Hello everyone out there in blog land.  I'm back and its a new season.  I do have to comment on the Monday Night Football Game (Dallas vs Buffalo).  I guess I could give you a blow by blow of the game like some people do on here.  But why state the obvious.  Yes Romo had a bad game, yes My Boys rallied back in the last 20 seconds, and, yes, T.O. dropped a pass in the end-zone. 

    But what about the Dallas Defense?  Buffalo scored 14 points on interceptions alone.  That means that the Dallas D held them to 10 points.  If it wasn't for that Dallas would have surely lost that game.  And don't get me wrong, I love Tony Romo.  He's the QB Dallas has been looking for for awhile now.  He did a great job coming back.  But if it wasn't for the Dallas D then that could have easily been a run-away game.  What I've noticed about the Cowboys this year is their total ability to totally break down the other teams offensive and defensive lines.  I don't know what kind of conditioning program Wade Phillips has going there, but it must be pretty tuff.  Dallas has the ability to keep it going right up until the end of the game.

    Well I hope everyone has enjoyed these rantings of an old Salt.  Have a wonderful day.

 

As we take the  stockings down, throw away wrapping paper, and digest our Christmas dinners The NFL has been handing out presents of its own.  The Texans get a big present beating the Colts 27-24.  This of course does nothing for the Texans who are 5-10 and out of the playoffs. 

The Cowboys were givin a glimpse of the future.  T.O. will probably not be with the Cowboys next year.  His ball dropping escapades and press stealing controversies are probably a little too much for the Dallas Franchise to handle.  T. O. missed two key catches in a much needed divisional game that could have givin the Cowboys the NFC East.  Of course he isn't the only problem at Dallas who lost to the Eagles 23-7 on Christmas day. 

The Eagles got a big win over the Cowboys which could give them the division with a win next week against the Falcons.  Jeff Garcia has takin the Eagles reins and has brought them back from a sure death. 

The Titans at the hands of  Vince Young has done something similar.  He has won 9 games for the Titans who were one of the AFC's last place teams at the beginning of the year.  Teams who play the Titans aren't quite ready for what they have to offer.  The Titans are a 4 quarter team which doesn't quit till the game clock reads 00:00.  Most of the teams they play are used to running up big numbers in the first part of the game and then coasting to a win.  Makes you wonder what the Titans would look like if Young had started as QB from game one.

The Playoff picture is starting to get clearer now but there are still some teams that are iffy.  Although my beloved Cowboys lost to the Eagles they are still in it and can still clinch the East with an Eagles loss/Cowboys win in week 17. 

 

Just wanted to take this opportunity to wish everyone in the Fox Sports Blogosphere a Merry Christmas.  Thats right people I said Merry Christmas!!!! and a Happy New Year.  If you don't believe in Christ then, um, good day.  Remember the reason for the Season.

I'm scared.  I have a young son who I would like to sit and watch games with on Sundays one day.  I, like most fathers, want him to grow up to be a happy well adjusted adult with the moral gumption to make the right decisions when I'm no longer able to make them for him.  But I watch my Cowboys play and guys get stomped on after a play is dead.  I watch the news and see entire college teams just duking it out on the field.  I see professional basketball players just throwing down on the news along with players being accused of rape.  And the list goes on and on and on.  This is just the last two years or so.  Lets not discuss gun and drug charges.  Am I the only one who thinks about this sort of thing?  Why are felons still aloud to play pro sports?  If it was my beloved NAVY they wouldn't even qualify to enlist.  They rake in millions without ever doing any jail time.  Its ridiculous.  Its a complete and total outrage.  Something needs to be done.  The owners aren't going to do anything.  Its a business to them.  If having a T.O. type player means it brings in bucks, guess what, he stays.  The more athletes like T.O. do stupid things the more people watch which just brings in more money.  

I know I may not be the most popular blogger because of my ideaology.  I'm a bit old fashioned.  I think that Professional Athletes should be just that, Professional.  It wasn't always about winning but how you won.  You played a clean game and you could walk out with your head held high whether you won or lost.  I've had my integrity questioned on a few occassions for my avitar (I'll probably never make BOD with it).  I've been called out because my views are kind of narrow ( I see things pretty much as right or wrong).  I never mean to hurt anyone with my comments but just try to get my view across.  People will comment, of course, that this is the new generation who have grown up and are just a bunch of spoiled kids.  Sure it is, but WE'RE spoiling them.  As I step off my soap box and realize I'm doing one of the things I hate most in life (####ing without a realistic solution), I realize I don't have a solution except to keep the t.v. on Sesame Street when my sons in the room.   And no, he doesn't get to see my avitar till he's at least 16. 

