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Cowboys Mailbag
Why is there no decided homefield advantage at Cowboys Stadium?
JAY ALBRYCHT - MERIDEN, CT: It's seemed this year the Cowboys play better on the road than at home. Why is there no decided homefield advantage at Cowboys Stadium?
Rob: Although I've been surprised at how quiet the stadium has been at times this year (no matter the record, if you decide to attend the game, make some noise) that's really not a big factor. They went 6-2 at home last year because they were a better team - plain and simple. They've been a more competitive team under Jason Garrett, and recently they're 2-2 at home with chances to have been 4-0.
Nick: Lots of ways to address this question. For starters, the Cowboys did play some good teams at home this year. Washington and Detroit aren't very good and the Cowboys won those games. The Eagles, Saints, Giants , Bears and Jaguars are probably all headed to the playoffs, or at least have a good shot. Tennessee was playing well enough early in the year when they came here, but have since fallen off. So good opponents is one reason. Secondly, the Cowboys just aren't that good this year. Below-average teams are going to struggle anywhere and that's evident by the five wins. But third, the crowd doesn't intimidate anyone. Cowboys fans have never really been raucous at either stadium. Add it all up and you get a 2-6 home record.
Josh: The simple answer is that the Cowboys are a bad team. They've done all the things bad teams do. I've often thought that they don't get as excited to play in the palace that is Cowboys Stadium as visitors, but there's no way to prove that. I'll tell you this, though - that place is as dead a building as there is in the league. The Cowboys' homefield advantage will have to come from something other than crowd noise.
MICHAEL NICHOLSON - CLARK, NJ: Do you think the Cowboys are any more likely to keep Gerald Sensabaugh around after seeing the defense struggle worse than usual after he was knocked out of Sunday's game?
Rob: Depending on the CBA situation, the Cowboys could allow him to test the market but try to re-sign him at a certain price. He's not an early Roy Williams type of hitter at strong safety, but overall he has been an upgrade from a coverage standpoint. I think generally he's done what the coaches have asked him to do, but they could look to upgrade both safety spots or focus on developing their younger guys.
Nick: Well, they've struggled when he's been concussed or not. I wouldn't just point to that one game. I think the Cowboys need to address the safety position from the outside in. That's not saying Sensabaugh can't be re-signed but a very reasonable price. The more I think about it, I would probably draft the top safety available in the first round next year. At some point, you just have to bite the bullet and get a top-notch safety.
Josh: I think they've got to bring in at least one new safety. Asking for two completely new guys is probably a lot. And I waffle on Sensabaugh a little bit, but I generally think he's done a nice job. He's closer to being what they need than is Alan Ball. The Cowboys don't have to overpay for him, though. If it comes down to it, they should let him test the market. I don't think teams are going to be lining up to sign him away.
Why is there no decided homefield advantage at Cowboys Stadium?
JAY ALBRYCHT - MERIDEN, CT: It's seemed this year the Cowboys play better on the road than at home. Why is there no decided homefield advantage at Cowboys Stadium?
Rob: Although I've been surprised at how quiet the stadium has been at times this year (no matter the record, if you decide to attend the game, make some noise) that's really not a big factor. They went 6-2 at home last year because they were a better team - plain and simple. They've been a more competitive team under Jason Garrett, and recently they're 2-2 at home with chances to have been 4-0.
Nick: Lots of ways to address this question. For starters, the Cowboys did play some good teams at home this year. Washington and Detroit aren't very good and the Cowboys won those games. The Eagles, Saints, Giants , Bears and Jaguars are probably all headed to the playoffs, or at least have a good shot. Tennessee was playing well enough early in the year when they came here, but have since fallen off. So good opponents is one reason. Secondly, the Cowboys just aren't that good this year. Below-average teams are going to struggle anywhere and that's evident by the five wins. But third, the crowd doesn't intimidate anyone. Cowboys fans have never really been raucous at either stadium. Add it all up and you get a 2-6 home record.
Josh: The simple answer is that the Cowboys are a bad team. They've done all the things bad teams do. I've often thought that they don't get as excited to play in the palace that is Cowboys Stadium as visitors, but there's no way to prove that. I'll tell you this, though - that place is as dead a building as there is in the league. The Cowboys' homefield advantage will have to come from something other than crowd noise.
MICHAEL NICHOLSON - CLARK, NJ: Do you think the Cowboys are any more likely to keep Gerald Sensabaugh around after seeing the defense struggle worse than usual after he was knocked out of Sunday's game?
Rob: Depending on the CBA situation, the Cowboys could allow him to test the market but try to re-sign him at a certain price. He's not an early Roy Williams type of hitter at strong safety, but overall he has been an upgrade from a coverage standpoint. I think generally he's done what the coaches have asked him to do, but they could look to upgrade both safety spots or focus on developing their younger guys.
Nick: Well, they've struggled when he's been concussed or not. I wouldn't just point to that one game. I think the Cowboys need to address the safety position from the outside in. That's not saying Sensabaugh can't be re-signed but a very reasonable price. The more I think about it, I would probably draft the top safety available in the first round next year. At some point, you just have to bite the bullet and get a top-notch safety.
Josh: I think they've got to bring in at least one new safety. Asking for two completely new guys is probably a lot. And I waffle on Sensabaugh a little bit, but I generally think he's done a nice job. He's closer to being what they need than is Alan Ball. The Cowboys don't have to overpay for him, though. If it comes down to it, they should let him test the market. I don't think teams are going to be lining up to sign him away.
