Tony Romo and Jason Garret: Gone in 2010?

That’s what the word on the street is.

That’s what Washington Redskins, Philadelphia Eagles, and New York Giants fans are praying for.

It is completely possible.

The 2009 season, or better known to Romo as “Crunch Time,” could be Romo’s last chance to stay in Dallas. As well as offensive coordinator Jason Garret’s.

Here’s why.

Tony Romo has had problems getting accustomed to the league, not from a statistical point of view, or physical point of view, but a mental point of view.

He has not won a game in the playoffs. He has not been able to utilize his weapon receiver in Owens as much as fans would have liked. And, to be completely honest, he cracks under pressure.

When he tries to evade rushing defenders he doesn’t keep his head up, looking downfield, but instead he continues to try and find space to wind up for a pass. He is reasonably fast, he should try to gain a few yards on the ground. He only had 41 rushing yards last season.

But next season should be different, it needs to be different. Jerry Jones went out of his way to make Romo happy all offseason. Jerry released star receiver Terrell Owens, who must have brought in millions of dollars selling jerseys alone. Jones also gave an arm and a leg (first- and third-round draft picks) for wide receiver Roy Williams.

Since he did all of this for Romo, who will get the blame if the Cowboys don’t go deep into the playoffs this year?

It can’t be the lack of chemistry, TO is long gone.

It can’t be because of a lacking pass or running game, they are solid.

It can’t be the defense, because, well, it is probably the best in the NFC.

So once people see it wasn’t any of the reasons stated above, all heads will turn to a whistling, innocent looking, Tony Romo.

And then they will turn sharply to Garret.

The coordinator is always the first to go.

You need to remember, the Dallas fans are the ones that booed Troy Aikman, who brought three rings back to the city. Not to mention four NFC Championships.

Garret will be chased out of town, never to work there again.

And then Romo will be next.

Wade Phillips, however, won’t be. He is not only the head coach, but he is the defensive coordinator, and the defense is almost flawless, not lacking in strategy, and they have DeMarcus Ware.

You could say Peyton Manning didn’t win a playoff game for a few years when he started in the NFL, but I think Jerry Jones could be getting fed up. As stated before, Jones has done a lot for Romo this offseason and he is expecting big things in return.

Also, Colts fans are a bit more forgiving.

Yet all of this drama can be avoided if Romo leads his team. You forget he went 13-3 back in 2007. He could be able to do it again if he gets his confidence issues under control.

One step at a time, Tony.

The first thing he will need to do is win the first five games of the season.

Visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers is first, then the Giants and Carolina Panthers visit Cowboy Stadium.

Then Dallas ventures first to Denver, and, after that, on to Kansas City.

Out of these games, I see Romo and his ‘Boys going 4-1, with a loss to the Giants. Doing this, or better, will shut up all of the “haters,” and Romo will get his ’07 confidence back.

But, if they do any worse, I can guarantee rallying fans on Romo’s lawn, pitchforks and torches in hand.

Garret will already be on a plane to Mexico.

Your Salary Is Capped: Why Professional Sports Players Are Overpaid

Long gone are the days of being a plumber by day, baller by night. Whether that ‘baller’ be basket, foot, golf, or otherwise related, the players are paid too much.

Now, when someone sees an NFL player getting paid less than $1,000,000 per year, they say “wow, he’s getting screwed.”

It never should have come to this. The money and commercialized culture of sports will be the death of the selfless athlete.

Remember when all an athlete needed to be happy was a ring, trophy, or medal?

Neither do I.

I do, however, remember the days of players whining about their lack of income, players being traded to teams where they have no use, just to earn that extra million.

I mean look at NCAA Football or Basketball. The players are seen as gods by their classmates. When they bring back a win, or better yet a trophy, the school pulsates with pride and triumph. Their fans are their peers, and their peers are their fans. It works flawlessly.

And then we get to the pro’s, the Big Leagues. And it’s all about money. Ticket prices are high, advertising during the game will cost a company an arm and a leg, and the fans are still as fanatic…Right?

Yes, I do understand that these people train for 20 hours a day. Can only eat what their contract allows, can only do what their contract allows. It’s not just the low paid players getting screwed, but all of the athletes, whether they are making $850k or $100,000,000.

