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.

Popularity: 2%

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?

Popularity: 1%

After pitching a shutout at FedEx Field on Sunday night, what could we really have to complain about? These Cowboys secured a playoff spot, even if only a wildcard, they continued to play with some dominance in December, and they have a shot at winning the division next week in Arlington against Philly, if not a first round bye depending on how the Vikings and Cardinals play next week.

It’s a wonderful life, right?

Never mind Roy Williams dropping another pass. Or that spectacular drop sending the ball flying into the hands of a defender for the pick. He did catch a touchdown pass, so he’s vindicated, right? Right?

How about the repeated attempts to gain a single yard with Barber on the ground, we can just ignore that since the team won and got in the postseason, right?

See this is the problem with winning a game, even if certain major flaws were highlighted during this game, and they were, because they got the W nobody will say anything about it, and likely won’t do anything about it.

I get into this argument often with a fellow Cowboys fan – is Marion Barber worth what we put up for him? I think Barber is a great running back and all, but if we (ahem … Jason Garrett) continue to use him wrong, we’ll suffer as a team in the long run. That score very easily should have been 28-0 if not for the two stalls thanks to Barber running right into a wall that he, nor anyone else, could penetrate.

But hey, at least this way we got some confidence in Shaun Suisham. He wouldn’t have attempted a single field goal if not for one of those Barber stalls.

I mean I was sitting there watching them come to the line repeating quickly out loud “don’t run Barber.” And low and behold, it didn’t work. They ran Barber and failed to get the yards needed. That’s a problem.

Jason Garrett has been doing this since he got here though. First he was so stuck on Terrell Owens and getting him the ball, and now he’s stuck on making Barber into something that’s he’s not – a feature back. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 1%

The Cowboys are going to DC and the timing is something to remark about.

First off, they last played a Saturday night game, while the Skins played Monday night. Now normally I’d say that the Redskins would be at a disadvantage for having only six days while our ‘Boys get eight between games, but the Redskins didn’t seem to play hard enough against the Gnats to worry about being worn out. But either way, the extra day of rest/practice should bode well for the Cowboys so late in the season.

Secondly, the Cowboys just signed kicker Shaun Suisham, who was waived by the Redskins a couple of weeks ago. This will be his third stint with the team.

And finally, the Cowboys seem to be getting healthier about now. Martellus Bennett has been cleared to practice, though with John Phillips playing as well as he did Marty B will be splitting reps even more so. Marc Colombo has also been cleared to practice, though he likely won’t be available until mid-January, and that’s only if the Cowboys make the playoffs. Barber and Jones both seem to be as recovered as they’ve been all year, though that’s not to say that they are playing at their peaks.

The Cowboys have been fortunate to have Tony Romo playing at his best over the last three games. I know that includes two losses, but those losses had to with the running game, play calling, defense, and special teams – not the passing game.

But I want to know, what do you guys think will happen this coming Monday night? Will the Redskins show heart with nothing to lose for the season aside from their jobs? Or will the Cowboys roll in and continue their dominant play on their way to the real challenge against Philly?

One thing is for sure, since the Eagles and Giants won in week 15 the playoff picture has gotten much tighter. By week 17 it could very well be a repeat of last years Cowboys finale. It could be a win-and-you’re-in, lose-and-you’re-out situation, not only for the Cowboys, but depending on the outcome of week 16 it could be that type of a deal for the Eagles and Cowboys. So use the poll up top and let me know what’s the perspective, will the Cowboys beat the Redskins?

Popularity: 1%

What a game, eh? I’ve only been watching the Cowboys since the 91 season, since I was seven years old, but that Cowboys-Saints game was the most exciting game I’ve ever watched.

My nerves were going haywire at kickoff wondering just how the ‘Boys would do, and low and behold, they go out and start running a muck. When is the last time any of us have ever seen a Cowboys team play so methodically and dominating? I’ve never seen it. It wasn’t just luck folks, nor was it just a fluke – these Dallas Cowboys played to win and showed what happens when they live up to their potential and talent.

Now shall we go with why that hurts so much to see? I mean we could, these guy have that talent every week and it took until this, this game in which nobody believed they had a chance in hell of winning for them to do it, but I’d rather not as that could quite easily go on for days here.

Instead let’s talk about Mr. Folk.

