Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Weekly Thoughts
A lot to cover this week. I hope I can get it all in.
1. You knew it would be a matter of time before Tony Romo would get his chance. Romo did exactly what I thought he would do. He showed flashes of potential with his mobility, escaping from a few sacks, and showed flashes of inexperience. What was he thinking on that screen pass? Romo is not going to save the day. He is probably the future of the Cowboys, and they have to go with him so they can let him get the experience. But he is not going to go and be a savior. The Cowboys are not going to the Super Bowl with Drew Bledsoe and they will not go with Tony Romo. Romo has the potential to be good. But he needs the experience to establish that tealent into a Pro Bowl caliber quarterback. Few quarterbacks have had great first seasons. Troy Aikman, Peyton Manning, and John elway had bad seasons while Ben Roethlisberger, Tom Brady, and Dan Marino had good ones. It is a gamble to go with Romo the rest of the way but the Cowboys need to do this to see if the franchise has any direction. He is essentially a rookie quarterback. He will make mistakes until he matures as a player and passer.
2. The offensive line needs to block for once. Bledsoe made the mistake with his interceptions, but he had no choice on some of those sacks. What were the Cowboys thinking leaving Michael Strahan, Lavar Arrington and OsiUmenyiora going unguarded and taking Blesoe for bait? Why was there no max. protection when Patrick Crayon foolishly let the punt be downed inside the 1 in the first half? The O-line is not going to get better overnight. Bledsoe is the kind of quarterback that needs protection all the time. Every quarterback needs protection, but Bledsoe has no feet, and when rushed, makes stupide decisions. Romo with his ability can avoid some of these sacks because the Cowboys have no choice. Romo can at least scramble out of the pocket and free up some receivers or throw it away. Bledsoe will be flattened quickly and Parcells knows the blueprint is out there on how to beat the Cowboys. Romo gives them the best opportunity to win.
3. Terrell Owens cries everytime the ball is not going his way or when the offense is struggling. But when he drops a critical 4th and 1 pass when he is wide open, he sits down on the bench and doesn't say a word. Hey TO, if you are not perfect, quit the griping.
4. The griping that happened on the sideline was overplayed all night long by ESPN. Andre Gurode was yelling at his position coach after a series but ESPN did not show it. Gurode could throw a towel or gatorade cup at his coach and people still will not care. It is all about TO. Even thought these blowups and shouting matches happen all over the league, his will always be magnified and he and the people involved will have to answer to it.
5. I hear people say that this game was a make or break for the Cowboys. I will admit looking at the rest of the schedule and seeing all the tough road games at Carolina, Washington, and Arizona ahead does not good, but a make or break? This means because the Cowboys lost last night, the season is over? Yeah sure.
6. TO appears to love the idea of having Tony Romo as his quarterback. Just wait Tony. The first time you miss him when he is wide open, you will find out how much he really loves you.
7. Ben Roethlisberger is having one hellish year. I never seen a QB have so much turmoil immediately after winning the Super Bowl.
8. Poor Dennis Green. He sure to be gone at the end of the year. I don't think anyone can win in Arizona.
9. I am not quick to rule out the Redskins for the rest of the year. IT is too early and anything can happen.
10. Hines Ward needs to get over this anger he has for every team that passed over him in the draft. If you are using it for motivation to beat your opponent, fine. But if you are still carrying a grudge, get over it. They passed on you. I never heard Jerry Rice gripe on the teams that passed him.
11. The Super Bowl loss curse seems to be taking affect. Shaun Alexander looks to be out even longer than expected and now Matt Hasselback is going to be out for awhile. Plus there is injury concerens at the receiver position and the Rams look to be serious contenders.
12. Matt Bryant kicking a 62-yard field goal to beat the Eagles. Ugghhhhhh. What was that? Donovan McNabbs' stomach. How sick does it feel how close the Eagles have lost their three games. They don't just lose them but they have lost them with some kind of dramatic story, a hughe comeback, a 8 minute drive and the second longest field goal in history. Ugghhhhh.
