Dale said:
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Parcells is, what, .333 in making the playoffs so far? Ugh. This squad needed to take a chance. And I like the chance we've taken because, like I said, I don't think the risk is all that high considering where we've been the last two years.
Considering the Cowboys were extremely close to being a playoff team and had either beaten or nearly beaten 4 of the 6 NFC playoff teams you'd have to say the team was headed in the right direction after the bottom fell out in 2004. This was a team that was in command of its own destiny until key injuries torpedoed it. No other playoff team lost a probowl-calibre starting LOT, starting RB, or probowl-calibre starting CB until the Giants at the end of the year and the Panthers in the playoffs itself.
If Dallas loses at these or similar positions again, they will be back in the same boat regardless of TO or Keyshawn Johnson. Superbowl teams do not have multiple injuries at: #1WR, QB, OT, OLB/DE, CB, or #1RB. Good depth can help cover one injury, but no team has the depth to overcome a key loss at any two or more of those spots.
Also, I don't think TO's pouting was at all a factor in the Eagles success or demise last season. Let's be real, and stop over-dramatizing this like the media loves to do. There's absolutely no evidence that it was Owens who caused McNabb to be ridiculously inconsistent, for their defense to be unable to stop anyone, or for Reid to build a game plan solely on the passing game! If Reid adopted this gameplan because of TO, then he should be cained. If McNabb was a non-factor because he was distracted by TO then he's a total baby. Even at a stretch, I can't see how TO's to blame for the Eagles' defensive woes. The whole "TO is to blame" concept is a media invention with does not bear close scrutiny.