Cowboy Fans STH at 2011 Season Opener Déjà Vu

Die hard Dallas Cowboy fans are still shaking their heads (STH) after Sunday night’s much anticipated season opener of the Dallas Cowboys hosted by the New York Jets. Shocking fourth quarter surprises left fans stunned as the Cowboys went from what seemed to be a sure-fire win to looking as if football was a new sport. The Cowboys took a loss to set their opening day record at 0-1 just like the 2010 opener against the Redskins.

Déjà vu Cowboys, Déjà vu!

Buzz and Build Up

There was much talk about players’ missing practice, injuries and more. Starting right offensive tackle and first-round draft choice Tyron Smith was a hopeful with a hyper extended right knee. Starting corner Mike Jenkins was also questionable with a hyper extended knee. Starting corner Terence Newman who hadn’t practiced in over five weeks was a no-go for the game. Wide receiver Miles Austin was limited with hamstring problems. Add into the mix, Dan Bailey, a rookie kicker making his start.

These issues along with the recent release of veteran players had the team launching with a brand new defense, a sketchy offense and high running emotions. The general opinion voiced the Cowboys were in for a real “old fashioned” stomping by the Jets. Cowboy fans though had a firm belief the team would show what they were made of with a hard-earned win, especially after last year’s sad, shabby season.

The official debut of head coach, Jason Garrett, and the infamous brotherly rivalry of Rex and Rob Ryan had everyone’s juices flowing with promise of an all out “fight club” game as winner takes all.

The Reality

Opening drive Dallas takes the lead with the efforts of Felix Jones (28), Dez Bryant (88) and Kevin Ogletree (85). Dez Bryant makes the touchdown literally snatching the ball out of the hands of corner back, Antonio Cromartie (31) for the score, 7-0. The Cowboys hold the lead into the second quarter as Tony Romo (9), Jason Witten (82), Bryant and Miles Austin show their skills marching the team downfield. Unfortunately, they have to settle for a field goal, which Bailey (5) makes good. Dallas leads 10-0.

Fifty-eight seconds to go in the first half, Jet’s quarterback, Mark Sanchez (6) shows some fight running the 2-minute offense. With a nice screen play to LaDainian Tomlinson (21), the Jets are back in the game and set up first and goal inside the 5-yard line. Dustin Keller takes it in for the Jet’s touchdown 10-7.

In the third quarter, Romo throws a bomb pass to Miles Austin. Austin comes up with the ball as he wrestles it away from Cromartie in the end zone for a Dallas TD, 17-7. Jets drive the ball to score a field goal making it 17-10. Next Jet’s possession, Cowboy’s linebacker, Sean Lee (50) picks off Sanchez at the Jet’s 35-yard line taking it back to the 1. Felix Jones walks it into the end zone. Touch down Dallas 24-10.

At this point, the Cowboys offense seems like a well-oiled machine and the defense was putting in the work holding the Jets down. Game over already with a two-touchdown lead! It’s just time to maintain and keep the lead.

Fourth quarter, the unraveling began. Plaxico Burress (17) takes it in for the Jets making it a one-touchdown lead, 24-17. Romo still looking good makes a beautiful pass to tight end, Jason Witten with a 67-yard gain down to the 4 yard line. Third and goal at the 2-yard line, Tony Romo attempts to run it in, but fumbles the ball and the Jets recover. Six minutes left, the Jets fumble the ball and the Cowboys recover, but can’t convert into a score. Bailey goes to punt. The punt is blocked. Jet’s corner, Isaiah Trufant (35), picks it up to score tying the game at 24-24.

Dallas still has a chance to drive the ball downfield for a winning score. Romo seems oblivious to ball being snapped as it hits him in the chest. Are we still playing football? Isn’t he the one calling the snap count? Hhhhhmmmmnnnn! Then, “Why Oh Why” does Tony Romo throw to Dez Bryant who hasn’t finished running his route and is under double coverage? Jet’s corner, Derrelle Revis (24), picks off the pass taking it to the Dallas 40-yard line. Jets kick the winning 50-yard field goal taking the score to 24-27. Dallas gets the ball back with seconds left on the clock. As if they weren’t embarrassed enough, the Cowboys get off a final ditch effort play that should be never be seen again. Ever!

Cowboy Direction

A come-back shellacking like the Cowboys just endured is inexcusable. Fans understand that Dallas is in the process of rebuilding the team, but that game deserves a notorious, “C’mon Man!” The team worked very hard on offense and defense. The Dallas defense showed off their improved tactical skills. The offense had fans excited because they looked like smooth butter cream for most of the game.

Coach Garrett said, “We’re just trying to get better, trying to get better in everything we do with the people we have in-house, but part of getting better is making some personnel decisions and sometimes that involves getting younger, sometimes that involves getting an older guy being a role player and some of the decisions we’ve made have a lot to do with the people we’ve drafted or young guys we signed as free agents taking advantage of an opportunity.”

Garrett continues, “So there is nothing purposeful in saying, ‘We got to get rid of all the old guys and sign all the young guys.’ That’s not what we’re thinking. We’re just trying to make our team as good as it can be right now going forward.”

Sorry to say, but the game seemed to take a U-Turn into ‘What The Heck Ville’ as Tony Romo, now in his 7+ season as Dallas’ quarterback, returned to his “blonde highlight” moments. And no, we’re not talking about Jessica Simpson anymore. It was all Romo with some bone-headed moves that all but handed the game back to the Jets. Based on this game, did the coaches forget one last personnel cut?

Tongues are wagging and fantasy wagers are flying again that Dallas will never get a Super Bowl win, until they get rid of Tony Romo. Quite simply, he chokes every single time the franchise really needs him to be Superman. Fans all love him and he may be a great guy, but ‘Lovin’ don’t bring home The Bowl title!’

In an interview, Romo promised he would step up to the plate in the upcoming game this week and the season. Again, Coach Garrett says the team is about one change at a time and going forward.

Promises, promises! Let’s see what the next game on Sunday against San Francisco holds. More Déjà vu of last season is not an option. Dallas must raise the bar and stay consistent in their ‘Holy Grail’ quest to be “America’s Team” again.

Melanie Dameron has been a loyal, die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan since Super Bowl XII when they added more ice to the Broncos “Orange Crush” and made a slushie. Melanie is patiently waiting and willing the Cowboys to pull it together and return to the days of glory as “America‘s Dream Team”.


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