A look back at a big year for the Dallas Cowboys.

As we all get ready to ring in the New Year in some form, whether it by ringing up a giant bar tab, busting out the box of wine, or everything else in between, it’s time to reflect on the year that it’s been for the Dallas Cowboys.

From bobbling to baffling, here are the major moments for Dallas in 2007.

January 8: Seahawks 21, Cowboys 20 - This game is remembered by most not for what happened for the first 58+ minutes, but for Tony Romo’s bobbled snap that on a chip-shot field goal attempt with a little over a minute to play that ‘cost’ the Cowboys a playoff victory.

What many who made that single play a story that shouldn’t have been don’t care to remember is that the Cowboys let the game slip away before Romo supposedly did.

After a 29-yard field goal by Martin Gramatica, Dallas led 20-13 with 10:15 to play. On the ensuing drive, the Seahawks drove all the way to the Dallas 1 before the Cowboys defense held, and Seattle turned it over on downs with less than seven minutes to play, giving Dallas the ball at the 2.

On the first play, Romo completed a pass to Terry Glenn, who couldn’t hold onto the ball, and it went out of the end zone for a safety (initial call was a touchdown for Seattle, but it was reversed after a challenge), trimming the lead to 20-15 with more than six and a half minutes left.
Seattle got the ball at the 50, and four plays later, went ahead on a touchdown pass by Matt Hasselbeck.

Then came the drive that ended with Romo’s only real mistake of the night, but one that very well could’ve turned out just a little differently, because what those same idiots failed to mention is that after bobbling the snap, Romo picked it up and ran with it, and got tackled just short of the first down marker and the end zone.

Thankfully, that play has been forgotten and been replaced by even more irrelevant talk about Romo’s personal life, which frankly doesn’t matter to me unless he’s putting himself or anyone else in danger, or unless it affects his play on the football field.

Janaury 22: Bill Parcells retires - There’d been a lot of speculation about Parcells’ future after the playoffs ended, and he put all of it to bed by stepping down as head coach a little over two weeks after the loss in Seattle.

First, thanks Bill - I‘ll expound upon that in a moment. Second, when Bill Parcells says ‘retire,’ his definition of the word must be closer to ‘hiatus’ than the actual meaning of retire, since Parcells is now busy shaking things up in south Florida, trying to mend the mess that is the Miami Dolphins.

February 8: Wade Phillips gets hired as head coach - After a search that saw no less than 10 candidates interviewed for the job, Jerry Jones got his man in former Broncos and Bills coach Wade Phillips.

It was the best hire he could have made then (along with bringing in Jason Garrett), and ten months later, that A is now an A++.

September 9: Cowboys start Phillips’ era with 45-35 win - Sure, it left something to be desired defensively, but it was a precursor to what was a regular sight in 2007 (and hopefully for many years to come), Tony Romo picking apart a defense.

October 8: Cowboys make miraculous last-minute comeback to beat Buffalo 25-24 - Thanks to six turnovers by Tony Romo and two interception returns and a kick return for scores by Buffalo, it looked like Dallas was going to drop their first game, until a wacky final four minutes and the finish of all finishes.

Down 24-16 with less than four minutes to go, Romo calmly led Dallas 80 yards down the field, completing 9 of 11 passes for 77 yards, the last of which was a 4-yard touchdown to Patrick Crayton that made it 24-22 with 20 seconds to play.

After Nick Folk's successful onside kick (which turned out to be only his second-biggest kick of the night), Romo moved the Cowboys in position for a 53-yard field goal, which the rookie drilled not once, but twice to cap off an unlikely win. Stuff of Folk-lore indeed.

October 14: Patriots hand Cowboys first loss - After their Monday night miracle, Dallas had to turn around and face the Patriots in a much-hyped battle of unbeaten teams.

There were two lessons learned that day: 1) Slowing down Randy Moss doesn’t equate to slowing down the Patriots, when you let Wes Welker and Donte’ Stallworth combined for 18 catches, 260 yards, and three touchdowns, and 2) You can’t get down 14 points to the Patriots and expect to win, unless you play error-free football, which still might not be enough.

December 9: Cowboys clinch first NFC East title since 1998 with comeback win over Lions - The little leprechaun who snuck on the sidelines during the Buffalo game made his appearance in Detroit in Week 14 to help deliver the Cowboys an unlikely win (and the NFC East title) at Ford Field.

The Cowboys survived a 13-point deficit, a fumble by Jason Witten at the 1-yard line on a potential go-ahead drive in the fourth, and a fumble that bounced the right way on what proved to be the game-winning drive, with Witten redeeming himself with the game-winning touchdown catch in the final minute.

Let’s hope that leprechaun has his tickets for the playoffs and the Super Bowl already…

December 18: League-high 11 Cowboys named to NFC Pro Bowl team - Seven were on offense, with five as starters (three on the O-line in Andre Gurode, Leonard Davis, and Flozell Adams, and T.O. and Witten as the others), and Marion Barber getting named to the team despite not being the ‘starter’ at running back. Three more were on defense, with DeMarcus Ware deservedly getting a starting nod (Ken Hamlin and Terence Newman as reserves), with Folk being #11, one of three rookies named as representatives from the NFC.

