SB Nation User Blog: EMSfan9

What do the Cowboys need to get over the hump?

EMSfan9 — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 23:49:58 -0000

After the losses we all want to place blame on this or that and it's never the same (except those of us who have blind hatred towards one player or coach.) I have come to the conclision that maybe the 2009 Dallas Cowboys are just an average to above average team.

Good teams beat who they are supposed to. Great teams find ways to beat those they aren't supposed to. Right now we are 7-0 against teams with .500 records or worse and 1-5 against teams with winning records. Average, maybe a little better.

But if we determine the Dallas Cowboys are average, the question becomes: what's missing? Where are we lacking the player we need to get us over the hump?

As I began thinking of some of the better teams over the past few years and what put them over the top here is what I came up with:

You can point to quarterback but we have a great one in Tony Romo. Some point to running back but we have one of the best trios in the league. At wide receiver we have a very solid one-two punch, we could possibly need that back breaking slot guy, ala Wes Welker, but don't really have to have one.

On the defensive side of the ball we have the great pass rusher in DeMarcus Ware. A beast at the Nose position in Ratliff. A solid remaining linebacker corps with Bradie James, Keith Brooking and Anthony Spencer. Cowboys may need more depth at LB because Bobby Carpenter isn't cutting it. Marcus Spears is one of our best run stoppers at DE. So consider the starting LBs and DL good enough to win.

That brings us to the secondary. First up is corner. Terrence Newman is an average to above average corner, not a play-maker but not Jaques Reeves either. He is solid just gets burned a little to much for my liking. Mike Jenkins is a good corner with the potential to be great. Orlando Scandrick still has my vote after his outstanding play last season. Our top three corners should be good enough to win.

Then comes the safety position. We are currently running with Alan Ball at FS and Gerald Sensabaugh at SS. Plug in Ken Hamlin in place of Ball and we obviously improve but there is still much to be desired at the safety position. This is probably the Cowboys weakest "Skill" position and what the Cowboys need to improve on most.

In my opinion, the safety is the position the Cowboys need to fix to get over the proverbial hump. Look at some of the best teams over the past few years.

The Steelers have Troy Polomalu (not this season and look how they've done). The Ravens have Ed Reed. The Colts have Bob Sanders. The Saints were an average squad before they picked up Darren Sharper and now they are undefeated. Broncos improved immensely since getting rid of Jay Cutler and adding Brian Dawkins. The Eagles have been inconsistent without him. The Cardinals have improved as their safety play by Adrian Wilson has. Look at the 90's Cowboys, Darren Woodson.

That's my take, the Cowboys need a play-making safety to get over the hump. What do you think is missing?

Mets unveil new Players Choice gear

EMSfan9 — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 03:19:53 -0000

Mets unveil new Players Choice gear

Six Mets get a chance to show off their design capabilities, or lack of them, with this new series.

I personally think they could have picked a better bunch.
JJ Putz (Set-up man, really?)
Omir Santos (SHORT SWINGZ)
Gary Sheffield (One and done?)
Bobby Parnell (Middle Reliever why?)
John Maine (No. 3 or 4 starter at best)
and Daniel Murphy (perhaps the only one with lasting selling power)

Omar Minaya turns down a deal for Halladay

EMSfan9 — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 00:24:36 -0000

Omar Minaya turns down a deal for Halladay

Omar does have a little sense. The Jays wanted Niese, F!, Parnell and Tejada for the Toronto ace.

EDIT: Minaya also said the Mets aren't interested in Rent-a-players via trade. Halladay out!

Help isn't on the way after all :(

EMSfan9 — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 21:53:10 -0000

Help isn't on the way after all :(

From the looks of this...things are going to get worse before they get better.

F! Out with knee pain

EMSfan9 — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 19:27:42 -0000

F! Out with knee pain

Should be out "a couple of days".

Jon Switzer sent down, A. Reyes up and Sheff's knee

EMSfan9 — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:38:16 -0000

Jon Switzer sent down, A. Reyes up and Sheff's knee

Switzer no longer in bullpen.

Argenis Reyes has been recalled from Buffalo to take his place: We all knew this time would come.

Sheff gets another day off and Evans starts at first. It seems Gary has had a cortisone shot in his knee today.

Apparently Sheffield's knee problem is an inflamed bursa sac. Hopefully he can avoid the DL

Reyes involved in car crash

EMSfan9 — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 03:38:28 -0000

Reyes involved in car crash

Ray Ramirez can't even get Mets players to the hospital without issue.

BREAKING NEWS

EMSfan9 — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 22:02:42 -0000

BREAKING NEWS

BELTRAN AND WRIGHT HITTING BACK TO BACK! Here is the lineup: Alex Cora SS Fernando Martinez LF Carlos Beltran CF David Wright 3B Ryan Church RF Gary Sheffield DH Daniel Murphy 1B Brian Schneider C Luis Castillo 2B

Fartinez not going anywhere

EMSfan9 — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 01:49:21 -0000

Fartinez not going anywhere

Emil Brown, who was involved in two of the Met's five double plays, DFA'd instead so F-Mart can stay.

Beltran "embarrassed" by sweep

EMSfan9 — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 21:11:54 -0000

Beltran "embarrassed" by sweep

I really like seeing this from Beltran but we all know that the people who rip him for lacking emotion and heart will find a way to rip him for this too.