THE PONY EXPRESS

Anyone catch the Cowboys_Broncos game on Sunday? If you didn't you certainly know the outcome, because whether you love or hate the 'Boys, you always know whether they won or lost. Well they lost. This time the horse broke the rider. Thanks to Andrew McKenzie (The Hurricane) for providing this clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZMvbrUN8Pc. Yes, Marshall gave Newman a yank which enabled him to break free, but Terrence had a shot at that ball- and no excuse for missing several chances to tackle him. But this latest loss isn't Newman's fault (Newman!- sorry couldn't resist). Neither is it Romo, Jessica, Wade, Garrett, or T.O.'s fault for that matter.

Folks were riffing on the Broncos all week saying they're not really 3-0 because they hadn't beaten a real team yet. On top of that, folks were just waiting for that Denver locker room to explode due to this summer's hi-jinx (Cutler, Marshall). But did you notice how once the season started, you could hear a pin drop in Denver? There was only one focus- Football.

Contrast that with Jerry's World over in Big-D. Football was #4 behind #1- Jerry's World, #2- The departure of T.O., and #3 Who Romo was dating/dumping. Now, one team is 4-0 and the other is 2-2. Draw your own conclusions.

Going into this game true Cowboy fans knew it was a trap game. The Cowboys had the better personnel, and just needed to settle down and they'd win without the pressure of prime-time in a brand new mega=stadium. The Broncos had only beaten Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Oakland. As it turns out the Bengals are competitive; but the other two could be beaten by the last place team in my 2-hand touch league right now (Okay, I'm exaggerating, but not by much).

What happened? Nothing. Just character. My good friend, filmmaker and Football connoisseur, Andrew Burrows-Trotman (ABT for short) always said that a team's true character always shines through. That is what defines them and they will win and lose accordingly.

As I've stated before, the Cowboys are talent laden and, on any given Sunday, can beat anybody. We seen them clunk their way through games and yet still give themselves a chance to win in the end. They are this close (putting my thumb and index finger about an inch apart)...but can't seem to close the gap. What is the problem? Characters instead of Character. Big difference.

One of the things that stands out in American Wild West lore is the Pony Express. In the very early 1860's it was a mail service that ran across the middle of the United States (Missouri to California). It relied on mounted riders instead of stagecoaches or trains to cross the country. The result was the ability to cover 3,200 Kms in 10 days. Far faster than anything else at the time. The lesson? Less is more. Focus on your reason for being, and do it well.

Something to think about over in Big D.

I'm out.