IRVING, Texas -- A few thoughts on Super Bowl XLIX from a Dallas Cowboys' perspective:
There was a time where everybody thought Danny Amendola would be the Cowboys’ version of Wes Welker. He signed with the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent out of Texas Tech, made a favorable impression early, but didn’t make the active roster. He spent the year on the practice squad before letting that deal run out and signing with Philadelphia during its playoff run. He eventually made it with St. Louis and signed a big deal with the New England Patriots in 2013. It’s been a roller coaster for Amendola in New England, but he caught five passes for 48 yards and a touchdown in the Super Bowl.
Raise your hand if you remember Landon Cohen's stint with the Cowboys in 2013? He was one of the 407 defensive linemen the Cowboys signed that year. He joined the Cowboys the same day they signed George Selvie, who went on to record seven sacks in 2013. Cohen lasted two games and made two tackles. He joined the Seattle Seahawks on Jan. 5 and was part of their playoff run to the Super Bowl. He played in 16 out of 74 snaps, but did not record a tackle.
When Shane Vereen kept catching pass after pass after pass, I kept thinking to myself, 'Hey, I remember that game plan against Seattle.' It was how the Cowboys attacked Seattle in October. Tony Romo kept checking it down to his backs because that’s what the Seahawks were giving him. He was remarkably patient the entire day. DeMarco Murray caught six passes (second highest total during the season) for 31 yards. Lance Dunbar caught a season-high four passes for 48 yards. The Patriots runners, led by Vereen, caught 12 passes for 70 yards. You can’t let ego get in the way when you’re playing Seattle and just try to attack that secondary and pass rush. The Cowboys and Patriots showed you can nickel and dime your way to wins.
The Patriots become the youngest Super Bowl winning team in history with an average of 25.2 years. At 37, only John Elway and Johnny Unitas won Super Bowls at an older age than Tom Brady. He turns 38 in September. The Cowboys have gone to a youth movement these past few years. The average age of the 53-man roster leading into the divisional round game of the playoffs was 26.1. They had 10 players 30 or older, and there is a chance five will not be back in 2015, which could bring down the average age. Oh, and Romo is young compared to Brady. He turns 35 in April.