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2017-2018 Preseason: Ponder Potential Or Prove
Credential?
- September 7, 2017 At 5:12 PM CST
By Eric M. Scharf
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- The Sky Or This Guy Is The
Limit?
National Football League fans across the globe find themselves on
the eve of another 16+ game marathon . . . though there is something
far more life-altering that has been going on.
“The Tortured Cowboys Fan” wanted to take a moment to shout out
support to all who had been – and continue to be – impacted by that
mighty unpopular whirlwind couple, Harvey and Irma. Hang in there as
best you can and know that lots of people are thinking of ya’.
It takes a team effort and an all-hands-on-deck mentality to
overcome such a climate catastrophe. Game day rosters – reasonably
solid from top to bottom – require just one player to cause all
others to weather challenges like inconceivable imposters.
The Dallas Cowboys know all too well the sting of losing a critical
player – who made everyone else around him better – and suddenly not
having a prayer. The Cowboys also know how it feels to circle the
wagons, literally adopt the next-man-up mantra, and see that freshly
plastic-wrapped player enjoy quite the kickoff to his career.
“America’s Team” – in a matter far more recent – also knows the
feeling of having to worry much more about what a key player is
doing off the field than on the grid iron . . . always and
increasingly concerned he will make juvenile social decisions that
place him in absolutely the wrong environ.
When faced with concern over a potential performance crisis, the
Dallas Cowboys must – once more – buy into that next-man-up theme,
be prepared to utilize all their roster spot devices, and be ready
to perform as a solidly-built team.
The Cowboys – like all other teams who have their game day ability
threatened by player injury or absurd stupidity – have to decide if
the sky is the limit . . . or THIS guy is the limit. Dallas has to
determine if they can further pool their performance resources to
sidestep THIS guy and reapply their limit to the sky.
Call it (GASP) “The Patriot Way” . . . or 53 determined paycheck
earners or whatever core collection of grit and guts it takes to no
longer wait around for one particular super star to make a play to
save the day. If the Cowboys’ immediate goal remains a long-overdue
return to the Super Bowl – as both participant and winner – waiting
on super stars only serves to make the desired pathway prohibitively
thinner . . . and that terribly terminal way of thinking just gets
in the way.
The Dallas Cowboys have a good chance to return to the postseason
dance (with lessons potentially learned towards an actual advance) .
. . by pulling out all the stops and ensuring bad habit drops.
“Garrett’s Gang” knows the sky is the limit . . . and to the
screw-ups of one particular guy they should never submit.
Tissues Over Policy Issues
“The Tortured Cowboys Fan” became “tortured” for various reasons
years ago . . . but strongly prefers on-the-field performance issues
versus off-the-field stupidity as at least one culprit for
(potentially) poor football seasons. The Cowboys’ off-the-field
issues of this offseason have left The Tortured Cowboys Fan
particularly aglow.
A “normal” NFL organization might be completely upended with so many
players being suspended. The Dallas Cowboys, America’s Team, have
never been normal. They are professional media magnets – and when
commissioner-indicted on rules they have unknowingly or
intentionally spited . . . the resultant fines and suspensions are –
from the outside looking in – are almost always avoidable.
Ezekiel Elliott has been suspended six games for multiple, thus-far
legally unproven, police department-dismissed, domestic violence
policy violations. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell – through the
league CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) – still has power to
enforce punishment without a literal legal indictment of wrong-doing. Serious
NFL policy inconsistencies have left fans (league-wide) stewing.
Former New York Giants placekicker, Josh Brown, received a ONE-game
domestic violence suspension and – even after conveniently admitting
to everything but horrible hitting – Brown received not one more
investigative sniff . . . from a league office that suddenly could
not see the diff. Roger chose not to further foment over Brown’s
suffered “moment” and made himself into an even bigger disciplinary
clown. Ironically – just today and for the sudden sake of cherished
consistency – Goodell magically retconned Brown’s suspension to
seven
games . . . adding six more and practically begging the court of
public opinion to stomp all over the NFL’s
no-coincidence claims. Brown – of course – is remaining absolutely silent . . .
with the narrow hope he is not facing a permanent divorce from both
his (now) ex-wife and the NFL for past behavior so violent.
Previous to the Josh Brown incident, former Baltimore Ravens running
back Ray Rice – during an (allegedly) alcohol-fueled argument –
infamously punched his now-wife / then-fiancée so fiercely in an
elevator that her head bounced off a handrail, and she landed on the
floor completely out cold. Goodell suspended Rice for TWO games only
AFTER damning video evidence of the domestic violence assault was
(involuntarily) released. Goodell – in natural kneejerk reaction to
public outrage and a lack of applicable league policy – increased
the punishment to indefinite suspension . . . which was ultimately
overturned on appeal as an arbitrary invention. NFL excitement –
especially with bad publicity – has never ceased.
Nonetheless, Zeke’s alleged policy violations occurred prior to him
having joined the league and – with CBA bi-laws being somewhat (?)
vague on non-drug-related player offenses prior to NFL entry – it
only adds to everyone’s mental fatigue.
