Lotz of: 2008

Dallas, the home of the legendary NFL franchise, The Dallas Cowboys, is in a deep, deep hole and something needs to be done to resurrect the glory that I once witnessed in Superbowl XXX. The Dallas Cowboys have yet to win a playoff game since December of 1996, the year after that Superbowl victory.

Now let me first state that although I am a true New England Patriots fan, all the way back to the days of Drew Bledsoe and Superbowl XXXI, I always respected the glory days of Troy Aikman and Emmit Smith of the Dallas Cowboys. Furthermore, my roommate, Wool Dog, is a Dallas native, who is also a huge Dallas Cowboys fan; so this post is not a bash fest (though it may appear to be) but more of positive criticism in order to fuel a fanbase to enact change within an respectable organization and restore the NFC to what it used ot be.

So, you may ask, what is wrong with the Dallas Cowboys?

I. Ownership- Jerry Jones

Jerry Jones' style of ownership is very similar to the Steinbrenners of the New York Yankees in the sense that he uses his money to bring in big names, and expects immediate, big results. Though with big names come even bigger egos and thus completely diminishes the chance of team chemistry, something absolutely necessary to win games, and even more so, playoff games.
Jerry Jones also differs from the likes of the Kraft family of New England in the sense that he makes the executive decisions and Wade Phillips is more of a pawn in contrast to the full rights given to Bill Belichick to choose his own personnel and in doing so form unmatchable team chemistry. Jerry Jones has made the Dallas Cowboys into a form of entertainment and put an ego to being a Dallas Cowboy. Where "Getchya popcorn ready" was amusing to some, it certainly didn not "Getchya Superbowl ring" Mr. Jones.

II. Distractions

Tony Romo is a professional football player, not a model, nor an actor, nor a music star. He is the quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys. Therefore, who he is dating should not, by any means, be in the same sentence of his occupation nor should it be publicized that that lucky woman is present at the game. Jessica Simpson was used as an excuse to why Tony Romo did not play well. That should never happen. That is a distraction. Tom Brady, the quarterback of the New England Patriots is dating one of the hottest models around, Gisele Bundchen, and never have you seen her publically at a Patriots game, wearing Tom Brady's #12 or used as an excuse to why the team may have lost. Along the lines of Jerry Jones' ownership style, I mentioned the type of personnel he tends to bring to the Dallas Cowboys organization. That being said, with absolute "*#$% ups" like Adam "Pacman" Jones getting arrested, Terrel Owens constantly showboating with popcorn as well as whining and a general consensus that there is no team chemistry on the Cowboys, it is very easy to see the problem here. And that is not say that New England didn't bring big names like Randy Moss and Corey Dillon, personnel who had a tendency for dramatic incidents, no problems ever existed once a member of the Patriots organization. Furthermore, when players like Linebacker Bradie James questions the potential of current headcoach Wade Phillips, it is very evident that things are not right within. Dallas must get rid of these distractions in order to focus on their primary goal, football.

III. Wide-Receiver Terrell Owens

Wide-receiver Terrell Owens is very entertaining, sells jerseys and tickets for the Cowboys, develops ridiculous touchdown celebrations, and occasionally makes a big play. Terrell Owens can't catch the ball like he should.

IV. Tony Romo

I truly believe Tony Romo has the potential to be a great quarterback in the NFL. He has the drive to win and he brushes things off (sometimes too easily) and doesn't let it get to his head. He is loved by his fans (most of them) and in reality just needs a little help from his teammates. The Tony Romo, Jason Witten connection works, so use it. The fact that Terrell Owens gets in his head and makes drama, is counter-productive. Tony Romo needs more time in the pocket, period. Given a healthy start, I don't think anyone should worry about Tony Romo's performance next year, instead worry about helping the guy out. Get Jason Garrett out of the picture, he doesn't know how to work with Romo, and honestly I believe that is the most important thing in an offense, the relationship and compatibility between a quarterback and his offensive coordinator. Have faith Dallas, you struck gold in Tony Romo.

V. Wade Phillips

Wade Phillips is not a good head coach. He is a puppet, a pawn, a hunting partner, and friend and has yet to take control of anything within the Dallas Cowboys organization. He is loved by his players because he is there as a friend and mentor not a coach. Coaches win games, not just stick up for *$#& ups like Adam "Pacman" Jones. He's Jerry Jones' *%$#@ and he has yet to accomplish anything with his very talented personnel. He stands on the sideline dumbfounded on how he isn't winning but clearly it comes down to, if your losing to the eagles by 40 points, your not doing something right. And Jerry Jones' remains confident in him, as he should, because he doesn't talk back, and he does what hes told (minus winning). Hopefully for Cowboy fans this third season will prove to be a successful one and we were all terribly wrong about this Wade Phillips guy.

Mr. Jones and me staring at the video
When I look at the television,
I want to see me staring right back at me
We all want to be big stars,
but we don't know why and we don't know how
But when everybody loves me,
I'm going to be just about as happy as can be
Mr. Jones and me, we're gonna be big stars...

- Wade Phillips (in reference to his owner Jerry Jones)
aka Counting Crows- Mr. Jones

VI. Offensive Coordinator Jason Garret

The offensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys, Jason Garret, I truly believe is smart, intelligent guy. Though with the pressure to get Terrell Owens the ball, and make miracles out of shit, it has got to be hard. He's got talent but I think he's better suited for the head coach position at the likes of somewhere like Detroit. New, Tony Romo oriented, offensive coordinator needed, who gives jack shit if T.O. gets the ball, throw it to Witten the whole game, and if you win, stick with that.

Positive, Noteworthy things about the Dallas Cowboys.

Offense:

Jason Witten
Roy Williams
Felix Jones
Tashard Choice
Andre Gerode

Defense:

Demarcus Ware
Zach Thomas
Bradie James
Terrence Neman

Intangibles:

Dallas Cowboy Fans
New Stadium
History

I hope all the best for the Dallas Cowboys in this off-season and obviously in the 2009 NFL season. Hopefully there will be changes, but if not there's always the historic DVDs to watch.

And never forget these guys Cowboy fans:

I am thoroughly disappointed with the Georgia Bulldogs this year. Losing to Georgia Tech in the manner in which they did, the last game of the regular season was really the last straw to a disappointing season. Though I believe Florida played better than the Bulldogs, I don't believe the Gators were physically better than Georgia. Not to mention Alabama, who was so overrated and they nearly got blown out by them until their second half recovery. I had high hopes for Georgia being in the BCS National Championship game come the beginning of the season with the preseason ranking of #1 in the nation but I guess with Florida within the same conference, that was just impossible. That being said, I think it is an insult for Georgia to be playing Michigan State in the Capital One Bowl on New Years Day. I wanted to see a real game. Michigan State has played two decent teams (Penn State and Ohio State) and lost to both of them. The Bulldogs are supposed to win by 7 1/2 but I think it will be more than that. I really hope the now 9-3 Georgia Bulldogs get it together and show the nation on New Years day why they really deserve to be playing for a national championship (whatever that means these days). Go Bulldogs!