(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Dennis Green once told a story about Emmitt Smith and the Dallas Cowboys.  Essentially he said that he was coaching the Minnesota Vikings and the Cowboys got the ball back with roughly 6 minutes on the clock.  Internally he thought, “If we stop them here, we can get the ball back with roughly 4 minutes to go.”  3 timeouts later and 6 minutes off the clock the game was OVER.

The Cowboys were up 24 to 10 early in the fourth quarter against the NY Jets.  Later in the quarter, the Cowboys had a 7 point lead and possession of the football with 12 minutes remaining in the game and subsequently had the ball at the Jets’ 3 yard line with 10 minutes remaining.  The Cowboys of the 90′s would have given the ball to Emmitt Smith who would have ran behind a powerful “awe-fensive” line until they got the touchdown.  The 2011 version of the Cowboys ran once with a speed back (Felix Jones) and then proceeded to call two passing plays.  We know how this series ends – with fans calling for Romo’s head (and for those who didn’t watch the game, Romo fumbled trying to scramble for a touchdown). (more…)

Dennis Green would say, “They are who we thought they were.”  We all know who this team is, but we were hoping they would change their stripes.  Just like a cheating lover or a drunken friend, we hope for the best, but find that the change necessary is simply not there.  That change of course, is a change in attitude which leads to a willingness to change for the better.

Of course there are those that will blame the coaches, but there is only so much they can do.  Dave Campo isn’t teaching Mike Jenkins to hold on an important 3rd down.  Ray Sherman isn’t teaching Miles Austin to stiff arm the cornerback before the ball is even thrown.  Jason Witten has been a top tight end in the NFL, but he has struggled with false starts the last few years.  The players are responsible for the team’s record.

The general manager is responsible for bringing in smart players.  When the Patriots were winning Super Bowls, there was a statistic being repeated in every game.  The Patriots had the most college graduates per capita on their team.

I have had a greater affection for certain Cowboys teams more than others throughout the years.  Some teams play tough smart football.  They played in close games, but they won despite a lack of talent (e.g., 2003 when Quincy Carter lead the Cowboys to a 10-6 record with Parcells roaming the sidelines).  This is a team only a mother (or inept GM) could love.

I’m not kidding either when I say he is trying to trademark the infamous quote. You can see the official documents here. The application is active. Green wants to copy the saying on “Hats, caps, baseball caps, knitted caps, golf caps, sports jerseys, t-shirts, polo shirts, sport shirts, sweatshirts, golf shirts, sweat bands, sweat pants, jogging pants.” Golf shirts? Jogging pants? Effing sweat bands?

What’s next? Jim Mora will want to trademark “Playoffs? Don’t talk about, Playoffs?”

Thanks to PJS for the scoop.