Bleacher Report - Articles by James Williamson

Paul Tagliabue Should Not Even Be Considered For The Hall of Fame

James Williamson — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:14:12 -0500

The semi-finalist list for the Hall of Fame class of 2010 was announced, and I was puzzled at the inclusion of a few names, but one really stood out in particular.

The former commissioner, Paul Tagliabue, who was in charge of the NFL from 1989 to 2006 was a nominee.

Huh?

Paul Tagliabue did his job as a commissioner. Some could argue that his work at commissioner was not as effective or he was a questionable commissioner.

Regardless of those opinions, Tagliabue did do a lot of good for the NFL in many ways.

For example: In 1996, Jacksonville and Carolina were awarded expansion teams that we know as the Jaguars and the Panthers.

Back in the old days, when a city got a new team, they had to build that team from scratch. Some of the worst teams of all time were expansion teams including my own Dallas Cowboys.

The expansion Buccaneers lost their first 26 games to start their history. A record that still stands today. The Saints were another example of an expansion team that severely struggled at all ends.

However, Commissioner Tagliabue wanted to give the two new teams a chance to survive in the NFL so that teams going up against them would not say that they were a sure-win.

They received high selections in the draft with bonus picks and expansion drafts. The addition of free agency really helped out, and by both teams’ second year they were in the Conference Championship game.

Also, no player strikes happened during Tagliabue’s tenure as commissioner. He made sure to cancel the NFL games after 9/11 to show respect for those families in grief. He was a good guy who did his job as commissioner.

However, why is he a Hall of Fame commissioner?

My father, who I have mentioned often in my past work, gave his two cents like this: “Keep the suits out. The Hall of Fame is for the players and coaches.”

And my dad is right. Everyone who loves their team wants to see their great players have bronze statues of their heads in the most sacred room in football.

As a Cowboys writer and fan, I can cite many Cowboys who have been uprightly denied entrance to Canton. Almost every fan voice here could tell you that the Hall of Fame has missed one of their guys.

Jersey Al Bracco could bring up Jerry Kramer. Chris Farmer could mention Marshall Goldberg. Jason Zasky could mention L.C. Greenwood.

Should I go on?

I don’t think any “contributor” should be elected in over a player. In fact, I don’t think a coach should go in over a player. There needs to be a separate way that can put these men in the Hall of Fame, but without taking a spot of a player.

When I went to Canton, and I saw Tex Schramm of the Cowboys in the Hall of Fame, I wanted to throw his bust out and put Cliff Harris in there instead.

When I see the two Rooneys in there, I think of two very old men that may have built a team, but I immediately think of some Steelers like Dermontti Dawson, who hasn’t been inducted into Canton yet.

The most boring speech I ever heard from a Hall of Famer came from Ralph Wilson last year. If I’m a Bills fan, I’m upset about this. What has Wilson done worth mentioning to a fan?

Yeah, he may have helped with some TV deals, but why watch the Bills on TV if they have no talent around them.

I kept thinking, ‘Andre Reed should be up there’

It is hard enough for players to get in those five modern-era spots for the Hall of Fame. Why make it harder by taking those spots away to give to feeble old men who probably will need diapers in a couple of years.

To view the rest, please go here: http://www.nfltouchdown.com/paul-tagliabue-should-not-even-be-considered-for-the-hall-of-fame/

Four Raiders On Semifinalist List For The Hall Of Fame

James Williamson — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 13:31:24 -0500

Despite their recent slump, I have always had an infatuation with the mystique and history of the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders.

To me, the Raiders are the greatest team of all time, not because of their three Super Bowls, but at how dominant they are at every position of the game.

They have Hall of Famers at nearly every position from secondary to linebacker to defensive line on defense.

And on offense, they have Hall of Fame busts at tight end, receiver, quarterback, guard, center, tackle, and running back.

With so many dominant players in their storied history, it’s remarkable that there may be a few more on the way now.

The Hall of Fame announced its semifinalist list a few days ago and out of 25 names, four were lifetime members of the Raiders.

Lester Hayes was the 1980 Defensive Player of the Year and a talented cornerback with the team, winning two Super Bowls with them in the 80s.

He was a five-time Pro Bowler and a first-team All-Pro once. He picked off 39 passes over his career and was the reason that stick'em (a glue-like substance put on gloves to help get a better grip on the football) was outlawed.

Ray Guy is, to me, the most dominant punter of his era, if not all time. His powerful kicks would have five-second hang times and few return men ever had a chance to run with the ball.

Guy had only three punts blocked and never had a return taken back for a touchdown in his 14-year career. The seven-time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro, was so dominant the NCAA’s annual award for best punter is named after him.

Tim Brown is third on the all-time receiving list behind Jerry Rice (also a candidate) and Isaac Bruce. Brown caught 1,094 balls for 14,934 yards and 100 touchdowns. In his 17-year career, he had over a 1,000 yards nine times.

He was also a brilliant return man, scoring on three punts and one kickoff. His combined total yards from scrimmage, rushing, receiving, returning punts and kicks, add up to 19,679 yards.

That's more than 11 miles in total offense.

Last, but certainly not least, is Cliff Branch. He was to me, the most dangerous guy that team had during the 70s. John Madden remembers how Branch would say to him, "Coach, I can beat my guy deep." He even said it sometimes during the anthem, and Madden said, "Cliff, we haven't even played a down yet. How do you know who your guy is?"

He was just so fast. I remember reading an interview of Mel Renfro, Hall of Fame cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys and he said, if I remember correctly, "The guy could outright fly"

When you think about Branch, he was such a dangerous weapon, and he was on all three Super Bowl teams for the Raiders. He was such a consistent target.

He only had 501 catches, less than half of Tim Brown's, but he had 8,685 yards. If you double the catches and numbers, he had more yards receiving than Tim Brown with 92 fewer catches.

A four-time Pro Bowler, and a three-time first-team All-Pro with 67 touchdowns and a 99-yard reception over a 14-year career with the Raiders.

Out of all these guys, I would like to see Cliff Branch in the Hall of Fame above the rest. He is one of my all-time favorite Raiders.

All four of these men have a chance to go to the Hall of Fame this year for the Silver and Black.

Let's hope the Hall of Fame recognizes at least one.

Maybe Notre Dame Should Look To The NFL For a Coach

James Williamson — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:24:44 -0500

My father and I were talking last Saturday as we saw the Fighting Irish fall to the Huskers in double overtime.

My father questioned why Notre Dame should fire Charlie Weis because to him, it looked like Weis's players were failing him.

I quickly corrected him by telling him how "awesome," Jimmy Clausen is as a quarterback and the fault should be laid upon Charlie Weis.

He has lost five games this season and all were decided by seven points or less.

If Weis was losing 56-3, then I'd defend him for poor talent, but in clutch moments and close games, you have to be the coach that calls the right plays and inspires your team to victory.

Weis is more than likely gone after this season, so my question is the same as everyone else: Who will replace him?

There was talk about Jon Gruden, then Urban Meyer, and even Nick Saban for the head coaching job.

However, Gruden is staying on Monday Night Football, Meyer just publicly stated that he wants to stay in Florida (let's assume his feelings are genuine), and I don't see Saban leaving Alabama before he wins them the title.

Saban hasn't won it yet, and even if he does this year, I don't think he'll pass up the $4 million a year contract he has with the Crimson Tide.

However, I think that the Irish need to forget about a couple of big names and look somewhere else.

Like the NFL.

The NFL fires/retires two to three coaches every year now. Last year, Mike Shanahan, Mike Holmgren, Tony Dungy, Jim Haslett, Herman Edwards, Eric Mangini, Romeo Crennel, and Rod Marinelli all left their head coaching positions.

Some coaches who could possibly lose their jobs this year are big names like Jeff Fisher, Jack Del Rio, Jim Zorn, and Wade Phillips. Dick Jauron has already been fired by the Bills.

So, why not look at them?

Let me tell you something. I'm in total agreement with Greg Brinda, a football radio announcer for Cleveland, and he said, "I'd love to have Jeff Fisher coach my football team, any day of the year."

Jeff Fisher has over a hundred wins in the NFL and has been to the Super Bowl and lost only by half a yard. That's how close he was. He's an awesome, cool guy that players will look up to, and he can take ordinary teams and turn them into elite playoff teams.

However, if the Irish are lucky, the owner of the Titans, Bud Adams, will fire Fisher like the idiot he is, and Jeff Fisher could come to Indiana.

The amount of talent in the NFL is immense. I could see Marty Schottenheimer, with his legendary motivational speeches, be able to help turn things around in South Bend.

Schottenheimer may want to run the ball more, but he'd have a tough defense, and a pretty good quarterback to get the team ready. Also, the last time the Irish won the championship was with Lou Holtz, who had his team run more than they passed.

I can add in Romeo Crennel, who is a very good defensive coach. There is Jim Zorn, who will get fired (trust me), and he is a Seahawks legend at quarterback. I could see him grooming the men under center for the Irish.

Tony Dungy is easily one of the most loved men in football history. I never met the man and I love him. His presence, his kind voice, and his belief in his players give the image of a father who is coaching his kids.

These guys at Notre Dame are kids. Who better to teach a kid something than his dad?

Where else can I go?

I know the game is different in college, but I think that if a guy can coach in the NFL level and take his team to many victories, then I don't see why he couldn't do it when college football is so much easier to comprehend.

The reason I say that is great college coaches like Lou Holtz and Steve Spurrier tried coaching in the NFL and failed miserably in the process.

The college coaches who go to the NFL generally don't have success, but I think the NFL guys can come down to the college level. Lane Kiffin went back to the college level after a stint with the Oakland Raiders.

Granted, no coach has gone from the NFL to college and won a championship, but there is a first time for everything.

