An Open Christmas Card To Randy "Ebenezer" Galloway

How lonely it must be to live in Randy Galloway's world. The crusty old alleged sportswriter has made his living sniping at Jerry Jones and all things Cowboys-related for the past decade. Only God knows (because it is doubtful Galloway can remember that many stiff drinks ago) how many times he has called for Jerry to fire himself as General Manager. It has been a popular stance that no doubt sold more than a few papers for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

So, what does Mr. Negativity do now that there is so little about which to be negative? Well, he just looks a little deeper until he finds something. There aren't too many bad things you can say about a team that is 8-1, has yet to lose a road game, and has taken care of business on both sides of the ball. But if you look hard enough, you will always find something you can bitch about. And, if bitching is your thing, then that's just what you will do.

So, this week's Galloway column accuses the Cowboys of being good, but dumb. Certainly, the 'Boys took a couple of dumb penalties, especially the Kevin Burnett taunting penalty just before the half. That could have cost a lot more than the three points that immediately resulted from it. But it didn't. The Cowboys saw to it that it didn't by storming out to a comfortable second half lead and then cruising in with a relatively easy road victory.

Even Galloway reluctantly admits that the Cowboys, as currently constructed by his whipping post, owner and general manager Jerry Jones, are pretty darn good. Declares the surly, dried-up, marginally-talented sportswriter, "The NFC East is under new ownership." That difficult admission notwithstanding, Galloway continues to strike that lone, dissonant cord in a symphony of cheers.

So, join me in offering Season's Greetings to Dallas' very own Randy "Ebenezer Scrooge" Galloway:

Enjoy that lump of coal while the longsuffering Cowboys fans celebrate a bountiful Christmas for a change. Your bitching is nothing more than the faint, fading voice of the glassy-eyed Ghost of Christmas Past.

Jerry Jones is No Jackass

For years, Jerry Jones has been the favorite whipping post of some of Dallas' most iconic sports media. Randy Galloway, the half-sober, deep-voiced columnist and radio personality has worked overtime to paint Jones as a bumbling idiot. Dale Hansen, the egomaniacal sports anchor for the local ABC affiliate, can barely hide his hatred of the Cowboys' owner (and I am sure it has nothing whatever to do with Jones firing him as the Cowboys' radio network color analyst.)



Certainly, Jones brings much of the criticism on himself. He isn't the best-spoken individual. In fact, he may be among the worst. His public speeches and interviews are usually laced with misspeaks, butchered words, and nonsensical ramblings. In that regard, Jones is sort of like our much-maligned president. People assume he is a dummy because he stumbles over his words so much. (Not really sure how many self-made "dumb" billionaires there are in the world, though.)

So Jerry gets criticism from every corner but one. You never here current or former players go off on him. You never hear them talk about how he sucks as a general manager or as an owner. And you sure never hear them say he is unfair in his dealings with them. Why would they? From Troy Aikman to Emmitt Smith to Tony Romo, Jerry has proven that he will loosen the purse strings and pay market value or better to the men who make his organization go.

Jerry got it right with Romo. He waited to see if last season's production was an aberration, but he didn't wait too long. He didn't use the incredible leverage he possessed in the form of a franchise player tag. He didn't let negotiations drag on and become a distraction to the team or a sore spot for Tony. Nope! Jerry ponied up. He always does. Now it is up to the sixty-million dollar kid with the hundred-million dollar grin to prove he's worth it.

Hey, I am not saying Jerry is above criticism. Heck, I will find more than ample opportunity to do just that myself. I am just saying that, contrary to Tweedle Dee (Dale Hansen) and Tweedle Dumb (Randy Galloway), Jerry is neither a dumbass (that would be Galloway) nor a jackass (Hansen).