I Got Five on It: Week 3 NFL Picks

 

Week 2 of the NFL season came and went as some teams continued to surprise (49ers, Jets) and some squads are surprisingly disappointing. (Titans, Panthers) Either way, the NFL season is off to a great start.

 

Cowboys vs. Panthers

This week in the NFC East features a few intriguing match-ups. First up is the game between the Cowboys and the Panthers. Dallas is coming off of a tough loss to the Giants on Sunday night as they racked up 251 rushing yards. Carolina continues to skid off the track as they were sent packing by the Falcons last week 28-20, falling to 0-2.

Both teams clash on Monday Night as the Panthers try to avoid a tough 0-3 start. Carolina and Dallas feature quarterbacks that are looking to bounce back from tough games. Panthers signal caller Jake Delhomme has had nothing short of a disastrous start to his season. Jake has a passer rating of 45.3 to go along with five picks and only one touchdown for the year.

Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo threw for a dismal 127 yards and three picks against the Giants last week. I’m sure Jason Garrett will try to get Romo into a rhythm early to shake the cobwebs off.

But the ‘Boys may miss a key part of their offense in Marion Barber as he’s nursing a strained quadriceps muscle.

Running backs Felix Jones and Tashard Choice will have to shoulder the load if Barber misses the game.

Even though the Panthers will try to claw and scratch their way out of a losing streak, the Cowboys running game will prove too much for the Panthers weak rush defense.

Look for a close battle, but Dallas pulls it out in the end 27-20.

 

Eagles vs. Chiefs

The Philadelphia Eagles were the sexy off-season pick to win the NFC East. How’s that working out so far after the Saints game?

Quarterback Donovan McNabb is still injured with a cracked rib and Kevin Kolb is well, umm, a serviceable back-up. The Eagles signed Jeff Garcia as a safety valve for McNabb and Kolb and Michael Vick isn’t quite ready for the bright lights.

So with a defense that’s left licking its wounds and an offense that needs to find a rhythm with Kolb, playing the Chiefs may be just what the doctor ordered.

Kansas City has started the season as many expected 0-2. Head Coach Todd Haley stated earlier this week that he’ll go with the quarterback that puts the team in the best position possible. So does that mean that $63 million dollar man Matt Cassel could be benched?

I doubt it, but it’s good theatre.

The Chiefs also have a suspect defense and a pedestrian running game so far, so I’m not expecting too much of a fight for the Eagles. Philadelphia wins this one 24-13.

 

New York vs. Tampa Bay

For me at least, this game does not have that much intrigue. The Giants are rolling at 2-0, their defense allowed 250 yards rushing against the Cowboys and they still won, and they found two receivers in Mario Manningham and Steve Smith.

What may concern G-Men fans is that the team will be without Justin Tuck on defense as he’s still suffering a strained shoulder.

I know and understand that any given Sunday any team may loose, but not this Sunday. The Giants have a ton of confidence heading into this week’s match-up against the Bucs and Tampa is still trying to find an identity.

The Bucs have a pretty decent running game in Cadillac Williams, Earnest Graham, and Ahmad Bradshaw. What’s lacking is continuity in the offense as the passing game is charged with bringing the team back late in games and their offense just isn’t built for that.

Look for the Bucs to make it a game late, but the Giants will win this one 35-21.

 

Redskins vs. Lions

The Redskins were booed un-mercifully last week against the Rams. Washington did win 9-7, but watching the game was worse than listening to a Chris Gaines album.

Quarterback Jason Campbell isn’t playing bad, but he’s not playing that well either. He’s sort of middle of the road right now and he’s not sure which way to turn. The offense is just plain offensive in its play and the defense is holding the team upright.

I’m not sure where to start with the Lions. Rookie quarterback coupled with rookie head coach has equaled no wins thus far this season. What better remedy for a team that needs a quick win than to play the Lions who just happen to be on an 18 game losing streak?

Nothing more to add for this game, Redskins take it 13-10.

 

I got five on…

 

Titans vs. Jets

The Titans are a disappointing 0-2 right now and the Jets are 2-0, who knew? Last season the Titans snuck up on a few teams on their way to an impressive 13-3 record.