December 23: Cowboys clinch home-field advantage - Thanks to the Bears’ 35-7 demolition of the Packers, and Dallas’ 20-13 win over Carolina the previous night (and a 37-27 victory over Green Bay on Nov. 29), the Cowboys clinched home-field advantage for the first time since 1995.

The year got off to a rather conspicuous start, but it’s ended with one of the best regular seasons in team history.

After years of bumbling along offensively, the Cowboys’ offense is now one of the most exciting to watch in the league (minus yesterday, and in the last few weeks of the regular season), and even though they’ve scared the daylights out of us a number of times this season, it feels damn good for that ‘edge of your seat’ feeling to be the good kind again. And with the foundation that’s being built, it looks like it’s only going to go up from here (knock on wood).

What will 2008 bring? The Lombardi Trophy back to Dallas, I hope. That, a new contract for Marion Barber, a couple of future stars in the draft, and Jason Garrett still on the Cowboys‘ payroll come the fall.

What do you think of the year that it’s been for the Cowboys?

One out, one in for receiving corps.

[This is a little late, but I took some time away from the computer to enjoy the holiday.]

According to the Cowboys’ official site, T.O. definitely won’t be playing against Washington on Sunday, but Terry Glenn might.

Glenn has missed the first 15 games because of knee-related issues, but he’s gradually worked his way back, and he may see some action on Sunday, according to head coach Wade Phillips.

"He ran a lot of go routes after we did his workout, 10 or 15 in a row, and some other routes. It was encouraging," Phillips said. "That's why I'm encouraged enough to say maybe this week we're going to see him on the field."

That’s welcome news, considering the fact that the timetable on T.O.’s return is up in the air for now.

As I said in an earlier post, Jacksonville’s David Garrard suffered a high ankle sprain, missed only three games, and since he‘s come back, may be on the best stretch of his career.
But, on the flip side, Anthony Henry suffered the same injury in Week 4 and, though he came back after the Cowboys’ bye in Week 8, he was still limited for the next couple of weeks.

However, Phillips is cautiously optimistic that Owens could be back by the time Dallas starts prepping for their first playoff game, judging by the MRI and his past injury history.

"Looking at his background, after the MRI and some of those things they tell me, I think he'll be back. I know he's tough and I think he's a fast healer and all those things. I'm certainly hopeful but I don't know if confident is the word for me."

No one can forget how he stubbornly came back from a late-season injury to play in the Super Bowl while he was with the Eagles, and considering that this injury is a little less serious than that one, seeing him in the divisional round game won’t be a surprise, and frankly, might be expected (not that he‘s Superman or anything, but he takes care of his body a whole heck of a lot better than many do).

He could very well be held out of that divisional round game if he isn’t 100%, just for the sake of looking at the bigger picture and not risking his health and availability afterwards.
But, even if he’s held out or limited for that weekend, it’s certainly encouraging that Glenn could be in there to help pick up some of the slack.

T.O. injury update.

The injury that T.O. suffered in the second quarter is reportedly a high ankle sprain.

In all likelihood, or if Wade Phillips is looking big picture, we won't see T.O. next Sunday at Washington.

This is one good reason why it's good to have that first-round bye, because with two weekends off to heal, he'll hopefully be fine for the divisional round game, but that might be wishful thinking.

Jacksonville QB David Garrard suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 7 and missed the next three games, so Owens could potentially miss even the divisional playoff game if his is similar to Garrard's.

It's too early to assume or worry, so let's wait and see what the prognosis is.

Cowboys on track for lucky #13.

It’s back to business as usual for Dallas, as the Cowboys are up 17-7 over the Carolina Panthers at halftime.

Tony Romo has already thrown 32 passes, but he’s surpassed last week’s completion mark by eight (21 to 13), and with his 188 passing yards in the first half, Romo has a new single-season Cowboys record of 4,056 yards.

It’s good to see Romo back on track, and even more so to see a semblance of balance in the offense, as Marion Barber has 80 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries.

The offense has thoroughly dominated proceedings in the first half, outgaining Carolina 291 to 109, but more importantly, holding a 50 to 17 edge in plays and a 15-minute edge in time of possession.

But, the Panthers are still very much in the game because of the one successful drive they put together, when a short kick gave Carolina the ball at the 37, and after a first-down completion and a 39-yard run by DeAngelo Williams, Matt Moore threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Steve Smith to get Carolina on the board.

After responding with a field goal, the Cowboys could have added to the lead before halftime, but a penalty for an illegal shift wiped out a first-down pass to Sam Hurd (that would have put it at the 20), and then Dallas simply ran out of time.

The second half just started, with the Panthers getting the ball first. The Cowboys will be playing the rest of the game without T.O., who left during the last scoring drive with an injury and won’t return. He had five catches for 48 yards and the score before he was hurt, so it’s a blow for him, since he was a key part of the offense after being quiet in the last two games. It shouldn’t be a big concern for the duration of the night, but hopefully it’s not an injury that will keep him out of any games from this point.