A full 12 hours after Terrel Owens goes on record that there is a snitch in the Cowboys locker-room and not one blog.  How did the haters resist this juicy tidbit?  Not once was he called a #### in a blog today or any other suggestive words.  I for one am simply amazed.  The bloggers went nuts when we found out that Owens went to sleep in a team meeting, oh, and it was off the chain when he decided to celebrate his birthday as millions of Americans do every day.  I personally just want to say to everyone out there in blogland that it was just so refreshing not to see someone come on here and blow Terrel Owens' remarks totally and completely out of context or off the charts.  I'm gonna go and drink a beer for each and every one of you guys.  Well, not 1 beer per 1 person, but you get my meaning. Toast and remember, Go COWBOYS!!!!!

I sat in my easy chair watching the Dallas Cowboys fall apart as a well prepared N. O. Saints ran the football down my Cowboys throats.  The Saints showed some of the best coaching and the best preparation I have seen in a team from the NFC in a long time.  I write this blog because I know the Cowboy haters are going to be out in full force today.

The Cowboys went into this game looking like a High School team playing a Pro team.  I know everyone is going to say that Romo failed which he did throwing two interceptions one of which was in the endzone.  The Dallas Offense had bad problems getting recievers open and the running game was all but nonexistant.  Romo wasn't the problem though (atleast not the only problem).   What really got me was how the Dallas Defense just couldn't stop the Saints.  There was nothing the Cowboys could do.  The Saints were running passing and mixing it up, keeping the Cowboys completely off guard   The Coaching staff did nothing to adjust the team to the Saints style of play and the Cowboys quickly lost heart and basically quit. 

So who do you blame when a team fails as totally as the Cowboys did.  Well I'd have to start with the Coaching staff.  Its like the Cowboys didn't even watch any game footage.  As much as the Saints were prepared for this game the Cowboys were totally unprepared.  Maybe Terrel Owens wasn't the only person who didn't hear Parcells speech the other day.  Well maybe they will listen now.  Do I blame Parcells?  Not totally..  As Head Coach the over all responsibility for the lose falls on his shoulders, but it takes more than one man to sink a ship.  The defensive and offensive coorodinators should have moved some things around, taken some chances and played to win. 

So Congratulations Saints on a well orchestrated defeat against the Cowboys.  And to all you Cowboy Haters, we all knew that the Cowboys would lose sooner or later, but they are still on top of the NFC East and still have a chance.  Go Cowboys. 

 

As we approach the NFL playoffs you can't help but stop and wonder which is better the AFC or the NFC.  After all thats what the Superbowl is all about.  Its the best of the two conferences playing against each other to see whos the best.  Well as we approach week 14 and the playoffs looming in the close distance I decided to do a little research.

As it stands right now in this 2006 season the AFC has beaten the NFC 35 games to 20 games.  These two conferences are totally different.  Where as its pretty clear whos best in the AFC, the NFC is a little bit harder to judge.  Sure we can look at the standings and say who is on top, but the hard part is finding who are going to be the wildcard teams.  The NFC middle of the road teams are so close its really hard to tell at this point. 

When it comes to AFC/NFC matchups the Cowboys have the best record against the AFC.  Out of the 4 games played against the AFC the Cowboys have lost 1.  The Bears only two loses of the year come against the AFC losing to the Dolphins and the Patriots.  Out of the AFC you have the Ravens who have won 4 of their 5 match-ups against the NFC and the Colts have won 3 of their 4 match-ups against the NFC.  The Chargers have won all 3 of there match-ups against the NFC.

Looking at it like this it would seem that the AFC is definately on top of the NFC.  Now don't come here and post me with hate mail about the NFC being better blah blah blah.  These are the simple statistics and we all know that in the end it comes down to more than that.  I won't say that the AFC or the NFC will win the Superbowl.  We will know that at the end of the Superbowl game day.  I simply am crunching the numbers (which may not be totally right, but are pretty damn close).   