Doesn’t seem as if that’s happening this season.

Rex Ryan and the New York Jets are playing like its mid-season. Two impressive wins with a rookie quarterback has made the league pay attention to the Jets.

But last year that distinction belonged to Tennessee and the Titans would like to notch their first win against the Jets this Sunday.

New York has a defense that swarms and comes from any and every angle possible. The Titans have a quarterback that’s, well, a little old and tends to stand in the pocket at times. Chris Johnson may be able to provide a protection for Collins because the Jets may be afraid of his speed.

But confidence means the world in the NFL and the Jets have it all right now.

Jets continue their winning ways against the Titans in a defensive battle 13-10.

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Monday Night Quarterback: Play Calling, Not Tony Romo, Killed the Cowboys

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It was a night of miscues that eventually cost the Cowboys a win in their new billion dollar stadium. Quarterback Tony Romo turned the ball over four times, the defensive secondary looked pedestrian, and the team showed a true lack of discipline.

But while no team can win when they turn the ball over four times, it wasn’t Tony Romo’s faulty decision-making that cost the team the victory.

It was head coach Wade Phillips and offensive coordinator Jason Garrett’s questionable play calling that is to blame for the ‘Boys first loss of 2009.

Last night’s game proved that either Garrett or Phillips is taking catnaps during the game or Jerry Jones is calling plays from that luxurious booth of his in the new Dallas Cowboys stadium.

The Cowboys’ first possession of the third quarter consisted of a 24-yard scamper by running back Felix Jones. That takes the team to the 44-yard line, close to midfield. Next play is a called run to Jones off the left tackle for only two yards.

But what happens next is key.

Garrett calls a pass play and Romo attempts to hook up with tight end Marcellus Bennett, but the pass falls incomplete.

So now the down is third and the Cowboys have eight yards to go for a first down. Another called pass play from the shotgun, as Romo tosses it to Crayton for only four yards.

Now this may not seem like much, as it was only the start of the third quarter, but it was the scenario that we saw the entire night.

Team gets into a mid- to long-range third down and decides to pass instead of run.

Felix Jones and Marion Barber destroyed the Giants front four, yet Garrett failed to take full advantage of their abilities.

Barber finished the game with over 120 yards rushing, but he only carried the ball 18 times. When a team has a runner that’s averaging over six yards per carry and your back up running back has 96 yards on less than 10 carries, that needs to be exploited.

Now Cowboys fans have no need to panic; there is a silver lining to this loss. The Cowboys turned the ball over four times and still only lost by two points.

The ‘Boys also rushed for over 250 yards and averaged a healthy 8.7 yards per carry, that’s against one of the NFL’s toughest front sevens.

Many mistakes will have to be corrected before next week’s game against the Panthers. Dallas has to cut down on the turnovers, the team must become more disciplined, and they must get rid of silly penalties.

Lastly, the play-calling overall has to improve.

The team must get ready for a tough test as the Cowboys face a desperate Carolina Panthers squad on Monday night in Dallas.

-JH

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Monday Night Quarterback: Dallas Cowboys’ Run Defense

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The Dallas Cowboys impressed with their win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday afternoon.

Quarterback Tony Romo looked sharp in the second half and the defense held the Bucs off as the Cowboys won 34-21.

But even with a two-touchdown win over a rather, eh, inferior opponent, the Dallas’s run defense looked rather pedestrian.

Cadillac Williams, coming off of two major knee surgeries, was able to dice the Cowboys’ defense up for 97 yards and one touchdown.

How does a defense so lauded for its aggressiveness allow a running back to chop it up so finely? Well, let’s take a closer look at the statistics.

As a unit, the Bucs totaled 174 yards rushing to go along with a healthy 5.6 yards per carry.

I know that this is the first game of the season and the defense hasn’t quite gelled, and there are still a few kinks to work out before the team gets going.

But also think about this—the Bucs mainly used two running backs the entire game: Cadillac Williams and Derrick Ward, who basically split time during the game. They both are fairly small backs with an average weight of 222 pounds.

Next week, the ‘Boys face one of the biggest running backs in the league in Brandon Jacobs. Brandon is 6’4″ and weighs 264 pounds.