Why shouldn't they get one of these guys? These men are smart enough to be great in the NFL, I'm sure they can come to the collegiate level. Some of these men secrete leadership just with their walk, and it is much easier to teach kids, who are in it for fun, than adults, who may only be worried about their juicy contract.

I wouldn't choose any college coach right now over a real NFL guy like Jeff Fisher or Tony Dungy. I think the only college coach who can probably draw more respect from me is Joe Paterno and maybe Mack Brown.

The Irish have to regain the strength they once had because of the image they hold through movies like "Rudy" and they need a great coach to do that.

I think that coach can be found in the NFL.

Is Cowboys' Close Victory Over Redskins Reason To Worry?

James Williamson — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:40:54 -0500

The Redskins-Cowboys rivalry has always been intense.

The Redskins have three Super Bowls to go along with their two NFL Championships, while Dallas has five Super Bowl wins of their own.

However, to my great delight, the Redskins have struggled greatly as of late due to the ineptness of owner Daniel Snyder, who makes Al Davis not look half bad, and general manager Vinny Cerrato, who has neglected several key positions.

The Redskins have had a repugnant offense this season. Before the Cowboys game, they had 140 points over nine games.

Dallas, however, had one of the best offenses in the league, averaging nearly 25 points per game.

For Sunday's matchup, the Redskins offense did not have Chris Samuels, Clinton Portis, or Chris Cooley.

In other words, the Redskins' offense was supposed to struggle against the Cowboys. They did just that.

However, what appalled this writer more was the fact that the Dallas offense, for the second week in a row, had only one touchdown.

7-6 was the final. The Dallas defense saved the day after Tony Romo made a clutch touchdown throw to Patrick Crayton.

Regardless of the fact Dallas won that game, they should be utterly disgusted with themselves for not blowing out the 'Skins.

Why is it that Dallas was losing for three and a half quarters before they pulled out a win? They can get away with this against the Redskins, but what about other teams like the Eagles or the Giants?

What's wrong with this offense?

The football player in me says they all failed, but the analyst in me is able to point a couple fingers and criticize those guys who need to do their jobs.

Roy Williams is still not a bust, but he is ticking me and a lot of my friends off. He missed multiple opportunities for big plays in that game. Tony Romo may not had the best pass at times, but those balls were certainly catchable, and Roy Williams did not catch them.

I still believe Williams has the ability to get on the same page with Romo and make these plays like he did in Detroit. The question is when will the chemistry click?

I can possibly give Miles Austin a break. I understand he was double covered a large amount of the time.

Austin came through in the end with four catches for 47 yards.

Could it be that the Skins were just pumped for this game because of the rivalry? Yeah, but I still think Dallas is better.

Dallas should have been pumped for this game. If I'm Jason Garrett, I want to run up the score and make the Skins realize that they belong at the bottom of the NFC East.

It didn't happen though.

I don't understand what happened, but it has to change. Maybe it is the playcalling. Maybe Romo needs to spend more time practicing with Williams. Or maybe the Cowboys need a swift kick in the rear.

Dallas won that game by a nose.

Now, they have they face the Raiders on Thanksgiving. Oakland is coming off a big win against the AFC North-leading Bengals.

I don't want my turkey messed up by an anemic offensive attack.

This team has got to do better. They need to diagnose this problem and get an aggressive treatment for it before it bites them in the heel in two days.

Two days. That's all the Cowboys have.

Should I be this worried? It is the Raiders, right? Sorry, I don't underestimate the Raiders, and the fact is they have benched JaMarcus Russell.

If Tubby the QB was playing, I'd be a little less worried. But they are going up against Bruce Gradkowski, who is definitely an upgrade over Russell at the quarterback position.

Also, count on Austin to struggle because the Raiders have the best cornerback in the league, in my opinion, in Nnamdi Asomugha.

The guy is a textbook shutdown corner and he'll be on Austin for sure.

Which means our main target will be Roy Williams. Uh oh!

Should Dallas fans be worried? Absolutely. My advice is for the religious one to start praying, because they'll need all the help they can get.

James Williamson is also featured on http://www.nfltouchdown.com/ among other sites.

Why Brady Quinn Should Not Be Suspended

James Williamson — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:24:10 -0500

Terrell Suggs is hurt and Brady Quinn is the man responsible, Quinn's low block to Suggs' legs is why Quinn has been fine by the NFL.

We all saw it on Monday Night Football with Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden, and Ron Jaworski.

Fellow writer JW Nix wrote an excellent article about the block he felt was illegal and why the NFL should fine and suspend Brady Quinn for a blatant attack on a defenseless player who was blocking at the time.

But I'm going to play defense attorney, ladies and gentlemen of the jury.

I will prove that my client, Brady Quinn, is a young man who made a horrible mistake, but without any intent of malice and therefore should not be suspended by the National Football League for the said mistake.

First, I present to you Exhibit A: A reenactment of the play in question .

At around 15 seconds into the clip, you will see both my client and the victim, Terrell Suggs.

Now, look at the perspective of my client. He has just thrown an interception, his second of the game, because of another tipped pass by a receiver. The first one was taken back for a touchdown by safety Dawan Landry and he certainly does not want a second interception to result in six points.

So, he goes out to try to stop the returner who in this case, is cornerback Chris Carr. Carr is going up his left (my client's right) side of the field to attempt a return. Terrell Suggs moves upward to possibly provide a block as my client has Carr in his vision.

My client was more focused on Chris Carr, so he didn't acknowledge the presence of Terrell Suggs until it was too late and he collided with Suggs and caused a "minor" tear of his MCL.

Next, I proceed to Exhibit B, a picture of a Browns helmet .

In the outrage of the block and injury, I think many people forgot that it is different when you are on that football field and I constantly try to remind myself of that.

I've worn a helmet like that and if I didn't need it for protection, I wouldn't wear it.

The opaque plastic of the helmets is impossible to see through and leads to a tremendous loss of vision by the players. You cannot see to the direct left of your body when wearing one.

The video shows that Terrell Suggs was in Brady Quinn's blind spot during the return. Quinn is running, which narrows the vision naturally, and Suggs is at a spot where my client would not see him coming towards him.

Brady Quinn collided with Terrell Suggs; he did not attack him. Suggs was a deer in the headlights. Think about it; we watch that clip on the television, but have we forgotten how fast plays can happen?

That hit came within a few seconds of the interception. How is Brady Quinn supposed to stop dead in his tracks once he sees Suggs a half-second before they come into contact. That is, if he even saw Terrell Suggs to start.

There was no malicious intent because there was no time to form the said intent. My client could not have planned to throw an interception and seek Terrell Suggs hoping to get him when he least expected it, like some might believe.

I am not going to deny that my client should be fined by the NFL for a low block, however, how often is a quarterback practicing blocking? I submit that Brady Quinn did not know that low blocks on returns are illegal now.

However, ignorance of the rules is no excuse, but to demand his suspension over something clearly accidental is overdoing it.

This is a first-time offender who made a mistake and apologized for it.

"I wasn't trying to go for him," he said. "I was trying to go for the ball carrier. Unfortunately, a thing like that can happen. I'm praying for him. Hopefully, he'll be all right."

"I can see why they'd be upset," he said. "But again, he wasn't even in my vision. I was trying to get to the ball. He cut across my face as I was already try to jump down for the tackle."

I believe that with all the evidence presented, as well as logical reasoning and considering Quinn's position, you will find my client not guilty of dirty football play and intentional harming of an opposing player.

The defense rests.

Quinn's quotations are from an Associated Press article by Tom Withers.

Keys To the Kingdom Rest On Alabama QB Greg McElroy's Shoulders

James Williamson — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:27:07 -0500

One of the few absolute things I can say that I've learned throughout my time as a writer is that every team needs at least a decent quarterback.

He doesn't have to be elite though. Take the Pittsburgh Steelers for example. The Steeler fans may not agree with this assessment, but Ben Roethlisberger is not a top five quarterback in the NFL.

He's always had a tremendous defense to keep it close and and he is most successful when the running game works. He won the Super Bowl when he had the worst performance by a quarterback ever, except for Tony Eason in Super Bowl XX.

In Greg McElroy's case, he is not an elite quarterback. He is not a guy who you would say is irreplaceable. Ask any honest fan if they would rather Greg McElroy or Colt McCoy under center, they will say McCoy.

However, he can be a "Big Ben" Roethlisberger if he just doesn't screw it up.

The few times where he has to make a play, he will have to make that play or eventually they will lose.

Let's look at some evidence to prove my point.

Take a look at the Tennessee game. The Tide is holding on by a thread with a 12-10 lead and McElroy has not made any plays to help seal the game.

He has completed 18-of-29 for 120 yards, but no touchdowns and thankfully no turnovers. He made a few good plays, but overall he has not executed the way a quarterback for the Crimson Tide needs to.

Defensive tackle Terrence Cody had to block a second field goal in order to keep the Tide from crashing.

Greg McElroy got lucky, but what if he plays that way against Florida?

I've watched the Tide with earnest, and I really like how the team is set up. Strong elite defense with a great young running back and an elite receiver, but I've always made a 'hmmm' sound whenever I evaluate Greg McElroy.

He's a good guy, but he doesn't fit the mold of the past Alabama quarterbacks like Bart Starr and Joe Namath, both of whom are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and won Super Bowls.

The game rests with him though because eventually, when this team plays Florida for the SEC title game, Florida will attack star running back Mark Ingram and force Greg McElroy to step up.

Florida has another one of the elite defenses in college football, and if Greg McElroy cannot handle them then Alabama may have to settle for the Sugar Bowl or another big BCS game.

Why settle though when Alabama could go to the Championship game?

This team could take on Texas. Any team can take on any team on any given day in this world of college football. We just saw USC lose to Stanford, to Stanford!

