Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Blue Star Rising

by Linda Cox

Could there be an extreme makeover in the works at the house of the blue star?

Dare we hope the powers that be at Valley Ranch recognize that players have families and represent living breathing organisms?

Players are not just an”x” or “o” on the depth chart.

How will the players adjust to a player’s coach?

Can an unproven Offensive Coordinator working with an undrafted quarterback be the formula for success?

Who’d have thought that before training camp July 2007 there’d be a vacation trip to Vegas in the works for the coaching staff, the front office personnel and the owner/General Manager?

Boy, oh boy, I can’t wait for the new season.

A commitment to excellence is evident in all things done by the Dallas Cowboys, whether on the gridiron, reaching out to the community or in their charitable efforts. Three things come to mind when examining the success of the Dallas Cowboys organization - preparation, persistence and performance.

The mini-camps in May and June are preparation for training camp in July in San Antonio. I scoured the sports section to see what OTA stood for; it is Organized Team Activities. While these OTA’s are not mandatory, you can miss one if you have an excuse. This to me sounds a little like missing a study session when you were in school if your momma writes a note. Persistence is the repetition of plays run; performance is the culmination of the mini-camps, OTA and training camp.

Tony Romo has been studying film, working out and honing his skills in preparation for the 2007-2008 season. Terrell Owens is doing what he does as wide receiver, making plays, catching passes and powering past the defense. Some players are happy with new assignments; some want their agents to meet with the owner/General Manager for restructuring of their contract.

Marco Rivera was cut due to his physical condition. By all accounts, his leadership in the locker room will be missed.

Coach Phillips is a player’s coach, which is a good thing. Jason Garrett is Offensive Coordinator and appears to be giving his players a voice in what plays are called.

As fans of America’s team, we’ve come to expect winning seasons, the impossible made possible through the long bomb, the explosive run, or the yards after catch. The standard is set for excellence that breeds a sense of entitlement for fans.

Do we appreciate the athleticism, the mental toughness and commitment to winning that is evident?

The owner/General Manager, Jerry Jones, is committed to winning, of that I am sure. He is a proud man and has accomplished much in the business arena, caused the NFL to sit up and take notice of his ideas and is active in community affairs. I’m convinced every decision he has made in relation to the Dallas Cowboys however painful personally has been because he believed it would help them win.

Pre-season games can be likened to a dress rehearsal for a symphony orchestra. Everyone gets to play, has an assignment and puts in practice what they’ve learned. The coach, like the symphony conductor can instruct, initiate and inspire. When the coin is tossed or the first note played, he must trust his players to give their all, plus some to get the desired results.

The first regular season game is played at Texas Stadium against the New York Giants, September 9, 2007. It’s a fresh start, a new season, a chance to add to the Dallas Cowboys mystique once more. Two young guns are going against one another, Tony Romo for ‘Da Boys and Eli Manning for the Giants.

For Wade Phillips, the new sheriff in town I wish you all the best. You’ve been entrusted with the legacy; put your stamp on America’s Team. To Jason Garrett, I say “welcome home, Buddy!” For Terrell, make your quarterback shine, catch all the passes that come your way and run over all the defensive linemen.

For sports fans a flawlessly executed game plan is magical. Whether you are in the suites, in the seats behind the end zone or in the recliner in your den, show your appreciation. Stand up and holler.

The heritage of the Dallas Cowboys cast a long shadow. The Ring of Honor at Texas Stadium is a visual reminder of a storied past, but I believe the best days are ahead for the Dallas Cowboys. Their owner/General Manager is a visionary who loves to win, when the chips are down he goes after those who can make it happen. This is evidenced by tapping Roger Staubach to lead the Super Bowl Committee that won the Super Bowl bid for 2011.

Build on the past, enjoy the present and look to the future. The Dallas Cowboys are America’s Team. Other teams who’ve won Super Bowls in the past were hot for a time but our Cowboys, remain America’s team. The mystique of the Dallas Cowboys has captivated fans around the globe. Sportswriter, Skip Bayless once explained the hole in the roof at Texas stadium by saying it was put there so God could watch His team.

Vince Lombardi used to start practices by returning to the basics. “Gentlemen, this is a football.” We’ve got a player’s coach, a former backup quarterback to Troy Aikman as Offensive Coordinator and an owner/General Manager who is committed to bringing the dynasty of a winning football club to the 21st century. We’ve got an unbeatable combination plus the Dallas Cowboy mystique. It seems like we have the fundamental components for a triumphant season. So, I for one plan to sit back fasten my seat belt and enjoy the ride.

We can sum it up in two ways. Da’ Boys are back! Or for the skeptic and naysayer, are Da’ Boys back? I for one pick the former. They’re back!