Henry Could Finally Suture the Secondary’s Wounds
Posted: October 26, 2007 @ 1:17 pm
We all recall the carnage of last December, when the coaches room resembled a triage center. The Cowboys secondary was gashed and no amount of blitzes or soft coverages could prevent it from bleeding big plays:
61 and 42 yard TDs to the Saints.
52, 43 and 26 yard leaks against the Falcons.
24, 35 and 65 yard breakdowns on Christmas Day against the Eagles, and finally,
20, 24, 24 and 21 yard surrenders in a slow, closing-day death against the Lions.
The first week of the new year, have long argued, resembles most closely the last month of the previous campaign. And so Cowboys fans everywhere felt heartburn when Eli Manning went 60 yards over the top to Plaxico Burress on the third play of the new season. Manning picked away at the soft, eight-yards off edge coverage of Anthony Henry and Jacques Reeves finding Burress for several more big plays. Terence Newman was injured and it felt as if the coverage would limp along as he did that September, tentatively and painfully.
Today, as we reach the end of bye week, it’s time to give Dr. Wade Phillips come credit for bravely and deliberately raising his secondary to health. He, his coordinator Brian Stewart, secondary coach Todd Bowles and the training staff made some critical decisions that appear to be paying off.
The first was cutting veteran Aaron Glenn and inserting Jacques Reeves at left corner. Reeves is entering his contract year and many questioned whether he would even survive camp, much less start. The staff gave Reeves his mandate — keep the ball in front of you. His September play was maddening in its conservative consistency. Reeves played eight to nine yards off the line of scrimmage and gave up 8, 9, 10, 12 and 15 yard outs and comebacks by the handful.
But the directive had a purpose. Reeves might give up the intermediate throw but only one, in Miami, did a receiver get behind him, when Chris Chambers caught an 18 yard TD fade.
After the Chicago game, Reeves began to gain in confidence. His cushion tightened and now the 10 to 15 yard receptions are gone. Donte Stallworth broke him for 69 yards in the Pats loss, but teams are not even trying him right now and when throws are made to his side, they’re going for 5 to 8 yards now. He’s proven to be a much better solution than Glenn, who is playing out his days on Jacksonville’s bench.
The team let Newman’s plantar fascia tear heal. Now, he looks spry and Reeves looks confident. With Henry due to return against Philadelphia the Cowboys will have a healthy corner trio for the first time this year. (They played together in Chicago but Newman was used sparingly.) That offers promise to a secondary which has curbed the big pass play. The Giants did hit Dallas for several and Tom Brady ripped the secondary for four passes of 20 yards or more but no other team has scored more than one big pass play per game on the back four.
With Henry back at right corner, Newman can play his favored slot position against three receiver packages.
The Eagles injury-ravaged offense seems to be healing just in time for the Dallas game and we keep hearing from the national press how the Giants have changed.
So, it appears, will the Dallas secondary. Newman didn’t play against New York and Reeves was making his first ever start. Henry’s return means Dallas could finally have the personnel to stop the coverage bleeding, for once and for all.
Comments
126 Responses to “Henry Could Finally Suture the Secondary’s Wounds”
ist
Still Second!
I am hopeful too Raf that Henry’s return will finally help us to close the big hole in the secondary, but I’ll have to see it before I get my hopes up. We gave up plays to Manning and Brady and not against the other teams, but the other QBs we faced were Green, Grossman, an injured Bulger, Edwards and Jackson. I’ll rest a lot easier when I see the secondary contain a decent, healthy QB.
It appears that Wade prefers to let players heal before putting them back on the field. I’m reminded of Parcells bullying Henry into playing through his groin injury in 2005. Henry was obviously in pain much of the season, and sucked in ball coverage because of it. I also recall Patrick Crayton injuring his ankle as a rookie, and had to insist he couldn’t play in one game. Parcells downplayed his injury in his press conferences. At least he didn’t call Henry and Crayton “she.”
It seems like Wade’s approach is better in the long run, if a team can afford it in the short.
So, obviously the standard secondary package will be Henry and Newman at CB and Williams and Hamlin as safeties.
What are the other coverage packages? I assume the normal nickel package has Reeves and Henry outside at CB, Newman on the slot receiver and Hamlin at FS. Does Williams move to LB and Watkins or Jones comes in as an additional DB?
What other packages will they use?
“We gave up plays to Manning and Brady and not against the other teams”
Didn’t the D take the ball from Eli and score on Tom. The secondary starting Reeves and Hamlin is much improved over the second half of last season.
The front 7 continues to generate decent pressure. We should be rockin with Tnew and Henry starting.
7th!!!!!!!!!!
Wow I’m 7th!!! LOL
I am elated that Henry is back! We need both Henry and Newman healthy if we are to go far in the playoffs.
birdness:
“What kinda statement is 6-1″?
I am not saying they are bad !
What I am saying is there are no more Dolphins or Rams on the schedule !!!
Have you looked at our schedule, We need to elevate our defensive play to keep it going.
“We need to elevate our defensive play to keep it going.”
Take away the special teams and turnover points and how many have the Boys given up?
birdness,
The D made plays against Manning and Brady, but they still gave up 9 TDs to them. I’ll wait to see them contain a good QB before I say that the hole is fixed. Next two games against McNabb and Eli should settle this issue as to whether or not the D has fixed the hole in the middle.
birdness: again true our D is ranked 7th in yards allowed, but we’ve played against 5 anaemic offenses. The rest of the schedule is much harder and will provide a pretty good test of where we’re at.
I’m just hoping we have enough D to shut down Philly. The Boys can end the Iggle’s season next week.
True, but there are no top tier AFC teams left on the sechedule either. Other then the NYG game in New York the Cowboys will be the favorite in every game they play for the rest of the year. (Barring an injury to Romo),
In going 6-1 the Cowboys won every game where they were favored. If they can win 75% of the games they are favored in the rest of the way they will 12-4 or better.
New York and Washington also have a much tougher schedule then they have faced thus far. Trust me, there will not be any 12-4 wildcard teams in the NFC.
Oh Yeah and dont Forget we had a Rookie OLB and Now GE is back With a Rookie(improving) OLB with 6 starts under his belt coming in on the Nickel..
Guys, Remember the defense is learning a new Scheme as well..so Im excited at the fact that are OLB’s are only one Sack (10) behind SD’s OLB’s(11) and one of our olb started just one game!!
The Pressure and turn overs will become greater in the second half of the season..I believe WP could not use his entire Pkg’s do to the Injuries and remember this we havent Played our Man to man Defense yet which is our Stongest defense!!
birdness:
“Take away the special teams and turnover points and how many have the Boys given up?”
