Dan's Perception Of Reality

Predictions Super Bowl XLIII

2009-02-01T16:01:00.003-05:00

Click To Email Me

Predictions Conference Championships

2009-01-18T11:05:00.003-05:00

Divisional Round Review

2009-01-13T10:19:00.006-05:00

The crystal ball had a dreadful performance this past week, posting a woeful 1-3 record. This is playoff time, so that is totally unacceptable! The crystal ball started off 1-0, but then dropped its last three for the weekend! Anyway, that puts the crystal ball at 3-5 for the post-season, and 36-31-1 overall. That’s five games over .500 (.537 to be exact). Hopefully the crystal ball will perform better this coming week, as the pressure mounts in the Championship games! Let’s take a look back, and review what happened last week.

Last Week: 1-3

Playoffs: 3-5

Overall: 36-31-1

Baltimore @ Tennessee: (WIN) This was a classic defensive struggle. Both teams did rack up some yards, especially the Titans (391). That’s a lot of yards against the Ravens defense, but the name of the game is to score points. The Titans had their share of opportunities, but they didn’t get the job done! The Titans had the edge in yards and time of possession, but the three turnovers they committed sealed their fate! The Ravens offense wasn’t great, but it doesn’t need to be. They played tough, hard-nosed football, and Flacco managed the offense. More importantly…he had no turnovers. In the playoffs, it’s hard to win when you lose the turnover battle. The Ravens will travel to Pittsburgh for the AFC title.

Arizona @ Carolina: (LOSS) What the (bleep) was Jake Delhomme doing out there? He had five picks…are you kidding me? He sure picked the wrong week to have the worst day of his life! The Panthers looked sharp on their first scoring drive, but then they must have gotten amnesia, because the entire team forgot how to play football! Goodell…test the Gatorade! Arizona, led by the geriatric kid (Warner) played well. Once they got the lead, they never looked back. Even without Boldin, the Cards offense was unstoppable. The Cardinals will now host the NFC Championship game…I can’t believe I just typed that!

Philadelphia @ New York Giants: (LOSS) The Eagles were firing on all cylinders. The offense had its moments, but played well enough to win. The Birds defense stole the show though. They harassed Eli all day long, even though they didn’t register any sacks. The pressure was there, and Manning was off his game and threw two costly picks! The Giants played with no heart whatsoever…they looked like a deer in headlights. Dawkins was all over the field and he has been the motivation behind the Eagles success on defense. That guy is a baller…even at his ripe old age! The Eagles might have needed a lot of breaks to get into the tournament, but they sure are making the most of their opportunity. The Birds will fly west to meet up with the Cardinals for the NFC title.

San Diego @ Pittsburgh: (LOSS) The Steelers are simply the most consistent team in the NFL. They come to play each week. They ran the ball well, and Big Ben had a good day as well. Ben didn’t light it up, but when you can run the ball and your defense is the best in the league, you don’t have to…just avoid the mistakes! The Bolts kept it close, and they rallied to make it interesting late, but they never really had a chance. Rivers tried to carry the team on his back, but it was just too much of a burden on him…he misses LT’s production! Sproles was a non-factor in the running game, as Pittsburgh held him to 15 yards on 11 carries…ouch! The Steelers now have a date with the Ravens for the AFC Championship. They have defeated the Ravens twice this season, but can they make it thrice?

Short Shots:

Yesterday, Tony Dungy retired from coaching after a 7-year run in Indy. He has turned that franchise into a winner. He never got his Lombardi Trophy in Tampa, but he made it happen in Indy. His coaching career will surely land him in Canton, but Dungy will be remembered more for his work that doesn’t deal with football. If you get the chance…read his book!

The Eagles are flying high with their Super Bowl run, but I have to say I am disappointed with Donovan McNabb. What was he thinking of when he picked up the telephone on the Giants sideline? If that were Terrell Owens or Pacman Jones, Goodell would have suspended them by now. D-Mac…you know better, don’t you?

From The Mail Room:

Nate S., Glenside, PA: Are you surprised to see both of the 6 seeds make it this far in the play offs?

Utopia1dc: Nate, no I’m not really that surprised. The Eagles are playing very well. It didn’t surprise me that they could beat Minnesota and the G-Men on the road. The Vikings are an average team, and the Giants aren’t the same without Plaxico. As for the Ravens, they are a very dangerous team. The Ravens may have been a 6th seed, but they were 11-5 on the season. Two of their five losses came at the hands of the Steelers. The Ravens also have a rookie coach and QB, but they sure aren’t acting like rookies! The Ravens will give the Steelers all they can handle. It wouldn’t surprise me at all to see both 6th seeds advance to the Super Bowl either!

Click To Email Me

Predictions Divisional Round

2009-01-09T16:29:00.006-05:00

Each week, I will look into my (never wrong, just misinformed) crystal ball and give my predictions for that weekend’s games. I will prognosticate on all the playoff games each week. Keep in mind, that this is for entertainment purposes only, and that I do not endorse any sort of legal or illegal gambling. That being said…let’s see what’s in my crystal ball!

The crystal ball was mediocre last week, posting a 2-2 record. Not great, but we will take it! Now that we are ensconced in the playoffs, the crystal ball assures me it will rebound this week with a better performance. The crystal ball is now 35-28-1 for the season; which is seven games over .500 (.555 to be exact). With all the great match-ups before us, this week is going to be a challenge for the crystal ball. Let’s see what’s in store for us this weekend.

Last Week: 2-2

Playoffs: 2-2

Overall: 35-28-1

Baltimore @ Tennessee: Last week, the Ravens had an easy time with the Dolphins, while Tennessee rested up on a bye week. The Titans have been a bit of a surprise this season, and Kerry Collins has found the fountain of youth. Kerry is playing at his best, and the Titans have a dynamic 1-2 punch in the running game. The vaunted Baltimore defense, led by Ray Lewis, will be up to the challenge though. Joe Flacco has been playing beyond his years, and has the Ravens offense on the right track. This game will be played close to the vest, and I don’t anticipate much scoring. Baltimore will win, but the Titans will make them earn it. Baltimore 18, Tennessee 13.

Arizona @ Carolina: The Cardinals took care of the Falcons last week in a well-played game by both participants. Carolina was using the bye week to rest up some lagging bumps and bruises. Arizona has played well this year, but not on the road, especially when traveling to the East Coast! Carolina is a well-balanced machine on offense. They have two quality RBs, as well as a solid WR core, lead by Steve Smith. The Panthers defense has played very well also. Arizona does have some firepower on offense, so never count them out. In the end, the Panthers will prove to be too much for the Cards! Carolina 29, Arizona 27.

Philadelphia @ New York Giants: This will be the most heated game of the weekend. These teams are only a two-hour drive down the turnpike from each other, with no love lost between them! This is the rubber match, as each team has won on the other teams turf. This bodes well for the Eagles, as they have had success at the Meadowlands. The G-Men have struggled offensively without Burress, while their defense has been solid. The Birds have been on a roller coaster ride all season. One week they look unstoppable, the next they look mediocre at best! They have been on a high note for several weeks now. These NFC East division foes have much history between them, and the crystal ball is a little hazy on this one. In a toss-up game, the winner will be the G-Men. New York Giants 24, Philadelphia 20.

San Diego @ Pittsburgh: San Diego has had a difficult season. They struggled early in the year (with some questionable officiating), but they bounced back to win their division at 8-8. Last week they were able to hold off the mighty Colts. The Steelers should be well rested coming off the bye week. Big Ben looks ready to go. I expect the Chargers to put a lot of pressure on the QB. Sproles has played well with LT being limited due to injury. If the Bolts want to win, they will need to get the ball down the field. The Steelers have a great defense, so it will be tough sledding in the ground game. The Bolts will find a way to win; the crystal ball sees a huge victory for Norv! San Diego 27, Pittsburgh 17.

Short Shots:

There has been much speculation if Terrell Owens will return next year to the Cowboys, because he is due a roster bonus of 3.1M on June 1st. Lat year, Owens was due a similar bonus in March…Jerry paid it! This year…Jerry will pay it again! Owens was given a contract extension earlier in the season. He is still a talented receiver at his ripe old age, but more importantly, who would replace him in the line-up? I see Terrell staying in Dallas and finishing out his career; he likes being a Cowboy!

Reggie Bush had to undergo microfracture surgery on his left knee, rather than arthroscopic surgery. The microfracture surgery is a more invasive procedure, where the recovery time is lengthier. Bush has been a disappointment after his sensational rookie season. This is just another major setback for Bush and the Saints. This is not a surgery that many players return from in full form. Good luck to Reggie!

From The Mail Room:

Samuel Z., Fort Worth, Texas: The Cowboys dont have a 1st pick because of Williams trade. What should they do in the draft?

Utopia1dc: Samuel, you are correct! The Cowboys sent a 1st and 3rd round pick to Detroit for Roy Williams. The thought was that an accomplished receiver, like Williams, would be better than what they would be able to draft in the 1st round of the draft. This theory remains to be seen, as Roy, did nothing while wearing the star on his helmet, to suggest that Jerry made a wise decision. It’s still too early to tell, but Roy needs to step it up next season. As for the draft, it’s a little premature to speculate, but I’ll do it anyway. The Cowboys need a QB to back-up Romo, and a WR as well. A quality safety would be nice also. It will be clearer in which direction the ‘Boys go, once free agency is in full swing!

Click To Email Me

Reality Mail Bag - 01/08/09

2009-01-08T19:06:00.006-05:00

Each week I will answer questions submitted by my loyal readers. I personally read every single email I receive. I will pick out the best five or so to use for the weekly post, as I won’t be able to answer all of them. I will also answer one or two questions on my daily posts as well. Now it’s time to open the mail!

Troy J., Miami, FL: The Cowboys have cut Pacman Jones. This punk was a waste of draft picks and money.

Utopia1dc: Troy, I will have to agree that Pacman is a punk, but he really wasn’t a waste of money or draft picks. He did not receive a signing bonus, nor did he get paid for the games he was suspended. As far as the draft picks go, the Cowboys are getting a pick back from the Titans (because of the suspension). They have actually already used the pick in the Roy Williams deal, so it might be a wasted pick anyway…but that’s a whole different alligator?

Rosario J., Dallas, Texas: Owens had a horrible year. The Cowboys should clean house and get rid of TO and Tank Johnson and any other trouble makers!!!!

Utopia1dc: Rosario, Owens did have a sub-par season…for T.O. He did have 69 receptions for 1052 yards and 10 TDs. He also averaged 15.2 yards per reception…not too shabby for an old man! His numbers were very similar to Randy Moss (69 REC, 1008 YDS, 11 TDs, and 14.6 YPR), but nobody is giving him a hard time? Tank Johnson was somewhat of a disappointment, but that’s on the field. He has done nothing as far as any off the field issues. And what other troublemakers?

Kurt B., Warminster, PA: Do you think the Eagles have a legitimate shot at beating the Giants on the road?

Utopia1dc: Kurt, the Eagles have a decent chance at defeating the Super Bowl Champs. I don’t think that the Birds being on the road is that much of a factor. The weather is similar, as the teams are only a two-hour drive in distance. Traveling shouldn’t be an issue either. The Eagles have already defeated the G-Men this year in the Meadowlands. With Plaxico Burress out, the Giants run game has struggled, as teams are stacking the line to stop the three-headed RB Monster! Stay tuned for my predictions tomorrow.

Jane B., Obelisk, PA: Who is your superbowl favorite? It looks like an open race to me. Go Eagles!!!

Utopia1dc: The NFC is wide open. If the Eagles can get past the G-Men, I think they have a real chance at advancing to the big dance. Carolina is also a team to be reckoned with. The G-Men won’t get to the Super Bowl! In the AFC, the Ravens are the team to beat, but don’t count out the Bolts. The Chargers have been playing well in the second half of the season and in the playoffs. They have done this with little help from LT! I will be rooting for Norv and his Bolts…I just think it’s his turn. Wouldn’t it be something if an 8-8 team won the Super Bowl?

Eagleman, South Philly: Yo cowgirl your cowboys suck. When are you gonna eat all that crow you were serving up?

Utopia1dc: Eagleman, any relation to Birdman? I used to have season tickets at the Vet in Birdman’s section several eons ago. Anyway, I’m not sure what crow I was serving? I call it like it is. If you have been reading my Blog, you would know that I have picked the Eagles on many occasions. I also defended Reid and McNabb when everybody had their bags packed for them. The Eagles beat the Cowboys to get in the playoffs, now it’s time for them to do something with this opportunity. As an Eagles fan, you may want to worry about the team they face this week, not who they beat several weeks ago!

Short Shots:

Eric Mangini has been named the head coach of the Cleveland Browns. I’m not sure why the Jets fired him in the first place? The Jets are a decent team, but Favre just faded down the stretch…he’s just too old. I’m not sure Mangini was entirely onboard with Farve’s acquisition in the first place. I bet the Jets are kicking themselves for cutting Pennington.

The Cowboys have cut Adam Jones. I’m not sure that was a good move. He played decently at times, and he was rusty some of the time. But that should have been expected, as he missed nearly a year and a half due to suspension the past two seasons. He may have been an asset next year with a little more time in adjusting back to football. I guess Jerry has had enough of the drama, and is appeasing his fan base with this move?

Click To Email Me

Wildcard Weekend Review

2009-01-06T10:46:00.005-05:00

The crystal ball had a mediocre performance this past week, going a mere 2-2. This is playoff time, so that is unacceptable! The crystal ball took its lumps on the Colts game, but it’s okay with it since Norv’s our buddy! Anyway, that puts the crystal ball at 2-2 for the post-season, and 35-28-1 overall. That’s seven games over .500 (.555 to be exact). Hopefully the crystal ball will perform better this coming week, as the pressure mounts in post-season play! Let’s take a look back, and review what happened last week.

Last Week: 2-2

Playoffs: 2-2

Overall: 35-28-1

Atlanta @ Arizona: (LOSS) The Atlanta Falcons had a good run, but their season came to an end. The Cardinals were able to use the home crowd to their advantage. QB Kurt Warner had a good game. The Cards brought Edge off the bench, and he rewarded them by grinding out the tough yards. Fitzgerald reeled in 6 receptions for 101 yards and a TD. The Cardinals pulled away in the 3rd quarter with 2 TDs. The Falcons fought hard to the bitter end, but it just wasn’t meant to be. Arizona moves on to play at Carolina. The Falcons exceeded everyone’s expectations this year, and they will be a team to be reckoned with for several years to come.

Indianapolis @ San Diego: (LOSS) What a game this was! Anytime a game goes to OT in the playoffs…it becomes an instant classic. These teams battled all day. MVP Peyton Manning had a good game with over 300 yards passing, but little man Sproles stole the show for the Bolts. Darren Sproles rushed for 105 yards on 23 carries and scored twice. He also had 5 grabs for 45 yards as well. The Chargers may want to get him a long-term deal and not let him get away like they did with Michael Turner. With LT being banged up lately, he would be a good insurance policy, as well as a great change of pace RB. Norv was relieved to get this win, but he looks as if he has aged 10 years this season. The Bolts will travel to Pittsburgh next week. Indy…you better hope that Tony Dungy stays for another year!

Baltimore @ Miami: (WIN) The Ravens defense was the difference in this game, but that’s no surprise. The Ravens are known for their defense, and they came to play against the Fins. The Miami Dolphins only had 13 turnovers all season; they had 5 against the Ravens! Pennington had only thrown 7 INTs all season; he had 4 against the Ravens! You cannot do that against the Baltimore Ravens and expect to win. It’s just not going to happen! Ed Reed is by far the best safety in the NFL today. By the time he’s done playing, we may have to use him in the same sentence as Ronnie Lott…that’s a mouthful! The Dolphins had a tremendous season, but it’s now over. With Parcells staying in South Beach, look for the Fins to make a serious run next year! The Ravens will travel to Tennessee next week…that’s going to be a gooden!

Philadelphia @ Minnesota: (WIN) The Eagles may have needed a prayer to make the playoffs, but the aren’t counting on divine intervention any more. They took matters into their own hands and were able to hold off the Vikings. Minnesota was able to hang tough, with Peterson carrying the rock, for a while. The inexperienced Jackson, at QB, showed its hand in the 2nd half, as the Eagles came after him. Westbrook had 38 yards on 20 carries…that’s some tough sledding! He was able to contribute with 83 yards receiving on 3 receptions. McNabb had another stellar performance with 300 yards passing. The Birds broke it open in the 4th quarter, and they never looked back! Minnesota should have stuck with Frerotte, as his experience could have come in handy. The Eagles will take a ride up the turnpike to visit the G-Men.

Short Shots:

James Harrison ( LB Pittsburgh) was awarded with Defensive Player Of The Year. DeMarcus Ware of the Cowboys should have won the award…hands down! He did finish second in the voting. Ware had 20 sacks this season. He is only the 5th player in NFL history to register 20+ sacks in a single season! Hmm?

There are many coaching vacancies this time of year. Can anyone entice Cowher out of retirement? Where is Shanahan going to end up? I know he has his sights on Dallas, but they still have a head coach? Stay tuned!

From The Mail Room:

Patrick J., Hazelton, PA: Jason Garrett is drawing alot of interest around the league. Is he gonna stay in Dallas or will he jump at a chance to be a head coach elsewhere?

Utopia1dc: Patrick, that’s a good question. Jason was a hot commodity last season as well, but Jones stepped up and gave him a fat contract to stay. This year, the Cowboys offense struggled for many reasons, but Garrett should shoulder some of the blame. If the right situation presented itself, Jason might take it. But, Jerry thinks he is the long-term answer for the Cowboys…just not yet. Wade Phillips will be back for another year. After that, I could see Jerry pulling the trigger and handing the reigns over to Garrett. Don’t be surprised to see Wade stay on as the defensive coordinator either, if and when Garrett is promoted!

Click To Email Me

Where Are All The Nay Sayers Now?

2009-01-05T10:24:00.007-05:00

Wildcard weekend had an interesting lineup of games this year. All four road teams (wildcard teams) were favored to win over the home teams (division winners). That’s unusual, but this year it actually makes a lot of sense. Many of the wildcard teams had better records than the division winners. In the end, the underdogs won two of the four games (both 6th seeds defeated the 3rd seeded teams).

As I was watching the games, I found myself rooting for the underdogs in several games, but none more than in the Indianapolis-San Diego game. Norv Turner has been maligned at all his head coaching stops. He wasn’t the favored choice after Marty was fired. After all, who fires a legendary coach after a 14-2 season? The Bolts did…so enter Norv. The Chargers didn’t live up to expectations last year, as they failed to reach the Super Bowl. All eyes were on Turner. This season, Norv ran into a roadblock that is very difficult to negotiate…the referees. But, the Chargers persevered, and they were able to capture the division crown at a mere 8-8.

The Philadelphia Eagles were left for dead after the infamous tie with Cincinnati and the subsequent loss to the Ravens. Donovan McNabb was scrutinized for not knowing the rules to OT, as well as his benching for half of a game. Andy Reid was much maligned as well. WIP (local sports radio in Philly) wanted Reid and McNabb gone. They pretty much had packed their bags for them. I asked myself why? McNabb and Reid are the best that this franchise has ever had at their respective positions. They have given the Eagles fans a decade of optimism. They have taken them to four NFC Championship games. And that’s not to mention the Super Bowl in which they lost to the Cheaters! But that wasn’t enough, was it? For the fans, it was get out of town…you bums!

It was very easy to root for the Bolts. How can you not feel bad for Norv and the dark cloud that hovers over his head? He has ties to my favorite team (Cowboys). The current Cowboys coach (Wade Phillips) has ties to the Chargers…it was simple to root for them, even though I had picked the Colts to win the game (and the Super Bowl). As for the Eagles, it was a little harder. They are the archenemy of the Cowboys, but that wasn’t my stumbling block! What made it difficult was the way I get treated day after day, week after week, and year after year by Eagles fans.

During and after the game in which I had not only picked the Eagles to win, but was actually rooting for them as well, I still received several emails and voicemails telling me how much the Cowboys suck! These were the same people who had left the Eagles for dead and had packed the bags of their coach and franchise QB. I wish the Eagles luck, as they move forward in the playoffs and their quest for a championship, not that their fans deserve it! What I’d like to know is…where are all the Nay Sayers now?

Short Shots:

After battling all season just to get to .500 (8-8), the Chargers were able to upend the heavily favored Colts in the 1st round of the playoffs. Turner had a big sigh of relief on his face, as he has been on the hot seat all year! Rivers showed why he should be going to the Pro Bowl (and not Favre). I bet Peyton manning would give that MVP award up for another chance at the Lombardi Trophy!

Andy Reid got his team into the playoffs, even though he was under the microscope all season long. Everything the man did was dissected. The man could do nothing right, according to the experts. With his bags packed and airline ticket in hand, Andy is having the last laugh. Just one thing Big Red…shave!

From The Mail Room:

Allen, Sunneyvale, California: Hey buddy, sorry to tell you this but as long as you got T.O on your team you will NEVER have TEAM chemistry. I am a big Eagles fan and nothing made my day more than seeing the Eagles beat the crap from your boys. That was some Ass kicking don't you agree? I hope your owner gives T.O another 5 year extension. Merry Christmas.

Utopia1dc: Allen, first of all they are not my team, as I do not have any ownership in them. Just as you don’t have any ownership in the Eagles either! I root for my team, feel free to do the same. I am not a big proponent of team chemistry! These are professional athletes; pride, determination, and money are their chemistry! And yes, it was an ass kicking, but thanks for reminding me, as I had forgotten. Happy New Year to you too!

Click To Email Me

Predictions Wildcard Weekend

2009-01-03T00:11:00.003-05:00

Each week, I will look into my (never wrong, just misinformed) crystal ball and give my predictions for that weekend’s games. I will prognosticate on all the playoff games each week. Keep in mind, that this is for entertainment purposes only, and that I do not endorse any sort of legal or illegal gambling. That being said…let’s see what’s in my crystal ball!

The crystal ball was mediocre last week, posting a 2-2 record. Not great, but we will take it! Now that it is playoff time, the crystal ball assures me it will rebound this week with a better performance. The crystal ball is now 33-26-1 for the season; which is seven games over .500 (.558 to be exact). With all the great match-ups before us, this week is going to be a challenge for the crystal ball. Let’s see what’s in store for us this weekend.

Last Week: 2-2

Playoffs: 0-0

Overall: 33-26-1

Atlanta @ Arizona: The Atlanta Falcons (11-5) will travel to Arizona to play the Cardinals (9-7). It’s a quirky nuance in the rules where the team with a better record must travel to play a team with a worse record in the playoffs. The Cardinals won their division, so by rule they get the home game. The Falcons have been a huge surprise this season, but the NFL is well aware of them now. The Cardinals played in a sub-par division, but they won enough games to earn their way into the tournament. Unfortunately for the Cards, they will be one and done. The Falcons are clearly the better team, and the Cardinals have been playing poorly as of late. The Falcons are the real deal and should win easily. Atlanta 34, Arizona 23.

Indianapolis @ San Diego: The Colts (12-4) will have to travel to San Diego to play the Chargers (8-8); again, another anomaly in the rules. The Chargers were the winners of a dreadful division, and they should count their blessings just for the invite to the tournament. The good news for the Bolts is that they have been playing playoff quality ball for several weeks. The bad news is, they must face the Indianapolis Colts in the 1st round. Norv must be wondering why…why? This should be a great game, but the Colts are just a much better team. Dungy, in what could be his last season, won’t settle for a 1st round loss. Look for the Colts to make a deep run…they are my favorite to win the Super Bowl…but that’s getting too far ahead. Indianapolis 37, San Diego 29.

Baltimore @ Miami: The Miami Dolphins have gone from worst to first in their division. This time last year, they were 1-15 and on the clock for the 1st pick in the draft. This year they are AFC East Champions. Parcells and Sparano have done a heckuva job down there in South Beach! The Ravens have played beyond their dreams as well, with a Rookie QB who wasn’t supposed to be the starter. The Ravens beat the Dolphins back in Week 7, and were able to tame the wildcat…will they be able to do it again? Yes…the Ravens are a well-balanced team and should be able to handle the ‘Fins. Miami will hang tough and make the Ravens earn it! Baltimore 24, Miami 23.

Philadelphia @ Minnesota: Philadelphia has been on a roll the last few weeks, especially this past Sunday as they annihilated the Cowboys in historical fashion. They gave the Cowboys a beat down that they were not expecting. Minnesota is a good team, but with Tarvaris Jackson at the helm, I think they are too vulnerable. Gus Frerotte is a seasoned veteran, but he got the hook. The Vikings are having trouble selling out for a playoff game…are you kidding me? The Eagles fans are licking their chops and they are scooping up the remaining tickets. It may turn out to be a home game for the Birds? Either way, the Eagles are on a roll, and the Vikings will be their next prey. Philadelphia 24, Minnesota 16.

Short Shots:

The NFL did a disservice to its teams when it changed to an 8-division format. However by doing this, it has achieved its goal, and most teams are still mathematically alive for the playoffs late in the season. Most team’s fans can stay excited until the final week. Unfortunately, you have teams that win their divisions with poorer records than the wildcard teams. And to make matters worse, they are rewarded with a home game? The only positive is that the New England Patriots, at 11-5, are sitting at home, while the Minnesota (10-6), Philadelphia (9-6-1), Arizona (9-7), and San Diego (8-8) are in the playoffs…you gotta love Karma!

Peyton Manning was honored with winning the NFL MVP Award for the 3rd time in his illustrious career. Chad Pennington was honored with the Comeback Player of the Year Award for the 2nd time in his career. In my opinion, Pennington should have won both, but I don’t get a vote…but someday I might?

From The Mail Room:

Jerry P., Philadelphia, PA: Tony Romo is a great quarterback. Just look at his numbers for the last 3 years. Last year should have been a Cowboys super bowl if not for Crayton's dropped pass. Yes Tony has had problems, but after last season he lost even more his quarterback coach. Tony needs a good quarterback coach to help him in some situations and he will win for this team. It took many great ones 3-4 years before they really flourished into a superstar quarterback. If all the right coaches are put in place next year they will win. Tony just needs one playoff win to get started. Go Cowboys no matter what I bleed Blue and Silver. Forever...

