Post by prossman on Feb 11, 2009 15:17:25 GMT -7
FWST Galloway: Staubach and Dorsett offer their views on the state of the Cowboys
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By RANDY GALLOWAY
rgalloway@star-telegram.com
TAMPA, Fla. — No franchise in the NFL had a bigger show of force at the Super Bowl on Thursday than your — yes, your — Dallas Cowboys. Not even the Cardinals or the Steelers.
Unfortunately, legendary Hall of Famers Roger Staubach and Tony Dorsett last suited up almost 30 years ago. Or back in the days when the star on the helmet actually meant something other than a rap video prop for a wayward lad named Martellus Bennett.
Dorsett is in this town on a promotion tour afforded all Hall of Famers during Super Bowl week. The same can be said for Staubach, except with the additional heavyweight responsibility of being chairman of the North Texas Super Bowl Committee.
The game comes to the Boss Hawg Bowl in Arlington in two years. Already, however, the planning and homework is immense for Staubach and his committee.
But a more urgent issue Thursday was the current sorry state of the franchise Tony and Roger once represented so well, and don’t think both aren’t paying close attention.
I wandered into the middle of a television interview Thursday morning with Dorsett in the media center. Outspoken and blunt, Dorsett said, "Chemistry issues and distractions in the locker room are a major issue, and something needs to be done immediately. You can’t have that."
Without being prompted, Dorsett brought up one name in particular. "I don’t know what it is with Terrell Owens," he said. "He is a cancer or a poison for this team.
"But unless someone thinks they can come up with a remedy or a cure for this guy, then T.O. needs to find a new home immediately."
(Why would anyone possibly think I found that comment both genius and right on? I’m just saying.)
Then there’s Staubach. Look, any man attempting to calm the political waters and try to promote Super Bowl sharing between the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, plus Arlington and all the ’burbs, is obviously already dealing with a combo platter that is overflowing.
But if Roger pulls it off, and we won’t know that until the Super Bowl actually arrives in North Texas, then Mr. Staubach is indeed a miracle worker, someone capable of solving many Cowboys’ issues, including the strange case of Tony Romo.
It has been written many times here that Romo needs a weekly therapy session with Staubach and Troy Aikman, both of whom live within spitting distance of Valley Ranch. But is Tony actually interested in seeking advice from the great ones?
"I know he’s talking to Troy," Roger answered. "And he needs to be talking to Troy. I’m a big fan of Tony’s. I’ve left him messages, particularly after the games that didn’t go well. I want him to know I support him."
But as with most of us, Staubach cringes when Romo makes public comments about his lack of concern over public perception, an issue Aikman also has addressed.
"I used to talk with Troy a lot, particularly after that first season when he took such a beating," Staubach said. "Troy was simply a great quarterback. I loved to watch him play. I would hope Tony listens to Troy, particularly about perception.
"Perception becomes reality. In his position, you just can’t do things that are perceived the wrong way, such as going to Cabo, even if they are harmless."
How big a Cowboys fan is Staubach? Well, his reaction to the Cowboys’ regular-season finale in Philadelphia in December:
"I don’t know if I’ve ever been as upset over a game as I was after that one," he said.
And then came Romo’s postgame comments in Philly, which caused a firestorm of criticism.
"I think there’s a maturing process that has to happen," Staubach said. "Tony is one of those quarterbacks I watch play, and I always have the feeling, that no matter the situation, he will find a way to win it. This hasn’t happened yet, but he’s a good quarterback."
Roger wouldn’t directly address the team chemistry issue that impacts Romo, saying, "I’m not there in the locker room. I don’t know, except for what I read and hear. But while talent is an important factor, and certainly the Cowboys have talent, chemistry, to me, is what allows a team to win when it has to win. Chemistry is such a huge element."
Asked if receivers were constantly complaining to him about wanting the ball, Staubach laughed and said, "Tony Hill drove me to drink. And Butch Johnson, it was the same way.
"But the difference was we kept all that in the locker room. None of it spilled out into the public. With this team today, nothing seems to stay in the locker room."
And also with this Cowboys team today, there’s not a playoff win in 12 years and counting. A Staubach and a Dorsett never heard of such a thing when they wore the star and made the franchise what it no longer is.
Their presence here Thursday is as close as the Cowboys these days ever get to Super Bowl glory.
Randy Galloway can be heard 3-6 p.m. weekdays on Galloway & Co. on ESPN/103.3 FM.