Carolina’s moving the ball and has it inside the 10, so the deficit could quickly be trimmed.
I’ll check back here and there…

Quick Take: Dallas at Carolina.

After seeing their seven-game win streak come to a abrupt halt against Philadelphia last Sunday, the Cowboys look to not only get back on track tonight, but take a big step towards clinching home field in the NFC when they take on the Carolina Panthers tonight.

For Carolina, the stakes are pretty high, as they need a win to keep their slim postseason hopes alive.

Dallas is 6-0 on the road this season, and the signs point towards the Cowboys rebounding from their atrocious offensive performance last Sunday in the 10-6 loss to the Eagles.

Dallas is averaging 32.2 points per game on the road thus far, with four of Tony Romo’s seven 300-yard games coming on the road, including a 35 of 44, 302-yard, two-touchdown afternoon in the 28-27 comeback win over the Lions in Week 14.

After shooting blanks last week against Philly with his newest love interest, Jessica Simpson, in attendance, Romo has to keep his head on straight tonight if the Cowboys aren’t to lose their hold on home field. He’s playing with a sore thumb, which could affect him if he chooses to let it, but you know what they say about molehills and mountains.

The offense should have the chance to move the ball against the Panthers, even though they shut down the Seahawks last Sunday. Matt Hasselbeck threw for 274 yards, so a big night is there for the taking if Romo wants it.

T.O. hasn’t been a factor lately, making only five catches in the last two games, but the last time he had a dry spell like this, earlier in the season, he busted out of it by going over 100 yards in five of the next six games.

More important than getting the ball to T.O., though, is utilizing the run, which has been completely invisible at many times this season, both due to the great success that Romo has had throwing the ball and because the Cowboys have had to play from behind on several occasions.

As for the Panthers offense, it’s led by none other than Matt Moore, the rookie QB that Dallas cut at the end of the preseason instead of keeping on the roster. The Panthers snapped him up before the Cowboys could put him on the practice squad, and with injuries ineffectiveness at the position, Moore has gotten the chance to see the field much, much quicker than he would have in Dallas.

He performed well in his first career start last Sunday, going 19 of 27 for 208 yards in the 13-10 win over Seattle. His offensive line made things a lot easier for him, not allowing him to be sacked at all, so it’ll be on the Dallas pass rush to wreak havoc and rattle the rookie, and leave the hugs and handshakes for before and after the game.

But, Moore might not have to worry about having the world on his shoulders tonight, as the Dallas defense hasn’t been as adept at stopping the run in the last three weeks as they had been for the better part of the season, and they’ll have their hands full with Carolina’s double-De’s, DeAngelo Williams and DeShaun Foster, who haven’t been consistent week in, week out, but aren’t to be taken lightly.

Tonight’s game is being broadcast by the NFL Network, and it starts at 7:15, which means it’s time to head to Applebee’s, Chili’s, Friday’s, or your nearest sports bar, go to the neighbor’s house, or, if you’re lucky, watch the game from the comforts of your living room.

Which one will I be doing? Well, considering I plan to provide periodical updates of the game on here, I’ll let you guess.

Cowboys well-represented on NFC Pro Bowl roster.

A league-high 11 Cowboys were named to the NFC’s Pro Bowl roster yesterday, with most of the names you‘d have expected to see on the list making it.

Seven offensive players were named to the team, with Terrell Owens and Jason Witten being named starters, along with three starters along the offensive line - center Andre Gurode, tackle Flozell Adams, and guard Leonard Davis, who makes the Pro Bowl in his first season in Dallas.
Tony Romo leads the NFC in touchdown passes and is second in yards, but he is only a reserve on the Pro Bowl roster, as the rejuvenated Brett Favre gets the starting nod.

The other Cowboy to get an invite on the offensive side of the ball is Marion Barber III, who isn’t exactly the starter at running back, but with 1,130 all-purpose yards and 11 total touchdowns, he’ll be going to Hawaii.

On defense, DeMarcus Ware is unsurprisingly a starter, with a career-high 75 tackles, along with 11 sacks (.5 off of his total from last year) and about 572 QB pressures.

Terence Newman is a reserve at corner, and Ken Hamlin was also named a Pro Bowler in his first season in Dallas. Hamlin was named a reserve at free safety, with the league honoring late Redskins safety Sean Taylor by very deservedly naming him the starter - an honor that he likely would have received if not for his untimely death last month.

Rookie kicker Nick Folk, who beat out Martin Gramatica for the starting job in training camp, was rewarded for his excellent rookie campaign by being named as the NFC’s placekicker.

The only move that could be considered a snub is Greg Ellis being left off of the roster. Ellis missed the first three games as he was trying to overcome nagging Achilles’ issues, but has 11.5 sacks in the 11 games since, two higher than the career high he set in 16 games in 2004.

Anthony Henry was off to a Pro Bowl start this season, with four interceptions in the first three games, but missing three games with injuries hurt him, though he’s still having an excellent season, with five interceptions.

The question now is: How many of those who were invited will show up?