Hey Cowboys fans. Got an update about a coming event that Jason Witten will be attending for those of us in the DFW area. He’ll be at the Dick’s Sporting Goods store in Dallas from Noon to 2pm on Saturday, June 5th, 2010.

He’ll be hosting a promotional event for Gatorade, G Series Pro “Signing Day.” The address is:

Dick’s Sporting Goods
8030 Park Lane
Dallas, TX 75231

At the event, fans will be able to:

• Have a professional photograph taken with Jason Witten
• Receive an autographed photo (while supplies last)
• Sample the new G Series Pro products
• Access Gatorade’s online Professional Training System for elite athletes
• Enter the “Train Like A Pro” sweepstakes – winner will receive a week of professional style training at a world class facility

Don’t miss out on this chance for a meet and greet with Pro Bowl Tight End Jason Witten.

Popularity: 20%

I’ve been watching and reading about the NFL and its interest to help reduce brain injuries. Some of the things I’ve heard about, such as eliminating the 3-point stance for linemen, are just ridiculous to the game of football, but I do understand why it’s an issue to be concerned about. Below is an article on the subject submitted to me by Chelsea Travers of CareMeridian, let’s give it a read.

Sports and TBI II

Athletics are a great way to stay active. Millions of people each day take part in different activities that allow them to compete and stay healthy. However, some contact sports, like football, can cause serious damage and life long injuries like a Traumatic Brain Injury. A TBI can permanently alter someone’s life by changing their personality, creating physical ailments and may even require long-term rehabilitation from special care facilities like CareMeridian. These injuries are too common when participating in sports, but if the right precautions are taken prevention is possible.

According to the Brain Injury Resource Center, an estimated 300,000 sports related brain injuries occur each year. While the majority of these injuries appear minor many involve concussions. A concussion may seem mild initially, but can result in significant damage over a long period of time if untreated. Concussions are head injuries that are caused from blows to the head that cause the brain to shake violently within the skull. This can cause the brain to bruise, bleed, and/or tear. Concussions occur in every sport, but in football this injury is especially common and often times ignored.

It has been reported that the NFL has a concussion rate of 61%, which is one of the highest percentages for professional sports. This is why recently the NFL has established medical summits that bring in medical professionals to study concussions and head injuries. By inviting scientists and doctors to these summits the NFL is allowing awareness to be presented to both management and players. This will hopefully both curb concussions and prevent the long term damage that can result from a brain injury.

The article is very clear and to the point ~ football causes brain injuries at a pretty alarming rate of occurrence. It’s not rocket science. Men + banging heads = brain injuries like concussions.

Where I jump off the bus is the NFL trying to reshape the game of football to reduce head and brain trauma. These guys, football players, all know the risks heading into it. Yet when something happens, some freakish accident that severely injures a player, possibly ending his career and many aspects of his normal life to that point in time, the affected player always tries to act like a victim.

The fact is that football is a physical and dangerous game. That’s something I learned as a young boy because of knee issues that weren’t caused by playing. My knee problems did make me overly aware of the risk of injuring my knee(s) further, and so I chose to not play football. These guys all have the same choice, but it’s up to the players to make the choice, not the NFL. It certainly isn’t up to the fans and other spectators. But that’s just my view on it.

What’s your view on concussions and other brain injuries in football? Sound off in the comments below after throwing in your vote on the poll.

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Popularity: 8%

It looks like a bad year to be a veteran running back in the NFL. First the Chargers release 9 year vet LaDainian Tomlinson and now the Eagles have delivered a shiny new axe to Brian Westbrook.

I must say that L.T. leaving San Diego is a story that’s been in the making for a while now. It was just this time last year when the rumor mill was swirling with the pending decision to keep or cut him. It’s the first of his nine seasons to finish the year with under 1,100 yards rushing.

Though the general consensus is that his release was due to monetary constraints. It doesn’t hurt that Darren Sproles was technically backing Tomlinson up either.

Brian Westbrook, however, has come on as a franchise runner in Philly so I doubt anyone expected that he’d be released.

Westbrook did have some issues over a concussion that helped put a spotlight on the late and great movement toward player safety and giving concussed players ample time to heal before checking back into the game. He missed a few games and ended the year well short of his best season yardage with only 274 yards on the ground.

Personally, I’m surprised enough by the Eagles’ move that I’d now think twice before saying with any degree of confidence that Andy Reid or Donovan McNabb wouldn’t be released. Westbrook may not have been the top rusher in Philadelphia the past two years, but he wasn’t considered expendable either.

Nick Folk is going Green
Looks like that trip to New York for tryouts wasn’t a wasted effort after all for the former Cowboys kicker. The Jets have signed him to a one year deal, opting to go with a rebounding Folk over veteran place kicker Jay Feely.

Maybe Folk can turn things around before they get any worse for him.

Don’t forget, I want your reactions to Tomlinson and Westbrook being released, and Folk’s future with the J – E – T – S.

Popularity: 11%

Of all the things to happen, why’d Deon Anderson have to land himself a gun related charge? Seriously, as if Plaxico Burress didn’t make that point crystal clear for the league.

To me it seems like there are just too many dynamics in play to try to figure out what will happen with him should he be convicted, and even if he’s not. I say too many because one of the key dynamics is the amount of change in Jerry Jones regarding his players and personal conduct.

We all remember the 90′s—it was ugly as far as personal conduct.

But then Adam “Pacman” Jones was able to test and tread the waters before eventually sinking at the hands of Jerry Jones. And who can forget Terrell Owens, given that anyone believes the decision to release him last year was even slightly about team chemistry and “The Player’s” attitude.

Jerry has possibly demonstrated a change in his own policies for dealing with players who cause and get into trouble. I use possibly because while things were really heating up with Pacman and T.O., Anthony Spencer got into some trouble and barely received a slap on the wrist.

So what will Jerry do with Deon, regardless of if he is eventually convicted or not? It’s hard to say.

T.O. had become more of a problem than a producer, and Pacman could never stay out of trouble long enough to start producing in Dallas. But Spencer was viewed as the next starting OLB ready for the soon-after release of Greg Ellis.

Deon Anderson had one catch for five yards in 2009. That’s it. That was all of his involvement.

It seems to me that the axe would fall swiftly if it even looked like he was facing jail time. But a guy that touches the ball only once in a whole season plus two playoff games should be very worried no matter what.

So you guys tell me what you think, should he be cut and under what circumstances? Answer in the comments.

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Popularity: 10%

It’s been almost a full year since we last updated our design, so it was time to finally get into something we can live a long time with. The last one was just a temporary solution.

So we got a tan, how do you like the new digs?

I’ll tell you, you all seem to like it a lot and I’m certain glad to see it. It’s only been a day and already there’s been an overwhelming response to the new design. Thanks.

So we’re ready to get started with the new season of football. It’s early, but you can never start football too early. We’re ready to start adding folks to our crew here and build our nation’s presence up.

We even got a new Dallas Cowboys Nation Facebook page. You can check it out and become a fan, we need more. Just use the new Fan Box on the right below the recent posts list.

