Pursuit of Perfection Fails to Finish

Originally written Monday February 4, 2008

posted at www.lonestarstruck.com

In the end 18-0 was just not enough. 18-1 doesn't earn you a Championship when the loss comes in the last game. You have to be able to finish to claim the title of Superbowl Champions. I think it was Fox announcer Curt Menefee that I heard say, "The Patriots came in undefeated while the Giants came in undaunted." That just about sums it up. As many of you know, I was rooting for the Giants in this game while many of my other Cowboy friends wanted the Pats to finish their season undefeated and go down in history (while many Cowboy fans also couldn't have cared less). I really didn't think the Giants would accomplish this, but my hat is off to the G-Men. They had a job to do and did what no other team has been able to do this season.

The Giants defense was definitely the key in this game. The defense was able to put so much pressure on Tom Brady that the Pats were never able to get in rhythm and stay there. Brady was sacked 5 times and hit 9 other times while throwing the ball.

As Cowboy fans, why should we care? Well, here are my thoughts for what they're worth: The Giants defense pressured Brady just like it did Romo in our last game against the Giants. While many people have wanted to play the blame game and not give the Giants credit for the win over the Cowboys, I for one, will do so. Our loss to the Giants had nothing to do with Jessica Simpson, or Mexico, or assistant coaches being distracted. Jessica didn't play in the game. The game took place in Dallas, not Mexico. The coaches didn't drop the balls, botch the plays, or fail to protect Romo. Like T.O. said in his interview after the game: "We lost as a team."

Protection was something Brady would have loved to have had yesterday. The Giants defense just kept getting into the backfield and I'm sure that Brady was hearing footsteps coming up behind him on every play by the end of the game. I don't blame Brady for this loss and I don't blame Romo for ours. A quarterback is one man, while a win/loss is a team effort. The Giants outplayed the Patriots, and, much as it pains me to say it, they outplayed the Boys.

I do take some consolation in the fact that the Patriots will not be considered "The Greatest Team of All Time" now. They are just one of the other 31 teams who failed to finish.

One final thought for what it's worth: Our Cowboys played the Giants three times this season, winning two, but losing the one that counted. The Patriots played the Giants twice this season, winning one, but losing the one that counted. If you add up the score of the Giants v. Patriots games you come up with 8 quarters of football and a final cumulative score of 52-52. The Cowboys, on the other hand, played 12 quarters of football against the Giants and finished with a final cumulative score of Cowboys 93-Superbowl Champions 76. Now, I know that's not much consolation to my Cowboy friends out there but I find some satisfaction in it (not much, but some….). Should we have beaten the Giants at home and advanced further in the playoffs? Yes, we should have, but we didn't. Could we have beaten the Patriots in the Superbowl? Yes, I think we could have, but that question will have to remain unanswered.

To the Patriots, I say, we Cowboys know how you feel. It's tough to have so much promise and potential and fall short at the end. We know…..

To the Giants, who have not, and probably will not, get the respect they deserve from most, I tip my hat to you on a good season and the ability to finish well. Wear your crown proudly. You are Champions and I freely admit it.

However, keep your ears to the ground during the offseason. Down in Texas, horses are getting re-shod and saddles are being polished. If you listen closely, you will begin to hear the thunder of distant hoof beats and the crack of whips. All too soon, you will see Stars on the horizon. It's not your fan club coming to pay homage. It's a cattle drive decked out in Silver and Blue coming to trample you and take your crown. So, enjoy this one Giants. We're thinking of you here in Texas. Can't wait to see you.

Why I am Rooting for the Giants in Superbowl XLII

Originally posted on Thursday, January 24, 2008
at www.lonestarstruck.com

Yes, I know this is a Cowboys fan site and yes, I know many of my Cowboy friends could care less about who comes out on top in this year's Superbowl. However, I have decided to throw my support behind the Giants, and here's why:

First of all, New England is a great team - I will give them that. Are they the greatest team of all time? I'm not ready to place that accolade upon their head. They do have the greatest regular season record of all time (Remember the Dolphins season in 1972 was only 14 games long). Are they invincible? I definitely don't believe that. I have seen them struggle from time to time this season and I think that even the mighty Patriots have their weaknesses that can be exploited.

My biggest problem with the Patriots, is that while I think they are a great team, I cringe every time I hear an analyst on ESPN or some other sports show, gushing with orgasmic delight when they talk about this team. Yes, they're good, but c'mon people… Here's a towel. Clean yourself off and let's try to be objective. They are not a machine and they are not without their faults.

The Giants, on the other hand, are a team many feel don't deserve to be in the Superbowl. They didn't play consistently throughout the season and couldn't even win their division. However, they have done what it takes down the stretch and have put together an impressive record on the road. Maybe they don't deserve it, but it's hard to argue with the fact that they're still there while the players of 30 other teams are home enjoying chips, dip, and a cold one on the couch.

I have argued for years that the NFC East is consistently the best division in football. I realize that there are years when they don't produce threatening teams like they have in other years, but on a year in, year out basis, the NFC East usually fields some pretty tough teams. Which means that for the Cowboys to win the East is an impressive achievement in and of itself.