Utopia1dc: Jerry, you bring up many good points. I think some people forget that Romo has only been a starter for 2 ½ seasons. He was also an undrafted rookie free agent when the Cowboys signed him. He suffered through the entire draft; 32 teams, 7 rounds and nothing. Romo didn’t come out of college with the pedigree of an Eli Manning, Phillip Rivers, or Matt Ryan, to name a few. He needed a few seasons of grooming just to resemble an NFL QB. Everyone needs to be patient with him. Even Peyton Manning took several years before he had post-season success. And Romo doesn’t even have an ounce of the same pedigree that the Manning’s have! As for the Cowboys winning the Super Bowl if Crayton didn’t drop that sure TD pass…we will never know? But, I think that the Cowboys have something with Romo…let’s wait a few years before we label him a bust. From where he came from…he’s already out-performed anyone’s expectations!

Click To Email Me

Week 17 Review

2009-01-01T23:15:00.005-05:00

The crystal ball had a mediocre performance this past week, going a mere 2-2. We’re not sure what happened, but this is not acceptable. The crystal ball took its lumps on the Cowboys game, but it may have been predicting with its heart rather than its fortune-telling powers? Either way, that puts the crystal ball at 33-26-1 for the season. That’s seven games over .500 (.558 to be exact). Hopefully the crystal ball will perform better in the playoffs! Let’s take a look back, and review what happened last week.

Last Week: 2-2

Overall: 33-26-1

St. Louis @ Atlanta: (WIN) The Atlanta Falcons got a huge win against the Rams last week, finishing the season at 11-5. Carolina got a last minute victory over New Orleans; otherwise Atlanta would have stolen the NFC South division. The Falcons had a superb season, and they are the 5th seed in the NFC, a far cry from where they were a year ago! The Falcons have found themselves a franchise QB in Matt Ryan, and Michael Turner isn’t too shabby of a RB either. Roddy White has finally lived up to his high draft pick potential. Atlanta could be a dangerous team in the tournament!

Miami @ New York Jets: (LOSS) The Jets had another dismal game to finish the season at 9-7. Favre faded down the stretch with his worn and withered 39-year-old body. The Jets lost 4 of their last 5 games, and found themselves on the outside looking in. To make matters worse, Favre looks like he’s playing the “I’m not telling you if I’m retiring or not routine” again. Their coach, Eric Mangini, got fired to boot! Miami won the AFC East crown…that’s just absolutely amazing. From 1-15 to 11-5…way to go Parcells and Sparano!

Denver @ San Diego: (WIN) Denver had a three game lead over the Bolts with three games to play. Surely the division was all but wrapped up…wrong! The Broncos choked and San Diego stole the division (and their hearts like it was Valentine’s Day!). Shanahan got the boot, so now Denver must rebuild. Norv and his Bolts will host the Colts this weekend in the tournament. San Diego looked very impressive in their total domination of the team they were trailing all season long!

Dallas @ Philadelphia: (LOSS) This was to be the game of all games; winner takes all; win and you’re in, lose and go home! The Eagles were prepared for the task at hand, while the Cowboys seemed lost in space. The Eagles jumped to an early lead, but the Cowboys responded. It started to unravel for the ‘Boys right before the half when Romo was picked off. That led to an Eagles TD and a last second FG (after an Adam Jones fumbled on the kick-off) right before the half. The Cowboys tried to rally in the second half and they were on the verge of scoring several times. Unfortunately, for them, they fumbled the ball away and the Birds showed no mercy as they scored two defensive TDs. The Cowboys may have more talent then many teams in the NFL, but championships aren’t won on paper; they’re won on the gridiron. The Birds are peaking at the right time as they enter the playoffs on a high note.

Short Shots:

Brett Favre…retire already! Just go away! It’s over! See ya! Can you tell I have a genuine dislike for this guy? Oh yeah…bye-bye!

The Cowboys traded a 1st and 3rd round pick for Roy Williams. They re-worked his contract so that he is averaging roughly 9 Million per season. Williams had 19 receptions for 198 yards and 1 TD in 10 games. Jerry better hope that in the off-season Romo and Williams start designing some secret plays to get him involved!

From The Mail Room:

Keith J., Irving, Texas: The Cowboys had another December collapse. Romo was horrible in December again. Where do the Cowboys go from here?

Utopia1dc: Keith, the Cowboys did have a horrible December once again. I really don’t think that it’s December that’s the problem though. Late in the season, teams have a ton of tape on your schemes. It seems that the Cowboys showed little imagination in their offensive play calling. Jason Garrett needs to be better prepared late in the season. The Cowboys were out of sync the whole season, but they were exploited late in the season. I think Romo is a very good QB, but he seems to force it when he gets in trouble. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. If the rest of the team played to their potential, he may not have been in those situations to begin with? The Cowboys need to re-group, re-load, and get ready for 2009 in their new stadium. Basically, that’s all they can do on January 1st anyway!

Click To Email Me

Underachievers

2008-12-30T23:18:00.003-05:00

This past Sunday, the Dallas Cowboys traveled to Lincoln Financial Field to play the Philadelphia Eagles in what was a win and you’re in the playoffs game. This game had a lot of build-up prior kick-off. The Eagles found out, about 15 minutes before the game started, that the stars had aligned for them; the Bears and Buccaneers had both lost. This game had everything football fans wanted. It was the ‘Boys against the Birds, with their playoff destinies on the line.

Unfortunately, if you are a Cowboys fan, Dallas forgot to show up for the game mentally. Maybe all the drama had finally caught up to them? Maybe the Eagles are just a better team? It doesn’t matter why…we all know what happened! The Cowboys shot themselves in the foot over and over again. They gifted the Eagles two defensive touchdowns, while squandering scoring opportunities of there own on several occasions. That’s not to take anything away from Philly, they made the plays and the Cowboys didn’t!

Defensively, the Cowboys made several mental mistakes in coverage, while offensively Romo wasn’t on the same page as his receivers… maybe not even reading the same book! The ‘Boys have been out of sync all season, but usually one side of the ball would show up. This time, every facet of the team let their fans down. The coaching staff, offense, defense, and special teams…it was an absolute nightmare!

The Cowboys lost a key component in last year’s success, Tony Sparano, who is now the head coach of the AFC East Champion Miami Dolphins. He helped Jason Garrett with the offense last season. It was obvious to any Cowboys fan how much Sparano was missed. If you didn’t know before…you know now! Sparano was why the Cowboys offense excelled last year! The Cowboys were pre-season favorites to win the Super Bowl, but that’s pretty tough to do when you don’t even make the playoffs. What a bunch of…underachievers!

Short Shots:

Several coaches have been fired already, and I’m sure there still might be more to come. Of all of them, I am most surprised with Eric Mangini being fired. The Jets are a good team, but Favre was simply out of gas by the end of the season. Not that I’m making excuses for Favre (because I simply can’t stand the guy), but he was battling injuries throughout the 2nd half of the season…and he’s 39 for God’s sake!

Peyton Manning is in the running for the League MVP. Sure, Peyton has all the stats and credentials for the award. He put the team on his back for the past 9 to 10 weeks, after his slow start due to injury. But, I’d like to nominate Chad Pennington. Chad was ousted in New York in favor of Favre, but Sparano swiped him up in a hurry. Without Pennington, Miami would have still been a cellar dweller. Chad brought instant leadership to a team in disarray. He managed the offense, limited his mistakes, and made the plays necessary to win the AFC East crown! Chad for MVP! Wouldn’t it be something if the Dolphins could win the Super Bowl? From worst to best in one season! It’s unlikely, but it would make for a heckuva story!

From The Mail Room:

Darren J., Philadelphia, PA: Your Cowboys are a disgrace. All you cockroaches should crawl back into the hole you came out of! Dallas Sucks! Go Eagles!

Utopia1dc: Darren, just for the record…I received over 25 similar emails. I picked yours because it was the only one without a spelling or grammatical error! Now, to address your comment; I wasn’t aware that Jerry had signed over a share of the Cowboys to me. But if he did, I wouldn’t care if they lost every damn game because they are worth over a Billion dollars…I’d be rich! They are not my Cowboys; I simply enjoy watching them play (well, not this past game…I’ll give you that much!). The Eagles won, the Cowboys didn’t. Why do Eagles fans always have to get in my face after a win? I have never done that to an Eagles fan…ever!

Click To Email Me

Predictions Week 17

2008-12-27T15:52:00.004-05:00

Each week, on Friday, I will look into my (never wrong, just misinformed) crystal ball and give my predictions for that weekend’s games. I will always prognosticate on the Eagles and Cowboys games and then pick two or more games of interest (to me, that is, not necessarily to you). Keep in mind, that this is for entertainment purposes only, and that I do not endorse any sort of legal or illegal gambling. That being said…let’s see what’s in my crystal ball!

The crystal ball was mediocre last week, posting a 2-2 record. Not great, but we will take it! The crystal ball assures me it will rebound this week with a better performance. The crystal ball is now 31-24-1 for the season; which is seven games over .500 (.563 to be exact). This week is going to be a challenge for the crystal ball, with many key match-ups that have playoff implications. Let’s see what’s in store for us this weekend.

Last Week: 2-2

Overall: 31-24-1

St. Louis @ Atlanta: The Atlanta Falcons have gone from a franchise in complete disarray to a playoff team in one season. The Falcons have assured themselves of a playoff spot already. A win against the Rams, coupled with a Carolina loss against the Saints, would catapult them to the No. 2 seed, with a 1st round bye. That’s absolutely incredible! Rookie QB Matt Ryan has played well all season, and he looks like a franchise QB for many years to come. Atlanta wins big here with much at stake! Atlanta 27, St. Louis 13.

Miami @ New York Jets: The Miami Dolphins must win this game to capture the AFC East, because if they lose they are out of the playoffs completely. The Dolphins have done an excellent job in putting together a competitive team in one season. I’m not surprised though, as Parcells raided the Cowboys front office, coaching staff, and their roster, to get them in position for the playoffs! The Jets must win as well, but that won’t guarantee anything, as they need some help (Patriots OR Ravens need to lose). I like the Jets to win this game, but it will be close. New York Jets 24, Miami 19.

Denver @ San Diego: This game has been moved to Sunday night as part of the NFL flexible scheduling. It is a do or die game for both teams. It’s simple my friends, win and your in…lose and go home! That’s right…winner take all! The Broncos had a huge lead over the Bolts a few weeks ago, but now it’s put up or shut up for both teams. The winner takes the AFC West division title and the No. 4 seed in the playoffs with a home game in the 1st round. I like the Chargers in this one, as Rivers should be able to exploit the Denver defense. And don’t forget about LT, he has been playing better as of late, as he is starting to heal up from his nagging injuries. San Diego 34, Denver 30.

Dallas @ Philadelphia: And now, for the game we all have been anticipating. For the Cowboys, it’s simple. If the ‘Boys win, they are in the tournament, if they lose, they are out! As for the Birds, they need to win and pray for some help. The Eagles would also need a Tampa Bay AND a Chicago loss to qualify for the playoffs! This should be a great game for many reasons. The history between these teams goes back decades. Do you remember the Bounty Bowls? Need I say more…I didn’t think so! Both of these teams have been on a roller coaster ride all season. One week they look like Super Bowl contenders, the next week they look like the Detroit Lions (ouch)! I like the Cowboys in this contest simply because they are my favorite team. In a very hard fought game that will go into OT (and yes, D-Mac…it can end in a tie, but it won’t this time), the Cowboys kick a 52-yard FG with :01 left in OT to silence the crowd! Dallas 27, Philadelphia 24.

Short Shots:

The Carolina Panthers blew a golden opportunity for home field advantage by losing to the G-Men last week. This week, if they lose to New Orleans and Atlanta wins against St. Louis, the Panthers will fall from the No. 2 seed to the 5th seed. Wow!

Whether the Dolphins make the playoffs or not, what they have accomplished in one season is a tremendous feat. They only won one game last year! They have won 10 games this season, but they need one more to make the tournament. Even though I picked the Jets, I will be rooting for the Cowboys Southeast (Miami)!

From The Mail Room:

Doug F., Santa Fe, New Mexico: Do you think Wade Philips is going to be fired after the season?

Utopia1dc: Doug, that’s an excellent question! I like Wade because he is a nice guy and a good coach. He isn’t a great coach, but not many are. He is a good fit with the Cowboys, because he has Texas roots and the players like and respect him. He is a very funny guy if you watch his press conferences as well. He has done a good job in my opinion this year. The ‘Boys have been battling key injuries all season, but that shouldn’t be an excuse. If the ‘Boys win in Philly and win a playoff game, his job should be safe. You never know with Jerry though…he did fire a coach after he won back-to-back Super Bowls?

Click To Email Me

Reality Mail Bag - 12/25/08

2008-12-25T04:49:00.004-05:00

Each week I will answer questions submitted by my loyal readers. I personally read every single email I receive. I will pick out the best five or so to use for the weekly post, as I won’t be able to answer all of them. I will also answer one or two questions on my daily posts as well. Now it’s time to open the mail!

Jimmy Z., Philadelphia, PA: What's your thoughts on McNabb coming back next year? E A G L E S EAGLES!

Utopia1dc: Jimmy, I really don’t know what the big fuss is all about. D-Mac is still a quality QB in this league. The Eagles still have a chance to make the playoffs if they beat Dallas and get a little help. If McNabb leaves, do the Eagles really know what Kevin Kolb can do? If Kolb can’t cut it, the Eagles could be looking at being in rebuilding mode for several years! Be careful what you wish for!

Jordan, H., Sapulpa, Oklahoma: What's up Yankee. Remember when we went to the NFC championship game against Frisco? That was an awesome run our boys had!

Utopia1dc: Jordan, what’s up dude? I haven’t seen you in years! I remember going like it was yesterday. We sure did have some fun in the early 90’s, didn’t we? I sure miss going to all the games with you guys, but it’s way too hot down there in the summer. When you get to the new stadium, you can look for my Paver, and take a picture of it for me! Peace out!

Larry J., Scranton, PA: Why is it all you Cowgirls come out of the woodwork every few years when they are winning but you hide like rats when they lose?

Utopia1dc: Larry, I’ve always been here…I don’t hide! It seems to me like it’s the other way around. I don’t hear from people for years on end, but as soon as the ‘Boys have a bad year or the Eagles are doing well, all of my friends seem to find my number and email address all of a sudden. I just like watching the games…root for whomever you want…just have fun! Don’t worry about which team other people are rooting for, just support your team of choice…period!

Tim B., Dallas, Texas: I was at last weeks game and even though the Ravens beat us it was still a cool post game celebration to close Texas stadium.

Utopia1dc: Tim, I watched it on TV, and it looked pretty lame to me. Maybe if I was there, it may have been exciting. With the ‘Boys losing the way they did, it didn’t have the same effect for me anyway. I will miss Texas Stadium, but I am looking forward to the new stadium as well. I can’t wait to go!

Molly P., Glenside, PA: The Eagles aren't gonna do anything even if they make the playoffs. I want them to lose so they can get a better draft pick next year.

Utopia1dc: Molly, you shouldn’t think like that. The Eagles will be picking in the mid teens to the low 20’s, so it’s not like it’s a top 10 pick we are talking about. If they win, they have a chance to make the tournament. You should always root for your team to win, but if you insist that they lose, that is sweet music to my ears! Go Cowboys!

Short Shots:

Tony Romo has missed some practice time this week, but he should be good to go for Sunday’s big match-up against the Eagles. Romo needs to make sure he takes care of the ball a little better. Maybe Wade Phillips should make Romo walk around with a football all week long and take care of it like it was a baby?

The Brett Favre saga is starting up again. Brett is already talking about whether or not he’s retiring after the season. Dude…just ride off into the sunset already! Play…don’t play…I don’t care! Just stop talking about it!

I just want to wish everyone a safe and happy Holiday. Merry Christmas!

Click To Email Me

Week 16 Review

2008-12-23T09:28:00.005-05:00

The crystal ball had a mediocre performance this past week, going a mere 2-2. We’re not sure what happened, but we will get to the bottom of this. The crystal ball took its lumps on the Cowboys game, but it may have been predicting with its heart rather than its fortune-telling powers? Either way, that puts the crystal ball at 29-22-1 for the season. That’s seven games over .500 (.563 to be exact). Let’s take a look back, and review what happened last week.

Last Week: 2-2

Overall: 31-24-1

Baltimore @ Dallas: (LOSS) The crystal ball thought this was going to be a big win for the ‘Boys, we all know that didn’t happen. The Ravens defense played well, and kept the Dallas offense in check for most of the night. The Cowboys had two late drives to close within a field goal, but each time the Ravens responded. And boy did they respond, with back to back long runs of 77 and 82 yards; each for TDs! It was like the parting of the Red Sea. The ‘Boys played tough, but they blew a golden opportunity in the NFC playoff race, as well as closing Texas Stadium with a dud!

Philadelphia @ Washington: (WIN) This was a classic defensive struggle. Washington was stacking the box with eight and nine players; daring the Eagles to pass. Well, we all know Andy loves to pass the ball, so he took the challenge. The Eagles were a little thin at the WR position with a couple of injuries. That didn’t stop D-Mac and Big Red from trying to pass their way to victory. With seconds on the clock, McNabb hit his target at the 1-yard line, only to be sandwiched by two Redskins defenders…game over!

New Orleans @ Detroit: (WIN) New Orleans went full throttle on the helpless Lions. Drew Brees was simply outstanding in a blow out victory. He was flinging the ball around as if the Detroit defense wasn’t even playing. It’s a shame that this team isn’t going to make the tournament, if only they could sure up the defensive. On offense, they are top notch, but that’s not good enough in the NFL…you need balance! Maybe next year? Detroit…0-16 is in your future!

New York Jets @ Seattle: (LOSS) The Jets have been in somewhat of a slump the last few weeks. After they beat the Titans, it seems as if they put the brakes on. Maybe they started reading their own press clippings, and thought all they had to do was show up to win? Not in the NFL, baby! Favre has looked suspect during this lackluster stretch. He has thrown many key INTs that I bet he would like back, but that’s Favre! His greatness is what gets him in trouble at times. They are still alive for a playoff spot, but they could have made things easier on themselves had the beat the lowly Seahawks.

Short Shots:

The Chicago Bears defeated the Green bay Packers on MNF, in dramatic fashion, to keep their playoff hopes alive. They blocked a FG attempt with seconds left in the game to force OT. They then proceeded to win the coin toss, get the ball, and score. They live for another week!

Plaxico Burress is in the news again. He apparently got into a car accident last May. It has been reported that he was driving with an expired license and no insurance. Dude, you make millions, don’t you have a personal assistant to take care of this stuff for you? If not, you can email me and I’ll send you my resume!

From The Mail Room:

Adam, Camden, NJ: I'm going to the game Sunday and was wondering if you know of any Cowboys tailgating that will be going on pregame. If so, what lot/where? Thanks so much. GO COWBOYS!

Utopia1dc: Adam, you can look for me in section 221. I will be with some friends that are Eagles fans. I will be wearing an Eagles Terrell Owens jersey that I purchased for $2 on clearance. This way, I blend in and can cheer in silent mockery…and not get my butt kicked! I would recommend that you skip any tailgating and not show your colors, because it could get ugly if the ‘Boys win! Go Cowboys!

Click To Email Me

Not Dead Yet

2008-12-22T00:29:00.008-05:00

On Saturday night, the Cowboys had a golden opportunity to close out Texas Stadium in style. This was the final game to be played at the stadium. A Cowboys win would have been a fitting end to a stadium that has had many classic games. A win, and the Cowboys would have been one step further in their quest for a playoff berth, and a Super Bowl run.

It didn’t happen! The Cowboys defense played well for 55 minutes, but they let two long runs (77 yards and 82 yards) ruin what could have been a festive night in Texas! Sure, they still had a ceremony after the game. They honored many former players, but it wasn’t the same. The Cowboys loss put them in a situation in which they would need help to get to the tournament; a win alone next week against the Birds wouldn’t be enough.

On Sunday, the same football gods that scoffed at them the night before, gave the ‘Boys an early Christmas present. On Sunday afternoon, the Buccaneers and the Eagles both lost. Those two losses put the Cowboys right back in the drivers seat…they control their own destiny, again! What was a somber Saturday night, turned into a thankful Sunday.

Now, this isn’t going to be easy. The Cowboys must re-group, and get a big win in Philadelphia. That’s not going to be an easy chore. Sure, the Cowboys defeated the Eagles way back in Week 2, but that game went down to the wire. The Eagles are still alive. The Birds will need a little help to get into the tournament, even if they get the win. I expect a lot of hype this week leading up to kick-off. The game was not moved to primetime, to my surprise, but I think that’s a good thing for the ‘Boys. Playing in Philly is tough enough, let alone giving the Eagles fans an extra 7 hours of tailgating to get pumped up for the game. So after all this, the Cowboys are…not dead yet!

Short Shots:

The G-Men have locked up home field in the NFC, while the Titans have done the same in the AFC. It’s going to be tough to knock off the Giants at the Meadowlands!

The Sunday night primetime game on NBC will be Denver @ San Diego. The winner wins the division; the loser is out altogether! Wow...and to think that Denver had this division all but wrapped up a few weeks ago. Now they must beat the Bolts on the road! Norv lives…for one more week, at-least!

From The Mail Room:

Ronny M., Feasterville, PA: I'm a huge Eagles fan and I am looking forward to reading your blog after we kick your boys all the way back to big D.

Utopia1dc: Ronny, you know what…here’s a humorous little nugget for you. I got your email within 10 minutes of the final whistle of the game on Saturday night. You weren’t even close to being the first with a similar comment about the upcoming game between the ‘Boys and the Birds. I had over a dozen emails and a handful of voicemails. I will look forward to writing about the game either way. Remember, I am a football fan who happens to be a Cowboys fan, not the other way around. I like to see quality football…whether my team wins or loses. This game should live up to the hype…at-least I hope it does!

Click To Email Me

Predictions Week 16

2008-12-19T19:55:00.008-05:00

Each week, on Friday, I will look into my (never wrong, just misinformed) crystal ball and give my predictions for that weekend’s games. I will always prognosticate on the Eagles and Cowboys games and then pick two or more games of interest (to me, that is, not necessarily to you). Keep in mind, that this is for entertainment purposes only, and that I do not endorse any sort of legal or illegal gambling. That being said…let’s see what’s in my crystal ball!

The crystal ball was absolutely fantastic last week, posting a 4-0 record. Is that a horn tooting in the background that I hear? The crystal ball is now 29-22-1 for the season; which is seven games over .500 (.567 to be exact). This week is going to be a challenge with many key match-ups that have playoff implications. Let’s see what’s in store for us this weekend.

Last Week: 4-0

Overall: 29-22-1

Baltimore @ Dallas: This is a big game for both teams, as they both need to win to keep pace in the wildcard race. The Ravens suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Steelers (some might argue that they got robbed by the officials?). The Cowboys came up huge last week against the G-men. The ‘Boys proved they could play with adversity and came across with a united front. The NFL Network could not ask for a better match-up, as this game should yield the highest ratings this season on the Network. The crystal ball must know something the rest of us don’t, because it’s predicting a blowout! Dallas 34, Baltimore 6.

Philadelphia @ Washington: The Eagles are on a roll. D-Mac says that he’s playing with a chip on his shoulder. I’m not sure how that’s going to help; one would think that a chip on your shoulder could get uncomfortable? The ‘Skins have been a disappointment in the second half of the season. After a 6-2 start, they are now 7-7, and on the brink of elimination. Portis has been struggling with some injuries, but looks to bounce back against the Birds. The Eagles blow a big lead and lose to their division foes in a thriller. Washington 24, Philadelphia 23.

New Orleans @ Detroit: In what could be termed the Pride Bowl; the Saints have been eliminated from playoffs, while Detroit is still searching for their first win of this season. The Saints have a high-powered offense, but their defense has held them back all year. Will Detroit go 0-16…I don’t know? But I can tell you that they will be 0-15 after this contest. New Orleans 27, Detroit 10.

New York Jets @ Seattle: The Seahawks got a big win last week, but that was against the Rams. This week they will play the Favre led Jets, and that, my friends, does not bode well for the ‘Hawks. Brett should be able to pick apart the Seattle secondary, while Thomas Jones runs free all day. The Jets need a victory to keep pace with Miami and New England. It appears that only one of those three will qualify for the tournament. In what could be Favre’s swan song season (it’s been that way for what seems a decade now), he won’t go down easily. New York Jets 34, Seattle 13.

Short Shots:

What ever happened to the Buffalo Bills? Didn’t they start the season at 4-0, with talk of a playoff run? They are now 6-8, and looking for a comfortable chair in which to watch the playoffs from! I’ll tell you what happened…it’s called…reality!

With the victory last night, the Colts have earned the 5th seed in the AFC playoffs. Remember earlier this season, when everybody wanted to write off Peyton Manning? Look for the Colts to make some noise in the tournament. I’d hate to be the team that has to play them in the 1st round!

From The Mail Room:

Bobby Joe R., Austin, Texas: I agree that Romo got screwed for the Probowl. He won't mind though when da boyz win the superbowl!

Utopia1dc: Bobby Joe, I think Tony Romo was snubbed because the media plays up how poorly his record has been in December the previous two seasons. While I agree that he hasn’t played his best ball in December, he didn’t lose those games all by himself. The other thing to remember is that Romo isn’t a seasoned veteran either. He has only been a starter for a little over two years now. Let’s wait a few years before we throw him under the bus. As far as winning the Super Bowl, that would be sweet justice for Romo (especially if he’s named MVP), and many of the Cowboys whom have been vilified this season.

Click To Email Me

Snubbed

2008-12-18T10:06:00.003-05:00

Last year, the Cowboys sent 13 players to Hawaii for the Pro Bowl. Granted, a few of those players made it by name alone, but for the most part they deserved it. When you go 13-3, as the Cowboys did last year, you tend to get a lot of coattail votes. This year the ‘Boys will be sending only 5 players.

Sending 5 players is still a great honor for a team that has struggled at times this year. The problem is that with all the pre-season hype about the Cowboys making a Super Bowl run, it’s somewhat of a disappointment that more players were not selected. I’ll be the first to admit that having 13 players selected from one team is ridiculous. No team is that good at nearly every position!

There are many players on the Cowboys this year that should be upset that they didn’t get selected. Among those players should be Bradie James, Terence Newman, and especially Tony Romo. All three of these players have played well enough for consideration, but Romo has the best case to be upset.

