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2011-2012 Regular Season: Escaping The Scalp
(Again)
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- November
22, 2011
At 12:20 AM CST
By Eric M. Scharf
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- The Cowboys headed to Washington,
D.C. fresh off their Buffalo burger feast.
Just hearing the word “Redskins” can make the skin of a Cowboys fan
crawl.
Fans – every last one of ‘em – know what is at stake during Redskins
week.
Cowboys – every last one of ‘em – (are supposed to) know what is at
stake during Redskins week. Recent results of this rivalry – over
the past few years – suggest otherwise . . . especially with the
diverse disparity in talent enjoyed by Dallas.
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- The Cowboys lead the all-time series by a comfortable margin, but
they have never been able to get too comfortable no matter the lead
or location.
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- The revenge-filled Redskins added
Tashard "The Cut Cowboy" Choice to
their roster – hoping to bolster their lean running back machine . .
. and quite possibly seeking verbal hooks from a potential Cowboys
playbook crook.
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- Was Dallas going to allow the Redskins to – once again – close the
gap enough to claim the Cowboys’ scalp?
Another Close Encounter
Fans – most but not all – figured the Cowboys could mail it in at
FedEx Field against an undermanned and underperforming Redskins team
. . . but fortune does not favor the figuring.
The Cowboys entered the game much healthier than during their first
“Close Encounter of the Redskins Kind” earlier this season.
Tony Romo was completely healthy for the first time since his second
offensive play of the San Francisco 49ers game . . . and on a
mistake-free mission over the last couple games.
Laurent Robinson had emerged as a fully-fledged third wide receiver
. . . who could be as productive as a first or second receiver
depending on the amount of defensive attention rolled his way on any
given Sunday.
Jason Witten was as ready and steady as ever, while Dez Bryant has
been displaying more game-in and game-out reliability.
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- DeMarco Murray had established himself as a new and true workhorse
running back who can rush in-between the tackles, outside the
tackles, and in space – as well as catch out of the backfield – all
with a smooth combination of agility, speed, and strength.
The Cowboys offensive line seemed to be fine – with Montrae “Entrée”
Holland finally looking to gobble up more defenders than delicious
food . . . and Derrick Dockery returning from leg damage.
Ryan’s Roughnecks had returned to their score-restricting,
turnover-touting, sack-stacking ways . . . and keeping their
opponents’ rushing totals at a reasonable-but-not-great rate.
Dan Bailey continued to be the man – kicking ‘em fresh daily – and
Mat McBriar was dealing with foot injury misery in order to keep
kicking it higher.
Once the gun sounded and the game was over . . . Romo had thrown for
nearly 300 yards, three touchdowns (to Witten, Bryant, and Robinson), and made zero turnovers. Murray
had rumbled for 73 hard-earned yards on 25 workhorse carries . . .
without the assistance of forceful fullback Tony Fiammetta. Ryan’s
Roughnecks had three sacks, an interception, a fumble recovery, and
held the Redskins to 60 yards rushing. Dan Bailey had confidently
converted two-for-two on field goals.
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- Tashard Choice (who fell from
competitive Cowboy to floundering Redskins fill-in) failed to help
his new team get a read or draw a bead on Dallas. He was involved in
a verbal hook
alright – and it read "Do not let the door hit you on the way out and
remember to turn out the light."
The Cowboys – to someone who had not watched the game – had won
another close, hard-fought contest 27-24 against those tribal
troublemakers, the Redskins.
The Cowboys – to someone who had watched the game – had done well in
getting up 10-0 to start their pre-gobble-day game.
An overturned fumble recovery – which might have eventually led to
another Cowboys touchdown and a 17-0 lead – was followed by a
slow-and-steady pile of mistakes . . . which nearly allowed the
Redskins to scalp the star from Dallas’ head and gain some
well-deserved street cred.
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- Those mistakes were almost a crime –
forcing the Cowboys to unnecessarily endure overtime.
Those mistakes – to the satisfaction of Cowboys fans everywhere –
did not come from Tony “Totally Responsible” Romo, even though he
missed a few opportunities . . . and his offensive line allowed a concerning four sack stack that could have landed
Romo dangerously on his back (and putting him in another Kevlar rib bib).
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- Those mistakes – aside from a rare McBriar shank and Witten fumble (kept by the
Cowboys) – had to come from somewhere.
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- McBriar's shank may have stank – and
created a short field through which the Redskins could crank – but
Matt did not go into the tank . . . and fans can take that to the
bank.
Those mistakes ironically came mainly from Ryan’s Roughnecks – mixed
in with the big plays they made on the day. Terrible
T-Rex Grossman looked positively productive for the prehistoric
performer he usually resembles – making his second string ensemble
appear indomitable . . . and creating an unnecessarily close
encounter.
