The NFL has always been a league defined by toughness.

To name a few, there's Jack Youngblood playing in the 1980 NFC Championship Game and Super Bowl XIV with a broken leg, Emmitt Smith rushing for 168 yards against the Giants with a separated shoulder, and Ronnie lot electing to cut his pinky finger off after it failed to heal properly.

Before his career is over, Marion Barber will be one of the toughest NFL players to ever play the game. Okay, that may be a little much. But he doesn't have the nickname "Marion the Barbarian" because he enjoys gladiator movies.

Last year, the Dallas Cowboys suffered due to Marion's absence. The team was able to supplement for a while with rookie Tashard Choice, but the 'Boys were never the same after Barber went down with an injury.

This season is make-it-or-break-it for the 'Boys of Valley Ranch. Romo is entering his third full season as quarterback and Marion Barber has help in the backfield with Tashard and Felix Jones.

The team cannot pin any offensive shortcomings on Terrell Owens anymore.

So, while Tony Romo receives the credit and the criticism for wins and losses, the team will only go as far as the Barbarian will take them.

In analyzing Barber's stats from 2007 and 2008, he tailed off a little in the fourth quarter last season due to injury.

However, unlike most backs, Barber sustains his production throughout the game.  

In the fourth quarter last season, Marion had 53 rushing attempts and averaged 3.5 yards per carry. Compare that to 2007 when he was healthy, and Barber averaged a strong 4.9 yards per carry on 83 attempts.

Couple Barber's production with the speed and versatility of Choice and Jones, and the Cowboys could very well have the best offensive backfield in the league next season.

That's if they can all stay on the field and healthy.

With the offensive firepower the Cowboys have stockpiled in Witten, Jones, Barber, Choice, Romo, and Roy Williams, there is no excuse for failure this season.

The Cowboys also have a brand new stadium that has seats that will need to be filled, so the fans' expectations for the team isn't as high as team owner Jerry Jones.

If Tony Romo acts as the blood that flows through the Cowboys system, Marion Barber is the teams pulse. Without a pulse, you're dead.

-JH

That was before the concussions, drugs, neck injuries, diamonds, and trash, and well, you get the picture.

The Cowboys have not posted a winning record in the months of December and January since 1996. In fact, the team has gone winless in December and January in two of the 13 seasons since '96.

For some reason the 'Boys collapse down the stretch and can't hold on to any type of momentum.

So, allow me to examine last season's December and January production and then I'll give my reason why they must...show and prove.

The Cowboys posted a record of 1-3 in December 2008, losing games to the eventual Super Bowl Champion Steelers, division-rival Eagles, and the Ravens of Baltimore.

In two of the four games, the Cowboys threw a couple of the games away. Remember the Ravens game when McGahee and McClain ran as if the police were chasing them?

What about the game against the Steelers when Romo and Witten had a "mis-read?"

All winnable games for the team from Valley Ranch, they just allowed victory to "slip" through their fingers.

When the Cowboys were in their hey-day, they posted winning records down the stretch. The last time the team won a playoff game was 1996. Their record in December you ask? 2-1.

It's almost un-thinkable to believe that a team as talented as the 'Boys can fail so miserably in the final months of the season.

A couple of years ago when the Giants pounced on the Cowboys in that famous playoff game at Texas Stadium, the G-men were able to show and prove why they belonged, harassing Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo to the point where he started to yell at his offensive line.

Still need further reasoning as to why the Cowboys need to win in December?

Well how about this one: Championship teams do not falter down the stretch. The Steelers, Giants, Patriots, and Colts all were able to pull it together to make historic Super Bowl runs. Now it's time for the Cowboys to show and prove they are capable of doing the same.

-JH

In a report by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and featured on ESPN.com, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is entertaining the idea of bring back embattled cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones.

According to Jerry, "Pacman" graded as the best cornerback for the 'Boys last season. Granted Terrance Newman was injured for most of the season, the Cowboys had a liability at safety in Roy Williams, and the team's entire defensive backfield was at a disadvantage due to so many injuries.

Jerry made sure to add that bringing Adam back was a long shot, but still a possibility. Jones said that he now believes that the fight between Adam and his bodyguard was indeed the bodyguard's fault. Jerry also added that he has no worries about Adam's off the field problems.

While the Cowboys could use a little more help in the secondary department, I'm not sure if Pacman is the right option for a team that's worried about chemistry in the locker room.

No matter how many times Jerry denies it, he released Terrell Owens because of his temperament and how he meshed with Tony Romo and offensive coordinator Jason Garrett.

I'm not sure if bringing Pacman Jones back to a team that's looking for comradery is the right thing to do. But then again, we are dealing with Jerry Jones.

The new Cowboys stadium opened this past week and with the nation's current economic situation, Jones needs to sell tickets and PSA's. I'm not sure if Adam will serve as Jones' cash cow, but he will definitely bring attention to the Boys of Valley Ranch.

So with the possible return of Adam "Pacman" Jones, that would most definitely put Jerry back on top of league owners who carry a side show disguised as a football team. Terrell Owens and Roy Williams are gone, Michael Irvin is running a reality show for players looking for a shot at playing for the Cowboys, and Jerry Jones is the proud new owner of the largest jumbotron in America.

With all that being said, the Cowboys could probably use Adam as a nickel back. Terrance Newman is often injured, Orlando Scandrick and Mike Jenkins still have not proven themselves, and the rookies are ... well... rookies.

Jones missed a golden opportunity to bring a couple of veteran cornerbacks onto the team, like a Chris McAllister, that could serve as a mentor for Scandrick and Mike Jenkins.

Pacman Jones may add depth to a team that desperately needs it in the secondary, but he will also add un-needed attention to a team that's lacking focus.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones stated today that he "reads very carefully" what former Cowboys receiver says in the media.

As of late, Owens has been very critical of how his release was handled by Jones. On popular social networking website 'twitter,' Owens stated that offensive coordinator Jason Garrett and quarterback Tony Romo were partly responsible for his departure from the team.

