Thursday, January 12, 2006
Been having serious problems with my wireless equipment and haven't been able to post anything longer that 2 or 3 lines before it crashes. So, bear with me and when I get it fixed, I'll post again (hopefully before the weekend).
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Saturday, January 07, 2006
Althought it appears that I have stopped writing on this blog because the Cowboys are out of the playoffs, it isn't the case. I have simply not had any time in the last week. However, I will be posting my final Cowboys Report Card over the next two days (I hope).
So stay tuned.
Oh yeah...
Hook 'em Horns!!
1 comments
So stay tuned.
Oh yeah...
Hook 'em Horns!!
Saturday, December 31, 2005
Well, tomorrow will either be the beginning of something special, or the end of something close. while it's not likely that either Carolina or Washington will lose, it certainly is possible.
I just have to keep hope alive.
Stay tuned...
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I just have to keep hope alive.
Stay tuned...
Monday, December 26, 2005
Big news from Arlington and Valley Ranch tonight.
The Rangers have landed free-agent pitcher Kevin Millwood, according to Ft. Worth Star-Telegram reporter T.R. Sullivan. Also, according to the Dallas Morning News, embittered kicker Billy Cundiff was released by the Cowboys and replaced with rookie Shaun Suisham.
Last season, Millwood was 9-11 for the Cleveland Indians last year but also led the American League with a 2.86 ERA. He will likely be the Opening Day starting pitcher for Texas. The acquisition of Millwood gives the Rangers a much more formative rotation. Following him, the Rangers will have newly acquired Vincente Padilla and Adam Eaton, followed by Kameron Loe and Juan Dominguez.
Quite an improvement from last year.
As I predicted Saturday night, Cundiff was released for his poor performances over the last month. Ironically, in his first game back after missing the first half of the season, kicked a franchise record 56-yard field goal. However, since then, he missed a possible 34-yard game-winner against Denver, another against Washington, and two more against Carolina the second one was called back for running into the kicker).
Read the stories here.
Rangers land starter Millwood
Cowboys release Cundiff
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The Rangers have landed free-agent pitcher Kevin Millwood, according to Ft. Worth Star-Telegram reporter T.R. Sullivan. Also, according to the Dallas Morning News, embittered kicker Billy Cundiff was released by the Cowboys and replaced with rookie Shaun Suisham.
Last season, Millwood was 9-11 for the Cleveland Indians last year but also led the American League with a 2.86 ERA. He will likely be the Opening Day starting pitcher for Texas. The acquisition of Millwood gives the Rangers a much more formative rotation. Following him, the Rangers will have newly acquired Vincente Padilla and Adam Eaton, followed by Kameron Loe and Juan Dominguez.
Quite an improvement from last year.
As I predicted Saturday night, Cundiff was released for his poor performances over the last month. Ironically, in his first game back after missing the first half of the season, kicked a franchise record 56-yard field goal. However, since then, he missed a possible 34-yard game-winner against Denver, another against Washington, and two more against Carolina the second one was called back for running into the kicker).
Read the stories here.
Rangers land starter Millwood
Cowboys release Cundiff
Sunday, December 25, 2005
Dallas Cowboys...............................24
Carolina Panthers............................20
I will say this for the Cowboys, they don't quit. After the shellacking they took against the Redskins last week, beating the Panthers at home - in a game Carolina needed to win - proved to me that the Washington debacle was the exception and not the norm.
It was great to see.
I could sit here and list the things the Cowboys need in order to reach the next level, but now I can delay it for at least another week. In fact, I truly believe that the eight NFC teams that still have playoff aspirations are very equal. Judging by their games against the Giants, Seahawks, Redskins and Panthers, the 'Boys were all but but one of those games until the end.
However, when it comes to post-season play, home-field advantage is huge. Although, oddly enough, the last time the both conference first-seeds went to the Super Bowl was in 1993, when Dallas beat Buffalo the second time.
Now, for the Cowboys to even have a chance to go, they must receive help from other teams. The Bears must win one of their games (against 3-11 Green Bay or 8-6 Minnesota) and Washington or Carolina loses (9-6 Washington plays at 5-10 Philadelphia and 10-5 Carolina goes to 8-7 Atlanta). Of course, none of it matters if Dallas loses to the 5-10 St. Louis Rams.
