Jan 5th 2009 1:00PM by Ryan Wilson (author feed)
Filed under: Cowboys, Ravens, Steelers, AFC North, NFL Fans, NFL Awards
I’ll admit it: I’m shocked. James Harrison has been named the NFL’s 2008 Defensive Player of the Year. I certainly thought he deserved to be in the conversation, and since I’m a Steelers fan, I’m obviously happy for him. But I also fully expect the Ed Reed and DeMarcus Ware supporters to make a spirited case for why their guy got hosed.
Fair enough.
It’s hard to dispute Reed’s ability to blow your mind on a weekly basis, but he got off to a slow start (only one pick in the first 10 games, which, when you consider that he wasn’t supposed to be playing — maybe ever again — is impressive in its own right), but the eight interceptions over the final six weeks of the season puts him in the mix. That he had a lot to do with the Ravens’ making it to the postseason further strengthens his case.
Ware, on the other hand, recorded 20 sacks, but the Cowboys, like the rest of us, watched the playoffs from the couch last weekend. I know, I know, playing on a team not coached by Wade Phillips doesn’t automatically disqualify you for Player of the Year, but there’s no way Ware gets it over Harrison or Reed, two guys still playing.Continue Reading
Jan 5th 2009 2:15PM by Ryan Wilson (author feed)
Filed under: Broncos, Cowboys, NFL Fans, NFL Coaching
A couple days ago ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported that the Cowboys could be in the Mike Shanahan business. If not this offseason, then a year from now, when Jerry Jones will announce that he can no longer stand the sight of Wade Phillips in his puffy coat.
Last spring, the job was Jason Garrett’s to lose and, well, that sounds like what he’s done. Despite T.O., Witten, Williams, Barber, Romo et al, the Cowboys’ offense was inconsistent and often out-schemed. And that let to ESPN’s Mike & Mike having the following conversation during this morning’s radio show (via DMN’s Sports Media Blog): “To me the biggest surprise and I don’t mean this critically…that after the way their season ended Wade Phillips is the coach of the Cowboys.”
“…I also thought that Jason Garrett was the heir apparent yet he was given permission to talk to the Detroit Lions. You know to give your heir apparent permission to talk to another team…”
“I can tell you who the heir apparent is in Dallas, it’s Mike Shanahan. Mike Shanahan will be the coach of the Cowboys a year from now if not sooner.” Continue Reading
Jan 3rd 2009 9:00PM by Ryan Wilson (author feed)
Filed under: Broncos, Cowboys, NFL Fans, NFL Coaching
I’m guessing there’s virtually no chance Jerry Jones convinces newly unemployed Mike Shanahan to coach up the Cowboys in 2009. Partly because Jones has sworn up and down that Wade Phillips will be back in that capacity next season, but also because Shanahan says he plans to take two weeks off before making any decisions about his NFL coaching future, and seems to be leaning towards taking a year off before getting back in the mix. Who knows.
In the meantime, Mort’s sources are talking. Jones has been committed to a third season with Phillips as head coach and Jason Garrett as offensive coordinator. Sources say the owner was particularly pleased with Phillips’ work with the defense and doesn’t want to interrupt that progress. The chance Jones could hire Shanahan and convince Phillips to remain as defensive coordinator is very remote, a source said. Shanahan replaced Phillips as head coach when he was hired in Denver.
If Garrett should land one of the head coaching jobs available now, it could influence Jones to reconsider his plans and approach Shanahan about joining the Cowboys for the 2009 season because of the offensive void left by Garrett’s departure, a source said. Garrett’s not quite the rising star he was a year ago, so he may not have the same head-coaching opportunities this offseason. His job prospects aside, though, why would Phillips take a demotion? Who is he, Romeo Crennel?Continue Reading
Dec 30th 2008 10:35AM by Will Brinson (author feed)
Filed under: Cowboys, NFL Eliminated Teams, NFL Media Watch, NFL Rumors
The Dallas Cowboys, based on their 44-6 beatdown at the hands of the Eagles, should have boarded their plane from Philadelphia back to Big D, sat in silence for how many ever hours it took before they landed, and then, without speaking to one another, slowly walked away from the plane and climbed in their individual, expensive automobiles.
