Bleacher Report - Articles by Steve Earnhardt

What's More Important than an Obama/McCain Debate? Cowboys vs. Redskins

Steve Earnhardt — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 10:36:27 -0400

The Washington Redskins will visit the Dallas Cowboys this Sunday for what appears to be another NFC East blockbuster between two old enemies. Heck, this very well could be the best match-up of the weekend. The Cowboys come into this game wielding a 3-0 record, along with the most explosive offense in the NFL. Similarly, the Redskins will arrive in Dallas with a 2-1 record, plus a burgeoning West Coast offense under the direction of Jim Zorn.

Sure, there is more hype for this game than any other this weekend, but you know what? It does not matter one iota. This is the Redskins and the Cowboys we are talking about here. Just ask the respective fans of these two clubs which team they most wish to have a victory over; nine times out of 10 you’ll hear an answer that involves either the Boys or the Skins.

No matter how good or terrible each team is at the time they play each other, you never know who will come out on top. For instance, take last year when the Cowboys barely held on at home, 28-23, in a game that came down to the last second Hail Mary play.

Their next meeting in Washington had a much different outcome; the Skins thumped Dallas 27-6, consequently earning a trip to the play-offs. Disclaimer: Dallas already had home-field-advantage locked up at this point, so they had little to play for. Still, the Cowboys could have set a new record with 14 wins, but apparently that objective was not enough to inspire the fellows dawning the white and blue.

"Offensively, we didn't do anything," Cowboys guard Leonard Davis said. "We just went out there and laid down. We can't do that."

Well, I believe it is safe to say that Leonard and the Boys will not be lying down for this time. Nor will Clinton Portis and the Skins be taking a pass. Expect the players involved to be extraordinarily ready to play in this one. This is what it is all about, well, other than winning the Super Bowl.

Take it from Redskins backup QB, Todd Collins, “It feels great to beat the Cowboys.”

Likewise, you can bet the house that DeMarcus Ware and company are licking their chops right now.

So, stock up your beers and burgers for this one. Even John McCain is cancelling his debate with Obama, so that he can watch the clash of these two bitter rivals.

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New York Mets: Are They for Real?

Steve Earnhardt — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 12:18:58 -0400

Are these New York Mets for real? They reeled off 10 straight wins in the month of July, which began on July 5th and did not end until July 18th. In fact, the Mets are 19-2 since Willie Randolph was shown the door and Jerry Manuel took over the reigns as manager.

The major strength of the Mets is its pitching, but can it hold up over the second half of the grind? Pedro Martinez has not been able to assemble a complete season over the past few years. At the moment, Billy Wagner is reportedly experiencing stiffness in his throwing shoulder. Will Mike Pelfrey keep rolling on his win streak?

These are all questions that will begin to be answered in the coming weeks. Tuesday, July 22 starts a three game series in NY with the Phillies, who are currently tied with the Mets in the NL East standings. Then the Mets stay at home to face the St Louis Cardinals who are playing extremely well as of late.

Afterwards, the Mets finish off July in Miami against the Marlins. These next two weeks will be some gauntlet for the Mets to endure; however, it will really show us some signs to whether or not these Mets are for real.

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Cowboys Locked and Loaded for a Super Bowl Gallop

Steve Earnhardt — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 11:21:52 -0400

The Cowboys appear to be primed for another Super Bowl run in 2008-2009. Both sides of the ball are stacked with 13 returning Pro Bowlers from last year's squad. Tony Romo will have what is arguably the league's best all round offensive line to protect him, while he throws to prime targets that go by the names of Jason Witten and T.O. Moreover, the Cowboys aerial attack threat and offensive line should provide for a Marion Barber lead running game that will punish defenses around the league.

Some might say that offense is what traditionally powers the Cowboys, but this year they may have, what is shaping up to be, one of their best defenses in my short memory.

Let's start with the linebackers, where potential Defensive Player of the Year candidate, DeMarcus Ware, leads a corps that will make Ray Lewis envious. Greg Ellis, Anthony Spencer, Bradie James, and the new addition of former Dolphin, Zack Thomas, make for a hell of a supporting cast.

The defensive line does not boast the star power of its linebacker corps brethren. However, they are an above average unit that is led by Chris Canty, Jay Ratliff, Marcus Spears, and the gun wielding Tank Johnson.

The 6'7, 300 pound Canty will be playing for a contract this season, so I expect him to improve on his break-out season of last year. Similarly, Tank has shown tremendous progress this off season according to the Cowboys defensive coaches.

The defensive line and the linebackers will see their sack totals rise thanks to the drastic improvement of the secondary (pending Pacman's reinstatement). Last year the secondary was a glaring weakness for the defense, and it proved to be worse than expected due to the injuries of Henry and Newman. So, bolstering the depth in the secondary was Jerry Jones's primary concern going into 2008-2009.

Jerry answered the call by acquiring the infamous rainmaker, Adam Jones, plus drafting two gifted corners in Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick. Also, maybe just as important as the acquisitions is the return of former Cowboys head coach, Dave Campo, who will be in charge of the secondary unit. Campo will be expected to make the most of his unit's talent, while finding a way to resurrect Roy Williams's play-making abilities.

Special Teams play looks to be improved upon from last season as well. The kicking tandem of Nick Folk and Mat McBriar is stellar. The additions of Adam Jones, Felix Jones, and Mike Jenkins will help bolster last season's lack luster return game.

If you have read this far, then you are probably expecting to see a win/loss prediction for the Cowboys. After peeking at the schedule, I predict an 11-5 regular season finish.

Cleveland will more than likely beat up on the Cowboys newly assembled secondary for a close win. Green Bay will get their revenge from last year when the Cowboys head to Lambeau in September.

The Giants are likely to take one of the two games played, and probably will be in Texas Stadium. Likewise, the Redskins and Cowboys always seem to split their series no matter how good or bad either team may be.

Finally, watch for the Cowboys to concede their final game to the Eagles, since that at this point the game will likely be meaningless for the Cowboys playoff credentials.

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