If USC can be knocked out of a chance to play in the Rose Bowl then Alabama certainly can upset Florida and whoever plays opposite them in the Championship game, most likely Texas.

McElroy is showing improvement now with this last win over Mississippi State. He threw for 192 yards and two touchdowns on 13 completions in a 31-3 blowout.

He certainly has gotten better. You can even forget the numbers and just watch the film and you'll see how he's more of a commander in the pocket now.

Is he as good as Tim Tebow? Absolutely not. Can the Tide beat the Gators with an improved McElroy? Absolutely yes.

No one man makes a team, but he certainly can help a strong team go over the top. This team's inner equation adds up to championship caliber quality, but the test is whether or not McElroy can manage the game against a tough opponent.

Whether or not he is the final puzzle piece is up to him and his performance.

Marc Columbo: Injury Not Looking Good

James Williamson — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:02:10 -0500

Not only did the Cowboys lose to the Packers this past Sunday, but they lost some players as well.

Starting right tackle, Marc Columbo, is most likely out for the season with a broken fibula on his left leg after severe contact with a Packer defender.

Columbo, up to that point, had not missed a start for the Cowboys and really was playing great. Last year, Dr. Z, the well-respected Sports Illustrated writer put Marc Columbo on his All-Pro team.

Columbo was recently signed to a long extension and he is obviously very upset with the setback.

After Columbo was lost, Dallas proceeded to allow a season high five sacks. Columbo was more than the right tackle, but also the emotional leader with a voice of a sailor. I listened to Marc Columbo on tape and he had a mouth nastier than rotten anchovy paste.

Columbo came to the Cowboys from the Bears after knee injuries shortened his time there. However, he came in 2006 and he earned his starting job in training camp and he did not stop starting, till now.

Tackle Doug Free came in to replace Columbo, and hopefully he will start gelling with the remaining four lineman so that they can get back to the dominant form they had at the beginning of the year.

Now, a broken leg bone, typically means "out for the season." But, according to Wade Phillips, Columbo may not be on injured reserve, and has a chance of returning.

Injured reserve is for players that are severely injured, most likely out for the current season. So, even if he should get healthy enough later on during the year to play, he cannot play.

Injured reserve is separate from the 53 man roster. It's inteded for those dire moments when a team is struck by a "series of unfortunate events" and needs to continually have enough men to play.

By putting Columbo on injured reserve, the team will have an extra roster spot open, so they can pick up another player, on the condition that Columbo cannot play at all for the rest of the regular season or postseason as well.

I, however, don’t see Columbo avoiding injured reserve though. We are going into week 11 now and it could take four to five weeks minimum for Columbo to recover. Then, he’s got to be careful coming back from the injury or he could injure it again.

This was the worst thing that could have happened. Dallas has great backups at every position except offensive line and Jerry Jones was concerned about that from the start.

To view the rest, please go here: http://www.nfltouchdown.com/dallas-injury-report-columbo-not-looking-good/

Attention! Attention! Roy Williams Is Not a Bust!

James Williamson — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:00:49 -0500

I repeat: Roy Williams is not a bust!

Anyone who watched the Dallas Cowboys game on Sunday would see that Roy Williams is far from a bust, but rather an outstanding quality receiver.

He has not had a great year. He has 19 receptions for 324 yards and two touchdowns. He is the guy you don’t want on your fantasy team, but he is the guy I want on our Cowboys roster.

Passing is all about timing. If you don’t have it, you work on it, and it takes time to get it right.

The Romo-to-Williams passing combination has not been as explosive as the Romo-to-Owens combination that just lit up the NFL for three years with 34 touchdowns.

However, it has just been a working progress that showed me results last night.

Miles Austin was covered all night, and when that happened, Roy Williams had to step up and make plays to help win this critical ball game. And he did!

He had five catches for 75 yards and almost had a touchdown if he had not been interfered with by Asante Samuel, a penalty that was not called.

You hear how Roy Williams is all hype, no result, but that is far from the truth.

I know some of you who are reading this have had to have played wide receiver at some point in your life.

Those who have should know how hard it is to run the route just right and get in the position to where the quarterback can throw the ball at an angle. Your route intersects that angle at the exact point where you put your hands up to catch the ball and secure it before you get smashed into the turf by a tackler.

I played receiver at a lunchtime game during school, and only one quarterback that I really played with had a mutual sense of timing. From the day I walked onto the field and he (Sean) saw me open, he threw the ball exactly right and I made some amazing catches with him during those games.

We had such a trust that if I could find a soft spot in the coverage (which I did a lot) that he could zip that ball to me and I would catch it.

The other QBs did not either trust me because my hands were iffy at times, or they had a better rhythm with another guy.

I remember one of the other guys (Mario) said to me up front that he was not going throw it to me because I never had the reaction force to go up and fight for the ball in a tough spot.

He was a reckless passer, and I needed a quarterback who would place it where only my hands could get it.

To view the rest, please go here:http://www.nfltouchdown.com/attention-attention-roy-williams-is-not-a-bust/

What Does the Philadelphia Win Mean for the Dallas Cowboys?

James Williamson — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:16:07 -0500

If you are a real passionate fan that loves the Dallas Cowboys as much as I do, you will understand the emotions I had going through that game.

I see the low scoring numbers, and I’m wondering when is the bomb going to go off? It never happened.

It felt like Super Bowl XLII where you are constantly wondering when the Patriots offense was going to finally click and destroy the Giants like they had done to every team before that game.

Dallas has never been able to keep a lead that close safe, not to a great team anyway. They are either ahead by two or more scores or they are driving trying to win the game in the fourth quarter.

I’m bracing myself for what could be the most embarrassing loss of the season. Sunday Night Football in Philadelphia? The experts say that Dallas could afford to lose that game, I personally, could not say that.

For one, I don’t think any rivalry game or any night game is acceptable to lose.

And this isn’t just any rivalry, this is the Philadelphia Eagles. No team hates Dallas more than Philadelphia. They proved it when the Cowboys were up at Philadelphia and Michael Irvin went up to catch a pass and came down on his neck.

While he was on the ground motionless, the Philadelphia audience decided to rejoice at his injury like they had just heard that a brutal war had ended or they were being given $5,000 back on their tax returns.

Irvin ended his career that night, and many were afraid that he would die, and the Philadelphia party kept going on.

From that point on, the Eagles have always been public enemy No. 1 in my book. They surpassed the Redskins with ease that night, and throughout my time as a writer, I have met many Philadelphia fans, and the vast majority live up to their callous and sociopathic reputation.

One of few exceptions to the rule is my friend Dan Parzych.

So, if I sound like I’m really enjoying this victory a little more than most, now you know why.

This victory over the Eagles on Sunday Night Football, in Philadelphia, after they just lost the World Series makes me feel like a young kid going backstage to see the Miss America candidates in their bikinis.

The Cowboys main rival and suppressor over the past decade has been the Philadelphia Eagles. Over the Andy Reid era, including last Sunday, the Cowboys are 7-14 against the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Eagles have gone to five NFC Championships, one Super Bowl, and crushed Dallas last year 44-6 for the final playoff spot.

The number of spammers I saw with the phrase, “44-6″ followed by a crude slur are immeasurable.

This win has led the Cowboys to a 6-2 record and first place in the NFC East. A place that the Cowboys have fought hard to reach, and a place that I hope is their nesting ground for the rest of the season.

This win was also very revealing for the Cowboy players and for the fans.

Please read the rest at: http://www.nfltouchdown.com/what-does-the-philadelphia-win-mean-for-the-dallas-cowboys/

Relax Dallas Cowboys Fans; Roy Williams Isn't Turning Into T.O.

James Williamson — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:58:42 -0500

There was a section on MSN.com about Roy Williams possibly being another Terrell Owens, who we can all sum up in a few words: selfish, whiny, and destructive.

The quotes given were taken from a direct article by Tom Orsborn on mysanantonio.com

Roy Williams said, “I’m the No. 1 receiver, but things are just going No. 2’s way.”

Immediately, one could think that he is complaining about the ball not being thrown to him, but that isn’t the case here.

This rumor here needs to be blown into tiny little pieces before ESPN starts acting unprofessional and reporting this junk, and I will start preparing my TNT right now.

For one thing, couldn’t the statement mean that things are working for Miles Austin instead of Miles Austin is getting the ball more than him?

Roy Williams has not been the productive receiver that he was in Detroit, and that is disappointing, considering Dallas traded a first, a third, and a sixth-round draft pick for him and a seventh round pick.

I think that what has happened with the lack of production between Williams and Romo is a series of accidents and miscues between the quarterback and the wide receiver.

Passing is all about timing. It isn’t like the Madden games, where you just press the button and the ball goes directly to the receiver accurately.

The receiver has to know the routes, has to know the passer’s tendencies, and vice-versa.

Roy Williams frustratingly said that the balls aren’t being thrown correctly, though. “I’m stretching and falling and doing everything. Everybody who’s been here, (their) balls are there. Our footballs (thrown from Romo to Williams) are everywhere right now.”

Yeah, that sounds negative, but he’s a receiver. Every receiver wants the ball.

He isn’t trying to say that he needs the ball over everyone. He’s saying that he and Romo need to be on the same page more often so that he can prove to Dallas fans that he is a great receiver.

Now, I don’t know who is at fault on those passes. I can’t read their minds, but it could be Romo’s fault. It could be Williams’ fault.

What I do know is that there is an old saying out there.

Want the rest? Go here: http://www.nfltouchdown.com/relax-dallas-fans-roy-williams-isnt-turning-into-to/

Dallas Dominates Seattle; Is This Going To Be A Common Result?

James Williamson — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:21:43 -0500

Dallas followed up their dominating performance over the Falcons with a duplication against the Seattle Seahawks.

The Cowboys once again outplayed their opponent in all three phases of the game. They were playmakers on offense, smothering on defense, and the special teams was the smoking gun to end the game for the second straight week.

