NFL Hollywood Squares, Part II: Why the Dallas Cowboys Lost

Unfortunately, senior writer Ron Johnson took a huge hit from some readers this past week on his NFL-Dallas_Cowboys-New_York_Giants-Hollywood_Squares_Nine_Reasons_Why_the_Dallas_Cowboys_Will_Win-100108">Cowboys guaranteed victory article.  There were some great points made.  However, these are the playoffs, and things happen that really shouldn't.  Therefore, I felt the need to take some time to write Part II on WHY the Cowboys lost.

1) Wade Phillips: It starts and ends with coaching, period.  Mr. Phillips looked more confused than the '07 Dolphins.

2) Expectation to Win: The crazed media has been blowing this Cowboys team all season long.  How did no one see this coming?  There is not one person on that Dallas team with the heart of a champion.  Some good examples of proven champions are Tom Brady, Brett Favre, Cleo Lemon, etc.  Champions are big time players who can make big time plays in big time situations.  No one on this team fits that description.  (They're all celebrity wannabes.  They should move the team to L.A.)  Still, the expectation was really high.

3) Jerry Jones' Sideline Skit: There was no need for Jones to come running down and start shooting his mouth off at an already pressured team.  That was the closer for the Cowboys.

4) Patrick Crayton: I know I have already stated that no one is a big time play maker on this team, and in turn these players do not deserve harsh treatment ill-proportioned to their skills.  However: YOU'RE AN IDIOT!  DO YOU REALIZE YOU'RE IN THE NFL?!  Catch the ball!!

5) Out of Sync Offense: Well, at least the entire blame is not to be borne by Wade Phillips.  EVERYONE looked confused (even at times in the first half).

6) Offensive Line: They completely broke down in the second half (which will bring me to my next point in just a moment).  No disrespect to the Giants defense (and offense); they played very well.  Osi Umenyiora, Michael Strahan, and the rest of the Giants D-line were overpowering.  However, the Dallas O-line was consistently strong throughout the season.  Again, no one saw this coming.

7) Marion Barber: Listen, I'm not placing the blame on him.  He was actually the key to the Cowboys game.  Bad play calling, abandonment of the run, and the complete breakdown of the offensive line made The Barbarian ineffective in the second half (28 yards to be exact).

8) Tony Romo's Vacation: I'm going to point something out that probably many  have pointed out before: good QBs watch film ALL week long, especially in the playoffs.  When you are getting paid millions (especially to do something fun...we're not talking about a desk job or working at McDonald's), you take a vacation four days before the big game?!  Is this a joke?  He couldn't wait until the end of the season?!  We're not talking about three more months, we're talking (IF they would've reached the Super Bowl) three more WEEKS!  He's clearly not cut out for a position in the NFL, and neither is Wade Phillips for consenting to the vacation.

9) WADE PHILLIPS: YOU ARE GARBAGE!  GO SING FOR THE OPERA!  YOU COULD BE MORE PRODUCTIVE THERE!

Sorry, Ron Johnson.  You're analysis was great and accurate.  The game SHOULD have belonged to the Cowboys.  Unfortunately, we ALL looked past some key factors...