I'm going to step back from the Cowboys for a day to give a little credit to another Dallas team which does have heart, pride stomach for a fight. Last night, the Minnesota Timberwolves, with their 6-25 record, rolled into Dallas for what was supposed to be just a ho-hum win for the Mavs. I didn't even watch the game, to be honest, because I had a few other things going on and really felt sure that Dallas would win pretty easily.
Well, I got up this morning and read the recap of the game and was shocked at this headline: "Mavericks rally from 29 down to stun Timberwolves". In fact, it took me a second or two for that to sink in...the Mavs RALLY from 29 down to stun Timberwolves. So, Dallas actually was down 29 points to a team that had only won 6 of it's first 31 games? What in the world? And then, they overcame that 29 point deficit to win? Is that really correct? That is correct. It was the Mavs largest comeback in franchise history. And I missed it. Stink!
Dallas' coach (Rick Carlisle) was ejected in the 2nd quarter for arguing non calls and Dirk received a bloody nose in a foul by Minnesota Timberwolves forward Craig Smith. I bet the Mavs looked somewhat like the Cowboys in the first half of the game. However, the Mavs appear to have something the Cowboys do not...heart and fight. The Mavericks trailed by 29 points at 70-41 early in the third quarter but continued to fight and outscored the Timberwolves 66-30 the rest of the way. Dirk had 24 point, Howard had 23 and JET had 29 off the bench to lead all scorers incuding 5 of 9 from 3 pt range.
I can't believe I missed this game but that's what I get for thinking just an ordinary Tuesday night game in late December would be mundane. This is just the right time for the Mavs to get hit a soft patch in their schedule as on 2 games separate the #2 spot through the #8 spot in the West. So, if the Mavs continue to fight like they did last night, hopefully they can surge ahead and get up into the top 4 of the conference.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
What a Lousy Way to End a Season
Well, now that I've calmed down a bit from Sunday afternoon's collapse in Filthadelphia, I thought I would give my opinions on the game, the players and the leadership/coaching (or lack thereof). I'll probably break this up into two separate posts though discussing the game and the players in one and the coaching in the other.
At the beginning of the season, I (along with A LOT of others) really had high hopes and expectations for this team. They went 13-3 last year and lost a hard fought playoff game to the eventual Super Bowl Champs. The team was featured on Hard Knocks on HBO and after starting the season 3-0, I think just about everyone had the Cowboys penciled in as the NFC representative for the Super Bowl. But that's when things started to go down hill and they never really picked up from there. The culmination of the season was a drubbing at the hands of one of the more hated rivals. I really thought Dallas would play a typical NFC East game (hard hitting and not a ton of points scored) and would do just enough to get the win. But after getting their rear ends kicked, to the tune of 44-6, a lot of people (myself included) are wondering what will happen in the off season and if they can bounce back next season.
On Sunday though, the Cowboys came out emotionless and error-prone. The offense gave up 14 pts and 4 sacks while scoring only 6 pts. The defense gave up 137 yards rushing only managed 1 sack (from Bradie James) and allowed McNabb to end the game with a 116 QB rating. Oh, and Philadelphia outscored the Cowboys, 41-0, during the second and third quarters. Against the Eagles, Dallas also allowed two of the longest fumble returns in franchise history – 73 and 96 yards. And that came on the heels of last week's game where the Cowboys allowed the two longest runs – 77 and 82 yards – in Texas Stadium history during the game's final four minutes which were also the final four minutes in Texas Stadium, period. The overall play the final two games of this season left a lot to be desired, to say the least.
The team didn't look prepared to play at all. They looked like a team that expected Filthadephia's playoff hopes would be dashed, they in turn would have nothing to play for and Dallas would get an easy win. Then when they realized the game meant as much to the Eagles as it did to them, the Cowboys did their best turtle impersonation and crawled into their shell.
How did all this happen? How did such a promising season end in ruins? How did Dallas not even make the playoffs? Here is LB Bradie James’ take on this season: “There were a lot of personalities put on this team and we didn’t jell. We didn’t find a way to jell. This past game, you could see it. When you know you’ve got something on the line and you’re playing to go into the playoffs, you know what you have to do, and you go out there and stink it up like that? That just speaks for itself.” There are several players that need to be jettisoned but at the top of my list is Pac Man Jones. What has he offered up this year that makes him worth the gamble of having him on the roster? A few pass defenses (no more than just a few) is all I remember. Trailing 17-3 to the Eagles on Sunday, with no margin for error, Jones committed a stupid personal foul when he hit Reggie Brown out of bounds, moving the Eagles to the Dallas 14 which assisted the Eagles in getting a touchdown. Then, as if that personal foul wasn't bad enough, Jones fumbled the ensuing kickoff to set up David Akers' 50-yard field goal on the first half's final play. What a knucklehead.
It looks to me like the fans take this more seriously than the players. With as much talent as that team has to not even make the playoffs is shameful but I don't see that attitude from the players. I mean, hey, they lost but they still got paid their millions and millions of dollars. A producer on the sports talk station I listen to was on the Cowboys team plane and said the flight back to Dallas was pretty festive and described the scene as “like the last day of school”, with dominoes being played in the back and lots of laughing and carrying on; if you did not know who won the Cowboys-Eagles game, you just might assume it was the Cowboys from their conduct on the plane. I was sulking most of Sunday night and I had nothing to do with the game...I just watching. These guys played in it, actually were responsible for the inept play and humiliating defeat and yet they are carrying on like they don't have a care in the world. Nice...
The Cowboys have now lost nine consecutive season finales and their streak of 12 consecutive seasons without a playoff win is now the longest in franchise history. Clearly, there needs to be some serious changes but Jerry has already said the coaching staff is staying put (at least, he won't be removing them). This thing is in such a mess right now, I don't really know what the answer is to clean it up. The team doesn't have a 1st round pick in the '09 draft as that was given up to Detroit for Roy Williams (who only caught only 19 passes for 198 yards and a touchdown over 10 games). I know there is a silver lining...somewhere. I just need time to find it.
At the beginning of the season, I (along with A LOT of others) really had high hopes and expectations for this team. They went 13-3 last year and lost a hard fought playoff game to the eventual Super Bowl Champs. The team was featured on Hard Knocks on HBO and after starting the season 3-0, I think just about everyone had the Cowboys penciled in as the NFC representative for the Super Bowl. But that's when things started to go down hill and they never really picked up from there. The culmination of the season was a drubbing at the hands of one of the more hated rivals. I really thought Dallas would play a typical NFC East game (hard hitting and not a ton of points scored) and would do just enough to get the win. But after getting their rear ends kicked, to the tune of 44-6, a lot of people (myself included) are wondering what will happen in the off season and if they can bounce back next season.
On Sunday though, the Cowboys came out emotionless and error-prone. The offense gave up 14 pts and 4 sacks while scoring only 6 pts. The defense gave up 137 yards rushing only managed 1 sack (from Bradie James) and allowed McNabb to end the game with a 116 QB rating. Oh, and Philadelphia outscored the Cowboys, 41-0, during the second and third quarters. Against the Eagles, Dallas also allowed two of the longest fumble returns in franchise history – 73 and 96 yards. And that came on the heels of last week's game where the Cowboys allowed the two longest runs – 77 and 82 yards – in Texas Stadium history during the game's final four minutes which were also the final four minutes in Texas Stadium, period. The overall play the final two games of this season left a lot to be desired, to say the least.
The team didn't look prepared to play at all. They looked like a team that expected Filthadephia's playoff hopes would be dashed, they in turn would have nothing to play for and Dallas would get an easy win. Then when they realized the game meant as much to the Eagles as it did to them, the Cowboys did their best turtle impersonation and crawled into their shell.
How did all this happen? How did such a promising season end in ruins? How did Dallas not even make the playoffs? Here is LB Bradie James’ take on this season: “There were a lot of personalities put on this team and we didn’t jell. We didn’t find a way to jell. This past game, you could see it. When you know you’ve got something on the line and you’re playing to go into the playoffs, you know what you have to do, and you go out there and stink it up like that? That just speaks for itself.” There are several players that need to be jettisoned but at the top of my list is Pac Man Jones. What has he offered up this year that makes him worth the gamble of having him on the roster? A few pass defenses (no more than just a few) is all I remember. Trailing 17-3 to the Eagles on Sunday, with no margin for error, Jones committed a stupid personal foul when he hit Reggie Brown out of bounds, moving the Eagles to the Dallas 14 which assisted the Eagles in getting a touchdown. Then, as if that personal foul wasn't bad enough, Jones fumbled the ensuing kickoff to set up David Akers' 50-yard field goal on the first half's final play. What a knucklehead.
It looks to me like the fans take this more seriously than the players. With as much talent as that team has to not even make the playoffs is shameful but I don't see that attitude from the players. I mean, hey, they lost but they still got paid their millions and millions of dollars. A producer on the sports talk station I listen to was on the Cowboys team plane and said the flight back to Dallas was pretty festive and described the scene as “like the last day of school”, with dominoes being played in the back and lots of laughing and carrying on; if you did not know who won the Cowboys-Eagles game, you just might assume it was the Cowboys from their conduct on the plane. I was sulking most of Sunday night and I had nothing to do with the game...I just watching. These guys played in it, actually were responsible for the inept play and humiliating defeat and yet they are carrying on like they don't have a care in the world. Nice...
The Cowboys have now lost nine consecutive season finales and their streak of 12 consecutive seasons without a playoff win is now the longest in franchise history. Clearly, there needs to be some serious changes but Jerry has already said the coaching staff is staying put (at least, he won't be removing them). This thing is in such a mess right now, I don't really know what the answer is to clean it up. The team doesn't have a 1st round pick in the '09 draft as that was given up to Detroit for Roy Williams (who only caught only 19 passes for 198 yards and a touchdown over 10 games). I know there is a silver lining...somewhere. I just need time to find it.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
An Embarrassing, Gutless and Pathetic Loss
A 44-6 loss in a game with a playoff birth on the line...I'm too pissed off right now to share my thoughts. I'm gonna need at least a day to digest this one. This is quite possibly the most humiliating loss the Cowboys have had since I've been watching them...and that's a long time. The Cowboys didn't look prepared and didn't look like they gave a rip. How pathetic, how gutless, how embarrassing. I don't know any other words to describe it.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
The Playoffs Start This Weekend for the Cowboys
Even though this is the last week of the regular season, this is really the 1st "playoff game" for the Cowboys meaning that if they win this weekend in Filthadelphia they get into the playoffs...if not, then they don't. That is the definition of a playoff game, win and keep going...lose and go home. Even if the Foul win, they are not automatically in the playoffs as they need other teams to lose as well for them to get in. But that doesn't necessairly mean the Foul will roll over and die. And if there is one thing I KNOW about Filthadelphia, it's that they HATE all things Dallas, especailly the Cowboys. I expect the Foul to play exceptionally hard and feed off the raucous crowd so it would behoove the Cowboys to take the crowd out as soon as it can.
When these teams met in Dallas in Week 2, it was all about offense as the Cowboys outlasted the Eagles, 41-37. Romo was 21 of 30 for 310 yards and 3 TDs. It looked like Dallas' offense had everything clicking and the Super Bowl was in the reach. My how things have changed. Since that point, Romo got hurt and missed 4 games and since his return has been up and down from game to game. Two weeks ago against the Giants, he was up and finished the game with a 113.8 QB rating. Last week against the Ravens, he was down and finished the game with a 66.2 rating.
Not only has Romo been up and down each week but so has the offense as a whole. Dallas either blows away an opponent on the strength of Tony Romo’s passing, or it inexplicably struggles to score, letting down what’s usually a good defensive effort. I think Dallas' defense will shake off what happened to them the final 4 minutes of the Ravens game and play very well in a hostile environment. I think DeMarcus Ware will play well, as he has all year, and I hope he can break Strahan's single season sack record...all he needs is 3. That would be so great especailly coming against Filthadelphia. However, the defensive secondary needs to be wary of 2 players, DeSean Jackson (who burned them for a 60 yard completion in the earlier game) and Michael Westbrook who is basically the heart and soul of that offense. So goes Westbrook, so goes the Foul's offense. Dallas needs to account for both of those guys every play.
So with both of these defenses likely to be an attack mode, it comes down to which quarterback stands tall to consistently deliver the ball downfield. Romo has got to be smarter with the ball, not force the issue and just take what the defense gives him. If he has to throw the ball away, throw and incompletion or even take a sack he should do that rather than risk turning the ball over. This is NOT the game to get cute with the ball. TO Owens seems to play well against his former teams so I'm hoping he is a little more amped up than normal for this. If that is the case, I look for him to have a big game.
I think that the game will be similar to the Ravens game where both defenses control the other's offense and the team with the fewest mistakes will win. With everything that is on the line for Dallas and all the expectations of the team and the fact that they seem to play better when their back is against the wall, I think they will emerge victorious and grab the #6 seed. And I can think of few better opponents to do that against than Filthadelphia.
Prediction: Dallas 21, Filthadelphia 17
When these teams met in Dallas in Week 2, it was all about offense as the Cowboys outlasted the Eagles, 41-37. Romo was 21 of 30 for 310 yards and 3 TDs. It looked like Dallas' offense had everything clicking and the Super Bowl was in the reach. My how things have changed. Since that point, Romo got hurt and missed 4 games and since his return has been up and down from game to game. Two weeks ago against the Giants, he was up and finished the game with a 113.8 QB rating. Last week against the Ravens, he was down and finished the game with a 66.2 rating.
Not only has Romo been up and down each week but so has the offense as a whole. Dallas either blows away an opponent on the strength of Tony Romo’s passing, or it inexplicably struggles to score, letting down what’s usually a good defensive effort. I think Dallas' defense will shake off what happened to them the final 4 minutes of the Ravens game and play very well in a hostile environment. I think DeMarcus Ware will play well, as he has all year, and I hope he can break Strahan's single season sack record...all he needs is 3. That would be so great especailly coming against Filthadelphia. However, the defensive secondary needs to be wary of 2 players, DeSean Jackson (who burned them for a 60 yard completion in the earlier game) and Michael Westbrook who is basically the heart and soul of that offense. So goes Westbrook, so goes the Foul's offense. Dallas needs to account for both of those guys every play.
So with both of these defenses likely to be an attack mode, it comes down to which quarterback stands tall to consistently deliver the ball downfield. Romo has got to be smarter with the ball, not force the issue and just take what the defense gives him. If he has to throw the ball away, throw and incompletion or even take a sack he should do that rather than risk turning the ball over. This is NOT the game to get cute with the ball. TO Owens seems to play well against his former teams so I'm hoping he is a little more amped up than normal for this. If that is the case, I look for him to have a big game.
I think that the game will be similar to the Ravens game where both defenses control the other's offense and the team with the fewest mistakes will win. With everything that is on the line for Dallas and all the expectations of the team and the fact that they seem to play better when their back is against the wall, I think they will emerge victorious and grab the #6 seed. And I can think of few better opponents to do that against than Filthadelphia.
Prediction: Dallas 21, Filthadelphia 17
Friday, December 26, 2008
Mavs Still Continue to Surge
Well, the Mavs continue to surge (15-4 in its last 19 games after opening 2-7) and got a real good win last night in Portland beating the Trailblazers 102-94. Before last night, Portland was 10-2 at home and has been one of the surprise teams this year. Portland hasn't made the playoffs since the 2001-2002 season but looks like they are set up for a while to come with solid young players like LaMarcus Aldridge, Greg Oden, Travis Outlaw, Joel Pryzbilla and Brandon Roy. The Mavericks have played on Christmas just one other time, a win over Sacramento in 2003.
One thing that has been said about the Mavs in the past is that they are, typically, a soft team that is just content taking jump shots but don't drive to the basket that much and don't play with much of an edge. Well, last night, the Mavs definately played with an edge as Dirk spent most of the 2nd half on the bench in foul trouble and Josh Howard was ejected. Howard sent 7-foot-1 Joel Przybilla sprawling to the floor, then was hit with a technical for jawing with Przybilla, got the second technical seconds later and was ejected. Howard finished with 15 points.
Dirk did most of his damage in the first half of the game scoring 24 of his 30 points going 12-of-18 from the field. Jason Terry had 19 points off the bench. Terry has been vital coming off the bench this year and, right now, is a shoe in for the 6th Man of the Year award. I love JT but he is a one trick pony (even though he does that trick real well). And with the emergence of JJ Barea as a legitimate point guard, Terry is more valuable providing a scoring threat off the bench. I've seen some games this year where, for whatever reason, Dirk and a few other starters just weren't hitting that night. Terry came in, provided a spark and basically was a big reason they won in those games.
Speaking of J.J. Barea, he and Brandon Bass ran their own personal two-man game in the second half and combined for 14 points. They ran the pick and roll about as well as you can run it and Portland had no answer. Barea has come into his own, so to speak, the past month or so and has provided a lift at times when Dallas needed it. Although his consistency isn't quite game to game yet, there have been times where Barea looked like a poor man's version of Steve Nash. Let's hope he can continue to progress so when Kidd exits stage left, Barea can step in and fill that role.
Also, Dallas' defense has been better overall this year than it was last year. I know Avery Johnson talked, preached and, at times, screamed defense but the players just started to tune him out last year and it showed on the floor. And it looked like it would be more of the same this year thorugh the first 10 games as Dallas lost games in the final quarter multiple times. However last night, the Mavericks closed the game with a 12-2 run, while holding Brandon Roy to 0-for-3 in the final 3:33 of the game. That's the kind of defensive effort needed on a consistent basis for Dallas to contend for a playoff spot. With 7 of their next 9 games being against teams with sub .500 records, this is definatly the time the Mavs need to pad their record.
One thing that has been said about the Mavs in the past is that they are, typically, a soft team that is just content taking jump shots but don't drive to the basket that much and don't play with much of an edge. Well, last night, the Mavs definately played with an edge as Dirk spent most of the 2nd half on the bench in foul trouble and Josh Howard was ejected. Howard sent 7-foot-1 Joel Przybilla sprawling to the floor, then was hit with a technical for jawing with Przybilla, got the second technical seconds later and was ejected. Howard finished with 15 points.
Dirk did most of his damage in the first half of the game scoring 24 of his 30 points going 12-of-18 from the field. Jason Terry had 19 points off the bench. Terry has been vital coming off the bench this year and, right now, is a shoe in for the 6th Man of the Year award. I love JT but he is a one trick pony (even though he does that trick real well). And with the emergence of JJ Barea as a legitimate point guard, Terry is more valuable providing a scoring threat off the bench. I've seen some games this year where, for whatever reason, Dirk and a few other starters just weren't hitting that night. Terry came in, provided a spark and basically was a big reason they won in those games.
