Lone Star Struck

The writing was on the wall shortly after the 2007 NFL draft. The Cowboys picked Anthony Spencer, defensive end from Purdue in the first round. The 26th overall pick.

Greg Ellis, an aging veteran coming off a season-ending achilles injury saw the writing and, in turn, expressed himself – as only Greg can do – and voiced his concern about being replaced by the 6′ 3″ 255 lb prospect.

It took two years to happen but here we are. Greg Ellis, after 11 years of service, was officially released Tuesday, June 2, 2009.

I’m not disputing the fact that Ellis’ better days are past him. I’m not disputing the fact that it is time to see what Spencer truly has. These things are part of the NFL. Players get old and the young guns come in and take over. It is a natural cycle, not only in the NFL, but in life. The time has come for young blood.

Here is where I have a problem. No, it’s not with Jerry Jones(not this time anyway). It isn’t with Ellis or Spencer. My problem is with fickle Dallas Cowboys fans that seem to enjoy shoving this guy out the door after 11 years of hard-fought football service with America’s Team.

I dare the majority of these fans to show many anything they’ve done for 11 years with passion, conviction, loyalty and the dedication Ellis has shown this organization.

How soon people forget. It’s the “What have you done for me lately?” generation of football fans that forget Ellis’ 12.5 sacks in 2007 and his Comeback Player of the Year award. They don’t honor his 634 tackles, 36 tackles for losses, 197 quarterback pressures and 77 sacks over the course of the last 11 seasons. All in 162 games 156 in which he started.

All they see is Greg “The Whiner” they call him. Well I respect his honesty and at times I did question his timing. I’m not saying he didn’t have issues but he suited up in the Blue and Silver and gave his blood, sweat and tears for 11 years and, in my humble opinion, that gives him the right to voice his discord when things aren’t going, in his opinion, the way they should. He earned that voice.

We give our opinions every day about The Cowboys and have never put our bodies on the line to defend the Star. Then we’re gonna question this man?

Feel free to post your comments. Good bad or indifferent.

Here’s mine: Thank you, Greg Ellis. It has been an absolute honor to watch you play for the Dallas Cowboys. God bless you and your family. I wish you the best of luck in the future.

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With the 2009 NFL Draft just around the corner, Cowboys fans across the nation have more questions than answers. The uncertainty of 2009 has many of us anxious to get this thing started. Predictions of 8-8 by so-called experts have many of us feeling frustrated and insulted.

Opinions of how to reach the pinnacle of the NFL vary as much as the hundreds of mock drafts being put together by football minds all over the country.

I see debates on various sites about who’s to blame and what the answers are. T.O. should not have been released. Owens should have been released. Felix Jones should be the starter. Tashard Choice should be the starter. Marion Barber should be the starter. Romo’s not the answer. Romo is without a doubt the answer. Wade should be fired. Jerry should fire himself.

With the possibility of a Miles Austin exodus looming over our heads, I’m one very nervous Cowboys fan without any real answers.

Keep in mind these are just the surface issues. I could probably write a 5,000 word essay just dealing with the questions Cowboys fans have. With no real answers.

I’m compelled to believe we can all agree on one thing. The time for excuses is over.

No more riding on our laurels. No more talk about 13-3 or 13 Pro Bowlers. No more “But this team did this and that team did that”. Time to lay to rest 2007 and 2008. The only true way to move forward is to( as cliche as it may sound) put the past behind us and don’t look back. No more talk about 44-6.

The pressure on this team to succeed – from top to bottom – is more intense than at any time that I can remember. This season will answer many questions. It is a make-or-break year for this organization. The time is now for Mr. Jones, Mr Phillips, Mr. Garrett, and Mr. Romo.

The time is now. No more excuses.

The idea of writing a blog with wild predictions and suggestions about the upcoming draft was shot down, by yours truly,  when I realized I could not have been more wrong about, well, pretty much everything so far this off-season.

