Divisional Round Review

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!



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Reality Mail Bag - 01/08/09

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?



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Reality Mail Bag - 12/12/08

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!


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!

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Week 14 Review

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!

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Predictions Week 14

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!



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What They Are

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!



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Week 12 Review

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!



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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!



Click To Email Me

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.



Click To Email Me

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!

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!

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!

Week 7 Review

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

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!

The Real Roy Williams

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

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!

Predictions Week 6

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

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!