Speaking of J.J. Barea, he and Brandon Bass ran their own personal two-man game in the second half and combined for 14 points. They ran the pick and roll about as well as you can run it and Portland had no answer. Barea has come into his own, so to speak, the past month or so and has provided a lift at times when Dallas needed it. Although his consistency isn't quite game to game yet, there have been times where Barea looked like a poor man's version of Steve Nash. Let's hope he can continue to progress so when Kidd exits stage left, Barea can step in and fill that role.
Also, Dallas' defense has been better overall this year than it was last year. I know Avery Johnson talked, preached and, at times, screamed defense but the players just started to tune him out last year and it showed on the floor. And it looked like it would be more of the same this year thorugh the first 10 games as Dallas lost games in the final quarter multiple times. However last night, the Mavericks closed the game with a 12-2 run, while holding Brandon Roy to 0-for-3 in the final 3:33 of the game. That's the kind of defensive effort needed on a consistent basis for Dallas to contend for a playoff spot. With 7 of their next 9 games being against teams with sub .500 records, this is definatly the time the Mavs need to pad their record.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
The Agony of Defeat...and I Mean Agony
Well, my prediction of Dallas going 3-1 in December and cruising into the playoffs impolded last night (like what will be done to Texas Stadium eventually) when Dallas lost to Baltimore 33-24. I was actually at a youth Christmas party and only got to see the final 4 minutes of the first half but since I was tivoing it, I wasn't concerned about the game being on at the party. My wife sent me a text message to call her when I was on my way home. But when I did, the news she gave me about the game sent my blood pressure into orbit. She had watched the final 45 minutes of the game (not game time...real time) and proceded to tell me of the events. I just couldn't beleive it...and still can't really. How did Dallas lose that game last night? HOW?!?!?!?!?!?
I'm not saying that Baltimore was some sop team that Dallas was going to roll over. They were 9-5, like Dallas, before the game and had the #2 ranked defense in the NFL. They are a strong, physical team that generally doen't score a lot of points and relies on it's defense to help them win games (much like Pittsburgh). I really did think though that with the way the Cowboys have been playing defense lately, that they would be able to stop the Ravens and pull out a close win in front of a juiced up crowd aching for it. And if you would have told me Dallas put 24 points on Baltimore, I would have said "Dallas wins then". But it was the Cowboys vaunted defense which were the goats of the night. I still have a hard time believing the defense is what lost the game.
The game was pretty tight most of the way through, like I thought it would be, and with about 4 mintues to go in the game, Romo threw a touchdown to TO Owens to pull within 2 points. All Dallas had to do at that point was get a stop, turn the ball back over to the offense so they could drive down for a game winning field goal. I'm sure everyone else thought that would happen too. However, on Baltimore’s first snap after Owen’s touchdown, Baltimore RB Willis McGahee broke through a line bunched up to stop the run and ran 77 yards for a touchdown which tied the longest ever by an opponent at Texas Stadium. Dallas then worked down the field and Romo hit Witten in the endzone for another score again bringing Dallas within 2 points. So now was the time for the defense to step up. Even though they just allowed a long TD run, now was the time they need to focus and get a stop. Instead, on the very first play Baltimore had, RB Le'Ron McClain busted an 82 yard TD run breaking the record McGahee had tied only mintues before. Game over...
Even though Romo wasn't great (24 of 45 for 252 yards, 2 TDs and 2 Ints for a 66.3 rating) the offense played well enough to win the game. Tashard Choice played very well, again, filling in for injured Marion Barber who only carried the ball twice the whole game. The Cowboys jumped ahead 7-0 on a 2-yard touchdown by Tashard Choice, only the fourth rushing TD allowed by the Ravens all season. Choice ran for 90 yards, among the most all season against Baltimore.
Even though the defense is what lost the game for Dallas, DeMarcus Ware played at his usual high level. Choice's score was set up by Ware getting his NFL-leading 20th sack, which also caused Baltimore’s Joe Flacco to fumble. Ware had to forced fumbles in the game and is now three sacks from breaking Michael Strahan’s single-season NFL record. It would be a small silver lining if he could get those next week in Filthadelphia.
It took me a long time to go to sleep last night. I know that is completely assinine because I have no control over the game and, as my wife is fond of saying, "it is just a game...it's supposed to fun, you are supposed to enjoy it." And I do have to agree. But last night's game was important in two ways. One, it was important for Dallas to get into the playoffs. Now, even if Dallas wins next week in Filthadelphia, they will need a few other teams to lose in order to get into the playoffs. And second, it was important because that was the last football memory anyone will have in Texas Stadium as they will start play next year in their new $1.3 billion stadium in Arlington. From the looks of it on TV, only about half the crowd remained for the ceremony that featured introductions of about 100 former players. The Cowboys finished 213-100 in regular-season and postseason games at the home they moved into in 1971. I can't imagine what the crowd would have been like if the Cowboys had finished 214-99. But the loss sucked out most of the energy for the ceremony. What an utter shame.
Another thing that galled me about the game was what some Ravens players said after the game. Willis McGahee said “we spoiled their day. It was probably the best concert ever in Irving, Texas.” What? Why do you have to be a jerk dude? I actually liked you before you opened your pie hole. Now, you can go take a flying leap for all I care. I would expect that from someone that plays for the Giants, Deadskins or Foul. But where is your animosity coming from? You couldn't just win with class could you? Jerk. Same thing for Terrell Suggs who said “I hope they enjoyed their little ceremony. I guess we were kind of like the dynamite.” Now, I wish nothing but failure on Baltimore not because they beat Dallas but because they acted like Grade A horse's rears about it.
If, Dallas wins next week (and that's a big IF) and IF they somehow get into the playoff (which at this point I think is minimal at best), I think it will be one last mulligan from the sports gods. If that is the case, the defense better play their absolute best. They owe that to the offense, for once, and the fans who were at the game last night. But at this point, I don't think that will happen. Training camp seems so long ago but at that time this team was thought of as not only a Super Bowl participant but a probable winner as well. This loss is a tough one to swallow, that's for sure.
I'm not saying that Baltimore was some sop team that Dallas was going to roll over. They were 9-5, like Dallas, before the game and had the #2 ranked defense in the NFL. They are a strong, physical team that generally doen't score a lot of points and relies on it's defense to help them win games (much like Pittsburgh). I really did think though that with the way the Cowboys have been playing defense lately, that they would be able to stop the Ravens and pull out a close win in front of a juiced up crowd aching for it. And if you would have told me Dallas put 24 points on Baltimore, I would have said "Dallas wins then". But it was the Cowboys vaunted defense which were the goats of the night. I still have a hard time believing the defense is what lost the game.
The game was pretty tight most of the way through, like I thought it would be, and with about 4 mintues to go in the game, Romo threw a touchdown to TO Owens to pull within 2 points. All Dallas had to do at that point was get a stop, turn the ball back over to the offense so they could drive down for a game winning field goal. I'm sure everyone else thought that would happen too. However, on Baltimore’s first snap after Owen’s touchdown, Baltimore RB Willis McGahee broke through a line bunched up to stop the run and ran 77 yards for a touchdown which tied the longest ever by an opponent at Texas Stadium. Dallas then worked down the field and Romo hit Witten in the endzone for another score again bringing Dallas within 2 points. So now was the time for the defense to step up. Even though they just allowed a long TD run, now was the time they need to focus and get a stop. Instead, on the very first play Baltimore had, RB Le'Ron McClain busted an 82 yard TD run breaking the record McGahee had tied only mintues before. Game over...
Even though Romo wasn't great (24 of 45 for 252 yards, 2 TDs and 2 Ints for a 66.3 rating) the offense played well enough to win the game. Tashard Choice played very well, again, filling in for injured Marion Barber who only carried the ball twice the whole game. The Cowboys jumped ahead 7-0 on a 2-yard touchdown by Tashard Choice, only the fourth rushing TD allowed by the Ravens all season. Choice ran for 90 yards, among the most all season against Baltimore.
Even though the defense is what lost the game for Dallas, DeMarcus Ware played at his usual high level. Choice's score was set up by Ware getting his NFL-leading 20th sack, which also caused Baltimore’s Joe Flacco to fumble. Ware had to forced fumbles in the game and is now three sacks from breaking Michael Strahan’s single-season NFL record. It would be a small silver lining if he could get those next week in Filthadelphia.
It took me a long time to go to sleep last night. I know that is completely assinine because I have no control over the game and, as my wife is fond of saying, "it is just a game...it's supposed to fun, you are supposed to enjoy it." And I do have to agree. But last night's game was important in two ways. One, it was important for Dallas to get into the playoffs. Now, even if Dallas wins next week in Filthadelphia, they will need a few other teams to lose in order to get into the playoffs. And second, it was important because that was the last football memory anyone will have in Texas Stadium as they will start play next year in their new $1.3 billion stadium in Arlington. From the looks of it on TV, only about half the crowd remained for the ceremony that featured introductions of about 100 former players. The Cowboys finished 213-100 in regular-season and postseason games at the home they moved into in 1971. I can't imagine what the crowd would have been like if the Cowboys had finished 214-99. But the loss sucked out most of the energy for the ceremony. What an utter shame.
Another thing that galled me about the game was what some Ravens players said after the game. Willis McGahee said “we spoiled their day. It was probably the best concert ever in Irving, Texas.” What? Why do you have to be a jerk dude? I actually liked you before you opened your pie hole. Now, you can go take a flying leap for all I care. I would expect that from someone that plays for the Giants, Deadskins or Foul. But where is your animosity coming from? You couldn't just win with class could you? Jerk. Same thing for Terrell Suggs who said “I hope they enjoyed their little ceremony. I guess we were kind of like the dynamite.” Now, I wish nothing but failure on Baltimore not because they beat Dallas but because they acted like Grade A horse's rears about it.
If, Dallas wins next week (and that's a big IF) and IF they somehow get into the playoff (which at this point I think is minimal at best), I think it will be one last mulligan from the sports gods. If that is the case, the defense better play their absolute best. They owe that to the offense, for once, and the fans who were at the game last night. But at this point, I don't think that will happen. Training camp seems so long ago but at that time this team was thought of as not only a Super Bowl participant but a probable winner as well. This loss is a tough one to swallow, that's for sure.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
The Final Game at Texas Stadium
Well, I don't have much time so this isn't going to be a long post. I will write another post tomorrow or later this week reflecting on Texas Stadium and that it's time is almost over.
For the game tonight however, I think Dallas needs to follow the same formula that they played with the past two games. The defense needs to continue to play balls to the wall, lights out and the offense needs to make plays when they are there but not force anything and commit turnovers. Baltimore, just like Pittsburgh, thrives off turnovers and, if given the chance, can take an interception back for a touchdown. Baltimore (9-5) has the league’s second-ranked total defense (257.5 yards per game) and third-ranked scoring defense (15.2 ppg) so I think it's going to be another hard hitting, relatively low scoring game. And even though Dallas has several players on the injured list this week, Baltimore has several key defensive players that are banged up too. Hopefully Dallas can take advantage of that.
Baltimore needs this game as badly as Dallas so they are going to roll in and give it their best shot. They are 9-5 and like Dallas, if Baltimore wins out it will be guaranteed one of its conference’s two wild card spots. However, they benefit from playing in the same division as Cincinnati and Cleveland, so there is 4 of their 9 wins right there. The Raven's offense is ranked 21st in the league and their passing offense is ranking 28th so they don't have terribly much that scares me offensively. I think Dallas' defense can hold Baltimore down enough while the Cowboy's offense can do just enough to win. I also think that a big defensive play/turnover or play on special teams could be the difference in the game. Plus, I really don't think the football gods would deny the Cowboys a win in their final game at Texas Stadium.
My prediction: Dallas 17, Baltimore 13
For the game tonight however, I think Dallas needs to follow the same formula that they played with the past two games. The defense needs to continue to play balls to the wall, lights out and the offense needs to make plays when they are there but not force anything and commit turnovers. Baltimore, just like Pittsburgh, thrives off turnovers and, if given the chance, can take an interception back for a touchdown. Baltimore (9-5) has the league’s second-ranked total defense (257.5 yards per game) and third-ranked scoring defense (15.2 ppg) so I think it's going to be another hard hitting, relatively low scoring game. And even though Dallas has several players on the injured list this week, Baltimore has several key defensive players that are banged up too. Hopefully Dallas can take advantage of that.
Baltimore needs this game as badly as Dallas so they are going to roll in and give it their best shot. They are 9-5 and like Dallas, if Baltimore wins out it will be guaranteed one of its conference’s two wild card spots. However, they benefit from playing in the same division as Cincinnati and Cleveland, so there is 4 of their 9 wins right there. The Raven's offense is ranked 21st in the league and their passing offense is ranking 28th so they don't have terribly much that scares me offensively. I think Dallas' defense can hold Baltimore down enough while the Cowboy's offense can do just enough to win. I also think that a big defensive play/turnover or play on special teams could be the difference in the game. Plus, I really don't think the football gods would deny the Cowboys a win in their final game at Texas Stadium.
My prediction: Dallas 17, Baltimore 13
Monday, December 15, 2008
Dominating Defense
I've gotta say that I'm more than a little impressed with the way the Cowboys have been playing defense lately. In fact, since the Tampa game in late October, the Dallas defense really has only had one questionable game and that was when they played the Giants in New York. I was impressed last week when, in a hostile environment against probably the best team in the AFC in bitterly cold weather, Dallas' defense dominated the majority of the game vs. the Steelers. But Sunday night against the Giants, the Cowboys' defense put on a show that was just ridiculously good. DeMarcus Ware sacked Eli Manning on New York’s first snap and the pressure never stopped. Ware finished with three sacks, upping his NFL-leading total to 19. It was the Dallas' third straight game with at least five sacks and Ware is only 3 1/2 sacks short of Michael Strahan's season record of 22 1/2. Not only was 8 sacks impressive but it was extremely impressive who it was against. In two games against Dallas this season, Manning was sacked 12 times; he’s been sacked only 11 times in the other 12 games combined. Not only was Eli on his back a lot of the game, he was not particularly effective when he did avoid getting sacked going 18-of-35 for 191 yards and 2 interceptions for a QB rating of 43.9.
Not only did the Cowboys do a good job harassing Manning but they limited the Giants offense to only 218 total yards (72 rushing; 146 passing). The Giants offense averages 348 yards per game and leads the NFL in rushing offense at 148 yards per game. So by shutting down NY's rushing attack, they put the game in Eli's hands and could afford to pin their ears back and rush him more effectively because play action was not as effective.
True, the Giants were playing without 2 of their top 3 offensive weapons as Brandon Jacobs was out with an injured knee and Plaxico Burress is suspended the remainder of the year. When I heard that Jacobs was out on Friday, I was a little more sure the Cowboys were in a good position. Not overconfident mind you, but just a little more sure. Jacobs is one of the spark plugs in the Giants' offense. The other two guys (Derrick Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw) are good clean up players that compliment Jacobs well but Jacobs is THE key to the Giants offense. He is the bruising RB that is hard to stop when he gets a head of steam...kinda reminds me of Jerome Bettis when he was playing.
While it didn't produce eye popping numbers, the offense did what they needed to do to win the game. Despite taking a beating of his own, Romo was 20-of-30 for 244 yards and two touchdowns for a 113.8 QB rating. Oh and he did not have a turnover in the game which is a big plus. However, the offensive star actually was Choice for the 2nd week in a row. He had 91 yards on only nine carries, and he was the leading receiver with 52 yards on four catches. His 38-yard touchdown run sealed the game for Dallas. The Giants aren't too shabby on defense either as they are #4 in the league at stopping the run.
You can make the comparison that this season's Cowboys team is like last season's Giants team...and vice versa. Last year, Dallas started out 12-1 and looked like a lock to go to the Super Bowl. However, they went 2-2 in the month of December (and didn't play especially well in their 2 wins) and they lost 3 of their final 5 games including their playoff game loss to the Giants. This year, the Cowboys started out hot but had a rough patch in the middle of the year (losing 3 of 4 games) but have turned it around primarily because of the way their defense has played.
Last year, the Giants were a solid team but really elevated their level of play in December, primarily because the defense starting playing more aggressive and putting more pressure on opposing QBs (just as Dallas has done in the past 5 games) which took them all the way to the Super Bowl and helped them defeat the seemingly invincible New England Patriots. This year, the Giants started out white hot going 11-1 but have since lost their last 2 games. And with 2 games to go against Carolina and Minnesota, it is conceivable the Giants go 0-4 in December and limp into the playoffs, just a Dallas did last year.
***Note: I'm NOT saying Dallas will go to the Super Bowl here...just making a comparison between the similarities of two teams and how they each started and finished the last two seasons.
I'm just encouraged by the way Dallas is now playing on defense because the old adage is correct...offense wins you games, defense wins you championships. If Dallas is to get to the Super Bowl, their current defensive effort is going to have to continue.
Not only did the Cowboys do a good job harassing Manning but they limited the Giants offense to only 218 total yards (72 rushing; 146 passing). The Giants offense averages 348 yards per game and leads the NFL in rushing offense at 148 yards per game. So by shutting down NY's rushing attack, they put the game in Eli's hands and could afford to pin their ears back and rush him more effectively because play action was not as effective.
True, the Giants were playing without 2 of their top 3 offensive weapons as Brandon Jacobs was out with an injured knee and Plaxico Burress is suspended the remainder of the year. When I heard that Jacobs was out on Friday, I was a little more sure the Cowboys were in a good position. Not overconfident mind you, but just a little more sure. Jacobs is one of the spark plugs in the Giants' offense. The other two guys (Derrick Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw) are good clean up players that compliment Jacobs well but Jacobs is THE key to the Giants offense. He is the bruising RB that is hard to stop when he gets a head of steam...kinda reminds me of Jerome Bettis when he was playing.
While it didn't produce eye popping numbers, the offense did what they needed to do to win the game. Despite taking a beating of his own, Romo was 20-of-30 for 244 yards and two touchdowns for a 113.8 QB rating. Oh and he did not have a turnover in the game which is a big plus. However, the offensive star actually was Choice for the 2nd week in a row. He had 91 yards on only nine carries, and he was the leading receiver with 52 yards on four catches. His 38-yard touchdown run sealed the game for Dallas. The Giants aren't too shabby on defense either as they are #4 in the league at stopping the run.
You can make the comparison that this season's Cowboys team is like last season's Giants team...and vice versa. Last year, Dallas started out 12-1 and looked like a lock to go to the Super Bowl. However, they went 2-2 in the month of December (and didn't play especially well in their 2 wins) and they lost 3 of their final 5 games including their playoff game loss to the Giants. This year, the Cowboys started out hot but had a rough patch in the middle of the year (losing 3 of 4 games) but have turned it around primarily because of the way their defense has played.
