SportsNetUSA Blogs

I apologize for not having any entries lately.  After last night I decided to write a short one.  I feel very confident that there can be no argument here.  I also want to dispel the rumor that I had sent a text to some of my teammates at SportsNetUSA.net, stating that I was done and was retiring from blogging.  I am due for some surgery this fall but expect to make a full recovery.  Okay, I am straying far from the point.

After watching the Hall of Fame Game, it is safe to say, the season is over!  I expect there will be little argument because it was pretty clear the Dallas Cowboys will be NFL Champs this coming February or  has the season been extended to March?  The Cowboys have it all now.  Great starting talent on both sides of the ball.  They have pretty good depth and the Super Bowl in their home stadium.  They have great assistant coaches and they have a great, okay make that a good….all right they have a somewhat good head coach.

So let me know all of you in the NFC, which of you will be playing for second place?  Over in the weaker league, which of you will choose to get whipped in the Super Bowl?  Those of you that are behind the San Diego Chargers I want to remind you that Norv Turner is still your head coach.  So take it from me now and save yourself a lot of hours on Sundays, it is over.  If you insist on watching pro football anyway then help save yourself many headaches and frustration and lower your expectations.  There is only one way this season can end.  The Dallas Cowboys are the Super Bowl Champions, print the caps and shirts now!

“Well ya see, Norm, it’s like this… A herd of buffalo can only move as fast as the slowest buffalo. And when the herd is hunted, it is the slowest and weakest ones at the back that are killed first. This natural selection is good for the herd as a whole, because the general speed and health of the whole group keeps improving by the regular killing of the weakest members.  In much the same way, the human brain can only operate as fast as the slowest brain cells. Excessive intake of alcohol, as we know, kills brain cells. But naturally, it attacks the slowest and weakest brain cells first. In this way, regular consumption of beer eliminates the weaker brain cells, making the brain a faster and more efficient machine. That’s why you always feel smarter after a few beers.”

The above should have been the conversation the other night in the lovely state of Texas with the owner of the Dallas cowboys. If it had been, there would be no controversy at the present time about his statements.  But then again, should there be any controversy at all? Let us be realistic, when are our conversations ‘our conversations’?

Welcome to the world of SportsNetUSA.net, or should I more specific and welcome to the world of sports inner-sanctum, “Friday Night Mics”.  You must realize that FNM was built around the fact that we had a few of us who spoke our minds and did not mind letting our mouths jump off our faces and into the other peoples’ conversations before they were finished. I am the biggest culprit of this group, followed by the Franchise, Title IX, Big EEEE, Pedal to the Metal and then Stick Boy. There were a few others, the Encyclopedia of Baseball (especially if you talked about Pete Rose) and the Mouth from the South.

Yes, this group could go round and round until three or four in the morning, but through it all, we all knew that our statements were going out over the airwaves. After FNM, there would be other conversations, in the studio, locking the door as we left for the night and standing out in the parking lot. These conversations would go on and on, until finally someone would say, “I have to go home.”

You see, there was never that dilemma about what to release on the air at SportsNetUSA.net, because we understood that our rants and conversation on FNM were for human consumption. We also knew that the other conversations we had after the show, with inside thoughts, statements, and feelings, belonged to us as a group of sports people having a conversation and discovering certain stories amongst ourselves that gave us a better look at the overall picture.

Are there times I speak out of turn? You bet I do. But at the same time, I do watch what I say at certain times to certain people, and I respect the private conversations I have had with a variety of people in all sorts of walks of life. Yes, I have been told things in the world of business, sports and everyday life that I should not have known. People sometimes just “need” to say something and when those times happen, we should really look at ourselves and turn off the repeat button in our minds and just save it for ourselves.

I have talked and I have been talked about, and I know how it feels when I have heard the words from someone else’s mouth. So maybe it is the press’s turn to realize that not every statement made by a known person is a reportable statement. Maybe the press should shut off a recorder, or turn off a cell phone camera, or look at the seller of a supposed juicy item and say, “no thank you.”

Because we all have our moments of sticking our feet in our mouths, be it at a bar, a dinner table, or riding in a car with a group of friends on a long ride home from Santa Monica. I would like to think that after the laughter subsides and everyone catches their breath, that the statement that was made didn’t belong to everyone, just the group that it was intended for.  The consumption of alcohol may create the illusion that you are tougher, smarter, faster and better looking than most people.-that was Jerry’s mistake, leave the man and the statement alone.

