Dallas Cowboys 2014 Season Thread

[eagle eye]

The practices have begun. When Dallas cut down the final 53 man roster Jason Garrett made a comment in his press conference I found very, very telling. When he took over 3 and a half years ago the talent on the the Cowboys began to get better. They ended up 8-8 the past 3 seasons because of injuries that whittled the Cowboys defense down to zip. I have defended Garrett for this reason and I have told anyone who would listen Jerry Jones isn't going to fire Garrett unless the team quits on him like they did Wade Phillips in 2010 which isn't going to happen. Jason was asked about the whys of some of the cuts and Garrett replied, to paraphrase him he basically said, When he took over as head coach he had a plan to build a program that would not be for a year or two but one that would be solid for years. That sort of plan takes more than one year to build. Garrett knew this and so does Jerry Jones. Jones believes in Garrett and I think he believes Garrett's vision is the right one for a man hungry as hell for a trip to the playoffs and another Super Bowl ring before he dies. Garrett has made mistakes but not as many as his injury riddled defense has made the last few years. Now, it seems like the Cowboys are getting healthy going into the season and if new DC Rod Marinelli can work his magic on the pieces he's got in place the days of Dallas being 32nd in the NFL are over.

Roster moves by the Cowboys in the last couple of days since the final cuts were made:
> Acquired DE Lavar Edwards from Tennessee for an undisclosed draft pick in 2015. He's from LSU and was a 5th round pick in 2013.
> In a move to increase the depth on the O-line Dallas claimed Donald Hawkins off waivers. He had been on the Eagles roster but was waived in the last of the Eagles cuts to 53.
> Dallas claimed former 49ers safety C J Spillman. Spillman was with SF the past 4 seasons and will add experience and depth to a position of need for the Cowboys. To make room for Spillman Dallas waived Baylor safety Ahmad Dixon. Dixon could still be signed to the Cowboys practice squad.
> Dallas added former Seahawks LB Korey Toomer. To make room for Toomer Dallas released DB Jamea Thomas.

Here's an article from DallasCowboys.com's David Helman about how these moves will help the Cowboys going forward.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/article-DavidHelman/Notes-LB-Toomer-Joins-Roster-More-On-New-Additions/65707f67-ddc8-4cbe-8a9b-2c6b27c3fb25
>

[Boomer]

so here is the word on the street. Source: #Cowboys are doing research and due diligence into the plan of signing DE Michael Sam to their practice squad.
3:23 PM - 2 Sep 2014
Looks like Jerry will find a jersey he can make money off of one way or another.

[eagle eye]

so here is the word on the street. Source: #Cowboys are doing research and due diligence into the plan of signing DE Michael Sam to their practice squad.
3:23 PM - 2 Sep 2014
Looks like Jerry will find a jersey he can make money off of one way or another.

Wow, bangin on Jerry. It couldn't be that he is desperately looking for someone who can pressure the opposing QB? Nah, Dallas has plenty of those guys. NOT! If the Rams weren't already deep as the ocean with defensive linemen Sam would've never been cut. If Sam can be a good situational pass rusher and do some good then why not take a chance. You know the guy will come cheap. Line that dog up on the weak side defensive end spot and yell sic 'em and let the man's speed take a path to the backfield. You don't even need much practice or know the scheme very well to do that.

DL Josh Brent who was involved in a tragic traffic accident that resulted in his good friend Jerry Brown's death and who has spent time in jail for DUI and vehicular manslaughter has been reinstated to the NFL by Roger Goodell and the NFL league office but he has been suspended for at least 10 weeks by that same office. All this is conditional as long as Brent complies with his probation rules, passes drug tests and doesn't get into any more trouble. If he does he could be banned for life. On the Jones side of this issue he stated a few weeks ago Brent had a spot waiting on him when and if he was reinstated? Why promise a roster spot to a guy who was just an okay player who hasn't played for 21 months? A promise to Jerry Browns mother who said she wanted Josh to be forgiven and one thing about Jerry, he is an extremely compassionate man and I'm sure he takes Brown's mother's request to heart. It may be too hard to assimilate Brent this season given that he's missing more than half the season but if it can be done--it will.

The Cowboys have been busy as bees, at least the player personnel dept has been. The Cowboys have signed defensive end Jack Crawford who was just cut by the Oakland Raiders. Oakland drafted him in the 5th round of the 2012 draft and he will come in to try to give the Cowboys some pass rush help. To make room for Crawford the Cowboys put Demarcus Lawrence on the short term IR which means he won't be eligible to come back for six weeks which is roughly the time frame for his recovery from a broken metatarsal in his right foot suffered in training camp. Crawford and recently signed Lavar Edwards who came to Dallas from Tennessee join Tyrone Crawford, Jeremy Mincey and George Selvie as a platoon of defensive ends the Cowboys will utilize to hopefully provide a decent pass rush off the edge.

Dallas has completed filling their 10 man practice squad by signing two players they just cut on Saturday. OL John Wetzel and DB Jemea Thomas to round out the Cowboys 10 player practice squad. They join other players who were cut RB Ryan Williams (this is a good thing), WR Tim Benford, LB Will Smith, DL Kenneth Boatright. The other four players are former Cowboy Micah Pellerin, Nikita Whitlock, Keith Smith and Ronald Patrick.

[eagle eye]

The Cowboys have added another player to their practice squad. You've all heard about it. The hubbub around Michael Sam was like a firestorm in the days before this year's draft. He was going to become the first openly gay player in the NFL--if he got drafted. At the NFL Scouting Combine Sam didn't do so well. He was heavy and he didn't look like the player who was the SEC Defensive Player of the Year. He was projected anywhere from the 3rd to the 7th rounds. The media, the dad-blasted media, made a circus out of the draft hounding Sam through the whole process of the 3 days of the draft. The Rams took him and darned if he didn't play pretty well during the preseason. He got into better shape and he showed up in the preseason games. Unfortunately for Sam the Rams are deep as heck on the D-line and he was released in the final cuts last weekend. He cleared waivers and for some reason the Rams didn't want to sign him the practice squad. The other side of the story is the Cowboys, the worst defense in the NFL in 2013 largely because of a truly lame defense. The Cowboys have made moves to try to upgrade the defense in free agency, the draft and trades. The one player the Cowboys targeted to provide the DeMarcus Ware-like pass rush was another DeMarcus -- Lawrence. Unfortunately for Dallas Lawrence broke his foot and will not be back until early October. The Cowboys have traded for a defensive lineman and signed another in an effort to find a guy who can rush the quarterback. Not a down has been played and Dallas is still looking for defensive help. In the last couple of days they have traded for a player, signed one off waivers and now they have taken a guy who isn't likely to fly under the radar as long as the media keeps bringing the gay card to the table.. The most important part of the deal is Sam is almost a free look. He's only making practice squad money and for the SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 2013 that a pretty good deal. His draft stock dropped after a lackluster NFL Scouting Combine. The St Louis Rams took a seventh round draft chance on Sam and he showed up. He was pretty good logging 3 sacks during the preseason along with tackles in the backfield and generally made cutting him rather difficult. But, cut they did and after clearing waivers the Rams didn't sign him to their practice squad. Enter the Cowboys, needing pass rush help and Sam showed that he can come in on 3rd down and pressure the QB. Just what the Cowboys need right now. So, sit back and relax and don't let some misguided homophobia prevent you from what the Cowboys are really looking at here. A football player. Nothing more and nothing less.

[eagle eye]

The Cowboys injury report today was a little shocking. Out since Wednesday was rookie G Zack Martin and WR2 Terrence Williams. Martin was not at practice due to some mysterious foot injury and Williams was missing due to a back issue. That's freaking great. I guess Dallas felt bad because so many 49ers are going to miss this weekend's game and they wanted to even the odds a little bit. You know, fair play and all that rot. DL George Selvie had limited participation today but he's probably not going to play this week. Same with free agent signee Terrell McClain. Both are rehabbing injuries and should be back in a week or two barring setbacks. I'm worried about the loss of Martin and Williams. Moreso Williams because the WRs are a little thin after Williams unless you talk about Dwayne Harris or Cole Beasley. Both are primarily slot guys but Beasley has been working out wide this summer some. Hopefully both Martin and Williams will be back but since they havent' practiced it doesn't seem likely. Jason Garrett has a rule, no practice-no play. For Martin and Williams though he could make an exception.

[eagle eye]

Zack Martin and Terrence Williams returned to practice today but it's still not clear whether they will play Sunday or not. The back injury Williams suffered came as a result to falling to the ground after making a catch in practice. Martin strained his foot but neither injury is believed to be significant enough for them to miss the game Sunday.

Two players to watch this Sunday would DL Davon Coleman the UFA out of Arizona State and RB Lance Dunbar. Coleman has taken full advantage of the absense of Henry Melton and Terrell McClain to show the Cowboys he is worthy of their trust. He is one guy who DallasCowboys.com writers are pretty unanimous about as being a real keeper. Dunbar finally got a lot of playing time in the Thanksgiving game last year against Oakland until he was injured and didn't play again all season. In his brief time on the field Dunbar flashed some of the potential the Cowboys have seen on the practice field. Dez Bryant joined in on an interview in the Cowboys lockerroom yesterday and bragged about how much Dunbar is going to show up this season. Speaking of Dez, the guy has emerged as a real leader on the Cowboys team. The guy has matured and grown and he's definitely one of the top 5 WRs in the NFL. Make that 3 players to watch because Dez may just be turning into something special.

I'm going all homer here but I think that between the players that San Francisco will be missing due to injury or suspension and the unknown quality of the Cowboys defense I'm saying that Dallas is primed for an opening day win. So.......

Dallas 31 San Francisco 21.

[coachacola]

As a lifelong Cowboys fan it pisses me off that Jerry Jones just keeps pretending year after year he knows how to be a GM. The Cowboys will continue to suck until he sells the team. Nowadays I kinda follow the Cowboys but I know in the end they won't be that good. They had a good chance of making it to the Super Bowl a few years ago with Wade Phillips but Jones' incompetence took care of that notion.

[eagle eye]

As a lifelong Cowboys fan it pisses me off that Jerry Jones just keeps pretending year after year he knows how to be a GM. The Cowboys will continue to suck until he sells the team. Nowadays I kinda follow the Cowboys but I know in the end they won't be that good. They had a good chance of making it to the Super Bowl a few years ago with Wade Phillips but Jones' incompetence took care of that notion.

We could have a long discussion about Jerry Jones but the bottom line here is this. I have never in all the years of being a Cowboy fan have I ever rooted for management. I didn't root for the Cowboys pre-Jerry owners like Clint Murcheson, I didn't root for the GM (Tex Schram) and I didn't root for the head coach (Tom Landry). I rooted for the guys on the field. Many people bailed on the Cowboys when the Jerry Jones-Jimmy Johnson rift resulted in Johnson's resignation. Jones didn't fire Johnson, Jimmy quit. You want to blame someone listen to Troy Aikman who said the team was pissed at both because as much as they asked you to sacrifice personal stuff for the team neither Jones nor Johnson would practice what they preached.

Quote from AP on March 29, 1994--
"After our discussions, we have mutually decided that I would no longer be the head football coach of the Dallas Cowboys," Johnson said, sitting to the right of Jones at the NFL team's Valley Ranch headquarters after two days of meetings.

I don't know why the loyalty to the team was affected so much. Jerry was the owner and Jimmy was the coach and only Jones got the brunt of the bile in the aftermath Johnson's departure. The rest was a total dismissal of the Cowboys team because Jerry was the owner. It took Jerry years to admit he needed a coach to lead the team. Such was the anger that arose because of the feud with Jimmy Johnson. That's a Jerry problem, no argument there. But after 3 straight 5-11 seasons under Dave Campo Jerry relented and came to the realization that Dallas needed a good coach. Enter Bill Parcels. Parcels calls his time with Jerry very good and he and Jones are still good friends. Parcels quit because the game Dallas lost in Seattle when it looked like they would win was too much for Parcels to bear. Wade Phillips was hired because of his experience with defense. Trouble was it was that defense that cost them a playoff game. In fact for the better part of the last decade the defense hasn't stopped anyone when they needed to when the game was on the line. Jerry hired Jason Garrett because Garrett had a plan to build the team into a program that could win for years and not just a single season. That's why Garrett won't be fired at the end of the year if Dallas doesn't make the playoffs because Jones has seen the talent level increase on the team since his permanent hire in 2011 and he also knows the spate of injuries that have plagued the Cowboys especially on defense is not Garrett's fault. It is why Dallas will continue to build the team under Garrett and his staff and the player personnel department, especially Will McClay who DallasCowboys.com's Bryan Broaddus constantly credits for his player moves both in the draft and during the season. There is a momentum building and work ethic instilled by Garrett and his staff. That's to Jerry's credit now. Stephen Jones is taking an active part in personnel too. It was Jones son who stopped his dad from drafting Johnny Manziel when everyone looking at the Cowboys expected that him to do because it was the sexy pick at the time. Stephen made Jerry come back down to earth and listen to the people in the draft room say the best player on their board was available and the ended up drafting Zack Martin instead. That was the right thing to do. A real strength of Jerry's is said to be his ability to listen and he's been listening a lot more as the years pass. Dallas will get there, it may not be 2014 but it won't be long and I can hardly wait.

[eagle eye]

With all the hand wringing over the Cowboys defense it was the offense, and Tony Romo in particular, that was the downfall in the team's loss to the 49ers. If Romo knew how much crap I have to take when he plays bad and/or the Cowboys lose he wouldn't do stupid things like he did today. It was 4 turnovers in the first and second quarters that did in the Cowboys. First DeMarco Murray fumbled on the Cowboys first possession that San Fran picked up and took to the house. San Fran drove down and scored on a 29 yard pass to Vernon Davis to stretch the lead to 14-3. The next possession Dallas had a 1st and 10 at their own 32 when Romo inexplicably threw into triple coverage to Dez that was picked out and return to the Cowboys 2. The next play it was SF 21 Dallas 3 when Colin Kaepernick hit Vernon Davis for TD #2. The Cowboys next possession it looked like the Cowboys offense we expected to see. The took the kickoff and began at their own 20 and drove to the Niners 5 when Romo tossed up a lame duck pass he should never have thrown intended for Jason Witten that was picked off in the end zone.
After Dallas forced the 49ers to punt 5 plays into the Cowboys drive Romo threw into double coverage to Dez and was picked off yet again. The Niners drove the ball down to the Cowboys 2 in 8 plays. With :43 seconds left in the half Carlos Hyde got his first NFL TD blasting right up the middle of the Cowboys D-line. That was the end of the 49ers scoring but that's all they needed. Dallas scored twice in the second have to make the score look better but it was just window dressing. Final score San Fran 28 Dallas 17. Believe me, it wasn't that close. Dallas is going to need a rivet buster to knock the rust off Tony Romo by next week's game at Tennessee.

[eagle eye]

The good thing that came out of the Cowboys loss to the 49ers was the fact they came out relatively healthy. The only ones on the injury report was LB Justin Durant and S CJ Spillman both suffered groin injuries in the game. Durant playing weak side LB had a good game tying for the team lead with 8 tackles and pass deflection. (That was an interception blown because he lost control when he hit the ground.) Spillman and Durant are day-to-day according to Jason Garrett and the Cowboys are hopeful both will be ready to play against Tennessee this week.

DT Henry Melton got some reps in the 49ers game and he should see more going forward. Terrell McClain should get some PT this week. He has yet to get on the field since suffering a high ankle sprain the first week of training camp. It's a good thing to start getting players back but the front seven of the Cowboys defense played pretty solid defense against the 49ers. Jeremy Mincey played right defensive end very well and LB Rolando McClain flashed some the talent that made him a first round pick 4 years ago.

Two things that need to be fixed. 1) Tony Romo needs reps he didn't get in preseason. It was obvious that the decisions he was making were born of a lack of work. He was not seeing the field like he should and he wasn't setting his feet to throw the deep balls he threw. 2) the defensive backs need to learn where they need to be in zone coverage. The one big failing of the linebackers was their apparent lack of knowledge of where or how they need to make their drops to cut off passing lanes. The Cowboys have had two years to iron this out and you have to wonder WTF. One question yet to be answered is, Is Mo Claiborne a bust?

[eagle eye]

The Cowboys returned to practice today and everyone was front and center except for WILL LB Justin Durant who was at practice but just spent time on the elliptical while rehabbing a groin injury suffered against the 49ers. It doesn't look good for his return this week against Tennessee so Dallas will need to fill his spot. But who to plug in? According to the Cowboys beat writers it won't be Bruce Carter. He played okay as the SAM last Sunday and Rolando McClain seems to be right at home at the MIKE so who will step in? Best guess from accounts at practice today it looks like rookie Anthony Hitchens will be the guy. The Cowboys writers are pretty much unanimous when they nix Victor Butler. Nick Eatman even said Butler is player without a position. Too small for the D-line and too slow to be a linebacker.

Speaking of Nick Eatman, on the daily podcast of the Lunch Break on DallasCowboys.com he was saying that Rolando McClain is the real deal. It was his thought that McClain should be put out at middle linebacker and Bruce Carter can make the defensive calls and just let McClain's athleticism shine. At this point, according to Eatman, he doesn't need to be hampered by having to think to much and he is a special athlete. He's long, he's fast and Eatman and the others on the podcast agree you can just see when McClain makes a hit. It's different than anyone else. His pop and power can be readily seen and that power needs to be let loose. The question was asked if McClain develops into something special, and indications seem to be pointing in that way, what about Sean Lee? Simple, Lee moves into the WILL. Also, if Carter is a bust then Hitchens can play SAM.

In another podcast called Talkin Cowboys (#talkincowboys) Bryan Broaddus and Mickey Spagnola both agree that cornerbacks Brandon Carr and Mo Claiborne need to start playing better---a lot better. Neither one seems capable to making a play and Claiborne can't prepare for a season because he's always hurt in training camp. Claiborne was the sixth pick in the draft 3 years ago and you almost have to consider him a bust at this point. They paid Carr a huge salary to come over as a free agent from Kansas City and he's had one good year. It's early yet and only one game has been played but for crying out loud can we just catch a break once in a while?

[eagle eye]

It's time to forget about last Sunday. Spilled milk and all that. Everyone who is, and I guess for that matter who isn't, a Cowboys fan know Tony Romo has a forgettable game every once in a while. All QBs have their off days. Anyone see Tom Brady vs Miami last week? Only two picks and lost fumble. 3 turnovers, the same as Romo. As they say, sh*t happens. It's time to turn and take a look at the next game on the schedule. The Tennessee Titans are next up and in case you didn't know they beat the Kansas City Chiefs pretty handily. In KC. Now, the Chiefs do have Jamaal Charles but to be honest not much else that scares you. No Dwayne Bowe, Donnie Avery is good but, eh. The Chiefs also lost 2/5 of their O-line for one reason or another and the defense that was pretty good last year no but that unit isn't the same either. So, I guess what I'm saying is KC isn't the same team who blew through the league last year undefeated in their first 9 games or so. Injuries hurt them last year and two losses to the Broncos brought them down to earth. Now Tennessee is good. They've got a new coach with a new offense and the promise Jake Locker showed before he was lost for the season was on display last week. He's got receivers to throw to like Kendall Wright, Justin Hunter and TE Delanie Walker. They added big left tackle Taylor Lewan in the draft as well as DT Daquan Jones to add to a decent group in both trenches on both sides of the ball. The Cowboys are looking a 0-2 right?
Let's look at from Tennessee's side. Did you see the Cowboys run the ball on the 49ers. Damn good O-line they've got there. Not to mention DeMarco Murray to tote the rock. They've got Dez and Terrence Williams leading a pretty explosive receiving corp and then you add 9 time pro bowler Jason Witten and 2nd year guy Gavin Escobar who is just looking for his breakout game. And then there's Romo. Yeah, he had a stinker of a game but this is a guy who, in every single year he's started all 16 games has thrown for over 4,000 yards and over 30 TDs. That ain't chump change buddy. The Cowboys had the 5th best offense in 2013 that managed to win 8 games despite being drug down by the worst defense in the NFL. Heck they were the 3rd worst defense in NFL HISTORY! Speaking of the defense they have gotten better. Against the 49ers they only gave up one drive to the boys from the bay of over 60 yards. One TD was a fumble return for a TD and 2 yard drive after an interception. The other TD came off a short drive after another Romo INT. On top of that they shut out the Niners offense in the second half. Granted they had probably dialed it back to cruise control some but still, after last year that was something to take note of. The Cowboys seem to be fairly strong and as MIKE LB Rolando McClain gets back into the NFL groove the Cowboys may have found something. In fact Dallas' front seven looks solid, not spectacular, and may be even better after free agent acquisitions Henry Melton and Terrell McClain get back into the groove after being slowed by injuries over the summer. The weak link could very well be the secondary. Brandon Carr and Mo Claiborne weren't exactly shutdown corners last week. Both have trouble in zone defense and for the money paid Carr in free agency and the top ten Claiborne was in the draft you would really think they would be better than they've show. We (the Titans) can exploit the Cowboys secondary IF we can block the solid 8 man rotation on the D-line. Besides the corners FS JJ Watt isn't very good so if we go 3 wides we may be able to exploit that weakness. We probably can't get into a shootout with Dallas but if we can score early and if Romo has a hangover from Week 1 and we take lean on our home field advantage we can beat the Cowboys. It's going to be tough because if that offense is on we're in trouble.

Final score? Dallas 31 Tennessee 27.

[eagle eye]

There's one bit of news that isn't on the Cowboys web site or anywhere else that I can find but with NFLPA ratifying the new NFL drug policy, which happened much sooner than expected, means that players suspended for drug use are now eligible to play tomorrow. Now, most positions need practice time but cornerback isn't one of them. I'm not saying CBs don't need practice but what I am saying is that Orlando Scandrick who is an experienced player, participated in all off season activities, OTA's, mini camps and training camp as well seeing PT in all four preseason games isn't without practice. He's missed the past two weeks due to his suspension but it was only one game and there isn't any reason to believe he can't step right in and help on area of the Cowboys team considered a weakness. I'd be willing to bet Scandrick is in uniform tomorrow at the noon kickoff with the Titans.