Last year, the Giants were a solid team but really elevated their level of play in December, primarily because the defense starting playing more aggressive and putting more pressure on opposing QBs (just as Dallas has done in the past 5 games) which took them all the way to the Super Bowl and helped them defeat the seemingly invincible New England Patriots. This year, the Giants started out white hot going 11-1 but have since lost their last 2 games. And with 2 games to go against Carolina and Minnesota, it is conceivable the Giants go 0-4 in December and limp into the playoffs, just a Dallas did last year.
***Note: I'm NOT saying Dallas will go to the Super Bowl here...just making a comparison between the similarities of two teams and how they each started and finished the last two seasons.
I'm just encouraged by the way Dallas is now playing on defense because the old adage is correct...offense wins you games, defense wins you championships. If Dallas is to get to the Super Bowl, their current defensive effort is going to have to continue.
Friday, December 12, 2008
The Next Biggest Game of the Year
What a zoo. Just when you think the drama at Valley Ranch has died down, all the carnies start stirring the pot. Late yesterday, instead of focusing on the monumental game coming up this weekend against the Giants, the following story surfaced which indicates the team's focus is actually on each other:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3763209
How many times has Romo thrown to Owens and he had dropped the freaking ball? Witten does have some drops but they are quite rare. Also, in last week's game, Owens quit on a route that Romo threw to him on and the result of Owens just pulling up resulted in an interception by Troy Polamalu. So to me, I don't necessarily fault Romo for not going back to Owens all that often after that. But that's just my opinion. Oh, and what WR had his biggest game just 2 games ago when he had 213 receiving yards? Hmmm, any guesses?
Maybe there is nothing to this but honestly, I am about sick to death of TO Owens and the line of crap he throws out to everyone. However, this is not the usual TO Owens "I'm not getting the ball enough" garbage we've heard several times this year. There were actually multiple players who, anonymously, gave their two cents on Owens and all his antics. I certainly hope this is not the beginning of what happened between Owens and the Filthadelphia Foul when he played for them. The situation is different (Owens' issue with the Foul was that he wasn't getting paid enough) although the result could be the same.
I've never made any bones about it...I don't like the man at all just as I didn't like Deion Sanders. Owens, like Deion, is an immensely talented individual and if he uses that talent for the betterment of the Cowboys, I will cheer. But I have never cheered, nor ever will, for Owens like I cheer for Romo, Barber, Witten, Aikman, Emmitt or Michael. I can't believe this guy thinks Romo and Witten are holding private meetings without him to draw up plays to use in games. What freaking planet is this guy from?
So, after all that, the following comments surfaced this morning on the the Dallas Morning News' Cowboys blog, from Terrance Newman, where it looks like he is calling out coaches for having no accountability:
http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/12/terence-newman-accountability-problems-s.html
Good lord, what is going on around here? If someone didn't know any better they wouldn't know Dallas is preparing for their next biggest game of the season. Dallas can really ill afford to lose any of their final three games if they want to make the playoffs. So that makes this weekend's game vs. the Giants pretty big. Add to that the fact that it's going to be on Sunday night football on NBC and it's even bigger. And now, with all the "turmoil" going on, the spotlight is even more on the team. Unfortunately, we will get a massive dose of all this rehashed on Sunday as I'm quite sure every pregame and post game show on FOX/CBS/NBC will be chatting this thing up. And
Up until yesterday, I was so looking forward to this game because I really thought that Dallas was getting the Giants at the most opportune time. Brandon Jacobs has been ruled out of Sunday's game and, of course, Plaxico Burress will not be in uniform as he has been suspended the remainder of the season by NY. Those two things alone are huge for Dallas. That's not to say that the Giants are completely depleted on offense. The game is still going to be hard hitting and difficult however with both Jacobs and Burress not playing, the game is more winnable for Dallas than it would have been if they were playing. I still think Dallas is getting the Giants at a good time however are they going to be able to focus long enough to get the job done or are they going to implode on the sidelines in front of the entire country?
Since I'm biased, I think Dallas will find a way to get it done this week. Both teams are beat up (Dallas has 14 players on the injury list) but this is a division game and I hope Dallas remembers what NY did to them back in early November. Dallas is the more desperate team and the game is a home game for them as well. Those facts, plus Jacobs and Burress being out for NY, leave the "W" door open just enough for Dallas to squeeze through. Like I said, it won't be easy but I think the end result will put the Cowboys one step closer to the playoffs.
Prediction: Dallas 24, NY 21.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3763209
How many times has Romo thrown to Owens and he had dropped the freaking ball? Witten does have some drops but they are quite rare. Also, in last week's game, Owens quit on a route that Romo threw to him on and the result of Owens just pulling up resulted in an interception by Troy Polamalu. So to me, I don't necessarily fault Romo for not going back to Owens all that often after that. But that's just my opinion. Oh, and what WR had his biggest game just 2 games ago when he had 213 receiving yards? Hmmm, any guesses?
Maybe there is nothing to this but honestly, I am about sick to death of TO Owens and the line of crap he throws out to everyone. However, this is not the usual TO Owens "I'm not getting the ball enough" garbage we've heard several times this year. There were actually multiple players who, anonymously, gave their two cents on Owens and all his antics. I certainly hope this is not the beginning of what happened between Owens and the Filthadelphia Foul when he played for them. The situation is different (Owens' issue with the Foul was that he wasn't getting paid enough) although the result could be the same.
I've never made any bones about it...I don't like the man at all just as I didn't like Deion Sanders. Owens, like Deion, is an immensely talented individual and if he uses that talent for the betterment of the Cowboys, I will cheer. But I have never cheered, nor ever will, for Owens like I cheer for Romo, Barber, Witten, Aikman, Emmitt or Michael. I can't believe this guy thinks Romo and Witten are holding private meetings without him to draw up plays to use in games. What freaking planet is this guy from?
So, after all that, the following comments surfaced this morning on the the Dallas Morning News' Cowboys blog, from Terrance Newman, where it looks like he is calling out coaches for having no accountability:
http://cowboysblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/12/terence-newman-accountability-problems-s.html
Good lord, what is going on around here? If someone didn't know any better they wouldn't know Dallas is preparing for their next biggest game of the season. Dallas can really ill afford to lose any of their final three games if they want to make the playoffs. So that makes this weekend's game vs. the Giants pretty big. Add to that the fact that it's going to be on Sunday night football on NBC and it's even bigger. And now, with all the "turmoil" going on, the spotlight is even more on the team. Unfortunately, we will get a massive dose of all this rehashed on Sunday as I'm quite sure every pregame and post game show on FOX/CBS/NBC will be chatting this thing up. And
Up until yesterday, I was so looking forward to this game because I really thought that Dallas was getting the Giants at the most opportune time. Brandon Jacobs has been ruled out of Sunday's game and, of course, Plaxico Burress will not be in uniform as he has been suspended the remainder of the season by NY. Those two things alone are huge for Dallas. That's not to say that the Giants are completely depleted on offense. The game is still going to be hard hitting and difficult however with both Jacobs and Burress not playing, the game is more winnable for Dallas than it would have been if they were playing. I still think Dallas is getting the Giants at a good time however are they going to be able to focus long enough to get the job done or are they going to implode on the sidelines in front of the entire country?
Since I'm biased, I think Dallas will find a way to get it done this week. Both teams are beat up (Dallas has 14 players on the injury list) but this is a division game and I hope Dallas remembers what NY did to them back in early November. Dallas is the more desperate team and the game is a home game for them as well. Those facts, plus Jacobs and Burress being out for NY, leave the "W" door open just enough for Dallas to squeeze through. Like I said, it won't be easy but I think the end result will put the Cowboys one step closer to the playoffs.
Prediction: Dallas 24, NY 21.
Monday, December 8, 2008
What a Bummer
What an absolute kick to the nads. I was the only one out of all my friends (who I discussed the game with) that legitimately thought Dallas would win on Sunday. I really did. I thought they would need to play a low scoring, defensive style game in order to win and for 3 1/2 quarters, they did that. And then, that dreaded ending to a close game happenend when Romo overthrew a pass to Witten, deep in their own end of the field, which ended up getting picked off and run back for the game winning score by Pittsburgh. Holy cow.
Offensively, they were good in spots, but overall not all that great. I will say this...Tashard Choice was awesome in fill in duty for Marion Barber. Choice ran for 88 yards in his first NFL start, the most against Pittsburgh all season, and had 166 total yards. Those stats would have been awesome no matter who they were playing but especially playing Pittsuburgh. Romo, coming off successive 300-yard games, was decent at times and below average at times as he ended the day 19-of-36 for 210 yards, 1 TD and three interceptions. In fact, he and Big Ben Roethlisberger had very similar stats as Big Ben was 17 of 33 for 204 and 1 TD. The glaring difference between the two (and the difference in the game) was that Roethlisberger didn't turn the ball over.
Defensively though, the Cowboys were outstanding to say the least. They did everything asked of them and more. Through 3 quarters of play, the Steelers only had 89 yards of offense. It was by far the best defensive effort I've seen all year. Pittsburgh has one of the league's best running games and the Cowboys answered the bell nearly everytime and really had the game well in hand until midway through the 4th quarter. That goal line stand on 4th down was a thing of absolute beauty and at that time, I really thought that was the game...I thought Dallas would walk away with the "W". It was a championship level defensive performance and one that everyone around here has been waiting for. It's just a shame that effort was wasted. I say wasted in that the team walked away with a loss, which is really all that matters. But my hope is that the defense can look squarely in the eye of their opposition in the next 3 games and know they can go toe to toe with them on every play.
I will say that Pac Man, in his first game back from his suspension, played decent on defense as he broke up a couple of passes thrown his way. So I give him props for that. My question is this: what is doing when he returns punts? Aside from the VERY POOR decison to try to field a punt at the 5 YARD LINE (which he muffed but then recovered) all I see is a bunch of juking left and right and he even sometimes looses yardage too. Here's a hint Pac Man...run north and south, NOT east and west. You are NOT Deion who could afford to do that because there was always the possibility of the punt return going for big yardage or a touchdown. And that is what I've heard about Pac Man but until I see it, he is just another guy. And to be honest, I trust Crayton to return punts more than Pac Man.
I'm sure Romo will take a lot of heat this week and he rightfully should. I love the guy's playmaking ability, and I understand playmaking is risky by it's very nature, but Romo has got to be smarter in situations like Sunday where he threw the interception that was returned for a touchdown. The Cowboys didn't need to score at that point because the score was tied. He didn't need to force anything. Dallas could have punted the ball away and with the time left (probably around 40 seconds or so), the Steelers would have had to move the ball to get in field goal range...which would have had to be closer than normal because of the cold weather. But Romo chose to take a risk and it ended up hurting the team. Only time will tell how bad it hurt the team. I think Romo is a great QB but until he starts performing better in December/playoffs, his reputation will be "one that can't win the big one" as Petyon Mannings was.
The weather didn’t help during yet another December disappointment for Dallas, which is 17-29 in the month since 1996. I still think (and maybe it's just blind hope) that Dallas will end the month of December 3-1. And to make the playoffs, they will have to because it looks like Tampa Bay, which Dallas holds the tie breaker over, will get to 11 wins and will get 1 of the 2 Wild Cards. So that leave a gaggle of other teams, some of which will get to 10-6, vying for the last Wild Card spot. And Dallas won't hold tie breakers over many of those teams. So, to definately get into the playoffs, the Cowboys must run the table and win all three of their last games. If they continue to play defense like they did this past weekend, I think that is entirely possible. With 2 of the last 3 games at home, where there should be agreeable weather, if they don't win out there is going to be hell to pay.
If Dallas can win their remaining games and streak into the playoffs, I see Sunday's loss as the type of loss the Giants had when the lost to the Patriots last year. That loss gave NY all kinds of confidence because they lost in the last few minutes of the game proving that they could go toe to toe with New England. And that loss eventually propelled the Giants to the Super Bowl...and everyone knows the rest of the story.
Offensively, they were good in spots, but overall not all that great. I will say this...Tashard Choice was awesome in fill in duty for Marion Barber. Choice ran for 88 yards in his first NFL start, the most against Pittsburgh all season, and had 166 total yards. Those stats would have been awesome no matter who they were playing but especially playing Pittsuburgh. Romo, coming off successive 300-yard games, was decent at times and below average at times as he ended the day 19-of-36 for 210 yards, 1 TD and three interceptions. In fact, he and Big Ben Roethlisberger had very similar stats as Big Ben was 17 of 33 for 204 and 1 TD. The glaring difference between the two (and the difference in the game) was that Roethlisberger didn't turn the ball over.
Defensively though, the Cowboys were outstanding to say the least. They did everything asked of them and more. Through 3 quarters of play, the Steelers only had 89 yards of offense. It was by far the best defensive effort I've seen all year. Pittsburgh has one of the league's best running games and the Cowboys answered the bell nearly everytime and really had the game well in hand until midway through the 4th quarter. That goal line stand on 4th down was a thing of absolute beauty and at that time, I really thought that was the game...I thought Dallas would walk away with the "W". It was a championship level defensive performance and one that everyone around here has been waiting for. It's just a shame that effort was wasted. I say wasted in that the team walked away with a loss, which is really all that matters. But my hope is that the defense can look squarely in the eye of their opposition in the next 3 games and know they can go toe to toe with them on every play.
I will say that Pac Man, in his first game back from his suspension, played decent on defense as he broke up a couple of passes thrown his way. So I give him props for that. My question is this: what is doing when he returns punts? Aside from the VERY POOR decison to try to field a punt at the 5 YARD LINE (which he muffed but then recovered) all I see is a bunch of juking left and right and he even sometimes looses yardage too. Here's a hint Pac Man...run north and south, NOT east and west. You are NOT Deion who could afford to do that because there was always the possibility of the punt return going for big yardage or a touchdown. And that is what I've heard about Pac Man but until I see it, he is just another guy. And to be honest, I trust Crayton to return punts more than Pac Man.
I'm sure Romo will take a lot of heat this week and he rightfully should. I love the guy's playmaking ability, and I understand playmaking is risky by it's very nature, but Romo has got to be smarter in situations like Sunday where he threw the interception that was returned for a touchdown. The Cowboys didn't need to score at that point because the score was tied. He didn't need to force anything. Dallas could have punted the ball away and with the time left (probably around 40 seconds or so), the Steelers would have had to move the ball to get in field goal range...which would have had to be closer than normal because of the cold weather. But Romo chose to take a risk and it ended up hurting the team. Only time will tell how bad it hurt the team. I think Romo is a great QB but until he starts performing better in December/playoffs, his reputation will be "one that can't win the big one" as Petyon Mannings was.
The weather didn’t help during yet another December disappointment for Dallas, which is 17-29 in the month since 1996. I still think (and maybe it's just blind hope) that Dallas will end the month of December 3-1. And to make the playoffs, they will have to because it looks like Tampa Bay, which Dallas holds the tie breaker over, will get to 11 wins and will get 1 of the 2 Wild Cards. So that leave a gaggle of other teams, some of which will get to 10-6, vying for the last Wild Card spot. And Dallas won't hold tie breakers over many of those teams. So, to definately get into the playoffs, the Cowboys must run the table and win all three of their last games. If they continue to play defense like they did this past weekend, I think that is entirely possible. With 2 of the last 3 games at home, where there should be agreeable weather, if they don't win out there is going to be hell to pay.
If Dallas can win their remaining games and streak into the playoffs, I see Sunday's loss as the type of loss the Giants had when the lost to the Patriots last year. That loss gave NY all kinds of confidence because they lost in the last few minutes of the game proving that they could go toe to toe with New England. And that loss eventually propelled the Giants to the Super Bowl...and everyone knows the rest of the story.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Uh oh...Barber's Out vs. Pittsburgh
A friend of mine and I were talking yesterday about Sunday's Cowboys - Steelers game on Sunday. When I told him I thought Dallas would win a low scoring, muck-it-up type game (kind of like the Washington game 3 weeks ago) he asked me "even without Barber?" (Marion Barber dislocated his pinkie toe on one of his feet during the Thanksgiving Day game vs. Seattle). I told him I heard was it would be a game time decision and that I really thought he would give it a go. I mean this is probably the biggest game for Dallas to this point in the season and with the way some of the other teams have been winning, Dallas can ill afford to lose 2 of the remaining 4 games.
Well, today about mid day I got a text message saying that Barber was definitely out for Sunday's game and didn't even get on the team charter up to Pittsburgh. Ouch. Actually make that double ouch because of how the Steeler's defense is playing. Pittsburgh leads the NFL in rushing defense with 71.2 yards per game average, the lowest by any team since the 1970 NFL merger, and have not allowed an opposing back to gain even 80 yards.
With Barber out, that means the bulk of the dirty work is going to have to go to rookie Tashard Choice who Dallas drafted in the 4th round this past April. Choice, from Georgia Tech, rushed for a career-high 57 yards on 11 carries when he replaced Barber on Thanksgiving, giving him 147 yards on 30 carries this season. And really, that isn't too shaby...4.9 yards per rush. I'll take that any day. However, playing Seattle's defense and Pittsburgh's defense are pretty much night and day. Backing up Choice will be Alonzo Coleman who Dallas signed off their practice squad where he had spent the better part of the past two years.
So it looks as if Dallas' chances of coming out of Pittsburgh with a "W" don't seem that great. But you know what...I'm not backing off my original prediction. I'm sticking with Dallas winning a lower scoring slug fest-type game. I think the Cowboy's defense has improved enough in recent weeks that they can keep the game close and I think Dallas has enough weapons on offense that they will be able to score a few times which may be all that's needed.
The key to this game is turnovers though. The team who wins the turnover battle I think will win. This is where Dallas' defense can keep them in the game. However, Pittsburgh has gotten more than their fair share of takeaways this year as well. Garrett needs to call a more conservative game tomorrow and Romo needs to play more conservatively, much to the chagrin of TO Owens. With two YOUNG RBs carrying the load for the team, the offense can't really afford to take more than a couple of shots down field.
The game might also come down to which ever team can make a big play on special teams. This is where Pac Man Jones comes in. He makes his triumphant return to the lineup and will be not only returning punts but will be back returning kicks. Everything I heard in the off season about this guy said that he is dynamic when he gets the ball in his hands. But we have yet to see that...at all. So this is Pac Man's chance to shine and put everything that happened earlier in the season to rest. If he can bust a kick return or punt for big yardage, or even a TD, that could be the difference in the game.
