Cowboys Opener

Today, I watched the Dallas Cowboys' debut under new head coach Dave Campo.  It's going to be a long season.  Troy Aikman did not complete a pass (except for one to the opponent) before being knocked out of the game with a concussion after being battered for much of the first half.  The special teams were atrocious.  The defense was out of position and had poor tackling technique all day long.  It was laughable.

Jerry Jones can stop kidding himself.  This  team is through as a serious playoff contender, and through for a long time.  Since he fired Jimmy Johnson -- the man responsible for the Cowboys success in the early 90s -- Jerry Jones has continued to cling to the illusion that if he could just keep Jimmy's core group of players together (Aikman, Smith, Woodson, and a few others), he could be successful plugging in enough talent to keep winning.  How hard could it be, after all?

It's not going to happen.  The core group of players is locked up to big contracts that are not salary-cap friendly, so the Cowboys are stuck with them.  Aikman's skills have declined to the point that he should use the concussions as an excuse to retire.  Emmitt Smith is a gamer, but how much mileage does he have left?  Joey Galloway may have a blown knee, and may not play anymore this season after the team gave up two draft picks and big salary.  The problems go on.  This team no longer is in decline.  It has been in decline the last few seasons.  It has not reached the bottom rung.

Look for upcoming games to be a little less ugly than today's, just because it can't get much worse.  Don't expect much more.  Who knows, though?  Maybe Jerry Jones will elevate himself to head coach.  He's now given us proof he can't evaluate talent like Jimmy Johnson.  He might as well go for the deuce with his coaching skills!

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