[eagle eye]

I believe that I told ya'll Dallas was going to win. Trouble was, I gave the Titans offense too much credit or maybe just not enough credit to the Cowboys D. Or maybe a combination of the two. Dallas did a good job on defense today stymying the Titans offense, except for TE Delaney Walker, but Dallas defense is definitely better than last year and certainly better than expected two weeks ago before the season began. Dallas offense did what fans have been screaming for--they ran the ball. DeMarco Murray began the day the same way he did against San Francisco last week but this time it didn't cost the Cowboys points. Instead a highly motivated Murray stormed through the Titans defense to the tune of 168 yards and a TD on 29 carries. For all you stat boys that's a 5.8 YPC average. Tony Romo was efficient going 19-29 for 176 yards and a TD to Dez Bryant. It looks to me like he's not right just yet. His passes are sharp and he's lacking some zip on the ball but you know what? I don't care because that just means as the weeks pass he's just going to get better.
The defense got a couple of turnovers today on a fumble recovery and 2 picks of Jake Locker. This gave the Cowboys a 3-1 win in the turnover battle and, as they say, win the turnover battle and win the game. Today that cliché was true. Part of the reason is the Cowboys defense. First thought to be a liability is turning into an asset. Henry Melton made his presence felt by tipping a pass at the line of scrimmage that led to a spectacular catch for an interception by MIKE LB Rolando McClain. What a sweet catch it was as he dove for the ball and flicked it up in the air just inches from the ground and as he fell he played a little hot potato before gaining control of the ball. The only downer to the play was the refs called the pass incomplete negating McClain hustling to the end zone after getting off the ground. After a booth review and several replays it was clear McClain did a yeoman's job staying with the ball to complete the INT.
Next week Dallas will face the Rams in St Louis and who knows how to gauge that team but it looks like Dallas has a little more than most experts thought before the season began. 6-10 indeed.

[eagle eye]

The Cowboys didn't suffer any losses last weekend and that's including injury-wise as well. As a matter of fact, the Cowboys got Terrell McClain back for the Titans game and now it looks like Anthony Spenser will be back soon, barring any setbacks, within a couple of weeks. He's making a lot of progress from his micro fracture knee surgery last October. He gotten to the point he may actually be able to do football stuff with pads and everything! It's way too much to hope that Spense will play this week against the Rams but it could be possible he sees some snaps against the Saints in two weeks. Jerry Jones, in a local Dallas radio interview, indicated that Spencer is making good progress and they (the Cowboys) hope that he will be back by the Saints game. Take it with a grain of salt but we can only hope.

Despite the NFLPA ratifying the new NFL drug policy last weekend it wasn't soon enough to get Orlando Scandrick reinstated by the league office but it's very likely Scandrick and the other players serving drug related suspensions will get their reinstatements made official today. At any rate I would be shocked if Scandrick isn't in uniform Sunday against the Rams.

If you've watched Tony Romo during his career you know that there is something wrong. It's not clear if it's a back related thing or a mechanical thing or a lack of practice thing but something is wrong. Passes are sailing high and in some cases just not getting to the intended target. Most Cowboys and Romo fans are hoping it's just a slight hangover effect of the back surgery he had last December. It will take a little more time to get back to where he wants and needs to be. He has to feel that the 3 sacks he suffered against the 49ers opening weekend and the 4 sacks Tennessee put on him plus the hits he's taken has been proof his back is structurally sound. At least enough to take an NFL game pounding. What we don't know is how much the beating he takes affects him in as far as his soreness and ability to bounce back. My hope is that right now where he is isn't the best he can be because while Dallas is running the ball very well right now they will likely need the old Tony to be able to step up and put the team on his back and lead them to a victory or three this season. For me Romo Watch begins Sunday and won't be terminated until he shows the old Tony in his ability to pass the ball. If he gets back to that level, or should I say when--after all I will be the glass-half-full guy in anything Cowboys--this team could be a much different team than I and a lot of people thought before the season began. By different I mean better--much better at it's because of the defense. The defense has been better than most Cowboys fans had a right to hope for after an epically bad 2013. A healthy Romo AND a defense that could actually be considered good? Wow.

[eagle eye]

Well, it took and extra day but the NFL officially reinstated 3 players who had been suspended for PED use when they had taken amphetemine laced molly in the off season. Under the new agreement situations like that fall into the substance abuse program and not the PED use program which means their suspensions were to be lifted. It was finally made official just minutes ago.
The players involve is Broncos WR Wes Welker, Rams WR Stedman Bailey and the Cowboys CB Orlando Scandrick. What this means for Dallas is they get their best CB from last season back in the lineup this week. Against a past trend that saw Cowboys defensive players falling like ten pins and landing on the injury list. Instead, so far this season, Dallas is gradually getting healthier. In the last couple of weeks the defense has seen DT Henry Melton return, DT Terrell McClain easing back into action and reports are that DE Anthony Spencer could be back in pads as soon as this week. Now, Scandrick's return comes in time to bolster what is considered a team weakness, the defensive secondary.

A sidebar to this is that the Rams get Stedman Bailey back in time to reinforce their WR corp after Tavon Austin was lost for a time last weekend due to an MCL sprain.

One of the biggest surprises so far has been the play of MIKE LB Rolando McClain. A couple of years ago he was a top ten pick in the NFL draft by the Oakland Raiders and he flashed the promise of a player who was taken so high in the draft. Trouble was he didn't have his life in order and off-field issues derailed his time in Oakland. He was traded to Baltimore in the off season after the 2013 season. He participated in just a bit of the Ravens off season work that spring when he decided to retire from football. He came back and unretired in the spring of 2014 but he quickly retired a second time. Over the summer not long after Dallas lost Sean Lee for the season with a torn ACL Dallas began beating the bushes for a guy who replace and almost irreplaceable player. Jerry Jones, the master salesman, called McClain and convinced him to give football one more try. It coincided with McClain's own mission to turn around his life and become a better father and man in general. It was perfect timing because McClain was on a better path in his life and he was ready to play football again and Dallas desperately needed to fill a huge void left by Lee's injury. Dallas was the ying to McClain's yang and it's is paying huge dividends so far. Here is an article from DallasCowboys.com culled from an interview with McClain earlier this week.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/article-RowanKavner/McClain-Earning-Respect-Happy-To-Be-Playing-Again/f4666e06-6fda-4117-a1fe-a91180436967

[eagle eye]

I'm sorry. I take all the blame here. A few posts ago I remarked how the Cowboys were getting healthier and it looked for all the world that the Cowboys streak of bad luck with injuries was a thing of the past. Now, on Wednesday, we find out the Cowboys newest star in the making, Rolando McClain appears on the injury report with a groin issue. On the podcast Talkin Cowboys said that he not only missed practice again yesterday he was seen walking on a treadmill, very gingerly, today. The bottom line McClain will be out this week and maybe several more weeks to come. So, I take responsibility for jinxing the Cowboys and I am truly sorry.
It seems like the answer the Cowboys are going with is to plug rookie Anthony Hitchens into the MIKE spot. Well, this is what he was drafted for, to be the backup MLB and now he's getting his chance to start. This week the defensive front needs to win. By win I mean they need to pressure whomever is going to start for the Rams at quarterback. Whether its veteran Shaun Hill or 2nd year man Austin Davis, Dallas is going to have to put pressure on him. Hitchens has to be good. He doesn't have to be great but he has to be more than competent. The rest of the defense is in tact and the unit is going to have to continue to play like they have the past two weeks. St Louis offense has not been good and they barely squeaked out a win over an even worse Tampa Bay team last week. Dallas can and should win this game if they can run the ball like they have, if Romo is improving over the start to the season he's had and if the defense can step on the neck of the Rams offense. It won't be easy with the best player on that side of the ball not on the field.

[eagle eye]

The Cowboys have a big game today. They need to get off the 8-8 rut they've been in the past 3 seasons and it starts with beating a team less talented than they are on the road. They have done this once already by defeating Tennessee last week. Now they have to do it again in St Louis. Overall the talent level in Dallas is better than in St Louis. The big questions are these, can Tyron Smith win the battle vs the Rams best pass rusher Robert Quinn? Can the O-line continue to dominate the line of scrimmage to be the motor of the Cowboys newly dominant rushing game? Can rookie LB Anthony Hitchens adequately fill in for injured Rolando McClain? Can the revamped and increasingly healthy D-line pressure Rams starting QB Austin Davis and force him to make mistakes and can Dallas avoid turning the ball over on offense and force Rams turnovers on defense. This is a long winded way of saying Dallas needs to win the turnover battle. All that said I think Dallas is going to find a way to win. Final score? Dallas 27 St Louis 20.

[eagle eye]

It didn't look like Dallas was going to win the turnover battle early as a fumble and a pick six plagued the Cowboys in the first quarter and the early 21-zip lead was looking like an impossible mountain to climb. DeMarco Murray had his obligatory fumble in the first quarter after catching a pass for a first down on Dallas' first drive and two series later Romo was picked by Janoris Jenkins who jumped an out pass to Dez that he took to the house. Dallas rallied though and they closed the gap on the Rams to 21-10 by halftime. In the 3rd quarter Dallas kept closing the gap scoring 10 unanswered points to make it a one point game 21-20. The Cowboys TD came on a 68 yard pass and run to a wide open Dez Bryant who could have strolled to the end zone he was so open. Early in the 4th St Louis extended their lead to 24-20 on a 28 yard Greg Zuerlein field goal. It was fortunate that Dallas only gave up a FG because the Rams Austin Davis hit TE Jared Cook right in the hands for a sure TD if not for the fact that Cook just flat dropped the ball. Dallas took the ensuing kickoff and drove down the field for the go-ahead TD on pass from Romo to Terrence Williams. The biggest play of the drive and maybe of the game was a 3rd and 13 scramble by Romo that actually looked like the old Tony Romo. About 5 yards shy of the first down marker Tony actually put a move on the Rams Alec Ogletree to complete the play. Dallas needed 13 Tony got 15. It was a huge play because Dallas was on their own 13 yard line and a three and out after the field goal by the Rams would've given the Rams good field position and the momentum to take control of the game. Romo completed a pass to Williams on a 3rd and 14 to keep the drive going and a pass interference on the Rams Janoris Jenkins on a pass to Dez gave the Cowboys the ball on the Rams 20 yard line and 3 plays later Romo hit Williams with the TD. Dallas never relinquished the lead. They built on it though. On the next Rams possession Bruce Carter got a pick six on a Davis pass meant for Zac Stacey. Bam 34-24 with a couple of ticks shy of 6 minutes left in the game. Dallas allowed the Rams to march the length of the field on the next possession but they forced them to use 3:22 of clock. Dallas took the kickoff and used up another 2:36. The Rams took over at their own 14 after the Dallas punt with only 1:58 left in the game. After a making a first down on a 3rd and 2 play to their own 26 Davis went deep on the left sideline to Brian Quick but the ball was a little overthrown and Morris Claiborne intercepted the pass at the Dallas 37 nailing down the victory for the Cowboys. A couple of kneel downs and the Cowboys got away with win number 2 of the season.
A couple of pieced of history for the Cowboys in this game;
1. It was the first time in Cowboys history they had come back from a 21 point deficit to win in regulation. The Cowboys have come back and won in overtime but never in regulation. If you consider the Cowboys history that is a pretty significant achievement.
2. Dan Bailey kicked 2 field goals in the game. The first tied Chris Boniol for the longest streak of consecutive field goals in Cowboys history. The second established a new record. 28 in a row and counting.

The Rams had a couple fights in the game--both on their sidelines. Seems like they were doing more than pointing a couple of fingers at one another after blowing a 21 point lead and losing the game.

I expected Dallas to win, and in the back of my mind I thought it might be a close game but to come back from a 21 zip start to the game is pretty special. In the last few years Dallas has lost these types of games. Start fast, build a big lead and lose in the end. Maybe this year really is going to be different.

[eagle eye]

As usual DallasCowboys.com's Mickey Spanola is able to bring some perspective to the Cowboys universe. This time it's a look at the game just played and question yet to be answered going forward. It's an article that's a good read and one that makes you think.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/article-MickeySpagnola/Spagnola-Had-To-See-This-Comeback-To-Believe-It/27049297-4907-4365-b6c9-3bdfb2fe49d1

DC.com's David Helman recap's the game in a more traditional way with some locker room insights.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/article-DavidHelman/Cowboys-Top-Rams-With-Franchise-Record-Rally/a9576c74-c910-4974-bca3-a3037244a6db

[eagle eye]

Never a dull moment at Valley Ranch, eh? On Tuesday morning Jerry Jones was asked if CB Morris Claiborne was a good value as a player according to where he was drafted. Three years ago Mo was drafted with the 6th pick in the draft. Not only that but Dallas traded their first round pick and their second round pick for the privilege of selecting what was thought to be "the best cornerback in the draft". Jones response was no, he wasn't playing up to his potential relative to what Dallas gave up to select him. Jones did add that he believed Claiborne could become a very good player in the NFL for Cowboys. Too late, the damage was done. Jones admitting that Claiborne was a bust so far in his career was out there for everyone, including Claiborne, to see. Later that day Claiborne met with a coach. Nobody is saying which coach, but it's speculated that it was Jason Garrett. In that meeting, apparently, Claiborne was told he would not be one of the starting cornerbacks this Sunday against New Orleans. Nobody is inside the Cowboys locker room is saying a word. The meeting was a fact but what was said and who said it remain outside the public domain. But, whatever went down it pissed off Claiborne so bad that he packed his gear and stormed out of the Cowboys Valley Ranch practice facility. That was yesterday.
It seems Claiborne got over his huge case of the red ass and was back at the Ranch for practice at 7:30 this morning. Indignation and pride aside, it seems that the competitor in Claiborne caused him to come to his senses and get back to work. Since Claiborne was drafted it's been one injury after another to either sideline him or slow him down. A shoulder issue caused him to play so badly last season he lost his job to Orlando Scandrick. Claiborne got his chance to start in the 3 games that Scandrick missed because of a drug use suspension and he didn't play very well. However, after his interception of an Austin Davis pass to Jared Cook in the waning minutes of the game with the Rams seemed to have meant a lot to Claiborne. Discussing the play in the locker room after the game he became so emotional he was nearly in tears. Claiborne, who has had so much bad luck, finally got a break and less than 48 hours later his owner/GM called him a bust and he lost his starting job at cornerback. It was too much for Claiborne to bear and he snapped. He walked out on his team. Not a real mature response to the situation but dammit at least he cared enough to get mad. Tuesday could be an epiphany moment for Mo Claiborne. He's no longer the Golden Child he was at LSU and his potential has been questioned with the Cowboys. It was a chance for Claiborne to grow up. He stomped out like a child but he came back like a man and apologized to the team and the coaches. He sucked it up and took his medicine---good for Mo. Now, does this mean he throws away the diva cloak and picks up a lunch pail and gets to work? Got to hope so. Claiborne is physically gifted but he's got a confidence problem. I want to see Mo succeed and truth be told so does JJ and the coaching staff and his teammates. It's time for Mo to put on his big boy pants and get to work. Go get 'em Mo. Don't listen to the tweets, it's just white noise from some dull bulbs. Believe it or not everyone, coaches, players, fans, everyone is rooting for you. Believe it or not, it's true.

[eagle eye]

Okay, now Jason Garrett is just messing with the Saints. Yesterday saw the return of just about everybody on the injured list. Trouble is it is highly unlikely that a few of them will play, they just made an appearence on the practice field. Too bad because the belief of the observers around the Ranch don't think that MIKE LB Rolando McClain will be recovered enough from his groin injury to play. Big loss there. Henry Melton who seems to be having his groin injury sliding down his leg with the latest report listing his hamstring as the injured part. Neither player figures to play Sunday even though they both are officially listed as "questionable". Terrell McClain was cleared for practice Friday which is some good news. He, at least could play Sunday depending on what he looked like after Friday's practice. He had been sidelined with a concussion suffered last week against St Louis so his return to practice bodes well for him playing.
Rolando McClain will likely need one more week to get ready to play again as he recovers from a groin injury suffered against the Tennessee Titans. Justin Durant missed two games with a groin injury and assuming McClain's injury isn't any worse than Durant's he will miss the Saints game and be back next week for the Texans game.
Speaking of Justin Durant he will be in the lineup and that is a good thing. He will bolster a linebacking corp that could use some help. The D line has only 3 sacks so far this season and they need more this game to pressure Drew Brees. Dallas needs to get a push so Brees can't just sit back and pick apart the secondary. Mo Claiborne has been pushed back into his 3rd CB role and despite a bit of a temper tantrum he will play a lot of snaps Sunday night. Let's hope the embarrassment of this past week will awaken something in him and he starts playing like the 6th pick in the draft he was 3 years ago.

New Orleans will be missing their best linebacker, David Hawthorne is out. Officially he's listed as questionable but he will miss this week's game. This sort of opens up the middle of the defense for DeMarco Murray. On the other side of the ball the word is starting center Jonathan Goodwin will miss which opens up the middle of the O-line from some interior pass rush.

Everyone is rightly worried about Brees and Graham and the rest of the Saints offense but it would do well to keep in mind the Saints and 1-2 so far with road losses to Cleveland and Atlanta and they weren't all that impressive at home last week against an undermanned Vikings team that couldn't get out of their own way. The consensus by everyone, even the writers for the Cowboys are all picking the Saints to win. There have to be some things go right but Dallas can win this game. No, I'm not crazy, they CAN win. The final score?

Dallas 33 New Orleans 29

[eagle eye]

Last night Dez Bryant was running with the team down the tunnel to the field and he was yelling, "We dat! we dat!" in reference to the Saints catch phrase, "Who dat? Who dat gonna beat them Saints?" The team was fired up and they laid the law down on the very first drive with about 11 plays and 80 yards ending in a TD to Terrence Williams. It didn't really get any better for New Orleans after that. Dallas ran, passed and bullied their way over, around and through the Saints on both sides of the ball. They dominated the Saints in much the same way the Saints dominated Dallas last season in New Orleans. Jerry Jones said last night after the game one of the longest, most disappointing flights he ever took was the one after last year's beat down in the Super Dome. He continued by saying that it was the Saints turn to suffer though their flight home.
I have never seen Jason Witten so pumped during a game. He was even doing Tiger Woods-like fist pumps after blocking for DeMarco Murray.
Romo is looking like Romo from a few years ago. Spry in the pocket and not shy about taking off and running. It's good to see the old Romo back.

[eagle eye]

It has been a long time since Dallas has shown the ability to shut the door on a game. A long time.
It has been a long time since Dallas' defense has made a stop when the game was on the line. A long, long time.
It could be that the plan set in motion 3 years ago by Jason Garrett has finally started to come to fruition. A plan that included upgrading the play in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Tyron Crawford, Travis Frederick and Zack Martin are the cornerstones of the O-line for years to come. Ronald Leary and Doug Free have combined to become a genuine top of the line NFL offensive line.
The defense has been another story. Not so much a fault of Garrett but of the Gods of Injury. 2nd round pick Tyrone Crawford is just now getting back on the field after a lackluster rookie season followed by a torn ACL in training camp last year that caused him to miss all of last season. Sean Lee, a 1st round player taken in the 2nd round and he's been all he was touted to be only he can't catch a break from the gods. Morris Claiborne was going to be the next shutdown corner only injuries have derailed any chance he's had to develop his potential into a real result on the field. Now, Claiborne is done for 2014 with a torn patellar tendon the result of a non-contact change of direction in the 1st quarter of the game Sunday night. Bruce Carter another highly touted talent who dropped in the draft because, like Sean Lee, has battled injury including what's been reported by Bleacher Report as a severely pulled quad muscle suffered Sunday at the tail end of what Jason Garrett characterized as his best game as a pro. Figures, Carter played last season like he didn't have a clue before injury cut his season short and now that he seems to get it he may have a torn quad. How about 2nd round pick DeMarcus Lawrence being lost for 8 weeks with a broken foot in training camp. On and on the defensive injuries have piled up but now Dallas may be finally getting a reprieve from the those pesky Gods of Injury. Yes, Carter will be out for a while but Dallas seems to have hit the jackpot with LB Rolando McClain. A player Dallas got for mere 7th round pick looks like the beast in the middle of the Dallas defense they have been missing since Ken Norton Jr left for San Francisco. Who. by his play inspires a toughness not seen in Dallas in a long, long time. How about the emergence of LB Justin Durant who was the best linebacker in training camp has come back from a groin injury suffered in Week 1 against the 49ers. What about the play of CB Sterling Moore who showed up big time after Mo Claiborne was injured and broke up a couple of passes and he played well overall in the snaps he was on the field. What about the rotation on the D-line? Jeremy Mincey, Nick Hayden, Henry Melton, Crawford, George Selvie (coming back from an injury of his own) and now the return of Anthony Spenser whose 12 month rehab from microfracture surgery was rewarded with his first appearance on a football field on Sunday. I know we had a couple of guys lost during the game against New Orleans but in reality Dallas is getting healthier as time passes. Even Josh Brent was at Valley Ranch as he tries to come back after the tragedy of the car accident that claimed the life of his friend and teammate. The way Dallas defense is hitting people is noticeably more violent, legally violent, than it has been in years. The defense has a look of a unit who won't go quietly into that good night with an attitude Cowboys fans have been waiting since 1995. I hope this isn't illusion. I hope it's what I believe Jason Garrett had in mind when he took the head coaching position 4 years ago. It's been a good start but we need to see what next few weeks have to show us before we start to really believe. But as for right now? There is definitely a glimmer of hope.

[eagle eye]

Dallas went to work today to prepare in earnest for the Texans this week. The Cowboys are coming off an emotionally charged win over the New Orleans Saints last Sunday night. It was a game virtually no one but me and Tony Dungy thought the Cowboys could win. Not even the guys at DallasCowboys.com were picking Dallas to win. They just hoped it wouldn't be a blowout like last year's game in New Orleans.
So, they did it. That was awesome but now they need to back it up with a win over the Texans. The Cowboys have to try to overcome themselves and their recent history of having one big win followed by a head scratching loss. This is set up for a similar scenario. Dallas has better talent than Houston overall. The Cowboys are playing better on both sides of the ball than Houston and both have had head scratching losses and last, but not least, they both are going into the game with identical 3-1 records. Dallas could lose this game, they really could. You might being saying, "No way, Jose!" but think about what Dallas has done in these past 3 8-8 seasons. One step forward, one step back. That is the exact definition of 8-8. Dallas needs to win more than Houston does for just that reason. If they are ever going to break that ho-hum rut they're in they have to win this game and maintain a momentum going to Seattle next week. A 4-1 record heading into the loudest stadium in the world would be a whole lot better than 3-2. Trouble is keeping Dallas focused on Houston. That's the game that's important right now.

Pretty much every player on the 53 practiced today. Everyone except Tony Romo who took his usual Wednesday off and LB Bruce Carter was out with his quad injury. Carter won't be back this week but the Cowboys are hoping he can be ready to play at Seattle next week. As bad as the podcasts describe his quad, Carter may not be back before Thanksgiving. Romo will be back tomorrow. No worries there. LB Rolando McClain survived the Saints game without aggravating his groin injury and DT Henry Melton practiced but was limited as he nurses a balky hamstring. DT Terrell McClain should be available this week because he was cleared by the NFL concussion protocols to practice late last week and he sat out the Saints game. Dallas may have found the ideal 3-technique D-tackle and that guy is Tyrone Crawford. In his first action in over a year after having microfracture knee surgery he played 22 snaps and he had a positive impact on the game. The best front four Dallas puts on the field right now may be George Selvie at left end, Tyrone Crawford at the 1-technique, Henry Melton at the 3-technique and Jeremy Mincey at right end. The rotation of players including Nick Hayden, Anthony Spenser, Terrell McClain and Ken Bishop is solid if not spectacular. Josh Brent is going to be in the mix in a few weeks as will DeMarcus Lawrence at D-end. It the Cowboys can avoid major injuries they should get better and better and the season goes on. By the last third of the season when the schedule turns into a real bitch with most being on the road the could be their strongest. That, my friends, is a good thing.

