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2014-2015 Regular Season: Titans Toppled And
Being Obtuse About Abuse
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- September 20,
2014
At 1:14 AM CST
By Eric M. Scharf
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- The Dallas Cowboys entered their
Tennessee tilt – against the equally youthful Titans – fresh off a
fool’s gold function against the 49ers that made them gag and cough.
“America’s Team” was staring down an 0-2 start, and they were primed
to overlook a scrappy Titan’s squad with some heart. The Cowboys
could show they learned from their Frisco brain fart, or they could
continue turning their timely mistakes into an ultra-exclusive art.
Tony Romo had before him the umpteenth opportunity to show he knows
right from wrong . . . and that he was – in fact – not eyeing a
post-football acting career with Cheech and Chong.
Dez Bryant had another chance to show fans and prognosticators alike
that he was no pouting, me-first tike. While he would LOVE some
one-dimensional attention like Megatron, he knows the biggest
benefit comes when the Cowboys’ offense is completely on.
Jason Witten was returning to his college town – and he could have
put on a show as a pass-catching clown – but the Cowboys needed to
get their offensive act together and show (from anywhere on the
field) they could really throw down.
DeMarco Murray was ready and waiting – itching to go. He knew –
however, between Garrett and Linehan – there will always be some
pass versus run debating . . . instead of a guaranteed second
run-heavy game in a row. He also needed to steer clear of putting
more rocks on the ground . . . lest he risk future opportunities
against defenses he might really pound. Murray just needed to
continue being patient and steady, knowing fans were ready to say
“Fumblitis does NOT excite us on any game day”.
Marinelli’s Men were downright giddy to put on their second straight
slightly-better-than-average performance in Music City. The Dallas
defense – so early in the season – may still be empirical, but
taking more positive baby steps would be viewed as an absolute
miracle.
Ample Trample
About 5-and-a-half minutes into the first quarter, Murray performed
more turnover impropriety . . . causing fans and teammates alike
another does of early-game anxiety. He thankfully got himself
straightened out – going for 1 touchdown and 167 yards to
get-and-keep the Cowboys in proper order.
The Cowboys’ former-and-famous rushing attack – for two consecutive
contests – shockingly seemed to be back on track. Romo found himself
in the strange position of being able to pick his spot and make the
call . . . but he spent part of the game looking uncomfortable –
even weak – throwing the ball.
The Cowboys offensive line – even with Romo’s suddenly limited
movement – was expected to show more improvement . . . and certainly
do better than allowing the Titan’s a stack of four sacks. But –
with Murray picking up yards in a hurry – it made no diff that Romo
was feeling like a working stiff.
Romo was still able to do enough to keep Dez “X Marks The Spot”
Bryant playing hot. They paired for another touchdown and over 100
yards.
Witten was his reliable self – dutifully blocking and filling in
passing game blanks for Romo take another win to the bank – and
helping keep Dallas off the 0-2 shelf.
The defense delivered another slightly better than average job –
though Marinelli’s Men had to absorb a 61-yard pass play due to
Morris Claiborne, the former first round pick turned tackling slob.
At the end of the day, the offensive line did just enough to protect
Romo’s spine, and DeMarco Murray was ample to trample on almost any
given play.
Drug Policy Over Thug
Policy
Those “hardcore” NFL fans who are so incredibly shocked by the
domestic abuse revelations of the past few weeks . . . are failures
in the category of historical geeks.
Anyone who has been paying attention has seen numerous drug and
alcohol-related suspensions for years. Charges of domestic violence
are the one NO-NO that would pop the NFL’s clutch and really grind
its gears.
These issues have existed “forever”, but the NFL has always had the
resources, the legal connections, the relationships with local
authorities, and the benefit of an extremely loyal fan base to
ensure most-but-not-all of its performers were nailed for their
personal life strife never ever.
Jonathan Dwyer – backup running back for the Arizona Cardinals – is
the latest player to be caught in a domestic abuse scandal so dire.
According to reports, he head-butted his wife and broke her nose
after she refused his sexual advances, and punched her in the face
the next day . . . in return for which he merely got “deactivated”
with pay.
Truth be told, deactivation is THE best legal approach the NFL can
currently take in the absence of an immediate release (which would
be far more real and bold), because – with the NFLPA – they are
desperate to keep the money-making peace. The NFLPA stands ready to
go to court on behalf of ANY player who has not been given due
process . . . even if the entire world knows that player is guilty
and even if court proceedings risk creating a league-destroying hot
mess.
From Dwyer to Peterson to Rice, it would be quite a feat to go from
a convenient team exemption to public redemption so very nice.
If you punch your wife – or beat your otherwise well-adjusted child
– you should be gone for life . . . unless either one was coming at
you with a knife, like a starving cannibal in the wild. What about
other players – like Alonzo “The Sheriff” Spellman or Brandon “The
US” Marshall – suffering from manic depression, split personalities,
or bipolar disorder? Deciphering that has been and will continue to
be a tall order.
Nonetheless, just like Roger Goodell and NFL ownership, fans will
find nothing to which the NFLPA and its union brothers will have
willingly admitted . . . unless absolute proof has been legally
submitted. Where there is smoke there is fire, and there are too
many billions to lose by confessing or admitting anyone from within
NFL circles has been a liar.
“Why aren’t Sean Payton and Gregg Williams screaming bloody murder
from the NFL clock tower?” you ask. Seeking revenge against Goodell
and risking still big pay days yet to come . . . is dumb and not a
worthwhile task.
All that smoke and fire is conveniently isolated to the game day
barbecue grills of so many loyal tailgaters . . . and away from the
investigatory eyes of so many player, owner, and league haters.
So – even with the absolutely atrocious approach with which both the
Baltimore Ravens and the NFL have to handle the Ray Rice scandal . .
. fans are being treated with the gift of a brand spanking new drug
policy instead of a most-critical thug policy.
Misdirection – for the NFL – has always been the best form of
self-correction.
While NFL fans might spend the next several weeks pawing at the
catnip distraction of exactly how much higher the marijuana
threshold has been raised before players get busted . . . it is more
likely to leave those who want truth and justice will remain
completely disgusted.
Will They Or Won’t They?
The Cowboys continue their road show against the St. Louis Rams at
the Edward Jones Dome which – over the past few years – has
definitely NOT their home away from home.
The Rams are reeling from the early season loss of their quarterback
starter and – with their exciting defense not delivering results
particularly inviting – things look to just be getting harder.
Cowboys Nation has been treated to a couple past contests in which
the Rams have been roundly defeated.
DeMarco Murray has played a HUGE role in each of those meetings, but
this Rams team has a new defensive theme and a potentially better
scheme . . . designed to be tougher in the trenches with unsavory
greetings.
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- Will Tony Romo’s spine be just fine . . . or on his limited mobility
will the Rams exuberant line be allowed to dine?
Fans will recall Danny White’s season-ending broken wrist from which
he was forced into an inconsistent return with a throwing-mechanics
twist. Fans can only hope Romo’s progressive recovery from the
seriously stiff side effects of offseason surgery . . . will not
simply reflect Romo and the organization suffering – in the court of
public opinion – from major passing game perjury.
Romo (most likely for the rest of his career) will have to undergo
weekly back maintenance . . . but – eventually – his body should get
the gist.
Will Orlando Scandrick’s return prevent the Cowboys from enduring
another Morris Claiborne burn . . . or will the scrappy corner’s
return from a shortened PED suspension fail to do the trick?
Will Marinelli’s Men be up for the game if either Romo or Murray
pulls up lame?
Will the NFL continue to get away with being (falsely) obtuse about
(domestic) abuse?
We shall see. We always do.
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