I wrote yesterday that Dallas did not deserve to make the playoffs. That remains to be true; however, apparently no other team (save ATL) in the NFC is prepared to make Dallas pay for its transgressions. The Bucs, Iggles, and Vikings all lost games that would have given them control over their playoff qualification.
So now I can root for my team with a clear conscience. Win and they're in. Sweet.
21 December 2008
20 December 2008
You're Kidding Me
I understand blogging is supposed to be your first reaction to something...
Tonight's game had 3 "you're fucking kidding me" moments. The first was the ball inexpicably bouncing away from Ken Hamlin and right to a one-armed Derrick Mason on a LeRon McClain fumble. The second was Willis McGahee's 77-yard run after Dallas' offense finally decided to start playing. Hamlin makes that tackle 80% of the time. Ugh. The third was McClain's 83-yard run after the offense had gutted out another long drive to pull within 2. The last two runs happened within 3 minutes of each other. Ridiculous.
These are plays that happen on Madden, not in the NFL. How can any self-respecting defense NOT make those tackles. To be honest, I didn't watch the McClain run but hte once, so I can't really offer any explanation- but know that those types of runs rarely happen once- let alone twice- in games. For the D to play so well for 3.5 quarters then fall apart is devestating.
Dallas does not deserve to make the playoffs. I have no idea what that means- long term. Should Wade lose his job? I dunno. Should TO be cut? Dunno. Is Romo the real deal? Dunno. Can Dallas win a game of importance in December/January? Dunno- but know that they need to in order to be taken seriously. Too many questions, and not enough answers. Ugh.
Tonight's game had 3 "you're fucking kidding me" moments. The first was the ball inexpicably bouncing away from Ken Hamlin and right to a one-armed Derrick Mason on a LeRon McClain fumble. The second was Willis McGahee's 77-yard run after Dallas' offense finally decided to start playing. Hamlin makes that tackle 80% of the time. Ugh. The third was McClain's 83-yard run after the offense had gutted out another long drive to pull within 2. The last two runs happened within 3 minutes of each other. Ridiculous.
These are plays that happen on Madden, not in the NFL. How can any self-respecting defense NOT make those tackles. To be honest, I didn't watch the McClain run but hte once, so I can't really offer any explanation- but know that those types of runs rarely happen once- let alone twice- in games. For the D to play so well for 3.5 quarters then fall apart is devestating.
Dallas does not deserve to make the playoffs. I have no idea what that means- long term. Should Wade lose his job? I dunno. Should TO be cut? Dunno. Is Romo the real deal? Dunno. Can Dallas win a game of importance in December/January? Dunno- but know that they need to in order to be taken seriously. Too many questions, and not enough answers. Ugh.
13 December 2008
On Terrell
With the rumor mill swirling and ESPN falling over itself trying to invent a story, I thought I'd talk a little about the media's favorite go to story, TO.
First of all, I seriously doubt the credibility of the two lead reporters on this story, Ed Werder and Matt Mosley. Both of these guys have been covering the 'Boys since the mid 90's, and in my opinion, always present the news out of Valley Ranch with a jaundiced eye. The criticism that comes from these two guys is never constructive and more often than not portrays the organization as dysfunctional.
Now, I understand that Dallas' place as America's Team places them in the spotlight more than other franchises- they are the Yankees of the NFL. No matter what Dallas accomplishes, the success of the past will always be used as the measuring tool. And I'm OK with that. In fact, I invite it. America loves to build players and teams up so they can watch them fall and complain about it along the way. Virtually since its inception, Dallas has enjoyed unprecedented success- 8 Super Bowl appearances, 5 Super Bowl titles, 20 straight 10-win seasons. The Star is one of the most recognizable logos in popular culture.
That said, I tire of media types looking for reasons to declare the Cowboys locker room a disaster area. Most of these talking heads were the same one slurping the 'Boys in preseason. Now, the flavor of the week is Dallas' doomsday (pun intended).
The facts are these: Romo is in this 3rd year as a starter (Peyton Manning didn't win a meaningful game until his 6th year), and has a bit of Favre-ishness in him. You take the good (scrambling around for 10 seconds, then finding TO in the back of the end zone) with the bad (pass to Deshea Townsend). He and TO have combined for more TD passes than any other duo since 2006. Romo looks for the open receiver and gets them the ball. If it's Witten, TO, Crayton, Barber, Bennett, whoever. That is how you want your QB to play.
Does Romo have a level of confidence in Witten that he doesn't with TO, Crayton and Roy11? Of course- Roy11 has played 3 games with him, Crayton dropped a very catchable ball in last years playoff loss vs the G-men and broke off a route that would've won the game, and TO drops balls like his name is Braylon. I can remember only one game that Witten dropped a ball- Week 6 vs Arizona. Witten and Romo room together on the road, went to Cabo together during the bye week last year, and are great friends. Aikman had a similar relationship with Jay Novacek. None of these things are bad.
This whole thing is blown out of proportion- and it will all go away when the 'Boys beat the Giants on Sunday.
First of all, I seriously doubt the credibility of the two lead reporters on this story, Ed Werder and Matt Mosley. Both of these guys have been covering the 'Boys since the mid 90's, and in my opinion, always present the news out of Valley Ranch with a jaundiced eye. The criticism that comes from these two guys is never constructive and more often than not portrays the organization as dysfunctional.
