- A realist probably knows the Cowboys haven’t played great lately.
I am going to criticize Jason Witten in this short post, and some may not forgive me for it. However, I think that Jerry Jones‘ nonsense has rubbed off on his veteran tight end, and I just want to point this out.
The analysts at NFL.com debated whether time was running out on the Cowboys’ playoff window, with the story headline “Now or never.” The story itself mentions that there is a closing window for the Cowboys to win it all. Here is Witten’s quote that appears as part of that story:
You try not to think about the window. But obviously, we’re realists. We understand where it’s at. I feel great and we’re playing great. But it’s about now. I think that’s how this whole organization thinks, from owner to head coach to veteran players.
Here’s my problem: How do you use the term “realists” followed two sentences later with “we’re playing great?”
This is a team that has gone 6-10 and 8-8 in two seasons. Witten has only played in five playoff games during ten years. The last time the Cowboys were in a solid position to do anything in the playoffs was 2007, and the team blew it against the Giants at home.
The point that the analysts addressed was whether the window is closing for veteran Cowboys. That would include Witten and Tony Romo. The rest of the team’s core is rather young, though, so it is tough to say who else is watching the window shut.
When the season starts, DeMarcus Ware will be 30 and Jay Ratliff will be 31. It’s hard to believe they don’t have at least four more years left in them. Miles Austin will be 28, and all of the running backs along with Dez Bryant are younger than that.
On defense, things are looking better with younger players like Sean Lee and the revamped secondary.
It looks more like a window could start opening if the team could get more solid play from its 32-year-old quarterback. Using great to describe anything about this franchise, though, is just pushing it.
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