What things you ask? Well let’s see. Ray Lewis will be a Cowboy. Um…no. Roy Williams(Safety) will not be cut. Um…no. T.O. is coming back. Um…you get the point. Should I go on? Um…no.

So instead I’ve decided to write about the new stadium in Arlington. Specifically what this stadium should be called. A lot can be said about a name. I’m definitely glad my name isn’t say…Sue for instance. No offense to any guys named Sue. But Cowboy Sue? I don’t think so. I think I should move along.

I’m going to throw a few suggestions out there as far as the name of this beautiful structure that will house America’s Team for the next several decades. Now if for some reason it already has a name and I missed that memo, please just smack me in the back of the head. It’s been a rough month.

Texas Stadium. Now that is pretty simple, right? But we all know there will only be one Texas Stadium. Would it be right to name the new girl the same as the old girl? Probably not.

North Texas Stadium. It’s almost redundant. I mean, I don’t hate it, but it lacks originality. But it is North Texas.

Jerry’s World. I mean after all, Ole JJ has poured a ton of dough into this gem. He has the right if he so chooses. Maybe Jerry Jones Stadium or Jones Field. The Jerry Dome. Um…maybe not?

Geico-Diet Pepsi-Texaco Stadium. We all know corporate sponsorship is a big deal nowadays. Jerry loves money and what better way to generate revenue than to have big wigs sponsoring the stadium. Maybe George Strait could do a duet with that lizard from the Geico commercials. Not sure they make cowboy hats that small.

The 1-B. Seeing as how every writer that even mentions the new stadium has to mention that it’s either The Cowboys $1 Billion Stadium or Jerry Jones’ $1 Billion Stadium, we’ll just call it the 1-B. Like, “I’m going to see Reba at the 1-B this weekend.” Has a ring to it doesn’t it?

So there are a few suggestions for you guys and gals to ponder over. If you have better ones(and I’m sure you do) by all means comment. I’m just throwing some out there for ya. I mean really… what the hell do I know?

But seriously, in my humble opinion, I know what it should be named.

Tom Landry Memorial Stadium. A fitting tribute to a man that was the face of the Dallas Cowboys for almost 40 years. A man that has earned the right to have something this grand named after him.

I may have been wrong about my off-season opinions. But in my heart, as a life-long Cowboys fan, I know I’m right about this one.

 When Emmitt Smith was drafted in 1990, the first thing I said was “Who is this guy and what the hell is he wearing??”.  All reports said he was too small and too slow to be a feature back in the NFL. Then we all watched him evolve from this kid in the ugly jumpsuit into a Pro Bowler, then an All Pro, a Super Bowl MVP, NFL’s All Time Leading Rusher and in 2010, a Hall Of Famer.

Ever stop to think when is that pivotal moment when a player becomes a legend? Is it after they retire? Is it a particular game that elevates them to the next level?

It seems to happen without us knowing it. Sorta like how your kids grow up right in front of you. They seem to go from playing tee-ball one day to graduating high school the next. Of course you watched it happen, yet it’s all a flash to you now. Or is it just me?

Troy Aikman looked like a fish out of water his rookie year. I personally saw him as a draft bust after that miserable 1-15 season.  I knew this guy couldn’t take Dallas to the Promised Land. He seemed to have all the tools but I wasn’t confident at all in his ability to run a team. Then we all watched him evolve into a Pro Bowler, an All Pro, a true leader, a field general, a Super Bowl MVP,  the winningest QB in a single decade (90 wins in the 90s) and a Hall Of Famer.

Obviously Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith are once in a generation players.  But so were Roger Staubach and Tony Dorsett. All is not lost when the legends retire from the game. Shoes have to be filled. History in Dallas has proven it is not a matter of if they will be filled but when they will be filled.

Today’s Cowboys are no different than the ones of Cowboys’ past. We will watch in disgust and dismay as they make their own mistakes and pay their own dues. We will watch these young men and not even realize that they’re evolving right before our eyes. When the rookies become stars and the stars become legends.