Have you watched every game ?
Are you happy with the way they are playing, knowing the opposition will be much harder over the next 2 months?
You can tell me our record & you can quote stats & tell me all the ST mishaps & turnovers BUT !
Can you honestly say to yourself that this is a super bowl caliber D the way they have been playing so far ? Again we don`t play the Dolphins or Rams anymore !
I understand the injuries and out of position players & hopefully when Henry gets back it will sure up our secondary, but the D as a unit needs to pick it up a notch.
No way we go 6-1 over the next 7 games if the D plays the same way.
All you hear about is Romo & the offense !!!
Our defense is holding their own which with the help of our offense got us ro 6-1.
Now they need to step it up !!!
From the last thread,I think everyone on this blog knows how I feel about McFad and M. Turner but if you go back to what BP says he wanted MBIII as a featured back but didnt have anyone for the 3rd down role. Maybe the plan is resign MBIII and find someone for the 3rd down role at a cheaper price. To who that would be or could be I would defer to Scout and Donny. We could find a third down back in the later rounds and save our big FA dollars to resigning our own. To get back to Stanbach, we wanted to give him his shot in Buffalo but it didnt work out, I wouldnt be surprized at all if he shows up in the next game or 2.
“Can you honestly say to yourself that this is a super bowl caliber D the way they have been playing so far”
Do the Vike’s have a super bowl caliber D? Would you rather line up with our guys, or the Colt’s D, maybe you would feel better with Bellicheats geriatric LB unit.
Jessie, the defense won us the Buffalo game and kept us in the NE until they wore out. That was the offenses fault. Romo and the offense will always carry the headlines, unfortunately its sexier. The defense has whipped the ass of who ever they been across from or in NE case they playted well and even gave us the lead. They have also showed improvement in every game. Thats all you can ask for.
“Our defense is holding their own which with the help of our offense ”
What did All Day Adrian Peterson do the week before he played us. The Boys allowed him 7 pts.
As for Super Bowl caliber D, we had a third quarter lead on the Pats. We were a few penalties away from a different outcome. I’m hopefull the team gets better as the season progresses, but it’s not like they are holding us back.
“The Giants did hit Dallas for several and Tom Brady ripped the secondary for four passes of 20 yards or more but no other team has scored more than one big pass play per game on the back four.”
That’s because the QBs throwing the ball were worth a flip. Bulger might have if he wasn’t injured and running for his life. Maybe things will be different with a full cast at CB, but so far any decent QB has shredded the secondary.
Off topic, but:
One of the things I have been impressed with this year is the way Jerry, for the first time since he bought the team, is finding ways to stockpile talent for next year and beyond.
Even the ’92 team, usually credited for great depth, really only had depth at a few key positions, like D line and QB. They had nothing behind Emmitt, and nobody ever wanted to see Toast Patterson come in at CB. I promise.
Two years ago, this team had Petitti starting at tackle, with Tucker as the sole backup. That same year, it started Shanle and Singleton at LB, and Davis at FS.
Now, it has McQ, Marten, and Free as RESERVES, all probably better than Petitti. They have Carpenter, Burnette, and Spencer as RESERVES, all better than Shanle or Singleton. They have Ratliff, Hatcher, Bowen, and now Johnson as RESERVES, any of whom might have started then. These guys are good, athletic football players just waiting for their time.
Back before free agency, teams usually sat players their first year or two, working them in as role players or special teamers while they learned the system. Back in the day, Dallas traded their first and four seconds to get Tony Dorsett, and even he didn’t start at first.
Once free agency started, most teams began trying to start rookies to maximize their cap, dropping older players along the way. Jerry might have finally gotten this closer to right, stocking up on talented younger guys and bringing them along to replace older guys who price themselves out of the market when their contracts come up. They can pay to keep who they want and bring young guys in who have been practicing with the team to replace the ones they don’t. That is how you build for the long term.
birdness:
“Do the Vike’s have a super bowl caliber D? Would you rather line up with our guys, or the Colt’s D, maybe you would feel better with Bellicheats geriatric LB unit.”
I would answer you if I knew what you were talking about !
We drafted defense over the last few years & what I would like is Canty & Spears(a #1 pick) to be a disruptive force on the line.
I would like Carpenter to show he was worthy of a # 1 pick !
I would also like for Roy Williams to play better. He has been going down hill the last couple of years . That along with Henry back & Newman returning to his normal position , that will definitely help.
I just want our D to play better . I guess you watch these games & come away saying wow our defense had a great game. I don`t see it that way.
I see the offense winning us our games overall. When the weather gets colder & windy we will need our D to step up !!!!!
“so far any decent QB has shredded the secondary.”
How many picks of Eli? How many big plays did Torry Holt make after Hamlin drilled him? Has any other D even touched Brady?
We have a young D. The starting DBs are mature, but not old. Give them some time in Wade’s system and things will get better. I didn’t get to see every game, but I’ve liked what I have seen so far.
Jesse,
It sounds like you are not happy with certain players meeting your expectation of their draft position as opposed to how our the D is playing. No D is winning games, the rules favor the passing game. Our team has won with a depleated secondary. The Boys will be better with both starting CBs available.
The Vikes have one of the best run Ds in the league - we beat it. Furthermore, even with that great run D the Vikes kinda suck.
The Skiz have a great secondary - let’s see how it holds up against the Pats.
“stocking up on talented younger guys and bringing them along to replace older guys who price themselves out of the market when their contracts come up”
JuJones’ contract is up and Marion’s is too. Somebody posted about the ‘poison pill’ and there was a response that nobody would give up a 1st and 3rd to get Barber.
What happens if the Packers keeps winning? Maybe the Bears would want him too.
Would turning Barber into a late 1st and 3rd be a good deal for us? Certainly 3 first round picks would give Jerry the tools to go after Dmac.
Jesse,
You keep mentioning Miami. While their passing game was below average it was not horrible before the loss of Green. They are above average in scoring and one of the top running teams in the league. They have averaged over over 24 points a game in the five games after the Cowboys.
Their defense is the reason they are winless.
keeping Reeves was a great call. However, Keeping Jones instead of Glenn is much more questionable.
water under the bridge now.
