I have been watching the message traffic on this board all season.  This horrible season to be exact.  Like many of you, I have been in a state of depression that our beloved Cowboys are the laughingstock of the NFL.   I, too have been disgusted at their poor play, stupid penalties, bad play calls, poor execution, you name it. This isn't what I was feeling last year.  Last year, especially December, was great.  This year, well, not so great.

So what is the purpose of this post?  Gratitude. It occurred to me that I am one incredibly lucky person.  I was incredibly lucky to wake up this morning (many people don't).  I was lucky to be able to get out of bed on my own (many people can't), in my own house (many have lost theirs), with my wife of 35 years beside me (some people have no one).  I was lucky to have a hot shower and a good breakfast (many people are homeless and starving), and I am lucky to have a job (10% of Americans don't).

So this Thanksgiving, win or lose, good play or bad, I will be rooting for our 'Boys and being very grateful that I am a fan of the most famous sports franchise in the world.  Envied by 31 other teams and their fans.  A shining silver and blue star that is instantly recognizable and a statement in itself.  We as fans have been through bad times before and come out the other end as champions.  We'll do it again.  Just have faith.  And be grateful for what you have.

I am a firm believer that what you put out in life is what you will receive in return.  If you are a good person and live your life without hate or jealousy, help your fellow man when he's down, and do what you can to help make this existence as positive as possible, good things will generally happen for you.  What does this have to do with our Cowboys?  The answer is what is has to do with the fans of the Philadelphia Eagles.

I became a fan of professional football at the tender age of 40.  I had never paid any real attention to it up to that point.  Living in the northeast, specifically the Philadelphia area, all you were blanketed with in the local media was the Eagles.  And Eagles fans.  And their dripping hatred for the Cowboys and their fans.  I didn't understand why, so I started paying more attention to football, did some research, and the picture rapidly cleared up. 

An axiom of Psychology 101 is that if you hate something, deep down you really fear it.  This was the 90's and all of the talk was about the Cowboys.  Winners of multiple Super Bowl's, adulation of the Triplettes, Jimmy Johnson's hairdoo, whatever.  There was so much going on at the time and all things Cowboys made the media.  The Cowboys were no longer national. They were global.  The Eagles have always been a more or less a regional team, and their fans hate every millisecond of it.  That poisonous hatred is pervasive to this day, passed down to successive generations.  And it's had a cost.

The Eagles and their fans have come so close to the prize they covet, but it remains out of reach. Karma is returning to them what they put out.  Karma has also visited our Cowboys from time to time; specifically this decade.  The hubris of the 90's caught up with us and we paid dearly with several years of mediocrity and being the laughing stock of the NFL.   But our humility has been recognized and tentatively rewarded.  More will come as long as we remain humble.  A lesson I fear Eagles fans will never learn.

I don't know if I will ever understand why Wade Phillips hasn't stapled Roy Williams butt to the pine for his level of play this year.  Or rather his lack of play.  He may have had an excuse in Detroit for lack of production, but certainly not here.  I understand that Jerry Jones took a chance on him because of his potential, but it has been proven time after time, a first round pedigree does not a great player make.  Why can't this guy simply catch what Romo is throwing to him?  I don't think Tony's passes are any different than the ones he throws to Witten, Crayton, Austin, etc., are they?  You know, the guys who actually catch the ball.  Not catching the ball is bad enough, but his attitude is infuriating.  He laughs after a drop.  His "It happens...sorry" comment drives me up a wall.  Cris Collingsworth was dead on with his comment during the game that when there is an important play to make, Romo will look to Witten or Austin to make it.  Not RW.  The look on Romo's face is one of disgust every time he drops a well thrown ball.  Usually one that would have meant a first down. To me that speaks volumes of the amount of trust he has for RW.  What would we lose by benching this guy?   I would sooner trust Sam Hurd, and I like Sam so that comment wasn't meant to be a slam on him.     

The Dallas-Philadelphia game will no doubt be debated on both sides as to which team is the best in the NFC East.  Arguments can be made for both teams being the class of the NFC.  The Cowboys did what good , nay great, teams do; the find a way to win and overcome their mistakes. 

 With all that being said, let's acknowledge who I believe to be the player of the game - Witten.  A man among men.  A super hero. A player who says "I don't need no stinkin' helmet".  I don't know if anyone here has ever dislocated a shoulder, but I have.  Twice.  It is a mind numbing experience both when it happens initially and for weeks after.  Let's not forget the happy experience of popping it back in also.  It makes you cry for your momma.  What does Jason do?  He runs into the locker room, say's "doc, pop it back in!"  Get's a little novacaine, and gets right back into the game.  By the way, those shots aren't a lot of joy either since they use a 4 inch needle and and inject the wonder solution into your joints in several places.   I think I saw God when they did it to me, or at least the bright light.

I am taking nothing away from Romo.  That was an incredible gut check on his part to overcome the turnovers and take the 'Boys to victory. But you gotta admit, Jason did one hell of an Emmitt imitation out there last night when the Eagles were plainly out to lay the wood to everyone.   

Sports Illustrated is reporting that Texans wide receiver Harry Williams likely will never play football again after suffering a severe spinal injury in the game against our Cowboys last Friday night.  This can only add fuel to the fire of how necessary preseason games are and what the terrible price of "meaningless" games can be.  The good news is he will be able to walk and function near normally in most respects.  I can't even begin to imagine how the player who collided with him (forgot his name) must be feeling.  It wasn't planned and all, but that probably makes no difference to him. 