Cowboys Report Card
Passing Offense: B
Drew Bledsoe showed what poise and leadership mean at the quarterback position. Although sacked 5 times (three by Julius Peppers), he had a very good game. He audibled at the line on his TD pass to Terry Glenn (who severely injured his thumb earlier in the game) for the winning score. Keyshawn Johnson also played a big role.
Rushing Offense: A
Welcome back Julius Jones! After sufferering a high ankle sprain that had slowed him all season long, the second-year back returned to his 2004 excellence. He no longer ran tentatively and ran for a career-best 194 yards. His total is the third-highest in team history. Plus, he did all this against a defense that had only yielded an average of 87.5 yards a game.
Passing Defense: C+
The Cowboys did a great job of shutting down Steve Smith, but let up two big completions to ancient receiver Ricky Proehl (who beat the Cowboys with a winning catch for the Cardinals in Troy Aikman's rookie season). On the other hand, DeMarcus Ware woke up with a vengeance after a number of quiet games. Ware totaled 3 sacks, three forced fumbles and 9 tackles. Roy Williams had a key 4th quarter interception.
Rushing Defense: A
The Cowboys stopped their three-game string of allowing an opposing runner a 100+ yard game, by giving up just 71 yards (less than 3 yards per carry) to Deshaun Foster and company. Bradie James totaled 7 tackles for Dallas.
Special Teams: C-
It seems that the 56-yard field goal Billy Cundiff kicked a few weeks ago was just a fluke. Since then, he missed a possible game winner against Denver, a terrible miss against Washington and two short misses yesterday. Although the season is just about over, it would not surprise me if Parcells releases him. Matt McBriar's punts weren't beautiful, but they were effective averaging 48.6 yards per quick. Tyson Thompson fumbled his first kickoff return of the season, but made amends by returning his last kick 40 yards to set up the winning drive.
Special Teams: A
The team could have come in this game shell-shocked. But instead of letting the Redskin game destroy their season, they responded by beating a very tough Carolina team on the road. Credit must go to Parcells for getting his team up for this game, as well as to both Mike Zimmer - for figuring out how to shut down Smith - and Sean Payton - for the teams surprising running efficiency.
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Carolina Panthers............................20
I will say this for the Cowboys, they don't quit. After the shellacking they took against the Redskins last week, beating the Panthers at home - in a game Carolina needed to win - proved to me that the Washington debacle was the exception and not the norm.
It was great to see.
I could sit here and list the things the Cowboys need in order to reach the next level, but now I can delay it for at least another week. In fact, I truly believe that the eight NFC teams that still have playoff aspirations are very equal. Judging by their games against the Giants, Seahawks, Redskins and Panthers, the 'Boys were all but but one of those games until the end.
However, when it comes to post-season play, home-field advantage is huge. Although, oddly enough, the last time the both conference first-seeds went to the Super Bowl was in 1993, when Dallas beat Buffalo the second time.
Now, for the Cowboys to even have a chance to go, they must receive help from other teams. The Bears must win one of their games (against 3-11 Green Bay or 8-6 Minnesota) and Washington or Carolina loses (9-6 Washington plays at 5-10 Philadelphia and 10-5 Carolina goes to 8-7 Atlanta). Of course, none of it matters if Dallas loses to the 5-10 St. Louis Rams.
Cowboys Report Card
Passing Offense: B
Drew Bledsoe showed what poise and leadership mean at the quarterback position. Although sacked 5 times (three by Julius Peppers), he had a very good game. He audibled at the line on his TD pass to Terry Glenn (who severely injured his thumb earlier in the game) for the winning score. Keyshawn Johnson also played a big role.
Rushing Offense: A
Welcome back Julius Jones! After sufferering a high ankle sprain that had slowed him all season long, the second-year back returned to his 2004 excellence. He no longer ran tentatively and ran for a career-best 194 yards. His total is the third-highest in team history. Plus, he did all this against a defense that had only yielded an average of 87.5 yards a game.
