Flozell Adams and Deon Anderson Fight on Plane Ride from Philadelphia

Now that the Dallas Cowboys 2008 season is over, it appears all sorts of stories are coming out about the lack of unity within the team. As I listened to Bob and Dan on the Ticket this afternoon, Bob Sturm was commenting on a story regarding a scuffle between two Dallas Cowboys players, Deon Anderson and Flozell Adams.

According to the Dallas Morning News, Dallas Cowboys players Deon Anderson and Flozell Adams were involved in an altercation on the plane ride home after the devastating loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. The fight was broken up by guard Leonard Davis.
This fight between Flozell Adams and Deon Anderson is simply one of a number of incidents within the Dallas Cowboys organization as the season wound down.
Terrell Owens met with Jason Garrett, Roy Williams, and Patrick Crayton to complain about Tony Romo having an alleged preference for throwing to Jason Witten.

This story became a major headline as numerous sources within the team began to take sides and speak about major disagreements within the team. According to Jennifer Engel of the Fort Worth Star Telegram, cornerback Terrance Newman spoke out against the disagreements within the team.

“Too many guys are not accountable in this organization. And when you sit there and make excuses and put the blame on other people, it erodes what you are trying to build,” said Newman.

While Deon Anderson laughed off the fight between himself and Flozell Adams on Monday, saying that everything was fine between the two, it is clear that everything is not fine within the organization.

During the game against Philadelphia, Tank Johnson caused further disruption by yelling at teammates on the sidelines and in the huddle.

The lack of unity within the Dallas Cowboys proved disastrous as the Cowboys attempted to match the hype of the beginning of the season. Much of the blame can be placed squarely on the shoulders of head coach Wade Phillips.

Wade Phillips proved this season that his personality is not suited to be an effective head coach. He was unable to control his locker room and assert himself to restore order to his team.

With a number of outbursts from players, many coming from the always divisive Terrell Owens, Wade Phillips did not present a strong presence in the locker room to keep the team focused on actually playing the game of football. Instead he allowed the team to split into separate factions, involved in numerous spats and disagreements.

The altercation between Deon Anderson and Flozell Adams on the way back from Philadelphia was simply another symptom of a tremendous problem within the Cowboys. It is clear that the players see the Wade Phillips and the coaching staff as a complete joke with no real authority. This issue must get resolved or the 2009 Dallas Cowboys will be just as disappointing as this years team was.

The Rise of Felix Jones and Fall of Wade Phillips | Dallas Cowboys 2008

Well another Dallas Cowboys season is here and gone. To be honest I am not quite sure how to feel. I have to admit that I got caught up in the hype that started in August with Hard Knocks. I was not sure about a Super Bowl win, but was convinced that the Cowboys could at least get to the NFC Championship game. However, my hopes were dashed and now I am left dazed and confused.

As I look back on the Dallas Cowboys 2008 season, there are some positives to take away, but sadly, many more negatives. As an homage to the Cowboys season, I will start strong with the positives and taper off to the bitter negatives in the end.

The Positives

Last years draft class exceeded many expectations. Felix Jones, Martellus Bennett, and Tashard Choice were all extremely impressive in their rookie seasons. Felix Jones was and is the perfect complement to Marion Barber’s bruising running style. With a healthy Felix Jones in 2009, the Cowboys will have an extremely potent running game that can and will set the tone for the entire season.

The rise of Tashard Choice further enhances the running game. Now there is a proven back up who can take some of the load off of Marion Barber. This should prove extremely beneficial to the Dallas offense with Felix Jones and Tashard Choice getting enough carries to keep Marion Barber rested until the fourth quarter, when he has proven to be simply devastating to the opposition. Supported by our big offensive line, the Cowboys rushing attack should be one of the best in the NFL next season.

For more proof that Tashard Choice is the real deal, here is a video of Choice before a Georgia Tech game. If this does not inspire you, nothing will.

Martellus Bennett also showed his true colors this season. I will be the first to admit I was wrong about Martellus. Watching Hard Knocks, I thought Bennett would prove to be a major bust, however his on-field contributions more than made up for his attitude during training camp. Martellus Bennett should grow into his role as the back up tight end with ease.

The defense stepped up in the clutch towards the end of the season. While the two long runs given up against Baltimore were a step backwards, and the entire game against Philadelphia should only be mentioned in a hushed whisper, December was a pretty good month for the Dallas D. Demarcus Ware and the defensive line were playing like men possessed. The good news is most, if not all the defensive starters will be back for next season, meaning that, on top of a potent running game, the Cowboys defense will be one of the strongest in the NFL.

