2013 Cowboys Prepared To Reach The Promised Land

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Let’s get ready to watch some football and it’s an awesome time to be a fan of the Dallas Cowboys. As I like to describe them — The Greatest Team in the History of the Universe! Of course there will always be those attempting to rain on our parade, but the worst comes from those within Cowboy Nation. Just yesterday, I joined a group of friends to discuss how star-studded our fantasy football teams were this season. During the conversation, my buddy said, “Who do you pick to go to the Super Bowl for the NFC?”

Aug 15, 2012; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones (right) and quarterback Tony Romo (9) at training camp at the River Ridge Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

Like a true Dallas Cowboys fan, I said proudly, “The Cowboys!” I will never say that the Cowboys don’t have a chance to win the Super Bowl as long as it’s a possibility. If you are a true member of Cowboy Nation, the Cowboys should always be your pick to win the Super Bowl.

It’s fine if you dislike certain players on the roster or people in the organization. I know Tony Romo and Jerry Jones are controversial figures, but don’t let that distract your focus from supporting the team. We’re going to trim the fat from the bandwagon. If you don’t believe the Cowboys can win the Super Bowl, just ask yourself, “Why am I a Cowboys fan?” Like Stan Lee, we need true believers!

Now this is the part where I usually reveal the doom and gloom predictions about the Cowboys future. That won’t be the case, because only a few things should concern us die-hard Cowboy fans. The rushing defense is an area of concern because our defensive ends, both DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer are undersized. Spencer measures 6′ 3″ – 250 pounds and Ware is listed as 6′ 4″ – 254 pounds. Pro Bowl defensive ends J.J. Watt, Jason Pierre-Paul and Julius Peppers are all over 6′ 5″ and more than 280 pounds. Being small and agile is an asset when rushing the passer, but I worry offensive tackles with a 50+ pound weight advantage will be able to seal the edges and create alleys for opposing running backs.

Nov 18, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys nose tackle Jay Ratliff (90) celebrates making a tackle during the game against the Cleveland Browns at Cowboys Stadium. The Cowboys beat the Browns 23-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Speaking of undersized, another concern is Jay Ratliff who has been consistent. By consistent, I mean consistently injured. Unfortunately, the Cowboys front office have not parted ways with Jay Ratliff yet. If the front office won’t part ways with Ratliff immediately, then the next best case scenario would be to let him play a few games to show the league that he’s healthy, then trade him. If our defensive line plays incredibly well the first four weeks, Jerry Jones may realize how expendable Ratliff has become.

Finally, this season we need to be concerned that there aren’t any disastrous mid-season trades that handicap and haunt our beloved franchise for years to come. I don’t have to mention any specific trade because we’re all probably thinking of one. Stop thinking about it.

So far the front office of the Cowboys have been smart. It baffled me how our worst safety, Danny McCray, could be prepared to make more than 1.3 million this season. He leads the team in special teams tackles, but has proven to be horrific in pass coverage. Fortunately McCray agreed to take a pay cut in order to stay on this season’s final roster. Thanks to prior years of terrible salary cap management, the Cowboys no longer seem anxious to announce a monstrous contract for players after they appear in a few ESPN highlights.

This off-season, I didn’t believe Jerry Jones when he said things would be uncomfortable in Valley Ranch. I have to give a big thumbs up to the changes that were made. I believe the Cowboys have made the moves to turn the corner, get over the hump and well, my friends. The season starts and I don’t know what will happen now. We’ve got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn’t matter now, because we’ve been to the mountaintop, looked over and seen the Promised Land. I want you to know tonight, that we, as a team, Cowboy Nation, will get to the promised land! And so I’m happy, this coming Sunday night. I’m not worried about anything. For those within our family that fail to believe, we have to pick up their hearts and carry them with us. Remember, blessed is he who shepherds the weaker fans through the moments of darkness, for he is truly his brother’s keeper. When the Cowboys strike down teams with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy our fanhood. For they will know we are the Cowboys, when we raise that Lombardi above thee!

Yes, I just combined Martin Luther King’s — I Have Been to the Mountaintop speech — with Pulp Fiction!

Get those good luck charms ready!

My prediction : Cowboys 31 – Giants 23

Go Cowboys!