Are they are just selling their freedom, selling they’re lives? Selling everything until retirement?

if so, what are you doing Brett?

I also understand that all these players are the best in the world at what they do. They were born, bred, and brainwashed for our entertainment. We see so much in these athletes that are just doing what we could do, if we trained hard enough.

When we were kids we loved The Amazing Spider-Man, Superman, Batman, but we also loved The Incredible Babe Ruth, and The Dominant Dan Marino.

So wouldn’t we love these players so much more if we worked along side them? If we, the regular folk, had a reasonable chance of being part of their team? If we saw them on Monday around the water-cooler and could say, “nice shot last night Mike!” Or, “Bert, gonna start battin’ .500 this year?”

Isn’t being seen as a superhero around the world enough? Is the money the difference maker?

Or is the entire reason we love these players so much because they are so far out of reach? is the reason we fall in love with two primary colors because we can only wish?

That is up to you.

That’s Not a Five, That’s an “S”: A Look into Donovan McNabb’s Past

Before the Eagles.

Before the NFC Championship games.

Before the NFL.

McNabb was clutch.

Can you remember?

Syracuse and Virginia Tech?

1998.

McNabb was in orange before the green he wears today. He was seen as the dangerous QB of the Big East.

VT’s defense should have remembered that.

22-26, Virginia Tech was in the lead. By four. The dreaded number by all of the “I wan’t to make a comeback” teams. A field goal won’t do, and touch downs are hard to come by these days (1998), so really if McNabb could see all of the clocks in the world at that very moment in time, they would all read “Crunch Time.”

Fourth and eight, with 1:45 left in the ball game, and the Orangemen were about 60 yards away from pay-dirt.

Dan Marino had done it. John Elway, Steve Young, they’ve done it. McNabb?

So, fourth and eight.

If I had been Paul Pasqualoni in this situation, I would have called a nice streak route, and a post from the other WR, looking for a short pass and a nice pick up on the ground, but then I would have remembered who my QB was.

Superman.

“McNabb with the first down! And more! McNabb is finally brought down at the 15 yard line! Unbelievable!”

So he called a QB draw, and Supe-, I mean McNabb ran a whole 41 yards down field, weaving in between three defenders until eventually being pulled down at the 15. He quickly called a time out and stopped the clock at 1:35.

My word, what a thing to happen.

But, would you look at this?

On the next play McNabb threw a short pass to a cutting TE, and it fell short.

He looks tired.

“Charlie he’s gassed. He just got done with this long run and he had to hustle back to the line….you can see the body language as he gets up, he’s fatigued from that run.”

And he was tired after that run, McNabb gets up slowly.

Too slowly? Maybe.

“They are now in four down territory.”

He gets to the line with two seconds left on the play clock and hikes the ball. Some would say in the ‘Nick’ of time.

“Looking. . .for the end zone. And it’s caught at the two! And he’s down at the one! Maurice Jackson!”

So he rolls out right, as McNabb is prone to doing, and sees No. 3 running a short post at around the 10. He’s open.

Superman fires and it’s caught, one tackle broken, spins and then dives for the end zone.

Only to come up short at the one yard line.

Maurice Jackson, couldn’t extend that extra couple of yards.And the clock continues to run.

“Well it’s not a pretty thing to say, but McNabb is throwing up.”

Fatigue? Stress? Terror? I don’t know, but McNabb vomited. He stayed in the game, however. Syracuse is forced to use their last time out.

“He’s smiling, knowing he’s on the verge of something special.”

A few seconds later, the Orangemen are back on the field.

Full house backfield, and McNabb calls the play.

“Conrad!”

McNabb hands the ball to Conrad who leaps for the end zone.

And is denied.

Now the Orangemen need to hustle back to the line. The clock is running, and they have less than 50 seconds to cross the plane.

They quickly hike the ball out of the Fullhouse offense again. McNabb steps back.

“This time they’re going to throw for it! Incomplete.”

The pass bounces off of the hands a heavily guarded Rominskie.

Now the clock is stopped at :21. This is going to be good.

The Orangemen getback to the line of scrimmage, Fullhouse again. McNabb calls the play and begins to rollout left, using his speed.