Wow, what a rivalry.  This has to be one of the all time greats.  Of course, after being in the Navy for 20 years you can imagine who I root for.  I'm not sure how much civilians get into this game but for the Army and the Navy its pretty big.  The Navy actually has a competition for the "Spots" that appear between commercials during this game.  You see alot of sailors gathered around something that usually fires missiles or some other type of projectile screaming GO NAVY, BEAT ARMY!!!.  I've had the pleasure of doing a couple of these spots.  Its alot of fun for the young sailors and the guys really get into it.  I'm sure the Army does something similar because they have the same "Spots" every year. 

What can be better than watching two teams who aren't just rivals on the football field but also on the battle field.  Come on guys, their mascots are an OLD GOAT and a STUBORN MULE.  Two of the most intimidating beasts known to man.  If the mascots alone don't send a chill up your spine.  This is one of those games where the fans don't really care how there team is doing every other day of the year as long as they WIN THIS ONE!!!!   To the Army and Navy service men and women its about bragging rights.  Its one of the most enduring rivalries in College football and one of the closest.  After Saturdays game the series now stands at Army-49 wins, Navy-51 wins and 7 ties. 

This isn't all to the rivalry either.  We can't forget about the Airforce acadamy.  How many rivalries include three teams.  None that I know of.  The winner of this three way rivalry wins the Commander in Chief's trophy which is presented to the winner by none other than the President of the United States.

 

Being a Cowboys fan I know all about teams who people love to hate.  The Cowboys are just one of those teams.  I like comparing them to the Yankees or the Bulls.  I have to admit I don't care much for the Yankees myself.  I guess what gets me most is that they beat my Rangers every year.  And on years when the Yankees lose to the Rangers they still go to the World Series.  I try to keep from being one of those people who badmouth the Yankees or the Bulls, but I still feel that dislike every time I see a kid in a Yankees cap or a Bulls Jersey. 

After going to championship games year in and year out I've just gotten tired of seeing the same team play.  Where do these teams get the money or the coaches to build teams like these?  It's baffling really.  But in order to make money you have to spend money, or so I'm told.  And after all, professional sports are basically big business.  A losing team will not draw the crowds which makes the players popular. 

I do deal alot with the hatred of the Cowboys.  I'm a native Texan who lives in Virginia where most of the people are Redskin fans.  Sure theres a rivalry there, but thats fun.  I do get tired of hearing people who just don't really care about football dog my team though.  Being in the Navy as long as I was I've talked football with alot of different fans from alot of different areas and it seems that "Rivalry" doesn't matter when it comes to the Cowboys though.  People either love them or they hate them.  I've met very few people who just don't really care.  The people who really get me are the Band Wagon Fans.  These haters end up rooting for a certain team because they start winning.  We've all been witness to these dregs of the sports genre.  It's a sad and disturbing sight really.  Most of them have know idea whats going on with the game anyway and just want to be popular with the guys whos team is winning. 

As far as the Cowboys going to the Super Bowl this year.  For me its still a week to week ordeal.  If they win this week that just puts them closer, if they lose it puts them farther away.  So I watch the games when I can and hope that they win. 

Can we all just get along?!?!?!?!?

OK, I can understand that being the brother of one of the top QB's in the NFL can come with some pressure.  I can even understand that after the Giants big start this year that there was alot to live up to.  But lets face it, a total melt down in the fourth quarter of a much needed win to a team who barely has a record, thats just bad football.  No ifs ands or buts about it.  Eli just had a meltdown.  No, lets not do that, lets not put it all on Eli.  The Giants had a total melt down.  So what does this do to the NFC now.  Well the jury is still out on that one but it does put the Cowboys a little closer to winning the NFC East.  Then you have the Bears losing to the Patriots.  That one wasn't a great big surprise to me.  The Bears finally played a tough team.  Then to wrap it all up, Carolina, who was looking like contenders lose to the Redskins of all teams.  What a flip flop of a weekend this turned out to be.  I'm happy of course because I'm a Dallas fan.  Now comes the big game for the Cowboys.  They have to beat the Giants this weekend.  Its a neccessity for them to keep up there momentum.  Remember Go Cowboys!!!!

OK, of course I watched the game and am blown away by My Cowboys.  I'm a fan after all.  But now its Friday and I've slept since the win over the Bucs.  Some things for us Cowboy fans to remember. 

