December 17, 2011; Tampa, FL, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) gets sacks by Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Michael Bennett (71) during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Dallas Cowboys defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-15. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

As we anxiously wait for the official start of the 2012 season we all hope that our Dallas Cowboys will finally have the kind of season that they are capable of. As fans of the best organization in the world, we come in two different groups. First group consists of people like me that think the Cowboys have a shot of winning the Super Bowl every year. And fans that constantly have doubts almost every year. If you, the reader, are the type to have doubts I would like to point a few things out to you that might make this season a little more hopeful for you.

First of all, I can’t exaggerate how easy their schedule is because it simply isn’t. Not only do the Cowboys have to play the world champions twice, they will also have to avenge their reputation after getting swept by the Philadelphia Eagles. Never count out the Washington Redskins because it seems like every time these great rivals get on the same field together it is always a nail biter and the game is decided by the game’s final few plays. With the Redskins addition of RG3 the NFC East is without a doubt the most exciting and difficult division in the NFL. Romo, Manning, and Vick could possibly be the NFC pro-bowl quarterbacks with Griffin III replacing Romo while he prepares for the Super Bowl. (Very possible)

Next are the teams we have to face outside of the division, which are the Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Chicago Bears, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, and New Orleans Saints.  The Cowboys have a lot of work to do knowing that they face 5 playoff teams outside of the division. The three toughest games that the Dallas Cowboys will have to play will be against the Ravens, Steelers and Saints. The other games won’t necessarily be a walk in the park but should be able to come out of them with a W.

As for the Ravens they just lost the team’s MVP in Terrell Suggs. Other than DeMarcus Ware, Suggs is the most feared pass rusher in the game today. Thanks to a torn Achilles tendon in this off-season, Suggs will miss the entire 2012 season. This will be a big relief for Tony Romo come October 14. This will allow the Cowboys to keep more of an eye on an aging Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. Ray Rice and Anquan Boldin are the only big threats on the offense. This should be a great game.

Later in the year the Dallas Cowboys will have to face the Pittsburgh Steelers at home on December 16. This will be probably the biggest game of the year for both teams. Cowboys VS Steelers is probably the biggest rival in the history of the NFL. Them being the two top Super Bowl appearance teams makes sense that they have faced each other for the title of World Champion three times.  This will be a battle of defenses but the Cowboys may have a slight advantage. The Steelers have a defense that is aging while the Cowboys have a young rebuilt defense that should be playing their highest level that late in the season. The 2012 season could possibly be Dallas-Pittsburgh Part 4.

Of course the New Orleans Saints are always a team that goes into games with Drew Brees ready to have a shootout but this year could be different. With the penalties the Saints face this year, making the playoffs won’t be a sure thing. Sean Payton is a very aggressive coach and the Cowboys know how important he is to the Saints. With him gone the Saints will not be the same. When you take Payton away and top it off with the loss of Jonathan Vilma, the Saints will be lost without any sense of direction. I’m not saying the Saints will be a terrible team, just that karma really is a…………. You get the picture.

I hope that all the doubters out there will be a little more thrilled about the upcoming season. I’m not promising that the Cowboys will win the three games I pointed out, I’m just stating the fact that those three teams will not be as good as they were in 2011. One thing I can promise, the Dallas Cowboys will be better than they were in 2011. Just remember you can’t add a silver lining when you already have it. GO COWBOYS!

Ladies and gentlemen, it looks like my pen name is safe for at least one more year.

According to Jean-Jaques Taylor of the Dallas Morning News, Cowboys running back Marion Barber will likely play next season in Dallas.

“I think Barber will be back for another year,” Taylor said. “He’s been banged up each of the last two years, and the Cowboys probably aren’t ready to give up on him yet. Besides, he’s due $4 million whether he’s in Dallas or not. Jerry (Jones) hates paying people for nothing.”

While searching for a new name to write under would be irritating (any suggestions, anyone?), the Barbarian deserves at least one more season in Dallas. He had another injury-plagued season, carrying the ball 214 times for 932 yards, averaging 4.4 yards per carry. He also had 7 rushing touchdowns.

While his numbers look pretty good, Felix Jones (116 carries, 685 yards, 5.9 ypc) and Tashard Choice (64 carries, 349 yards, 5.5 ypc) have proven to be dangerous rushers and should be close in Barber’s rear-view mirror.

Taylor brings up a good point in saying that the Cowboys owe Barber $4 million, whether he’s in Dallas or not. But the question is whether or not Barber’s trade value will increase or decline after this next season.

Even though his numbers look decent, Barber had problems in short-yardage situations, especially in the red zone. If he continues to have these problems or gets hurt for the third straight season, other teams are unlikely to pony up much in terms of a trade.

The Cowboys really ought to look at trading Barber, but perhaps not for a draft pick like everyone is saying. A move for want-away receivers Anquan Boldin or *gulp* Brandon Marshall (and the corresponding release of Roy Williams) in this uncapped year might be a move that would make the Cowboys a much more dangerous team.

Jerry Jones could use another receiver and the draft isn’t the place to do that this year. ESPN’s Mel Kiper has projected our 27th overall pick in the first round as Maryland’s Bruce Campbell. That’s the smart move, with Flozell Adams starting to show his age. I could see the Cowboys taking a wide receiver/returner like Mardy Gilyard or Dexter McCluster in later rounds.

Trading Barber for a proven wide receiver would make the most sense to me in terms of production. While Boldin and especially Marshall could have a negative effect on team chemistry, having their production in our offense would be a welcome addition.

I’ll just have to let Jerry know that I wouldn’t mind finding a new name to write under.

Meanwhile, an even better wide receiver is demanding a trade. Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin wants out, telling ESPN he has no relationship with coach Ken Whisenhunt. Boldin has three years left on the four-year, $22.75 million deal he made in 2005.

A team spokesman said the Cardinals have no plans to trade the sixth-year standout and still hope to sign him to a contract extension.

Whisenhunt sounded puzzled when discussing reports that Boldin had said he was no longer speaking to the coach.

“We’ve been communicating,” he said. “If communicating is talking, that’s what we have been doing at practice. As we go forward, I don’t know. I don’t foresee anything changing. If it does, it’s in his court.”

You can be almost 100 percent sure that Jerry Jones is eyeing Boldin. What he could offer, I am not really sure, but if Boldin really wants out of Arizona, there is a starting spot waiting for him in Dallas. Trade the Cardinals Patrick Crayton and Bobby Carpenter and a fourth round pick.