“And he’s down! Back at the 11 yard line! It was Corey Moore!”

Corey Moore breaks through the offensive line with ease and smothers McNabb for a huge loss.

This game is over.

McNabb, bruised, and with his shoulder pad visible over his bright orange jersey, runs back to the line. Paqualoni is on the sidelines, screaming to his team. They have to spike it. Their only chance.

McNabb receives the snap.

‘They spike it with five seconds left.”

He spikes it.

:05.

Corey Moore made the biggest play of the season for his defense, perhaps ending this prolonged last two minutes with a win for VT.

“Charlie they come out with a two tight end, one wide receiver set. You know Kevin Johnson is going to get double teamed.”

McNabb sets up behind his center.

“The last play of the game.”

he hikes the ball and rolls right.

Rolling right.

He sees a friendly in the corner of the end zone, across the field, one on one with a VT DB.

Superman fires.

“Looking for his tight end Rominskie!”

Rominskie gets the body position and leaps, coming down with the football.

Game.

“I don’t believe it. I don’t believe it.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awGdapqFiKI

The Team You Didn’t Expect to Make the Playoffs

“What? How did they get in?”

That’s the number one question around the water-cooler next January.

The question being asked by Rams fans across the globe.

The question being answered now, six months before the events transpire.

The questions surrounding the Seattle Seahawks.

Matt Hasselbeck is back, and ready to go. He had back problems in 2008, limiting him immensely. But if he can stay healthy, and that back stays intact, I can see Hasselbeck putting up the numbers he did in Seattle’s Super Bowl season.

How many Hasselbeck-Houshmandzadeh connections can we expect in ’09? A few more than the letters in T.J.’s last name, that is certain. But the real question is: how many TDs can the duo put together?

The answer: Enough.

Enough to make it deep into the playoffs, however not enough to get a ring.

Sure, Seattle’s running game isn’t the most amazing thing on Earth. And in previous seasons since their Super Bowl loss, the Seahawks have lost in both Divisional Playoff games. Not necessarily a bad finish, but it is disappointing for the franchise.

However, this year will be much different.

They have rejuvenated their O-Line, and now Hasselbeck won’t need to take so many hits. The line could produce a nice running game. And the addition of T.J. means double coverage and some open flats.

Look for this team to get deep into the playoffs, if not the NFC Championship game January 2010. I can’t see them going to a Super Bowl this year, but with the right draft picks next year, Seattle could be ring-bound again.

Forgotten Super Bowl Moments: Larry the Ghost

Larry Fitzgerald

Some say he is the best right now.

I don’t know, but he is great.

Larry is perhaps the most liked man in the NFL. Look at him, he’s a nice guy. He doesn’t let the fame get to his head, he isn’t intimidated by the fans, and he stays strong when facing defeat.

He is a man amongst boys.

Larry walks tall when exiting the huddle. He scans the field, reading the defense?

Perhaps.

Or perhaps he is preparing, for pure concentration.

Preparing for a tackle to be dodged.

Preparing for a ball to be caught.

Preparing for putting six on the board.

He sets up on the right side. Looks across, towards the center. Then, up, to the scoreboard.

20-16, the clock is paused at 2:53. Fourth quarter.

Crunch Time.

Prepared.

The biggest game of his life, and every second feels like an hour.

But Fitzgerald can see. His opponents have been guarding the pass with a Dime defense.

The safeties were deep.

Too deep?

Hopefully.

Fitzgerald is ready.

The ball is snapped. Fitzgerald fights off a pressing corner and cuts.

Middle.

Open.

An image of Pigskin reflecting off of his pupil.

An image of a ring.

An image of a comeback.

Lombardi.

The ball lands on his chest plate. He grips the ball and pivots, with pace.

Looking forward he sees the safeties have been split. The cover two has broken down and he has a lane.

Left foot, right foot from here.

And that is what he did, just as simple as one foot after the other.

Touchdown. Immaculate. Incredible. Unbeatable?

No.

But this catch in the last three minutes of play will go down as:

A Great Super Bowl Moment, Forgotten.

 

Another Forgotten Super Bowl Moment soon.