Dallas is more desperate to get a win than Pittsburgh. That doesn't mean they want the game more than the Steelers but the Cowboys can less afford a loss right now. That plus the Steelers defense may be a bit overconfident knowing Barber is out. Or maybe I'm just hoping against hope and this is all wishful thinking. But I gotta stick with my original prediction...I think Dallas finds a way to win an ugly game.
Prediction: Dallas 20, Pittsburgh 17
Well, today about mid day I got a text message saying that Barber was definitely out for Sunday's game and didn't even get on the team charter up to Pittsburgh. Ouch. Actually make that double ouch because of how the Steeler's defense is playing. Pittsburgh leads the NFL in rushing defense with 71.2 yards per game average, the lowest by any team since the 1970 NFL merger, and have not allowed an opposing back to gain even 80 yards.
With Barber out, that means the bulk of the dirty work is going to have to go to rookie Tashard Choice who Dallas drafted in the 4th round this past April. Choice, from Georgia Tech, rushed for a career-high 57 yards on 11 carries when he replaced Barber on Thanksgiving, giving him 147 yards on 30 carries this season. And really, that isn't too shaby...4.9 yards per rush. I'll take that any day. However, playing Seattle's defense and Pittsburgh's defense are pretty much night and day. Backing up Choice will be Alonzo Coleman who Dallas signed off their practice squad where he had spent the better part of the past two years.
So it looks as if Dallas' chances of coming out of Pittsburgh with a "W" don't seem that great. But you know what...I'm not backing off my original prediction. I'm sticking with Dallas winning a lower scoring slug fest-type game. I think the Cowboy's defense has improved enough in recent weeks that they can keep the game close and I think Dallas has enough weapons on offense that they will be able to score a few times which may be all that's needed.
The key to this game is turnovers though. The team who wins the turnover battle I think will win. This is where Dallas' defense can keep them in the game. However, Pittsburgh has gotten more than their fair share of takeaways this year as well. Garrett needs to call a more conservative game tomorrow and Romo needs to play more conservatively, much to the chagrin of TO Owens. With two YOUNG RBs carrying the load for the team, the offense can't really afford to take more than a couple of shots down field.
The game might also come down to which ever team can make a big play on special teams. This is where Pac Man Jones comes in. He makes his triumphant return to the lineup and will be not only returning punts but will be back returning kicks. Everything I heard in the off season about this guy said that he is dynamic when he gets the ball in his hands. But we have yet to see that...at all. So this is Pac Man's chance to shine and put everything that happened earlier in the season to rest. If he can bust a kick return or punt for big yardage, or even a TD, that could be the difference in the game.
Dallas is more desperate to get a win than Pittsburgh. That doesn't mean they want the game more than the Steelers but the Cowboys can less afford a loss right now. That plus the Steelers defense may be a bit overconfident knowing Barber is out. Or maybe I'm just hoping against hope and this is all wishful thinking. But I gotta stick with my original prediction...I think Dallas finds a way to win an ugly game.
Prediction: Dallas 20, Pittsburgh 17
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Mavs Over .500 for the First Time
Well, after the first nine games of the season, Dallas looked like they had fallen off the mountain...literally. At that time, they were 2-7 and didn't look like they knew how or had any interest in playing defense...especially in the final quarter of those games. They just couldn't keep up the scoring pace simply because they couldn't get the stops needed to get them back in the game. However, since then, the Mavs have gone 7-1 and looks like they have pulled this thing out of the mud. I think this is important because they have done the bulk of this without Josh Howard who has been sidelined the past 6 games with a gimpy ankle. Even though Josh is a knucklehead, he's a decent basketball player the Mavs count on. So for them to turn things around this starkly without him is remarkable.
Last night, Dallas played the Clippers who beat them earlier in the season (during that 2-7 stretch). During the previous game, the Mavs got down big and fought back to even the score in the 4th quarter only to get blown out because they had nothing left in the tank to continue the fight. This looked like the same type of game last night as the Clippers (who are one of the worst teams in the league) pretty much scored at will on Dallas and held a 15 point lead going into the 4th quarter. Zach Randolph had 27 points and 10 rebounds and anyone that says they were glad the Mavs didn't get him because he is a knucklehead really doesn't know what the Mavs need and what they don't. Randolph is a beast and the Mavs made a run to try to trade for him but he went to the Clippers instead. How great would that have been if he was the inside presence vs. Dampier/Diop?
The Mavs started the 4th quarter down 15 pts and so they went from man-to-man to zone and the Clippers had no idea how to score against it. You would have thought that was the first time they had ever seen zone defense at all. Dallas closed out the game on an 18-4 run. In fact, Dallas never led in the game until Jose Barea (Jose Barea?!?!) hit the go-ahead 3-pointer in the final minute as the Mavs rallied from a 15-point deficit in the 4th quarter for a 100-98 win.
Dallas' next few opponents (Phoenix, Atlanta and San Antonio) are a little stiffer competition than the Clippers but I like the turnaround and the fight the team has shown the last few weeks. I still don't think the ending result will be any different than last year (one and done in the playoffs) but at least they are playing well as a team again. Bring on the Suns!
Last night, Dallas played the Clippers who beat them earlier in the season (during that 2-7 stretch). During the previous game, the Mavs got down big and fought back to even the score in the 4th quarter only to get blown out because they had nothing left in the tank to continue the fight. This looked like the same type of game last night as the Clippers (who are one of the worst teams in the league) pretty much scored at will on Dallas and held a 15 point lead going into the 4th quarter. Zach Randolph had 27 points and 10 rebounds and anyone that says they were glad the Mavs didn't get him because he is a knucklehead really doesn't know what the Mavs need and what they don't. Randolph is a beast and the Mavs made a run to try to trade for him but he went to the Clippers instead. How great would that have been if he was the inside presence vs. Dampier/Diop?
The Mavs started the 4th quarter down 15 pts and so they went from man-to-man to zone and the Clippers had no idea how to score against it. You would have thought that was the first time they had ever seen zone defense at all. Dallas closed out the game on an 18-4 run. In fact, Dallas never led in the game until Jose Barea (Jose Barea?!?!) hit the go-ahead 3-pointer in the final minute as the Mavs rallied from a 15-point deficit in the 4th quarter for a 100-98 win.
Dallas' next few opponents (Phoenix, Atlanta and San Antonio) are a little stiffer competition than the Clippers but I like the turnaround and the fight the team has shown the last few weeks. I still don't think the ending result will be any different than last year (one and done in the playoffs) but at least they are playing well as a team again. Bring on the Suns!
Monday, December 1, 2008
The Stretch Run...Not The Cowboys Favorite Time of Year
Well, I've been a little slack the past few weeks with posting thoughts on what's been going on with the Cowboys but really, I can't get too fired up about San Francisco and Seattle. Dallas did what they were supposed to do and dispensed with both with relative ease.
The annual Thanksgiving game vs. Seattle was never really in doubt as the Seahawks lost their fifth straight game and looked pretty bad doing it. It's a shame to see how far and fast they have fallen due in part to injury however the team is just not playing well. Julius Jones, who I thought would have been motivated to show Dallas just what they missed in not resigning him, showed the Cowboys what they saw the past couple of seasons when he was with Dallas. Jones was held to 37 yds. rushing on 11 carries. Now I remember why they didn't resign him. The defense racked up seven sacks—three by Ware, giving him an NFL-best 15. The offense seems to be clicking on all cylinders as they scored touchdowns on the first three drives and points on the first four. Romo looked like his old self again as he fired for 331 passing yards and 3 TDs. He is expected to be back to full strength for the next game with the splint on his finger being removed.
So, now that the Cowboys have clawed their way back into the playoff hunt, they will need to do something they haven't done since 2001...have a winning record in the month of December. And I can't think of a tougher final month they've faced in recent years than they will face this year: at Pittsburgh, home against New Yawk, home against Baltimore and they finish up the season in Filthadelphia. For any time this year, that would be brutal. But for a team that is 18-31 in the month of December since 1996, it looks almost impossible. Every one of those teams is in the top 11 defensively and 3 of them are in the top 7. So Dallas is going to have to slug it out, put their head down and bull rush their way toward the playoffs. Here's how I see the final month shaking out for the Cowboys:
Pittsburgh is the top defensive team (no surprise) in the league in just about every category. And judging from what they did to New England, in Foxboro, they are probably the top team in the AFC and more than likely will the the AFC representative in the Super Bowl. However, they are not a team that is going to put up crazy offensive numbers as they average just a little over 22 pts per game. If Dallas can jump on them early and get out to a lead, they might be able to hold them off. This is what I'm betting on but I really don't expect Dallas to get into a slug fest with the Steelers and win. But Dallas will do just enough to come away with a win.
The New Yawk Giants, much to my dismay, have just continued to roll through the season unfazed by any personnel loss or "distraction" that occurs off the field. That is definitely something I admire about the team. In the last couple of years, they have lost Tiki Barber, Michael Strahan, Jeremy Shockey, Osi Umenyiora and David Tyree and ended up with a Super Bowl win and a franchise first 11-1 start this season. Adding to that, their best offensive weapon, Plaxico Burress may not rejoin the team the rest of the year due to an off the field incident with a gun and guess what...the Giants don't even care. Why is that? Because they don't need him. They just keep winning. However, I have a good feeling about this game for Dallas...don't know why at this point but I'm calling this a "W" right now. You read it here first.
The Baltimore game is probably the trickiest of the bunch because it will be after what I think will be an extremely hard fought victory over the NFC's best team. Dallas will be emotionally and physically spent and I think Baltimore comes to town and beats Dallas pretty good...probably by 14 pts. The Ravens are a little like the Steelers in that they play hard nose physical defense, a staple of theirs, but also can hurt you with a few offensive weapons too. Their rookie QB Joe Flacco is not playing like a rookie and will be the key in their victory over Dallas.
And last, but certainly the least, the Filthadelphia Foul. This is where I think Dallas makes their mark. I think the Cowboys will have to have 11 wins to guaranty a playoff spot so this could be the determining game for that. And Filthadelpia loves to beat Dallas, especially TO Owens, so they will be pretty rev ed up. But I think Dallas goes in and beat a Foul team which will be out of the playoffs at that point and looking for a new QB...McNabb won't return to Filthy next season.
So, I have Dallas winning 3 of their final 4 games and getting into the playoffs as the #5 seed. Maybe this is just homer ism or blind faith because nothing in the recent history supports anything I just said. But something is different with this team and maybe it's the adversity they had to overcome in the middle of the season. But if the Giants, can turn their season around and use a productive December to vault into the post season, I certainly think Dallas can do it too. The gauntlet has been thrown...let's see if Dallas is up to the task.
The annual Thanksgiving game vs. Seattle was never really in doubt as the Seahawks lost their fifth straight game and looked pretty bad doing it. It's a shame to see how far and fast they have fallen due in part to injury however the team is just not playing well. Julius Jones, who I thought would have been motivated to show Dallas just what they missed in not resigning him, showed the Cowboys what they saw the past couple of seasons when he was with Dallas. Jones was held to 37 yds. rushing on 11 carries. Now I remember why they didn't resign him. The defense racked up seven sacks—three by Ware, giving him an NFL-best 15. The offense seems to be clicking on all cylinders as they scored touchdowns on the first three drives and points on the first four. Romo looked like his old self again as he fired for 331 passing yards and 3 TDs. He is expected to be back to full strength for the next game with the splint on his finger being removed.
So, now that the Cowboys have clawed their way back into the playoff hunt, they will need to do something they haven't done since 2001...have a winning record in the month of December. And I can't think of a tougher final month they've faced in recent years than they will face this year: at Pittsburgh, home against New Yawk, home against Baltimore and they finish up the season in Filthadelphia. For any time this year, that would be brutal. But for a team that is 18-31 in the month of December since 1996, it looks almost impossible. Every one of those teams is in the top 11 defensively and 3 of them are in the top 7. So Dallas is going to have to slug it out, put their head down and bull rush their way toward the playoffs. Here's how I see the final month shaking out for the Cowboys:
Pittsburgh is the top defensive team (no surprise) in the league in just about every category. And judging from what they did to New England, in Foxboro, they are probably the top team in the AFC and more than likely will the the AFC representative in the Super Bowl. However, they are not a team that is going to put up crazy offensive numbers as they average just a little over 22 pts per game. If Dallas can jump on them early and get out to a lead, they might be able to hold them off. This is what I'm betting on but I really don't expect Dallas to get into a slug fest with the Steelers and win. But Dallas will do just enough to come away with a win.
The New Yawk Giants, much to my dismay, have just continued to roll through the season unfazed by any personnel loss or "distraction" that occurs off the field. That is definitely something I admire about the team. In the last couple of years, they have lost Tiki Barber, Michael Strahan, Jeremy Shockey, Osi Umenyiora and David Tyree and ended up with a Super Bowl win and a franchise first 11-1 start this season. Adding to that, their best offensive weapon, Plaxico Burress may not rejoin the team the rest of the year due to an off the field incident with a gun and guess what...the Giants don't even care. Why is that? Because they don't need him. They just keep winning. However, I have a good feeling about this game for Dallas...don't know why at this point but I'm calling this a "W" right now. You read it here first.
The Baltimore game is probably the trickiest of the bunch because it will be after what I think will be an extremely hard fought victory over the NFC's best team. Dallas will be emotionally and physically spent and I think Baltimore comes to town and beats Dallas pretty good...probably by 14 pts. The Ravens are a little like the Steelers in that they play hard nose physical defense, a staple of theirs, but also can hurt you with a few offensive weapons too. Their rookie QB Joe Flacco is not playing like a rookie and will be the key in their victory over Dallas.
And last, but certainly the least, the Filthadelphia Foul. This is where I think Dallas makes their mark. I think the Cowboys will have to have 11 wins to guaranty a playoff spot so this could be the determining game for that. And Filthadelpia loves to beat Dallas, especially TO Owens, so they will be pretty rev ed up. But I think Dallas goes in and beat a Foul team which will be out of the playoffs at that point and looking for a new QB...McNabb won't return to Filthy next season.
So, I have Dallas winning 3 of their final 4 games and getting into the playoffs as the #5 seed. Maybe this is just homer ism or blind faith because nothing in the recent history supports anything I just said. But something is different with this team and maybe it's the adversity they had to overcome in the middle of the season. But if the Giants, can turn their season around and use a productive December to vault into the post season, I certainly think Dallas can do it too. The gauntlet has been thrown...let's see if Dallas is up to the task.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Big College Football Weekend
Well, I was only slightly off on my prediction last week that OU would win by a mere 14 points. Ha! It has been a long time since I have seen such a thorough dismantling of a team like OU took apart Tech last weekend. I turned the game off at half time because, even though I said no lead is insurmountable for Tech, I could tell the Raiders were done. They weren't going to win, much less come back...not that night, in that stadium, against that OU team. No way. There was not a team in the country that could have won that game against OU. Not Texas, not USC, not Florida, not Alabama...nobody. It's just a shame that Tech had to lose in such a fashion, on national tv, in a game that would have solidified them as true national championship contenders. Because now, with the way they lost and when they lost, even IF OU gets beat by OSU this weekend and Tech beats Mizzou in the Big XII championship game, I don't think Tech will get to the BCS Championship...I just don't. Losing 65-21 on prime time tv does that unfortunately. They may get a BCS bowl big even if they don't win the Big XII, but I don't think Miami is in Tech's future.
OU is in the drivers seat because they "control their own destiny" in that if they win out, they will be in Miami on Jan. 8th. And right now, with they way OU is playing, I can't aruge with that any. However, Texas is still in a nice spot because IF they take care of business this tomorrow night against the Aggies, then all they have to do is sit back and watch what unfolds. The way I see it, Texas could still get to the championship if one of the following happens:
-OSU beats OU this weekend
-OU beats OSU, then OU loses to Mizzou in the Big XII Champ. game
-Florida St. beats Florida this weekend, then Florida beats Alabama in SEC Champ. game.
That last scenario assumes OU wins out and makes it to the national championship game. That would stage OU vs. Texas for the BCS Championship. A couple of people have told me that can't happen because in order to play for the national championship, you have to win your conference. However, I am 99% sure that is not a rule. I have looked for that everywhere and I simply can't find it. Plus think back to 2003 when OU got drilled by Kansas St. in the Big XII champ. game and then wound up playing USC in the title game (where they got smoked even worse). The BCS would lick their chops at the thought of an OU-TX champ. game. The ratings, I think, would be through the roof. And it is possible that happens...probably not a huge possibility because I don't think Florida will lose to Florida State.
At this point, if I had to name my title game today based on how I think things will shake out, I would put Florida and OU in Miami. Although I would love to see Texas there, I think OU has the inside track and it's gonna take an almost perfect game from OSU or Mizzou to beat the Sooners. And yes, I know Alabama is currently #1 and, up until now, I haven't even mentioned them. But, even though they are a great team, I don't think they have the horses to keep up with Florida, period. However, we're not at that point yet so let's just be concerned with what's happening this weekend. Whatever happens, it's gonna be a great weekend for college football.
***Oh, and this post wouldn't be complete without me mentioning the greatness that was LSWho going down in utter flames last weekend to Ole Miss. And the fact that the game was in Baton Rouge made it even better. To me, LSWho fans and Filthadelpia Foul fans are on the same level. So to see both of those teams just get stomped last weekend gave me, well, joy.
OU is in the drivers seat because they "control their own destiny" in that if they win out, they will be in Miami on Jan. 8th. And right now, with they way OU is playing, I can't aruge with that any. However, Texas is still in a nice spot because IF they take care of business this tomorrow night against the Aggies, then all they have to do is sit back and watch what unfolds. The way I see it, Texas could still get to the championship if one of the following happens:
-OSU beats OU this weekend
-OU beats OSU, then OU loses to Mizzou in the Big XII Champ. game
-Florida St. beats Florida this weekend, then Florida beats Alabama in SEC Champ. game.
That last scenario assumes OU wins out and makes it to the national championship game. That would stage OU vs. Texas for the BCS Championship. A couple of people have told me that can't happen because in order to play for the national championship, you have to win your conference. However, I am 99% sure that is not a rule. I have looked for that everywhere and I simply can't find it. Plus think back to 2003 when OU got drilled by Kansas St. in the Big XII champ. game and then wound up playing USC in the title game (where they got smoked even worse). The BCS would lick their chops at the thought of an OU-TX champ. game. The ratings, I think, would be through the roof. And it is possible that happens...probably not a huge possibility because I don't think Florida will lose to Florida State.
