3 Things Learned Against the San Francisco 49ers (Dallas Cowboys)

3 Things We Learned from the Cowboys' Week 1 Performance

Coming off three consecutive 8-8 seasons, being a Cowboys fan has become a tiresome burden on even the most dedicated fan. The battered defense, offense led by a less-than-100 percent Tony Romo, and the condescending attitude of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones all create a recipe for disaster.

In a couple of previous posts about the Cowboys' 2014 season outlook, I have expressed how the Cowboys will less than likely meet their fan's expectations.

This was a Dallas "home game"?!

If you were able to watch the Cowboys vs. 49ers game, it was pretty difficult to miss the "sea of red" in Cowboys Stadium and even avoid hearing the roars of happiness after every San Francisco touchdown.

It's been awhile since I've watched a full game of the Cowboys (over 2 years to be exact). I hoped they would prove me wrong and rise to the occasion against one of the franchise's age-old foes. I guess that dream was far-fetched, resulting in a 28-17 defeat.

The writing is on the wall of Cowboys Stadium. Fans know it.

Players and coaches know it. Even Jones, no matter how much he denies it, knows the fan support of his franchise is a concern. 

1) Romo's back surgery has created a layer of rust not even WD-40 can remove.

I get it, he's rusty. After all, he's supposed to be! Coach Jason Garrett allowed Romo to sit out the majority of preseason (as well as practice) based on the recovery of Romo's back surgery. In the 2nd half, Romo "somewhat" delivered (mainly tossing prayers in the sky). We just have to eliminate the unforced turnovers.

2) DeMarco Murray is still a priority in our offense.

Despite Romo's numerous turnovers, the running game flourished through Murray's performance of 22 carries for 118 yards. 

The bad news is that this marked the first time in Murray's career that he carried the ball more than 20 times and the Cowboys lost. I'm optimistic of our run game. It's the pass game that has me on pins-and-needles.

3) We have to offensively outscore every opponent, and this is not a good thing.
 
We've already established the fact that our defense is as good as stopping a flood with notebook paper. Simply put, our offense HAS to outplay every offense it's matched up against! This can call for games in which the Cowboys almost certainly need to put up 25+ points a game. If our offense clicks, it's obtainable...there needs to be a sense of urgency and chemistry in the offensive flow.

4 Reasons to Pay Attention to the Seattle Seahawks

After last night's pounding on the Green Bay Packers, Seattle looks like a well-oiled machine marching back to the championship.

1) "Lord have mercy, we've got Percy!" - Russell Wilson

WR Percy Harvin

 
Percy Harvin played a major part in this high-powered offense, coming off an injury which sidelined him the majority of last season. If Percy Harvin can stay healthy for the whole year, the Seahawks' offense has a high chance to continually dismantle defenses.


2) The Legion of Boom is still...booming

SS Kam Chancellor lays down the hammer on Vernon Davis

Shoving matches after the whistle, lots of trash talk, helmet-shaking hits is what can describe this defense.

 If last year's Super Bowl was not bone-crushing enough, the Seahawks will satisfy your football appetite with their defensive play this season similar to the Pittsburgh Steelers' trademarked "Steel Curtain."



3) Pete Carroll's Philosophy is a goldmine.

I remember when Pete Carroll escaped from College Football before the dark cloud hovered over USC (2010 athletic scandal) and landed a coaching job in Seattle. My dad said: Seattle is the perfect team for Carroll, because they're young and Carroll can get those guys fired up if they listen to him. Man, he was right about that one. Pete Carroll's "Us Against the World" Philosophy (as my dad described) has produced a level of play nearly anyone would have believed to occur in Seattle!

Head Coach Pete Carroll

It seems this philosophy has made some waves from the Seahawks' locker room to around the NFL with the "Why Not Us?" movement (sparked by Russell Wilson's battle-cry leading to the Super Bowl victory).

  
4) Russell Wilson is this generation's Doug Williams

Back in Super Bowl XXII, the Washington Redskins (When are they going to change that mascot name?) were led by Doug Williams. Williams' victory over the John Elway-led Denver Broncos shocked the sports world and made history at the same time, becoming the first Black quarterback to win a Super Bowl.

The same goes for Russell Wilson, beating the Peyton Manning-led Denver Broncos.

Redskins QB Doug Williams

Russell Wilson has always been a "different" guy, in a good way. I remember watching Wisconsin in a bowl game during Wilson's senior year as quarterback.

