It took me a few days to digest the Cowboys sudden season ending loss at Minnesota....that\'s the way it is with playoff losses, especially if you think your team has a chance to win a Super Bowl. The Cowboys took full advantage of early game opportunities in New Orleans, that\'s why they were able to stop the Saints run at perfection. In Minnesota, the Boys first three drives resulted in nearly 150 yards of impressive offense. They scored 3 points. By virtue of NOT taking advantage of early game opportunities in Minnesota they missed their chance to control the crowd, the game and the noise factor....and they were overwhelmed from the 2nd Qtr on. It was not an embarrasing loss - it was not the whipping that the score might indicate - but it was a missed opportunity, because this team was good enough to win SB 44 in Miami. Having said all of that we now start wrapping our arms around a few things: The return of the coaching staff. Restricted FA starters in Miles Austin and Gerald Sensabaugh. The Draft. Limited flexibility in Free Agency. Trade possibilities. What players still have an upside. What players are trending downward. And - Overall, was this season a success or failure? That last one will depend on your point of view.

If you went into this season still thinking about what a meltdown 2008 was. Then you are most likely pleased with an NFC East championship and a playoff win for the first time in 16 years. If you went into this season thinking that the 2007 season was more indicative of the talent on this team, then maybe you feel like this was just another missed opportunity for a talented bunch that continue\'s to underachieve. And then you may be somewhere in the middle. Or, you may be a part of that group that thinks neither Wade nor Romo are \"the guys" to win anything. (If you're in that group by the way...get used to it, they both will be here for a while) While I do believe the 2007 team snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, I also believe that team was on an incredible run and playing on pure bravado but had no clue how to seize the moment and win in the playoffs..... So for me after a long deliberation I have decided this season was a success.

I have seen the 2007 team run off win after win in every way imaginable (but not have a clue as to what it took to sustain that winning role)..... I have seen the 2008 team come apart at the seems because of a lack of leadership and a locker room spokesman who had only his own agenda at heart.... And now I have seen a team grow up, take responsibility for itself, fight through adversity and take three more steps towards greatness. 1. Winning big games in December. 2. Winning the NFC East Championship 3. Winning a playoff game. I have also seen a team respond to its coaches, to its quarterback and to its on field leaders. All of those things were in great doubt prior to this season beginning. Wade will be back and most likely so will Jason Garrett. Happily Joe DeCamillas will return as well. Many players on this team grew up and came to the realization that they just want to win - they want to be remembered in Cowboys lore as a team that won Super Bowls...and they are willing to sacrifice to get there. Super Bowl 45 is in Jerry World and this Cowboys team will be ready to make a true run at playing the final game of their year - at home, for a Lombardi Trophy.