Romo has the stats to prove it. He is 8-3 as starter this season (he missed 3 games due to a pinkie injury). He has thrown for over 3,000 yards, with 2 games to play. He is averaging 273.9 YPG (4th best in the NFL). Romo is averaging 8.2 yards per pass (1st in the NFL). He has a QB rating of 98.3 (2nd best), and has thrown 24 TD passes (4th best). Romo’s stats speak for themselves. Tony is a standup guy and he would never say this, so I’ll say it for him. Tony Romo got…snubbed!

Short Shots:

Adam Jones has been cleared to play Saturday night against the Ravens. This is good news for both Jones and the Cowboys. At first, it was feared that his injury could have been career ending. Now, it appears that he will see significant playing time against the Ravens. Jones will return to his usual duties of returning kicks, and playing in the nickel and dime packages.

The G-Men may have won the NFC East, but they have lost back-to-back games against division foes (Eagles and Cowboys). This will not bode well for the Giants, as they may have to face one of these teams in the upcoming playoffs!

From The Mail Room:

Kevin B., Sacramento, CA: What's wrong with LT he has been aweful this year and he is killing my fantasy team.

Utopia1dc: Kevin, LaDainian Tomlinson is still a quality RB in the NFL. We have been spoiled over the years with his stellar play. LT will gain over 1000 yards again this season, but his per carry average is down from previous years. LT has been limited with some lagging injuries as well. As far as your fantasy team goes, that’s a different story. You may want to go in a different direction next year. LT’s numbers will continue to be average from this point forward. But remember, his average is more likely better than many RBs best!

Click To Email Me

Week 15 Review

2008-12-16T10:44:00.004-05:00

The crystal ball, once again, had a stellar performance this past week, going undefeated at 4-0. Truly a tremendous achievement, as many of the games had playoff implications. That puts the crystal ball at 29-22-1 for the season. That’s seven games over .500 (.567 to be exact). Not many prognosticators gave the Cowboys much of a chance against the G-Men, but the crystal ball took a chance on them. The ‘Boys rewarded the crystal ball, and pulled off the upset. Let’s review and see what happened last week.

Last Week: 4-0

Overall: 29-22-1

New York Giants @ Dallas: (WIN) This was a classic defensive struggle in the early stages of the game. Romo was banged up early with a back contusion, but he sucked it up, and was able to continue. The ‘Boys put a hurting on Eli as well, by sacking him 8 times (ouch)! The Cowboys were able to take control of the game, but the G-Men tried to make a game of it in the 4th quarter. Tashard Choice broke a long gainer for a TD to put the Cowboys up for good. Dallas is currently holding on to the 5th seed in the NFC, but they are still on thin ice for the next two weeks.

San Diego @ Kansa City: (WIN) The Chiefs were playing for mere pride and in hopes of helping Herm Edwards keep his job next season. The Bolts were in playoff mode, as they must win out and hope the Broncos have a major melt down. The Chiefs had a comfortable lead with less than five minutes remaining in regulation. Rivers was able to lead his team victory, with two touchdowns in the final two minutes of the game. The Chargers are still in the hunt for a playoff spot, but it would take a miracle at this point.

Indianapolis @ Detroit: (WIN) The Lions gave the Colts all they could handle for most of the game, but Peyton Manning was able to lead his team to victory. The Colts are now 10-4, after winning seven games in a row. Their 3-4 start cost them the division title, but they will be a dangerous team in the tournament. This game ended up being a lot closer than I thought, so I will give Detroit credit for not quitting on the season. But they are 0-14, and it doesn’t look any better the next two weeks either. 0-16 is surely their destiny…what a disgrace!

Cleveland @ Philadelphia: (WIN) The Eagles came up with a big victory against the Browns. They have now won three straight games, and at 8-5-1, they have a legitimate shot at making the playoffs. A few weeks ago, everyone and their grandmother wanted Reid and McNabb to get out of town as fast as possible. A few weeks, and three wins later, perhaps everyone was a little premature in packing their bags. To make the playoffs, the Birds need to take care of business (beat the ‘Skins and Cowboys) and have a little help. What a turnaround for D-Mac, if he can pull it off!

Short Shots:

Is the NFL great or what? With two weeks left, in the NFC, there are 9 teams still alive for the 4 playoff spots still available. In the AFC, it’s the same scenario, 9 teams for 4 spots. What a finish this is going to be!

Jerry Jones said that he doesn’t mind all the self-imposed and media distractions. He claims that anytime the Cowboys are in the news, it is good exposure for the Cowboys brand. I tend to agree for the most part, as long as it doesn’t involve players breaking the law!

From The Mail Room:

Jim Z., Killeen, Texas: I saw that the Giants have all ready clinched the division. How can that be because if the Cowboys win all there games and the Giants lose there
games wouldn't they both have the same record?

Utopia1dc: Jimbo, I was thinking the same thing myself. If the Cowboys win their final two games, and the G-Men lose their final two games, they would both be 11-5. Both teams would also be 4-2 in the division, 8-2 in the conference, and 3-1 against the AFC. I know it comes down to a tiebreaker, but I have to be missing something here?

Click To Email Me

Sack-alicious

2008-12-15T10:20:00.007-05:00

Last night, on NBC’s prime time Sunday Night Football, the Dallas Cowboys defeated the New York Giants, 20-8. The Cowboys desperately needed the win, as they are fighting for their playoff lives. The Cowboys are now 9-5, but so are the Vikings, the Bucs, and the Falcons. The Eagles and Bears aren’t that far behind either. With the Cowboys facing the Ravens and the Eagles in their next two games, the ‘Boys needed a win…desperately.

Last week, the Cowboys lost a heartbreaker to the Steelers; a game they should have won. The Cowboys control their own destiny; if they win their last two games, they are in the tournament as the 5th seed. If the Cowboys sustain another loss, that could get dicey with the logjam in the NFC. If the Eagles win tonight, that could potentially make the season finale between the Birds and ‘Boys, a winner take all…but let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves!

This past week was a difficult one for the Cowboys, with all the media distractions, ESPN and Ed Werder the main culprits. Now, the Cowboys, mainly Owens, did bring some of that upon themselves, with their bickering over how the ball should be distributed. But winning cures many things. Last night’s win will go a long way in quieting some of the nay Sayers!

It’s a funny thing how the NFL season unfolds. After a great start (3-0), the Cowboys were being crowned Super Bowl champions. Then, there was the midseason lull; with Romo being injured…the Cowboys were done! Then, the ‘Boys reeled off three consecutive wins with Romo back at he helm…the ‘Boys are back! Last week, the ‘Boys loss to the Steelers coupled with the media distractions, and surely the Cowboys were falling apart before our eyes.

The Cowboys showed that they have the desire and the talent to win big games. Romo played well, as he spread the ball around to 9 different receivers. Now, that’s what I call ball distribution, but more importantly, keeping everyone happy! The Cowboys defense was superb. They were relentless all night long, as the ‘Boys registered 8 sacks on Manning (3 by league leading sack master extraordinaire, DeMarcus Ware). This win doesn't quite fix everything, but it sure was…sack-alicious!

Short Shots:

Two weeks ago the Cowboys were 8-4, and they were on the outside of the playoff bubble. Last week they lost, and actually gained a few spots to be the 6th seed. With yesterday’s win, they currently hold the 5th spot. If they lose next week, they could drop out of the playoff picture…go figure? I guess that’s why they play all 16 games!

Owens addressed the media last night after the game. He was cordial for the most part, and answered every question that had nothing to do with the game itself! He also called out Ed Werder, basically calling him a liar, and that he was telling tales. Good for Terrell…about time someone has the nerve to confront this ratings whoremonger!

From The Mail Room:

Matt K., Joplin, Missouri: What do you think of Choice he looked good against the giants? Are TO, Witten and Romo going to be able to work things out?

Utopia1dc: Tashard Choice has proven to be a quality RB. I think the Cowboys found a steal in the 4th round. Can you imagine the type of versatility the Cowboys would have if Felix Jones weren’t lost for the season. Next year could be fun with all three RBs. As for Romo, Witten, and Owens…they should be fine. Owens likes attention (and the ball), but I see that as a good thing. I’d hate for him (or any player, for that matter) to say that he didn’t want the ball more.

Click To Email Me

Predictions Week 15

2008-12-13T20:38:00.003-05:00

Each week, on Friday, I will look into my (never wrong, just misinformed) crystal ball and give my predictions for that weekend’s games. I will always prognosticate on the Eagles and Cowboys games and then pick two or more games of interest (to me, that is, not necessarily to you). Keep in mind, that this is for entertainment purposes only, and that I do not endorse any sort of legal or illegal gambling. That being said…let’s see what’s in my crystal ball!

The crystal ball was mediocre last week, going 2-2 for the week. That’s not great, but we’ll take it. The crystal ball is now 25-22-1 for the season; which is three games over .500 (.531 to be exact). This week is going to be a challenge with many key match-ups. Let’s see what’s in store for us this weekend.

Last Week: 2-2

Overall: 25-22-1

New York Giants @ Dallas: The G-Men have the division all locked up. They are now looking to secure a 1st round bye and home field advantage throughout the playoffs! They are battling with some lingering distractions over the Plaxico Burress situation, as well as the injury to Brandon Jacobs. The Cowboys are in a state of disarray, as they lost a heartbreaker last week in Pittsburgh. The ‘Boys are also dealing with distractions that may or may not be real. ESPN is doing their best to divide the Cowboys as well. The Cowboys need this game more than the G-Men, so in a must win, the ‘Boys will pull it together with a victory! Dallas 34, New York Giants 28.

San Diego @ Kansas City: The Chiefs are playing for what little pride they may have left, while the Bolts are hanging by a thread to make the playoffs. For the Chargers to make the tournament, they need to win out and hope that the Broncos have a total collapse. Rivers and LT must take charge (no pun intended) and lift their team out of the gutter and regain some self-respect! San Diego 31, Kansas City 13.

Indianapolis @ Detroit: The Colts started off the season in turmoil. But now that Peyton Manning has regained his Pro-Bowl form, they are peaking at the right time, as they head into the playoffs! The Lions are trying to do their best not to go 0-16 for the season, but they aren’t getting that elusive win this week either. The Colts win in a blowout! Indianapolis 44, Detroit 3.

Cleveland @ Philadelphia: The Browns are going nowhere fast this year. Romeo Crennel is on the hot seat! Brady Quinn looked good in his brief stint as the starter, but he was lost for the season. Third stringer Ken Dorsey is now leading them. That’s not good for anyone! The Birds are back in the hunt and D-Mac is playing well. If Reid can keep his play calling balanced, the Birds should fly to victory. An Eagles win coupled with a Cowboys loss, and the Birds could find themselves in the drivers seat for the final seed in the NFC playoffs! Philadelphia 27, Cleveland 9.

Short Shots:

Reggie Bush (RB, Saints) left Thursday night’s game with a sprained knee. It appears that it may be serious and could sideline Bush for the remainder of the season. Either way, undrafted rookie Pierre Thomas has filled in nicely at RB for the Saints. A real steal…if you ask me!

After a rough start to the season, the Eagles find themselves a half-game back of the Cowboys for the final playoff spot in the NFC. Andy Reid and D-Mac have had to endure much criticism throughout the year. The season finale against the Cowboys could prove to be a pivotal game; in a winner take all! Look for NBC to try and flex that game to Sunday night…that would be a surefire ratings buster!

From The Mail Room:

Vet, Ambler, PA: I saw a great poll, was wondering which one you preferred.

What should T.O. get Romo for X-Mas?

Jessica Simpson CD
T.O. Autographed photo
Football for Dummies
I am with Cry Baby T-Shirt

Utopia1dc: Vet, that’s an interesting poll. I’m not sure that Romo would like the CD, as he has the real thing. I’m sure Owens has already given him an autographed photo by now as well. As for the Football for Dummies or the t-shirt, I don’t think that’s Terrell’s or Tony’s style. I think Romo might like that Santa cap and Rudolph nose that T.O. was wearing the other day during an interview!

Click To Email Me

Reality Mail Bag - 12/12/08

2008-12-12T14:05:00.002-05:00

Each week I will answer questions submitted by my loyal readers. I personally read every single email I receive. I will pick out the best five or so to use for the weekly post, as I won’t be able to answer all of them. I will also answer one or two questions on my daily posts as well. Now it’s time to open the mail!

Chris T., Lansdale, PA: I just saw on ESPN that TO is stirring the pot again. Is he insane to think that Romo and Whitten are designing secret plays behind his back?

Utopia1dc: Chris, I saw the same piece that ESPN did. Ed Werder broke the story, so I’m not too concerned with it. Werder has a way of exaggerating the truth to fill his time on ESPN. Wade Phillips did confirm that Owens, Williams, and Crayton did meet with Jason Garrett to discuss their roles in the offense. But that’s a far cry from Romo and Witten designing secret plays…come on people!

Tom B., Warminster, PA: Jerry Jones is out of line with his comments about Marion Barber. If he says he's hurt then he's hurt.

Utopia1dc: Tom, I tend to agree that Jones was out of line for saying that publicly. He did do his best Jerry spin control to try to diffuse the situation. Barber is known as “the Barbarian” , because of his running style. I do agree with Jones though, I was expecting that a player like Barber would tough it out. Where there’s smoke…there’s usually fire! For Jones to say this publicly, I believe there is some merit in questioning Barber’s toughness!

Kaylee F., Brooklyn, NY: The Giants are going to put your precious Cowboys out of their misery. Go Giants!

Utopia1dc: Kaylee, I suppose if your G-Men beat the Cowboys on Sunday night, they will be put out of their misery. If the ‘Boys lose, their playoff hopes go out the window. But, don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched. Your G-Men are having their own issues and that can’t bode well for them heading into the playoffs!

Mike D., Philadelphia, PA: Your Cowboys suck. If your such a big Cowboys fan why don't you move down there with all your cowgirls fans?

Utopia1dc: Mikey, if you read my profile you would have seen that I did live in Tulsa, which is a hop, skip, and a jump or two from Dallas. I enjoyed my time down there, as I was able to go to many games. I also enjoyed 2 Super Bowl victories while living down there, but I moved back because the heat was more than I could handle!

Shawn R., Abilene, TX: The Cowboys currently hold the 6th seed in the NFC but they have a hard schedule ahead of them. Are they going to be able to hang onto that final spot?

Utopia1dc: Shawn, that’s good question! It’s going to be tough because the ‘Boys play the Giants, Ravens, and the Eagles, to finish out the season. If they can win all three, they are in the tournament. If they lose Sunday to the G-Men, things could get a little crowded in the NFC. It could come down to the final game against the Birds; in a winner take all game!

Short Shots:

The ESPN machine is at it again with all the propaganda they are feeding us about the Cowboys. Now, I know that it’s good for their ratings. But if they want to talk about the Cowboys all day long, they should have taken my suggestion from earlier in the season! They should create an ESPNCowboys network. That way, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN Classics, and ESPN News can resume with their normally scheduled programming!

It appears that Pacman Jones received some good news regarding his neck injury. After getting a second opinion, he may not need surgery for his bulging disk. If things go well, he may be able to return to action in a few weeks. If the Cowboys can squeak into the playoffs…that is!

Click To Email Me

Week 14 Review

2008-12-11T14:05:00.007-05:00

The crystal ball was brought back down to Earth this past week by going 2-2. That puts the crystal ball at 25-22-1 for the season. That’s three games over .500 (.531 to be exact). The Cowboys and the Jets let the crystal ball down this past week. The crystal ball assures me it will rebound this coming weekend. Let’s review and see what happened last week.

Last Week: 2-2

Overall: 25-22-1

Dallas @ Pittsburgh: The Cowboys had the lead for most of the game. The ‘Boys had the Steelers on the ropes all afternoon. Dallas out-gained Pittsburgh in every statistical category, except the turnover battle. The Cowboys committed 5 turnovers, while the Steelers turned the ball over twice. It was over when Romo threw a pick-6 in the final minutes of the game. The ‘Boys played a tough game, but they could not put the Steelers away when they had the chance.

Philadelphia @ New York Giants: The Eagles played their best game of the year. The offense was balanced, as Andy Reid mixed up the play calling very well. The Giants were not the same offensively without Plaxico Burress. The Eagles stacked the line and kept the potent New York running attack in check. The G-Men scored on a blocked field-goal attempt right before halftime, but they couldn’t keep the momentum going in the second half. If the Birds make the tournament, they could be a dark horse in the NFC!

Minnesota @ Detroit: The Lions gave the Vikings all they could handle for most of the game. Gus Frerotte was injured in the game, and Tarvaris Jackson came in off the bench to pull out the victory. I didn’t think it was going be this close of a game. I will give Detroit credit for not quitting on the season, but 0-16 is staring them in the face. It doesn’t look good for the Lions the rest of the season either, but the 1st overall pick is their consolation prize!

New York Jets @ San Francisco: I thought this game was going to be a blowout. I didn’t give the 49ers a chance in the world to be able to beat the Jets. Favre was not on top of his game in this contest. The Jets got away from the running game to early, which was a surprise, since Thomas Jones has been lighting it up this year. Give Mike Singletary credit for keeping the 49ers focused. Having a coaching change in mid-season is not an easy task for a team, but Singletary is making a case for having the interim tag removed from his title!

Short Shots:

Pacman Jones suffered a herniated disk in his neck during the Steelers game. It appears he will be done for the season. The Cowboys medical staff believes that it could be even worse. The injury could be career threatening, not just a season ending injury. That’s too bad, because whether you like the guy or not, I wanted to see if he could make amends for his past indiscretions. Now he may never have the chance to do so!

Jerry Jones is taking some heat in the media for questioning Marion Barber’s toughness for not playing last week due to his dislocated pinkie toe. I agree with Jerry to some degree; for being called “the Barbarian”, you would think he could play with a little pain!

From The Mail Room:

Marcy P., Gilbertsville, PA: Just wondering your thoughts on the OJ verdict. A lot of people have said he was given such a hard sentence to make up for "getting off on killing two people". I certainly don't claim that he is innocent in the former incident, but I do think his sentence is a bit harsh for the crime committed. What do you think?

Utopia1dc: Marcy, you bring up a very good point. I don’t know whether OJ committed the murders he was acquitted of or not. There’s a lot of evidence that says he did those crimes, but he was found not guilty. It would appear that the sentence he received in Las Vegas was a make-up verdict for the previous trial. OJ says he was trying to recover his stolen memorabilia items. He claims that he didn’t intended to break any laws. I believe him…this time, anyway!

Click To Email Me

Chokers

2008-12-10T11:10:00.004-05:00

This past Sunday, the Cowboys had a 10-point lead against the Pittsburgh Steelers, late in the 4th quarter. Then disaster struck, as the Cowboys were not able to finish off the Steelers. All the Cowboys needed were a couple of first downs and the game would be over. Nope…didn’t happen! The Cowboys let the Steelers tie the game with about 2 minutes left in regulation. Then, Romo gave the entire Steeler Nation an early Christmas present by throwing a pick-6…game over!

The Cowboys are now 8-5, and they are hanging by a thread to the 6th (and final) play-ff spot in the NFC. If the ‘Boys were to win the rest of their games, they would be assured of making the tournament. That’s not an easy task, as the Cowboys have faltered in December the past few years. They must right the ship if they want to be playing in January.

The Cowboys out-gained the Steelers in rushing yards, passing yards, and in total yards. They also had the edge in time of possession. The ‘Boys also had 5 sacks compared to the Steelers 3. The Cowboys lost the most important statistic…the turnovers. The Cowboys had 5 turnovers (the Steelers had 2), and the last one sealed their fate. Deshea Townsend picked off an errant Romo pass to Witten, and returned it for the winning TD!

Last week, I wrote that this game would tell us everything we need to know about the 2008 Dallas Cowboys…What They Are. The Cowboys have under-achieved this year, as they were the preseason favorites to win the Super Bowl. Now, they are battling just to make the playoffs. Maybe, everyone just overrated the Cowboys from the beginning? Maybe, they’re just not good enough? Maybe, they’re just…chokers?

Short Shots:

On a positive note, Tashard Choice of the Cowboys proved to be a capable RB. Choice gained 88 yards rushing (the most allowed by the #1 Steelers defense all season) and another 78 yards receiving on 5 receptions. Not too bad for a rookie RB drafted in the 4th round, in his first NFL start!

Matt Jones (Jaguars) will finally serve his 3-game suspension that was handed out several months ago. Jones had appealed the suspension, but now he will miss the last 3 games of the season!

From The Mail Room:

Frank G., Philadelphia, PA: Your cowgirls are cooked. E-A-G-L-E-S Eagles!

Utopia1dc: Frank, I don’t know if the Cowboys are quite cooked just yet…maybe simmering a little? I applaud your enthusiasm for your Eagles chant, but aren’t they currently trailing the Cowboys?

Click To Email Me

Predictions Week 14

2008-12-06T23:09:00.006-05:00

Each week, on Friday, I will look into my (never wrong, just misinformed) crystal ball and give my predictions for that weekend’s games. I will always prognosticate on the Eagles and Cowboys games and then pick two more games of interest (to me, that is, not necessarily to you). Keep in mind, that this is for entertainment purposes only, and that I do not endorse any sort of legal or illegal gambling. That being said…let’s see what’s in my crystal ball!

The crystal ball was on fire last week, going 4-0 for the week. Not too shabby, huh? The crystal ball is now 23-20-1, which is 3 games over .500 (.534 to be exact). Well, enough of the horn tooting…let’s get down to the task at hand. This week is going to be tough because there are a lot of games with play-off implications. The crystal ball is ready for the challenge. Let’s take a peek into the future and see what will happen this Sunday.

Last Week: 4-0

Overall: 23-20-1

Dallas @ Pittsburgh: The Cowboys will travel to Pittsburgh short-handed this week. Marion Barber was left behind to heal his toe, as he did not make the trip to the Steel City. The Steelers are sporting the No. 1 defense in the league, so Romo will have his work cut out for him. Not having Barber may be a blessing in disguise, as it will force the ‘Boys to come out with all their guns blazing. Pittsburgh will pound the rock, as they will try to dominate the line of scrimmage. The ‘Boys will find a way to win, because they must! Dallas 24, Pittsburgh 23.

Philadelphia @ New York Giants: The Birds are in a do or die situation, as they don’t have any room for error. The Eagles find themselves on the proverbial play-off bubble, and that’s being kind. The Birds must win out, and hope for some help to make the tournament. Now that McNabb is back on track, he will keep the offense at full speed ahead. The G-Men are due for a letdown, especially with all the Plaxico Burress distractions this past week. The Eagles will stun their division foes. Philadelphia 31, New York Giants 17.

Minnesota @ Detroit: The Vikings caught a break, as a Judge has given the Williams Brothers a stay of execution. Well, they’re not actually brothers, and they’re not getting executed either. They will be active Sunday, after that…who knows? The Lions are due for a win, as they can’t actually go 0-16…can they? Well, their losing streak will continue, as the Vikings will manhandle them, easily! Minnesota 27, Detroit 9.

New York Jets @ San Francisco: The Jets are reeling from their loss last week against the Broncos. Favre and company will be ready for the 49ers. Look for Thomas Jones to have huge game against a lackluster 49ers defense. Favre will pick apart the secondary as well. The Jets will win in a laugher. This will be a blowout from the get-go. New York Jets 34, San Francisco 13.

Short Shots:

I can’t believe a Judge has actually intervened and blocked the suspension of several players. Sheriff Goodell waited too long to make a decision, and now these players will be able to play when they should be punished…unreal! Where was this Judge when Pacman Jones was suspended?

The San Diego Chargers played well on Thursday night against the Raiders. I think it might be too little, too late for a play-off push. However, they may be able to save Norv his job…if they can win out!

From The Mail Room:

Joe P., Edison, NJ: The barbarian is out for the game versus Pittsburgh. Do you think your Cowboys have a chance?

Utopia1dc: Joe, the loss of Marion Barber will hurt the Cowboys for sure. Tashard Choice will take his place in the line-up, but he is a relative unknown. The ‘Boys will have to rely on Romo and the passing game a little more than they might have if Barber were available. But, I think that this will actually be a good thing…let Romo sling it and hope for the best. Go Cowboys!

Click To Email Me

Reality Mail Bag - 12/04/08

2008-12-04T09:53:00.007-05:00

Each week I will answer questions submitted by my loyal readers. I personally read every single email I receive. I will pick out the best five or so to use for the weekly post, as I won't be able to answer all of them. I will also answer one or two questions on my daily posts as well. Now it’s time to open the mail!

Eric F., Philadelphia, PA: What do you think of Kyle Eckel? Have the eagles finally found a true fullback?

Utopia1dc: Eric, Kyle Eckel is a hometown product out of Haverford. He attended Episcopal Academy in Philadelphia, and then went on to star at Navy. He was named MVP of the Army-Navy game two years in a row. He is 4th all-time in rushing at Navy, so he knows how to carry the rock. He is a good blocker as well. What’s not to like? The Eagles would be wise to give him a shot at being their starting fullback…everyone knows they could use one!

James S., San Diego, CA: Norv Turner is the worst coach ever and he has destroyed a great team. Bring back Marty ball!

Utopia1dc: James, I don’t know about Turner being the worst coach ever, but the Chargers have struggled this year, especially defensively. LT doesn’t seem to be running with the same vigor as in previous years either. I was shocked when Marty was fired 2 years ago, but that’s the way it is in the NFL. The Chargers really don’t have a prayer to make the play-offs, even if they win out the rest of their games. Norv will probably be fired after the season…but be careful of what you wish for!

Marc P., Fort Washington, PA: Do the Eagles have any chance in hell to beat the Giants this week?

Utopia1dc: Marc, the Eagles played very well last week, and the Giants may be due for a letdown game. The G-men have had a lot of distractions this week with the Plaixo Burress situation. If the Eagles have any desire of making the play-offs, they must win this game. The G-Men have pretty much locked up the division, so I wouldn’t be surprised if the Birds got the win!

Richard P., Wheeling, WV: Out here in Pittsburgh country we will destroy your cowgirls.

Utopia1dc: Richard, I take it you’re a Steelers fan. Well, your Steelers have been playing very well. They have a balanced attack on offense and a stellar defense to boot. It will be a tough game for the ‘Boys. I don’t think the Steelers will destroy the Cowboys…it should be a close game. We shall see what happens!