There is some upside looking ahead, but now comes the moment of truth…

The Negatives

From Pacman to TO, from passing to coaching, there are numerous problems with the 2008 Dallas Cowboys that simply cannot be ignored by Jerry Jones.

To start slowly, Jerry Jones trading for Roy Williams has proven to be a big mistake for this year. His numbers were basically non-existent. I have heard whispers that Roy Williams was injured and I will hold off on judgement for now, but he has got to step up next year, and quickly. Roy Williams is the future of the receiving corps, but who knows if that is good or bad yet.

Tony Romo is still not good in the clutch. He still has not won “the Big One.” not to say he won’t, but Romo is simply not performing to the level he IS capable of. He needs strong coaching to improve his decision making, and the line needs to improve it’s pass blocking, but Tony Romo has plenty to work on this off-season.

Adam “Pacman” Jones is another mistake. There is no denying his God-given athletic ability, however his decision making, both on the field and off the field, is extremely questionable. His punt returns were average at best. I can only remember one return that went longer than 20 yards. His coverage could be better as well. Combine this with his off the field behavior, Pacman is proving to be more harm than he is worth. Miles Austin and Patrick Crayton both proved to be better returners than Pacman, Pacman needs a strong coach to not only keep him in line with his behavioral issues, but to help him harness his athletic ability and use it to good effect.

Terrell Owens is another controversial figure, and not without good reason. Terrell Owens is a constant whiner and a diva to boot. I am stating the obvious here, but TO needs a wake up call before his ranting and crying prove to be even more of a distraction than they are now. I am not calling into question Terrell Owens’ ability, or his desire to win. He has proven himself to be a competitor of the highest order. What I am saying is that, like with Pacman, a strong leader in the Cowboys organization needs to step up to Terrell from time to time and simply tell him to “Shut up and play.”

Terrell Owens needs to do just that. He has made some great catches this year, but he has also dropped some really easy balls. He has taken plays off. There is a real lack of consistency. He is a competitor. He is not too old to play at a high level. Owens simply needs someone on his back a little bit. Somone to tell him when to pipe down and someone to keep him accountable on every play. Given Terrell Owens personality, this figure cannot be another player, Owens is too much of a diva. A strong coaching staff is needed to keep an ego such as Owens in check. He is a great player, and has plenty to offer this team, but Terrell Owens needs a strong authority figure to keep him on the straight and narrow.

Which brings us to the final negative of the Dallas Cowboys, the authority figures. I use that term lightly because, truth be told, there is no authority figure. There was no real locker room leader, the coaching staff was weak, and Jerry Jones is simply out of his mind.

There was no real leadership within the team. Zack Thomas and Jason Witten both led by example, but that was it. Zack Thomas, as a proven veteran, certainly led the defense in a lot of ways, however, he was new to the team, and did not understand the atmosphere or culture of the Dallas Cowboys enough to be a true locker room presence. Jason Witten is a man-imal who leads by example, but he has been far too quiet. It is time to cash in on his reputation and become an active leader for the Dallas Cowboys. Bradie James is another leader who could step up, but he has been quiet too, except for assaulting a fan a day after the loss to the Eagles.

The coaching staff should not have to encourage a locker room voice. Wade Phillips is simply not a good head coach. He is too nice. He coddles his players too much, and this sets the tone for the rest of the coaching staff. Wade Phillips is a great defensive mind in the game of football, and will make an excellent defensive coordinator, but a head coach needs to keep his team under control.

Wade needed to have a stronger voice this year. He needed to hold his players and coaches more accountable. From the Pacman hotel fight, to TO’s meeting with the wide recievers and Jason Garrett, to a fight between Flozell Adams and Deon Anderson on the plane flight back from Philadelphia, Wade Phillips did not assert his authority, but instead let his players walk all over him. This attitude carried to the field where the Cowboys played many games uninspired.

The Cowboys need a coach who is not too hard on them, like Parcells was, but also not such a pushover, like Wade Phillips. Phillips allowed his coaching staff to be too soft. If Wade wants to be easy going, that’s fine, but a soft head coach needs to be supported by strong, assertive assistants. The same is true for a tough head coach, who needs easier assistants. There has to be an even keel. The coaching staff of the Dallas Cowboys was simply too soft. There is no hard edge to keep the players in line.

