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2016-2017 Regular Season: Besting The Black Birds
And Facing A Foe From The NFC East Over A Thanksgiving Day Feast
- November 23, 2016 At 2:16 AM CST
By Eric M. Scharf
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- The Dallas Cowboys are now 9-1 after
having scraped off the Baltimore Ravens in a game where the NFL’s
top defense and “The Great Wall” faced off.
The Ravens brought the wood for the better part of the first half,
and Cowboys’ haters everywhere felt pretty confident they were going
to FINALLY have the last laugh. “America’s Team” took Baltimore’s
best first-quarter punch, made their adjustments (with Steve Smith,
Sr. looking no less meaner), and slowly-but-surely spent the better
part of the remaining three quarters placing orders, and eating
those big bad birds for lunch.
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- While Tony Romo was officially back in uniform – roaming the
sidelines as the Cowboys’ new backup QB and continuing to help Dak
Prescott be all he can be – Dallas’ former starter was undoubtedly
having to concentrate harder to get used to his new norm.
Romo’s concession speech was classy and professional . . . but just
the initial effort in what will undoubtedly be a private 12-step
confessional.
Something will eventually give – by poor performance, sudden injury,
retirement, or a trade-worthy change in environment – so that both
the Dallas Cowboys and Tony Romo can move forward, unfettered with
what-ifs, and simply LIVE.
Ability
Romo will be the first to tell anyone, your best ability is your
availability . . . or your team is left paying you to sit and heal while
potentially struggling in your absence to get it done.
Chaz Green has been a perpetual injury machine leading back to his
days with the Florida Gators. If Tyron Smith abruptly caves into the
ongoing pain of his herniated disc, and Green is not available, that
The Great Wall performance drain may not be agreeable. If Chaz
cannot overcome his latest or reoccurring injury, the Cowboys, this
coming offseason, will have to change their line depth trajectory.
Jason Garrett is used to churn, but that does not mean – with the
time invested in Green – it will not burn.
Let there be little remaining doubt – on the defensive side of the
equation – Randy Gregory’s pot(entail) may have finally reached its
ceiling with his latest failed drug test and quite possibly headed
onto permanent vacation. Jerry Jones quickly made no bones that he
will continue to stand by his talented-but-troubled man (until an
equally-qualified and far more mature replacement is found to be a
better fit for his and Garrett’s grand plan).
And Rolando McClain? It has been so, soooo long since he has not
been a forgettable pain. He missed, MISSED his last drug test
appointment . . . during what was supposed to be his final week of
suspension from the selfish and untimely stank of (what fans
sincerely hope was) his (tremendously tasty) “Purple Drank.”
As The Tortured Cowboys Fan has been stating recently . . . you are
what you are until you are not. If you are not available to
participate and perform, you may face an undesirable new norm, and
you will not have a spot.
Will They Or Won’t They?
It is Thanksgiving Day and – as has been decades of tradition – the
Dallas Cowboys host another opponent they hope to put into
submission.
The Washington Redskins arrive at AT&T Stadium a different team than
Dallas faced in week two . . . and seemingly a lot more confident
about what they can and will do.
Both teams have their assorted booboos and cuts . . . which – in the
NFL with ever-challenged personnel – do not qualify as ifs, ands, or
buts.
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- Will Dak, The Great Wall, and his assortment of offensive weapons
continue to stand tall – in what is sure to be yet another NFC East
battle so unpredictable – or will the Redskins defense come ready to
play more aggressive ball?
Will Marinelli’s Men be able to survive another contest without
Morris Claiborne and Barry Church . . . or will Kirk Cousins be
encouraged to expose the absence of those, keep the secondary on one
too many toes, and leave the Dallas defense reeling and feeling left
in a lurch?
Will Cowboys Nation and America’s Team continue their theme – more
often than not – of enjoying a Thanksgiving Day victory with a feast
that really hits the spot?
We shall see. We always do . . . and Happy Thanksgiving from The
Tortured Cowboys Fan to you!
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