Manster68
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Is it me, or do the days seem brighter? Does anyone sense a certain glow right about now? Do you get the feeling that something special could very well happen in the Metroplex?
I sure do – and I haven’t felt this glow about the Cowboys since Thanksgiving of 1990. That was the game where Jimmy Johnson and company sent their first “message” to the NFL world that this was not the same team that won only seven games from opening day of 1988, through to week ten of the 1990 season. Dallas went 7-35 in that stretch. Emmitt Smith’s 48-yard touchdown run against the playoff hopeful Commanders slammed the door shut on that horrendous era of Cowboys history.
Sixteen years later, Parcells’ version of Dallas Cowboys football looks to have sent a similar message to the NFL. This time, the Cowboys have mired in either mediocrity or destitution since at least 1998.
After a huge statement game with the Colts last Sunday, the Cowboys validated themselves as at least playoff contenders with a resounding 38-10 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thanksgiving. Despite the first quarter and a half of this game looking shaky, the Cowboys ran off five touchdown drives in six possessions. Unlike past seasons, this version of the Dallas Cowboys can put up some points…. serious points. When Marion Barber scored right before the half, Tampa was stuffed, cooked, and ready to be served.
I personally knew the game was over when, after Dallas drove the opening second half kickoff right down the field for a 28-10 lead, Jon Gruden was running the ball instead of being in a two-minute drill. Apparently, he didn’t want to expose his young and promising quarterback to possible easy turnovers, and more points for Dallas. That did happen once when Ayodele picked off a pass on Tampa’s first possession in the second half. I wasn’t sure if the challenge would have gone in Dallas’ favor. I’m glad Akin got the call, as the hometown boy had his whole family was watching.
As mentioned earlier, Dallas got off to a rocky start. It was quite annoying how the lowest scoring team in the NFL took the opening kickoff and rammed it right down Dallas’ throats. Cadillac was popping off about 4-5 yards a carry (so it seemed). I was also angry why there was not a flag on the tackle blocking Demarcus Ware the play before Gradkowski hit the bomb to Joey Galloway. Apparently, there might have been a little bit of a hangover from the recent victory over the Colts. That is what I was really afraid of.
However, Tampa played their third game in ten days with two of those on the road. That happened to the Seattle Seahawks in 1980, and Dallas cleaned their clock 51-7 that Thanksgiving. I do think Dallas caught a break there.
Obviously, the Cowboys are sitting real pretty right now. Tony Romo has really unified this young team and they are hitting on all cylinders. I do not have an explanation for the play of Tony Romo. The Eastern Illinois star has made all of the right moves over the past five games. I am sure many a Cowboy fan is wondering just how long this ride will last. After the last ten candidates to attempt to fill Aikman’s shoes have come short, it is only logical for fans to have some guarded optimism. That is, not wanting to have our hopes squashed again. I am that way to a point. What gives me hope is seeing how Parcells handles this potential celebrity superstar.
Let’s give some love to the offensive line. We fans sure are not witnessing the same unit displayed last season. Gurode has been solid to say the least. Kosier, filling in for the great Larry Allen has performed admirably as well. This is especially true on the plays where he pulls. Colombo has been terrific, but will be remembered as the goat on the blown field goal assignment in the nation’s capital. Adams and Rivera are holding their own despite getting up there in age. Fasano and even Witten have blocked well. The biggest surprise though is Oliver Hoyte. In time, he could eventually turn into be Dallas’ version of Lorenzo Neal. I like that.
FINAL ANALYSIS: Hey, hey, hey Dallas Cowboys! Looky looky!
THE BLOOD IS ON THE WATER!!!
The Giants just had a colossal collapse. They are currently in freefall! A win in the Meadowlands next Sunday can do some major damage to their playoff hopes, as well as rekindle Dallas’. They are the ones bickering amongst themselves, and talking trash to the press in an utter display of false bravado. KEEP THE BLEEDING GIANT DOWN! Bill Parcells has a huge task at hand this week making sure that the players don’t eat the cheese. The Cowboys now are the hunters instead of the hunted. Until they are eliminated, the Giants are still the defending NFC East champions – and Big Blue still has the tie-breaker should Dallas and New York come up with the same record. Beating the Giants is paramount! That said…. Go sick’em Dallas!
