Negativity towards the Dallas Cowboys is at an all-time high

IRVING -- The negativity regarding the Dallas Cowboys is at an all-time high.

That disgruntled fan outside the Cowboys complex last week who was physically "de-signed" by linebacker Bradie James was just an example.

Romo Mania is all but dead. The Terrell Owens backers are conceding that even if he isn’t the problem, that many suggest he is, he might not be part of the solution. Disillusionment among even the diehard Cowboys faithful abounds.

Last season, the New York Giants snatched the Cowboys dream away from them. Could the Philadelphia Eagles play the same role this year?

Bottom line: owner Jerry Jones needs to wake up and pay attention.

The Cowboys are moving into a new $1.2 billion stadium in Arlington next season.

There is still no title sponsor in this down economy. The seats are not yet sold out and there is no buzz surrounding the team.

But Jones believes the best way to move forward is stand pat and try to change from within.

He promises to examine the way he does things as does coach Wade Phillips.

Look for Phillips to practice the Cowboys longer and harder. Also look for him to fine players for mistakes and penalties.

But don’t look for him to change who he is and how he relates to his team.

Now if that doesn’t generate excitement and make you want to go out and spend a few grand on a PSL and pair of season tickets, I don’t know what does.

Part of the problem is simple economics.

Removing Phillips and offensive coordinator Jason Garrett would mean eating their salaries -- both get more than $3 million a year -- plus the cost of hiring a new coach.

The asking price names that have been bandied about -- Bill Cowher, Mike Shanahan and Mike Holmgren -- would start at $5 million.

The same is true regarding any thoughts of reshaping the Cowboys’ roster. Too many stars have been recently signed to long-term deals to truly overhaul the roster.

It’s one reason the talk of Shanahan coming to Dallas doesn’t make sense. His style of offense is based on smaller, quick offensive lineman for his zone-blocking scheme. That’s why Montrae Holland was traded from Denver to Dallas in August. He didn’t fit the Denver prototype and hews built more like the Dallas behemoths of Leonard Davis, Flozell Adams, Marc Colombo and Andre Gurode. The foursome has been locked up with new contracts and aren’t going anywhere. They are not going to change their body build and he’s not going to change his philosophy.

So why does it make sense for Shanahan to come?

But listening to Jones, that’s not an option anyway.

He’s standing pat and hoping continuity will finally take the Cowboys to the Promised Land.

On to your questions....

Why is Jason Witten not a popular guy among some Cowboys? Who is the coward in the locker room? -- Doug Vaughn

Witten is not popular among some players, and that would be a select few if at all, because he is considered one of the snitches who talked to ESPN regarding T.O. To that end, Terence Newman labeled the so called snitch or snitches cowards. But it’s not just about Witten. It’s problems among the players and coaches. There is too much backbiting among groups assembling to push their own agenda rather than that of the team. That is what Newman was talking about.

Tony Romo needs to go hang out with Tony Parker. Tony can show him on how to be a celebrity athlete who can win championships and date celebrity women. Jerry Jones needs to get Michael Vick. I pray to God that Jerry was putting money on that boy’s commissary. -- Mike Jones

You might have a point with Tony Parker. But the difference is that playing ball in San Antonio and dealing with Eva Longoria and facing the microscope that is the Cowboys to go along with the Jessica Simpson paparazzi is vast. You just need to stop regarding the Mike Vick angle. Adam “Pacman” Jones and Tank Johnson are enough. There are two many lightning rods in the locker room. No need to add another one. The Cowboys need more nose-to-grindstone players than guys who are going to have their own press corps following their every move.