Watching these kids become men and these men become legends is a gift one will learn to appreciate more as the years go by. I know I have.

 The nine million dollar question was being asked almost instantaneously after the Cowboys’ futile attempt to make the playoffs. Cowboys fans had not even had a chance to absorb the epic collapse that was the 2008 season and the question was already swirling. Will T.O. be back next year?

My question is this. Should T.O. be back next year?

The cons to a Terrell Owens 2009

Of course the number one thing that comes to mind is distractions. Players dismiss the notion of distractions affecting their performances during games. Well that’s what they say during the season anyway. But how could it not be a distraction?

T.O.’s presence alone can be a distraction. Is that fair? I personally say yes, it’s fair. We all knew when Owens was signed by Dallas in 2006 what we were getting.

The guy simply can’t help himself. He has to have attention. We all know his history and I will not bore you with rehashing all the details. He has been labeled a “cancer” in the locker room. Part of me feels this label is justified.

Take the whole tiff with Jason Witten thing earlier this year. Anytime your three top wide receivers have a closed-door meeting with your offensive coordinator, validity can be given to reports of discord in the locker room. Then suddenly there were grumblings of a “snitch” in the midst. I personally feel like this entire episode was perpetuated by Terrell Owens.  The guy simply can’t help himself.

Whether it’s working out in his driveway, riding a stationary bike in a Lance Armstrong outfit, an alleged overdose, crying, no, weeping after a playoff loss, whining to Deion Sanders on national television or wearing a silly flashing red nose during locker room interviews. The guy simply can’t help himself.

I personally think he needs psychological help.

The pros to a Terrell Owens 2009

Terrell Owens is a phenomenal athlete. A physical specimen. A game changer and a playmaker. He had over 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2008. Used properly, Terrell Owens is as good as they get.

There is a sense if comfort knowing T.O. is on the field. You know he can make the difference at any given moment. He can make the best cornerbacks in the game look silly. The man  plays with passion and great enthusiasm. 

I’m pretty excited to see how deadly a Roy Williams/Terrell Owens combo can be with a full training camp behind them. It could be very scary. Well for other teams that is. I get almost giddy thinking about how strong this team can potentially be with Owens and Williams together, and on the same page with Tony Romo.

I’m sure this didn’t clear up the issue any more for you than it did for me. I want to trust T.O.. I want to believe in this guy. But right now I don’t and I don’t. If I honestly thought Roy Williams could shoulder the load I would say trade T.O.. You can’t cut him. The $9 million salary cap hit is just too big. But there are teams that would make the trade.

What’s your opinion? T.O. or not T.O.? Give us feedback.

There are times, in life, when things aren’t going exactly as you would hope. In those times it is difficult to remain positive. Focusing on the negative just seems so much more natural. I know it sure is true in my case. I can’t speak for you of course. We all handle things in our own way. Some manage to look on the bright side no matter what. I, for one, could learn a lot from these people.

The one thing that 99.9% of visitors to this site have in common is obvious. Our love for the Dallas Cowboys.

Being the cynic that I am I tend to look at negative things in life and take for granted all the good things going on. Looking back on the 2008 season I’ve focused on lack of discipline, lack of leadership and a general sense of discord with the Cowboys organization as a whole. But there were some amazing moments this year. New faces emerged and old reliables continued to amaze us.

Felix Jones

How many of us saw this guy coming? His incredible burst and open-field speed left friend and foe alike wide-eyed with mouths hanging open in amazement. Not to mention you would be hard pressed to ever see him without a smile on his face. This young man has a very bright future ahead of him and I know we all look forward to watching him grow into the elite running back he obviously has the potential to be. I have no doubt that had he not gotten injured and subsequently put on injured reserve he would be the 2008 NFL Rookie of the Year.

DeMarcus Ware

Just when you think this guy couldn’t get any better what does he do? He gets better. His athleticism and sheer determination are something to behold. This man is a game changer. A difference maker. One of the greatest linebackers I’ve ever seen play the position and I’ve seen plenty. My personal choice for Defensive Player of the Year. I have no doubt he will be a Hall of Famer. First ballot. Bank on it. And he’s a Dallas Cowboy baby!

