Pro Football Hall of Fame - The Travesty of Dallas Cowboys' Charles Haley

It is a truly sad fact to report that former Dallas Cowboys' player Charles Haley has failed to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the fifth time.

This is truly amazing because Charles Haley is the only NFL player in history to earn five Super Bowl Rings.

It's almost inconceivable that he would miss this deserved honor this many times.

If there's any question about Charles' ability, ask Jimmy Johnson, who brought the two time Super Bowl Champion to the Cowboys for another three NFL Championship wins.

Hatin' Tony Romo - The Captain Speaks!

For all you Romo Haters, listen to the words of Captain America, +Roger Staubach. He just might know a thing or two about playing the game of Football in the NFL at the highest level.

You might want to listen to his latest thoughts in this video.

Self-Destructive Mistakes Cost Dallas Cowboys Big In 27-7 Loss

  by Ryan Bush

The self-destructive impulses of the Dallas Cowboys were out in full force Sunday afternoon at Seattle’s sunny sea of green and blue.  As has been the case of late, Felix Jones was the leader of a pack of clowns that contained more than just the usual suspects.

It was Jones’ fumble of the opening kickoff that set the tone for Jason Garrett’s squad, from which started a 27-7 west coast avalanche that promised no cover for any Cowboys player or coach this week.

There are no scapegoats from this debacle. From Jerry the Wipemaster himself, to Garrett the head coach, all the way down to the team laundry boy.  They’re all guilty…excepting quarterback Tony Romo.

The Cowboys had an unusual eleven-day gap between their season-opening victory at the Meadowlands and Sunday’s game against the Seahawks.  And all they could show for the extra time was a rotten egg that smelled far worse than Seattle’s latest chicken-fried version of a home jersey.

There were an inordinate amount of dropped passes, too many special teams gaffes, and an over-abundance of alligator-arm tackles of Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch in the second-half.  All in all, it was just the kind of performance that the officials union so desperately needed.  Not even the questionable calls of the replacement referees could affect the outcome of this one.

From the very outset, the Cowboys were bound and determined to go down the toilet, and just as anxious to prove they needed no help from the second-team zebras sharing the field.  In that vein, an otherwise forgettable afternoon in balmy Seattle can be considered a success.  Better hang that on the wall, because that’s the only trophy of achievement Dallas walked away with from this showing.

Any advantage Seattle held in the defense and special teams departments were supposed to be nullified by Dallas’ edge at the quarterback position.  Even on the road in a loud stadium, the Cowboys were the logical favorites to take this one. 

Nothing nullifies a home-field advantage quite like a rookie quarterback.  They miss blitz assignments, throw into coverage, or anything that gives the defense an opportunity to turn the tide of the game.

As it turns out, both quarterbacks had little to do with the outcome.  The rookie Russell Wilson admittedly played composed for only his second NFL start, completing 15 of 20 passes for 151 yards.  It also should be noted that Rob Ryan’s defense applied minimal pressure on him.

Rookie QB Russell Wilson was Steady

On the other sideline, Romo did have one blemish on his stat-sheet, a first-quarter interception deep in Seattle territory.  But a failing support system around him rendered his mistake inconsequential.  Romo was good when his teammates allowed him to be, which, unfortunately, wasn’t very often.

Kevin Ogletree makes the tackle after a Romo Interception

 Felix Jones’ fumble on the opening kickoff set up a quick Seattle field goal of 21 yards.  That was followed by a Chris Jones blocked punt that was returned for a touchdown, giving the home team a 10-0 advantage with less than five minutes gone.

Felix Jones Fumble

 When Romo connected with Miles Austin for a 26-yard scoring play in the second quarter to draw within three, it appeared the Cowboys were about to seize control of the game.  But a gutless defense and a myriad of drops from an unlikely source helped stall the comeback.

Miles Austin TD

 Perennial Pro Bowl tight end Jason Witten is still not one-hundred percent recovered from a preseason spleen injury, as his career-worst four drops attest to.  Two of his drops were especially costly.  One came on third-down that set up a punting situation and another occurred after he got behind the defense in the first-half and had a good chance of scoring.

Jason Witten - 4 dropped passes

 Equally as mind-boggling was the performance of a new-look no-gut defense.  A week after manning-up against a notoriously tough Giants team, the Dallas defense laid down like a beaten dog in the second-half, allowing Wilson to control the game with handoffs and short, underneath passes.  Two consecutive second-half drives by the Seattle offense spanned 20 plays, totaling 178 yards, and turned a 13-7 score into a 27-7 rout.

Any hopes of a miracle comeback were then thwarted by personal foul and substitution penalties on the same drive, which allowed the Seahawks to virtually run the clock out.