[LU4LIFE]

"Dallas may have found the ideal 3-technique D-tackle and that guy is Tyrone Crawford. In his first action in over a year after having microfracture knee surgery he played 22 snaps and he had a positive impact on the game."

I don't know I might just be reading this wrong, but it was Anthony Spencer who had the micro fracture knee surgery not Crawford. Crawford tore his achilles.

[eagle eye]

There are allegations that Cowboys safety CJ Spillman is under investigation for sexual misconduct at the Cowboys team hotel prior to the team's departure for St Louis for the Rams game two weeks ago. In his daily presser Garrett was asked about the incident and Jason Garrett correctly stated that there is an investigation going on but no charges have been made nor any arrests so until further information breaks Spillman will continue to practice and play. “You have to be careful with just accusations and allegations in this situation,” Garrett said. “When someone is officially charged or arrested for something, that’s when it becomes a different situation in our minds. For now, he’s a member of our football team and will take part in everything we do to this point.”
Good for Jason Garrett for keeping a cool head and not succumbing to the lynch mob who wants to burn every player who is even hinted at for abusing women. Despite numberous questions on the subject even after he said he would not comment on anything related to the investigation Garrett kept his cool way past where I would have. The media just can't accept no for an answer. Again, good for Jason Garrett.

D-coordination Rod Marinelli said yesterday that with the Bruce Carter quad injury it will not mean that Justin Durant and Rolando McClain will have to move to compensate. Someone else will fill Carter's WILL LB spot and it's pretty clear that either rookie Anthony Hitchens or veteran Kyle Wilbur will step in. Wilbur is a bit of liability in coverage so it may be Hitchens. He stepped in and played MIKE LB for the Rams game when Rolando McClain was out due to a groin pull and he after a shaky start he got progressively better. Hitchens has actually practiced at all 3 LB spots. The Cowboys have certainly got mileage out of their 4th round draft pick in this year's draft so far.

DE Anthony Spenser played in his first game in over a year last Sunday and he came through it without any apparent setbacks in the 22 snaps he played. He is anxious to get back into action this week and hopefully build upon last week's game with more snaps against the Texans. It is hoped that Spenser will get back to his 2012 Pro Bowl level play and infuse a little life in Dallas' pass rush.

Everyone was at practice yesterday except for Bruce Carter and the guys on PUP or IR/Due to Return. Tony Romo had missed practice on Wednesday which seems to be his normal routine nowadays. Henry Melton, still nursing a hammy was limited. Terrell McClain has been in practice all week. He had missed last week and last week's game due to a concussion he suffered in the Rams game. Every day Dallas is getting healthier and healthier every day (I am now knocking frantically on every piece of wood in sight!) We will still have to wait until November for 2nd round pick DeMarcus Lawrence to make his debut but that's okay. We've been holding down the fort so far just fine. We won't turn down the help but right now we're okay.

One last item. I should have posted it earlier and since nobody else has I do it now. DeMarco Murray has been a beast for Dallas in the first month of the season. He was leading the NFL in rushing BEFORE Dallas took the field against New Orleans last Sunday evening. His efforts in September were recognized by the NFL this week when he was named Offensive Player of the Month. In the four games played he rushed for 534 yards on 99 attempts for a 5.4 YPC average with 5 TDs scored. He is almost 200 yards ahead of the 2nd place rusher, NY Giants Rashad Jennings, who has 341 yards rushing. Projected over 16 games Murray could gain 2136 yards on the season. It won't happen but it's fun to dream!

[eagle eye]

Back and forth I've gone. Will Houston win? Can Houston win? Watt, Johnson and Foster are hurting one way or another. They haven't run the ball well since Foster injured his hamstring. The passing game will suffer if Andre Johnson's ankle won't let him play or slows him down a lot. JJ Watt has a thigh issue. He's probable how effective is he going to be? The odds seem so stacked against Houston it's hard not think they are ripe to pull an upset. Couple that with the huge win Dallas had last Sunday night against similar odds could they come out flat this week? Holy crap this is driving me crazy. I just don't know if I trust the Cowboys to be consistently good every week. The Cowboys haven't won 4 in a row since 2009. Nick Eatman of DallasCowboys.com says this is just the kind of game the Cowboys win. He says they usually beat who they are supposed to beat. Usually. Dallas is bucking past faults this season. They have a dominating offensive line and they have the current NFL leading rusher. They have a defense that is much better than anyone even dreamt of in the preseason. They aren't great but they hit and they hit hard. They have a star in the making with new middle linebacker Rolando McClain. There is a lot to be excited about there's just this thing where the Cowboys seem to shoot themselves in the foot when things are going well. This is a new and improved Cowboys team it's just hard to drink the Kool-aid without a little trepidation. I can do nothing except throw that Kool-aid back like a shot of whiskey and declare the final score---

Dallas 31 Houston 10

[eagle eye]

Man, I knew it. I knew this game was going to be the way it was. I predicted as much and even though I took the Cowboys there was no way I should have had Dallas 21 points better. I knew this game would be a total b*tch. First, the Texans defense that showed up was the one that was there for their previous 3 wins. Stifling is a good word to describe the relentlessness of the pass rush that harassed Tony Romo all day. The one guy everyone was scared of, JJ Watt, did not make a play of any significance though and the one time he could have Tony Romo, obviously using The Force, sensed impending doom was bearing down on him and he spun to his right and out of harm's way then set up to connect on a 43 yard TD pass to Terrence Williams. Classic Romo there, and I can't believe it took me this long to realize Romo is a Jedi. The Texans got a stellar effort from all including Arian Foster who obviously is pretty much healed from that hamstring issue he had. Andre Johnson had a decent day but Ryan Fitzpatrick is no help. Either that or Bill O'Brien won't call too many pass plays so he can't toss up INTs. I think Houston sort of played above their ceiling and Dallas played, in some cases below theirs. DeMarco Murray had his obligatory 1st quarter fumble and Tony has to chuck up a ball he has no business throwing and was picked off in the end zone. That's at least 6 points lost forever. Add in a fumble on a punt by Dwaine Harris and Dallas lost the turnover battle 3-1. Toss in the drop of a pass on the goal line by Terrence Williams and Dallas left at least 13 points in the lockerroom. Dallas' O-line was holding their own most of the day in pass protection despite multiple blitzes by the Texans. Where they really shined was in the run game where they helped DeMarco Murray join Hall or Famers Jim Brown and OJ Simpson as the only players in NFL history to rush for over 100 yards in their first 5 games of the season. Murray had 136 yards on 31 carries and added 6 catches for 56 yards. Murray probably needed to soak in the whirlpool after the game. It was a gut check game that Dallas tried like the dickens to give away but they persevered. That and a miraculous catch by Dez Bryant in overtime with the Texans Jonathan Joseph draped over Bryant like a shirt. Dez is no doubt a beast among beasts. Maybe Dallas is a beast just waking up. Maybe this win, as Nick Eatman of DallasCowboys.com said, was the most impressive win of the season. Better even than the blowout of the Saints last week. I just know there are a heep of Texans fans I don't have to listen to crap from today. And buddy, that ain't a bad thing.

[eagle eye]

Dallas made some practice squad moves today. Here's the article from DallasCowboys.com about those moves.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/article-NickEatman/Practice-Squad-Moves-Include-Signing-Preseason-Standout-WR/6a5df875-4658-4dbf-a326-feb8881df676

The Cowboys returned to practice today with 4 notable absentees. Tony Romo again sat out a Wednesday practice and as long as Dallas keeps winning there's no reason to break a lucky routine. Linebackers Bruce Carter (quad), Rolando McClain (groin) and Cameron Lawrence (unknown) sat out practice today. For a recap of the day here's DC.com's David Helman to tell us about it.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/article-DavidHelman/Practice-Update-3-Linebackers-Sit-Out-Romo-Rests-Again/e9c7cf77-5cb9-4060-b0f1-8d17636079a5

All season Tony Romo has referenced the Seattle Seahawks and the way they play as a model for the Cowboys. Sunday will be chance for Dallas to see if they can compete with the big boys on a big boy stage in front of a screaming big boy crowd in Seattle. What you like to hear from your quarterback is just what Tony Romo said today in reference to travelling to Seattle for a game against the Seahawks in that viper pit of a stadium. Romo said he is looking forward to the challenge. Pure and simple. Let's strap it up and go play. Love it. He isn't letting the fact that the crowd there holds the record for loudest crowd in the world. That's in the Guinness Book folks. Let's not forget about the fact Seattle is 17-1 in their last 18 games in Seattle. I'm sure Romo knows it and he doesn't care.

“I think we’ve seen plenty of times that one game isn’t going to define your season at this point. However, there are very important games and you know this game is a game that is a great test for us,” he said. “It’s going to be good to see our team come out with great energy and great enthusiasm and really see how we stack up.”

If you aspire to be great you have to play great teams---and beat them. The competitor that he is, Romo wants to know if they are in the same league with the defending champs. That's a healthy attitude. An attitude that belies his own greatness. Romo is a great quarterback but nobody will recognize it until the Cowboys win a ring. Or two. As Gene Hackman said in The Replacements, "The best always want the ball." Romo wants the ball.

[eagle eye]

This week is eerily like the week before the Saints game. Everyone is picking the Seahawks and it's not even something folks need to take much time thinking about. Even the DallasCowboys.com beat writers are all picking the 'Hawks. Now, the Seahawks are the defending champs, I get it. But, they aren't invincible. See Week 2 when San Diego smacked them around in San Diego to the tune of 30-21. They aren't infalible either. Last year in their march to the Super Bowl Houston had them beat until Matt Schaub air-mailed a gift pick-six to Richard Sherman. I don't understand why there is no faith that Dallas can win this week.
Granted, it won't be easy because--well--they are the champs but Dallas has shown a grit and determination that they really haven't shown, especially on defense, in the recent past. But, MIKE LB Rolando McClain practiced yesterday and he's at least 50-50 on his ability to play Sunday. McClain ups Dallas' chances immensely especially if he's not slowed by the groin injury. If he can play and be effective for most of the game I like Dallas' chances. Stopping Russell Wilson and that read option and stopping Marshawn Lynch are the keys to stopping the Seattle offense. I want to see Rolando McClain plant Wilson 4 or 5 times the way he planted Ryan Fitzpatrick last week. That was a hit. Dallas has the capability to succeed against the Seahawks defense. The question really is how will Dallas be able to stop the Seahawks offense.
It's going to be a good game I believe and Dallas can win if they do what they did against New Orleans and that is go down and score first. Maybe even score twice before Seattle knows what hits them. Take that so-called 12th man out of the equation and Dallas can win this game. The crowd noise isn't new to Dallas and despite the fact Seattle is 17-1 in their last 18 home games I am going total homer here but I am believing in these Cowboys. Final Score?

Dallas 24 Seattle 23

[eagle eye]

I just screamed like a little girl and I don't care who saw/heard/knows about it! So I blew the score prediction. It's 30-23 instead of 24-23. Big friggin whoop. Terrence Williams made the best catch of the season on that 3rd and 20 on the game winning drive. Holy crap on a cracker that was a catch! It is going to be catch 1A and Dez' catch last Sunday is 1B. Or maybe 1AA. I don't know and I can't think straight. 5-1! Who would have believed this 6 weeks ago. It's fitting that Rolando McClain got the final INT to ice the game. Jerry better sign that dude ASAP. Don't forget about Justin Durant who played his ass off! The D-line was solid, no dominant. Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch were non-factors in this game. If not for a blocked punt for a TD, a fumble by Romo that led to a field goal and muffed punt Seattle wouldn't have even been in the game in the 4th quarter. Dallas held Seattle without a 1st down in the 2nd quarter. NOT ONE 1ST DOWN. Dallas went into a viper pit and faced the defending World Champs and didn't just win the game they beat the hell out of the Seahawks. I'm not forgetting DeMarco Murray gaining 115 yards to stand with Jim Brown as the only players in NFL history to rush for 100+ yards in the first six games of a season. There is one bummer depending on how bad it is, Doug Free was injured late and the way he was caught in a pileup at the line of scrimmage I'm afraid it may be an ACL. God, I hope not. Dallas' line is a huge strength on this team so maybe this is the time Zach Martin has to move to tackle. I am still hoping for the best for Free and I'm beyond ecstatic about this win.
To make matters even better Arizona has beaten Washington which means the Redskins are now 1-5 on the season. Dallas now has a 1/2 game lead on Philly who play the Giants tonight. The Giants are currently 3-2 so Dallas could have a full game lead in the division with a Philly loss and the Giants coming to the Death Star next week. Damn, this is going to be a good week. Boo-yah!

[eagle eye]

Man, what a week for all hell to break loose a my day job. I've been busier than heck at work and too tired to pop at home. This week of all week's right? First of all, the mess with RB Joseph Randle being caught shoplifting at Dillards and the Cowboys response. I just would've added to the multitude of folks who decried Randle for being a lame brained idiot. There is still no explanation that I have seen WHY he did it but he did take full responsibility for his actions. (Big whoop, he was caught and arrested, who could he blame?) Jason Garrett had a stern talk with Randle Monday night and Randle had to face his teammates in the lockerroom on Tuesday and apologize for making himself and the team look bad. Garrett also said Tuesday Randle would be fined a "signifacant" amount. We don't know what that was but speculation was that the fine would around $30K or a game check which is the same thing. Randle has never been in any type of trouble like this before and he's absolutely contrite and embarrassed by the situation. I would really like to know why a guy making a high six figure salary needs to steal 80 bucks worth of underwear and cologne.

The Cowboys did a big revamp of their website. It has a new look and it's all pretty good overall. They are saying there are still some bugs to work out but it's an improvement in the old site.

On Wednesday the Cowboys had their daily injury report which included Tony Romo but it wasn't just his back listed as it has all season. Added to the list was an ankle and his ribs. The ankle is not really known where that came into play but it may have been done on the same play where Seattle LB Bobby Wagner plowed into Romo as he let a pass go in the first half of the game last Sunday. That was the play that left Romo with sore Ribs this week. Romo is no stranger to rib injuries as he suffered broken ribs the 2011 and 2012 seasons. Fortunately, Romo was back at practice Thursday with no noticeable after-effects of the rib or ankle problems.

Also on Wednesday the Cowboys were missing DeMarco Murray who was sick with flu-like sympoms. He was back at practice on Friday and is good to go. Rolando McClain did not practice Wednesday or Thursday but the Cowboys knew he would be out. It was not related to the groin injury he's been battling the last 3 weeks, he had to go to Alabama to take care of family issues there. He was back at practice Friday and he's good to go as well. Anthony Spenser (knee) and Tyron Smith (ankle) missed out on Wednesday and Thursday practices but they returned Friday and will be in the lineup on Sunday. LB Bruce Carter will be out this week again as he recovers from a bruised thigh but he promises to be back next week to face the Redskins. Finally, we found out some good news and that Doug Free did NOT tear an ACL against the Seahawks even though it looked like he could have. We found out Monday that he broke a bone in his foot which will keep him out 3-4 weeks and certainly out this week. Jermey Parnell (that's right JERMEY not Jeremy) will be in the lineup at right tackle as long as Free has to miss.

Speaking of Tyron Smith, he was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week this week for his work against the Seahawks. He is the first NFL O-lineman to win this award since Brian Waters of the Chiefs (and last year of the Cowboys) in 2004.

DeMarcus Lawrence was at practice on Wednesday and he said his broken foot is feeling excellent. He still has a screw in the foot and it is still to be determined if it will be removed but he also said it was great to get back on the field again. He was put on the IR/designated for return list at the beginning of the season so he isn't eligible to play until Week 9 but he can practice and it won't cost the Cowboys a roster spot until he is activated.
Josh Brent is nearing his return to the Cowboys lineup. Teammates say he is going to be a beast at the 1-technique and he should rotate with Nick Hayden when he's able to return after Week 10. There was casual speculation that Brent could step into Terrell McClain's spot. T-Mac was signed this past off season as a free agent from the Texans and it was hoped he would be able to solidify the D-line but he has clearly not lived up to expectation. Releasing him would not be a big cap hit and if Brent is that good despite not playing for a year and a half it may be worth it. Brent was really an average player in the 3-4 defense under Wade Phillips and Bill Parcels but the 4-3 may be taylor-made for him. I'm rooting for the guy. He made a huge mistake and he's paid the price the law said he needed to pay without a gripe. He will carry the guilt for the death of his friend and teammate Jerry Brown for the rest of his life. The love and forgiveness Jerry Brown's mother showed Brent and her plea for leniency for him was touching to say the very least. You hope Brent succeeds and uses his success to fuel work with others and he makes his life worth something to honor Brown and his family.

Finally, I want Dallas to win tomorrow against the Giants. I want to see Eli's pouty face all afternoon but with division games it often doesn't matter what the situation they always seem to be close games. It doesn't matter that on paper Dallas should beat the pants off the Giants because in the past when Dallas was the underdog they managed to win in spite of the odds. Eli has always torched the Cowboys but this year it could be different. Different because Dallas is playing defense to a level they haven't in years. The Giants lost their best receiver in Victor Cruz against the Eagles last Sunday night and the Giants are playing backups at cornerback. Their O-line is shaky and .......well, you get the idea. But, it's still the Giants, it's still a division game and who knows how flat Dallas may be after the biggest win in years last week. You never know especially since the Giants are probably embarrassed and a little pissed off at the whoopin' they took from Philly. 28-zip is not fun under any circumstances. I think Dallas has the better team and as long as nobody gets hurt Dallas will win but, mark my words, it won't be easy. Final Score?

Dallas 30 NY Giants 27

[eagle eye]

The Cowboys did what they should have done--they won. Not because as fans we wanted them to win but because Dallas is flat better than the Giants. As a divisional game and big rivalry game the Giants played beyond their capabilities. The Giants are pros and they are proud men and they didn't want to lose a second divisional game in as many weeks. Especially since they were humiliated last week in Philadelphia. They played hard and they do have playmakers. Eli, Odell Beckham, Larry Donnell, Jason Pierre-Paul are all talented. It's just that the overall talent level isn't what it was when they won 2 Super Bowls in 4 years. It's looking more and more like Dallas time is possibly at hand.
I know it's only Week 7 but the Cowboys are standing with the best record in the NFL at 6-1. There are several teams that are 5-1 including Philly and the other team that entered the weekend 5-1, the San Diego Chargers, lost a tough game against the Kansas City Chiefs to fall to 5-2. Dallas is standing on top of the hill looking down on everyone else. How freaking long have we been waiting for this? All those people who said Dallas would be lucky to win 7 games this year have to be trying to digest a big old piece of humble pie right now.
DeMarco Murray has 913 yards rushing to lead the whole NFL in rushing by a 350 yard margin. Tony Romo is playing at a higher level than he's ever played and he's played at high levels in the past. Yesterday he was 17-23 for 279 yards, 3 TDs and 1 pick. The pick came after Dez Bryant tripped over his own feet leaving the defender alone to clean up the play. Since the San Francisco game when Tony was clearly not well his passer rating is 116.7 and yesterday his QB rating was 135.7. He was perfect in the second half going 9-9 for 166 yards and a TD and he missed getting a second by about 12 inches when Dez couldn't quite stretch far enough to cross the goal line. It didn't hurt one bit to see last year's 2nd round pick Gavin Escobar finally doing what he was drafted to do. All those who were chalking Escobar up as a wasted pick need to tap the breaks a bit. Dez wasn't Dez until last year. Before that he was a very talented guy who was still learning his position. I think Escobar is in the same boat. He's starting to pay the dividends the Cowboys expected and he's only going to get better.
Dallas isn't saying it but I think they are in a place where they aren't satisfied to "take what the defense gives". No, I think the Cowboys attitude is, "I don't care what the defense thinks they'll give us, we're taking whatever the hell we want. We are going to do what we want to do regardless of the defense." Dallas is imposing their will on other teams. Some would call it domination. I would not disagree.
The defense has got the hang of the Tampa 2 and Rod Marinelli has shown to be a better teacher than his mentor, Monte Kiffin, and he has the unit playing way beyond all expectations of what everyone in the world except for the players and coaches in the locker room thought they would be. While they have experienced injuries, some quite devastating (think Sean Lee) but few have been the season ending ACL or Achilles type. (I am knocking on every piece of wood in sight while typing this post). The addition of MLB Rolando McClain has been a revelation. Want to bash Jerry Jones? Don't forget to thank him for talking McClain into playing football in Dallas. With McClain it will allow Sean Lee to come back and play the SAM which will mean a lot less wear and tear on his body and hopefully keep him on the field. The defense is a bunch of no-names who play really well together. This is a real complete team and we haven't seen that since 1996.
I'm not crowning the Cowboys Super Bowl champs but it's nice to feel like they will be in the playoffs this year. It's nice to see the media giving them props for being good. And it's nice to see the team win like we want them to. And before you think the team will get the big head take a look at the link below at Jason Garrett's post game speech and how he nearly tears up when awarding new TE coach Mike Pope a game ball. There's a lot of love in that room and it starts with the coach. I am a Garrett fan and I believe the plan he instituted 3-1/2 years ago when he accepted the head coaching job is coming to fruition and the results look pretty damn good so far.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/video/2014/10/20/jason-garretts-locker-room-speech-after-win-over-giants

[eagle eye]

As usual there is something to talk about and as usual I'm a couple of days late talking about it. My day job is really cramping my style.

The big news, of course, comes on the heels of discussions on the Cowboys podcasts Talkin Cowboys and The Lunch Break by fans who want the Cowboys to elevate DE Michael Sam to the active roster to try to help generate some pass rush. The point became moot on Tuesday when Dallas released Sam and signed LB Troy Davis and they resigned DL Ken Bishop who has been on and off the Cowboys practice squad several times this year.

For the 4th week in a row DeMarco Murray has won the Fed-Ex Offensive Player of the Week Award. This week he's being rewarded for his 28 carry 128 yard effort against the NY Giants. The string of awards for Murray began with the Cowboys win over New Orleans and has continued through last week's game. This week's win makes the 5th week this season Murray has won the award as he had won the first POTW award in Week 2. Nobody has won as many POTW awards except for LaDanian Tomlinson who won 5 times in 2005 while with San Diego and an impressive 8 times in 2006.

Bruce Carter returned to practice today for the first time since straining his quad in the game against New Orleans 4 weeks ago. He was listed as "Limited" in the official practice report but he told reporters that he did all the drills and special teams work. He feels like as the days go by he will get more and more reps. He feels he will be good to go against the Redskins on Monday night.

