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NFL Decision '08: Are Cowboys ready for their close-up?
by FOXSports.com
Cowboys can handle spotlight
By Randy Hill Special to FOXSports.com With Michael Irvin leading the charge, the White House edition of the Cowboys rolled to three Super Bowl championships. And it's a safe bet to imagine the alleged off-field distractions of Tony Romo are no match for what qualified as recreation for "Dandy" Don Meredith. While the 2008 Dallas team may not reach the levels achieved by teams with Irvin and Meredith in starring roles, they do possess an important variable. That variable, of course, is talent. Before adding Adam "Make It Rain" Jones, Zach Thomas and two first-round rookies with considerable game, the Cowboys were loaded. Eleven players on last season's roster were named to the NFC's Pro Bowl team. My drumbeat for why this year's team won't turn into a re-creation of the Donner Party has a lot to do with the concept of winning. Winning has a way of salving any personal wounds or knucklehead behavior that could wreck team morale. While being aware that Wade Phillips is not exactly Tom Landry, Jimmy Johnson or maybe even Barry Switzer on the whip-crakin' scale, our next emphasis is on the glory of second (or third or fourth) chances. For example, Terrell Owens has become a relative Boy Scout (even before assisting the guy who was gunned down by a car in L.A.) because one more act of supreme ego could leave him begging for a spot on "Dancing With the Stars." He also is quite happy that Romo — with few options on the outside — is eager to throw him the ball. Romo has Jessica Simpson (the last I checked) as a hedge against any T.O.-generated insinuations about his sexual preference. Anyway, Tank Johnson has been quiet in Texas, where any connection to firearms is no big deal. Assuming Adam Jones is reinstated, the once highly-regarded corner could give Dallas quite a weapon in the return game, while putting the Cowboys in good shape against three-receiver sets. If Jones fulfills the prophecy of strip-club recidivism, the Cowboys can bounce him without sacrificing much in coverage insurance. For Jones, it's time to grow up or start looking a job that doesn't pay nearly as well. The Cowboys really don't need him. When that bad wheel is mended, Terence Newman lines up as one the NFC's top corners. Anthony Henry, who has been getting a look at safety, is no slouch on the opposite side and rookie Michael Jenkins wasn't taken in the first round to be an observer. So, while many of you are hoping the Cowboys prove to be exquisitely combustible, don't hold your breath waiting for that implosion. Then again, if someone chirps inappropriately in front of the HBO cameras, all bets are off. |
Spotlight will be too bright
By Peter Schrager Special to FOXSports.com Jeff Pearlman's latest book, 'Boys Will Be Boys, is a behind-the-scenes tell-all on the early 1990s Dallas Cowboys. Strippers, rampant drug abuse, Charles Haley and his mind-boggling pre-and-postgame locker room antics — the list of "distractions" surrounding the Jimmy Johnson-era Cowboys was truly neverending. From the tales of "The White House" to charity basketball games gone horribly awry, it'd be a gross understatement to say those teams had stuff other than football going on. The Michael Irvin stories alone could rival the rowdiest of college fraternity reunion roasts. Yet, despite all the extracurricular activity and utter chaos around them, those teams won three Super Bowls in four years. They did so with two different head coaches, a variety of different offensive and defensive coordinators, and a revolving door of faces contributing at key positions. Those squads make this year's Cowboys team look like choirboys. But, whereas those early '90s Cowboys teams overcame off-the-field distractions and scandalous pasts to reign victorious, I'm not 100% confident the 2008 version will. Those early '90s squads kept their stuff behind closed doors. They were America's Team, but America knew nothing about them. This Cowboys team? They're a reality TV show. And sadly, that's not even an exaggeration. On top of having HBO cameras follow them around for the next month for "Hard Knocks," the Jessica and Tony subplot lingers, the Pac Man situation has "Skip Bayless 6-month rant" written all over it, and there's what's more or less a lame-duck coach calling the shots with his $4 million-a-year heir apparent still standing on the sidelines, waiting in the wings. That lame duck coach, of course, has never won an NFL playoff game. Oh, and then there's that Terrell Owens fellow. You might have heard of him. This isn't an "experiment." It's a Hollywood blockbuster, with the potential to spin completely out of control. Last year, the 'Boys kept it tight and dominated the NFC well into December. Then, without much notice, it all came crashing down. The