LoneStarStruck.com - For Die Hard Cowboys Fans - StarStruck

After the Steelers had won their fourth Superbowl title in 1980, they came up with a slogan to describe their hopes for the following season.  The slogan was, “One for the thumb in 81” meaning that many of the players had earned four Superbowl Rings in the past decade and were planning on getting a fifth one for the following season.  Unfortunately for the Steelers, none of those players ever achieved the goal of a fifth ring as a player.

Thus far, the only man in NFL history to earn five Superbowl rings as a player is Charles Haley. Haley earned two of those rings with the San Francisco 49ers and then three more while playing for the Dallas Cowboys.

Haley played outside linebacker for the 49ers from 1986-1991 and helped them earn two championships in Superbowl XXIII  (1988) and Superbowl XXIV (1989). After several  well-publicized confrontations with his 49er teammates and the coaching staff, Haley was traded to Dallas during the 1992 off-season.

Although Haley gained a reputation as a disgruntled and malcontent player during his first years with San Francisco, he found a home in Dallas. From 1992-1996 Haley filled the position of defensive end for the Cowboys and was an integral part of their success and Superbowl Dynasty of the 90s.  During this era, as you know, the Cowboys won Superbowls XXVII (1992), XXVIII (1993) and XXX (1995). 

In 1996, Haley made the decision to retire after suffering a herniated disc five games into the season. In 1998, Haley came out of retirement to aid his old team, the 49ers in post-season play.  The following year, 1999, he returned and played a full season with the 49ers before finally retiring for good.

Haley’s accomplishments during his 12 year career are quite impressive. He had 100.5 sacks, 485 tackles with 13 assists, 26 forced fumbles, and 1 safety.  He had 2 interceptions and 8 fumble recoveries, one of which he returned for a touchdown. Haley was named to 5 Pro Bowls (88, 90, 91, 94, and 95) and was named an NFL All-Pro in 1990 and 1994. In addition, he was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 2006.

The late Bill Walsh called Haley "one of the greatest players of our era." At one point, he was considered the best pass rusher in all of football.” Former Cowboys quarterback, Troy Aikman, said, “In my opinion, we would not have experienced the run of success we enjoyed here if it were not for Charles Haley’s contributions.”

Many people, myself included, believe Haley’s personal accomplishments have earned him a spot in the NFL Hall of Fame, but unfortunately, he has not been able to make the list of 15 finalists in his first few years of eligibility. Hopefully, the NFL will rectify this situation in the near future. Until then, Charles, we Cowboy fans offer up our gratitude and recognize your contributions to America’s Team. Thanks.

Please feel free to visit me at my site:  www.myspace.com/dallas_cowboys_nfl

Posted by Rich Isaacs at 08:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Below you can see the Cowboys win/loss record against each team in the NFL since 1960. I snagged the info from the 2006 media guide and updated the records by adding the wins/losses from the 2007 season. The totals below are from the regular season and the playoffs. It does not include pre-season play.

January 17, 1937 – February 29, 2008

Gilbert Leroy “Buddy” Dial passed away on Friday, February 29th, at the age of 71.  Dial was a star wide receiver who played 8 years in the NFL, first for the Pittsburgh Steelers and then for the Dallas Cowboys.

Dial played with the Steelers from 1959-1963 and was then traded to the Cowboys per his request in 1964 and remained with the Cowboys until his retirement in 1966.  During his career Dial made 261 receptions for a total of 5,436 yards and 44 touchdowns.  His best year was in 1963, with the Steelers, when he caught 60 passes for 1,295 yards and 9 touchdowns.  His per catch average remains the second-highest in NFL history at 20.8 yards per catch.  Dial made the Pro Bowl in 1961 and 1963, and is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and the National High School Hall of Fame.

The bulk of Dial’s productivity came during his years with Pittsburgh. In his final three years with Dallas, Dial was not as productive due to nagging injuries that eventually left him largely disabled after his football career was over.

Dial passed away Friday, February 29th in a Houston Hospital after being recently admitted for treatment of cancer and pneumonia.

Posted by Rich Isaacs at 08:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The McDonald’s NBA All Star Celebrity Game took place in New Orleans on Friday the 15th of February featuring Team New Orleans against Team Hornets.  Yes, having two teams with one named New Orleans and the other named Hornets can get confusing, so I will try not to lose you.

Terrell Owens of the Dallas Cowboys was slated to play for Team New Orleans in the game but had not arrived by tip off time.  Another former Dallas Cowboy, Deion Sanders, was playing for Team Hornets.

The Hornets led the game most of the way and were spurred on by the play of Deion Sanders who scored 14 points and had 13 rebounds in the game.