We need Link Bloggers, Video Bloggers, Social Bloggers, and definitely some more Draft Analysts. We don’t care if you want to write a hundred articles or just one, we just want more fans sharing their opinions with us. You can even stick to something more simple like commenting on posts. We can’t wait to hear from you.

And you know getting started is easy—you just have to register for a free account and submit your article to us. So what are you waiting for?

Let’s show the world that the Dallas Cowboys are still America’s Team with a strong force of writers going nuts. Good times.

Popularity: 4%

Earlier this year former Dallas linebacker turned Dallas assistant head coach and assistant linebackers coach Dat Nguyen announced that he was not interested in returning to the Cowboys in 2010. Reasons cited took focus around the notion that Nguyen felt there wasn’t room for the kind of advancement he wanted in the near future.

He has since returned to Texas A&M as the linebackers coach.

Meanwhile, the Cowboys officially hired Bobby King to replace Nguyen today. From the DMN Cowboys Blog:

“Bobby King, a defensive line coach at West Texas A&M the past two seasons, has been added to the staff as a defensive assistant. Before his latest coaching stint with the Buffaloes, King worked defensive tackles at Baylor in 2006 and ’07. He was a teammate of Cowboys quality control coach Wes Phillips at UT El Paso and also worked on staffs with Phillips at West Texas A&M (’05) and Baylor (’06).” – Feb. 17, David Moore

Popularity: 13%

After leading the league in 2009 with 10 missed field goal attempts at the three-quarter mark, Dallas’ star kicker Nick Folk was cut in search of consistency on the three-point-tries.

Dallas went on to sign Shaun Suisham who has flopped so far and Folk went to the unemployment lines.

Some of us Dallas fans struggled with the decision to release Folk. Some said he still hadn’t gotten right after his preseason hip surgery and others simply maintained that he needed time to work through a tough spell in his young career. Neither has yet to be settled as anything more than mere speculation.

As of today, though, the clock starts ticking down to the moment when we’ll all know if Folk was a two-year man or just in need of some refocusing.

According to Mike Florio at ProFootballTalk.com, Nick Folk is headed to New York for tryouts with both the New York Jets and New York Giants. The Giants still have a guy under contract while the Jets’ only kicker is an unrestricted free agent. Read the full article at PFT: Nick Folk Has Two Tryouts Coming Up

Apparently few have forgotten what Folk has done when at his best and seem to be willing to give him a shot. We’ll have to keep an eye out to see what happens.

Anyone think Dallas could/should/would resign Folk before the 2010 season starts? Give your answers in the comments.

Popularity: 7%

What a year for kickers in Dallas. First we start off thinking that we’re golden, set to go.

We got the newbie David Buehler ready to handling the kick offs and Pro Bowl strong-leg Nick Folk coming back as the place kicker. The worst things we had to worry about were injuries or maybe the rookie fluffing out, in which case Folk would just go back to kicking short kick offs again.

Nobody expected Folk to struggle the way he did.

Connor Hughes was one of the guys who tried out with Folks replacement, Shaun Suisham late in the year. He’s basically got nothing by way of experience having played a year for Philly in the AFL, plus two training camps, one with Pittsburgh and the other with New Orleans.

It would seem that his lack of experience is exactly why he wasn’t retained to finish out the year. Instead we resigned Shaun Suisham shortly after the Redskins cut him for missing a couple of field goals. Actually he missed a couple of tries against the then unbeaten Saints, and they had a shot to win it late too. Suisham easily got the blame for that loss.

So now, after being resigned to the team, Hughes is saying that he out-performed all of the other kickers who tried out during the year, and only lost out because of his lack of playing time.

He did go 5 for 5 in exhibition games with the Steelers and Saints, though most were under 30 yards.

The possible Cinderella story Hughes hopes that now he can come in and do a good job for the Cowboys. Maybe he can shore up a kicking game that has been lacking consistency, aside from a great year with folk, for more than a decade.

As for Suisham, this was a return to Dallas for him, and he didn’t do so well. He’ll be most remembered for missing two field goals, chip shots at that, against the Vikings to stunt momentum in the Divisional round of the playoffs.

So long Suisham…I’m tired of spelling your name.

Read the full story on DMN – Cowboys Kicker: I Outperformed Shaun Suisham in December

Popularity: 7%

It’s the year 2010, and in just a few weeks we’ll cross the official starting point of the NFL’s 2010 League Year. The Cowboys lost another lopsided one to end their season but unlike the ’08 season, 2009 saw a Wild Card round victory before they bowed out to the Vikings in the NFC Divisional Round.

Seems like old news by now, doesn’t it?

That’s because in the NFL even the off season is full of transactions. It’s business as usual. Who cares that it’s an uncapped year, there still hasn’t been any movement toward a new Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NFL and the NFLPA, or that some proposed rule changes might permanently hobble this game we all love so much?

For those just too curious to stand it, I’m referring to the possibility of eliminating the 3-point stance. Not getting into it here, but I will say that as ridiculous as it sounds now, the NFL and Commissioner Roger Goodell have done equally surprising things to the rules before.

So we’ve got a bit of a drought of football action right now. I must say that I’m surprised by that. I figured since the Saints—America’s New Team—won the Super Bowl that the world would have partied itself into a giant collapse the likes of which only the Movie 2012 has depicted cheering the very chant of retardation—Who Dat. Seriously? Former Cowboys and Never Cowboys alike can say all they want that Dallas isn’t America’s Team but the fact remains, The Dallas Cowboys are the most popular franchise in this or any other sport. Deal with it Fujita.

The draft is the next big step toward getting the 2010 season kicked off technically, but in my mind there are much more pressing matters to attend to. First and foremost being how do we deal with the not-short-enough list of free agents in Dallas?

Thankfully all but one are restricted and can’t just up and leave for any deal that gets thrown their way, though I’d like to see Montrae Holland stick around too; he’s been a good lineman for us when we’ve needed him. A far cry better than that pudgy waste of a roster spot Cory Proctor. He’s one restricted free agent I think we should be happy to get rid of, finally, finally. F – I – N -A – L – L – Y.

But the biggest questions in free agency for us this year aren’t exactly like the biggest questions from years past.

There is no Terrell Owens or similarly harmful locker room cancer to cut, there aren’t any thugs playing football star to 86, and there aren’t any glaring holes we need to fill with some overpaid big-shot on the open market. No, it’s much simpler than that.

Our biggest free agency transaction will start and end right here in Dallas, or technically in Carrollton, Texas at Valley Ranch, but you get the jist.

We’ve got to get a pile of cash to throw at Miles Austin. You know, the NFC’s leading receiver with 1,320 yards and 11 touchdowns. I’ve maintained all along this as-of-yet short off season that we cannot just give him the giant contract he would be happy to have at this point. We have to be smarter about it.

The truth is that he’s going to get a truck load of cash no matter what team gives it to him, but Dallas has his loyalty. It’s kind of a tit for tat arrangement in that we stuck with him through his first few unspectacular and injury prone years and gave him a chance to shine, which he did. I think that warrants him obliging any cautious side Jerry Jones might have.

Then again, it is an uncapped year and that does mean the money isn’t as tight as we’re all so painfully used to. Not at Jerry World.