At this point, if I had to name my title game today based on how I think things will shake out, I would put Florida and OU in Miami. Although I would love to see Texas there, I think OU has the inside track and it's gonna take an almost perfect game from OSU or Mizzou to beat the Sooners. And yes, I know Alabama is currently #1 and, up until now, I haven't even mentioned them. But, even though they are a great team, I don't think they have the horses to keep up with Florida, period. However, we're not at that point yet so let's just be concerned with what's happening this weekend. Whatever happens, it's gonna be a great weekend for college football.
***Oh, and this post wouldn't be complete without me mentioning the greatness that was LSWho going down in utter flames last weekend to Ole Miss. And the fact that the game was in Baton Rouge made it even better. To me, LSWho fans and Filthadelpia Foul fans are on the same level. So to see both of those teams just get stomped last weekend gave me, well, joy.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Hey TO Owens, You Satisfied with 213 Yards?
TO Owens generally seems to have big days against his former team. In Dallas’ 2nd game this year, playing the Filthadelphia Foul, he had 89 yards receiving (on just 3 receptions) and 2 touchdowns. Last year, when Dallas visited Filthadelphia, Owens caught 10 balls for 174 yards and a touchdown. Needless to say, TO Owens is motivated when he plays against former teams. This was no different yesterday as Owens had 7 receptions for a whopping 213 yards and 1 TD helping Dallas win 35-22 over the San Francisco Forty Whiners. That was the second-most yards of his career, behind only the game he played for San Francisco in 2000 when he caught an NFL-record 20 passes for 283 yards. Earlier in the week, Owens was interviewed by Deion Sanders (um…ok) of the NFL Network and indicated that he was not getting the ball enough and that “when I get the ball in my hands things happen.”
I know Owens is a drama queen. I know this is what we (or whatever team he is playing for) have to deal with when he is on the team. But for the love of Tom Landry, give it a freaking rest TO. Especially now that Tony Romo is back at the helm. You are going to get your numbers. Just take a valium, run the correct routes, GET OPEN and the ball will find its way to you. You don’t have to go on the freaking NFL network to espouse you getting the ball more. During the 3 games that Romo wasn’t playing, who exactly was going to get you the ball? Neither of the other two quarterbacks on the Cowboy’s roster, that’s for darn sure. Since 2006, you and Romo have hooked up for more TDs than any other QB/WR tandem. So just chill!
TO Owens ability to magically get open was due in part to his ability but also due in part to the soft San Francisco defense. And when I say soft, I don’t mean gutless. I mean that
Nate Clements played several yards off the line of scrimmage instead of jamming Owens during the first 5 yards. The fact that Owens got off the line cleanly and unmolested meant that he had a running start and, in most cases, he will pass most corners in the league. I really have no idea why San Fran’s defense played Owens like this. In just about every other game, the cornerbacks were right up in Owens face and would hit him as the ball was snapped which interrupted his timing and blew him off his route before he even got started. But the Forty Whiners? Who know why they didn’t employ this obvious and useful tactic against Owens. I’m not complaining…just wondering.
Romo was back on his game although it took a full quarter to get there. The first quarter of the game the offense seems to be AWOL and Romo wasn’t doing much to help. However, by the end of the day Romo was 23-of-39 for 341 yards and three touchdowns. That is what we are used to seeing from him around here. Also, I noticed something else which was absent from him, even when they were winning, before he got hurt…his smile. I know that might seem gay saying that but seriously, I think part of Romo’s success is due to his carefree personality and we saw some of that return on Sunday…and it was good to see it back.
The defense played well enough in the first quarter to keep the Cowboys in the game until the offense got warmed up. San Francisco missed a 53-yard field goal on its opening drive, then reached first-and-goal from the 4 on its next two drives—yet managed only a pair of field goals. The fact that San Fran was dominating the Cowboys in the first quarter, yet only had 6 points to show for it, was huge. I really think that played a big part of why they got so far behind. Shaun Hill was sacked four times, including consecutive plays inside the 20 in the first quarter. And Frank Gore who, before Sunday, was responsible for 1/3 of San Fran’s offense was held to 26 yards on 14 rushes. So the front seven picked up where they left off last week in Washington.
However, the defensive unit as a whole didn’t play as well as they did last week, especially the defensive backs. The Forty Whiners were passing the ball all over the Cowboys in the first quarter. The Dallas corners made Isaac Bruce look like he was 15 years younger and he ran free time after time after time. TE Vernon Davis would have had a touchdown in Shaun Hill had been more accurate because Davis was behind everyone running free but the pass from Hill was just a bit to long for him. This is an area Dallas desperately needs to shore up before their brutal Dec. schedule hits…and it IS brutal. But, injuries have killed this part of the team with Roy Williams being on IR, Mike Jenkins being iffy for Thanksgiving, Pat Watkins being banged up and Terrance Newman not 100%. This is probably why Jerry is welcoming back Pac Man Jones with open arms…because he has to. I’m not going to rant and rave about this because, frankly, I don’t want to get worked up again. Just be rest assured that I am against Pac Man coming back to the Cowboys and really don’t see how it can help the team. He is a bad seed, will always be such and it will only be a matter of time before he is banned for life from the NFL.
The Cowboys need to get more consistent especially before their final four games. They really ought to win on Thursday against a Seattle team that can’t seem to get out of their own way. They will be playing a fired up Julius Jones but with the way they have played run defense the past few weeks, I anticipate seeing what we saw from Julius last year…a whole lot of nothing. Hopefully they can shake off any soreness and get through Thursday’s game without any more injuries and get a good 9 day rest to get ready to invade Steel town…and the rest of their gauntlet in December.
I know Owens is a drama queen. I know this is what we (or whatever team he is playing for) have to deal with when he is on the team. But for the love of Tom Landry, give it a freaking rest TO. Especially now that Tony Romo is back at the helm. You are going to get your numbers. Just take a valium, run the correct routes, GET OPEN and the ball will find its way to you. You don’t have to go on the freaking NFL network to espouse you getting the ball more. During the 3 games that Romo wasn’t playing, who exactly was going to get you the ball? Neither of the other two quarterbacks on the Cowboy’s roster, that’s for darn sure. Since 2006, you and Romo have hooked up for more TDs than any other QB/WR tandem. So just chill!
TO Owens ability to magically get open was due in part to his ability but also due in part to the soft San Francisco defense. And when I say soft, I don’t mean gutless. I mean that
Nate Clements played several yards off the line of scrimmage instead of jamming Owens during the first 5 yards. The fact that Owens got off the line cleanly and unmolested meant that he had a running start and, in most cases, he will pass most corners in the league. I really have no idea why San Fran’s defense played Owens like this. In just about every other game, the cornerbacks were right up in Owens face and would hit him as the ball was snapped which interrupted his timing and blew him off his route before he even got started. But the Forty Whiners? Who know why they didn’t employ this obvious and useful tactic against Owens. I’m not complaining…just wondering.
Romo was back on his game although it took a full quarter to get there. The first quarter of the game the offense seems to be AWOL and Romo wasn’t doing much to help. However, by the end of the day Romo was 23-of-39 for 341 yards and three touchdowns. That is what we are used to seeing from him around here. Also, I noticed something else which was absent from him, even when they were winning, before he got hurt…his smile. I know that might seem gay saying that but seriously, I think part of Romo’s success is due to his carefree personality and we saw some of that return on Sunday…and it was good to see it back.
The defense played well enough in the first quarter to keep the Cowboys in the game until the offense got warmed up. San Francisco missed a 53-yard field goal on its opening drive, then reached first-and-goal from the 4 on its next two drives—yet managed only a pair of field goals. The fact that San Fran was dominating the Cowboys in the first quarter, yet only had 6 points to show for it, was huge. I really think that played a big part of why they got so far behind. Shaun Hill was sacked four times, including consecutive plays inside the 20 in the first quarter. And Frank Gore who, before Sunday, was responsible for 1/3 of San Fran’s offense was held to 26 yards on 14 rushes. So the front seven picked up where they left off last week in Washington.
However, the defensive unit as a whole didn’t play as well as they did last week, especially the defensive backs. The Forty Whiners were passing the ball all over the Cowboys in the first quarter. The Dallas corners made Isaac Bruce look like he was 15 years younger and he ran free time after time after time. TE Vernon Davis would have had a touchdown in Shaun Hill had been more accurate because Davis was behind everyone running free but the pass from Hill was just a bit to long for him. This is an area Dallas desperately needs to shore up before their brutal Dec. schedule hits…and it IS brutal. But, injuries have killed this part of the team with Roy Williams being on IR, Mike Jenkins being iffy for Thanksgiving, Pat Watkins being banged up and Terrance Newman not 100%. This is probably why Jerry is welcoming back Pac Man Jones with open arms…because he has to. I’m not going to rant and rave about this because, frankly, I don’t want to get worked up again. Just be rest assured that I am against Pac Man coming back to the Cowboys and really don’t see how it can help the team. He is a bad seed, will always be such and it will only be a matter of time before he is banned for life from the NFL.
The Cowboys need to get more consistent especially before their final four games. They really ought to win on Thursday against a Seattle team that can’t seem to get out of their own way. They will be playing a fired up Julius Jones but with the way they have played run defense the past few weeks, I anticipate seeing what we saw from Julius last year…a whole lot of nothing. Hopefully they can shake off any soreness and get through Thursday’s game without any more injuries and get a good 9 day rest to get ready to invade Steel town…and the rest of their gauntlet in December.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Can Tech Do It Again?
This year, the Big XII has been ridiculously good. And even though I’m more an SEC guy, I have to admit that this year the Big XII is better. A big reason for that is the offenses in the Big XII and two of the big dogs, Texas Tech and OU, square off tomorrow in Norman with the winner moving one more step toward the Big XII title and the national championship game.
Tech has been in the zone lately. They beat Texas a few weeks ago on a last second touchdown to Crabtree. It was the biggest game Tech had ever been apart of…and they didn’t blow it. That may seem like a harsh statement but really the last few years, they have done exactly that. They have feasted on the weaker bunk mates of the Big XII south but then when time comes to play Texas or OU, they seemingly cower and get rolled. But not this year. This year, Tech has a decent running game, to compliment their usual ultra pass happy offense, and they have a very solid defense which all but shut Colt McCoy down in the first half of the Texas game and limited Okla. State’s QB, Zach Robinson, to only 182 passing yards. In my opinion, the reason Tech is where they are this year is the emergence of their defense but in order to win tomorrow in Norman, a place where Leech (who was Stoops’ offensive coordinator in 1999) has never won since leaving in 2000 to become Tech’s head coach, Tech’s defense is going to have to bring their “A” game. The Sooners carry the nation’s longest home winning streak at 23 games, and this is probably the biggest game in Norman since top-ranked Nebraska came calling in 2000. The Huskers left in defeat that day and OU marched on to the national championship behind QB Josh Huepel (who is now OU’s QB coach). Oh yeah, OU is 59-2 at home under Stoops…not too shabby.
I feel like the masses still haven’t fully bought into Tech yet though...or maybe it’s just me. I mean, everyone knows Tech is very good…probably great. But when you mention teams that are in the national championship hunt, Tech is not a team that generally comes to mind. That’s probably because of their history, or lack thereof, in big games like this. This is exactly the type of game that Tech would usually lay an egg. And to be quite honest, I thought they would do just that two weeks ago against Oklahoma State however the exact opposite happened. But OSU is not OU and Mike Gundy is not Bob Stoops. OU has also had a 2 week layoff from their last game, just as Tech did, so both teams should be rested up and ready to roll.
Tech is going to score some point as they almost always do. Their offense is probably the best oiled machine in college football today…darn near unstoppable. Techs QB Graham Harrell, who has 36 TD passes and leads the nation with 4,077 yards, has already guided the Red Raiders to victory against Kansas, Texas and Oklahoma State in consecutive weeks. OU's secondary struggled with passes over the middle against Texas, and that's where Texas Tech makes its living. And just when you think you know what pass Tech is going to throw next, they’ll slip a running play in on you. Tech doesn't run the ball a bunch, but they run it effectively keeping the opposition off balance and guessing.
OU will also score as they normally do. The Sooners have scored on everyone, including five TD passes by Bradford in a 45-35 loss to Texas. Texas Tech's pass defense is better than people think, but Bradford on his home turf should be lethal. OU’s running game, while not what it was with Adrian Peterson, is effective and a bit better than Tech’s. OU scores in bunches quickly and if they get up early, things could get ugly for Tech. However, with Tech’s offense and the efficiency of it, no lead is insurmountable (Tech rallied from a 31 point deficit to beat Minnesota in the Insight Bowl game two years ago).
I think this game will come down to OU’s offensive line vs. Tech’s defensive line. If OU can get their running game going and consistently keep the chains moving, I’m not sure Tech’s defense will be able to hold up. OU’s o-line is pretty big and when they are working well, they push defenses around like nobody else. However, if OU gets into a quick scoring match where they are trying to match Tech score for score, OU could be in trouble. I think OU needs to slow down their offense and grind it out a bit more. The key for OU is to lean on Tech’s defense more and more, thereby keeping Tech’s offense off the field, and by the 4th quarter, their defense will be gassed. And I think that is what will happen.
As much as I would love to see Tech win (I’ve got no love for OU), I think their schedule catches up with them here. Plus the fact that OU is at home where they have lost 2 times since ’99 I think is too much for Tech to overcome. I think it will be a good game but in the end, I think OU wins by 14 points.
Tech has been in the zone lately. They beat Texas a few weeks ago on a last second touchdown to Crabtree. It was the biggest game Tech had ever been apart of…and they didn’t blow it. That may seem like a harsh statement but really the last few years, they have done exactly that. They have feasted on the weaker bunk mates of the Big XII south but then when time comes to play Texas or OU, they seemingly cower and get rolled. But not this year. This year, Tech has a decent running game, to compliment their usual ultra pass happy offense, and they have a very solid defense which all but shut Colt McCoy down in the first half of the Texas game and limited Okla. State’s QB, Zach Robinson, to only 182 passing yards. In my opinion, the reason Tech is where they are this year is the emergence of their defense but in order to win tomorrow in Norman, a place where Leech (who was Stoops’ offensive coordinator in 1999) has never won since leaving in 2000 to become Tech’s head coach, Tech’s defense is going to have to bring their “A” game. The Sooners carry the nation’s longest home winning streak at 23 games, and this is probably the biggest game in Norman since top-ranked Nebraska came calling in 2000. The Huskers left in defeat that day and OU marched on to the national championship behind QB Josh Huepel (who is now OU’s QB coach). Oh yeah, OU is 59-2 at home under Stoops…not too shabby.
I feel like the masses still haven’t fully bought into Tech yet though...or maybe it’s just me. I mean, everyone knows Tech is very good…probably great. But when you mention teams that are in the national championship hunt, Tech is not a team that generally comes to mind. That’s probably because of their history, or lack thereof, in big games like this. This is exactly the type of game that Tech would usually lay an egg. And to be quite honest, I thought they would do just that two weeks ago against Oklahoma State however the exact opposite happened. But OSU is not OU and Mike Gundy is not Bob Stoops. OU has also had a 2 week layoff from their last game, just as Tech did, so both teams should be rested up and ready to roll.
Tech is going to score some point as they almost always do. Their offense is probably the best oiled machine in college football today…darn near unstoppable. Techs QB Graham Harrell, who has 36 TD passes and leads the nation with 4,077 yards, has already guided the Red Raiders to victory against Kansas, Texas and Oklahoma State in consecutive weeks. OU's secondary struggled with passes over the middle against Texas, and that's where Texas Tech makes its living. And just when you think you know what pass Tech is going to throw next, they’ll slip a running play in on you. Tech doesn't run the ball a bunch, but they run it effectively keeping the opposition off balance and guessing.
OU will also score as they normally do. The Sooners have scored on everyone, including five TD passes by Bradford in a 45-35 loss to Texas. Texas Tech's pass defense is better than people think, but Bradford on his home turf should be lethal. OU’s running game, while not what it was with Adrian Peterson, is effective and a bit better than Tech’s. OU scores in bunches quickly and if they get up early, things could get ugly for Tech. However, with Tech’s offense and the efficiency of it, no lead is insurmountable (Tech rallied from a 31 point deficit to beat Minnesota in the Insight Bowl game two years ago).
I think this game will come down to OU’s offensive line vs. Tech’s defensive line. If OU can get their running game going and consistently keep the chains moving, I’m not sure Tech’s defense will be able to hold up. OU’s o-line is pretty big and when they are working well, they push defenses around like nobody else. However, if OU gets into a quick scoring match where they are trying to match Tech score for score, OU could be in trouble. I think OU needs to slow down their offense and grind it out a bit more. The key for OU is to lean on Tech’s defense more and more, thereby keeping Tech’s offense off the field, and by the 4th quarter, their defense will be gassed. And I think that is what will happen.
As much as I would love to see Tech win (I’ve got no love for OU), I think their schedule catches up with them here. Plus the fact that OU is at home where they have lost 2 times since ’99 I think is too much for Tech to overcome. I think it will be a good game but in the end, I think OU wins by 14 points.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
What A Game
Well, I know it's been a couple of days since Dallas' 14-10 victory over the Deadskins but I've had so much going on and have been so tired that this is the first chance I've had to post my post game thoughts. There is so much to say, I'm not sure where to begin. I think the main thing is that the Cowboys played as a team for the first time in a while. Really, ever since the 1st game against the Redskins, Dallas has played like a bunch of individuals and not as a team. However, on Sunday night, the team concept seemed to return which yielded positive results. I did have a feeling that Dallas would pull this thing out of the ditch and get it pointed in the right direction...now what they do from here is up to them.
A couple of injured players, Romo and Newman, returned on Sunday night and both made a pretty big impact. To start off, it is now clear what Tony Romo means to this thing. While Romo didn't produce eye popping numbers as he usually does (he completed 19 of 27 passes for 198 yards and 2 INTs) he made plays when the team needed him to. One of the biggest plays in the game came right after the usually sure handed Witten was wide open and dropped a pass that hit him on the hands. It was 3 down and 7 and, with the pocket collapsing, Romo flipped a little forward pass to Miles Austin for a first down. That was huge because on the very next play, Romo hit Martellus Bennett for a 25 yard touchdown, which proved to be the go ahead score.
Terrance Newman, who had also been out for several weeks, returned and looked like he made it his mission to shut Santana Moss down who absolutely torched Newman in Dallas earlier in the season. NBC flashed up a stat that said Moss, since signing with Washington in 2005, had averaged over 100 yards a game every time he played the Cowboys. However, on Sunday he only had 5 receptions for 29 yards and one of those was for 13 yards. Moss was definitely shut down. And Newman had several balls he knocked away from Moss and even intercepted a ball thrown to Moss.