If Henry comes back strong then we have a pretty solid secondary. With Ellis getting better, we now have two legitimate sack guys, with spencer and Hatcher showing something as well. I do not think NY will score anything like 35 on us again- I think 21 will be all they manage. Outside of Detroit, and they have a lousy O line, there really is no one on our schedule that has a QB and WRs who can really hurt us. I do not count McFlab and company. Green Bay does not have really top WRs, and Favre is back to throwing picks. There is no one left on our schedule hat our D shoult worry about too much.
birdness, the reason not to worry about the “poison pill” is that the only reason players agree to that crap is if they want to get out of town. If they’re just in it for the money, then they’re fine with a contract that their old team can match. Why would MBIII want to get out of Dallas?
Jesse,
Maybe your expectations are unreasonable, or you haven’t taken an objective look.
Since the Gints game, where the players and coaches admitted they were lost in the scheme:
Gints: 438 yds, Rank 31
Miami: 334 yds, Rank 28
Bears: 239 yds, Rank 21
Rams : 189 yds, Rank 15
Bills: 229 yds, Rank 6
Pats : 448 yds, Rank 11
Vikes: 196 yds, Rank 7
They’ve played all world except for a half against the (maybe) the best offensive team in the history of the NFL.
Seriously. Look at the games after Giants I. 2 games under 200, which is the mendoza line for complete shutouts. 2 more under 250, which is dominant. Miami got 100 yards in garbage time according to Wade.
And all this without 3 starters. A new scheme.
The starters missing weren’t scrubs. They were (arguably) our 3 best and most important defenders.
- Newman
- Ellis
- Fergie
You think it might be a little adjustment?
How about a completely new scheme? May take a little time?
Sure, they’ve played weak offenses. But they shut them down. Short-handed, even.
Second half is the true test. A low and behold, we’re coming into it healthy for the first time.
Philthy, (4)Skins, and J-E-T-S don’t scare anyone offensively. The Giants are key. Really, it’s the Pack that will be the best test of if this Defense is ready for primetime.
If the Favre & the Pack hang 350 and some points on them, you’ve got reason to be worried.
Until then, stop with all the negative waves, man.
How much money did the Ravens throw at Willis McGahee?
Either that or maybe Marion gets some advice from TO and decides that he wants to be ‘the guy’.
Greatwhite
(Response to last thread)
First of all what has TO done since he’s been a Cowboy that is so bad? Imagine TO, Chad, Terry Glenn in the slot, and Jason Witten and you’re worried about them having a diva competition? That offense would score fifty a game!
There is not one draft pick at any position that would have the impact that Chad Johnson would have at wide receiver. They both can do the hula in the endzone after each TD for all I care. I would trade Cleveland’s pick right now for Chad and personally throw in a HOF jacket. You take his antics way too seriously.
Jessie, our offense gives the Bills 6 turnovers and at least 14 pts. Their QB, rookie or not, played a smart game. Correct me if Im wrong our offense until the Viking game hasnt done crap til mid way though the second quarter. I dont count the Giants game simply because it was our first game were we put it together. I dont think we are a finished D but I do think they have performed above my expectations of them so far. Exceeding my expectations has brought them my respect to believe they can continue to improve. We have brought way more pressure and more consistently. Not to mention we are still blowing assignments and getting it done. Only the foolish want to compare us to NE and Indy at this stage. However we have seen enough encouraging sign to be excited enough to believe they can continue and be worthy of competeing with those teams in week 20. Thats what the goal is to be the best in the last game we play not the first 8.
“can do the hula in the endzone after each TD for all I care”
You’re okay with 3 WRs over 30. I agree they are dominant right now, but for how long and at what cap hit? How we gonna get Burner Turner too and still sign Dmac?
jevans,
First of all, I absolutely LOVE what TO has said and done on the field and off this year. He’s been a great teammate and player, and I’m very happy that he’s a Cowboy.
But…there’s not room for two beauty queens at the party. These guys don’t share, not the ball or the spotlight. Give me one example where an NFL team has had the balls to even try such a combo.
And ask Marvin Smith if I’m taking OchoCinco’s “antics” too seriously. Cincy’s offense was supposed to put up 50 a game this year, too, but where has that gone? This isn’t fantasy football…
TG is not going to make a living in the slot, let it go. You guys have a man crush on Wes Walker. I could play the slot, in my 20s, with Moss on one side and Stallworth on the other. Put Crayton in that O and hes got the same numbers as Wes. Get TG back up to speed in the number 2 and watch PCs numbers explode.
Raiders got beat in the SuperBowl with Rich Gannon throwing to Tim Brown and Jerry Lewis.
birdness,
I fail to see how McGahee, who wanted OUT of Buffalo and was traded to Baltimore, has anything to do with MBIII. (McGahee got a $6mil/yr deal, if it matters)
As for MBIII wanting to be “the guy”–do you know anything about him at all? He’s always been a two-back guy back to the platoon with Maroney in Minn, and hasn’t complained about his role or anything like that at all. He’s got a sweet deal in Dallas with a great role on a winning team, and he’ll get a lot more money in ‘09 as a UFA than he would as an RFA with a team having to also sacrifice picks for him.
“TG is not going to make a living in the slot”
He’s small, but knows how to get down when going across the middle. I think he would be fine there.
birdness, are you comparing Tim Brown to TO and Jerry Lewis (I don’t even know who that is) too Chad Johnson?
Re: Rafael’s Post
His analysis, as we all know, is dead on. Not that I care anymore, but it is a bye week. The national media, a certain high profile network for sure, loves to give the Giants an excuse for their poor defensive play early on. We hear about the new scheme and the new coordinator learning his players and about Strahan being out of shape. We hear about how young and talented their front is, and it is.
However, their DT are average. They still have a safety issue opposite of Gibril Wilson. Furthermore, I still dare them to put Ross on Owens. Ross has played well, but they blitz him a ton. Are they doing this to limit his coverage liabilities at this point in his career. I think they are.
On the other hand, Dallas’ defense is “suspect” because of what New York and New England did to them. It is funny how all the sudden New England being “the best team of all time” doesn’t factor into their assessment of the Dallas defense.
The media doesn’t mention that Dallas has a new defensive system and coordinator. The talking heads ignore the fact that the Phillips and Stewart are learning how to use their players as well. Never mind that they have been doing it with Ellis, Newman and Henry missing major time and Reeves and Jones getting thrown in the fire and learning. Ferguson was lost in the first quarter of game one. Jay Ratliff has done an amazing job, but does anyone outside of Dallas care, no.
You have to love that double standard. I know we are playing the Eagles next, and my focus is really on them first. However, as a simple fan, I can peek at the Giants’ game, and frankly, the Giants don’t scare me.
