The only thing that I’m left pondering is what is it that makes this year so different than last year?

Well for starters, Bill Callahan is officially calling the plays. Let’s see what else, um Doug Free had his salary cut in half. Oh yeah we now have a potential new starter along the offensive line in Travis Frederick.

June 11, 2013; Irving, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones talks during a press conference after minicamp at Dallas Cowboys Headquarters. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Ok wait. Our goal is to definitely win the Super Bowl, but it doesn’t seem like we made a whole lot of changes. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Many will whip out the old insanity definition and tell you that he who does the same thing over and over and expects a different result and blah blah blah. Well I’m here to say that maybe for once this is a good thing.

Anybody who has witnessed the last fifteen plus years has seen it several times. Jerry gets fed up and turns the coaching staff upside down, or he brings in a bunch of washed up free agents to fill holes across the depth chart.

So maybe he’s not doing the same thing by doing the same thing.

Yeah, maybe for once Jerry is trying to let things gel a bit before going in and blowing it all up.

Heck this might be the smartest thing that Jerry Jones has done in a long time…or maybe the dumbest. I guess we will just have to wait for the first few games of the season to pass before we will know for sure.

One thing is for sure though. Don’t expect Jones to try this again next year if things don’t go so well this season. So I guess it’s safe to say that despite what all the reports are out of camp it would seem like a lot of people are playing or coaching for their jobs.

Maybe this is what Jerry Jones meant by creating an uncomfortable atmosphere.

Let’s see if it works

A statement was finally released this week that Bill Callahan would be calling the plays once the season begins this fall. What does that mean? Does it put us in any better position to win a Super Bowl?

The truthful answer is probably not. So what’s the big deal and what is all the fuss about?

Honestly, I really couldn’t care less who was calling the plays from the sidelines as long as they were qualified. What I’m truly worried about is if the players on the field are going to execute those plays. That’s what is going to give us the opportunity to win ball games next year.

Aug 25, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Bill Callahan on the sidelines with head coach Jason Garrett during the first half against the St Louis Rams at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Jason Garrett was under some pretty heavy criticism last year for questionable play calling at critical moments. All of it was probably well deserved, but the fact of the matter is that with execution even the most questionable play calls will be successful.

My point is, why are we making such a big fuss about who is calling the plays and not expecting more out of the players on the field. Missed blocks, blown routes, and pre play confusion was one of the many reasons for this team’s downfall.

I’m reminded of a quote from the movie Friday Night Lights. Coach Gary Gaines played by Billy Bob Thornton had his players on a knee after a hot two-a-day practice and was proclaiming a state championship with surety. He explained that the other teams would be bigger, faster, and stronger but that there was no team that was going to be as perfect as his would be.

“Can you be perfect?”

It was a simple question but one that should be asked of the Dallas Cowboys. It’s not about who’s calling the plays but if they can execute.

The season is not far away and now is the time that teams get better.

Can they be perfect?

The Cowboys are walking the line at the moment debatably having those three elite level talents on the roster. Dez Bryant is quickly emerging as one of the game’s best talents, an aging Jason Witten might be a cause for concern, and then there’s Miles Austin who, when healthy is more than capable of putting up Pro Bowl numbers. Unfortunately that’s about as likely as seeing a unicorn.

So, to put it simply, it might be safe to say that the Cowboys have their three, but who is number four. Seeing as how Jason Witten might be nearing his expiration date, and Miles Austin is getting closer to expendable than elite, number four probably needs to get here sooner rather than later.

That leads us to a popular topic as of late. Is it Dwayne Harris, or newly acquired Terrance Williams?

There is no doubt that Harris definitely flashed some signs of brilliance toward the end of the season last year, but does that mean he’s prepared to take over the number three spot or even the number two should Austin go down.

Then there’s Terrance Williams, a pass catching machine out of Baylor with absolutely no NFL experience. While his potential might speak volumes of what he’s capable of, it’s probably safe to say he’s even more of a wild card than Harris.

Dec 2, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys receiver Miles Austin (19) celebrates a fourth quarter touchdown with receiver Dwayne Harris (17) against the Philadelphia Eagles at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

While the purpose of this article might have seemed to be a debate of which is more capable and prepared to man the third spot, I think it’s become more of a statement that both will be needed and hopefully prepared when their number gets called.

Let’s face it, with Bryant’s emergence as a receiving threat more teams will be game planning to take him out of the game. Austin will have to be prepared to shoulder more of the load which is far from a guarantee given his history with the hamstrings.

Put simply, I wouldn’t consider it much of a surprise to see both Harris and Williams taking the field together this season seeing as how the injury bug has become something of a trend in Dallas. Who knows, that might even include Cole Beasley.

If anything hinders these inexperienced receivers from achieving success it definitely won’t be potential. Let’s just hope they’re up to the task.