TheWarrenReport
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How 'bout dem Cowboys?
Depending on the tone and inflection, this phrase is either a boastful taunt or confounded query. For fans, it is easy to waver between the two, uncertain whether to cheer, jeer or just endure the varying highs and indignities of supporting the Cowboys. In the team's past two contests — the infuriating loss to Green Bay and the more frustrating last-quarter edge of Washington — reasons for hope and doubt have flip-flopped like Joe Cocker undergoing shock therapy. Yes, Dallas split the two contests, but they also provided more than enough evidence to make cases, either way, for their post-season chances. Tony Romo comes through in the clutch. Tony Romo is inaccurate. Miles Austin is a playmaker. Miles Austin can't beat double coverage. The running game must be established early. The rhythm of the passing game must be established early. Heck, the only two elements of team play that appear conclusive are: 1) the defense is nearing top form; and, 2) Roy Williams is descending to the bottom-rung. (I appreciate his blocking skills but I'd love to see him use his hands to catch something, anything. A football, perhaps?)
My six-year-old daughter loves chapter books. Ava asked me how the Cowboys fared against their DC rivals. I told her they won, but I was a little distraught given how unconvincing the victory was. She reminded me of what she had just learned reading Pollyanna: "When you look for the bad expecting it, you will find it, Papa." Well, who am I to argue with a head-strong girl or the writings of Eleanor Porter?
So, in order to practice positivity and in light of the holiday mandate, let us now give thanks for all that's good about this year's Cowboys...
* At 7-3, Dallas sits atop the NFC East and controls its playoff destiny.
* Marion Barber is getting healthy, his regained strength apparent running against the Commanders.
* Felix Jones showed burst on his opening kickoff return. Maybe he's gaining confidence in his knee or his natural ability.
* Tony Romo can make plays when few others could. And, he'll play through pain.
* Welcome to the offense, Martellus Bennett. Timing is everything.
* David Buehler can kick AND tackle!
* Mike Jenkins can pick off passes AND tackle!
* Alan Ball IS versatile.
* Anthony Spencer didn't just come close, he made a decisive, game-changing play.
* Mat McBriar is even better than before and, somehow, never hits the scoreboard. Strange, eh, AJ?
* Wade Phillips is one heckuva defensive coordinator!
Know what? It actually feels good when you focus on the positive.
This past weekend, I was teaching workshops in Juneau, Alaska, one of my favorite pit-stops... because of the people and the pelmeni (the perfect drunk food!). As the Cowboys game was not locally televised, my hosts chose a fine drinking establishment, The Viking, equipped with DirecTV for our pigskin viewing pleasure. The place smelled like the underside of John Daly's nutsack, 'scuse me, rucksack and looked like a honeywagon on the SS Poseidon; a topsy-turvy excuse for a sports bar in which only two of the satellite connections functioned. Fortunately, I arrived early enough to claim one of them to watch my team before an already-inebriated fan showed up to watch "his Patriots"... three hours early. (Guess he was having trouble adjusting to the time zone?) When another patron decided more games ought be viewable, he brandished the remote control as if he were a disgruntled high-schooler in a black trenchcoat. And, in the midst of his infra-red shootout with the cable boxes, he lost the Cowboys' transmission during the Commanders' first scoring drive. I was pissed, yet passive. Finally, post field goal, he returned the game to the screen only to start futzing with the broadcast/s again minutes later. Once more, he botched the job and, this time, I calmly demanded that he give me the remote control and back away from the wall of tee-vees. Crestfallen, the Browns fan acquiesced and retreated to a far-off stool. I had succeeded in protecting my program, but felt bad having undercut the well-intentioned, if incompetent, whipper-zapper. Thus, eventually, I relented and returned the remote even though I knew in his state it should have been as dearly avoided as heavy machinery. Unconsciously, I chose to see the good in him rather than focus solely on my frustration with him. In turn, he bought me a drink. I suppose there is an upside to being an inadvertent Pollyana.
As a consequence of my Alaskan encounter and my daughter's sage citation, I will approach the Cowboys' Thanksgiving contest with the Oakland Raiders expecting nothing but the best, trusting I will find it. Visualize with me...
* Martellus Bennett has a break-out performance.
* Tony Romo hits Miles Austin in stride.
* Patrick Crayton takes another one to the house.
* Nick Folk regains his confidence, splits the uprights.
* Anthony Spencer records two sacks; Greg Ellis gets none.
* Terrence Newman picks six.
* Roy Williams earns his pay.