You know what I think about. We will see it at Philly, but not like we will at N.Y. This is what you can expect at New York:
…illegal block #82, holding # 70, holding # 76, pass interference #41, #42, and # 35, personal foul, illegal block # 29, chop block # 21…ect…
The NFL wants the Giants and Eli Manning on top, so they can market them. You can expect a repeat of the Chicago game and the New England game as far as the officiating is concerned.
I challenge the great and almighty Rodger Goodell to make sure this game is officiated fairly. We don’t want to be given anything. We just want a fair playing field. Rodger should get the NFL out of bloody London and communicate to the officials that they need to play it fair.
Expect to see Romo in first and 20 and backed up after a punt return or kickoff return due to some trumped up illegal block call like the one on Keith Davis last week. Expect to see the Giants get 2nd chances on 3rd downs due to phantom penalties.
If you read between some of Phillips’ comments about the penalties, he isn’t happy about many of the calls against Dallas. Parcells wouldn’t discuss the bad calls, but Phillips will give you little clues and hints about what he thinks about some of the calls. Just read between the lines at his press conferences.
RE: #30 Good points about the defensive learning curve and injuries.
RE: #17 Sqidlo, I’ll start looking. I think Barber should stay, and I will be upset if we lose him. His running style and his intangibles make this offense better. He helps you win games. He is part of the young nucleus of players. Letting him walk would be crazy. He brings attitude and attitude is contagious.
I’ve never met any Coyboy players so I have no idea what goes through their heads. I just think it is foolish to believe that once a player puts on the star or any other logo, that they plan on playing the rest of their games with that team.
Marion couldn’t complain about sharing the rock in school or he would have been benched and Maroney would have taken all the carries. Likewise he had limited standing when he came to the Boys as a backup.
Certainly when it’s time to talk money Marion will ask for fair value. Will Jerry match 6 mil/yr (McGahee) if that is going rate?
I think this is a much bigger deal than the quality of our D.
Birdness, hes 33 and has played the 1 or 2 spot his whole career. The slot is a good place to get killed. Tell me why he is going to jump on that. Numbers, no, he gets those in the 2 spot.
Greatwhite?Birdness
So now its Chad’s fault that Cincy can’t tackle, cover anyone, etc.?Let’s give Chad a little credit when he said he wouldn’t do anymore endzone “antics” while the team was losing and has kept his word. Also, you state TO has been a great teammate on and off the field so what’s the problem? Winning solves a lot of problems as do SB rings. These guys are silly, not stupid.
Birdness
Technically, Chad is 29 and not “over 30.” I maintain that you would not get a player in the draft with Chad’s immediate impact. DCs would kill themselves rather than gameplan for those receivers. As for the slary cap,not my problem cause it’s not my $. (smile)
“Tim Brown to TO and Jerry Lewis (I don’t even know who that is) too Chad Johnson?”
Yes the Raiders had a stud WR and picked up another when Rice left the 9ers. Both egos fit on the same field, so the Raiders had a good O for a year or two. I never liked Jerry Rice.
SHB
Greatwhite/Birdness
Jerry Lewis?
Heeey pretty laaadyyy with the hoiven and the moyven and the face and the I wanna kiss it.
Check this out…http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Lewis#Controversy
Jerry Lewis is a scumbag idiot.
Jerry Porter, maybe? He’s 10x funnier than Jerry Lews, but not Professor Frink.
“As for the slary cap,not my problem cause it’s not my $. (smile)”
Gotta sign all your important players not just your favorite WR. Romo, Tnew both RBs are up.
I do agree that Johnson and TO would be difficult to match up with and that Johnson will be better for 2 or 3 years than any WR in the next draft.
Squid
He’s going to jump on it because he’s under contract.
“Professor Frink”
From the Simpsons?
Grandpa Simpson “That feels warm”
Professor Frink “The actual death ray will be far more powerfull”
jevans,
Obviously Johnson isn’t at fault for all of Cincy’s woes. And I didn’t hear about his toning down the TD silliness. Sounds like he might have his priorities straight underneath it all.
I still don’t want him on the same team as TO. Here’s why: TO has indeed been a good guy this year and mostly last year too, but it’s not just because the team is winning. It’s because TO finally feels like his skills have been recognized to their full capacity. He’s getting paid like the best receiver in the game (thanks, Jerry), he’s got a QB that makes every effort to get him the ball and works hard to relate to him on and off the field, and he’s got a coaching staff that is constantly telling him–and everyone else–how important he is and how hard they’re trying to get him involved. Basically, his ego is getting stroked every time he turns around, and that’s what he’s always wanted. Now do you really think everything would work out if suddenly he’s got to compete for attention with the second-largest personality in the receiving world (sorry Steve Smith). And do you think Wade and Redball and Tony would actually be able to walk that tightrope between them every single day and still have some energy left over to run a football team? Let’s just say I’m skeptical…
“Check this out…http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Lewis#Controversy
Jerry Lewis is a scumbag idiot.”
That killed me.
“Let’s just say I’m skeptical…”
I just assume draft a touted first day WR to push TO even harder.
Elderado you’re the still the guy, just see if you can give the kid some pointers.
No he is not. He has been hurt nearly every year we have had him and you want to put him in a dangerous role were he maybe can get hurt again right before the playoffs. Thats just brillant. Why would we leave PC at number 2 where he is no deep threat and has worse numbers in a way more explosive attack, than put him in his natural 3 spot and get more production out of him, and put TG in his 2 spot who would take some pressure off of TO and get way more production from our 2 spot with a deep threat everyone is screaming for. He wouldn take that position and if they cut him he would be swooped up by someone else so fast it suck the clothes off of his back.
birdness,
So you’re saying that Jerry “Lewis” Rice or Tim Brown are of a comperable ego/personality to TO or Chad Johnson? Yeah, try going to a 49ers or Raiders site and say that one.
And you’re also saying that Rice in his Raider days was of similar skill level to TO or 85 now? Hmmm… anyone else want to take a swing at this one? It’s sitting there on the tee just smiling at you…
Squid, you’re forgetting that Crayton is every bit as good as Reggie Wayne…
So Greatwhite,
You’re not talking about fielding a pair of great WRs, you specifically mean fielding two a-holes at the same time. Then I would have to go with Swan and Stalworth.
birdness, you’ve hit the nail on the head as to what I’m talking about… unfortunately, my football memory doesn’t go back as far as Swan and Stallworth, although I remember that Swan was/is beloved back in PA.
They seemed to be class guys playing for a hated rival. Tim Brown also falls into the class guy crowd but Jerry Rice is a different story. He wanted every pass. When TO came along he was pushed out kicking and screaming.
