NOT JUST ANOTHER YEAR.....HOPEFULLY

As many of you who are familiar with me know, there is one professional sports team that stands head and shoulders above the rest. Yes, I am a Titans fan, as they are local. Yes, I am a Brett Favre fan, as I still think he's one of the best QB's of all time, and one who got pushed out of the way a little bit early by Packers management.....But, at the end of the day,,,the main thing that matters to be in the sports section from September on is that America's Team, the Dallas Cowboys, keep adding numbers each week to the "W" column in the standings.

Yes, I am a fan of the Dallas Cowboys----the ones with the star on the helmet......One of only three teams to win five Super Bowls. (Yes, I am aware that Pittsburgh, with six, has won more....but my sentence is still true).....The team that has been accused over the years (maybe rightfully so) of being just a little bit arrogant.

That being said, Cowboys fans haven't been too uppity about anything since 1996. Thirteen long, torturous years without a playoff win...never mind a ring. And, it's been pretty tough at times. Michael Irvin's career-ending injury at the Vet in 1999 as Eagles fans cheered (One reason I would root for anybody against Philadelphia)......Quincy Carter.....Ryan Leaf.....the "bobble" of the field goal in Seattle in 2006, and yes, the 2007 season where everything had set up quite nicely for Dallas, and Romeo...I mean Romo, couldn't get Jessica off his mind long enough to handle the Giants in the playoffs......Then, there was last year. Win one of your last two.....and you're in the post-season.....Can you say Willis McGahaee turning out the lights at Texas Stadium, and then, once again, there was a trip to McNabb-land......44-6? Arrogant? Who's arrogant?

I'm not sure that things will improve for Jerry's Boys in 2009. Yes, we have the new stadium, but without T.O., I am a little unsure who we have to throw it to consistently. Cutting # 81 will avoid some locker room drama, but Roy Williams' 19 catches as a Cowboy doesn't necessarily scare anyone.

Still, we have a great backfield, some young defensive playmakers...and a veteran coaching staff. So, here's my prediction.....Cowboys go 8-1 first nine games, but Romo starts to become infatuated with Kellie Pickler late in the season. 8-1 turns into 9-5.....Team splits final two games of season to go 10-6, and falls in opening round of playoffs to New Orleans. After all, you've got to keep those streaks alive, don't you?

In all seriousness, here's hoping "The Boys" will exercise some of those November and December demons that have been haunting them as of late....and make some noise come playoff time. Once again, after all....we have as much talent as anyone in the NFL, right? (Something I've been saying each off season since 2006!)

Welcome back, NFL....I've missed ya!