*The agony of defeat*

Very little to say today, still in shock over how the Dallas Cowboys
exited the NFL playoffs last night. The game seemed to be in hand
in the 4th quarter, with Dallas leading 20-13. However, the 'Boys
gave up a safety and a touchdown, putting them down 21-20. Dallas
then proceeded to move into position for a game winning score.
Falling just short of a first down or touchdown with 1:19 to go,
Dallas went for a field goal to go up 23-21...a 19 yard field goal, chip
shot, easy as pie....except that the season's hero turned to goat.
Quarterback Tony Romo, who had resurrected Dallas' season,
ended it by mishandling the snap for the hold of the field goal try.
A desperate attempt to pick up the ball and score fell short, and
Dallas' very weird season was over. I listened to the last minutes of
the game on the cook's radio in the kitchen of the restaurant; after
kicking a door and throwing a few menus around, I simply stewed
in my misery. I guess the only good thing about it all is that I
ONLY heard the follies; it would have been MUCH worse had I
actually watched the gaffes and subsequent loss. Dallas' playoff
drought continues - the Cowboys are 0-5 in the playoffs since
their last win at Minnesota in 1996. I know all Dallas haters are
celebrating today; the Cowboys are one of those 'love 'em or
hate 'em' type of teams, no middle ground. But this FAN of Dallas,
a FAN since elementary school and the days of Tom Landry and
Roger Staubach, while sad and steamed, still loves her 'Boys and
hopes that some off season personnel changes can get Dallas out
of this rut, allowing them to do better next season.
(*end of 2006 football season*)