Midway through the 2nd quarter, with Team Hornets leading by double digits, a familiar face appears on the sideline wearing the uniform of New Orleans. Getcha popcorn ready cause T.O. has just arrived.  T.O. quickly makes an impact on the game but his team still trails the Hornets 28-23 at the half. 

In the second half, New Orleans makes a game out of it by closing the gap to 50-49 in favor of the Hornets with 19.5 seconds to go.  With that short time remaining, Floyd Mayweather (world welterweight champion) was sent to the foul line and hit both free throws to give New Orleans a lead of 51-50.  No other points were scored in the final seconds of the game giving New Orleans the win.

Terrell Owens finished the game as the high scorer with 18 points, including one dunk, and 3 rebounds.  Due to his efforts on the court he was named the Most Valuable Player of the game.  Not bad for a guy who didn’t show up until the middle of the second quarter.  Don’t ya just love him?  Way to go T.O.

Posted by Rich Isaacs at 11:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Several weeks ago, the NFL released the opponents the Cowboys will be playing in 2008. Although we have been told which teams we will play at home and which are road games, the NFL has not yet released the date that each game will take place. I am sure that when the dates of the games are released, Kelly, here at StarStruck, will be busy designing schedules for us all to post on our sites.

Naturally, we will face each opponent in the NFC East twice during the regular season. This means that we will have to face the Giants, Redskins, and Eagles once on the road and once at home for a total of 6 games of the 16 game season.  Although we won our division handily this year, we cannot take any of these games for granted. I have said it before and I will continue to say it: Year in and year out, the NFC East is one of the toughest if not the toughest division in the NFL. Although I believe we are better overall than each of these teams, any one of them is capable of beating the Cowboys on any given day. I think we are the stronger team out of these opponents and will win the division again next year, but I will not be surprised at one or even two losses within the division. I can already feel some of you steaming at that last remark. Please understand, I am not being pessimistic, just realistic. 

One side note: Considering that the Giants knocked us out of the playoffs this year, I would be very willing to bet that one Monday night game will involve us playing the Giants either at home or on the road. There’s too much drama there. The NFL almost has to put one of those games in prime time.

The remaining ten games in the regular season are made up of non-division opponents. 

They are:

Road Games
Arizona Cardinals, St. Louis Rams, Green Bay Packers, Cleveland Browns, and the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Home Games
San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Baltimore Ravens, and the Cincinnati Bengals.

Of these teams, only four had losing records last year: the 49ers, Ravens, Bengals, and Rams.  The rest were .500 or better.  Six of our opponents made the playoffs. These were: the Giants, Redskins, Seahawks, Buccaneers, Packers, and Steelers. Since we play the Redskins and the Giants twice, that means that 8 of our 16 opponents for 2008 were playoff teams in 2007. 

I have read some comments from other fans that we have an easy schedule and we should go undefeated in 2008. Again, I don’t want to sound pessimistic, but this is the NFL and since we were the number one seed in the NFC this last year, the powers that be in the league have no intention of making it easy on us. Although most of these teams didn’t come close to matching our 13-3 record last year, this will still be a tough schedule. Remember, we almost lost to Buffalo early this last season (and to be honest, we probably should have the way we played) but we pulled it out in the end. Just like I said about the NFC East, any team in the NFL has talent and can put together at least one great day of football (I think the Patriots would agree with that anyway).

As for an undefeated season, I would enjoy that just a much as any Cowboy fan. However, history makes me face the realistic probability that this won’t happen. Seldom does a team have that opportunity.  It takes talent on your team, but due to the level of opposition in the NFL, a little luck is also usually needed. Personally, I would rather see us take a loss or two in the regular season and then go into the playoffs fighting mad. Lose early, get it out of our system and enter the playoffs knowing that we are a good team but not overconfident about it (Once again, I think the Patriots might agree with me here).

So, here’s what I think and some of you may write nasty things to me about it - but it’s ok, I can take it.  We will win the NFC East. We will be the frontrunner for the Superbowl title and I think we WILL take it. Undefeated? No. I honestly believe our record will be no better than 14-2 and could even be 12-4.  Again, I am not being negative, just realistic based on that schedule. We will lose at least one or two games in the NFC East and maybe one or two among our remaining opponents.  I hope I am wrong.  19-0 would be wonderful. If I’m wrong I will gladly let my wife spank me and call me names (Hmmmm…..Now that I think about it……never mind. Now where was I???  Oh yeah....).  The bottom line is that a tough schedule with some losses will prepare us to rise to the occasion when the playoffs arrive.  Just like diamonds are made under extreme pressure, it may very well be the pressure of losses that cause our Stars to shine. Shine on Cowboys. Run for the Ring baby!!!