Speaking of Monday night, because of the added day before they play their next game Jason Garrett gave the team an extra day off meaning the Cowboys were off Monday and Tuesday. The players returned to their normal routine on Wednesday meaning they met to evaluate game film and lift weights and get their running done. Today was the normal Wednesday meaning Tony Romo took his usual day off from practice. Now, it's not a total day off as he participates in walk throughs and meetings and things but when practice is taking place he's with trainers doing exercises to strengthen his back.

Tony Romo has moved into fourth place among NFL QBs behind only Brady, Brees and Manning. Russell Wilson who had been No 4 fell one spot to number 5 meaning Romo and Wilson swapped places in the Week 7 rankings.

DeMarcus Lawrence is practicing this week as he moves closer to his Week 9 return. He's been recovering since he broke a bone in his right foot late in training camp and he has been on the Injured/Scheduled to Return list since the final cut downs a week before the season began. Dallas has a meager 7 sacks on the season and it's hoped that Lawrence can inject a little adrenalin into the Cowboys pass rush. Dallas has been getting pressure on opposing QBs (except for Eli last week) but they just can't turn the pressure into sacks. It doesn't help to see former Cowboys DeMarcus Ware with 7 sacks by himself playing for the Denver Broncos. A lot of people were upset the Cowboys allowed Ware to go in free agency despite Ware's willingness to take a pay cut to stay in Dallas. To be fair, Dallas was patient with Ware who played through 2 injury riddled seasons that saw his production drop off dramatically. It would be a huge validation of the move to let Ware go if DeMarcus Lawrence can be the impact player he was drafted to be.

Last December Tony Romo kept the Cowboys playoff hopes alive with a valiant performance to lead the Cowboys to victory despite a herniated disc in his back. I have dealt with a bad back recently and it hurts like hell and can almost cripple you. For Romo to perform the way he did was nothing short of heroic. In this article from DallasCowboys.com Romo recalls the injury and the game in Washington a mere 11 months ago and how he has recovered to be the same Romo we saw as recently as 3 years ago. What isn't mentioned is that Romo may have been suffering for a while with a troublesome back because it has been 3 years at least since we've seen Romo take off and run the way he has a few times this season. In actuality, Romo may finally be really and truly healthy for the first time in a long time. No wonder he's played so well.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2014/10/23/fully-recovered-romo-recalls-back-injury-against-redskins

[eagle eye]

The Cowboys held their normal Friday practice today and the only players missing were T Doug Free and DE Jack Crawford. LB Bruce Carter practiced for the 3rd day in a row so I would have to assume he's good to go Monday night. The trademark of successful teams in the NFL is the overall health of their team and this season is the first one in a long, long time Dallas has enjoyed good health at this point in the season. I'm not saying what happens going forward but right now they are healthy and if this run of luck continues there's no telling what may come in December and January. I won't speculate into the distant future again. It's bad luck and my knuckles are sore from knocking on wood. I don't want to jinx anything. I'm going to do what all Cowboys fans should be doing right now and that's enjoy the success. Stop and smell the roses kind of thing, ya know? We have been waiting a long time for the Cowboys to look this good and I just want to enjoy it.

Maybe one reason DeMarco Murray is having such a beast of a season is because of his preparation for the season in the spring. At the time it was time for players to choose workout partners Jason Witten was on site and offered Murray his services so to speak. The older player mentored the younger one teaching him how to take care of his body in the off season as well as during. The younger player pushed the grizzled vet and often left him sore as hell the next day. Here's an article from DallasCowboys.com about the two teammates making each other better players.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2014/10/24/offseason-training-witten-prepped-murray-big-workload

[eagle eye]

It's almost kickoff and I still am procrastinating making this post because I am more afraid of the outcome more than I was about the Giants last week. I just sort of knew Dallas was going to win but I am on pins and needles about this. Even more than the Eagles or Giants in this long time divisional rivalry things tend to go according to Hoyle. That is to say they pretty much like they should according to who is the better team. But this Redskins rivalry---that's a different story altogether.

Mid seventies on Thanksgiving Roger Staubach is knocked out of the game with a concussion (yes they had that back then but they just said he had his bell rung!). In comes Clint Longley and he leads Dallas to an improbable come from behind victory featuring two long bombs for TDs to Drew Pearson.

1987-NFL players strike is going on but QB Danny White and a bunch of the Cowboys crossed the picket line and played against the Redskins replacement players. The Replacements won. This was the inspiration for the Keanu Reeves movie The Replacements. It was no coincidence that the teams involved in the last game in the movie were Washington and Dallas.

1989-Dallas first season under Jerry Jones ownership. Troy Aikman was the first pick in that year's draft but in Week 9 Aikman was out due to a separated shoulder suffered the week before. Supplemental draft pick Steve Walsh was on the field in Washington for the Cowboys and in that miserable 1-15 season he led Dallas to an improbable win, their only win, of the season.

See what I mean? There's history here people. No matter who is up or down weird stuff happens. The thing is, Washington might be 2-5 but they are better than that record would indicate. Top ten in offense AND defense the Redskins have been losing because Kirk Cousins keeps throwing the ball to the wrong jerseys. Cousins isn't in. RGIII has been out and won't play tonight. Colt McCoy is under center and his game is ball control and intermediate passing. He has receivers in DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon that are run after the catch type of receivers. They have a good tight end in Jordan Reed and good running back in Alfred Morris. On the other hand there is a reason Dallas is 6-1. Top end QB, top end WRs, 2 top end TEs and the No 1 rushing back in the NFL by a long shot shooting for a record 8 100 yard rushing games in a row to begin a season. The wild card is that Dallas' defense has played head and shoulders better than anyone ever thought possible. Dallas is good and everyone KNOWS that Dallas is going to win. After all Colt McCoy is making his first NFL start in 3 years and he wasn't impressing anyone then. All the signs are there. There is an upset brewing. Or maybe I'm just paranoid. Is this the Clint Longley thing coming back 30 years later but in the Redskins favor? Yin and Yang? Crap. Final score?

Dallas 27 Washington 17

[eagle eye]

I remember why I hate the Redskins.

[eagle eye]

Turns out I wasn't paranoid after all. It was Halloween 5 days early in Arlington. Tony Romo looked off all evening. His passes for the most part were not his usual accurate darts. Quite a few ended up sailing high making them difficult, if not impossible, to catch. DeMarco Murray was on top of his game gaining 141 yards on 19 totes and he added another 80 yards on 5 pass receptions. He did fumble in the red zone after gaining about 25 yards on a swing pass as he struggled for yardage. He lost the fumble at the 5 yard line of the Redskins and ended the Cowboys first scoring threat. Joseph Randle also fumbled in Cowboys territory but Dallas was able to intercept a Colt McCoy pass in the end zone to keep the score 3-0 in favor of the Redskins. After a Washington punt Dallas marched right down the field and scored on a short pass to Dez Bryant who stretched to the max to cross the goal line for the score. It was back and forth the rest of the half but the Redskins opened the second half with an 8 play TD drive of their own culminating in a 5 yard TD run by Alfred Morris putting Washington up 10-7. Then, on 3-11 on Dallas' next possession Tony Romo was sacked by Keenan Robinson who kneed Romo in the back in the process. Romo laid on the turf for several minutes and we didn't know how badly he was hurt. He rolled to his side and eventually stood up and walked off the field under his own power. He was taken into the locker room for x-rays leaving backup Brandon Weeden to take up the Cowboys reins. After a quick 3-and-out by the Redskins Weeden did what any self respecting back up would do. He handed the ball off to DeMarco Murray who romped 51 yards down to the Redskins 6. After running for 3 yards to the Redskins 3 on first down the Cowboys inexplicably passed the next two downs. Many people are asking why Dallas wouldn't just run the damn ball especially since both of Weeden's passes were incomplete. The first was on Weeden the second should have been caught by Dez for a TD but he just flat dropped the ball. Dallas had to settle for a field goal tying the score at 10.
The Redskins took the next possession Washington closed out the 3rd quarter and began the 4th with an 8 play TD drive ending in a Colt McCoy keeper for the TD. The question was how would Dallas, and more importantly, Brandon Weeden respond? Well, to make a long story short he killed it! Meaning he led Dallas on 8 play drive ending in a 25 yard TD pass to Jason Witten. Score tied 17 all. After a long drive by Washington finally culminated in a punt by the Redskins after McCoy was sacked by DE Jeremy Mincey on a 3rd and 1 at Dallas' 32 which moved the 'Skins back to the Dallas 41 which was outside Washington kicker Kai Forbath's range. Dallas had just under 2 minutes left in the game and Tony Romo came back from the locker room to lead the final drive. Trouble was, Washington downed the punt at the Cowboys 3 meaning Dallas had to go at least 60 yards to get into range of a Dan Bailey field goal. After one first down on a pass to Terrence Williams out to the Cowboys 23. This coming after the Redskins 5th sack of Romo which caused a fumble which Dallas recovered. Dallas punted and the Colt McCoy knelt down to send the game into overtime.
The Redskins won the coin toss and took the ball down to the Cowboys 22 before the defense stiffened and held the Redskins to a field goal. The Cowboys had it all before them. They had to score either a TD to win the game or kick a field goal to keep the overtime going or fail and lose the game. Dallas was not under any time constraints with the most of the quarter ahead of them so they ran DeMarco Murray on first who gained 8 yards. And for the second time in the game Dallas refused to run again. 2nd and 2 Dallas tried a swing pass to Murray with was stopped for a 1 yard loss. 3rd and 3 Romo dropped back to pass to Jason Witten which was broken up and on 4th down Romo had to avoid the Redskins rush. He came out of a jam like only Romo can, he set his feet and fired an uncatchable pass toward Dez Bryant. Game over.

This game had upset written all over it and I wasn't wrong when I said so yesterday before the game. Colt McCoy took care of the ball except for the one pick which was just a bad decision by him. In all he completed 17 of 18 passes to DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon and Jordan Reed. He ended up the night tossing the rock for 299 yards and 1 pick and no TDs although he rushed for one. The Redskins defense confounded Romo and the offense with countless blitzes that the Cowboys just couldn't make them pay for. With his two possessions under center Brandon Weeden led the Cowboys to 2 scores. There was debate even on the telecast last night whether or not Weeden, being the hot hand, should have finished the game. I think I would have let Weeden finish the game since his was the hot hand in the second half. Dallas made a lot of mistakes to keep the Redskins in the game. With Murray's fumble and Dez's dropped TD Dallas left at most 11 points and at least 7 points on the field. Either way, it was enough for Dallas to win the game outright. Dallas has overcome mistakes in their 6 game winning streak but last night they just couldn't do it. I knew this series is rife with weirdness and last night was one of the weirdest. You literally can't ever tell what's going to happen when these two teams meet.

Injury update:
>Tony Romo had an MRI today and will undergo further testing tomorrow but Jason Garrett said he believes Romo will be good to go against Arizona this week.
> LB Justin Durant who was the Cowboys leading tackler last night with 10 stops tore his bicep muscle late in the game. Many feel that the injury means the end of the season for Durant but the Cowboys are still non-committal about his status. Garrett remembers when Ken Norton Jr played through a torn bicep on the way to a Cowboys Super Bowl back in 1993. If Durant is out then Kyle Wilbur and Anthony Hitchens will fill his spot.
> Also late in the game RT Ronald Leary pulled a groin muscle and was replaced by Mackenzy Bernadeau. His status going forward is unclear right now.

Questions arising from this game.
> Can Dallas come back and win against the Arizona Cardinals next week? Did Washington's blitzing give the rest of the league the blueprint for beating them?
> What is the status of Tony Romo going forward? If Dallas loses Romo things won't look good for the Cowboys.
> What happened to the good tackling team that Dallas was through the first 7 games? Dallas was not a good tackling team last night.
> Is this game just a loss or is it Dallas coming back down to earth after a great start? Only time will tell.

Despite the loss DeMarco Murray was nominated yet again for the Fed-Ex Ground Player of the Week. It is Murray's 6 overall nomination and 5th in a row. Murray won his fourth in a row last week and he has won 5 of 7 awards this season.

[eagle eye]

It's official. LB Justin Durant's season is over. Today Dallas placed him on IR with a torn bicep.

Ronald Leary was at practice today but he didn't do too much. Romo was also a non-participant but that is normal for him. Jason Garrett said that Romo is day-to-day as he deals with the back contusion he suffered in the Washington game. I have no doubt he will play Sunday against Arizona.

Rolando McClain missed practice today with a shoulder problem. Not much news about him so I sort of feel like he's not too bad. Dallas needs McClain in the lineup so this may be a bit precautionary.

With the loss of Justin Durant Dallas felt the need to fill his roster spot with another linebacker so Dallas has signed 9 year vet Tim Dobbins. Dobbins was drafted by San Diego in the 5th round of the NFL draft. He spent 3 seasons in San Diego followed by stints in Miami, Houston and Atlanta before coming to Dallas.

RT Doug Free wasn't at practice today but Jason Garrett said he was hopeful Free would be able to practice as the week progresses.

DeMarcus Lawrence practiced today but not with the team. He spent his time working on the side getting special attention from Rod Marinelli and Leon Lett. Lawrence is able to make his NFL debut this week against Arizona after being on the Short Term IR because of a broken foot suffered late in training camp. Lawrence was the 34th pick in this year's draft and he was a player that Dallas thought enough of to move up in the 2nd round to be able to draft him. It also cost Dallas their 3rd round pick so to say expectations are high is a bit of an understatement. One thing for sure, Dallas could use a shot of adrenaline for their sluggish pass rush. As for how much Lawrence will play I would guess he plays on 3rd down in this first week back on the field. Dallas will bring him along slowly until he gets into game shape is my feeling on this.

[eagle eye]

Romo is still day-to-day. I still think he's going to play but I really think that knee in the back hit Romo in the kidney. A muscle bruise wouldn't be this much of a thing. I know stuff like this still hurts but not like a bruised kidney. We may have to consider the possibility of Brandon Weeden leading the Cowboys against the Cardinals. Romo did not practice today but Garrett remains hopeful Romo will play. I still think if he can Romo will play but a bruised organ isn't something to play with. We'll see.

Some of the impotence of the Dallas pass rush can be traced to DL Henry Melton. Melton was a Rod Marinelli guy who made a pro bowl under him in Chicago but he entered the year recovering from ACL surgery. He showed more spark this past Monday against the Redskins and it may be a signal that he's rounding into his old self and that his ACL stuff may be fading into a distant memory. Cowboys fans can only hope.

According Bryan Broaddus of DallasCowboys.com Melton may not be the only item of hope for the Cowboys pass rush. Today he posted an item on the Cowboys official site that he believes DeMarcus Lawrence will have an immediate impact. He stated, as I believe too, that Lawrence will be worked slowly into the mix since he has missed all the season so far after breaking a bone in his foot in training camp. That, and the fact he is a rookie and has never played a down in the NFL yet. Despite all that Broaddus really feels like Lawrence will make an impact in the Dallas pass rush. Here's Broaddus' take on Lawrence and Cole Beasley going against Arizona.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2014/10/30/scout%E2%80%99s-eye-look-lawrence-make-early-impact-big-chance-beasley

The jury is still out on whether or not DeMarco Murray will earn his 5th consecutive Fed-Ex Ground Player of the Week but he has been named the NFC Offensive Player of the Month for his over 500 yards rushing and pushing his record of consecutive games of 100 or more yards to 8 games during the month. Murray also won the award for September so to say Murray's year so far has been pretty good is huge understatement.

[eagle eye]

The latest news from Cowboy-land---

In the Saturday walk through Tony Romo was there and participated. He is officially listed on the injury report as questionable. The likelihood that Romo will play is not good considering he has not practiced one minute this week. Brandon Weeden will start if Romo can't go and he's probably the Cowboys best bet because he's taken all the reps in practice this week. You feel like he'll do okay after he led the Cowboys on 2 scoring drives in relief of Romo against the Redskins. This won't be Weeden's first rodeo as a starting NFL QB after he got 22 starts at the far less talented and infinitely more unstable Cleveland Browns. Weeden did look good Monday night and he could very well do good things against the Arizona Cardianal tomorrow.

It's official. Dallas has activated DeMarcus Lawrence and he will make his NFL debut with the Cowboys at home against the Arizona Cardinals tomorrow. Lawrence has been practicing the past two weeks when he became eligible to do so. Last week he practiced as a member of the scout team and this week it was reported that he practiced with the 2nd team. It is expected that he will play primarily on passing downs and probably get between 20-25 snaps during the game as he works his way into game shape.

Cowboys RB Joseph Randle and Dez Bryant got into a heated arguement at Cowboys practice on Friday. The arguement, broken up by TE Jason Witten on two seperate occasions, apparently began when it was learned that Randle said something while he was being booked for his shoplifting charge that Dez "didn't miss no games for slapping his mama.". This was a reference to Dez's 2012 incident in which he was accused of assaulting his mother. The matter was dropped and no charges ever filed. Randle seems to have issues and with a big mouth he may not be one of the 'right kind of guys' Jason Garrett is always talking about in reference to the Cowboys. It could very well be Randle's days are numbered after he threw one of the star players under the bus.

[eagle eye]

The latest news out of Dallas is that the reason Tony Romo's back hurts so bad is because he has 2 fractures of the transverse process bones in his back. It just sounds like it hurts doesn't it? The transverse process is the bone on either side of the spinal column joints. If you look at the bones in the spinal column they are a series of joints with bones sticking out on the left and right and single bone sticking out away from the spinal chord. I'm doing a crap job of describing this so take a look at this article from fansided.com that explains the condition way better than I can. I also has a diagram of the spinal column which clarifies the water I've muddied up. The bottom line is the condition is not as bad as it seems but it probably hurts like holy hell. Knowing this I would rather Romo sit and let himself heal for the next 3 week. It's actually a perfect time because Dallas has Arizona then Jacksonville in London and then they have their bye week. Romo would have, counting this week and entire month to get better. Dallas can beat Jacksonville without Romo and I'm feel like they could beat Arizona too based on what I saw last Monday night. Even if Dallas goes 1-1 in the next two games they go into the bye with a record of 7-3 which ain't bad. If they manage to beat Arizona they would be 8-2 which is even better. The important thing is that Tony Romo would have a real chance to heal properly and be ready to lead the team into the hardest part of their schedule.

http://fansided.com/2014/11/01/transverse-process-fracture/

[eagle eye]

The Good? Romo is out. He is going to get a chance to heal. The Bad? Romo is out. The Ugly? LG Ronald Leary is out with a groin injury. (Cue appropriate Ennio Morricone music.) So, Dallas has two missing starters on the O-line, Leary and RT Doug Free, and their starting QB. They just lost the team's leading tackler in Justin Durant for the season and WILL LB Bruce Carter broke a finger in practice late this week. Carter will play today. Dez Bryant and Joseph Randle got into a heated arguement this week when it was discovered that Randle made comments about Dez being accused of hitting his mother in 2012 at his booking following his arrest for shoplifting underwear and cologne at a Dallas area Dillards. All is normal at Valley Ranch. Destruction and chaos as usual.
The good thing is the backup for Leary will be veteran Mackenzy Bernadeau. He started all last year on the right side and he should fall right in on the left. Free's backup Jeremy Parnell will start his second consecutive game following Free's injury three weeks ago. It's a good thing because both Bernadeau and Free have been around and are quite familiar with the job at hand. Obviously, there will be a bit of a drop off but both should be able to take care of business. The loss of Romo hurts but the upside is because Romo took a lot of time off during off season work and training camp plus every Wednesday practice so far this season Weeden has gotten a ton of practice snaps he otherwise wouldn't have gotten. He looked good in the two drives he played in against the Redskins leading the team to two scores. So, it's not like you have to knock off a lot of rust. Add to that the fact that he's taken all the practice reps this week you have feel like Weeden is ready. The Cowboys looked at drafting Weeden a couple of years ago so he's a guy they wanted and they like him as a player. Win-win if your starter is out. The real loss is Durant. He's emerged as perhaps the best player Dallas had on defense and he was elected a team captain to boot. It will be time for MIKE LB Rolando McClain to step up even more than he has. Bruce Carter can make the defensive calls but McClain is going to have go into beast mode. The good thing is he has the capability to do it. He is likely a little pissed about missed tackles in the Redskins game so it wouldn't be a bad thing if he comes into the Death Star ready to commit a bodily crime on the Cardinals. It's a scenario that looks like Dallas is behind the 8 ball. I haven't seen the odds but they could be underdogs to the 6-1 Cardinals. Good. I think Dallas plays better when challenged. Just like the bad feeling I had last week going into the Redskins game I have the opposite feeling about today's game. I think the team will rally around itself and ride DeMarco Murray to his ninth straight 100+ yard game. It will be like Clint Eastwood riding off at the end of The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. He killed the bad guy and pissed off his nemesis and rode off into the sunset a winner. Final score?

Dallas 24 Arizona 20

[eagle eye]

I am not the only one to be blindsided by how horrendous Brandon Weeden was. It was a nightmare revisited. I swear Weeden had a flashback to his Cleveland days where he sucked most of the time. According to DallasCowboys.com writer Brian Broaddus he never saw this crap coming at all. Weeden kept saying all week he was just going to keep the train on the tracks meaning he planned on being just a guy who was trying to let the 'stars' on the team shine. Trouble was he played like he didn't have a license to run the train. There is a feeling that Romo will play this week in London and that's good IF he's truly healthy enough to be able to do so. The Cowboys are now sitting at 6-3 a half game behind Philadelphia in the NFC East. There may be a bit of a panic mode as Dallas is now in the throws of a 2 game losing streak. IMO they gave away the game with Washington with an off game by Romo the primary culprit and now a brain fart game by Weeden may have the team (see Jerry Jones) in a little bit of a panic. In two weeks the Cowboys have gone from the elite of the NFL to a team scrambling to get a win to right the ship. They may have lost two players on defense in Tyrone Crawford who was playing very well up to this point in the season and Rolando McClain both with a knee issue. There should be more on this but the Cowboys have to catch a plane to London this evening. Team, coaches, owner and cheerleaders as well as the beat writers for the web site are all leaving the country so news about injuries may be a little late coming out. Lord I would hate for Dallas to lose either player but the loss of McClain would be a real kick in the gut for this defense. They would be down to where they were last year when injuries decimated the D-line and they signed guys sitting on their couch to not only provide some depth but to play---a lot. You could argue that Dallas, if McClain's knees keeps him out any amount of time, that the best 3 linebackers on the team are not playing again this season. How many defenses could compensate for that? Sean Lee, Justin Durant and Rolando McClain out means that this over-achieving bunch of fighters digress into a woeful bunch of also-rans. Again. Three weeks ago Dallas was one of the healthiest teams in the NFL but now they are down 40% of the starting O-line and are playing backups at all three linebacker spots. If a team needed a bye week it's the Cowboys. They just need to get out of London with a win. From where I sit right now beating Jacksonville ain't no sure thing the way it did two weeks ago. Before the Washington game I'll bet most Cowboys fans looked at wins over Washington and Jacksonville. Conceding a loss to Arizona Dallas would still mean the Cowboys head into the bye at a very healthy 8-2. But, two losses puts the Cowboys at a less healthy 6-3 and the worse thing is Jacksonville has grown into a team with a QB and defense. They are no easy out any more. Now we are HOPING Dallas can beat the Jaguars and if Weeden is the QB we might be BEGGING for a win.