Harry S., Ada, Oklahoma: What do you think about McNabb using the excuse about being preoccupied about his wifes pregnancy as his reason for his poor play the past few weeks?

Utopia1dc: Harry, I don’t know where you’re getting your information from, but I heard that interview live, and that’s not what I came away with. McNabb was asked a question, and he answered it. He wasn’t making excuses for his poor play. If that were the case why did he play so well on Turkey Day? I’m sure his wife expecting twins was on his mind, but it had nothing to do with his play on the field. I know that D-Mac has done and said many stupid things…this is not one of them!

Short Shots:

A Judge ruled in favor of Kevin and Pat Williams (Vikings) lawsuit against the NFL. He issued a temporary restraining order, blocking their 4-game suspensions imposed by Sheriff Goodell. This is a very bad precedent being set here. The NFL and the Vikings cannot let these guys play this weekend!

With four weeks left in the regular season, it’s going to go down to the wire for the last few play-off spots. In the AFC, there are 5 teams vying for 2 spots. In the NFC, there are 7 teams vying for 2 spots. It’s time to put up or shut up!

Click To Email Me

What They Are

2008-12-03T10:08:00.011-05:00

The Cowboys find themselves in the middle of the herd for the play-off race. They have won three straight games, and four out of their last five. The ‘Boys stand at 8-4, which is a decent record. This year, if the season ended today, the Dallas Cowboys would be watching on TV…like you and me. The Cowboys trail the Giants by three games, with four to play. The division is out of reach. The ‘Boys must travel via the wildcard route.

The Cowboys actually have a better record than two of the division leaders. The Vikings and Cardinals are both 7-5, but they would be in the tournament, and the ‘Boys would be out! I don’t think that it’s fair, but that’s the rules…and you can’t argue the rules! They are what they are!

Being a wildcard isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The G-Men (last season) and the Steelers (three seasons ago), where both wildcards, and they both advanced to and won the Super Bowl. It’s not an easy task, as you must win on the road in the play-offs!

The Cowboys face the Steelers this Sunday. Pittsburgh is 9-3, and in first place in their division by one game over the Ravens. The ‘Boys must travel to the Steel City, and face the No. 1 defense in the league, and come home with a win. That’s not an easy task for any team, but if the Cowboys want to be considered serious Super Bowl contenders…than that’s what they must do!

Bill Parcells would often tell us to wait until after Thanksgiving to evaluate the team. I recall him saying, “You are what you are” many times. Well, it’s a week past Turkey Day, and the ‘Boys will face a formidable Pittsburgh Steelers team on the road. Come Sunday, we will all know…what they are!

Short Shots:

Sheriff Goodell was a busy man, as he finally dished out the 4-game suspensions to the players who were caught taking the “water” pills…it's about time! Those players are filing a suit in court for an injunction on the Sheriff’s ruling…good luck on that one!

Plaxico Burress was fined, suspended (without pay) for the remainder of the season (including the play-offs), and put on the non-football injury list by the Giants. His days as a member of the New York Giants is numbered…and that’s the least of his worries!

From The Mail Room:

Kyle P., Willow Grove, PA: Pacman is back on the team will he be a factor?

Utopia1dc: Adam Jones is now officially back as a member of the Cowboys. To make room for Pacman, the Cowboys placed Pat Watkins on IR. Jones will contribute mainly on punt returns. He will also play on the defensive sub-packages when the ‘Boys go into the nickel and dime. I wouldn’t expect a lot from him, as he has been away from “live” action for some time now!

Click To Email Me

Week 13 Review

2008-12-02T10:07:00.006-05:00

The crystal ball had a stellar week by going undefeated at 4-0. That puts the crystal ball at 23-20-1 for the season. That’s three games over .500 (.534 to be exact). The crystal ball has a slightly sore back this week. You know…with all that patting itself on the back stuff! Let’s review and see what happened last week.

Last Week: 4-0

Overall: 23-20-1

Seattle @ Dallas: The Cowboys looked good from start to finish. That’s what is expected when you play a team like the Seahawks. Once the ‘Boys had the lead, they never looked back. They kept the pedal to the metal, and didn’t let Seattle back in the game. The only downer was the injuries to DeMarcus Ware and Marion Barber. Both left the game and didn’t return, but they should be fine for this week’s match-up against the Steelers.

Arizona @ Philadelphia: The Eagles got a big win against the Cards. Arizona is a formidable team and the Eagles never let Warner get in a rhythm. The Birds put up a 40-burger (48 points to be exact) on the Cards, as McNabb proved himself as the leader of the team. McNabb was flawless, as he threw for 260 yards and 4 TDs. That’s not too shabby for a QB that everyone wants to run out of town. By winning, the Eagles also kept their play-offs hopes alive.

Tennessee @ Detroit: The Titans disgraced the Lions in a blowout! Tennessee has a well-balanced offense with two quality running backs. Kerry Collins is a very good manager of the offense, but he can still make all the necessary throws when needed. The Titans defense is playing well also. Jeff Fisher has his club firing on all cylinders heading into the play-offs!

Pittsburgh @ New England: At halftime, this game was knotted at 10-10. Offensively, the Steelers hammered the ball with Moore and Parker. Big Ben did his job, but he did have a couple of picks. The Patriots kept it close for a while, but their 5 turnovers sealed their fate. Matt Cassel didn’t stand a chance against the Steelers defense once they fell behind. You just can’t give the ball away that many times to a quality team and expect to win…not in the NFL!

Short Shots:

The Cleveland Browns suffered another injury at QB. After losing Brady Quinn a few weeks ago, they have now lost Derek Anderson as well. It’s now up to Ken Dorsey to try and salvage Romeo Crennel’s job…not a pretty site in Cleveland! Romeo…start packing!

Plaxico Burress posted $100,000 bail yesterday. He is now back out on the streets until March 31, 2009…when he goes back in front of the Judge! Unfortunately for Plaxico, Goodell won’t take as long to render judgment! Plax…just stay inside your house! Shop online if you get bored!

From The Mail Room:

Henry D., Carlstadt, NJ: How can Burress be so stupid. He is gonna cost the giants the superbowl.

Utopia1dc: Henry, I agree 100%…Plaxico Burress is a first rate fool! He has been a distraction to the G-Men all season long. The Giants may be better off without him. As far as costing the Giants the Super Bowl…I don’t know about all that! I don’t see the G-Men repeating!

Click To Email Me

Reality Mail Bag - 12/01/08

2008-12-01T00:03:00.006-05:00

Each week I will answer questions submitted by my loyal readers. I personally read every single email I receive. I will pick out the best five or so to use for the weekly post, as I won't be able to answer all of them. I will also answer one or two questions on my daily posts as well. Now it’s time to open the mail!

Johnny A., Norristown, PA: I am a diehard Eagles fan. The Eagles looked great on Thursday but do you think they can squeak into the playoffs?

Utopia1dc: Johnny…that’s going to be a tough task. D-Mac was on fire and Westbrook looked a lot better than he has in several weeks. If the Eagles continue to play like that, anything is possible. They could be dangerous if they can make it into the tournament. It doesn’t look too promising, as the Birds have dug a huge hole for themselves.

Andrew P., Atlanta, Georgia: Michael Vick just plead guilty to state dog fighting charges. Do you think he will get a shot to play again soon?

Utopia1dc: The reason Vick plead guilty was to have some of the charges dropped. He was also able to avoid more jail time. When Vick gets out of jail, he will be facing several years of probation. On top of that Sheriff Goodell isn’t just going to let him back in right away. I have a feeling Goodell will be very stern with Vick. With all that being said, some team will give him a chance, but he will be on very thin ice!

Big Tex, Paris, Texas: The cowboys are cooked if they lose Ware and the Barbarian to injuries.

Utopia1dc: Big Tex…calm down there, big fella! Ware is the heart and soul of the defense and he should be fine. MRI results were negative. Ware should be good to go, especially with the additional three days rest. Pretty much the same goes for Barber. His pinkie toe is dislocated, but not fractured. He will wear a protective steel toe shoe and a good tape job should keep him in the line-up!

Willy S., Ponca City, Oklahoma: I'm a big Patriots fan and you always bust on them especially matt casel. What gives man?

Utopia1dc: Slick Willy, you’re right…I do bust on the Patriots all the time. I lost respect for the entire organization because of Spy-gate, especially Bill Belichick. I have given Matt Cassel a lot of grief, but I also gave him some props and apologized to him in a previous post…maybe you missed that one! Read this post...Exploding!

Michelle, Gilbertsville, PA: So, now that Donovan had such a good week, do you think Reid may have been right in pulling him at half-time last week? Do you think that was what McNabb needed to get back on track?

Utopia1dc: Michelle, I see you reside in my neck of the woods! McNabb had a good week because he’s a good QB…it had nothing to do with his benching! Reid was wrong in benching his franchise QB…dead wrong! He disrespected the man who has defended the Eagles organization from day one. D-Mac has had Andy’s back on many occasions, too bad Big Red couldn’t return the favor! McNabb will be out of Philly after the season is over…it will do him a world of good. The Bears could use D-Mac’s services!

Short Shots:

Plaxico Burress…what the heck were you thinking? You shot yourself, in the leg, with a gun, in a bar…come on dude! Stupid…stupid…stupid! He will surely be suspended for the remainder of the season and the play-offs. Idiot!

The Cowboys are inching their way closer to a play-off spot each week. It seems as though they have been spared another catastrophe, as both DeMarcus Ware and Marion Barber will not miss any time due to the injuries they sustained on Turkey Day.

Click To Email Me

Predictions Week 13

2008-11-27T09:40:00.007-05:00

Each week, on Friday, I will look into my (never wrong, just misinformed) crystal ball and give my predictions for that weekend games. I will always prognosticate on the Eagles and Cowboys games and then pick two more games of interest (to me, that is, not necessarily to you). Keep in mind, that this is for entertainment purposes only, and that I do not endorse any sort of legal or illegal gambling. That being said…let’s see what’s in my crystal ball!

The crystal ball was 2-2 last week, and that’s not acceptable. The crystal ball is now 19-20-1 for the season, just a tad under .500 (.488 to be exact). Hopefully this week, it will rebound on the short week. Today is Thanksgiving Day and both the Cowboys and Eagles square off (separately) in very important conference games. Each team needs a win if they want to move on into the play-offs. Let’s take a look at what the crystal ball has to say.

Last Week: 2-2

Overall: 19-20-1

Seattle @ Dallas: The Cowboys are coming off a big win against the 49ers. Owens and Romo both had huge days, and the offense seems to be back on track. Seattle shouldn’t be taken lightly, as they gave Washington all they could handle last week. Though the ‘Hawks lost, they played well against a formidable Redskins team. Look for a close game early, as the Cowboys take over late in the contest. Dallas 31, Seattle 20.

Arizona @ Philadelphia: Last week, the Eagles were grasping at straws for answers, as Reid pulled D-Mac in the second half. Kolb couldn’t provide the Eagles with a spark either. The Ravens defense confused the inexperienced Kolb into many mistakes. Arizona has a big lead in their division, but don’t look for them to be handing out any sympathy cards to the Birds. The Cards are hungry, but west coast teams on the road have not fared well against east coast teams this year. That shouldn’t be a factor though, as this is a late kick-off. In a squeaker, the Birds prevail. Philadelphia 24, Arizona 23.

Tennessee @ Detroit: The Lions are in a world of hurt as they try to get a win. Could a team in this era of parity actually go 0-16? Probably not, but today is not their day. The Titans were stunned by the Jets last week, and they look to avenge their only blemish of the season. The Lions should just pray that the Titans don’t embarrass them as the entire country watches while downing their turkeys. Tennessee 27, Detroit 9.

Pittsburgh @ New England: The Steelers are a force defensively and they will look to shut down Matt Cassel. The one time clipboard holder is playing well with back-to-back 400-yard games. The Steelers need a win to keep their 1-game lead in their division and the Pats don’t want to fall any further behind the division leading Jets. This should be a great game, but the edge must go to the Steelers, as they will bring Cassel back down to Earth. Pittsburgh 24, New England 20.

Short Shots:

Today is Thanksgiving, so we should all give thanks for what we have, and remember that not everyone is as fortunate as we are. I want to send a special shout-out to Je’Rod Cherry for his efforts to raise money for the needy by raffling off his Super Bowl ring. The drawing takes place today.

I wonder what kind of reception D-Mac will receive by the Philly fans as he is introduced at the Linc? The fans should go easy on him. It’s Thanksgiving after all…but it’s also Philadelphia!

From The Mail Room:

Pete F., Philadelphia, PA: If the Eagles lose this week should they play Kevin Kolb to see if he is the quarterback of the future?

Utopia1dc: Pete, even though I am not an Eagles fan, I think that McNabb should never have been pulled last week. At-least not in the manner in which it was handled by Reid. I think Andy is grasping at straws because he knows his job is on the line. Did he really think that Kolb would provide a spark against the Ravens defense? If the Eagles lose, their play-off situation becomes very bleak. At that point it might be a good idea to see what they have in Kolb. The McNabb era looks to be over after this season. Reid could be packing his bags as well!

Click To Email Me

Week 12 Review

2008-11-26T11:02:00.004-05:00

The crystal ball had a mediocre week, to say the least. The crystal ball went 2-2 for the week, and is now 19-20-1 for the season. That’s just slightly under .500 (.488 to be exact). We need to give it props for predicting the upset of the year (in my opinion). On the other hand, we must chastise it for the debacle in Denver. Let’s review what happened.

Last Week: 2-2

Overall: 19-20-1

San Francisco @ Dallas: This game started out close, but the 49ers were only able to convert 2 field goals early in the game. The Cowboys defense did their job by not allowing the game to get out of reach, while the offense was struggling. In the 2nd quarter, the ‘Boys offense exploded, as Romo hit Owens on a 75-yard bomb for a TD. After that, it was smooth sailing for Dallas, as Owens had a career-type day with 7 receptions, 213 yards, and a TD. The ‘Boys seem to be back on track to make a push for the play-offs!

Philadelphia @ Baltimore: The Eagles and the Ravens were in a classic defensive struggle at half time, with the Ravens leading 10-7. Then, the unthinkable happened…D-Mac was benched in favor of Kevin Kolb. Reid was so ashamed that he had the QB coach tell McNabb, as he was not man enough to do it himself! Now, I grant you that McNabb was struggling, but to pull him like that…that’s disrespectful! I know I have ripped D-Mac about the OT thing…but he didn’t deserve this! Kolb didn’t fare much better, as Baltimore ran away with this one in the 2nd half.

New York Jets @ Tennessee: The mighty have fallen…just as I had predicted. Favre was tremendous in this game, but the Jets defense held the Titans in check. It took Favre and his new buddies about a month to get used to each other, but now they are hitting on all cylinders. With Thomas Jones and Leon Washington leading the way on the ground, Favre’s aerial attack, and the defense playing well, the Jets are the team to beat in the AFC!

Oakland @ Denver: Boy, was the crystal ball wrong about this one. The Broncos picked a bad week for a let down, because the Raiders came to town ready to rumble. Fargas led the Raiders in the ground game, but McFadden was able to finish the job with 2 TDs. Russell only threw 11 passes, completing 10 of them, as he led his team to victory. Johnnie Lee Higgins returned a punt 89 yards for a TD. That’s his 2nd in as many weeks, as he had a 93-yard punt return for a TD last week against the Fins!

Short Shots:

Brady Quinn will miss the remainder of the season with a broken index finger. That’s too bad, as the Golden Domer had finally gotten his shot to strut his stuff a few weeks ago, when he took over for Derek Anderson. Quinn is clearly the QB of the future in Cleveland, so for the next 5 weeks, Derek will be auditioning for a new job next season.

Adam Jones is back and practicing this week with his fellow Cowboys. He will not be allowed to play on Turkey Day, as he is finishing up his suspension, which ended up being 6 games. This time, Pacman will have to stay out of trouble with no help from the Cowboys. Jerry Jones has taken away the security guards that were assigned to Adam. That’s not necessarily a bad thing…since that’s what got him in trouble in the first place!

From The Mail Room:

Fred S., Amarillo, Texas: Hey, I'm a displaced Eagles fan down here in Amarillo but I am originally from Pottsville. Anyway what the heck is going on with Donovan Mcnabb?

Utopia1dc: Fred, how did you end up in Amarillo? I’ve never been to Pottsville, but it’s not too far from me, but I have been through Amarillo on my way to the Texas Grand Canyon. As for McNabb, he has been given his starting job back for the Turkey Day game. McNabb was severely disrespected by Andy Reid, in my opinion. I don’t see D-Mac returning to Philly next season. The McNabb era is over. The Reid era is in serious jeopardy, as well!

Click To Email Me

Exploding

2008-11-24T16:37:00.007-05:00

Yesterday, the Cowboys defeated the San Francisco 49ers, at Texas Stadium, by a score of 35-22. Don’t let the score fool you, the ‘Boys were in cruise control mid-way through the 2nd quarter. The Cowboys defense started off a little shaky, but they were able to limit the 49ers to field goals. After the 1st quarter, the boys trailed 6-0, but that’s when it happened…the game changed in an instant!

The Cowboys got the ball at their own 23-yard line to start the 2nd quarter. After an incomplete pass by Romo, and a 2-yard dive by Barber, the ‘Boys were faced with a 3rd and 8 from their own 25-yard line. The Cowboys were in shotgun formation. Romo was flushed to his right; he looked up and found Owens streaking down the sideline. Romo fired a bomb that landed in Owens hands. Owens broke a tackle and took it to the house, for a 75-yard TD.

From that point on, the Cowboys were unstoppable. Romo threw for 341 yards and 3 TDs. Owens had a career day with 7 receptions for 213 yards and a TD. Until yesterday, 89 yards were the most Terrell had recorded this season, which was against Philadelphia, in week 2. That play alone, could be the spark that the Cowboys needed to get to their ultimate goal!

Owens has been frustrated this year…no doubt! He has remained a good teammate, and has towed the company line. He bit his lip and didn’t throw Brad Johnson under the bus (though he very well should have). Terrell sees the big picture…he sees the prize! Owens knew that he would get his chance, once “his quarterback” was healthy. Terrell knew that when they got their timing back, there was nothing to stop T.O. from…exploding!

Short Shots:

Andy Reid pulled D-Mac in favor of Kevin Kolb to start the 2nd half yesterday. The Eagles only trailed the Ravens 10-7 at half-time. I’m not sure what Big Red was thinking? As expected, Kolb didn’t fare much better, and the Birds laid another egg! For those that want the Kolb era to begin will have to wait, as Reid has named McNabb the starter for the Turkey Day game!

Matt Cassel threw for over 400 yards yesterday. Actually, he has thrown for 400+ yards, 2 weeks in a row…a feat that has only been accomplished four other times. Cassel…I apologize for calling you a professional clipboard holder…sorry!

From The Mail Room:

Josh D., Topeka, Kansas: The cowboys played good and beat san fran but they stink. Do you really think da boyz have a chance to win superbowl?

Utopia1dc: Josh, I do agree that the 49ers are a poor team, but nonetheless, the Cowboys took care of business. You can’t control whom you play, but when you play a lesser team…you got to beat them. And the ‘Boys did just that! As far as the Super Bowl goes…why not? If Romo stays healthy and Roy Williams can get more involved, I think that the Cowboys offense is unstoppable!

Click To Email Me

Predictions Week 12

2008-11-22T10:20:00.004-05:00

Each week, on Friday, I will look into my (never wrong, just misinformed) crystal ball and give my predictions for that weekend games. I will always prognosticate on the Eagles and Cowboys games and then pick two more games of interest (to me, that is, not necessarily to you). Keep in mind, that this is for entertainment purposes only, and that I do not endorse any sort of legal or illegal gambling. That being said…let’s see what’s in my crystal ball!

The crystal ball was a little off last week by going a measly 1-2-1 for the week. The Eagles debacle in Cincy cost me dearly (but not as much as it did McNabb). That leaves my disgraced crystal ball and me at 17-18-1 for the season, a tad under .500 (.486 to be exact). This week the crystal ball was given a few extra days off to regain its composure. Let’s see what’s in store for us this week.

Last Week: 1-2-1

Overall: 17-18-1

San Francisco @ Dallas: The Cowboys got a much-needed victory against archrival Washington last week. The Cowboys find themselves right back in the mix for a play-off spot, at 6-4. Romo looks to be back on track after his mid-season hiatus. His pinkie should continue to heal as the weeks go by. The 49ers are coming off a big win as well, but I don’t see them keeping pace with the rejuvenated Cowboys. The Cowboys will look to get Williams and Owens involved early and often. Dallas 34, San Francisco 16.

Philadelphia @ Baltimore: It’s a good thing that the Birds are on the road this week; I just can’t imagine what kind of reception McNabb would be confronted with if this game were at the Linc. The Eagles were brutally disgraced last week by the Bengals. The Ravens didn’t fair much better, as they got thrashed by the G-men. Philly needs a win desperately as McNabb and Andy Reid are fighting for their jobs. Philadelphia 20, Baltimore 17.

Oakland @ Denver: The Raiders played well against the Fins last week but they still couldn’t manage to get a win. Offensively, they are a pathetic, to say the least. Their defense has played well at times. Al Davis shelled out big time cash in the off-season; I’m sure this isn’t the team he had envisioned. The Broncos got a huge win by knocking off the Falcons in Atlanta last week. Denver has a 2-game lead in their division and now is not the time for a let down. Denver 27, Oakland 13.

New York Jets @ Tennessee: The Titans are standing tall at 10-0 and they are ripe to be knocked down. The bigger they are, the harder they fall! Look out Tennessee; the original Titans (the New York Titans changed their name to the New York Jets in 1963) are coming to town to reclaim their nomenclature. Favre and his new buddies will get it done somehow, someway. Upset special…New York Jets 27, Tennessee 26.

Short Shots:

Shout out to D-Mac the trendsetter…this week’s game is in Baltimore at 1:00 PM. If you need directions, here’s a link to MapQuest.

The Cowboys got hit with another bit of bad new this week. Rookie sensation Felix “the cat” Jones will be placed on IR, as he needs surgery on his toe. Ironically, he injured his toe while rehabbing his quad. Felix will have to wait until next year for us to hear him meow!

Je’Rod Cherry is raffling off his Super Bowl ring, the first of the three he won as a member of the New England Patriots. No this is not another star down on his luck…read why here. Mr. Cherry, if you were part of the cheating in New England…all is forgiven!

From The Mail Room:

Vet, Ambler, PA: Will having two people by replay booth help correct issues? I personally think if one screws it up they both will.

Utopia1dc: Vet, I see that you’re a fellow Amblerite. I agree with you that having two officials at the booth won’t help one bit. If the refs don’t know how to interpret the rule, what’s the difference if they stand next to each other or not. They’ve always been able to confer with each other prior to announcing their final decision anyway.

Click To Email Me

Reality Mail Bag - 11/20/08

2008-11-20T10:04:00.008-05:00

Each week I will answer questions submitted by my loyal readers. I personally read every single email I receive. I will pick out the best five or so to use for the weekly post, as I won't be able to answer all of them. I will also answer one or two questions on my daily posts as well. Now it’s time to open the mail!

Jake O., Tulsa, Oklahoma: I live in tulsa but i am a eagles fan. Is the meddia going crazy in philly about mcnabb?

Utopia1dc: Jake the media is always crazy in Philadelphia. They usually tend to blow things out of proportion, but this time they are ripping McNabb on a daily basis…deservedly so!

Trina K., Chicago: Now that pacman jones is back, will he replace Henry as a starter?

Utopia1dc: Trina…hold on there! Adam Jones was reinstated by Goodell, but he won’t be able to play until after Thanksgiving. He’s got to prove himself, on and off the field, before we start handing him Anthony Henry’s job. He will be used as the punt returner and he will also contribute on the nickel and dime sub-packages.

Phil P., Abington, Pa: I have been a cowboys fan for my whole life but i live in Pennsylvannia. Do you think that they will make the play offs?

Utopia1dc: Phil, I’m glad to see all these Cowboys fans in Pennsylvania. I hope that was a typo…as I hope you know how to spell our home state? To answer your question…yes, the ‘Boys will make the tournament!

Dave C., Plano, TX: Howdy! You a cowboy fan I gather all the way up there. You alright I guess for a yankee.

Utopia1dc: Dave…thanks…I guess! I take a lot of heat from the “Yankees” up here for being a Cowboys fan, so I am glad to see that I have a fan in Plano!

Billy, Philadelphia: you know what you are a disgrace for being a cowgirl fan cause you live near philly. You should move your coward [bleep] down there with all those other loser cowgirls.

Utopia1dc: Billy from Philly…why the hate? Isn’t this the “City Of Brotherly Love”? Go back and read this post…Cockroaches.

Short Shots:

Sheriff Goodell reinstated Adam Jones…with strings attached, once again. Why is it that Goodell always has to dangle a carrot in front of Pacman? If he is reinstated, why can’t he practice and play this weekend? Several other players were issued 4-game suspensions several weeks ago and they are still playing? Come on…Goodell…why don’t you just say that you are a Cowboy hater!

It has been four long days since McNabb uttered those infamous comments about the rules of OT. Now, McNabb claims to be a “trend setter” because his comments have made the entire league have a better understanding of the OT rules. Newsflash…D-Mac…everyone else already knew!

Click To Email Me

No Respect For The Game

2008-11-19T10:53:00.004-05:00

Just this past Sunday (November 16th), something occurred in the NFL during a post-game news conference that has left me dumbfounded. The Eagles and Bengals played to a 13-13 tie. Usually that would be news in of itself, since ties are very rare in the NFL. In fact, the last tie came in 2002. The last time an Eagles game ended in a tie was, coincidentally, on November 16, 1997 against the Baltimore Ravens. But what’s got my panties all up in a bunch is what Donovan McNabb had to say after the game.

By now, I’m sure you have heard his idiotic statements regarding OT. McNabb did not know that the game would end in a tie, if neither team scored during the 15-minute period…pathetic! If that’s not bad enough, he went on to wonder how the NFL would handle that situation in the Super Bowl or the play-offs…oh my God, he was actually serious when he said this! I am flabbergasted!