Patrick Crayton followed a 74-yard punt return last week with an 82-yard punt return against Seattle that signaled the game's end.

The main question that I have is: “Are you guys going to keep this up?”

Being a passionate and attentive fan is very painful when you see your team fail. It is harder when your team beats themselves instead of being outmatched.

I believe the majority of Dallas’ losses last year were because they beat themselves. That is agonizing because if they were outplayed, the team simply needs to draft an important player at this spot or trade for a playmaker at that spot.

Dallas has the talent, but they have not had the discipline needed to be consistent. Without consistency, a team is not going to win championships or even get into playoffs.

Though they are showing discipline now, the bane of the Cowboys' year is in December, and the loyal fans of Dallas have waited 14 years to see their team get back to a championship-contending level.

Is the wait going to be for nothing?

I’m truly excited by their play. If they kept playing like they have the past two weeks, then I’d be fine with them losing a few games to bad luck or to better play by the opposing side. What I can’t stand as a fan or analyst is sloppy play.

The greatest coaches of all time were understanding after a loss to a better team. But no coach worth mentioning would be satisfied with the results of some of the Dallas games I have watched.

This team is almost too good to be true.

Tony Romo has thrown 120 passes without an interception and with eight touchdowns.

Miles Austin, an unknown receiver, has gained 482 receiving yards in his first three career starts.

Dallas has 17 sacks, four interceptions, eight forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries in five games after having zero in all categories for the first two weeks.

Does this sound like the Dallas team of last year?

Want to see the rest? Check here: http://www.nfltouchdown.com/dallas-dominates-seattle-is-this-going-to-be-a-common-result/

Why I Am Not Surprised By Dallas' Win

James Williamson — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:13:39 -0400

After the Dallas Cowboys won the Falcons game, my good friend and fellow NFL fan voice, Dan Parzych, messaged me this: “I must say … that was one impressive victory for your Boys today. I’d say big, BIG statement game.”

This was a big statement game yes, but did it surprise me? No, it did not.

The Dallas Cowboys were under a lot of pressure. They were a 3-2 team that looked like it was hanging on by the skin of their teeth instead of the dominant team that they were in 2007 or the team that looked great at times in 2008.

They were not a bad team, but more of a team that was without focus and had mistakes instead of executions for plays.

They had not even beaten a team that had a won a game. The Buccaneers still haven’t won a game, and the Chiefs and Panthers won games after they lost to Dallas.

So, they were going up against a team that had the reigning NFL Coach of the Year, a hotshot young quarterback who was the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year, the NFL’s all-time receiving tight end, a running back who led the league in rushing last year, and a receiver who had the most receiving yards last year.

Oh, and they had made playoffs too.

It was not going to be easy. Many thought the Cowboys were, to quote T.I. and Timberlake, “Dead and Gone” and were going downhill from there with a team that had just blown their chances to beat the Giants and were done away with against the Broncos.

Dallas not only won the game, but aside from two drives, they dominated the Falcons on all three parts of the game. They scored 37 points, Tony Romo threw for three touchdowns and 311 yards.

The defense had four sacks, three interceptions, three forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. The special teams had amazing coverage and scored a 73-yard touchdown on a punt return.

Why am I not surprised though? Why am I, James Williamson, not surprised by what Dallas did to that team?

Because Dallas is capable of doing that to most, if not all, of the teams in the National Football League, and I am as serious as a heart attack when I say that.

I remember thinking to myself, before the game started, “This team is not better than us. The only way they should win is if Dallas becomes a chicken farm and starts laying eggs.”

I have watched this team for three years now. I’ve reviewed the film so many times, I’ve actually had dreams with it playing. If I didn’t know this team, then I’d be an underachieving fan voice to say the least.

These guys are special. I know they are. When they are on, I don’t think any Dallas team can compare to them.

The problem is that they don’t stay on. They are a flickering light bulb that is unreliable and that is what makes them a tough team to watch because the light bulb will fizzle out at the most inopportune time.

Look at the talent level around them.

Want the rest? Go here at: http://www.nfltouchdown.com/why-i-am-not-surprised-by-dallas-win/

Keys To Victory In A Must-Win For Dallas Against Atlanta

James Williamson — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:36:09 -0400

The Dallas Cowboys have really come off to a slow start this year. If you could cut out some of their mistakes, they would be 5-0 instead of 3-2.

However, we cannot change the past, but we can learn from it.

What did Dallas learn from its past?

First off, they signed Allen Rossum, the former 49ers punt and kick returner, to help improve plays on special teams. With Patrick Crayton muffing punts, and Terence Newman being injury-prone, the Cowboys needed a genuine return man to help in that third part of the game.

Helpful additions are only part of the equation. Dallas needs to be able to correct the flaws it makes with self-discipline.

I believe this team has really been the cause of their own failures. They are too talented to be kept out of playoffs. These guys give games away, and it really is disgusting to watch.

This is one game they cannot give away, especially since their record is 3-2. They need to bump it up to 4-2 against a playoff team like the Atlanta Falcons to make the statement that they aren’t overrated, but actually a good team.

What are the keys needed to beat the Atlanta Falcons in Dallas this Sunday?

First off, this team has to score touchdowns. Too many drives have happened where Dallas settled for a field goal instead of getting a touchdown. These results are due partly to a failed 3rd-down conversion here and there, but what is really muffling the Cowboys’ drives is penalties.

Penalties are like hiccups. They are annoying, unwanted, and mess up the flow of whatever one is doing. The flow in this case being momentum, which I’ve learned is almost half the game.

Dallas has to keep momentum going on every drive without revolvers going off around their feet.

The biggest thing for Dallas is that the run game has to happen this week. Last week, it took over a half to really get the run game going to where it kept a lot of pressure off Tony Romo and confused the defense.

It is much easier to throw passes when the defense doesn’t know if it is going to be a handoff or a pass. Atlanta is ranked 17th against the run, so the Cowboys are certainly capable of running the ball against this team.

For the run game to work, the line has to keep doing what it has been doing. Left guard, Kyle Kosier, who missed the majority of last season, has really helped the line assert its dominance on the line of scrimmage.

However, expect Dallas to feature all three running backs this Sunday, providing Felix Jones does play.

Marion Barber, who was nursing a quad injury in the game against Kansas City, was very sluggish, and when Tashard Choice took over, Dallas got the the help it needed to win the game in overtime.

Felix Jones has been out the past two games due to a knee strain, so the loss of him was equivalent to the Lakers without Kobe Bryant. I’ve spent hours yelling at Lady Luck about how she needs to keep him healthy.

He is the X-factor in the game. He brings that third dimension of offense to this team. He has speed unlike any other running back I’ve seen in the NFL, he has the explosiveness of a gunshot, and he has an eye for the hole that just stuns you.

His first NFL carry was for an 11 yard touchdown run against the Browns. We are talking about someone very special.

If those three running back can execute this Sunday, then I don’t see how Dallas can be beaten. They are, arguably, the best group in the NFL.

Once the running game is established, Dallas should be able to score via air travel.

Want the rest? Go here: http://www.nfltouchdown.com/keys-to-victory-in-a-must-win-for-dallas-against-atlanta/

Report: Sam Bradford Is Out For The Season

James Williamson — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:55:01 -0400

According To ESPN's Joe Schad, Sam Bradford will have season-ending shoulder surgery that will effectively prevent any return to the Oklahoma Sooners this season.

Surgery had been considered for some time and apparently won out over resting it for a few more weeks.

The 2008 Heisman winner originally hurt it in the season opener against BYU and fell on it after blitzing linebacker Coleby Clawson made contact with him.

The Sooners went on to lose the game 14-13 without him.

Bradford rested it for several weeks, then came back to play the Baylor Bears, where it looked like he was back to normal and could help the Sooners out for the rest of the season.

However, Bradford re-injured it when cornerback Aaron Williams of the Texas Longhorns came on a similar blitz, and Bradford landed on the same shoulder in an almost identical way as the one against Brigham Young.

Bradford left the game and the Sooners lost 16-13 in the annual Red River Shootout against the Longhorns.

Sam Bradford may still play in college though. He has one year of eligibility left with Oklahoma, and if he would rather try to raise his draft stock plus try another run at the National Championship; he could play next year instead of going to the NFL.

Oklahoma has already lost three games (the third to Miami), so the loss of Bradford has already taken its toll on their season, so surgery is probably a wise option.

It is now up to Bob Stoops to salvage what is left of the season now.

Kyle Orton: The Consummate Winner

James Williamson — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:36:18 -0400

In the NFL's world of today, the quarterback is basically the President of the United States. Everyone knows him, no one knows the people around him, and they blame him no matter whose fault it really was.

What's interesting about that is that Kyle Orton is a starting quarterback that no one talks about. Some people would rather have Vince Young on their fantasy team than Kyle Orton, even though he is a starting quarterback in the NFL.

Kyle Orton does not have a bazooka for an arm, he was a fourth-round draft choice out of Purdue, he was benched the entire 2006 season in favor of Rex Grossman, and the Bears went to the Super Bowl without him.

Orton has never reached 3,000 yards passing in a season, his rookie year was spent handing off the ball to very able running backs, and his career individual stats are unimpressive, so he is not what one would want if they needed to get a starting quarterback in the NFL.

There is just one little thing wrong with that though. He wins.

This guy is 27-12 as a starter in the National Football League. He has never had as losing season as a quarterback.

2005: 10-5
2007: 2-1
2008: 9-6
2009: 6-0 so far.

How is this possible? How is it that this guy, who is not nearly as athletically gifted as Jay Cutler, Drew Brees, or Philip Rivers, has a better win percentage than all of them?

It is amazing to see his critics talk about how he's not effective enough or how the odds against him are daunting, but he shuts them up every time.