Chad Johnson played JuCo with Steve Smith. He fits with Housh so I don’t think he would be a problem teaming with TO.
Now TO did team with Rice, way back when he was a young pup. Today he’s a Big Dog. I don’t think he could cope sharing the spotlight.
Squid
Terry Glenn is under contract. This discussion was based on the thought of trading for Chad Johnson, (Purely bye week chatter.) However, in that scenario, Crayton becomes the 4th receiver behind TO, Glenn, and Chad. You can then put anyone in the slot you want, or rotate them or whatever.
Just get them all on the field, win the game, and handle the bitching and moaning later.
Way to much money for that line up. Its not that it wont happen its that it cant happen. I think TO would work better in the slot in that senario. He has the size and the ability to break tackles. TG is to fragile and CJ would waste his talent there.
Penalties Giants VS Cowboys
Games played @ New York:
2004 Cowboys 6-93 Giants 3-25
2005 Cowboys 7-46 Giants 6-44
2006 Cowboys 9-94 Giants 7-58
Total Penalties and Yards @ New York:
Dallas 22-233 Giants 16-127
2004 Dallas 21 New York 24
2005 Dallas 10 New York 17
2006 Dallas 23 New York 20
Don’t let the 2005 stats fool you. Aaron Glenn was called for a bogus illegal contact on a critical 3rd down that gave the Giants a first down. The call kept the drive alive when it should have ended. As a result, the Giants continued the drive and scored their only touchdown. Glenn had one of his best games as a Cowboy. He had two interceptions, and he disputed the call after the game.
During the last three games @ New York, Dallas was penalized 65% of the total yards marked off in the games. New York was penalized 35% of the total yards marked off.
In the 2003 game @ New York, which I didn’t include, Dallas was penalized a cool 108 yards in a 35-32 win.
Penalties Giants @ Cowboys 2004-2006
2004 Cowboys 11-74 Giants 9-60
2005 Cowboys 6-44 Giants 6-32
2006 Cowboys 1-5 Giants 3-24
Total Penalties and Yards @ Dallas
Dallas 18-123 Giants 18-116
Off the topic…
Looking at the caliber and depth and youth of our players, I don’t see many number of players we need to draft to replace the current ones. Therefore I am all for trading our 2nd, and below to pick up another 1st round choice and feast on best players available. Just a thought.. Please don’t kill me.
Why, if you can keep getting 3rd rounders like Hatcher? Get more, pay less, let go of more marginal players (like Jones and Austin?)
Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for getting the best players available. However, if the guy comes in the 1st, fans (like many on this blog) will expect the guy to be All Pro his first year. Look how they treat Williams and Carpenter here, and the dismay at drafting Spencer when Dallas already had linebackers.
Better to get some good players late, where they’ll have time to develop into players before people decide they are busts.
Let’s wrap this up by comparing the penalties and yardage for both teams at the two different game locations.
Total Penalties and Yardage @ NY
Dallas 22-233 New York 16-127
When the teams have played at New York during the past three years, Dallas has had 6 more penalties called than New York. However, as stated above, look at the disparity in yardage marked off. Dallas is punished with 65% of the total yards marked off while New York gets 35% of the yardage marked off.
We can conclude by looking at the numbers that Dallas will be playing the officials and the Giants at New York in two weeks.
Total Penalties and Yardage @ Dallas
Dallas 18-123 Giants 18-116
Some homefield advantage. The game appears to be called even. However, don’t forget the no calls that can affect the outcome of a game. The numbers or stats will not reveal this aspect. Those no calls are the hidden yardage in games. That fact should be remembered for the @ NY stats as well.
Finally, the penalties are dead even @ Dallas and the yardage is about even. Although, New York still comes out ahead in the yardage category. Importantly, the Giants don’t have to worry about playing the officials when they visit Dallas.
However, when Dallas travels to New York, the penalties called and yardage marked off is weighted in the New York Giants favor, and the disparity is troubling.
I challenge Rodger Goodell to have the games called fairly in the next three weeks and for the remainder of the season. I am not holding my breath.
Penalties and Yardage 2007
Cowboys 7-55 Giants 4-45
Dallas took care of one of the NFL’s favorite teams, so the league went after Dallas during the next two weeks. Look at the numbers.
@ Miami Cowboys 11-101 Miami 7-57
@ Chicago Cowboys 12-100 Bears 5-28
After failing to get the result it wanted, the NFL decided that they better chill out on their calls against the Cowboys. If anyone watched the two games, they could see how Dallas played at times with one hand behind its back. Some of the calls ranged from the invisible ones called against Dallas, the obvious bad or “agenda” calls against Dallas, and the no calls against the other teams.
So Goodell and his officials toned it down. Everyone saw how the Bears game was called against Dallas. So, we got this:
Rams Cowboys 2-10 Rams 7-50
@Bills Cowboys 5-31 Bills 5-49
Then the Patriots came to Dallas, and the yellow flags flew again against the Cowboys.
Cowboys 12-98 Patriots 5-50
After the league’s successful 12 penalty 98 yard performance, the Vikings came to town and things “got back to normal”.
Cowboys 4-22 Vikings 4-36
I know the Cowboys have had some legitimate penalties against them this year; however, I know that Dallas’ penalties (and yards marked off) have been unjustly inflated by some shady officiating.
Coming soon: A look at the Redskins and Cowboys Penalties/Locations.
Forget the last “coming soon” part of #68. No reason to go on. It is what it is. No reason for over kill.
Wow some people view this defense through rose colored glasses. Here is how the offenses that Dallas have faced so far this year rank
Giants 6
Fins 15
Bears 26
Rams 30
Bills 31
Pats 1
Viks 23
Scout so all the false starts on Flo are a conspiracy?
Since it is a bye week, just one more guy nitpicking. Some of it is interesting though, see how many you knew about before you read it. It is all about the uniforms.
Scout-
So Do You Truly Believe There Is Some Kind Of Mandate By SomeOne (Goddell or Other) which causes The Increase In Penalties Against The Cowboys vs Teams such as Pats & NYG?
Scout, just noticed your post from way earlier and just to make sure we are on the same page, because my grammer and train of thought are suspect. BP didnt start MBIII because he didnt have a 3rd down back he could count on so he started JJ and let MBIII be his third down back. Maybe instead of a stud RB(Turner and McFad) we find a 3rd down back to replace JJ and make MBIII are featured, starting RB. A third down back is cheaper and can be found in later rounds opposed 1st round. I figured you and Donny could give us some names over the next several weeks of guys coming out who could fill that role for us. That way we could cheapen the price of our back field and use our 2 firsts and a second on CB, FS, and WR. Just a thought.
