Hark the Raven Nevermore

has played the Cowboys twice in the last 8 years. The results weren’t pretty, 27-0 in 2000 and 30-10 in 2004. There are a few key Ravens who played on those suffocating defenses and who are still playing today – Ed Reed, Terrell Suggs, Jarrett Johnson, Bart Scott, Chris McAlister and, of course, the seemingly ageless and unstoppable Ray Lewis.

But these ain’t the 2000 (5-11) and 2004 (6-10) Cowboys. There’s no battered Troy Aikman in his last year or Vinny Testaverde or Drew Henson under center. There’s no James McKnight or Quincy Morgan split out wide. And there isn’t an aged Emmitt Smith in the backfield. About the only similarity between the 2008 Dallas offense and the 2004 Dallas offense is that both started rookie running backs (I assume Choice will be getting the lion’s share of the carries tonight). Then rookie Julius Jones, in his first extended action of any sort, rushed 30 times for 81 yards. Not a fantastic day, but what I wouldn’t give for Choice to have 30 carries today. It would probably mean that the Cowboys have the game well in hand.

One more thing – those two blowouts were in Baltimore. Hopefully, playing at Texas Stadium and the scenario surrounding this last game will provide more advntage than usual.