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- Those mistakes may have been the
result of powerful preparation by Shanahan at every offensive
station – but it is very improbable and nearly impossible to get a
broken down unit with inexperienced replacements out of the basement.
Those mistakes could have also – in part – come from the Redskins’
mastery of the art of heart.
The Art Of Heart
Each division within the NFL is known for its regional rivalries,
and the NFC East is no different.
The NFC East, in fact, has displayed some of the most brutal battles
ever seen . . . and yet the rage has been strangely one-sided.
The Eagles, Giants, and Redskins always show up like a screaming
hoard, and the Cowboys usually stroll in aloof, disinterested, and
bored.
The Eagles, Giants, and Redskins are fueled by the anger of their
fans – against the historical, mega-marketed, and perceived
arrogance of America’s Team – and the Cowboys act like they have
other plans.
While the Eagles, Giants, and Redskins certainly do not display
heart against all the teams they face, heart is absolutely second
nature to them when competing against the Cowboys.
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- When the Cowboys were one of the unquestioned, most talented, and
most successful teams in the NFL, it was acceptable – if not amusing
– to see Dallas drooling from boredom at facing so much fodder . . .
rather than thirsting for the chance to devastate a team that was
dead in the water.
It is with great pain and resignation that Cowboys Nation admits . .
. Dallas has not been so dominating since the early 1990’s and –
even then – they did not completely crush the competition on any
given Monday, Thursday, or Sunday.
While the Cowboys are on a roll with three straight victories and a
tie for first place in the NFC East, one false move . . . and they
could be back among the ranks of the least.
The Redskins game would not have been such a nail-biter if the
Cowboys had performed more like a bloodthirsty prize fighter.
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- NFL football is a game of emotion
and – sometimes, no matter how talented your team – you need a
little extra to accelerate your locomotion.
The Cowboys might never show up truly “meaner” because – as with
Wade Phillips – they have simply adopted Garrett’s demeanor. While
Rob Ryan is the right person to ensure the Dallas defense does its job
or die tryin’, I digress with this mental mess.
No one – from fans to prognosticators to the Cowboys themselves –
wants to belabor the point, but solving matters of the heart might
just prevent Dallas from being prematurely punted from a potential
playoff joint.
The Cowboys need to master the art of heart – and from their
division rivals they can finally break apart . . . and possibly
bring the NFC East crown back to town.
Stealth Health
The Cowboys find themselves on a bit of a roll but – right on cue –
the injury bug has begun to bite a bit more and take its toll.
The Cowboys have to deal with injuries just like any NFL team, but
some of their walking wounded seem stuck with stealth health –
struggling to find it and desperate to recover despite it.
Tony Fiammetta has an “undisclosed illness,” and his continued
absence may mean the Cowboys will be rushing less.
Miles Austin has been in a hamstring hangover, and fans can only
hope he can return before the season is over.
Mike Jenkins has done less defensive stinkin’, and fans would love
to learn he is fixin’ to return, and get his cornerback kicks in.
Gerald Sensabaugh has been a free safety hoot and – hopefully – he
can make a quick return against the Dolphins and shed his walking
boot.
John Kitna should simply relax his sore back and help keep Stephen
McGee ready in case of an unforeseen Romo attack.
Will They Or Won’t They?
The resurgent Miami Dolphins swim into Cowboys Stadium – led by a
familiar cast from the Cowboys’ past.
The Dolphins are different – they are not cute, they will be in hot
pursuit, and they will try to loot the ‘Boys every possible way on
Turkey Day.
The Cowboys cannot afford to be politically correct or
environmentally friendly against a Miami team proving so deadly. The
Cowboys simply cannot play it dolphin safe . . . and pull up lame in
yet another trap game.
The Cowboys – once again – get the benefit of playing at home on
Thanksgiving Day, but will Dallas and their fans take full home
field advantage?
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- Can Murray keep marching for the
yards that count . . . in the continued absence of path-finding
Fiammetta?
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- Can Dez and Laurent continue to make
up for the mileage lost in the missing-in-action Austin?
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- Fans – every last one of ‘em – should send a bouquet of stink weed
to the Eagles for giving the Cowboys a share of the NFC East lead by
beating the Sleeping Giants.
Now, “all the Cowboys have to do” is get one game ahead of the
Giants – showing enough defiance to stay that way until the end of
the season . . . and with good reason.
Will the Cowboys respond well to their timely good fortune?
Are the Cowboys on the verge of finishing up like it was the 1971
season – or are fans and players just dreamin’?
We shall see. We always do.
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