If the Giants are able to establish the run early, how will they stop Jacobs and the Giants?

But back to the Buccaneers game.

Star corner back Terrance Newman had a nice outing with eight tackles. What’s troubling about that stat is how much the Bucs were able to get to that third level where Newman was able to make eight tackles.

Newman isn’t traditionally an all-out aggressive player. He doesn’t shy away from tackles, but Wade Phillips has to make sure this type of performance doesn’t happen again.

The Bucs not only averaged 5.6 yards a rush, but they had no plays where the running backs were tackled for a loss. That shows that the Bucs were able to get to the second level of the Cowboys’ defense throughout the game.

The Cowboys were able to hold the Bucs off as evidenced by the final score. The Bucs running game may have been more of a mirage than real.

But if the Cowboys have any plans of impressing the possible 105,000 thousand people that are expected to show for the opening of the team’s new stadium, Wade Phillips and crew will have to do more to stop Brandon Jacobs.

-JH

 

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Worrisome Cowboy: Is Emmitt Smith Right About the Cowboys?

For the majority of Cowboys fans out there, the news that Emmitt Smith predicted seven wins for the ‘Boys came as a bit of a shock.

 

He blasted the team’s leadership, questioned whether Roy Williams can become a true No. 1 receiver, and wonder if Tony Romo has a knack for “true” leadership.

 

It’s tough to argue with a guy who has three Super Bowl rings and is the NFL’s all-time rushing leader. But come on Emmitt, seven wins? Really, that’s it?

 

I mean, we play the Raiders and the Bucs in the same season. That’s at least two wins. We were able to eek out nine wins last year and that was with Brad Johnson as our starter.

 

So let’s put Emmitt’s assertion to the test.

 

No. 1: Emmitt stated that he’s unsure if Roy can become a No. 1 receiver in the NFL.

 

I tend to agree with him, but with Roy’s size and height it’s almost impossible for him to, well, suck.

 

In Detroit and with Jon Kitna as his quarterback, Roy managed to rack up eight touchdowns and over 1100 receiving yards.

 

If he can do that in the wasteland at Ford Field, why can’t he do that in Dallas in a billion dollar stadium with a million dollar quarterback?

 

As much as I love Emmitt, he’s reaching on this one.

 

 

No. 2: Mr. Smith stated that Romo isn’t a strong enough leader in the locker room or on the field.

 

I agree 100 percent with Emmitt simply because the Cowboys struggle down the stretch. Now its not his fault entirely that the team falls apart during crunch time, but to Smith’s point, why hasn’t Romo “snatched” up an offensive lineman after a key sack?

 

Remember the playoff game against the Giants a few years ago when the offensive line all of a sudden started leaking worse than the titanic?

 

What about when he broke his pinkie against the Cardinals because he couldn’t stay upright?

 

With one of the largest offensive lines in the league, it shouldn’t be this way.

 

When Dan Marino was still in the league, there was a commercial featuring All-Pro offensive lineman Richmond Webb and he’s talking to his fellow lineman after they broke the huddle and Webb looks at the defense and says something to the effect of, “these guys want to see Dan, that’s not happening today.”

 

Point of the advertisement, no one gets to see the quarterback unless the offensive line says so.

 

I don’t get that same feeling from the ‘Boys upfront for the Cowboys. It seems as if they have Romo overbooked way too many times during the season.

 

If that continues, it’s going to be another long offseason for the Cowboys.

 

Here’s hoping that Emmitt’s prediction is at least three or four games off because if it isn’t, Bum’s son will be looking for a new job and Tony may be calling Jessica to console him.

 

-JH

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Darrius Heyward-Bey Catches First Training Camp Pass; Holds Out Of Camp

Oakland Raiders first round draft pick Darrius Heyward-Bey impressed onlookers and present media when he caught a 70-yard bomb from Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell on his first day in training camp.

 

“I really wanted to impress Mr. Davis and prove that I was worth the $23 million dollar contract he gave me,” said Heyward-Bey. “I am obviously the best receiver on the team because they chose me so high,” Darrius continued.

 

Soon after Darrius caught his first pass as a Raider, he promptly excited the field and gave a high five to his new agent: Drew Rosenhaus.