Maybe I am being to hard on Donovan? Should he be expected to know every single rule in the NFL? The referees don’t get the rules correct all the time (as in the TD at the end of the Pittsburgh-San Diego game). Should the players be held to a higher standard? Is it even possible to memorize the entire NFL rulebook? Probably not!

As the QB, and leader of his team, D-Mac should know the rules about OT. I don’t expect him to know every nuance of the rulebook, but I do expect him to have knowledge of the game he plays professionally! A game in which has rewarded him financially beyond his dreams. A game in which has made him a household name. A game that he clearly enjoys playing. What’s clear to me is that Donovan McNabb has…no respect for the game!

Short Shots:

Roger Goodell will be one busy man this week as he is about to rule on the fate of several players. Deuce McAllister, Will Smith, Charles Grant, Kevin Williams, Pat Williams, and Grady Jackson are all waiting to see if the Sheriff will rescind their 4-game suspensions. Pacman Jones is also on deck to find out if he is reinstated, so he can rejoin his fellow Cowboys.

Today on my morning commute; I was listening to WIP (local sports talk radio). They were taking a poll to see if the fans wanted the Eagles to win or lose against the Ravens this Sunday. The reasoning was that if the Eagles keep losing that they might fire Andy Reid. It was about a 50-50 split! If it were up to the fans…Andy…start packing!

From The Mail Room:

Bill R., Ft. Worth, Texas: I herd that miles Austin injured his knee against the redskins. Will this hurt the cowboys being able to stretch defenses?

Utopia1dc: Bill, it’s true. Miles Austin sprained his knee against the ‘Skins and he is due to miss 2-4 weeks. With Romo’s pinkie still not being 100%, I don’t know how much the Cowboys will be going deep anyway. The Cowboys spent a lot for Roy Williams; he needs to step up. Austin will be missed mostly as the kick returner.

Ken S., Horsham, PA: i read ur posts alot. Do you think the eagles will fire coach Reed if they not make the playoffs.

Utopia1dc: Ken, thank you for reading, and you’re not too far from me, in Horsham. The Eagles aren’t that bad of a team and I personally like Andy Reid as a coach. If I were the owner…I’d keep him on board. But if the ‘Birds do fall below .500 and miss the play-offs; then maybe it’s time for the organization to go in a different direction.

Click To Email Me

Week 11 Review

2008-11-18T10:24:00.011-05:00

The crystal ball bit off a little more than it could chew this past week. After all was said and done, the crystal ball was 1-2-1. That puts me at 17-18-1 for the season, a little under .500 (approx. .486)…not very good! I went out on a limb with two major upsets, and I got burned…not to mention the debacle (by Philadelphia) in Cincinnati. What’s done is done…so let’s move on; but first, let’s see what went wrong.

Last Week: 1-2-1

Overall: 17-18-1

Dallas @ Washington: This was a typical NFC East showdown. These two teams don’t like each other…okay, they downright hate each other! The Cowboys got a much-needed jolt from QB Tony Romo. He wasn’t perfect, as he threw 2 INTs in the red zone. The Redskins let the ‘Boys hang around in the first half, and that came back to bite them. Portis did play, but he wasn’t his usual self, as he is nursing a knee injury. The Cowboys closed out the game by feeding Barber the ball…he is a horse! The ‘Boys got a much-needed victory, and they are back in the hunt!

Philadelphia @ Cincinnati: The Eagles just flat out laid an egg! The ‘Birds only managed to score 13 points against the Cincy defense…that’s a disgrace. Westbrook just doesn’t seem to be himself after suffering his rib injury earlier in the season. McNabb takes too long to get going, and this game…he never got going at all! The game ended in a 13-13 tie after the OT period. Unbeknownst to McNabb, as he wanted to play some more! Donovan didn’t know that the game would end in a tie, if neither team scored in 15 minutes of OT…are you kidding me? Please!

Baltimore @ New York Giants: The G-Men are unstoppable right now. I figured that the Baltimore defense would rise to the occasion, but I was wrong. The Giants have too many weapons. As long as Eli keeps playing well, the G-Men are going to run away with the East and should lock up home-field advantage with ease. Flacco has been a nice find for the Ravens, but he needs more seasoning. Baltimore, at 6-4, is in the thick of things for the wild-card, and only trail the Steelers by 1-game in the division.

Tennessee @ Jacksonville: The Tennessee Titans, of all teams, are the only undefeated team in the NFL at 10-0. Jeff Fisher has his guys believing and playing as a team. Collins has taken over as the leader of the team…Vince who? The Jags had the Titans on the ropes, leading 14-3 at the half, but the Titans scored 21 unanswered points to maintain their spotless record. The Jaguars fall to 4-6, and have an uphill climb to get back in the mix for a play-off spot.

Short Shots:

Sheriff Goodell is supposed to make his ruling about suspended CB Adam Jones early this week. Jerry Jones and Wade Phillips have stated that they would welcome Pacman back, once he is reinstated. Adam would be an added bonus to the Cowboys defense, as they have struggled at times!

Donovan McNabb…the game ends after one OT period in the NFL…except in the play-offs! Oh yeah…there’s a 2pt conversion rule in the NFL. By the way, each team gets 4 downs to gain 10 yards for a 1st down. Come on, dude…show some respect for the game that has made you a multi-millionaire! Maybe Goodell should make players pass an “NFL Basic Knowledge Test” before they can cash their paychecks!

From The Mail Room:

Scott, Phoenix, AZ: The Cowboys traded for Roy Williams when is he gonna step it up? BTW, I read your blogs every day.

Utopia1dc: First, thanks for reading my Blog on a daily basis. Secondly, you have to keep in mind that Roy has only been with the team for about 4 or 5 weeks. It will take some time for him to get acquainted with the system and get his timing down with Romo. Look for Williams to be a major factor down the stretch and in the play-offs!

Click To Email Me

Back In The Saddle

2008-11-17T18:20:00.009-05:00

Last night, on Sunday Night Football, the Cowboys and Redskins met in a heated NFC East rivalry. The ‘Boys came to Washington, sporting a 5-4 record, while the ‘Skins were 6-3. The Cowboys welcomed back their offensive leader, Tony Romo, as well as Pro-Bowl corner, Terence Newman. Dallas had already lost to the Redskins earlier this season, and this was a must-win game for the Cowboys.

To say that the Cowboys offense struggled without Romo the past few weeks is an understatement. Though the Cowboys only managed 14 points against the ‘Skins, the offense moved the chains, which kept their defense fresh. Romo was far from perfect, as he threw for two interceptions in the red zone. Romo threw for 198 yards and a TD pass to Rookie TE Marcellus Bennett. Newman contributed as well, as he held Santana Moss to 5 receptions for only 29 yards. T-New also recorded an INT, which stalled a Redskin drive deep into Dallas territory.

The Cowboys took the lead in the 4th quarter (14-10) and never looked back. The Redskins went for it on 4th and 4 at the Dallas 37-yard line. Newman deflected the pass…Cowboys take over on downs with 6:40 left in regulation. The Cowboys milked the clock like they were on a dairy farm. They fed Marion Barber the ball 11 times in a row (1 short dump-off pass from Romo and 10 running). After Barber secured a 4th and 1 play with 1:02 left, Romo kneeled twice in victory formation. The “Closer” (Barber) did his job!

The Cowboys got a much-needed victory, on the road, against a formidable football team in the Washington Redskins. The ‘Boys are now 6-4, and they are in the hunt for a wild-card berth. For the Cowboys to win the division, it would take a miracle, as the G-Men won, once again, and they are now 9-1. Did the Cowboys turn the corner? Are they the same team that started 3-0? Are they the Super Bowl favorites, once again? Hardly! But, they are definitely…back in the saddle!

Short Shots:

Tennessee is now 10-0…that’s amazing considering that they are doing it with Kerry Collins as their QB. Good thing Vince Young had some issues at the beginning of the season!

The Eagles and the Bengals played to a tie. A tie in the NFL is extremely rare, as the last tie came in 2002. What’s amazing is that Donovan McNabb didn’t know that the game ended after 15 minutes if no team scored! What’s more amazing, is that after McNabb was told that by a reporter during the post-game press conference, he wondered what would happen if that occurred in a play-off game or the Super Bowl. Are you kidding me? A QB who has been in the NFL for 10 years, and counts $9.3M against the Eagles cap, doesn’t know this? This is absurd!

New Feature Coming Soon:

I now have an email link set up so that you (my loyal readers) can ask questions directly to me. I will read every question or comment submitted. I will answer them (as many as possible) in a weekly post, called…Reality Mail Bag.

I will also answer questions on a daily basis (when applicable) at the bottom of each post (right after the Short Shots). This section will be called…From The Mail Room.

Click To Email Me

Predictions Week 11

2008-11-14T22:26:00.006-05:00

Each week, on Friday, I will look into my (never wrong, just misinformed) crystal ball and give my predictions for that weekend games. I will always prognosticate on the Eagles and Cowboys games and then pick two more games of interest (to me, that is, not necessarily to you). Keep in mind, that this is for entertainment purposes only, and that I do not endorse any sort of legal or illegal gambling. That being said…let’s see what’s in my crystal ball!

The crystal ball was a little off his game last week, as he finished at 2-2. That’s not bad, but we can do better than that. We are 16-16 (.500) for the season, but we are 9-3 in the past three weeks…not bad? Let’s see what’s in store for us this week.

Last Week: 2-2

Overall: 16-16

Dallas @ Washington: The NFC East division title is a pipe dream for either of these teams, as the G-Men appear to be running away with it. The wild-card race though, that’s on...in full force. A win for either team would go a long way in achieving their respective goals. The Cowboys will have the services of Tony Romo and T-New for this contest, while Portis looks like a no-go for the ‘Skins. This game is a must win for the ‘Boys, and I don’t see it as a close game at all. Dallas 34, Washington 17.

Philadelphia @ Cincinnati: The Eagles are licking their wounds trying to recover from their loss against the Giants; a game they could have won…if they could only gain a yard! The Birds need to be careful, because the Bengals are on a 1-game winning streak (hehe)…I think not! The Eagles will rebound easily here. It will be close for a little while, but then the Birds will pull away. Philadelphia 26, Cincinnati 13.

Baltimore @ New York Giants: The G-Men are standing tall after their big win against the Birds, while the Ravens are flapping their wings with authority after their whipping of the Texans last week. Baltimore is tied for 1st place in their division (along with the Steelers) at 6-3. Joe Flacco has been a pleasant surprise for the Ravens, and their defense (even though they have been banged up) has been keeping them in games, while Flacco learns on fly. Upset of the year…the Ravens will down the Giants in OT! Baltimore 23, New York Giants 20.

Tennessee @ Jacksonville: The Titans are the surprise team of the 2008 NFL season. They sit at 9-0 with a 4-game lead over the Colts (and a 5-game lead over Jacksonville). The Jags have been struggling this year at 4-5. Jack Del Rio was expecting more out of his club this year, but he finds himself on the hot seat, as his job is in serious jeopardy. His team will play hard for him and they will hand the Titans their first loss of the season. If you listen closely, you will be able to hear the popping of champagne corks (pop…pop…pop) in Miami, as the ’72 Dolphins celebrate! Jacksonville 17, Tennessee 16.

Short Shots:

Put up or shut up? It’s time for the Cowboys to show why they were the pre-season favorites. No more excuses, as Romo and others return from injury. The time to win is…now!

Jerry Jones said he would welcome back Adam Jones, if Sheriff Goodell reinstates him. That decision could come early next week, but I wouldn’t count on it. I think Goodell will make both Jones’ sweat it out for another week or three! For some reason, Goodell likes making an example out of Pacman!

On the other hand, Matt Jones is still playing football, even after Goodell gave him a 3-game suspension. Whatever Matt Jones has on Goodell…could you please pass it along to Pacman?

All week, the Redskins have been playing up that Portis is 50-50 to play against the Cowboys. Are the ‘Skins trying to hoodwink the ‘Boys, or are they being truthful about his injury situation? Either way, I don’t have time for this gamesmanship, as Portis is on my fantasy team…and I need to know the truth!

Last night, the Jets beat the Patriots to take sole possession of 1st place in the AFC East. Mangini had a smile, from ear to ear, on his face…Belichick looked like he had a bad wedgie. Down with the CHEATERS!

Too Little, Too Late

2008-11-12T10:10:00.003-05:00

The Cowboys have a big game coming up this weekend against the Redskins. But aren’t they all big games? Yes, but this is a defining game for the 2008 Cowboys. If the ‘Boys lose…the season is all but over. If they win…they are back in the hunt for the wild-card race. The Cowboys were the pre-season favorites to win the Super Bowl…but that’s why they play the games!

The Cowboys should be in better position (at-least one would hope) than they have been in the previous three games. They will have most, if not all, of their guns a blazing, come Sunday. The Cowboys went 1-2 in Romo’s absence and now they find themselves three games back of the G-Men. The division race is all but done, but the ultimate prize, the Super Bowl, is still within reach. A far reach…but a reach none the less!

If the Cowboys can just win enough games (probably 10) to get into the tournament, they will be a wild-card team that no one will want to face. When the Cowboys have all of their weapons on offense healthy, they should be unstoppable…at-least on paper! Where does a defense start? Marion Barber, Felix Jones, Terrell Owens, Roy E. Williams, Jason Witten, Patrick Crayton, Miles Austin…oh yeah…Tony Romo…that’s a nightmare for a defensive coordinator!

But, first things first, is Romo going to come in after a 4-week lay-off and be at the top of his game? Will Romo and Williams have their timing down, considering they have only practiced a few times together? No and no…but that’s okay! Anything has to be better than what we have seen since Romo has been out of the line-up. Let’s just hope, that it’s not…too little, too late!

Short Shots:

If you were an NFL player, what would be worse…playing for the Lions or the Raiders? It’s a toss up…but at-least the weather is better in California!

Last night, Terrell Owens was on Dave Letterman to promote his new book. Terrell is racking up some frequent flyer miles this week. Dallas to New York, then back to Dallas, and then to Washington, D.C. for Sunday night’s game, and then back to Dallas again.

The Tennessee Titans are 9-0…can they go 16-0? Probably not, but then again, that’s probably a good thing…just ask the Patriots!

The Jets and the Patriots square off tomorrow night in Foxborough, MA. The winner will be in sole possession of 1st place in the AFC East. I bet NFL Network is happy with this match-up! The only person disappointed is John Madden, since he won’t be able to say “Brett Favre” 247 times on national TV!

Week 10 Review

2008-11-11T10:20:00.006-05:00

The crystal ball was a little off this past week, going 2-2. That now puts me at 16-16 for the season, right at the .500 mark. Not exactly great, but we will take it, especially since we didn’t get off to a great start. We even had to have a changing of the guard a few weeks back, but this crystal ball knows that it could be next if it falters! Let’s take a look back and see what happened this past weekend.

Last Week: 2-2

Overall: 16-16

Buffalo @ New England: We totally got this one wrong…just downright blew it. The Bills struggled to generate any kind of consistency on offense against the depleted Pats defense. Matt Cassel is starting to resemble an NFL QB, and I may have to eat my own words, as I have ripped him from day one. I’m not quite ready to do that…just yet! The Patriots seem to have found something in RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis (yeah, that’s his real name) as he has been producing when called upon. Buffalo has squandered its 4-0 start by dropping 4 out of their last 5…ouch!

Seattle @ Miami: The ‘Hawks came ready to play and they almost pulled off the upset. I didn’t think it was going to be that close, but Miami hung tough and got the job done. Pennington managed the game fairly well, but it was Ricky and Ronnie that led the way to victory. Williams had his best day in years, topping the 100-yard mark. Both RBs scored while the Fins were in the wildcat formation…Roar! Sparano has them on the right track…only one game back of the Patriots and Jets!

Indianapolis @ Pittsburgh: The Colts went on the road to a hostile Heinz Field and got the job done. Big Ben was hobbled somewhat by his bum shoulder and he cost them the game with several ill-advised throws, which led to three picks. The most costly INT came on the last play of the game on 4th and 5 from the Colts 27-yard line. The Steelers had a shot at the end to pull it out, but it wasn’t meant to be. The Colts got the much-needed victory to get to 5-4. It looks like they must go the wild-card route as the Titans improved to 9-0, and have a 4-game lead over the Colts.

New York Giants @ Philadelphia: The Philly faithful were out in full force to support the Birds in the City of Brotherly Love…but in the end, they got the cold shoulder instead! It was a back and forth game, but the offensive line of the Giants was too much for the undersized Philly front seven. The 3-headed RB monster got the best of the Birds, as they just kept running down the gut of the Philly defense. The Eagles had a chance for redemption late in the game. But on 3rd and 3, and then again on 4th and 1, Andy Reid got to cute for his own good. Two straight running plays by Westbrook were sniffed out by the Giants defense (as well as the entire viewing audience), and the Eagles turned the ball over on downs…game over! Maybe even the season and the Andy Reid era in Philadelphia?

Short Shots:

It looks as if Romo (and many of the injured Cowboys) will be available for this weeks match-up against the Redskins. Felix Jones didn’t practice on Monday, but the consensus is that he will be good to go by Sunday night. Hopefully, this will get the ‘Boys back on track…time is running out!

Andy Reid and his stubbornness have cost the Eagles at-least two games this year. Why is a passing team trying to be a smash-mouth running team on the most crucial plays of a game? I just don’t get it…and neither do the Philly fans!

The woman, who alleges that RB Larry Johnson (KC) spit in her face, is suing him in court for damages. Good for her…that’s just downright nasty!

Today is Veterans Day. I would like to thank all the men and women who have served in the Armed Forces!

Same-old, Same-old

2008-11-10T10:18:00.008-05:00

Last night, on Sunday Night Football, the Philadelphia Eagles wasted a golden opportunity. The Birds lost to the New York Giants 36-31, at home. Lincoln Financial Field (The Linc) was as loud as ever. The Philly faithful were out in full force, only to be let down, once again, by the Eagles. Many fans are fed up and frustrated with the team.

If you look at the statistics, the Eagles faired fairly well offensively against a top-notch Giants defense. The Birds managed 300 yards of offense. McNabb threw for 194 yards and 3 TDs (1 INT), with a QB rating of 80.1. That’s not a bad days work, usually! But the Eagles were facing the defending Super Bowl Champions, their defense and turnovers let them down.

The Eagles, even though they were over-matched all game, had a chance to steal a victory. With 3:14 left on the clock, the Eagles had one last chance, starting from their own 14-yard line. The Birds managed to get to the 43-yard line at the 2-minute warning, facing a 3rd and 3. What happened next, still befuddles me this morning, as much as it did last night. Westbrook took the hand-off and bounced outside to the right and gained 2 yards while managing to get out of bounds to stop the clock. 4th and 1…Andy, don’t do it…Andy, don’t do it. He did it anyway!

We all knew what was going to happen next. The fans at the Linc, the announcers, and all of us glued to our TVs…we all knew it! Westbrook to the right…stuffed! Game over! Why…Andy…why? The Eagles were burned earlier in the year with a similar situation in Chicago. You would think that Andy Reid would have known better? He did and he does…he’s just too stubborn…it’s just the same-old, same-old!

Short Shots:

The G-Men are now the clear-cut favorites to win the NFC East and have home field advantage in the play-offs…thanks Eagles!

Matt Jones (Jags) and Joey Porter (Miami) are having a verbal squabble over comments made by Porter. Joey doesn’t understand why Matt is still playing football, since Sheriff Goodell gave him a 3-game suspension? Neither do I!

The Dolphins unleashed the wildcat on Seattle. The ‘Fins scored two TDs in the wildcat formation. Parcells…you pussycat…you! I could have sworn Big Bill was a dog person?

Herm Edwards tried to pull off a “Shanahan” yesterday by going for 2 while only trailing by one, with 23 seconds left in regulation. KC failed on the 2-pt conversion and Herm failed his team. Kick the PAT and go to overtime!

Predictions Week 10

2008-11-07T12:06:00.002-05:00

Each week, on Friday, I will look into my (never wrong, just misinformed) crystal ball and give my predictions for that weekend games. I will always prognosticate on the Eagles and Cowboys games and then pick two more games of interest (to me, that is, not necessarily to you). Keep in mind, that this is for entertainment purposes only, and that I do not endorse any sort of legal or illegal gambling. That being said…let’s see what’s in my crystal ball!

The past two weeks, the crystal ball has been on fire, by going 7-1. I am now sitting at 14-14 (.500) for the season…I am primed for the push to the play-offs! Since the Cowboys are on a bye this week, I will substitute a different game in their place. Let’s see what the crystal ball has in store for us this week?

Last Week: 4-0

Overall: 14-14

Buffalo @ New England: The AFC East is up for grabs, as there is a three-way tie for first place and the ‘Fins trail by one game. Both of these teams are coming off a loss. Cassel has been hanging in there, but the Bills defense will prove to be too much for him. The Bills will be able to exploit the Pats defense. New England has caught the injury bug this season and it will show on Sunday. Look for Rian Lindell to kick a 50+-yard FG as time expires to give the Bills a victory! Buffalo 23, New England 20.

Seattle @ Miami: Parcells and Sparano (and the rest of the Cowboys that have migrated to Miami Beach) have pulled the ‘Fins within striking distance in the AFC East. Miami is 4-4; which is three more victories than all of last year. Though defenses have been taming the wildcat formation as of late, Pennington has made them pay for it through the air. Seattle has packed it in for the year, so I don’t expect much from them. Miami 27, Seattle 13.

Indianapolis @ Pittsburgh: The Colts are four games back in their division, but they are in the thick of things for the wild-card race at 4-4. They probably won’t be able to catch the 8-0 Titans (and no that is not a typo), so the Colts will need to play on the road in the tournament. Now would be a good time to show the league that they can, as they go into the Steel City on Sunday. The Steelers are banged up a little and Peyton manning should have his way with them, as he has found a new favorite receiver in Anthony Gonzalez. Indianapolis 31, Pittsburgh 19.

New York Giants @ Philadelphia: This is the match-up of the week, no doubt! The G-Men and their underdog status won’t get them much sympathy in the City of Brotherly Love. The Philly faithful will be out in full force, as they are still riding high off of the Phillies World Series Championship. I am trying to get tickets for this game; as for one week, I will be an Eagles fan…because I want to see the Giants tumble. Come on Philly…do the Cowboys a solid! Philadelphia 24, New York Giants 23.

Short Shots:

Brady Quinn played very well last night in his 1st NFL start. Unfortunately, his defense let him down, as did Kellen Winslow. Maybe the Browns should make a play for DeAngelo Hall…it couldn’t hurt, right?

Tony Romo has been practicing all week. It looks like he should be fine for next week’s game against the Redskins…which has brought tears of joy to Jerry, Wade, and the entire Cowboy Nation!

Ryan Torain of the Broncos tore his ACL in last night’s game. The Denver Broncos are losing RBs at an alarming pace…Torain will be the 4th RB placed on IR this season. I hope the Broncos are current on their health insurance policy!

Cowboy Nation…repeat after me (for this week only): E-A-G-L-E-S…Eagles! May the football gods please forgive us?

Good Bye...Not Goodbye

2008-11-05T10:16:00.003-05:00

The Cowboys have a bye this week and it could not have come at a better time. The ‘Boys are in a tailspin, as they have plummeted to the bottom of the NFC East, at 5-4. All hope is not lost though! Heading into this season they were the “en vogue” pick to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. They were the clear-cut favorite to win the whole enchilada! Now, they must regroup, get healthy, and somehow salvage the season.

Getting Romo back isn’t going to cure all the Cowboys problems…but it provides hope. The Cowboys need to, somehow, go into Washington and beat the Redskins next week. Following the ‘Skins, the Cowboys have two favorable match-ups against San Francisco and Seattle…both games at home.

Many of the so-called experts, who picked the Cowboys, are the same ones whom are trying to bury them now. It’s funny to see them flip-flop back and forth. And surely, they will be the first ones to climb back on the bandwagon, once the Cowboys start winning again.

The next three weeks will define this season for the Dallas Cowboys. If the Cowboys can pull off a 3-game winning streak, they will find themselves at 8-4, with a good shot at accomplishing their goals. If they can do this, then this will have been a good bye…not goodbye!

Short Shots:

Rumor has it that the Raiders are going to release DeAngelo Hall today. The Raiders gave the Falcons a 2nd round pick for Hall, and then signed him to a lucrative contract! Once again, proving that Al Davis is a buffoon!

Jerry Jones…as tempting as it is…please do not sign DeAngelo Hall!

The Browns have benched Derek Anderson. Brady Quinn will start for Cleveland on Thursday night against the Denver Broncos. That’s great, but is that going to make Braylon Edwards stop dropping every other pass that hits him between the 1 and the 7 on his jersey?

Barack Obama will be the next President of the United States. Whether you are Republican or Democrat, whether you voted for him or not…all Americans must unite and work together for a common goal…to fix the economy!

Week 9 Review

2008-11-04T13:49:00.004-05:00

The new crystal ball is on a roll. Last weeks debut at 3-1, was followed with perfection…4-0 this week! That brings our prognosticating record to .500 for the season. We had a slow start to the season, but now we are on a mission. I am not one to gloat (yes I am!)…so let’s see what happened:

Last Week: 4-0

Overall: 14-14

Dallas @ New York Giants: The Cowboys got humiliated in this debacle. The Dallas defense tried to keep them in the game early, as they scored on a pick-6 by Mike Jenkins…that was the lone highlight for the ‘Boys. The G-Men pounded the rock and shredded the Dallas defense. As we thought…the Giants were too much for the Cowboys!

Philadelphia @ Seattle: The Birds had a scare early in the game, as Koren Robinson scored on a 90-yard TD pass from Seneca Wallace! But then, as expected, the D-Mac and Westbrook show took over, as the Eagles reeled off 26 unanswered points. And you know what…the Birds showed pity, as it could have been a lot worse for the ‘Hawks. The Birds are chirping…chirp…chirp!

New England @ Indianapolis: The Patriots stumbled into Indy with a laundry list of injuries…too bad! The Colts took advantage of the situation, as Peyton Manning hooked up with Anthony (don’t call me Tony) Gonzalez for two TDs. It was a hard fought game…a game the Colts desperately needed! In the end, Adam (yeah, I used to be a cheater but now I’m not) Vinatieri kicked a 52-yard FG with 8:09 left in regulation. The Colts defense then preserved the victory with back-to-back takeaways! Cheaters…never prosper!