It's easy once you try it. Happy Thanksgiving, all.
Depending on the tone and inflection, this phrase is either a boastful taunt or confounded query. For fans, it is easy to waver between the two, uncertain whether to cheer, jeer or just endure the varying highs and indignities of supporting the Cowboys. In the team's past two contests — the infuriating loss to Green Bay and the more frustrating last-quarter edge of Washington — reasons for hope and doubt have flip-flopped like Joe Cocker undergoing shock therapy. Yes, Dallas split the two contests, but they also provided more than enough evidence to make cases, either way, for their post-season chances. Tony Romo comes through in the clutch. Tony Romo is inaccurate. Miles Austin is a playmaker. Miles Austin can't beat double coverage. The running game must be established early. The rhythm of the passing game must be established early. Heck, the only two elements of team play that appear conclusive are: 1) the defense is nearing top form; and, 2) Roy Williams is descending to the bottom-rung. (I appreciate his blocking skills but I'd love to see him use his hands to catch something, anything. A football, perhaps?)
My six-year-old daughter loves chapter books. Ava asked me how the Cowboys fared against their DC rivals. I told her they won, but I was a little distraught given how unconvincing the victory was. She reminded me of what she had just learned reading Pollyanna: "When you look for the bad expecting it, you will find it, Papa." Well, who am I to argue with a head-strong girl or the writings of Eleanor Porter?
So, in order to practice positivity and in light of the holiday mandate, let us now give thanks for all that's good about this year's Cowboys...
* At 7-3, Dallas sits atop the NFC East and controls its playoff destiny.
* Marion Barber is getting healthy, his regained strength apparent running against the Commanders.
* Felix Jones showed burst on his opening kickoff return. Maybe he's gaining confidence in his knee or his natural ability.
* Tony Romo can make plays when few others could. And, he'll play through pain.
* Welcome to the offense, Martellus Bennett. Timing is everything.
* David Buehler can kick AND tackle!
* Mike Jenkins can pick off passes AND tackle!
* Alan Ball IS versatile.
* Anthony Spencer didn't just come close, he made a decisive, game-changing play.
* Mat McBriar is even better than before and, somehow, never hits the scoreboard. Strange, eh, AJ?
* Wade Phillips is one heckuva defensive coordinator!
Know what? It actually feels good when you focus on the positive.
This past weekend, I was teaching workshops in Juneau, Alaska, one of my favorite pit-stops... because of the people and the pelmeni (the perfect drunk food!). As the Cowboys game was not locally televised, my hosts chose a fine drinking establishment, The Viking, equipped with DirecTV for our pigskin viewing pleasure. The place smelled like the underside of John Daly's nutsack, 'scuse me, rucksack and looked like a honeywagon on the SS Poseidon; a topsy-turvy excuse for a sports bar in which only two of the satellite connections functioned. Fortunately, I arrived early enough to claim one of them to watch my team before an already-inebriated fan showed up to watch "his Patriots"... three hours early. (Guess he was having trouble adjusting to the time zone?) When another patron decided more games ought be viewable, he brandished the remote control as if he were a disgruntled high-schooler in a black trenchcoat. And, in the midst of his infra-red shootout with the cable boxes, he lost the Cowboys' transmission during the Commanders' first scoring drive. I was pissed, yet passive. Finally, post field goal, he returned the game to the screen only to start futzing with the broadcast/s again minutes later. Once more, he botched the job and, this time, I calmly demanded that he give me the remote control and back away from the wall of tee-vees. Crestfallen, the Browns fan acquiesced and retreated to a far-off stool. I had succeeded in protecting my program, but felt bad having undercut the well-intentioned, if incompetent, whipper-zapper. Thus, eventually, I relented and returned the remote even though I knew in his state it should have been as dearly avoided as heavy machinery. Unconsciously, I chose to see the good in him rather than focus solely on my frustration with him. In turn, he bought me a drink. I suppose there is an upside to being an inadvertent Pollyana.
As a consequence of my Alaskan encounter and my daughter's sage citation, I will approach the Cowboys' Thanksgiving contest with the Oakland Raiders expecting nothing but the best, trusting I will find it. Visualize with me...
* Martellus Bennett has a break-out performance.
* Tony Romo hits Miles Austin in stride.
* Patrick Crayton takes another one to the house.
* Nick Folk regains his confidence, splits the uprights.
* Anthony Spencer records two sacks; Greg Ellis gets none.
* Terrence Newman picks six.
* Roy Williams earns his pay.
It's easy once you try it. Happy Thanksgiving, all.
