This may be splitting hairs, but I would characterize the Cowboys as an above average team that plays dumb football. No one comes in and rolls us with superior offense. The only way defenses stop us is taking the ball away. And I know that "creating turnovers" is part of playing defense, but I don't think it's a stretch to say that well-prepared, well-disciplined football players don't run up the backs of their offensive linemen and drop footballs or continually make dangerous receptions and carry the ball like a loaf of bread on punt returns. And I don't think anyone can rationally credit all of Romo's *13* INT's to great defense. Is it a coincidence that the Cowboys rank #7 in offense and #4 on defense, but #23 in points scored and #15 in points given up?
This team loses because protecting the football isn't a priority, because it commits tons of penalties at the stupidest times, and because Jason Garrett makes stupid game management decisions week after week after week. There's a complete absence of situational awareness by players on the field that I would think should be simple common sense. I think it's obvious to everyone in the world outside of Valley Ranch that there's just not much attention to detail in Dallas.
There's plenty of blame to go around, and it starts at the top. Jerry is an idiot who can't seem to see that his meddlesome style of ownership doesn't work. Garrett is in way over his head. He makes bad decisions week in and week out, mostly on the most basic of calls that half of America could make from its couch. Then you have players who lack discipline and do the same boneheaded crap every week. You'd think the Keystone Cops routine would get embarrassing after a little while, but I guess that kind of comedic play is ok in Dallas. I'm sure everyone in the organization has pride, but it sure doesn't seem like any of them learn anything from the plethora of mistakes they continue to make.
But I'm the eternal optimist. I go into every game thinking this is the week we'll turn it around. And maybe it makes me an idiot too, but I think it can happen. It wouldn't surprise me at all to see the Cowboys play an error-free game next Sunday night and pull out a win. I think they're capable. They just have to nut up on the field and quit playing with their brains on the bench.
