The Cowboys probably won’t win against the New England Patriots Sunday, but they will begin to look more like the team that will win consistently come December.
In a season that has seen the injury-related departures of Tony Romo, Dez Bryant, Randy Gregory, Sean Lee and Lance Dunbar, the pendulum will at least begin to swing in the Cowboys’ favor. Appearing at AT&T Stadium for the first time this season: linebacker Rolando McClain and defensive end Greg Hardy. Both of their league-mandated four-game suspensions are over, and they’re expected to practice Tuesday and play Sunday.
It’ll be a sight for sore eyes, seeing that on the Saints’ game-ending touchdown in overtime the Cowboys had on the field role-playing linebackers named Keith Smith and Damien Wilson. And after strong first-half showings against the Falcons and Saints, the defense visibly wore down late in the game in both losses. Late in last night’s game the Cowboys couldn’t produce any pressure on New Orleans’ quarterback Drew Brees.
Hardy has 27 sacks in his last 32 NFL games. And McClain was one of Dallas’ most productive playmakers last season.
The Cowboys won’t look like themselves until around Thanksgiving. But against the Patriots that long transformation will at least commence.
A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.