Rivalry: The Eagles & How To Win an Argument With a Cowboy Fan

So recently, and by recently I mean for a while now, I have had to defend my favorite football team against Cowboys fans trying to put the Eagles down.

The first time this happened I wasn’t very educated on some of the Eagles stats, so I had to retreat and regroup.

So here is what I came up with, if you ever get in an argument with one of these rivals of ours, to be able to win this argument, and continue on your way with a swag in your step.

After all, this is war.

 

A Cowboys fan’s stereotypical argument:

The Philadelphia Eagles Suck.

They are bad at everything.

Donovan McNabb? Where’s a doctor when you need one? He chokes in big games. Oh, well he’s probably riding the wood now (the bench, not the other thing) like he did earlier this season. How long ago was it that another starting QB had to be taken out of a game? Why exactly is Tony Romo’s QB rating higher? Because McNabb is a walking, talking, throwing, joke. That’s why.

Brian Westbrook? So? My grandfather can catch a football as well. Hey, if I was black, he could be my grandfather.

DeSean Jackson? Yeah, he’s a bit speedy, but all in all, he sucks. Remember when he started to do a little dance before the endzone and dropped the ball? I do.

How many Super Bowls do the Eagles have? Whats that I hear? None. Wow, good franchise you’ve got there.

Speaking of choking, how many picks did McNabb throw in the Super Bowl he ‘played’ in? Three? Oh my, that’s a shame.

McNabb will never be seen as good, never. Get out of town.

The Philadelphia fan’s response:

Here’s where you as an Eagle fan responds. Here’s where you as an Eagle fan steps up and turns to the offensive.

Here’s where it counts.

When the Cowboy fan starts his rant about McNabb, gently remind him that McNabb trumps Tony Romo in all stats excluding all time QB rating.

McNabb has also reached the NFC championship plenty of times, all without a solid receiving core. Sure he’s had good receivers, but he has never had the same-calibre receivers that Romo has had.

Now he does though.

So, you’re tired of laying down the law with just some very well-put opinions? Start to toss the records around, you may need the internet at hand to prove to this rival that you are not going to stoop to lying.

You don’t need to.

McNabb has the most consecutive pass completions with 24, this was against the New York Giants, a good team. No free passes here.

McNabb also holds the record for the least intercepted QB per pass attempt ever. That’s right, of all time. Less than Steve Young, Joe Montana—you name them—McNabb has a lower percentage with the very small 2.09 percent.

McNabb also has the 3rd best TD to INT ratio of all time, behind Young and Tom Brady.

Not to mention McNabb has the third highest winning percentage amongst active QBs.

Don’t forget to ask when the last time was that Romo won a playoff game.

He never has.

Now you could stop there, but don’t. You want to demolish this Eagles “hater.” After all this person supports the Cowboys. And he said some things about your favorite RB, Brian Westbrook.

Let’s address that.

Westbrook, worse than Marion Barber? Not possible.

Westbrook does have double the Pro Bowl selections and appearances that Barber does. Double. To be honest he has two, while Barber has one. But the word “double” will make Cowboys fans squirm.

You can just casually throw in that Westbrook has led the NFL with yards from scrimmage. 2,104.

So here are a few of my solutions to an argument I get into a lot with Cowboys fans. They usually end up getting angry and insulting me as they sulk away.

That means you’ve won.

Don’t forget to mention the ridiculous mascot the Cowboys have.

DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, and Kevin Curtis: Speed, Strength, Eagles

DeSean Jackson.

He’s made mistakes, sure.

It was his rookie season—but that isn’t an excuse.

He is a superstar in the making.

Let’s bring it back to his days of wearing No. 1.

Let’s bring it back to Cal, where he excelled. 

Let’s bring it back…

 

DeSean Jackson was a very sought after wideout out of high school. He would choose to go to Cal. During his college career, Jackson was a very high-end receiver, but he would be best known for the danger he created when returning a punt/kickoff. 

He had seven TDs in his freshman season and eclipsed 100 yards receiving three times. By his junior season, he was considered a Heisman Trophy candidate.

Jackson left Cal with a few Pac-10 records tucked under his belt: most punts returned for touchdowns in both a season, with four, and in a career, with six. DeSean also ranks third all-time for his university for receiving TDs and receiving yards.