 

Raiders head coach Tom Cable was seen yelling at Bey as he excited the field, but was soon quieted by local media personality Peter King when he yelled at Cable to “shut-up” as Rosenhaus’s press conference was about to start.

 

“My client, Darrius Heyward-Bey, is now in the locker room packing his things and on his way back to Maryland. He’s leaving camp because he feels that he’s not being paid for the services that he has given the Raiders,” said Rosenhaus.

 

There was complete and utter silence among reporters and coaches.

 

Head coach Tom Cable moved his way to the front of the group and actually raised his hand to ask a question.

 

“Does Mr. Davis know about this? Because if he doesn’t Darrius is going to be in trouble and so am I,” asked Cable.

 

Drew responded by telling Cable that Mr. Davis was informed by letter this morning of Bey’s decision to hold-out.

 

Cable proceeded to yell at Drew, telling him that Al Doesn’t wake up until noon and has to have breakfast before he reads any of his mail.

 

Tom then ran into the team compound hoping to steal the letter before Mr. Davis had his morning meal of cialis, strawberry oatmeal, and Metamucil.

 

Drew Rosenhaus continued his press conference by stating that Bey wants a contract extension worth $9 million dollars a year.

 

“Everyone around the NFL knows that Al Davis prefers a vertical passing game. Howard-Bey posses all the skills needed to take this team and the quarterback to the next level. He just wants to be paid for what he has contributed and what he’s worth,” said Rosenhaus.

Drew then ended his press conference by announcing his newest client, Brett Favre, would be signing with the New England Patriots.

 

When asked how he ended up in New England and why, Rosenhaus promptly responded with this line.

 

“Frankly Bill was tired of Tom Brady’s playboy antics and thought that Brett Favre’s steady hand could guide a team in desperate need of leadership.

 

Later in the day, ESPN reported that John Madden announced his comeback as a Patriots consultant.

 

-JH

Worrisome Cowboy: Will Tony Romo and Roy Williams Mesh in Dallas?

That is one of the big questions heading into Cowboys training camp. According to multiple sources around the Cowboys facility, there are worries that Williams and Romo may get off to a rough start.

 

During OTAs in the offseason, the pair didn’t click well enough to give coaches and fans much hope of duplicating the success that Tony had with former Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens.

 

Owens is now in Buffalo and Williams is the lone soldier on the end now, left to pair with Sam Hurd, Miles Austin, and Patrick Crayton.

 

Between these three men, they have a combined total of 52 touchdowns—that’s not even halfway to Owens career total of 139.

 

When Terrell played for the Cowboys he averaged 12 touchdowns over his three seasons, never logging less than ten touchdowns in one season.

 

Roy’s career total you ask? A paltry 30 with his highest totals of eight coming in 2004 and 2005, his rookie and sophomore seasons.

 

When healthy, Tony Romo has the ability to sling 30 touchdowns a year with evidence coming during the 2007 season when he threw 36. With an injury-plagued season in 2008, he only tossed 26. Not a bad average right?

 

But will he see his totals dip with Williams?

 

If Tony can stay healthy and his offensive line gives good protection, Tony will throw for at least 30 touchdowns this season. Roy Williams will not put up Terrell Owens-type numbers, but he will have a serviceable season.

 

Miles Austin will develop into a great deep-threat option, Jason Witten will continue to have Pro Bowl numbers, and Sam Hurd and Patrick Crayton will at least catch five touchdowns between them.

 

However, if Williams only draws single and double coverage, how will this affect the Cowboys running game?

 

Against certain opponents Terrell Owens would draw a linebacker, a corner, and a safety up top just to contain his deep-threat abilities. I’m not so sure Williams will command that same respect.

 

If he doesn’t, look for the Cowboys to use more two-tight end sets with Witten and Martellus Bennett along with featuring Tashard Choice and Felix Jones.

 

The Cowboys face the possibility of having a 1,000-yard rusher in Marion Barber and at least a 500-yard gainer in burner Jones.

 

Dallas is also flirting with the idea of returning Barber to his original position as more of a second-half back and starting Felix in a Julius Jones-type of role.