Talking, playing games and laughing — after that whipping — should be things reserved for a later date. But, according to second hand radio reports (so, yeah, grain of salt and what not) they were all smiles, giggles and games on the way back to Texas Sunday night.
[1310 The Ticket’s Mike Friedo] described the scene as “like the last day of school”, with dominoes being played in the back and lots of laughing and carrying on. He said that he was reluctant to say anything, seeing as how the Cowboys are nice enough to allow media members on the charter, and that only leads me to believe that he may have muted the reality of what was actually going on. Friedo did not mention any specific names, nor did he say if alcohol was flowing, but he made it pretty clear that if you did not know who won the Cowboys-Eagles game, you just might assume it was the Cowboys from their conduct on the plane.
Presuming this is true, it’s a pretty awkward situation for the Cowboys, in that it firmly shows just how out of control the team is under Wade Phillips and goes a pretty good way towards explaining why Dallas hasn’t wont a playoff game since saxophones and cigars ruled the world.
But hey, they barely make any money, and they did play really hard this year, so it’s hard to begrudge them too much, even if this is true.
Dec 30th 2008 12:40PM by Will Brinson (author feed)
Filed under: Cowboys, NFL Eliminated Teams, NFL Coaching, NFL Media Watch, NFL VideoThere are lots of things that shouldn’t be said publicly about someone else. One basic genre of those things involves death or murder. And Cris Carter’s recent statement — on ESPN airwaves — regarding Terrell Owens probably qualifies. See, Carter says that if he were in charge of the Cowboys, his first act would involve getting rid of the wideout with a “bullet.” Carter says, “If it was me, I’d get rid of T.O. — T.O. got to go from the beginning. Right from the giddy up. I take one bullet and put it right in him. Bam!” Listen for yourself.
It’s all over the news, obviously, and that’s because Carter is an idiot for saying this. Maybe it’s a euphemism, and maybe our culture is far too PC these days, but still, you just don’t say that you would do that to someone if you were in charge. Especially when you’re paid to give a professional opinion about something. Ridiculous.Continue Reading
Dec 30th 2008 4:00PM by Will Brinson (author feed)
Filed under: Cowboys, NFL Fans, NFL Eliminated Teams, NFL Coaching, NFL Media Watch, NFL Real Talk
The nice thing about being anyone on the San Antonio Spurs is that, well, you can generally sling criticism around; it’s not a characteristic trait of any particular player on that team, but after so many years of solid team play and, well, just winning, they’ve got some sturdier walls than most glass houses.
Hence Bruce Bowen’s recent comments to the about the Dallas Cowboys, his favorite football team. See, it appears that Bruce, like every single person in the free world except Jerry Jones and Wade Phillips, doesn’t think the Cowboys really have good chemistry.
“It’s very disappointing,” Bowen said of Sunday’s painful showing by his favorites, “but character wins out over talent any day, at least in my book. You can see how infectious certain characters can be down the end of the road.”
Bowen declined to name which of the Cowboys characters he considered “infectious,” but he made it clear he believed the Cowboys were doomed by self-centered players.
Well, Bowen might have declined, but allow me: Pacman Jones, Terrell Owens and Roy Williams (the receiver). Of course, Pacman was probably more of a distraction than a totally destructive locker room presence, but still, anyone who thought bringing him to the Cowboys would result in anything positive is running a fool’s errand.
And while Bowen is getting a bit aggressive in calling out another sport’s players, what are the Cowboys going to do? Tell him he’s wrong? Because, um, he’s not.
Dec 30th 2008 8:30PM by Will Brinson (author feed)
Filed under: Cowboys, NFL Eliminated Teams, NFL Coaching, NFL Media Watch, NFL Rumors
Barry Switzer and Jimmy Johnson, according to the , got on a BCS related conference call recently, and given that their area of expertise rolls squarely over into Dallas Cowboys territory, reporters were, naturally, curious as to their thoughts re: Coach Cupcake’s return to Big D.
Johnson’s answer — despite possibly wanting to get some payback at Jerry Jones for earier remarks — was pretty stock in terms of the ‘Boys owner just not wanting to make changes. Switzer though, was a little less reserved, and called Tony Romo out for a few things.