Speaking of which, is anyone else as angry as I am to continually hear the NBA All-Star game is being played in Dallas? Last I checked, and I did grow up there once upon a time, Arlington isn’t even in Dallas county, let alone the city of Dallas. Hell, the old Texas Stadium isn’t even in Dallas, it’s in Irving, Texas. To finish my rant I’ll just say that I, for one, did not vote to have the new stadium built in Arlington just to see the city name completely stonewalled in advertisements. Kind of defeats the purpose of the city agreeing to the whole deal.

So where was I? Oh, so we need to move forward in a way that exudes some kind of sense. I realize that this is entirely dependent upon the long shot that good ole Jerrah, former oil man, has a cautious side, but I like to think of myself as an optimist, sue me.

We shouldn’t be committing to a huge contract that spans more than a year or two. It’s just not the right time for that.

I’ve been reading online of specific references made to how New Orleans handled Marques Colston after his breakout season, the season in which I found myself extremely pleased over my mid-year waiver wire pickup and the cache of points he netted me. So let’s use that same reference here.

The biggest difference of all between Colston and Austin is one that I’ve yet to hear any credible media members mention—I’m using the word credible loosely—Colston’s breakout season was his rookie year, was Austin’s?

That would be a no.

Even though they had a guy who never showed them he was anything but a player, they still went the safe route with a meager contract to see if he would continue his production after the first year. Austin is now facing his second Dallas contract to expire, so why not take it safe with him as well?

Give him the franchise tag, hell give him a one year deal worth the franchise tag. I hear it’s going to be somewhere in the neighborhood of $9 mil. I’m not arguing that he doesn’t deserve it.

I’m just trying to say that we’ve already got one truckload of cash tied up in Roy Williams, and that move hasn’t really worked out so well for us. I’m just worried that with Toyota halting manufacturing that there won’t be any good trucks left to haul the cash, leaving only the ones with no brakes remaining—again, see Roy E. Williams.

Popularity: 5%

It’s inevitable that when a team loses, whether in game two of the preseason, the regular season, or the post season, people are going to start talking about how the coaches did this wrong or the players didn’t execute—they just weren’t focused.

It’s a bunch of baloney.

But the truth is people have opinions. Everyone watching a football game has got his or her own idea of what’s going on and certainly a perspective as to why something is being done wrong. Say hello armchair quarterback.

Hi.

I watched every Cowboys game this season and I can tell you just as surely as the next guy, they did something wrong.

But at least I’m not afraid to admit it. I’ll go on and on about Dallas did some stupid thing and offer a variety of colorful reasons as to why their heads were too far up their own…

Okay, so I shouldn’t go there now. But the things I’ve been reading about my beloved ‘Boys since that blowout Divisional routing are just irritating. And I’ve had my last nerve poked one too many times by that sharp stick known worldwide as the Dallas media.

Maybe it should make more sense to me since the Dallas media is a worldwide organization—everybody and their momma has a broadcasted or syndicated opinion of the ‘Boys. But wait a minute…the Cowboys aren’t America’s Team anymore, are they? I say once again it’s justified.

So down to the meat of it here, the Vikings tried running up the score.

It’s true and everyone should just deal with it. It doesn’t matter that the Cowboys defense had all but laid down by that point. This wasn’t just another toss downfield for a score. It was fourth down inside the final two minutes of a game with a huge lead within field goal range. Going for it on fourth down in that situation makes it so unbelievably clear that they were running up the score. Get over it.

Maybe Keith Brooking let his emotions get the best of him by yelling at Favre and Children on the sideline, but I certainly can’t blame him for being upset. I just hope this leader turned it toward his half-assing teammates too.

Wade Phillips is back, and he will be here for two more years. Why is everyone so hung up on the notion that it’s a bad thing? Let me make this real simple for everyone out there doubting his effectiveness as a head coach.

But first something to chew on.

Throughout most of aughts the Ravens have been known as a dominant defensive team. But Jim Harbaugh wasn’t there that whole time to spearhead their defensive effort. Instead it was Rex Ryan who coached the Baltimore D for 10 seasons, and made his coach look good while doing it, at least defensively.

Okay, retaining Wade Phillips does not signify the end of the Tradition of Excellence. Yes, he hasn’t gotten us to a Super Bowl and he got us one playoff win in three years, and not much else. Last I checked, though, he isn’t the Dallas Cowboys.

Roy Williams failed miserably at being a professional wide receiver.

Jason Garrett took three games, at least, to make adjustments.

Injuries have been a factor at key positions.

Terrell Owens divided the locker room.

That’s some of the bad that is being handed over to Phillips as if he had some sort of mischievous plan from day one to ruin the Cowboys. People love Felix Jones and Miles Austin and they were both around for at least two of those three years—why not pass the buck on to them as well?

The Cowboys won the NFC East title two out of three years.

Dallas had three consecutive winning seasons.

Two of those seasons had double digits in the win column.

Those are some of the good things that should be going into Phillips’ corner along with the bad. Once more people, as with anything in life, you must take the good with the bad.

So no, bringing back Phillips for two more years is not a bad thing. He got this team playing hard, and playing their best at the right time. Sure it’s only been one season where that was true, but as they it’s a “what can you do for me now” league and so 2009 is what should be given the most weight.

Since we’re on coaches, can we figure out who Jason Garrett is bending over for to keep his job?

Opposing defenses stopped falling for the draw play by mid-season, and yet there I was watching draw after draw after draw after draw late in the season. Hey Jason, you’re supposed to stick with what works, not keep pounding on it until it works.

And what is it with Marion Barber lately? Has he already started to wear down or what? He is a bruiser. It’s what got him a big contract with a good team. But he hasn’t been that bruiser consistently since 2007, and only in glimpses since then, don’t deny it.

Felix Jones stepped up late this year and sort of took over as the feature back in Dallas. I don’t know if such a strong word as featured is right for him yet, but he certainly gave the most production.

Finally, where was Jason Witten this year? I know he led the team in receptions, but he was near the other end in touchdowns. This is something I think is best attributed to Jason Garrett. Witten is considered a future hall of famer because he makes the most of his size and strength on every play.

But let me ask, what good is it to have a player like him if you don’t overuse him? That’s a gift that just keeps on giving, why not take advantage.

Well there you have it. My notes on 2009 and a look at what we have going into 2010. I know I left out a lot. It’s going to be a long and slow ride to training camp though.

Popularity: 2%

Dallas Cowboys @ Minnesota Vikings Where: Mall of America Field – Minneapolis, MN When: January 17, 2010, 12:00 PM on FOX

Mall of America Field. The name might not be too familiar to some of you. Perhaps if I referred to it as The Metrodome you would be a little more intimidated. This is where the Dallas Cowboys are headed this Sunday. This is where blood will be shed, tears will fall, and champions will be born. This particular Divisional Playoff round provides the NFC with 2 games that are NFC Conference Championship caliber games. The Minnesota Vikings are the team standing between the red hot Dallas Cowboys and establishing NFC dominance once again. You have to believe that the winner of this game will more than likely proceed to the Super Bowl. This is the most evenly matched game we’ve seen in a long while, and therefore, we have a lot to analyze. So let’s get started.

