"This morning's column will be another ongoing attempt at keeping 'em honest during the off-season at Valley Ranch.

You can hold the thank-you cards and letters. Praise is not deserved here. I'm simply a lonely servant of the people, waging a one-man crusade against local football corruption and stupidity.

On today's agenda are two items:

(1) Excuses. (2) Revisionist history.

Let us review the facts.

Since the wrap-up of the Cowboys season, there has been an extensive campaign at Valley Ranch that centers on diverting the criticism aimed at head coach Jason Garrett and his handpicked defensive coordinator, Rob Ryan.

Jason was in his first season as full-time HC. Rob came in brand new as the DC. And then, dad-gummit, neither had a full off-season to implement his "plan" because of that lockout thing.

Give these fellows another year, we are told, before passing judgment."