It will be a long week at Valley Ranch, as players long to get the taste of this tail-whipping out of their swollen and bloodied mouths.

The Dallas Cowboys are Picked to Lose to the Seattle Seahawks?

 

Someone please tell me why the consensus around the Country is that the Cowboys are going to lose to the lowly Seahawks? It makes no sense whatsoever.

Head Coach Pete Carroll

You definitely can't point to the powerhouse program Pete Carroll has assembled in the Great Northwest. They definitely have a strong defensive unit. But that's supposed to be enough to derail the focused offense of Tony Romo & Co.? Remember, they just dispatched the reigning Super Bowl Champions?

Tony Romo & Co

The Seattle Offense, no more than average, is being led by a Rookie? And that's supposed to be enough to stop the revamped Cowboys Secondary who just prevented Eli Manning from working his 4th quarter magic? And Demarcus Ware? And the inside linebacker duo of Carter and Lee?

Dallas Defense Led by Demarcu Ware

There are times where the pundits seem to have their heads in the clouds. Maybe it's just insider information overload. Maybe it's just wishful thinking, hoping Romo experiences another disaster moment in his return visit the home of the slippery ball.

Whatever it is, the Cowboys should win this game. The one thing that they've exhibited under Head Coach Jason Garrett is focus while playing on the road. I expect them to do the same today! Now, if we could just get Jerry to focus properly!

Dallas Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones Affecting Team Chemistry With Tony Romo Contract Talks

Jerry Jones is at it again!

by Ryan Bush

Just when the Valley Ranch soldiers were beginning to look like a disciplined unit…Poof!

It’s always something around here.  Or, in this case, a certain someone.

Why is it that some people simply can’t leave well enough alone?

Here’s the skinny: All was well at the little Ranch on the prairie…Valley Ranch, that is. And then the General Manager showed up with his checkbook.

Yes, that General Manager.

The Owner himself.

Some other time, Jerry.  Please.  Don’t mess with the team chemistry this time around.

Gotta hand it to Jason Garrett.  His 2012 Dallas Cowboys have looked focused and been all business from the time they convened for training camp out in the California wine country.  And after a yeoman-like win over New York, the ‘Boys went back home to prepare for another road battle, this time against Seattle.  No pomp.  No circumstance.  Just business.  That’s the way it should be.

 

Give credit to Garrett for this positive development.  In a league where a team often takes on the personality of their head coach, it should be a comfort for fans to have someone like Garrett leading America’s Team at this point in time.  Garrett has been on Super Bowl teams before, and knows how to handle success.  More importantly for a first-time head coach employed with the task of cleaning up from Wade Phillips’ headfirst dive into the NFL furnace, he was there firsthand when the Dallas dynasty of the ‘90s fell apart from the top down.  He knows the trademarks of a puppet, Barry Switzer, when faced with one, and was determined not be the next in a long line of Jerry’s Puppets that earned an inauspicious exit down the Valley Ranch garbage shoot.

The media tires of his straightforward press conferences laced with what are perceived to be worn-out cliché’s.  But at least his steady demeanor is rubbing off on the right people. By each and every early indication, this year’s Cowboys appeared to be taking on some of that personality.  That’s big news after so many seasons of emotionally-charged collapses.

 

And then the rumor began swirling this week that Jerry Jones was negotiating with Tony Romo’s agent about a contract extension. Why now, Jerry?  Why not wait till later, huh?  After all, it isn’t like Romo’s contract expires at the end of this season.  This isn’t the fabled “contract year” Romo’s laboring under.

 

Ah, it’s been a good seven, eight, nine days (however long it has been since Dallas last played a football game) for the Cowboys genial owner.  His $2.1 billion empire goes into New York with an underpaid, underweight offensive line and takes down the mighty Giants by the strong arm of Romo.  Brilliant!

Then, a few days later, the invention of JerryWipes hits the market, Jones’ new pet eyeglass cleaner that can also be used to wipe clean so many other things not worth mentioning.  Believe me, the appearance of Jones’ personal portfolio has been greatly improved with this stroke of genius.  Brilliant again!

But what’s a perfect week without a little splurge?  What better way to let the world know that the Cowboys are “back” than by throwing a few wads of cash around the parking lot?  Especially at your big-name, big-smile quarterback.

So goes the thought process of Jerry Jones.  As much as he likes to say it, winning isn’t happiness to him.  If it was, the almighty dollar wouldn’t get mixed up in the equation so often.

And he would have known better than to broach the wormy subject of contract extension with the captain and savior of his franchise.  Nothing is more of a distraction for a player or a team than to have a contract hanging over the franchise quarterback.

