The season is on the brink and it has only been two weeks.
WTF? Already without top receiver Dez Bryant, the Dallas Cowboys lost their
star quarterback Tony Romo to a collarbone injury in the win against the Philadelphia
Eagles. That is not the best way to start a Super Bowl or bust season for
America’s Team.
The good news is that Romo will only be out for about eight
weeks, but that is still a lot of games without your quarterback and number one
receiving option. Now the offense is in the hands of Brandon Weeden. Did that
make you reach for the noose next to your bed? Calm down and let me try to
relax you a bit.
Yes, the Cowboys are about to go on a daunting stretch with
Weeden trying to lead the offense. That is seven games that include both of
last year’s Super Bowl participants, two division rivals and three teams that
can hurt you if you don’t bring your A game.
Yes, the Cowboys are 6-9 without Romo since 2006 when he
became the full-time starter.
Yes, Weeden has a terrible record as a starter and boasts a
career quarterback rating of 73.4. Why the optimism? This 2015 Cowboys team is
very good.
All the Cowboys need from Weeden is to get three wins at
minimum while Romo is out with his injury. That would at least give the Cowboys
a record of 5-4 going into the Miami Dolphin game on November 22nd.
That is pretty doable, especially since the defense is
playing lights-out, led by linebacker Sean Lee who is playing on another world right
now. Lee had 14 tackles, two tackles for a loss and an interception. Right now,
they are the third-ranked defense in total yards and number-one in rushing
yards allowed. Just wait until Greg Hardy, Randy Gregory and Rolando McClain
return in a few weeks, it could get scary good.
Also, the offensive line makes the job for Weeden much
easier as he finally can get some great protection. It also helps the running
game stay as dominant as it was last season.
All Weeden has to do is manage the team and become the
ultimate bus-driver quarterback. The coaches will help by focusing on the
running game and simplifying the offense. For Weeden, it is just about not
making mistakes in the game.
“There is pressure on everyone in this organization,"
Weeden said. “So I am not going to put any added pressure on myself. I know
what is at stake. I know we have a good team. So hopefully we can all rally and
keep this going in the right direction."
Weeden knows his role and what it takes to get through the
storm without Romo and Dez.
"We have a lot of weapons, a lot of good weapons,"
Weeden said. "So my job is to make it easy on those guys, let them do
their jobs, get them those one-on-one matchups, and let them do what they do
best."
To hedge their bet on Weeden, the Cowboys made a trade
Tuesday to bring in veteran back-up quarterback Matt Cassel. They also promoted
practice-squad quarterback Kellen Moore for some added depth. These moves
ensure the Cowboys aren’t worried and will try to win it all this year. The
stakes are too high.
The battle plan is simple. Win three to four games, keep
running the football, play sound defense, play smart and don’t turn the ball
over.
If Weeden and the Cowboys do that, the team will be ready
for a great stretch-run when Romo and Dez make their return.
They have too. The stakes are too high this year.
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