I have to admit Im not much of a conspiracy guy and the cowboys may be in a smaller market than NY, but the Cowboys are actually more popular and bigger fan base. Having said that the boys have gotten the shaft by the officials on some very suspect calls. 2 pushed out of bounds on TO not called. TOs faux spike that cost us a delay of game and 15. The 15 yard facemask that cost us the Redskin game last year. The faux blocking in the back on Witten. Im sure there are others Im leaving out. The false starts are certainly there, no question.
Squid-
Due to your email, I decided to begin doing a rough draft board already. I thought Id have fun with it.
Here’s a name for you for a 3rd Down back
Dantrell Savage Oklahoma St. 5′9″ 195
At 5-foot-9, 195 pounds, Savage is a fast, elusive runner with game-breaking ability, but has been considered a situational player. However, since his return four weeks ago against Texas Tech, Savage has shown he can be an every down back. In OSU’s last four games, including his 212-yard performance this past weekend against Nebraska, Savage has carried the ball 86 times for 567 yards and two touchdowns. That’s an average of 21.5 carries for 142 yards a game over that span. The senior tailback is making a name for himself and climbing up draft boards with his explosive play.
sirius,
No.
Do you think the holding call on Flozell Adams in the 2005 Washington game at Dallas on a Monday night was justified? It prevented Dallas from running out the clock.
The replay clearly showed it was a bogus call. If Dallas gets the first down it rightly deserved, the game is over. Dallas wins 13-7. Even Madden said he didn’t see Adams do anything illegal on Keyshawn Johnson’s catch.
I guess the official decided Washington deserved another chance.
Do you think the replay official should have overturned Jason Witten’s first down at Seattle in the playoff game last year? It should have been first and goal at the 1 yard line.
The official standing right there on at the orange marker immediately marked the ball for a first down. He had didn’t have his view distorted by multiple different camera angles.
That is one of the most biased calls I have ever seen in my entire life.
My understanding of the rule states that the mark should stand on the field when different camera angles show the ball’s forward progress appearing to be at multiple spots.
There should be “irrefutable” evidence before a call can be over turned on the field. According to Jerry Jones, the competition committee agreed to uphold spots on the field and go with the official who is standing right there, instead of relying on the optical illusions of camera angles.
Did this lose the game?
It sure didn’t help.
#73 Donny,
The evidence is hard to ignore. I do think the league doesn’t like the Cowboys. I do believe that they would prefer the Giants to win big, so they can promote the team and another Manning. New York is a big town. The Yankees are loved by people all over the country. The Giants are not. Why? I tell you one reason why. Tom Landry and Jimmy Johnson built dynasties, and Dallas became America’s team.
I think there are some very powerful people in the league office in New York City that don’t like the Cowboys and their tradition of winning.
Goodell is the big chief. It is on him to make sure that Dallas doesn’t get cheated and gets a fair shake during every single game.
How else can you explain some of the bizar calls that Dallas gets year after year, especially recently.
Look who is playing in London this week. London is only a 4 hour flight from New York. Maybe, some people will fly over the pond and watch the Giants. I think they love soccer, but Goodell is determined to go global.
#74 Squidlo,
I agree with you. I want Barber getting the bulk of the carries. It is nice to have him fresh in the 4th though. I think your right about a third down back.
The Cowboys really looked at Lorenzo Booker last year. He would fit the mold.
I am with you on that idea.
Dallas is a passing team with a quarterback as talented as Romo. Barber gets the job done. He wears the other team out in the fourth quarter. He kills teams carry by carry. Dallas will get the explosive plays in the passing game. It isn’t like Barber can’t rip off a big one anyway.
I like Jason Garrett’s formula for success.
I would draft one of the speed receivers in round one next year.
(Douglas, Avery, or Hawkins) Kelly might be gone, or I would consider him.
#76 Donny,
Good job. Keep them coming.
I wonder if that RB from Oregon runs a 4.4 like people are saying. He has Micheal Turner’s size.
Also, Dallas filed an official complaint to the league office about the second kicking ball that Folk booted at Buffalo for the win.
According to the deep snapper, the ball was really slick. He had to snap it.
That might not be the league, but it is the league’s responsibility to monitor or uphold the integrity of the rule.
Manning hired a guard to monitor the rubbing up of the footballs before the Super Bowl.
Scout,
I might be wrong but i would think the teams that has the most merchandise sold would be .. in no order…
The Raiders, Cowboys, Packers, and the Steelers.
If LA had a team your big city theory would hold more water.
Note to Wayne Huizenga:
Your team’s record sucks. Why don’t you spend some money on some players that can play some football? Why don’t you draft better? Why did you hire the ego-maniac Nick Saban?
Why don’t you do something to motivate the people of South Florida to come see the games? Then you may be able to generate some revenue and interest in your team.
You are playing in a city that didn’t watch the Marlins win they were really good.’
Oh yeah, you were the one that liquidated a World Championship baseball team after YOU decided that winning one title was “good enough”.
Expecting other teams in the NFL to fly over seas and play your sorry and pathetic team just so you and the NFL can get more dollars stuck in your pockets just doesn’t fly with middle America.
Why don’t you try a proven formula for success. You and that idiot owner from Buffalo and others should take note of the teams that have generated revenue. Those are the teams that have won consistently at some time or another.
Why don’t you study these teams:
Dallas, San Francisco, Washington, Philadelphia, New York Giants, Green Bay, New England, Indainapolis, Pittsburgh, Denver, Oakland, and Kansas City
Dallas is building a new stadium. Washington did it. The Eagles did it. The Giants are doing it. The Patriots did it. The Colts are doing it. The Steelers did it. The Broncos did it.
There is plenty of money to go around in the league. If you would invest more money in your sorry franchise, you might get a better return on your investment.
It is cheap-skates like you that pull the teams I listed above down. Why should they have to sacrifice one of only eight home games so and other losers can make more jack over seas?
This game belongs to the United States of America. Don’t forget that. Don’t forget. Don’t you forget.
Sirius,
The league office sits right smack dab in the middle of New York City.
The Giants are the darlings of the town, not the Jets. I don’t have any concrete evidence linking the biased calls against Dallas to Goodell or anyone in the league office. All I know is what I see with my eyes. The officials work for the NFL. Why aren’t they ever suspended for some of the bizar calls, especially against Dallas. There is little public accoutability with the officials and their bosses.
