DMN: Dallas Cowboys can credit young talent for coming out on top
by Jean-Jacques Taylor
12:49 AM CST on Thursday, December 13, 2007
IRVING – Although they occasionally drive you crazy because of their flaws, these Cowboys are a special bunch for one reason: They continually find ways to win.
An onside kick recovery against Buffalo and subsequent field goal on the final play. A blocked field goal return for a touchdown against Minnesota. Four touchdowns from Terrell Owens against Washington.
An interception return touchdown by Terence Newman against the Jets. Four touchdown passes by Tony Romo against Green Bay.
The list could go on and on and on.
Understand, the Cowboys used to find new and exciting ways to lose several games a year as recently as last season. And, no, it didn't matter that Bill Parcells was their coach.
That's not a knock on Parcells, simply a fact.
You remember the debacle against Washington last year, when the Cowboys somehow attempted a game-winning field goal on the final play of a tie game and it turned into a gut-wrenching loss.
How about the loss at Seattle in 2005, when Drew Bledsoe threw one of the worst interceptions in NFL history as Dallas allowed 10 points in the final 40 seconds to blow a seven-point lead. And we really don't even need to talk about the botched snap against Seattle in the playoffs last season.
Now, though, luck is on the Cowboys' side. All is right in the universe. God is, once again, looking through the hole in the roof and smiling on his beloved football team.
Whatever.
The Cowboys are 12-1 because their young talent stockpiled over the last five seasons has matured. These days – like all good teams – they find ways to win instead of lose. More important, Dallas can beat you multiple ways.
Most weeks, the offense is good enough to get the job done without much help.
On the weeks it isn't, the defense can do the job like it did in wins this season over Chicago, St. Louis, Minnesota and even Green Bay, when it made Brett Favre look every bit of his 38 years. What's been impressive is the big role special teams have played in wins over Chicago, Buffalo and Minnesota.
None of this is happenstance.
During the last few years, the Cowboys have systematically filled their roster with playmakers. They're simply reaping the benefits from that approach.
Actually, it's a simple philosophy they're following. Draft or sign players who were playmakers in college, and odds are, if they can play at the NFL level, they will be playmakers at pro football's highest level.
Terence Newman. Roy Williams. DeMarcus Ware. Jason Witten. Terrell Owens. Greg Ellis. Each was signed or drafted to be a difference-maker in close games.
Others such as Tony Romo, Marion Barber, Chris Canty, Bradie James, Jay Ratliff and Patrick Crayton have developed into playmakers.
See, this roster is loaded with players who can change the complexion of a game on a single play.
Most weeks, the offense is good enough to get the job done without much help.
On the weeks it isn't, the defense can do the job like it did in wins this season over Chicago, St. Louis, Minnesota and even Green Bay, when it made Brett Favre look every bit of his 38 years. What's been impressive is the big role special teams have played in wins over Chicago, Buffalo and Minnesota.
None of this is happenstance.
During the last few years, the Cowboys have systematically filled their roster with playmakers. They're simply reaping the benefits from that approach.
Actually, it's a simple philosophy they're following. Draft or sign players who were playmakers in college, and odds are, if they can play at the NFL level, they will be playmakers at pro football's highest level.
Terence Newman. Roy Williams. DeMarcus Ware. Jason Witten. Terrell Owens. Greg Ellis. Each was signed or drafted to be a difference-maker in close games.
Others such as Tony Romo, Marion Barber, Chris Canty, Bradie James, Jay Ratliff and Patrick Crayton have developed into playmakers.
See, this roster is loaded with players who can change the complexion of a game on a single play.
12:49 AM CST on Thursday, December 13, 2007
IRVING – Although they occasionally drive you crazy because of their flaws, these Cowboys are a special bunch for one reason: They continually find ways to win.
An onside kick recovery against Buffalo and subsequent field goal on the final play. A blocked field goal return for a touchdown against Minnesota. Four touchdowns from Terrell Owens against Washington.
An interception return touchdown by Terence Newman against the Jets. Four touchdown passes by Tony Romo against Green Bay.
The list could go on and on and on.
Understand, the Cowboys used to find new and exciting ways to lose several games a year as recently as last season. And, no, it didn't matter that Bill Parcells was their coach.
That's not a knock on Parcells, simply a fact.
You remember the debacle against Washington last year, when the Cowboys somehow attempted a game-winning field goal on the final play of a tie game and it turned into a gut-wrenching loss.
How about the loss at Seattle in 2005, when Drew Bledsoe threw one of the worst interceptions in NFL history as Dallas allowed 10 points in the final 40 seconds to blow a seven-point lead. And we really don't even need to talk about the botched snap against Seattle in the playoffs last season.
Now, though, luck is on the Cowboys' side. All is right in the universe. God is, once again, looking through the hole in the roof and smiling on his beloved football team.
Whatever.
The Cowboys are 12-1 because their young talent stockpiled over the last five seasons has matured. These days – like all good teams – they find ways to win instead of lose. More important, Dallas can beat you multiple ways.
Most weeks, the offense is good enough to get the job done without much help.
On the weeks it isn't, the defense can do the job like it did in wins this season over Chicago, St. Louis, Minnesota and even Green Bay, when it made Brett Favre look every bit of his 38 years. What's been impressive is the big role special teams have played in wins over Chicago, Buffalo and Minnesota.
None of this is happenstance.
During the last few years, the Cowboys have systematically filled their roster with playmakers. They're simply reaping the benefits from that approach.
Actually, it's a simple philosophy they're following. Draft or sign players who were playmakers in college, and odds are, if they can play at the NFL level, they will be playmakers at pro football's highest level.
Terence Newman. Roy Williams. DeMarcus Ware. Jason Witten. Terrell Owens. Greg Ellis. Each was signed or drafted to be a difference-maker in close games.
Others such as Tony Romo, Marion Barber, Chris Canty, Bradie James, Jay Ratliff and Patrick Crayton have developed into playmakers.
See, this roster is loaded with players who can change the complexion of a game on a single play.
Most weeks, the offense is good enough to get the job done without much help.
On the weeks it isn't, the defense can do the job like it did in wins this season over Chicago, St. Louis, Minnesota and even Green Bay, when it made Brett Favre look every bit of his 38 years. What's been impressive is the big role special teams have played in wins over Chicago, Buffalo and Minnesota.
None of this is happenstance.
During the last few years, the Cowboys have systematically filled their roster with playmakers. They're simply reaping the benefits from that approach.
Actually, it's a simple philosophy they're following. Draft or sign players who were playmakers in college, and odds are, if they can play at the NFL level, they will be playmakers at pro football's highest level.
Terence Newman. Roy Williams. DeMarcus Ware. Jason Witten. Terrell Owens. Greg Ellis. Each was signed or drafted to be a difference-maker in close games.
Others such as Tony Romo, Marion Barber, Chris Canty, Bradie James, Jay Ratliff and Patrick Crayton have developed into playmakers.
See, this roster is loaded with players who can change the complexion of a game on a single play.
posted by The Gryphon at 8:48 AM
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