Jason Witten

Can you have a more solid teammate than Jason Witten? The greatest tight end in the game today, bar none. He’s always willing to give a little extra. Even with injuries that would have sidelined most players, Witten never relented, always stayed focused on the task at hand and never let anyone down. A warrior.

Tashard Choice

If you haven’t seen it yet check out the Georgia Tech locker room speech video of Choice posted on youtube. This video alone makes you well up with pride that he wears the blue and silver. His running style and ability to find the hole and to get extra yards where most players wouldn’t reminds me so much of Emmitt Smith. This guy is a legend in the making.

Bradie James

James is emerging as a true leader on the defensive unit. This diamond in the rough is only going to get better. I mean.. 116 tackles and 8 sacks at inside linebacker. Are you freaking kidding me? Should be a Pro Bowler. I have the upmost respect for Bradie James. He’s a great interview and has no problem telling it like it is.

These are just a few of what was arguably the largest collection of talent on any team in the NFL. Yeah, as a whole this team underachieved. But they will be alright. They will right the ship. Nothing comes easy in the NFL. Chalk 2008 up as a learning experience. What’s done is done. Time to move on.

On this day on January 28, 1996 the Dallas Cowboys beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XXX. Number 5. They were not and are not done. Not by a long shot.

The destiny of the Dallas Cowboys is the same as it has always been. Greatness. Some things never change, my friend. I’ll never stop believing in this team. Many, many great men have donned the blue and silver. More have arrived and more will follow. No team does greatness-knows greatness-like the Dallas Cowboys. Glorious battles and future gold are just over the horizon. All we have to do now is wait for the clouds to break and follow the stars.

In the age of American Idol and Survivor it shouldn’t come as a great shock that the Dallas Cowboys are getting in on the action. According to reports Michael Irvin has pitched an idea for a football based reality show that will have the winner taking the last spot on the 80-man roster heading into training camp.

Irvin:”I don’t know if you can walk upon any group of guys that wouldn’t say they dreamed of playing in the NFL when they were playing in their front yard. So we’re going to take a group of guys from their front yard, dwindle them to one and give that guy the opportunity of a lifetime.”

I don’t like it.

Everyone loves a “rags to riches” story. We all find ourselves rooting for the underdog. Who doesn’t watch the movie Rudy and feel a welling deep inside and a desire to chant “RUDY, RUDY!” Stories like that sell. No doubt about it. And the fact that it will sell is the real reason Jerry Jones gave the go ahead.  The show will air on Spike TV this summer.

I see it as yet another side show carnival distraction.

“I don’t see how you can make this a negative for the Dallas Cowboys,” Irvin said. “We all talk of doing good things for the community, for people, giving people opportunities. Jerry has stepped up and said, ‘OK, let’s do it.’ “

Of course he did. Jones loves money. The blue star we all revere so much has turned into a marketing logo. Like the golden arches of McDonalds or bold red logo of Coca Cola. This is more about the money and the exposure of the brand that is the Dallas Cowboys more than it will ever be about fulfilling some guy’s childhood dream of playing professional football.

Need more proof about Jones’ desire to generate revenue trumps his real desire to put a focused, disciplined championship caliber team on the field? The pimping out of Texas Stadium. From selling the endzones, swatches of the field’s turf and actual used stadium seats to selling “Farewell to Texas Stadium“ t-shirts, hats and coffee mugs, Jones has proven it’s all about the money. Not to mention the utter and complete distraction that was the Farewell to Texas Stadium Extravaganza scheduled immediately after a very important late season game against a stout Baltimore Ravens team. This event could have easily been scheduled for the next day but that wouldn’t have given his Cowboys maximum exposure. All about the money. Show me the money.

The HBO series Hard Knocks was a distraction for this football team. The show was very entertaining but was not in the best interest of this football team. I was as excited as anyone when it was announced that the Cowboys were back on board with Hard Knocks. But now I regret that it ever happened.

