful rookie kicker David
Buehler will be given his shot this Saturday against the New Orleans
Saints.
If the Cowboys manage to play another insanely close game against a
team – in the Saints – that most prognosticators were expecting them
to lose, do you think Jerry, Wade, and Joe will be at all interested
in putting a win in the hands of Folk at this point in time? I did
not think so.
Does Joe wish he could still get Folk a few easy tries early in a
game – with the hopes that a few good kicks will restore his
confidence? Sure . . . but earlier in the season. There is no time
for a pity party now – with the hopes of playoffs still on the line.
Folk needs to be ready to forfeit his starting role if the situation
– and Jerry – demands it. If the situation demands it, will this
mean the reinstatement of Mat McBriar as the holder? While Romo was
spot on with his field goal holds, the mechanical problem lies
exclusively with Folk.
Four Down Territory
If four down territory was a person, Jason “Red Ball’ Garrett would
probably ask him the age old question: “Are you my friend or the
friend of my enemy?”
If four down territory could respond, he would probably say: “That
depends entirely upon the quality of your play calling.”
When your team has to use all four downs, your coaches must use as
much reasonable imagination as possible.
Fans can appreciate a coach’s desire to build confidence within his
offensive line by encouraging four straight running plays within an
opponent’s 1 yard line. The appreciation, of course, will evaporate
if the goods are not delivered in the form of a shiny new touchdown.
Ugly images of Barry Switzer’s Cowboys coming up short on four
straight Emmitt Smith running plays against the Eagles – near the
middle of the field in order to ice the game – come to mind.
Red Ball called a Razorback play against the Raiders two weeks ago
that resulted in an easy touchdown.
Red Ball called a great double-fake against the Giants last week
that resulted in an easy touchdown.
Red Ball called four straight running plays against the Chargers
this week with no touchdown – easy or hard fought. Each of the four
running plays was designed to either go up the gut or behind the
right side of the line. If not, then, there are bigger problems with
the Cowboys’ power running game than originally imagined.
There is that word again: imagination. Where was the Razorback this
week? Where was Tashard Choice? Where was even one attempt to spread
the Chargers defense during that four down effort?
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- The running game - with the
exception of two particularly good dedicated drives that featured
Marion Barber and Felix Jones picking up nice chunks of yardage -
delivered an average performance with uneven touches, once again,
shared among Barber, Jones, and Choice.
While it is true that the Chargers’ defense has been gashed for some
pretty good rushing numbers this season, there is no need to help
them out with a predictable set of plays. The Chargers barely had to
acknowledge their surroundings on that set of downs – barely moving
in place before the ball was snapped.
Wade Phillips and Red Ball should not be afraid to go for it within
an opponent’s 10 or 5 yard line – as they may have to do it again and soon – but they must bring a little more creativity to that
line. Last week I suggested that “sometimes, you simply have to line
up your best guys against your opponent's best guys, gulp hard, and
dare them to stop you.”
I wear egg on my face just as proudly as the next person, but –
after seeing a pulling guard on 3rd down on the 1 yard line – Red
Ball decided to gulp much harder than anyone expected. There is
simply no room to pull with inches to go before you reach the end
zone.
The remaining games on the Cowboys’ regular season schedule dictate
that Red Ball put forth a more reasonably creative effort in crowded
spaces. He simply has no choice but to call the very best plays
possible – which is easier said than done – as always.
Play Calling Or Play
Execution
The conversation around the water cooler for many Cowboys fans
continues to be whether or not the core problem for America’s Team
involves quality of play calling or play execution. Truth be told –
the answer continues to be both.
Wade Phillips – during his pre-Giants game diatribe – mentioned how
winning breeds confidence and vice versa. The equation goes deeper –
with the idea that clear play calling breeds good or better play
execution. The better the results, the more the play caller trusts
who he has executing the plays. This process works both ways and,
depending upon the opponent, the play caller may have to get over
his fear of what his players can handle . . . and add an offensive
or defensive wrinkle that is simply the best call at the time.