[eagle eye]

The Cowboys are taking every player on the 53 man roster with them it seems like. Injured players like Tony Romo, Rolando McClain and Tyrone Crawford are going but the Cowboys are hoping they will be able to play this week. Josh Brent, who won't be eligible to play until after the Cowboys bye week next week is going. T Doug Free and G Ronald Leary are going because it is hoped one or both of them can play. Free seems the most likely.

BTW, Dallas gave Brent a 1-year contract extension this past week. They may have seen something in this guy since he began practicing with the team two weeks ago. It may also be Jerry Jones making good on his promise not to abandon Brent that he made to former practice squad member Jerry Brown's mother after he was killed in the car accident that happened while Brent was driving drunk. It was her support and empathy for her son's friend and a genuinely touching act of forgiveness that may have kept Brent from going to prison for a long period of time as she begged for leniency and forgiveness for Brent during his intoxication manslaughter trial.

Here's a link to an article from DallasCowboys.com about the Cowboys arrival in London.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2014/11/04/cowboys-excited-showcase-international-series-wembley-stadium

[eagle eye]

Today Tony Romo did what he usually does on Wednesday. He attended the team walk through and while the team was bussed off to a London suburb to practice Romo stayed behind to get treatment on his back. Nothing new about this. It's what has been going since the season began. We'll see where Romo spends tomorrow, at practice or at the hotel getting treatment. It was reported on the Bleacher Report that the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that Romo it's about 80% sure that Romo plays this week. Take that with whatever grain of salt you like.

At practice today the missing 2/5's of the starting O-line was back at practice. Ronald Leary (groin) and Doug Free (broken foot) were back at practice. Only Tyrone Crawford, Nick Hayden, Tony Romo and Rolando McClain were the only no-shows. McClain is nursing a bad knee as well as the groin problem he's been dealing with all season. Jason Garrett said that McClain's absence isn't all that unusual and that he's been showing up more as the week goes on. He is still listed on the injury report and he is not guaranteed to play this week.

Here's a good article about the Cowboys first 24 hours in London and how they are trying to get into a normal routine in preparation for this week's game in very abnormal circumstances.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2014/11/05/cowboys-getting-focused-after-acclimating-london

[eagle eye]

Okay, don't sweat the little stuff now, Romo is playing. He practiced both Thursday and Friday and the official injury report lists him as probable. MIKE LB Rolando McClain isn't as clear a picture. He has missed practice all week so far and the fact that he missed Friday's practice means it doesn't look good for him tomorrow.
Rookie Anthony Hitchens will fill in for McClain like he did in Week 3 against the Rams. In the first half of the game he looked a bit lost but as the second half progressed he got better. Not bad for a rookie. DC Rod Marinelli complemented Hitchens Friday by saying that filling one of the linebacker positions is difficult in the system Dallas runs but Hitchens has played all three spots this season which is amazing. Hitchens was the Cowboys 4th round pick in this year's draft and he was earmarked as the guy they envisioned as the MIKE LB backup. They didn't know at the time how much experience he would get after losing Sean Lee and now Rolando McClain. Hitchens has done a good job for what he's been asked to do. Bruce Carter will shift from the SAM to the WILL while Kyle Wilbur will play the SAM.
Dallas will have T Doug Free back and G Ronald Leary back as well which means the O-line will be back to full strength to protect Romo. DE Anthony Spencer will play as well as TE James Hanna and S Barry Church both of whom have been nursing bumps and bruises.
Tyrone Crawford is out for this week.

[eagle eye]

We begin with a rousing chorus of "Hail, Brittannia!" as the Cowboys have spent the past week preparing for their game with Jacksonville in jolly old London. Such a long trip to play a football game is enough to be a huge distraction with what you would think is a huge departure from their normal routine. And it has been. From the 9 hour flight from Dallas to London, to the sight seeing which included a tour of the Tower of London and a private look at the Crown Jewels and historic artifacts that represent the long and rich history of the British Isles. The Cowboys had meet and greets to help promote the Cowboys and American football so you'd think, "When do they practice?". Never fear on that part. Jason Garrett has been determined to maintain their usual practice schedule and he's done it religiously. Down to Romo's missing the Wednesday practice and returning for the rest of the week. Romo is listed as probable for the game and you know he's playing. As for the team meetings and activities they have been basically the same. Even in interviews players have said it's great to be in London but when all is said and done they are on a business trip and winning the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars is the reason they are there. Mickey Spagnola of DallasCowboys.com said in a podcast from London on Friday after the Tower of London tour that at practice Jason Garrett's eyes were like lasers and if he didn't see the right effort or the team wasn't getting things right he was all up in their grill. Jason Garrett is on a personal mission to keep this team focused and ready as they possibly can be for this game. Some might say, "It's just the Jaguars, man. They're 1-8 for goodness sake!". Just remember, a lot of people dismissed the Washington Redskins three weeks ago and we all know what happened then, don't we? The Jags have some good players and it would be Dallas' luck that QB Blake Bortles or RB Denard Robinson or WR Allen Hurns has a breakout game just because it's the Cowboys. Dallas is a better team, especially with Romo on the field, than Jacksonville and they should win but I'm afraid of games like this. The one thing Dallas has in it's favor is the embarrassment from last week's game against Arizona. Most of that is on Brandon Weeden but there were enough under achievers last week to share the sting of that loss.
Dallas needs to feel urgency in this game because the difference in 7-3 if they win and 6-4 if they lose is huge. The Cowboys need to right the ship and get back on a winning track as they head into their bye week because when they come back they go on the road to face the Giants and 4 days later they play Philly on Thanksgiving. Think about what this means to their season. 7-3 heading into the short week of division games and if Dallas can win both of them they are at 9-3 and on the inside track to win the NFC East. But, it all starts with Jacksonville. Dallas needs to win and it won't be easy. Especially on defense with Rolando McClain all but ruled out of the game. Justin Durant is gone for the season so the defense will have to rally around each other. We are hoping for more impactful plays from DeMarcus Lawrence who had his first taste of NFL action last week. Let's hope he can put extra pressure on Blake Bortles. The pass rush and stopping the run will be keys to helping the linebacking corp and it will also help the secondary chasing around a bevy of young, good receivers the Jags will put on the field.
I don't foresee this as an easy game. I hope I'm wrong but it could very well be a bit of a dogfight. The weather forecast is good. Clear and 48 degrees at kickoff. The crowd in London will definitely be pro Cowboy so despite the fact that Jacksonville is officially the home team the Cowboys will be enjoying a home crowd. I am worried Dallas is ready, but I'm not because of the effort by Jason Garrett and his staff to keep focused. I'm worried about the linebacker play but all have played together all season and they were able to beat the Rams with basically this group but it was a close game. Damn it, I'm just a worry-wart but that's the fun isn't it? Final score?

Dallas 31 Jacksonville 25

[eagle eye]

The Cowboys didn't have all that much trouble with Jacksonville after all. The final 31-17 score wasn't nearly that close. Dallas is enjoying the bye week at 7-3 and doubly enjoying the opportunity to chill and heal up a little bit. Romo suffered no set backs that were reported, check. LB Rolando McClain suited up but did not play so he will essentially get 3 weeks to get to feeling better with his knee and groin issues. The Cowboys will lose CB Tyler Patmon for 3-4 with sprained MCL but in two of those weeks he won't miss a game. It was a great trip to London for the Cowboys capped off by a dominating win over an inferior team which is what good teams are supposed to do. Check and check.

Yesterday Dallas announced that DL Josh Brent was named to the 53 man roster. To make room for Brent LB Tim Dobbins was cut by the team. Brent has been out of football since December 2012 when he had a car accident that resulted in the death of his close friend and teammate Jerry Brown. Brent was convicted of Intoxication Manslaughter this year and he was sentenced to 180 days in jail. The last 45 were spent on probation at a rehabilitation facility. A few weeks ago Brent was allowed to begin working out with the team and he has worked a lot on the scout team facing off against the likes of Travis Frederick and Zack Martin and Ronald Leary. Jason Garrett inferred that both Brent and Travis Frederick have both benefited from the work meaning both players have been challenged. Some have expressed concern about Brent's weight but officially no word on what the Cowboys expect in this regard has been said. It remains to be seen it Brent will be active next week against the Giants but it's early yet to worry about that.

Tyrone Crawford missed the game in London with a sprained MCL. Usually that means 3-4 weeks to give the injury time to heal. His being out could open the door for Josh Brent to be activated.

Dallas has officially named the new practice facility/headquarters being built in Frisco Texas. The name of the facility will be The Star in Frisco. Here's an article from DallasCowboys.com about the naming and some details about the new multi-purpose facility. Multi-purpose? Yep, the facility will include more than the team and cheerleaders HQ and practice facility. Check out the article for more details.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2014/11/11/cowboys-announce-name-team%E2%80%99s-new-frisco-home-surrounding-development

Tony Romo and DeMarco Murray were both nominated for the FedEx Air and Ground Awards this past week. In about 3-1/2 quarters, technically a 1/2, the game Romo threw for 245 yards and 3 TDs notching a season high 138.8 passer rating while Murray got back on the 100+ YPG wagon with 100 yards even on 19 carries for 5.3 YPC average. You would think Dez Bryant would be up for some kind of award after he set a Cowboys record for receiving in one quarter with 158 yards and 2 TDs in the 2nd quarter of the game with the Jaguars.

One thing to worry about is the Cowboys special teams. In the game against the Jaguars they had a field goal attempt blocked which makes 2 in the last two games as Arizona blocked a field goal just before half time the week before. That and the Cowboys have not been able to do much in their punt and kick return games for a while. Returner Dwayne Harris has been far less dynamic that he was last season. This will need to be fixed as Dallas goes into the 6 game stretch run which includes 4 division games. One each against the Giants and Redskins (need some payback in that one) and two against the Eagles with games against Indianapolis and Chicago sandwiched in there too. If Dallas hopes to make the playoffs and possibly win the division they cannot be handicapped by poor special teams play.

[eagle eye]

ZZZZZzzzzzzz. ZZZZZzzzzz..........oh, sorry I'm just in bye week mode. Truthfully, I'm at work wishing I was in bye week mode. A long ordeal at work that has lasted just over 4 months is pretty much over and this is my last day for 2 weeks. I guess you'd say I am almost on my bye week(s). Dallas is enjoying their mini vacation and taking full advantage of a week to just heal up. When they come back they should have Rolando McClain back and maybe even Tyrone Crawford. Tony Romo's back should be feeling a lot better with a week off and Dallas will have to focus on the last six games of the season. I would think they need to win at least half of the six which would give them 10 wins and a good shot a the playoffs. Ideally, the Cowboys will win out but that probably isn't going to happen. A six game winning streak is a rather rare occurance in the NFL and Dallas has had one of those already. Dallas has division games against the Giants, Redskins and 2 against Philly that will probably decide who wins the NFC East. The other two games are against Indianapolis and Chicago. Chicago comes in right after the Giants and Eagles. The last 3 games will be the Eagles again followed by Indy and closing with Washington. Dallas will need to split with Philly making them 1-1. They should beat the Giants whick brings them to 2-1. If the Bears continue to suck like they have been then Dallas should win but it is going to be played in Chicago and weather is liable to be colder than a well digger's behind. Dallas would be 3-1. Dallas is going to get the Colts at home but just for argument's sake I'll say Indy wins. 3-2. As usual it will come down to a final game against the confounded Redskins in Washington 3 days after Christmas. Ho-Ho-Ho. If they can get some payback for the loss to the Redskins in Dallas then Dallas finishes 4-2 and ends up with a final record of 11-5. For a team not expected to get 6 wins before the season began, I'll take it. At very least 11 wins should mean at least a wild card if not the division so Dallas is in the playoffs with a team that really has a chance to make some noise. Now THAT is what I'm talking about.
Now that I've had a chance to look forward a bit and dream my little dream it's back into Jason Garrett mode. Take is a day at a time, one game at a time. We will need to begin tomorrow looking at the New York Football Giants next Sunday night. Today, we get to chill, watch some football and throw back a cold one (or two). Who's got it better than us? What would be even better is if Philly loses to Green Bay! GO PACKERS!!!

[eagle eye]

The Cowboys who watched division rival Philadelphia get their asses handed to them in Green Bay yesterday had to be happy to say the very least. You would think that after last week's bashing of the Carolina Panthers Dallas had to have some trepidation about the switch to Marc Sanchez as good as he looked in that game. Yesterday however, Sanchez looked like the butt-fumble Jets QB. I'm sure he's somewhere in the middle of the two but the Eagles aren't the well oiled machine they were under Nick Foles. Dallas players and coaches don't look ahead past the coming week's opponent but they had to be feeling pretty good about playing the Eagles.
If they have NFL Sunday Ticket and caught some of the Bears win over Minnesota they had to be feeling less confident. The Bears looked more like the team they were expected to look like. Cutler was good throwing to Alshon Jeffrey and Brandon Marshall and Matt Forte was chewing up chunks of ground like he always does. It was the defense who looked like they had a clue which goes against the way they have been playing lately. It bears keeping an eye on them to see if it's the Bears getting better or the Vikings being bad.
The Cowboys had to be licking their chops at how bad this week's opponent looked against the 49ers at home yesterday. Eli was just awful throwing 5 picks and personally killing drives and at least one TD opportunity in the game. Dallas certainly can't go to sleep assuming they'll beat the Giants because Eli has some weapons to work with in Reuben Randall and the next super star Odell Beckham Jr. That guy is a pint sized beast who will haunt the Cowboys for years. The Giants also have Rashad Jenning to worry about not to mention Larry Donnell. Dallas has to play well to beat those damn Giants. What needs to be noted was the fact that the Giants defense held San Francisco to 16 points and if Manning hadn't gotten intercepted at the goal line they had a real shot at beating the Niners. When did NY grow a defense? Very disconcerting to be sure. Next Sunday night Dallas begins the stretch run of the season against these Giants in New Jersey. It's a game Dallas needs to win in the first game of the traditional Dallas stretch run of pre Thanksgiviing, Thanksgiving and post Thanksgiving games that will tell the tale of where Dallas is going this season. It all starts in New Jersey. Got to get it done.

[eagle eye]

Dallas returned to their normal routine on Wednesday meaning Tony Romo took his usual day off. As I've said before, it's not a real day off. He participates in the walk through portion of the practice and he goes to team meetings but he just doesn't participate in drills and physical work during practice. When those times come he retires to the weight room and does his on-going rehab for his back with special attention to the area in his back where he has broken bones. The only other guy missing from practice on Wednesday was CB Tyler Patmon who has an MCL sprain.

On Thursday Romo was back in uniform and back in practice. He is a full go for their Sunday night game and I don't think there really has been any reason to believe he wouldn't. The real questions this week are whether or not DL Josh Brent will be active for the game this week and who will be the 4th CB playing this week with Patmon unavailable. As for Brent, it doesn't look like DC Rod Marinelli is ready to use Brent in a game. He did state that he's done solid work in practice but wouldn't commit to using him on Sunday night. The inference here is that he still has a way to go before he's in football shape. Brent hasn't played in an NFL game since December of 2012 and he's only practiced for a few short weeks. Jason Garrett has inferred that Brent began working out with the team over weight and in his presser yesterday he said that Brent has lost some weight but he was non-committal about Brent's game status.
As for the 4th CB Jason Garrett said Wednesday that Micah Pellerin would be given the first shot. He has been on the practice squad and he's familiar with the scheme so the Cowboys will give him a chance. If the Cowboys bring in another CB they would have to cut someone and it may be that Dallas likes the makeup of their current roster and would be hard pressed to cut anyone at this point in the season. If they elevate Pellerin to the 53 then they would have to cut someone and the best guess around Valley Ranch is that Dallas is heavy at DL and Davon Coleman may be the odd man out. Dallas likes Coleman's upside but it may be just a numbers game that would cost Coleman his job. Dallas won't make any move until Saturday which would increase the odds that Coleman, or any other player cut, would have a better chance of clearing waivers and Dallas could resign him to the practice squad.

While a lot of people are talking about how unfair the quick turnaround from the Cowboys Sunday night game to the Thursday Thanksgiving game against Philly the players are sounding a lot like their head coach. It has been a Garrett mantra since he took over the head coaching job 3-1/2 years ago that the team lives in the moment and they don't look past the current week's opponent. It's inherently unfair to Dallas to play Sunday night and they won't return until around 4:30 Monday morning. Dallas has actually scheduled a practice on Monday afternoon a 4 o'clock to begin prepping for Philly. Philly plays the 12 o'clock game on Sunday and they have, in effect, an extra day to recover from the Sunday game. The equalizer will be Philly having to travel to Dallas for the game. This isn't Dallas first rodeo on the Sunday-Thursday Thanksgiving week turnaround and they are actually sporting a 9-6 record in the last 15 years on Thanksgiving games. Garrett's message has been ingrained in the players and when asked about the week ahead they, to a man, say all they are concerned about is getting better today in their preparation for the New York Giants on Sunday night. Check out this article from DallasCowboys.com writer David Helman.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2014/11/19/cowboys%E2%80%99-players-%E2%80%9Call-in%E2%80%9D-garrett%E2%80%99s-formula-success

[eagle eye]

Dallas has the 2nd leading run game in the NFL. The Giants are 32nd in run defense. Dallas is going into the game more healthy than the Giants. Dallas is 7-3, the Giants are 3-7. In many ways the two teams are the polar opposites of one another. You what all this adds up to? A trap game. Everyone is picking Dallas to win and everyone is kicking sand in the wimpy Giants faces. Last week Dallas sat around and watched every team in the NFC East lose so without taking a snap or a hit Dallas gained a half game on everyone including moving into a tie for first place with Philadelphia. Six games to go and the way is ripe for a Dallas choke job. That's a glass-half-empty view.
The glass-half-full view is this. Dallas has a powerful run game and even if DeMarco Murray is injured (furiously knocking on wood!) they have Joe Randle to fall back on. The Giants have THE worst run defense in the NFL so you have strength against weakness here. Dallas has a formidable pass game featuring Romo and Dez and Wit. The Giants have Antonio Rogers-Cromartie and a bunch of no-names. Advantage Dallas. On the other side of the ball Dallas is as healthy as they can be going into the game missing only 4th cornerback Tyler Patmon. The front seven is pretty solid and the Giants are missing their starting right tackle. Advantage Dallas, right? Maybe but the last game Dallas failed to record a sack was the last time Dallas played the Giants who were equally O-line challenged. The secondary of the Cowboys is scary in a bad way. You just have trouble trusting them while NY throws Reuben Randall, Larry Donnell and rookie sensation Odell Beckham Jr at that iffy bunch. Advantage NY here. (Got to be honest if you're going to evaluate your chances---you don't have to like it.) Over all though Dallas is a much more talented team despite some flaws. The key will be to put pressure on Eli. I want to see that "Eli face", you know the one where he looks like he might cry, a lot in this game. Dallas does have the ability to force turnovers and they have gotten better at taking care of the ball on the offensive side. Eli always has a way to keep his team in games vs Dallas and despite the fact that Dallas should blow out this weak Giants team, I just can't believe it will happen. Division games, they are a bitch.
This is a different Dallas team. They are tougher and stronger and I believe their identity is defined by the strong O-line and active D-line. They are just different this year. After over a decade of not trusting this team to win when it counts it's hard to believe in them but I do. The question is, do they? If history repeats itself, and it usually does, Dallas will need 30 points to win the game and I believe they will do their job. Final score?

Dallas 34 NY Giants 24

[eagle eye]

I don't like to say, "I told you so.", but I really did. I said this would be a tough game and I said Dallas would need to score 30+ points to win. I missed the final score prediction by a little but it was a slugfest all night. Even the final offensive play by the Giants ended by a very physical tackle by middle linebacker Rolando McClain on Rashad Jennings. McClain's tackle stopped the Giants 4th down try for a first down by less than a yard ending the Giants threat and for all intents and purposes ended the game.

If you look at the final stats Dallas lost in every single category except 3. Rushing yards (119 to 89), Passing TDs (4 to 3), and the final score (31-28). Just looking at the time of possession NY led Dallas 35:07 to 24:53. It's a wonder that Dallas had enough time to score 31 points. It didn't look good at halftime with the Cowboys trailing by 11, 21-10 but whatever the Giants were doing right in the first half they couldn't do the same in the 2nd half. Dallas tightened up their defense and, except for the go ahead drive in the 4th quarter, they put the clamps on the G-men's offense.

Going into that last drive by the Cowboys there was a graphic that said that Tony Romo was tied with Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers with the most (26) comeback wins in the 4th quarter since 2009. Tony broke the tie last night with his 27th come from behind win throwing the winning TD pass to Dez Bryant with 61 seconds left in the game. Who says Romo chokes in the 4th qtr?

Now, it's on the Thanksgiving game at 3:00 on Thursday. This one will be for sole possession of 1st place in the NFC East.

Notes:
> Dez was Dez with 7 catches for 86 yds and 2 TDs. Cole Beasley was the big surprise here. He recorded 2 grabs for 66 yds and a nifty 45 yd catch and run for a TD helped Dallas climb to within 4 points of the Giants at the start of the 3rd qtr. Beasley has sort of disappeared since he fumbled against the Redskins a month ago but it seems that he may be out of the doghouse after last night.
> DeMarco Murray topped 100 yds rushing for the 10th time in 11 games. last night breaking Emmitt Smith's record of 9-100 yd games. Murray now has 1354 yds for the season 403 yds more than the next nearest man, Pittsburgh's La'Veon Bell with 951 yds. Pittsburgh was on their bye week this week so everyone has played the same amount of games. I think it's safe to say Murray is kicking ass running the ball this season. The next hurdle for Murray will be Emmitt's team record for rushing in a season of 1775 yds in 1995. If he keeps up his current pace by the 2nd Eagles game he should be knocking on that door.
> The only injury of note in the game was to backup safety and special teams tackles leader Jeff Heath who broke his thumb. Ironically enough it's the same injury suffered by Tyler Patmon in the Jacksonville game. Heath will need surgery to repair the thumb and it's not clear just how much time Heath will miss.
> I know if you watched the game you saw the miraculous catch by Odell Beckham in the 2nd quarter. It was beyond explanation so if you didn't see it here is a link to it. It is worth the look.

http://espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/story/_/id/11926919/new-york-giants-odell-beckham-jr-catch-deserved-more

[eagle eye]

It's a great deal. Four days off from work, pretty weather to enjoy and the promise of a great meal or two. Who's got it better than us? The only dark cloud could be a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles but I'm going to think about the ifs and buts just yet. Dallas has gotten 3 days of practice in despite arriving back in Dallas early Monday morning.