In response to T.O.'s criticism, Jones said that it was "news to him."

Really Jerry, it was news to you?

In regards to Terrell's recent statements, both men are playing the same media game. Both prescribe to the school of thought that no press is bad press and the more you are in the news, the better for your image. Whether positive or negative.

This is the main reason why Jones was drawn to Owens is because of his volatile nature. Not to mention the media's obsession with the receiver from Alabama.

But what Jerry seems to miss each and every time is the effect this type of move will have on his team in the long run.

With the acquisition of Owens, the Cowboys failed to draft a viable long term replacement. Instead, the team traded for one time Pro Bowler Roy Williams. Williams is seen as less explosive version of T.O. with a smaller amount talent.

Jones probably stunted the growth of quarterback Tony Romo by allowing Owens to call shots on offense at times. During games Romo would look for or look for Owens when he was double or triple covered instead of checking down or dumping the ball to an open running back.

So this season will serve as a test of Jones' decision making and the team's true heart. Will they sink or swim without T.O's production or will they flourish due in part to his release from the team?

While I believe that Romo's production will remain as it has over the past few years, the Cowboys will have to rely more on their running game. Marian Barber will continue to carry the load, but with change up backs Felix Jones and Tashard Jones fighting for carries, the release of Owens may serve as a blessing in disguise for the 'boys in blue and silver.

-JH

And so it came to past, Greg Ellis wanted out of Dallas and today he got his wish. The eleven year veteran was officially released by the Cowboys, which is something owner Jerry Jones said would happen.

For most Cowboys fans this comes as no surprise. When current Executive Vice President of Football Operations for the Miami Dolphins Bill Parcells was hired to coach the Cowboys a number of years ago, Ellis requested a trade then as well. He wasn't sure of his place on defense, so he wanted out.

Parcells denied his request and the linebacker eventually flourished playing alongside former first round pick DeMarcus Ware.

With the move the team stands to save almost $5 million dollars toward this season's salary cap

So with Ellis' eight sacks gone, who will replace the one time Pro Bowler?

Anthony Spencer, the team's first round pick a couple of years ago, will take over for Ellis. While we can't compare the career stats of both players, Spencer does have 4.5 career sacks and 70 career tackles.

Spencer stands at 6-3, 255 pounds and by the way, he's almost 10 years younger than Ellis.

This season will prove to be one of experiment and analysis for the boys at Valley Ranch. Quarterback Tony Romo lost his leading receiver in Terrell Owens and no one is sure how Roy Williams will replace T.O.'s production.

But with three solid running backs, a perennial Pro Bowl quarterback, and a defense that led the NFL in sacks last season, I would say that the Cowboys are still in a pretty strong position to take the division.

-JH

     Had I started writing this just a half-hour before now, you would be reading about some combination of Jerry's gag-order on his coaching staff, the curious trade for Jon Kitna, and the great relief that accompanied the announcement of Ray Lewis' new three-year, $20-25 million deal with the Ravens. 

     (If I understand correctly, Lewis' acceptance of Baltimore's offer legally prohibits the Cowboys from signing him, thus preventing the team from adding a man who--in addition to being only an average defender--stabbed two people to death in Atlanta and then plea-bargained out of it.)

     Instead, lucky reader, you get this breaking news from ESPN and The Dallas Morning News that the Dallas Cowboys have decided to release Terrell Owens.  Now, I support this move in the strongest possible terms, and I believe that it will do a large part to improve the chemistry of the Dallas locker room.  In fact, I have written previously in this space that removing Owens from the franchise was a move that just had to be made.

     Two years ago, when the Cowboys passed on Brady Quinn, they firmly bet everything they had on Tony Romo as the franchise quarterback for the next 12-15 seasons.  When the team spent millions on the offensive line to bring in Leonard Davis, et al., it was a commitment to Romo.  Finally, when Jerry gave Jason Garrett $3 million per year to stay in Valley Ranch, it was a commitment to a future of both Romo and Garrett bringing new Super Bowl trophies to that new stadium you may have heard about in Arlington.

     Of course, I'm not saying that I agree with the decisions to bet on Romo and Garrett, but let's call an apple an apple here: with the money poured into those two, Jones has too much of his wallet and ego invested in their success to admit that either was a mistake.  For his own selfish sake, he must keep them around.

     So, when it became all too clear this season that Owens, Romo, and Garrett could no longer play nice together, someone had to be kicked out of the sandbox.  Clearly, Owens was the most replaceable.  Seriously, would you rather start Romo or Kitna; would you rather have Garrett run the offense or another coordinator or equal-or-lesser ability?  Those two are--for better or worse--currently irreplaceable to Dallas.  To ease the loss of Owens, though, the Cowboys already Roy Williams and his shiny, new five-year deal.

     In spite of all the drama and losing this season (and, let's be honest, this move was about all that horrible, horrible losing), the Dallas-Owens union didn't have to end this way.  If Owens had simply come to work and kept his mouth shut, he'd still get to wear the star on his helmet.  If Owens had learned how to catch a football, he might still have a locker.  If Jerry hadn't noticed his defense and the other receivers siding with Owens against the Golden Pair, T.O. just might get to be the first guy out of the tunnel at JerryWorld.  If Wade Phillips had ever taken the bold step of acting like a head coach, he might have been able to apply the brakes to this train wreck before it got rolling downhill.

     Alas, none of this happened, so Owens is gone.  The glory that could have been with America's Team and The Guy Who Thinks He's America's Receiver becomes the glory that never was. 

     To be sure, the Cowboys are going to wake up this morning as a less-talented football team than when they went to bed.  Despite his age and declining skills, Owens was, by far, the best receiver on the roster.  Williams showed nothing in his half-season (but he gets a break since he wasn't here in training camp), and Sam Hurd and Miles Austin have yet to shed that pesky "developmental" label and become legitimate weapons.  Since it's unlikely the Cowboys will have the opportunity to grab Michael Crabtree, the draft doesn't look too promising. 

     Also, please spare me the talk about Patrick Crayton being a serviceable No.2 receiver.  Trust me, he's not.  Don't even bring it up. 