Garrett has worked eighteen long months to rid the locker room of any, and all, distractions.  Bespeaking of his character, Garrett loathes distractions.  That’s why Marion Barber and Leonard Davis are gone, and why he’s given the Mike Jenkins and Felix Jones situations such kid glove treatment.  That’s why he is a one-day-at-a-time-while-going-forward type of guy.

 

The Cowboys were only beginning to reap the rewards of Garrett’s philosophy when Jones walked around the corner wearing newly-shined eyeglasses and waving cash under Romo’s nose. It’s the last thing the doctor would have ordered for the second week of this season.  This isn’t time for handouts.  It’s time to prepare to go on the road to one of the loudest stadiums in the NFL.  It’s time to try to win back-to-back road games for the first time in nearly three years.  It’s time to try and get a leg-up within the NFC East, not to mention the entire conference.

Yes, Jerry, Romo is a special player, but his bank account isn’t really suffering at the current date. Remember, it wasn’t even five years ago you gave him that $67 million deal.  The only thing Romo needs concern himself with for the next five months is reading blitzes, throwing touchdown passes, and the welfare of wife Candice and baby boy at home.  That’s it.

 

Romo is confident with this offensive cast, he’s happy at home.  No need to mess that all up with worries of financial security when his playing days are done.  Because, let’s face it, in all probability this will be Romo’s final contract as an NFL player.

Garrett and the Cowboys don’t need Romo preoccupied with a full season in front of him, nor do they need him, even subconsciously, resting on his laurels with his future set in stone.  Should Romo relax, then it’s safe to say it’s only a matter of games before the evidence starts to reveal that the rest of the locker room has followed his example.  This is too important a season for everyone involved for that to happen. 

So, Jerry, shall we wait on the compensation act?  The probabilities of it turning out for the good are next to none, if even that good.

Romo, Rodgers Keeps Shine On Dallas-Green Bay Rivalry

When the Cowboys schedule was released and it showed the Cowboys were going to play the Brett Favre-less Green Bay Packers, I was not impressed. It just wouldn't be the same. For years it was Favre vs Troy Aikman, and then it was Favre vs Romo. Rodgers vs Romo didn't exactly sound like a heavyweight matchup. Well, I was wrong.

Sunday night will see the league's two hottest quarterback's face off in a early season battle for NFC supremacy.

While Tony Romo has been his usual impressive self, completing 72 percent of his passes, Aaron Rodgers has played just as well. In leading the Pack to wins over Minnesota and Detroit, Rodgers has thrown for 506 yards and four touchdowns, while completing 70 percent of his throws.

The Cowboys won a shootout with Green Bay last November in Dallas, but it must be remembered that after Rodgers replaced an injured Brett Favre, the Cowboys were outscored 17-10. Rodgers shredded the Cowboys defense for over 200 yards.

Sure, Favre's not here for this one, but two good quarterbacks will still be on the field.

Tony Romo's Play Mirroring Greatness

Cowboys fans waited a long time for a replacement to Troy Aikman. Six seasons to be exact.
Quincy Carter, Chad Hutchinson, Drew Henson and Drew Bledsoe all had tryouts, but were sooner or later parked by the curb. Aikman's replacement came in the form of a smiling kid from Eastern Illinois University by the name of Tony Romo.

Though Romo appears poised to lead the Cowboys for many years, doubters and scoffers still abound.

This is for all of you naysayers.

Romo seems to be a magnet for attention off the field, being linked with Jessica Simpson and participating in almost every celebrity golf tournament, which has caused some view points on Romo's desire and dedication to the game to become skewered somewhat. No. 9 hasn't been fully accepted in all Cowboy circles. I'm not sure why, because between the sidelines Romo is putting up numbers reserved for legends. Granted, Romo has only 27 regular season starts under his belt, but he is on pace to put himself at, or near the top of some major individual statistical records.

Since he took over from Bledsoe, Romo has been described as too erratic. Well, he's so erratic that his career completion percentage of 65.1 is second only to Chad Pennington's 65.6.
If he played as many seasons as Dan Marino (17), Romo would find himself as the all-time leader in 300 yard passing games, with 87. I'll admit that, by then, his surrounding talent will have likely taken a step down from what it is now, so his current rate of seven 300 yard games a season probably won't continue. But still, from 2008-2019 he could average five 300 yard passing games a year and still tie Marino's supposedly untouchable mark of 63.
What about the all important QB rating? Romo's mark of 96.7 is bettered only by Steve Young's 96.8. Peyton Manning, who some suggest is the best quarterback to ever play the game, only carries a 94.7 rating.