The Cowboys have had to deal with injuries to a couple of important players. S Jeff Heath who broke his thumb on Sunday night and DE/LB Jack Crawford who got his first NFL sack in London three weeks ago in London, his home town. Crawford broke his thumb too but unlike Heath who could still play he has been placed on IR and his season is over. As a special teams player and backup DB Heath could play with a cast on his hand as many DBs have done in the past. But, Crawford plays in the trenches and every play he has to use his hands to fight off offensive linemen and tight ends and he can't be effective one handed.

[eagle eye]

I didn't finish before but part of the deal with putting Jack Crawford on IR Dallas elevated LB Keith Smith up to the 53 from their practice squad. Smith is used to the yo-yo of being on the practice squad and moving up to the 53 and back again as he's done it several times this year. So far he's been active in 4 games, New York, Washington, Arizona and Jacksonville before being released and resigned to the practice squad. Now he's back up again.

There is another LB, Dakota Watson will miss this game due to a hamstring problem suffered against the Giants Sunday night. Watson was drafted by Tampa Bay in 2010 and he spent 4 years with the Bucs. In March of this year Watson signed on with Jacksonville and he played for the Jags until the day after the Jags played Dallas in London. 2 days later Dallas signed Watson when injuries at linebacker were holding the Cowboys hostage.

A question was asked why the Cowboys don't wear their throwback unis any more and it's very simple. Under the new concussion protocol by the NFL teams are required to wear the same helmet they always wear. Rather than repaint the Cowboys helmets white and install a plain star on the helmet and then having to repaint the helmets with the current star decal it was thought to be too much of a hassle. Another option would be if Dallas wore the alternate unis they wore back in the Nineties which would allow them to wear their current helmets but as yet they haven't done that. Here are a couple of pics of the blue and the white unis. The second pic features Jason Garrett who led the Cowboys to a win over Green Bay in 1994 on Thanksgiving Day. On the day Troy Aikman and 1st backup Rodney Peete were hurt and Garrett came on to have a banner day throwing for 311 yards with 2 TDs and a pick. Dallas beat Brett Favre and the Packers 42-31. It may be this game that ingrained the "next man up" philosophy so deeply in Garrett and gives him cred when he talks about being ready to play no matter where you are on the depth chart.

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQa8D6jI7Qqck42OhnM76anUjPmjKoiH 6oI7n8tmBK18gpLBi1v (http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAcQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fen.allexperts.com%2Fq%2FDallas-Cowboys-276%2F2011%2F3%2F75th-Anniversary-Patch.htm&ei=dY52VJLLDonBgwTPsIMo&psig=AFQjCNFolX1WHpdCPcTu50QwbK0NaJ4pYg&ust=1417141931942012)


https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR0aFTHi_ZOSVeLnPH23VrUQ32KuElKK fV4NuB0LTB7_BrmLPKi (http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAcQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fforums.prosportsdaily.com%2Fshowt hread.php%3F731066-What-jerseys-would-you-like-to-see-certain-teams-wear-more-often%2Fpage2&ei=Ro52VNjDO4KfNofug0A&psig=AFQjCNFolX1WHpdCPcTu50QwbK0NaJ4pYg&ust=1417141931942012)


Speaking of Thanksgiving, here's an article from the Cowboys Star magazine ranking the top 10 Thanksgiving games in Cowboys history. Not all of the games are Cowboys wins but if you were around for them, or some of them, enjoy a walk down memory lane.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2014/11/26/star-ranking-top-10-thanksgiving-day-games-dallas-cowboys-history

I am leaning toward being studiously analytic but I can't do it. It's the Eagles and the last time Dallas played them they knocked the Cowboys out of a playoff berth by beating Dallas 24-22 in Week 17 with Tony Romo already recovering from back surgery. I am NO FAN of the Eagles. For the time being they have replaced the Redskins as my LEAST favorite team and that is an understatement. So cold analytics is out of the question here. The scenario is this. Week 13 and both Dallas and Philly have 8-3 records and are tied for 1st place in the NFC East. There is a lot on the line and with another game against Philly in two weeks A LOT is on the line. You know the matchup. Shaky but effective Dallas defense against the high powered offense of the Eagles and a pounding physically punishing Dallas offense against a Philly defense that gives up a lot of points and passing yards. I would love a blowout of the hated Eagles but that's not happening. No, it will be a close game likely decided by a special teams play or by a turnover or two. I'm going Cowboys which is to say I'm going total homer here. Final score?

Dallas 33 Philadelphia 31

[eagle eye]

Happy Thanksgiving-----NOT! Yes, family and friends and good food were in abundance but when it came to the 3:30 to 6:00 time slot it just plain sucked. Nobody on either side of the ball showed up. The O-line, Ronald Leary in particular, didn't show up. Leary was worn out by Eagles DT Fletcher Cox but the rest of the O-line wasn't much better. The QB didn't show up, Romo had his worst game of the season. He was high or behind his receivers all day and his two picks on the day were a direct result of both. Terrence Williams didn't show up but that's nothing new, he hasn't shown up for a few weeks now. He could have helped out his quarterback by at least attempting to dive back to the ball that was thrown behind him but instead he just stood there and watched while the defender caught the ball. Dez Bryant showed up but he can't seem to beat single coverage and it didn't help that the refs let the Eagles defensive backs maul him without a single holding or pass interference call.
Then there was the defense. The only thing they really did was stop the Eagles from scoring touchdowns on 4 possessions to keep the game's score from becoming a total joke. They didn't maintain gap discipline and they were slow covering the plays. The defense's biggest hurdle was the face that their offense couldn't give them any relief.
There were 3 players who displayed any fire and that was S JJ Wilcox who constantly cleaned up plays missed by the front seven or his fellow DBs failed to lock down, Dwaine Harris who had his best game in a while as a kick returner (more about him in a sec.) and Jason Witten who looked like Dez Bryant yelling and carrying on on the sideline. Everybody else seemed to be in a stupor.
The refs seem to have it in for Dallas. All season they have blown calls, missed calls and even when it's reviewed like last week's forced fumble against the Giants it was clear that Rashad Jennings fumbled and it was clear Dallas had recovered the ball but the refs claimed it was inconclusive. Balderdash! Yesterday on a 3rd down pass to Dez the defender had Dez by the shoulder pads preventing him from catching the ball. Then there was play on an Eagles punt that still pisses me off. On the previous Eagles punt Eagle gunner Nolan Carroll ran down the field and actually caught the ball out of the air as if he was the return man downing the ball at the Cowboys 4. On the ensuing punt Carroll had a bead on the ball again when Dwaine Harris, not about to let him field the kick again clocked Carroll who came up angry as a wet hornet. The ball bounded into the end zone for a touchback but Harris was flagged for unnecessary roughness. WTF???!!! It was a legal hit because Harris had not called for a fair catch and it was a clean hit, Harris his him in the chest. In effect, Harris hit Carroll too hard. WTF?????!!!!! Jason Garrett said in his post game presser that he had never heard of such a thing. Me either, The call was bullshit, no ifs, ands or buts about it. The Cowboys were doomed from the start as they had to fight the Eagles, the refs and themselves and the odds were too high to overcome. It's a shame on a national stage that Dallas laid a huge egg but in the back of everyone's mind outside of Valley Ranch, who look at such things as excuses, Dallas having to play a Sunday night game and arriving back in Dallas a 4:30 in the morning was inherently unfair and I really believe they began the week at a huge disadvantage.
Now Dallas has to climb back on their horses and prepare to travel to Chicago who looked almost as inept against the Lions as Dallas did against the Eagles. We'll see how that goes because, in the grant scheme of things, I believe the game in Chicago is a must win game now. All of the games are pretty much must wins in a tight NFC race. If Dallas wants to win the NFC East and guarantee a spot in the playoff they need to win the game against Chicago and the rematch with Philly in two weeks. First off they need to put yesterday's beat down behind them.

[eagle eye]

Just in case you're wondering, today is Saturday Nov 29. But for the Cowboys it's Tuesday Nov 29. Because they are having to play another Thursday game next week they have morphed their schedule to reflect a normal work week. For example, Friday was Monday to the Cowboys which is a normal day off. They come in and do some lifting and maybe watch tape and get a run in, no big deal.
Today was Tuesday, the day they spend in the film room with their position coaches and probably a session with Jason Garrett so the coaching staff could kick them again for the big old turd sandwich they made on Thanksgiving. This was the day the coaches could point the few things the team did right and the MANY things they did wrong and what needs to be done to correct those mistakes. Honestly, I'd burn the tape and just chalk it all up to a bad day at work. It happens and the best thing you can do is forget about it as quickly as possible and move on.
One good thing you can take away from the game is Dallas didn't suffer any bad injuries Thursday. Tony Romo is fine but he will likely resume his normal practice schedule meaning Wednesday is an off day where he attends meetings and does rehab work on his back while the rest of the team practices. It's worked for him pretty well so far this year and I'll bet that routine doesn't change. Rolando McClain seemed to be favoring the knee that has been giving him problems but Jason Garrett said he was checked out yesterday and he sees no problems going forward. DL George Selvie injured his thumb in the game but apparently he didn't break it and he should be good to go as well. We WILL take small victories.
Chicago is the next game and Dallas will have to travel up there. I did a check of the weather this week and travel day (real Wednesday, Dallas Saturday) is clear and cold. Game day (Thursday----you know the drill) is cloudy with a high of 36 and a low of 34. Cold and probably windy. The Bears haven't been very good for a few weeks now and here's hoping they aren't very good for one more week at least. The Cowboys are liable to be a little salty after being embarrassed by the Eagles on turkey day. They certainly will have a little chance to catch up on their rest with normal off days. As for the Bears, they played on Thanksgiving too having been on the road getting spanked by the Lions so they won't have any extra rest either. At least that playing field will be fairly even. We'll see how things go but tomorrow will be the Cowboys first day of practice for Week 14 and we won't even notice as the rest of the NFL is playing out their Week 13. Maybe a little anonymity is just what the doctor ordered.

[eagle eye]

Dallas is in Chicago waiting to play the Bears tomorrow night. Today was a travel day, Saturday if you, will to continue an idea from a previous post, and the Cowboys have a normal week of preparation for this game tomorrow night. Now, last Thanksgiving Day's game was pretty big. After all it was for a one game lead in the division and validation that the Cowboys would not under any circumstances end up with yet another 8-8 season. Beat the Eagles and they are on top of the NFC East and have won their 9th game of the season. Did Dallas rise to the occasion? Hell no! They played like they were on prozac, sleep walking through the game. We are way past wondering the whys and what fors. Like Jason Garrett says we've got to put that game behind us and move on. But, moving on we find what could be looked upon as THE biggest game of the season. Bigger than the Seattle game. Bigger than the New Orleans game. Yes, and even bigger than that Giants game coming off their bye week. This game could define what the Cowboys really are in 2014. Are they a first half of the season flash in the pan or is this team really for real? A gen-u-wine contender like we thought we were seeing or a perpetual 8-8'er? We'll see how Dallas responds to the thrashing they got from Philly but I don't mind telling you, I'm not confident about this outcome. Not one bit.

Dallas will be without CB Tyler Patmon, S Jeff Heath and LB Dakota Watson. Demarcus Lawrence is questionable with a leg injury. Now, on the Bears side WR Alshon Jeffrey is questionable as well and he did not participate in Friday's practice. Dallas should be so lucky not to have to deal with both Jeffrey and Brandon Marshall not to mention former Cowboys TE Martellus Bennett. It looks like the Bears will be without DE Cornelius Washington, WR Chris Williams and most importantly kicker Robbie Gould who injured his quad on Thanksgiving vs the Lions.

All I can say is this, if Dallas wants any chance of getting into the playoffs and wants to avoid yet another 8-8 record they had better beat the Bears. The Bears as a team are not as good as Dallas although you could argue they may hold a slight edge in skill positions on offense their overall team is not as good as Dallas. Dallas holds their own destiny in their own hands at this point and if history tells us anything it rarely if ever pays to depend on someone else to get where you want to go. So, Dallas needs to win 4 in a row and it begins tomorrow night in Chicago, Illinois.

[eagle eye]

Here we are less than 4 hours away from kickoff. Cowboys vs Bears in Chi-town. I'm so nervous it's almost like I'M playing in the doggone game. Like I said before, this game is a MUST WIN for so many reasons. Dallas has to figure out a way to get pressure on Jay Cutler or he will carve that defense up. Then it turns into a shootout and Dallas is capable of playing a game like that but I don't want to see them forced into it. I doesn't matter than the Bear secondary stinks, guess what? The pundits said the same thing about Philly's secondary and you see what happened there. Dallas has been good about bouncing back from bad games, sometimes within the same game but I'm seriously tired of Dallas having to come from behind to win a game. Dallas defense sucks on the first two drives of a game. Hell, they even trailed Jacksonville early on. I don't want Dallas to give the Bears even a glimmer of hope in this game. I wish Jason Garrett would have a 90's flashback and let Romo pass the ball to Dez and Wit and sprinkle in a run or two and score some early TDs just the way they did when it was Aikman hitting Irvin and Novecek. Then, when they have a decent lead, just like back in the day with Emmitt, run DeMarco Murray down the Bears throats. I really hope that's the way this goes because last year they tried to run, run, run and found themselves down 17-3 at halftime and never really threatened the Bears again. It's important to use Murray but Dallas needs to score points and not field goals. TDs are the only thing worthwhile on the menu and I hope everyone from Garrett on down to the water boy wants to beat the crap out of these Bears. Damn, I think I've got to go throw up. If Dallas is aggressively attacking the Bears on offense and Tony Romo is a lot better than he was on Thanksgiving, I like the Cowboys chances. If they are not aggressive and they just want to run the ball without any TD payoff Dallas will lose by 23 again. I have no feel about this game---none. I hope the final score is----

Dallas 31 Chicago 17

[eagle eye]

Whew! I can't believe that they actually did it! And they did it like I'd hoped they would. The Cowboys went after the Bears and when they went for a 4th and 1 on their 3 possession of the game and after making that they went for another 4th down near the goal line that resulted in their first touchdown all I could say was "Hell, yeah!". Jason Garrett sent the message that Dallas was in it to win it and they took it to the Bears eventually building a 35-7 lead in the 3rd quarter. Shoot, it was 21-7 at halftime!
The only downer to the night was the way the defense sort backed off and let Chicago score several times in the 2nd half of the 3rd quarter up until, with a bit less than 2 minutes left in the game when Orlando Scandrick intercepted Jay Cutler in the end zone, Chicago made a few butts pucker up on the Dallas sideline with how quickly they scored. At one point in the 4th quarter after making the score 38-21 the Bears tried an onside kick that bounced up in the air and the Cowboys, who had their hands team on the field expecting the OSK, allowed the Bears to get the ball after Gavin Escobar flat dropped what should have been an easy catch. The Bears drove down and scored and in 1:07 they had two TDs and had narrowed a 28 point lead to 10 points with over 6 minutes left in the game. Orlando Scandrick came off the field after that 2nd TD beyond pissed. He was screaming at anyone who caught his eye. I couldn't read his lips but I'm sure he was telling his teammates that they all needed to man-up before they blew the game. Dallas blew big leads over Detroit and Green Bay last year and Scandrick was having nothing of it last night. That's why Scandrick's interception of Cutler to seal the win for Dallas was so big, he walked the walk after screaming the talk.
Romo was efficient on the night passing for 205 yards but he had 3 big TD passes. One to TE Gavin Escobar and 2 to Cole Beasley who made excellent plays to score both TDs. Even if Beasley hadn't made the extra effort to score Dallas would have pounded in the TDs with DeMarco Murray who was dominant last night. On the night Murray rushed for 179 yards on 32 carries and one TD and he added 49 yards on 9 catches for a total of 228 yards last night. Dallas gained a total of 397 total yards meaning Murray was personally responsible for 57% of the Cowboys offense. The game went just like I had hoped and was reminiscent of the Triplets in their heyday. The only thing to bitch about was Dallas almost complete inability to generate a pass rush. It's a shame but that's the one thing we all knew going into the 2014 season, and that's Dallas wouldn't have a pass rush worth spit. Through 13 games we just have to accept that. Dallas can make stops but the real onus is on the offense's ability to score points and run the ball to keep the other team's offense off the field. Right now Dallas' best defense is their good offense. The O-line rebounded well from being punked on Thanksgiving by Philly and with 10 days off until they play Philly a week from Sunday for the 2nd time in 3 weeks the line, and the rest of the team, should be in much better shape than they were after 2-1/2 days off before the 1st meeting. The main thing is Dallas responded well to the loss last Thursday and made a bit of a statement game they also got over the 8-8 hump. At 9-4 with three games remaining the Cowboys could end up 12-4 and wouldn't THAT be something for win deprived Cowboys fans?!

During an interview with NFL Channel post game crew Romo mentioned that besides the ongoing recovery from his back surgery last December and the broken transverse process bones in his back he also dealt with broken ribs. The thinking there was that his ribs were broken either in the St Louis game or the New Orleans game. He also admitted that he didn't take a pain shot in his back before the Philly game and it's the first time he hadn't taken a shot this season. He said he felt that he made a mistake not taking the shot. Hopefully, his physical woes are behind him as Dallas heads into the last quarter of the season with a win in Chicago. Like Tommy Lee Jones character in "The Fugitive" said after the case was closed, "I need some rest." I'm sure the Cowboys know exactly how he felt.

[eagle eye]

Dallas already has their win for Week 14. They punished the Bears on Thursday so we, as fans, can sit back and enjoy this Sunday without all the nervousness, angst, anticipation and excitement we feel when our team actually plays. Heck we have already been there and done that Thursday night. So, we can fire up the grill, set our fantasy football rosters, chill down our favorite beverages and enjoy the day. Let me give you one more reason to feel good. Two of our main rivals for the NFC playoffs are playing each other today and no matter who wins it helps the Cowboys! Is that sweet or what? What I'm talking about is the game between Seattle and Philadelphia in Philly. Seattle is 8-4 and currently tied with Detroit with both getting wild card berths into the playoffs if the season had ended in Week 13 with Dallas, also 8-4 on the outside looking in losing out in the tie breaker. Now, Week 14 has begun and Dallas takes the lead in the wild card race with 9 wins. So, if Philly beats Seattle then Dallas will sit in the catbird seat in the wild card race---for this week anyway. On the other side Philly is 9-3 one half game ahead of Dallas for the division lead. If Seattle wins then it drops Philly into a tie with Dallas for the NFC East setting up Dallas v Philly II next week with Dallas having extra days off heading into the game. It's rare to have a win-win situation when you watch football games but it's a good day to sit back and enjoy some football. Root for whoever you want but personally, I think I ------ crap I can't decide. Let me pop a top and think about it. It's almost kickoff and as Jim Harbaugh tells his team, "Who's got it better than us?!". Who, indeed.

[eagle eye]

Dallas may have all hands on deck when Dallas travels to Philadelphia for Sunday night's game. CB Tyler Patmon who has been out due to ankle and knee issues could begin practicing when Dallas comes in Wednesday for their regularly scheduled practice. Safety and special teams ace, Jeff Heath, who has been out with a broken thumb for the past two weeks is expected back as well. Not only that but Jason Garrett expects LB Dakoda Watson and DE DeMarcus Lawrence are both thought to be available this week as well. In an interview on the Jason Garrett Show an extended interview with Tony Romo he said he feels like he will be healthier than he's been all season. He continues to rehab his back to strengthen the muscles around the surgery area and the transverse process bones in his back that were broken against the Redskins in what seems like ages ago should be pretty close to healed. He said he's looking forward to feeling good for the last 3 weeks of the regular season as Dallas makes a push to get back into the playoffs. That is good news as in recent years the Cowboys have been anything but healthy this time of year.

Food for thought: If Dallas beats Philly Sunday night they claim 1st place in the NFC East with 2 games to play. If Dallas can get on a roll they control their own destiny and if they win out nothing can prevent them from winning the division and probably guarantee a first round bye and home game to begin the playoffs. A win in Philly in December kick started the Cowboys run of 3 Super Bowls in 4 years back in 1992. I'd say we are long overdue for something like that to happen again.

[eagle eye]

The Cowboys discussion has been less about the Eagles game than it has been about a debate over who is the team MVP in 2014, DeMarco Murray or Tony Romo. Personally to me, it comes down to the simple fact that the Cowboys would be hard pressed to succeed without either of them. Both are important but if you look at the losses it was more about Tony Romo fighting his back injury(s) and the associated pain involved. (RE: San Francisco, Washington and Philly) The other loss was with Romo out and backup Brandon Weeden being just awful. Honestly, IMO, I think the O-line as a whole should be the MVP. They have been unit that has enabled Romo and Murray to be good and for the most part they have dominated every opponent except Philadelphia and in a lot people's minds Philly dominated Dallas' O-line because they were handicapped by the fact that a whole day of prep for Philly was lost to traveling back from New York after a Sunday night game. We'll see Sunday night. I think those 5 guys have a little something to prove and they could be the difference in the game. Dallas had several 3rd and 4 or less plays on Thanksgiving they have normally been able to convert but Philadelphia was able to stop them every time. No only that but a 4th and one was stuffed in the backfield. Knowing that you can see why the 4th and 1 and 4th and goal plays Dallas converted in Chicago were so big. IMO Dallas (the O-line especially) will be looking to make a similar statement in Philly.

Today is the Cowboys first day of practice this week and I look for Romo to be taking his usual Wednesday off and I'm hoping everyone else is practicing.

Jerry Jones said today on his regular appearance on 105.1 The Fan that he would like to see the NFL expand the playoff teams by 2 going forward. This would mean either the 1st and 2nd seeds would get a bye or everyone would play the first week of playoffs. Either way, I'm against it. I don't want to see the playoffs include sub .500 teams regularly like the NBA does. The NFL doesn't need to do it. You could rightly point out that there will be a sub .500 division champ this year and I would tell you that only one time in the Super Bowl era has a sub .500 team won their division and that was 4 years a go when Seattle (7-9) division champs beat the wild card Saints (11-5) in Seattle. One time. That's why this deal with the NFC South is such a puzzle because the BEST record the division winner can have is 8-8 and that's being kind. This NFC South thing is more anomoly than reality and should be treated as such. It doesn't matter if a team has a better record as a wild card than a division winner because winning your division is the be-all end-all in the NFL. A wild card goes by the grace of Pete Rozelle who initiated the Wild Card way back in the 70's. Before wild cards it was inherently possible for an 11-5 team miss out on the playoffs because they didn't win their division. I like the division system.