I wish I could investigate it, because I would bug their phones, meetings, and interview people at the league office. However, I don’t have the power to do it.
The previous NFL head honcho despised Jerry Jones and the Cowboys. Jerry Jones was a maverick owner who went against the grain to make money for the league and his team while winning Super Bowls.
I think Goodell was promoted from within the league office. I might be wrong on that one. I’ll have to check. If he was, he probably has no love for Jerry Jones and the Cowboys.
It isn’t about New York being a big city. However, the Giants could be marketed to the nation better than a team like Seattle because of the mere size of New York. The city’s prestiage helps as well, and the East Coast media can promote them to the nation if they win games.
In my opinion, it is about human beings running the league being jealous of the Dallas Cowboys’ success. Dallas has been America’s team. Dallas has been the most prestigious franchise in NFL history. Dallas has fans all across the nation like no other team does. The NFL’s goal is to promote parity, not Super Teams. Does the NFL like the thought of another emerging Dallas dynasty? The calls on the field tell me no. The officials work for the NFL.
Since 1993, the NFL has promoted parity by introducing the salary cap. What a coincidence, the NFL gets a salary cap just in time to help offset an emerging dynasty in Dallas. The NFL wants other teams in the spot-light, and the Cowboys franchise is the enormous elephant standing in the middle of the stage.
In my opinion, there is no question that the league wants the Giants in the spot-light, and they want them to win big. Eli Manning has the squeeky clean image that the league covets. Plus, he is a Manning.
However, Dallas could prevent that goal by being better than the Giants.
The NFL wants to market the Giants to every state in the country. Furthermore, I think there are some powerful people working for the NFL who would like to see Dallas not succeed due to jealousy. Who better to replace them? The Yankees are a national team. Why not the Giants. After all, the Cowboys are the major reason that the Giants are not a national team.
The circumstantial evidence is there. Just look at the discrpency in the penalties and yards marked off and the bizar or highly dubious calls that the Cowboys have accrued since Parcells brought the Cowboys back to life.
Just look at those Cowboys/Giants penalty stats. They don’t lie.
I am done talking about this subject. If anyone disagrees, you will not catch any grief from me.
Sirius, I am not just talking to you, I am talking to the whole board.
I apologize for the typing mistakes or spelling mistakes. I am tired. I done.
Regarding the penalties, etc….
Recently, I’ve wondered why it is that the Replay Official can overturn a play such as a pass reception to an incomplete without challenge and then NOT overturn an obvious bogus call for a penalty. It would seem to me that that would be one of their responsibilities (or at least, it should be).
The “push out” of TO on the TD catch was not called by the onfield official and because it wasn’t, the challenge did not hold up. WTF? If the play is challenged, then should not all factors be considered by the Referee when reviewing the play?
Now I realize that too much “reviewing” can slow down the pace of a game and I certainly am not advocating that. However, when I see Patrick Watkins clearly maintaining position on the field and get called for pass interference in the endzone against Moss then one cannot help but wonder why it is not the same as a charging foul in basketball. Saw the same type of call when a receiver clearly ran over a DB and the DB was called for “illegal contact” as he reward for maintaining his position on the field. Witten’s bogus call for blocking in the back still pisses me off when a “review” would clearly, and unrefutably shown that his head was in front of the opponent and was definitely NOT a block in the back.
JMO and JMR (Just My Rant)…
scout
It sounds like you might be thinking into it a bit too much. The number one objective of this league is to earn money. I would think it would hurt the league to discount a team that represents a large part of their fanbase and show favor to the Giants. Sure the Giants are from a larger city, but we have fans all over. I just think the league is too smart too risk their credibility in that way.
Scout-
All I can say is WOW.
I would really hate to think you are correct.
Maybe all 32 teams should be allowed to bug the league and officials offices. The owners employ them anyway.
I do have a hard time thinking it is possible though that Goddell could pull something like that off without it leaking somehow.
If he had a deal with a single official, it may be possible but how would he mandate something like that to ALL officials without one guy tipping off a paper for $1,000,000.
That being said, I am not happy with Goddell thus far and I do think it will get worse. I see him as a man who is too egomaniacal for the job and a man who has the ability to abuse power. I think he is biased and to narrow minded to see that he makes mistakes.
The Belichick & Wade Wilson incidents still stick in my mind.
If you were correct, I wouldn’t exactly be surprised. I just do not know how he would pull it off.
I have recently noticed, however, how the opinions of the media and the officiating seem to coincide with each other. I have also noticed how every media personality seem to agree on everything to a almost impossible level.
Last week, I must have heard every single television analyst talk about how the Patriots are the MOST unselfish team and franchise ever.
They all said it. No one disagreed. It is almost like someone from atop is trying to brainwash us that it is the truth.
I, personally, do not see it that way. I disagree so how could not one of them disagree. The patriot players were walking off the field in Texas throwing popcorn to mock TO. The Dolphins say the Patriots were pouring it on in disrespect. This doesn’t exactly jive with such a noble and unselfish franchise.
And why didn’t the Pats vote to allow defensive radio’s in helmets. Come on now. I think they should have banned Belichick along with taking away a first round draft pick. And if they have evidence that Robert Kraft knew what was going on they take away firsts for a minimum of 3 years.
And they suspend Wade Wilson for treating diabetes when he should not even be under the performance enhancing drug policy. Messed up.
I’m not sure about fixing the officiating but I am pretty sure there are biases.
I guess it is possible that Goddell has a specific marketing plan which has been shared with key individuals. It is possible
Slide910…
You make a seemingly credible point and while I don’t have anything as evidence (other than circumstantial) to refute it, there are other means to accomplish the “trimming” of a popular team. I’ll use the analogy of the “hired assassin” as my basis.
The officials are “hired” by the NFL to “officiate” games. If the officials “trim” a popular teams record with questionable (and as we’ve seen recently, bogus) calls, then the “League” can claim innocence that cannot be disproved. However, the official is clearly “on the payroll” of the “League” which makes their “loyalty” inherent to the “hand that feeds them” does it not?
We see the “League” review game films and hand out fines to players for play, e.g. Roy Williams for the “horse collar”, that was not flagged by the official who was right there within a few yards of the “so called” foul. So why is it that they fine players and not fine officials (or even sanction them) with blatant, bogus calls within a game or even “no calls”? Ever wonder why that’s so? Maybe it’s because the “League” doesn’t want to punish one of its own or something along that order.
JMR…
Digger-
Eloquently put.
