Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Cowboys' Rant #2

Yesterday was an absolute thrill! I could get spoiled to such service real easily. The golf course was incredible, but being waited on hand and foot -- WOW! On the range, every time i changed clubs -- someone was there to clean them. We had a forecaddie while we played, and he was so helpful. As a whole, the experience was beyond what I had even expected.
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I don't want to just harp on the Cowboys, and I am really open to someone telling me I am just wrong. I mentioned a couple of days ago that this team is not in the league with the teams of the 70s and 90s. I mentioned that the team of the 90s had 10 Pro-bowlers on its roster. Well, if the Pro-bowl announcements didn't come out -- and guess what? This team has 11.

Again, tell me if I am wrong. Is the Cowboys having 11 Pro-bowlers this year a sign of their greatness -- or a sign of the weakness of the NFL? Look at who made it: Flozell Adams, Leonard Davis, Nick Folk, Andre Gurode, Terrell Owens, DeMarcus Ware, Jason Witten, Marion Barber, Ken Hamlin, Terence Newman and Tony Romo. Three offensive linemen? This team ought to be running down opposing defenses' throats! Marion Barber a Pro-bowler? The guy can't even make the starting lineup! He plays part-time!

Compare that list to this one: Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin, Eric WIlliams, Mark Stepnoski, Nate Newton, Jay Novecek, Charles Haley, Darren Woodson (I'm leaving out someone).

Again, I hope the Cowboys win a Super Bowl this year. I will be pulling for them. But I don't see them even getting to the Super Bowl -- much less winning it. Let them get a ring or two before we compare them to past teams.

8 comments:

Jeff said...

What happened to the TO love-fest from a few weeks ago?

I'm glad the golf game was all you could want. Golf club cleaners and forecaddies? Swanky.

Rick Ross said...

Oh, I wasn't questioning ALL the selections. T. O. should be on it. So should Witten and Romo and Ware. I don't know beyond that.

Anonymous said...

I was surprised by how many made the pro bowl team, but I'm not surprised by Barber. He SHOULD be the starter. He has more yards than Jones, and has much better stats. Adams is a beast, and Folk is great too. Newman .... not a chance. None of the Cowboys secondary should make the pro bowl.

Here's another issue. Why Roethlisburger (sp?). He CAN'T be the 3rd best in the AFC. I can't think of his name, but why the linebacker from Miami? And did you see how many Seahawks made the team?

I'm not sure, but I think the one you left out was Leon Lett.

Rick Ross said...

John,

I agree that Barber should be the starter. But for some reason (based on Parcells and Phillips) he is not. I like him. I like his style. I don't like his hair, but that is another issue. But to be a Pro-Bowler?

Anonymous said...

The only other backs I see in the NFC deserving of it (other than Barber) are Grant from GB or Jackson from SL. Given these three, I would choose in this order: Grant, Barber, Jackson.

Hair???

Jonathan said...

There are not many teams in the NFL that use the "one-back" system anymore. Marion Barber III does not "start" for the Cowboys, but he still gets around 60% of the carries and there is not argument with what he does in the 4th quarter of the games. He has the most yards in the NFC (and possibly NFL) in the 4th quarter.

Without winning a Super Bowl, I would not say this team is as dominant as the teams in the '90's. Part of their 11 Pro Bowl selections is that the league I don't think is as balanced as it used to be, but they do have some great talent as well. I think all 11 of them are deserving and would actually question why it is not 13 (Greg Ellis and Bradie James). Hopefully, the indivual accalades will add to a 6th Super Bowl ring for our Dallas Cowboys. Don't write them off yet.

Josh Ross said...

In no way do I think that it is the weakness of the league. The NFL is full of amazing athletes. If anything is different between now and 20+ years ago, it is the lack of team play.
As for Barber, the statement is true, "Just because you don't start doesn't mean you aren't a starter." He is a starter. Look around the league, for the most part, it takes 2 good running backs. Adrian Peterson didn't start most of the season, yet he is ranked in the top 3 in rushing. When Barber runs into the game, the crowd goes crazy. Everyone gets a boost.

I wonder how much of this has to do with your decreasing interest in professional sports. 15+ years ago, you watched every game, knew the players, knew the stats, etc. Not so now, my friend.

As for comparing this team with the teams of the past. Wait until February. Then, we can do that.

Unknown said...

I thought I was going to have to weigh in on the Marion Barber issue, but it looks like that is well covered. He's the man as far as I'm concerned. As far as the hair goes, if he cuts it off, there might be a Samson-like effect.:)And jonathan makes the great point about the 4th quarter.