I’ve noticed that there are plenty of lists going out lately. Most of which shed no respect to Cowboys players who have rightfully earned it. So to fulfill the appetite of you fans I’ve created a list of the Best Cowboys of the last 15 Years. .. So get ready!

1 Emmitt Smith-The leagues leading rusher. Smith proved to be a “Go to guy” by coupling hard nose, downhill running with incredible durability. With 3 Super Bowl rings, Smith may be the most noticeable player in Dallas Cowboys History.

2 DeMarcus Ware- Perhaps the most naturally talented player to emerge on this defense in years, Ware consistently strikes fears into opposing offensive coordinators. Ware has increased his sack total in each of his 3 seasons ending with 20 last year. There is no signs of slowing down which is good news for this defense!

3 Troy Aikman- Concussion Troy can’t be forgotten for all the marvelous things he did in Dallas. He was a model field general, orchestrating 3 Super Bowl victories and becoming the Cowboys all time leading passer with 32,942 yards.

4 Darren Woodson- The one player that ANY of us would give ANYTHING to have back. Darren Woodson played the secondary perfectly forcing 23 interceptions. He was the backbone in many great defenses and earned a reputation as one of the fiercest safeties in the league.

5 Michael Irvin-A distraction? Sure. However, Michael’s production was unmatched. He averaged over 15 yards per gain and had over 60 touchdowns in his career. He was a consistent target who was reliable and a HOF athlete.

6 Larry Allen- A big strong offensive lineman who was versatile in his play. At 325 lbs he was an immovable force and a good reason for Emmitt’s success.

7 Jason Witten- Witten is a Blue Collar, Smash mouth player who has, in my opinion, defined the future play of tight ends. He blocks well, He’s intelligent, and He’s a bigger threat in the passing game then most receivers, He can shed tackles, and he’s not afraid to throw his body around.

8 Tony Romo- Though under constant scrutiny, he has produced more 300 yard passing games then any quarterback in Dallas history in 3 years. With a 64 percent completion rate, and a ratio or 2 td’s to 1 interception, his regular season play is comparable to some of the greatest quarterbacks of all time (Coming soon: a comparison against Peyton, Aikman, and Young in there first 4 years) I believe that given the opportunity, Romo will thrive in future playoff appearances.

9 Deion Sanders- Prime time, Sanders electrified the field with his wonderful coverage, ability to force interceptions for touchdowns, and punt returning skills. Sanders had abilities that we will forever miss and may not see for years to come.

10 Terrence Newman- Not Deion Sanders, but that doesn’t mean he’s necessarily worse. Terrence doesn’t produce stats like some of the other elite DB’s but that’s because he’s never really tested. He is a shut down corner with speed and game breaking ability. He will be the staple in this defense for years to come.

11 Greg Ellis- A bitter end to this story. Greg has given his all to this team and that has to be respected. He was a feared defensive end, but an even more devastating OLB with the ability to get to the passer; he’s registered 77 career sacks with the Cowboys.

12 Daryl Johnston- The moose led the way for Emmitt throughout his career… Enough said.

13 Dat Nguyen- Nguyen solidified the middle linebacker slot in his second year after leading the team in special teams tackles the first. His run stopping ability and hard hitting made him well known throughout the league. If it weren’t for a disc injury, Dat would be along Bradie James, supporting the same number 1 defense he helped solidify in 2003.

14 Marion Barber- A hardnosed runner this team hasn’t seen since Smith. After going through Troy Hambricks stages and a little flash of Cason, Barber was a breath of fresh air. He has become a “Closer” and has the talent to become a franchise back and league leader.

15 Flozell Adams- Though penalty prone, Flozell has provided stability to the offensive line in Larry Allen’s Absence. He is big, strong, and mobile. He also uses his hands well and is also a talented blocker. An excellent round out to this list.

**Notable Mention** George Teague- For his incredibly memorable hit on Terrell Owens, when Owens was boastfully disrespecting the star.

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…from me, at least.

If you are like me, you are sick of hearing/reading about it, regardless if you were against or for his release.   In the beginning, I was against it.  I didn’t like his mouth.  I didn’t like his me first attitude.  But I was willing to put up with it considering his production.  Shame on me…especially considering I was also against him joining the team in the first place. 

 But truth be told, if we only look at 2008, his performance hinged on several different contingencies to be effective.  First, he had to have a free release off the line in most cases to get open.  Second, while his top end speed was still impressive, the amount of time he took to get to that speed had deteriorated from years past.  And lastly, his ability to catch, in my mind,  suffered as a result of over-self-improvement.  We hear and read the term “soft hands” quite a bit, but rarely consider what that truly means.  But if you envisage his overall physique, chances are his hands followed suit with the rest of his body:  Hard.  Add to that his age of 35 and one could come to the conclusion just based on performance alone, minus all the drama that is a big part of T.O.’s entourage, that perhaps the Cowboy’s made the right decision in moving on and further grooming the youthful WR’s currently on the roster.