Now, I understand that Dallas' place as America's Team places them in the spotlight more than other franchises- they are the Yankees of the NFL. No matter what Dallas accomplishes, the success of the past will always be used as the measuring tool. And I'm OK with that. In fact, I invite it. America loves to build players and teams up so they can watch them fall and complain about it along the way. Virtually since its inception, Dallas has enjoyed unprecedented success- 8 Super Bowl appearances, 5 Super Bowl titles, 20 straight 10-win seasons. The Star is one of the most recognizable logos in popular culture.
That said, I tire of media types looking for reasons to declare the Cowboys locker room a disaster area. Most of these talking heads were the same one slurping the 'Boys in preseason. Now, the flavor of the week is Dallas' doomsday (pun intended).
The facts are these: Romo is in this 3rd year as a starter (Peyton Manning didn't win a meaningful game until his 6th year), and has a bit of Favre-ishness in him. You take the good (scrambling around for 10 seconds, then finding TO in the back of the end zone) with the bad (pass to Deshea Townsend). He and TO have combined for more TD passes than any other duo since 2006. Romo looks for the open receiver and gets them the ball. If it's Witten, TO, Crayton, Barber, Bennett, whoever. That is how you want your QB to play.
Does Romo have a level of confidence in Witten that he doesn't with TO, Crayton and Roy11? Of course- Roy11 has played 3 games with him, Crayton dropped a very catchable ball in last years playoff loss vs the G-men and broke off a route that would've won the game, and TO drops balls like his name is Braylon. I can remember only one game that Witten dropped a ball- Week 6 vs Arizona. Witten and Romo room together on the road, went to Cabo together during the bye week last year, and are great friends. Aikman had a similar relationship with Jay Novacek. None of these things are bad.
This whole thing is blown out of proportion- and it will all go away when the 'Boys beat the Giants on Sunday.
10 December 2008
Oops
Ok, so I've been a little lax- par for the course. So many things- so little time. Here are some things I've been thinking about...
Cowboys Update- With 3 games to go, the 'Boys are currently in 6th place in the NFC. Had Romo not decided to give the ball back to the Steelers 4 times, they would still be in 6th (thank you for the chicken-shit punt, Mike Smith!), but in a better position as compared to the teams chasing them for the final playoff spot. Hosting the G-Men this week and the Nevermores (thank you, TMQ!) next- in what will be the final home game in Texas Stadium-, then traveling to Philly to finish the season, the 'Boys need to win at least 2 to get in. Preferably, they will win the 2 NFC games.
Regardless, I cannot understand why Jerry Jones threw Marion the Barbarian under the bus this week. I know JJ is all about JJ (he loves him some him- thanks TO!), but why question the toughness of the most physical back in the league? What purpose does that serve? Baffling.
Addictions-Besides the aforementioned TMQ (that's Tuesday Morning Quarterback Gregg Easterbrook on ESPN.com- I'd give a link but he has no dedicated home page- look for it anyway), I have been reading as much from the National Football Post as I can. Good stuff. Matt Bowen's player column is outstanding, even if he is a Deadskin.
In non-football related addictions, the Planet Money podacst from NPR is an outstanding take on the current financial climate. I also enjoy My History Can Beat Up Your Politics podcast.
In music, I am currently playing out the new Oasis album, Dig Out Your Soul, the Flobots album Fight With Tools, and The Mouse and the Mask by Danger Doom.
As for books, I just bought American Brutus by Michael Kauffman, The Wordy Shipmates by Sarah Vowell, and More Information Than You Require by John Hodgman. I highly recommend them all.
Politics- Can I buy a Senate seat? Damn!
Cowboys Update- With 3 games to go, the 'Boys are currently in 6th place in the NFC. Had Romo not decided to give the ball back to the Steelers 4 times, they would still be in 6th (thank you for the chicken-shit punt, Mike Smith!), but in a better position as compared to the teams chasing them for the final playoff spot. Hosting the G-Men this week and the Nevermores (thank you, TMQ!) next- in what will be the final home game in Texas Stadium-, then traveling to Philly to finish the season, the 'Boys need to win at least 2 to get in. Preferably, they will win the 2 NFC games.
Regardless, I cannot understand why Jerry Jones threw Marion the Barbarian under the bus this week. I know JJ is all about JJ (he loves him some him- thanks TO!), but why question the toughness of the most physical back in the league? What purpose does that serve? Baffling.
Addictions-Besides the aforementioned TMQ (that's Tuesday Morning Quarterback Gregg Easterbrook on ESPN.com- I'd give a link but he has no dedicated home page- look for it anyway), I have been reading as much from the National Football Post as I can. Good stuff. Matt Bowen's player column is outstanding, even if he is a Deadskin.
In non-football related addictions, the Planet Money podacst from NPR is an outstanding take on the current financial climate. I also enjoy My History Can Beat Up Your Politics podcast.
In music, I am currently playing out the new Oasis album, Dig Out Your Soul, the Flobots album Fight With Tools, and The Mouse and the Mask by Danger Doom.
As for books, I just bought American Brutus by Michael Kauffman, The Wordy Shipmates by Sarah Vowell, and More Information Than You Require by John Hodgman. I highly recommend them all.
Politics- Can I buy a Senate seat? Damn!
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