Are the ghosts of Decembers past creeping in the shadows? Has Santa Claus decided we get a lump of coal in our stocking this year? Will our Christmas treats once again turn to bile in our stomachs? Is the brutal schedule ahead of the Cowboys going to mean yet another losing December?
No, and I am going to tell you why.
In a word, chemistry.
After the brutal ending to 2008 Jerry Jones and company acted swiftly to exorcise the demons who had haunted this team. Brad Johnson, out the door you noodle armed dinosaur and snitch. Pacman Jones, go make rain with your tears on Pros vs. Joes. Tank Johnson, the weakest tank ever. If they didn't produce or caused drama around this team, out the door they went.
The team even got rid of some quality guys like Zach Thomas, Greg Ellis, Kevin Burnett, Anthony Henry, and Chris Canty. Long time Safety and lightning rod Roy Williams traded stars for stripes.
Then began the work of refocusing and rebuilding the Dallas Cowboys. Job number one was the attitude in the locker room. Bring in guys like Gerald Sensabaugh, Igor Olshansky, and especially Keith Brooking. Why? Because they exude professionalism in their approach to the game. It rubs off.
When you put a Keith Brooking in a LB Corps next to a Bradie James you accomplish three things immediately. First, you add talent to a huddle and game plan. Second, there is leadership on the field. Finally, you have balance. No more can a team run to the opposite side of the field from Bradie because another run stuffing ILB is there.
We all know what Sensabaugh has added to the Defensive Backfield in terms of coverage ability. He's even managed an interception with one hand in a cast and tackling has not suffered. Mostly it has allowed the Corners to play more man coverage and this is where they excel.
On Offense the biggest change needed was health. They got more than just healthy. They got an attitude adjustment. The ball is being spread around and guys who don't see their stat lines blossom are more interested in wins. It also helps when a star emerges to ignite a team. It also helps when unsung guys quietly do their thankless jobs and don't pound their chests about it. It is a solid Offense as opposed to a narrow focused one of last year.
I think the best acquisition of the off season was the Special Teams Coach. No one can tell me this team is not inspired by his drive and passion. Our Special Teams guys not only fill the right coverage lanes, they hit, they wrap up, and they bring down return men. We have been blessed with better field position from our kicking units and our return units. There was a time I felt this was impossible.
You can pan the 2009 Draft as a Special Teams only crop. You can dislike the player moves that sent guys packing. You can dislike the Head Coach and his Victory Monday attitudes. You can't deny the results or the Chemistry of this team.
Nothing is derailing them. Not the media frantically searching for a schism. Not an internal implosion. The cancers are gone. Chemistry has cured that. There are no more distractions. That has been answered. Yes, they mattered. Thankfully they are gone.
Now, it's time to exorcise those ghosts. It's a brutal schedule, with three on the road and two at home. It is also 3 division games that will favor the Dallas Cowboys who are finally peaking at the right time instead of too soon.
Yeah, it's December, but the party is just getting started. If we avoid some critical injuries and continue to execute as this team has been this season, there won't be coal in the stocking. I doubt it will be gold, but I think we will all feel a sense of relief.
