I thought it made sense at the time.

For a team on the verge of the Super Bowl, maybe it was. You add a high-risk, high-reward player at a reasonable salary. If it doesn't work, he's gone. If it does, you gambled and won.

I realized the risk at the time. I acknowledged his baggage. His arrests. The naysayers. It was a Faustian deal with the Devil and I believed we'd see a championship before hellfire.

Turns out I was wrong on both counts. The Cowboys weren't on the verge of anything except implusion. And Pacman Jones was high-risk alright. But the rewards never surfaced.

Jones did play hard and he did lead the team in pass deflections. But he wasn't the punt returner we envisioned nor the impact player we gambled for.

Now, according to reports, his days as a Cowboy are over.

The Adam Jones' experiment is over.

The Cowboys will release Jones on Friday, the first day teams are allowed to waive players, severing ties with the oft-troubled player and leaving the sixth overall pick in the 2005 NFL draft without a job again.

The Cowboys acquired Jones from Tennessee last April for a fourth-round pick while he was under league suspension for multiple violations of the personal conduct policy. He was fully reinstated on Aug. 28 by the league after he was allowed to participate in the organized team activities, training camp and preseason games.

We played with the Devil and got burnt. I'm not saying Pacman is the devil. Go down to the local police department and read the police blotters and you'll see that. But we opened ourselves up to an unnecessary distraction when we should've been focused on football and it bit us in the butt. That's the Devil to me. Not being focused on the real reason we all come here: football.

I hope the burning sensation lingers a little bit.

We should learn from this.

We had a lot of problems on special teams this year.

We lost a crucial game to the Cards on the first and last plays of the game. Pittsburgh had a critical punt return that keyed their comeback against us. We started the Philadelphia debacle (I think that's what I'm going to call that game from now on) with a special team mistake. Our kickoffs were too short and our punt return game was stagnant.

Bruce Read lost his job because of these failures.

Now it's Joe DeCamillis' turn to rectify our struggles on this unit. The DMN Blog and DC.com are reporting DeCamillis has been hired.

Wade Phillips' first sign of change is bringing in Joe DeCamillis as his special teams coach to replace Bruce Read.

Phillips and DeCamillis were assistants together in Denver and Atlanta.

DeCamillis spent the last two years as Jacksonville's special teams' coordinator. He has run special teams' units since 1993 with the New York Giants (1993-96) and Atlanta (1997-2006) before moving on to the Jaguars.

Jacksonville led the NFL in opponents' starting position after a kickoff (24.5) in 2008. Opposing teams averaged 19.9 yards per kick return and 8.1 yards per punt return, compared to the 21.3 yards per kick return and 10.5 yards per punt return the Cowboys allowed under Read.

Jacksonville's returners averaged 22.5 yards on kicks and 9.5 yards on punts. The Cowboys' averaged 22.2 yards per kick and 6.4 per punt.

"DeMarcus Ware was cheated out of the Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press, who handed the trophy to James Harrison of the Pittsburgh Steelers."

This was my immediate reaction when I heard the news. Yes it's a bit childish but it was just my raw emotions.

After further review, I'm more understanding of the Harrison choice. SportingNews.com goes into greater detail.

NEW YORK (AP) -- James Harrison slams down the current version of the Steel Curtain better than any Pittsburgh Steeler, earning him The Associated Press 2008 Defensive Player of the Year award.

The linebacker who had a career-high 16 sacks, setting a team record, and led the NFL with a career-high seven forced fumbles, beat Dallas' DeMarcus Ware in balloting by a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters announced Monday. Pittsburgh defense was the league's stingiest in total defense, pass defense and points allowed. Harrison was its main hammer.

"That's something that everybody in the league would love to have, to be voted the top player in the league for that year," Harrison said. "In my mind, I think I do -- and it's going to sound boring -- what the defense allows me to do and what my teammates allow me to do."

Harrison earned 22 votes to 13 for Ware.