How They Stack Up

12-5 Record 12-4 7-2 Home 8-0 5-3 Road 4-4 5-2 Division 5-1 463 Total Points 470 15.5 Avg Points Allowed 19.5 27.2 Avg Points Per Game 29.4 6816 Total Offense 6074 4515 Pass Yards 4156 2301 Rush Yards 1918 47 TD 56 46 Sacks 47 Won 4 Streak Won 1 1st, NFC East – #3 Seed NFC Position 1st, NFC North – #2 Seed NFC

Cowboys (12-5)	Key Matchups	Vikings (12-4)
Dallas Defensive Line (3-4) DE DT DE In this game the trenches will be the decision maker. The Cowboys pass rush has become feared league-wide and they’re showing no signs of slowing down. Jay Ratliff will lead an attack that I believe will penetrate this offensive line while allowing Olshanksy and Spears to plug-up the holes. I believe that our Defensive line is the stability of this defense and are showing they can get it done on all levels. On the other side Minnesota offers an offensive line that I don’t consider to be game changing. However, given the explosive offensive weapons, they do a considerable job paving the way for Adrian Peterson. Highlighted by Hutchinson and McKinnie, you better believe they’ll be emotionally and physically prepared to take on the speedy Dallas Defense. Advantage: Dallas Minnesota Offensive Line LT LG C RG RT
Dallas Offensive Line RT RG C LG LT On the other side of the ball is a large and mean offensive line. The Problem here lies completely with Flozell Adams, who will be matched up with all-pro Jared Allen. While I believe Leonard Davis, Marc Colombo, and Kyle Kosier will perform up to par, it’s the mistakes and speed that Flo brings to the table that will cost this offense and ultimately keep Tony Romo from getting comfortable. Jared Allen, Kevin Williams, Pat Williams, and Ray Edwards—need I say more? This defensive line is strong, fast, and deadly. They will plug holes and harass Tony Romo all day. Bottom line is this: These are some of the toughest guys in the league. They represent the league’s second ranked rush defense, and are responsible for 47 sacks this season. Advantage: Minnesota Minnesota Defensive Line (4-3) DE DT DT DE
Dallas Wide Receivers WR WR WR WR WR This is a battle of numbers. Dallas’ sixth ranked pass offense goes against Minnesota’s 19th ranked pass defense. No Matter what people say, the compliment that Roy Williams gives Miles Austin is a big deal. Roy still requires attention especially as he starts to show his real self again. Match that with Patrick Crayton’s impressive play out of the slot and you’ve got a combination of players with great play ability. A real key to this matchup will lie in the play of Antoine Winfield, who will play in only his second game back from a seven game layoff due to injury. If the Vikings’ corners can stop themselves from biting on some of the double moves and cuts, I think they could be a factor. However, I don’t see that happening and I believe that our receivers can really play big against this team. Advantage: Dallas Minnesota Defensive Backs DB DB FS DB DB
Dallas Defensive Backs DB DB FS DB DB Mike Jenkins is the hottest defensive back in the playoffs right now. He is making every play needed to be considered a shut-down corner. It’s Jenkins emergence that has overshadowed the play of Terence Newman, who has been absolutely lights out. Newman was really the one who shut down DeSean Jackson but they’ll both have their hands full this weekend. I believe the major problem comes when Percy Harvin comes in the slot, Scandrick needs to be able to stop him and while he’s shown some improvement late this season, he’s still struggled. This is an explosive group of receivers as long as Favre is throwing the ball. I believe that in reality this is a mediocre group, besides maybe Harvin who has flourished. This unit will outplay the Dallas DB’s if they are given time to develop routes and get open, and they just might. Advantage: Draw Minnesota Wide Receivers WR WR WR WR WR
Dallas Running Backs & Tight Ends RB RB RB FB TE TE TE Here’s a big part of both teams game plans. Felix Jones was explosive against a tough Philly Defense. Marion Barber was a non-factor. What needs to be done this week will create a large role for Marion Barber. He will need to be the punishing ball carrier he is known as to wear down a tough defense so El Gato can gash them. But given Barber’s sore knee, it’s unclear right now, and likely up until game time, if he’ll be ready to go. The key here will be how the Minnesota linebackers handle Jason Witten—he has the ability to destroy any team. Minnesota’s linebackers have been in search of their identity since E.J. Henderson left for the season. Since then, they have been less successful against the run. I still think they have talent. However, I don’t believe they have enough talent here to deal with the likes of John Phillips, Martellus Bennett, Jason Witten, Felix Jones, Marion Barber, and Tashard Choice. I believe this is the area where Dallas can really control this game. Advantage: Dallas Minnesota Linebackers OLB LB OLB SS SS LB LB
Dallas Linebackers OLB OLB MLB SS MLB LB LB OK, this is hard to argue. DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer may be the best OLB tandem in the league. Mix that with the emotional and inspirational play of Keith Brooking and Bradie James and you have a tough group. Also, where did Bobby Carpenter come from? Carpenter has done a good job covering tight ends. This is the league’s fourth ranked rush defense—allowing only 85 yards a game—and still they manage to terrify opposing quarterbacks with 47 sacks across 17 games. All that being said, Adrian Peterson may be the best back in the league. Chester Taylor does a terrific job spelling Adrian Peterson, and Visanthe Shiancoe is as good as they come from the tight end position. If Adrian Peterson can break through the initial level he can take it to the house on a Dallas Defense who lacks tackling ability in the upper levels. Advantage: Draw Minnesota Runnings Backs & Tight Ends RB RB FB TE TE
	Players To Watch
	HB Adrian Peterson Peterson is a game breaker. He averages 4.4 yards a carry and destroys defenses with yards after contact. The Vikings will undoubtedly look to him to control the game and keep this from becoming a shootout. But he has a tendency to fumble the football and could very well hand the Cowboys a game changer if he’s not careful with the ball.	Adrian Peterson
	DE Jared Allen The heart and soul of the Vikings defense, Allen will more than likely cause headaches for Flozell Adams. The impact Allen makes will determine the outcome of this game.	Jared Allen
Keith Brooking	LB Keith Brooking Brooking has been spectacular for the Cowboys. Beyond his usual pregame inspirational speech to his defense, he will be responsible for stopping Adrian Peterson and keeping Favre uncomfortable. Not that hard right? He’s taken over this defense after a modest introduction earlier this year, and his teammates will look to him for solid, and big, plays.
Tony Romo	QB Tony Romo If Romo can manage the game by reading defenses and changing plays accordingly, he will win this game for the Cowboys. Balance, smart decisions, and elusiveness will be Tony’s key to success. At times this big offensive line has been suspect in protection, but Romo’s quick feet have kept him alive to make plays.
	Key Injuries
T Marc Colombo – Ankle (Probable) S Pat Watkins – Knee (Probable) RB Marion Barber – Knee (Probable) S Gerald Sensabaugh – Thumb (Probable) LB DeMarcus Ware – Wrist/Back (Probable) DT Jimmy Kennedy – Thumb (Questionable) FB Naufau Tahi – Back (Questionable) TE Visanthe Shiancoe – Quadriceps (Probable) DT Pat Williams – Elbow (Probable) G Steve Hutchinson – Shoulder (Probable) P Chris Kluwe – Back (Probable) CB Antoine Winfield – Foot (Probable)
Winner
I’m struggling here. Going to Minnesota is a tough task, have the Cowboys gotten too confident? I believe they’re on the verge of being something special but the media is going to kill them with positive talk. Don’t get me wrong, they can defeat this team. I’m just unsure that Favre’s experience will let them do that. Minnesota 27 Dallas 21