Dallas had CB Tyler Patmon back in practice for the first since Nov 9 when he hurt his knee and ankle. S Jeff Heath was back at practice as well for the first time since breaking his thumb 2 weeks ago against the Giants. The only guys missing from practice were LB Dakoda Watson and DL Jeremy Mincey. Watson has a hamstring injury while Mincey missed for personal reasons. With Patmon back Dallas waived CB Micah Pellerin on Tuesday and after he cleared waivers today they resigned him to their practice squad. Tony Romo sat out his usual Wednesday practice with Jason Garrett siting that he (Romo) has done well in this routine all season and he saw no reason to change it now. LB Lavar Edwards who was on the Cowboys practice squad was placed on IR today. The Cowboys have not filled Micah Pellerin's spot on the 53 opting to leave it open in case Watson can't play this week Dallas could sign another linebacker or a pass rusher. Speaking of pass rushers, DeMarcus Lawrence was back at practice today after being inactive last week with a rib injury.

[eagle eye]

Not much going on today. Romo and Jeremy Mincey returned to practice today as expected and the only guy out was LB Dakoda Watson. As noted on the Talkin Cowboys podcast today both the Cowboys and Eagles are surprisingly healthy for this time of year. Dallas especially who has been victimized the past two seasons with an ungodly amount of injuries to deal with. I wasn't 100% correct before. DL Josh Brent was out today nursing a calf injury he suffered in practice yesterday.

The Cowboys elevated DE Kenneth Boatwright from the practice squad to the 53 man roster filling the spot vacated by CB Micah Pellerin when Dallas released him on Tuesday and resigned him Wednesday to the practice squad. Boatwright has been on the Cowboys practice squad since the beginning of the season. He was signed after DeMarcus Lawrence suffered a broken foot in training camp. Boatwright was a UFA from Southern Illinois in 2013 who was on the Seahawks practice squad all season last year.

Cowboys.com's Bryan Broaddus feels like WR Cole Beasley with again be a big factor in the game this week. He scored TDs against the Giants and Bears but what scares me about Beasley is he lost fumbles in Giants game and the Eagles game. He lost the handle on the ball in Chicago last week but fortunately he had already crossed the goal line. If Beasley is going to become more involved in the Cowboys offense he's going to have to do a better job of hanging on to the ball.

[eagle eye]

Dallas is making me more nervous than a cat in a room full of rocking chairs. Why? Because, I don't trust them. I've pinned my hopes on them before and was disappointed at the outcome. This is a different team this year is what I keep hearing people say. There's something special about this team that hasn't been evident before. Intellectually I know this but emotionally I can't help but remember recent seasons and recent letdowns. Just go back to the last 3 seasons when the last game of the season saw Dallas with a chance to win the game and earn a division title and go to the playoffs.
In 2011 Dallas travelled to New Jersey to close out the season with the New York Giants. Win the game, win the division, go to the playoffs. Simple, right? Not so much as Dallas lost to the Giants who went on to win their 2nd Super Bowl with Eli Manning at QB. Two years ago Dallas lost to the Redskins in Washington to the rookie-led RGIII team. The Redskins win and go to the playoffs, Dallas goes home. In 2013 Dallas finally had a home game to close out the season. Things were looking up, that is until Week 16. Tony Romo guts out a ruptured disc in his back suffered in the game to beat the Redskins in Washington. The Tuesday after the game Romo was on the operating table getting back surgery and we all had to pin our hopes on backup QB Kyle Orton. Orton led the Cowboys into a win-or-go-home game with Philadelphia this time around and they played the Eagles hard despite having the worst defense in team history. But, again, it was the same old song 3rd verse as Dallas ended up losing to the Eagles 24-22 causing them to lose the game, lose the division crown and finish 8-8 yet again leaving Cowboys fans frustrated one more time. You can see why I'm leery about this game coming up. Trust, I've always been told, has to earned and suddenly I find myself a native son of Missouri waiting for the Cowboys to "show me". Damn, I want to believe, I really do but it's hard when recent history tells me it's a foolhardy thing to do. I guess I'm in the quietly hopeful mode right now. Quiet on the outside but on the inside my guts are churning like a washing machine on spin cycle. This article I will link below from DallasCowboys.com's Mickey Spagnola is a good article but for the dubious hearts like mine it's a reaffirmation of the worry I have for this game. Thanks, Mick.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2014/12/12/spagnola-cowboys-must-continue-run-table-playoffs-unofficially-begin

As an addendum to Mr Spagnola's article I've included a video of the game he mentioned about Emmitt Smith's courageous performance in that 1993 season ending game against the Giants. It's was an amazing performance from a guy who had to be hurting something fierce. Enjoy.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-top-ten/09000d5d810a63f5/Top-Ten-Gutsiest-Performances-Emmitt-Smith

[eagle eye]

I have stated my fears about this game. I have told you how hard it is to trust these Cowboys. I have such trepidation that---well, you get the picture. All that said, I just have the feeling that Dallas will win the game tomorrow night. Maybe it's the positivity the guys and gals on DallasCowboys.com have shown even though Bryan Broaddus picked the Eagle to win. I think his pick is more an attempt to jinx the Eagles anyway so, good for you Brian. Maybe it's because Dallas looked so gawd-awful bad against the Eagles on Thanksgiving two weeks ago. You have the feeling there is no way they played that bad for any other reason was the scheduling snafu that had Dallas playing a Sunday NIGHT game and resultant arrival back in Dallas around 5 AM Monday morning. That means Monday was lost and the Cowboys probably didn't get a good night's sleep until Tuesday night. The team would never admit it but that looked like a tired, unmotivated team despite what was on the line at the time. There won't be any excuses this time around. Dallas got extra time to prepare and maybe more important than that they got some time to rest. The reasons Dallas didn't play well won't fly this time around. Romo will be as healthy as he's been. His words, not mine. It won't be Romo folding up like a cheap tent with nobody around because he's trying to protect his back. His back hurt on Thanksgiving and because of the quick turnaround he didn't get his usual days off prior to the game to recover from the previous week and he, by his own admission, made a mistake by not taking a pain shot in his back and thus you had a compromised QB trying to play behind a line that wasn't up to snuff either. LG Ronald Leary in particular got severely punked by Eagle DT Fletcher Cox. Leary wasn't the only one to play a bad game on the line. I could go on for pages about who didn't do what but if you're reading this you already know the ways Dallas failed in the first meeting with Philly. I just think Dallas as a whole team and coaching staff has something to prove this week and add to the mix the second opportunity to take the division lead motivation is NOT going to be a problem. I think Dallas is going to win. I just have a feeling or maybe I just want it to happen so bad. Either way, I'm all in on the Cowboys in much the same way they need to be all in against these stinking Eagles. I'm so sick of everyone going on about, 'This Chip Kelly offense' I could just about puke. Listen, the Eagles are 9-4. The exact same record as the Cowboys and 2-1/2 games off the conference leading pace set by Arizona. The way sports commentators fawn over Kelly you'd think they want to date the man. Truth is Philadelphia has lost 2 of the 4 times to the same people Dallas has lost to. Arizona and San Francisco beat both. The one common opponent was Seattle and Dallas won, Philly didn't. The reason Philly lost was they just got beat but you could argue that the reason Dallas lost was because Romo wasn't healthy or did not play. Week 1 Dallas lost to the Niners and it was clear Romo wasn't healthy. In Week 9 Romo didn't play because of broken bones in his back suffered against Washington the previous week. Dallas was in the game most of the way and if Romo had been healthy I feel like they would've beaten the Cardinals. Dallas lost to Washington largely because Romo had his back broken at the end of the first half. Truthfully, the Cowboys didn't handle the Redskins blitzes and it was continuation of the voodoo the Redskins and DC Jim Haslett has on the Cowboys. The Eagles got schooled by SCHOOLED by the Packers in Week 11 meaning Philly is 2-2 in their last 4 games, one of those being the fiasco in Dallas. Time to say what I sat down to say. Dallas wins by a final score of.............

Dallas 33 Philadelphia 24

As a final parting shot I give you a link to a video from DallasCowboys.com posted on Friday titled simply, "Fight.". It gave me goose bumps and if you don't want to strap on a helmet and hit someone somebody had better check your pulse.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/video/2014/12/12/finishthefight

[eagle eye]

Not a bad prediction, eh? 33-24 and the actual score is 38-27. Either way it was an 11 point win that Dallas really needed. Dez had a career high 3 TD catches and DeMarco Murray added another 2 TD runs and a Dan Bailey field goal rounded out the scoring. It sure was a roller coaster ride though, wasn't it? First Dallas jumps out to a 21 point lead by the middle of the 2nd quarter. Then, Philly comes back to score 10 points by halftime and another 14 to begin the 3rd quarter to take the lead. At that point I'm sure there were a lot of Dallas fans going, "Here we go again.", but after the TD that gave the Eagles the lead the Cowboys marched the length of the field responded with a TD to retake the lead and they never looked back. Dallas tacked on another TD after JJ Wilcox interception of a Marc Sanchez pass and resulting TD drive by the offense ending in Dez Bryant's 3rd TD catch of the game putting Dallas up by two scores with plenty of time left for a Philly comeback. A comeback that never happened. Dallas defense turned up the heat and stuffed the Eagles offense and held them to a lone field goal in the 4th quarter to inch closer to Dallas at 35-27. Dallas responded with a drive that resulted in the Bailey field goal to push the lead back to 11 and that was it. Ballgame. Beating the Eagles is sweet anytime but to shut that crowd up and actually caused them to boo the home team was even more sweet. Another dash of sugar when you add in the fact that Dallas now has a one game lead on Philly with two games to play and it's almost enough sweetness to send a lesser person into diabetic shock.

What this means is Dallas controls their own destiny and the win over Philly means nothing if they don't win out. If Dallas is tied with Philly at the end of the season Philly wins the tie breaker to win the division and Dallas could even miss the playoffs altogether despite an 11-5 record. If they lose both of their last two games Dallas finishes up 10-6 and is almost certain to be in line at HEB to buy some beer and popcorn to watch the playoffs at home. If Dallas wins out they would finish the season 12-4 and own at least a two seed in the playoffs and first round bye. That is sweet. For a team that wasn't expected to finish any better than 6-10 they would make the so-called experts look pretty doggone foolish. Even at 10-6 they are a surprise to a lot of people including a big chunk of their fans after fielding the worst defense in the NFL and the worst defense in Cowboys history last season.
Dallas has to take care of business this week against Indianapolis and normally I would be pretty confident they would but events transpired in Philadephia that put a damper on my confidence. First, DeMarco Murray broke the 4th metacarple bone in his left hand. That's the bone on the back of your hand behind the last knuckle on the ring finger. He had surgery on Tuesday and the Cowboys are hoping he will be able to play. Emmitt Smith played a game or two in 1999 after he broke his hand in a game against Minnesota. We'll see. The most impactful injuries may have happened to the right side of the Cowboys O-line. Doug Free left the game in the 4th quarter with an ankle injury and and Zack Martin limped through 3 quarters on a gimpy ankle. If the Cowboys have to put Mackenzy Bernadeau at guard and Jeremy Parnell at tackle it will be significant dropoff on the Cowboys right side. What you'll have in effect is the 2013 line that wasn't nearly as good at running the ball or protecting Tony Romo. IMO the loss of Zack Martin and Doug Free is worse that the loss of Murray. If you asked me who I would rather be without I would have to say Murray. For a game or two I think Joe Randle and Lance Dunbar would be okay behind the 2014 version of the Cowboys O-line. Let's keep our fingers crossed that all three will be able to go this week. We will see what today's practice tells us about their status.

[eagle eye]

Going out of town tomorrow so I've got to make this short and sweet. Dez Bryant got NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his 114 yards, 6 catch, 3 TD performance against the Eagles in prime time. Way to go Dez, keep up the good work this week a home against Indy.

Speaking of Indy. Dallas needs to win this game just as much as they needed to beat the Eagles last week. Win and they're in as is said. They can be these Colts, they can. They will have to continue to be aggressive on offense and defense and score a lot of points. No matter if Murray or Free and Martin play or not, Dallas needs to win at home. No ifs, ands, and buts. I'm drinking the Kool-Aid here and I'm say the final score will be..............

Dallas 31 Indianapolis 17

[eagle eye]

A week ago today I was sailing to Cozumel, Mexico hoping that Dallas could continue it's winning ways against the No 1 offense in the NFL. That being the Indianapolis Colts. I, like a gazillion other people, didn't see a chance in hell that Washington could beat Philly. Smart money was that the best chance of the Eagles losing one of it's final two games was going to be in Week 17 against a slightly resurgent NY Giants. Assuming that to be true, my hopes were pinned on Dallas upping their current win streak to 3 on Sunday.
Me and about 100 other fellow Cowboys fans were sitting around one of the ship's bars in front of one of 3 TVs with the Colts-Cowboys game on in delighted amazement as Dallas just opened a can of whoop-ass on a helpless Colts team. A 28 zip halftime lead and all was right with the world. What was even more delightful was the crawl on the bottom of the Fox broadcast that relayed the news that on Saturday night Washington had, in fact, beaten the Eagles by a score of 27-24! Holy crap on a cracker! By 6:30 PM CST Dallas had clinched the NFC East Division crown! Santa was very, very good to me and all Cowboys fans this year. A mere month ago after getting their clock cleaned by Philly on Thanksgiving I'll bet there weren't many outside of the Dallas locker room who saw this coming. Since the Thanksgiving Day Massacre Dallas has beaten Chicago in Chicago, Philly in Philly and Indy in Dallas. In those 3 games Dallas' offense has AVERAGED 40.3 points a game. Tony Romo has been so good during this stretch of games, a maestro of the Cowboys offense, that he is now in the conversation for NFL MVP. The Cowboys defense has really stepped up as well. Not overpowering mind you but certainly good enough to stop the other team when they need to. How long has it been since you could say something like that about the Cowboys D? The defense actually held Indianapolis to ONE YARD rushing for the entire game. Andrew Luck was pulled in the 3rd quarter for goodness sake. Not because he was hurt but because he couldn't get anything going at all. Nobody in their right mind could see a 42-7 drubbing of the Colts coming and yet there it was. SWEET!
Now, Dallas has one more game. Week 17 against the Washington Redskins. The last two times the Cowboys have played them Tony Romo needed surgery for a ruptured disc in his back and suffered broken bones in his spinal column. I hate the Redskins. Jason Garrett has said they will treat this game like any other and they will be trying to win the game. Good. Dallas needs to get some payback for the game earlier this season, one of only 4 losses so far this season. Get up early and big the way they did against the Eagles and Colts and sit Romo, Dez, Witt, and Murray. Keep the momentum going and put a cherry on top of their perfect road record in 2014. Dallas could still be in line for a 1st round bye with a win and a loss by Arizona and a tie between Detroit and Green Bay. That's to get the No 1 seed and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. The other way for a 1st round bye is more far fetched than that so, in all likelihood, Dallas will get the 3rd seed and play the loser of the Detroit-Green Bay game in the Wild Card round next week. This is the first time in a while that Dallas is truly dangerous. A high-powered run oriented offense complimented by an aggressive turnover oriented defense. I have to admit, Dallas isn't a pushover in the playoffs no matter who they face. Dallas is playing well and appear to be peaking at just the right time. We just need to toe the Jason Garrett line of one game at a time. No looking ahead. The focus is on Washington and that's where it should be but, damn, doesn't it feel good to be back in the playoffs again?

[eagle eye]

The Cowboys close their 2014 regular season campaign on a high note no matter how things go tomorrow barring some freak and devastating injury or injuries. The have won the NFC East for the first time in 5 years. It is the first time in those same 5 years that they make the playoffs. It is the first time since 1995 I personally feel some semblance of confidence that Dallas will do more than just make the playoffs.
In the past Dallas has had good seasons but there was more hope than reality in their trips to the playoffs. Maybe 2007 was the exception. Dallas offense was good and their defense was pretty good. It was Wade Phillips first season and the Cowboys were 13-3 on the season. They took Week 17 off for the most part in a rainy miserable day at the RFK Stadium in Washington losing 27-6. No matter, Dallas was poised for a Super Bowl run beginning with the 10-6 Giants who pretty much sneaked into the playoffs as a wild card. The off week Tony Romo and Jessica Simpson along with Jason Witten and his wife and then Cowboys LB Bobby Carpenter and a companion went to Cabo and enjoyed a week off. Romo and company were just following Wade Phillips suggestion to get away from football for a week. It didn't matter. The press blasted Romo for not staying in Dallas to concentrate on preparing for a team they had already played twice before. Even Troy Aikman said the perception of that trip was sending the wrong message that he wasn't taking the game as seriously as he should. After Dallas lost to the Giants 21-17 the Romo bashing began. The funny thing was I don't remember anyone at all bashing Witten and Carpenter. Nobody remembers that the run through the playoffs the Giants had winning at Tampa Bay (who were actually good then), beating Dallas in Dallas and beating Green Bay in Green Bay to get to the Super Bowl. Then, they beat an 18-0 New England Patriots team who was trying to become the first team since the 1972 Dolphins to go undefeated all the way through the Championship game. Nobody accused Jeff Garcia, Brett Favre and Tom Brady of being a slacker despite losing to those same Giants.
2009 was the next trip to the playoffs as Dallas finished the season 11-5 winning the NFC East with a win over the Eagles in Week 17. The Cowboys beat those same Eagles in the first round of the playoffs for their first playoff win since 1996. That 13 year gap in the Cowboys playoff success was short lived as Dallas lost in the divisional round of the playoffs to the Minnesota Vikings. That was Wade Phillips last taste of success in Dallas as his regime came to a crashing halt the following season when Dallas started the season 1-7 and it looked like Phillips has lost his locker room. Jason Garrett took over as interim coach and the Cowboys finished the season 6-10. Garrett was hired as the head coach the following spring and since then he has been building his team according to a plan. It speaks volumes how badly talent deficient the Cowboys were as it has taken four drafts and free agency periods to get the team where they are right now. Three frustrating losses in the season finales that robbed Dallas of a 9-7 record and three straight trips to the post season are now in the past. The Cowboys arrow is definitely pointing up. Another draft focusing on defense and a free agent signing or two and Dallas will be even better next season. But, we live in the here and now and the present tense is looking pretty good. With the Cowboys offense clicking on all gears featuring a strong ground game seems almost unstoppable. The defense, while talent deficient, is doing something Dallas defenses have not done since the mid-ninties and that's make stops when they need to. Thank you Rod Marinelli. Dallas is top 4 in NFL power rankings behind only Seattle, New England and Green Bay. Not too shabby and not undeserved. There have been times when Dallas, or certain units on the Cowboys, were overrated but not this year. This team is different. It doesn't matter what Dallas does tomorrow against Washington but I think Dallas will beat the Redskins, finish 12-4 and host a playoff game. Don't ask me why but I just do. The final score....................


Dallas 33 Washington 13

[eagle eye]

Man, it's great to be right! Dallas just put a smackdown on those Redskins and even when Pierre Garcon cheap shotted LB Kyle Wilbur on a TD play Orlando Scandrick got right in his face and said you're not doing that without paying the piper. It was borderline whether Scandrick was kicked out of the game but he wasn't and he had his team mate's back, like he should have. I had the spread at Dallas -20 but it was actually Dallas -27 and the 44-17 score was the third time in the past 4 games Dallas had scored 40+ points. In fact Dallas averaged 41.25 points per game since Thanksgiving. Talk about a team on a roll! It's not just the offense. The defense has recorded, in the games in December, 9 sacks, 12 tackles for a loss and 12 turnovers (7 INTs and 5 fumble recoveries). Yowza! The defense is getting better by the week as Tyrone Crawford is rounding into a force inside after tearing his Achilles in the 2013 training camp. JJ Wilcox is coming into his own as an NFL safety. People either forget or didn't know Wilcox only played defense his senior year of college and the past two years in the NFL. Growth takes time and Wilcox seems to finally be 'getting it'. Jeremy Mincey has really come on and is playing very well, one of the stars on defense the past month. Rookie Anthony Hitchens has played every linebacker position and has gotten better every single week. He tweaked his knee in Washington and he's day to day heading into the Detroit game this week. You can't enough about LB Rolando McClain. Since Jerry talked him out of retirement after Sean Lee was lost way back in May he's been a God-send. He's still played superior football the second half of the season despite a bad knee. A full off season to heal and train with the Cowboys staff he may be in beast mode in 2015 but he hasn't been far from that in 2014. Bruce Carter has come on and he had his best game of the season against the Redskins with 2 INTs in the game. He finished the season with the team lead in picks with 5. Orlando Scandrick has become the Cowboys best CB but in the past month Brandon Carr seems to have found his mojo and he's been really good covering opposing tight ends. Sterling Moore has become a nice 3rd CB with Tyler Patmon showing promise as a 4th CB. I'm not forgetting S Barry Church who is solid as a rock in coverage and defending the run. Hell, even DeMarcus Lawrence has been mentioned the past two weeks. Not bad for a rookie who missed a big chunk of training camp and 10 games of his rookie season. Don't give up on this kid just yet.
Okay, so I've given some love to the defense and they deserve it for a bunch of no-names. The real engine that could is Dallas O-line. Part of Jason Garrett's plan when he was named head coach 4 years ago was to rebuild the offensive line. He believes in the old adage that games are won and lost in the trenches and the O-line needed a face lift. 3 first round picks in the last four years has done just that. LT Tyron Smith came in Garrett's first draft and in year 2 he and Doug Free swapped places. Two Drafts ago Dallas selected C Travis Frederick and this year's draft saw G Zack Martin selected. LG Ronald Leary was a guy who had a 2nd round draft grade that Dallas signed 3 years ago as undrafted free agent because he has a degenerative knee condition. Seems to be working okay to me. Martin was the last piece of the puzzle and he, Frederick and Smith were all named to the Pro Bowl this year and are generally considered the best O-line in the NFL.
This and the other items I mentioned are why Dallas has a shot to make some noise in the playoffs. It all starts with Detroit Sunday afternoon around 3:30 PM. Dallas has lost some heartbreaking games to Detroit in recent years blowing big leads to snatch defeat out of the jaws of victory. So far this has been a payback year for the Cowboys avenging old debts and it would be nice to slap around the Detroit Lions this Sunday. The Lions thought they would be without Ndamukong Suh when the NFL suspended him for one game after he did a River Dance on Aaron Rodgers legs last Sunday but he appealed the suspension and it was reduced to a $700K fine. Detroit has a stout run defense but I really hope that O-line runs roughshod over Suh and company just because I think Suh is a thug and cheap shot artist.
Tomorrow is the first day of practice per the Cowboys season long routine so expect Tony to take his usual "Romo Day Off". The other guy I know won't be on the field is DT Henry Melton because he was placed on season ending IR today with a bone bruise in his knee suffered against the Redskins. To fill his roster spot Dallas signed veteran linebacker James Anderson.

[eagle eye]

There were 4 players that missed practice today,

LB Anthony Hitchens - knee
DT Nick Hayden - shoulder
OT Doug Free - Ankle
CB CJ Spillman - Groin

all missed practice. Tony Romo was back on the field after taking a "Romo Day" yesterday and LB Rolando McClain was upgraded from limited to full participation as he's been battling the flu and a knee injury. Speaking of practice, the weather was so cold and nasty in Dallas today their practice was moved indoors at the Highland Park High School indoor facility which is located near the Cowboys Valley Ranch practice facility. Must be nice to have a High School with that kind of facility.