Jackson entered the NFL Draft in 2008. He would run a 4.29 40-yard dash. He would also be referred to by Jerry Rice as “the fastest receiver I have ever seen.”

He kept his cool, however, and was drafted 49th overall by the Philadelphia Eagles.

Here’s where it gets interesting.

He had a fantastic preseason, returning a punt for a TD against the Patriots. He became a second string receiver and starting punt returner by the start of the regular season.

He became a starting receiver when Kevin Curtis got injured early on, and he then performed well, ending the season with two TDs and 912 receiving yards.

So how will he perform next season?

I see him reaching at least 1,100 receiving yards, largely because he is now a starting WR, as well as due to the upgrades to the O-line.

Jackson will have a much easier time catching the bombs that Donovan McNabb is certain to throw downfield due to Jeremy Maclin being a quick short-route-running wideout. 

With Jackson running streaks up and down the field, the secondary will be forced to cheat their safeties to his side, as well as forcing them to play a cover 3 at least and a cover 4 in long yardage situations.

This will open the flats or the middle. Why? Because the LBs will have to cheat to protect the short options, Maclin and Curtis most specifically.

Flats open? Jeremy Maclin open.

Maclin should be able to take full advantage of the short pass with his speed. Maclin’s YAC will be through the roof.

Don’t forget Brian Westbrook—he will be threatening the flats as well. 

Middle open? Kevin Curtis open.

Curtis has ability to go deep, but he won’t very often next season. The middle is where you can find him, catchin’ them bullet passes.

The Eagles are going to be the best team in years at using the screen pass. Their line and newly acquired TE will have the speedy receivers cutting in between blocks and running all the way.

Here is what you can expect from Maclin:

A solid rookie season. Around 800-900 yards, with a huge amount of YAC. He will be on the field more than most rookies this year, but that just leaves more of a chance for mistakes.

I’m not saying he will make the mistakes Jackson did—you know, dropping the ball before the end zone in celebration, etc.

But Maclin will be a breakout receiver. Rookie of the year? Possibly. A Super Bowl ring? Possible. 

Curtis?

Well, most of my predictions for him in ’09 can be read here, but he will have a good season and lead the team in receiving yards.

Kevin Curtis, DeSean Jackson, and Jeremy Maclin:

A receiving corps to appreciate.

Donovan McNabb, the Philadelphia Eagles, and a New Hall of Fame Inductee

Donovan McNabb.

The second-most hated man in football.

Third, if you count Al Davis.

He’s been booed and loved, loved and booed, and then booed and loved some more. But, he still racks up numbers every season.

There was talk of McNabb moving to Chicago; there was talk of McNabb becoming a second-string QB; and now there is talk of McNabb bringing a trophy back to Philadelphia for the first time.

His career has had its ups and downs, and sure he had a terrible season mixed in to his overall solid career. Yes, he was benched in 2008 after having a disgusting game against Baltimore. Of course McNabb “choked” in a Super Bowl. 

However, McNabb has many years in front of him, and here’s why he will become the next Hall of Fame inductee from the Eagles organization.

 

2009 

McNabb has his best season yet, with new receivers, a new offensive line, and renewed hope in his team. 

He will lead his team to an 11-5 regular season and a Super Bowl berth against either the Titans, Ravens, or Patriots. The Eagles should have a good game winning their first ring.

In the regular season McNabb throws for 3,980 yards, with a 62 percent completion percentage, 34 TDs, 12 INT, and a 100.94 QB rating.

2010

McNabb has a good season, leading his team to a 10-6 record and a berth in the playoffs, but falling short in the NFC championship game against the Atlanta Falcons.

Andy Reid’s 2010 draft choices have the defense looking good. Reid addresses the safety situation, and the end of this year sees David Akers retiring, as well as Brian Westbrook after another, very serious, ankle injury.

McNabb ends the season with 3,550 passing yards, a high-50s completion percentage, high-20s for his TDs, around 12 INT, and a mid-80s quarterback rating.