Clarence Hill over at the Star-Telegram wrote a nice piece here about the complimentary styles between Bradie James and Zach Thomas.  The reports out of camp about Zach Thomas have been off the scale.   Clarence has one thing to say :

But let’s be clear about one thing. Linebacker Bradie James remains the vocal and emotional leader on defense.

As every good captain should be.  It has been facinating for me to watch Bradie's development over the past few years.  The respect he gets from his teammates and coaches is well deserved.  Bradie isn't shy about promoting himself either:

"I changed the game," James said. "I am the most productive Mike linebacker he has ever had. I am going to keep doing what I am doing. I led the team in tackles the last three years in a row. It’s going to be four years in a row."

When you can back it up with stats like those, a little chest thumping is O.K. by me.

As much as I love reading stories about how Tony Romo and TO have a special bond as QB and WR, Calvin Watkins over at DMN wrote this article that will satisfy anyone's sweet tooth.  Time 10. Here is just a sample:

The bond between Romo and Owens goes beyond the field. The two call each other, hang out together sometimes and attended each others' birthday parties.

Cautionary warning, this next line may upset some readers:

"I made him a birthday cake," Romo said.

I just can't wait for the reaction to that one!

Jean Jacques Taylor of DMN really hit the nail on the head with this article about Bill Parcells never inviting former Cowboys to training camp, instead bringing in ex-Giants as "advisors".   Wade seems to have a better feel for what his team needs from a mental perspective and having former players (Cowboys, that is) with multiple Super Bowls under their belt giving the benefit of their own experiences to the rookies and younger players.  Can you imagine what it would be like to have the Playmaker giving you tips and tricks?  Wow!

At least that is what Jean Jacques Taylor of the Dallas Morning News is thinking.  The full article is here: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/stories/072908dnspotaylor.4384dbc.html.

It's a good read, and I'm as big a Roy Williams fan as you can be.  But he made a comment that troubles me. As JJT wrote:

He must also stop thinking about the horse-collar tackle. The NFL suspended him for a game last December for frequently violating the rule prohibiting horse-collar tackles.

Roy's response was:

"Last year, I really worried about it. This year, I'm not," Williams said. "If it happens, it happens. I can't let that dictate my play on the field.

Um.. Roy, that's a 15 yard penalty.  Maybe you should worry about it. 

I have had it up to my (receding) hairline with all of this Brett Favre drama.  "I'm retiring. No wait, I'm not retiring.  I'm gonna report to training camp. No wait, I might not report. I'm burned out.  No wait, I really want to play but The Packers don't love me any more". Jesuchristo Brett!  Give us a break!  How long have you been playing? 17 years?  Are you expecting us to believe you don't know yourself enough that after a season you might have temporary feelings of depression and doubt that you can handle another season?  What about last year?  You did it right then by laying low and taking stock and coming to an informed and patient decision.  What happened this year?  What? You were pressured into that tearful goodbye speech?  Poor baby!  Here's a hanky.

                                          Brett, as a FYI, your nice little yellow jacket is in reserve in  a little town called Canton.  Do us all a favor and disappear for about five years and it will be yours.  And do it without another exit speech, OK?  I can't take any more drama.

Just saw this on SI website.  It looks like Showtime has picked up the option for Inside The NFL.   http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/football/nfl/06/03/inside.the.nfl.ap/index.html

I'm glad someone did.  That show, love it or hate it, was an institution.  And it was especially good to watch this last season with all of the great Cowboy highlights.  Of course, it was awful to watch from those very bad years. 

I'm getting more than a little bored with the Pacman\Ellis\Williams stories so I thought I would throw out a question to the distinguished members of this blog; Who is your all time favorite play-by-play and color commentary duo?  As I've said before, I've only been following football since 1995 so my experience is limited.  At first I thought it was Madden and Summeral.  Then I remembered some of the incredibly dumb things that John Madden has said (like a turkey has four legs).  And his incredible man love for Brett Favre.   I really liked Pat Summeral though.  Always seemed very prepared and knew what he was talking about. I thought it took amazing control on his part not to laugh out loud at some of Maddens idiodic comments.   

In latter day group  I mostly like the duo of Joe Buck and Troy Aikman.   I might get some argument here but I think Joe Buck is one of the most prepared play-by-play people to call a game.  I don't think I've ever heard him make a mistake.  Troy can be a little annoying at times trying too hard not to look like a Cowboy homer (that Clinton Portis comment still rankles me.  Have you met your heir apparent yet Troy?).  

Al Michaels and John Madden are right up there at the top.  Madden seems like a different person now than he did 10 years ago.  Not as verbose but at the same time he's more interesting to listen to. I like Al Michaels as well.  Again, very prepared and rarely makes a mistake.   

I couldn't find anything to like about  the ESPN crew. 

Let's see what NFLN does this year now that Gumbel got the hook.

I don't see a lot of games on CBS but I do know that Phil Simms makes me reach for the mute button.  Jim Nance seems O.K. 

 Thoughts anyone?

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Ran into an innocent little article by Matt Mosly concerning his mock draft picks... until the next to last paragraph  

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3305086

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No, not that first time.  I mean that one moment in time when you became a Cowboys fanatic.  For me, it was one play in November of 1996.  But first, a little background on me.

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