 

If the running game manages to become as successful as it seems to be on paper, then the Cowboys stand to have a fighting chance in the tough NFC East.

 

If Roy Williams can scrum up eight touchdowns and 1,100 yards, then look for Tony Romo to make another Pro Bowl appearance and for the Cowboys to contend for an NFC Championship berth.

 

-JH

Color Me Confused: Does Race Play in the Way Sports Media Treats Athletes?

Before I begin, allow me to state that this article will include words about race. Please enter with an open mind and a willingness to see the other side of the argument. – Management

 

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is having the offseason of a lifetime. He led his team to their second Super Bowl since taking over as starter during his rookie campaign.

 

He has a burger named after him, posted a score in the 80s at Bethpage Black during the week of the U.S. Open, and played pretty well this past week at the Lake Tahoe celebrity golf tournament.

 

Things were going pretty swimmingly for Ben, at least until a few days ago.

 

Big Ben has been accused of rape by Andrea McNulty, a casino host at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe and claims that Roethlisberger sexually assaulted her.

 

Ben has called the allegations “false and vicious” and has promised to fight the pending lawsuit.

 

Mistakenly, ESPN ran the story on its bottom line stating that Roethlisberger raped the young lady instead of being accused of the deed.

 

During a press conference held by the quarterback, he had his coach Mike Tomlin, agent Ryan Tollner, and attorney David Cornwell by his side.

 

This story regarding Ben has traction, but not as much as you think it would. ESPN has it listed on its web site, but it’s not front-page news.

 

In completely contrasting but similar situations, former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was accused of dog fighting around the same time two years ago.

 

Vick was immediately demonized by animal activists and dropped from corporate sponsors. While I disagreed with the severity of his punishment, Vick did lie about his involvement with dog fighting.

 

He also lied to his boss, the commissioner of the NFL Roger Goodell, which in turn caused a very harsh penalization to be handed down.

 

However, Vick spent two years in prison for dog fighting and is still on indefinite suspension from the NFL. According to NFL sources, Goodell is likely to extend Vick’s suspension four more games into the new season.

 

So I’m guessing doing two years of hard time isn’t enough to warrant a second chance to play football? What Vick did was wrong and most of all it was stupid. But everyone that lives in this nation is entitled to a second chance at life.

 

The point of serving time in prison is to pay one’s debt to society, which Vick has done.

 

NBA baller Kobe Bryant was accused of the same crime as Roethlisberger a few years ago. He lost corporate sponsors, fans, and was an endorsement nightmare for the NBA.

 

Kobe was eventually acquitted of his supposed crime. Turns out the woman that accused him of rape was telling a lie and actually had consensual sex with the four-time NBA champion.

 

Bryant was wrong in the fact that he committed adultery by sleeping with the young lady. Kobe was demonized by the media and some of his fans for what he did.

 

Eventually Bryant bounced back to win another NBA championship and eventually gain corporate sponsorship.

 

The blaring difference between these three athletes is the obvious, skin color. I’m not crying racism or bigotry in the case of Ben Roethlisberger, but there is a media bias for Ben.

 

Kobe was front page news for ESPN, CNN, and any other news outlet willing to tell about his story. Same thing for Michael a couple of summers ago when he couldn’t get away from the radicals that call themselves PETA.

 

Ben on the other hand seems to be flying a little under the radar.

 

A small article on ESPN, a mention on SportsCenter, and a crawl on CNN is all that Ben’s getting so far. Maybe the media is trying a different approach with Roethlisberger, giving him the benefit of the doubt before he’s judged.

 

By no means am I stating that Ben is guilty. In fact, from what I’ve read I believe that he’s probably telling the truth. However, if it were Dwight Howard or Ryan Howard the story would probably have more legs.

 

For some odd reason it seems that black athletes behaving badly receive more attention than a white guy that plays quarterback for the Super Bowl champions.

 

In light of “Skip” Gates being arrested for breaking into his own home, it seems that African-Americans are still better for bad news than good.

 

-JH

Dallas Cowboys Training Camp Preview: Part Two

In part one of this two-part series, I discussed how the departure of Greg Ellis, Terrell Owens, and Zach Thomas will affect the team going forward.