Randy Galloway, 817-390-7760
www.star-telegram.com/332/story/1174333.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By RANDY GALLOWAY
rgalloway@star-telegram.com
TAMPA, Fla. — No franchise in the NFL had a bigger show of force at the Super Bowl on Thursday than your — yes, your — Dallas Cowboys. Not even the Cardinals or the Steelers.
Unfortunately, legendary Hall of Famers Roger Staubach and Tony Dorsett last suited up almost 30 years ago. Or back in the days when the star on the helmet actually meant something other than a rap video prop for a wayward lad named Martellus Bennett.
Dorsett is in this town on a promotion tour afforded all Hall of Famers during Super Bowl week. The same can be said for Staubach, except with the additional heavyweight responsibility of being chairman of the North Texas Super Bowl Committee.
The game comes to the Boss Hawg Bowl in Arlington in two years. Already, however, the planning and homework is immense for Staubach and his committee.
But a more urgent issue Thursday was the current sorry state of the franchise Tony and Roger once represented so well, and don’t think both aren’t paying close attention.
I wandered into the middle of a television interview Thursday morning with Dorsett in the media center. Outspoken and blunt, Dorsett said, "Chemistry issues and distractions in the locker room are a major issue, and something needs to be done immediately. You can’t have that."
Without being prompted, Dorsett brought up one name in particular. "I don’t know what it is with Terrell Owens," he said. "He is a cancer or a poison for this team.
"But unless someone thinks they can come up with a remedy or a cure for this guy, then T.O. needs to find a new home immediately."
(Why would anyone possibly think I found that comment both genius and right on? I’m just saying.)
Then there’s Staubach. Look, any man attempting to calm the political waters and try to promote Super Bowl sharing between the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, plus Arlington and all the ’burbs, is obviously already dealing with a combo platter that is overflowing.
But if Roger pulls it off, and we won’t know that until the Super Bowl actually arrives in North Texas, then Mr. Staubach is indeed a miracle worker, someone capable of solving many Cowboys’ issues, including the strange case of Tony Romo.
It has been written many times here that Romo needs a weekly therapy session with Staubach and Troy Aikman, both of whom live within spitting distance of Valley Ranch. But is Tony actually interested in seeking advice from the great ones?
"I know he’s talking to Troy," Roger answered. "And he needs to be talking to Troy. I’m a big fan of Tony’s. I’ve left him messages, particularly after the games that didn’t go well. I want him to know I support him."
But as with most of us, Staubach cringes when Romo makes public comments about his lack of concern over public perception, an issue Aikman also has addressed.
"I used to talk with Troy a lot, particularly after that first season when he took such a beating," Staubach said. "Troy was simply a great quarterback. I loved to watch him play. I would hope Tony listens to Troy, particularly about perception.
"Perception becomes reality. In his position, you just can’t do things that are perceived the wrong way, such as going to Cabo, even if they are harmless."
How big a Cowboys fan is Staubach? Well, his reaction to the Cowboys’ regular-season finale in Philadelphia in December:
"I don’t know if I’ve ever been as upset over a game as I was after that one," he said.
And then came Romo’s postgame comments in Philly, which caused a firestorm of criticism.
"I think there’s a maturing process that has to happen," Staubach said. "Tony is one of those quarterbacks I watch play, and I always have the feeling, that no matter the situation, he will find a way to win it. This hasn’t happened yet, but he’s a good quarterback."
Roger wouldn’t directly address the team chemistry issue that impacts Romo, saying, "I’m not there in the locker room. I don’t know, except for what I read and hear. But while talent is an important factor, and certainly the Cowboys have talent, chemistry, to me, is what allows a team to win when it has to win. Chemistry is such a huge element."
Asked if receivers were constantly complaining to him about wanting the ball, Staubach laughed and said, "Tony Hill drove me to drink. And Butch Johnson, it was the same way.
"But the difference was we kept all that in the locker room. None of it spilled out into the public. With this team today, nothing seems to stay in the locker room."
And also with this Cowboys team today, there’s not a playoff win in 12 years and counting. A Staubach and a Dorsett never heard of such a thing when they wore the star and made the franchise what it no longer is.
Their presence here Thursday is as close as the Cowboys these days ever get to Super Bowl glory.
Randy Galloway can be heard 3-6 p.m. weekdays on Galloway & Co. on ESPN/103.3 FM.
Randy Galloway, 817-390-7760
www.star-telegram.com/332/story/1174333.html