Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Disturbing News for Cowboy Fans and As if I Needed Another Reason to Dislike the Saints

On Sunday, the Washington Deadskins made a trade with Miami to acquire defensive end Jason Taylor. The six-time Pro Bowler and 2006 defensive player of the year was traded to Washington for a second-round draft pick in 2009 and sixth-rounder in 2010. Taylor had fallen out of favor with Big Bill Parcells, who is now running the ship down in Miami, for being on Dancing With The Stars this past season and while Taylor is not quite the player he was in the late 90’s and early 00’s, he is still a very effective pass rusher who can wreak havoc on opposing QBs. As a Cowboys fan, I’m a little unnerved by this move because Dallas will now have to face Taylor twice a year. Washington without a doubt improved their defensive line with this addition. And while I still think Dallas is the class of the division, this move upped the ante a bit. Taylor is a quality guy and a great player so I'm more than just a little disappointed he is now playing to little Danny Snyder.

And staying with other NFC East news…

As if I needed another reason to detest the Saints, the world champion New Yawk Giants (or “Jints” as a friend of mine calls them) have traded the much over-hyped Jeremy Shockey to New Orleans for a second-round and sixth-round pick in the 2009 draft. I’ve never been a big fan of Shockey’s. And even though he has made Roy Williams look down right silly in trying to cover him (who hasn’t done that to Roy?), that’s not the reason I’ve never been a big fan of his. I have seen Shockey rip off his helmet and light into his QB on numerous occasions, act like a jerk on the sideline and pretty much embody all that is wrong with NFL. I know there are plenty of players who also do this (namely one that wears #81 and plays for Dallas) but I don’t really care for them either. I don’t remember Jerry Rice, Steve Largent or Jay Novacek throwing their helmets on the sideline in disgust toward their respective QBs. Shockey is loud, boisterous and high maintenance…and he’s only a tight end and not a wide receiver (like the aforementioned #81 for Dallas).

Unfortunately, Shockey is going to a team that will probably benefit from his services. Sean Payton, the Saint’s coach, was Shockey’s offensive coordinator in New Yawk during Shcokey’s first season. Shockey thrived that season winning Rookie of the Year. However, the Saints big problem last year was not the absence of a tight end but the absence of a defense. So, unless Shockey starts playing linebacker, New Orleans is going to still have problems stopping people from scoring.

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