 

There are a ton of questions facing the Cowboys, as with any offseason, but this seems to be a make-or-break year for a team that is expected to make a Super Bowl run every season.

 

Part two of the series discusses how the Cowboys will fare in the “NFC Beast” this season, and addresses those pesky rumors about Garrett and Bum Phillips’ son.

 

 

With the departure of Plaxico in New York, the Eagles spurning Dawkins and allowing him to walk to Denver, and an owner in Washington who has no confidence in his quarterback, how will the Cowboys fare in the NFC East?

 

For the first time in a long time, the Cowboys seem to be one of the most stable teams in NFC East. Terrell is gone and the focus has shifted to Romo, but the circus atmosphere that surrounded the ‘Boys the past few years isn’t as prevalent this season.

 

The New York Giants running attack will be strong, but not as potent without Derrick Ward. Sack machine Osi Umenyiora will be back from a knee injury, but the offense will be without its lightning rod, Plaxico Burress.

 

While I believe that the Giants will having a winning record and make a run at the playoffs, I don’t see another improbable Super Bowl run like a couple years ago.

 

Heading south to D.C., the Redskins have a huge question mark at quarterback. I’m not questioning the skills of former Auburn man Jason Campbell, but his owner seems to have lost all confidence in the kid.

 

Campbell was left out to dry when the team unsuccessfully tried to trade for quarterback Jay Cutler and then attempted to draft former USC quarterback Mark Sanchez.

 

The team may not have much faith in Jason, but from all accounts, he still thinks that he can get the job done.

 

Washington’s only hope at the playoffs this year may be the mental stability of its “star” quarterback. If Campbell can hold steady and Clinton Portis remains healthy, an 8-8 season isn’t that far out of reach.

 

Over in “Illadelphia,” Donovan McNabb has a new contract, Brian Dawkins is now a Bronco, and blitzing defensive coordinator Jim Johnson is out indefinitely due to a battle with cancer.

 

As much as I disdain the Eagles, the team seems to be poised for another playoff run as their skill position players are still in place.

 

The battle for 1-2-3 in the NFC East will be between the Giants, Cowboys, and Eagles. The Cowboys ran away with the division in 2007, and they have the chance to do so again this year.

 

The ‘Boys have a dastardly tough schedule to end the year with road games against the Giants, Redskins, and Saints. Like last season, the team will face off against the Eagles in the last game of the year, but this time it will be in Texas.

 

History will be the judge of the future in this case, and I can’t defer from where the ‘Boys have finished the last few years. Their schedule in December is daunting, and the team hasn’t had a winning record during that part of year in over a decade.

 

Look for the Cowboys to finish second in the NFC East to the Giants or Eagles, but make a serious playoff run in January.

 

Will this be Wade Phillips and Jason Garrett’s last season in Dallas?

 

Wade Phillips is entering his third season as head coach in Dallas, and I’m not sure if Jerry will continue to make excuses for Phillips.

 

As many were calling for Wade’s dismissal after last season’s debacle, Jerry stood by his head coach. Instead of feeding him to the wolves, Jerry decided to give Bum’s son another shot.

 

If Tony Romo has taken the reigns of the team, the same must be said for Wade Phillips. After last season’s shootout against the Eagles early in the year, which ended with the cowboys winning 41-37, Phillips defended his defense by saying the Eagles were just receiving good breaks and capitalizing off of a few turnovers.

 

That type of explanation will not fly this season. Wade either has to lead this team deep in the playoffs or to a Super Bowl birth in order to keep his job. His defense has to stand up in the latter months of the season against teams like Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.

 

A few years ago, when Jerry brought back former back-up quarterback Jason Garrett to serve as offensive coordinator, it seemed a match made in Heaven as Romo flourished under Garrett’s tutelage.

 

Last season, though, Romo floundered a little under Garrett’s system and seemed to criticize Jason’s play calling.

 

Garrett probably has a longer leash than Phillips, simply because he isn’t the head coach.

 

Heading into training camp, Phillips may have a little sense of urgency because the Cowboys haven’t won a playoff game this decade.

 

The defense may be a little meaner and the offense a little more disciplined. The turnovers have to stop, and Romo can’t throw his customary one interception a game just to get it out of his system.