I think they make a pretty good case for Harrison. I'm going to make the case for Ware.

Ware had 20 sacks. Think about that. Twenty sacks on a team were no other player had double-digit sacks. On a team with no other dominant defensive players. Harrison has Troy Polamulu (73 tackles, 7 INTs) and LaMarr Woodley (60 tackles, 11.5 sacks). Ed Reed has Terrell Suggs and Ray Lewis. Ware is the center of every offensive team's gameplan. Every game. And there is no other dominant defensive player on the team to alleviate some of that pressure off of him.

Also, Ware's stats are comparable if not better. He has more sacks than Harrison and one less forced fumble than Harrison's league leading seven. True Harrison does have more tackles than Ware, but Ware has more solo tackles than Harrison. And Ware is in a division filled with dominant offensive lines and offensive lineman (Tra Thomas, Chris Samuels, Chris Snee, etc). Shoot, I think there's an equally persuasive argument that Reed (40 tackles, 9 INTs) is more deserving than Harrison.

It's not that I don't think Harrison deserves the award. He's had an awesome year and the Steelers defense is the best in the league. We found that out. But I just get the feeling that Ware lost votes because of our December swoon and that's not his fault. Not only that but the Steelers defensive prowess wasn't entirely Harrison's doing. He's part of a system that features dynamic players at every level. From where I'm sitting Ware has done more with little. And that deserves recognition too.

I did something I haven't done in a long time Sunday.

I turned off the TV on the 'Boys.

After Pacman's ill-advised fumble on a punt return, I knew it was over. The momentum of the game had gotten out of control. We couldn't stop them. We were self-destructing and I didn't want to spend the rest of my evening watching the Eagles laugh at us. I had too many beers to consume. 

The most maddening aspect of that pathetic affair Sunday was the realization that the naysayers were right about us. I spent most of this year mocking and ridiculing journalists like Jean-Jacques Taylor, Skip Brainless, Jennifer Floyd Engel, Trey Wingo, Randy Galloway and others for their extreme pessimism toward the Cowboys. They seemed to go out of their way to rub in our faces after any loss and would always dismiss any significant victory as a prelude to disaster. I still believe that there were some outrageous things written and said about us. I haven't changed my mind about that.

I've also tried to talk extremely negative fans off the ledge. You know the type. "The season is over!" "Wade sucks!" "Romo is terrible!" All of this after any loss or any bad play. C'mon on guys. Have a little more faith.  

But here's the thing though. They were right about a lot of things. Not everything. But certainly their criticisms was accurate in a lot of respects. Our season was filled more with drama than resiliency. T.O.'s character flaws seemed to overwhelm his value to our team. The Pacman Jones Experiment was an unmitigated disaster. Romo, again, wilted on the biggest stages when we needed him the most.

It hurts my heart to agree with these statements. I've spent months arguing against them. I've tried to be a pragmatist with a bent toward optimism. But that effort in that game at this time of the year has forced me to reevaluate. Don't get me wrong. I'm not jumping ship and I never will. I believe in Tony Romo, I still think T.O. can be productive in our system and I still believe Wade Phillips can turn things around. But my arguments seem hollow now. This season was a failure and an utter disappointment. Time to look in the mirror and repeat that old line from Parcells: "You are who you are."

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The more I think I know about the 'Boys the more I realize I don't know much guys.

This season has been full of the unexpected. We went from Super Bowl contenders, to bottom dwellers in the division, to hot team of the moment to fighting to make the playoffs.

So I'm not going to make any predictions about what's going to happen tomorrow. I have no idea. I'm obviously rooting for a Cowboy win. But I thought we'd beat the Giants, as I explained here, and I thought we'd lose to the Steelers (although I was pleasently surprised when we were on the cusp of winning that game). I also thought we'd smack the Rams and beat the Ravens (as I explained here). Yeah. Not so much.

