Thank You, Wade.

Philadelphia...44
Dallas.........6

That score will not soon be forgotten. Most Cowboy fans spent Sunday by cursing and drinking themselves into oblivion. But as the Cowboy season crashed and burned faster than Lindsay Lohan's career, I could only focus on two words: "Thank you."

No, I am not an Eagles' fan.
No, I am not insane.

I simply recognize the impact that this game will/should have on the Dallas franchise. America's Team needed a jolt, and it came in the way of an Ike Turner-like beatdown! A few days after Christmas, the Cowboys inadvertently left their fans a few additional presents under the tree.

Present One: Wade Phillips will not be the coach of the Dallas Cowboys in 2009.

With a playoff birth on the line Sunday, Phillips' "Cream Puff" Cowboys managed to:

* lose four fumbles (two returned for touchdowns)
* commit five penalties
* throw one interception
* look completely disinterested and unprepared

As has often been the case, Dallas looked outmatched against Philadelphia, both physically and mentally. The Cowboys ended the season leading the league in penalties, finished near the bottom of the league in turnover differential and crumbled during the majority of critical situations throughout the season. Each item relates directly to coaching, or a lack thereof. Adios, Wade!

Present Two: Jason Garrett no longer holds "Golden Boy" status.

Garrett no longer remains a shoe-in for the 2009 head coaching role. Armed with a Pro Bowl quarterback, wide-receiver, running back and multiple stud linemen, Garret produced the 18th-ranked offense in the league. Despite having the reputation of an offensive juggernaut, the 2008 Cowboys scored the same amount of points as the offensive-challenged Buccaneers. Dallas scored less than the Bears, Ravens, Vikings and Falcons. If that doesn't say "average," I don't know what does.

Present Three: Cowboy fans will not be tortured by experiencing another failed playoff venture.

In 2006, fans watched Romo drop a game-winning field-goal snap during their Wild Card game against Seattle. Last year, they watched in horror as Dallas crumbled at home against the Giants.

This year, Cowboy fans will not have to endure their self-created misery. They won't torture themselves by making those "maybe Dallas is getting hot at the right time" comments. There won't be any "if we can just protect Romo..." conversations taking place. We won't have to hear Wade pointing to making the "Final 8" as proof that 2008 was successful.

Nope...we will not hear any of that. Instead, Dallas proved to everyone that they are not a playoff-caliber team. They proved that Wade needs to go. They proved that their team chemistry remains nonexistent.

More importantly, Wade and company spared Cowboy fans. They spared fans from, once again, getting their hopes up. They spared fans from, once again, making excuses for the Rams/Redskins/Ravens games. They spared fans from having to watch the Cowboys lose to the Vikings next week, due to lack of preparation, constant mental mistakes and poor in-game coaching.

And for that Wade, I thank you.