I Wanna Be A Cowboy: Lesson #1

I have been an obsessive fan of the Dallas Cowboys since I was five years old and watched them lose Super Bowl V. Mike Clark kicked the winning field goal, yet I was sold on the Boys’ dark blue jerseys and silver helmets with that bold, lone star. As the years went on, I became fixated with Tom Landry‘s team for its emphasis on intelligence and finesse rather than…sheer brute force. As a little kid with more smarts than muscle — aka a friggin’ dork — I found inspiration in the Flex Defense, the Shotgun and pre-snap motion. My intellect sated, my emotions were stirred by fourth-quarter comebacks, answered Hail Mary prayers. I consider Roger Staubach‘s game-winning lob to Drew Pearson against the Vikings in the 1975 Wild Card playoff game, my first exposure  to the rewards of blind Faith. (And, the beginning of my father’s negations when I maintained Hope in losing situations: “I’m not a pessimist, Son. I’m a realist.”) Of course, the Cowboys have done a lot of losing along with the five Super Bowl titles. (They haven’t won a playoff game in twelve years. Ouch.) I have remained a fan… even when watching the team fold against the Eagles in last year’s season-ending debacle.

I watch Dallas play with an intensity and passion that marks me as a place-holder on the Autism spectrum. I don’t curse the tv or the players. I don’t cheer injuries to opposing players or excessively celebrate the Cowboys’ scoring drives. I focus… determined to learn more about the game and, believe it, more about myself. I swear I have learned more about how to live from the Dallas Cowboys than I did from my parents or teachers. I have learned how to overcome adversity, how to improve individual performance and how to play  well with others, though some might argue that last one.

This season, I have determined I will chronicle my weekly “take-aways” garnered watching the Cowboys, win or lose. We kickoff the season and this series with…

Lesson #1: There’s no T.O. in team (or is there?)

The  Cowboys’ self-destruction in 2008 was attributed by many to be the (unconscious?) handiwork of superstar/prima donna Terrell Owens. Most significantly, management and some of the  coaching staff believed this to be true. Thus, the wildly self-confident wide receiver was cut loose in the off-season. (I, for one, think T.O. was railroaded, dumped as unceremoniously as steel-driving John Henry. Sure, T.O. was a lightning rod, but he was also electrifying; he produced as much drama on the field as off. (For more on that issue, urge me to turn this series into a retroactive “book.”  ;  )

So, with no T.O. on offense, critics were convinced the Cowboys would be unable to replace the wide-out’s game-breaking big plays. Their reasoning: no receiver on the roster could match Owens’ explosiveness… even if most have better hands. And, they are right. No ONE player could replace The Player who shuffled off to Buffalo. However, by eliminating Tony Romo‘s need to  look for #81 on every passing down, the quarterback can check-down or scan the field to keep drives rolling rather than just oiling the squeakiest wheel.

Today, the Dallas Cowboys opened the regular season in Tampa Bay and won without the old T.O. but aided by a new T.O. — complete Team Offense. They blasted the Buccaneers 34-21, thanks to points scored by three different receivers, one running back and one fully-recuperated kicker. Nick Folk booted two first quarter field goals. Roy Williams, Miles Austin and Patrick Crayton all hauled in long touchdown passes. Marion Barber sealed the deal, crossing the goal line with less than four minutes to go.

Now, the easy lesson within the barrage is that there is no “I” in team. I suppose, but you and I already knew that. What I gleaned from the offensive onslaught — which masked the ‘Boys’ very questionable defensive play — is that  in order to succeed one must be willing to work with  anyone and everyone who can assist you. Do not depend solely on your certainty that you are meant to achieve. Do not rely, solely, on the most obvious collaborators. Expand your support systems. Be willing to seek help from all who will benefit from you attaining a goal. Seek win-win partnerships rather than weighing only the rewards you’ll reap. It is easy to become selfish when driven by thoughts of personal bests. However, if you can assure everyone you play with prospers, all egos will be sated and, more importantly, you’ll all emerge thrilled by the results, eager to re-team.

Next week: The Cowboys christen their new stadium in a contest with the New York Giants. Who will win? We’ll see. What will I learn? Plenty.