Which brings us to our last negative of the Dallas Cowboys, Jerry Jones. Jerry is a great owner, but he should not be the GM for another day. Sadly his ego will not allow him to relinquish his control, but if it did, I would guarantee a Cowboys championship within the next 2 years. Jerry Jones is too much of a micro-manager. This was not helped at all by the lack of a backbone suffered by Wade Phillips. It is clear that the Cowboys perform best when Jerry Jones keeps his ego in check and allows a coach to make the decisions.

While it is true that the Dallas Cowboys 2008 season is over and whining and excuses will not help, there are some critical issues that need to be addressed quickly in order to build off of the positives of this year. Otherwise, the Cowboys will continually underperform and we will see more losses like the one to the Eagles.

Dallas Cowboy Bradie James Attacks Fan

As if things could not be any worse for the Dallas Cowboys, Bradie James attacked a Cowboys fan on Monday after the fan was picketing the Dallas Cowboys training facility at Valley Ranch.

According to the Fort Worth Star Telegram, Alan Lowe, the fan was picketing the Dallas Cowboys training facility with signs that said “The Cowboys have no Heart and Wade Phillips is an Embarrassment to the Star.” Bradie James apparently saw the signs and confronted Mr. Lowe.

According to James, Lowe was blocking his car in the parking lot and he asked Lowe to move so he could leave. After Lowe refused, James walked up to Lowe and asked him to remove the sign. Lowe proceeded to taunt Bradie James, asking James why the Cowboys did not play with the same passion against the Eagles. James then went after Lowe and threatened to beat him up, according to Lowe. Lowe’s glasses were broken in the scuffle.

Lowe thought about pressing charges against James, who met with a Dallas police officer at Valley Ranch, but the two men talked after the incident and let bygones be bygones. James gave Lowe a pair of Oakleys to replace the broken glasses.

For those not lucky enough to see the fight, here is a reenactment.

If you are using Internet Explorer, you can see the video here.

In my opinion, both parties were wrong in this incident. James should know never to confront a fan. As a professional athlete, he has been taunted before and will be taunted again. It is part of being in the NFL. Sometimes you lose, and it is important to lose with class. Though I do applaud James for trying to make amends and replace the broken glasses.

On the other hand, Alan Lowe made a fool out of himself. As a fan, it is frustrating to see your team lose, however there is no reason to go picket the team’s practice facility, and then block one of the players cars.

What was even dumber was that Lowe taunted an NFL linebacker. How could that idea have seemed good at all to Lowe. He’s lucky Bradie James did not really lose his temper. Lowe is lucky to escape a beating of epic proportions. Thank goodness Pacman is slow to get to his car.

Cowboys Laughing, Acting Like “Last Day of School” On Return Trip From Philadelphia

I just got to the office on this beautiful December Monday morning, and I have to admit that after yesterday’s 44-6 loss to the Eagles by the Cowboys, I was looking forward to today’s drive. Everyone down here in Dallas is going to be in such a tizzy over how poorly the Cowboys played, for an outsider and (some might say) Cowboys hater, it will be fun listening to the Cowboys get raked through the coals for their awful performance.

After watching some of the game — I’m a Dolphins fan, so the Dolphins-Jets game took precedence — I thought things could not get any lower for the Cowboys. But in the time since the game has ended, two stories have emerged that have shown that things very well could, and did, get lower.

First, there was the report that Tony Romo collapsed in the shower, which I posted about last night.

Then, there is the story that I just heard on 1310 The Ticket here in Dallas this morning while driving in. Norm Hitzges was manning the morning slot today, subbing in for the Musers and Gordon Keith. While Norm Hitzges can be something of a downer and is prone to attacks of hyperbole, he knows his football and I was excited to hear his perspective on the Cowboys-Eagles massacre.

What I was not prepared for was the report by Mark “Friedo” Friedman about his experience flying home on the Cowboys charter after the Eagles game last night.

According to Friedo, the Cowboys charter was not the sad, sullen, and despondent scene that one might expect. As someone who grew up around college football, and saw many a post-loss locker room, bus, and plane, I can say with certainty that my expectation would have been a pretty quiet and somber plane ride for the Cowboys. Not only did their season end with an absolutely horrific showing, but this was a team with “Super Bowl or Bust” aspirations coming into the year. I don’t care how much money you make, I would assume that if you take pride in your job and performance that it would be hard to recover from the pounding they took in Philadelphia.

Not so, according to Friedo.

He described the scene as “like the last day of school”, with dominoes being played in the back and lots of laughing and carrying on. He said that he was reluctant to say anything, seeing as how the Cowboys are nice enough to allow media members on the charter, and that only leads me to believe that he may have muted the reality of what was actually going on. Friedo did not mention any specific names, nor did he say if alcohol was flowing, but he made it pretty clear that if you did not know who won the Cowboys-Eagles game, you just might assume it was the Cowboys from their conduct on the plane.