Kumbaya comments aside - the Chargers ran the Wildcat offense at
least once, and the Cowboys – who had been using the Razorback much
more lately – did not attempt to run it even once (especially during
that four down goal line series with the “vanilla” play calls).
The Chargers’ specific play involved a flea flicker from the
Wildcat. The Chargers’ QB Phillip Rivers lined up on the right
flank. The ball was snapped to another player. That player handed
off to another player that came in from the left flank. Rivers,
then, came in from the right flank for a lateral, which he turned
into an incomplete long pass . . . that resulted in an interference
call on Gerald Sensabaugh.
Regarding the no huddle offense that Red Ball occasionally dusts
off, most fans understand that such an offense can backfire against
a quick strike offense like the Chargers’. You score quickly, they
score quickly, you fail to score, and they score again.
The Cowboys took the right approach in deliberately plodding up and
down the field to drain the play clock and keep the Chargers’
dangerous offense off the field. The catch, of course, is that –
even with a ball-control offense – you still need to score. You can
eat up all the clock you want, but there had better be a score at
the end of that effort . . . or teams like the Colts, Chargers, and
Saints will devour you before you realize you have been covered with
steak sauce.
Regarding the final minutes of the game – when the Cowboys
ball-control approach had come up short on points – the question
begs: whatever happened to calling two plays in the huddle – after
an incompletion or a catch-and-shove out of bounds?
Only Romo, Red Ball, and Wade know if they took that time-saving
approach but – from the mild confusion and slower-than-necessary
response time displayed by the Cowboys’ offense in the final two
minutes – it certainly appeared Romo was receiving one call at a
time.
Tony Romo – who had another solid game with almost 250 evenly
distributed passing yards, two more touchdowns, and no turnovers –
said right after the game that “we need to do a better job with the
little things.” The pained and contorted look on his face suggested
there is a growing list of the little things. Who knows how many of
his offensive teammates are paying full attention in practice or on
game day to those little things? Romo knows. Red Ball knows.
Neither of those gentlemen believes it will benefit the team to make
any public indictments of lazy individuals. The team has worked too
hard to fight off T.O.-like distractions and – so far, so good.
Being good at remaining professional and unified even at the worst
of times only works when you achieve the same tangible results that
Jerry Jones and Cowboys fans can see, taste, and touch: regular
season and post season wins.
The little things, of course, also trace to coaching, as well. If
you were watching the pivotal Giants-Eagles game on Sunday night,
you saw the same thing that I did: an offensive coordinator – in
Eagles head coach Andy Reid – calling plays that put his players in
a position to make a play.
Did anyone see the play – at about the 7 minute mark of the second
quarter – where the Eagles lined up with two backs and McNabb in the
backfield? McNabb made his calls at the line and, then, both backs
pulled up stakes and settled in on both the left and right sides of
the offensive line. The ball was snapped, the Eagles wideouts and
tight end were covered, and McNabb threw a dump pass to the back in
the left flat. The Giants’ defenders were completely fooled, and the
play went for approximately ten yards and a first down.
The amount of yardage was not as important as the simple wrinkle of
calling for the set-backs to reposition into what appeared to be
additional edge protection against edge rushers. It had been some
time since I saw that kind of subtle yet effective play alteration.
It was a simple wrinkle that, so far – in his somewhat brief
coaching career – Jason Garrett has rarely shown the creativity,
guts, nerve, or propensity to call. More double-fakes - more
"anything" that takes better advantage of your available talent - near the goal
line please, Red Ball.
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- You can make the necessary adjustments . . .
if you really want to win. Do you really want to win - Red Ball - or
do you simply want to let your players go through the paces?
You may, indeed, be making your very best attempt and - as Bill
Parcells has been known to say - "sometimes, you are what you are."