Romo's career average gain per attempt is 8.36 yards, which is third to hallowed stars from the past, Otto Graham and Sid Luckman. Skeptics will point out that he is benefiting in that area from a very balanced, offensive attack. Handing off to Marion Barber and throwing to Terrell Owens is easy, so they say. It must be remembered that Aikman guided maybe the most efficient offense in the history of the league in 1995 but only averaged 7.6 yards per attempt.
Romo's not merely setting individual records, though. Remember back in the Dave Campo era, when one road victory was deemed acceptable? And that one win was over a Redskins team that found it entertaining to find new ways to lose? That is a thing of the past, for sure. With Romo at the helm, the Cowboys are 11-2 away from home. In the process they tied a club record for most consecutive road wins (10), which is the third best mark in NFL history. The irony of the losses is that both have been to the Redskins. Whoever said facts aren't amusing obviously missed that one.

11-2 is pretty good. However, it could, and maybe should be better. Loss No.1 happened because a 35 yard field goal attempt was blocked, and the other defeat came while Dallas was resting most of their starters for the playoffs.

How easily he could be a lucky 13-0 on the road.

Sure, Romo makes a flash off the field, but at least he's doing a great job on it. Because twenty years from now, that's what people will remember him for.

Cowboys-Eagles: Ryan's Top Five Cowboys Losses

#1 1995: (The Fourth & 1 Play) Eagles 20 Cowboys 17

It doesn't get any dumber than going for it on fourth & 1 while at their own 29 yard line on a cold day that's already seen you blow a big lead. Seeing Emmitt Smith get stuffed for a second straight play that ultimately won the game for Philly will forever be recalled in Eagles lore, and is a moment to forget if you carry the silver and blue banner. Fortunately, the worst decision in team history didn't blow up in Barry Switzer's face as the team did not lose another game that season on the way to capturing Super Bowl XXX.

#2 1996: (Aikman's INT) Eagles 34 Cowboys 24

After a back and forth game, it looked as if the Cowboys might sneak away with a big victory over their rival. But with less than half a minute remaining and the Cowboys sitting inside the Philly 10 yard line trailing 27-24, Troy Aikman's pass was intercepted in the end zone and returned 102 yards for the game-clinching touchdown.

#3 1999: (Irvin's Injury) Eagles 13 Cowboys 10

When Michael Irvin fell to the ground on that gray day at Veterans Stadium it signaled the death of the Cowboys. A spine injury on the play ended his Hall of Fame career and shut down the Cowboys offense for the rest of the season. A team that had put 100 points on the board in the first three games of the season, could only muster 10 that game. As Irvin was rolled off the field on the stretcher, the Eagles fans cheered gleefully. Dallas finished 8-8 on the year.

#4 2000:(The Pickle Juice Game) Eagles 41 Cowboys 14

Seeing Troy Aikman get battered and beaten on a day when the temperature on the field was reported to be 150 degrees was simply awful. The Eagles did everything right, while the Cowboys did everything wrong. Aikman left with a concussion, Joey Galloway was lost for the year with an injury, and Duce Staley ran over the Cowboys defense for 200 yards. How? According to Eagles players, they kept themselves hydrated by drinking a mixture of pickle juice and water. The Cowboys reportedly tried it once after but it obviously didn't work, as they would finish the year 5-11.

#5 1980: (The Collapse) Eagles 20 Cowboys 7

Hate was projected to be boiling over on this frigid day at Veterans Stadium. This wasn't no ordinary division game. The winner was headed to the Super Bowl. Dallas was thought to be the favorite after whipping the Eagles only three weeks previously, and due to their experience in playoff games. But the Cowboys simply never got off the bus, as running back Wilbert Montgomery rushed for 194 yards on only 26 carries and carried the Eagles to a 20-7 victory and a date with Oakland in Super Bowl XV. Tony Dorsett lost a fumble, and Danny White threw an interception as well as couching the ball up once. In swirling wind conditions, White and Ron Jaworski combined to complete only 21 of 60 passes.
This was the first of three consecutive NFC Championship Game defeats for the Cowboys.

Dallas Cowboys Great Bob Hayes Nominated to Hall Of Fame

Maybe the Pro Football Hall Of Fame is about to make up for an egregious oversight and elect "Bullet" Bob Hayes in as a senior member. Hayes' world class speed impacted the game as no other receiver has, as evidenced by his 20 yard per reception average over the length of his career. But a lack of respect, some refer to is as Cowboy bias, has kept him out. Well, Cowboys and Cowboys Fans and many others think there shouldn't be any question as to his credentials.

But that's what the process is there for, so let it take its course. But it's about time!

Now, there are a few other Cowboys...................