Put Down the Kool Aid, the Season is Over

If the Cowboys were a stock they would be one that Investment Analysts and Stockbrokers would say is about to skyrocket off the charts only to see it plummet the next week. Just about everybody (myself included) in the metroplex and the national media saw a Cowboy team that had what looked like a tidal wave of momentum heading into their game against Minnesota and would dominate the Vikings like they did the Eagles. Unfortunately all this momentum blinded us to some obvious facts. The Minnesota Vikings were undefeated at home this season and had 48 sacks which averages to 3 sacks a game. Whenever any team no matter how good they have been playing goes into an opponents stadium that is sold out and has a great pass rushing defense, if the defense succeeds in pressuring the quarterback, the team's built up momentum will come to a sudden screeching halt. That is what happened yesterday. The Viking defensive line of Ray Edwards, Jared Allen and Jimmy Kennedy dominated the Cowboy offensive line and reminded older Viking fans of the days of the purple people eaters in the 70's, when defensive linemen Alan Paige, Jim Marshall and Carl Eller dominated their opponents. The Cowboy offense did not help themselves because of Quarterback Tony Romo's careless turnovers and Offensive Coordinator Jason Garrett's strange play calling, but in fairness it is hard and almost impossible for both of them to do well when the Viking defensive line was in the Cowboy backfield most of the game. The Viking defense sacked Romo six times and forced countless other hurries. On top of all that Viking Quarterback Brett Favre was at his best and Wide Receiver Sydney Rice played like Jerry Rice catching 3 touchdown passes. Midway thru the 3rd quarter it was obvious that the Cowboys season and hopes for another superbowl appearance were finished and thoughts of what to do for next year were starting.
Even though the Cowboys lost 34 to 3 yesterday, the future still looks good. Owner Jerry Jones made the right move today not firing Head Coach Wade Phillips and he should keep Jason Garrett as well. What the Cowboys need is additional offensive linemen and another Wide Receiver to take over for Roy Williams. The defense is sound but the special teams needs a more reliable place kicker. Even though the Cowboys don't have a first round pick in the draft they can still address these needs and if they do next year's superbowl in Arlington has a good chance of including the Cowboys.