Cowboys-Browns: 'Boys Make Statement, Penalty Issues Still a Problem

If the Dallas Cowboys were looking to make a statement in their opening game against the Cleveland Browns, then you can consider that mission accomplished to the tune of a 28-10 victory.

In the box score next to all of the gaudy offensive stats, there was one category that threw up a giant red flag.

Penalties: 11 for 82 yards.

Now most might say that well this was the first game of the season, and that’s to be expected, but the fact is that penalties have continued to mount and create problems for this team since disciplinarian Bill Parcells rode off into the sunset in 2007.

And yes, I point the finger at Wade Phillips, whose laid back approach for this star-laden team has resulted in penalty problems and special teams problems since he took over.

Let me remind everyone that “Aw Shucks” Wade Phillips tried to combat the problem last year by having the players sign contracts that they wouldn’t commit penalties.

Did it work?

No, of course not.

The penalties continued to pile up throughout the 2007 season and were a big reason that the Cowboys lost their playoff game at home to the New York Giants.

Setting all that aside, it was a very good game by all three of the Cowboys' units.

The offense was in midseason form. The Cowboys' offensive line dominated the Cleveland front seven, giving Tony Romo all day to throw, and throw he did. Romo connected with Terrell Owens, Patrick Crayton, and Jason Witten all day and carved up the Cleveland secondary.

Marion Barber, Felix Jones, and Tashard Choice all had nice days running the football to complement the already-potent Cowboys passing attack.

The defense was solid and only gave up one touchdown—albeit one which shouldn’t have happened—after the Cowboys committed two penalties on third down during the drive that gave the Browns a first down when they would have otherwise been forced to punt.

Surprisingly the special teams were very good, especially in the areas they needed to be (kickoff and punt coverage). The only miscue was on a fumbled punt by Adam Jones, which he was able to recover.

However, the penalty problem must be fixed if the Dallas Cowboys want to achieve their goal of winning a Super Bowl. Unfortunately, I don’t see the issue being resolved as long as “Aw Shucks” Phillips is the head coach in Dallas.