     However, Dallas now should be a much more unified team going forward.  Without Owens' divisive personality dominating the locker room, hopefully more professional players such as DeMarcus Ware and Jason Witten can begin to assert themselves and breathe a new air of responsibility and solidarity into the franchise.  Now that Owens the Clown is gone, Valley Ranch can become "a five-ring circus of simplicity and self-reliance."

     Although the Cowboys are less talented now, they are, in fact, a better team.  Both parties will be better off after this split, but both parties should also know that it didn't have to end like this.

     Brian Smith can be reached at BLSmith@mail.utexas.edu

     Thus, given today's seemingly lackluster Pittsburgh v. Arizona matchup, you would expect the NFL--a league highly image-conscious--to have spent considerable more time, effort, and money to try to generate more hoopla than ever.

     But, this has not been the case; it's been one of the least-promoted Super Bowls I can remember.  Cynics will say this is because even the NFL is willing to admit that it will be a boring game.  Yet, what if this is all just a ruse by Roger Goodell and the other powers that be?  What if they know that this will turn out to be a close, exciting game?

     The NFL is practicing the best strategy known to man: always under-promise and over-deliver.  Like my father says, "If you keep your expectations low, you can only be pleasantly surprised."

     For everyone expecting about five hours of commercials interrupted by occasional football plays, be prepared to be surprised: this will be a good game.  For starters, it's only been two weeks since the teams played an actual game, not 45 days like in college.  These teams will be prepared to play; they won't need the entire first half to "warm up." 

     Next, you get to watch Cardinals' wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald--quite simply, the best in the game.  If I were starting a team today, I would probably pick him first, even over a quarterback.  This guy just goes up and gets the football.  High passes, low passes; wide-open, or in coverage; over the middle, or tip-toeing along the sideline--it doesn't matter.  Fitzgerald will catch it, and then he'll score with it. 

     We've talked about his regular-season stats before: 96 catches, 1,431 yards, 12 TDs.  Now, conventional wisdom is that teams must run the football in the playoffs in order to win.  Given this, you'd expect Fitzgerald's numbers to drop off, right?  Well, in the three NFC playoff games: 23 catches, 419 yards, 5 TDs.  This man is even better when the pressure is on.

     As good as the Pittsburgh defense is--and it is just gnarly--Fitzgerald is still going to get 135 yards and two touchdowns.  Count on it.

     Thirdly, this is the first time since Super Bowl XVIII in 1984 that both quarterbacks will have already won championships.  Both Ben Roethlisberger and Kurt Warner will be looking for their second ring.  Put another way: on Monday morning, one of these two men will have as many rings as John Elway, and only one less than Troy Aikman.  Tonight, you can witness history, folks.

     Finally, the Pittsburgh defense is good, very good, awesome.  Even for a franchise known for great defensive units, this year's Steelers "D" is one of the best in league history.  In the regular season, the team allowed just 237 yards per game (80 rush) and only 14 points per game.  Opponents converted just 31.4 percent of third down plays.

     Much has been made in this space about Baltimore safety Ed Reed, so it's only fair to mention Troy Polamalu and his seven interceptions this season.  Polamalu is a tough, hard-hitting playmaker in the secondary who is also very good against the run.  Coming off a 101-tackle, 16-sack campaign, James Harrison was recently named the NFL Defensive MVP.

     On the year, the Steelers made 20 INTs and registered a whopping 51 sacks.  No quarterback can succeed under pressure, and Warner has a penchant for fumbling the football.  In two playoff games, the Steelers recorded another seven sacks and four interceptions.  As much as I enjoy videogame-esque offense where each team puts 35 points on the board, it's always interesting to watch the absolute best at their craft.  The Steelers are the absolute best at defense.

     As I mentioned after the Cowboys' loss in Pittsburgh, the difference between a great defense and an elite one is the ability to take away the football from the other team.  Pittsburgh gets prodigious pressure on opposing quarterbacks, and their secondary is prepared to take advantage of the ensuing, and inevitable, mistakes.

     The above are reasons why this will actually be a fun game to watch.  However, the key will be the Cardinals' running game.  Edgerrin James and Tim Hightower have been largely uninspiring this season; the team averaged only 3.5 yards per carry in the regular season (but it's down to 3.3 in the playoffs).  If neither is able to make early contributions--forcing Arizona to rely on the pass--then the Pittsburgh defense will have more fun blitzing Warner than Augie Garrido does drinking and driving.  Once Warner gets rattled, the fumbles, interceptions, or both, will begin--and so will the Pittsburgh celebrations.

     Pittsburgh 20, Arizona 17

     Brian Smith can be reached at BLSmith@mail.utexas.edu

     However, Jerry, Wade, and the rest of the gang would do well to watch and study both of the conference championship games this week because each of the four remaining teams has something to offer Dallas.  The Cowboys are the only team in the league who can say they lost this season to each of the four possible Super Bowl participants. 

     Obviously, in order to be title contenders, Dallas must be able to beat at least one of these four; as we all know, a win over any of them would have put the Cowboys in the postseason tournament.  Although only one of the final four NFL teams will be world champions, the Cowboys can learn valuable lessons from each.

     FROM ARIZONA--A "Big-Game" Receiver:  First, look on the bright side--thanks to Atlanta and Carolina, Dallas is no longer the only team to lose a playoff game to the Cardinals since Eisenhower was in office.  Despite being awful against teams not in the NFC West during the regular season, Arizona is now hosting the NFC Championship game.

     How did this happen?  Because the Cardinals have the best receiver in the conference in Larry Fitzgerald.  Throughout the season, Fitzgerald has carried this team, especially when Anquan Boldin--himself not a shabby pass catcher--missed a few weeks with a neck injury.  As the esteemed and laudable Jean-Jacques Taylor opined, "big-time players make big-time play in big games." 

