I've been a Cowboys fan since the Danny White days, as I was a bit too young to remember Roger, and grew up in Central New York where at the time there wasn't much loyalty to NY teams because they were pretty bland.
The Cowboys were different... they had nicer uniforms- the helmet is what made me a fan- and they played a fun and explosive style of football with interesting and innovative formations and with players of Hall of Fame quality- and we know who they are so I won't name them to save space.
The thing with the Cowboys that was inspiring to me as a kid- the ability to come back from deficits and pull out miraculous victories so often compared to other squads I watched- the Richard Todd led NY Jets, The boring Giants, the inept Bills.
Year after year the Cowboys would compete for the highest stakes possible and fall short. It was the loss to Montana's 'Niners in the NFC title game that broke my heart, but completely resolved my love for the Dallas Cowboys at the age of 11.
As I grew older the Cowboys began flail on the field as the talent level of other teams grew more even and age began to creep in on the team. While the Cowboys remained competitive for a few more years, they just weren't the same, but still had flashy players and big play capability.
It wasn't until Jimmy Johnson came that the Cowboys became a different team, an imposing, physical team that willed itself to victories and really could only be beaten by themselves. They were dynamic and explosive, but the "comeback ability" of the team was never really tested because of how dominant they were.
The one time it was- in 1995 vs the Niners again... the team fell short of a third straight Super Bowl appearance and guaranteed victory. Yet again- I looked fondly on that effort and am to this day very proud of that game because it was the one time that the Cowboys needed badly to play like champions against all odds and really did... it just wasn't to be that day.
The years that followed were bleak and filled with very disappointing performances and sprinkled with less and less highlights once Troy and Michael and eventually Emmitt were moving on. I never hid my Cowboy fandom however because the nature of this franchise is to rally.
It was in 2006 that this team began to rally, and Tony Romo if you're out there... it was because of YOU.
The bull-whip release. The ability to throw at all angles to anyone anywhere on the field. The vision. The clutch throws (@ Washington, @ NYG, and several more since)... the playmaking ability of a point guard. The footwork and pocket presence.
The roll right and hit Witten in stride- name the game. The roll left and find Owens breaking free. The fake run and find Curtis in the corner of the endzone. The dash left, halt and find Crayton standing still in zone coverage.
The snap over the head and scramble and find the first down. The preseason bad snap, sprint and snag, turn look downfield and fire it to Austin deep... the touch, the oh I shoulda had that INT yet it's Crayton again going for a first down up the sidelines in the Meadowlands... the pump and go and rainbow to Terry Glenn who can elevate or go vertical...
The "***... what are you doing out there Tony!?!? game vs Buffalo. Zing to Crayton and line up for a Nick Folk miracle performance in front of the whole world. Flip it to Barber on the wheel route, or toss it to Marion and let him roll downhill vs. the Skins. It makes no difference.
The ability to rally- the trademark of the Dallas Cowboys IMO- the "Phoenix" of all things NFL- "America's team", has never been more exemplified in three years time by ANY Dallas Cowboy in team history- ok at least since the Staubach days (my apologies Troy).
The dropped snap. The fumbles. The flails. The maddening INT's. The celebrity girlfriend. The indignant press conferences following horrible losses. There have been these as well, it's true.
But I wouldn't trade any of it for anyone in the entire league, because there has never been a time in my life I have looked more forward to watching someone play football. That's right. Anyone.
Dorsett. Aikman. Irvin. Pearson. White. White. Martin. DuPree. Novacek. Smith. Hill. Cosbie. Harper. Norton. Deion. Carter. Galloway. Ismail. It doesn't matter.
Give me Tony Romo 4hrs on Sunday for an entire season and I will show you film of playmaking ABILITY at the QB position that in itself is a variety show of three dimensional quarterback play in Blu Ray. Tony, you ARE that good.
The media is right about one thing and one thing only Tony. It's now time to be the leader of the team you've quarterbacked for the past three years.
What they cannot tell you though- and what I can- and others that wear Cowboys jerseys and hats on Wednesdays, that buy wings and pizza on Sundays with nervous stomachs- and go to work on Monday's with grins of cheshire cats or frowns like scolded children is...
Maybe you didn't realize that you were DESTINED to be the QB of the Dallas Cowboys- Tony Romo- but it's totally the truth. The evidence is in and cannot be contested.
Anyone that has seen the Cowboys come from behind in countless games in the past will tell you so. Anyone that has seen you play knows. The New York Giants know and so do the Eagles. The Bears. The Falcons. The Patriots, the Seahawks. They all know. They will never say so, the media will never say so, but in their heart of hearts- I think they know too.
That Tony Romo's time is coming. It's your turn to make the comeback. To realize your immense potential and embrace the moment of being the QB of the Dallas Cowboys if you haven't really done so. The championship heritage and history. The glistening new stadium. The milliions of fans that love you and your teammates. The Lombardi Trophy.
If it happens this season? I don't know. But it definitely will happen. And let me make this clear- You will be the Triggerman on the next World Championship Dallas Cowboy team. There is no doubt about it.
As for me? I will be here regardless enjoying- check that- relishing watching #9 play football.
So Tony Romo... Thank You- in advance.
:starspin
...GO COWBOYS
