What If The Dallas Cowboys Win The Super Bowl?
I know what you are thinking. It’s the question that drives you. That excites you. It’s the answer you’d like to know now, and if you could, you’d glimpse into the future to find out. It’s kind of like opening a book to the last page to see what’s at the end.
Aug 4, 2013; Canton, OH, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) on the sidelines in the third quarter of the 2013 Pro Football Hall of Fame game against the Miami Dolphins at Fawcett Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
I know what you are thinking. It’s the question that drives you. That excites you. It’s the answer you’d like to know now, and if you could, you’d glimpse into the future to find out. It’s kind of like opening a book to the last page to see what’s at the end.
What if The Dallas Cowboys win the Super Bowl? With one pre-season game done, it’s a natural question to ask. It’s that time of year.
You know what? I have a lot to say about this question.
What If Versus When
When I looked at The Dallas Cowboys, I saw a group of people huddled and jointed together by their uniforms. In contrast, when I looked at a team that made the playoffs last year, I saw a complete group. A team. A uniform. I saw one.
There was something missing in Dallas. A signature. We all have touched on it (or at least desperately googled it). The Cowboys didn’t believe in one idea. Not like other teams. This core had separate agendas. Goals. Ideas.
Each in this organization owned a different definition of success. And that was a problem. A major one.
Remember when Michael Irvin (WR) used to guarantee wins? When he would announce the death of an opponent before stepping on the field with them? And when Emmitt Smith (RB) nodded in agreement?
Teams that make the playoffs — and move on to have deeper success — don’t ask themselves “what if” questions. Rather, they ask: When will we win the Super Bowl?
One simple word change can make all the difference in a team’s framework.
Or, one simple coaching change.
Man, I really liked the energy Monte Kiffin has brought to the table. Grandpa has some energy. Now, I get that this was one pre-season game. But I saw some fire. On both sides of the ball.
And if you are worried that Kiffin might nap here and there, don’t. Rob Marinelli got fire too. Love it.
So, What If The Dallas Cowboys Win The Super Bowl?
What will it take to get to New York?
Here are the factors that should be considered if The Cowboys are to contend for a title:
- 1. The Cowboys Must Take Advantage of Their Schedule
The first four opponents? Giants. Chiefs. Rams. Chargers.
Win. Win. Win. And win.
The Cowboys need to get off to a good start. Things will definitely get tougher as the season progresses. The team must plant their feet and hit the ground strong — from the beginning.
- 2. Dez Bryant Must Defeat The World
Where Tony Romo goes, so goes Dallas? Yes. While Romo pilots the plane, Dez Bryant will be the engine.
Dez Bryant is the “X” factor. Oh, destruct he will. But a forgotten factor is his health. Can Dez Bryant stay healthy throughout the season, while maintaining his strong playing style?
His presence on the field is everything. When he draws double coverage, Miles Austin can just stand on the opposite side and play Madden. He doesn’t even need to run that hard — we don’t want him to pull anything.
In all seriousness, Bryant must live up to this fact: He is the best player on the roster.
- 3. Offensive Line Must Stand
Turn off the circus music. That’s all I have to say about that.
- 4. Bill Callahan Must Make Jason Garrett Look Bad
Ultimately, Jason Garrett will see that being stripped of his favorite duty was a good thing. The Cowboys need the head coach to be, well, a head coach.
There were elements around all tenants of Cowboys Football (Offense, Defense, Special Teams) that needed an upgrade. Or at the very least, a stronger eye.
Jul 21, 2013; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Bill Callahan (left) and quarterback Tony Romo (9) at training camp at the River Ridge Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jason Garrett. Princeton graduate. Smart.
Prove it.
Will Callahan and Romo struggle out of the gates? I don’t think so. Tony Romo will fire away with success. A different set of play calls might be the juice that ignites the offense into a steady, consistent one.
- 5. Got Health Insurance?
The Dallas Cowboys must stay healthy. Period. Simple.
- 6. Don’t Take Kicker Dan Bailey For Granted
Last year, when The Cowboys played a good team the games were close. When The Cowboys played a bad team, the games were close. Makes no sense. What does?
Dan Bailey.
His right foot is the difference between night and day. November and January.
Kick often, Dan. Kick often.
- 7. Don’t Shoot Yourself Like Plaxico Burress
The Cowboys cannot succeed by taking one step forward and then two back. This model must change.
Stupid penalties? Stop. Please. My health insurance doesn’t cover the heart attacks that ensue.
Doug Free? No comment.
Jason Garrett must put his team in better positions to win. We can blame the players for this and that all we want. But Garrett can do well by being more aware of the clock, play clock, and field position. Small things define a win.
Tony. Tony. Tony. If the quarterback is ever in doubt, my advice is to throw it to Jason Garrett. Garrett?
Yes. Throw. It. To. Garrett.
There is no shame in throwing the ball away. When in doubt, find the dude with the red hair and toss it. There will be another play. And another one. And another.
When incompletions, not interceptions, are thrown, fans will still be in place to ask themselves: “What if The Dallas Cowboys win the Super Bowl?”
Indeed. What if?