Goodbye Houston, Hello Dallas?

Hello Dallas Cowboy Fans,

I must apologize for the length of time between my first and second blogs. I'm dealing with various health issues.

This 2013 season has already had it's share of ups and downs. Don't fret because our 'Boys are surely on the rise.

I'm well aware of the fans saying this year's team is no different from previous years.

 I say those fans are wrong.

I see a Dallas team that has gotten younger AND better. Rookies Travis Frederick, J.J. Wilcox, and Terrance Williams(although temporarily, for now) have stepped into starting roles and performed very well.

Dallas Cowboy fans...the future is very bright!

Gavin Escobar, Devonte Holloman, and B.W. Webb are making contributions already.

Dez Bryant is an absolute BEAST! PERIOD.
As I've tweeted about Dez before the start of the 2013 season, "Greatness is knocking on your door...open the door and take him Hostage!"

By the way Nate Burleson.....

Dez never claimed to be or be better than Calvin Johnson.
Dez just truthfully stated that he can and does do the same things as Calvin Johnson.

Dez IS NOT Calvin Johnson.

Dez is Dez and that alone puts him in rarified air! I wouldn't trade Dez for Megatron...PERIOD.

No disrespect intended towards Calvin Johnson BUT we already have an uncoverable WR.

Dez... DO YOU!  Stiff arm the HATERS.

Nate Burleson IS NOT Calvin Johnson.

Nate Burleson IS NOT Dez Bryant.

Nate Burleson IS NOT  even the 3rd best receiver on his own team!

Nate Burleson is NATE BURLESON.

Enough about Nate Burleson. Let's get back to the players that are relevant.

Which brings me to Number 82.....


Jason Witten is STILL Jason Witten. First ballot Hall of Famer. PERIOD.

The development of Terrance Williams and Cole Beasley have erased any reservations of having to take the field without the services of the oft-injured but much-loved Miles Austin.
Get healthy Miles, then come back and be the beast that you were when you had your breakout year.

The immediate future is VERY bright.

I've been a Dallas Cowboy and NFL fan for over 40 years now. I recognize when a team is taking the proper steps to become a true championship contender.

Don't agree with me?

Consider a few facts.
1. Coach Jason Garrett HAS changed the culture at Valley Ranch. His personality and steadiness has had a very positive effect on the team
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2. Monte Kiffen and Rod Marinelli have changed the defensive unit's mindset. Turnovers have multiplied. It's extremely obvious that Our Defense truly enjoys playing for their coaches and have bought into their philosophy. The effort and hustle of EVERY defensive player when inserted into the game has been phenomenal.

3. Pro Personnel Guru Will McClay has been brilliant! It's been amazing to see guy after guy come in from "off the street" and be immediate factors on our team.

* a little side note: My fiancée and I nicknamed George Selvie "Last Week" because he was signed "off the street" a week and a half before the preseason started and immediately made his presence felt in the team's first preseason game. My fiancée didn't know him by name so I repeatedly referred to him as "Last Week" as he was making play after play in the preseason and regular season.
Truth be told, Nick Hayden, Drake Nevis, Cesar Rayford, and others have come in and made big contributions. Much credit goes to McClay for finding the talent. Kudos to Kiffen and Marinelli for teaching and coaching their guys up.

4. There are silver linings to be recognized, even in losses.

4a. Our 'Boys were a RARE Dan Bailey missed field goal away from beating the eventual Super Bowl Champion Ravens IN Baltimore last year.

4b. Our 'Boys fell a couple plays short of beating the NFL's lone unbeaten team in Kansas City. They lost that game by 1 point! In that crazed atmosphere, they more than held their own.

4c. We all recall the "Shootout" against Peyton Manning and his video game offense. Proof Positive that our 'Boys have the ability to score with any team in the league.

5. Brian Waters was CLEARLY worth the wait and effort, even if we only have him for this year before he re-retires again. Just having him around for the 2013 season MUST be unquantifiable in terms of the knowledge and wisdom the young O-linemen can glean from him.

6. The aforementioned O-line is giving Tony Romo  the type of time in the pocket that hasn't been seen in Dallas since Troy Aikman was under center. More time in the pocket has directly led to a much improved Romo. Ignore the haters Tony, you're a Baller! PERIOD.
I will admit that the run blocking hasn't been as good, but a healthy DeMarco Murray would make a big difference.

7. Let's not forget last Sunday's game against Philadelphia.
 The expected "shootout" was SHOT DOWN!
 Brandon Carr and Orlando Scandrick combined to basically shut DeSean Jackson down.
The Dallas front seven kept the always dangerous LeSean McCoy in check the ENTIRE game.
 Dallas' defense made Chip Kelly look like the second coming of Steve Spurrier.

By the way, let me be the first to predict the hype surrounding Kelly's "High Octane" offense will turn soon into Kelly-bashing by the Philly press and fans.

 I'm 47 years old and have seen the same madness repeated in Philly year after year (the true definition of insanity?!).

They always want the backup QB in Philly.

They had McNabb but wanted Jeff Garcia, Kevin Kolb, and Michael Vick.
They have Vick but think(or thought) Nick Foles is better.
They got Foles last Sunday but quickly wanted Matt Barkley.
Foles AND Barkley struggled and guess what?
Now the Philly press and fans can't wait for Vick to play again.
Different season, same song in Philly.

* another side note: LeSean McCoy, I too am from Harrisburg, Cougars forever, BUT it's IMPOSSIBLE to root for you until you no longer play for the Eagles. Besides, you really need to go elsewhere if you truly want a Super Bowl ring. History IS Truth ...Truth IS Truth. numbers don't lie....Just saying.


8. Dallas has once again been decimated by injuries but the team's swag is unwavering. Credit goes to the ENTIRE organization for staying focused and embracing the "next man up" philosophy.

9. Sean Lee, Jason Hatcher, and Brandon Carr are playing at an All-Pro level.

10. Dallas can still look forward to Tyrone Crawford, Ben Bass, and possibly Anthony Spencer returning from season-ending injuries and making big contributions next year.


If the 10 things I listed above doesn't give you optimism for our 'Boys future, you must NOT be a true Dallas Cowboys fan.

One final note: I personally tweeted EVERY and ANY person that I thought could help me promote an idea of mine.Yes, I even tweeted Jerry Jones and Will McClay. I know they know what they're doing and I'm not trying to tell them how to do their jobs BUT we can vastly improve our team without having to break the bank.
The Houston Texans just released 3 players for allegedly smoking marijuana in a team hotel room. I truly believe the Cowboys now have the support system, mentoring program, and team leadership to take a chance on Sam Montgomery and possibly Cierre Wood.
They are 2 very talented players at positions of need for our 'Boys.
I'm sure both players were both embarrassed AND humbled by their release from the Texans.
They both should have the "I must prove everyone wrong" attitude now and will add quality depth to some NFL roster very soon.
Why not the Dallas Cowboys' roster?

So I say......
"Goodbye Houston, Hello Dallas?"




Until next time..... GO COWBOYS!