The Good, The Great, The Beautiful

I wanted to title it, The Good, Bad, & Ugly, but decided to take a different slant.  As most of you have come to know, I'm an optimist.  I actually believe our coaches at their word and have the audacity to think that they actually know what they're doing.

But I'm not blinded by some myopic Utopian vision.  There are problems with this team.  But so is the state of every other team in the NFL.  The salary cap and everything that has been done in the name of "parity" has assured this outcome.  But I can't escape the fact that without it, we'd be Baseball.  Sorry, I like the fact that not just the powerhouses can win.  Look at Baseball, Soccer, and F1.  The Yankees, Man U's, and Ferrarri's of the world will always be good and the rest will try to compete every now and then.

So in light of the realities, I've chosen a few of our (perceived) weaknesses and take an honest look at the answers.

1.  No answer for t.o.'s production:  No matter what you think of the personality, there's no denying his production.  Somehow, some way, the "explosiveness" of the record setting Offense has to be replaced.  This is the main theme of all preseason rags.

While this argument is not without merit, let me just add that the records broken were from the Danny White era, not Staubach, not Aikman.  Stats are great (for fantasy football), but Championships are won by great teams.  Sure, there's the exceptions like Offensive juggernauts Washington, SF, and StL and the Defense-only Bucs, Ravens, Giants and Steelers.  But these years were also real exceptions to the norm.  In each case, they played teams that were "lucky" to be there.  Most times, it takes good, balanced teams that "came together".

But back to the point.  How can this team be an Offensive Juggernaut?

• 12 or 'Heavy' formations- This was BP's vision.  A team that could sustain long drives and win close games.  He missed on Fasano.  We hit on Marty B.  The 2-TE offensive scheme is nearly impossible to stop, if you have the guns.  Stop the run?  Okay, take this (Roy Williams, Crayton, Witten, 'Tellus, and Felix).  Bring in your dime?  How 'bout 2 tons of fun coming at you with 7 of the biggest, baddest dudes against your front 5 or 6!
• Roy Williams - Say what you want, but the stats are in his favor.  Yes, he was ignored and injured last year.  Yes, he's been dinged nearly every year.  But not seriously.  And the fact is that he's a great catcher of the football.  He competes and wins most 1-on-1 battles.  
• Ball Control- Can this team really do what it did for a half against the AFC's #1 seed?  Drives like that take me back to the '90s.  Sure, we may have a few hiccups and only be ahead 14-10 in a bunch of games.  But the 2nd half is going to be pure hell for a defense that has been on the field TWICE as long.  This type of plan is the BP blueprint to Championships. 

2.  Can Romo/Wade win in December/January?  I should say the team, but it comes down to these guys when any debate comes up.  The Mediots say "Yeah, well, I'll believe it when I see it".  Romo comes up short and Wade gets out-coached.

Now most of you weren't around for the 60's version.  Hell, I was child with a Cowboys jersey cheering because my Grandad did.  But I grew up every Thanksgiving going to the games.  I remember them being "Next Year's Champions".  And then I grew up with the winning-est franchise in history.  No team will ever duplicate 20 years + straight being in the playoffs and nearly 30 years with a winning record.

But I also remember vividly Danny White and the early 80's.  3 straight NFC Championship losses (I feel Phithy's pain...albeit with a little Shadenfreude).

What is Romo & Co.?  I truly don't know.  That terd they laid in Philthy was inexcusable.  But I also see a case of bad luck that befell those late 60's, early 70's teams.  Here's why this version will overcome:

• Been there, done that:  They have experience.  They know what it's like to underachieve.  They're hungry.   Those 80's teams were facing all time greats in the 9ers, Bears, Skins, Giants, and even the Rams (with Dickerson).  No current team comes close.
• Defense:  Yeah, I know some question the truism that "Defense Wins Championships".  But no team has ever won without a very good one.  We now have a good to great one. 
• Variety:  The best way to overcome obstacles is to be able to win in a number of ways.  Quick strike, ball control, whatever.  The best coaches can win with different styles.  Wade has proven over 4 franchises that he can win in different ways.  Combined with the overwhelming versatility of our Offense and you've got a team that can compete with anyone.
• Health:  Above all else, this team needs health.  We saw what happens when key injuries occur.  Do you really think the Steelers are playing  in the Super Bowl if Brady is healthy?  We just really got killed at key positions.  No team...NONE, can overcome so many losses.

3.  Special Teams/Penalties/Discipline:  I wanted to go with Defense, but it came up short in the mediot attention.  Run Defense and Safety issues were a big cause of problems last year.  But I think most agree that the problems have been addressed. 

So that leaves the "intangibles".  We know the Special Teams were a problem.  Everyone agrees that penalties are killers.  And to date, neither has shown signs of being solved.   Some say it comes down to discipline, but BP and Wade have both taken special attention to each.  Neither has been able to solve it, yet.

But there are signs that the problems are being solved:

• DeCamillis- I trust Coach Avezano on this one.  He says he's great.  Also, his history is impeccable.  He'll get this resolved.
• Unit not set.  The unit that will be on the field in Tampa has yet to play together.  The teams have been mixed and matched to give everyone a chance.  There's still time to shine.
• Best Specialist in the League.  OK, we don't have a punt returner.  But our KO, FG, and Punters are as good as it gets.
• Draft.  This year, we really focused on players that are ST studs.  With the extra attention, these guys should be a dramatic upgrade.  Jury's still out, but I'm still very optimistic (surprise, huh?).

4.  Lastly, Depth:  Unfortunately, I've exceeded my time.  But let me just say that Every team is in the same boat and at least we have viable answers to every weakness.  Don't forget, we have coaches and a GM that are willing to do anything possible to fill the gaps.  Whether everything can be fixed to everyone's satisfaction, is a whole 'nuther discussion.

The Beautiful?  All I can say is that is the most amazing Stadium since the Real Colosseum as attested by Raf.