Ware No Worse For Wear With
Injury Scare
Cowboys’ superstar linebacker DeMarcus Ware was making his usual
tear for the QB in the third quarter of the game – when he was
blocked into a Chargers offensive lineman, instantly jamming his
neck. While all of his limbs appeared to be moving properly, he was
told to stay down, and he was carted off the field as a precaution.
Ware proved as much by giving Cowboys fans the “double W” gesture
several times on the way out of the stadium. Hospital x-rays were
“negative” . . . except for a neck sprain – and he has full movement
and strength in his extremities.
While this news does a great deal to remove the lump from the
collective throat of Jerry Jones, the Cowboys organization, and fans
everywhere, everyone will be curious to learn if Ware will be
cleared to play so soon after the injury. The Cowboys’ next game is
just a weekend away, and they need all hands on deck – as if it was
not already blatantly obvious. If Ware misses the Saints game
- as should be expected for a sprained neck injury, the Cowboys'
challenge may be elevated to a New Orleans nightmare.
On a related note, the safety position took another blow with
back-up safety Pat Watkins spraining his MCL. Three games left in
the regular season may mean IR for PW, because the Cowboys need
another capable defensive body – while they wait with baited breath
for Ken Hamlin to finally, mercifully reteam with Gerald
Sensabaugh.
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- Ken Hamlin, to be clear, has been
equal parts solution and culprit on the made and missed tackles that
have occurred in the Cowboys' secondary over a major percentage of the
past two seasons - but the Cowboys' alternatives have forced them to
hold out hope for Hamlin.
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- It is entirely possible that
Hamlin's "injury time out" has given him a different perspective -
and has given him the urgency to pretend he is, once again, playing
in a contract year. Besides, who are Cowboys fans - at this time of
year - to look a renewed sense of urgency by their team in the
mouth?
Defensive Drop-Off
While it was understandable that Wade did not want his cornerbacks –
Terence Newman, Mike Jenkins, and Orlando Scandrick (in the slot) to
get burned deep by the Chargers’ big and fast receivers – it seemed
like none of his corners were able to jam their opposing receivers
even when Wade asked them to do so.
The secondary, in fact, on many plays, looked like they were
perfectly content to play patty-cake with the Chargers receivers
rather than getting up in their grills. Aggressive jamming at the
line of scrimmage – performed well by a number of other NFL teams
for at least 50% of the time – can force receivers to alter their
routes, force QB's to hold onto the ball longer or get rid of it
sooner, and potentially help a sack-starved defensive line to get
more hurries, knock-downs, and sacks.
Terence Newman had a wonderful interception – the only one of the
game for either team – but it underscored his desire to continue
baiting opposing QB’s rather than sticking to opposing receivers
like glue . . . just in case he allows himself to get burned like
his good ole' buddy, Elvis "Toast" Patterson.
Terence Newman – for the second straight game – looked to
exclusively defend the pass rather than defend the pass and tackle
the receiver. A receiver who does not fear a good, solid tackle –
where he is left looking out of the ear hole of his helmet – has
nothing to fear at all, except for the accuracy of his own QB.
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- Terence - and his position coach,
Dave Campo - need to admit to themselves that teams will continue to
take full advantage of the dink and dunk passes Terence's "bait
play" continues to allow. Short passes by themselves are not
dangerous but - in bunches followed by scores - that approach can
beat you if you get careless. Maybe Campo needs to yell at Terence
again but - this time - for not getting called for a hands to the
face penalty. Opposing receivers have to know that Mike Jenkins is
not the only Cowboys cornerback attempting to follow them wherever
they go on the grid iron.
The defense had another collection of near misses, and only one sack
to show for it – and this is a partial result of how aggressive and
up-close the cornerbacks are defending. The secondary needs to ruin
the route before the defensive line can make the QB pout.
The defense did a good job of shutting down Chargers superstar tight
end Antonio Gates for much of the game – though his four catches
were still potent enough to help them succeed on the day.
