2008 Woodie Awards
Cowboys season opens with promising outlook
Scott Figuerola
Issue date: 9/10/07 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 1
Summer is over and that can only mean one thing: NFL season is right around the corner.
I know most students are probably worrying about new homework assignments or the test coming up next week, but right now let's drop this school nonsense and get excited about some football.
Last year ended with a more than disappointing loss for the Dallas Cowboys at the Seattle Seahawks. All off season I've heard fans, radio shows and ESPN blaming quarterback Tony Romo for the defeat because of his inopportune dropped snap of the supposed game-winning field goal.
The fact is two things played into why the Cowboys lost this game.
First of all the offense only had one yard to go to make a first down. With the way our defense was playing that game, there's no way we should have kicked a field goal.
Especially since there was about a minute and a half to go in the game and Seattle's offense would have had plenty of time to score their own field goal. Former head coach Bill Parcells should have gone for it on fourth down.
Second-ly, the referees blew the call that gave Dallas a fourth down. The original call gave Dallas a first down at about the 3-yard line.
The refs then reviewed the call and gave Dallas a fourth down at the 4-yard line. When I watched the replay on TV, there was no way they should have reversed the call.
To reverse a call the referees need to have irrefutable evidence the call should be overturned. It was impossible to see for sure where the ball should have been placed. The refs blew that call.
Last season aside, the Cowboys should have a good run this year. They have a new coaching staff, which includes former Cowboys back-up quarterback Jason Garrett, as offensive coordinator. And head coach Wade Phillips is being brought in to fix a defense that completely fell apart at the end of last season.
Romo will have his first full year starting and controversial wide receiver Terrell Owens seems to be in a good mood, so far. The defense under Phillips will be more aggressive than last year and should help Romo and the offense get good starting field position and not too many points to overcome.
When I talk with my father around this time of year, we discuss how the Cowboys will do in the upcoming season. Every year my feelings are the same. I say, "If the offensive line does well, then the 'Boys' should too."
This year is no different. In the NFL the most important component of a team is the offensive line. The Cowboys signed guard Leonard Davis from the Arizona Cardinals for a record signing-bonus, and have the rest of the starting line from last year intact.
The o-line should be much improved, the defense should be more aggressive and better and Romo will have a full year as a starter to prove his worth.
There is no reason why Dallas shouldn't make a push in the playoffs and maybe even the Super Bowl, as long as Romo doesn't have to hold for any field goals.
I know most students are probably worrying about new homework assignments or the test coming up next week, but right now let's drop this school nonsense and get excited about some football.
Last year ended with a more than disappointing loss for the Dallas Cowboys at the Seattle Seahawks. All off season I've heard fans, radio shows and ESPN blaming quarterback Tony Romo for the defeat because of his inopportune dropped snap of the supposed game-winning field goal.
The fact is two things played into why the Cowboys lost this game.
First of all the offense only had one yard to go to make a first down. With the way our defense was playing that game, there's no way we should have kicked a field goal.
Especially since there was about a minute and a half to go in the game and Seattle's offense would have had plenty of time to score their own field goal. Former head coach Bill Parcells should have gone for it on fourth down.
Second-ly, the referees blew the call that gave Dallas a fourth down. The original call gave Dallas a first down at about the 3-yard line.
The refs then reviewed the call and gave Dallas a fourth down at the 4-yard line. When I watched the replay on TV, there was no way they should have reversed the call.
To reverse a call the referees need to have irrefutable evidence the call should be overturned. It was impossible to see for sure where the ball should have been placed. The refs blew that call.
Last season aside, the Cowboys should have a good run this year. They have a new coaching staff, which includes former Cowboys back-up quarterback Jason Garrett, as offensive coordinator. And head coach Wade Phillips is being brought in to fix a defense that completely fell apart at the end of last season.
Romo will have his first full year starting and controversial wide receiver Terrell Owens seems to be in a good mood, so far. The defense under Phillips will be more aggressive than last year and should help Romo and the offense get good starting field position and not too many points to overcome.
When I talk with my father around this time of year, we discuss how the Cowboys will do in the upcoming season. Every year my feelings are the same. I say, "If the offensive line does well, then the 'Boys' should too."
This year is no different. In the NFL the most important component of a team is the offensive line. The Cowboys signed guard Leonard Davis from the Arizona Cardinals for a record signing-bonus, and have the rest of the starting line from last year intact.
The o-line should be much improved, the defense should be more aggressive and better and Romo will have a full year as a starter to prove his worth.
There is no reason why Dallas shouldn't make a push in the playoffs and maybe even the Super Bowl, as long as Romo doesn't have to hold for any field goals.
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