Jean-Jacques Taylor

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Jerry Jones is a marketing genius, but he has lost his mind if he thinks Cowboys Stadium will make a single bit of difference in the team's performance this year.

It won't.

Just like the emotion of the final game at Texas Stadium didn't help the Cowboys beat Baltimore last December. And just like the raucous crowd didn't help the Cowboys beat the hated Redskins the night "The Triplets" were inducted into the Ring of Honor.

The stadium, though fabulous, won't help the Cowboys win a single game any more than a pregame locker room speech by Wade Phillips will help them win a game. Actually, Jerry should be concerned that there will be so many corporate butts in the stands that it'll be a quieter venue than Texas Stadium, widely known for being a wine-and-cheese crowd. Still, that's one of the points Jerry made Tuesday in his annual state of the union address, signaling the start of training camp.

"We want to open up that stadium and have a great season. We want every individual to be able to say, 'Boy, did we open it up right,' " Jerry said. "We want to have a lot of pride in that when it's all said and done."

Whatever.

What's going to help this team win games is better production at the end of the season from Tony Romo, good seasons from players such as Martellus Bennett, Patrick Crayton, Felix Jones and Miles Austin, and a terrific season from Roy Williams.

We all know this team has talent, but it's fragile mentally. It tends to fold when challenged.

A fancy new stadium with plush locker rooms won't change that.

More leadership from players such as Romo, Bradie James, DeMarcus Ware and Jason Witten can.

Q: I think Roger Goodell is giving the NFL a bad name. Michael Vick deserves the right to make a living, but not in the NFL. If crooked CEOs or Wall Street renegades go to prison, they are not given a second chance to rejoin their prior enterprise and prove that they have grown from the experience. Likewise, the NFL is not a reform school. Vick blew it, and the NFL tarnishes it own name by offering him another shot at participation. Vick's off-the-field behavior should have disqualified him from the NFL for life.

Paul I. Munves, Dallas

TAYLOR: I appreciate your passion, but I disagree. Vick's crime was heinous and cruel, but he's paid a severe penalty, and there are no rules in place that say he can't continue to play. Who knows whether he'll get a chance to play again, although I would be surprised if he didn't. They key, as it usually is, revolves around money. People who can make other people money always get multiple chances. Vick is no different than an actor, singer or entertainer who makes money for his studio or record label. A top salesman would get another job, if he created enough revenue. Finally, what job these days is not a privilege. What job is demeaning enough for Vick – and do you insult the people who currently hold those jobs with your stance?

Q: What is going on with Ron Springs? I do pray for the best with him.

Colleen Randol

TAYLOR: He's still in the hospital in a coma. It's a sad story, but Kevin Blackistone has a book about the friendship he shared with Everson Walls coming out soon.

Q: I am crushed that I am priced out of the market to see the team I have lived with since my father took me to the Cotton Bowl to see the real No. 22. I will not be able to share my passion with my kids, and unfortunately, neither will the majority of Cowboys faithful. I will be quite interested to see how everyone feels about Jerry's magnificent structure when they are listening to Brad on the radio because of blackout rules.

Chris Smith

TAYLOR: I understand your frustration, but everything costs more these days. Everyone is feeling the economic pinch. A lot of people have to make tough decisions. Everybody has a price. A lot of folks are still willing to pay an extreme price to see the Cowboys play. The stadium will be sold out. Until more people stop buying tickets, prices will continue to rise.

Q: Are the Cowboys going to practice tackling this year – unlike the last game in Texas Stadium?

Gary Clark, Roseburg, Ore.

TAYLOR: I believe that's at the top of the agenda. The Cowboys actually played good defense much of the season. I'd blame the offense more than the defense for the end-of-the-season debacle against Philly. The final four minutes against Baltimore was an embarrassing aberration. Wade Phillips is in complete control of the defense this season. I think it will be better.

Q: Does Jesse Holley have any shot at making the 2009 Dallas Cowboys?

Greg Jackson, Lexington, Ky.

TAYLOR: I don't think so. I just don't see how a guy who was an undrafted free agent who spent six weeks on the Bengals' practice squad two years ago is going to make this team. The guy was out of football last year, so it's not like teams were banging down his door to get him. I assume he'll make the practice squad because Jerry doesn't want Michael to look bad, but I would be shocked if he ever played in an NFL game and caught a pass.

Q: I just don't see how you can be down on Dallas after all the hard work that Jerry Jones has put in this past year. Most people on the streets think Dallas will be 10-6. Honestly, I think this year is closer to the 2007 team that went 13-3 – not last year's fiasco. I'm thinking more like 10 or 11 wins and definitely a playoff berth.

Erick Van Waldrop

TAYLOR: You haven't given one reason for your optimism. That's your right. But this team has traditionally choked after December when the games are most important. The quarterback has played his worst football after December. The head coach has never won a playoff game, and he's in the final year of his contract because the owner didn't have the confidence to extend his deal. Maybe, this is the year the Cowboys end their wretched play after December and secure a playoff spot, but this fragile team must prove it to me. They have done nothing to deserve the benefit of the doubt.

Q: I just don't think Romo has what it takes to lead the Cowboys to a championship. He has all the physical skills but he seems to lack the leadership and maturity. I was watching Matthew Stafford on TV the other day and he already seems to be more mature than Romo. Stafford seems very serious about winning. Romo doesn't appear like he wants to win at all costs like an Aikman or Staubach. Winning is not life or death to him like it was with those guys. Your thoughts?

James L Pate, Rowlett

TAYLOR: We'll see what Romo does this year as it relates to leadership. T.O. is gone, so there are no excuses. I wouldn't say Stafford, who has yet to play an NFL game, is a better leader. Let's see what happens first.

Q: What happened to Danny Amendola? Is he still on the practice squad? Is he going to camp?

Jerry Benavides, Miami

TAYLOR: After his contract with the Cowboys expired, he signed with Philadelphia. He's currently in camp with the Eagles, but it's going to be tough for him to make it because he doesn't have special speed, special size or special route running. He has good hands, but they're not spectacular. I wish him well.

Q: The thought that Roy Williams is a bust wide receiver, who has never done anything in the NFL, has never been a No. 1, and is going to prevent the Cowboys from having a good 2009 season is ridiculous. Thanks – just had to get that off my chest.

Dan Niebruegge

TAYLOR: We'll see. No one has ever said he's a bust. Or that he's a bad receiver. The question is whether he's good enough to draw consistent double teams, making it easier for the other receivers to thrive, and whether he can be a guy other teams fear. He's done that, at times, in his career but he was awful last year for whatever reason. Now, he's healthy and in great shape. We'll see what he can do.