The defensive line got pushed around late in the game. LaDainian Tomlinson – who
barely reached 50 yards rushing with one touchdown – was right when
he suggested the Chargers offensive line could wear down the Cowboys
late in the game.
The Cowboys were already struggling a bit with DeMarcus Ware in the
line-up and, upon his exit, they were being pushed and shoved all
over the place towards the end of the 4th quarter - as the Chargers
kicked a final field goal to ice and end the game.
Wade knows what to do with a healthy defensive squad, and results with a
less-than-healthy team will usually be less than ideal. Just like
Red Ball, however, Wade has to find a way to adjust to his available
players - and their available skill sets - and make a better attempt
to overcome what they may lack. Bill Parcells has been known to say
that you must "fit your system to the players rather than fitting
the players to your system." Easier said than done
if you are not good at doing it.
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- Wade is not alone in this task.
Wade is not the only head coach, defensive coach, or offensive coach
in the NFL who is faced with such a dilemma but - for now - he is
the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, and he simply has no choice.
He needs to squeeze more lemonade from his scheme on behalf of his
team. He has no choice - none that allows for continued
employment by the Cowboys.
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- They Have A Heart But Is It
Beating?
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- What is so distasteful about heart?
What is so distasteful about - at this point - playing above your
ability or out of your mind? Do these Cowboys - of the past three
years - view heart as something only a "commoner" uses? Do the
Cowboys actually have a medical condition - an allergic reaction to
heart?
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- Where is Randy "The Manster" White
when you need him? A number of fans will remember when Randy tore
the helmet off of the Chicago Bear's offensive lineman Mark Bortz and
swung it at him - during a 1984 pre-season game if memory serves.
You simply cannot pay enough money for that kind of aggression -
steroidal or not. The Manster remains a black belt in martial arts -
although I forget the discipline.
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- Fans may also remember a story about
an inebriated Charles "Manic" Haley riding his motorcycle into
Randy's restaurant. Randy asked him to leave and, of course, he
refused. A much older Randy clocked Haley and knocked him out cold.
Whether or not Randy knocked out one of his teeth or knocked him
flat on his back is not as important as the fact that Randy was not
- and still will not - take any guff from anyone.
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- Where is Michael "Scissor Gate"
Irvin when you need him? Most fans will remember the one offseason
where Everett McIver took issue with Michael cutting in line for a
haircut at Valley Ranch. Michael's response to the accusation was to
go after McIver with a pair of scissors and make deadly contact.
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- If heart is about more than being
emotional and "raising your game to another level" - if heart is
more about being downright mean, then, the Cowboys as a team are the
equivalent of a rated "G" film. Before any fans jump off the cliff -
"mean" in the case of professional sports refers to someone who will
knock your block off . . . not someone who gets sent to prison for
drug use or involuntary manslaughter.
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- Mean - in modifying a line from the
original "Terminator" film - is someone "who will not stop until
your chances of winning the game are dead."
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- Winning sports stars like Randy
White and Michael Irvin - in their own ways - always wanted to win
no matter what. They had a healthy fear of failure - during their
playing years - that ensured a top notch performance, a fight until
the bitter end, even if they ended up losing a game.
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- How many of the current Cowboys'
players are familiar with the "Thunder Dome" from the "Mad Max"
films? "Two teams enter, one team leaves." It is that simple, and it
is incredible what a team can accomplish on adrenalin, a never-give-up
determination, bleeding fingernails, and . . . heart.
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- If the Cowboys can regain their 60
minute will to win, then, they will begin to succeed with all the
plays and in all the ways they originally expected to start the
year.
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- The NFL recently began a children's
exercise and health campaign called "Play 60" - encouraging kids to
play outside for at least 60 minutes every day. If the Cowboys
can play 60 heartfelt minutes for just one day of the week, they can
begin to get over the December hump.
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- The Cowboys have a heart but is it
beating?