Talk about a bittersweet feeling seeing him cut. I used to see him as one of the leagues best kickers and I honestly think he’ll be that once again, but it won’t be this year and it very likely won’t be in a Cowboys jersey.

Simple math tells me that, whether he believes it or not, hip surgery was the doom of his season. Maybe it doesn’t hurt him, but it sure as hell cut into his prep time during the preseason. Call me crazy but I find it hard to believe a guy who had as much success as he did his first two years would need that much preparation, but clearly he does.

Moving forward, though, we’ve brought in former Redskins and Cowboys kick Shaun Suisham – a name I never really intended to be mentioning again on this website. Was he horrible? No. Was he as bad as Folk has been this year? No. I mean he was cut from the Skins roster having kicked 18 of 21 field goals – Folk kicked 18 of 28 I believe.

But he did miss a field goal that was almost identical to the proverbial final straw in Folk’s Dallas run. A fourth quarter 23-yard field goal in a tied game against the Saints for the win. Let’s just hope he doesn’t have any confidence to shake off or we might as well have kept Folk.

Overall it was a masterful win. Game balls could easily go to Mike Jenkins for his outstanding coverage of the Saints top guy, including an interception that looked like something out of the movies, DeMarcus Ware and his similarly happy ending-ish sack and forced fumble to put the game away when we needed it most, and Tony Romo for his amazing ability to keep the plays going without making stupid decisions. Those are my game balls.

Of course it’s hard to escape the fact that even while the game announcers for the NFL Network kept saying how perfect the Cowboys played and how perfect Romo played, Romo made two mistakes that almost turned out very bad for him. Thankfully both of those ill-thrown passes were dropped instead of intercepted.

Actually, that makes four games in a row now that Romo has not thrown an interception. Is it just me or is that a big deal? I mean this gunslinger isn’t supposed to make heads up plays; he’s a bad decision maker, right? Wrong! He’s only thrown an interception in five games this year, that’s nine games that he didn’t.

Unfortunately for the Romo haters of the world, we didn’t win or lose games based on his interceptions or that might be a troubling statistic. Of the nine pick-less games he’s had this year; we’ve lost two of them. Let us be reminded once more that this is a team sport, and no one guy determines our fate on gameday.

So now we head into Washington D.C. for week 16 to face off against the Redskins, and anyone who doesn’t think this could be a huge game isn’t paying attention. The Skins were virtually crushed by the Giants last night in a very lopsided 45-12 score. The Skins just couldn’t do anything right the whole game. But at the same time, this is the team that came within a single missed 23-yard field goal of beating the Saints a few weeks ago, and now we have the kicker who missed that one.

They have nothing left to play for, unless you consider a job worth playing for. With a new GM on staff spending the rest of this season evaluating his moves for the coming off season, every red and yellow/gold jersey in Washington is up for grabs depending on how they play now. This is also a heated rivalry, the Redskins and Cowboys, that has been long standing and the Giants-Redskins beef pales in comparison. Some of you may have seen their attempt to get a TD before the half, using that old swing gate formation twice! They are desperate for a win; let’s just hope the cards don’t fall their way.

Popularity: 1%

Tonight begins the epic journey to the Superbowl. I am an optimist on all accounts. I pull for Romo and I defend the team, but tonight is BIG. There is a very big difference between 1-2 and 2-1, and that difference more then likely in a tough division means everything. When the Eagles and Giants are winning with injuries, you must do the same, or find yourself on a tough road to no where.

The Carolina Panthers come into the Jerry Megaplex tonight looking for redemption. They look to prove that their Quarterback is the man, their running game is stellar, Steve Smith still has it, and the defense can hang with the best. On the otherhand, the Cowboys have much to prove also. After starting the season very well and coming in last week on a more upsetting game, this is the defining game. THIS IS THE BIG GAME for Tony Romo. So without further introduction, we’ll look at the keys to the game for this week at home against the Carolina Panthers.

1. Run The Ball: The Carolina Defense has allowed 168 rushing yards a game so far. Not only are they 29th in the league in rush defense but they will be without starting linebacker Na’il Diggs, Everette Brown and Starting Strong Safety Chris Harris. If our running game can be productive expect bigger things to come out of Romo. Since the Play Action Fake will be more effectively Utilized and Bennett and Witten will be regarded a little easier with Felix and Tashard keeping the ball so much. Note: Marion Barbers Status is still Questionable, you can expect a limited role if he plays.

