Reality Mail Bag - 11/20/08

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!



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Week 11 Review

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!



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Back In The Saddle

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.



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Predictions Week 11

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

Getting The Life Preservers Ready

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

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?)