2011

LeSean McCoy turns out to be an incredible draft pick. He has an incredible pass catching ability and is reminiscent of Brian Westbrook. The Eagles make a trade this year and get veteran WR Roy Williams from the Cowboys for a first-round draft pick.

Because of the new addition to the Eagles, McNabb gets a good boost in stats with around 3,600 passing yards, high-20s for his TDs, around 10 INT, and a solid 55ish percent completion percentage.

The Eagles lose in the first-round of the playoffs (to the 49ers because of Tim Tebow), but have much promise for the next year.

2012

McNabb has a great year and leads his team to the Super Bowl for his third and final trip to the big game. He wins his second ring and retires, moving to Arizona.

Kevin Kolb steps into the spotlight as the new starting quarterback. McCoy has become a very versatile back, and Jeremy Maclin and Desean Jackson become two of the leading receivers in the NFC East. Fans understand that Kolb may struggle his first season, but he has potential to become an elite quarterback.

Now, some of you may think this is silly to predict this far into the future and I agree. But these are predictions that, I think are very plausible and possible.

McNabb gets inducted to the Hall of Fame in 2017, along with Brian Westbrook, and they live happily ever after.

 

Buffalo Has a Tumor in Town: His Name is Terrell Owens

And by “tumor,” I mean malignant. 

When making the decision to play Terrell Owens you can guarantee yourself a few things.

1. A lot of media attention, not necessarily good.

2. A lot of TDs.

3. A lot of 15 yard “excessive celebration” penalties.

Terrell Owens over the years has been proven to be, well, a prick. While performing on the field, he also performs off the field with talking behind teammate’s backs (usually his QB), showing off, and generally making a fool out of himself and his team.

Owens hasn’t been happy with his quarterbacks in recent memory.

McNabb was harassed in the huddle after incompletions, or when No. 5 decided to pass to other receivers.

Romo suffered the same fate from Owens after an ill-placed pass, or a look to Jason Witten, or any receivers, besides Owens.

And now Owens is going to play for the Bills.

Bills fans are hungry. Nine long years without a playoff berth. Nine long years without a reasonable Super Bowl run.

Nine long years of frustration.

In 2007 Buffalo drafted a much anticipated Trent Edwards. Edwards, since his rookie season, has been underachieving. He has, at the moment, a very average 79.1 QB rating and only 18 TDs to account for his 18 INT.

If we all can remember back to Owens’s seasons with above average quarterbacks, he has always had a problem with getting along with them, mainly because they would make a mistake. Edwards is going He will be pulling his hair out if Trent Edwards doesn’t pull his head out and start racking up some numbers.

Sure, you could argue that with Owens on the field, other WRs will have an easier time getting open, and therefore give Edwards some easy passes, and I would agree. 

If you wanted to argue that having Owens on the field will leave Marshawn Lynch with some holes to squeeze through and tack on yardage to his numbers, I would have to agree as well.

But, guess what?

Mr. Owens doesn’t like it too much when the ball isn’t spiraling towards him.

Mr.Owens doesn’t like it much if the ball is anyone else’s hands but his.

Mr.Owens is going to have a hard time coping on the Bills.

So here are my final predictions for the seasons upcoming where TO will be a “go-to guy” in Buffalo.

If history accounts for anything Owens will be a reasonable, nice teammate next season, maybe even helping Buffalo into the playoffs. But it’s usually Owens’ second season in any particular team that sends him spiraling into an uncontrollable train of negativity.

In his second season in Buffalo (if he is re-signed), he won’t be happy. He will start talking, to the press, and to his teammates. He will realize that he isn’t the go-to guy, but rather a humongous, and helpful distraction. 

When he starts talking, he will get people angry. Mostly with Trent Edwards, simply because of his lacking numbers in recent seasons, granted they will be higher this year thanks to Owens, but they won’t be on a Peyton Manning level.

A broken team is the last thing Buffalo needs.

The Madden Curse: The Players and Their Downfalls

John Madden, he has a history in the NFL.

He now has established himself in the history of video games.

Every year a new game is made.

And every year another player gets the cover.

And every year that player has been cursed.

The Madden curse effects players either during the season in which they were portrayed on the Madden cover, or, rarely, the one after it.

You may see this as a ‘superstition’, well, read on…

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