     Fitzgerald has done just that for Arizona.  He has been the team's leading receiver in half of their 18 games this season, including each of the last four.  In the playoffs, he has 14 catches, 266 yards, and two touchdowns.  In the regular season, he caught 96 passes for 1,431 yards and 12 touchdowns.

     How does Terrell Owens compare?  This year: 69/1,052/10.  Owens cracked the 100-yard mark only twice this season (nine so far for Fitzgerald), and he was the Cowboys' leading receiver only three times.  In December, when Dallas needed him most, "Big-play" Owens hauled in 17 passes, averaged 59 yards per game, and caught scored twice.  Over the same four weeks, Fitzgerald caught more passes, averaged 30 more yards per game, and scored twice as much.

     And, Fitzgerald did all this without the drama that perpetually surrounds Owens.  Owens considers himself an elite player, but he has yet to show up when Dallas needs him the most.  The Cowboys need to realize that they need a "big-time" receiver in more than name only.  Michael Irvin won games by himself; with him, the Cowboys won three Super Bowls.  Dallas must dismiss Owens and find a receiver who isn't scared of big games.

     FROM BALTIMORE--A Shut-down Safety:  Ed Reed is the most dynamic defensive player in the National Football League.  While he won't compile huge numbers of tackles (and safeties shouldn't have to make that many tackles anyway), he does my favorite thing for a defender to do: go and get the football. 

     Quite simply, teams cannot throw the football deep in the middle of the field against the Ravens.  If they do, Reed makes them pay as he runs 107 yards for touchdowns.  Reed had nine interceptions in the regular season; including the playoffs, he's had FIVE two-interception games this season alone.  He's on the field each week, and in 106 career games, he has 43 INTs, another 92 passes deflected, and five touchdowns. 

     Now, when cornerbacks get a reputation as a "shut-down" player, teams stop throwing to them; as a result, their INT numbers tend to drop.  Reed's INTs have increased every year since 2005.  Also, corners can only lock down one side of the field.  Reed can roam from sideline to sideline, so there is no way for opposing quarterbacks to avoid throwing the football in his direction at some point.

     Since Darren Woodson retired, the Dallas secondary has lacked a strong leader and playmaker, especially at the safety position.  Although Terrence Newman is becoming an elite corner for the Cowboys, he faces the same limitations mentioned above; his impact on a game can be mitigated by the other team's game plan.  With Reed, this isn't so, because he can be at any spot on the field at any time.  

     The Cowboys must find someone who can make quarterbacks worry about throwing deep, rather than just worry about throwing at Newman.  This is probably also a bad time to mention that the Ravens took Reed 24th overall in the 2002 draft--16 picks after the Cowboys selected Roy Williams.   

     FROM PHILADELPHIA--A Triple Threat Running Back:  For the last few years, Brian Westbrook has been one of the most truly valuable players in the league to his team.  Without Westbrook, do Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb get anywhere close to five NFC championship games in eight years?  Doubtful, at best.

     Look at the Eagles' receivers over the past few seasons; outside of Owens in their Super Bowl season, who really is a consistent NFL threat?  Hank Baskett?  Reggie Brown?  L.J. Smith?  Hardly.  Despite the promise shown by rookie DeSean Jackson this year, Westbrook has usually been on his own as the primary offensive factor for Philadelphia. 

     For years, it's been simple: stop Westbrook, and you beat the Eagles.  In spite of this widespread knowledge, this year was just the first since 2005 that he didn't get 1,000 rushing yards (936).  He's been the Eagles' leading rusher for five consecutive years, and has consistently been in the top-three among team leaders in receptions and yards.   

     Moreover, he's an excellent blocker in pass protection when he isn't hauling balls in.  Unlike some backs, he doesn't need to come to the sideline on second or third downs because he's a liability for his quarterback.  McNabb knows that Westbrook is more than capable protecting his blindside.

     Dallas needs to find a back who can do all these things.  Marion Barber, Felix Jones, and Tashard Choice each showed that they can be great at these things individually--but none have proven to be consistent in all three phases.  Having a back who is capable of catching the football will take some coverage off of Owens, Jason Witten, and UT Roy Williams.  Being able to keep a back in pass protection helps further disguise plays (if Barber's on the sideline, you know it's probably a pass) and gives Romo more time to make his reads, especially in the blitz-crazed NFC East.

     FROM PITTSBURGH--A Real Head Coach:  When he's not solving medical mysteries, Mike Tomlin is patrolling NFL sidelines, winning football games with a terrifying scowl and loud voice.  When he walks into the locker room, you know right away that he's in charge of the 53 men around him.  In short, his coaching image is a sharp contrast to that projected by still-Dallas coach Wade Phillips. 

     Tomlin looks tough and mean, and he both demands and commands the respect of his team.  As a result, the players come to work each day knowing that they are going to do what he says--or their going home.  They can't go to the owner when the head coach makes them mad. 

     The Steelers win because they are prepared to play each week.  That preparation comes from the leadership of the coaching staff, and the attention that each player gives to his coach during practice.  We know that Jerry Jones doesn't want a strong coach who he can't bully, so the team gets the Wade Phillips' and Chan Gailey's of the world.  Can you imagine Jones trying to run Tomlin the way he does Ol' Wade?  Absolutely not.

     Although they may be technically adults, many NFL players are just highly-paid brats who need a dominating presence to keep them in check.  Tomlin has that presence; Phillips does not.

     Brian Smith can be reached at BLSmith@mail.utexas.edu

     And in Dallas, where the other pro owners are Mark Cuban and Tom Hicks, it's easy to be viewed as the best owner in town.  Yes, Jerry's a greedy, arrogant man, and getting his new $1 billion stadium partly paid for by the people of Arlington is one of the largest legal robberies of all time.  However, on the football side, he's always seemed to be good for the franchise. 

     He wants to win, and he spends quite a large bit of his money trying to do so.  As a sports fan, nothing is more frustrating than to see an owner close the wallet and give the fans a poor product to watch each Sunday. 

     Of course, Jones also serves as the team's general manager, and all personnel decisions go through him.  When the Cowboys were winning Super Bowls, they had a strong scouting department that led to several excellent drafts (with some luck thanks to the Herschel Walker trade).  Jones has always been a maverick on draft day, which does make things interesting and fun.

