If you were (or are) a Cowboys fan, and this was Y2K, now would be the time to start stocking your basement with a year's worth of bottled water and canned goods. It took a little less than two weeks for this brand new car to start leaking oil, blow out tires and have the air conditioning go, and it's getting to the point where the car might not actually start again.With the question marks surrounding this Tony Romo situation, one thing has become even clearer than it had in the past -- "head coach" Wade Phillips has no control. Romo, who was called out by Brett Favre to play despite an injured pinky finger, is now being jabbed by Jerry Jones, and Phillips, shockingly, is standing up for himself. If you've got that "Phillips Gets Fired" pool going, I'd buy a lot of squares for the next two weeks.
Dr. Jerry. Alright, here goes...Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said on his weekly radio show Friday morning that Romo "looks like he'll be able to play Sunday." Jones said there was no chance that Romo could re-injure the pinkie because of the cast-like protection on his hand.
"It will be up to him. If he is feeling good and the pain is good, then it's likely he'll play," Jones said. "It's down to can he handle the pain?"
When Phillips was asked if he had been told Romo couldn't do further damage to the finger, the coach responded, "Dr. Jerry. Whatever Jerry says, I'm going with."
I'm a Cowboy fan. I have been since I was a kid, basically because of proximity, not appeal. I loved them because they were the neighborhood team, made cool Starter jackets, and had some players you could cheer for. I was forced to root for the Texas Rangers and the Dallas Mavericks, so it wasn't like I had a lot of choices on successful programs.
Being a Cowboys fan, and one that enjoyed keeping up with all aspects of the team, you knew that eventually Jones was going to blow this thing up. You remember when you first watched "Blue Chips" and as everything was going on, you knew Nick Nolte's character had too much pride to just sit around and watch the program turn corrupt? Well, that's Jones, minus the heart. He doesn't care how the car is driven as long as he's in charge and they're the top story on the sports page.
Now he's evaluating the health of his quarterback, picking up any and all players that might raise an eyebrow no matter if there's a possibility of them walking into the locker room one day and opening fire. "If they can play, they will play, no matter their rap sheet."
The problem is, success needs chemistry and this team looks to be as compatible as Don Imus and Jesse Jackson. They have Terrell Owens pouting on the sidelines, Romo snagging the tabloid headlines and Pacman Jones getting in fights at a hotel. If Barry Bonds could play in the NFL, he'd be the starting free safety for Dallas. Why the hell not?
It looks like Phillips has finally realized his role as head coach. Basically, someone has to stand on the sidelines and hold the clipboard, and Jones found the least likely man to make a ruckus about his lack of true power.
The question is, who can Jones blame when the team he has assembled has the most talent in the league but the least heart?
It makes one Cowboy fan ready to hang up the star.
Latest Cowboys Photos
Dallas Cowboys newly-acquired wide receiver Roy Williams responds to questions while in the locker room at the team's football training facility in Irving, Texas, Friday, Oct. 17, 2008. Williams is expected to play against the St. Louis Rams Sunday. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) holds his right hand out as he talks with a coach standing nearby as the team stretches at the start of practice at the team's football training facility in Irving, Texas, Friday, Oct. 17, 2008. The Cowboys still aren't saying whether Romo will play with a broken pinkie on this throwing hand Sunday against the St. Louis Rams.(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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Dallas Cowboys newly acquired wide receiver Roy Williams reaches out with his fingertips to bring in a pass from Brad Johnson during practice at the team's football training facility in Irving, Texas, Friday, Oct. 17, 2008. Williams is expected to play Sunday against the St. Louis Rams. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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Dallas Cowboys newly acquired wide receiver Roy Williams (11) gestures as he jokes around with teammates at the start of practice at the team's football training facility in Irving, Texas, Friday, Oct. 17, 2008. Williams is expected to play Sunday against the St. Louis Rams. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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Dallas Cowboys newly acquired wide receiver Roy Williams smiles as he talks with teammates during practice at the team's football training facility in Irving, Texas, Friday, Oct. 17, 2008. Williams is expected to play Sunday against the St. Louis Rams. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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Dallas Cowboys newly acquired wide receiver Roy Williams, left, chats with quarterback Tony Romo (9) during practice at the team's football training facility in Irving, Texas, Friday, Oct. 17, 2008. Williams is expected to play Sunday against the St. Louis Rams. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Brad Johnson (14) makes a pass during practice at the team's football training facility in Irving, Texas, Friday, Oct. 17, 2008. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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Dallas Cowboys wide receivers coach Ray Sherman, left, quarterback Tony Romo (9) and offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, right, look on during practice at the Cowboys NFL training facility in Irving, Texas, Friday, Oct. 17, 2008. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) motions through a pass during practice at the Cowboys NFL training facility in Irving, Texas, Friday, Oct. 17, 2008. The Cowboys still aren't saying whether Tony Romo will play with a broken pinkie on this throwing hand Sunday against the St. Louis Rams. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) looks downward as he participates in practice at the Cowboys NFL training facility in Irving, Texas, Friday, Oct. 17, 2008. The Cowboys still aren't saying whether Romo will play with a broken pinkie on this throwing hand Sunday against the St. Louis Rams. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
10-17-2008 @ 4:37PM
LC said...
Shane give me a break , I read your crapp every day and you are no more a cowboy fan then Joe Thiesman . Have you read about the problems in the Broncos huddle or what about the problems in the Patriots huddle , its called football ! I am the biggest cowboy fan and I listen to ESPN , sports radio 1310 , the Michael Irvin show , even Randy Galloway and from what I hear things are tuffff but no more harder then what is going on in New England or Philadelphia . Romo will not play this week he will be dressed but will be a backup , he will most likely play nect week . As far as Jerrys comments you have stetched them just a bit , Jerry =said that Tony can play if he can bare the pain !!!!