2. Stop The Run: The Panthers haven’t been outrageous on the run this season like some expected, ranked merely 14th in the league. However, the potential or this backfield is limitless. DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart present a true challenge, and if we let them get rolling, it’ll be a long night. On our side, the running defense looked good last week and I expect it to be better this week. We have the most talented linebacker core in the NFC East I believe and the talent should prevail tonight.

3. Pressure the Quarterback: Jake Delhomme has been sacked 4 times so far and has thrown 5 interceptions. That bodes well for a defense who is sackless and pickless in two weeks of ball. DeMarcus Ware is starting to get attention from the media, but let it be known the pressures still there just sacks not being registered. If the Cowboys can rattle Delhomme’s cage, expect turnovers and sacks to ruin Carolina’s evening. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 1%

Okay so we’re all here for some football right? Well let’s make it more interesting for us. The staff here is keeping a score of our own, and we’ll update weekly the staff picks and records in the sidebar. Just a little something fun on the side for us. We missed the first two weeks due to life, so I’m going to start each of us out with perfect records, 10-0. That’s four games a week plus a bonus pick. So let’s get started.

In week 3 we’re picking from the following:

1. Washington @ Detroit
2. Atlanta @ New England
3. Indianapolis @ Arizona
4. San Fransisco @ Minnesota

And for the bonus pick – of the teams still sitting at 0-2 for the season (Saint Louis Rams, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers), which will be able to snag their first win this week?

Bryson -

1. Washington Redskins
2. Atlanta Falcons
3. Arizona Cardinals
4. San Fransisco 49ers

Bonus pick is Jacksonville.

Bryan -

1. Detroit Lions
2. New England Patriots
3. Indianapolis Colts
4. Minnesota Vikings

Bonus pick is Tennessee.

Jonathan -

1. Washington Redskins
2. New England Patriots
3. Indianapolis Colts
4. Minnesota Vikings

Bonus pick is Miami.

Phillip (Bags030404) -

1. Detroit Lions
2. New England Patriots
3. Indianapolis Colts
4. Minnesota Vikings

Bonus pick is Tennessee.

Good luck to us all!

Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 2%

In part one of this two-part series, I discussed how the departure of Greg Ellis, Terrell Owens, and Zach Thomas will affect the team going forward.

There are a ton of questions facing the Cowboys, as with any offseason, but this seems to be a make-or-break year for a team that is expected to make a Super Bowl run every season.

Part two of the series discusses how the Cowboys will fare in the “NFC Beast” this season, and addresses those pesky rumors about Garrett and Bum Phillips’ son.

With the departure of Plaxico in New York, the Eagles spurning Dawkins and allowing him to walk to Denver, and an owner in Washington who has no confidence in his quarterback, how will the Cowboys fare in the NFC East?

For the first time in a long time, the Cowboys seem to be one of the most stable teams in NFC East. Terrell is gone and the focus has shifted to Romo, but the circus atmosphere that surrounded the ‘Boys the past few years isn’t as prevalent this season.

The New York Giants running attack will be strong, but not as potent without Derrick Ward. Sack machine Osi Umenyiora will be back from a knee injury, but the offense will be without its lightning rod, Plaxico Burress.

While I believe that the Giants will having a winning record and make a run at the playoffs, I don’t see another improbable Super Bowl run like a couple years ago.

Heading south to D.C., the Redskins have a huge question mark at quarterback. I’m not questioning the skills of former Auburn man Jason Campbell, but his owner seems to have lost all confidence in the kid.

Campbell was left out to dry when the team unsuccessfully tried to trade for quarterback Jay Cutler and then attempted to draft former USC quarterback Mark Sanchez.

The team may not have much faith in Jason, but from all accounts, he still thinks that he can get the job done.

Washington’s only hope at the playoffs this year may be the mental stability of its “star” quarterback. If Campbell can hold steady and Clinton Portis remains healthy, an 8-8 season isn’t that far out of reach.

Over in “Illadelphia,” Donovan McNabb has a new contract, Brian Dawkins is now a Bronco, and blitzing defensive coordinator Jim Johnson is out indefinitely due to a battle with cancer.

As much as I disdain the Eagles, the team seems to be poised for another playoff run as their skill position players are still in place.

The battle for 1-2-3 in the NFC East will be between the Giants, Cowboys, and Eagles. The Cowboys ran away with the division in 2007, and they have the chance to do so again this year.