The defense, as a whole, played lights out. After allowing a touchdown on Washington's first drive, the Dallas defense only allowed 3 pts the rest of the game. And while Dallas' offense was shooting themselves in the foot from time to time with interceptions or untimely penalties, the defense kept them in the game and didn't allow Washington the kill shot they were looking for. Jay Ratliff made a huge sack which knocked Washington out of field goal range and as a result, The Deadskins had to go for it on 4th down which they did not convert.
And this post wouldn't be complete without talking about the man's man, Marion Barber. He reminded me so much of Emmitt during the game especially with the way he finished the game off. With 6 minutes and 40 second to go in the game, this is what Dallas' final possession looked like:
1st-10, at the DAL 37 yard line, M. Barber rushed up the middle for 5 yard gain
2nd-5, at the DAL 42 yard line, M. Barber rushed up the middle for 7 yard gain
1st-10, at the DAL 49 yard line, M. Barber rushed to the left for 8 yard gain
2nd-2, at the WAS 43 yard line, M. Barber rushed to the right for 5 yard gain
1st-10, at the WAS 38 yard line, M. Barber rushed up the middle for no gain
2nd-10, at the WAS 38 yard line, M. Barber rushed to the left for 2 yard gain
3rd-8, at the WAS 36 yard line, T. Romo passed to M. Barber down the middle for 10 yard gain
1st-10, at the WAS 26 yard line, M. Barber rushed up the middle for 2 yard gain
2nd-8, at the WAS 24 yard line, M. Barber rushed to the right for 3 yard gain
3rd-5, at the WAS 21 yard line, M. Barber rushed to the right for 4 yard gain
4th-1, at the WAS 17 yard line, M. Barber rushed to the right for 3 yard gain
And on that final 4th down play, where Dallas had to pick up the first down or Washington would have gotten the ball back with about a minute to go, everyone in the stadium KNEW the ball was going to Barber...and he still picked up the 1st down. I am loving that guy more each week. He is truly one of the best RB's in the league...maybe not the fastest, but one of the best.
Dallas' season was saved on Sunday night but they haven't won anything yet. Hopefully they will build on this win and go streaking into the playoffs...just like Landry said he always wanted his team to do but hasn't happened in Dallas in about 13 or 14 years. The Giants turned their season around last year, streaked into the playoffs, won the Super Bowl and haven't looked back. If Dallas can get on a roll, who knows what they can do. Heck of a game indeed.
A couple of injured players, Romo and Newman, returned on Sunday night and both made a pretty big impact. To start off, it is now clear what Tony Romo means to this thing. While Romo didn't produce eye popping numbers as he usually does (he completed 19 of 27 passes for 198 yards and 2 INTs) he made plays when the team needed him to. One of the biggest plays in the game came right after the usually sure handed Witten was wide open and dropped a pass that hit him on the hands. It was 3 down and 7 and, with the pocket collapsing, Romo flipped a little forward pass to Miles Austin for a first down. That was huge because on the very next play, Romo hit Martellus Bennett for a 25 yard touchdown, which proved to be the go ahead score.
Terrance Newman, who had also been out for several weeks, returned and looked like he made it his mission to shut Santana Moss down who absolutely torched Newman in Dallas earlier in the season. NBC flashed up a stat that said Moss, since signing with Washington in 2005, had averaged over 100 yards a game every time he played the Cowboys. However, on Sunday he only had 5 receptions for 29 yards and one of those was for 13 yards. Moss was definitely shut down. And Newman had several balls he knocked away from Moss and even intercepted a ball thrown to Moss.
The defense, as a whole, played lights out. After allowing a touchdown on Washington's first drive, the Dallas defense only allowed 3 pts the rest of the game. And while Dallas' offense was shooting themselves in the foot from time to time with interceptions or untimely penalties, the defense kept them in the game and didn't allow Washington the kill shot they were looking for. Jay Ratliff made a huge sack which knocked Washington out of field goal range and as a result, The Deadskins had to go for it on 4th down which they did not convert.
And this post wouldn't be complete without talking about the man's man, Marion Barber. He reminded me so much of Emmitt during the game especially with the way he finished the game off. With 6 minutes and 40 second to go in the game, this is what Dallas' final possession looked like:
1st-10, at the DAL 37 yard line, M. Barber rushed up the middle for 5 yard gain
2nd-5, at the DAL 42 yard line, M. Barber rushed up the middle for 7 yard gain
1st-10, at the DAL 49 yard line, M. Barber rushed to the left for 8 yard gain
2nd-2, at the WAS 43 yard line, M. Barber rushed to the right for 5 yard gain
1st-10, at the WAS 38 yard line, M. Barber rushed up the middle for no gain
2nd-10, at the WAS 38 yard line, M. Barber rushed to the left for 2 yard gain
3rd-8, at the WAS 36 yard line, T. Romo passed to M. Barber down the middle for 10 yard gain
1st-10, at the WAS 26 yard line, M. Barber rushed up the middle for 2 yard gain
2nd-8, at the WAS 24 yard line, M. Barber rushed to the right for 3 yard gain
3rd-5, at the WAS 21 yard line, M. Barber rushed to the right for 4 yard gain
4th-1, at the WAS 17 yard line, M. Barber rushed to the right for 3 yard gain
And on that final 4th down play, where Dallas had to pick up the first down or Washington would have gotten the ball back with about a minute to go, everyone in the stadium KNEW the ball was going to Barber...and he still picked up the 1st down. I am loving that guy more each week. He is truly one of the best RB's in the league...maybe not the fastest, but one of the best.
Dallas' season was saved on Sunday night but they haven't won anything yet. Hopefully they will build on this win and go streaking into the playoffs...just like Landry said he always wanted his team to do but hasn't happened in Dallas in about 13 or 14 years. The Giants turned their season around last year, streaked into the playoffs, won the Super Bowl and haven't looked back. If Dallas can get on a roll, who knows what they can do. Heck of a game indeed.
Friday, November 14, 2008
The Biggest Game of the Season
Well, Dallas comes off their bye week and travels to Washington (who is also coming off their bye week too) to play what is probably their most important game of the season. If Dallas loses this game, they will be 5-5 and 2 games behind the Deadskins, plus Washington will have the head-to-head tie breaker advantage. And in order to make the playoffs, I really think Dallas will need to be at least 10-6. So, if Dallas loses this game, in order for them to get to 10-6 they would need to win 5 of their remaining 6 games which I'm not sure they can do with road games looming against Pittsburgh and Filthadelphia and home games against New Yawk and a much improved Baltimore team. Basically, Dallas needs to win Sunday night if they want to play in the post season.
The Cowboys will be getting a few players back that have been out with injury. Most importantly, Romo will be back in the lineup for the first time since the Arizona OT loss. However, just because Romo returns doesn't mean all that ails the Cowboys will be fixed. The offensive line must play better, period, if Dallas is to have any shot in this game. I think that Romo's return will provide a spark to the offense because of his play making ability but if the o-line doesn't play well, it won't matter who is in at QB. However, Romo will have a new weapon to utilize he didn't have before he got injured in Roy Williams. Williams will be starting opposite TO Owens this week and Crayton will be the 3rd WR. Hopefully that will make a difference as well.
The defense also gets one of it's injured stars back in Terrance Newman. However, just like Romo, that doesn't guarantee they will play better. Earlier this year when the Deadskins visited Dallas, Newman has an abysmal game and got torched by Santana Moss. That is the one guy that the Dallas defense MUST account for every down. Since he has been with Washington, he has been a thorn in the side of the Cowboys so they really need to keep him in check. Clinton Portis, who ran all over the Dallas defense earlier in the season will be pretty limited, if he even plays at all. Portis has a 2nd degree sprain of the MCL in his knee however Washington has decent backups in Rock Cartwright and Shaun Alexander. But Portis is a major cog in Washington's offense so is he is out, or even limited, that is good news for Dallas.
Call me crazy but I have a good feeling about this game. It may be just blind hope or homerism but I really do think Dallas will find a way to win this game and get back in the playoff race. I think that the return of Romo and Newman plus the injury to Portis will make a difference for both teams and could be the reason Dallas wins. Plus, Dallas is the more desperate team right now. Washington can afford to lose this game and still be in decent shape for contention for a wild card. But if Dallas loses, they are all but out of that and they know it. It think they will play with the drive and determination that Washington played with when they visited Dallas earlier in the season. I'm not saying I think Dallas will win easily but I do think they will win a hard fought game, get their confidence back and start the second half of the season on the right foot.
My prediction: Dallas 27, Washington 24
The Cowboys will be getting a few players back that have been out with injury. Most importantly, Romo will be back in the lineup for the first time since the Arizona OT loss. However, just because Romo returns doesn't mean all that ails the Cowboys will be fixed. The offensive line must play better, period, if Dallas is to have any shot in this game. I think that Romo's return will provide a spark to the offense because of his play making ability but if the o-line doesn't play well, it won't matter who is in at QB. However, Romo will have a new weapon to utilize he didn't have before he got injured in Roy Williams. Williams will be starting opposite TO Owens this week and Crayton will be the 3rd WR. Hopefully that will make a difference as well.
The defense also gets one of it's injured stars back in Terrance Newman. However, just like Romo, that doesn't guarantee they will play better. Earlier this year when the Deadskins visited Dallas, Newman has an abysmal game and got torched by Santana Moss. That is the one guy that the Dallas defense MUST account for every down. Since he has been with Washington, he has been a thorn in the side of the Cowboys so they really need to keep him in check. Clinton Portis, who ran all over the Dallas defense earlier in the season will be pretty limited, if he even plays at all. Portis has a 2nd degree sprain of the MCL in his knee however Washington has decent backups in Rock Cartwright and Shaun Alexander. But Portis is a major cog in Washington's offense so is he is out, or even limited, that is good news for Dallas.
Call me crazy but I have a good feeling about this game. It may be just blind hope or homerism but I really do think Dallas will find a way to win this game and get back in the playoff race. I think that the return of Romo and Newman plus the injury to Portis will make a difference for both teams and could be the reason Dallas wins. Plus, Dallas is the more desperate team right now. Washington can afford to lose this game and still be in decent shape for contention for a wild card. But if Dallas loses, they are all but out of that and they know it. It think they will play with the drive and determination that Washington played with when they visited Dallas earlier in the season. I'm not saying I think Dallas will win easily but I do think they will win a hard fought game, get their confidence back and start the second half of the season on the right foot.
My prediction: Dallas 27, Washington 24
Thursday, November 13, 2008
No, I Didn't Forget About the Mavs
I know recently all my posts have been about the Cowboys and their ups and downs. And because I've been so busy at work, I haven't really had time to post this week. But I do have some thoughts on not only the Cowboys but college football and, of course, the Mavericks which is what this post is centered on.
Oh the Mavs. I've had several conversations with coworkers and friends about where I thought they would be this year. Before the season started, I thought they would probably be about where they were at the end of last season...about 7th or 8th in the West, which would get them into the playoffs, then another first round exit at the hands of the Lakers, Hornets or even, dare I say, Rockets. I thought this because of what kinds of moves they made, or didn't make, in the off season...which wasn't many because of the Jason Kidd trade they made last year. Basically, the Mavs resigned Devean George (um, why?) and DeSagana Diop (he was traded the the New Jersey last year in the Kidd trade) and signed free agent Gerald Green who had been with Minnesota. That's about it in the off season because that was all the Mavs could do. Except, they could have (and SHOULD have) traded for Ron Artest, which is what Houston did. Now the Rockets have Artest and with the rest of their fire power (Yao, Tracy McGrady, Shane Battier, Rafer Alston and Luis Scola) should go deep into the playoffs and contend for the Western Conference this year.
It's a little depressing to see the quick decline of a team that just three years ago was playing in the NBA finals and two years ago won 67 of 82 games. But with breaking in a new coach this year and seeing, for the most part, the same roster we saw last year, I'm just not that optimistic about what this team will do this year. They still have some solid players in Nowitzki, Jason Terry, Brandon Bass and Jason Kidd but still have aging albatrosses in Jerry Stackhouse, Devean George and Erick Dampier. That's just not going to get it done in the West. If the Mavs were in the East, they might be ok even though several Eastern teams have gotten better this year.
One thing I heard all off season is that Dallas is going to start taking the ball to the basket more, run fast breaks more efficiently with Kidd on the point and play better defense. Well, they have, at times, been better in transition but as to driving more to the hoop...well, the Mavs have more 3 pt. attempts this year then free throw attempts. And if Jason Kidd is leading your team in 3 pt. percentage (as he currently is), there is something wrong. But really, the reason Dallas has started out 2-5 is because of their defense, or lack thereof, especially in the 4th quarter. In 3 of their 7 losses, they were outscored in the 4th quarter 27-16 (by Houston), 30-23 (by the Clippers...by the Clippers?) and 30-20 by the Lakers. Against the Nuggets and Lakers, the game came down to the final few mintues but the Mavs just couldn't get the stops they needed to win, which is not a good sign. Even Dirk called some team members out after one of their losses inferring that some of his team mates weren't giving max effort.
I know it's a long season and I do have some hope they can turn things around but trying to be a realist, I think this may be the year the Mavs miss the playoffs for the first time in about 8 years. It certainly will if they don't get their defense squared away. But they need to start getting better effort, every game, from every player. But a few wins in a row can get a team rolling and three of the next four games for the Mavs (Bulls, Knicks, Bobcats) are very winable. Hopefully they can pull this thing out of the ditch before much more of the season goes by.
Oh the Mavs. I've had several conversations with coworkers and friends about where I thought they would be this year. Before the season started, I thought they would probably be about where they were at the end of last season...about 7th or 8th in the West, which would get them into the playoffs, then another first round exit at the hands of the Lakers, Hornets or even, dare I say, Rockets. I thought this because of what kinds of moves they made, or didn't make, in the off season...which wasn't many because of the Jason Kidd trade they made last year. Basically, the Mavs resigned Devean George (um, why?) and DeSagana Diop (he was traded the the New Jersey last year in the Kidd trade) and signed free agent Gerald Green who had been with Minnesota. That's about it in the off season because that was all the Mavs could do. Except, they could have (and SHOULD have) traded for Ron Artest, which is what Houston did. Now the Rockets have Artest and with the rest of their fire power (Yao, Tracy McGrady, Shane Battier, Rafer Alston and Luis Scola) should go deep into the playoffs and contend for the Western Conference this year.
It's a little depressing to see the quick decline of a team that just three years ago was playing in the NBA finals and two years ago won 67 of 82 games. But with breaking in a new coach this year and seeing, for the most part, the same roster we saw last year, I'm just not that optimistic about what this team will do this year. They still have some solid players in Nowitzki, Jason Terry, Brandon Bass and Jason Kidd but still have aging albatrosses in Jerry Stackhouse, Devean George and Erick Dampier. That's just not going to get it done in the West. If the Mavs were in the East, they might be ok even though several Eastern teams have gotten better this year.
One thing I heard all off season is that Dallas is going to start taking the ball to the basket more, run fast breaks more efficiently with Kidd on the point and play better defense. Well, they have, at times, been better in transition but as to driving more to the hoop...well, the Mavs have more 3 pt. attempts this year then free throw attempts. And if Jason Kidd is leading your team in 3 pt. percentage (as he currently is), there is something wrong. But really, the reason Dallas has started out 2-5 is because of their defense, or lack thereof, especially in the 4th quarter. In 3 of their 7 losses, they were outscored in the 4th quarter 27-16 (by Houston), 30-23 (by the Clippers...by the Clippers?) and 30-20 by the Lakers. Against the Nuggets and Lakers, the game came down to the final few mintues but the Mavs just couldn't get the stops they needed to win, which is not a good sign. Even Dirk called some team members out after one of their losses inferring that some of his team mates weren't giving max effort.
I know it's a long season and I do have some hope they can turn things around but trying to be a realist, I think this may be the year the Mavs miss the playoffs for the first time in about 8 years. It certainly will if they don't get their defense squared away. But they need to start getting better effort, every game, from every player. But a few wins in a row can get a team rolling and three of the next four games for the Mavs (Bulls, Knicks, Bobcats) are very winable. Hopefully they can pull this thing out of the ditch before much more of the season goes by.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Mike Jenkins Cowardly Nontackle
In case any of you were wondering what I was referring to, in the previous post, when I said Mike Jenkins was gutless and cowardly, this is what I was referring to (Mike Jenkins is at the far right of the screen, jersey #31):
Keep in mind that this guy was one of Dallas' first round draft picks THIS YEAR. He's not a 36 year old veteran who has taken on one too many running backs. This guy is a young pup, a rookie in fact, that totally gave up on even trying to tackle the Giants BACK UP running back. If this team fails to make the playoffs this year, it will be because of poor effort like this, period.
Keep in mind that this guy was one of Dallas' first round draft picks THIS YEAR. He's not a 36 year old veteran who has taken on one too many running backs. This guy is a young pup, a rookie in fact, that totally gave up on even trying to tackle the Giants BACK UP running back. If this team fails to make the playoffs this year, it will be because of poor effort like this, period.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Another Gutless, Heartless Performance by the Cowboys
Well, much to my disgust, I was correct about yesterday’s Cowboys game. And it didn’t take me very long to realize it was going to be a long afternoon for Los Vaqueros as I watched the Giants take the opening kickoff, march right down the field and score a touchdown. I predicted a 37-14 Giants win but was only off by 2 points. How has this thing fallen so far so fast? How have they gone from being Super Bowl FAVORITES to the pile of crap we’ve seen over the past 6 games? And make no mistake…this is one of the biggest piles of crap I’ve seen Dallas roll out. There have been years where, going into the season, we didn’t expect the Cowboys to have much so when they ended with a 5-11 record, there wasn’t much disappointment. But this year, one year off of going 13-3 with pretty much the same roster, Dallas was expected to not only make the playoffs but go to the Super Bowl. But to know and see how much talent this team has and then see the type of gutless, heartless play they rolled out yesterday is absolutely ridiculous. All we heard before last week’s game vs. Tampa Bay was that the team finally realized their back was against the wall and they had to play like it, which they did in beating the Bucs. However, it looks like that desperation reverted back to the apathetic play we saw the previous 4 games.
The offense, without Romo at the helm, is utterly abysmal. I really do wonder, given pads and time to warm up, if Aikman could have done better than Brad Johnson yesterday. Heck, throw Staubach in there as well. He’s 70 years old and can still throw the football like a dart. Brad Johnson…he has no business being in the league. I was going down the list of NFL rosters looking at backup QBs and there really wasn’t one that I wouldn’t take over Johnson. Last week, against Tampa Bay, he did well in not turning the ball over. Yesterday, he was 5 of 11 for 71 yards and threw 2 interceptions for a whooping 27.3 QB rating. Johnson made a nice throw to Roy Williams who made an awesome 1 handed catch deep in Giants territory. Then on the next play, with TO Owens running a slant, Johnson made one of the worst throws I’ve seen in a long time which was intercepted and returned for 57 yards. Pathetic.
