Dallas Cowboys must prove how big they are
December 23
Dallas Morning News columnist Jean-Jacques Taylor
"Big-time players make big-time plays in big games.
It's really as simple as that.
That's why I don't have to use last names when referring to Troy, Emmitt and Michael. They thrived in big games. They embraced the spotlight's glare; they didn't fear it.
And in the biggest games, they shined. It's the reason each has three Super Bowl rings.
Well, it doesn't get any bigger than Sunday's win-and-you're-in battle against the hated Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.
Win, and the Cowboys can erase much of the stench from the season's first 15 weeks, though it's going to take a trip to the NFC Championship to remove all of it. Lose, and their legacy as the most disappointing team in franchise history is secure.
So Tony Romo, it's on you. Terrell Owens, it's on you. DeMarcus Ware, it's on you.
Trust me, they're not alone.
It's on Ken Hamlin. And Terence Newman. And Jason Witten. And Roy Williams. And Flozell Adams. And Andre Gurode. And Leonard Davis. And Jay Ratliff. And Greg Ellis. And Anthony Henry. And Nick Folk.
That's just off the top of my head.
Hey, Chris Canty? You want to prove you deserve a fat contract in the off-season, you can do it in this game. You, too, Kevin Burnett.
Hey, Bradie James? You want to prove you should've been in the Pro Bowl, you can do it in this game. Hey, Pacman? You want to earn love from the fans, you can do it in this game.
Don't miss the point. I'm not calling out players. I'm simply saying that if you consider yourself a big-time player - trust me, a lot of guys on this roster do - then there's no better time to prove it than in the season's biggest game, especially since the football gods have granted Dallas a reprieve.
But let's be clear. This is not about trying hard. Or giving effort. We expect that.
You don't get credit for doing what you're supposed to do. You get credit for going above and beyond the call of duty.
We all know this team is among the league's most talented. We also know it has underachieved, which is why it's in this precarious position. We also know it's mentally fragile and capable of finding creative ways to lose.
Really, who loses on a blocked punt in overtime? Or allows 17 points in the final seven minutes to lose? Or allows touchdown runs of 77 and 82 yards in the final four minutes to prevent a comeback?
We know these Cowboys commit too many penalties. And too many turnovers. And they give up too many big plays on special teams.
But when they're focused, which doesn't happen often enough, these Cowboys can play with any team in the league. We'll get their best possible performance against Philadelphia, but it won't matter unless the Cowboys' best players make plays.
Think about all of the big plays the Cowboys didn't make against the Ravens. Make any of them, and they probably win."
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