After
four seasons, Cowboys Stadium is no more. Team owner Jerry Jones last
week announced that the naming rights have been acquired by AT&T.
The
jokes have already started.
You
know how the communications giant brags about having fewer dropped
calls than any other carrier? (Well, unless you live in Hickman
County, Tennessee or Bacon County, Georgia – two places I am very
familiar with.) Not too long after the announcement, someone posted
on Facebook “Will there be fewer dropped
balls in
the house that Jerry built?”
I
know that person. It was me.
OK,
before my fellow Cowboys fans – like Rosie Bradford – disown me –
let me say this: You have to possess a sense of humor to be a Dallas
supporter. At least since 1996 - the last year the ‘Boys won a
title. Since then, we have witnessed the following: Michael Irvin
laying motionless at the Vet while the classless Eagles fans cheered
his career-ending injury, Dave Campo. Quincy Carter. “Bobble-gate”
at Seattle. The 2007 13-3 season that ended, thanks to the “New
York Football Giants.” (The only time I will reference them that
way.), and that doesn’t include the heartbreaking losses of the
past five seasons. Typically, Dallas does not play bad much of the
time. They are just uneven. Tony Romo can go 27 for 38 for 376 and 4
scores for five weeks straight. Then, with 2:13 on the clock – and
from the five-yard line, his pass to take the lead against the
Redskins / Giants / Eagles is in the end zone---and it is
INTERCEPTED!
But,
this is not an attack on Romo. We have a running back named DeMarco
Murray, who has a clause in his contract that he can only play six
games per season because he likes being on the injury report. Then,
there’s the defen....Oops...Well, last season was better from a
cornerback point of view. In 2011, I could have scored on the
secondary. They have gotten better, but even in my post-surgery
state this summer, I think I could put up a 100 yard game against the
front – take away the play of DeMarcus Ware – arguably the best
lineman in the league. We do have Jason Witten, and for all of his
early struggles, I’ve got to say Dez Bryant had a great season in
2012, and hope that he can continue.
But,
Tony Romo, it’s time. Did Troy Aikman deserve credit for every win
he tallied as the Cowboys’ signal caller? Well, he did have that
back named Smith whose 32-yard run to midfield with 4:32 left in the
fourth seemed always to seal the deal if it wasn’t already. And,
when the other team had the ball, they had to deal with names like
Charles Haley, Darren Woodson, and a cornerback named Deion. However,
when he had to deliver....he did.....By his fourth season, Aikman had
his team in the Super Bowl. And, if he or another team member made a
mistake, you didn’t see him sitting on the bench with a half-smile
and a cap turned around backwards.
But,
that was yesterday. The Cowboys open up their pre-season on Sunday
night against Miami at Canton. Football time in America. Yipee!
But,
let a couple of heartbreaking losses pile up, and I guarantee you
that I won’t be the only one comparing the Cowboys to their stadium
namesake’s slogan. AT&T Stadium – Where you have more dropped
balls than any other NFL Stadium. Ha Ha Ha. (Hey, I’ve got to
laugh. It’s how we cope!)