The ‘Boys have a dastardly tough schedule to end the year with road games against the Giants, Redskins, and Saints. Like last season, the team will face off against the Eagles in the last game of the year, but this time it will be in Texas.

History will be the judge of the future in this case, and I can’t defer from where the ‘Boys have finished the last few years. Their schedule in December is daunting, and the team hasn’t had a winning record during that part of year in over a decade.

Look for the Cowboys to finish second in the NFC East to the Giants or Eagles, but make a serious playoff run in January.

Will this be Wade Phillips and Jason Garrett’s last season in Dallas?

Wade Phillips is entering his third season as head coach in Dallas, and I’m not sure if Jerry will continue to make excuses for Phillips.

As many were calling for Wade’s dismissal after last season’s debacle, Jerry stood by his head coach. Instead of feeding him to the wolves, Jerry decided to give Bum’s son another shot.

If Tony Romo has taken the reigns of the team, the same must be said for Wade Phillips. After last season’s shootout against the Eagles early in the year, which ended with the cowboys winning 41-37, Phillips defended his defense by saying the Eagles were just receiving good breaks and capitalizing off of a few turnovers.

That type of explanation will not fly this season. Wade either has to lead this team deep in the playoffs or to a Super Bowl birth in order to keep his job. His defense has to stand up in the latter months of the season against teams like Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.

A few years ago, when Jerry brought back former back-up quarterback Jason Garrett to serve as offensive coordinator, it seemed a match made in Heaven as Romo flourished under Garrett’s tutelage.

Last season, though, Romo floundered a little under Garrett’s system and seemed to criticize Jason’s play calling.

Garrett probably has a longer leash than Phillips, simply because he isn’t the head coach.

Heading into training camp, Phillips may have a little sense of urgency because the Cowboys haven’t won a playoff game this decade.

The defense may be a little meaner and the offense a little more disciplined. The turnovers have to stop, and Romo can’t throw his customary one interception a game just to get it out of his system.

If Phillips and Garrett are to remain in Valley Ranch, they both must turn the Cowboys into a more streamlined outfit.

The Dallas Cowboys have one of the most talent-filled rosters in the league. Of course T.O. is gone, and so is Greg Ellis, but the team is still poised to make a serious run at the Super Bowl.

I predicted that the Cowboys will finish second in their division this season, but that could bode well for them. Flying under the radar isn’t something they’re accustomed to doing, and this season just may be the one where they do so.

Overall, I think the team will finish 11-5 with losses against the Giants and Eagles in the division. But, we have to get past training camp to enter into a total season preview.

-JH

Popularity: 1%

Free agency has gotten under way in 2009 without much of a bang so far. It’s 3 hours and 50 minutes in as I write this, and we’ve yet to hear anything significant regarding Haynesworth, Canty, or Ray Lewis.

Haynesworth is worth keeping an eye on not only because one of the more prominent prospects for him is none other than our NFC East rivals, the Washington Redskins, but also because him leaving the Titans leaves an opening. But if he does end up in Washington, it’ll means the Cowboys will face him twice in 2009, and that could be problematic if the Dallas offensive line play doesn’t step up.

While the Titans have the personnel to continue on without adding any players to replace Haynesworth, they have already made contact with Canty’s agent and are scheduling an interview with him likely either Friday or Saturday. Chris Canty also has an interview lined up already in Washington on Friday.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh went on ESPN’s NFL Live just minutes after the free agency period opened tonight stating that he had been in contact with his agent via text messaging, but that he had not called him to avoid tying up his agent’s phone line. He did mention that he is interested in the Vikings, Eagles, Seahawks, and New York. He didn’t specify Jets or Giants, but it’s likely he meant the Giants.

Meanwhile, the Redskins retained corner back DeAngelo Hall with a six year, $54 million deal, with $30 million of that due in the first three years.

So overall, the Cowboys division opponents appear to be gearing up for the year to come, and that will certainly play a factor in how well the Cowboys do in 2009. The NFC East was again one of the toughest divisions in the league in 2008, and that doesn’t appear to be changing.

No other news so far on any of the Cowboys’ other free agents, so we’ll check back tomorrow and hope that something breaks in favor of Dallas. Would not be good for the Eagles, Giants, and Redskins to beef up if the Cowboys don’t do the same.

Popularity: 1%