The Dallas Cowboys And The Emotional Roller Coaster Ride

Dan DeMagistris by Correspondent Written on December 23, 2008

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The demand for perfection is everlasting and unrelenting in Dallas. The star is not just a symbol of pride donned by a nation of faith. It's a mark of honor, courage, and the relentless fight for championship after championship after championship.

Jerry Jones made a statement when he bought the Cowboys in 1989 for a cool $150 million and then immediately fired legendary Head Coach Tom Landry.

It isn't about anything but winning.

The Dallas Cowboys were a great team in 2008. Despite losing Tony Romo early to injuries (which some say he could have played through) and Pacman Jones being an angry pothead, the Cowboys find themselves on the brink of another chance at that long awaited playoff victory.

They are healthy, hungry, and peaking at the exact right time.

Cowboys fans are sent through the emotional ringer every Sunday watching their boys take two steps forward and one step back and still their faith remains.

The Dallas Cowboys are the Sopranos of sports. The drama that unfolds on the sidelines on Sundays is a testament to their belief in something bigger than themselves and something so few ever get to experience. The Cowboys demand perfection from real mortals, and that will never change.

Starting Out Right: Onward And Upward

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Tony Romo threw for 320 yards, and T.O. had a touchdown. Life was good despite Romo's bloody chin and Barber's bruised ribs. 1-0 and only thinking Superbowl.

Welcome To The Marion Barber Show

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Barber was incendiary against the Packers racking up 142 rushing yards on 28 carries. That's over 5 yards per carry for those of you playing at home.

The Game Slips Through The Cowboys Fingers

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Inopportune penalties for rudimentary aspects of the game (too many men on the field) and failure to execute caused the Cowboys to acquire their first loss.

I Give You: Felix Jones

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Crazy fast rookie Felix Jones rushed for 96 yards and made it look like a thousand. He was impressive and a beautiful compliment to the offense as the Bengals had to account for threats on the corners and out of the backfield.

Oxymoron: A Quiet T.O.

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Despite throwing for 320 yards and 3 touchdowns, the penalties negated Romo's efforts and the mistakes got the best of the Cowboys against the Cardinals.

The Achilles Pinky Forces Dallas to Go to the Bench

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Brad Johnson is awful.

Thank God for Penalties?

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If Tampa Bay hadn't basically handed this one to the Cowboys with penalty yardage at the most pivotal moments, the Dallas slide would have continued. The good news: Roy Williams can play.

Ever Hear of the Blues Brothers? How About the Interception Brothers?

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Brooks Bollinger is somehow more awful than Brad Johnson. I think their combined passer rating from the first meeting with the Giants was two. The Cowboys fall to mediocre, and panic sets in as the Giants roll.

The Bye Week - Time To Let The Wounds Heal

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Right before their early morning training session. Jessica usually has good tips on ball handling.

Winning Despite It All

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Martellus Bennett proved he isn't just another big kid from Texas. In week 11 Dallas improved to 6-4 for the year.

Back in the Groove

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After a blank first quarter, Romo shook off the cobwebs, dropped the pinky support, and threw for 340 yards. T.O. added a touchdown and dissected San Francisco's defense for 213 receiving yards.

Stuffed Turkey

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DeMarcus Ware, Bradie James and Tank Johnson collectively put Matt Hasselbeck on his back six times as the Cowboys controlled the tempo from start to finish.

Not All Bad—But Still a Loss

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This was a bad break for the Cowboys late in the year. Tony Romo is fallible. He is not perfect. Good news is rookie—battering ram Tashard Choice ended the day with 166 total yards.

Revenge

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DeMarcus Ware was insane, adding three of the eight sacks on Eli Manning in Texas Stadium as the Cowboys take another step towards making the playoffs, improving to 9-5.

Records Fall in the Texas Stadium Farewell Game

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The Cowboys shut down the run in this game until the last plays of the fourth quarter. Willis McGahee bolted 76 yards breaking the record for the longest rushing play from scrimmage against the Cowboys in Texas Stadium. After the Cowboys attempted to revive themselves, they drove the length of the field and scored on the next possession. The big Ravens fullback Le'Ron McClain rumbled 82 yards to break his teammate's record. Too bad McGahee only held the record for about two and a half minutes.

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written on December 23, 2008 Opinion

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