They stink right now. Romo might be an overrated quarterback and gunslinger, throws the ball, takes too many chances, gambles. I just know that Jerry doesn’t want to do that and he’s certainly going to give it another year. I think every coach in pro football gets four years.
First off, as Bacon said, how awesome is it that, suddenly, the term “gunslinger” is considered an insult? Just a year or so ago, people were swooning over Romo’s similarities to Brett Favre. But after his apparent [over]exposure in New York, we can freely call people g-slingers again with the intent of calling them reckless.
And secondly, Switzer is right — the Cowboys stink and Romo is probably overrated; so much is made of his ability to have big games but look at the freaking offense that’s around him and then check out his December splits (hint: not good) and it’s not that hard to figure out he might be getting more credit than he’s due a lot of the time.
Dec 31st 2008 12:44AM by Sportz Assassin (author feed)
Filed under: Broncos, Cowboys, AFC West, NFC East, NFL Coaching
You have to love the fact that Mike Shanahan is fired by the Denver Broncos yet, to some, can have his pick of the myriad of job openings around the NFL.
The one that is getting the most run is Shanahan going to the Dallas Cowboys. He is cool with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, tried to get Terrell Owens to Denver and wanted Tony Romo as a college free agent (they both are Eastern Illinois alums). Though it has been a while, Shanahan has won two Super Bowls and Jerrah Jones is dying to have that kind of success.
He has also had success with young quarterbacks, like Romo, and been able to squeeze the best out of his offensive line and running backs.
One interesting subplot to this is the fact that current Cowboys had coach Wade Phillips is supposed to be keeping his job. Still, you can’t put it past Jones to can Phillips for Shanahan. By the way, Shanahan got the Denver gig 14 years ago after the Broncos fired … Wade Phillips.
Also, there has been some rumblings that the Broncos could go after current Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett for their head coaching position. Remember that Garrett was perceived as Phillips’ eventual successor before a sub-par offensive showing this season.
Dec 29th 2008 1:30PM by Sportz Assassin (author feed)
Filed under: Broncos, Buccaneers, Cowboys, Jaguars, Jets, Packers, Patriots, Redskins, NFL Playoffs
We all know the 12 teams that will be in the NFL playoffs, all of whom (mostly) deserve to be there.
The bigger story may be who won’t be in the playoffs. There were several teams that came into the season with big dreams while others had a nice start to the season. Yet they still didn’t make it.
In the 2000s, only one team lost a Super Bowl and made the playoffs the next season. We love pointing that out, but never imagined that could happen to these Patriots. New England just came off an undefeated regular season and lost the Super Bowl in the game’s final moments. But all it took was an injury to Tom Brady to put the season in doubt. Matt Cassel did a great job filling in, but injuries to the stable of running backs and a defense that, at times, looked its age forced New England slip up just enough to miss the playoffs.
They will be only the second team with 11 victories to not make the playoffs. To many, it is justice to see the Pats not in the postseason despite having a better record than four teams that will be.Continue Reading
Dec 29th 2008 5:00PM by Adam Gretz (author feed)
Filed under: Cowboys, NFL Fans
Following Dallas’ embarrassing end to its disappointing season on Sunday, there’s been some talk that this could be one of the lowest points in the history of the Cowboys franchise. I’m not sure I agree with that, after all, there was the late 1980’s, Dave Campo as head coach, and that home playoff loss to the Arizona Cardinals a decade or so ago.
This was simply an overrated team that stumbled along at a 9-7 pace while a few egos slowly, but surely, brought the team down from the inside. I mean, what did you really expect when you threw Terrell Owens, Tank Johnson, Pacman Jones and Roy Williams — the receiver — in the same locker room under the leadership and guidance of Wade Phillips? That’s a recipe for madness.
Having said that, and even though the season is over in Dallas, there’s still plenty of time to make this the lowest point in franchise history, and attacking fans outside the practice facility — allegedly — is a good place to start.
According to Clarence E. Hill Jr. of the Star-Telegram, a disappointed Cowboys fan by the name of Alan Lowe decided to voice his displeasure in sign form, by marching outside the team’s practice facility with a pair of signs that read, “The Cowboys have no heart,” and “Wade Phillips is an embarrassment to the star.”
Linebacker Bradie James was not amused.Continue Reading
