Predictions Conference Championships

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

The crystal ball was pathetic last week, posting a 1-3 record. Not a week it wants to remember! Now that we have reached the Championship games in the playoffs, the crystal ball assures me it will rebound this week with a solid performance. The crystal ball is now 36-31-1 for the season; which is five games over .500 (.537 to be exact). With two great match-ups before us, this week is going to be a challenge for the crystal ball…its reputation is on the line! Let’s see what’s in store for us this weekend.

Last Week: 1-3

Playoffs: 3-5

Overall: 36-31-1


Philadelphia @ Arizona: This is going to be a very interesting game. The Eagles dismantled the Cards in Week 13, but that was in Philly. The Cardinals had trouble when traveling East all season long. This game will be on their home sand though…will it make a difference? The Cardinals can be very explosive on offense (especially if Boldin can play), but the Eagles have been playing inspired football on defense. Led by defensive captain, Brian Dawkins, the Birds will blitz the living (bleep) out of Kurt Warner. The key in this game is simple; can Warner hit the hot receiver before the Eagles put him on his back? Also, look for the Cards to use screen passes to try and hold the LBs from blitzing. I still can’t believe that the Cardinals are hosting the NFC Championship game…The Battle Of The Birds! In double OT, Arizona 30, Philadelphia 24.

Baltimore @ Pittsburgh: The Steelers have proved to be the best team in the NFL this season. They are a force at home, and the frigid weather could play a key role in this contest. The Ravens are known for defense, but led by a rookie coach and QB; the offense has played well this season. The Steelers have already defeated the Ravens twice this year. Will the 3rd time be the charm for the Ravens? Yes it will! Don’t ask me how, because the Steelers are a much better team. The Ravens will win because it’s just too difficult to beat a team three times in one season. Baltimore 18, Pittsburgh 13.


Short Shots:

To all Eagles fans: My cousin called me last week and pleaded with me to pick against the Eagles. He claims that every time I pick them to lose, they win. Okay Cuz, you got your wish! I picked the Eagles to lose solely for this reason!

Congratulations to my sister-in-law and brother-in-law on the birth of their first child (baby boy). Mother, baby, and proud daddy are all doing fine. The Eagles now have one additional fan. He’s cute, so we won’t hold it against him!


From The Mail Room:

Skip J., Irving, Texas: Can TO and Garrett get along for one more year? Do the Cowboys have enough cap space to rid themselves of the trouble maker?

Utopia1dc: Skip, it looks like Terrell and Jason will have to coexist for another season. Garrett has not been offered a head-coaching job yet, and the vacancies are slowly dwindling. Jerry Jones has always had an admiration for Garrett, so he isn’t going anywhere. Jerry also loves him some Terrell Owens, so he is staying as well. Jerry will make it work. Cutting T.O. will be too much of a salary cap hit, and more importantly…who’s going to replace his production on the field?



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Snubbed

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

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

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

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


Short Shots:

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

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


From The Mail Room:

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

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



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Sack-alicious

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

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

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

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

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


Short Shots:

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

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


From The Mail Room:

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

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

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Exploding

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

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

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

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


Short Shots:


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

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


From The Mail Room:


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


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



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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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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!

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?

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!

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!

Mr. Fix-it

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

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

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

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


Short Shots:


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Week 7 Review

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!

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?)

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?