Say It Ain’t Dem’ Saints
You could say the Cowboys have already faced their own mortality in
a stare down contest and lost – with two straight failures against
the Giants and the Chargers. The fat lady, however, has yet to
strike a note, and the Cowboys still have a few more chances to
right their ship or disappoint their fans.
The Cowboys’ latest opportunity will involve another marquee battle
on semi-national television against the incredible and unbeaten New
Orleans Saints – on the NFL Network on Saturday evening.
The Saints have been enjoying a nice Brees of success ever since
outbidding the Miami Dolphins for Drew’s services a couple years
ago.
Brees and his spirited Saints teammates have been able to do no
wrong through 13 games this season. They have come dangerously close
to losing only twice this season – only to make the plays hat had to
be made to pull victory from the jaws of defeat each time.
The Saints have even more offensive weapons than the Chargers, and
their defense – while an overachieving bunch – has been bringing the
house every week. Their special teams unit is like others the
Cowboys have seen – with one or two really fast return guys who you
cannot afford to allow any daylight up the middle or down the sidelines.
Solid performances by the unbelievably wounded Redskins and Falcons
– against the Saints – provide legitimate hope for a potential
Dallas victory. The Redskins and Falcons may have a collection of
unfortunate injuries, but they have no shortage of the Cowboys’
personal kryptonite: heart.
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- The Falcons were playing without
their talented-but-injured starting QB, Matt Ryan, and they still
came "this close" to beating their division rivals. The
Falcons showed the same heart Cowboys' fans accuse the Eagles,
Giants, and Redskins of showing whenever they play America's Team.
The Cowboys – even with their own injuries and missing puzzle pieces
– still have the skill players to achieve success against the
Saints, but Red Balls’ (extreme) situational play calling must be
significantly improved . . . and the Cowboys’ heart must be even
bigger than ever.
If the play calling is as clear and succinct as everyone in the
world wishes, then, the players must execute as designed. Depending
upon an opponent like the Saints, perfect play calling may be easier
said than done – especially when you wonder how well your players
are paying attention to the plays being called in the huddle . . .
and how hungry your players are to win at almost any cost.
If the Cowboys cannot pull off what many fans and prognosticators
are considering a near impossible win, the entire Cowboys
organization can squeeze into the French Quarter and attempt to
drown their December in a dreadful drink. “Win at almost any cost,”
remember?
Maybe the Cowboys can try this theory out before the game. December
might not be able to hold its Louisiana liquor after all.
The Cowboys can beat the Saints if they want it (the win) badly
enough and if they have enough of it (heart). This has been the
Cowboys’ story all season long and for more than a decade of
Decembers past. The Cowboys can change the ending of this season’s
story, but it continues to be entirely up to them - no matter how
frustrating it may be to their fans.
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- The Cowboys can continue accepting
NO for an answer to their post season desires, or they can "Just Say
NO to NO PLAYOFFS." There is, however, great irony in 'NO," as it
also stands for New Orleans . . . but I digress.
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- The Cowboys can continue playing the
part of Charlie Brown, running to kick a football they just know may
be shanked away from the goal posts at the last second - or
they can just march right up to that football with calm and focused
aim . . . and kick the cover off of it directly through the
uprights, no matter the distance.
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- The Cowboys can continue stepping on
the rake and letting it hit them squarely between the eyes, or they
can just walk right around that rake. Just like with
play-calling, sometimes the equation is, in fact, that simple:
find away around the obstacle in your path rather than repeatedly
beating your head on that obstacle.
Will the Cowboys turn the Brees into so much stagnant air? Will the
Cowboys siphon some of the Saints’ success? Will the Saints strike a
death blow to Jerry’s kids by hitting Red Ball out of the Superdome?
Will the vultures continue to circle closer and closer towards the
Cowboys' carcass or will America's Team finally begin to break the
December cycle?
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- We shall see. We always do.
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