While Zeke lost his recent process-focused appeal – specifically on
how the no-suspension recommendation of the NFL’s own Director of
Investigations (who interviewed Zeke’s accuser multiple times) was
seemingly ignored . . . that is not the end of the deal. Due to
narrow decision timing – and a Sherman, Texas federal court judge
who forced the issue upon detecting the dragging of league office
feet – Zeke is being allowed to compete in game one, a primetime
Sunday night home contest against the New York Giants. Few would
blame Zeke if he decides to use that on-air opportunity to convey
some (tasteful) defiance.
That same Sherman, Texas court – if memory serves – may also soon
allow a temporary restraining order . . . ensuring the NFL at least
provisionally swerves from officially enforcing Zeke’s six game
suspension from the sport. Zeke would then presumably continue
playing – on a week to week basis – before learning of the next
judge his case potentially faces. If Zeke is innocent, he owes it to
himself . . . to ensure his life-long reputation, first, and finite
career, second, do not collectively occupy a permanent space on the
domestic violence shelf.
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- If Zeke – through an expected airing of
more and much dirtier laundry – is publicly perceived as not so innocent
of any, any deviant sin . . . Zeke may well find his character
(irreversibly) tarnished and his career in the NFL garbage bin. THIS
is the true risk . . . of Zeke’s legal fight with an NFL
Commissioner who – with his own reputation, once again, on the line
– will not hesitate to follow the teachings of "Daredevil's" Wilson Fisk.
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- While fans are understandably fixated on the domestic violence
charge, The Tortured Cowboys Fan was almost certain Zeke’s St.
Patrick’s Day display of (suggested but unknown) public intoxication
– and his poor performance as a human support bra – was going to
result in at least a two-game suspension. Even if his six-game sit
down is eventually overturned . . . Zeke may still get burned with
“Boob Gate” still (technically) at large.
According to “a source close to Zeke," he suffers from FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out). The Tortured Cowboys Fan’s 10-year-old
son also suffers from FOMO. He is so determined to keep up with his
older sibling that – in ignorantly trying to get in on the action he
insists is being missed – he comes across like a complete dodo,
feeling confused and totally dissed. Perhaps – out of respect for his teammates
and collectively rare opportunities to make the playoffs and win
Super Bowls – Zeke would be better off with really thick FOGS
(Fear Of Getting Suspended) . . . and doing something, anything
about his earwax clogs.
Zeke or the NFL will eventually be grabbing tissues over policy
issues. The federal court system is – as with Tom Brady’s “Deflate
Gate” – once again being asked to put an avoidable NFL mess on its
plate.
Learn Or Burn
As if Zeke’s drama was not enough to convince the rest of the Dallas
Cowboys to steer clear of additional offseason public smears . . .
reserve linebacker Damien Wilson could not find a way to switch
mental gears. He was arrested and charged with two counts of
aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. While it might, indeed,
have been a case of road rage, Goodell may still punishingly chime
in before the Cowboys can turn the player availability page.
(Eventual) Starting left cornerback Nolan Carroll – following a
“welcome aboard” party in his name – was arrested on suspicion of
DWI for driving his car on the wrong side of the road in the middle
of the night. The NFL could still apply punishment – at any time
during the season – and Carroll would not win an appeal fight.
(Potential Starter or Boneheaded Brain Farter) Defensive end David
Irving – suspended four games for violating the NFL’s PED policy –
could have easily and proactively avoided this problem by asking
team resources (and / or his own handlers) to fulfill product label
literacy. Players all around the league continue to get suspended
for taking ANY unauthorized supplement. There is no excuse and –
perhaps – players should drop the enhancement juice . . . and go
back to natural methods if strength they wish to augment.
Reserve defensive end Damontre Moore was suspended two games for a
DWI arrest that occurred prior to joining America’s Team. His public
apology seemed contrite, and he seems eager to reward the Cowboys’
blind faith with grid iron productivity and an off-the-field
straight arrow theme.
Perpetually suspended defensive end Randy Gregory – on dishonorable
mention at this joint point – suffers from a drug addiction that
belongs in unimaginable fiction. He is a pothead from which all
common sense may have been irreversibly bled. If he manages to
deflect the dooby until his first available reinstatement date . . .
Goodell may still unfavorably and permanently decide his fate.
The NFL's "Club Remittance Policy" was created to hold teams
accountable for acquiring players who have violated various league
rules. The Cowboys – who used to employ “Dez Rules” – will be / have
been fined for employing one too many of said fools. The policy – of
course – may never really achieve the stated goal . . . if the fines
remain laughably microscopic and the intended targets are not
changed to those NFLPA members who actually place themselves in the
hole.
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- While it remains absolutely true that players are (GASP) human and
enter the NFL (and other major professional sports) from all manner
of background . . . at what point do increasingly troubled players
finally take responsibility for team performances that their
off-the-field decisions often can-and-do compound?