Keys To The Game Pressure Favre – The bottom line is that Favre is good—but he’s old. If you continue to harass him he’s going to get uncomfortable and start rushing his throws. If the linebackers can get penetration, it’ll be a long day for Minnesota. Stop the A-Train – Peterson needs to be contained. Don’t get frustrated with 3 yards by him; that should be considered success. Keep him bottled up on first down and limit the breakaway runs. Do that and let Jenkins, Newman and company finish the rest. He says AD stands for All Day, but in order for the Cowboys to win this game, by the end of the day it needs to stand for All Done. Patience – The ‘Boys need to be able to shrug things off and forget mistakes quickly. Big plays and opportunities are going to arise, but it’ll take the first quarter for both teams to set in. The team that can stay calm and battle the noise will win.

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A lot has been made of the upcoming matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings in the Divisional round of the playoffs, and it’s got me thinking about the tangibles for each defense.

I’m of the mind that numbers matter in any contest. To quote Winston Churchill, “The longer you can look back, the farther you can look forward.” While I doubt the intended significance toward such a triviality as football, it does have a very relevant meaning. And that’s why we keep stats—to look back and see what has been done.

I like statistics because I can look back and see what was done in order to better gauge what will be done.

I’m also of the mindset that a particular stat—the QB rating—is somewhat useless when it comes to gauging a quarterback’s play. It has become something we look at often to see how a QB did in a game, but it being high or low has never been correlated directly with winning football games.

For instance, look at week 13 between the Cowboys and Giants. The Giants won the game but Tony Romo had a QB rating of 112.1.

For those that do not know, the QB rating is calculated based on completions, attempts, yards, touchdowns, and interceptions. It’s essentially a measure of efficiency and nothing more.

But as I stated, I believe it to be rather useless for determining a quarterback’s level of play. It is, however, a viable stat when trying to figure out what a defense can do and has done.

Consider my logic—a few good ways of labeling a defense successful is to look at how many yards per game they allow, how many third down conversions, how many yards per play they give up, how many touchdowns they allow, and how many interceptions they take. Most of which is factored into a QB rating calculation.

So I like to look at a teams schedule and see what kind of QB ratings they’ve allowed opposing quarterbacks to have. The truth is that while an efficient QB is great, e.g., Brett Favre only throwing for seven interceptions this season, I’d much rather have an effective QB. And that’s what this method is based on.

In the 2009 season the Vikings defense has allowed an average opposing QB rating of 90.8. That’s six games of 16 allowing a QB rating of over 100.

The Cowboys, in contrast, have allowed an average opposing rating of 82.8. That’s only two games of 17, including the wild card round, in which they allowed a rating over 100.

Both defenses are highly ranked against the run (Vikings 2nd, Cowboys 4th ). Both offenses rank well running the ball (Vikings 13th, Cowboys 7th).

It basically shows me that the Vikings are going to be in a tough spot trying to run against Dallas more so than Dallas will be stuffed by Minnesota. It’s a fair conclusion even considering that Adrian Peterson is a future Hall of Fame running back.

Everyone likes to say how versatile he is and there’s been references made that the Cowboys have to have three backs to equal what Minnesota has in just one, but it’s overlooked what impact that really has on the players.

Sure, Peterson is allowed to find a rhythm and ride it out being the primary back and getting 20+ carries a game, but that kind of running takes its toll. By the end of a game he’s tired. Even if he’s in a rhythm, he’s worn down from either running up and down the field, or fighting a tough defense for every yard. He does lead the league in no gain and negative yard runs this year.

Meanwhile the Cowboys have a better ranked rushing attack. Perhaps lending credit to the fact they have three guys who stay fresher during the course of a game.

What does it mean? The Vikings are going to have to rely on Brett Favre long before the Cowboys will be relying on Tony Romo. And that is when Romo is at his best—as a game manager, as opposed to a game winner.

History has shown that Favre struggles against Dallas anyway. History has shown that the Vikings struggle in home playoff games against Dallas. History has shown that teams on a late season winning streak go farther than teams wrapping up regulation under .500. The Cowboys went 3-0 the final three games of the season while the Vikings only went 1-2.

And since I predict the game will come down to how the quarterbacks play I’ll let you know how each defense has done.

Minnesota allows a higher QB rating, completion percentage, and average yards per completion. The Cowboys’ defense has one less sack over an extra game, and one less interception over an extra game.

It’s a game of numbers that these men play, and the numbers show that the Vikings will have their work cut out for them.

And finally, consider this—the Vikings are 8-0 at home this year and definitely have an advantage at home. Obviously they play better at home, but the Cowboys, this year, have played better on the road.

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Since the NFC East has boiled down to just one team still in contention for anything, I thought today’s Daily Dose would be best served with a primary focus on the two teams Dallas crushed in weeks 16 through 18. Okay, so that was just a chance to mention that we blew out the Eagles again, sue me.

Pete Carroll In, Jack Del Rio Out?

But first up is the most obvious and over-run story of the week—Pete Carroll has signed a five year deal with the Seattle Seahawks worth $7 mil a year. I wish him the best of luck, and he’ll need it, because that team is in shambles and will need their high draft picks to help get that team together.

In the wake of Carroll leaving USC, the Trojans are now stuck trying to find a coach. Oregon State’s head coach said no, Jeff Fisher declined so he could stay with the Titans, and now it looks as though the interest, by process of elimination, has fallen squarely onto the shoulders of current Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio. Del Rio, a seventh-year HC in Jacksonville, is scheduled to meet with team officials today to discuss and determine his future with the organization.

ESPN is reporting, however, that the former linebacker for USC is so interested in the vacancy that he might just try to get himself fired from the Jaguars. It has its definite benefits—he would still be owed the remaining $15 mil on his contract and could dive into the high prestige life of coaching college football. We’ll see what happens.

Eagles Announce Starter For 2010

Now, on to the Eagles. Coach Andy Reid has stated that soon-to-be 12 year veteran Donovan McNabb will be the Eagles’ starting quarterback in 2010. This despite the overwhelming, and by now yearly occurrence, disapproval of McNabb by Philadelphia fans. Check it out on NFL.com.

Also, newly hired Cleveland Browns President Mike Holmgren has managed to steal away Philadelphia’s GM, Tom Heckert. Eagles V.P. of Player Personnel Howie Roseman is most likely to fill the now defunct GM spot.

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Since we got out game preview out a bit earlier than either team was required to offer an injury report, here’s a complete list of each team’s injuries as of Saturday morning along with each player’s status for tonight game.

None of the injuries are going to factor heavily into the game for either team, and there is only player listed who is actually doubtful to play—Pat Watkins for Dallas. You should note that Philadelphia’s starting center is not listed as he on IR and OL Nick Cole is starting in his place.