     When the Cowboys are winning, all of his micromanaging and sideline roaming is tolerable; after all, Lombardi trophies are fun to look at.  Well, now it's 2009, and all of Jones' trophies are old and dusty. 

     Based on his decisions over the last several seasons, one thing is clear: we can no longer trust Jerry Jones' football decisions for the Dallas Cowboys.  Jones is a brilliant con artist, er, business man, and he's the main reason the Cowboys are one of the most recognized professional franchises worldwide.  He should stay in charge of that side of the business model.

     But it's time that the Cowboys got a real football man to run the team, as the general manager, head coach, or both.  Jones' ego, though, is too large to allow anyone else to make significant decisions regarding his team.  That's why Jimmy Johnson and Bill Parcells had to go, and the Chan Gaileys, Dave Campos, and Wade Phillipses of the NFL world have all paraded through Valley Ranch.

     No real coach is going to come here with no authority over the team, and Jerry won't hire someone who he can't wholly control.  Even if Phillips does make it to training camp with the team (I give him one chance in three), the "changes" he claims are coming are really only going to be what Jones tells him to do.  So, sadly, forget about Bill Cowher, Mike Shanahan, Mike Tomlin, Jeff Fisher, or any real coach roaming around JerryWorld any time soon. 

     With Jerry as the master, the coaching staff will only be his puppets (and the players know this).

     Moreover, Jones' lust of winning causes him to take significant risks on players with "character issues."  Some of these--such as Charles Haley--panned out and contributed to championships.  Most, especially lately, have not (Antonio Bryant, Adam Jones, Tank Johnson, Dwayne Goodrich). 

     Here's the problem: because the team hasn't had postseason success in so long, Jerry's desire for a Super Bowl is no insatiable, and he is blinded in pursuit of that quest.  Now, he's not calculating his risks and just throwing 53 guys together hoping for a "team" to emerge.  Pacman, Tank, and Bryant did nothing useful to the Cowboys on the field, and they significantly damaged the chemistry in the locker room. 

     Not considering "character" players, Jones has made several poor decision is acquiring players who just aren't any good at football.  Wasting draft picks and signing bonuses on Quincy Carter, Drew Henson, Bobby Carpenter, Ebenezer Ekuban, Mike Vanderjagt, and pretty much every offensive and defensive lineman drafted since 2000, has hurt the depth of the roster and forced Jones to look at free agent/trade fixes.

     In order to improve, the Cowboys must have someone with a fresh voice and, most importantly, less blinded vision of the franchise.  Charley Casserly laid a solid foundation in Houston, and the Patriots, Colts, Giants (with both Ernie Accorsi and Jerry Reese) have had sustained success because of strong, competent personnel departments.  The men who run these departments are secure in the knowledge that they are very good at their jobs, so they would not consider coming to a situation in Dallas where their voices would never be the loudest in the room.

     Obviously, Jerry has every right to be involved however he wants with the Cowboys; it's his team, and he spends quite a bit of money to operate it.  Having such an aggressive owner can be good, but it's time for Jerry to bring in some help.  We can't trust his football decisions--from the field to the coaching staff--any longer.  As long as he insists on being the grand poo-bah of the team, Wade Phillips, Tony Romo, and 9-7 are as good as its going to get.

     Brian Smith can be reached at BLSmith@mail.utexas.edu

     With all that has happened over the previous four months, Dallas still, somehow, found itself only 60 minutes away from a playoff berth and a chance to erase the first 16 weeks of the season.  But they couldn't do it.  The team and coaches couldn't even care enough to show up for one game.  When Nick Folk's opening kickoff sailed out of bounds, it was hardly an auspicious omen. 

     Now, the Cowboys are done, and their season, for all intents and purposes, is no better than the 0-16 campaign turned in by the Detroit Lions.  Yes, the Cowboys are done, and fans should only expect future seasons to end well short of the NFC championship game as well, unless jarring, sweeping changes are made to the very core of the franchise. 

     As currently constructed, the Dallas Cowboys will not contend for a very long time. 

     Sure, they'll be 8-8 or 9-7 (maybe even 10-6 some years), but they will not be legitimate threats to the Giants, Steelers, Titans, Colts, or Patriots.

     Now, some may say that this is too emotional, a knee-jerk reaction that won't serve a purpose.  Too many people at Valley Ranch, though, are simply distractions to the rest of the team.  They are playing for themselves, rather than the other 52 men with stars on their helmets.  Currently, I can think of perhaps 10 men who should be guaranteed spots on this team next year.  The rest should face serious questions about their ability to help this team in the future.

     Here are the guys who should get to stay (in no particular order):

1. Marion Barber--one of the toughest guys in football, he can be an elite back.
2. Felix Jones--injuries ruined what was a spectacular rookie season.
3. Tashard Choice--surprising production in final month; provides exceptional depth.
4. Mat McBriar--best punter in NFL, and a key weapon for stagnant offense.
5. Jason Witten--the best TE in NFL, and a team leader.  Only consistent offensive threat Dallas has.
6. DeMarcus Ware--set franchise record with 20 sacks; should be defensive MVP.
7. Jay Ratliff--going to the Pro Bowl and may have even higher ceiling.
8. Bradie James--team captain had best season of solid career.
9. Terrence Newman--got paid in off-season and had excellent year when he was on the field.
10. Orlando Scandrick--significantly outplayed fellow rookie Mike Jenkins and should be a starter for next 7 years.
11. Nick Folk--outstanding second season; Dallas hasn't had kicker this good since Chris Boniol, and this is actually a critical position.

     And that's it.  Only 11 men deserve to be guaranteed roster spots for next year.  That this number is so small is a scathing indictment of the personnel assembled by Jerry Jones and his coaching staff.