Rookie symposiums – up until 2016 – were arranged and managed by the
league office but that responsibility has since been adopted by
individual teams. While the NFL’s 32 organizations are uniquely
qualified – on just scouting research alone – to handle the “Warning
Workshop” for their own rookies (drafted and those from the street
who yearn to compete) . . . it is clearly not enough to convince new
talent that taking certain off-the-field risks can-and-will demolish
their (and – potentially – their team’s) pro football dreams.
The same can be said for some (but not all) veterans who (still,
STILL) may not be receiving memorable (or threatening) enough
“Gotcha’ Guidance” . . . from their teams, their own handlers, or
their NFLPA team representatives to help them navigate off-the-field
life with more confidence.
Players - by and large - are conditioned to play through pain . . .
but a growing number of them find it increasingly impossible to
avoid causing an off-the-field stain.
Maybe Jerry Jones or Jason Garrett can create and display another
inspirational poster for the particularly obtuse player who simply
cannot stop placing his hand into the shiny, white-hot toaster.
Perhaps the growing number of players with too much time on their
hands are the real reason . . . that Goodell and NFL owners keep
reintroducing the idea of an 18, 20 (?), 60 (??) game season.
Why not go with the prison mentality . . . with NFL owners building
permanent player quarters on their HQ property? Players would be
forever in football mode and safely separated from freedom of
thought . . . that dastardly, no-good mental casualty.
Please understand The Tortured Cowboys Fan – for decades – has LOVED
the NFL and America’s Team . . . but off-the-field player behavior
too often makes the Tortured One want to bloody scream. If a fella’
– like E3 (Exciting Ezekiel Elliott) – has an NFL-level pedigree and
receives a nice contract to which all parties agree, and if that
fella' understands that a man with means is a magnet for muck, then the only things that
could reasonably end that
opportunity are career-ending age, injury, or expiration by Mack
truck. The CBA – to which all
NFL owners and all NFLPA union members have committed – does not
take the
horribly destructive "human condition" into account . . . no matter how many more stupid
pet tricks, err, off-the-field challenges continue to mount.
The NFL remains one of the greatest team sports . . . if not THE
ultimate team competition. NFLPA members know full well to avoid
contributing off-the-field challenges to their team’s ever-present
on-the-field attrition. The team theme never, ever goes away . . .
and it always figures into how well your team performs on any given
Sunday, Monday, or Thursday.
A newly renegotiated CBA will not make up for poorly conceived
things you do or say. Your best ability is your availability. Your
team’s game day versatility is negatively impacted by your
off-the-field stupidity. Cowboys players know they can learn or burn
. . . and quickly become a terminal participant in Garrett’s
ever-present roster churn.
Will They Or Won’t They?
In what seems to have become one of a few of the NFL’s
season-starting, auto-scheduled events . . . the Dallas Cowboys - as
stated earlier – will be hosting the Big Blue gents.
America’s Team has plenty of (rookie and veteran) talent – in all
three phases of the game – but their Giant counterparts this
offseason did not exactly stand pat or remain tame.
Between these teams there is a ton of history, but there should be
no surprises, no mystery.
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- The Cowboys “merely” need to replicate their first-string preseason
rehearsal . . . with quality execution (of New York by Dallas),
assignment awareness (to make sure individual players and entire
sub-packages do not get careless), maintaining reasonable wealth of
health, and fighting like mad – all season long – to avoid a
reversal.
Success requires mental and physical survival for the Cowboys’
desired postseason revival.
Will Dak Prescott turn the next page on his promising NFL career . .
. recognizing more defenses with further pass distribution and
greater playbook knowledge by which to steer?
Will offensive guard Chaz Green – the (current) replacement for
Denver-departed Ronald Leary – finally get a stranglehold so mean on
his career-long fight to play injury free?
Will “Marinelli’s Men” benefit from a fully-functioning Jaylon Smith
and several rounds of new defensive blood . . . even without
linebacker Anthony Hitchens for 4-8 weeks and so many suspended
defensive end duds?
Will the Cowboys’ secondary play with serious solidarity whether
Odell Beckham, Jr. tries to go or not . . . or will they be exposed
on the spot as flatfooted attackers like they were for most of their
playoff game against the Jordy Nelson-less Green Bay Packers?
Will a rested-and-ready Dez Bryant reclaim his pass-catching and
touchdown-scoring top-five fame . . . or will potentially fewer
targets cause him to struggle within Dak’s pass distribution game?
Dak would remind . . . whomever gets open first he looks to find.
Will Zeke be able to perform against the Giants’ fearsome front line
with a clear, determined head . . . and vent enough yardage fury to
knock ‘em dead?
Will the Cowboys defeat this latest Giants team . . . with a solid
game plan, renewed focus, and healthy respect for New York’s own
three-phased scheme? Or will Dallas allow New York to go from
winning last year twice . . . to this year winning consecutively
thrice?
Will Dallas spend another year
pondering potential . . . or will the Cowboys finally prove their (claimed)
credential?
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- Will the Giants make it three in a row . . . or will America's
Team put on a winning show?
We shall see. We always do.
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