Luckless in Lambeau?

This Sunday, the Packers will host the Cowboys at Lambeau Field for just the sixth time in the history of the two clubs. At Lambeau, the Cowboys have never tasted success. Our record against the Packers has been great when we play them at Texas Stadium and we have had wins against them at Milwaukee (where the Cheeseheads have occasionally played some home games).

In the five previous meetings at Lambeau, here’s how things turned out:

Nov. 13, 1960 – Cowboys 8, Packers 41

Dec. 31, 1967 – Cowboys 17, Packers 21 (the Ice Bowl)

Oct. 8, 1989 – Cowboys 13, Packers 31

Nov. 23, 1997 – Cowboys 17 – Packers 45

Oct. 24, 2004 – Cowboys 20, Packers 41

As you can see, the Boys have been pretty luckless in Lambeau so far. Will Sunday be different? I think so. It seems as if last season and this one have both been seasons of “firsts” and “lasts” for the Cowboys and our young leader, Mr. Romo. Personally, I think the key to victory in Green Bay this Sunday will be the arm of our young Wisconsin native. Perhaps it will take a young man who grew up in Burlington, Wisconsin to break the jinx of Titletown, U.S.A. and warm up the “Frozen Tundra” for a first Cowboy victory. So – no pressure Tony – but we’re countin’ on ya.

The Packers don’t have Brett Favre anymore. We all know that. To paraphrase the Packers management, “The Favre Train has left the building.” He now plays for the New York Bretts, leaving the reigns of the Packer season in the hands of Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers has looked good thus far, but the season is early, and the Packers haven’t played a team with the kind of talent the Cowboys have.

Also, Rodgers did look good when he replaced Favre last year against the Cowboys at Texas Stadium – just not good enough. Many in the media are singing the praises of the new Packer starting QB – calling Lambeau field “Mr. Rodgers Neighborhood.” However, like Bill Parcells once said, “Let’s put away the anointing oil.” It’s early. Romo may have something to say about who the real sheriff in town is.

Mr. Rodgers Neighborhood? I don’t think so. Perhaps we, as Cowboy fans should sing the song together and add a new twist. Hopefully, you are old enough to remember the original show on PBS. If not, here’s how it goes with a final change to the ending:

It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood…

A beautiful day in the neighborhood…

Won’t you be my…

Won’t you be my…

VICTIM!!!!!

Fair warning to our dear “neighbors” in the north - you’re going down. Go ahead and nail up the sign “Cowboys Owned” over the Lambeau label. The “Favre Train” has left the station and the current “Rodgers Trolley” just doesn’t have the “umpf” to pull the hill.

A Few Minutes As An Eagles Fan

I admit that with a background in Biblical studies, theology, and philosophy I am not your typical sportswriter by any means. Sometimes my blogs are a bit “over the top” when I apply Biblical analogies to the Cowboys and events surrounding them. I have been a fan of the Cowboys since 1972 and get these crazy ideas and start writing until I gush with praise over their success (or I think Armageddon is just around the corner when they fail). That’s just the way I think in my own little world inside my head and I share it with others in the hope that they might find it entertaining as well. Do I really think God has a favorite team? Not really. I think God loves all people, without regard to their skin color or the uniform they wear.

So, today, I have decided to try something different in this blog. I am going to try to lay aside any bias or prejudice I may have. For a few minutes, I’m going to pretend to be a fan of another NFL team and ruminate on our glorious history. Now lets see which one I should pick…

The Buffalo Bills…with four straight Superbowl losses…Nah.

The N.Y. Giants…No. Although, my hat is off to them for last year’s success, I’m still too bitter.

The Redskins…NO! I can’t commit blasphemy even if it is just pretend.

I know…the Eagles!!! Since we play them this Monday, they’re perfect.

Now lets think back over the grand and glorious history of the Philadelphia Eagles…

We have gone to the Superbowl eight times and won five Lombardi Trophies…No. Wait. That was that other team we hate so much. We, the Eagles, have gone to the Superbowl…um…just once. It was 1980 and we made history by being the first team ever to lose to a wildcard team (the Oakland Raiders).

Remember when the Bills went to four straight Superbowls and lost all four? Each loss was to a team from the NFC East; once to the Giants, once to the Redskins, and twice to the Cowboys. One of those should have been ours in order for the entire NFC East to have been represented. Unfortunately, those damn Cowboys took more than their fair share.

OK, so Superbowl titles are not exactly our forte, but we do have three NFL Championships that we earned before the Superbowl was inaugurated. These occurred in 1948, 1949 and 1960. Unfortunately, since I am only 40 years old, I am not old enough to remember these “glory days.” Then, in 1960, an expansion club (previously mentioned above) was started that sort of eclipsed us and we have been living in their shadow ever since.