DallasCowboys.com's Bryan Broaddus gives his scout's eye view of new linebacker James Anderson who was signed after DT Henry Melton was placed on IR for what turned out to be a broken bone just below his knee.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2014/12/31/scouting-report-new-lb-anderson-has-versatility-cowboys-value

Speaking of Henry Melton, there's a strong opinion that Melton has played his last game as a Cowboy. Melton came to Dallas fairly cheap for 2014 as he was coming off ACL surgery but beginning in 2015 he is slated to get a big pay raise if Dallas picks up the 3 year option that was part of the contract he signed this year. Melton has been a nice veteran leader for Dallas but he hasn't really played as well as the coaching staff and fans had hoped. Dallas could let him test free agent waters and if he doesn't get the deal he wants Dallas could still sign him a more doable contract. Dallas surely won't pay a lot for him when they still need to sign Dez, DeMarco and Doug and several others whose contracts are up after the 2014 season.

Here's a link to another Bryan Broaddus article about the most important matchup in this week's Wild Card game against Detroit. I haven't read it yet but if you ask me it would be how the Cowboys cover Megatron and Golden Tate. Last year they gave Megatron to Brandon Carr and it wasn't a pretty match up with Calvin Johnson pretty much punking Carr to the tune of 14 catches for 329 yards and a TD. It's incredible with a stat line like that that Megatron didn't have 3 or 4 TDs that day. I think you put Orlando Scandrick on Golden Tate who has been very good for Detroit this year and you double Johnson with a variety of coverages. It all depends on the front seven getting pressure on Matthew Stafford. Dallas' pass rush has been much better the past month and it will need to be even better Sunday. This is the playoffs baby and you've got to ramp up the intensity and bring your A game. Johnson has been nursing an ankle for the past several weeks and hopefully he's still not 100%. I vote Dallas plays nickel or dime which would allow Brandon Carr to play the Lions tight end. You don't know which TE will be on the field but usually it's either Eric Ebron or Joseph Fauria or Brandon Pettigrew. These guys pose problems for defenses when more than one of them are on the field. As I said it all starts with pressuring Stafford and containing Joique Bell and Reggie Bush. Maybe there isn't one important matchup. Maybe it's a complete team effort with each feeding off the other. Let's see what Broaddus thinks.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2015/01/01/scout%E2%80%99s-eye-most-important-matchup-defense-against-detroit-not-megatron

[eagle eye]

I have been busier than the law allows the past two weeks. I have wanted to post because, how often in the last decade has Dallas got 12-4 and made the playoffs? I wanted to be able crow about it because I have had to listen to the crap Cowboys haters have had to say while Dallas hasn't been any better than mediocre. 2014 was all the more sweet because you couldn't find many people who thought Dallas was going to be any more than a 6 win team. Expectations for the Cowboys were based on an epically bad defense in 2013 and one of the reasons for how bad Dallas D was in 2013 was an abomination of injuries. The predictions didn't take those injuries into account even though the Cowboys were almost 180 degrees more healthy compared to how they ended their 2013 season. With a top 5 offense and even a middle of the road defense and Dallas could do special things. That's exactly what happened in 2014. Not only that but the addition of G Zack Martin Dallas became a fieresome running team. Enough so that DeMarco Murray ended up the NFL rushing leader by more than 250 yards.
I was so proud of Jason Garrett for being true to his word and playing balls out against the Redskins to end their season. They beat the Redskins and maintained the serious momentum going into the post season. The NFL tried to stack the deck by reducing a much deserved suspension of Ndumakong Suh to a $70K fine. The why of that is still being discussed. If Suh wasn't "guilty" of stomping on Aaron Rodgers legs, twice, then why the big fine? That whole deal had the stink of the NFL trying to even the playing field for the Lions. I'm just saying. But, despite everything, Dallas prevailed despite a controversy over a non-call of pass interference on LB Anthony Hitchens that I won't discuss right now and now they will head to Green Bay for the first playoff game between Dallas and Green Bay at Lambeau Field since the 1967 Ice Bowl won by the Packers. Dallas will be underdogs but make no mistake, Dallas can win that game. With the strength of the team centered around the run game and the roll the defense has been on since Thanksgiving it's not inconceivable to believe Dallas has a real shot at winning this game. The roll Dallas has been on is reminiscent of the type of roll teams like the Giants and Ravens got on in winning Super Bowls this past decade. I know that Dallas' road to Super Bowl XLIX isn't going to be easy. If Dallas can beat the Packers then they will likely have to go to Seattle again and the Seahawks have been on a roll of their own. However, I really don't care what road they have to travel to Phoenix because I'm just freaking happy they are on the road. Period. As for Super Bowl XLIX? The last time Dallas went to a Super Bowl was after the 1995 season in ---- wait for it----Phoenix. I'm just saying. I'm thinking of the Beatle's Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, "It was 20 years ago today......".

[eagle eye]

Rolando McClain has been battling one thing or another for half the season and it's no different in the post season. McClain came out of the game against the Lions in the second half suffering from symptoms of concussion. Jason Garrett also said that he got a bit of a neck stinger as well. McClain will have to go through the NFL concussion protocols to be cleared to practice for this week's game in Green Bay. NFL.com is reporting that he probably won't be able to practice until Friday and the earliest. The good thing here is rookie Anthony Hitchens has become a good player as the season has progressed and he was able to play last Sunday despite an ankle sprain that was classified as a mild high ankle sprain.

The Cowboys will practice today and everyone except McClain and QB Tony Romo look to be practicing although some players may be limited. Romo will probably be taking his usual "Romo day off" as has been his routine this season and should be back on the practice field Thursday.

Anyone notice how good LB Bruce Carter has been playing. Same goes for DE Anthony Spencer. Carter leads the team in INTs for the season and most came in December. The linebacker position looks like it is a real strength especially for next season when Sean Lee and Justin Durant are able to come back. The only question is how in the world is Dallas going to sign all it's free agents. Nevermind. We can worry about that later. Right now it's important for Rolando McClain, Anthony Hitchens and Bruce Carter to be as healthy as possible heading to Lambeau this week.

Did anyone hear about what happened to DT Tyrone Crawford? Last Saturday the Cowboys ate lobster and Tyrone Crawford, being a big guy, at a few lobsters. Unfortunately, he found out he was alergic to them after the fact. His tongue and neck swelled up and he was in a bad way for a while. By game time Sunday he was doing better but his neck was still swollen and he was still having a little difficulty breathing. The trainers were talking about whether or not he would play in the game and Crawford nipped that discussion in the bud declaring that he was, in fact, playing. He did and he didn't do badly despite not being able to breathe right. That, my friends, is dedication.

On the game winning pass to Terrence Williams QB Tony Romo was tackled by Lions DL Ziggy Ansuh just as he released the pass. Romo never saw the pass completed but the crowd told him all he needed to know, their roar letting him know the Cowboys had their first lead of the game with 2:32 left in the game. Lying prone, face down on the turf Romo celebrated by pounding the ground with both hands. Well it seems that move has become a phenomenon. Here's a link to a slide show from DallasCowboys.com of employees and fans at Valley Ranch and AT&T Stadium participating in Romo-ing.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/galleries/2015/01/06/romoing#264371

I looked at my phone weather app today and one of the cities I've been tracking is Green Bay, for obvious reasons. At the end of the game last Sunday I checked the temperature in Wisconsin and at 6:30-ish the temp was -4. That's degrees fahrenheit not celcius. Fortunately, this week after a cold front passes through Green Bay on Thursday it will warm up some and the weather should be clear to partly cloudy on Sunday. Another good thing is the kickoff time is 12:00 noon so the game will be in the warmest part of the day which is forecast with a high temp of 23 degrees F. Make no mistake, that's pretty cold but on a sunny day that's not that bad for players as long as the wind isn't blowing. It seems like the chips are falling in Dallas favor doesn't it? Now, the Packers will benefit too but bitterly cold below zero weather sucks and it looks like the Cowboys won't be hampered much at all because of cold weather. Heck, I'll bet they are practicing today in Dallas outside and the temp there right now is 37 deg F with a wind chill of 28. The Cowboys will be ready for the cold in Green Bay and it looks like the flu that hit the team the past couple of weeks is finally phasing out. It sure looks like the ducks are getting lined up in the Cowboys favor.

[eagle eye]

The Cowboys lost a man who was one of the mainstays of the orginal Doomsday Defense when defensive tackle Jethro Pugh passed away of natural causes at the age of 70 yesterday. Pugh and his linemates, Bob Lilly, George Andre and Willie Townes who was later replaced for Larry Cole were the crux of Tom Landry's famed "flex" defense of the 60's and 70's. Pugh was a regular starter at defensive tackle for 12 consecutive years and is sixth on the club’s all-time sack chart, finishing his Cowboys career with 95.5. He led the club in sacks for five consecutive seasons (1968-72). Pugh played in all 5 Super Bowl teams in the 1970's winning two rings. His most infamous play was probably the quarterback sneak by Green Bay QB Bart Starr with 15 seconds left in the 1967 NFL Championship game. Packers guard Jerry Kramer got low and cut Pugh's legs out from under him on the icy field and Starr dove over Kramer's back for the winning score.

Speaking of the "Ice Bowl" here is a link to some rare photos of the game that comes from DallasCowboys.com.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/throwback-thursday

[eagle eye]

The last injury report before the one issued Sunday morning that has to say who's in and who's out that was released Friday afternoon has the Cowboys with some good news and some bad news. Overall though the Cowboys are pretty healthy for a team about to play their 18th game of the 2014 season.

First the bad:
> Doug Free is not going to play this week. Hopefully, his ankle injury will respond and he can make it back into the lineup after this week's game with the Packers.
> DT Terrell McClain will miss this week's game after suffering a sprained ankle last week against Detroit.
> LB Anthony Hitchens suffered a set back of his ankle injury last week against Detroit and he hasn't practiced all week and his availability is officially listed as questionable. Hitchens actually injured his ankle in Week 17 against the Redskins and he was listed as questionable last week going into the Detroit game. He was able play 33 snaps and he was needed after Rolando McClain went out of the game with and injury but I'll talk about that later. The hope is Hitchens will be available Sunday as the Cowboys will likely need him.

The good news:
> Rolando McClain has been cleared under the NFL concussion protocol and will be in the lineup Sunday. Now, the interesting thing is that during the game last Sunday he went out and the Fox sideline reporter said he was out due to an illness. Later in the game the report changed to a neck injury. Now, on Monday after the game it was announced that he was going through the NFL concussion protocol. It was all sort of crazy and it looked like the Cowboys were trying to hide the concussion issue. At any rate, the protocols were followed and McClain is available. That is a good thing.
> DE Jeremy Mincey got his bell rung in the Lions game as well and he had to go through the NFL concussion hoopla this week along with Rolando McClain and like McClain he has passed the concussion protocols and he will be able to play. McClain and Mincey are both important pieces to the Cowboys defensive puzzle and it's nothing but a good thing that they will be available.
> LB Anthony Hitchens suffered a set back for his ankle injury last week against Detroit and he hasn't practiced all week and his availability is officially listed as questionable. Hitchens actually injured his ankle in Week 17 against the Redskins and he was listed as questionable last week going into the Detroit game. He was able play 33 snaps and he was needed after Rolando McClain went out of the game with and injury but I'll talk about that latter. The hope is Hitchens will be available Sunday as the Cowboys will likely need him.

Now I know that officially McClain and Mincey are both listed as questionable but according to the writers on DallasCowboys.com both will be playing while the other 2 players listed as questionable, Terrell McClain won't be playing and Anthony Hitchens is truly questionable and likely a game time decision.

With Terrell McClain likely out this week and only 3 healthy D-tackles, Tyrone Crawford, Nick Haden and Josh Brent, who returned to practice this week, the Cowboys have activated DT Ken Bishop from the practice squad. It will be the first time since the Seattle game early in the season Bishop has been active. To make room for Bishop on the 53 the Cowboys have cut DB Jakar Hamilton. With the emergence of Sterling Moore, Tyler Patmon and CJ Spillman over the course of the season it made Hamilton expendable. If Hamilton clears waivers Dallas can resign him to the practice squad or at very least I believe the Cowboys could sign him to a futures contract.

Want to see some rather cool Cowboys video? Try this link to the article from DallasCowboys.com that has the 8 different "Finish the Fight" videos produced over the last couple of weeks. My favorite is the one I posted here prior to the Redskins game. I still get chills when I see that one. There is also a video by Michael Irvin that was shown in the stadium prior to the Lions game that would have inspired me to jump up and cheer for the Cowboys. There's also a video made and taken from DallasMavericks.com of Mavs players showing support for the Cowboys.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2015/01/09/experience-all-seven-hype-videos-during-cowboys-%E2%80%9Cfinish-fight%E2%80%9D-series

Now comes prediction time. It's still hard to just be confident that the Cowboys will go into this game in Green Bay, Wisconsin and say Dallas will win. That's my hope, that's my wish and it's a real possibility that Dallas can go out in the cold weather and beat a team that is undefeated at home. Having this knowledge that Dallas isn't going to be walked all over is pretty darn good. It's certainly been a while since Dallas was considered a factor in the playoffs and this is also a pretty darn good thing. However after 20 years of high hopes followed by disappointment it also seems pretty surreal.
I can't help but look at this team as a team of destiny. From the beginning of training camp when everyone on the team was issued a T-shirt with the simple message FIGHT. on it to the speech at the Cowboys kickoff luncheon just prior to the season that was featured in the recent "FighttheFight" video that featured Jerry Jones talking about the Cowboys having their backs against the wall, both the team in general and players specifically, to the six game winning streak following the opening night loss to San Francisco to the magnificent December run after getting smashed on Thanksgiving. Dallas didn't just get into the playoffs they bullied their way in and kicked everyone's ass that stood in their way. I still remember Jason Garrett's post game locker room speech where he told his team to enjoy this win because it was special and they earned it but, "...at midnight tonight give this (NFC division champion) hat to somebody. Give it to your wife, give it to your kid, give it to your mom, give it to your dad, give it to somebody because, as good as this is..." and he paused for dramatic effect and finished his thought in a soft spoken tone that perfectly gave the dramatic effect he intended, "I think we have our sights set a little bit higher than this." I have to admit, I got chills writing this quote. The post Lions game presser with Garrett when he said the questions were focused on the wrong thing in reference to the PI non-call. We need to be talking about how well the team played and how we persevered. It was a sharp rebuke that let the media present know they weren't there to discuss the refs, they were there to talk about the game and the Cowboys, period.
The day-to-day, play-to-play focus of the Cowboys is what has made them special. The "Us against the world" mentality has never, in my lifetime, been embodied so thoroughly by any team in any sport. This is a wonderful story that would be a crying shame if it ends in anything less than a Lombardi Trophy presentation to Jerry Jones and Jason Garrett in Phoenix, Arizona on February 1st. We all know that stories don't always have a happy ending. This is, after all, the real world. All I can say about tomorrow's game is that Dallas has more than a good enough team to beat the Packers and that is all you can ask for. The weather will be cold but not frigid. It certainly won't be a repeat of the 1967 NFL Championship "Ice Bowl" that was played in -15 deg F. Tomorrow's forecast is now a cloudy and 21 degrees day out which IMO benefits the Cowboys. It will be played in the early afternoon which means it's being played in the heat of the day which benefits both teams. The NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers will be playing on a torn calf which benefits the Cowboys but I'm sure Dallas won't be counting on Rodgers being a sitting duck and certainly he will be dangerous regardless. This is a benefit to Dallas with appropriate caution. Dallas will have key defensive players in the lineup and possibly a 3rd which benefits Dallas. Last but not least Dallas has the best O-line in football to lean on. I can't fathom Dallas losing this game but I'm nervous as can be anyway. I want Dallas to win so bad I can barely stand it but, as the Rolling Stones pointed out over forty years ago, "You Can't Always Get What You Want" but you know even the Stones knew, "...if you try sometimes you get what you need.". That's why I'm not making a prediction about this game. Cll me gutless or chicken or whatever but I just can't. I want this too much for so many reasons. I must have been asked 50 times this past week, "What do you think about the Cowboys this Sunday?" and my only answer has been, "Dallas can win this game. They stand a real good chance of beating the Packers." That was it. That's as far as I would go and that's as far as I'm going here. Dallas can win this game. Circumstances seem to be pointing to a Cowboys upset win over the Packers. Do you realize that if Carolina can pull off the upset today in Seattle and Dallas can win in Green Bay tomorrow Dallas will host the NFC Championship game? Of course whatever happens in Seattle today won't mean squat if Dallas doesn't take care of business so I'll be in front of my TV tomorrow dying on every play knowing.......

Dallas has the real ability to win and I hope like heck they do.

[eagle eye]

The 2014 Cowboys season is over. It may not have ended with any different result if Dez Bryant's catch was not overturned but it would have been nice if fans could have seen what would have transpired. First and goal on the one with 4+ minutes left in the game probably would have resulted in a TD but if it didn't I could live with that result a lot more than what happened. Conspiracy theorists could point to the over the top coverage of how the refs blew the pass interference call in the Detroit game and the fact that the Cowboys never got the benefit of a call that mattered in the game. Forget the Bullshit excuse by the head of the referees Dean Blandino about why it was ruled not a catch, what about two separate non-calls on the Packers for hitting Tony Romo late and at the knees. That's the Tom Brady rule people. You're not legally able to go for a QB's knees and the fact both hits were late where were the refs on those plays? What about the offensive pass interference on a Packers receiver who held Orlando Scandrick enabling Randall Cobb to catch a 3rd and long pass for a first down on the drive where Green Bay took the lead. What the hell happened to the replay of the pass to Cobb in the first half that obviously hit the ground prior to the catch. That play was reviewed and NOT overturned. WTF, man? Dallas did get the benefit of call of the cheap shot a Packers lineman put on Nick Haden that resulted in a big bru-ha-ha but it didn't really hurt Green Bay it just pushed them back a little bit. The Packers would still score on the drive so instead of first and goal at the seven the Packers had first and goal at the 22. Big freaking whoop. This loss hurts because in the end the refs decided the outcome instead of the players. Like I said, if the catch holds up and Dallas scored a TD there's still roughly 4 minutes left in the game. Hell, the Packers may have scored and Dallas may have had enough time left to try to win the game. Even if they came up short and lost it would be an easier pill to swallow that the one we were left with. I am now officially rooting for the AFC team to win. Frankly, I'd like to see Tom Brady get his fourth ring but if it's Indy so be it. Dallas didn't deserve to be screwed like that--no team deserves to get screwed like that. And, No, it's not the same as the non-interference call against Detroit. Not even close and everyone except the trolls and the haters know it is not the same.

Jason Garrett was right about having opportunities to win outside of the non-catch. Right at the end of the first half Dallas failed to score and then they allowed the Packers to march down the field and kick a field goal just before halftime. Folks, that's a six point swing and Dallas lost by five. If Dallas kicks that field goal and the half ends 17-7 it would have been a lot better than the 14-10 score that turned out to be how the half ended. DeMarco Murray's fumble was a killer. Murray likely would not have scored on the play but it would have put Dallas deep in Packers territory so if you count those 3 points minimum and erase the 3 points Green Bay got as a result of the fumble that's another 6 point swing, 12 altogether in a five point loss. The fact that James Hanna failed to recover a Randall Cobb fumbled punt and there's another 3 minimum. So, that's the offense and special teams groups that left points on the field but the defense tackled as bad in the second half and they tackled well in the first half. Dallas just plain sucked at tackling and it cost them dearly in terms of getting off the field when they had the Packers in 3rd and long situations.

The rest of this winter is going to be long and cold, I can tell you that right now. Shoot, it's taken me 4 days to even feel like posting about the game.

It's not much consolation now but Dallas did have a really remarkable year. 12-4 when nobody gave Dallas a snowball's chance in hell of winning more than 6 games prior to the season is way above and beyond what fans could have expected. Having Dallas roll through September and October with a six game winning steak that saw DeMarco Murray win the Fed-Ex Offensive Player of the Week award 6 out of the first 8 weeks AND set an NFL record for the most consecutive 100 yard games rushing to begin the season with 8. Murray won the NFL rushing title with a total of 1,845 yards which was 484 yards more than the 2nd place rusher, Le'Veon Bell. He was named the Pro Football Writer's Association as the NFL Offensive Player of the Year. Tony Romo finished the season as the No 1 ranked passer in QBR, completion percentage and 2nd in TD passes as well as several other categories. In the Divisional Playoff game Romo went 15-19 for 191 yards and 2 TDs and no picks. His completion percentage of 78.4 was phenomenal. The final pass to Dez Bryant would have made him 16-19 for 222 yards but, again, he wasn't. The pass Romo threw to Dez on THE PLAY was described as the finest throw Romo has made in his career. His final QBR in the Packer game of 143.6 is an NFL record. Dez led the NFL in TD receptions with 16. DeMarco led the NFL with 13 rushing TD's. Dallas' defense actually played well for the most part it's just a shame what may have been their worst game of 2014 against the Packers.

There is a lot of bright light at the end of this season's tunnel. The Cowboys have a bunch of work for Jerry Jones to do to sign a number of coaches and players whose contracts expired this season but the core of the team is sound and they will only get better. It's sad to see the season end especially the way it did but there is a lot of hope for the coming seasons. That's more than a lot of teams can hope for and that's a good thing. Dallas will be in serious conversations this off season right up until the beginning of the 2015 about legit contenders for a Super Bowl next year. The truth is, 31 teams end their season sad. Only one team is happy at the end so short of winning it all this year Dallas was bound to be sad at some point. The Cowboys arrow is definitely pointing up and for beleaguered fans that's all we can ask.

[LUSportsFan]

Agree with every thing you are saying.

Someone give me the definition of "a football move". I had the game dvr'd and ran the Dez play back several times. I counted at least three steps going forward after the reception before he reached out for the goal line. I guess I don't understand what constitutes a catch anymore.

I guess the game has left me behind. I've been watching the Cowboys since the Eddie LeBaron and then Dandy Don days. Johnny Unitas was my hero before the Cowboys. :) It was a lot less complicated back then. A catch was a catch. A fumble was a fumble. A hit was a hit.

[eagle eye]

Agree with every thing you are saying.

Someone give me the definition of "a football move". I had the game dvr'd and ran the Dez play back several times. I counted at least three steps going forward after the reception before he reached out for the goal line. I guess I don't understand what constitutes a catch anymore.

I guess the game has left me behind. I've been watching the Cowboys since the Eddie LeBaron and then Dandy Don days. Johnny Unitas was my hero before the Cowboys. :) It was a lot less complicated back then. A catch was a catch. A fumble was a fumble. A hit was a hit.


Amen, brother, amen.