Brooks Bollinger wasn’t much better in the 2nd half going 9 of 16 for 63 yards, 1 interception, 1 touchdown and a 60.2 rating. Johnson and Bollinger’s combined rating didn’t even equal Eli Manning’s 95.8 rating. What has happened to the offensive line? The o-line sent how many to the pro bowl last year? Are they out of shape or do they just don’t care? Or is it something else? They can’t even run block that adequately anymore. The running game only produced 81 yards on 24 carries. What a joke. What a very bad joke. The only thing positive I can say about Dallas’ offense is at least they aren’t Oakland’s offense, which produced all of 77 total yards of offense yesterday vs. Atlanta.
I know Romo is out, Felix Jones is out, and Jason Witten is limited in what he can do but none of them play defense which, in my opinion, is the saddest part of this whole tragedy. Talk about no stomach for the fight. Last year, 1 running back ran for over 100 yards…they have already had 3 this year. Three of the last 4 opponents have scored over 30 points and one of those was the ding-dong St. Louis Rams. This defense ranks almost last in the NFL in turnovers and 26th in scoring defense with only the Bengals, Lions, Chiefs, Forty Niners and Rams behind them. Has Dallas’ defense really fallen that far? Really? What is going on here? I tell you what’s going on…the defense has no freakin’ heart. This was illustrated no plainer than when Derrick Ward, the Giants BACKUP running back, was running for a touchdown and CB Mike Jenkins, who was one of Dallas 1st round draft picks, barely made an attempt to even get in Ward’s way much less make a tackle. Talk about gutless and cowardly. I mean, at least try…do something. If it were me, and I know I’m not alone, I would have benched Jenkins for the rest of the game right then and there. I wouldn’t have even spoken a word to him except to tell him to sit his butt down on the bench and don’t move or I would put him back out there to play nose guard.
Not only does this team play heartless football but they also play unfocused football. They are the most penalized team in the NFL. They were no different yesterday being penalized 9 times for 55 yards, the majority coming on offsides calls or false starts…and those penalties boil down to a lack of focus which points directly back to the coaching staff.
This thing is in a bad, bad way right now and IF Romo comes back for the Washington game, it’s not a given that it gets much better. If the team doesn’t come together and figure things out this will be a repeat of the 1997 season which saw the Cowboys limp to a 6-5 record, through 11 games, get thumped by Green Bay and not win another game the rest of the season in route to a 6-10 record and firing of Barry Switzer. If Dallas gets routed by Washington in 2 weeks like they did yesterday, that is exactly what will happen. What a waste…
The offense, without Romo at the helm, is utterly abysmal. I really do wonder, given pads and time to warm up, if Aikman could have done better than Brad Johnson yesterday. Heck, throw Staubach in there as well. He’s 70 years old and can still throw the football like a dart. Brad Johnson…he has no business being in the league. I was going down the list of NFL rosters looking at backup QBs and there really wasn’t one that I wouldn’t take over Johnson. Last week, against Tampa Bay, he did well in not turning the ball over. Yesterday, he was 5 of 11 for 71 yards and threw 2 interceptions for a whooping 27.3 QB rating. Johnson made a nice throw to Roy Williams who made an awesome 1 handed catch deep in Giants territory. Then on the next play, with TO Owens running a slant, Johnson made one of the worst throws I’ve seen in a long time which was intercepted and returned for 57 yards. Pathetic.
Brooks Bollinger wasn’t much better in the 2nd half going 9 of 16 for 63 yards, 1 interception, 1 touchdown and a 60.2 rating. Johnson and Bollinger’s combined rating didn’t even equal Eli Manning’s 95.8 rating. What has happened to the offensive line? The o-line sent how many to the pro bowl last year? Are they out of shape or do they just don’t care? Or is it something else? They can’t even run block that adequately anymore. The running game only produced 81 yards on 24 carries. What a joke. What a very bad joke. The only thing positive I can say about Dallas’ offense is at least they aren’t Oakland’s offense, which produced all of 77 total yards of offense yesterday vs. Atlanta.
I know Romo is out, Felix Jones is out, and Jason Witten is limited in what he can do but none of them play defense which, in my opinion, is the saddest part of this whole tragedy. Talk about no stomach for the fight. Last year, 1 running back ran for over 100 yards…they have already had 3 this year. Three of the last 4 opponents have scored over 30 points and one of those was the ding-dong St. Louis Rams. This defense ranks almost last in the NFL in turnovers and 26th in scoring defense with only the Bengals, Lions, Chiefs, Forty Niners and Rams behind them. Has Dallas’ defense really fallen that far? Really? What is going on here? I tell you what’s going on…the defense has no freakin’ heart. This was illustrated no plainer than when Derrick Ward, the Giants BACKUP running back, was running for a touchdown and CB Mike Jenkins, who was one of Dallas 1st round draft picks, barely made an attempt to even get in Ward’s way much less make a tackle. Talk about gutless and cowardly. I mean, at least try…do something. If it were me, and I know I’m not alone, I would have benched Jenkins for the rest of the game right then and there. I wouldn’t have even spoken a word to him except to tell him to sit his butt down on the bench and don’t move or I would put him back out there to play nose guard.
Not only does this team play heartless football but they also play unfocused football. They are the most penalized team in the NFL. They were no different yesterday being penalized 9 times for 55 yards, the majority coming on offsides calls or false starts…and those penalties boil down to a lack of focus which points directly back to the coaching staff.
This thing is in a bad, bad way right now and IF Romo comes back for the Washington game, it’s not a given that it gets much better. If the team doesn’t come together and figure things out this will be a repeat of the 1997 season which saw the Cowboys limp to a 6-5 record, through 11 games, get thumped by Green Bay and not win another game the rest of the season in route to a 6-10 record and firing of Barry Switzer. If Dallas gets routed by Washington in 2 weeks like they did yesterday, that is exactly what will happen. What a waste…
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Tough Game Ahead for the Cowboys
The Cowboys face probably their toughest game to date this year on Sunday when they visit New Yawk to face the Giants. To be honest, I don’t see much hope for Dallas winning this, much less keeping it a close game.
Traditionally the Giants have been sort a blue collar team, which I know the city takes pride in. They generally have a good, hard hitting, pressuring defense and an adequate offense usually fueled by a solid running game and a passing game that can move the chains when needed. I've never really been scared about anything the Giants had on offense (except for maybe Tiki Barber when he was playing). However, this year, I truly see a flashier offense for the Giants with WRs Plaxico Burress, Amani Toomer, Steve Smith, Domenik Hixon, David Tyree and TE Kevin Boss (and I'm not even mentioning WRs Mario Manningham and Sinorice Moss either). Add to that the gaggle of RBs in Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw and Derrick Ward plus a great o-line. So, what I see is not so much a blue collar offense anymore but an offense that can score points in bunches and put teams away quickly. That's not to say they won't have a stinko game every now and then as all team do (like they had against Cleveland 2 weeks ago) but I, unfortunately, I think the Giants are the best team, top to bottom, in the league.
Nobody expects the Cowboys to beat New York. Parts of Cowboys team resemble a MASH unit right now, while the Giants are playing as well as any team in the league. It would have been a challenge to win even if the Cowboys were at full strength. But with Romo, CB Terence Newman, RB Felix Jones, o-lineman Kyle Kosier out because of injuries and, the Cowboys are huge underdogs in the game. Tight end Jason Witten and CB Anthony Henry were both injured against the Bucs and may not play but if they do, it will be with significantly less playing time.
To compound Dallas’ woes, Brad Johnson has been frustrating to watch because of his inability, or unwillingness, to effectively throw the ball down the field. Against Tampa Bay last week, Johnson averaged 2.8 yards per pass play, and his longest completion was 14 yards. And even though he didn’t turn the ball over, Johnson missed some open receivers either because of inaccuracy or choosing to check down to a safer route. Playing Brooks Bollinger may not be the answer as he wasn’t even thought of to be the 3rd string option in Minnesota this year and no other team picked him up when he was subsequently released by the Vikings. Dallas just has to get through this game and hopefully after the bye week Romo will be able to come back and play.
In order for the Cowboys to pull off the upset, or even keep the game interesting, they are going to have to play the same way they did last week vs. Tampa Bay. The defense is going to have to play lights out and get lucky a few times and the offense is going to have to keep things close to the vest and try to play as mistake free as possible. However, objectively speaking, I just don’t think they can repeat their performance of last week especially against a better team on the road. Dallas may keep it close (7-10 pts) for a half, maybe 2 1/2 quarters, but I expect the Giants to start pulling away in the 3rd quarter and end up winning big (20+ pts). I just don't think Dallas' offense will be able to hang (especially with Johnson at QB) and the defense will tire out from having to play so much. The bye week couldn’t come at a better time for the Cowboys.
Prediction: New Yawk 37, Dallas 14.
Traditionally the Giants have been sort a blue collar team, which I know the city takes pride in. They generally have a good, hard hitting, pressuring defense and an adequate offense usually fueled by a solid running game and a passing game that can move the chains when needed. I've never really been scared about anything the Giants had on offense (except for maybe Tiki Barber when he was playing). However, this year, I truly see a flashier offense for the Giants with WRs Plaxico Burress, Amani Toomer, Steve Smith, Domenik Hixon, David Tyree and TE Kevin Boss (and I'm not even mentioning WRs Mario Manningham and Sinorice Moss either). Add to that the gaggle of RBs in Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw and Derrick Ward plus a great o-line. So, what I see is not so much a blue collar offense anymore but an offense that can score points in bunches and put teams away quickly. That's not to say they won't have a stinko game every now and then as all team do (like they had against Cleveland 2 weeks ago) but I, unfortunately, I think the Giants are the best team, top to bottom, in the league.
Nobody expects the Cowboys to beat New York. Parts of Cowboys team resemble a MASH unit right now, while the Giants are playing as well as any team in the league. It would have been a challenge to win even if the Cowboys were at full strength. But with Romo, CB Terence Newman, RB Felix Jones, o-lineman Kyle Kosier out because of injuries and, the Cowboys are huge underdogs in the game. Tight end Jason Witten and CB Anthony Henry were both injured against the Bucs and may not play but if they do, it will be with significantly less playing time.
To compound Dallas’ woes, Brad Johnson has been frustrating to watch because of his inability, or unwillingness, to effectively throw the ball down the field. Against Tampa Bay last week, Johnson averaged 2.8 yards per pass play, and his longest completion was 14 yards. And even though he didn’t turn the ball over, Johnson missed some open receivers either because of inaccuracy or choosing to check down to a safer route. Playing Brooks Bollinger may not be the answer as he wasn’t even thought of to be the 3rd string option in Minnesota this year and no other team picked him up when he was subsequently released by the Vikings. Dallas just has to get through this game and hopefully after the bye week Romo will be able to come back and play.
In order for the Cowboys to pull off the upset, or even keep the game interesting, they are going to have to play the same way they did last week vs. Tampa Bay. The defense is going to have to play lights out and get lucky a few times and the offense is going to have to keep things close to the vest and try to play as mistake free as possible. However, objectively speaking, I just don’t think they can repeat their performance of last week especially against a better team on the road. Dallas may keep it close (7-10 pts) for a half, maybe 2 1/2 quarters, but I expect the Giants to start pulling away in the 3rd quarter and end up winning big (20+ pts). I just don't think Dallas' offense will be able to hang (especially with Johnson at QB) and the defense will tire out from having to play so much. The bye week couldn’t come at a better time for the Cowboys.
Prediction: New Yawk 37, Dallas 14.
Monday, October 27, 2008
What a Difference a Week Makes
I wasn’t sure what kind of game, or effort, to expect from Dallas yesterday when they kicked off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The previous 4 games, where the Cowboys’ record was 1-3, were marked by inconsistent, uninspired play on both sides of the ball. I was hoping the Cowboys had some pride left and would come out and give a good Tampa Bay team all it could handle. I was hoping the defense would step up and play like they can instead of like zombies simply collecting a check. I was hoping the team would shake off the fog they have played in for the past month. I was hoping for all that but still didn’t know what to expect.
Well, much to my surprise, the Cowboys’ defense played to their potential yesterday and was the driving force behind their 13-9 win over Tampa Bay. Tampa Bay was held without a touchdown for the first time since the 2007 opener and Dallas gave up its fewest point all season. The defense played with an obvious sense of urgency and allowed only three field goals all afternoon to Tampa Bay, two coming in the first quarter after drives that reached the Dallas 18 and 14. This is no small feat considering the fire power that the Bucs have on offense: WR Antonio Bryant (former Cowboy, by the way) who has more receiving yards that TO Owens, WR Joey Galloway who despite being a little long in the tooth is still lightening fast, WR Ike Hillard, WR Mark Clayton and RB Earnest Graham. Oh, and QB Jeff Garcia is still solid and playing at a high level.
What really made the defensive effort look even more impressive is that the defensive secondary lost another starter to injury in the 3rd quarter when Anthony Henry left with a bruised thigh. So, from that point on, the Cowboys’ pass defense consisted of 2 rookies, in Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick, a 2nd year player in Alan Ball, a 3rd year player in Courtney Brown and pro bowler Ken Hamlin. I would have thought that was easy pickings for Garcia but the young players above stepped up, held their ground and didn’t allow any big plays down field.
The offense was pretty pedestrian and gained only 172 yards of total offense, their fewest ever in a victory. Jason Garrett constructed a game plan consisting of a lot of 2 tight end sets, short passes and a grind it out running game. Brad Johnson’s longest pass went for just 14 yards and it was on a dump-off to running back Marion Barber. However, even though Johnson had several more horrendous throws, he didn’t have a turnover and neither did the Cowboys, which was the first time in 9 games Dallas didn’t give the ball back to the opposition. Dallas led 10-6 at halftime, which was the most against Tampa Bay, this season, in the first half. It also was the first time this season the Bucs trailed at halftime.
The offensive line played a lot better as well yesterday in the win. While they allowed 3 sacks on Johnson, they blocked pretty well for Marion Barber who rushed for a tough 71 yards. This also was no small feat considering Tampa Bay was consistently playing 8 and 9 man defensive fronts to stop the run. How Barber got even 50 yards rushing is amazing to me. Add to that the fact that tight end Jason Witten left with a rib injury, tried to return after X-rays showed no break, then left again. So the bulk of the tight end duties were picked up by rookie Martellus Bennett and he held up pretty well.
Ugly as it was, this was a huge win for the Cowboys…probably their biggest of the season to this point if you take into consideration all the injuries, how the team has played recently and how the rest of the division is playing. Make no mistake…Dallas had to win yesterday especially since every other team in the NFC (B)East won, much to my dismay. The win buys the Cowboys some much-needed breathing room. But they need to forget this win and focus on how they will be able to at least keep up with the Giants next Sunday. And to tell you the truth, I have no idea how they will do it. If this is truly God’s team, I think divine intervention will need to take place in order for Dallas to even be competitive. But we’ll focus on that a little later in the week. For now, let’s just enjoy a hard fought Dallas win.
Well, much to my surprise, the Cowboys’ defense played to their potential yesterday and was the driving force behind their 13-9 win over Tampa Bay. Tampa Bay was held without a touchdown for the first time since the 2007 opener and Dallas gave up its fewest point all season. The defense played with an obvious sense of urgency and allowed only three field goals all afternoon to Tampa Bay, two coming in the first quarter after drives that reached the Dallas 18 and 14. This is no small feat considering the fire power that the Bucs have on offense: WR Antonio Bryant (former Cowboy, by the way) who has more receiving yards that TO Owens, WR Joey Galloway who despite being a little long in the tooth is still lightening fast, WR Ike Hillard, WR Mark Clayton and RB Earnest Graham. Oh, and QB Jeff Garcia is still solid and playing at a high level.
What really made the defensive effort look even more impressive is that the defensive secondary lost another starter to injury in the 3rd quarter when Anthony Henry left with a bruised thigh. So, from that point on, the Cowboys’ pass defense consisted of 2 rookies, in Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick, a 2nd year player in Alan Ball, a 3rd year player in Courtney Brown and pro bowler Ken Hamlin. I would have thought that was easy pickings for Garcia but the young players above stepped up, held their ground and didn’t allow any big plays down field.
The offense was pretty pedestrian and gained only 172 yards of total offense, their fewest ever in a victory. Jason Garrett constructed a game plan consisting of a lot of 2 tight end sets, short passes and a grind it out running game. Brad Johnson’s longest pass went for just 14 yards and it was on a dump-off to running back Marion Barber. However, even though Johnson had several more horrendous throws, he didn’t have a turnover and neither did the Cowboys, which was the first time in 9 games Dallas didn’t give the ball back to the opposition. Dallas led 10-6 at halftime, which was the most against Tampa Bay, this season, in the first half. It also was the first time this season the Bucs trailed at halftime.
The offensive line played a lot better as well yesterday in the win. While they allowed 3 sacks on Johnson, they blocked pretty well for Marion Barber who rushed for a tough 71 yards. This also was no small feat considering Tampa Bay was consistently playing 8 and 9 man defensive fronts to stop the run. How Barber got even 50 yards rushing is amazing to me. Add to that the fact that tight end Jason Witten left with a rib injury, tried to return after X-rays showed no break, then left again. So the bulk of the tight end duties were picked up by rookie Martellus Bennett and he held up pretty well.
Ugly as it was, this was a huge win for the Cowboys…probably their biggest of the season to this point if you take into consideration all the injuries, how the team has played recently and how the rest of the division is playing. Make no mistake…Dallas had to win yesterday especially since every other team in the NFC (B)East won, much to my dismay. The win buys the Cowboys some much-needed breathing room. But they need to forget this win and focus on how they will be able to at least keep up with the Giants next Sunday. And to tell you the truth, I have no idea how they will do it. If this is truly God’s team, I think divine intervention will need to take place in order for Dallas to even be competitive. But we’ll focus on that a little later in the week. For now, let’s just enjoy a hard fought Dallas win.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Dallas's Playoff Chances May Rest on This Weekend
As I said in the post below, last week's loss to the Rams was one of the worst losses I've ever seen from a Cowboy team...ever. It was a gutless peformance all the way around and it basically looked like most of the players didn't even get off the bus that day. But this is a new week and the team needs to leave last week's horrible performance in the past because a very good Tampa Bay team is in town and they smell blood in the water. Romo is not playing this week and probably won't, by his own admission, until at least the Washington game in 3 weeks. That means Brad Johnson is at the helm again (gulp!).
