Cowboys 35, Panthers 14 (4-3)

Hope  -noun

Definition: the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best

As in: “The Cowboys football organization appears to have found hope in Tony Romo”.

Wrong –adjective

Definition: not correct in action, judgment, opinion, method, etc., as a person; in error

As in: “Bob Sturm appears to be wrong about Tony Romo”.


Here are the notes of an unlikely outcome in Charlotte…

• Let us start with #9. Romo was very good. I have no idea if this is the start of something big or a flash in the pan. But, his composure, his poise, his ability to move around and make a play on 3rd and 13 was top notch. I didn’t want to knee jerk either way with this kid after 1 week, because in order to see a QB you need to see him for extended periods of time, but last night’s performance is difficult to undersell. Obviously, what you like the most is his ability to introduce Witten and Owens to the offense, and make the OL look more reasonable. I honestly am shocked at how good he looked.

• A big assist to the defense. That is what I have been calling for all season. Look, on paper you appear to have the makings of a big time defense. But, this season has been filled with coughing up big play after big play. But to the credit of the Cowboys, they allowed one drive of consequence. They took the ball away a few times. They got stops and also limited the effectiveness of Steve Smith.

• This is a funny game. Think about the outcome if the pass to Keyshawn on 3rd down is not missed by a few inches. The Panthers were up 14-10, were driving down on the Cowboys at the 37 they faced 3rd down and 7. They had the perfect play called against the Cowboys blitz, and Keyshawn was behind Anthony Henry. The pass just missed or Johnson would have been gone, and the lead would have been 21-10, Carolina. They say it is a game of inches, and on that play, and the kickoff return fumble when the score was 14-13 let’s you know that the Cowboys had a little luck sprinkled in with their great play.

• Question of the week (after the other question of the week of whether Romo is really this good): Is the offensive line playing better or do they just look better with their new Quarterback? I honestly am not sure. Romo stayed alive on at least 4 or 5 occasions when Bledsoe surely would have been smashed. No idea.

• If Julius Jones played all of his games in Charlotte, would he be the best player in football history? Julius and Marion Barber ran hard last night and it just is another portion of the team that seems re-energized with the change.

• Julius Peppers and Michael Rucker were amazingly quiet last night.

• Bill Parcells is goofy with happiness right now. I think he got 10 years younger in 3 hours. If you read the Michael Lewis piece on him in the New York Times last week, you get the distinct impression that he has no interest in quitting his job anytime soon. Then you see last night and what a difference a week makes in this frustrating and addicting sport.

• Seriously, Cowboys fans: That is the exact same team that was humiliated on national Television on Monday Night at Texas Stadium. Make a change at QB and all of the changes, too? I guess if you are like me and you thought it was too early to make the change then like me you are enjoying a nice, hot plate of crow.

• I did not listen to the NBC Broadcast last night, so I did not realize that Tony Romo did his impression of Brett Favre for the camera. But, as I am watching this kid, it is obvious that every single mannerism is patterned after #4. It is like Kobe when he first started out – he chewed gum, shot free throws, walked, talked, and acted like his hero, Michael Jordan. Well, here is Tony. He carries himself just like his hero, too. And I would be willing to bet that the book he read in which he declined to reveal who it was would be none other than This one .

• Don’t you wonder why Terrell couldn’t get catches with Bledsoe? Did he not want to throw it to him? I really may never understand that.

• Roy Williams is tough to figure. It looks like he can’t cover about every other week (Philadelphia, New York). Then the other weeks (Washington, Carolina) he makes a coverage interception that might have won the game. So, can he cover or can’t he? It is tough to say he is awful when he keeps picking off passes.

• Akin Ayodele has finally made a few plays that were noticeable. Welcome.

• Mike Vanderjagt is flying under the radar right now. But somewhere he is going to be asked to win a very important game for this team. Can he do it? Also, do you think he would have made that kick at Denver yesterday that the Colts needed?

• Maybe Romo’s interception should not be forgotten. That was a rookie throw that was horrible. But, all you ask of the kid is that the good out-weighs the bad. Surely, last night it did.

• I wonder how bad Tyson Thompson’s injury is. He has been very, very good this year. That is a real shame.

• Overshadowed was all of the penalties last night. But, there were plenty of them. The offensive line and Terrell Owens had many nice plays brought back with a hold here and a hold there.

• Washington is next. Then a very bad Cardinals team. Could they possibly get to 6-3 with the Colts at Texas Stadium? Wow. Now we can dream again! Thank the football gods that the season has not been declared dead by Halloween.

• So where are we now with these guys? Are they back? Are they on their way? Or is this just another up during an up-and-down 2006. The plot has definitely thickened.