13. I had a bad day with my picks. It was bound to happen sooner or later. 6-7.
14. Kenny Rogers had something on his piching hand that caused the umpires to ask him to wah it off. He claims it was dirt, but showing the replays on his previous starts in the playoffs, he had that same substacne on the same location each time. So was it pine tar, or some kind of substance needed to aid with the grip, it was after all a cold night in Detroit. Rogers had two stories when he initially told reporters he was asked to wash it off and then later pulled a John Kerry and said it was his decision and no one told him to wash it off. There is a question on whether or not pine tar aides in the delivery of the ball. Most experts say it does not, just aids in giving a better grip on the ball, but not the delivery. But if a pitcher can get a better grip on the ball because of a foreign substacne, then his delivery will be better, especially with a pitcher with good command of his pitches. So it may not aid with the trajectory of the ball, but the pitcher has a better grip and therefore, no problems with getting piches over the plate the way he wants it. I wondered why a guy with the worst post-season precord in history suddenly is pitching lights out in this post-season. Can you imagine what game 6 will be like?
15. What I want to know is why Tony La Russa did not make an issue of it. If the MLB rules are correct, any kind of foreign substance on the ball or glove is an automatic ejection. If LaRussa had pushed for this, the momentum shifts. You take out the Tigers best starting pitcher, plus mess with his mind because he is emotionally unstable, and the Cardinals have the long relief to work against. Some have speculated that Jim Leyland is LaRussa's friend, and he did not want to show him up. Others are sating that his own pitcher do the same thing and he did not want the Tigers to be questioning his pitchers. If the Cardinals lose this Series, and I think they will, people will look back at this game and wonder if this was the turning point.
16. Cheating is cheating. This should be on the same taboo list as steroids but for some, it does not seem to be much of a big deal. Cheating is cheating. I know Gaylord Perry is in the HAll of Fame after openly admitting to messing with his pitches. Some say that this is part of the game and if you are not cheating, you are not trying. But what about morals? Does any sport have any kind of morals attached to it?
17. Shawn Merriman was suspended for 4 games by the league for a reported steroid subtance he used. His people claim he tested positive for a steroid that was tainted in one of the many supplements he takes everyday. Please. What are the odds of that? Both of your samples came back positive and if you have a question of what you are taking may be illegal, ask your trainer!
18. The NFL does not really get the heat that MLB gets for their steroid policy. But it should. I feel MLB take more heat because of the individuality of the sport. So many records can be broken on an individual basis. Pitchers can pitch in their 40s with a ERA less than 2 and hit 60 or more home runs after 40 as well. The NFL positions that are likely to use steroids are probably located in teh trenches, the offensive and defensive line. So there are not a lot of places to get individual records as much as in baseball becaue of the team concept. But hold on. Let us say that an entire offensive line is juiced up. Now listen to this, they have a star running back who runs for over 2,000 yards and breaks the single season record for yards, touchdowns, and yards per carry. So if the O-line was juiced, should that record have an asterisk beside it. Yep it should. But the NFL will probably never get the heat of MLB. They can claim they test all they want but there are so many ways to cheat plus Human Growth Hormone(HGH) is still hard to detect so it is not full-proof.
19. The BS rating came out. This one is better. Ohio State and Michigan meetin in 3 1/2 weeks at 1 and 2 respectively. Yummy.
20. Calvin Johnson, the nations number 1 wide receiver from Georgia Tech was held without a catch in the game against Clemson.
21. Troy Smith still has my vote for the Heisman.
22. Charlie Weiss says it would take the lottery for him leave Notre Dame. The Dallas Cowboys look like a good lottery to me.
23. Ron Gardenhire gets an extension even though his team was knocked out in the first round and the team that beats his, the A's, fires their skipper? It doesn't add up.
Nice talking with you guys, gotta go!
