Without a doubt, it was the highlight, soap opera and fairy tale of the 2011 Dallas Cowboys Training Camp. Fresh as newly-rolled paint are the images of Jerry Jones, Stephen Jones and Defensive Coordinator, Rob Ryan, competing in a game of cell phone "hot potato." Fist bumps populated and smiles illuminated the Alamo Dome on Day 2 of Camp, and the afternoon play-by-play of all three local sports talk radio shows was riveting to say the very least. And then the bomb dropped. Hearts were yanked from the chests of Cowboys faithful from sea to shining sea. Making matters the absolute worst came word that the Cowboys had been snookered at their own game of Negotiation by Division rival, the Philadelphia Eagles. It was a wake-up-call of mega proportions, and the impact stings a hundred-fold as the Cowboys prepare for their opener with the New York Jets on 9/11.
Ladies and gentlemen, the Dallas Cowboys, mainly their Owner, President and General Manager, all the same culprit, Jerry Jones, got caught up in the all-too-common game of Star Gazing and Admiration. Jerry was back to his old tricks of trying to splash the NFL waters with big strikes and lunker landings. This time it backfired in the worst way possible, and while the Cowboys were out hiking their alluring skirts, no one was minding the Prudent Store. So much so, that when the Cowboys were out promising all to the highest-sought NFL Free Agent on the market, Nnamdi Asomugha, others completely raided the store and fleeced the Cowboys from corner to corner. The lure of the Big One (that got away) caused the decision-makers to completely dismiss the school of adequate considerations that simply swam by the Cowboys boat.
Now, here the Cowboys sit with no Terence Newman (imagine that) and probably no Mike Jenkins, as starting corners, heading into the opening contest with the Rex Ryan-led New York Jets. Somewhere 1500 miles away, Santonio Holmes and Plaxico Burress are chuckling mightily. Wouldn't you if opening the 2011 season against the likes of Orlando Scandrick and Alan Ball? While the Jets WR duo find much glee in this scenario, there is absolutely nothing funny about it from a Cowboys' perspective.
Even Jets quarterback, Mark Sanchez enjoys a chuckle knowing he doesn't have to face the likes of a Johnathan Joseph (huge opportunity missed), Dimitri Patterson, Antwan Molden, Carlos Rogers, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (also an Eagles' acquisition), Jonathan Wilhite and Josh Wilson. Yes, indeed, all free agent cornerbacks on the 2011 open market that the Cowboys somehow, some way felt weren't either big enough or better than their current hobbled crops. This particular display of negligence is worthy of a huge yellow flag for unsportsmanlike, non-prudent, business conduct in the front office. How could they simply ignore this opportunity to get younger and healthier at one of the three most important positions on a pro football field?
Say what you will about what he has given and done for the organization over the years, Terence Newman needed to be released during Training Camp. Great guy, hard worker, and team player...no one denies the attributes of T New, but the fact remains, today, he's a football liability. The pattern and frequency of injury were known to all, but the past detriments were simply-overlooked in favor of loyalty and hope. Sorry folks, it's a cruel, cruel business, and if you haven't done something for the organization lately, then you should have been sent packing like the money-draining, reputation-living offensive line. If you're cleaning, clean the whole darn house, top to bottom. Anyone want a do-over on the consideration of Johnathan Joseph in a Cowboys' uniform? Seven names were provided above, and all would have been an upgrade to the current situation facing your beloved Dallas Cowboys.
The Cowboys had time to assess and prudently-pursue a cornerback upgrade, if not two, but elected not to, and now, dire straights might lead them to simply panic, reach and over-spend, the equivalent of a famished grocery shopper in Kroger at 3:00 a.m. Just not a good combination. This has the potential to get ugly, and with Mike Jenkins adding a knee to his "stinger" problems, who knows where this is ultimately headed. The only thing known is the Cowboys simply looked the other way, and this oversight is going to cost them. Big time. Starting in the Big Apple. Big mistake.