This year is going to be different though. We opened last Sunday by obliterating the Rams 38-3. Granted, the Rams are only a Junior Varsity team but I was really impressed. Now, we’re on our way to Texas to take on the Cowboys and that T.O. dude that we can’t stand anymore. We Birds are ready to show “the Boys” what we have.

Awww hell, forget it - I can’t stand it! I hope my Cowboys beat the wings off those Eagles!!!!

I am a Cowboy fan and proud of it. Forget this “New Age, get in touch with your enemy” crap. I am a one team, and one team only man. The Cowboys are the only team I care about. Give me the Silver and Blue. Give me the stadium with the hole in the roof and the Ring of Honor that makes me so proud. Give me the Star that some teams fear, some hate, but all respect. Give me a “history of victory” and a destiny of future Lombardi Trophies down the road. Give me the Dallas Cowboys – America’s Team – My Team.

To fans of other teams out there, God bless you. Keep supporting your team. Feel free to comment, brag on your team or bash mine. Diversity is what makes everything so much fun. Stay loyal. But just remember this – some call it arrogance, we just call it confidence. We know we’re good. You support your team. I respect that and I respect you. But to paraphrase the book of Joshua from the Old Testament (Joshua 24:15), “Choose this day which team you cheer for, but as for me and my house, we will cheer for the Cowboys.”

Can I get an “AMEN” from the congregation?


NOTE: I would like to make a correction to this blog. One of my friends pointed out to me that the Eagles have actually been to the Superbowl twice - not just once. This is correct. In 2005, the Eagles faced the Pats and once again came away without the Lombardi. T.O., who was still an Eagle at that time, had an outstanding day after just having returned from a broken ankle, but even this wasn't enough for the Eagles to claim their much desired championship.

I can't believe I forgot about that one. I hate not getting my facts right even when I am just poking fun at another team.

You know what they say - the memory is the second thing to go. I can't remember what the first thing is or when it left, but once I do remember, I am sure I will blog about it somewhere...

-Rich

THE PROPHET STRAHAN PICKS COWBOYS TO WIN IT ALL

The opening day of the NFL season was exciting for some fans and excruciating for others. For us Cowboy fans, we watched the Cowboys take some “hard knocks” in the dog pound with MBIII’s bruised ribs and Tony taking it on the chin, but overall our Boys looked superb (I won’t discuss the penalties here, but Wade, get on their “arse” about that…). Jets fans were, no doubt, excited to see Favre in that green and white uniform, and he didn’t disappoint. Poor Patriots fans who haven’t yet recovered from the greatest underachievement in history, have now had to face the fact that Tom Brady is out for the season and the fantasies of the Brady Bunch earning another Superbowl title has now been all but erased from the list of possibilities.

The thing I found most interesting about Sunday was that Michael Strahan, former defensive end of the Giants, predicted the Cowboys to win it all. Strahan said, “I have to be realistic and I have to be objective here, the Dallas Cowboys are the best team in the league.”

Most of Strahan’s former teammates stated that Strahan was just trying to motivate the Giants since they are considered a longshot to repeat as Superbowl Champions.

Do you think Strahan was trying to motivate his former teammates? I don’t. I think Strahan, who I admit was awesome at his position, decided to retire at the end of last season because he realized Santa Claus had given the Giants a present that was far and above what could be expected. Strahan realized that hoisting the Lombardi was a fluke that could not be repeated during his career and decided to “get out while the gettin was good.” You can’t motivate mediocrity. Strahan was just being a realist, and the reality is that the Cowboys, barring serious injuries, are the best there is.

Strahan is not trying to motivate the Giants. His new job as an analyst depends on him being knowledgeable of the game and accurate in his analysis of teams in the league. He didn’t say that the Cowboys were the best team in the league to motivate the Giants. He said it because the Cowboys are the best team in the league.

In the Old Testament, God often called prophets to prophesy against their own people and let them know that judgment is on the way. You may not agree with me, but I believe Strahan is a “prophet” who is simply acting on his calling to let the Giants know that judgment is coming – it’s coming from Texas, God’s Chosen Team is about to reclaim their place as Superbowl Champions.

The Lombardi is coming home to America’s Team. I assure you it is not going to stay in the “Meadowlands of Mediocrity.” God bless Michael Strahan for having the “prophetic courage” to speak the truth and God bless the Cowboys.

Highlights of America's Team Through the Years

Here's another video of Cowboy highlights that one of my friends sent me.

I hope you enjoy watching this as much as I did.