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2012-2013 Regular Season: Felling Philly
& Bolstering For A Brownout
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- November 17, 2012
At 11:40 PM CST
By Eric M. Scharf
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- Historical NFL rivalries –
particularly those involving the NFC East – normally require no
extra incentive, nor any calling the cavalry.
The Dallas Cowboys were set to face the Eagles up in their wretched
hive of scum and villainy . . . otherwise known as the Linc in
Philly. Their fans are notorious for behaving so badly – like a
Michael Vick-abused pet . . . that there was always a judge and jail
just waiting for them back in their old venue called “the Vet.”
Word has it the Liberty Bell – an iconic symbol of American
Independence – was originally cracked by angry “E-gals” fans . . .
in what was clearly the start of their love-hate ambivalence.
After previously seeing the Atlanta Falcons fly a bit further than
the Cowboys – handing them their second loss in a row . . . fans
knew Philadelphia was probably the very last place “America’s Team”
wanted to go.
Cowboys Nation knew Dallas and Philly had simultaneously reached the
pinnacle of self-destruction . . . and the usual pre-game
mud-slinging – under the circumstances – was both useless and
downright silly.
Cowboys Nation – once again – had every reason to expect more late
game play botching . . . during another round of unfavorable bird
watching.
Best In The Nest
When the Eagles were announced, the familiar song from “Rocky” was
traditionally blaring to go along with fans so glaring. Once the
game started, the Cowboys reasonably withstood their first-half wave
and surprisingly pounced.
Cowboys Nation expected the worst, but America’s Team delivered
their well-rounded best in the Eagles’ nest. Dallas had a balanced
attack in all three phases of the game . . . the likes of which –
over the past 16+ years – they always seem to lack.
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- While Romo and his “reliable” receivers performed relatively
error-free – absorbing three sacks and aggressive wide nine attacks
– Ryan’s Roughnecks were able to rope the Eagles’ offense and
restrict it to limited significance.
After a mere 12 plays, Vick was done for the day . . . and never had
a chance to torment Dallas in his exciting ways. His rookie backup
Nick Foles stepped in and did an admirable job . . . until
succumbing to the Roughnecks of Rob. Just when fans would have
expected Andy Reid to lean heavily on his lead sled dog, it did not
happen . . . but Dallas still did well to keep LeSean McCoy from
looking too much like a man among boys.
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- Brandon Carr was finally able
to get into the mix with a timely pick six . . . while Hatcher and
Spencer were able to convert a goal line strip-sack into a touchdown
dispenser. And while he may not have gotten in on scoring defensive
points in the Eagles' joint, no one – once again – was playing
harder than Big Bad Bruce Carter. He continues directing
ever-changing starters, and he had a team-leading 10 tackles. He
continues to prove that filling in for Sean Lee is no mere smear of
spackle.
Special teams delivered a solid performance for America's Team –
with Brian Moorman being precise and Dwayne Harris running one back
for a touchdown so nice . . . in keeping with the punting theme.
While the Cowboys surprised their fans with some of their best in
Philly’s nest, they headed home with even more issues they needed
addressed.
From Error To Injury
The Cowboys’ win against the Eagles in Philly was both refreshing
and perplexing.
Cowboys’ defenders – two in particular – were called off-sides SIX
times on a mighty successful hard count. Even bandwagon fans
understand these issues of mental toughness must be corrected, or
they will continue to mount.
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- Jason "The Hatchet Man" Hatcher
understands that multiple off-sides penalties – let alone just one
per game – are reserved for DeMarcus Ware . . . that he simply
should not dare. And, yet, with Hatcher getting nailed for the
fourth time – in the same game – he still performed well enough to
prevent his multi-mental lapse from being a total crime.
Morris “Claymore” Claiborne spent much of his second straight game
imploding like a rookie rodent rather than exploding like a mentally
sturdy first round pick upon his opponent. It was – once again –
refreshing for fans to hear one of Ryan's Roughnecks (in Claiborne)
immediately embrace his bad breaks. He guaranteed – to the press,
his teammates, and Cowboys Nation – that he has the maturation to
correct such mistakes.
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- This practice of clearly admitting
self-made errors has yet to be adopted by some of the Cowboys'
offensive mental terrors . . . but I digress with a fan-appreciated
way to confess.
From mental error to relentless injury, Dallas is on the edge of
incendiary. Fans can pick almost any roster spot, and they will be
hard-pressed to not find a new guy in that slot. While professional
sports teams always want to keep their talent wealth in the very
best of health, the crucial development of roster depth can give the
Cowboys a wider breath.
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- Teams that can afford to simply
churn their rosters on a whim . . . do not find their talent to be
slim. If there was ever another team – over the past 3 years
– that has been too banged up to afford a long list of bench
warmers, it has been the Dallas Cowboys . . . who need all 53 active
men to be reasonably capable game day performers.
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- The Cowboys – like the NFL Champion Giants and Packers
before them – must keep doing their reasonable best with timely free
agents and their
available roster . . . or continue resembling a competitive
imposter.
Will They Or Won’t They?
Dallas has returned triumphant from the City of
Brotherly Hate . . . with Jason Garrett outdueling Andy Reid in the
latest iteration of "Hot Seat Gate." Garrett's Gang arrives back at
Cowboys Stadium – physically feeling a little less than great . . .
and just in time for a Brown ‘N Serve date.
The Cowboys – as usual – cannot afford to take themselves too
seriously without a matching effort so furiously. The Cleveland
Browns have nothing to gain but more confidence . . . with a
potential win outside their conference.
The Cowboys can overlook the hard-nosed Browns at their own peril . . . and
risk making them look like dominant hounds so feral.
Will the Cowboys be ready for another trap game and approach it with
the right mental frame?
Will the Cowboys’ mash unit scramble enough functional fill-ins to
discourage Cleveland from being too willin’?
Will Dallas beat the Browns and – GASP – beat the Redskins on Turkey
Day . . . to miraculously find themselves closing in on the division lead, just a
half game away?
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- Will the Cowboys – and their
ramshackle roster – be able to avoid a game-losing Brown out . . .
with another all-points route?
Will the Cowboys – for the second consecutive game – be able to
thrive . . . or see their season fall back into a nosedive?
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- Will the Dallas Mavericks' recent
victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers give Cowboys Nation a spiritual
reason for greater cheers?
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- Will America's Team lower themselves
to their opponent's level . . . allowing the Mike Holmgren chatter
to start up all over again?
We shall see. We always do.
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