Tampa Bay @ Kansas City: Surprisingly, the Chiefs came to play in this contest. The Chiefs were winning 24-3. Jon Gruden had his “Chucky” face on…somebody please tell him Halloween was Friday! That must have spooked Garcia, as he proved he could still throw the ball at his advanced age. Garcia hooked up with his new favorite receiver, Antonio (I used to be a Cowboy until I threw my sweaty jersey in Parcells face) Bryant for a TD. The Bucs were successful on the 2-point conversion, sending the game into OT. Matt Bryant kicked a 34-yard FG in OT to give the Bucs a dramatic come from behind victory!

Short Shots:

The Cowboys are glad to hit the bye week, as they need to get healthy for a late season push for the play-offs. The Cowboys could learn a lesson from watching Byron Leftwich come in and save the day for the Steelers after Big Ben went down.

During his press conference after the loss to the G-Men, is it just me, or did Wade Phillips’ face look like he ate a bad tuna fish sandwich? I bet Wade is going through Tums like it’s candy!

The Detroit Lions blew a big lead against the Bears on Sunday and remain the only winless team in the NFL. Trick or Treat? Smell my feat! The Lions went down in defeat!

Today is Election Day…so don’t forget to vote! Don’t have time? Don’t feel like it? What’s the difference? Keep in mind that many men (and women) paid the ultimate price to give you that privilege…exercise it!

Bottom Of The Barrel

2008-11-03T10:07:00.005-05:00

Yesterday, the Cowboys got their collective butts kicked at the Meadowlands by the G-Men. There is plenty of blame to go around for sure. But, did we not expect this? Wasn’t it obvious (it was to me…read more here) that the ‘Boys had no shot at winning this game? Everyone knew it…the coaches…even the players!

For the past few weeks, everyone has been toting the company line, saying the right things, rallying behind Brad Johnson. Yeah, yeah, yeah…we all know that the Cowboys were just hoping to stumble into the bye week with their heads above water. You know what? They did, as they limp in at 5-4, with a chance to right the ship.

Hopefully, after the bye, the Cowboys can turn the switch “on”…though, that is easier said than done. I do like their chances though! With Romo coming back, that will bolster the offense. The addition of Roy Williams hasn’t really panned out so far…but it will, once the Cowboys are healthy. And, don’t forget about Felix Jones either…he will add a little “juice” to the offense as well.

Defensively, the Cowboys should get T-New back, and possibly Adam Jones…that should help as well. So, there is a pot of gold at the end of this rainbow. We just need to patient as the Cowboys start crawling out of this hole that they have dug for themselves! Again, that’s easier said than done as the Cowboys find themselves in the cellar of the NFC East…at the bottom of the barrel!

Short Shots:

Brad “noodle arm” Johnson got the hook in favor of Brooks Bollinger in the 2nd half of yesterdays debacle. Brooks played fairly decent after his pick…which he threw on his very first pass!

T.J. Houshmandzadeh is half way there (on his 2 win prediction) as the Bengals got their first win of the season. Yeah for T.J.!

Indy got a big win against the Patriots last night…I like it when the cheaters lose! Boo for Belichick!

For the Cowboys and their fans (myself included)…thank God it’s the bye week!

Why The Cowboys Are Struggling

2008-11-02T01:08:00.003-04:00

Heading into Sunday’s game against the Giants the Cowboys find themselves in a must-win game that they have no chance of winning. The Cowboys are struggling, no doubt because of their many injuries…but that’s too easy of a cop-out. Let’s take a look at why the ‘Boys are struggling even before the injuries started piling up:

1. Paging Terrell Owens…anyone…anyone? Where has Terrell Owens, the self-proclaimed best receiver in football, been all season long? We could easily blame Brad Johnson here, but T.O. was struggling to be part of the offense before Romo went down! I love me some me…just get open and catch the ball!

2. Marion Barber is not the real deal. I’m sorry…but he isn’t! Barber is a nice closer or change of pace back. His per carry average is way down since he has been the starter. The Cowboys paid a lot of money to a RB that is not a feature back. I know this is an unpopular stance in Cowboy Nation, but I have been saying this for years about Barber. Everyone wanted Barber as the feature back…be careful of what you wish for!

3. Jason Garrett…Head Coach in waiting? Let’s not anoint him before his time. Last year everything went pretty smooth…not so this year. Before we crown him as a head coach…let’s see him string together a few good seasons as a coordinator first! With the weapons the ‘Boys have on offense…any QB should be able to put up good numbers…did you hear that Mr. Noodle Arm?

4. The defense has not lived up to the hype. The Phillips 3-4 has shown little imagination. Wade was brought in because of his knowledge of the 3-4 defense. Last week was a good start, but the ‘Boys will need Wade to spice it up to get the results they need!

5. The Offensive line is…well…offensive. They have been billed as the best offensive line in the NFL. They have 3 Pro-Bowlers on the line and a boatload of Jerry’s money in their pockets. The Cowboys should be using their meat upfront to pound the rock…but they can’t…why?

I believe that these are the main reasons why the Cowboys find themselves in this position. These concerns were there before Romo went down with his pinkie injury. It was just a little harder to see, as he was masking many of these issues. Having said all this, I believe the Cowboys can turn this season around after the bye week. A win against the G-men would be huge…but don’t count on it!

Predictions Week 9

2008-11-01T12:28:00.003-04:00

Each week, on Friday, I will look into my (never wrong, just misinformed) crystal ball and give my predictions for that weekend games. I will always prognosticate on the Eagles and Cowboys games and then pick two more games of interest (to me, that is, not necessarily to you). Keep in mind, that this is for entertainment purposes only, and that I do not endorse any sort of legal or illegal gambling. That being said…let’s see what’s in my crystal ball!

Last week the newly acquired crystal ball went 3-1…not bad for its debut! I am now just 4 games under .500, but filled with confidence as we move forward. I am hoping for many more winning weeks down the road as this new crystal ball gains more experience. It’s calling me…so let’s see what it has to say:

Last Week: 3-1

Overall: 10-14

Dallas @ New York Giants: The Cowboys are coming off a huge win against the Bucs and the G-Men are riding high after their big win against the Steelers. The Cowboys are riddled with injuries and may be without Jason Witten (ribs) as he is a game-time decision. The G-Men will use play-action pass plays early and often to test the depleted and inexperienced secondary of the ‘Boys. Then, the G-Men will pound the rock with Jacobs to close out the game. The Brad “noodle arm” Johnson led Cowboys don’t stand a chance in this one…I hope the crystal ball is wrong! New York Giants 34, Dallas 13.

Philadelphia @ Seattle: The Birds are flapping their wings with confidence, as Westbrook is once again healthy. Look For D-Mac to have a field day passing to rookie sensation DeSean “fraction” Jackson. Westbrook will be a major contributor as well. The Seahawks only chance is to ride the back of Julius Jones, but that’s not going to be enough as Seneca Wallace will show why he should be holding a clipboard and not masquerading as an NFL QB! Philadelphia 27, Seattle 17.

New England @ Indianapolis: The Colts are on play-off life support…can they get off the respirator? Yes! The Peyton Manning led Colts will be in full force this Sunday night in primetime. Being at home will lift the spirits of an unemotional, uninspired team thus far. The Pats have been getting by without Brady, but look for Matt Cassel to come back down to Earth and throw a pick-6 in desperation late in the game. Indianapolis 31, New England 17.

Tampa Bay @ Kansas City: Jon Gruden, and his many “chucky” faces, is still fuming over last weeks’ loss to the Cowboys. Look for Garcia to bounce back and have a great game against the lifeless Chiefs. Herm Edwards’ job is on the line, but the Larry Johnson-less Chiefs are no match for the Bucs. This game will be over by halftime, so make sure you have plenty of snacks for the second half. Tampa Bay 34, Kansas City 13.

Short Shots:

Larry Johnson of the Kansas City Chiefs will be deactivated for the 3rd week in a row. Sheriff Goodell has also officially suspended him for one game, which will be served week 10. LJ…consider it a blessing that the Sheriff showed leniency towards you…it’s time to get your life in order!

Rumor has it that the Cowboys will use Brooks Bollinger in some situations against the G-Men. Also look for Patrick Crayton to be the wingback in the "wildcat" formation…just a hunch! They might as well try anything and everything as the G-Men are too much for the injury plagued Cowboys!

Peyton Manning…enough already! Just beat the Pat-cheat-iots!

The Phillies Parade was a blast…let’s just hope it doesn’t take another 28 years for another one!

Finally

2008-10-30T09:27:00.002-04:00

Last night, the Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 4-3 to win the World Series in five games (4-1). This is the second World Championship for the Phils…they previously won in 1980…28 years ago. This will be remembered as one of the weirdest finishes in a Series with an unprecedented suspension of a game due to inclement weather. The game was concluded 48 hours later…in hindsight…it was worth the wait!

Philadelphia has been starving for a Championship for 25 years…Bon appetite! The city of “Brotherly Love” often gets criticized in the media about their fans…they booed Santa Clause for God’s sake! Some of it is warranted, for sure…but their passion is next to none. Trust me…I know! As a Cowboys fan, I don’t dare go into the Linc sporting my Dallas jersey. I get a lot of abuse from the Eagles fans all the time.

I am a casual fan of baseball in general and I don’t really have an allegiance to any team in particular. So I guess I can be a “homer” when it comes to the Phillies? If there is room for one more on the Phillies bandwagon…I’d like to jump aboard!

In 1980, when the Phils won the World Series, I was only 11 years old. I remember, as a 6th grader, how “pumped up” people were; how a city bonded together. I wasn’t allowed to go to the parade as my parents thought I was too young to go. I’m not making that mistake again…I’ll see you at the parade…somewhere on Broad Street…finally!

Short Shots:

The Philllies won the World Series in dramatic fashion…the curse of William Penn has been lifted!

The Chargers fired DC Ted Cottrell and they have promoted Ron Rivera (LB coach). There has been multiple mid-season firings this year…is this the new trend?

T.J. Houshmandzadeh (WR) has guaranteed that the Cincinnati Bengals will win 2 games this year. Geez…there’s going out on a limb, T.J.! At-least Jon Kitna had the nerve to say that the Lions would win 10 games and make the play-offs last year…now that’s a leap of faith!

It appears that the KC Chiefs will deactivate Larry Johnson again this week. He is still waiting to hear from Sheriff Goodell. Rumor has it that L.J. could be done for the year. What’s the difference…the Chiefs are horrific!

Week 8 Review

2008-10-28T10:26:00.004-04:00

The newly acquired crystal ball went 3-1 in its debut week, which leaves me 4 games under .500…we’re getting there! That’s an impressive start for a young and naïve crystal ball. It performed well in its new role…many people are relying on it…that’s a lot of pressure! It clearly has better prognosticating skills than its predecessor. Maybe the new mahogany base it sits on, gave it a sense of prestige. Well, for whatever reason…I’ll take it! Now let’s review what happened this past week:

Last Week: 3-1

Overall: 10-14

Tampa Bay @ Dallas: The Cowboys needed this game in a big way, especially since the rest of the NFC East teams won as well. The Cowboys defense came to play with a more hands on approach by Wade Phillips…maybe he really is a Mr. Fix-it (read more here)? It wasn’t pretty…ugly…you might say! Brad Johnson was awful…but they got the job done (read more here). Next weeks showdown with the G-Men is huge…we shall see!

Atlanta @ Philadelphia: The Falcons tried to make a game of it late but they were no match for the high-powered offense of the Eagles. The Birds were helped out late in the game when the officials blew a game-changing call. The Falcons were out of time-outs and couldn’t challenge the play. With the return of Westbrook, the offense was once again running on all cylinders. This teams dynamics change considerably when Westbrook is healthy. At 4-3, they are still a team to be reckoned with in the second half of the season!

New York Giants @ Pittsburgh: The Steelers out-played the G-men for most of the game. They had the lead, but then…Big Ben got picked and the game changed course. The Giants took advantage of the situation and stole this game on the road from the Steelers! Even though the Steelers lost, their defense showed how dominant it could be by stuffing Jacobs at the goal line on several occasions! The G-Men have a big one coming up against the Cowboys…stay tuned!

Buffalo @ Miami: With the Dolphins poaching half of the Cowboys staff and roster, Parcells and company has something good going on in South Florida! Ted Ginn decided to start living up to his high draft status by exploding with 7 receptions and 175 yards. Chad Pennington showed, that even though he doesn’t have a cannon, he could still manage a game. He threw for 314 yards and a TD…but most importantly…no picks!

Short Shots:

The World Series is on ice…well…rain, that is! Game 5 was called in the 6th Inning with the score tied at 2. The Philadelphia fans, as well as the Phillies, have been waiting since 1983 for a championship…now they will need for “mother nature” to cooperate! I guess a retractable roof would have been nice? Patience…my child…patience!

The Cowboys won despite Brad Johnson’s “noodle arm”. Can they hold down the fort for another week while many of their stars heal? The Cowboys face the division leading G-Men this week…a win would go a long way to achieving their goals (read more here).

Larry Johnson is to meet with Sheriff Goodell today for his many infractions…Good luck! He may need to wear those diapers that Dick Vermeil told him to take off a few years back!

What is going on with the Colts? Their offense is out of sync and the defense isn’t fairing much better. Peyton and company need to step it up or their "goose" may be cooked before Thanksgiving!

There Are No Style Points In The NFL

2008-10-27T14:00:00.002-04:00

Yesterday, the Cowboys defeated Tampa Bay 13-9. The Cowboys were under a lot of pressure the past few weeks. On and off the field issues fueled the fire. Every news media outlet is looking through a microscope to see if and when the Cowboys will combust! Sorry…ESPN…not this week! We all know that you need the ratings and the material. How else would you fill your pre and post-game shows? Look elsewhere; there are 31 other teams with storylines.

Wade Phillips said he was going to be more involved in the defense…whatever he did…do it again! That was the best defensive effort I have seen from the ‘Boys in a long time. The defense played with emotion and a purpose. Maybe the insertion of young athletic players in the secondary was a breath of fresh air? Maybe the veteran players knew they needed to step up their game to compensate for the missing players? Whatever it was, it worked…defensively anyway!

The offense was out of sync all day. Owens was more involved than he has been lately, while Roy Williams caught his first TD as a Cowboy. Barber gutted out some tough yards as well. When Witten was injured (ribs)…doom was near. Surely the efforts on defense would go to waste. The offense was sputtering with no imagination on the horizon. The defense was playing lights out…holding the Bucs to field goals…bend but don’t break!

In the end, the Cowboys won despite the play of a Brad Johnson led offense. It wasn’t very pretty offensively…downright ugly even! The Cowboys managed a measly 172 yards of offense…are you kidding me? With all that talent on offense…all those Pro-Bowlers…pathetic! But Wade and company did what they needed to do…win the ball game, period! It doesn’t matter how you win. It doesn’t matter if it wasn’t pretty. It doesn’t matter if it was ugly…because…there are no style points in the NFL!

Short Shots:

The Philadelphia Phillies smoked the Tampa Bay Rays 10-2 last night to take a commanding lead in the World Series. The Phils lead the Series 3-1. If they can win tonight, the Phillies will close out the Series at home and the celebrations can begin! Philadelphia has been craving a championship for decades and the Phils are on the verge of delivering! Let’s go Phillies! The parade down Broad Street is within reach!

Mike Singletary called out TE Vernon Davis on the sideline. He then sent him to the showers while the game was still going on. He later blasted him in the post-game press conference. I don’t know how good or bad Singletary will be as a head coach in the NFL…but I guess we all know who is in charge!

The Cowboys need to address the back-up QB position in the off-season. Can Brooks Bollinger be the answer next year? I don’t know! But I do know that this team has too much talent to waste on a 40-year old has-been (Brad Johnson)!

The Bengals and the Lions remain winless thus far this season. Both coaches (Marv Lewis and Rod Marinelli) are on the proverbial hot seat! I hope they are getting their resumes ready!

Super Bowl Or Bust

2008-10-25T22:07:00.005-04:00

The Cowboys are sitting at 4-3, having lost three out of their last four games after a 3-0 start. This is not how Jerry Jones had envisioned this season unfolding. The Cowboys had 13 Pro-Bowlers last year. They had 22 of 24 starters returning (Marion Barber replaced Julius Jones and Zach Thomas replaced Akin Ayodele). Jerry had good reason for optimism. The Cowboys had a decent draft by selecting Felix Jones and bolstering their cornerback depth. They also acquired Adam Jones on a draft day trade. The Cowboys were 13-3 last year; a Super Bowl would surely be in their grasp this year?

The expectations were high this year, but that’s nothing new in Dallas. As a 5-time Super Bowl champion, anything less is unacceptable. Some teams aspire to make the play-offs or win their division…oh no…not in Dallas! If the Cowboys go 13-3 (as they did last year) and don’t win the big game…the season is considered a failure! Last year was a failure…a big failure…they did not win the Super Bowl…nothing else matters in Big D!

An NFL season is filled with highs and lows…obviously the Cowboys have hit a big low. Can the Cowboys bounce back? Can they make the play-offs? Can they win the Super Bowl? Yes, yes, and yes they can! Here are 5 reasons why:

1. If the Cowboys can split the next two games, they will be 5-4 going into the bye week. Romo and Felix Jones should be ready to come back following the bye. The Cowboys would need to go 6-1 or 5-2 in the remaining seven games to finish at 11-5 or 10-6; which should qualify them for the playoffs!

2. Mr. Fix-it, Wade Phillips, (read more here) will fix the defense. Terence Newman should be back shortly after the bye week and be available for the stretch run. Pacman Jones may be reinstated as well. This will improve the defense significantly and at the right time!

3. Newly acquired WR Roy Williams will be more acquainted with the playbook as the season goes forward. Williams will be explosive in this offense once he learns the system and Romo returns to action!

4. Defenses have been shutting Terrell Owens down thus far this year. Do you really think this will continue all season? At some point Owens will explode and start putting up great numbers. He is still a premier WR and he can’t be shut down for long…especially with the addition of Roy Williams!

5. The final and most important reason of them all…my crystal ball said so! That’s right…mark it down…you heard it right here. The Cowboys will not only make the play-offs…they will win the Super Bowl!

So, you must be wondering…is this guy crazy? Is this wishful thinking? Is this a biased opinion of a Dallas fan? Yes, yes, and of course, yes! But it boils down to this for Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys…its…Super Bowl or bust!

Predictions Week 8

2008-10-24T17:17:00.005-04:00

Each week, on Friday, I will look into my (never wrong, just misinformed) crystal ball and give my predictions for that weekend games. I will always prognosticate on the Eagles and Cowboys games and then pick two more games of interest (to me, that is, not necessarily to you). Keep in mind, that this is for entertainment purposes only, and that I do not endorse any sort of legal or illegal gambling. That being said…let’s see what’s in my crystal ball!

Last week’s performance was an awful one at 1-3. I warned the crystal ball for the last few weeks about its performance. I told it that there would be repercussions and consequences…no more excuses…it has been fired! I purchased a new (well, actually slightly used) crystal ball at a local thrift shopppe earlier today. It seems happy in its new home…I put it up on a mahogany base on top of the mantel. I also gave it a good polishing…so it should be ready to go!

Last Week: 1-3

Overall: 7-13

Tampa Bay @ Dallas: The Cowboys are playing for pride and self respect these days. Play-offs…play-offs…we’re talking about winning one game! The Bucs come in with a rejuvenated Jeff Garcia. WR Antonio Bryant (a former Cowboy who threw a towel in Parcells face) is looking to make a splash in Big D with a big…“I told you so!”. Brad Johnson will make his second start of the season and Roy Williams looks to make his first reception as a Cowboy. Dallas needs this game more…it’s put up or shut up time! Dallas 23, Tampa Bay 19.

Atlanta @ Philadelphia: The Birds are coming off a bye week and they are looking to get back in the NFC East race. Westbrook looks like he should be ready to go, so the Eagles will use a more balanced attack against the Falcons. Are the Atlanta Falcons for real, or is this just smoke and mirrors? We shall see! The crystal ball looks cloudy…so that must mean smoke! Philadelphia 34, Atlanta 13.

New York Giants @ Pittsburgh: The G-Men are riding high as they are in first place of the NFC East. The Pittsburgh defense is stingy and they will hold Brandon Jacobs in check. Look for Eli to be confused by the blitz packages of the Steelers. Troy Polamalu will put a hurting on Peyton’s little bro (hopefully Goodell will be lenient on him)! Pittsburgh 27, New York Giants 13.

Buffalo @ Miami: Buffalo is the surprise team of the AFC, IMO. They have been flying under the radar and find themselves in first place of their division. Who would’ve thunk it? Not me, for sure! The Dolphins will look to use the "wildcat" formation to confuse the Bills defense. Ronnie Brown will have a bounce back game as he was shut down last week. Sparano gave his players an offer they can’t refuse…win! Miami 23, Buffalo 17.

Short Shots:

The Philadelphia Phillies lost Game 2 of the World Series last night. The Series is tied at 1-1. The Rays will now travel to Philadelphia for Games 3-5. Let’s not head back to Tampa…let’s win it at home! Let's go Phils! Parade down Broad Street to follow!

Deuce McAllister and several other players have tested positive for taking water pills to lose weight. This is a violation of the NFL’s steroid policy and these players face a four-game suspension…will these players ever learn…cheaters never prosper!

Kellen Winslow II is getting the royal NFL shaft. The NFL won’t hear his appeal until next Tuesday, which will be too late to let him play this weekend. If he wins his appeal then he will get his weeks pay…sounds like they are treating Kellen like a “piece of meat”!

The New Orleans will “host” the San Diego Chargers in London this Sunday. The game will be played at the historic Wembley Stadium. It’s great that the NFL wants to expand its audience, but the Saints are getting screwed a home game!

Mr. Fix-it

2008-10-23T10:08:00.005-04:00

When Bill Parcells resigned as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, Jerry Jones did an extensive search to find his replacement. It was believed, at the time, that Norv Turner was the front-runner. The new head coach was going to inherit Jason Garrett, as Mr. Jones had already hired Garrett as the OC. In the end, Jones decided on Wade Phillips. The reasoning was that the Cowboys defense needed a proven “3-4 guy” to take what Parcells started to the next level.

Last year, Wade Phillips referred to himself as a “Mr. Fix-it” when it comes to the 3-4 defenses. He referred to his defense as the “Phillips 3-4”…which his father, Bum Phillips, created. Wade has all the credentials needed as a DC…everywhere he has been the DC, the defense has flourished! Wade also had previous head coaching experience as well. Phillips is a happy-go-lucky kind of guy…just the right guy to lead the ‘Boys after “Dictator Parcells” departed. Jerry had found his man!

Some people say that Jones hired Phillips to be a puppet…hogwash! Wade Phillips has been a coach for a long time. To be the HC of the Dallas Cowboys is his dream job. He has Texas roots and a Cowboy at heart. Don’t let his “awe shucks” demeanor fool you…he is well qualified for the job. He can be stern with his players if need be, but he prefers to treat them as adults and professionals. He believes that the team is a family…and family sticks together through thick and thin.

The Cowboys have spent a boatload of money on the defensive side of the ball. There are many high draft picks on defense as well. Defense is Wade’s specialty…so why is the defense getting shredded like mozzarella cheese? With several injuries and a suspension, the ‘Boys defense is a little thin in the secondary…but that’s no excuse! Although Jerry won’t fire Phillips in mid-season (that’s not Jerry’s style), he is on the hot seat. This was supposed to be a Super Bowl season for the Cowboys…now; they are hanging on by a thread! If Wade wants to be around to see next season as the Cowboys head coach…he better come through on being…Mr. Fix-it!

Short Shots:

Rumor has it that Mike Holmgren will be the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers next season. The 49ers should stay clear, as Holmgren hasn’t delivered on his promise of a Super Bowl in Seattle!

There is talk (and the NFL is currently looking into it) that the Ravens had a bounty out on Rashard Mendenhall and Hines Ward of the Steelers. What’s wrong with that? Doesn’t anybody remember the Bounty Bowls?

Larry Johnson is in trouble again. Apparently, Johnson has been accused of spitting alcohol at a woman during the Kansas City’s bye week at a nightclub. Attention…attention…paging…Sheriff Goodell!

“Pinkie Gate” continues in Big D. Will Romo play…will he be the back-up…will he be inactive on game day, when will he be ready? If Romo was anything like his childhood idol (Brett Favre), the answer would be…he’s ready and will be starting this coming Sunday!

Tom Brady apparently has had several “clean-up” surgeries (for infections) following his ACL surgery. If the infections can’t be eliminated, he may need to have his knee re-repaired and that could potentially put next season in jeopardy for Brady. I guess the football gods do have a way of evening things out? Remember…cheaters never prosper (not for long anyway)!

Kellen Winslow II has appealed his suspension. Hopefully the NFL will see that Mr. Winslow isn’t just a “piece of meat” and lift his suspension!

The Philadelphia Phillies won Game 1 of the World Series…way to go Phils! Got Parade?

Week 7 Review

2008-10-22T10:25:00.009-04:00

The crystal ball was one up and three down for the week. That puts me 6 games under .500 for the season…not good…more like awful! The crystal ball was told it was going to be on a short leash…now it’s getting the hook. Hey…if head coaches can be fired in mid-season…well…so can the crystal ball! I will have a new crystal ball for next week…we’ll see if it can do a better job prognosticating than its predecessor? Let’s take a look back and see what happened this past week:

Last Week: 1-3

Overall: 7-13

Dallas @ St. Louis: The Cowboys came up lame in a game they needed badly. With Romo sidelined, the “Geriatric Kid” (Brad Johnson) was awful in his first start in two years. Johnson is a great back-up…as long as he doesn’t have to play! The Rams took it to the 'Boys…a good ole fashion Texas whooping! Jackson ran wild and Bulger picked apart the depleted Cowboys secondary. Rumor has it that Jerry is getting the life preservers ready!

Cleveland @ Washington: The ‘Skins let the Browns hang around way to long in this contest. With Portis gaining 175 yards rushing, this should have been a blowout for Washington. Cleveland made a game of it late, but they were not able to seal the deal. At-least Romeo Crennel hasn’t lost his team…they are fighting to the bitter end for him!

