NFL Wanted Ad: America Needs a New Team (R.I.P. Dallas Cowboys)

WANTED: NEW NFL TEAM TO CALL "AMERICA'S TEAM"

The National Football League is looking for qualified teams for a new position that has currently become vacant after Week 7 of the 2010-2011 season. The open position is for that of "America's Team." Key responsibilities include but are not limited to, being a media-whore and wanting all the attention, all the time. This means getting networks like ESPN and others to bend over backwards for you in order to make you look good no matter what. Your players always get coverage over any other team. The qualified team must own and operate a huge bandwagon in order for millions of fans to "jump on" no matter where they are from or what team they grew up on. These fans just want to root for the team that is winning at the moment, gets all the media attention, has all the money, and the team and the players are always over-hyped every single season no matter what. These fans do not necessarily have to know a lot about the game of football or it's history. These fans are sometimes very illogical and will say whatever they want without thinking. The qualified team must have an excellent history in the league which includes Hall of Fame players, playoff appearances, and a great winning tradition. Super Bowl championship(s) are a plus but are not necessarily required to fill the position. Of course, all of these items are always over-hyped and talked about by the fans or media all the time.

I wanted to start off this blog with a fake wanted ad that the NFL would post after the Cowboys lost the right or were "fired" from the title of "America's Team." Now I never thought they were America's Team but since they have been branded with that for a while now I think they should have lost the official title after their "Big Three" (Aikman, Smith, and Irvin) left the team. The title gained popularity in the late 1970s after the NFL created a highlight film and some donk labeled them "America's Team" solely because they were "popular", always on T.V., and had a lot of fans. Of course, the media ate this up and so it began. I guess all the other teams in the league at that time were never on T.V. or had any fans either.

Nevertheless, after the Giants dismembering of the Dallas Cowboys on national television during this past week's Monday Night Football, the spot where the Cowboys first got the title, I think it's about time for someone prominent in the media to step up and official propose a new team for America (or kill the title all together and have no "America's Team). Since I am not a prominent member of the media I can't really proclaim that and have it mean anything. However, I can give you reasons why the Cowboys should have the titled revoked and put forth some possible replacement teams if the title of "America's Team" must live to see another day.

First off, the Cowboys haven't been to the Super Bowl in 14 years (1996 win over the Steelers). Yes, they may have been to the playoffs multiple times since then but have barely made it past the 2nd round in most instances. The prolific offense that they used to be known for has died down considerably. All those fans that said Romo would be some sort of "savior" for the franchise, be the next Aikman for that team, and take them to the promise land all over again couldn't be farther from the truth. Romo will never be Aikman, will not end his career with the Cowboys, and will be lucky to ever win a Super Bowl, let alone a Conference Championship. Good try, Romo. The O-line is in shambles especially this year with all the injuries.

No one on the team has stepped up and commanded the team from a locker-room standpoint. How can you be a good team let alone "America's Team" if you don't have a leader in the locker-room? Some say Romo is the leader of the team but I haven't seen any indications on or off the field that he has control of that locker-room and we all know Wade Phillips has zero control over it. However, as much as it pains me I will give the 'Boys some credit, their defense has always stayed pretty good over the years but is still not a top tier D in the NFL. Jerry Jones is a reputable owner this is true and has been for many years now but spending over $1 Billion on a new stadium that is more comparable to the Las Vegas strip than an actual sporting venue does not mean you are one of the well-liked owners of the League.

I think overall, the team itself does not posses the heart, charisma, or leadership to continue being called "America's Team" any longer. That being said, which current NFL team could even come close replacing the Cowboys as "America's Team"? I think I might have a few suggestions.

1. The Pittsburgh Steelers. Steel Town. A symbol of hard working, middle America. Hardcore fans all over the nation that are just as dedicated to their team as anyone in the league. "Grind it out" Offense with a hard-nose Defense that has always been dominant. Six Super Bowl Championships. Hall of Famers like Terry Bradshaw, Lynn Swann, Mean Joe Greene, and others. Great tradition of winning and great ownership in the Rooney Family. Always getting a lot of media attention whether good or bad. Probably one of the top contenders to take over the title of America's Team. Currently they have one of the best records in football and with players like Roethlisberger as QB and Polamalu on defense they are ripe to make it to another Super Bowl this year.

2. The New England Patriots. With team colors of red, white, and blue. A mascot that symbolizes the Revolutionary War and our independence as a Nation. Based out of one of the oldest areas of America and with a fan base that has many, many "band-wagoners" it would seem perfect for a team like the PATRIOTS to take the torch from the Cowboys. Media attention is also pretty huge as well. With the Kraft family at the helm as of 1994 a winning tradition has not always been a part of the franchise. However, with the addition of Tom Brady as QB and Bill Belichick as a coach a firm winning tradition has been established over the past decade. With three Super Bowl Championships all within the past decade and one other appearance in 1985 the history is not really there for this team. However, what the team has done over the past decade can definitley make up for a lot of things in my opinion.

3. The New Orleans Saints. The only thing that makes this team a contender to take the torch from the Cowboys is their one Super Bowl win and first appearance last year and the story behind it: Hurricane Katrina. I respect the story and the team and everything that it did for the community of not only New Orleans but the country as a whole. The Saints gained a new love from the media and fans alike as many jumped on the Saints band-wagon during the 2009-2010 season. However, the winning tradition is not there (it never has been there) and the history of the team is not anything spectacular. They do have some notable famous historic players in Archie Manning, Sam Mills, and Willie Roaf. However, it's more their current successes with the Brees and Payton era that have brought them to the forefront of people's minds as the new "America's Team." I'm sure their successes will continue so that is probably what I am basing this off of in considering them to take over the title of America's Team.

And finally....a wildcard suggestion....

4. The Washington Redskins? Located near the most powerful city of the Free World and capitol of the United States in Washington, DC. Three Super Bowl Championships. Great tradition of winning although that has been a problem since their last Championship over a decade ago. With HoFers like Jurgensen, Baugh, and Riggins the history is all there for the Redskins. However, their current successes have just not been there and that is a major hindrance in my mind. Also the ownership of the team by Daniel Snyder has come under major scrutiny ever since he took over the team in 1999. Before Snyder the team had great ownership under the Cooke family and that's when the Super Bowl Championships were won. In my mind if they can just start winning again and maybe prove to the country that their fans aren't just talking it up every year then maybe the could be a consideration for America's Team. Until then they are still on the back burner in my mind.

In conclusion, it is time for the Cowboys to pass the torch of America's Team to a new, more qualified franchise. It was a nice run for the 'Boys and overall (even though it pains me to say it) they did a good job being America's Team for almost three decades now. I know it won't be easy for them to give up the title but I think it's time to let another team put it on their resume and be "America's Team."

-R.N.N.
@ryannnelson87
rnelson0187@gmail.com