I do believe certain things will take place though. I do believe there are certain inescapable realities all Cowboy fans are aware of. I've watched this team all year. I'm well aware of our strengths and weaknesses. I just don't know how we'll balance that dynamic from game-to-game. Will the things we do well carry us to victory? Or will our mistakes doom us to another heartbreak? We had penalties on the road against the Redskins, but Romo's playmaking and MB3's toughness overwhelmed those mistakes. Our defense played valiantly against the Steelers but our disconnect on offense was the deciding factor in that game.

These are the 10 things I believe will happen regardless of the outcome Sunday:

I believe Jason Witten will play and make plays

He's our most reliable receiver and always has been. He's just a tough-as-nails SOB. He's dealt with a myriad of injuries yet he keeps coming back.

I believe Romo will make plays and give us a chance to win

He always does. He plays well on the road and he's 8-4 as the starter this year. He was heating up toward the end of the Ravens game and I believe it will continue Sunday.

I believe Romo will throw an interception or otherwise have a turnover

He's one of the leaders in interceptions thrown this year. One of his few flaws is his proclivity to fumble or throw maddening picks. He's done it all year. It will continue

I believe Tashard Choice will have more than 100 yards in total offense

This guy continues to thrive against the best defenses in the league. He was oh-so-close from breaking a few runs against the Ravens.

I believe DeMarcus Ware will have a sack

This guy will find a way to get to the QB. He has all year and I don't see it stopping now.

I believe Flozell Adams will have a false start penalty and it will be critical

Talented guy that's overcome a lot in his career. But this is almost a given.

I believe we will have more penalties than the Eagles

We are one of the most penalized teams in the league. Hopefully it won't cost us a playoff spot.

I believe someone will be injured in this game

We're like the walking wounded. Everybody's dealing with injuries: Romo, Witten, MB3, Hamlin, KD, RW2 and the list goes on and on. I'm certain the injury Gods will forsake us again

Nick Folk will nail any critical FG

This guy's a stud and kept us in many games this year. If the game is on the line, so sorry for you Eagles fans. That's a wrap.

Our offensive line will allow pressure on Romo

We've had problems all year. There were definite problems in the Steelers, Ravens and Giants game. Some rushers will come free and Romo will have to make the play regardless. 

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A lot of stories on Romo lately. He is always a magnet for criticism.

Here comes JJT to jump on the bandwagon. Like Grizz, I enjoy JJT's style of writing for the most part. But sometimes he veers off the reservation.

This story is one of the stories where he takes an inference and stretches it to limit. He said T.O. didn't know his plays based on scant evidence. He said T.O. was washed up based on declining numbers this year (then he looked like a fool the following week). Now he's saying Romo doesn't understand the advantage of taking care of the ball because of a comment he made after Saturday's loss.

I'd argue that Romo turns the ball over too much and any inference that comes with that. But he doesn't understand that throwing picks is a bad thing? Really?

Sigh. Again, this is an argument over a subjective thing. How do you know that? Have you crawled into his mind? Again, stick to the objective tangible things. He turns the ball over too much. That's fair. He doesn't understand turnovers are bad. Unfair.

Ok. I got one. JJT doesn't know the difference between football and flatulence. Numerous unnamed sources confirm this. Plus, we've never seen him explain the difference between the two. So it must be true.

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The spotlight is on Tony Romo. It always has been. But especially this year. The NFL Network crew looks at whether he's ready or not in this video. Rich Eisen, Sterling Sharpe and Warren Sapp provide analysis. Sharpe thinks he's ready. Sapp isn't so sure. He's also not ready to call our defense dominate just yet.

Shout out to rioplayer7 for his fanpost here.

Brad Sham gives his top three memories of Texas Stadium. Gotta love Brad. Tells it just like it is. If the 'Boys are playing like dogs, he says it. If we're playing well, he says that too without being too much of a homer. I wish I could hear his voice tonight for the last game.

TH's favorite Texas Stadium moment? My first and last time there. Watching grown man cry during this historic event. I actually got in trouble at my job for going to this game. But boy was it worth it.