When I first heard this, it shocked me. But after Norm and Friedo discussed it a little more, it sadly started to make some sense.

As they explained, many of the Cowboys players made over $100,000 just for the Eagles game. As I’m sure you know, NFL players get paid by the game. 16 game checks in total, each of which can be pretty exorbitant amounts when you are talking about contracts between $5-10 million per year. For a playoff game, each player would have received an additional $18,000 (I believe), which for many would be a huge step down in pay.

As hypothesized by Norm and Friedo, many NFL players view football as nothing more than a job. Why should they be expected to be excited about playing another game, and risking serious injury, for a mere fraction of their usual paycheck?

Hmm…let me see…

Perhaps because you are being paid so much money in the first place to help your team achieve its goals, which are to make the playoffs? Perhaps because your owner overpaid many of you in a go-for-broke strategy this year to make a run at the Super Bowl? Perhaps because you have professional pride? Perhaps because $18,000 is still a lot of money and more than you’ll be making now sitting on your ass during the playoffs!?!?!

Look, I understand the realities of the NFL. I realize that these guys are professionals and that football is as much their job and livelihood as practicing law is for a lawyer, or medicine for a doctor. And a lot of lawyers and doctors hate their jobs and do it just for the money. I get it. Kind of.

But football players are playing a game, a game in which passion and will can oftentimes be the difference between winning and losing. So part of your responsibility when you cash those $X00,000 game checks is to put forth a maximum level of passion, will, focus, and effort that enables you to maximize your individual talents and potential. Jerry Jones may not always make smart decisions, and he may bring lots of problems on himself, but no one has ever accused him of not taking care of his players or having their backs. How could the Cowboys players play like did on Sunday, let their owner down with such a putrid performance, and even look themselves in the mirror — let along act like kids “on the last day of school” on the charter.

Norm and Friedo were right: for many NFL players, they simply do not share the live-and-die mentality that many fans share with their teams. The sad thing is that players get paid such ridiculous sums of money because there are passionate fans who will watch TV, pay for tickets, buy merchandise, etc. Many of these fans were probably despondent in their recliners or crying in their beers after watching that pathetic performance Sunday night. One Cowboys fan who is a friend of mine called me and asked me to talk him out of hanging himself in the middle of the 3rd quarter. I’m not sure he was completely joking.

Am I making too big a deal of this? Maybe. Are most of the Cowboys players probably heartsick and frustrated at another December failure? Maybe. Do a lot of the players feel a sense of responsibility to Jerry Jones and the fans, and feel bad for letting them down? I sure as hell hope so.

According to Norm and Friedo, Tony Romo said after the game something to the effect of “It’s just a game. If losing a football game is the worst thing that happens to me, I’ll have a pretty good life.” And while that is a great perspective to have from a personal standpoint, and would sound great in a Hall of Fame or post-career speech, or even during an interview later in the offseason, fans don’t want to hear that right after the game. They want to know that you are suffering as much, if not moreso, than they are.

Unfortunately, it sounds like Tony Romo’s perspective was shared by the majority of his teammates.

And hearing this story in the immediate aftermath of the Cowboys loss makes it pretty obvious why the Cowboys are not playing in January and why a team like the Miami Dolphins still is. Do you think Dolphins players would be hooting and hollering on the plane ride home after a loss with Bill Parcells and Tony Sparano on the plane? I cannot imagine so. Those two men command more respect than that, and you know they would not be able to forget the loss so easily.

Do you think Chad Pennington or Peyton Manning can walk away from a loss thinking “it’s just a game?” I don’t know either of them personally, but I would wager that they have never once thought that in the immediate aftermath of a loss. Tony Romo gets the pub and the big contract, but Chad Pennington has been a more successful quarterback in December and is playing this year into January for a team that was 1-15 last year. Honestly, who would you rather have as your quarterback for next year?

There are 1,001 reasons why the Cowboys feel short of expectations this year. Friedo’s observation of their post-game conduct on the charter home was a pretty disappointing symptom of the disease of mediocrity that engulfs what many call the NFL’s most talented roster.

But that’s the beauty of the NFL, and why it is the most popular league in American sports.

Talent is only part of a very complicated equation of what makes a winner. Character, resolve, will, preparation, and pride are all equally as important. Watch highlights of Roy Williams running his routes yesterday and tell me he showed character, will, and pride? Listen to the excuses of Wade Phillips and tell me that he instilled a sense of resolve in his team, or adequately prepared his coaches and his players to play Philadelphia?