     How bad did is the Dallas atmosphere?  Players cannot wait to leave.  Immediately after the game, Tank Johnson (a convicted felon) screamed, "I'm a free agent baby!" in the locker room.  In his 1.5 seasons here, Johnson was hardly the productive force that will have teams lining up to court him.  Did the players even care that their season had ended?  No.  That is staggering.

     Zach Thomas and Greg Ellis also indicated that they are ready to move on; well, good riddance.  Jerry Jones needs to determine which men actually want to be here and which are man enough to deserve to be here. 

     This team is a group of gutless cowards, and the Dallas Cowboys will be a joke until they are gone.  Let's start with those who must be released:

• The coaching staff--this is obvious; the players take their cues from the (lack of) leadership at the top, so Wade Phillips, Brian Stewart, Jason Garrett, and the entire staff are gone.  A win in Philly might've saved them, but their team was unprepared to play football when it mattered most.  That's a coaching problem.  Clearly, the NFL has figured out Jason Garrett.  Ray Lewis called the Dallas offense "the most simplistic in the league" before the game against the Ravens. 
• Greg Ellis--perpetual complainer doesn't want to be here and really isn't that good at football.
• Adam Jones--he should be in prison, but, at the very least, NOT on the Dallas roster.  When he wasn't suspended, he contributed more to the other teams (with poor coverage, turnovers, and penalties) than the Cowboys.
• Terrell Owens--this is all about eliminating distractions.  Owens had the worst season of his career, with only 10 touchdowns, and he hit the 100-yard mark in just two games.  As long as he's here, he will try to draw the focus from the rest of the team.

     Obviously, this is hardly a complete list.  And, I would like to put Tony Romo on it as well.  Romo is a good quarterback, but he will not be great until he stops turning over the football.  As Brett Favre gets criticized for costing the Jets a playoff berth with his league-leading 22 interceptions, Romo threw 14 picks this year and lost seven fumbles.  For those scoring at home, that's 22 turnovers for Favre and 21 for Romo.  Guess what?  Neither gets to play in the postseason this year. 

     Clearly, Romo likes the celebrity aspect of being the quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys.  I would, too; it's quite a gig.  But, he seems to relish being a celebrity more than a good football player.  He plays his worst in the biggest games and refuses to be accountable for his mistakes. 

     Romo is not the answer for Dallas, but there is simply no one better available (since Cleveland is unlikely to deal Brady Quinn).  So, Romo gets another shot.  He's not the quarterback the Cowboys need, but he's the one they deserve.

     Today, Jerry Jones has talked of continuity and keeping this team together another season.  That's a mistake.  Sometimes, you need to make change for the sake of making a change.  If people know that they will not suffer a consequence because of poor performance, they have no need to try to do their jobs well.  Most professionals would try anyway, out of personal pride.

     This team, though, has shown it has not pride.  They are cowards, and a group of cowards will never be champions.

     Brian Smith can be reached at BLSmith@mail.utexas.edu

     Consider this scroll on ESPN: "Sources report that Terrell Owens and Jason Witten got in a verbal argument after Witten tried to engage Owens during practice.  Owens told him to get away and called him a name."  Called him a name?  Seriously?  After teammates separated the two, Owens also announced that Witten was no longer invited to his birthday party, and then removed him from his list of friends on Facebook.

     Apparently, Owens thinks that Witten and Tony Romo hold private meetings and design plays without including him.  Other reports have suggested that the defensive players agree that Romo relies too heavily on Witten.  Quick question: how can you OVER rely on one of the ten best players in football?  (Note: Owens is not one of the 10 best.)

     Moreover, looking at the numbers from this year, Romo has thrown more passes to Owens than anybody else on the team; however, Owens has one of the worst reception percentages in the league--he only catches 52 percent of the balls thrown to him.

     The only aspect of football about which Owens cares is his own stats; they are, by his standards, so bad this year because of him--because he doesn't catch the football.  Does Owens care about winning?  Maybe, but not nearly as much as he does about being considered, statistically, the best receiver of all-time.

     Since his arrival in Dallas, this writer has been a defender of Owens and his antics because of his skills and the fact that his shenanigans don't land him in prison like so many other players.  No longer, though.  Owens has gone beyond being a productive brat.  His is no longer consistently an elite playmaker, and he is destroying the Cowboys.

     On the eve of their first absolute "must-win" game of the season, Owens is not trying to help his team win.  He is creating a divide in the locker room so wide even Wade Phillips could fall in and not get stuck.  The New York Giants already decimated Dallas once this year, and they now have the opportunity to effectively end the Cowboys' season for the second straight year.

     When you go against the best team in football, you need a concentrated effort from every man on the roster.  Owens has made sure that that will be impossible Sunday night.  The team is unavoidably divided now: each player must visibly decide whether he's an "Owens guy" or a "Witten guy."  Problem is, if trying to be one of those, then you're not trying to be a Cowboy.

     Knute Rockne once said, "I don't play my 11 best; I play my best 11."  He understood that having the best team is what wins championships.  Clearly, the Cowboys do not.  For if they did, Jerry Jones--not Phillips or Jason Garrett because they clearly have no control over the players--should suspend Owens indefinietly.  He won't, because he's a fool, and it is previous indulgences of Owens that have created this mess.

     At every stop in his career, Owens has caused drama and rifts between his teammates.  When you consider the hundreds of different people that have interacted with him during his other troubles, you realize that he is the only common denominator in each situation.  Hey, Terrell, maybe YOU are the problem. 

     If, as Owens claims, he was such a stand-up, team-first guy, none of this would be public.  Now, this is not to say that Owens shouldn't be able to complain if he's unhappy.  But, if he truly cared about the "team," he wouldn't have made all of this public, especially at this point in the season.  If Dallas had a true team and true leadership--NOT Jones and Phillips--all of this would be discussed and handled privately.  Then, perhaps, the Cowboys would have some chance against New York on Sunday night.

     Instead, though, every man on that Dallas sideline will be keeping one eye on the game and the other on the rest of his alleged teammates to see when the next fight will break out.  Even without MVP candidate Brandon Jacobs, the Giants are going to annihilate the Cowboys. 