Stories like this compel me to believe that we are so far away from where we need to be.  It’s a bleak reminder of the day and age in which we live.

I’ll tune in to the latest Cowboys show just like everyone else. That’s what Jones and Irvin are banking on. Pun intended.

December 26, 2008

“The coaches are in place. I’ve said that. How can I be any clearer?” Jones said. “Look, I’ve said that our coaching staff, as far as I’m concerned, is in place. I just want to make the statement rather than answer questions, because your questions imply certain things that I don’t want to imply.

“I’m saying that when I look at where we are coaching staff-wise and when I look at where we are personnel-wise, I see a team that is in place to compete for several years.”

Wow. That was my initial reaction to the statement by Jerry Jones the day after Christmas.  Maybe Jerry Jones has such confidence in his staff that, regardless of the outcome against Philadelphia in the regular season finale, that he will stick his neck out and proclaim “no changes”. How many of us cringed when we saw that footage? But hey, if Jerry says it’s so we have to go along with it. After all, he’s brought 3 Lombardi Trophies to Dallas in the last 19 years. Who are we to question Mr. Jones? He obviously knows what he’s talking about. Right?

December 30, 2008

Dallas fires Special Teams coach Bruce Read. Any Cowboys fan I’ve talked to said this was the right move after Read’s disastrous season in 2008.  Now this wasn’t a shock. Let me rephrase that. It wouldn’t have been a shock had Jones’ vehement proclamation just 4 days earlier not been uttered. Surely that will be the only change. Right?

January 16, 2009

Dallas fires defensive coordinator Brian Stewart. Now this one is a tough call in my opinion. It was reported that late in the season Wade Phillips took over the reigns of the defense and, as a result, the defense began playing at a much higher level. No doubt the defense came alive late in the season. Apparently Stewart was just standing on the sidelines with his headset turned off? Maybe he was listening to Brad Sham and Babe Laufenberg calling the games each week? Sorry, I got sidetracked.

My point is if the staff is in place why was Stewart fired? Why was Read fired? Why is Jerry Jones’ favorite phrase as of late “no comment” in regards to the newly unemployed staff that is now “in place” at the employment office. The personnel  is also in place. But when asked about the future of Terrell Owens again we get a big fat “no comment”. 

In early December, after the loss to Pittsburgh, Jerry Jones questioned the toughness of Marion Barber. That was just stupid. Period.

What really happened this season is Jerry Jones continually put his foot in his mouth. He made comments that bit him on the ass so now he’s making no comment at all. It is a fresh approach I’ll give him that much. The guy hasn’t been this quiet since he bought the team back in 1989. I find it very refreshing. My dream is that someday soon  Mr. Jones will wake up one morning and realize his team needs a new GM. But until then, at least as far as JJ is concerned, no news is definitely good news.

I’ve had trouble all season coming up with positive things to say. Bringing doom and gloom isn’t fun for anyone. I’ve noticed that most posts on this site have some sort of positive spin by most of the writers. I try to follow suit. But I couldn’t. I was so concerned with being labeled as a “hater” that I let virtually the whole season go by with nothing to say other than a few comments on other writers’ posts. Well now it is time for me to vent.

The phrase I’m so sick of hearing-especially from Tony Romo- is “It is what it is”. What that actually means is you know the answer and you’re not man enough to say it. You’re not man enough to say you’re struggling under the pressure. You’re not man enough to say it was your fault the team lost that week. But all we get is “Turnovers are part of the game” or “Give (enter team name here) credit”. That’s crap. Total and complete crap. It’s PR spin that I aint buying.

Terrell Owens needs to just shut the hell up and play football. Period. Maybe some things he says is true. But handle your problems internally, as a team. Reporters are looking for a story. He never fails in delivering the story. He’s an incredible athlete with serious personality flaws. He’s far too inconsistent to be pointing the finger at anybody. When he’s on his game there is no better. Unfortunately, those times are getting few and far between. Maybe his age is catching up with him.