The Dallas Cowboys may have treated their plane ride like “the last day of school”, but for millions of Cowboys fans across the country, they were all forced to treat last night and today like what it really is: the last day of the season. And for the fans who are truly passionate, the ones whose ticket purchases and other monetary outlays pay the $X00,000 game checks, it will lead to a cold and frustrating Winter. If nothing else, even if the Cowboys players don’t really care themselves, you would think they would have enough respect for the fans and their owner to empathize and at least give the appearance of caring.

I thought 44-6 said it all. This morning, Friedo proved that just when you think the Cowboys players cannot care any less, or be less passionate or prideful about winning, they bust through the floor of expectations to reach a new low.

But hey, like Tony Romo said, it’s just a game right?

Tony Romo Collapses in Shower From Rib Injury – Calls Off Punt Team on 4th and 1

Many Cowboys fans may have thought that things couldn’t possibly get worse after the team the left Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia Sunday night, tailed tucked firmly between their legs after a 44-6 drubbing.

But for a brief moment in the locker room on Sunday night, it appeared that things might get worse — much worse.

Quarterback Tony Romo collapsed in the shower after the game on Sunday night, much to the shock of everyone in attendance. Brian Davis of the Dallas Morning News was in the locker room and provided the following account of the scene:

“As someone who was standing there watching this whole scene unfold, I can tell you the players were shocked. They didn’t know what to do. Deon Anderson went out running for emergency help, but Maurer and associate athletic trainer Britt Brown were all over it.

Adam Jones, of all people, was standing there yelling at me, another reporter and a TV camera man to get back. Let me tell you, running into the shower was the last place we needed to be at that moment. Jerry Jones’ personal security chief, Roosevelt Riley, came out to push everybody back and an equipment staff member grabbed all of Romo’s things and headed to the training room.

When asked later what happened, Romo said, ‘Um, you know, I was just a little banged up, I guess.’”

Luckily for Tony Romo and the Cowboys, there were no catastrophic consequences of his shower fall. Unfortunately for Tony Romo and the Cowboys, his shower collapse was by far the easiest of the team’s collective collapses to bounce back from after Sunday night. In a game in which the Dallas Cowboys could have sewn up a playoff spot with a victory, the team basically rolled over and played dead against a division rival.

I know that Jerry Jones came out and said his coaching staff for next season was already in place, but I think Wade Phillips, Jason Garrett, and pretty much everyone on the field gave Jerry plenty of justified reason to rethink that proclamation. How you can lose 44-6 and show no heart, no focus, and no effort in such a huge game is beyond me.

And did anyone else notice when Tony Romo told the punt unit to go back to the sidelines on 4th and 1? It certainly looked like Wade Phillips was the one who was confused, rather than the one in charge. The Cowboys picked up the first down, although they did not score on the drive. So while the decision by Romo to go for it was spot on, it is not really his call to make. Both Joe Buck and Troy Aikman seemed to think it raised the question of who is really in charge in Dallas. We can completely discount Joe Buck’s opinion because he hates sports and I hate him, but Troy Aikman is not prone to talking bad about the Cowboys unless it is well deserved. And he seemed perplexed by Romo’s apparent, though successful, insubordination.

At the end of the day, there are too many failures and questions in the wake of Sunday night to list here right now. Luckily, everyone in Dallas will have a whole offseason to stew about the Disappointing Season of 2008 and pick apart every little detail.

One thing is for sure: the Cowboys are far too talented to miss the playoffs and to continue playing this poorly in December. When a team underachieves like the Cowboys did this year, it usually means a coaching change will be, or should be, forthcoming. Is there anyone out there who can really defend Wade Phillips after tonight’s mess?

My brother had a little slip of the tongue earlier today while watching the game and called Wade Phillips “Fade Whillips.” I do not think it was intentional, but it certainly is apt. And despite what Jerry Jones said last week or what he says in the immediate aftermath of this game, it is only reasonable to think that the tenure of Wade Phillips is about to quickly fade before the team is allowed to underachieve again in December in 2009.

Dallas Cowboys Routed by Philadelphia Eagles

The crushed the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, 44-3. The Eagles beat the odds and will advance to the NFL playoffs with a wild card and the Dallas Cowboys will go home and pick up the pieces.

Donovan McNabb and the Eagles offense looked strong, but the real disaster was Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys offense, with fumbles and interceptions, combined with an overall lack of productivity resulting in the worst loss of the season to a hated rival.

