SB Nation User Blog: DalaiLuke

Great Review of the Giants - Cowboys "War of Words"

DalaiLuke — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 22:04:45 -0000

Great Review of the Giants - Cowboys "War of Words"

ESPN's Trent Dilfer rates NFL QBs

DalaiLuke — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 11:13:48 -0000

ESPN's Trent Dilfer rates NFL QBs

Terry will LOVE the description, but ... Romo at #10???

KNOCKING AT THE DOOR

Quarterbacks with immense talent and potential who haven't won anything of significance yet. Playoff success will launch them into a higher category.

1. Tony Romo, Dallas

Analysis: Quickest release in the NFL … unparalleled ability to throw from multiple foot platforms, both intermediately and down the field … as artistic as any quarterback in the league, instinctively using all available resources (eye placement, shoulder nods, pump fakes, arm angles, you name it) … can make something out of nothing on a consistent basis … sometimes careless with the football, both in the pocket and through the air … limited big-game success.

Every Team Finds Their SPARK

DalaiLuke — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 00:37:37 -0000

Seems every team, in addition to talent and chemistry, finds that extra spark from a guy that captures magic in a bottle. Bill Bates comes to mind as one of those players capable of motivating the entire team with one solid HIT. The Cowboys' roster seems to be overflowing with guys poised for break-out seasons, but who will be the MAN that stands out as giving the Boys that extra spark in 2009?

1. MBIII - The 2007 spark epitomized by his run against the Patriots, shoving aside tacklers, avoiding a safety and gaining a few yards.

2. Felix - The 2008 phenom potential, only to be lost early to injury, Jones has the tools.

3. Austin - Mere flashes last year left Cowboys fans wanting more.

4. Romo - From his first start - the nationally televised Sunday Night game against the Panthers - he's shown the talent it takes to win big... and thus single-handedly upped all Cowboys fans' expectations.

5. Sensabaugh - There's a reason Jags fans are sorry to say good-bye to their 2008 defensive spark ... given his surrounding talent, he may prove even better in big D.

6. Demarcus Ware / Anthony Spencer - It's easy to pick Ware as the guy; we practically expect it from him. But what if he were to take his already dominant game to an even higher level? With Ware garnering attention, don't be surprised if Spencer takes full advantage of the starting role he's assuming... If he gets double-digit sacks, this team will thrive.

7. The Rookies - Hodge, Williams, Hamlin, Bueller, etc... any one of the rookies could put the "special" into our kicking game. I must admit, I've only watched limited footage of these guys (mostly on Draft weekend), so I cannot pick one guy... but the expectations for this rookie group are already raising at BTB and throughout Cowboy land.

Who's your choice? Who would you add to the list?

NEW YORK -- The NFL will stage 16 games this season to honor the American Football League, which...

DalaiLuke — Tue, 05 May 2009 20:31:17 -0000

NEW YORK -- The NFL will stage 16 games this season to honor the American Football League, which turns 50 in 2010.

In announcing the 16 matchups Tuesday, the NFL said the eight original AFL teams will wear historic uniforms.

Eleven legacy games will be matchups among those original AFL teams: Buffalo; New England; San Diego; Denver; Oakland; Tennessee; Kansas City; and the New York Jets.

The Chargers actually began life in Los Angeles in 1960, while the Titans were the Houston Oilers and the Chiefs were the Dallas Texans....
...
Another legacy game has the Dallas Cowboys, wearing their jerseys from 1960 to 1962, at Kansas City on Oct. 11. The Texans and Cowboys shared the Cotton Bowl from 1960 to '62 before the Texans moved to Kansas City to become the Chiefs.

On Nov. 1, the Miami Dolphins, who joined the AFL as an expansion team in 1966, visit the Jets. On Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26, Oakland visits the Cowboys.

NFL to have AFL legacy games

ESPN Draft Tool -- Cowboy's 2nd Round All-Pros

DalaiLuke — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 05:34:24 -0000

ESPN Draft Tool -- Cowboy's 2nd Round All-Pros

From Mike Sando on ESPN's NFL Blog:

ESPN.com has taken it to another level with this draft tool allowing for sorting of every choice since 1967 by the following criteria: year, round, team, college awards, college, pro coach, college coach, high school and high school state.

Revisiting Jerry the GM...

DalaiLuke — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 18:23:04 -0000

Anyone impressed with the performance of Montrae Holland yesterday has to offer yet another tip of the hat to the GM behind the move.