Washington and Philadelphia regular season losses were bad; the eventual Giants defeat was devastating. Granted, this may be the Summer of Favre, but once games begin all eyes will be on Big D. Dallas is as talented a team in the NFL. No one doubts that. But they also haven't won a playoff game in 12 years. They'll be reminded of that every step of the way. And with even more media attention, and even more pressure on them than last year, things won't be any easier. The 2008 Dallas Cowboys have nothing to do with a high school science class. Experiment, they are not. What they are, however, is a 53-man roster filled with loads of talent and personality. One with bright lights and media scrutiny following them every step of the way. They may very well win Super Bowl XLIII. They're just going to have to overcome more non-football related mayhem than the other 31 teams in the league to do so. Whether they're prepared to do just that is the question. And quite frankly ... I'm not exactly sold that they are. |
Member Comments
The Boys will dominate. Anyone who does not think so is delusional. There is no other team in the NFL that is stacked with more talent -- there is no other team in the NFL with their size and speed. If Romo can play smart, there is no stopping them - especially with Barber and the new rookie Felix Jones taking part of the load off. Cowboys will go set the record that the Pats wanted so bad last year --
fatcat709/1/2008 22:19:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
******BS WIRE FANTASY NEWS SERVICE******<br /><br />Dallas, TX., August 28, 2008:<br /><br />Reliable sources close to Jerry Jones disclose that he has sold the team to Paromount Studios who will be changeing the team back to a T. V. series, "Dallas" again. Jones was quoted as saying, 'it just seemed to be a natural fit, and I get to play myself on the show, so that was the deal maker'. So America's team has made the transition from the house of drama to your T. V. sets again. Be sure to watch every Thurday night at 7:00 pm if ya want to see Dallas in prime time.<br /><br />Team sources say once the players forgot they were football stars and started thinking they were just STARS, it was over. 'Besides', one source said,' that the only reason for the hole in the roof was so all of their heads could fit in the stadium at once. But we have a big studio and we think we can cram them and their egos in'. This reporter has also noticed their fans dont lack humility either, and even the best of them are as obnoxious as the rain, man.<br /><br />Good luck, getting your head in the new stadium Rainman...<br />your so.....special.....was that your short bus that just left?<br /><br />GGM cub reporter for BS WIRE FANTASY NEWS SERVICE out
Gris_Gris_Man8/28/2008 10:32:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
coolslayer , obviously you know that the cowboys are a better team right now over your 49ers because your the only 49er fan I see trying to get in on Dallas Cowboys football conversations
DALLASDOMINATION8/25/2008 17:15:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Here's hoping the Cowboys go 0-16, the locker oom erupts into chaos, and they all turn on each other...<br /><br />The Klown Times<br />www.theklowntimes.net<br />The Sports Site for the Fans BY THE FANS
sburks068/25/2008 11:14:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
You can't say hose? Good thing Imus doesn't comment on here.
ThePigsticker8/24/2008 17:41:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
The great "Cocain" Cowboys won 2 superbowls in the 70's and the 90's Cowboys won 3 while running drugs and ho's in and out of their "white house". Let 'em be bad and let win.
ThePigsticker8/24/2008 17:39:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Anyone who has been watching Hard Knocks on HBO (Dallas Training Camp) knows the Cowboys look good. Only problem is Pacman seems to be behind in his game. He is not doing good. However he should come around. Otherwise the Cowboys look good.
8/21/2008 6:11:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
chargers 1234 I know you'r not running your mouth talking about choking. The pats had there ****-S down your throat back to back years buddy. So suck on that.
sancho648/20/2008 11:15:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Dallas will choke... America's team? What a joke.
tennesseeyankeefan8/13/2008 19:11:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
coolslayer - I am not predicting the Cowboys will win the SB, but if you think the 9'rs will win more than 7 games you must be high.
Astroal8/13/2008 14:03:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Another year of watching America's Trash underachieve. T.O. will be crying once again. The Bad News Boys will not make the playoff's. I hope Jerry Jones is down on the field during the games......I love to see him give his input.