Yeah, he's had a chunk of help. The Bears were a very good running team in 2005 with the number one defense, but he still was a rookie, with Muhsin Muhammad as a No. 1 wide receiver, and Justin Gage as the second guy.

No offense, but the words "double coverage" doesn't apply to those two guys. They have never applied to those two guys.

He never really had a chance to play with Bernard Berrian, who is now in Minnesota, where Brett Favre loves his tremendous speed.

What is a rookie going to do without any big threats at wide receiver? Peyton Manning had Marvin Harrison, Troy Aikman had Michael Irvin, Matt Stafford has Calvin Johnson.

Despite all the negatives, he was the quarterback under center for a winning team. He didn't screw it up. He kept the season going as an unselfish player.

Again, he was benched by the Bears for the 2006 season, and in the 2007 season, when the Bears had no chance to make playoffs and both Rex Grossman and Brian Griese were sidelined with injuries; Kyle Orton makes his start.

This is where I come in. I was watching the Packers play the Bears for the second time that season. The Bears had beaten the Packers in the final seconds before, and the Packers were 12-2 at the time.

I'm watching Orton and I'm just amazed at how much of an improvement he is. I'm watching his footwork, his sense of the defense, his throws, and especially his decisions.

The Bears' defense and special teams dominated, yes, but they had the will to keep going because Orton never gave the game away. Orton even put Green Bay in the hot seat with his sole touchdown pass to Desmond Clark.

He had a line of 9/15 for 104 yards and a touchdown, but Orton was not intercepted or sacked. He threw the ball away instead of risking it. He handed off and he just led by example.

The Bears destroyed the Packers 35-7 and I said, "That's going to be the Bears new starting quarterback."

He goes 9-6 with a defense that slumped to 16th overall and no receivers except Devin Hester, who dropped a lot of balls.

The guy may have looked like a product of a team, but as he matured, he became more of a focal point for that team. There were games that you could say he was the X-factor.

However, he never had a real chance to show even more improvement because due to horrific miscommunications by Jay Cutler and new head coach Josh McDaniels, he was traded to the Denver Broncos with first round picks from 2009 and 2010, and a third pick in 2009 for Jay Cutler, who was a franchise quarterback for the Denver Broncos.

Everyone, including me, thought that Denver was sunk for the 2009 season. It wasn't because Kyle Orton wasn't a good player, but Denver's defense was something that you would see in college games, not the NFL.

Now, Kyle Orton is in the right system, has a great attitude, has good receivers in Eddie Royal, Brandon Marshall, Brandon Stokley and Tony Scheffler with an excellent defense.

Look at his statistics now, 1465 yards passing, nine touchdowns, one interception (off of a hail mary at the end of a first half, so it is not like he intentionally threw it and screwed up), a 100.1 quarterback rating, and a 63.9 completion percentage (5.4 percent higher than last year).

And this is in only six games.

Kyle Orton, say what you want about him, but he wins and he wins often. He may be lucky, he may just have good chemistry with his team (you play harder for your friends), but he wins on a regular basis, and that's all that matters when it comes to the season.

Florida? Alabama? Who Really Is The Best Team In College Football?

James Williamson — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 19:09:09 -0400

I've seen a lot of college football in the past few weeks, and I've seen a lot of big teams. I've haven't had the chance to really evaluate TCU, Boise State, Cincinnati or Iowa.

But I've really seen Oklahoma, Texas, Florida, Alabama and USC.

That said, after this past weekend of college football, I came to a realization.

In my opinion, USC is the best team in college football right now.

I have to be honest with myself, I live in Texas, I like Mack Brown and Colt McCoy, but Texas should not have won that game. They got extremely lucky with Sam Bradford getting knocked out.

A 16-13 win over Oklahoma when they don't have their Heisman-winning quarterback under center is no victory. It is pathetic.

It is as if some of the players feel the championship is going to be given to them because of what happened last year. As much as that would make a lot of people in my neighborhood happy, it ain't going to happen.

They may finish the season undefeated, but Texas's schedule (after Oklahoma State in two weeks) is like putting a sumo wrestler against a dachshund in a wrestling match. The only real challenge is Texas A&M, and that's only because A&M hates Texas' guts, not because of talent.

The Longhorns may make it to the National Championship, but they need to act as if they want to win/earn it or they will lose it to whoever they are playing. And I won't feel sorry for them.

Next on the list is Alabama. Alabama is a great team defensively and at running back.

However, Greg McElroy has to improve if this team wants to win it all. The junior has time to win a championship next year, but why not now?

I think he has a chance to be a great quarterback. He is learning, but at a pace that can keep Alabama winning and have him ready to take on Florida in the SEC Championship game, should it happen.

No quarterback should hope for a great team to lose in order for him to win. He needs to be ready as if he's playing the best in the end.

Until McElroy improves, he is a liability to that team. He has to be, at least, a consistent, decent passer in order for Alabama to have success with the run game or the team is one-dimensional.

I like Alabama, so I hope McElroy does improve, but it is up to him to shape Alabama football history.

When I look at the Big Ten, I think they are all equal.

Ohio State has a bad quarterback when it comes to big games. Michigan is getting better, but the Big House is not the Big Dog this year. Penn State looked like it was getting better, but they got upset by Iowa.

Iowa is a tricky question to me. They are undefeated at 7-0 and many are wondering if a new ruler has emerged in the Big Ten. I haven't seen them play much, but from what I have seen, I think they are the Big Ten's big champ right now.

The question is, are they one of the top college football teams in not just the Big Ten, but in the country?

They beat Penn State, a very good team by the polls, so they have to be better, right?

That's one theory. I have another.

How about the fact that Joe Paterno has been at Penn State so long that some kids have grandparents from his early days that maybe, just maybe, now know all of the magician's tricks?

Penn State has never strayed away from being Linebacker U and having good running backs. Teams had to have figured out how to beat that within the last two decades.

Isn't it possible that because it is Joe Paterno, because his team looks pretty good, that the voters may be overrating his teams in the polls?

Lastly, I look at Florida.

The Gators impressed me until last Saturday. I hate to say it, Gator fans, but you got some bogus penalty calls for your team, and that Arkansas kicker just sucked.

He may be just a kid, but he's supposed to make 38- and 40-yard field goals. .

Yes, the Gators won, but it definitely made me think twice about Florida as the best team in college football. I definitely don't think they are.

So, who is No. 1?

USC.

USC has been playing fabulously lately. They kept Notre Dame from completing a fierce comeback and they beat Ohio State on the road in one of the toughest visiting environments.

Matt Barkeley, a freshman, has proven himself as the best choice at quarterback. He may be a bit too cocky, but he's doing his job.

They did lose to Washington, but who was under center? Aaron Corp, who's mistakes cost USC the football game.

Matt Barkeley is the true quarterback for USC. I cannot say that USC would have lost to Washington with him in charge.

They have great receivers, a great defense, a great running game and a Hall of Fame coach in Pete Carroll who knows how to win.

Now, there could be arguments for Boise State. I could be underestimating Iowa. Florida, Texas and Alabama may pull it together.

But right now, USC is the most balanced, complete team I have seen and is the best in college football in my eyes.

Why Tashard Has Been the Cowboys' Key "Choice" at Running Back

James Williamson — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:07:59 -0400

The Dallas Cowboys used to have three running backs that, I felt, were capable of starting on other NFL teams and could each take 20-plus carries a game.

However, Felix Jones is looking to be injury prone, which is heartbreaking for Cowboys fans, considering he could have won the Offensive Rookie of the Year last season and the lack of him on the field is easily noticed.

Without him, Dallas had to rely on Marion Barber, who was still nursing a quad injury, and Tashard Choice at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver. The lack of a third running back to help with the oxygen-deprived players hurt like surgery without anesthesia.

Last week, despite the fact the Cowboys won, they should not have been forced into overtime against a team like the Chiefs. No offense to Todd Haley, he's a great coach, but his team is nowhere near the talent level it needs to be to efficiently win games.

I was reviewing the film, and the lack of a run game was very hard on Dallas. Barber, one of my favorite players, really looked like he couldn't find the holes or run the way he was used to. Jones was already out, so Dallas had to rely on the third back to help win the game.

Without Choice, the Cowboys would not have been able to keep the Chiefs split between stopping the run and pass. I don't believe Miles Austin would have gotten 250 yards in the end had Choice not executed the way he did for the football team.

Let's examine, shall we?

Want more? Check it out here.

The Cowboys Need To Stop Shooting Themselves In The BLEEP

James Williamson — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:42:58 -0400

When the Dallas Cowboys won last Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs, I was just happy they won the game. Dallas could go into its bye week with a 3-2 record and rest before taking on the Atlanta Falcons.

I was excited by Miles Austin’s 250 yards receiving. I was excited that Tashard Choice got a chance to show his ability, and he was great. Choice gained 92 yards on eight carries and a touchdown.

I was really happy that DeMarcus Ware got his first sack of the season, and it was almost like getting a double scoop of ice cream to see him get his second. The sprinkles to go on top came in the form of watching Jay Ratliff block a field goal. Wonderful, wonderful defensive play from this team.

However, society, in general, likes offense. How many DeMarcus Ware jerseys do you see when compared to the amount of Tony Romo jerseys?

So, when I talked to some friends of mine who are casual fans, they were disgusted by the fact that Dallas did not tear the Chiefs to pieces. Forget the fact that we won the game—the Cowboys should have made Arrowhead Stadium empty of Chiefs fans.

You know what? They are right. Dallas is too good of a team to go to overtime with the Chiefs, and Dallas cannot have the kind of game they had against Philadelphia or Washington or San Diego. They will be eaten alive if they do.

The Cowboys may have won this one, but they will lose more with this sloppy play.