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10-17-2008 @ 5:04PM
Robin said...
LC is right on. Shane go find another team to trash. This crap is getting old. Tony will play based on what his doctor recommends and no one else. The Cowboys will be fine. They are my team win or lose.
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10-17-2008 @ 5:08PM
Chris said...
Last time i checked they're 4-2 . Let's wait until they actually collapse to say they collapsed. Nice crystal ball by the way. Every Cowboys fan knows this is Wade's last season. Either they win the SB and he's a hero or they miss an and don't meet the expectations. Let's be realists here ever sports fan in america knows this is the expaction of this team. Also when the cowboys were at they're finest 16yrs ago there was just as much drama. This is how it's always been and let's admit it all of us as cowboys fans have to a have a little flare for the dramatic...
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10-24-2008 @ 3:23PM
Chess said...
The Boys are 4-3 not 4-2
10-17-2008 @ 6:04PM
jimbo said...
Porr Wade Phillip's is Jerry Jones Puppet. I Wade Had half the Moxie his father did he could be a good coach in the NFL bus as it is Wade is walking around like he is afraid to do anthing at all that Jerry would not approve of 100%. Wade please grow your self a couple marbles and ne a man like your dad not Jerry's Kid. For a grown man to be acting like Wade Phillips is to Jerry Jones. Now take your nose out of Jerry butt and run this team so they have a shot at being the team they should be.
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10-17-2008 @ 6:54PM
Thatsabsurd said...
Too much credit. Cryboys needed to have structured substance before they could implode.
Why has it taken this long for people to realize next to Goodel Dallas is the biggest disgrace, drama queens, wasted hype, and waste of space on the NFL rolls.
Jones is an idiot that stil thinks Dallas is as it was on the soap opera.
Most NFL fans can't wait until this candy a$$ed team fades away forever. They are a disgrace to the real team and men of the NFL.
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11-24-2008 @ 12:36AM
abelardo yanez said...
Finally, somebody relizes that the crygirls are a disgrace to the NFL and everybody thinks romo is gonna be the cryboys star but he cost them 2 superbowls.If u can't stand the heat,get the Hell otta the kitchen
10-18-2008 @ 2:19PM
sdbjmv7 said...
I wish people who trash the cowboys would have the cajones to at least say what team they actually are a fan of. Everyone in this world is biased - anyone who says otherwise is a liar. At least identifying one's favorite team would put a person's comments in perspective. In these cases, i would guess that most people rantings tend to based on jealousy.
10-23-2008 @ 6:09AM
giants hater said...
apperently by the comments you just made,you don't know
much about football.5 superbowl they won...............
they have the all time leading rusher in the nfl.
wake up and smell the roses,in the end they will be there
and for you cowboys haters,stick it where the sun don't shine
america's team that is what they are and always will be
no wonder people hate them................ they are good.
every body fears them wheter they are good or bad
10-17-2008 @ 7:07PM
mack said...
its over 4300 days since the cowboys won a playoff game
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10-19-2008 @ 9:40PM
Jeff said...
Yep, 4300 days and there's still not another team that's won more.
10-17-2008 @ 7:08PM
Fargus said...
since when is jerry playing coach news in dallas? Find some actual news or an original opinion to fill a quota of articles with.
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10-17-2008 @ 7:36PM
nothing new said...
there are three teams that are a disgrace to the game of football,first the oaktown clowns(raiders),two the ne cheaters (pats),three the dallas cowpaddies (cowboys), maybe they can get together and form there own league ,called the looser league cause thats exactly what they are loosers, and a disgrace and they dishonor the football greats of the past that formed this league ,what a bunch of scum bags
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10-21-2008 @ 7:46AM
Randy said...
Hey Nothing New, it's losers, not loosers! You know if you were smart............ well, never mind!
10-22-2008 @ 6:33PM
redskin95 said...
that is hilarious love your comment
10-17-2008 @ 9:22PM
Daniel said...
I am glad someone else has realized that nowadays Dallas is more of a circus of freakish and self absorbed athletes than it is a football team. Games aren't played on paper (just ask the Redskins and Cardinals) and the sooner Dallas stops taking gambles on ex convicts and head cases the better
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10-18-2008 @ 11:43AM
redskinsfan said...
your right on the money dude. As long as jones is allowed to buy cheat an steal this is what your gonna get.
10-18-2008 @ 12:47AM
Wayne said...
Until Jerry Jones decides to let his coaches coach without interference, Dallas will always be a multi-headed monster with no clear leader.
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10-18-2008 @ 8:03AM
s.reay said...
From an outside veiw (being a skins fan) ,the cowboys are a joke ,all hype, and an insult to the rest of the league.They bring in a new hotshot wideout when their secondary is in shambles.Now all someone has to do is them who's your best wideout and someone going to start crying and wanna trade (not mentioning T O's name) cause #2's going to get all the balls thrown to him being in single coverage.LMAO !
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10-18-2008 @ 9:19AM
theBIRD said...
This author "Shane Bacon" is a total joke. I don't even bother reading the article when I see his name and feminine picture on top. I read one of his blogs or wtvr a week ago. He is so jealous of America's Team. No matter what the article is about, he throws something negative about T.O. or another Cowboy in there. People don't waste your time reading what "Shane Bacon" has to say.
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