Do you want to be my attorney?
Scout-
Re: WR Draft
If James Hardy comes out, I’d absolutely love to grab the guy. Could you imagine getting Tracy Porter and James Hardy. Hardy has reported 4.4 speed with 6′7″ height. It seems he outplayed Justin King, although I did not watch the game or tape. He is 6′7″ with 4.4 speed and good hands. How can you go wrong with that? More recently, he has also been going over the middle and can concentrate in traffic. He should be able to contribute immediately and after a year of weight training become a true NUMBER 1 WR stud.
I do not like Desean Jackson. I know many of you do, but he is not even the best WR on his team. Sure he can return kicks but so can several other guys we could get latter. I am looking for a guy who can either be a SPEED number 2 WR or a true NUMBER 1. James Hardy is the guy for me at this moment and I just have a gut feeling that if he declares his stock is going to soar.
Anyone ever see the movie Clear and Present Danger, or read the book. In it the President starts a war with Coombian drug cartels. He does it with out ever directly saying it. He just slightly insinuates it to his closest advisor.
Can you picture Goodell doing this to some of his cronies, the head of officiating, the media chief or whoever. It seems like it is too far fetched, but there are just too many “what the f*** things that go on that we don’t see in other games. The quarterback coach getting a 5 game suspension and fined how many thousand of dollars? I’ve seen more bogus hold and interference calls in the last two years than any fan should see. Not one, but two, non calls on force out plays? When has a player ever been cleared to practice with a team, but not allowed to play during a suspension. Either he is suspended or he isn’t.
Maybe its just coincidence, but I don’t believe in coincidences. Even if it is Its still frustrating as hell.
Apparently, the “League” has digressed into a highly political organization. Such seems to be the trend with any large organization where people are vying for power and authority.
Regarding Johnson’s “semi-suspension” per elharpo, it would seem that Goodell could just have easily reduced the suspension to 6 games instead of what he did decide. After all, Johnson would still need a couple of weeks to practice with the team before he could really be ready to play anyway. I wonder if the situation had been for a NY team or even NE whether the same decision would have been made. Who’s to really know.
JMR…
anybody notice the horrible job our former def coordinator mike zimmer is doing in atlanta. Now that Grady Jackson is gone, he now has no pro bowlers. I’m certain his defensive schemes would have put us in a much worse situation than we are now.
I bet any fan could bring up a long list of poor calls against his or her team in every sport. I live in teh Seattle area and I can tell you that following the Super bowl between the Hawks and the Steelers that is all anyone talking about.
Now Scout if you said that some of these refs were on the take from the mob.. that I would buy into.
Donny:
I agree with the suspensions he has dealt out. Do I think the one against Wade Wilson was too harsh? maybe. But, if what Wilson did was on completely on the up and up why did he go to an anti aging company to get his meds? If he had nothing to hide why did he not just have his doctor give him a prescription(s) to be filled at his local rite-aid?
What I disagree with is a regular season game played in England. What I cannot fathom is even considering the Super Bowl being played off US soils. There are so many US cities that want, that deserve the Super Bowl to snub them for anywhere outside the US is a insult. Do you think for a second that Europe would allow whatever is the biggest soccer game of the year to be played here?
The fine against Bellacheck was largest it could be by NFL rules. The fine against the team was too small. What I think the NFL should have taken cap space away from the Pats. 15 million this year. Right now. I think the whole thing was sweated under the rug.
ugh sorry for grammer and mis spelled words.. Raf can we get spell check around here.. not only will it make me look better, but people might better understand what I am trying to say.
We recently saw the surfacing of NBA referees making their calls to influence the outcomes of games. So why should that only be limited to the NBA? Only the naive would say otherwise would they not?
JMR…
sirius…
Don’t sweat the spelling stuff on the blog unless the end result is so indicernable that no one can remotely understand what it is that your attempting to convey. We all “fat finger” the keyboard and are guilty of making keying errors!
LOL…
Oh crap! Even grammar is not beyond reproach! The phrase, “…what it is that your…” should have been, “…what it is that you’re…” so see, even if you’re careful, mistakes happen.
LOL…
chubby fingers UNITE!
Digger, call me naive if you must, but I’ll wait for the evidence before assuming that NFL refs are cheating. If you really think the refs are crooked. I don’t see how you could watch the games. I’d drop the NFL in a heart beat if evidence were uncovered of some widespread scandal regarding crooked refs.
I do think they make bad calls and I do think it will continue to happen. The game is just too fast for mere humans to get it perfect every time.
I wish, however, that they would call only penalties that they actually see. Sometimes they seem make calls based on reaction. Like when a defensive player jumps up and starts pointing at an offensive linemen alleging motion. Sometimes I think those flags come out because of the D lineman’s antics rather than actual illegal motion.
Don’t even get me started on the ‘blocking in the back’ call on Witten. The ref that threw that flag should be sent back to Pop Warner.
On the Owen’s non-push-out decision, that call was just bad. I think the ref was looking at Owen’s feet and just didn’t see the contact. Blind? Maybe. Why push outs are not reviewable is beyond me.
By the way, maybe the NFL should just pare back ‘judgement calls’ altogether. Like, no push-out rule at all. A players feet are both in, or they’re not. Easy. A fumble ‘can’ be caused by the ground. Hold on to the damn ball or lose it. Easy. Howabout it. Do we want to go in that direction. ?
I’m talking to myself here. Back to yard work. See ya later
sirius,
I agree with the point on why Wilson would get his prescription from an online source. Rick Ankiel and Paul Byrd got their prescriptions from online and signed by dentists. If these guys all had legitimate reasons, then why do they seem to go through the back door.
Actually, I don’t blame them for doing it. They had serious injuries and millions of dollars at stake. I’d probably do the same thing to take care of my family, but I’d like to think I’d stay above board.
CowboyMan, you’re on to something there, and spec. with that pushout rule.
Some of the rules are just bad rules, and that’s the stupidest. It’s all in the name of trying to get more Offense. Well, it is an “offensive” rule.
One of the great plays in football is that perfectly timed hit when a DB lays out a WR and makes him drop the ball (or fly out of bounds). The DB’s hands are really tied with that rule.
TO is not going to get the calls. He has a rep, right or wrong, and the bias is always going to be against him.
That said, I think all of this is subconscious on the part of the refs, not a real conspiracy. I think you guys are on to something, but the NFL is to money-driven to have an actual conspiracy against its most popular franchise. But we all know the Boys are also the most hated team, and I’m sure there’s an unconscience bias that gets in the way. Refs are human.