One.  If we really thought our team was great then is this really a surprise??  No not against a team who was 3-7 going into a game played in Dallas on Thanksgiving.  The Boys did exactly what they should have done to the Bucs.  Nothing more, nothing less.  The Bucs, as we in the military would call them, are soft targets.  No real threat, no great challenge.  Go in and strike and get out.  BOOM, a win. 

Two.  The Cowboys still have some real competition out there.  We still have to beat the Giants, face the Saints and then take on the Falcons.  All of which are contenders in the NFC.  All of which are threats.  The only good thing about playing the Giants is that the Boys  will be coming off of a ten day rest and have a history of coming out storming after this break. 

Three.  Tony Romo (and don't get me wrong here).  He's still green.  Yes he seems to have given the Cowboys some new pep to their step but this could be a deadly trap to fall into.  We get complacent and start thinking that Romo is the best thing since sliced bread and boom the Boys lose to the Giants and then again to the Saints.  Then what?  Hope for a better year next year is what.  Now like I said, don't get me wrong.  I think Romo is "the real deal".  I really do, I just want to look at things realisticly.  What it breaks down to is, I'm not worried about Romo holding up, I'm worried about a wishy washy offense. 

So, now that I've brought "US" Cowboys fans back down to earth.  I guess I'll quit ranting and let everyone digest their turkey.  Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.

 

With six games left of a sixteen game season I still don't see a clear winner in the NFC.  There are so many teams who have the potential to go to the big game. 

Of course there is one obvious choice in the NFC North that pops out at you and thats the Chicago Bears (9-1).  If you take a close look at the Bears season there haven't been that many real challenges for a good team.  The only other tough teams they play will be the Patriots (7-3) next week and the Cowboys(6-4).  The Bears will take the North.

The NFC East is probably the hardest to figure out. The Giants (6-4) just came off a big lose on the road against Jacksonville.  They have to face the Panthers (6-4) and then the Cowboys at home.  Eli Manning and the Giants offense really seems to be having alot of problems lately getting it together.  They lost the last two games and really need to bring it together.  The Cowboys just coming off a big win at home will finish the season with four of its six games played at Dallas.  They will play the Buccaneers (3-7) on Thanksgiving and then after a ten day rest go against the Giants in Dallas.   After that they still have to face the Saints (6-4) and the Falcons (5-5). The Cowboys have been given a shot in the arm with the replacement of Drew Bledoe with Tony Romo.  He has really brought this team together and taken some of the pressure off of the Dallas offense with his ability to move around in the pocket.  All said and done, the Cowboys will take the East.

The NFC South is another tough division with two pretty good teams tied for first.  The Panthers and the Saints (6-4).  The Panthers still have to face down the Giants, Steelers (4-6), Falcons (5-5) and the Saints with two of their last six games played at home.  The Panthers have really started to come on though with a two game winning streak.  The Saints seem to be taking the same road as the Giants.  Losing their last two against  the Steelers and the Bengals (5-5).  The Saints are finishing up their Season facing five tough teams with three at home.  In order to do something they have to face the Falcons, 49ers (5-5), Cowboys, Giants, and the Panthers.  When you look at it this way I'm saying that the Panthers take the South.

Now comes the fun part.  The NFC West.  The Seahawks(6-4) are on top followed by the who?  San Francisco 49ers.  Where did they come from?  The Seahawks are coming off a lose with 3 of its last six at home.  They have to face the Broncos (7-3) and the 49ers.  They have been playing without their key players, (RB) Shaun Alexander and (QB) Matt Hasselbeck.  Both are about to return.  Will it be enough to keep them on top?  Which brings me to the 49ers.  The 49ers are on a three game winning streak coming of a win against the Seahawks.  The 49ers are on the road for four of their last six games and have to face the Saints, Seahawks and the Broncos.  I have to say that because Alexander and Hasselbeck are returning that the Seahawks will take the West.

Thats my Week 11 wrap up for the NFC.  Who will go to the Superbowl?  Who knows, only time will tell that one. 