Indianapolis @ Green Bay: Okay…this is getting out of hand. Peyton Manning seems to have lost his "mojo" and is a mere mortal these days. How can the best QB of all-time throw 2 INTs that are returned for TDs? The Indy offense is out of sync…and the Colts may be running out of time? Give Green Bay credit, they did their part and Aaron Rogers is starting to get the Packer Backers to forget about Favre…Brett who?

San Diego @ Buffalo: The Bolts fell flat on their faces against the Bills. I am not sure that Buffalo is for real…but they are 5-1 now! They are atop of their division and should stay there…I must give them their due! Let’s go, Buff-a-lo…let’s go, Buff-a-lo!

Short Shots:

The Cowboys have already declared Romo out for the upcoming game this week. Brad Johnson gets another start…oh boy, this could get ugly!

The Browns have suspended Kellen Winslow II for one week without pay for comments detrimental to the team. I guess if you get sick (staph infection) and tell people why…somehow that reflects negatively on your team? This has appeal written all over it!

Matt Jones, of the Jacksonville Jaguars, was suspended by the NFL for three games. His suspension was for violating the “NFL conduct policy”. He was arrested this summer for cocaine possession. Some how, in the eyes of the NFL, this merits one less game than Pacman Jones’ suspension for his scuffle with his own bodyguard?

The San Francisco 49ers fired Mike Nolan this week and have replaced him with Mike Singletary (Assistant Head Coach). Mike Nolan is one of a few coaches who wears a suit on the sideline…he does this as a tribute to his father, Dick Nolan. The elder Nolan was an NFL player for 9 seasons, an assistant coach under Tom Landry for 6 seasons, head coach of the 49ers from 1968-1975, and head coach of the New Orleans Saints from 1978-1980. He passed away on November 11, 2007 in Texas. It was nice to see someone honor the tradition of the game and his father at the same time. I’m not a fan of seeing coaches in cut-off sweatshirts on the sideline (and yes, that was a shot at Beli-cheat)!

The Philadelphia Phillies play in Game 1 of the World Series tonight in Tampa tonight. Let’s go Phils!

Getting The Life Preservers Ready

2008-10-20T10:12:00.009-04:00

Yesterday the Cowboys went to St. Louis and decided to play their worst game of the year. What had already been a tumultuous week for the Cowboys only got worse by the humiliation the Rams put on the 'Boys. Everyone (okay, maybe not everyone) is calling for Wade Phillips to be fired! That’s not going to happen…not this week…not next week, not during the bye week! There is too much at stake to do that!

Last week the Cowboys had a rough week on and off the field. With all the injuries and the Pacman Jones suspension…Jerry had to do something! He did…he acquired WR Roy Williams from the Detroit Lions (read more here). Roy’s first game with his new team is one he would sure like to forget! But how much of the offense could he learn in a couple of days? Apparently, not enough! He was held in check with no receptions. Owens didn’t fair much better as he had two catches and he’s been with the team for three years!

The Cowboys now sit at 4-3, having already lost as many games as they did all last year, and their play-off chances are starting to slip away. Some teams would love to be 4-3, but that doesn’t cut it in Dallas…not with Super Bowl aspirations…and not to mention how much money Jerry has shelled out this year. Mr. Jones rubs some people the wrong way, but he doesn’t mind! He paid $130 million for the Cowboys in 1989, and people thought he was insane…the Cowboys are now valued at over $1 Billion! If that’s insane…sign me up!

Jerry likes a gamble and that’s why he is willing to go “all-in” and sign players with checkered pasts. He takes chances…sometimes they work…sometimes they don’t…but at-least he tries! Jerry is maligned in the media as a meddling owner, that he is too hands on…but he is like a captain of a ship. When he sees that the ship might be sinking, he doesn’t bail on his team…he fights to the bitter end for his ship (team). The ship isn’t sinking just yet, but good ole Jerry is getting the life preserves ready!

Short Shots:

Reggie Bush injured his knee yesterday, and could be out 3-4 weeks…a tough loss for the Saints!

What the heck is going on with Peyton Manning and the Colts? This is starting to look like an episode of The Twilight Zone!

Sebastian Janikowski kicked a 57-yard field goal in OT to beat the Jets…talk about clutch, baby!

Clinton Portis ran for 175 yards and a TD yesterday against the Cleveland Browns. At some point you would think that the Browns would have put an 8th, 9th, or 10th man in the box!

Safety Roy Williams of the Cowboys re-injured his forearm (which he broke against the Eagles in Week 2) and may be out for the season. The Cowboys have now lost 4 DB’s in the last two weeks. Rumor has it that (inspired by the movie Invincible) Jerry is holding open try-outs at the Ranch this week. Darn…and I just committed to being a “tree” in my 4-year old daughter’s Halloween play…just my luck!

Predictions Week 7

2008-10-17T22:07:00.004-04:00

Each week, on Friday, I will look into my (never wrong, just misinformed) crystal ball and give my predictions for that weekend games. I will always prognosticate on the Eagles and Cowboys games and then pick two more games of interest (to me, that is, not necessarily to you). Keep in mind, that this is for entertainment purposes only, and that I do not endorse any sort of legal or illegal gambling. That being said…let’s see what’s in my crystal ball!

Last week’s performance was another mediocre week at 2-2. I guess the pep talk didn’t do much good after all? I still believe in this crystal ball, though it will be on a short leash this week. I’ve been scouting a replacement crystal ball at a local thrift shoppe…so it better shape up or the hook is coming! Let’s see what’s in store for us this week? (Since the Eagles are on a bye week, I will prognosticate on division rival Washington in their place.)

Last Week: 2-2

Overall: 6-10

Dallas @ St. Louis: The Rams finally had something to cheer about after beating the ‘Skins last week. Dallas has had an eventful week…to say the least. The addition of Roy Williams should bolster the offense. Will Romo play? Who knows? It doesn’t matter as the ‘Boys, in a statement game, will put a hurting on the Rams. Look for Roy Williams early in the game on a deep post for a TD! Dallas 31, St. Louis 16.

Cleveland @ Washington: Cleveland schooled the G-Men on MNF last week, and Washington was in disbelief after they lost to the Rams. Will Cleveland be able to do the same to the ‘Skins? No! The Redskins should be able to manhandle the Browns by pounding the rock with Portis and the newly acquired Shaun Alexander. Look for Chris Cooley in the red zone, as he is due for a monster game. Washington 27, Cleveland 9.

Indianapolis @ Green Bay: Indy finally broke out of its slump and put a hurting on the Ravens last week. Peyton Manning finally got into a groove and had his best game of the year. The bad news for the Colts is that Addai is out for a few weeks, but Rhoades should be more than capable of holding down the fort! Green Bay will give their fans something to cheer about early in the game…but Peyton Manning will prove to be a crowd silencer as the Colts upend the Packers. Indianapolis 37, Green Bay 23.

San Diego @ Buffalo: San Diego dug themselves a hole early in the season, but they are a much-improved team as of late. Rivers is playing well and LT looks like he isn’t finished after all! Buffalo has been somewhat of a surprise this year, but their luck has run out. The Bolts O-line will open up huge holes for LT. The Bolts will steal a victory in dramatic fashion (come on…the football gods owe Norv one) as time expires! San Diego 24, Buffalo 23.

Short Shots:

The Phillies are headed to the World Series. Go Phils! I smell a parade down Broad Street!

Tony Romo may try to play with his fractured pinkie on Sunday…I’m not sure that’s a good idea? IMO, he should rest and let Brad Johnson lead the team against the Rams. If the ‘Boys can’t beat the Rams with their back-up QB, then they don’t deserve to be in the play-offs!

Larry Johnson will be deactivated by Head Coach Herm Edwards for this weeks contest for breaking team rules…but not suspended…he still gets paid! Sheriff Goodell has not mentioned anything about a suspension on a non-related arrest for Johnson earlier in the week…somewhere (possibly at a rehab facility) in Texas, Pacman is beside himself!

The Dallas Cowboys are now being fined, by the NFL, because of the suspension of Pacman Jones…about $20,000 for each game Pacman misses…wow…good thing Jerry is loaded!

Rumor has it that ESPN will debut a new channel starting next week (as long as it’s okay with Comcast Cable)…ESPNCowboys! This in turn should free up ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Classic, and ESPN News to continue with their regular broadcasting schedule! (Just a joke…I think?)

The Real Roy Williams

2008-10-16T10:54:00.006-04:00

A few minutes before the NFL trade deadline on Tuesday afternoon, Jerry Jones pulled off a blockbuster deal for WR Roy Williams of the Detroit Lions. Yes, I said “blockbuster”! Keep in mind that trades are very rare in the NFL…especially at the trade deadline! The Cowboys gave Detroit a 1st, a 3rd, and a 6th round draft choice. In return the Cowboys received Roy Williams and Detroit’s 7th rounder. Did Jerry overpay? Did Jerry panic? That would be NO and NO!

Jerry didn’t over spend or panic…because…he got his man! He has been trying to pry Williams from the Lions for two years…and now he did. Everyone wanted Dallas to use a 1st round pick for a WR anyway…but Roy is a proven Pro-Bowl quality receiver. The extra picks…not a big deal! Williams is still young enough to produce for many years, even after Owens has moved on! If the Cowboys had used that 1st round pick on a WR…who knows…maybe a bust…maybe a Pro-Bowler. This way they know what they have in Roy Williams! He will wear #11 for the Cowboys as he did for the Lions.

In my opinion, this was a brilliant move by Mr. Jones. The team needed a spark after all the bad publicity as of late…Roy Williams gives the Cowboys that much needed spark! Hours earlier, Jerry found out about Pacman’s suspension (read more here), he knew that he now had extra picks from Tennessee because of the suspension. Like a shrewd businessman, he knew he could now make the deal with Detroit…Jerry had the ammo…and Detroit had his man…Jerry’s got him now!

Roy Williams will prosper in the Cowboys offense. In Detroit, he was doomed playing for a franchise that has a dark cloud over it! Roy wanted to come to Dallas because he is a Texas native and starred at the University of Texas. He knew that he needed a different venue to showcase his talents…now he has the biggest stage of all…He’s a Cowboy! Roy saw what a difference being a Cowboy could do for his career…all he had to do was look at Leonard Davis.

Before coming to Dallas, Bigg (as Leonard is often called) played for Arizona…you know…another one of those franchises with that dark cloud lurking over them. Davis is prospering in Dallas…and so will Roy Williams! Detroit thinks it fleeced the Cowboys…I beg to differ…because now we will all be able to see…the real Roy Williams!

Short Shots:

The Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Dodgers to win the National League Pennant and are headed to the World Series! Congratulations to the Phils…and let’s start making plans for that parade!

Apparently, Adam Jones has checked himself into a rehab facility. The NFL required him to do so as part of his process to be reinstated into the league.

The Cowboys now have two players with the name Roy Williams. The first Roy, recently changed his number from 31 to 38. Jerry should have insisted that the new Roy Williams take the number 31 and not 11…that way he could sell all those 31 jerseys laying around the Ranch!

After being officially traded to the Cowboys, the first telephone call that Roy Williams received was from Terrell Owens…to welcome him as new teammate! And possibly...to let him know the WR pecking order in Dallas?

Holier Than Thou

2008-10-15T10:53:00.005-04:00

Roger Goodell, in a rush to judgment, suspended Adam “Pacman” Jones of the Dallas Cowboys indefinitely yesterday afternoon (read more here). Go ahead, say it…I told you so! Go ahead…laugh…snicker! Sheriff Goodell will review Adam’s suspension after the Washington game (Week 11). The Cowboys have a bye Week 10, so it ends up being a 4-game, 5-week suspension to start. Goodell will then revisit the situation and may or may not let Pacman play again. Many “experts” believe that Mr. Jones in done…finished…no more football for you, Pacman!

I will be the first to say that what Adam Jones has done in the past is ridiculous, foolish, childish, unlawful…insert your favorite adjective here! The NFL (Goodell and Jerry Jones, more specifically) gave Adam a second chance…but did they? Well, Jerry sure did! He gave him a contract laced with incentives. He gave him a security team to watch his every move. He gave him a support group consisting of former Cowboy Deion Sanders and others…not enough, was it? Jerry Jones did everything for Adam…but did Sheriff Goodell?

Commissioner Goodell put Adam in a no win situation. I know…Pacman has a rap sheet as long as a child’s Christmas list! I get it! Adam screwed up in the past and put himself in this position. But to me, when you (Goodell) give the guy a second chance…give him a real second chance! So, the police were called…no arrest was made…because no crime was committed…suspension anyway! Now I know how to get my co-workers fired…just call 9-1-1 and ask for the police to come out…it doesn’t matter if a crime was committed or not…using Goodell’s logic…fired…fired…fired! What happened to innocent until proven guilty?

Goodell, and I applaud his efforts to clean up the League, has gone too far! He has become a one-man dictatorship…his way or the highway! I sure hope that he doesn’t treat everyone else who has a transgression the same way he has treated Jones. Look out, Larry Johnson! Look out, Matt Jones! Look out, Plaxico Burress! Goodell is taking all prisoners. I just hope Mr. Goodell doesn’t have any skeletons in his closet…of course he doesn’t, because he is…holier than thou!

Short Shots:

The Dallas Cowboys acquired WR Roy Williams from the Lions for a 1st and a 3rd round draft choice. The Lions will also get the Cowboys 6th rounder and the Cowboys will get Detroit’s 7th rounder. Jerry Jones…you risk taker you!

The Washington Redskins signed former MVP Shaun Alexander. I can’t believe it took this long for Alexander to latch on to a team. I know he has lost a step, but some of the RBs that are playing never had the step to lose!

The Eagles failed in their bid to get Tony Gonzales from the Chiefs…anyway, at least they tried? Not!

The Phillies can clinch the National League Pennant with a win tonight against the Dodgers…Go Phillies!

Week 6 Review

2008-10-14T10:44:00.004-04:00

The crystal ball was two up and two down for the 2nd week in a row. That puts me 4 games under .500 for the season…not good! The crystal ball will be on a short leash this week…it better start looking over its shoulder! Let’s take a look back and see what happened:

Last Week: 2-2

Overall: 6-10

Dallas @ Arizona: This was a bizarre game from the start with the Cards taking the opening kick-off all the way for a TD! The Cowboys had a late game rally to put the game in OT, but then disaster struck…the game ended on a blocked punt returned for a TD! In the end…the special teams for the Cowboys were not so special!

Philadelphia @ San Francisco: The Eagles got off to an early lead and it looked like it was going to be a cakewalk…guess again! Andy Reid tried for a long FG by the struggling David Ackers…that sure backfired, didn’t it! The 49ers blocked the FG and ran it back for a TD…now we got a ball game! The Birds were able to rally and win the game. It wasn’t pretty…but there are no “style points” in the NFL! A win is a win…especially on the road!

Miami @ Houston: Wow! This was an exciting game wire to wire. The ‘Fins are an exciting team to watch. The wildcat offense is fun to see in action…each week they have a new wrinkle. Pennington came from the WR position to throw a flea-flicker pass for a long TD…good stuff, I tell ya! On 4th and goal, on QB keeper in shotgun formation, Schaub took it in for the game clinching TD…with only seconds remaining on the clock…what a finish!

New England @ San Diego: The Patriots (CHEATERS) proved to be no match against Norv and his Bolts. Rivers shredded the Pat’s defense all night long! Cassel…well…he’s just not an NFL quality QB! How could he be? Prior to this season, he hasn’t started a game since High School! He was the back-up QB on his college team…Belichick is a fool to think that he could turn Cassel into a legitimate QB in the NFL! Maybe arrogant too!

Short Shots:

The Cowboys lost to the Cards in the desert…but add insult to injury…the ‘Boys lost Tony Romo, Felix Jones, Sam Hurd, and their punter to serious injuries…I guess it should be injury to insult!

The Eagles, Cowboys, and Redskins need to send fruit baskets to Romeo Crennel, in Cleveland, to thank him for beating the G-Men last night! And from the looks of Romeo’s waistline…the fruit should do him some good!

Eli Manning was horrible in last nights game against the Browns…Eli threw 3 INT’s. His older bro, Peyton, threw for 3 TD passes on Sunday afternoon…now that’s more like it…all is well in the Manning Universe!

Today is the NFL trade deadline and Tony Gonzales of the Chiefs wants to be traded! Do you blame him? If you were a 1st ballot Hall-Of-Famer to be…would you want Brodie Croyle throwing you the ball?

The Phillies came back in dramatic fashion to beat the Dodgers last night! The Phillies take a commanding 3-1 lead in the series. Go Phil’s…that parade on Broad street looks like a real possibility now!

Not So Special

2008-10-13T10:48:00.005-04:00

Yesterday, the Cowboys went to the University of Phoenix Stadium to take on the Cardinals. The ‘Boys got lassoed by the Cards 30-24 in over-time. It was a great finish to a rather lackluster game. Sure Romo had 321 yards passing; Barber had 178 total yards from scrimmage, and even Patrick Crayton got in on the action with a 55-yard TD catch. Owens had a humble 4 receptions for 36 yards and Witten contributed 4 catches for 55 yards. But until the last 3 minutes and 17 seconds it was a boring game…but that’s why they play the full 60 minutes!

With 3:17 left in the game, the Cowboys got lucky on a little check down play that Barber took 70 yards to the house and giving Dallas a glimmer of hope. After a quick three and out by the Cards, the Cowboys got the ball back with 50 seconds on the clock and trailing by 3. Romo got them in field goal range and Nick Folk connected on a 52 yard FG as time expired…to OT we go!

In OT, the Cowboys got the ball first and did squat with it. What appeared to be a simple three and out to be followed by a punt…turned into a disaster! The punt was blocked and scooped up by the Cards in the end zone for a “walk-off” TD! What a way to lose a game! Odd, don’t you think? Of course it’s odd…it was the first time in NFL history that a game ended in OT with a blocked punt for a TD! For the Cowboys…at least they made “history” yesterday!

The game ended, just as it started…with a key special teams blunder by the ‘Boys in blue. On the opening kick-off the Cards took it all the way for a TD and Dallas didn’t know what hit them! On the last play of the game, the Cards struck again with a blocked punt for a TD…again, the Cowboys didn’t know what hit them…game over! Well…I’ll tell you what hit them…their Special Teams…which are…well…not so special!

Short Shots:

The NFC East got a lot tighter with the ‘Skins and Cowboys losing, while the Eagles got a win. Tonight the 4-0 G-Men face the Browns…let’s go Browns!

Peyton Manning finally woke up and shredded the vaunted Ravens defense…good…now, which Manning is better question, is finally put to rest? (P.S. It was really never in question, was it?)

The Atlanta Falcons are 4-2 (yep, that’s right…it’s not a typo!) and tied for 1st place in their division. I guess addition by subtraction does work! Michael Vick, Matt Schaub, Bobby Petrino, and DeAngelo Hall…don’t let the door hit you in the (you know what!).

The Phillies lost last night but still lead the series 2-1 over the L.A. Dodgers…come on Phils, we need a parade down Broad Street!

Predictions Week 6

2008-10-10T14:20:00.009-04:00

Each week, on Friday, I will look into my (never wrong, just misinformed) crystal ball and give my predictions for that weekend games. I will always prognosticate on the Eagles and Cowboys games and then pick two more games of interest (to me, that is, not necessarily to you). Keep in mind, that this is for entertainment purposes only, and that I do not endorse any sort of legal or illegal gambling. That being said…let’s see what’s in my crystal ball!

Last week’s performance was a little better, but not good enough. As long as I see the willingness to improve, I will stick with my crystal ball. I don’t take the ownership of a crystal ball lightly, so I gave it a pep talk this week (with the aid of a colleague), and all seems well. Now, let’s see what this “pumped up” crystal ball has to say (or see)?

Last Week: 2-2

Overall: 4-8

Dallas @ Arizona: The Cards are in first place atop the NFC West at 3-2. Warner has had his ups and downs, but he (at a geriatric age) is still better than Matt Lienart. Boldin’s return for this week is doubtful, so that should bode well for the Cowboys. The Dallas secondary is in disarray with T-New out and Pac-man making headlines for the wrong reason. Even though this is an away game for the ‘Boys, they should feel at home since there will be more silver and blue in the stands than Cardinal Red. The Cowboys will need to play better than last week to get by the Cards. Dallas 34, Arizona 19.

Philadelphia @ San Francisco: This week is a do or die game for the Birds. They are in last place in the NFC East (not a great place to be)! Mike Martz in his "madness" will throw everything (including the kitchen sink) at Andy (please don’t fire me) Reid’s Eagles. That’s okay because Big Red (Andy) is a “mad bomber” in his own right! This will be an aerial attack for the ages (especially if Westbrook is nursing his fractured ribs)! The Eagles season and Reid’s future is on the line. Philadelphia 31, San Francisco 24.

Miami @ Houston: Houston is hurting after Sage and his “fumble-itous” cost them a victory against the Colts last week. Sparano and his “goons” will bring the wildcat formation to new levels this week…look for Pennington to catch a TD pass! Miami’s new look offense with mastermind Ronnie Brown in wingback formation will prove too much for the Texans…Kubiak…get the old resume ready! Miami 22, Houston 9.

New England @ San Diego: This has become a heated rivalry over the past few years. There is no love lost between LT and Bill (if I’m not cheating, I’m not trying) Belichick. LT says Big Bill has no class…I tend to agree! LT is waiting for a break out game this year…what a better time for it than primetime SNF! Cassel is no Tom Brady and will struggle against the Bolts defense. San Diego 27, New England 16.

Short Shots:

This week in Philly, they were calling for Andy Reid’s head (read more here). I guess the Eagles fans don’t know a good coach when they have one! For example: Ritchie Kotite, Marion Campbell, Ray Rhoades…should I go on? Come on Philly…he’s the best you’ve ever had and you want to throw him under the bus? For who? For What?

Adam (don’t call me Pac-man) Jones made the headlines again (read more here). Though I think the media has overblown the situation, he has to stay clear of these kinds of situations. The irony of it all is that he got into it with his bodyguard (security) while having dinner with his girlfriend…go figure? The poor guy can’t even romance his woman without trouble finding him? Next time…order in!

The NFL trade deadline is approaching…you think Cincy isn’t second guessing themselves for not taking a 1st round pick for Chad Ocho Cinco Johnson? The same could be said for Roy Williams and the Lions? Trades in midseason are rare in the NFL…we shall see!

How about that Wildcat offense Ronnie Brown and the Dolphins are sporting? Glad to see some creative minds at work! It’s fun to watch and you know what…it’s actually working! Who said Bill Parcells was a “fuddy duddy”?

Rush To Judgment

2008-10-09T12:24:00.004-04:00

Once again, Adam don’t call me “Pac-man” Jones has made the headlines. And when Mr. Jones makes the headlines, it usually isn’t good news! Early Wednesday morning, Pac-man allegedly got into a “scuffle” with one of his security guards at a hotel in Dallas (read more here). The police were called, but no charges were filed. Is this much ado about nothing…or is Adam facing a possible suspension!

Sheriff Goddell was scheduled for a visit to see Mr. Jones on Wednesday prior to this report…we will have to wait and see if this results in any disciplinary action by the NFL. The shame of it all is that Jones has been playing fairly well for the Cowboys thus far. He got off to a slow start, which was expected since his 1-year suspension of a year ago, but he was coming on strong as of late.

Pac-man has been replacing Terrence Newman in the starting line-up because of Newman’s groin/abdomen injury. Newman may require surgery and miss up to six weeks. This situation was a good opportunity for Pac-man to show off his talents as a starter and prove he had changed his ways. Prior to this alleged incident, Jones has been a model teammate and has been under the tutelage of Deion Sanders.

Unfortunately, this alleged “scuffle” could be his undoing altogether. Goddell had told Mr. Jones previously, that he had a zero tolerance policy…we shall see what happens. I just hope Mr. Goddell researches all the facts before making his decision. After all, Adam Jones’ career is in jeopardy. Sheriff…we don’t need a rush to judgment!

Philly Is Still A Football Town

2008-10-08T10:03:00.002-04:00

With the Phillies winning their NLDS against the Milwaukee Brewers, it got me thinking whether Philadelphia is a Football town or a Baseball town? On Thursday evening on Fox, the Phillies will host the L.A. Dodgers in Game 1 of the NLCS. I’m not a big fan of baseball, but I do like the Phillies (Mets, and Yankees as well). I watch about a handful of games a year including the playoffs. I was never really into baseball…I just don’t get the fascination? I find it slow, dull, and extremely boring…unless you’re at the ballpark…then it’s a whole different story! When you’re actually at the game, it’s exciting and much more “family friendly” than football.

So, I came to wonder, with all the success the Phillies are having while the Eagles are struggling…who is winning out? Last Sunday afternoon the Eagles were playing the Redskins while the Phillies were playing the Brewers…at the same time. I figure this should be a fair comparison on the matter. So I checked the ratings to see who was winning the fans…the Eagles or the Phillies?

According to the New York Times, the Redskins-Eagles game had a local rating of 22.7, and the Phillies-Brewers game had a 13.2 local rating. So the NFL (Eagles) won out by a considerable margin against MLB (the Phillies). Now, I’m the first to admit that (to me, anyway)…that was a no brainer…the NFL should always beat out MLB! But what did catch me by surprise is that this was just a regular season game for the Birds, while it was Game 4 of the NLDS for the Phillies!

It’s amazing to me that MLB claims to be America’s Past-time, but a playoff game can’t beat out a regular season NFL game? Many of my friends and family tell me how great baseball is…if that were true, then why aren’t they watching? I do hope the Phillies can make it to the World Series and win…as I said before…I like a good parade just as much as the next guy! But in the end, it just goes to show… Philly Is Still A Football Town!

Week 5 Review

2008-10-07T10:37:00.003-04:00

The crystal ball was two up and two down for the week. Even though that is an improvement, it still doesn’t cut it! Good thing this is for entertainment purposes only…or I would be in the poor house! Let’s take a look back and see what happened:

Last Week: 2-2

Overall: 4-8

Cincinnati @ Dallas: This game went pretty much as I expected. Dallas led early, but then let Cincy make a game of it…a failed 2-point conversion from being a tie late in the game! Dallas then pulled away with a lucky TD pass going through Austin’s hands and deflecting right into Crayton’s…better to be lucky than good sometimes? Dallas holds on for a much needed victory to keep pace in such a highly contested division.