It was a situation of “Win and You’re In” for both the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys. The winner would go on to the NFL playoffs, while the loser would go home. The Dallas Cowboys came into the game knowing their predicament, however the Philadelphia Eagles were not sure of their playoff chances until they were helped earlier in the day by a Tampa Bay loss to the Raiders as well as a Chicago Bears loss to the Houston Texans. By game time it was clear that both teams were playing to keep their season alive. However, by the end of the game it was also clear that only one team realized this game meant something.

Both the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys started the game tentatively, with the teams exchanging field goals and trying to get a feel for the opponent but by the end of the first half, it was clear that one team had asserted itself.

Donovan McNabb and the Philadelphia Eagles offense started the second quarter on with a 59-yard long run from running back Correll Buckhalter. This brought the Eagles inside the Dallas Cowboys 10-yard line, and 3 plays later Donovan McNabb crossed the line himself for the touchdown to give the Eagles the lead, 10-3.

After a three and out from the Dallas Cowboys offense, the Eagles kept building momentum with another solid drive that resulted in a Correll Buckhalter reception for a touchdown.

The ensuing drive started out well for the Cowboys with Tony Romo finding Jason Witten, who powered over for a first down. However, Jason Witten’s effort and hard work was all for naught when Tony Romo under threw Roy Williams, and Eagles cornerback Sheldon Brown got his first interception of the season.

After the interception, the Eagles drove again. An extremely, dumb late hit out of bounds courtesy of Adam “Pacman” Jones, and a pass interference from Terrance Newman set the Eagles up for a third touchdown when Donovan McNabb connected with Brent Celek and the Eagles increased their lead, 24-3.

On the ensuing kickoff, Adam “Pacman” Jones fumbled the ball on his return. The Philadelphia Eagles were able to recover the fumble and after the David Akers 50 yard field goal, the Eagles went into half time with a 27-3 lead over the Dallas Cowboys.

The Dallas Cowboys, desperately needing to turn things around, started the second half on their own 19-yard line, and Tashard Choice immediately started the half with a first down run. After Tashard Choice brought the Cowboys to 3rd and inches, Terrell Owens dropped a Tony Romo pass. As the Dallas punt team ran on, Tony Romo sent them off and rushed over for the first down.

On the ensuing first down, Tony Romo was almost sacked, but kept his composure and threw across the field to Jason Witten who, being behind the line of scrimmage, connected with Terrell Owens for a 41-yard gain.

Several plays later however, Tony Romo fumbled and Bryan Dawkins was able to recover the ball and return it for a touchdown, meaning the Philadelphia Eagles had scored a shocking 31 unanswered points to lead the Dallas Cowboys 34-7.

The Cowboys offense, again starting after an Eagles score and desperate to build some momentum, began what looked like a solid drive. Patrick Crayton and Terrell Owens both had big receptions, but a Marion Barber fumble led to another Philadelphia defensive touchdown. I was able to wipe the tears from my eyes long enough to see that the Eagles led 41-3.

Another Tony Romo fumble led to another David Akers field goal, but by then the damage had been done. The Eagles second team was able to close out the game, and the Cowboys season.

Now, for those of you in mourning at the end of another disastrous December for the Dallas Cowboys, take comfort in the fact that the man at the helm is such an excellent dancer

For those using Internet Explorer, fear not, you can also view this video here.

With Twinkle Toes Jerry Jones at the helm, I feel confident that the Dallas Cowboys can quickly overcome this recent setback and regain their proper title of “Lords of The Dance.” It is clear that this savvy marketing belongs in a place of honor in Cowboy’s Lore, alongside the Hail Mary Pass, NFL Leading Career Rusher, and the Ice Bowl.

The Dallas Cowboys – So Who Cares What Mexico Thinks?

The Dallas Cowboys, also known as America’s Team, are almost more famous and followed abroad than they are in our own city. One place where the Cowboys have developed a huge following over the years is with our neighbors to the south-Mexico.

“Mexico is the country with the most NFL fans outside of the United States,” said NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue in a statement. “Our fans in Mexico are knowledgeable and passionate and they are ready for this next step. They have supported our American Bowl games in record numbers and NFL programming has been part of television in Mexico for many decades.”

While traveling in Mexico this holiday break I picked up a copy of an American newspaper called The News. I’ve always enjoyed the paper as they cover current events with a completely different perspective often revealing facts and data that you cannot find in mainstream domestic journalism. Headquartered in Mexico City, the home of a Dallas Cowboys pre-season game in Aug of 1994 which set a record attendance for the Dallas Cowboys at 112,376, it shocked me to see an article that was “down on Americas team”. Though I read it in disagreement, I could not help but nod my head at several points made in the article.

