Home Field Advantage Or Curse?

ARLINGTON (105.3 The Fan) - Cowboys Stadium is one jewel of a place.  There is no doubt that people go gaga gaga-eyed when they walk in for the first time. And this was a concern of mine from the get go. Too big.  Too much video screen.

The noise level and acoustics of the building have been torched when it comes to concert sound.  That part is still a work in progress, but for all of its glitter, the Cowboys have been unable to turn home field advantage into gold.  Even with those canned videos of DeMarcus Ware and other Cowboys players urging the crowd to get into it.  Those kind of get old after, oh game 2, or sometimes by the second quarter.

In the 1 1/2 seasons the Cowboys have been there, they are flat on the home field advantage front.  A record of just 6-6 and none of those coming this season.  So do we chalk this up to bad football?  Probably plays a pretty big role in all of this.  They did go 6-2 last season at home, but this year, it is 0-4 out of the gate, and in this case at the halfway point.  The running joke this week...Manny Pacquiao has won more times there this year than the Cowboys.

Jason Garrett's thoughts on this today?   "I think any time you play here, we feel like its an advantage.  The key is to get the crown behind you but you have to do your job regardless of the environment.  It's a great facility and we've had success there in the past, but we have to have the "we will play you in the parking lot at midnight"  mentality. We talk about focus regardless of the circumstance, but we like our stadium."

Miles Austin says it is a product of the season.  "We haven't been playing well all year.  Last week we played better, but we just got to keep coming with that focus and intensity every week.  We're working hard in practice and we're going to continue to do that."

Ahh, true player speak.   But right now, it is still a lingering question for this team, in this stadium.  Is there really a home field advantage at all?   Magic 8 ball currently firmly on "No."

Wally Lynn covers the Dallas Cowboys for 105.3 The Fan