Today's online report in The Dallas Morning News by Calvin Watkins simply states what many of us suspected all along: the Cowboys are a captainless ship, completely undisciplined, filled with unaccountability, and diminishing communication between coaches and players.

Jerry Jones, you still want "continuity" for this garbage?

Watkins' report depicts a Cowboys team on the brink of disaster, and one with more issues than your average episode of Dr. Phil. Shocking? Hardly. Surprising? Not at all.

Pathetic? Absolutely.

The great thing about the Watkins article is that it takes no prisoners in its reporting. Everyone is to blame for this. Jerry Jones apparently denied increasing the paltry fines amount, something Phillips requested. Phillips is said to have limited respect amongst the players. Romo is angry with Jason Garrett. T.O. is angry with Garrett and Romo. Garrett is reportedly rapidly losing the respect of his offense.

Is there anything we can look forward to next season, when the personnel on this team is largely unchanged?

Clearly, change is in order. Certainly Barack Obama will be busy these next few months, getting things in order, but maybe he can oversee the Cowboys for a few days? Let's face it...change has to start somewhere.

Since our new President is likely indisposed, it falls on Jerry to bring about some real change at Valley Ranch...not figurehead change. Hold the players accountable. Hold the coaches accountable. Hold everyone accountable. Instill some real locker room leadership. Signing Ray Lewis would be a nice start, but that's a diversionary tactic at best. Jerry must improve what he currently has, and figure out a way that this underachieving franchise can maximize the talents of its players.

If a full coaching housecleaning is not in order (and judging by the fact that Garrett and Phillips are still here, it doesn't seem to be), wounds must immediately be healed and this club must move forward. Jerry should be on the phone today to Garrett and Phillips, and getting player meetings set up as soon as possible. The upcoming OTA sessions in a few weeks should focus less on instilling a gameplan for the new season, and more on bringing about harmony between the players and coaches. A new attitude must arrive, fast.

The Arizona Cardinals and their spats on the sidelines between Off. Coordinator Todd Haley, Anquan Boldin and Kurt Warner show that arguing and disagreements don't have to lead to disaster. Haley, unlike Garrett, commands the respect of his players. There may be battles, but there is mutual respect.

The Cowboys don't have that. But they'd better, soon.

2 Comments

Lark3 said:

Wow, If I acted like that at my job....I wouldn't have a job very long. Time for this team to grow up and act like men, not children. They have so much talent but not a one of them has a heart. Sad. Definitely the worst Cowboy team I have ever seen and I am including the 1-15 '89 Boys! Those guys could teach this crew about turning things around!

January 20, 2009 2:40 PM

tammy said:

My opinion is that Jerry Jones would sell his soul to the Devil in the name of winning! Winning is what it's all about, but at what cost?! These are grown men, that play professional football and make great money.... yet they can't stay out of trouble off the field and fight like children! I believe the trouble starts with the owner and trickles down! Trouble is he's the owner... and well the Cowboys are stuck with that, and so are we as fans~

January 21, 2009 10:06 AM

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