In the sport of golf, there is a simple notion that regardless of how many 300 yard drives a player makes, generally 6″ putts define the game. The article entitled “Dallas Doesn’t Prosper With Excess Star Power” carried the same notion. The 6″ putt? The upcoming Philadelphia game. The 300 yard drives leading up to this? Pacman, T.O., and Romo’s stardom.

Despite the distractions of the media and the personalities that make up the team, the success for the Dallas Cowboys comes down to one game.

“Lose and they will have gone as far as Detroit. That might sound like a cheap shot, except it comes from receiver Roy Williams, the latest star added to the Cowboys’ galaxy. He arrived in October from the woeful, winless Lions and was counting on making the playoffs for the first time in his career, but now he’s bracing for his usual long offseason.‘[Teammates] joke about me with the 0-16 Detroit thing and I just told them, ‘If we don’t win this game, we’re all in the same boat. We both are going to be watching the same playoff game next week,’ ” Williams said. “They all understood that. That put it in perspective.’” Source TheNews.Com.Mx

After reading the article, it dawned on me that The Dallas Cowboys have more riding on this Philadelphia game tan a shot at the NFC playoffs. What is riding on this game is their international reputation. When an American football team is successful, its fame swells worldwide. In Dallas, we will always stand behind our team regardless of the outcome. But when The Dallas Cowboys enter the NFC playoffs, the bigger win will be felt as support for America’s team reverse worldwide. There is a lot riding on the next couple of games. I am confident that The Dallas Cowboys will use this opportunity to prove to the world who they are!

Do you think it matters what the rest of the world thinks or should we just concentrate on our Dallas fan base?

No. 11 TCU beats No. 9 Boise St. in 2008 Poinsettia Bowl

The TCU Horned Frogs should finish the year inside the top 10 after beating the Boise State Broncos 17-16 Tuesday.

TCU came back from being down 13-0 in the second quarter to win it by one in the last 4 minutes of the game.

Boise St. started the scoring on a 20-yard touchdown run by star running back Ian Johnson of Fiesta Bowl fame. This play gave Johnson the career record for touchdowns in the WAC, passing Marshall Faulk and bumping former Horned Frog LaDanian Tomlinson to third.

After an Andy Dalton Interception, the TCU defense held the Broncos to a fieldgoal making it 13-0 in the first quarter.

TCU drove down the field at the end of the second and scored on a 16 yard touchdown on an Aaron Brown run, cutting and weaving through the Bronco defense. TCU went into the locker room cutting the score to 13-7 and gaining momentum into halftime.

TCU more than doubled BSU’s offensive production, yet trailed in the score until Joseph Turner powered through the Boise St. secondary and scored on a 17-yard touchdown run.

Boise St. had two opportunities to try and win it within the last two minutes, both being cast aside by TCU interceptions, one coming from the bowl defensive MVP Stephen Hodge. The Broncos also had one opportunity to take the lead on a field goal, but missed wide left.

TCU finished with a total of 475 yards of offence, 278 coming by way of ground and 197 through the air. The Horned Frogs held the high powered Bronco offense to only 255 yards of offence, only 29 on the groud. The nations sack leader Jerry Hughes had one key sack in the second half. Andy Dalton, the games offensive MVP, went 22-35 with one INT.

The game was ended when defensive end Matt Panfil intercepted a pitch attempt after a completed pass with no time left on the clock. Sportscenter closed the highlight piece saying, “Boise State tries and pull another last minute upset and TCU’s Matt Panfil says ‘No, I am NOT Oklahoma.’”

The Horned Frogs only ran the “Wild Frog” offense twice, once trying to throw a deep fade towards the endzone which ended in an interception charged to Jeremy Kerly.

TCU finishes the season 11-2 with losses to no. 1 Oklahoma and no 7 Utah. While TCU sat no 11 before the game, with a few key losses by a large number TCU has the potential to finish as high as no 7 in the nation. Worst case scenario, the Horned Frogs finish 9, the spot occupied by the Bronco’s before the game.

Loui Eriksson Named to NHL Three Stars

Loui Eriksson of the Dallas Stars was named the “First Star” in the NHL’s “Three Stars” this week as league recognized his scoring accomplishments for the week of December 15-21. In an up and down month for the Dallas Stars, Louis Eriksson scored six times in a week that netted the Dallas Stars two wins and an unfortunate overtime loss to Ottawa.

