Dallas Cowboys: What Is Wrong with These Guys?

Where do we even start?

Everything that is so good about this team is also what curses them. Romo, T.O., coaching, defense, etc. They were downright embarrassing this year at times.

I thought last year's loss to the Giants in the playoffs was hard to get over. This entire season has been like a slap in the face.

But I have not lost hope. I'm slightly doubting now, but the hope is still there.

A major part of why the 2008 season fell apart was clearly to injuries. An insane amount of injuries.

Romo, Barber, Felix, Kosier, Holland, Witten, Hurd, Austin, Roy Williams (S), Keith Davis, Watkins, Newman...The list goes on. How can a good team overcome losing key players all year like that?

No one can.

The Steelers are healthy. The Cardinals are healthy. The Eagles and Ravens were healthy. That fact is too serious to overlook, yet everyone wants to think the Cowboys are just that bad.

Of course, we did bite ourselves over and over again with mistakes, lack of concentration, bad coaching, horrible play calling...etc.

One main difference from this year to last was the close games.

Even with the injuries, this team is the same as last. The records tell otherwise, but a few things ending differently and they're almost identical.

Last year, they squeaked out a win against Buffalo (we all remember that one), Washington, and Detroit. That easily could have put Dallas at 10-6 last year.

This year you play the full 60 minutes against Washington and Arizona, and there's two more wins. Even one of those games, and Dallas is 10-6, just like they could have been last year.

Romo's numbers were down this year, but with his top two running backs, fourth and fifth string receivers, and starting guard hurt how much can a guy do on his own?

Then you add in T.O.'s bull and secret meetings and so on...

Also, a busted pinkie can't help. He's a quarterback, he needs all 10 fingers to be 100 percent effective.

But again, one more win gets a playoffs spot, and seeing what Arizona has done this year, not to mention the Giants last year, who knows what might have been.

The Cowboys have an uncanny way of forgetting their troubles when they're winning. If they wouldn't have won 13 games last year, we might have seen this same falling apart.

We need team unity. People need to step up.

Romo has to. Witten has to. T.O. tries, just not the right way all the time.

These guys need to be leaders. Ray Lewis would be an amazing addition to this team just because of his leadership. I was hoping Zach Thomas would have been, but we were wrong.

Bradie James is our proven defensive leader but still needs to be more vocal. Newman needs to also. We'd be set if DeMarcus Ware was more vocal. At least he leads by example.

Bottom line

Phillips will get one more year to see if he can actually do this or not. It's a shame, too, with Mike Shanahan sitting out there.

Wade also must take over all defensive play-calling.

Offensively we are completely fine. Those guys get healthy and the Cowboys have one of, if not the best, offenses in the league. Garrett just needs to change the play-calling. The league has adjusted to his schemes. Find new ones, Jason.

Defense proves year after year to be our weak spot. But aside from Roy Williams, the roster is basically set. That's where the coaching needs to take over.

You give our defense to Philly's Jim Johnson, and my God, look out. He makes mediocre players look amazing.

It might finally be time to move Anthony Henry back to safety, along with Hamlin, and let the young corners step up. I love what I saw from Scandrick this year, and Jenkins really started to come along by the end.

They have to re-sign Burnett. Great player. He reminds me so much of Bradie James, aside from all his injuries. James sat as a backup, then when he got his chance, he never looked back.

I think Burnett can be that kind of player. Carpenter is really the guy that may have worn his welcome out in big D.

They also have to re-sign Canty. Not many players like that in the league that can produce at the end spot in a 3-4 defense. Not a bad find in the fourth round, when he was originally projected as a first rounder. An eye injury will do that to you around draft day.

As far as the draft is concerned, with nine draft picks, Jerry needs to trade up to an early second-round pick to get a player of serious talent. My pick would be a fiery player. The perfect position would be outside linebacker/defensive end, like another DeMarcus Ware.

They tried with Anthony Spencer, but he's almost too nice or something.

We all knew Ray Lewis was nasty in college. Warren Sapp. Even Brian Dawkins. I know they can't land a first rounder, but there are guys out there that aren't first round quality that can be a big time locker room leader. Find someone with some anger.

If there's one there, maybe even a safety. I know there's only one decent safety in this year's draft though, according to my man Mel Kiper, the draft god.

After that they need to get youth at the wide receiver position. Who knows how much longer T.O. and company will be around. Hopefully even someone like a DeSean Jackson, who has kick and punt return capabilities.

Then defensive back and backup quarterback.

I'm used to them drafting off the wall every year, so it won't surprise me if there first three picks are tight end, offensive line, and backup kicker.

In the end I've already put this horrible season behind me. I hope the Cowboys players can do the same thing.

Unfortunately, a lot of the fans and the media aren't allowing them to do it.

Cowboys for life baby.

Let's hear our battle cry one last time...."Next year's ours!"