I don't normally do this, but felt the urge to put into words my thoughts.
First, what an exciting season. Not one person here can truthfully say they saw 13-3 coming. When Romo was on the ground in the preseason this entire board let out a primal scream. But then the preseason revealed Dak could play a bit.
The Giant's opening game was a heart breaker, and there were many of us that felt this would be business as usual for the 2016 Cowboys. Maybe stay close in some, perhaps most, but lose late.
Then the winning started, and continued week after week. And in all this we were reminded weekly that Dak and Zeke were rookies, but more and more this board was convinced that didn't matter. I know I sure was.
In the big scheme of things, it didn't matter that they were rookies. Because their play forced Romo to sit except for one insignificant series in the last game of the year. take that in, a rookie caused the most prolific quarterback this team has ever fielded to sit and watch when he was healthy.
The Green Bay game was tough. All the stats posted on this board about how improved the defense was felt hollow to me as time wore on. I don't believe in stats, nor do I believe that stats are indicative of the truth. They cherry pick their meaning and like every documentary you have ever seen, they are a reflection of the posters/directors point-of-view. They seem good when you are debating football, but we saw how that top five defense looked yesterday
However...
Two major penalties and significant dropped passes stopped drives which appeared to be headed for points allowed Green Bay to lead 21-3. This was not poor play on the play makers, but mistakes by the supporting cast which scuttled those drives. And yet Dallas made adjustments and shut down the Green Bay offense in the second half, holding Green Bay, the ultimate offense, to 13 points.
Don't think they were not trying to throw and do what they did in the first half. The adjustments by Dallas worked.
Today is rainy and bleak in Dallas, both figuratively and literally. I see the posts stating there are no guarantees from one year to the next, and understand after 20 years of beat down where this comes from.
But truthfully this entire offense will be back, with perhaps a better tackle when Free forced to step aside, and a replacement for Williams, who chest catches balls and allows them to bounce off and kill drives.
Realize what you saw yesterday. Regardless of where the Green Bay defense rated, Dallas with a rookie quarterback tied the game late. Team with huge leads have an easier time against the one that trails most times, yet Dallas made a contest of this.
I would like to know who called for the spike. Was that a sidelines decision or Dak's. It was a mistake no matter what. If the sidelines, they panicked and should have called for the time out. If Dak's, I have confidence he will learn.
The real score by Green Bay that hurt the most was the touchdown in the second half. Stop that and turn it into a field goal or punt and the game plays out differently.
Being unhappy today is where we all are. But to assume this team will disappear because that is the way it works ignores the offense that was outstanding all year long.
We will see what Jerry and his cadre of coaches, scouts and upper management can do about putting teeth in this defense. And perhaps that will come with the trading of Romo.
I see no scenario where they allow Romo to walk without some compensation. They will eat the 2017 contract before they do that. And as they should since the team will need a competent back-up.
But no matter what, all off-seasons are long. Yet for the first time in a very long time, next year's team has meaning.
Keep your chin up and remember the 1991 Dallas Cowboys and that beat down in Detroit. From the ashes rises hope.