Eriksson started the week with two goals in an overtime win against the Phoenix Coyotes. His second goal was the overtime game winner. The Swedish born player followed the Phoenix performance by logging his first hat trick in the NHL in a win over Columbus. He finished the week with a goal against Ottawa in front of a home crowd at The American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX.

The 23 year old NHL forward came to the Dallas Stars organization as a 2nd round draft choice (33rd overall) in the 2003 NHL entry draft. He spent the majority of the 2006 and 2007 seasons with the previous AHL affiliate of the Dallas Stars, the Iowa Stars. After transitioning to the NHL, Loui Eriksson is now proving his scoring leadership as he skates along side a talented and veteran Dallas Stars forward lineup in the 2008-2009 season.

Jeff Carter of the Philadelphia Flyers and Patrik Elias of the New Jersey Devils were named to the “Second Star” and “Third Star” positions.

Loui Eriksson’s Statistics For The Past Five Games

Game		G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PP	SH	S	S%	Shifts	TOI	FO%
Dec 20 ’08	DAL @ OTT	1	0	1	1	0	0	0	2	50.0	26	19:11	0.0
Dec 18 ’08	CBJ @ DAL	3	0	3	-1	0	1	0	4	75.0	29	23:57
Dec 16 ’08	PHX @ DAL *	2	0	2	1	0	0	0	4	50.0	26	22:05
Dec 13 ’08	DAL @ NSH	0	0	0	-1	0	0	0	1	0.0	22	17:28
Dec 12 ’08	DET @ DAL	0	0	0	-1	0	0	0	2	0.0	25	20:39
* scored game winning goal

Is Marty Turco to Blame for Star’s Slump?

Message boards all across the web are calling for Star’s goalie Marty Turco’s head in retribution for the Star’s Western Conference cellar performance.  When watching a Star’s debacle, it is easy to blame the net minder for one or two goals that might seem like routine saves to the hockey fan’s eye.  But if that is the case, shouldn’t the Stars be racking up more points seeing as they’ve been losing games scoring more than three goals?

Here is a statistical argument stating the defense is to blame for the Star’s woes

“The Great One” Wayne Gretzky said 100 percent of the shots you don’t take don’t go in.  The meaning behind this for offensive players is put the puck on net and good things will happen.  Gretzky seems to be an authority on lighting the lamp, so take this moral to be true.

So looking at this statement as a goalie, the more shots that make it to your kitchen, the better chance one has of getting past you.

So far this season Turco has faced 784 shots in 29 games played.  This averages down to a few hundredths over 27 shots per game.

If this trend stays constant throughout the rest of the season, and just making the assumption Turco will sit three more games the rest of the season, as he has up to this point, Turco would face 2,052 shots in 76 games.

In his career, Turco has never seen more than 1,648 shots in one season.  He faced that many in the 2003-04 season playing in 73 games.  So this season stays consistent Turco will face a little over 400 more shots than he has ever faced in a single season.  400 more shots directly equals more chances for bounces to go against the Stars.

One problem with these numbers however lies in Turco’s games played.  The most games Turco has ever played in a single season is the 73 he competed in 03-04.  The 2,052 shots compared to this is based on 76 games, which would set a new career record for Turks.

So far Turco has been scratched from the starting lineup only three times, whichis new ground for Turco.  At this rate he would play more games than he ever has in a single season.  But the next highest shot total in a season came in 05-06 with 1,624 in 68 games.

Turco averages in the 60 game range throughout his career.  So if Turco gets a few more off nights throughout the rest of the season and plays 68 games as he did in 05-06 he would finish with 1,836 shots fired on him.  This is still around two hundred more shots than he has ever faced.

Using good diductive reasoning, what is the cause of an increase of shots on goal?  The answer is bad defense.

Weather it be odd man rushes or not filling shooting lanes, the Stars D-men are letting their goalie down.  But truly why stop with the d-men when defense is played with five players.  This problem could also be from forwards not backchecking and relieving some pressure put on the defense.  However a more careful viewing of game tape would prove the lack of experience among the Stars blue line is allowing for more shots, allowing for more goals.

A slump is usually never one person’s fault, whether that be Sean Avery or Marty Turco.  Everyone has a part in a loss and everyone has a part in pulling the season back together.  While Turco can practice more to be sharper and take away that one to two goals that really are his fault, he can’t practice for himself and someone else.  The defence needs to step up, learn how to talk to each other, communicate effectively, and take away shot chances, especially in high scoring areas.  To be completely cliche, Defence wins championships…or makes playoffs.

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