My argument here is, if the Giants win the Superbowl, it buttresses the Cowboy claim to a great season (although I don't think we need any other validation). We beat the Giants twice during the regular season, and took the division title. Yes, we lost to the Giants in the post-season when it counted most, but the team to knock us out was one of our own. Three out of four NFC East teams made the playoffs, and I think that's impressive. For an NFC East team to win the Superbowl, just shows that the young NFC East Champion Cowboys are a team to be reckoned with next year.

I didn't write this blog to convince you to root for the Giants. I am just trying to explain my reasoning. I really don't care who you root for in the Superbowl, just as long as you continue to support the Cowboys with your heart and soul.

What I would like to convince you of is this: Don't be like the Cowboy-haters out there. You know, those people who can't bear to give us credit when credit is due. The Cowboys are a polarizing team - it seems you either love them or hate them. There isn't much ground in between. The haters always want to find fault, downplay our achievements, and come up with reasons as to why we aren't the team our record shows. Let us not be that way, Cowboy fans. We should rise above the pettiness and hate for the accomplishments of other teams. Whichever team wins this Superbowl should be deserving of our congratulatory kudos. We're above the bitterness, snide comments, and hate-filled talk. We're Cowboys. Our day will come….

Who do I want to win the Superbowl now?

Originally written Tuesday, January 15, 2008

A lot of my friends have asked me which team I would like to see win the Superbowl now that the Cowboys have been eliminated. To be honest, I am a one team guy so it really doesn't matter. Usually, when teams other than the Cowboys are playing, I tend to pull for either the underdog or, during the regular season, a team that, by winning, helps Dallas gain some advantage, such as a divisional championship, home field in the post-season, etc.

I really have no idea who I want to win it all now. I am sure I will watch the remaining games but I am pretty cool about whoever comes out on top. I don't really have a like or dislike for any of the remaining teams, but here are my thoughts for whatever they're worth:

New England Patriots

Like it or not, the Pats have had an incredible season. To go 16-0 in the regular season in the NFL is historic. Only one team has ever done that before - the Dolphins of 1972 (note: the Dolphins regular season was just 14 games long). I have to give credit to New England. They have had a great season and could very well be one of the best football teams of all time. I don't particularly care for them, but I have a tremendous amount of respect for what they have accomplished so far.

Just a word about the spycam incident here: They've been punished for it by the league. It's over. Let it go. Who cares? Every team in the NFL has tried at some point in time to get an edge on the opposing team - either within the rules or outside them. Former Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson said in an interview recently that other teams had stolen our signals when he led the team to two consecutive Superbowl victories. He said the coaches told him afterward that although they knew what play the Cowboys were going to run, it just didn't matter. The Cowboys were so good that you couldn't stop them even by knowing in advance what they were going to do.

My point is, yes, the Patriots cheated. Would they have been just as good without cheating? Probably. Discipline and execution are the key. To be honest, the Patriots may be the very best in those two areas right now. Oh yeah.....and they have some decent talent on the team. LOL. Anyway, I can't deny that to this point in the season, the Pats probably deserve a Superbowl Championship. They do still have to earn it mind you. No remaining team will just up and give it to them. However, no remaining team may have the weapons to stop them either. Should the Pats win, I will not begrudge them that honor.

Green Bay Packers

Without a doubt the Packers are one of the most storied teams in the NFL. From the early days of the NFL with Lombardi and Bart Star, the Pack has a proud history. Brett Favre has followed in that tradition quite well and is going to be a Hall of Famer without question. Plus, from what I have seen of him, he's just a decent guy. I have no problems seeing the Packers win it all either.

San Diego Chargers

Now, I do have to admit that I have a soft spot in my heart for the Chargers, and that's for one reason only. Do you know what it is? Norv Turner. I always have a soft spot in my heart for former coaches and players for the Cowboys. When Turner was with the Cowboys in the 90's as offensive coordinator under Jimmy Johnson, he did an excellent job. However, he has been unable to achieve that high level of success since becoming a head coach himself. He has received a lot of criticism since leaving Dallas - some deserved I guess, but some not. Just because of Norv, I would be happy to see San Diego come out on top as well.

New York Giants

Now I know many of you hate the Giants. Not just because of the loss on Sunday - although that is still an open wound at the moment. However, although I love the Cowboys, I have to admit that the Giants outplayed us Sunday, and on that day (and that day only), they were the better team. They outplayed us. I am not going to analyze the game and give the reasons why "the Giants didn't really win, we just beat ourselves." The Giants won. That's it. End of Story. Let's just own up to it and give them credit. Congratulations Giants. There. That felt better (OK, it didn't really feel better, but it was in order I think).

Am I OK with the Giants winning the Superbowl? Yes, and here's why: The Giants represent the NFC East - the very division that the Cowboys won during the regular season. For years I have argued that the NFC East is consistently the best and most competitive division in the NFL. For example, when the Cowboys won back to back Superbowls in 1992 and 1993, do you remember who won the two Superbowls right before that in 1990 and 1991? If you said the Giants and the Redskins, you are correct - both from the NFC East. For those four years, the NFC East held the world championship. That's good. All the AFC could offer was Buffalo (I won't get into that here). My point is that for the Giants to win the Superbowl, actually only reflects well on the Cowboys and their performance this season. Yes, we fell short in the end, but it wouldn't be bad to say that the team that won the Superbowl finished second in the division to our Boys.

So, all in all, I am good with everything. The Boys are out but the future is very promising for our team. I am going to just try to enjoy the remaining games and not stress over who wins. I have had enough stress for this season.