There are so many subplots to this game it feels like a Quentin Tarantino movie. We've got the Ravens D v. the Cowboy O. We've got Tony Romo v. Joe Flacco. We've got DeMarcus Ware and the sack record. We've got the last game at Texas Stadium. And so much more.

DC.com does a good job of running down the line of all the major characters in this game with huge playoff implications.

BIG ISSUE: The Cowboys can clinch a playoff spot this week, as much of a long shot as that is, but they can't do it all by themselves. First, though, they need to beat the Ravens, who have never played at Texas Stadium. Then, they need one of the following scenarios to occur - a Philadelphia loss or tie against Washington, a Chicago loss or tie against Green Bay and an Atlanta loss at Minnesota; a Philadelphia loss or tie and a Chicago loss or tie and a Tampa Bay loss against San Diego; a Chicago loss or tie and a Tampa Bay loss and an Atlanta loss; or a Philadelphia loss or tie and an Atlanta loss and if Dallas clinches strength of victory tiebreaker over Chicago. If none of that happens, the Cowboys will still hold firmly onto a wild-card spot with a win, but will need a victory in Week 17 to clinch. Lose, and it's anybody's game, so this is a must-win for Dallas - again. Add in the extra motivation that comes along with playing the final game at Texas Stadium, and the Cowboys should be revved up for this one.

The Ravens are also fighting for a wild-card spot. Right now, Baltimore owns the sixth and final playoff spot in the AFC, holding tiebreakers over two other 9-5 teams - the Patriots and the Dolphins. The Jets, also at 9-5, may factor into the wild-card race if they lose the division lead. If the Ravens lose Saturday and those three teams win, it will be nigh impossible to gain a playoff spot with a week left in the season. If all those teams win, Baltimore would still have the head-to-head tiebreaker over Miami (which plays Kansans City), the strength of victory tiebreaker over the Jets (who play Seattle) and the conference record tiebreaker over the Patriots (who play the Cardinals).

I can't wait. 

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Columnist Adam Schein goes where I think a lot of people will go in the near future. This year's Cowboys are a replica of last's year's Giants.

1. Dallas = New York

 The Dallas Cowboys could be the Giants from a year ago.

That's right.

The Cowboys, assuming they are done fighting amongst each other, can still go to the Super Bowl because of their defense and star power on offense.

That is, of course, if they make the playoffs.

Dallas' defense is finally clicking. DeMarcus Ware had three of the eight sacks against Eli Manning on Sunday night. Fellow linebackers Greg Ellis, Bradie James and Zach Thomas have been playing great ball. Terrence Newman is back and playing at a Pro Bowl level. Jay Ratliff is the most underrated defensive tackle in the game.

I see the argument. We have a defense with a fierce pass rush, a much-maligned quarterback, an emerging rushing attack and a coach on the hot seat supposedly.

But I just don't think football karma works like that. We definitely have a shot. Four wildcard teams have won the Super Bowl since 1998. But if we do I don't think it will resemble the Giants Super Bowl run. No Super Bowl run is a template. They're all unique, hair-raising, lucky in some respects and special. It takes a talented team with commitment and heart. We can do it. But it won't be like the Giants.

I say this because we don't win like the Giants. I wish we did. Eli Manning is best when he doesn't make mistakes and their defense creates pressure and causes turnovers. Last year they beat up teams with their running game and pass rush and then made enough plays to win it in the end. They won their last three playoff games by a combined 10 points. This year they've been more explosive (except, say, a few days ago, when they were manhandled by the 'Boys!)

If we have a Super Bowl run, it will not be like that. Romo isn't a bus driver. He makes plays but he also gives up plays. Our offense, even on a bad day, can put up a lot of points on opposing defenses. If MB3 can't shake this injury, our running game goes from punishing and powerful to quick, deceptive and effective with Tashard Choice.

So give it a rest, guys. I get it. A lot of times journalism is about spotting trends. Situation A looks like Situation B thus what happened in A will happen to B. It's textbook. Many times it's very effective and I appreciate it. I realize it's a compliment.