Teams win championships and teams are built like computers—they have several components from the Central Processing Unit (CPU) to the monitor screen you’re staring at as you read this article.

I’m going to break this computer down and see why it is near a crash in its future.

Watching the Dallas Cowboys' drives are too painful and too long, so I got the play by play sheet.

Two of Dallas’s drives were severely affected by dumb penalties. Penalties are like hiccups during a speech. They are annoying, embarrassing, and they interrupt the speech/drive.

Momentum is a huge factor in these games and momentum falls like the 1929 Stock Market Crash when unwanted penalties happen.

The first drive had an illegal receiver downfield, Andre Gurode the center, and that cost five yards. The drive ended on a fourth-and-three before Dallas punted.

Those five yards were the difference.

The other drive was back-to-back penalties. Illegal formation on Miles Austin and a false start on Flozell Adams that led to first-and-20, instead of first-and-10. The playcalling changes when it is first-and-20, so instead of seeing Choice of Barber pound at the defense for a first, the Cowboys had to pass for it.

And Kansas City knew it was coming, so Romo had two straight incompletions and he ran for his life to get six yards, which led to a fourth-and-14.

The rest is located here: http://www.nfltouchdown.com/the-cowboys-need-to-stop-shooting-themselves-in-the-bleep/

Why The Crimson Tide Deserved The Number Two Spot Over Texas

James Williamson — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:44:28 -0400

I'm from Texas and I wear Texas orange and white just like all the rest of you who are utterly disgusted by my article's title.

However, I'm a sportswriter first and as a sportswriter, I have to agree with Texas being placed at number three in the rankings. I'm not surprised by the flipping of Alabama and Texas at all.

First off, who has Texas beaten worth mentioning? Texas Tech? Please, they should have rubbed it in by 20 points. Tech didn't have Michael Crabtree or Graham Harrell attacking Texas this time. Texas didn't truly avenge the last second loss of last year in my eyes.

UTEP, Louisiana-Monroe, Colorado, and Wyoming?

I'm sorry. I must have dozed off for a minute. What was I talking about?

What else is there? Hmmm... how about the fact that the Longhorns aren't showing the same spark as last year.

Just watching Colt McCoy last year was wonderful. He had eight interceptions over the entire year, but he already has six this year.

The Longhorns are winning little games with big errors along the way. How is a team that is supposed to win the National Championship supposed to play?

The return game is excellent, defense is great, but offensively, I don't see anyone who is really being a star other than Jordan Shipley.

Off the top of my head, the only offensive player the Longhorns lost was Quan Cosby. I'm sorry, but this team should be lazy because of his absence.

I said it and I mean it. They almost look lazy out there at times. They act as if the National Championship will be handed to them, and I expected the exact opposite. I expected them to come out with a chip on their shoulders the size of Mount Rushmore.

They haven't impressed me this season. Maybe they can really show how good they are against the Sooners this Saturday.

Now, what about Alabama?

The Tide is as high as a tsunami, and I think it won't crash very soon. This Alabama team is just amazing. Nick Saban knows how to play college football, and he's good at teaching it.

The Tide, in the first week of the season, took out Virginia Tech with a score of 34-24. Now, ten points in Texas' case was not a lot, but in Alabama's it was because Virginia Tech is still ranked fourth in the nation, and Alabama beat them week one.

Again, week one! The first week of the season is supposed to be tune-up games for big schools. They want to put their team against an inferior group, and blow them out of the water to build confidence in the players and to see what errors need to be corrected before they face the big competition.

Oklahoma decided to be cocky and took on Brigham Young and lost Sam Bradford and the game in the process because they weren't gelling.

However, Nick Saban had his team better prepared than Bob Stoops, and despite having a brand new quarterback and running back, the Tide still defeated a very good team.

Then, this past Saturday, the Tide really impressed me. I finally had one of their games come on my TV, and I made sure to watch it.

Alabama versus Ole Miss. Supposed to be a great game with great rivals. The Rebels had lost the previous five meetings by a combined total of 13 points.

The idea was that this would be the year they got it done because eventually Alabama is going to lose of those close games. All Ole Miss needed in those situations were a first down here, a stop here or a little more time on the clock. They were those kind of games, so I sat down and waited.

The first quarter was almost up before the Tide scored on a 25 yard field goal. It was a game where you were constantly wondering when the big play was going to happen.

This is college ball, the big play is supposed to happen. The ridiculous 89 yard touchdown run or the great inbounds catch by the wide receiver. The game looked almost like an NFL game for a bit because of how hard it looked for the offenses to get anything going.

Greg McElroy looked okay, but he was inaccurate and inconsistent at times. Mark Ingram was the offense, and you can't win a game with a running back alone. You need help from the defense or quarterback.

The Tide defense was incredible; holding Ole Miss to negative rushing yards in the first half. Ole Miss's lead rusher was the quarterback Jevan Snead with 44 yards.

How sad is that?

The Tide dominated the Rebels from start to finish, and held them to three points in a 22-3 win.

So much for those close game predictions.

Ole Miss is a very good team, and the Tide won it easily in the end with five turnovers, four interceptions and a fumble recovery.

My eyes don't deceive me nor does the fact that I was born a Texan blind me. The Tide is a better football team than Texas right now. Texas needs to step up and show its true might against Oklahoma, who will be out to ruin their season since they have no real chance at the National Title.

Until then, Alabama deserves its number two ranking, and if Florida had not beaten LSU, but some other medium team, I'd want Alabama at number one.

Goodbye, My Friend: A Tribute to Robert Allred

James Williamson — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:53:31 -0400

Not enough can be said about Robert Allred. I knew him as a fellow Dallas Cowboy writer, as a friend, and as fellow fan of sports.

I can say so much about him even though I have never met him face-to-face.

I can only imagine what his family can say about him. They probably could make a dictionary-sized tribute to this man, who I'm glad to call my friend.

I had been here for about two to three months before Robert showed up. I came to a site that was virtually barren for Dallas.

The community leader David (can't spell his last name) was MIA and the Philadelphia section was filled with guys ready to attack the Cowboys without mercy, without retaliation, without fear of someone who would come to their article and point out their inconsistencies.

I wasn't a fan, I was a fanatic. I was a totally biased football nut who had only the highest hopes for Dallas with a fiery temper and an eclectic vocabulary. I was just a rookie quarterback on my own, with no talent around me.

I got off to a rough start. I really, to be completely blunt, made an ass out of myself for the first few months.

Finally, Robert Allred came around. I had just been appointed Community Leader by default, since no one was here to lead this team.

Robert was older, more mature, much wiser than I was. He made fast friends with Andrew Nuschler, who I had been crossing swords with constantly, and he opened my eyes. I'll never forget it.

He told me that Andrew was making sense and that I needed to accept it.

It hurt. It hurt the delusional fan, but it woke up James Williamson.

To this day, I keep an open mind on all points. I admit when I'm wrong and I'm doing better with my temper.

What Robert did was amazing because I'm looking at my Dallas ally, someone I desperately needed, complimenting a guy (Andrew Nuschler) who hates the Boys so much that it wouldn't surprise me if his American flag did not have any stars on it.

I sucked it up. I apologized to Andrew Nuschler, and we became good friends, as well.

Because of Robert, I'm much closer to being a true professional and not some fan with an axe to grind.

Robert Allred was a Yoda to me. He created the idea of America's Table. He would write such great articles on points that hadn't come to me. He took so much pressure off of me that I really wished he had been a community leader with me.

Easily one of the most mature writers on this site. He loved sports. He wanted to talk sports with analysis, not with the measuring stick of who's team is bigger and better.

I was Pathos, he was Logos. Together, I think we made the Dallas community pretty good and I know people would have to think twice about going after Dallas, or else they would be fresh meat for us.

Robert never wanted to see Bleacher Report the way it is now. Pampering to the idea that sex runs sports. He didn't want to see POTDs go to stories about a kid who lost his dog.

Gimme a break! Robert Allred represents sports, not pointless sap or bootlicking. Robert Allred represented friendship when he defended me against the attacks of Leroy Watson, who, in his opinion, was just a insincere bottom feeder.

Robert Allred wrote sports articles. Some people write articles about hot women or Tim Tebow's virginity and get a lot of reads, but none can compare to the article Robert Allred wrote.

He wrote an article that had, at last count, 56,256 reads. He was baffled beyond belief when I won the POTD for a history article about Al Davis instead. We had such a laugh about that.

Please check it out at the link above. Robert Allred wrote about sports and no sex article has come close to the achievements this one made.

I've written over a hundred articles on this website and Robert Allred, in one article, collected more reads than almost all of mine put together.

He sincerely loved Bleacher Report and was disgusted by those who have ruined it. We are here to talk about sports, not write boo hoo stories to make us popular.

I don't care what you say about my friend. I don't care if any of you who don't like him decide to spam my article with unethical comments. He is better than all of you put together.

Robert Allred. If Zander doesn't say it, I will. It was a privilege for this site to have you as a writer on it.

May you one day return, though. Until then, I'll keep up the fight for Dallas, my friend.

Why Did Dallas Lose to Denver and Why Tony Romo Is Not to Blame

James Williamson — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 13:56:32 -0400

First off, I want to congratulate the Denver Broncos. They beat the Cowboys and they proved they are not lucky to be 4-0.

Why did Dallas lose to Denver? That team did lose, but what parts were especially weak?

Well, the Cowboys were playing 5,280 feet above sea level and oxygen is hard to get. It wore them down. I remember they called a timeout to catch their breath, not because they needed to make an adjustment.

The lack of Felix Jones was sad too. He really could have helped when Tashard Choice and Marion Barber were heaving with the carries up there. Mile High is easily one of the best homefield advantages in sports.

This Dallas team shot itself in the foot in the end. I’m not going to rip the defense at all except for maybe a missed tackle here and there.