Dallas Cowboys

RB Tashard Choice Concussion Full Participation (Probable)

OT Marc Colombo Ankle Full Participation (Probable)

S Pat Watkins Knee Full Participation (Questionable)

CB Terence Newman Knee Full Participation (Probable)

S Gerald Sensabaugh Thumb Full Participation (Probable)

LB DeMarcus Ware Wrist/Back Full Participation (Probable)

RB Marion Barber Knee Full Participation (Probable)

Philadelphia Eagles

WR Jason Avant Knee Full Participation (Probable)

WR Reggie Brown Shoulder Full Participation (Probable)

TE Brent Celek Knee Full Participation (Probable)

C Nick Cole Knee Full Participation (Probable)

S Quintin Demps Ankle Full Participation (Probable)

G Max Jean-Gilles Ankle Full Participation (Probable)

T Winston Justice Ankle/Knee Full Participation (Probable)

WR Jeremy Maclin Thumb/Foot Full Participation (Probable)

DE Juqua Parker Ankle Full Participation (Probable)

CB Dimitri Patterson Knee Full Participation (Probable)

QB Michael Vick Quadricep Full Participation (Probable)

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Step One

The Philadelphia Eagles can be a dangerous bunch if a game starts to go their way, so that’s why the No. 1 priority for the Dallas Cowboys will be to score on their opening drive, and combine that with either a defensive stop or a scoring second drive.

Donovan McNabb is good at making things happen, and when he’s got a cushion to play with he tends to put up his best numbers. It all comes down to whether his team is ahead or behind though.

The Eagles haven’t lost one in 2009 when leading at the half.

Philadelphia, when ahead, completes passes for an 8.3 yard average with 12 TD’s. In contrast, it’s a 7.5 yard average with only six touchdowns when playing from behind. The rushing attack in Philly hasn’t been great this season, but it also is at its best when the team is leading.

The Eagles are a passing team with two big playmakers in DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin. But it all comes down to pressure. When they have to make a big play to take the lead, they usually fail. It’s when they have the lead that they make the most of their opportunities.

So, the Cowboys absolutely must come out and score on their first possession and take control early. This team is capable of putting pressure on the Eagles, who will likely fold under it.

Step Two

Mike Jenkins has done a remarkable job of keeping pace with DeSean Jackson in two games between Dallas and Philadelphia this season. He has only five catches for 76 yards against the stingy Dallas defense in 2009. That’s a long reception of 32 yards, an average of 15.2 yards, and zero touchdowns.

He simply hasn’t done much against the blue star.

Jeremy Maclin has only managed to be slightly better against the Cowboys in ’09, amassing six catches for 91 yards total, but still with no touchdowns.

The second key to the Cowboys W is going to be keeping those two in front of them. As we’ve seen already the Cowboys have done well to limit the big play. Even though they’ve allowed a lot of completions underneath while locking it up deep, it’s not been enough to earn the Eagles a Dallas defeat.

Step Three

In the 10 games he’s won this year, McNabb has had the benefit of good protection with only a two-sack-per-game average. But he’s sacked almost four times a game when they lose.

Of the 35 sacks McNabb has taken this season, Dallas accounts for seven of them.

That’s 50 yards given up to Dallas on sacks. In games in which he’s been sacked three or more times he’s 10/four TD/INT, but he tosses for a touchdown in every game that’s he sacked fewer than three times.

Aside from numbers, it’s just a fact that any quarterback in football will produce less when he’s pressured more, and McNabb is no exception. In fact, he might just be more prone to buckle under pressure than any other franchise quarterback in the league.

So the Cowboys need their big three pass rushers to be very active in this game. DeMarcus Ware, Jay Ratliff, and Anthony Spencer will play a huge role in determining the winner on Saturday.

That’s all the Cowboys have to do to win this game. Score early to put the ill-equipped Eagles in catch-up mode, contain Jackson and Maclin to prevent the big plays, and keep Donovan McNabb uncomfortable with pressure and knock-downs.

If we had to consider a fourth step it would undoubtedly be to protect Tony Romo. While he has been a rock over the past nine games (12 TD 3 INT 0 FUM), he is at his best when he has time to throw the ball. Plus, a nagging back injury he calls “soreness” needs to be taken care of during the game.

Overall, the Cowboys are playing their best football right now and are the only team riding a three-game winning streak in the NFC heading into round one of the playoffs.

The Eagles may very well be better than they played in week 17 at Dallas, I certainly felt that while watching the game, but in 2009 they’ve hit three rough spots. The Raiders and Cowboys have given the Eagles fits and I expect that to continue in the playoffs. Cowboys win a fairly close one.

Dallas 21 – Philadelphia 14

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See, there it is. That’s just the kind of statement that I’m tired of seeing when it comes to the Dallas Cowboys. “The Cowboys must win on Saturday to make last week’s win meaningful …” As if to say that blowing out the Eagles last week wasn’t an accomplishment, a great game, a big win, or a stellar defensive effort if the Cowboys can’t win this coming week?

Last I checked, we didn’t take any gambles against Philly in week 17. It’s not like we’re the Colts who said, “Hey, we’re going to sit our starters for the final two games because we need them around to win the Super Bowl when we get there.” That’s the kind of situation where a later event can define the meaning of a past decision.

If the Colts don’t make it to the Super Bowl this year, then they will be looked at as chumps – honestly. Them winning the Super Bowl is going to be the difference between being thought to have made a good decision resting starters and preventing injuries, and choking any chance they had of winning, disgracing the sport by not playing to win.

The Cowboys didn’t do that. Even when we had that game in hand last week, we still sent Romo, Barber, Adams, Austin, and every other starter back onto the field until Romo took a knee to run the clock out with under 2 minutes remaining.

It’s not like with the Patriots who decided to play hard in week 17 and ended up losing their star wide receiver to an injury that would’ve meant IR for him even if it happened in the preseason. They did what they always do and went full throttle for 60 minutes on Sunday, just like any other Sunday before it.

You could argue that they made a choice to keep themselves in a rhythm and try to maintain some momentum heading into the playoffs. Well now if they don’t win the Super Bowl, they’ll be thought less of for not being more cautious with such an important player as Welker going down.

It all comes down to the gambles that a team makes this time of year – if they lose then a firestorm ensues, but if they win, they’re geniuses.

The Cowboys simply went out and played some good football. No lasting injuries, no promises or game plans for Super Bowl glory in a month – they just played some good, hard, NFC East football against a good football team.

Leading up to week 17 it was clear to everyone involved that it was a virtually meaningless game and a big game, all at the same time. Both teams had already been assured a spot in the playoffs after week 16, so there was no type of win-and-you’re-in scenario to be played out.

The Eagles did have something pretty large to play for though as they eyed the shot at a first round bye and the #2 seed in the NFC, which would come with an NFC East Division Championship if they had beaten the Cowboys.

The Cowboys started their day out with those same accolades in sight, that is until Minnesota beat the Giants in the noon game. Then it became a shot at the #3 seed and home-field advantage for the wild card round, as well as the NFC East title.