Posted by Rich Isaacs at 09:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)

In the end 18-0 was just not enough.  18-1 doesn’t earn you a Championship when the loss comes in the last game.  You have to be able to finish to claim the title of Superbowl Champions.  I think it was Fox announcer Curt Menefee that I heard say, “The Patriots came in undefeated while the Giants came in undaunted.” That just about sums it up. As many of you know, I was rooting for the Giants in this game while many of my other Cowboy friends wanted the Pats to finish their season undefeated and go down in history (while many Cowboy fans also couldn’t have cared less).  I really didn’t think the Giants would accomplish this, but my hat is off to the G-Men.  They had a job to do and did what no other team has been able to do this season.

The Giants defense was definitely the key in this game.  The defense was able to put so much pressure on Tom Brady that the Pats were never able to get in rhythm and stay there.  Brady was sacked 5 times and hit 9 other times while throwing the ball.

As Cowboy fans, why should we care?  Well, here are my thoughts for what they’re worth:  The Giants defense pressured Brady just like it did Romo in our last game against the Giants.  While many people have wanted to play the blame game and not give the Giants credit for the win over the Cowboys, I for one, will do so. Our loss to the Giants had nothing to do with Jessica Simpson, or Mexico, or assistant coaches being distracted. Jessica didn’t play in the game.  The game took place in Dallas, not Mexico.  The coaches didn’t drop the balls, botch the plays, or fail to protect Romo.  Like T.O. said in his interview after the game: “We lost as a team.”

Protection was something Brady would have loved to have had yesterday. The Giants defense just kept getting into the backfield and I’m sure that Brady was hearing footsteps coming up behind him on every play by the end of the game. I don’t blame Brady for this loss and I don’t blame Romo for ours.  A quarterback is one man, while a win/loss is a team effort. The Giants outplayed the Patriots, and, much as it pains me to say it, they outplayed the Boys.

I do take some consolation in the fact that the Patriots will not be considered “The Greatest Team of All Time” now. They are just one of the other 31 teams who failed to finish.

One final thought for what it’s worth: Our Cowboys played the Giants three times this season, winning two, but losing the one that counted. The Patriots played the Giants twice this season, winning one, but losing the one that counted.  If you add up the score of the Giants v. Patriots games you come up with 8 quarters of football and a final cumulative score of 52-52.  The Cowboys, on the other hand, played 12 quarters of football against the Giants and finished with a final cumulative score of Cowboys 93-Superbowl Champions 76. Now, I know that’s not much consolation to my Cowboy friends out there but I find some satisfaction in it (not much, but some….).  Should we have beaten the Giants at home and advanced further in the playoffs? Yes, we should have, but we didn’t.  Could we have beaten the Patriots in the Superbowl?  Yes, I think we could have, but that question will have to remain unanswered.

To the Patriots, I say, we Cowboys know how you feel.  It’s tough to have so much promise and potential and fall short at the end.  We know…..

To the Giants, who have not, and probably will not, get the respect they deserve from most, I tip my hat to you on a good season and the ability to finish well. Wear your crown proudly. You are Champions and I freely admit it. 

However, keep your ears to the ground during the offseason. Down in Texas, horses are getting re-shoed and saddles are being polished. If you listen closely, you will begin to hear the thunder of distant hoof beats and the crack of whips.  All too soon, you will see Stars on the horizon.  It’s not your fan club coming to pay homage.  It’s a cattle drive decked out in Silver and Blue coming to trample you and take your crown.  So, enjoy this one Giants. We’re thinking of you here in Texas.  Can’t wait to see you.

Contributed by Rich Isaacs

Posted by LoneStarStruck at 07:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (10)

Originally, I had planned to write this blog on why I think we should go ahead and trade Julius Jones and keep Marion Barber. I have thought for the most of the season that Barber is the future in the Cowboys backfield. While Jones is a good back and can certainly be the lead man in another offense, I think he has seen the writing on the wall in Dallas, and realizes that he is going to be relegated to a supporting role for Barber. Because of this, I think Jones slacked off this season. When he gets the chance to carry the ball, he spends his time dancing around the backfield, waiting for a hole to open up. Barber, on the other hand, tends to make a hole if one isn’t readily available.

My reasoning here is, that Julius Jones, while a talented and hard worker, has lost heart, due to his realization that Barber is now perceived as the premier back. Julius knows that he can be the top back in many other offensive schemes, just not here with the Cowboys. Therefore, I was going to argue that we should get a contract on Barber and lock him in long term and let Jones go with our best wishes since I don’t think we can keep both.