Jerry Jones has had an intriguing career in the NFL. As an owner, his rather dubious entry left a bad taste in people's mouth (myself included). But with time he's won over most, including myself. How can you not like an owner that has three Super Bowl wins?

There is an unwritten rule in sports: owners should not dabble in the business of the GM. Jerry Jones seemed to learn that lesson the hard way.

Yet lately it seems he's re-written that rule. Perhaps he learned a thing or two from Parcells, but in recent years, Jerry's GM moves have put him in an elite crowd. He's arguably the BEST GM in the NFL right now.

Not all agree. Three weeks ago, the media opinion du jour questioned Jerry's choice of not only coach, but also players with lack of heart. Wade was the easy scape-goat, but few players escaped criticism.

Losing streaks will do that to America's Team. Especially when the year started with Super aspirations. But upon closer look at the job Jerry Jones has accomplished in recent years as the Cowboy's GM, it's hard to deny the wisdom of so many recent moves:

1. Great Drafts - while it takes years to truly judge, the Cowboys seem to be choosing wisely in the post-Parcells era.
2. Bigg Davis - Everyone laughed until Davis and Pro-Bowl were mentioned in the same breath.
3. Hamlin - From cast-off to defensive QB, Hamlin may be Jerry's most valuable move of all.
4. Tank - Who in Texas doesn' t like a gun-lover? He's been an asset both on the field and in the locker room.
5. Zach Thomas - yet another leader both on and off the field.
6. Roy Williams - though he's just begun to unpack, few can question getting a proven stud versus the lottery WRs are in the draft.
7. ** Pacman? I'm not one to write him off yet! Jerry certainly isn't afraid to stick his neck out. Pacman's upside is huge, and the downside is off-set by an extra draft pick.

... and now Holland? One game does not make a career, and the remaining games will be the real test, but Holland seems a clear upgrade to Proctor.

At what point does Jerry Jones finally win over the skeptics?

Can A Guy Dream?

DalaiLuke — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 19:06:57 -0000

As recently as six days ago, at some point in the Washington game, every Cowboys fan had to at least consider the prospect of this team missing the playoffs. Contrast that with talk of an undefeated season most fans were discussing before the first Redskins clash... Being a Cowboy fan is nothing if not entertaining!

So now, on the eve of what should be a Cowboy gimme, indulge me as I dream. This dream includes running the table, and getting some help along the way. It includes bye weeks and maybe even home-field advantage in the NFC Championship game.

And it ends up with a Super-Bowl victory. Perhaps knocking off another undefeated AFC foe? Yes, I dare to dream.

Let's start with some simple math:

Giants 9-1 ... Panthers 8-2 ... Arizona 7-3

For the Cowboys to get a bye week means they must pass both the Giants and another of these three. It's not impossible. The Giants still play both these teams, and we get the them on our home turf. Finding a way to get past both Carolina and Arizona might be trickier... but again, can't I dream?

Here are the schedules: (forget looking at our schedule, everyone here knows who we play, and anyway, we're running the tables, right?!)

Giants: @Arizona, @Washington, Philly, @Dallas, Carolina, @Minnesota

Carolina: @Atlanta, @GreenBay, TampaBay, Denver, @Giants, @Saints

Arizona: Giants, @Philly, Rams, Vikings, @Patriots, Seattle

If the Giants lose to Arizona, suddenly Philly, Washington and even Minnesota are not gimmees. Who wouldn't LOVE to see a late season swoon from Eli and company. Giants fans don't deserve this sudden success. A year ago, NY fans were trying to run Eli, Coughlin and Co. out of town... maybe their fears will come true a little late?

Giants go 2-4 down the stretch, end 11-5 ... get a wild card berth, lose and go out with a whimper. Better yet, they win first round and we get to exact revenge. Brandon Jacobs is hurt, Eli is over-rated, and I'm a Cowboys fan, can you tell?

Carolina goes 3-3 down the stretch, losing at frigid Lambeau, then losing one of two on the road against the Saints and Atlanta, and punting one of two against TB and Denver at home. Hey, it's possible... this is a team that couldn't fight their way out of a paper bag last year.

Arizona goes 3-2 after beating the Giants... just because they're the Cardinals. The Patriots and Philly make this more than possible.

So there, I said it. Now Wade and the Boys need to take care of their end of the bargain. In this roller-coaster of a season, I dare to dream we've crested and it's smooth sailing from here.

Poll

What are the odds of this dream coming true?