Washington @ Philadelphia: The Eagles got off to a great start leading 14-0 early in the contest. The zebras gave the Birds a gift TD on a DeSean “Fraction” Jackson punt return and Philadelphia was ready to give the KO punch to the ‘Skins. Washington stuck around with some field goals and took the lead with some nifty running by Portis… and they never looked back! They ran the ball at will against the Birds and ran out the clock!

Seattle @ N.Y. Giants: Wow! I expected a lot more from a Mike Holmgren team than that stinker! I guess (as much as it pains me) that I must break down and give the G-Men their due! They are a lot better than I expected, even with the loss of some key players. The Giants are now 4-0 and have half-game leads on Washington and Dallas. This division is shaping up nicely…it’s going to be a wild finish for those coveted play-off spots!

Indianapolis @ Houston: I thought that Indy would destroy the Texans in a laugher…well it was a laugher…almost for Houston. The Texans had a big lead all day long and had the Colts pinned in the corner. Sage…say it ain’t so…hold on to the damn ball! Peyton Manning and his posse came from behind with a miracle win! Indy escapes disaster and maybe they can salvage their season?

Short Shots:

The Eagles once again failed to score a TD inside the 5-yard line. They tried to pound it in with Westbrook and that failed. Reid…let McNabb throw the damn ball! The fans want Reid’s head on a platter! Read more here.

O.J. Simpson was found guilty in his Las Vegas “sting operation” trial earlier this week…actually on the 13th anniversary of his acquittal of his murder trial…I hope the jury wasn’t thinking…two wrongs make a right!

Marv Lewis and his Bengals are now 0-5…he is officially on the hot seat. Chad Johnson was seen giving his coach a kiss on the cheek during the Dallas game. For Marv’s sake…let’s hope it wasn’t the kiss of death!

Plaxico Burress decided to miss a mandatory meeting to drop off his son at nursery school. Now, I applaud him on being a good parent…but…that was one very expensive session of daycare (one game suspension and a $117,500 fine levied by the Giants)!

Bridges

2008-10-06T10:11:00.005-04:00

Yesterday, the Eagles lost another heartbreaker to a division foe, the Washington Redskins, 23-17. The Eagles stand at 2-3 and in 4th (last) place in their division. They have now lost two division (3 conference) games…and that does not bode well for play-off considerations. Though it’s still early in the season…the sky may be falling!

Earlier this morning, as I was dropping off the kids at pre-school, I was listening to WIP (local sports talk radio), and the “Morning Crew” was up in arms over the Eagles. They were calling for Reid’s head. The callers were in complete agreement, and also want Reid fired! Now, if the Eagles continue down this losing path, then perhaps at the end of the season, it may be something to consider. I’m not a big fan of terminating a coach in mid-season…who would take over…Marty Morningwig? Eagles fans…be careful what you wish for!

As everyone knows that I am a Cowboys fan, I try and look at things objectively. Reid may be the best coach the Eagles have ever had. His record speaks for itself. The Eagles have enjoyed great success under Reid’s leadership. He has won many division titles and led them to a Super Bowl. Is he perfect? No! Is he stubborn? Yes! Should he be fired? Absolutely not!

Reid sometimes is stubborn to a fault…that I grant you, Eagles fans! Once again, the Eagles found themselves near the goal line (as the Bears game) and chose to run it two straight times to Westbrook. Now, I like Westy, but he was a little gimpy yesterday. Reid forced two runs, back to back with him to no avail. Again, why not let McNabb roll out and try to create something? The Eagles are not a power running team…I just don’t get it?

For all of his shortcomings, Reid (in my opinion) is the best coach the Birds have ever had…and they should be glad to have him! Reid has spent 10 years with the Eagles and has earned to be treated better than this! Why do Eagles fans turn their backs so quickly? I know things look bleak, Eagles fans, but the sky is not falling…it’s just a little cloudy. I beg and plead to all the Eagles fans…please, please stay away from…bridges!

Predictions Week 5

2008-10-03T14:13:00.005-04:00

Each week, on Friday, I will look into my (never wrong, just misinformed) crystal ball and give my predictions for that weekend games. I will always prognosticate on the Eagles and Cowboys games and then pick two more games of interest (to me, that is, not necessarily to you). Keep in mind, that this is for entertainment purposes only, and that I do not endorse any sort of legal or illegal gambling. That being said…let’s see what’s in my crystal ball!

Last week was another shameful performance by yours truly. Though I truly believe my crystal ball is trying to make me look bad in front of my mass readership. Okay now, the crystal ball is all shined up. It has promised me good results for this week. No excuses, it’s put up or shut up time for this crystal ball! Now, let’s see what this newly energized crystal ball has in store for us.

Last Week: 1-3

Overall: 2-6

Cincinnati @ Dallas: This should be a cakewalk for the Cowboys, right? One would think so, but I see a much closer contest. The Cowboys will let Cincy stick around for a while. The Cowboys will struggle early, as they are still stunned by the loss to the ‘Skins. Chad Ocho Cinco will have a good day (about time!), but in the end the ‘Boys will prevail. Look for Patrick Crayton and Felix Jones to be key contributors. Dallas will pull away late in the ball game. Dallas 37, Cincinnati 20.

Washington @ Philadelphia: This is a huge contest for both teams. The ‘skins are riding high (hip-hip-hooray!) after their big win at Dallas. The Eagles are licking their wounds after a big loss against Da Bears. The Eagles should have won last week, but a yard (and 11 defenders) stood between them and a win…too bad! I believe the Birds need this game more, so in a toss up contest, I’m going with the Eagles in a defensive struggle. Philadelphia 16, Washington 13.

Seattle @ New York Giants: Both teams should be well rested as they come off their bye week. Burress is out for a 1 game suspension (team enforced). Seattle is hurting at WR, as they’ve had man after man go down…it’s an epidemic out there (maybe it’s something in the water?)! This will be a come from behind victory for the ‘Hawks. After trailing for most of the game, Hasselbeck will lead his team with two 4th quarter TD’s to steal a victory from the G-Men! Seattle 34, N.Y. Giants 33.

Indianapolis @ Houston: Indy is really hurting this year. Peyton Manning is struggling. Tony Dungy is a “lame duck” coach (retiring). Maybe it’s the end of their run…the door is shutting…the window of opportunity is closing…I think not! Houston is awful. This will be Manning’s coming out party for this year. In a laugher, Indy will win big! Indianapolis 35, Houston 12.

Short Shots:

This week, Al Davis fired Lane Kiffin. Al Davis is the “Village Idiot”!

Al Davis accused Bill Belichick and the Patriots of “tampering” with Randy Moss prior to their trade for a 4th round pick last year. Davis is still the “Village Idiot” and the Patriots and Belichick are still CHEATERS!

Travis Henry was arrested on a cocaine bust…what a waste of talent! He was a multiple 1000-yard rusher and was currently on a 1-year suspension from the NFL. He has allegedly fathered 9 children, by 9 different mothers (busy dude!). Now…his playing days are surely over…but that’s the least of his problems now!

ESPN has become the King Of Sensational Sports News Reporting…solely for ratings. Every Sports Center and Pre-game show this week had at least one story about Terrell Owens. ESPN…why do you stoop so low? ESPN…what a shame…you don’t need to do it…we will still tune in!

Keyshawn Johnson (whom I’ve always liked as a player)…shut up already! He was blasting Terrell Owens about his comments on not getting the ball enough. Key…did you not write a book about the same subject (as a Rookie no less)…Just Give Me The Damn Ball!

...Then It's Probably A Duck!

2008-10-02T10:18:00.003-04:00

Bill Belichick, Head Coach of the New England Patriots, was accused by Al Davis of “tampering” with Randy Moss prior to their trade a year ago. The Raiders received a 4th round pick as compensation in the deal. Davis alleges that the Patriots had a secret workout with Moss prior to the negotiations, which would violate NFL rules. Bill (here’s a surprise) denies the accusation.

Now this is a tuff call. On one hand, you have a notorious cheater (yeah, that would be Belichick), and on the other, you have a notorious idiot (you guessed correctly…big Al Davis). It becomes very difficult to figure out…who's not telling the truth here? If I go with my gut…it’s Bill Belichick…all the way. He has repeatedly cheated…Spy Gate…anyone? If any other team, besides the Raiders, had made the accusation…done deal…Pat’s guilty as charged. But, Al Davis has gone “loco” on us lately, so I am at a loss. So, it boils down to credibility.

I need to solve this case…what should I do? I could flip a coin? Or do rock, paper, scissors? How about, one potato, two potatoes? But in the end I choose (drum roll, please)…Bill Belichick as the culprit! How did I finally reach my conclusion? Simple…I used a fail-safe system…if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck…then it’s probably a duck!

Much Ado About Nothing

2008-10-01T09:48:00.004-04:00

Much has been said and written about Terrell Eldorado Owens…so why should this week be any different? It shouldn’t! Mr. Owens had some comments that he made after the Cowboys lost to the Redskins. He wants the ball more…gee, that’s a surprise? He wants the offense to go through him…again, I was shocked? He wants to be involved early and often…okay, now I am just down right astonished?

If you look at the stat sheet (no need, I’ll do it for you), Owens had 7 receptions for 71 yards and scored a TD. He also contributed 11 yards to the ground attack on 2 carries. Not spectacular…nothing amazing…but a good days work…but not for Terrell. You see, Eldog (short for his middle name) needs to be the center of attention. He needs to be the focal point. He needs the drama. He needs the world to see his accomplishments. Mediocrity is not his M.O., perfection is! He trains harder than any other WR (maybe all players) in the NFL. He attributes his work ethic to Jerry Rice and to his grandmother who raised him as a child.

Terrell has this “me against the world” mentality. Why shouldn’t he? His father abandoned him as a child and his mother wasn’t capable of raising him…so his grandmother did. From his perspective…he was alone…nobody wanted him. Football was his salvation…his way to prove people wrong! So, to Terrell, winning is everything. Being a shining star for everyone to see is the ultimate prize. Losing is unacceptable…he wants to win…and be the reason for it!

Is he disturbed? Hardly! He knows exactly what he is doing. He wants, needs, and demands our attention…and we all give it to him! The boy who grew up in poverty is worth millions playing a game…and playing it on his terms. Many people took offense to his comments…I admire him for it. He says what’s on his mind…how many of us can say that? Terrell takes his “Freedom Of Expression” rights literally…good for him!

All Terrell wants is to win, be a star, and be loved…is that all that terrible? I think not! Owens does a lot of charity work that goes unnoticed…but he doesn’t mind. His grandmother suffers from Alzheimer’s. Mr. Owens has spent much time (and money) for the cause…but nobody talks about that! No, they would rather tear him down, than to boast his good deeds. Let’s face it…it makes better copy…better ratings! In the end, his comments are much ado about nothing…maybe we should just leave the man alone!

Instant Gratification

2008-09-30T18:30:00.005-04:00

This week two head coaches were relieved of their duties…fired! First, Scott Linehan of the St. Louis Rams, and now, Lane Kiffin of the Oakland Raiders, why? Jim Haslet replaced Linehan. What’s the difference, the Rams are horrific! Kiffin is being replaced with O-line coach, Tom Cable…who? Yeah, that’s right, I never heard of him either!

Al Davis, in one of his many “brilliant” moves, has fired another head coach…we should have seen it coming…it’s his M.O. Every couple of years he changes the head coach and forgets to look in the mirror…he is the problem! Kiffin, who has never been a Head Coach before, was given 20 games (5-15) to prove himself. When Davis hired Kiffin, he was 31 years old…barely older than many of his players. If Big Al wanted a quick fix, then perhaps he should have hired someone like Bill Parcells, Brian Billick, Bill Cowher, you get the idea…someone with experience!

Since 2003, the Raiders are 20-64…pathetic. In that time span, they went through Bill Callahan, Norv Turner, Art Shell, and now Monte’s boy. Cable is now their 8th Head Coach since 1995…with the only constant being, Al Davis. How does Davis expect anyone to embrace his “Commitment To Excellence”, when they are not given a chance to excel? If Al Davis wants instant gratification, maybe he should visit Hugh Hefner at the Play Boy Mansion!

Short Shots:

Cedric Benson, after being cleared of his legal troubles, has signed with the Cincinnati Bengals. Benson and Chris Henry on the same team…nice!

Rashard Mendenhall fractured his shoulder in his first NFL start on MNF. He gained 30 yards on 9 carries and added another 6 yards on his lone reception. These are not exactly gaudy stats…but not many put up great numbers against the #1 defense of the Ravens. The Rookie will be placed on IR, according to coach Tomlin. Now, Mendenhall will have plenty of time to text all his friends!

Newly crowned Head Coach Haslet has reinstated Marc Bulger as the starting QB…I guess the Trent Green experiment is over?

Week 4 Review

2008-09-29T10:07:00.006-04:00

Once again, my crystal ball failed me. I don’t understand what happened…I shined it up last week. I even purchased a stand for it…so now it sits on top of the mantel. I’ve treated it with the utmost respect. For who? For what? (Yes…that was a shot at Ricky Watters!) Once again, I was one up and three down last week…not good…awful…embarrassing even! I have to do something different for next week…maybe I will punish it…have it stand in the corner…or give it a time-out! Something has to give…and I’m not backing down! Let’s take a closer look and see what went wrong:

Last Week: 1-3

Overall: 2-6

Washington @ Dallas: This was a shock to me. I did not see this as a close game at all. I expected the Cowboys to take over at any given moment and put the ‘Skins away. Not only did they not put the visitors away, but they were beaten at their own game…Portis abused the Cowboys all day long. In the end, Dallas made it close. If they would have recovered the onside kick…who knows? But ifs don’t cut it. They got beat. The NFC East is going to be a bear this year.

Philadelphia @ Chicago: Wow…Chicago and Kyle Ortin get a win against the Eagles? Are you kidding me? Now the Eagles were without Westbrook, but still, the Eagles should have won. Woulda, coulda, shouda…but they didn’t…they could not finish! They had their chance to punch it in, but could not seize the opportunity.

San Diego @ Oakland: After a slow start, San Diego is back to even. Nothing surprising here…they beat the Raiders. They should be able to beat Oakland…they are awful, pathetic! Al Davis spent a lot of money during free agency, traded for DeAngelo Hall, and drafted Darren McFadden…all for nothing! This team has a dark cloud over it…Al Davis!

Cleveland @ Cincinnati: The “Ohio Bowl” goes to Cleveland. I don’t know if there is an actual trophy or not, but let’s give it up for the Browns! Well…let’s not, Cincy stinks, and someone had to win…right?

Short Shots:

Rumor has it that Al Davis might be interested in Matt Millen…there’s a marriage made in heaven!

I usually don’t talk fantasy football, but I have Braylon Edwards and Chad Johnson on my team. Needless to say…I’m in last place!

With four chances inside the 4-yard line (3 chances from the 1), the Eagles failed to score a TD and win the game. The Eagles ran the ball 4 straight times. Why not let McNabb role out with the option to run or pass? The Eagles are not known as a power running team…why would they try to be one against the Bears?

I can’t wait to watch tonight’s game…”Text Gate”…Rashard Mendenhall vs. Bart Scott…Let’s get ready to rumble!

Bulletin Board Material

2008-09-27T17:10:00.005-04:00

The other day, Rashard Mendenhall (Rookie RB for the Pittsburgh Steelers) sent his buddy, Ray Rice (Rookie RB for the Baltimore Ravens) a text message. So why is that football news? Because LB Bart Scott of the Ravens made it so! Mendenhall’s text was only intended for his buddy Ray. It claimed how great of a day Rashard was going to have against the vaunted Raven’s Defense. Ray Rice took it upon himself to let his defense know about the text message…Bart Scoot took offense.

You see, the Steelers play the Ravens on Monday Night Football this week. Bart Scott had this to say about Mendenhall, “He said later that he was just joking, but it’s too late. Thanks for the bulletin-board material, rookie.” Obviously, Bart is beside himself…what was the Rookie to say? Was he to predict he would have an awful day…that he would fumble 3 times…that in his 1st NFL start (Willie P. is down and out for the contest) he would be labeled a bust…that the Steelers wasted a first round pick on him? Of course not! He said in a simple text to his friend that he was going to have a good performance. Should he not be confident in his abilities?

What’s worse about Bart Scott is that he is a wiley veteran player…does he need a Rookie to motivate him? Isn’t getting paid millions of dollars to play a kid’s game enough motivation? Do the Ravens even have a bulletin board? And if so, who is in charge of the posting? Is it a dry erase board, or an old-fashioned corkboard? Could I have that job? Please! Enough! Just play football!

Football is a violent game, played with emotion…the object is to smother the man with the ball in his hands…does Bart Scott not understand that he shouldn’t need bulletin board material for motivation? I expected more professionalism than that from Bart…here’s some motivation…do your job, Vet!

Predictions Week 4

2008-09-26T10:25:00.006-04:00

Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover

2008-09-25T08:35:00.005-04:00

On Saturday night, I relearned a lesson I already knew. Often times, we need to be reminded of lessons we learned as a child. When we were children, things were simpler. We didn’t judge, we just played with everyone…all the other children were our friends. We learned to judge, as we grew older. Our teachers always taught us right from wrong…but did we listen?

I pulled into a gas station as I was driving home, only to find out it was closed. It looked open, the lights were on…but it was definitely closed. As I tried to get back in my car, I realized that I locked the keys in my car…no problem? I’ll just call my wife to bring me my spare set of keys. I was only about 15 minutes from home…no biggie, right? Wrong…my cell phone was locked in the car also! I looked for a pay phone…nope, nothing! I looked to see if there was any other business that was open…nope, nothing! There was nothing in sight; no one was there…just me!

As time went on, I must admit, I was getting a little nervous. There I was, by myself, in the middle of the night, and I didn’t know what to do. I paced back and forth…stupid, stupid, stupid…I said to myself. So at this point, I gave up and started walking down the highway hoping I would see a car pass by…nope, nothing!

After about ten minutes or so, I saw a bunch of guys (okay, they looked like thugs). I wasn’t sure what to do? Do I ask them for help? Or do I walk briskly away (run like hell was actually going through my mind), before I get my keister kicked? I didn’t have a choice, as one of them approached me. I was nervous…I tried to stay calm, cool, and collected.

After a brief conversation, he offered me his cell phone to call my wife. She got there shortly with my spare set of keys…and all was good. I offered the young lad (we were chums by this point) some money for his services…but he politely declined. I drove home…but I didn’t feel right. I pre-judged those kids because of how they were dressed, because they were hanging around at 2 A.M. in the middle of nowhere.

As I dropped off my daughter at pre-school today, I told her to have fun and play nice with all the other kids. She went off and started playing with all her friends…If only I was as smart as she!

Cockroaches

2008-09-23T10:22:00.007-04:00

Just the other day my cousin Domenic (Cuz) called me. He wanted to let me know that our cousin from Italy was coming for a visit in October, and to call me a cockroach. The term cockroach was coined, or at least he uses it the most, by Howard Eskin of WIP (local sports radio). Eskin uses the term to refer to Cowboys fans, mostly who live in the Philly area. This got me to thinking (dangerous, isn’t it?)…In today’s politically correct society, and the diverse society we live in, I, a cockroach, was offended. At my wife’s school (she is a school teacher), they promote diversity with a huge campaign. In a nutshell, it’s to let everyone know that we are different and that we should understand and respect others points of view.

I also remember in 8th grade History/Government Class, Mrs. Hallman telling us a little bit about our country’s Constitution…that includes our Bill of Rights. One of those Rights is the Freedom of Expression. In other countries, they don’t have these same rights. They fight for these rights!

A few years back at the Vet, I was at an Eagles-Cowboys game and witnessed a grown man spilling a beer over a young boy’s head because he was wearing an Aikman jersey. That boy was minding his own business…just trying to enjoy his team play. I have seen people brawl over similar circumstances many times at the Vet.

Just because we cockroaches root for the Cowboys…Do we not feel? Do we not mourn? Do we not bleed? Why should we be put through this scrutiny? Should we not have those rights to express ourselves freely? Many have fought to give us those rights…why should some crazed fans take them away from us?

I am hoping for quieter, friendlier fans at the Linc in December…more sophisticated, educated fans…the type of fans who support our Constitution, our country, our diversity, and our love for political correctness. So my plea to all the Eagles fans out there, and to Cuz…can’t we all just get along? *

*This article was completely written with tongue in cheek.

Week 3 Review

2008-09-22T10:01:00.006-04:00

Today I am taking my lumps, and licking my wounds. I was 1-3 on my predictions for Week 3. Though I take great pride in my prognosticating skills, I must blame the crystal ball for this one. Granted, I should have known better, because I purchased it at Dollar Tree…what do you expect for a dollar? Maybe I will “Windex” it before this week’s prediction, so it isn’t so cloudy and hazy. Lets take a closer look at what happened:

Dallas @ Green Bay: I had picked Green Bay because I felt that after the emotional win against the Eagles, the short week, being on the road, and never having won at Lambeau Field, that the ‘Boyz would falter. I was wrong! “Boo” for my predictions…”yeah” for my team!

Pittsburgh @ Philadelphia: I picked the Steelers because I felt that the Eagles put too much into the Dallas game, and that they were still licking there wound. Wrong again! One final thought on this one…after, I don’t know, the 3rd, 4th, or 5th sack (the Eagles sacked the QB 8 times), Pittsburgh would have adjusted and tried to pick up the Blitz!

Miami @ New England: I picked Miami solely because I knew Parcells wanted to stick it to New England…and I’m glad he did! I despise only one team, New England, because they are Cheaters! Since I was right on this one…gloat…gloat…gloat!

Jacksonville @ Indianapolis: I went with Indy on this one because I figured Peyton would get out of his slump and become Super Peyton once again…oops, wrong thrice! You know, this is getting a little scary, when Eli is the better Manning? I never thought I would ever say that, but Eli is playing lights out, and Big Bro is struggling…that knee better heal up or Indy is in trouble!

Week 3: 1-3
Overall: 1-3

Short Shots:

Is it just me, or are the Refs really off their game this year? Lots of bad calls!

Does Romo like throwing INT’s in the Red Zone?

Could John Madden get any more annoying?

Phil Simms…shut up!

Choke Award…Martin Gramatica…how could you miss 2 field goals (one as time expired before the half, and one at the 2 minute warning in the 4th quarter)…that must have been one long plane ride home for Martin.

Predictions Week 3: Round-Up

2008-09-19T09:36:00.005-04:00

The No Fun League

2008-09-18T09:46:00.002-04:00

The NFL, in my opinion, is the best sport in the world. It is a violent game played by phenomenal athletes, who by the way, get paid handsomely for it. Every year the NFL Competition Committee comes up with new rules to “improve” the game. For instance, this year, they got rid of the 5-yard facemask penalty. Now it’s either a 15-yard personal foul, or incidental contact and no penalty…what genius came up with that one?

My biggest gripe, though, is the 15-yard penalty for excessive celebration after a Touchdown is scored (I know this isn’t a new rule, but they are now putting more emphasis on it). I, for one, like to be entertained. These are young men, playing a contact sport, with many emotions and adrenaline flying through their bodies. So, after a TD is scored, why not let them have their fun and dance around a bit? It’s fun…it’s entertaining! Now, don’t get me wrong, I like a good celebration, but I do not condone taunting or showing up the other team. Some guys are ridiculous; they celebrate after a simple tackle, or a catch for a first down. That is a little much…but yet again doesn’t deserve a flag.

There have been many great TD celebrations…Billy “White Shoes” Johnson, Earnest Givens and his “electric slide”, the Ickey Shuffle, the Mile High Salute (my least favorite, as I thought it was taunting the other team), the Lambeau Leap, Deion Sanders (Prime Time), Terrell Owens (too many to list), etc…you get the idea. Were they not entertaining? Was it not fun to watch and see what was next? I think so! But the N(o)F(un)L(eague) had to step in and stop it. Done…no more fun!

This rule has taken some of the enjoyment out of the game…we pay good money to see the games…let us be entertained. For example, Terrell Owens got a flag for his Usain Bolt (Olympic Sprinter) impersonation (he put his knee on the ground to simulate the start of a race), but other players don’t get flagged for putting their knee down to “pray”. This rule is too ambiguous.

One opinion is if you don’t want them to do the dance, then don’t let them score the TD! On the other hand, there is something to be said about handling yourself with class and dignity, ala Barry Sanders. Mr. Sanders scored many touchdowns in his playing days. After scoring a TD, he would simply hand (or toss) the ball to the closest referee and go to the sidelines and be congratulated by his teammates. In other words…act like you’ve been there before, and you plan on returning there again! Either way, The No Fun League should let the players decide what is appropriate!

Timing Is Everything

2008-09-17T10:38:00.007-04:00

Today is a seasonable mild day in beautiful Gilbertsville, PA. There are leaves falling and a calm breeze. As I sit on my patio, I hear the birds chirping, and the wind howl occasionally. It is almost an eerie feeling. The kids are in school and the streets and backyards are empty. So, I thought to myself, timing is everything. A few weeks ago, at this time, kids were running in their yards, playing on their swing sets, and horse playing as youngsters do. Today, nothing!

So, you may ask, what does this have to do with football…everything! When the Eagles acquired Terrell Eldorado Owens, they loved him. They chanted, T.O., T.O., T.O., T.O., T.O., T.O.!!! Everyone in Philly was going crazy over this guy. Then he got the boot, and he signed with the Cowboys. He clashed with Parcells…but under Wade Phillips, he has really become a vocal leader on his team. He has even taken the younger receivers under his wing and has spent extra time showing them the ropes. He has become a model teammate in Dallas…so, why the change in Terrell?

Timing…that’s the change! Terrell was in a situation in Philadelphia where he felt that McNabb dissed him. WIP (local sports radio) and the Hugh Douglass situation was the final straw that broke the camels back! He was done, and there was no way out…except enter Jerry Jones. Mr. Jones likes to take chances, he likes to gamble, and he likes the guy who has been knocked down. Why? Because he was once knocked down himself (read his book). He likes to see how people get back up again, so he took a chance on Terrell. And Terrell has flourished in Dallas, because he knew that once Jerry takes a chance on you…it’s your last chance.

So once Terrell knew his back was up against the wall…he changed his ways! He now knows that his best chance to win a Super Bowl is to be a good teammate and play by the rules. This is his last chance, a chance he does not want to waste like he did with the Eagles. Terrell has matured…had this occurred earlier, he would already have his ring with Philadelphia…timing is everything!