To the Eagles, who were riding a six game winning streak, that game, aside from all playoff scenarios, just didn’t mean that much more than another game against a long time foe. But for Dallas it was more than that. After having lost nine season finales in a row, going more than a decade since winning a playoff game, and adorning one of the most repugnant December swoons in league history; and after handing the Saints their first loss of the season followed by a shutout against another NFC East rival, albeit one in sad shape and merely a week away from firing their head coach, this game was a chance to go out and show everybody something we hadn’t seen since players numbered 8, 22, and 88 marched us down the field time and time again.

This was a big game for Dallas, and a huge win. It put the NFL on notice that the Cowboys were playing strong, and the shutout simply added the brief message, “Fear Us.”

But that game was that game – just a week 17 regular season finale. It wasn’t a heat race, and it wasn’t a qualifier. It was a brilliant win against a tough Eagles team.

This Saturday at 7pm will be the start of another game against a tough NFC East rival, and this time there are no silly scenarios to work out, no small consolations such as a bye week or home-field advantage to play for – this time it’s for the whole season.

Lose and you go home. Win and you move on to the next round.

And then, just as now, the game preceding will not be made any less important or well played because of this week’s performance. It simply will be another game won, or lost.

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Since I posted about what is being dubbed Spitgate 2010 earlier this evening, it seems everyone has taken to the story on many websites. A quick look over at the Eagles site led me to find this letter of apology from Dave Spadaro to the Cowboys organization. The whole time reading it you can tell he was made to write it, and that it wasn’t serious. It was an effort to save his job because he made the team look bad.

The comments from Eagles fans to this letter were all in support of this moron. Many said something to the effect of it just being grass, and no damage was done. Well tell me this – you sub-class Eagles idiots – one player spitting on anothers face is a “no damage done” act as well. Do you see the NFL or the teams of the spitting players ignoring it though? No! This was simply above and beyond just a heated rivalry. This was an act of stupidity by a fan who thought he was in a position to set an example.

Well let’s see this Spadaro punk walk around Cowboys Stadium this weekend – we’ll see how he likes getting spit on. No damage, right?

“As you may have seen, I went too far with my Spudcam video prior to Sunday’s game against the Cowboys. Acting alone, and without permission from the Eagles organization, I walked out to the middle of the field at Cowboys Stadium and spit on the Cowboys star, and for that I deeply apologize to the outstanding Cowboys organization and the fine people there, from Jerry Jones to the rest of the team.

It was not my intention to insult the Cowboys. It was my intention to enjoy the spirit of a great sports rivalry, and I clearly went over the line and acted unprofessionally. The Cowboys have always been gracious hosts and I appreciate the relationship I have with the friends I have there.

Spudcam is a feature that has become very popular here, and the goal of Spudcam is to provide a unique perspective of the game-day experience. We here at PhiladelphiaEagles.com strive to do anything and everything to bring our fans as close as possible to the action, to enjoy the team they love on an every-day basis. I try to have fun with Spudcam and to put the camera in places that cameras normally don’t go.

I took it to the extreme here, and admit that I have done so in other situations this year. Again, it is all done in the spirit of pre-game fun, to get excited about the game, to show the fans at Lincoln Financial Field and those on the road what happens behind the scenes on game days.

I admit I get carried away with my love of the Philadelphia Eagles, and if this is a crime, I am clearly guilty. Game days are an incredible experience for me. The will to win is unlike anything I have ever felt. The angst and the tightly-knotted stomach and the ups and downs of 60 minutes of Eagles football leave me thoroughly drained — win or lose — and I enjoy having the opportunity to communicate that to the many great Eagles fans who follow this team on a (many-times) daily basis.

I appreciate the support of the Eagles organization as we take this web site to new levels. I have made many mistakes in my excitement over the years communicating my love of the Eagles to you, and the franchise has always backed me. There are times when my enthusiasm has to be reined in by many within the Eagles, who have always made sure to let me know when I’ve exceeded the boundaries of professionalism.

Again, I apologize to those whom I have offended by my actions with Spudcam. I acted in an unprofessional manner and I am deserving of the punishment coming my way, and of the scorn of Dallas fans and those who did not appreciate my actions. I am responsible for my work and I will stand up to the criticism.

For those Eagles fans who come here so often and who make this web site so successful, I thank you for your love of the Eagles. I appreciate the opportunity to communicate so frequently with Eagles fans, who want the same thing as I: To beat Dallas on Saturday night and to stay alive in this 2009 season.

Go Eagles!”

One important thing to note is that the video and spit occurred during the pregame time last Sunday. All I can say is that the Eagles got what they deserved for this kind of crap – a blowout loss.

Cowboys Fans – Get Up. Get Loud.

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I say a real Eagles fan because they’re known to be some of the most vile fans in football. My first impression of them goes back to the 90′s when Micheal Irvin busted up his neck in Philly and the fans cheered for his injury. From fighting to cheering when an opposing team’s player is hurt, sometimes severely, Eagles fans have always been the lowest class fans in the league.

Well now they’ve gone a step further. Dave Spadaro is an Eagles fan, and he’s also an Eagles employee as he run’s the Spudcam and the team website. He’s the one responsible for putting the following video on www.PhiladelphiaEagles.com, though this was taken from YouTube.com since the video has been removed from the Eagles website.

It’s something that just never seems to go away, people trying to disrespect our Star. Terrell Owens did it – twice. We forgave him when we signed him, but this guy is just a putz. Spitting on the Star not once, but twice! And he was even looking around trying not to get caught. I say Jerry Jones should ban the Eagles media and employees not essential to playing football, but that’s a stretch.

If this kind of thing doesn’t get Cowboys fans riled up for the big game I don’t know what will. Come on folks, if you’re attending the game, stand up and get loud. Show your team some support and give Home Field Advantage some meaning in Dallas (Arlington). Get Up. Get Loud.

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Let’s be honest, it’s midway through the week before the biggest game the Cowboys have had in more than a decade – in fact this spans across three decades from the 90′s and aughts to 2010. Sure they’ve had big games in the 13 years, but this wild card round of the playoffs is different for them, namely because they are a different team. They are poised for a deep playoff run, but they have to clear a mighty large hurdle first – the Eagles for the third time this year and the second week in a row.

So we start today’s dose with Mike Jenkins and DeSean Jackson. They’re already putting the pressure on by talking a little smack via Twitter, and now Jenkins has posted about it on his blog. Granted, he took a more tactful approach on his blog, but these two seem to be falling into a personal rivalry, and we’d expect nothing less right? Jackson posting on Twitter, “My colleagues and I are prepared to issue a sound thumping.“

DeSean Jackson is a very talented receiver, tough to stop. He’s fast and shifty and can give you a really hard time if you’re not prepared for him. He’s my favorite wide receiver to guard and brings a challenge every play. He really makes you watch your P’s and Q’s.

Mike Shanahan into Washington

In Washington, Mike Shanahan has been announced as the new Head Coach and V.P. of Football Operations for the Redskins. He signed a five year deal and while he will work hand-in-hand with his old buddy Bruce Allen, Shanahan will call the shots with final say on matters as they look to rebuild the struggling franchise. ESPN has reported that Shanahan’s son will be coming along as the new Offensive Coordinator as well.