Then - from stage left, enters Darren McFadden of Arkansas. The rumors are flying that Jerry Jones wants McFadden and wants him badly. Miami, of course, would have the first shot at McFadden (or anyone) due to having the first round draft pick this coming year. As we all know, we have already had a mass exodus of coaches from Dallas to Miami to join the Big Tuna. In thinking about this, it seems that Jerry Jones has been very cooperative in this process, and has allowed these guys to leave without much effort to keep them. In addition, it is also rumored that Miami wants Barber.  Could there be a deal in the works to let assistant coaches go without a whimper, while also tossing Barber into the mix at some point in order for the Cowboys to get their hands on that first round draft pick?

To be honest, I have no idea. All I know are the rumors I hear on the sports shows and the other blogs and fan sites I read. I love Barber and don’t want to see him go. However, I loved Herschel Walker and thought his trade was one of the most stupid things I had ever seen - at the time it happened. Of course, I realized later, that “The Trade” as it would come to be known, was a brilliant coup on the part of Jerry Jones and Jimmy Johnson to lay the foundation for a dynasty, while Minnesota ended up feeling like they had bought a huge “lemon” from the shadiest used car dealer in town. Ultimately, the final results of “The Trade” brought some now familiar names to the Boys - Emmitt Smith, Russell Maryland, Kevin Smith, Darren Woodson, and Clayton Holmes.  For Minnesota, the results brought - relative obscurity.

My thoughts here are this, I know Jerry Jones is a smart business man. He knows how to cut a deal, and has proven that time and again in the past. I admit that I have thought him crazy at times in the past and then later, I was proven wrong when the impact of these deals have been brought to light. Jones obviously has some neurons and synapses firing in his head that don’t work so well in my noggin. But please, let’s not make the mistake Minnesota did - thinking they were one back away from a championship, they sold their soul (and their supporting cast) to get him.

Again, I love Barber and think he may be the toughest back out there. McFadden is, without a doubt, extremely talented, yet unproven in the NFL. Barber has already proven himself with the Cowboys. Aren’t there other possible ways of getting McFadden without giving up Barber? Is all this just unfounded rumor with no basis in reality? Many have said so. They say there’s no way Jones will let Barber go. It’s a given that Jerry Jones will sign him. I thought so too, but why hasn’t he done so yet? What’s the hold up? As a restricted free agent, my understanding is that you simply have to tender him an offer to lock him in, but this, as of yet, hasn’t happened.

For the most part, in this blog, I am just thinking out loud. I certainly don’t pretend to be an expert - just a devoted fan trying to figure out what’s going on. What do you, the readers think? Please feel free to share your thoughts with me. Is all this a possibility? Am I nuts? Hit me back. Let me know what you think.

Contributed by Rich Isaacs 
 

Posted by LoneStarStruck at 11:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (18)

Yes, I know this is a Cowboys fan site and yes, I know many of my Cowboy friends could care less about who comes out on top in this year’s Superbowl. However, I have decided to throw my support behind the Giants, and here’s why:

First of all, New England is a great team - I will give them that. Are they the greatest team of all time?  I’m not ready to place that accolade upon their head. They do have the greatest regular season record of all time (Remember the Dolphins season in 1972 was only 14 games long).  Are they invincible? I definitely don’t believe that. I have seen them struggle from time to time this season and I think that even the mighty Patriots have their weaknesses that can be exploited.

My biggest problem with the Patriots, is that while I think they are a great team, I cringe every time I hear an analyst on ESPN or some other sports show, gushing with orgasmic delight when they talk about this team. Yes, they’re good, but c’mon people… Here‘s a towel. Clean yourself off and let‘s try to be objective. They are not a machine and they are not without their faults.

The Giants, on the other hand, are a team many feel don’t deserve to be in the Superbowl. They didn’t play consistently throughout the season and couldn’t even win their division. However, they have done what it takes down the stretch and have put together an impressive record on the road.  Maybe they don’t deserve it, but it’s hard to argue with the fact that they’re still there while the players of 30 other teams are home enjoying chips, dip, and a cold one on the couch.

I have argued for years that the NFC East is consistently the best division in football. I realize that there are years when they don’t produce threatening teams like they have in other years, but on a year in, year out basis, the NFC East usually fields some pretty tough teams. Which means that for the Cowboys to win the East is an impressive achievement in and of itself.

My argument here is, if the Giants win the Superbowl, it buttresses the Cowboy claim to a great season (although I don‘t think we need any other validation). We beat the Giants twice during the regular season, and took the division title. Yes, we lost to the Giants in the post-season when it counted most, but the team to knock us out was one of our own. Three out of four NFC East teams made the playoffs, and I think that’s impressive. For an NFC East team to win the Superbowl, just shows that the young NFC East Champion Cowboys are a team to be reckoned with next year.