Signing Adam Jones was the second biggest blunder of 2008. This guy looked lost from the beginning. He covers about half the time and has been a disaster on special teams. Whatever he “had” at Tennessee is gone. Long gone. The only thing that’s left is off-the-field issues that a team like this does not need. Send him packing. I beg of you.

The biggest blunder was signing WR Roy Williams. So far this guy has brought nothing to the table. The chemistry was lost when Romo came back from injury and had a new personality to figure out. Not to mention Williams is a horrible route runner and is afraid to get hit. We had great chemistry with Owens, Crayton and Austin. Williams is the odd man out and history will prove that.

“They had a good game plan”… “It took us until the 3rd quarter to figure it out”… “The defenses have figured out what we’re doing”. These are not direct quotes but close enough and are all BS. The Cowboys’ offense of the 90’s was very predictable. Difference is, even when defenses KNEW what was coming they couldn’t stop it. It’s all about execution.  Plain and simple.

Wade Phillips says he’s going to put together a plan. Can’t wait. A plan. Wow. Well, Wade, PLAN on kissing your job goodbye if your PLAN fails. How bout fining Romo $10K for every interception? Or fine T.O. when he decides to cry to Deion Sanders, on national TV, before a big game? Or fine your coaches for not having an effective PLAN to begin with! Fine Flozell and Colombo for false starts every freaking game! Fine DB’s for blown coverage. Fine WR’s for blown routes. Fine Folk when he kicks it out of bounds! DO SOMETHING!  ANYTHING! I’M SICK OF THIS HORSE CRAP YOU’RE FEEDING US FANS!

Stop talking. Stop making excuses. Fix this. Fix it now. We deserve better. A guy on the radio said it best. “Cowboys fans are paying for fillet mignon but what they’re getting is Hamburger Helper”. Enough said. Now if you’ll excuse me I have to go take some more Tums.

I  may get flack for telling it like it is but that’s OK. We’ve had way too much “sunshine and lollipops” the last few weeks anyway. Bottom line is winning is great. But just because you win doesn’t mean you played well. And it will catch up with you.

This team lacks discipline.

Nothing makes a coach any crazier than stupid mistakes. Some times you can escape with a win after bumbling through a game. The Eagles game is a good example of that. You give up 37 points you deserve to lose. No, the Cowboys didn’t lose that game but they sure tried their best to.

Opening day against the Browns was another example of lack of discipline. Way too many penalties to consider the game a success. Luckily for us fans the Cowboys were so much better than Cleveland that those miscues didn’t cost them the game.

The Green Bay game was the exception. This team had a solid performance at every phase of the game. This was a game that could have easily gotten out of hand. Romo’s interception in the red zone was probably the one thing that kept the game from being blown wide open.

Now to the Washington game. There are times when you know early on in a game your team is just “flat”. That was very apparent throughout this game. Poor tackling and lack of enthusiasm was so obvious even the most casual viewer could see it. I was livid during this game. I’m pretty sure I wasn’t alone either. Nobody, not even the Redskins themselves thought they could go into Texas Stadium and dominate the Cowboys the way they did. Yes, I said dominate. They moved the ball at will and their defense held this explosive offense to 4 three and out drives as well as the 3 and INT drive.

Twelve men on the field on 3rd and 2 is the epitome of lack of discipline. Wade can’t keep taking the blame for bone-head plays by professional football players. That play cost the Cowboys 3 full minutes at the end of the game.

The bright side is now we can stop with this NONSENSE of going undefeated and concentrate on the task at hand. WIN THIS WEEK. Everyone was thinking 8-0 going into the Giants game. I even thought.. “All we have to do is get past the ‘Skins and the schedule gets soft for 4 weeks”. I think most of forgot this is the NFC EAST we’re talking about. Nothing is guaranteed.