     Now that Owens has gone from annoying prima donna to a plague on this team, he must be removed.  Deactivate him, release him--do anything but allow him to come to Texas Stadium and further infect this team.  It is too late to save this season, and, undoubtedly, he has contaminated some other players who will have to follow him out the door in the off-season.  However, if Jones wants to open his billion-dollar playhouse with lots of wins next year, he cannot wait to start healing his franchise for next year.

     Owens has to be gone in order to fix this team.  He, Romo, and Witten can never again have the type of relationships necessary to create unity with the other 50 men on the roster.  His actions are no longer worth the modest stats he posts.  The best way to argue for more opportunities is to take advantage of the ones you get, not catch only half the passes thrown to you.

     Jerry has let Owens become a bigger embarrassment than Michael Vick ever was to the Atlanta Falcons because Jones has been complicit in creating this current mess.  If Jones, Phillips, or Garrett, or the rest of the team, had stood up to Owens before, maybe he would've thought twice before instigating the end for Dallas.

     Then again, probably not.  It's T.O. 

     New York 45, Dallas 9

     Brian Smith can be reached at BLSmith@mail.utexas.edu

     As expected, this was not a fun game to watch.  Although there were some strong defensive efforts, the contest also featured plenty of awful plays on offense by both teams.  The only real "excitement" came during the final 7:25--and that was only fun for Steeler fans.

     The Cowboys came into the game needing to make a strong statement--to themselves, the Steelers, and to the rest of the NFC--that this wasn't the same team that had gone a paltry 18-31 in December and January since 1997.  They needed to show that they aren't cowards, that they have the "toughness" to beat perhaps the AFC's strongest team in brutal weather conditions.  And, for three and a half quarters, they showed precisely that.

     Dallas was great for nearly the entire game; Pittsburgh was elite at the most important parts of the game.

     Despite the ground this loss caused the team to lose in the NFC playoff hunt, it can be a strong experience if the team--especially Tony Romo and the defense--finally recognize the difference between "great" players who win Pro Bowl berths and "elite" players who earn Super Bowl berths.

     Without question, the most important player on the Dallas roster is Romo; he is a great NFL quarterback.  However, his inability to avoid making critical turnovers separates him from the tier of elite quarterbacks in the league.  Until Romo significantly decreases his interceptions and fumbles, he won't be an elite passer, and the Cowboys won't have sustained success, especially in the postseason.  Yes, he has the gaudy stats of a great player, but he doesn't have the indicator of the elites: Super Bowl wins. 

     The man who beat him Sunday afternoon, Ben Roethlisberger, is an elite quarterback.  Eli Manning, of the world champion Giants, is an elite quarterback.  Before you howl about the less-than-thrilling stats of both (as I have done with Manning), look at the most important figure: wins.  Neither of these guys routinely throws for 300 yards or tosses 36 touchdown passes in a season.  But, neither of these guys routinely turns over the football, and, as a direct result, both have Super Bowl rings.  

     By himself, Romo frittered away four (FOUR!) possessions by losing the football (three interceptions and a fumble).  Also, they continued Romo's trend of making mistakes at the most critical junctures of the game.  Beginning with The Snap in Seattle a few years ago, Romo has developed a horrifying ability to give the football to the other team at the precise moment when Dallas most needs to score. 

     I realize that Romo's turnover rates are due in some part to his attempts to create big plays for the Cowboys.  I appreciate that his ability to scramble, make tough throws, and keep composed under pressure (usually) is a significant part of why he is a great quarterback, and why the Cowboys have won so often with him.  However, he is 0-2 in the playoffs because he is a poor game manager.  Rather than do what is best, overall, for the team on any specific play, he always tries to make the tough throw or gain an extra half-yard instead of throwing away the football.  When it works, fantastic; when it doesn't, the other team gets a huge momentum shift and, sometimes, steals the game from Dallas.

     Roethlisberger is an excellent manager for the Steelers.  He makes the play his team needs at that time.  Although this results in often unimpressive stats--as was the case Sunday--he usually gets win.  (By the way, his rating from Sunday's game was nearly double Romo's.)

     Until Romo learns to become more of a manager of the game than someone trying to win the game by himself, he won't become an elite quarterback in the National Football League, and he'll continue losing to those who are.

     The Dallas defense entered play ranked ninth in the NFL, and they played perhaps their best football of the season for 52.5 minutes.  Jay Ratliff, DeMarcus Ware, and Bradie James, in particular, had outstanding performances.  The unit sacked Roethlisberger five times and held the Steelers to just 70 rushing yards (238 total). 

     Of course, NFL games are not 52.5 minutes long; they're 60.

     While the Cowboys were great for 52.5 minutes, the Steelers were elite for 60.  With the notable exception of Tashard Choice (who played exceptionally in his first career start), Pittsburgh completely shut down every Dallas offensive player.  They put constant pressure on Romo and frustrated every receiver with their smothering coverage.

     Again, while the Cowboys played great defense--getting sacks, stopping the run--Pittsburgh showed them what makes a defense truly elite: forcing turnovers and not committing penalties.  The Steelers forced five turnovers and committed only two penalties (for just 10 yards).  Despite improvement in the penalty area lately, the Dallas defense had several unnecessary ones on Sunday, including offsides and 12 men on the field.  Elite, disciplined teams don't make those kinds of fouls.

     Also, the true mark of an elite defense is an ability to force turnovers; the best units do more than simply force punts (like Dallas does)--they go and get the football from the other team.  Forcing turnovers (as opposed to forcing punts) has a substantial impact on a team's field position, and it also gives the defenders a chance to win games for the team (case in point: Deshea Townsend).  When an offense is struggling--as both were Sunday--a team needs its defense to not only keep the other team from scoring, but also to score points on its own or give the offense a 10- or 20-yard field. 

     Of course, elite defenses also play 60 minutes of football per week.  Here, the fault--and credit--lies with the coaching staff.  Despite the cold and wind, the Steelers' staff kept the defense fired up and prepared for each possession.  The Dallas coaches simply did not get the team ready to play a whole game this week.  Play 60 minutes and win; play 52.5 and lose.  For the Cowboys, it really is that simple.