A defense should be allowed to have a few mistakes when it has a great offense. This defense allowed only 10 points. I refuse to count the first seven because you cannot turn the ball over your own 20-yard line and expect the your defense to prevent them from scoring.

Granted, they threw a tight spiral that even befuddled announcers Joe Buck and Troy Aikman. I, myself, did not know how that ball managed to go through Anthony Spencer’s hands into Knowshon Moreno's for the touchdown.

I’m not going to fault Spencer because that was just weird. I think that play may happen one out of 10 times. Maybe one out of 10 times.

I’m going to say this. I’m not sure that the Dallas fanbase should blame it all on Tony Romo. Tony Romo actually played pretty good in that game. The offense, in general, did not execute.

Sometimes Romo held onto the ball for a long time, but he’s doing that because he’s following advice. He did not try to force anything or try to become Brett Favre. He did an excellent job of protecting the football.

The forced fumble was a result of bad playcalling there. If you watch it closely, every lineman has their guy blocked very well, but the safety came in on a blitz towards Romo’s blind side, and Tashard Choice was out as a wideout instead of being in the backfield picking up the blitz.

An audible should have been made there to bring Choice back to block the blitz and the fumble would not have happened.

The interception was an interesting one. Miles Austin is lined up on cornerback Champ Bailey, and he is running a hook route from what I could tell. The hook route is a simple maneuver where the receiver runs up field then breaks the straight route and race back to the football forming a hook.

The route causes separation from the corner because the corner is in front of him and he has to change direction to try and get the receiver before the ball is thrown.

Check out the rest at: http://www.nfltouchdown.com/why-did-dallas-lose-to-denver/

Victor Butler: A Dallas Gem from the Fourth Round Shines

James Williamson — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 17:59:30 -0400

Out of the team's 12 draft draft selections made this past April, the Dallas Cowboys picked up several players who converted from their original positions to outside linebacker.

However, Brandon Williams and Stephen Hodge are on the injured reserve, and Jason Williams has been on the injury report with a high ankle sprain (though should be back relatively soon).

However, one linebacker still remained and he was a steal. His name is Victor Butler.

Butler is a fourth-round draft choice the Cowboys picked up to address depth at linebacker after Kevin Burnett and Zach Thomas left the team while Greg Ellis was getting older.

I didn't expect he’d be getting this much playing time for Dallas, but Ellis, in his unhappiness, finally left Dallas after the team released him on his own request.

Ellis is now with the Raiders, and with the obvious lack of linebacker depth after so many injuries, Butler really got a chance to shine Sunday night.

He was sent in the fourth quarter when Dallas was already up, 21-7, and Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme was trying to make a last-minute miracle against the 'Boys.

Butler replaced Anthony Spencer for a couple of plays and sacked Delhomme twice, forcing a fumble on the second sack that was recovered by defensive end Jason Hatcher.

This guy came out of Oregon State. He’s a Beaver that chews away on the pass rush.

I mentioned him prior in an earlier article during preseason.

To quote it directly, though: “Backup Linebacker Victor Butler really impressed me. He managed to make a tackle and get pressure against the starting Oakland team. Now, he does have to learn to play the run a bit better, but he is looking like a fine draft pick.”

Want to see the rest? It is featured here: http://www.nfltouchdown.com/a-dallas-gem-from-the-fourth-round-shines.

Breaking News: Tim Tebow Leaves Stadium In Ambulance

James Williamson — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 21:50:51 -0400

Tim Tebow, quarterback for the reigning national championship Florida Gators and 2007 Heisman Trophy winner, was taken to a hospital during the third quarter of today's game against Kentucky.

Tebow was hit by defensive end Taylor Wyndham and as he went down, his head collided with right tackle Marcus Gilbert's leg.

While he was carted away, it appeared he was vomiting. He was motionless on the field for several minutes prior to being helped off.

Tim Tebow had arrived separately from the rest of the team due to illness, most likely the flu, and despite being far from tip-top shape, he ran for 123 yards with two touchdowns, and passed for 103 yards and a touchdown.

Back-up quarterback, John Brantley, replaced Tebow on the following possession.

Florida won the game, 41-7, despite losing Tebow, so the major question now for the Florida Gators would be if he is alright.

He was motionless, so he could have suffered a concussion. He was taken to the hospital, yes, but it could easily be for precautionary reasons.

Whatever it is, have your Bibles and crosses ready for this young man because I cannot think of a better person in college football right now than Tim Tebow.

What Jerry Jones Really Bought for $1.1 Billion

James Williamson — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 15:37:36 -0400

Wow. Take a look at that picture. I mean, can you imagine how big that thing is in a real life look? It is huge.

It isn’t a surprise that Jerry Jones had to shake the change from his pockets to build this baby. It should be called the 8th wonder of the world. He spent over a billion dollars on this magnificent stadium.

But why?

Why did Jerry Jones spend so much money to replace a stadium that wasn’t near ‘condemned’ level?

Well, you could say many things. It depends on how you see Jerry Jones really.

One could say that Jerry Jones is a monstrosity of the NFL because he fired Tom Landry and took over the Dallas Cowboys. One could also say that he realized that Tom needed to retire because he just had made a 3-13 season.

One could say that Jerry Jones built this stadium to show off his money, and a shrink might say as a substitute for his masculinity. The other side would argue that Texas Stadium was getting old, and Jerry Jones wanted to make a stadium worthy of arguably. the greatest NFL franchise of all time.

However, I say it is because he wanted to win. How is that? Well, let us explain the stadium.

This past Sunday, the Dallas Cowboys did lose to the New York Giants in a game they shouldn’t have. However, they set a record there of 105, 121 people in a regular season game for a stadium.

No stadium, in the United States, has ever had that large number of people unless you go back to the 1950s when the L.A. Rams would consistently have a 100,000 people in a stadium.

He had the size of a Super Bowl crowd in that stadium, and I can guarantee that it will continue.

The Dallas County surrounds not only Dallas, but also Fort Worth, and several other towns.

For more, please check it out here.

Why the Giants Did Not Beat the Cowboys As One Would Think

James Williamson — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 19:12:52 -0400

Before anyone decides to angrily post on my comment board about my intelligence, sexual preference, or the appearance of my mother; I want to state that the title of this article was meant to draw you into the article.

The Giants did beat the Cowboys. The scoreboard says so with a 33-31 score. What I am saying is that the Giants didn’t really dominate as much as one would think. The core reason for this loss is attributed to a bunch of Cowboy blunders.

The Cowboys had more things go wrong for them than Laurel and Hardy do in a movie. Except there was no happy ending for the Cowboys.

Four turnovers led to 24 points. 24 points! That means that only 9 points were made on Giant drives. The Cowboys defensively were great in some areas, and intermediate at others, but they shouldn’t have to be in those situations.

But, I will swear on a stack that the Cowboys shot their own selves in the BLEEP to be very blunt. Tony Romo threw three interceptions, and Felix Jones fumbled a kickoff return. Every single one of those turnovers led to points that defeated the Cowboys.

The Giants, if you look at a stat sheet, were great offensively, but if you watched that game, they shouldn’t have even been on the field to make those plays. That’s how dominant Dallas was at controlling the ball before the turnovers happened.

One interception was taken back for a touchdown by Bruce Johnson, so there is seven points there. Take that out, and Boys win game probably. The second interception was just plain weird. I’ve seen strange interceptions, but this one was WEIRD.

Tony Romo throws out to Jason Witten, and it is a little behind him and it is going to be incomplete except Witten got a hand on it and tipped it. Now, a tipped interception happens every week in the NFL, but this is where it becomes a TV spot on Ripley’s Believe It Or Not.

Want more? Check here: http://www.nfltouchdown.com/why-the-giants-did-not-beat-the-cowboys-as-one-would-think/

Vince Young: More Than a Tennessee Titans Quarterback, He's a Million-Dollar Man

James Williamson — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 14:40:40 -0400

I get up in the morning. I brush my teeth after I eat my breakfast. I get my tired rear end in the car and go to college.

All the while, I'm still thinking about football after I've checked MSN.com for anything new. For me, football is an obsession/future career and I love it to death. I can't believe there was a time where I demeaned it, but that's another story.

The point is that I'm a young man who is not a professional athlete and yet gets so fired up when his team plays, you'd swear I was in pads on the field.

But what is football? Is it Age of Empires on a grass field with a ball and helmets? Is it a sacred ritual that is part of a pagan religion? Is it even a business?

"Yes" can be the answer to all of the above, but when you remove all emotional attachment, football is a game. Real men play this game for millions of dollars. All they do is football. They are playing a game.

Except, a lot of times, we as fans in our competitiveness forget that it is a game. That when Sunday is over that these men go home and be regular men.

After all, that is just what they are...regular men.

Have you ever thought about who is that man beyond the guy who led a great drive to win a Super Bowl or caught so many passes that normal humans couldn't touch?

Who are they as men? We worship them for their athletic talents, but we regularly, especially the ignorant fan, forget how these men are on the inside.

Are they good fathers? Are they kind, calm persons who help those in need when he can't figure out his geometry lesson or when she needs a fourth for an afternoon tea party with Ms. Susie Bear and Little Quackers the Duck.

When I think about what I want to in life when it comes to my kids, I think of what John Wayne said in The Cowboys before he dies. "Every man wants his children to be better than he was."

Well, Steve McNair, the former quarterback for the Tennessee Titan died, and he died with his two young sons not knowing who is going to teach them or make them better than daddy was?

Steve McNair was a great football player who achieved a great deal of success. However, he was murdered this past Fourth of July before he could reach the same success he had in the NFL as a father.

However, another man stepped in. Not a boy, not an athlete, but a real man stepped in, and his name is Vincent Young.