I’m as much of a believer in this team as anyone you’ll meet. When they lose I take it personally. I bleed silver and blue and have for over 30 years. This team has more depth than any team in its long, glorious history. The talent is close to that of the 90’s Cowboys. The only thing that glares at me is the discipline issue. Address that and NOBODY in the NFL can beat them.

Since the success of the ’90’s Cowboys Dynasty I’ve found myself when asked what team I support explaining that I’ve been a Cowboys fan since I was 7 years old. Why do I feel the need to explain how long I’ve been a fan? One word. Bandwagon.

Now I admit I did jump on the Cowboys Bandwagon when they were being successful in the ’70’s and I feel bandwagon jumping is totally acceptable between the ages of 5 and 12. Any older than that and you’ll be a bandwagon jumper forever. You were probably a Patriots fan for a few years. Maybe a Rams fan. Obviously never an Eagles fan because, well, you know. They’ve never won anything significant enough to warrant said "jump".

Loyalty. Perseverance. Fanaticism. These are three of the big things a true fan brings. I read Shelby’s post and she epitomizes what a true Cowboys fan is. At the end of a Cowboys game your emotions should parallel that of the team.

I’m sure this year we’ll have plenty of people jumping aboard The Blue Star Super Bowl Express and that’s cool. The more the merrier. And after the 6th trophy is hoisted high in the air and we all go out and buy new t-shirts I’ll still be explaining that I was a fan way back when just in case I’m mistaken for the newbies.

What was it that first drew me to America’s Team in 1975? The cool uniforms? The great teams? The awesome stadium? I think initially it was the cheerleaders.

I think everyone would agree that getting old sucks. I turned 40 on Monday so I know first-hand the magnitude in which it can suck! But on the bright side, the older you get the more memories you have. I have tons.

For instance, watching The Doomsday Defense dismantle the Denver Broncos and former Cowboy Craig Morton in Super Bowl XII. Then after the game I watched as Harvey Martin crushed an "Orange Crush" pop can during the locker room celebration.

Then there are not so fond memories like Super Bowl XIII against The Steelers. The horrible pass interference call against Benny Barnes when his feet got tangled with Lynn Swann’s which led to a Steelers score. And of course Jackie Smith. The drop. Dallas should have been the first team to win 3 Super Bowls. WE WERE ROBBED!!

Of course there was "The Catch". Montana to Clark in the NFC Championship. Should be called "The Lucky Catch". I also remember "The Fumble" by Danny White, deep in 49er territory on the ensuing drive.

And I could write a 10,000 word essay with one hand tied behind my back about the greatest dynasty in NFL history. Who might that be you ask? The 90’s Cowboys of course. This team could have and SHOULD have won at LEAST 4 in a row.

But this blog isn’t as much about my memories as it is about what it must be like to be an NFL player in the twilight of your career. Specifically Terry Glenn. Glenn’s career has had its ups and downs. He’s only played a full 16 weeks in 3 of the 12 seasons he’s been in the league so far. With 2 of those being for The Cowboys.

I think Glenn is a great player. Very professional. Super hands. Bad wheels. He’s struggled with injuries throughout his career and now time is not on his side. This will be his 13th season if he even plays at all. I personally think he should sign the $500,000 injury settlement. This way everyone is covered. Seriously, Jerry Jones could just cut the guy and he’d get nothing. He can’t pass a freakin physical and Jones is offering him 500 G’s! Not quite as sweet as the deal Glenn got last year. $5 million for 4 plays.

I feel for Terry Glenn. To a point. But he’s almost 34 with a huge bank account and he’s had the honor of playing for the greatest sports franchise on the planet. But he has bad knees. I’m 40 living paycheck to paycheck and I drive a truck for a living. And I also have bad knees.

Terry, you have my sympathies…

Monday night I was on the phone with my brother, John who was asking me why Marion Barber wasn’t reporting to minicamps or working out with the team. I had theories. I had opinions. I thought maybe it was Barber’s agent Drew Rosenhaus’ idea. Maybe he was trying to make Jerry Jones nervous. "Agents are always trying to get that little extra just so they, themselves can get paid", I complained. Then I blamed Jerry Jones. "Jones is going to do the same thing he did last year with Romo." Then I blamed Barber. "Barber has to understand he’s still somewhat unproven as a starter and should’ve taken the first offer." I grumbled.

