No repeat for Dallas

September 16, 1993
Originally published in The Daily Collegian (Fresno State)

Dynasty is defined in the dictionary as a succession of rulers from the same power or line or a family or group that maintains power for several generations.

Some people thought Dallas would be the new NFL dynasty.

However, the Cowboys will not repeat this year.

The reasons? First, Emmitt Smith will not be seen in silver and blue this year. Second, it’s next to impossible to keep up the hunger two years in a row in this day and age. Jerry Jones is screwing the Cowboys bid for "Return to Glory II" is the third reason.

Fourth, put the Cowboys plan to be the best in the ’90’s on hold. There won’t be a team of the ’90’s--not if the criteria is winning four Super Bowls. There are no dynasties anymore.

Jerry Jones, when a man is your whole offense and has brought back your team from a laughingstock in four years, when this man leads the league in rushing two years in a row and gives you a Super Bowl ring, you do what you have to do.

Do what you can to get him back in your hands. Give him what he wants. The Cowboys are 20-something and oh when Smith gets a hundred yards in a game. So obviously he means something to Dallas.

Too bad Jones won’t see it that way. You see, running a pro football team just got tougher. The salary cap dawns next season and the free agent parade began this spring. Jones’ case is that if he gives Smith the deal, he’s blood for the sharks next year when the other young stars come around to get paid.

But Emmitt Smith is the Cowboys. He is the man which the offense is built around. The others can go but Emmitt Smith stays. And he deserves it. It’s simple as that.

The Cowboys looked dead to the world in Washington the previous Monday night. Against the Bills last week, they scored 10 points. Nine months ago, they put up 52 versus this same team in a Super blowout.

Dallas will be back, but not in 1993. Jones will not come to a deal with Smith because he undervalues and underestimates Smith’s role in Dallas. So, Smith won’t put on the silver and blue, and Dallas won’t be the team they were a year ago.

It’s evident that they’ve lost their hunger that marked their rise to the top. Now they will lose the man who is the Cowboys.

Make the team of the ’90’s the corporate slobs, free agents jumping towns right and left. It’s a money game in the ’90’s, and it’s spread too thin for one team to dominate.

Pittsburgh dominated the NFL for a number of seasons back when I was too young to pay any attention. The Steelers has the guts, and their players had pride in the organization, which you don’t see anymore.

San Francisco was on top for a decade.

The 49ers had it in the ’80s because they were the only ones spending the money. Welcome to the brave new world, Dallas. Every team you play will act like it’s the Super Bowl. And you’re 0-2 already.