In other Redskins news, RB Clinton Portis called out Jason Campbell on a local radio show saying that he isn’t a leader and likely never will be.

Roy Williams is a winner, after all?

I would trade anything in the world besides my family and my kids for a win. I could easily be at home right now, coming from Detroit. I could be 2-14 but instead I’m 11-5, East champion. It’s a great feeling.

That’s the latest from Roy Williams over on the Star-Telegram’s Cowboys Corner on his move from the Detroit Lions to the Dallas Cowboys.

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Never without some excitement to keep us reeling, the NFC East is going postseason this year. We just watched the Eagles fall on their face in Dallas as the Cowboys went on to a historical win and the top of the division, and now we get to look forward to a grudge match like only the rivalries of the NFC East can supply.

Their records are identical, they have the same wins and losses at home, on the road, and in the division – you couldn’t find a more evenly matched game if you hand picked the teams.

They’ve got similar sacks, similar touchdowns, similar passing and rushing yards, so where is the difference in this matchup that’s going to be a difference maker? Points!

The Eagles are riding high atop their best point total in franchise history at 429, which is the exact number of points they had before last week’s game. The Cowboys are at a more modest 363 points through the first 16 games. That’s the difference.

The Cowboys have only allowed an average of 15.6 points per game this season and have really been cracking down on that seemingly high number as of late. Riding a three-game winning streak, the ‘Boys have only given up 17 points in that span, and that was to the New Orleans Saints – a far cry from the Eagles by any perspective.

What’s more is that this Eagles offense is preparing to be the unit that wins the game. Through the air or on the ground doesn’t matter, but you don’t expect to win with defense when you’re offense has been the real heater during the year. The problem that just might throw a huge kink into their plans is that their offense, rated highly among all experts and most game logs, hasn’t been able to produce against the Cowboys this year.

Add to the mix the Eagles average points allowed per game at 21.1 and the fact that they are 664 yards behind Dallas in total offense this year, and you get what should be a slugfest. The normally high scoring Philly offense Vs. the new Dallas Doomsday Defense – a matchup that should fall the way of the plains in a Dallas victory.

I’ll let the averages do the pick for me.

Cowboys 21 – Eagles 7

Now let’s give it up Cowboys fans. The team has asked us two weeks in a row to pump up the volume and put some meaning behind home-field-advantage this year. Get up. Get loud.

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Seems like just yesterday that the Cowboys pitched their first and historic consecutive shutout streak, completed more total offensive yards than any Cowboys team in history, and that Tony Romo became the first Cowboys QB ever to take every snap during the season. And all that while beating the Eagles and securing the NFC East title for the second time in three seasons.

Oh wait, that was just yesterday. Okay so maybe the Cowboys are the hottest team in the NFC, and possibly the NFL, heading into the playoffs next Saturday night, but the real hot seats are elsewhere in the league.

As though anyone might have doubted it, the Redskins announced the firing of head coach Jim Zorn on Monday after having gone 12-20 in his tenure with the Skins. We’ve been hearing about it for weeks so far and nothing has changed yet – Washington is going after retired coach Mike Shanahan to replace Zorn. Most see this as a good thing considering that Shanahan won with the Bronco’s and that quarterback in the late 90′s, what’s his name? I forget – I never liked that guy. Would rather have seen Favre get his Super Bowl win in 97.

We’re still waiting to see who will be replacing coach Mangini in Cleveland now that Mike Holmgren has taken over the front office.

And the Bills, according to a report citing an anonymous source in the organization, have fired the entire coaching staff after beating the Patriots Sunday 30-7 to finish the season 6-10. Imagine that – firing the entire coaching staff at one time. Looks like there is going to be a lot of work to be done this offseason in Buffalo, and then there’s handling Terrell Owens. Some reports out there are speculating that retired coach Bill Cowher may be going into Buffalo as the cleanup guy. We’ll see.

Elsewhere, Chad Ochocinco has hurt his knee though his status for next week’s playoff game against the Jets is unknown at this point, Wes Welker has all but obliterated his knee and is done for the season, and did I mention that the Eagles got what was coming to them?

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In just three short days our beloved Cowboys will face off against the Eagles in a chillingly similar fashion to last years regular season finale.

Last year the Cowboys and Eagles met up to end the season in a game full of playoff implications. One team was more dominant leading up to the game, and again this year the record says it’s the Eagles having won their last six contests.

But this year the Cowboys are riddled with injuries, and they have been playing their best football in December. Tony Romo has only thrown one interception this December, and that was a deflection off of Roy Williams’ hands at that.

This time around it’s not about who makes the postseason, there is no win-and-you’re-in scenarios this year. Both teams are locked in. They are playing merely for pride, and by pride I mean NFC seed and for the NFC East title.

So with an official game preview upcoming, I just want to know, who thinks the Eagles will be victorious for the second year in a row?

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Did anyone notice that after his critical drop at the end of the first half against Washington last week, that Roy Williams wasn’t thrown to again in that game? Well Roy apparently did and decided to say a few things about it.

I suppose the simplest thing I can pass on to you would be this, “I blame myself.” Those are his words.

He also says that he knows he must get back to the fundamentals of being a wide receiver in this league. He says that he needs to look the ball in every time, and that he needs to catch the ball. According to him, he ranks in the top three in the league as far as hands – he admits that not being obvious at all. Even his own mother had to tell him that he is leading the league with 10 drops this year.

But something more than what he said caught my attention and hopefully will produce actual results. He says that he is going to catch 100 balls from the pitching machine after practice each day until he gets this fixed.

Maybe he’ll start acting like even a decent wide out after the work. But he has got to stop smiling after he screws up so royally, it doesn’t help any. Get mad and fix the problem. We’ll see.

I don’t particularly find it helpful that he said “I have to take my game to another level. It starts this Sunday,” to me that task started the day he got in Dallas, and definitely this past Monday after the game he had in Washington the night before. Something like that never waits until next week, and I hope his going back to the Juggs (pitching machine) is his way of doing that.

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So what about Marc Colombo? Coach Wade Phillips says he’ll not be ready for the season finale. Actually, listening to Wade talk about it makes me wonder if Colombo will be ready to go for the wildcard round. People actually seem to be worried about Doug Free getting another start while Colombo heals. I’m not, and I’ll tell you why.

I compared our last four games, all of which Free has started in place of Colombo, to four games earlier in the season when Colombo was starting and playing fully.

The first thing I noticed is that while Free shouldn’t be a part of matching numbers that Colombo was a part of, the comparison showed that in each set of four games we converted a total of 25/53 on third downs. But a little more telling about it that we had a lot more third downs with Colombo in the game.

Next I wanted to see how Romo faired in the pocket and if there was a notable difference between Free and Colombo playing, and there was a small difference. With Colombo, Romo was sacked nine times for a loss of 47 yards. With Free, Romo was sacked just seven times for a loss of 42 yards. Now we could argue that 2 sacks over four games doesn’t make that much of a difference, but I’m pretty sure that Romo and every other QB in the game would tell you that every sack matters. Read the rest of this entry »

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