I’m pretty sure I’m not the only Cowboys fan that’s been frustrated over the last couple months. The signing of Pacman Jones and what some considered a questionable draft has had me pretty bummed out. I haven’t been able to think of anything positive to write about. I’d sit down to write something and go blank. Nothing was happening. Barber wasn’t signed. Dammit.

All that changed this week. We all know about the signings of Barber and Newman Tuesday so I won’t bore you with what you already know. This was huge by anyone’s standards.

Today I sit here with a big ass smile on my face. This team is headed to the Super Bowl people! Lock it in. Place your bets. Call your friends. Talk trash. Print the shirts. Order the tickets.

I can’t speak for everyone but I can say that this was the "shot in the arm" that I needed to get me pumped for the 2008 season. Thank you Jerry Jones for taking care of business. You eased the minds of countless Cowboys fans across the nation.

Now if you’ll excuse me I have to to my "Ric Flair strut across the room, walk out on my back deck and "WOOOOOOOOOO!" at the top of my voice.

Did I mention the Dallas Cowboys are going to go to the Super Bowl this year?

I’m sure this blog will be frowned on by some but I have to be honest. I was disappointed with this years draft class. I’m not saying these players aren’t talented by any means. I just feel Jerry Jones squandered the two picks he had in the first round.

This what I was hoping Jones would’ve done:

1. Trade up in order to be in position to draft Leodis McKelvin from Troy. He’s the best CB coming out this year. Plus he’s a good kick returner. Plus, he’s from Troy!

How would they manage to trade up you ask? Give up 22nd or 28th pick and maybe the 3rd round pick in order to get high enough to grab McKelvin. Simple. I’m also not putting down Michael Jenkins. Everyone had him ranked in the top 3 if not the top 2 corners coming out.

2. With the 22nd overall pick you’re still in position to grab Felix Jones IF you want him. Nothing against Jones but I think Chris Johnson from ECU would be a better fit. I know he played at Conference USA and is a bit small but he’s blazing fast and is another option as a kick returner.

Now of the first 2 picks that we got I think anyone would agree they’re both solid, "safe" picks. I’m of the belief that safe doesn’t always bring home the bacon. Think about it. Wouldn’t we all be a little more excited if the first 2 picks were McKelvin and Johnson? I know I would.

The 2nd round pick of a tight end that nobody outside the state of Texas has even heard of is beyond me. I read it was a move to replace Fasano. Well, Fasano should have never been traded to begin with. He was a solid backup tight end and was worth a 4th round pick all by himself. Adding Akin Ayodele to the trade made it ludicrous. Back to Martellus Bennett. Who knows. He has good size and is apparently athletic considering he played basketball. I have a theory though. Bare with me here. What if this kid is some kind of project? He played defensive end on a few occasions. Maybe he could be molded into a Julius Peppers kind of player? Maybe my theory is a bit of a stretch plus who gives up a 2nd round pick for a project? Anyway, I don’t honestly know enough about the guy to give an honest opinion.

I would say we should’ve gone after a receiver in the 2nd but by the time our pick came up, all the obvious options at receiver were gone.

Tashard Choice is one to keep an eye on in my opinion. He could be a sleeper at 4th round. He sure looks pretty good on film anyway. It does add depth at RB which is never a bad thing.

The rest of the draft is a crap shoot and I won’t pretend to know anything about these guys. I think what soured me the most was the week leading to the draft. I didn’t like the Pacman deal and I was furious over the trade with Miami. That being said, I didn’t go into draft day in the best of spirits anyway.

Fortunately the Cowboys didn’t really need that much going into the draft and I personally think this team could win the Super Bowl this year even without a single pick.

My grade for this year’s draft.
C