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2013-2014 Regular Season: Same Old Story,
Different Ending
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- September 14,
2013
At 11:30 PM CST
By Eric M. Scharf
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- AT&T Stadium was originally built –
as Cowboys Stadium – in 2009. Such a magnificent construct
– from incredible size to unique design to amazing décor – has
certainly been celebrated with many a beer and wine.
Jerry Jones might have fancied himself a Kevin Costner and thought
“If you build it, they will come.” Fanatic followers would surely
come, but a limited number of home wins – since building the
Cowboys’ cavernous crib – has made him look dumb.
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- Cowboys Nation has had to endure consecutive losses at home – and an
unwanted autograph - to the New York Giants for almost five years,
half a decade or – depending on your perspective . . . an eternity.
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- Dallas has had its chances in their shiny thunder dome and failed
against a despised NFC East foe that – in the same span – has shown
enough creativity to make it to a number of big dances . . . leaving
Cowboys fans in a state of potentially permanent insanity.
While the Cowboys have had their problems collecting enough wins –
in general – for some time, the home-away-from-home environment they
have established for the Giants have left even some of their most
dedicated fans feeling less than sublime.
Would the Giants continue to experience good fortune at Jerry World
and create more nausea for fans . . . who desperately wish to avoid
joining those who have hurled?
Would the Cowboys’ offseason changes – from coaches to schemes to
players – find a way to improve their chances by avoiding the same
old mental errors?
Switched Identities
The Sunday night contest – to the shock and awe of Cowboys Nation –
began with Eli Manning (rather than Tony Romo) throwing an
interception right into DeMarcus Ware’s awaiting arms.
While the Giants held the Cowboys to a field goal, there was a
certain flashback from 1985 that – had it happened in this game –
surely might have set off New York fire alarms. Phil Simms went back
to pass and fired. Ed “Too Tall” Jones batted the ball into the air.
Jim Jeffcoat grabbed it and ran 60+ yards for the score. Boy – was
he tired! But I digress . . .
That turnover was the first of six – YES, SIX TURNOVERS – on the day
. . . with the Cowboys’ new defensive scheme designed and determined
to finally make the Giants pay. The Cowboys performed their own
version of the Full Monty for most of the first half . . . allowing
fans an increasingly rare opportunity to sit back and laugh.
Preseason defensive line pickup George Selvie continued to surprise
– adding a sack to match Bruce Carter and Jason Hatcher – and
keeping Manning squarely in his eyes.
It would have normally been the Giants who would hassle Tony Romo
into turnovers so mind-numbing . . . but it was both Manning and
second-year running back David Wilson who had an issue with their
collective mental plumbing.
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- Kiffin’s Kids had everything going their way until their secondary
zone was stripped to the bone by two long scoring passes . . . that
left the Cowboys out of position and looking like complete asses.
While Coughlin sent Wilson to the pine, Manning simply worked past
his ongoing mistakes, put his team on his back, and started playing
fine.
On the other end of the spectrum, Romo was enjoying improved
protection from Tyron Smith and rookie center Travis Frederick, but
the rest of his line suffered from a familiar inconsistence . . .
allowing the Giants defensive line to occasionally wreck ‘em.
Doug Free displayed his signature versatility at guard . . . even
though watching the experiment – from time to time – was a little
hard.
Fans wanted to believe Bill Callahan did his play-calling best . . .
to keep Romo out of harm’s way – with many a quicker, shorter pass
play – and let DeMarco Murray handle the
rest. While Dez Bryant was doubled all night, Romo was able to find
a healthy Miles Austin and reliable Jason Witten to put up a pretty
good fight.
Romo showed uncommon faith in third wide receiver Terrance Williams
– who managed to hang Romo out to dry by not following through on a
route. After a little sideline shout, Romo eventually came back to
Williams . . . making sure the rookie was still productive and
giving him no time to pout.
Williams’ brain fart was almost identical to what Dez pulled early
last season . . . and regardless of experience, there was no good
reason.
While Romo – in general – threw far too many passes for what little
yardage they would yield, Romo had to get the ball out of his hands
quickly. His was operating behind a spotty pass protection shield .
. . and eventually got caught in a Giant defensive sandwich that
left him in gasping for air and feeling pretty prickly.
The Giants sent Michael Boley preseason packing – and the San
Francisco 49ers were not the opponent attacking – but fans feared
the worst . . . thinking the Cowboys might be calling for a halftime
Hearst.
Tony “Rambo” Romo – once again – showed he could play through pain .
. . determined to help prevent the Cowboys’ lead from going down the
drain. Callahan called a second half effort that kept Romo
reasonably upright . . . and allowed Murray to run for a few timely
gains in a game that was becoming uncomfortably tight.
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- Manning had found his second have
groove, and he had the Giants on the move. Barry Church tried to
shut the door by returning a Giant fumble for another
lead-fortifying score.
The Cowboys – late in the game – forced the Giants into a 3-and-out
. . . but they could not get out of their own offensive drought.
Just when fans thought the Cowboys were about to blow their first
home opportunity to beat the Giants, Brandon Carr picked off an
errant Manning pass . . . strolling into the end zone with
game-winning class.
The Cowboys and Giants had – indeed, for one game – switched
identities . . . but fans cannot count on such games to simply start
growing on Texas trees.
Will They Or Won’t They?
“America’s Team” finally (and barely) overcame a Giant mental
obstacle . . . and to come up empty would have been another sloppy
debacle.
Cowboys’ fans thought they were reading from the same old story . .
. but they were treated to a different ending and a timely taste of
glory.
Dallas heads to Kansas City to face the Walrus – Andy Reid – their
old Philadelphia nemesis. What he has in store for a team he knows
so well is anyone’s guess.
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- Will Morris “Claymore” Claiborne be able to work through his
shoulder injury and blow up a few Chiefs . . . or will he be
watching from the sideline, seeking pain relief? Will Orlando
Scandrick – a specialist in the slot – have to fill in where he has
historically been less than hot . . . or will Dallas be forced to
use rookie B.J. Webb as the secondary Spider-Man that can?
Will Anthony Spencer’s knee finally agree with letting him play on
game day?
Will Romo and Austin take a stroll down memory lane . . . pretending
it is 2009 and executing on a higher plane?
Will Dez Bryant’s foot sprain cause only manageable pain . . . or
will Terrance Williams have to double-down on enhancing his brain?
Will Brandon Carr be all revved up for his return to his old
stomping grounds? Will Brian Waters be ready to help an inconsistent
offensive line pound KC’s defensive hounds? Will Lance Dunbar
finally be healed enough to show more of his exciting scat back
stuff?
Will the Cowboys get grilled on the grid iron by a revamped Tribe?
Will Kiffin – even with six terrific turnovers in tow – show that
his secondary has grown from having so many assignments blown in
his preferred zone? Will Kiffin's Kids need to employ a tricky bribe?
Will America’s Team be poised for a triumphant return to Arrowhead .
. . or – against a reenergized opponent – will they just play dead?
We shall see. We always do.
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