I know the media, and to a large extent fans, focus on the glamor positions. But a closer look at successful teams reveals a stunning truth - winning teams have "it". What is "it"? It's attitude, determination, the will to win. That comes from one man, one position, on any championship team.

It's the mascot. We're talking here about Rowdy. Coming into camp, Rowdy's reputation with the team could not have been worse.

A relative unknown, really always working in the shadows of Crazy Ray, Rowdy attempted to take his game to the next level.  It was his bad luck to try to start reviving his career at the dawn of the Bill Parcells era. Never a man to tolerate much tomfoolery, Parcells at first embarrassed Rowdy and then eventually sat him during the pre-season. This was the beginning of Rowdy's slow, awkward slide downhill.

The ascendancy of Wade Phillips, on the surface, seemed to be the ideal situation for Rowdy to once again become a factor for the Cowboys. Wade was well-known for tolerance and even a decent sense of humor, an ideal greenhouse in which this mascot could blossom. But as we all know, the best laid plans of mice and men often go astray like a cheap four-wheeler sliding across the AstroTurf. Rowdy, repeatedly interfering with stretching and end-of-practice pressers, seemed to be losing yardage on every play. Wade was not amused.

Eager to take advantage of the situation where theteam that had lost it's court jester (TO), village idiot (Pacman) and freak (Tank Johnson), Rowdy by all reports had rededicated himself in the off-season - hiring a mascot personal trainer/life coach, updating his costume to take advantage of new high-tech fibers, taking a break from his highly publicized relationship with mascot groupie Charo, and let's be honest, conducting a little soul searching to figure why exactly he DOES have that stupid grin on his face. Rowdy's mind was right, his body was strong and he was ready for some football.

It's do or die time.

So as Grizz, Raf and Aaron scrutinize, analyze and verbalize this seasons training camp and BTBers everywhere ask innumerable questions about Romo, Williams (any Williams really), Tash and Bennett, the camp's real story has so far been untold. There is a human drama unfolding in the stands and on the edges of the field that begs to be revealed. I recognize that this would normally be assigned to a cub reporter like Aaron, but I'd ask for the application of the experienced eye of a Raf or a Grizz from time to time to give this story the coverage it so richly deserves. 

Is his body language better than least season? Does he seem to be taking charge as the spiritual leader of this team? Did he come to camp in better shape? Has he worked on new moves or is he just as predictable as last season? What does his accuracy look like firing t-shirts into the stands? What is his chemistry like with Wade, Jerry and Stephen?

I don't know. I just feel like this is a make-or-break season for Rowdy.