I'm a fanatic: 81-100%

4 votes

I like our chances: 61-80%

2 votes

There's a decent chance: 41-60%

7 votes

Anything's possible: 21-40%

6 votes

Hard to believe 1-20%

12 votes

You're NUTS: 0%

4 votes

35 votes | Poll has closed

NFC East Challengers

DalaiLuke — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:28:56 -0000

Today's post about the Patriot beat writers liking the Cowboys brings up an interesting question: What teams will challenge the Cowboys for NFC supremacy?

Contenders... Giants, Eagles, Packers, Vikings, Saints, Seahawks

Surprises?... Redskins, Lions, Panthers, Buccaneers, Cardinals, Rams

Pretenders... Bears, Falcons, 49ers

CONTENDERS:

GIANTS - You cannot rule out the Super Bowl Champions. Especially given the fact that this team beat up on our very own Cowboys last time they met. Strahan is a loss, but this team has a solid D... the question remains whether Manning is for real.

EAGLES - This is a proud team that is always contending. The question mark here is how much gas McNabb has left in the tank. Defensively, they continue to look tough.

PACKERS - The Rodgers watch is on. The nucleus of a 13-3 team returns with a chip on it's shoulder after a tough playoff loss to the Giants. If healthy, Al Harris and Charles Woodson anchor a tough D.

VIKINGS - The Williams brothers anchor a monster defensive front that will keep Minnesota in games. The big Q: Can AP make up for Tavaris Jackson's short-comings?

SAINTS - This is the team that scares me. They were to hot pick to go all the way last year, only to lay an egg. A loaded offense, a solid defense, and Sean Patton at the helm. After the beating they put on us in '06, I can see some good hype for a Cowboys - Saints NFC Championship game.

SEAHAWKS - This team almost belongs in the Surprise category, except it's hard to count out any Holmgren-led team. JJ as the featured back can't be worse than last year's efforts, but spells trouble for their playoff hopes.

SURPRISES?...

REDSKINS - This team played inspired ball just to make the playoffs last year. I don't expect the same this year, as the loss of Taylor will show it's affects. This is yet another team banking on mere "potential" when it comes to QB. I like Campbell, but much is being put on his shoulders this year. Prediction: Portis is this year's S. Alexander = bust.

LIONS - The greatest 10-6 preseason team ... ever.

PANTHERS - It is hard to get excited about a team that looked so consistently horrible last year. Depth chart at QB = Moore, Testaverde, Carr. Say no more.

BUCCANEERS - The Bucs QB depth chart is approaching mythic status. Translate: mediocrity rules. I have always liked Garcia, but I don't think he's the answer for the Bucs this year. Last year's playoff run was more a lack of competition.

CARDINALS - This is the easy "surprise" pick... but until the Cardinals prove it on the field, they remain the "Lions of the West"

RAMS - Getting Steven Jackson back makes Bulger a better QB... the team that had a hard time winning a game without Jackson will be back in contention this year.

Pretenders... Bears, Falcons, 49ers

The not ready for prime time teams have one thing in common - unproven leadership at QB. Doesn't it always seem to be the case that weak teams somehow have decent defenses. Watch for these teams to keep games close with solid D.

Poll

Which team will challenge the Cowboys for NFC supremacy this year?

NY Giants

56 votes

Phil. Eagles

31 votes

Wash. Redskins

1 votes

GB Packers

21 votes

Minn. Vikings

34 votes

NO Saints

13 votes

Carolina Panthers

0 votes

StL Rams

1 votes

Seattle Seahawks

5 votes

TB Buccaneers

1 votes

Ariz. Cardinals

1 votes

164 votes | Poll has closed

Pressure on Dallas this year?

DalaiLuke — Wed, 28 May 2008 19:05:49 -0000

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80835b22

Pressure on Dallas this year?

Jimmy Johnson vs. Jerry Jones: They were college teammates at Arkansas and Johnson was Jones'...

DalaiLuke — Thu, 15 May 2008 22:39:05 -0000

Jimmy Johnson vs. Jerry Jones: They were college teammates at Arkansas and Johnson was Jones' hand-picked successor to the legendary Tom Landry. They turned around a franchise that was in disarray and won two Super Bowls together. But Johnson couldn't stand Jones' meddling in personnel matters and Jones, who owns the team and believed that gave him the power of a general manager, wasn't about to stop. Things turned ugly and Johnson walked away from the Cowboys after the 1993 season.