I didn’t write this blog to convince you to root for the Giants. I am just trying to explain my reasoning. I really don’t care who you root for in the Superbowl, just as long as you continue to support the Cowboys with your heart and soul.

What I would like to convince you of is this:  Don’t be like the Cowboy-haters out there. You know, those people who can’t bear to give us credit when credit is due. The Cowboys are a polarizing team - it seems you either love them or hate them. There isn’t much ground in between. The haters always want to find fault, downplay our achievements, and come up with reasons as to why we aren’t the team our record shows.  Let us not be that way, Cowboy fans.  We should rise above the pettiness and hate for the accomplishments of other teams. Whichever team wins this Superbowl should be deserving of our congratulatory kudos.  We’re above the bitterness, snide comments, and hate-filled talk.  We’re Cowboys. Our day will come….

Contributed by Rich Isaacs

Posted by LoneStarStruck at 07:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

You know, when you are a True Blue, Die Hard Cowboy Fan, most of the people around you just don’t seem to get it.  Those folks may support their own team, or they may even be a nominal supporter of the Cowboys, but they think your love for the team is so fanatical that it borders on being some type of mental disorder.

I have been a Cowboy fan for 35 years.  I picked the Boys as my team when I was around 5 years old.  Admittedly, I didn’t know much about football at the time but something about the Cowboys grabbed my attention.  This is made all the more interesting by the fact that no one in my family really cared about football.  I got into watching the Cowboys, and being an only child, I got my way on Sundays and was able to turn the dial to the Cowboys game.

So, I really don’t know why I became a Cowboy fan here in my home state so far away.  We didn’t have the Panthers then.  The only way I can explain my love for the Cowboys is by good old Calvinistic theology.  I think I was predestined to be a Cowboy fan.  You know - many are called, but few are chosen.  I guess I am blessed to be one of the elect.  If you’re not one of the chosen, you just won’t get it.

It was so exciting to watch them play and win.  It was devastating to see them lose. I can’t tell you how many times I cried over a Cowboy loss as a small child.  My father would look at me, shake his head, and remind me that it was only a game, but to me it seemed like so much more than that.

Over the years, as the family watched one Dallas game after another, I began to notice my father getting into it more and more. He was pretty calm during Superbowl XII when we beat the Broncos.  He was reserved during Superbowl XIII when we lost a close one to the Steelers. Me? I cried of course. But as the years went on, his interest in each game seemed to grow until in 1992, we watched Superbowl XXVII together. The Boys were awesome as they destroyed the Bills that day.  The outcome was really never in doubt. I was tearing the house down in excitement. There were great moments during that game when I looked over at my dad and, I swear to you, I could see a tear or two gleaming in his eyes. I knew at that point - he gets it. 

My dad saw the Cowboys repeat in 1993 as the Cowboys once again beat the Bills in Superbowl XXVIII.  In May of 1994, he left us due to a heart attack.  I still miss watching the games with him. 

I think it was D.D. Lewis who first said that they left a hole in the roof of Texas Stadium so God could look down and watch His team play football.  That statement by Lewis puts a thought in my head.  I know you never met my dad but see if you can picture this scene with me…….

It’s a Sunday afternoon, and my dad’s up there in heaven looking down through that hole in Texas Stadium. He’s got a comfortable chair, he’s wearing a jersey with number 81 on it, and there’s a bowl of fresh buttered popcorn beside him. To the other side of the popcorn, there’s another person watching the game as well - but you can’t make out who it is just yet.  The Cowboys are doing well this day and they just score another touchdown.  A vaguely familiar voice says to my dad, “I’m glad we had our popcorn ready.”  Dad smiles and turns his head toward the unknown man with the familiar voice.  For the first time I catch a glimpse of Dad’s companion.  He’s wearing a smartly tailored suit with a fedora on his head to top off the look.

As dad faces his friend he says, “You know Tom, I think they’re about to do it again.”

Now, if you’re not a die hard fan, you might think that’s a crazy idea I have. It’s ok if you don’t get it.  It’s a Cowboy thing.  Only the elect will understand.  The Cowboy fans who are among the chosen, agree with D.D. Lewis - there is football in heaven, and the heavenly fans are all decked out in blue and silver - with one exception.  There’s always that one guy watching the game in his smartly tailored suit and fedora.  Most of the time he looks quite stoic, but every now and then, if you look close, you will see just the slightest grin….
 

Contributed by Richard Isaacs

Posted by LoneStarStruck at 07:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (15)