 

If Phillips and Garrett are to remain in Valley Ranch, they both must turn the Cowboys into a more streamlined outfit.

 

The Dallas Cowboys have one of the most talent-filled rosters in the league. Of course T.O. is gone, and so is Greg Ellis, but the team is still poised to make a serious run at the Super Bowl.

 

I predicted that the Cowboys will finish second in their division this season, but that could bode well for them. Flying under the radar isn’t something they’re accustomed to doing, and this season just may be the one where they do so.

 

Overall, I think the team will finish 11-5 with losses against the Giants and Eagles in the division. But, we have to get past training camp to enter into a total season preview.

 

-JH

Why DeMarcus Ware is better than Shawne Merriman

ESPN.com NFC East blogger Matt Mosley said in an entry yesterday that the Cowboys made the right decision in drafting Ware over Merriman.

 

Of course being a Cowboys fan I agree with his assessment, but the only way to truly find out is to simply break down the numbers.

 

Shawne Merriman, better known as “Lights Out,” was drafted by the Chargers out of Maryland 5 years ago. So far he has amassed an impressive total of 39.5 sacks, his career high coming in 2006 when he notched 17.

 

That was also the same year that Merriman tested positive for steroids and missed four games, dashing any hopes of breaking the all time sack record.

 

Delving deeper into Merriman’s stats, in 2007 he had imposing a six sacks in the month of December. If you can recall, that’s the year that the Chargers went to the AFC Championship to face the Patriots.

 

Shawne had an ok showing in the playoffs that season where he totaled 13 tackles and one sack. However he did have a game or two where he had four or five tackles where he wasn’t really noticeable.

 

Within the AFC, Merriman does his best work against the Kansas City Chiefs where he sacked their main signal caller four times and had 16 tackles in 2007.

 

Shawne missed all of last season with a knee injury, which will probably take him at least a season and a half to fully recover from. Will his sack totals decrease due to lack of burst off the line?

 

Shawne has never had over 70 tackles in a season, so will his tackle total suffer as well?

 

At first look it seems as if the Chargers were right in their choice. Merriman has a motor that never quits and gives 110% on the field.  

 

However there is a cloud of deceit around his true abilities. Did the steroids contribute to the 17 sacks or was it just pure strength and skill?

 

Moving on to DeMarcus Ware.

 

He was drafted the same year as Merriman out of Troy in southeast Alabama.

 

Ware had his best statistical output last year as he had 20 sacks, 84 tackles, and 6 forced fumbles. He also had 84 tackles in 2004 coupled with 14 sacks.

 

Ware has more career sacks that Shawne with 53. But to Ware’s advantage, Merriman was injured all of last season.

 

DeMarcus seems to do his best work against the Giants of New York. Last season he had 12 tackles, 4 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles.

 

Ware also remains consistent as the game progresses. Like Merriman he has 6 sacks in the fourth quarter, but Ware has more tackles that Shawne during the final period amassing 17.

 

Another situational stat shows that Ware has 3 sacks on 3^rd and long, forcing the team opposing into an obvious 4^th and long situation.

 

Merriman on the other hand had no sacks and only 1 tackle on 3^rd and long in 2007.

 

Comparing these two players is like appraising the abilities of Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson. The thing about Jordan and Johnson is that there is one player that is better than the other. You know the one with 6 championship rings?

 

Well, that’s kind of like Ware and Merriman without any rings between the two.

 

Over and above Ware just seems to be the better overall player. He tackles, shows up in crucial situations, and had 20 sacks through an injury riddled season.

 

Both players will prove to be great by the end of their career. But at this moment in time, who would you choose? The player with the knee injury or the guy with 20 sacks?

 

-JH

Dallas Cowboys Training Camp Preview, Part I

NFL fans across the nation are gearing up for what has become a summer tradition for many. NFL training camps are just two weeks away from starting on college campuses and practice fields in a neighborhood near you.

 

While I, like many, can hardly contain myself with excitement that we are approaching a new NFL season, many NFL clubs have questions that still remain un-answered.

