Dallas Morning News: Good fortune (or luck) continues for Dallas Cowboys

[tr1]

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcont...r.1e0ce90.html

I have no use whatsoever for horseshoes or four-leaf clovers. You'll never find me carrying a rabbit's foot or anything else that supposedly brings good luck.

That means no lucky suits. Or lucky ties. Or lucky underwear.

I just don't believe in luck.

Perhaps, it's because I've never hit the lottery, won a K-104 radio contest by being the 10th caller or proudly walked past Big Tex with one of those big stuffed animals.

Call me jaded.

Besides, any good football coach will gladly tell you, luck occurs when preparation meets opportunity.

At least that's what I used to think. The Cowboys are making me re-evaluate my position. Clearly, Jerry Jones and Wade Phillips have some powerful mojo working these days.

The Cowboys have been the beneficiaries of more good fortune – feel free to call it luck – than any team should be entitled to have in a season. I've criticized some of you for suggesting the Cowboys were relying on luck at various times this season, including a couple of days ago. But after Sunday's events, let me apologize.

The Cowboys' lucky streak continued Sunday, when woeful Chicago blasted the streaking Green Bay Packers, 35-7, allowing the Cowboys to clinch home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.

Suddenly, Phillips doesn't have to figure out how to win an important game on the road without injured receiver Terrell Owens, who will miss the game with a high ankle sprain. Now, Phillips can rest Jay Ratliff (knee), Terence Newman (foot), T.O. (ankle), Andre Gurode (knee) and whomever else he wants, including Tony Romo and his sprained right thumb, in the final game.

It really doesn't get any better than that for the Cowboys, who are suddenly dealing with all sorts of injury issues.

Then again, perhaps we shouldn't be surprised at all.

Remember the botched shotgun snap against St. Louis that Romo tracked down 30 yards behind the line of scrimmage before scrambling for a first down? What about the miracle comeback against Buffalo, when he directed the Cowboys to nine points in the final 20 seconds, leading Dallas to a 25-24 win?

Don't forget about the blocked field goal attempt and subsequent touchdown return by Pat Watkins that propelled Dallas over Minnesota. And you certainly can't take for granted the way the Cowboys always seem to have one of their own linemen fall on the ball when they fumble.

It happened twice against Detroit, and it happened again Saturday night when Flozell Adams fell on a fumble and preserved a touchdown drive.

Sometimes, I suppose, it's just your year.

Remember all the hand-wringing when nose tackle Jason Ferguson suffered a season-ending injury in the first game of the season? Well, his backup, Jay Ratliff, played so well that the Cowboys gave him a five-year, $20-million deal with an $8 million signing bonus last week.

Remember all the consternation when Terence Newman suffered a partial tear of his plantar fascia in preseason? Well, Jacques Reeves played well enough that the Cowboys could work Newman slowly into the lineup as a situational player until he was ready to start.

And surely you remember all of the apprehension when Terry Glenn went down in training camp and needed surgery to repair his knee. All Patrick Crayton did was play well enough that the Cowboys are negotiating a long-term deal with his agent that will include a signing bonus of at least $5.5 million.

Like I said, sometimes everything falls right for you.

But it's up to the Cowboys to take advantage of their good fortune. Or whatever you want to call it.

That's the mistake the Mavericks made a couple of years ago. They didn't win a championship when they had an opportunity, and it haunts them daily.

That said, no one expects the Cowboys to win the Super Bowl this season except the players, coaches and employees at the club's Valley Ranch training complex. New England is about to complete the first 16-0 regular season in NFL history and will be the heavy favorite to win the Super Bowl.

Still, the NFC road to the Super Bowl now comes through Dallas, which means there's really no good excuse, barring a significant injury, for the Cowboys not to advance to the Super Bowl for the first time in 12 seasons.

Given the lucky nature of this season, it's probably OK to book your airline tickets.

[Cowboy8467]

Still, the NFC road to the Super Bowl now comes through Dallas, which means there's really no good excuse, barring a significant injury, for the Cowboys not to advance to the Super Bowl for the first time in 12 seasons.

Given the lucky nature of this season, it's probably OK to book your airline tickets.

I'm glad to see you think we have it in us mr. tr1

[HeHateMe]

13-2.

Home field throughout is all I'm thinking about.

Thanks for the thread though.