The Dallas-Philadelphia game will no doubt be debated on both sides as to which team is the best in the NFC East.  Arguments can be made for both teams being the class of the NFC.  The Cowboys did what good , nay great, teams do; the find a way to win and overcome their mistakes. 

 With all that being said, let's acknowledge who I believe to be the player of the game - Witten.  A man among men.  A super hero. A player who says "I don't need no stinkin' helmet".  I don't know if anyone here has ever dislocated a shoulder, but I have.  Twice.  It is a mind numbing experience both when it happens initially and for weeks after.  Let's not forget the happy experience of popping it back in also.  It makes you cry for your momma.  What does Jason do?  He runs into the locker room, say's "doc, pop it back in!"  Get's a little novacaine, and gets right back into the game.  By the way, those shots aren't a lot of joy either since they use a 4 inch needle and and inject the wonder solution into your joints in several places.   I think I saw God when they did it to me, or at least the bright light.

I am taking nothing away from Romo.  That was an incredible gut check on his part to overcome the turnovers and take the 'Boys to victory. But you gotta admit, Jason did one hell of an Emmitt imitation out there last night when the Eagles were plainly out to lay the wood to everyone.   

Sports Illustrated is reporting that Texans wide receiver Harry Williams likely will never play football again after suffering a severe spinal injury in the game against our Cowboys last Friday night.  This can only add fuel to the fire of how necessary preseason games are and what the terrible price of "meaningless" games can be.  The good news is he will be able to walk and function near normally in most respects.  I can't even begin to imagine how the player who collided with him (forgot his name) must be feeling.  It wasn't planned and all, but that probably makes no difference to him. 

Clarence Hill over at the Star-Telegram wrote a nice piece here about the complimentary styles between Bradie James and Zach Thomas.  The reports out of camp about Zach Thomas have been off the scale.   Clarence has one thing to say :

But let’s be clear about one thing. Linebacker Bradie James remains the vocal and emotional leader on defense.

As every good captain should be.  It has been facinating for me to watch Bradie's development over the past few years.  The respect he gets from his teammates and coaches is well deserved.  Bradie isn't shy about promoting himself either:

"I changed the game," James said. "I am the most productive Mike linebacker he has ever had. I am going to keep doing what I am doing. I led the team in tackles the last three years in a row. It’s going to be four years in a row."

When you can back it up with stats like those, a little chest thumping is O.K. by me.

As much as I love reading stories about how Tony Romo and TO have a special bond as QB and WR, Calvin Watkins over at DMN wrote this article that will satisfy anyone's sweet tooth.  Time 10. Here is just a sample:

The bond between Romo and Owens goes beyond the field. The two call each other, hang out together sometimes and attended each others' birthday parties.

Cautionary warning, this next line may upset some readers:

"I made him a birthday cake," Romo said.

I just can't wait for the reaction to that one!

Jean Jacques Taylor of DMN really hit the nail on the head with this article about Bill Parcells never inviting former Cowboys to training camp, instead bringing in ex-Giants as "advisors".   Wade seems to have a better feel for what his team needs from a mental perspective and having former players (Cowboys, that is) with multiple Super Bowls under their belt giving the benefit of their own experiences to the rookies and younger players.  Can you imagine what it would be like to have the Playmaker giving you tips and tricks?  Wow!

At least that is what Jean Jacques Taylor of the Dallas Morning News is thinking.  The full article is here: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/football/cowboys/stories/072908dnspotaylor.4384dbc.html.

It's a good read, and I'm as big a Roy Williams fan as you can be.  But he made a comment that troubles me. As JJT wrote:

He must also stop thinking about the horse-collar tackle. The NFL suspended him for a game last December for frequently violating the rule prohibiting horse-collar tackles.

Roy's response was:

"Last year, I really worried about it. This year, I'm not," Williams said. "If it happens, it happens. I can't let that dictate my play on the field.

Um.. Roy, that's a 15 yard penalty.  Maybe you should worry about it. 

I have had it up to my (receding) hairline with all of this Brett Favre drama.  "I'm retiring. No wait, I'm not retiring.  I'm gonna report to training camp. No wait, I might not report. I'm burned out.  No wait, I really want to play but The Packers don't love me any more". Jesuchristo Brett!  Give us a break!  How long have you been playing? 17 years?  Are you expecting us to believe you don't know yourself enough that after a season you might have temporary feelings of depression and doubt that you can handle another season?  What about last year?  You did it right then by laying low and taking stock and coming to an informed and patient decision.  What happened this year?  What? You were pressured into that tearful goodbye speech?  Poor baby!  Here's a hanky.

                                          Brett, as a FYI, your nice little yellow jacket is in reserve in  a little town called Canton.  Do us all a favor and disappear for about five years and it will be yours.  And do it without another exit speech, OK?  I can't take any more drama.

Just saw this on SI website.  It looks like Showtime has picked up the option for Inside The NFL.   http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/football/nfl/06/03/inside.the.nfl.ap/index.html

I'm glad someone did.  That show, love it or hate it, was an institution.  And it was especially good to watch this last season with all of the great Cowboy highlights.  Of course, it was awful to watch from those very bad years. 

I'm getting more than a little bored with the Pacman\Ellis\Williams stories so I thought I would throw out a question to the distinguished members of this blog; Who is your all time favorite play-by-play and color commentary duo?  As I've said before, I've only been following football since 1995 so my experience is limited.  At first I thought it was Madden and Summeral.  Then I remembered some of the incredibly dumb things that John Madden has said (like a turkey has four legs).  And his incredible man love for Brett Favre.   I really liked Pat Summeral though.  Always seemed very prepared and knew what he was talking about. I thought it took amazing control on his part not to laugh out loud at some of Maddens idiodic comments.   

In latter day group  I mostly like the duo of Joe Buck and Troy Aikman.   I might get some argument here but I think Joe Buck is one of the most prepared play-by-play people to call a game.  I don't think I've ever heard him make a mistake.  Troy can be a little annoying at times trying too hard not to look like a Cowboy homer (that Clinton Portis comment still rankles me.  Have you met your heir apparent yet Troy?).  

Al Michaels and John Madden are right up there at the top.  Madden seems like a different person now than he did 10 years ago.  Not as verbose but at the same time he's more interesting to listen to. I like Al Michaels as well.  Again, very prepared and rarely makes a mistake.   

I couldn't find anything to like about  the ESPN crew. 

Let's see what NFLN does this year now that Gumbel got the hook.

I don't see a lot of games on CBS but I do know that Phil Simms makes me reach for the mute button.  Jim Nance seems O.K. 

 Thoughts anyone?

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