Vince Young is known as the quarterback for the Tennessee Titans who was a pupil under McNair before and after he lead the University of Texas to a NCAA Division IA Championship title in the Rose Bowl.

Most of us remember him for that and the fact that he lost his starting quarterback position to Kerry Collins this past year. People call him retarded or label him a bust because he can't play football like Peyton Manning or Tom Brady can.

I refuse to let my memory remember only that. I intend to remember Vince Young for what he did that was more valuable than winning any diamond studded ring.

He became a real man to two boys that weren't even his own. He took McNair's two sons, Tyler and Trenton, to "Dear Dad's Breakfast" this past Wednesday at their school, because he loved those boys like he loved their father.

Young told The Tennessean, "Those are my boys. I wouldn't say it was to pay anyone back; it was just out of love. Steve would do it for me. He pretty much did it for me when I was growing up. I have a history with the boys and I want to do anything I can. I am their big brother."

The boys are doing better because of Vince Young's realization that family and love is key to a person's life. He is still fighting for his chance to be a great quarterback, but he won't be blind to two young boys who need a man like him to guide them.

When I think about that, I hope that my boys will be able to tell our next generation about me, not just as a writer, but as a great father just like I will tell them about my dad.

We talk about Vince Young as a bust, but I'll remember him as a Hall of Fame man.

Four Things We Learned in New England's Win Over Buffalo.

James Williamson — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:23:18 -0400

Monday Night Football was actually enjoyable for me with Jon Gruden now on the cast. He brings a good voice, a great personality, and an encyclopedia of football knowledge to the Monday Night team.

But, what's even more important are the things we learned from that specific game.

1. Tom Brady is going to be okay.

The greatest fear/worry of a lot of fanbases is whether or not Tom Brady is going to be his dominant self. Is he going to be a guy who will come back from an injury and terrorize opposing teams again?

Well, he answered the question last night. He completed 38 out of 53 passes for 378 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. He still is an effective quarterback, who took advantage of the situation when needed and beat the Buffalo Bills.

He probably won't throw 50 touchdowns because the NFL is now more used to the Patriots offensive look, but he should have a winning season. He is one of the best to ever play the position and so far, he's got my vote for Comeback Player of the Year.

2. New England is beatable.

Now, I just finished praising Tom Brady, and yet I call New England beatable?

Well, I was analyzing one player, now I'm analyzing a team, and they certainly are beatable. The general consensus was they were going to make Buffalo look like a minor league team, but they only win one point.

They won the game yes, but they won because return man Leodis McKelvin was a bigger idiot than Woody Boyd from "Cheers."

McKelvin should have taken a knee or at least gone down to keep the ball protected. Instead, he decides to take an unnecessary risk and in the process, turns over the ball to New England.

New England did force the fumble and took advantage of his stupidity, but I believe that they got a very lucky break. The way the Bills were playing offensively, they were going to run out that clock and finish the game.

I'm not saying the Patriots won it illegitimately. I am saying that the majority of kick return men are not that vacant when it comes to the cranium.

3. Terrell Owens is still effective, but not getting the ball.

Two catches for 46 yards. Doesn't seem like much, but he made them at critical third down moments. He was double covered very often which definitely means that he is still a threat to opposing teams.

The Patriots had a conundrum in covering T.O. and Lee Evans, so that opened up chances for Fred Jackson, Shaun Nelson, and Derek Schouman.

Now, the bigger issue is whether or not his ego will get in the way. He certainly didn't look like the cat who caught the canary last night.

From my time listening to his interviews in his time in Dallas, I think I have a decent understanding of Terrell Owens.

He wants the ball. He wants to win the championship. The problem is that he doesn't realize that his team could win a championship by using him as a decoy. He sincerely believes that the only way Dallas or Philadelphia or even San Francisco won is because he got the ball.

If you look at the history, he has some grounds to think it, since the year T.O. played for Philly, they went to the Super Bowl, and Dallas won the NFC in 2007. What happened? He got the ball a whole lot.

Last night is just more fuel to the fire, because if he had gotten the ball more, there is a great chance that Buffalo would have won. That game was very close, so any small thing could have altered the outcome.

I don't know if T.O. will keep it in house or not, but I certainly know that he's wishing he had more chances to catch the ball.

4. Fred Jackson is making a case to start over Marshawn Lynch.

Marshawn Lynch is an excellent running back for the Buffalo Bills. In his first two seasons he's had over a 1,000 yards rushing in each season, but if I'm Dick Jauron, I'm pretty tempted to start Fred Jackson from now on.

Fred Jackson had a very good game, rushing for 57 yards on fifteen carries, and catching five passes for 83 yards and a touchdown.

This was against a very good New England defense, something that most people overlook because of the offensive stars on the team. Fred Jackson was a very legitimate threat that was the main offensive target when the Bills scored to take an 11 point lead over New England in the fourth quarter.

He got the ball eight times for 51 yards including a ten yard touchdown catch.

He showed up during a clutch situation, so I'm really impressed with him. Lynch may be a better athlete, but he's more trouble than anyone in the league to me.

First, he was accused of sexual assault by a former girlfriend, and even thought the charges were never filed, it makes your eyebrows rise.

Then, he strikes a pedestrian with his car and disregards the idea of calling the police or an ambulance, to run away instead.

He pleaded guilty for failing to report an accident, but he was lucky that the lady didn't die or else he'd be Donte Stallworth.

Finally, three days after he played in the Pro Bowl, he is arrested in California for having a loaded gun after the officer smelled marijuana. This guy does not know how to stay out of trouble. Adam "Pacman" Jones learned his lesson—this guy still hasn't gotten it.

He's now serving a four game suspension, which is why he wasn't playing last night.

Dick Jauron should make Lynch have to earn his job back, because this guy needs to learn how to mind himself, or at least follow the law.

All Fred Jackson has to do, in my mind, is keep playing well for him to start over Lynch.

Overall, great game and a good way to see how these two teams with new changes work.

Donovan McNabb Breaks a Rib In Win Over Carolina

James Williamson — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 17:39:47 -0400

In a smashing victory over the Carolina Panthers to start their new season, the Eagles' quarterback, Donovan McNabb, also got smashed on a three yard touchdown run in the third quarter.

McNabb was slow getting up after the touchdown and was immediately taken to the training room. After some tests, the diagnosis is in. Donovan McNabb broke a rib in this last game.

Kevin Kolb replaced him at quarterback since Michael Vick is still ineligible until week 3. Kolb was not very effective and the Eagles did not score again after McNabb left.

The Eagles face the New Orleans Saints next week and will need an offensive attack to counter Saints quarterback, Drew Brees, and his great passing arm. Brees threw for six touchdowns today, so the Eagles need to use a decent offense to handle the Saints poor defense, and their defense needs to stop Drew Brees in order to win the football game.

The Eagles had five interceptions and a fumble recovery for a touchdown on defense as they slaughtered the Carolina Panthers 38-10 in Carolina.

Whether Donovan McNabb plays or not is a mystery because it is a broken rib, but he has played on a broken ankle before, so my money is on McNabb returning for next week.

Cowboys Join Sooners! Oklahoma State Upset By Houston 45-35

James Williamson — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 19:52:34 -0400

The top ten teams are taking a beating these past two weeks. The No. 3 Oklahoma was defeated 17-14 by BYU and they have fallen to No. 13 in the rankings.

Now, it looks like another upset happened for the state of Oklahoma when the University of Houston came to town and defeated the Cowboys with a score of 45-35 after a 26 yard interception return by Jamal Robinson with 3:24 remaining in the game.

Houston kept control of the football game with its high powered passing attack led by Case Keenum, who was 32-of-46 with 367 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception.

Helping out also was a combined rushing attack of running backs Bryce Bell with 78 yards on 18 carries and a touchdown, and Charles Sims with 30 yards on nine carries.

Houston had been originally up 24-7 at the half, and it looked like U of H could not be stopped.

But then the game did a 180 and the Cougars couldn't stop the Cowboys in the third quarter when Oklahoma State scored 21 unanswered points with two rushing touchdowns, and an electrifying 82 yard punt return by Dez Bryant to make it 28-24.

However, games are not won in the third quarter as proven by the Cougars who got a one yard touchdown run by Bryce Beall on 4th-and-goal with 13:40 left.

Oklahoma responded quickly with quarterback Zac Robinson firing his lone touchdown pass to Josh Cooper with 11:22 left in the game.

Then, a miracle happened with Houston. They drive down the field with precise passes and a few good runs, but they are stuck with 4th-and-goal.

They go for it, and it looks like Keenum's in trouble, moves out the right, step up in the pocket and fires over the middle where it is tipped by the linebacker, and the ball lands right in Bryce Beall's gut to make it 37-35 pending the extra point.

However, Oklahoma State gets a chance at a comeback that was snuffed with Jamal Robinson and his interception return to unofficially end the game.

Oklahoma State had a combined total of 201 yards rushing by four running backs, and 239 yards passing by Zac Robinson, who had one touchdown and one interception.

This will most likely drop Oklahoma State out of the top ten since Houston was unranked, and they lost at home.

Dallas Cowboys Season Opener: What Are the Critical Points?

James Williamson — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 12:04:00 -0400

It is almost here.

Like the little kid watching the clock tick slowly to midnight on Christmas Eve, I have been counting the days 'til the football season started.

And it is finally here!

Finally, enough of the monotonous offseason and on to the real stuff. The excitement of getting the popcorn and soda ready for the game. The great feeling you get after a win, and the “Aw, shucks!” after a loss.

We are almost in the 2009 season of the National Football League.

Our opener is in Tampa Bay against the Buccaneers.

This team has made significant changes since Dallas defeated them 13-9 last year with Brad Johnson at quarterback after Tony Romo broke his pinkie finger.

This time, I expect it to be different. I want Tony Romo beyond his best this time.

View the rest here.