For the legions of Cowboy followers waking up on Sunday, surfing the Internet, flipping the channel through the litany of ESPN pregame shows including NFL Countdown, the outlook for their beloved franchise will appear grim and bleak. After months bearing Super Bowl aspirations for the most expensive franchise in sports and one of the largest fan bases, in Texas Stadium's vaunted farewell season, the Cowboy have discarded the motorcade of expectations with it's inauspicious scenario.In tow are the bandaged bodies of Tony Romo, Felix Jones, Terrance Newman and now safety Roy Williams headed for injured reserve. With any luck the world's foremost leaders in pinkie rehab aren't located in Mexico. For the next 3 weeks, Colt McCoy, Graham Harrell, Baylor's Robert Griffin(who's shattering records like it's Disco Demolition Night) and Texas A&M's Jerrod Johnson are the best signal callers in Texas. Tough year... but I digress.
Marion Barber is sputtering and Pac-Man Jones is suspended for at least 4 games after a physical confrontation with his own bodyguard, which is akin to Trent Green with full knowledge of his litany of diagnosed concussions and brain scans, slipping a sedative into his left tackle's Gatorade before a start.
In recent weeks the Cowboy offensive output and porous secondary have been more disappointing than Chris Webber's debut album. However, this article's intent isn't to give last rites to the Cowboy's Super Bowl aspirations, or to place Jerry Jones into Al Davis' mesh straight jacket.
The wheels may be falling off but the Cowboys well oiled, high octane unit just needs a tuneup.
Although, NFL cognoscenti have effectively written Dallas' route off the Autobahn to the Super Bowl, they will gladly take the dirt trail and sneak in through the back door. I may sound carelessly optimistic for a team which is on the decline but history dictates that Super Bowl champions dictate early. The Giants and Colts consecutive Super Bowl seasons have proven that although slumps are inevitable during the course of a season, timing is important.
Instead of dodging the best shots from teams which were further motivated every weekend to put a digit in the Patriots loss column and becoming weary over time. The Giants, Eli Manning in particular, took demoralizing shots from the New York sports media with an us against the world reality.
A year prior, Eli's less heralded brother, WhatsHisName, directed the Colts into the playoffs despite having one of the league's worst run defenses. The front 7 became a league-wide laughing stock as running backs drove through truck-only lanes and the Colts 32nd ranked rush defense dropped 4 of 6 games heading into the playoffs.
The punchline came when they returned to Indianapolis in the February winter with the Lombardi Trophy.
The Cowboys have ditched the bandwagon and ride into Sundays contest against Tampa Bay on the underdog, however, Brad Johnson has a personal investment and possibly an advantage on Sunday against his former employer. Johnson is unlikely to contribute another horrendous performance after benefiting from an extra week of practicing extensively with the 1st team, and the newly acquired Roy Williams should get acclimated to his role in offensive coordinator, Jason Garrett's offense.
While the pessimists have wagered on T.O. to implode, he's only further aligned himself with his quarterback Tony Romo. Wade Phillips' whose trademark is the success of his 3-4 defense, will handle the play calling duties for the first in his tenure to revitalize the Cowboys struggling defensive unit. His last full season as a defensive coordinator in 2006, his formula, produced a 61 sack unit with San Diego.
In the NFL's marathon season, sometimes its better to stumble early, stay with the pack and conserve energy than to set the pace as a front runner and pull a muscle in the anchor leg before the finish.
"The night is always darkest just before the dawn. And I promise you, the dawn is coming"
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I realize everyone on FanNation - and it seems all the analysts on TV - are calling the 'Boys underdogs going into the game this weekend. But in terms of those that will back it up with cash, the money is still being put on the 'Boys
They are still a 2 to 2.5 pt favorite across all major sportsbooks. I realize less that a field goal is a tiny margin for the Cowboys AT HOME but still, they aren't a true underdog. I don't put money on a lot of regular season games but since the 'Boys only have to win this one by a field goal, I'm throwing a little down this weekend.
Their backs are definitely up against the wall and for some reason, I think they'll respond.
YODA
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