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Tuesday, July 8, 1997

A Rebuttal to all the Naysayers

By Bret Bowman / Castle Rock, CO / Guest Columnist

The latest articles from PSX, Sporting News, and just about every season preview magazine (with the possible exception of Lindy's) has our beloved Dallas Cowboys finally showing results of (in no particular order or relevance):

1. Free Agency

2. Salary Cap

3. Age (Old)

4. Youth

5. Off-field turmoil

6. Lack of offense

7. No second receiver

8. No primary receiver (some even say that with Michael Irvin's return)

9. No DL

10. No depth

11. Reduced Linebacker play

12. Special teams

13. Rookie kickers

14. etc., etc., blah, blah, blah

Haven't we heard all this before?!

Since '93, the biased ABC (Anyone But the Cowboys) media and NFL "experts" have claimed that the Dallas Cowboys are second best. In '93 it was the 49ers, same for '94. In '95 they were praying for anyone, with opinions split between the 49ers and Packers. Most claimed that the AFC would finally win the Super Bowl. In '96, it was Denver, Packers, 49ers, Oakland, Philly, and anyone else that didn't wear a star on their helmet and had a quarterback that could walk and chew gum (not necessarily together).

This year it's the Pack and Denver. The media darlings (Packers) and perennial teases (Broncos) have the writers ablaze in their love for the fall of the Cowboy dynasty. They claim Dallas is dead. A product of the system (Free Agency, Salary Cap) and their own demise (Jerry Jones, drugs, age, Barry Switzer, etc.).

Sorry guys, but once again you are wrong! Your biased wishful thinking is getting in the way of good journalism. Do your homework. Get on the 'Net. Look at the roster. This team may win the next three. Let's take a look, shall we?

The offense:

Troy Aikman, Emmit Smith, Michael Irvin, Daryl Johnston are in their prime. The best in the league. History says it, the stats say it. I say it.

The offensive line is pure Pro Bowl. The center? Who cares? Anyone can work in the straight ahead, pound 'em into submission style of the Cowboys system. Snap the ball and enjoy the show. The following few years will require some modifications, but projections should have Allen and Williams at the bookends and All-Pro caliber at the center (Flannery or Shiver) with the second-best line coach in the league (I give Wise an edge over Houck) training them. Newton has two to three good years left, and there is potential stars in training (see Houck above).

Quarterback: Aikman, Troy.

Running Backs: Emmit Smith, best ever. MooOOOOOOse! The running attack of legendary football teams. Better than the Pack of the 60's, Steelers of the 70's, and any team before or since.

The receiver position will be better than the Cowboys have had since Pearson and Hill, maybe ever. Irvin is here. Will stay here. Will continue to perform at the level that one writer says is "one of the all time greats". Anthony Miller, Stepfret Williams, Macey Brooks, Deion ?, and a trio of tight-ends that exceed anything we've ever had. Last year was an aberration, the next few years look so bright ... yeah, you better wear shades. Every secondary in the league should wear them and sunblock 'cause they're gonna get burned.

Defense:

The line is a great mix of youth and experience. The same combination that produced the #1 defense over a four-year span. And let's not forget, Lett will be back, the line is signed for a few years. Bensen, Anderson, Lett, and Hennings. Sounds better than Casillas, Maryland, Jones, and Lett at their particular point in development. The coaches are talking about Benson the same way they did about Lett. A strength, not a question mark. The development of a world-class DE is the only need to make this unit the best in the league for years to come. Come on Thomas and Pittman!

Linebackers in the Cowboys system need to be fast on the outside, mean on the inside. Godfrey outperformed a league stud in Thomas. So how can that be a weakness of having a second-year guy? Campos and Coakley. Not one knowledgeable writer finds a weakness other than youth. Campos was called the biggest linebacker steal by Tom Jackson and CoHe should know. Coakley was the best athlete at the position, but would only work in a JJ defensive scheme. Gee, the Cowboys run. The Cowboys have used youth, speed, and athletic talent in the linebacker corps since '89. Two or three number one rankings and a slew of top fives speak for itself. And this unit will be together for 3-4 years.

Secondary, well even the nay-sayers claim it's the best. Smith, Sanders, Woodson are locked up through the millennium. I could play free safety and it would still be the best.

Youth, speed, and athleticism have been the trademark of the best defense over the last five or six years. The Cowboys have it in spades. But don't forget, this is a weakness for the Cowboys so they say.

Special Teams:

Youth, speed, and athleticism are paramount in the Cowboys system that has consistently ranked among the finest. Let's see we've got youth, speed, and athleticism. Hmm ... another weakness.

Steve creates great kickers (see Boniol, Jett, et. al.). And even the worst kicker will make his share inside the 40. The Cowboys win with Red Zone efficiency, not field goals. See last season. 10-6 and two and out in the playoffs is not successful.

Intangibles:

Bozo the coach does not work in Dallas. Switzer is no Jimmy Johnson, but he is a good coach. The staff wins in the NFL and the Cowboys have one of the best, top to bottom.

Off-the-field distractions have been minimal (sans Irvin). If and when he is in camp, the off-season will be more like Much Ado about Nothing than last years' Poseidon Adventure.

Jerry Jones ... well, he's Jerry Jones. For better or worse. I think it's better.

Hunger, drive, work ethic, out to prove people wrong, last year was an aberration, etc. This team has done all the right things, and have addressed the most pressing needs.

Prediction:

The Cowboys will be 12-4 or better. They will win the NFC East, by one or two games, and receive a first-round bye. They will play Carolina or SF in the second round at home. They will play Green Bay or the NFC West runner-up in the Championship.

The development of a mere three youngsters with vast potential into prime time players (C, TE, LB) and they win it all. Add a kicker, punter (developmental or veteran), and one or two serviceable contributors (backup DT and CB) and you've answered every question. Unlike PSX's opinion, that's not a lot of questions. Only opportunities.

With the veteran All-Pro players in their prime and signed (sans Larry Allen (Franchise?)) through the Millennium, several young studs that look phenomenal, and Free Agency and Salary Cap hurting other teams for a change, the Dallas Cowboys will go to three or four straight NFC Championship games and win two or three more Super Bowls.

And that's the truth.