The games over.  Cowboys win 21-14.  It was a simple and somewhat uneventful game until the 2nd half that is.   The Cowboys dominated the 2nd half scoring 21 points to Indy's 7.  The Dallas defense lived up to their end of the deal by keeping the ball out of Mannings hands as much as possible.  Once the Dallas offense got the ball they mixed it up and held the ball as much as possible.  Romo was superb at clock control and ball control completing 19/23 passes for 226 yds.  All of this and with absolutely no help from ex Indy Kicker (Vanderjagt) who missed two field goals, one from 43 yds and another from 46.  This is nothing new for Dallas or Vanderjagt since he's been with the Cowboys.  I have to be honest here people.  I picked Indy to win this one simply because of the Cowboys on/off play over the last 2 months.  I think that this might just be the shot in the arm that the Cowboys needed to really get them going.  Theres alot riding on tomorrow nights Giants game.  They lose tomorrow night and Dallas will be tied with the Giants 6-4.  But the Cowboys still need to win the rest of their divisional games if they plan on doing something with this season.  The skins are no threat of course, but there are still the Eagles who may be down for the count now after being blown out by the Titans 31-13.    McNabb has been put out for the rest of the year after being hit early in the second quarter tearing his acl in his right knee.  Until later, GO COWBOYS!!!

This was another strange week in the NFL.  Teams lost who we didn't think had a chance to be beat while some teams won who we didn't think would pull it off.  Some of these games should have started off with the theme from "The Twighlight Zone".

Lets start with the Steelers and the Saints.  This was a great game.  The Steelers beat the Saints 38 to 31.  This was a real nail biter and one heck o####ame.  This just goes to show you  that the Steelers can still win one when they need to.  Does this mean that the Steelers are finally coming out of their funk???  I'm not even gonna go there.

I'm gonna bring up the Ravens against the Titans.  I know that the underdog lost, but it was one hell of a try by the Titans.  They gave the Ravens a real go for their money with the Ravens winning 17-16.  I think that with Vince Young as QB, the Titans have a pretty bright future.

Cleveland and Atlanta????  Who'da thought that the Browns would beat the Falcons??  Not I.  Again an underdog comes out on top though.  Cleveland slipped by the Falcons 17-13. 

Texans against the Jaguars.  Another great game.  Another Hopeful goes down to a team who hasn't done much at all this year.  The Texans pull this one off by only 3 points winning 13 to 10.

Miami beats Kansas City.  Miami beats a team that has been on fire for the last few years.  Maybe Miami may be bringing their down slide to a halt??  Miami ekes by 13-10.

The Chargers and the Bengals.  I mention this one because we all thought that the Chargers were going down.  The Chargers overcome a 21 point deficit to win this one in what I thought would be an easy win for the Chargers.  I guess they did too coming into the game.

So looking back on this weekends games.  It really makes me wonder about teams offense and defense.  Is it a midseason slump that have gotten into some teams?  Give me your take on it.

 

 

Another Veterans Day has come and gone.  Car lots and major retail stores had a hayday.  People got together for a long weekend.  Most of us only noticed it was Veterans Day by the number of military members shown on tv during the commercials between our favorite games.  Veterans Day started out as Armistice Day set into motion on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918 to commemorate the end of World War I.  In 1954 it was changed to Veterans Day and expanded to commemorate the veterans who served in WWII and Korea.  Today it honors all veterans alive and dead who have served this wonderful country of ours.  Since this is a sports blog, I'm going to try to keep this to sports.  First off, I have to say that its great that Fox and other stations let the men and women of the military use their networks to say hi to their families and root on their favorite teams.  I can just imagine watching the game and seeing a son, father, brother, mother, sister, or any family member.  Just to see someones face you haven't seen in a year or so and knowing that they are ok.  That must be a wonderful feeling. 

One of the biggest veterans I can remember who also played pro sports was Roger Staubach.  Roger graduated from the Unite States Naval Accademy and went #10 in the draft in 1964 by the Dallas Cowboys.  He didn't start his football career till 1967 after serving in Viet Nam.  A basketball great who is a veteran is David Robinson.  He attended the USNA graduating in 1987.  Again he was held from the draft due to his obligations to the service.  He was held for 2 yrs and was used as a Navy promotional tool for recruitment.   Due to his unusual height, he was exempt from 3 yrs of his contract and served 2 yrs in the Naval reserve.  He signed with the San Antonio Spurs as a #1 draft pick in 1989-90 season. 

I'm sure there are other sportspersons/military veterans out there, so if I left out one just add them here as a respectful well deserved "Thank You" for a job well done.