Now, let’s add the drama back. 

The latest news has T.O. running a camp at Duncanville Highschool and the distinguished guest of honor at a going away party Thursday night.  In short, he made the comment that everyone knew Romo was the quarterback and thus the leader of the team; Romo simply failed to rise to the occasion.  But, in the end, everyone blamed T.O. and he accepts the role of scapegoat, especially considering he is no longer a part of the team (paraphrased).   Just so we are clear, if anyone made T.O. a scapegoat, it was the media. 

Admittedly, the media did play a huge role in the drama filled 2008 season.  The media is a monster.  But like all monsters, the media must be fed.  And since T.O. seems to be the one that continually feed’s said monster, from a legal point of view, the monster was T.O.’s pet.   As the owner of that pet, T.O. is responsible for whatever damage it causes, as well.

Nevertheless, despite his annoying and poorly-behaved pet, T.O.’s problem is and always has been T.O.  His philosophy is to be honest no matter what, which is admirable.  But the problem with his so-called honesty is that filter that discludes him from accountability.  When you are a member of a team, and a member of your team makes a mistake, who made the mistake, the individual or the team?  The correct answer is the team.  Doesn’t matter if it’s a professional sports team, a research team, or a military team, as a whole you are only as strong as your weakest man, which means everyone on the team is responsible for the team’s success and failures.  Now let’s flash back to where T.O.’s problem’s really began in Philadelphia. 

On April 2005, Owens announced that he had hired a new agent, Drew Rosenhaus, and indicated that he would seek to have his contract with the Eagles renegotiated. Owens made $9 million in 2004 (most of which being bonus money as his base salary was only $660,000),^[6] and was slated to make $4.5 million in 2005. This two year amount did not place Owens in the top 10 paid wide receivers playing. He also made a comment to the effect that he “wasn’t the guy who got tired in the Super Bowl“; the remark, thought by most to be directed at quarterback Donovan McNabb, caused a controversy between them to heat up (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrell_Owens).

It really doesn’t matter who T.O. was referring to, because if an individual on that team “got tired” then the team as a whole “got tired.”  Furthermore, to use the performance of another as ammunition to get a raise is despicable.  Imagine if your co-worker were to throw you under the bus as ammunition for getting an increase in pay.  Beyond his ignominious display of narcissism, one has to wonder if he truly believed this comment in regards to another player helped his cause.  If anything, that comment in the end meant millions of lost dollars.  That loss would make most introspective in hind-sight, but because of his overall wealth and the lack of  pain truly experienced as a result of his actions, he will likely never change.

T.O.’s team concept is skewed, which is why he is a cancer.   When he can openly question other players, coaches, and management, this open’s the door for younger player’s who look up to T.O. as someone they want to emulate to also question others.  When everyone is questioning everyone, execution will suffer team-wide.  It happens quick.  And once the damage is done, there is no fixing it until the cancer and all those who were effected by the cancer are removed.   Plain and simple. 

Here’s looking forward to 2009’s Chemotherapied Cowboys!!!

Popularity: unranked

Identity crisis, who are these Cowboys?

One of the many problems I noticed with the Cowboys this past season was the fact that offensively they lacked an identity.

They definitely weren’t a west coast offense. They weren’t a smash mouth offense. They weren’t necessarily a pass-happy team. They weren’t a field position and time possession team. And, you really couldn’t consider them a balanced attack.

If I had to define the offense, I would call it a big play or bust offense.

Unfortunately, too many times last season, it busted.

The Cowboys seem to rely too heavily on the big play, especially when passing. It seemed that their philosophy was look deep first and foremost, and then look underneath. Now, I love big plays as much as the next fan, but I’m realistic. That type of philosophy is doomed for failure.

This is not Madden.

With Garrett being the offensive coordinator, I find it curious that he would employ such a philosophy. I thought he would bring back a version of the timing-based offense that was in place in the 90’s when the Cowboys had much success.

The playbook seems completely devoid of the slants, outs, comebacks, and deep slants that the Cowboys ran routinely when he was a backup quarterback. What is particularly troubling about that is the fact that the offensive personnel seem to be perfect for that type of offense.

Roy Williams is a big strong possession type of receiver. Miles Austin could possibly be that Alvin Harper type of receiver. Of course, Witten has drawn comparison to Novacek. And, Romo has the arm strength to make the throws.

The Cowboys still have the big offensive line. And while, they don’t have an Emmitt, they do have three running backs who are pretty good in their own right.

Maybe, now that Owens is gone, Garrett will bring back some of the old Cowboys playbook.

It would be nice.

At least then they would have an identity.

The Wizard has spoken.

Popularity: 2%