     That the Cowboys lost wasn't unexpected, and the stellar individual performances of Choice, James, and Ratliff certainly should not be dismissed.  This team definitely proved how tough it is during the game.

     The Cowboys played great, but they lost because they aren't, yet, elite.

     Brian Smith can be reached at BLSmith@mail.utexas.edu

     Although football games in the snow are visually exciting, the tough weather conditions generally result in old-school (read: boring) styles of play, with each time running 35-40 times each up the middle for 1-3 yard gains.  Thrilling.  This contest will most likely be a defensive struggle, and it may not take 20 points to come out with a win.

     The Steelers have the NFL's top-ranked defense, and Dallas' has been much improved over the past three games.  Pittsburgh's offense has been inconsistent this year (despite the 33 they hung on New England last week); the Cowboys are going to be without Marion Barber and Felix Jones, and Roy Williams missed practice on Friday.  When you consider all those factors, you get a strong probability of deficient offensive performances by both teams.

     The weather forecast for Sunday's game calls for strong wind and snow, making it the coldest NFL start of Tony Romo's career.  Despite the amazing performances he has turned in since returning from his broken finger, this will be his toughest test of the year (since he missed the first game against the Giants). 

     ON OFFENSE: As one Dallas coach said, "Marion was built for these conditions."  Make no mistake, the Cowboys are going to miss Barber immensely on Sunday afternoon.  The Steelers are allowing a mere 71 yards rushing per game--and now they get to face rookie Tashard Choice in the backfield.  Choice has shown some progress over the season, but he's never had to face an NFL first-string defense, so he, and the team, could be in for quite a tough time on the ground.

     Consequently, the Cowboys will rely on Romo, Terrell Owens, and Jason Witten to get first downs and control the clock.  Quick slants and screens will have to suffice as the "running game" for Dallas.  Owens must show the same determination he had against the 49ers and Seahawks; if he doesn't touch the football at least nine times, it means that the Pittsburgh defense can blitz Romo at will.  That unit has a whopping 42 sacks, including 14 by James Harrison and 11.5 by LaMarr Woodley.  Leonard Davis and Flozell Adams, in particular, must turn in career performances and give Romo 3-5 seconds of calm during which to throw.

     ON DEFENSE: For Dallas, Bradie James has played phenomenally recently, and his passion has carried over to every man on the field.  Ben Roethlisberger has thrown 12 interceptions this year and been sacked 33 times.  Despite likely being without DeMarcus Ware, the NFL's sack leader, the team needs to put pressure on Roethlisberger and sack him, or, at the very least, force him into errant throws. 

     The Cowboys are allowing only 97 rush yards per game, and the Steelers, as a team, average only 3.7 yards per carry.  If the Cowboys can contain Willie Parker and force the Steelers into long yardage situations on second- and third-down, it will force Roethlisberger to win the game with his arm.  Despite being 32, Hines Ward is still a very dangerous receiver.  Santonio Holmes is also a long-range touchdown threat, so Ken Hamlin will need to provide deep help over the middle to whoever is covering him.  

     OVERALL: Of course, there's a difference between a good defensive contest and two pitiful offenses.  The game could be a (boring) defensive struggle because the Cowboys will be missing Barber and Felix Jones.  The Steelers are used to playing in the cold, which will be a definite advantage late in a close game.  Expect the Dallas defense to play well, but the losses of Barber and Ware mean the team will come up just a bit short.

     Pittsburgh 17, Dallas 14

     Brian Smith can be reached at BLSmith@mail.utexas.edu

     After being written off by many, including this writer, it now seems Dallas still has very legitimate postseason hopes.  However, you shouldn't mention that when you see them because this group has an uncanny ability to take any compliment as a pass to quit playing. 

     With such strong performances against the 49ers and Seahawks in a short, five-day span, the Cowboys earned some rest this week.  And, boy, they are going to need that rest for this month, I tell you what.  Dallas has the most difficult December schedule in NFL history: at Pittsburgh, home for the Giants and Ravens, then ending the year in Philadelphia. 

     History suggests that the team needs only go 2-2 (resulting in a 10-6 finish) in order to reach the playoffs.  While 10 wins may very well get a playoff spot in the NFC, the tougher task will be getting just two wins.  Given the difficulty of this schedule, and the inconsistency with which Dallas has played, an 0-4 or 1-3 month is not improbable.  Of course, the team could also make an effort each week and finish the year 12-4 or 11-5.  That's the problem: you never know which team is going to show up on the field.

     Over the past few years, the Cowboys have had, um, "problems" in December: since 2002, Dallas is 10-15 in games played during the year's twelfth month.  In the last two seasons, those poor December efforts have carried over into January's games, which is a big part of why the team hasn't won a playoff game since 1996.

     The Dallas Cowboys certainly have the individual talent to win every game this month and make a deep postseason run.  However, in order to do this, they need to become the most talented team (which, currently, is the New York Giants).  Although Tony Romo apparently is the "magic fix" the offense needed, and the defense has been outstanding since the bye week, the team must remember how awful it was for the six weeks before the bye.  The team must remember all the December losses from years before, lest they again lose their edge when (if?) they are in the playoffs.

      There will be no easy games this month; the Cowboys need to bring a big lunch each week because they are in for a full day's work trying to beat each opponent.  If the team plays with the same lazy, entitled attitude of earlier this season, they are going to get whupped each day and miss the playoffs.  However, if they continue to show some passion--if each player does his individual best--this team has a chance to prove in the postseason why so many Dallas fans booked Tampa hotel rooms back in June.

        The Cowboys have done well over the last three weeks to save the season and remain in playoff contention.  The memories of this season--both the good and bad--must serve as motivation for this team over the next four weeks.  Maybe the Cowboys will get their "roses in December."  And maybe, just maybe, those roses could blossom into Lombardi trophies in February.

     Brian Smith can be reached at BLSmith@mail.utexas.edu