Wisconsin marched down the field, hoping to put a miracle together in a nail-biting finish. With two seconds left and the clock still running, Wilson could not spike the ball in time to get the last play off. Despite this unfair situation, Wilson made his way to congratulate the opposing team and accepted his defeat with class.

Seahawks QB Russell Wilson

In the past couple of years, Wilson has easily become one of my favorite quarterbacks to watch play. The drive, determination, and class Russell brings to the Seahawks' franchise is invaluable. I'm grateful to see this generation's Doug Williams in action.

Manziel's Road to Success

An Inside Look at Johnny Football

By now, the world has heard of Johnny Football (trademarked by Manziel and his family). I have to say: this is probably the only time I have been excited to watch a Cleveland Browns game. I remember always marking a "W" on the Cowboys schedule during the designated week of playing Cleveland.

Now, Johnny Manziel has brought the cameras, action, and star power to the Browns' franchise...only to be met with constant criticism of his maturity level. I've had the opportunity to ask former HS/college classmates of Manziel and even former teammates of Mr. Football (via Sam Houston State Univ. and Texas A&M) what he is like behind the scenes. To put it in one sentence: Manziel is a winner, and wants everyone to know it as well.

Too often we focus on things that someone cannot do rather than illuminate the things that he/she can do. Does Manziel lack the height that teams desire? Yes. Is he a classic pocket passer? No. Is he attracted to the limelight? Like a moth to a flame.

There are many critics of his game, his persona, and even extracurricular activities, but one thing we cannot take away from Manziel is his winning mentality. The guy will not accept defeat at any cost; however, he may learn a valuable lesson in Cleveland that you cannot win at everything. For example, Manziel was not named the starting QB for the Browns this season.

But Manziel also is a guy who improved each year in college and should do the same in the NFL, in part because he is unwilling to accept failure. He doesn't want to succeed. He needs to succeed. The difference is subtle, yet significant.

At this point, Manziel is a ball of clay. He has to be molded into a quarterback who can play from under center, who can effectively and efficiently go through read progressions, who can take advantage of what the defense gives instead of waiting on the big plays. I believe that he'll learn to do all those things, not only because he has a high football IQ, in my opinion, but also because it's imperative to him succeeding.

The Defintion of Mediocrity (Dallas Cowboys)

If you're a Cowboys fan like myself, then you should have low expectations for the Boys in Blue this season.

0-4 in the preseason?! Seriously?!!!

I understand the preseason is meant to present a realistic look at our team, but the Dallas Cowboys have not showed much hope in the past four weeks.



Over the past three seasons, Dallas has finished with an 8-8 record without a playoff appearance. It's almost as if the Cowboys are stuck in a recurring nightmare.

I sure hope this team wakes up this year.

Come on, the Cowboys' offense has the potential to be a playoff contender without any doubt. On paper, our offense has a good balance (with the exception of Romo's late 4th-quarter errors).

Tony Romo should be in good condition, after resting from his back surgery. Dez Bryant is the guy to primarily fuel our offense, specifically the passing game. Plus, the Cowboys' run-game will benefit from our pass threat if everything has the right chemistry.

However, the defense is what makes the Cowboys "mediocre", or just plain average. As you will find me say in previous blog posts, "Defense wins championships!!!" You know, I wouldn't be surprised if our defense finishes last in the NFL this season. I mean, we do not have DeMarcus Ware or Jason Hatcher (two veteran defenders that we REALLY need). Instead of these two vets, the Cowboys placed two 2014 draftees in their place.

But wait! What makes it worse is that these two rookies are on the injury list for the start of the regular season!! In addition, Sean Lee (arguably the Cowboys' best linebacker since Dat Nyguen and Dexter Coakley) is out for the season; DeVonte Hollman, a promising second-year linebacker,  suffered a career-ending neck injury.

"Sounds like another 8-8 season to me."

And what makes things even more gloomy is the fact that our safety and cornerback (Jakar Hamilton and Orlando Scandrick, respectively) will miss four games due to violating the league's substance abuse policy.

The Dallas Cowboys should change their logo to an Army Tank, due to the notion of Jerry Jones probably wanting to "tank" the season for a higher rung on the "draft ladder".

The facts are laid out: the Dallas Cowboys are the definition of mediocrity

Good offense, bad defense. Sounds like another 8-8 season to me.

Hopefully, they prove me wrong (in a good way).