| NFL | |
|
NFL Mock Draft 2009 Draft of 2009 Lacks Star Power NFL Draft 2009: Getting Started Super Bowl Well Worth Tuning In For
|
| NBA | |
|
Prospects On Center Stage NBA Preview 2008/09: Final Call
|
|
Dallas Fans Need Not Worry... By R.C. As a Cowboy fan, I have accepted Terrell Owens into the family with open arms. Now that he’s on our side, everything he has done in the past takes on a completely different perspective (never mind the preening he did on the star – after all, everyone has an uncle in the family that gets drunk and does things he shouldn’t, and just like we give that uncle a pass we shall also extend one to TO). Besides, what could have been more fun this last year than to watch TO systematically destroy the Eagles, a team whose fans once booed one of the Cowboy’s most beloved players as he was getting carried off the field with a possible broken neck (Michael Irvin). So, yeah, you could say I enjoyed watching the eagles collapse like Mike Vanderjagt in last year’s playoffs (Oh how the world turns – we’ll talk about Vanderjagt a bit later). Anyway, now that TO’s job is done in Philly, where he was pretty much the best player for everyone in the NFC East BUT the Eagles, he comes to Dallas to prove everyone wrong. And is there anything in this world that motivates ego-maniac-sports-stars more than feeling like everyone is against them? (And for those of you out there that have difficulty recognizing a rhetorical question, I’ll answer that for you: absolutely not) Just look at what Kobe did during his rape trial, or what Roger Clemens has done since the Red Sox traded him and basically told him he was washed-up, or the ass-kicking Larry Johnson dispensed the past year on behalf of the Chiefs. Just a few very obvious, very easy examples of what I’m talking about. And TO isn’t in a typical “prove you wrong” situation, anyway. He’s in one much larger, and in his eyes, much more daunting. The whole sports-world has been telling him for the last year what a cancer he is, and how he would have a hard time getting a job in the NFL again. There has not been one person on TO’s side except for the only man that makes TO look humble: his agent, Drew Rosenhaus. Well, not only did TO find a job, but he landed squarely on his feet with a fat contract, a veteran QB that can get him the ball, not to mention receivers to compliment him and an adequate running game. On top of all that, he has Bill Parcells as his coach. If he can’t respect Bill Parcells and his horrible under-belly, he won’t respect anyone. What exactly is it that I’m saying, you ask? I’m saying that TO is going to be an incredible success in Dallas, and that the Dallas offense is going to be a force this season. The Cowboys lost nothing by acquiring him, as they basically traded in Keyshawn Johnson for the newer, improved model. Some will argue that Keyshawn would have been more predictable and less volatile due to the tremendous amount of respect he had for Parcells, and they are probably right. But Keyshawn couldn’t stretch the field, couldn’t command an entire team’s defensive gameplan to be devoted to him, and even Keyshawn’s strength – his downfield blocking and physical play – can’t match-up to what TO does in that area. While the pickup of Terrell is no doubt the most interesting move Dallas has made this off-season, it’s certainly not the only one of note. Dallas had a great draft, although it was a quiet one. One pick-up that gets little attention, but in my opinion will pay huge dividends, is the pick of Anthony Fasano out of Notre Dame. As a Tight End, he doesn’t really fit a need, but falls into the “best-available” type of pick. But, nonetheless, I love it (I normally am a very pro-need draft kind of guy). He can catch, is a very good blocker, and will be a great compliment to Jason Whitten. I would not want to be the defensive coordinator game-planning for Dallas, thinking about a double tight-end set with Pro-Bowler Whitten at one tight end, young and talented Fasano at the other, two major playmakers in TO and burner Terry Glenn split out wide, and Julius Jones in the backfield. That’s not even mentioning the fact that you have Drew Bledsoe under center, who is probably the most under-respected guy in the league (How do people forget this guy is the seventh all-time leading passer in the league? I know he’s lead-footed, but the guy can flat out sling it when given time, and he’s a good leader. There is no bigger Tom Brady fan than I am, but how do people forget that Bill Belichick, the current brain-trust of the NFL, considered starting Bledsoe in Super Bowl XXXVI? Imagine if he had, and Bledsoe had won instead of Brady? What would we be saying about Bledsoe now? He’d be called one of the best ever). The Cowboys are simply salty at these positions. On top of all this, there are a few more things that will help the Cowboys greatly improve over last year on the offensive side of the ball. First of all, the pickup of Vanderjagt will give the Cowboys anywhere from 2-5 more wins this season. Sure, I have no confidence in the guy when it comes to a pressure kick, but over the course of the season no one is more accurate. He could by himself put Dallas into the playoffs with his foot, especially considering the fact that Dallas has gone through about a bajillion kickers in the last two years just trying to find someone half-way adequate. Adding Vanderjagt here is like demolishing a mobile home and replacing it with the Taj Mahal. Another thing that will improve the Cowboys: Skyler Green. This fourth-round pick that many don’t expect much from will make a large impact on special teams. He will be the surprise of the NFC East this year. Everyone remembers the speedster-return-specialist from LSU, and I see no reason he can’t do the same things in the NFL if Parcells gives him the chance. People say he’s too small, but he’s bigger than Dante Hall, who doesn’t seem to have a problem making plays in Kansas City. Field-position is huge, and an improved return game with Green will help things greatly in this area. Now, I could certainly be wrong about all of this, but anyone that looks to the Cowboys on paper and what they have assembled this off-season can see what potential this offense has. If a few things fall in place, the NFC East better watch out. As a matter of fact, the Dallas Cowboys will win their division this season and you can quote me on that. ***** note from Ron Jumper R.C. is the latest edition to the Sports Overload team, look for plenty more from him as time goes on. Claiming the Arkansas Razorbacks, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Gonzaga Bulldogs as his favorite teams, expect even more articles on these clubs over the course of their respective seasons. July 18, 2006 |
| NCAA Football | |
|
Be Careful What You Wish For
|
| NCAA Basketball | |
|
Jumpology: My Bracket Jumpology: Scouting The Heavyweights Jumpology: Reviewing The Bracket
|