We have a football game in January! Sinking In!

[LarryCanadian]

This team is really coming together. So many players emerged, either surprisingly, or just SOONER than might have been expected this season. Has been fun to see it come together - still work to be done!

The coaching staff is gelling too, and that has helped (so has Garrett's maturation as a coach for sure).
The team is buying into the "Kool-Aid" and it shows what a difference that can make.
The oline and guys like McClain on defense have added a LOT of toughness out there.
Romo has been amazing (after San Fran - man I - and a ton of other folks) were pretty nervous - had to be worried about the long-term health and ability. Now we can see what he can do with help around him!

So nice to be sitting here one week BEFORE the final season game and KNOW we are in the show! This team doesn't strike me as the "just happy to make playoffs" type either, which is FANTASTIC. We can do damage. We got a few bounces the last few weeks for sure, but sometimes "you need to be good to be lucky" - which really didn't happen much the last few years.....

Proud of this team and happy for us fans - been a bit of a long road. "It's a process" hehe.

Merry Christmas.
PLUS - I get to watch my step-nephew play for the Washington Huskies in the Cactus Bowl on Jan 2nd (keep an eye on that kid - 6 foot 6 and 220 lbs - and only just turned 18 a couple days ago - getting decent reps at WR already. He'd make an awesome Cowboy in a few years!

 

[cowboyfan4life2]

Good luck to him, I haven't seen Wash play all year, will check it out for sure.

 

[KJJ]

Hopefully we have more than one football game in January and one in February.

 

[nablives]

I think just being in is what I appreciate the most. Hopefully they can give us another 2-3 years in a row of this. Sports life just feels so much better when these guys are good.

 

[LarryCanadian]

At first thoughts on going 11 and 4, after Ware/Hatcher left and Lee was out for season (not to mention Holloman having to end his career) - I thought this is maybe a flukey season. BUT, I have been trying to figure out how they improved so much, and I think the youth movement and oline upgrades paid off the most.....but there are other factors.....factors that make me think the team can contend for a few seasons if/while Romo is healthy.

Romo not having to win by himself, means less predictable by far and less risk taking. Being able to weather injury, without his arm strength or escape ability diminished every game (you saw at least 2 games where it certainly was a concern).
Martin playing at a pro-bowl level as a rookie and Frederick being even better, and Leary still improving and knee not killing him, Tryon being Tyron, Parnell stepping up and being decent, and Free playing like the early Free....
Murray staying healthy.
Beasley moving the chains and giving another option for quicker strike passes - we have options all over the field and in different ways (bigger TE or quick to Beastley)
Witten being the team guy, and not the focus, and blocking like a champion (something I have criticized as inconsistent in past).
T Williams starting strong - and despite being quiet in the middle, BLOCKING like a champion.
Dez for keeping his head on and playing to his massive talent - and for LOVING THE TEAM and LOVING THE GAME - that means something no matter what his background or original maturity...

On D
Mincey is under-rated.
Crawford has been a huge come-back kid (people forget he had a torn achilles) - he is a PLAYER.
Hayden doing better than any comments I saw ever suggested he could - not flashy but works hard.
Spencer coming back and while not dominant - the guy is 30 and coming off micro-fracture surgery - that is rare -and he looks like he had his best game against Indy
Durant was amazing till hurt.
The secondary bending but not breaking for most part.
Rolando McClain for being a beast - remember this guy has talent, but not a ton of experience - shocking how well he can play - dominant at times - and playing on a bad knee or with other injuries apparently...
The Sterling Moore's and Patmon's stepping up when needed (I hate to say it, but Mo Claiborne never found his stride in Dallas - routing for the guy - but not sure it will happen).
Carr is a whipping boy, but decent in the man game - he just does NOT fit zone.
Scandrick has been amazing, thank goodness his suspension was shortened!
Church and Wilcox (whom up until 3 weeks ago, I thought didn't have the football smarts/sense to make it as a starter) have continued to grow/improve.
Hitchens outperforming even the best post-draft expectations...

Bailey is money. Special teams have been solid overall - with few major mistakes...

Coaching better all around.

I probably missed a few things/guys who have performed over and above expectations...

 

[Fletch]

This team is really coming together. So many players emerged, either surprisingly, or just SOONER than might have been expected this season. Has been fun to see it come together - still work to be done!

The coaching staff is gelling too, and that has helped (so has Garrett's maturation as a coach for sure).
The team is buying into the "Kool-Aid" and it shows what a difference that can make.
The oline and guys like McClain on defense have added a LOT of toughness out there.
Romo has been amazing (after San Fran - man I - and a ton of other folks) were pretty nervous - had to be worried about the long-term health and ability. Now we can see what he can do with help around him!

So nice to be sitting here one week BEFORE the final season game and KNOW we are in the show! This team doesn't strike me as the "just happy to make playoffs" type either, which is FANTASTIC. We can do damage. We got a few bounces the last few weeks for sure, but sometimes "you need to be good to be lucky" - which really didn't happen much the last few years.....

Proud of this team and happy for us fans - been a bit of a long road. "It's a process" hehe.

Merry Christmas.
PLUS - I get to watch my step-nephew play for the Washington Huskies in the Cactus Bowl on Jan 2nd (keep an eye on that kid - 6 foot 6 and 220 lbs - and only just turned 18 a couple days ago - getting decent reps at WR already. He'd make an awesome Cowboy in a few years!

First and foremost, Merry Christmas to you and all of yours! Great post and read. I read it aloud, that's how good it was. Agree with it all.

 

[Fletch]

Hope the step-neph does well. That's too cool.

 

[StarBoyz83]

I think its kind of sad how happy we all are but I dont care I'm happy lol

 

[LarryCanadian]

Yeah, it has been a lean few years....
Thanks for the well wishes about Nephew. Just saw him - he's worn out from season....but around for Christmas week before back to training....

 

[theogt]

PLUS - I get to watch my step-nephew play for the Washington Huskies in the Cactus Bowl on Jan 2nd (keep an eye on that kid - 6 foot 6 and 220 lbs - and only just turned 18 a couple days ago - getting decent reps at WR already. He'd make an awesome Cowboy in a few years!

I smell a second round TE selection.

 

[jazzcat22]

Hope we get the game on the 4th....and we win, it will be my birthday present....

 

[Romo_To_Dez]

It is nice to have your team in the playoffs and not having to feel left out watching other teams when yours didn't get in. Hopefully the Boys will end up making a deep playoff run.