But this time I'm going to have to take a pass. We are our own team with our own qualities, quirks, strengths and weaknesses. Let us make our own mark before you tranpose someone else's accomplishments on us.

Let us win this thing our own way.

Continue reading this post »

Straight from DC.com.

IRVING, Texas - The Cowboys sent an NFL-record 13 players to last year's Pro Bowl. They'll gladly trade Tuesday's smaller selection size of five for a deep playoff run.

No matter how this topsy-turvy season ends, five Cowboys starters - tight end Jason Witten, center Andre Gurode, nose tackle Jay Ratliff, linebacker DeMarcus Ware and guard Leonard Davis - will represent the NFC in Hawaii this February. Four players - Witten, Gurode, Ware and Davis - were part of the record-breaking group in 2007 that helped the Cowboys capture their first NFC East title since 1998.

Davis has been selected as a reserve. The other four will start for the NFC squad.

Ware, a three-time selection, headlines this year's class as a strong candidate for Defensive Player of the Year and perhaps the NFL MVP award. He needs four sacks in the Cowboys' final two games to break Michael Strahan's single-season league record.

It's about what I expected. Eli Manning's selection probably cost Romo his shot. I'd argue Romo was more deserving but whatever. I think Bradie James has a good argument as well. He'll become the poster boy for the upcoming slew of "Snubbed" articles you'll see in the next few days.

For all those homers like me who aren't satisfied with just watching the game but need to relive it through highlights, this one is for you. Let's call it the video show. All the links are to videos and not stories. I never get tired of watching the 'Boys run through the Giants like a monster in a cheesy science fiction film flick. Enjoy.

Highlights of the game. That was a team game right there. No turnovers. Great D. Big plays in the running and passing game. Beautiful. The first quarter highlights saw two beautiful passes from Romo to Crayton and Owens. The second quarter highlights features a whole lotta silver and blue surrounding Eli "McLovin" Manning. In the third quarter highlights Miles Austin, Chris Canty and Greg Ellis gets some of the action.

I've always said I was excited to see Tashard Choice get some more opportunities. I had no idea he was this good. Almost 150 total yards. Are you kidding me? I envy Grizz that he got to watch this kid run for his team for three years. I'm glad he runs for mine now. Nice take on T.O.'s touchdown dance by the way.

Our D really smacked the Giants around. Eight sacks and two picks. I can't believe Greg Ellis and Jay Ratliff have seven sacks on the season. And Bradie James has six. That's 20 sacks before you even get to Ware! Wow.

Romo's highlights in the game just make you appreciate him more. I think Madden's man-crush on Romo is returning. Not that it ever left but right now it's burning hot and filled with passion. Romo gave him plenty to choose from: fumbles the snap then picks it up for a completion, throws off his back foot for a 20-yard gain to Owens, improvises on the TD catch to Crayton and then does all of this in the face of a fierce pass rush.

Highlight of Romo's TD pass to Crayton. I love the shot Al Michaels gives to Oakland at the end of the play. Man he hates the Raiders.

Highlights of Owens. Not a lot here. There's the big play and the drop. One thing though. He was this close from breaking that catch all the way. And if Romo hits him on another possession, he's off to the races for a long touchdown.

I like to go back and watch analysts make fools of themselves with their picks earlier in the week. First up: Tom Waddle. His claim  to fame? This NFL Network analyst is a former wide receiver who once outran Deion Sanders. He says it's time for Tony Romo to win a big game. Were you watching Tom?

ESPN's Trent Dilfer adds his postgame two cents. Basically, he's concerned T.O.'s antics will fester and derail our season. The huge divisional game we just won? Not so much.

JJT and Todd Archer chop it up after the game. JJT says he doesn't trust this team, mocks Barber for getting two yards and throws in a little "Mr. Fix It" reference to boot. Sigh. The whole thing is just dripping with sarcasm.