Passing Defense: C+
The Cowboys did a great job of shutting down Steve Smith, but let up two big completions to ancient receiver Ricky Proehl (who beat the Cowboys with a winning catch for the Cardinals in Troy Aikman's rookie season). On the other hand, DeMarcus Ware woke up with a vengeance after a number of quiet games. Ware totaled 3 sacks, three forced fumbles and 9 tackles. Roy Williams had a key 4th quarter interception.
Rushing Defense: A
The Cowboys stopped their three-game string of allowing an opposing runner a 100+ yard game, by giving up just 71 yards (less than 3 yards per carry) to Deshaun Foster and company. Bradie James totaled 7 tackles for Dallas.
Special Teams: C-
It seems that the 56-yard field goal Billy Cundiff kicked a few weeks ago was just a fluke. Since then, he missed a possible game winner against Denver, a terrible miss against Washington and two short misses yesterday. Although the season is just about over, it would not surprise me if Parcells releases him. Matt McBriar's punts weren't beautiful, but they were effective averaging 48.6 yards per quick. Tyson Thompson fumbled his first kickoff return of the season, but made amends by returning his last kick 40 yards to set up the winning drive.
Special Teams: A
The team could have come in this game shell-shocked. But instead of letting the Redskin game destroy their season, they responded by beating a very tough Carolina team on the road. Credit must go to Parcells for getting his team up for this game, as well as to both Mike Zimmer - for figuring out how to shut down Smith - and Sean Payton - for the teams surprising running efficiency.
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
The Pro-Bowl teams were announced today and I have one question.
Michael Vick?
Vick is the 13th highest rated quarterback in the NFC (27th in the entire league)! Let's compare, shall we?
Vick is 10th in passing yards, 11th in TD passes and 11 other starting QB's have thrown fewer interceptions.
Compare his numbers with Drew Bledsoe:
Team record of both teams: 8-6
Last year: Dallas 6-10 Atlanta 11-5
Bledsoe: 437 passes.................................Vick: 337
Bledsoe: 267 completions........................Vick: 183
Bledsoe: 3188 passing yards...................Vick: 2136
Bledsoe: 21 TD's.......................................Vick: 13
Bledsoe: 14 interceptions........................Vick: 13
Bledsoe: 61.1% completion pct...............Vick: 54.3
Bledsoe: 86.1 rating..................................Vick: 71.8
If you say he was picked because of his running ability, keep in mind that even if you include his 534 yards rushing, he still generated 564 yards less than the Cowboy QB.
I don't get it.
1 comments
Michael Vick?
Vick is the 13th highest rated quarterback in the NFC (27th in the entire league)! Let's compare, shall we?
Vick is 10th in passing yards, 11th in TD passes and 11 other starting QB's have thrown fewer interceptions.
Compare his numbers with Drew Bledsoe:
Team record of both teams: 8-6
Last year: Dallas 6-10 Atlanta 11-5
Bledsoe: 437 passes.................................Vick: 337
Bledsoe: 267 completions........................Vick: 183
Bledsoe: 3188 passing yards...................Vick: 2136
Bledsoe: 21 TD's.......................................Vick: 13
Bledsoe: 14 interceptions........................Vick: 13
Bledsoe: 61.1% completion pct...............Vick: 54.3
Bledsoe: 86.1 rating..................................Vick: 71.8
If you say he was picked because of his running ability, keep in mind that even if you include his 534 yards rushing, he still generated 564 yards less than the Cowboy QB.
I don't get it.
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Big trade in baseball
Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News is reporting that Texas has acquired right-handed starter Adam Eaton, right-handed reliever Akinori Otsuka, and a minor league prospect Billy Killian, a catcher and former third-round draft pick, from the San Diego Padres. The Rangers agreed to send the Padres righthander Chris Young, first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, and outfielder Terrmel Sledge.
I like the trade for two reasons. Firstly, as much as I like Chris Young, he faded badly down the stretch. Eaton is more accomplished and is basically the same age. Gonzalez had a limited future in Arlington (which now makes tendering Mark Texiera a new contract vital), and in getting Otsuka, the have an excellent setup man for Cordero.
With this trade, the Rangers still need one more legitimate starter in its rotation. There is talk that they have made a significant offer to free agent Kevin Millwood. That would be a huge addition and could well make them a playoff-caliber team.