SundayDrivers8/12/2008 7:48:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Cowgirls will choke again... Wade may get a first playoff win, but the girls are too into themselves.. All EGOS, no action... I say they choke under the spotlights, and I can't wait for the Eagles to ring their dinner bell.. DALASS CHOKES ONCE MORE... This is not your team like in the 90's, those were real playa's not egomaniacs!!!!!!
baileyboy8/12/2008 0:26:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
dallas is the greatest team ever. they will not only win the super bowl, they will go underfeated. <br /><br />I'd like to share it with the cute-b o o b s hotties who also like sports I met at 18+ wealthy dating club ---ME E T R I CH. C OM, where the hot guys and sexy girls and models hook up for Hot Love, Flirt and Sexy Dating!
kentt28/11/2008 12:46:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Rex Grossman has never won a playoff game. The Bears have won playoff games in spite of him being on the field.
jiggaman20051988/11/2008 9:14:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
soneearth,<br />NEVER paste any of my comments again,you sick pervert!!!Leave the sick dating on the sick dating sites,loser!!!!
KerryKing138/11/2008 1:37:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
There is nothing wrong with a person who supports their team, but when you are not being realistic in your views then you begin to sound like a bunch of idiots. Half of you are nothing but Cowboy haters. You all know good and damn well they have a good team but don't want to admit it because you are afraid you might lose to them this year. The Boys are my team but I can speak on them realistically. They have not won in the Post Season for many years, but this year will be different. Every team in the league has gone through a time when they have not had a winning season or have not made the playoffs. To you Giant fans, congrats on your Superbowl win, but that will not happen this year. You have a good team but you will be second in the NFC East and the untimate would be for the Boys and the Giants to meet in the NFC Championship game to end all this talk.
lewis728/10/2008 21:24:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
4 good teams in the NFC East, most likely means they are going to beat themselves up resulting in the division winner having to travel.<br /><br />So the "Jints" are not thinking Super Bowl again? What a laugh. All good teams have that in their back of their minds, but first they have to reach the playoffs and then win, something the Cowboys have not done in a number of years. Regardless, it seems to me that it's more the national sports writers that are talking about the Cowboys being the SB favorites versus the actual Cowboy players. Was at Oxnard for a couple of days and the players looked focused, relaxed and confident they all stressed that they needed to take each game at a time. It's the national media that feeds the hype that the Cowboys have too many ego problems. Maybe the national media should check their egos and get the facts straight.<br /><br />Talent wise the Cowboys are good, BUT they still need to go out and win.....<br /><br />Go Cowboys!!!!!!
Nuke_em_Boys8/10/2008 21:16:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
They won't go undefeated if that's what your asking, that doesn't mean they won't dominate. They'll be 13-3 type of team and there's nothing wrong with that. But if they think they're gonna just walk through the NFC...they're mistaken. I'm counting down the days to the Thanksgiving game vs. us. Will be fun to watch. The only thing that makes me question the Cowboys is Tony "No No", yea that's what I call him, since he gets all this hype and even Rex Grossman has won a playoff game.<br /><br />GO HAWKS...see in you in November!
HASSELBECKfan8/10/2008 16:20:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
doomsday ur giving ur nfc east a little too much credit for being the toughest division in football. the giants are the first team to win the super bowl in that division since wat the 1995 cowboys? give me a break just kas those team are good in the nfc doesnt mean anyting thing at all.do not say the colts arnt better then u kas they are. when was the last time those 2 teams played? along time ago i believe ur team would be 12-4 if u played the colts las year. and SD has way more talent and power then the cowgirls. SD actually puts up good fight against the best team ever to play foorball which is the pats right now. 21-12 or wat was it 49 to 21? u guys got embarresed last year kas the nfc is sissy. ill give it too u though marrior barber and D-ware are the only tohugh players on that team. druggie wide reciever and a qb that rather vacation then prepare for a playoff game he has never 1.
Chargers12348/10/2008 15:10:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
THE COWBOYS SHOULD DOMINATE IN THE NFC ALTHOUGH I DOUBT THEY WILL WIN IT ALL. MAYBE A NEW ENGLAND TYPE MELTDOWN.
86raidervettego8/10/2008 11:09:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
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