1. You knew it would be a matter of time before Tony Romo would get his chance. Romo did exactly what I thought he would do. He showed flashes of potential with his mobility, escaping from a few sacks, and showed flashes of inexperience. What was he thinking on that screen pass? Romo is not going to save the day. He is probably the future of the Cowboys, and they have to go with him so they can let him get the experience. But he is not going to go and be a savior. The Cowboys are not going to the Super Bowl with Drew Bledsoe and they will not go with Tony Romo. Romo has the potential to be good. But he needs the experience to establish that tealent into a Pro Bowl caliber quarterback. Few quarterbacks have had great first seasons. Troy Aikman, Peyton Manning, and John elway had bad seasons while Ben Roethlisberger, Tom Brady, and Dan Marino had good ones. It is a gamble to go with Romo the rest of the way but the Cowboys need to do this to see if the franchise has any direction. He is essentially a rookie quarterback. He will make mistakes until he matures as a player and passer.
2. The offensive line needs to block for once. Bledsoe made the mistake with his interceptions, but he had no choice on some of those sacks. What were the Cowboys thinking leaving Michael Strahan, Lavar Arrington and OsiUmenyiora going unguarded and taking Blesoe for bait? Why was there no max. protection when Patrick Crayon foolishly let the punt be downed inside the 1 in the first half? The O-line is not going to get better overnight. Bledsoe is the kind of quarterback that needs protection all the time. Every quarterback needs protection, but Bledsoe has no feet, and when rushed, makes stupide decisions. Romo with his ability can avoid some of these sacks because the Cowboys have no choice. Romo can at least scramble out of the pocket and free up some receivers or throw it away. Bledsoe will be flattened quickly and Parcells knows the blueprint is out there on how to beat the Cowboys. Romo gives them the best opportunity to win.
3. Terrell Owens cries everytime the ball is not going his way or when the offense is struggling. But when he drops a critical 4th and 1 pass when he is wide open, he sits down on the bench and doesn't say a word. Hey TO, if you are not perfect, quit the griping.
4. The griping that happened on the sideline was overplayed all night long by ESPN. Andre Gurode was yelling at his position coach after a series but ESPN did not show it. Gurode could throw a towel or gatorade cup at his coach and people still will not care. It is all about TO. Even thought these blowups and shouting matches happen all over the league, his will always be magnified and he and the people involved will have to answer to it.
5. I hear people say that this game was a make or break for the Cowboys. I will admit looking at the rest of the schedule and seeing all the tough road games at Carolina, Washington, and Arizona ahead does not good, but a make or break? This means because the Cowboys lost last night, the season is over? Yeah sure.
6. TO appears to love the idea of having Tony Romo as his quarterback. Just wait Tony. The first time you miss him when he is wide open, you will find out how much he really loves you.
7. Ben Roethlisberger is having one hellish year. I never seen a QB have so much turmoil immediately after winning the Super Bowl.
8. Poor Dennis Green. He sure to be gone at the end of the year. I don't think anyone can win in Arizona.
9. I am not quick to rule out the Redskins for the rest of the year. IT is too early and anything can happen.
10. Hines Ward needs to get over this anger he has for every team that passed over him in the draft. If you are using it for motivation to beat your opponent, fine. But if you are still carrying a grudge, get over it. They passed on you. I never heard Jerry Rice gripe on the teams that passed him.
11. The Super Bowl loss curse seems to be taking affect. Shaun Alexander looks to be out even longer than expected and now Matt Hasselback is going to be out for awhile. Plus there is injury concerens at the receiver position and the Rams look to be serious contenders.
12. Matt Bryant kicking a 62-yard field goal to beat the Eagles. Ugghhhhhh. What was that? Donovan McNabbs' stomach. How sick does it feel how close the Eagles have lost their three games. They don't just lose them but they have lost them with some kind of dramatic story, a hughe comeback, a 8 minute drive and the second longest field goal in history. Ugghhhhh.