All I've heard all week, from the players interviewed, is that their back in against the wall and they know they have to win this weekend. My question is, where was that attitude last week? Where was that urgency? Why does it take 4 straight games of playing effortless, uninspired football and 2 bad losses to get to that point? I'm hoping that what I heard is the truth and not just lip service. I'm hoping we see the Cowboy team we saw the first 3 games of the season.
One thing is for sure though. If the Cowboys hope to even make the playoffs, then they really must win this weekend vs. Tampa Bay. I think that 10-6 gets you into the playoffs but anything less than doesn't. The Cowboys are 4-3 right now and I really don't see them going to NY next week and coming away with a win. So, if Dallas doesn't win tomrrow, then they will probably be 4-5 going into their bye week and would need to go 6-1 over their last 7 games to get to a 10-6 record. And with road games at Washington, Pittsburgh and Filthadelpia, I really don't think the Cowboys will be able to go 6-1 over their last 7 games. So, the game this week will give them a little room for error, but not much. So it is imperative that Cowboys win this weekend.
Maybe I'm the eternal optimist as far as the Dallas Cowboys go but something tells me that they will find a way to come away with a "W" tomorrow. I have no real basis for this other than they Cowboys are at home and their back is truly against the wall. That is what I'm basing my prediction on. I'm hoping what I heard this week is the truth and that they play with urgency and a sense of purpose and not like a team entitled to go directly to the Super Bowl despite the fact they haven't won a playoff game since 1996. However, the Cowboys are a wounded animal trapped in a corner and I beleive they will come out fighting tomorrow.
Prediction: Dallas 20, Tampa Bay 17
All I've heard all week, from the players interviewed, is that their back in against the wall and they know they have to win this weekend. My question is, where was that attitude last week? Where was that urgency? Why does it take 4 straight games of playing effortless, uninspired football and 2 bad losses to get to that point? I'm hoping that what I heard is the truth and not just lip service. I'm hoping we see the Cowboy team we saw the first 3 games of the season.
One thing is for sure though. If the Cowboys hope to even make the playoffs, then they really must win this weekend vs. Tampa Bay. I think that 10-6 gets you into the playoffs but anything less than doesn't. The Cowboys are 4-3 right now and I really don't see them going to NY next week and coming away with a win. So, if Dallas doesn't win tomrrow, then they will probably be 4-5 going into their bye week and would need to go 6-1 over their last 7 games to get to a 10-6 record. And with road games at Washington, Pittsburgh and Filthadelpia, I really don't think the Cowboys will be able to go 6-1 over their last 7 games. So, the game this week will give them a little room for error, but not much. So it is imperative that Cowboys win this weekend.
Maybe I'm the eternal optimist as far as the Dallas Cowboys go but something tells me that they will find a way to come away with a "W" tomorrow. I have no real basis for this other than they Cowboys are at home and their back is truly against the wall. That is what I'm basing my prediction on. I'm hoping what I heard this week is the truth and that they play with urgency and a sense of purpose and not like a team entitled to go directly to the Super Bowl despite the fact they haven't won a playoff game since 1996. However, the Cowboys are a wounded animal trapped in a corner and I beleive they will come out fighting tomorrow.
Prediction: Dallas 20, Tampa Bay 17
Monday, October 20, 2008
A Whole New Low for the Cowboys
Honestly, I don’t know what happened yesterday. This is the same feeling I had last year when Dallas lost to New York in the playoffs. I am just absolutely befuddled about how the lowly, hapless Rams could not only beat the Cowboys but blow them out 34-14…and the game wasn’t near as close as the final score indicates. This has left this whole city with a big “?” above it’s collective head. I mean, only one month ago, Dallas was regarded by many as the best team in the NFC and possibly the NFL and they were expected to not only get to the Super Bowl but win it. But now? I don’t think anyone knows what will happen next. Is this the bottom? Or will this season spin completely out of control and the team not even make the playoffs? There are so many problems with this team, I don’t know where to begin. But, really, they are the same things that have kept this team from playing well for the past 4 games such as a lack of intensity, lack of urgency, being unfocused and not prepared, mental mistakes, blown assignments, poor play from the offensive line, poor play from the defensive secondary and on and on and on.
The thing I noticed the most yesterday was that the team lacked any kind of urgency and just seemed to wilt after the Rams went up 14-7. St. Louis had gone up by only 1 touchdown and the Cowboys looked like they had just lost the Super Bowl. What?!?!?! Where is the fight in this team? Where is the intensity we saw in the Filthadelphia game earlier this year? Is this team composed of nothing but mental midgets? The basics of football dictate that each guy beats the guy across from him and quite honestly, Dallas just isn’t doing it. This team looks defeated, whipped and beaten. And this was against one of poorest, if not the poorest, teams in the league (before yesterday’s game that is). What will Dallas look like against better competition like Tampa Bay and New York in the next 2 weeks? I’ve got to be honest, I’m flat out scared about what those teams are going to do to Dallas…because the Cowboys doesn’t look like it’s got the stomach for any kind of fight.
The mental mistakes and turnovers are also killing this team. Mistakes like a false start on a 3rd and 1; a false start on a 4th and 1; 3 interceptions by Brad Johnson (who I erroneously thought was better than he really is); an untimely fumble by Marion Barber; a blown coverage resulting in WR Donnie Avery (who is that?) getting behind the whole defense and scoring, with Roy Williams giving chase…again; mistackles by just about every linebacker. These things aren’t new. They have been happening over and over again for the past month. So my question is, where is the accountability for this team? Are the coaches not doing anything to address this? And if so, why are the same mistakes being made? If players are not playing to their potential, what is being done to address that? Will anyone be benched? Do any of the coaches or players even care or are they just satisfied to collect a check every week, slop through another game and get to the end of the season where they will magically be transported to the playoffs just because they have a blue star on their helmet?
This team needs to figure out what and/or who it is. I’d like to say that I think yesterday was a wake up call; that this was truly the bottom and now the team can move on onward and upward; that after some adversity, the team and coaches know what needs to be done and knows how they are going to get it done. But I can’t say any of that. The loss yesterday was truly among one of the worst losses I’ve ever seen from the Cowboys, ever…and I’ve seen quite a few horrible losses. The Rams, took pity on the Cowboys and called off the dogs when they pooch punted toward the end of the game. And when the camera showed the St. Louis sideline, the Rams players were laughing at the Cowboys. One of the worst teams in the NFL actually took pity and laughed at the Cowboys. And Dallas doesn’t seem to care.
The backup QB is so done that he shouldn’t even be on this team. I was wrong, wrong, wrong about that guy. I knew he didn’t have the arm strength that Romo has but I didn’t know his skills had so diminished that there were several times where I didn’t even know who he was throwing to. There were a few times where he threw the ball so early that the intended receiver hadn’t even looked for the ball yet. Brooks Bollinger probably would have done a better job yesterday than Brad Johnson. Maybe at one time Johnson was an adequate QB but that time is long gone. The only time he should be in the game, going forward, is in an emergency. He is that bad. My question is, why didn’t the coaching staff know this?
The offensive line, yet again, had a horrible day. Flozell Adams (or Fatams, as a friend of mine calls him) consistently got beat on the edge yesterday by a guy that I don’t even know his name. It’s a dang good thing Jerry gave him a brand new top dollar contract this year to the tune of $7 million a year. But the rest of the line didn’t do any better as St. Louis got to Johnson multiple times without even blitzing…and sometimes only rushing 3 guys. Rushing 3 guys?!?!?!? And those 3 can beat 5 o-lineman and get to the QB? What?!?!? This team will not get any better until that line starts to play to their potential. Take that to the bank. They may win a game here or there but they most certainly will not make the playoffs playing uninspired ball like they did yesterday and the last 4 weeks.
The defense is in shambles, except for DeMarcus Ware who is really the ONLY player on defense who matters and brings ‘A’ effort every game. The rest of the defense doesn’t seem to know up from down. The first game that Roy Williams is back in the line up he get caught chasing Donnie Avery into the end zone while pointing to other team mates trying to defer blame. Nothing’s changed with that guy and now we hear he has fractured his arm, in a different place than he fractured it the first time, and will be put back on the injured list. Truthfully, he shouldn’t be activated again this season and should be released in the off season. He’s not going to get back to where he was 4 years ago when he was a player that made a difference and had to be accounted for by the opposition. He’s done and the Cowboys should cut their loss with him at the end of the season.
The game yesterday was marred by poor effort, poor execution and poor coaching all the way around in a game that Dallas really needed to win. There aren’t many players that can truly look in the mirror and say they left it all on the field yesterday. And that’s what bugs me the most. And Wade doesn’t seem to have a clue what to do about it. You can’t fire the whole team though…but you can fire the head coach. Do I hear any objections to that?
The thing I noticed the most yesterday was that the team lacked any kind of urgency and just seemed to wilt after the Rams went up 14-7. St. Louis had gone up by only 1 touchdown and the Cowboys looked like they had just lost the Super Bowl. What?!?!?! Where is the fight in this team? Where is the intensity we saw in the Filthadelphia game earlier this year? Is this team composed of nothing but mental midgets? The basics of football dictate that each guy beats the guy across from him and quite honestly, Dallas just isn’t doing it. This team looks defeated, whipped and beaten. And this was against one of poorest, if not the poorest, teams in the league (before yesterday’s game that is). What will Dallas look like against better competition like Tampa Bay and New York in the next 2 weeks? I’ve got to be honest, I’m flat out scared about what those teams are going to do to Dallas…because the Cowboys doesn’t look like it’s got the stomach for any kind of fight.
The mental mistakes and turnovers are also killing this team. Mistakes like a false start on a 3rd and 1; a false start on a 4th and 1; 3 interceptions by Brad Johnson (who I erroneously thought was better than he really is); an untimely fumble by Marion Barber; a blown coverage resulting in WR Donnie Avery (who is that?) getting behind the whole defense and scoring, with Roy Williams giving chase…again; mistackles by just about every linebacker. These things aren’t new. They have been happening over and over again for the past month. So my question is, where is the accountability for this team? Are the coaches not doing anything to address this? And if so, why are the same mistakes being made? If players are not playing to their potential, what is being done to address that? Will anyone be benched? Do any of the coaches or players even care or are they just satisfied to collect a check every week, slop through another game and get to the end of the season where they will magically be transported to the playoffs just because they have a blue star on their helmet?
This team needs to figure out what and/or who it is. I’d like to say that I think yesterday was a wake up call; that this was truly the bottom and now the team can move on onward and upward; that after some adversity, the team and coaches know what needs to be done and knows how they are going to get it done. But I can’t say any of that. The loss yesterday was truly among one of the worst losses I’ve ever seen from the Cowboys, ever…and I’ve seen quite a few horrible losses. The Rams, took pity on the Cowboys and called off the dogs when they pooch punted toward the end of the game. And when the camera showed the St. Louis sideline, the Rams players were laughing at the Cowboys. One of the worst teams in the NFL actually took pity and laughed at the Cowboys. And Dallas doesn’t seem to care.
The backup QB is so done that he shouldn’t even be on this team. I was wrong, wrong, wrong about that guy. I knew he didn’t have the arm strength that Romo has but I didn’t know his skills had so diminished that there were several times where I didn’t even know who he was throwing to. There were a few times where he threw the ball so early that the intended receiver hadn’t even looked for the ball yet. Brooks Bollinger probably would have done a better job yesterday than Brad Johnson. Maybe at one time Johnson was an adequate QB but that time is long gone. The only time he should be in the game, going forward, is in an emergency. He is that bad. My question is, why didn’t the coaching staff know this?
The offensive line, yet again, had a horrible day. Flozell Adams (or Fatams, as a friend of mine calls him) consistently got beat on the edge yesterday by a guy that I don’t even know his name. It’s a dang good thing Jerry gave him a brand new top dollar contract this year to the tune of $7 million a year. But the rest of the line didn’t do any better as St. Louis got to Johnson multiple times without even blitzing…and sometimes only rushing 3 guys. Rushing 3 guys?!?!?!? And those 3 can beat 5 o-lineman and get to the QB? What?!?!? This team will not get any better until that line starts to play to their potential. Take that to the bank. They may win a game here or there but they most certainly will not make the playoffs playing uninspired ball like they did yesterday and the last 4 weeks.
The defense is in shambles, except for DeMarcus Ware who is really the ONLY player on defense who matters and brings ‘A’ effort every game. The rest of the defense doesn’t seem to know up from down. The first game that Roy Williams is back in the line up he get caught chasing Donnie Avery into the end zone while pointing to other team mates trying to defer blame. Nothing’s changed with that guy and now we hear he has fractured his arm, in a different place than he fractured it the first time, and will be put back on the injured list. Truthfully, he shouldn’t be activated again this season and should be released in the off season. He’s not going to get back to where he was 4 years ago when he was a player that made a difference and had to be accounted for by the opposition. He’s done and the Cowboys should cut their loss with him at the end of the season.
The game yesterday was marred by poor effort, poor execution and poor coaching all the way around in a game that Dallas really needed to win. There aren’t many players that can truly look in the mirror and say they left it all on the field yesterday. And that’s what bugs me the most. And Wade doesn’t seem to have a clue what to do about it. You can’t fire the whole team though…but you can fire the head coach. Do I hear any objections to that?
Friday, October 17, 2008
Romo Should Sit This One Out
Who would have thought 3 weeks ago that this weekend’s game vs. St. Louis would be “must win” for the Cowboys? I know I certainly wouldn’t have. In fact, I think anyone that knows anything about football would have said, before last week’s games, that Dallas would probably beat the Rams by at least 2 touchdowns on Sunday, if not more. However, because St. Louis beat Washington, in Washington no less, and because of not only how Dallas played last week but their injury factor, this game on Sunday is huge. In fact, I think it’s a “must win” not in the sense that Dallas’ season will be over if they lose but if the Cowboys lose to the hapless Rams, I don’t think they will have a snowball’s chance of beating Tampa Bay or New Yawk. And if they lose all three of those games, they will be 4-5 heading into their bye week with road games in Washington, Pittsburgh and Filthadelphia on the horizon and tough home games against New Yawk and Baltimore as well. So, this week’s game vs. St. Louis is very important for Dallas to get their rhythm, swagger and confidence back to where they were through the first 3 games of the season.
It’s been reported this week that Romo may in fact play this weekend vs. St. Louis despite having a fractured little finger on his right hand. It’s my opinion (and of course, no one asked me) that Romo should not play even if he says he can go and even if the trainers/doctors clear him to play. If Wade lets him play and his finger ends up getting broken...that will be a huge problem. It's just fractured now but could break if hit just right. And if Romo does break his finger, then forget about him playing, at all, for at least 4 to 6 weeks.
Another reason I wouldn’t play Romo is that his backup, Brad Johnson, while being 40 years old is a solid back up capable of filling in for a few games. He may not be what he was back in 2002, when he won the Super Bowl with Tampa Bay, but he is experienced, knows his limitations and can be effective. Basically, it’s not like Romo’s backup is a rookie who has never thrown an NFL pass before. And while there are several injuries on the team, including Felix Jones, the majority of the offense will still be playing. That means, Witten, TO Owens, Barber, Patrick Crayton, Miles Austin and the newly signed Roy Williams will be in the lineup to give Johnson support. And really, depending on how Johnson plays this weekend, I would even consider keeping him in next week against TB so Romo can try to play vs. the Giants the following week.
Dallas is not playing a team on their level, like New Yawk, Washington or Filthy. I know Washington lost to St. Louis last week but St. Louis’s offense only put up 4 field goals and needed a fumble returned for a TD to win. In fact, this is how St. Louis ranks among the 32 NFL teams in offense and defense:
Rams Passing Offense: averages 155 yards/game (28th in the NFL)
Rams Rushing Offense: averages 82 yards/game (29th in the NFL)
Rams Total Offense: averages 237 yards and 12 points/game (31st in the NFL)
Rams Total Defense: gives up 403 yards/game: 234 yards passing, 169 yards
rushing (31st in the NFL)
St. Louis still has a few good players, as all teams do, in QB Marc Bulger, WR Torry Holt, RB Stephen Jackson, DT La’Roi Glover and DE Leonard Little but beyond those, very little else.
So Dallas is, quite possibly, playing the worst team in the NFL. And with all the rest of the offensive weapons the Cowboys still have playing, they really should be able to win regardless of who is in at QB…emphasis on should. If they don't, then this thing's got bigger problems that Romo being out.
Prediction: Dallas 23, St. Louis 14.
It’s been reported this week that Romo may in fact play this weekend vs. St. Louis despite having a fractured little finger on his right hand. It’s my opinion (and of course, no one asked me) that Romo should not play even if he says he can go and even if the trainers/doctors clear him to play. If Wade lets him play and his finger ends up getting broken...that will be a huge problem. It's just fractured now but could break if hit just right. And if Romo does break his finger, then forget about him playing, at all, for at least 4 to 6 weeks.
Another reason I wouldn’t play Romo is that his backup, Brad Johnson, while being 40 years old is a solid back up capable of filling in for a few games. He may not be what he was back in 2002, when he won the Super Bowl with Tampa Bay, but he is experienced, knows his limitations and can be effective. Basically, it’s not like Romo’s backup is a rookie who has never thrown an NFL pass before. And while there are several injuries on the team, including Felix Jones, the majority of the offense will still be playing. That means, Witten, TO Owens, Barber, Patrick Crayton, Miles Austin and the newly signed Roy Williams will be in the lineup to give Johnson support. And really, depending on how Johnson plays this weekend, I would even consider keeping him in next week against TB so Romo can try to play vs. the Giants the following week.
Dallas is not playing a team on their level, like New Yawk, Washington or Filthy. I know Washington lost to St. Louis last week but St. Louis’s offense only put up 4 field goals and needed a fumble returned for a TD to win. In fact, this is how St. Louis ranks among the 32 NFL teams in offense and defense:
Rams Passing Offense: averages 155 yards/game (28th in the NFL)
Rams Rushing Offense: averages 82 yards/game (29th in the NFL)
Rams Total Offense: averages 237 yards and 12 points/game (31st in the NFL)
Rams Total Defense: gives up 403 yards/game: 234 yards passing, 169 yards
rushing (31st in the NFL)
St. Louis still has a few good players, as all teams do, in QB Marc Bulger, WR Torry Holt, RB Stephen Jackson, DT La’Roi Glover and DE Leonard Little but beyond those, very little else.
So Dallas is, quite possibly, playing the worst team in the NFL. And with all the rest of the offensive weapons the Cowboys still have playing, they really should be able to win regardless of who is in at QB…emphasis on should. If they don't, then this thing's got bigger problems that Romo being out.
Prediction: Dallas 23, St. Louis 14.
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