I sure do – and I haven’t felt this glow about the Cowboys since Thanksgiving of 1990. That was the game where Jimmy Johnson and company sent their first “message” to the NFL world that this was not the same team that won only seven games from opening day of 1988, through to week ten of the 1990 season. Dallas went 7-35 in that stretch. Emmitt Smith’s 48-yard touchdown run against the playoff hopeful Commanders slammed the door shut on that horrendous era of Cowboys history.
Sixteen years later, Parcells’ version of Dallas Cowboys football looks to have sent a similar message to the NFL. This time, the Cowboys have mired in either mediocrity or destitution since at least 1998.
After a huge statement game with the Colts last Sunday, the Cowboys validated themselves as at least playoff contenders with a resounding 38-10 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thanksgiving. Despite the first quarter and a half of this game looking shaky, the Cowboys ran off five touchdown drives in six possessions. Unlike past seasons, this version of the Dallas Cowboys can put up some points…. serious points. When Marion Barber scored right before the half, Tampa was stuffed, cooked, and ready to be served.
I personally knew the game was over when, after Dallas drove the opening second half kickoff right down the field for a 28-10 lead, Jon Gruden was running the ball instead of being in a two-minute drill. Apparently, he didn’t want to expose his young and promising quarterback to possible easy turnovers, and more points for Dallas. That did happen once when Ayodele picked off a pass on Tampa’s first possession in the second half. I wasn’t sure if the challenge would have gone in Dallas’ favor. I’m glad Akin got the call, as the hometown boy had his whole family was watching.
As mentioned earlier, Dallas got off to a rocky start. It was quite annoying how the lowest scoring team in the NFL took the opening kickoff and rammed it right down Dallas’ throats. Cadillac was popping off about 4-5 yards a carry (so it seemed). I was also angry why there was not a flag on the tackle blocking Demarcus Ware the play before Gradkowski hit the bomb to Joey Galloway. Apparently, there might have been a little bit of a hangover from the recent victory over the Colts. That is what I was really afraid of.
However, Tampa played their third game in ten days with two of those on the road. That happened to the Seattle Seahawks in 1980, and Dallas cleaned their clock 51-7 that Thanksgiving. I do think Dallas caught a break there.
Obviously, the Cowboys are sitting real pretty right now. Tony Romo has really unified this young team and they are hitting on all cylinders. I do not have an explanation for the play of Tony Romo. The Eastern Illinois star has made all of the right moves over the past five games. I am sure many a Cowboy fan is wondering just how long this ride will last. After the last ten candidates to attempt to fill Aikman’s shoes have come short, it is only logical for fans to have some guarded optimism. That is, not wanting to have our hopes squashed again. I am that way to a point. What gives me hope is seeing how Parcells handles this potential celebrity superstar.
Let’s give some love to the offensive line. We fans sure are not witnessing the same unit displayed last season. Gurode has been solid to say the least. Kosier, filling in for the great Larry Allen has performed admirably as well. This is especially true on the plays where he pulls. Colombo has been terrific, but will be remembered as the goat on the blown field goal assignment in the nation’s capital. Adams and Rivera are holding their own despite getting up there in age. Fasano and even Witten have blocked well. The biggest surprise though is Oliver Hoyte. In time, he could eventually turn into be Dallas’ version of Lorenzo Neal. I like that.
FINAL ANALYSIS: Hey, hey, hey Dallas Cowboys! Looky looky!
THE BLOOD IS ON THE WATER!!!
The Giants just had a colossal collapse. They are currently in freefall! A win in the Meadowlands next Sunday can do some major damage to their playoff hopes, as well as rekindle Dallas’. They are the ones bickering amongst themselves, and talking trash to the press in an utter display of false bravado. KEEP THE BLEEDING GIANT DOWN! Bill Parcells has a huge task at hand this week making sure that the players don’t eat the cheese. The Cowboys now are the hunters instead of the hunted. Until they are eliminated, the Giants are still the defending NFC East champions – and Big Blue still has the tie-breaker should Dallas and New York come up with the same record. Beating the Giants is paramount! That said…. Go sick’em Dallas!