 

Will Brett Favre come out of retirement again? How will Tom Brady’s knee hold-up throughout the season? Can Eli Manning survive without Plaxico Burress? Are the Dallas Cowboys better without Terrell Owens?

 

The 2008 Dallas Cowboys were nothing short of a disappointment. Injuries dashed hopes of any type of Super Bowl run early in the season when Tony Romo broke his pinky finger and Marion Barber bruised every possible body part.

 

Terrell Owens was made scapegoat for an underachieving offense as his numbers struggled without Tony Romo calling the signals.

 

Rookie sensation Felix Jones was amazing before injuring his hamstring, hampering a potent one-two punch anchored by Barber.

 

But this season will be different for the boys from Valley Ranch.

 

Terrell Owens was released to go roam in Buffalo, safety Roy Williams couldn’t cover the deep ball, so he was allowed to walk as well, and stalwart linebacker Zach Thomas proclaimed after the season that he wouldn’t be back.

 

Not only are the Cowboys a different team, but they have a different look as well.

 

This season Tony Romo is the unquestioned leader of an offense that has the potential to rank first in every statistical category.

 

Romo no longer has the shadow of Terrell Owens, or Jessica Simpson for that matter, hanging over his shoulder in the locker room or in the media.

 

Jason Witten and second year man Martellus Bennett are poised to become a potent receiving tandem as the Cowboys look to feature more two-tight-end sets than in past seasons.

 

So what should fans watch for and expect from the Cowboys in training camp and preseason?

 

 

1. Can Roy Williams replace the production of Terrell Owens?

 

The quick answer is no. If you look at the stats for both players, Williams has only logged one 1,000-yard season in his short six-year career and his career high in touchdowns is eight.

 

Compare that will Terrell and Williams cannot hold a candle to his production.

 

However, Terrell has always had the presence of a great or at least good quarterback behind center. In San Francisco he had Steve Young and Jeff Garcia. Philadelphia he had McNabb and in Dallas he caught passes from Tony Romo.

 

Roy Williams ran down the field for Joey Harrington and John Kitna. I felt for you in Detroit Roy, so there really is no comparison.

 

No excuses for Williams this season about splitting catches or not knowing the system. He has had an entire offseason to prepare himself and to get acclimated with Romo’s passing tendencies.

 

I’m expecting at least an 1100-yard season with 8 touchdowns and 75 plus catches from Williams. Owens was able to do it when he stalked Texas stadium, so why can’t you?

 

 

2. With the departure of Greg Ellis, Chris Canty, and Zach Thomas, will the Cowboys miss their production?

 

Greg Ellis could still be a Cowboy, well at least in theory, if he would have accepted his role as a 33-year-old defensive end. He didn’t, so now he’s off to Oakland.

 

Zach Thomas was great last season for the Cowboys, logging 94 tackles and one sack. He was paired with Bradie James in the middle and they both enjoyed great statistical seasons.

 

Statistically, Canty only had three sacks and 37 tackles, but he used that leverage and bolted for the Giants and more money, which I can’t blame him for

 

But he was vital on the line for the Cowboys last year and had his best games against the Cowboys biggest foe in the beast.

 

The New York Giants.

 

So how does a team replace a combined 167 tackles and 12 sacks?

 

Youth is one answer. Anthony Spencer is finally getting his chance to start as he will replace Greg Ellis on the line and standing up. Spencer matched Ellis’s output in tackles with 34, but came up empty on sacks and interceptions.

 

Also, Spencer is only 25 years old and has three years of NFL service on his joints and muscles.

 

I don’t believe that the team will miss Ellis as much as Thomas or Canty. Ellis is on the downside of his career and only had maybe two good seasons left in him.

 

Thomas is just as seasoned as Ellis, but seems to have more of an upside than Greg.

 

I’m sure team owner Jerry Jones and head coach Wade Phillips are not looking forward to seeing Canty twice a year now that he’s in New York.

 

He can be a monster on the line, as evidenced by his two sack game against the Giants early last season.

 

Zach Thomas is the type of player that you want and need in your locker room just because of the experience and leadership he brings. Maybe this season Thomas would have had a calming effect on a volatile locker room that has been tamed by Jerry’s son Stephen.

 

Stay tuned for Part II…

Next Page »

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