But alas the Big Tuna, the Head Honcho, the antithesis of the Old Ball Coach stepped in and turned things around for this once proud franchise. The Cowboys posted a very respectable, albeit unexpected, 10-6 record. They went on to lose to the eventual super bowl runner-up Carolina Panthers in the opening round of last year’s playoffs. But apparently the damage was done. Coming into this year the expectations among most Dallas fans were running at an all-time high. Well at least higher than they had been in a good eight years.
They had the RB they so desperately needed. They had improved themselves along the defensive front line. They had gotten the big-time possession receiver they needed in order to keep a drive alive. They had another year under the tutelage of future hall of fame coach Bill Parcells. And of course they had Quincy Carter to lead them. Most people thought with another year under the same offensive system, that this could be his big breakout year.
But then disaster struck. Carter reportedly failed a second league mandated drug test and was subject to lose a four game paycheck. Well if only he could be that lucky. The Cowboys said goodbye to Quincy and quite possibly goodbye to any realistic shot at a second consecutive playoff berth. Now don’t get me wrong, Quincy Carter was never going to be confused with John Elway, but he still gave Dallas their best shot at success this season. Now the burden of continuing the rebuilding process falls on the shoulders of Vinny Testeverde. And that would’ve been just fine if it was 1994. But it’s 2004 and he’s going to be 41 years old in a couple months. Not exactly in the middle of his prime anymore to say the least.
So it seemed all those high expectations that Dallas fans – including myself – had a few months ago have blown away like “Dust in the wind”. The what-if questions are running rampant in Cowboy country these days. What if Vinny gets hurt? What if the defense falters? What if Julius Jones can’t carry the rock 25 times a game? What if Eddie George doesn’t have any tread left on his tires? What if, what if, what if……too many what ifs for a playoff contender it would seem.
And all that was before the 18-0 thrashing at the hands of the Houston Texans to open up the preseason schedule. Doom set in, and I am not talking about the feared Doomsday defense Dallas had in the 70’s. I’m talking about doom and gloom. Real end-of-the-world stuff here. Dallas should just pack it in right now, and wait on those two first round picks next year. Now sure to be two early first round picks, or so it seemed.
But then something funny happened. Dallas traveled to Oakland for their second preseason game, and presto, some of last year’s swagger showed back up. The defense, while certainly not in mid-season form, played well enough to win. The offense scored just enough to win. And two of the biggest question marks were answered with surprising authority. Testeverde completed 13-17 for 124 yards and lead Dallas on three scoring drives in the first half. Jones ran for 56 yards on 14 carries, including a three-yard touchdown run. And George also showed a burst on a 23-yard gain early in the game in limited action.
Hey, it wasn’t a thing of beauty by any stretch of the imagination. But a win is a win, especially a come from behind 17-play last second win on the road.
So fear no more Boys’ fans, Dallas can indeed score the occasional touchdown. And while this season will most likely not end with “We are the champions” being played in the Cowboys locker room, it is way too early to be singing the blues.