13. I had a bad day with my picks. It was bound to happen sooner or later. 6-7.
14. Kenny Rogers had something on his piching hand that caused the umpires to ask him to wah it off. He claims it was dirt, but showing the replays on his previous starts in the playoffs, he had that same substacne on the same location each time. So was it pine tar, or some kind of substance needed to aid with the grip, it was after all a cold night in Detroit. Rogers had two stories when he initially told reporters he was asked to wash it off and then later pulled a John Kerry and said it was his decision and no one told him to wash it off. There is a question on whether or not pine tar aides in the delivery of the ball. Most experts say it does not, just aids in giving a better grip on the ball, but not the delivery. But if a pitcher can get a better grip on the ball because of a foreign substacne, then his delivery will be better, especially with a pitcher with good command of his pitches. So it may not aid with the trajectory of the ball, but the pitcher has a better grip and therefore, no problems with getting piches over the plate the way he wants it. I wondered why a guy with the worst post-season precord in history suddenly is pitching lights out in this post-season. Can you imagine what game 6 will be like?
15. What I want to know is why Tony La Russa did not make an issue of it. If the MLB rules are correct, any kind of foreign substance on the ball or glove is an automatic ejection. If LaRussa had pushed for this, the momentum shifts. You take out the Tigers best starting pitcher, plus mess with his mind because he is emotionally unstable, and the Cardinals have the long relief to work against. Some have speculated that Jim Leyland is LaRussa's friend, and he did not want to show him up. Others are sating that his own pitcher do the same thing and he did not want the Tigers to be questioning his pitchers. If the Cardinals lose this Series, and I think they will, people will look back at this game and wonder if this was the turning point.
16. Cheating is cheating. This should be on the same taboo list as steroids but for some, it does not seem to be much of a big deal. Cheating is cheating. I know Gaylord Perry is in the HAll of Fame after openly admitting to messing with his pitches. Some say that this is part of the game and if you are not cheating, you are not trying. But what about morals? Does any sport have any kind of morals attached to it?
17. Shawn Merriman was suspended for 4 games by the league for a reported steroid subtance he used. His people claim he tested positive for a steroid that was tainted in one of the many supplements he takes everyday. Please. What are the odds of that? Both of your samples came back positive and if you have a question of what you are taking may be illegal, ask your trainer!
18. The NFL does not really get the heat that MLB gets for their steroid policy. But it should. I feel MLB take more heat because of the individuality of the sport. So many records can be broken on an individual basis. Pitchers can pitch in their 40s with a ERA less than 2 and hit 60 or more home runs after 40 as well. The NFL positions that are likely to use steroids are probably located in teh trenches, the offensive and defensive line. So there are not a lot of places to get individual records as much as in baseball becaue of the team concept. But hold on. Let us say that an entire offensive line is juiced up. Now listen to this, they have a star running back who runs for over 2,000 yards and breaks the single season record for yards, touchdowns, and yards per carry. So if the O-line was juiced, should that record have an asterisk beside it. Yep it should. But the NFL will probably never get the heat of MLB. They can claim they test all they want but there are so many ways to cheat plus Human Growth Hormone(HGH) is still hard to detect so it is not full-proof.
19. The BS rating came out. This one is better. Ohio State and Michigan meetin in 3 1/2 weeks at 1 and 2 respectively. Yummy.
20. Calvin Johnson, the nations number 1 wide receiver from Georgia Tech was held without a catch in the game against Clemson.
21. Troy Smith still has my vote for the Heisman.
22. Charlie Weiss says it would take the lottery for him leave Notre Dame. The Dallas Cowboys look like a good lottery to me.
23. Ron Gardenhire gets an extension even though his team was knocked out in the first round and the team that beats his, the A's, fires their skipper? It doesn't add up.
Nice talking with you guys, gotta go!
# posted by ttheman @ 6:00 PM 
