A Win This Week Will Put the Cowboys Back on the Map

Things have been relatively quiet for the Cowboys since early in the offseason. Training camp was uneventful and the preseason was the same. It seems like the Cowboys are flying under the radar. Most "experts" are writing them off and even the win against Tampa Bay did little to earn back much respect from the national media. I love the silence, but it might be ending very soon.

While some people may relish the attention the Cowboys usually receive I think the newfound team focus is partially due to the fact that the team has been able to only worry about football. Unfortunately, a win this week would probably change all that. For whatever reasons that I can't completely understand, the Giants have been picked as the frontrunners to represent the NFC in the Superbowl this season. If the Cowboys can go out and slay the "mighty" Giants then people are going to take notice of the Cowboys again.

I wouldn't go so far to call it a statement game since we are only entering week 2, but it certainly could help the Cowboys regain their confidence which is still shaky after last season's December fade. This game is important because it is a division game, its the first game in the new stadium, and it can get the Cowboys off to a 2-0 start. It really isn't a must win game but it really could be a game we look back on in December and realize that it was very important in the overall playoff picture...assuming the Cowboys are in the picture at that point. I believe they will be. You need to win these home division games if you expect to be in the playoff picture.

If the Cowboys can shut Brandon Jacobs' mouth, and, more importantly, shut down his running game they will have a great chance to win the game. They will have to play better than they did against the Bucs but it is a winnable game. If they find a way to win the national media will surely change their tune and tab the Cowboys as playoff contenders. I hope the Cowboys can maintain the same workmanlike approach if and when the national expectations are raised again.

The Cowboys Must Utilize a Three Back System

Jason Garrett has a good problem facing him next season. Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice have all shown the ability to produce when given the opportunity. The big question has to be what can be done to get all of them the ball during the course of the game to ensure that they are all fresh and healthy throughout the entire 16 game season. Naming a starter isn't really important but it will be important to put together a plan that will best utilize all of their talents.

The three running back system isn't something that is a new or novel idea. All Jason Garrett has to do is look at the New York Giants if he needs an idea about how to use all three of his running backs. The Giants have Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw sharing carries and they all have bought into the system.

It doesn't seem like any of the three Dallas running backs have egos that would prevent Garrett from splitting carries between the three of them. That would be the biggest roadblock but all three backs are team-first players. So the responsibility for doing it right falls on the coaches and the coaches alone.

It would seem that Felix Jones and Marion Barber would get the majority of the offensive touches at running back with Tashard Choice providing an occasional changeup or series off for the other two backs. Felix Jones needs to stay fresh so he can be as explosive at the end of the game as he is on his first carry of the game. Marion Barber needs to be fresh in the 4th quarter so he can bulldoze the defense when the game is on the line. The proper way to utilize the three running backs seems pretty obvious to most observers and I am hoping that Jason Garrett will find a way to get it done.