I admit it, I am a Dallas Cowboy fan. I am not a late get on the bandwagon Cowboy fan. A few weeks ago a lot of people were banging on the Cowboys big time. Most of those same people are now talking about them going to the Super Bowl. I am not one of those delusional Cowboys fans. I have been a fan most of my life. Started when I was about seven and saw them on television. Yes there were televisions back then but they were black and white with a lot of toying with rabbit ears. I chose the Cowboys because I liked their uniforms and I had family that lived in Texas.  To me, Texas seemed like some far off magical land that had to be better than my home in Iowa. Iowa then nor now has a pro major league team of any kind. Most in Iowa cheered for the Vikings, Bears, Packers and the Chiefs. My team the Cowboys were hated and despised. It seemed to me when it came to my beloved Cowboys it was me against the state of Iowa. I feel lucky looking back now.

The Cowboys had a coach and a man that I admired in Tom Landry and they won most of the time. How many fans can say the first team they rooted for and loved had a coach that they liked as a coach and as a person. I believe Coach Landry is underrated. I also believe that Tony Dorsett and Roger Staubach are under rated also. All three are in the NFL Hall of Fame but not usually mentioned when the all time top five or even top ten are discussed. I do not want to stay in the past for too long but indulge me a little longer. Recently I found out that Doug Cosbie a former tight end for Dallas, is the coach of Sacramento High School. Like a true fan I was excited and my thought was I need to interview this guy. Last thing from the far past is a brief great moment in my life.

In the early 80’s I moved from Iowa to Orange County. I trekked up to Thousand Oaks where the Cowboys had their training camp for a scrimmage with the Rams. It was very laid back then as there was no fence around the field and after the game all fans could go down on the field. Fans and players were talking, how different things were then. I cut across the field and headed to my car. After a short ways I glanced behind me and Coach Landry was walking and talking with a man. There was no one else around and I was maybe only five to eight yards ahead of them. My mind was racing and I thought if they keep coming my way and Coach Landry is alone I have to talk to him. Amazingly, after a few steps more, the man left and there was Coach Landry all by himself. He was walking my direction. I decided to introduce myself and expected him to be cold(those were the stories back then that he was cold). The man could not have been any more friendly as he shook my hand. The conversation was short as I told him I was a lifelong Cowboy fan and had finished reading one of his biographies. He asked me which one and he knew of it and liked it. He thanked me for my support and for coming to the scrimmage and wished me well. That was my one and only time ever going up to a famous person. Something I always look back on with joy. I would like to hear any stories that you may have of an experience you may have had like that.

Now to the present state of the Cowboys. I still cheer for the Cowboys but this team has to prove it on the field. All year long I have supported Brett Favre and now I have to go against him. I like the defense and was shocked when I heard that for the first time ever the Cowboys had back to back shutouts. This franchise has had many great defenses and that stat stunned me. I like now that Jason Garrett is calling more running plays than he did in the past. I have always liked Romo as a quarterback. This line has never been that great at pass blocking. Remember when Bledsoe was the quarterback and all of the sacks he had to take. Romo escapes so many sacks and now is taking better care of the ball. I also like his attitude better now that he does not smile on the field and sidelines all of the time. He now looks like he knows he belongs. Before, I always had the feeling he could not believe his luck! He was an undrafted player from Eastern Illinois and then became the quarterback of the Cowboys and dating starlets. Still the Vikings are the better team. The great thing about one and done playoffs is the best team does not always win. There is no doubt the Patriots were a better team than the Giants over that season. However the Giants got hot at the end and was the better team that year in the Super Bowl. It is not about who is the better team nor has the most talent. It is about being the Champions!!!

Last, I must congratulate Wade Phillips and Jerry Jones. I have been critical of Phillips. I like him but did not think he should be coaching the Cowboys. He has really done a great job developing the defense. I have also been critical of Jerry Jones as I felt like he lost his way for awhile. I felt like Jerry became more concerned about being right than about winning. There is no way the Dallas Cowboys should ever go from 1996 to 2010 without winning a playoff game! The tension of a playoff football game with your favorite team in it is unmatched. I will be a Dallas Cowboy fan for life come win or lose. However it is much better to win! Go Cowboys!

Ok…so Wild Card Weekend didn’t quite go a s I thought. Out of four games, yours truly corrected predicted one. How bout them Cowboys? Anyway, let’s give the Divisional Round a try. And remember, what I say, definitely does NOT go…right?

AFC Divisional Playoff #1
Baltimore Ravens at Indianapolis Colts
Lucas Oil Stadium Indianapolis, IN (Saturday January 16, 2010 5:15PM PT)

So the Ravens destroyed the Patriots last week. DESTROYED them. This week, the Ravens go into Indy to face a Colts team who finished the season 14-2. The two came in weeks 16 and 17. Baltimore’s defense and offense rode high in New England, but now they move to Peyton’s place for a Saturday night brawl. If the Baltimore defense can hold Peyton Manning’s offense in check and Ray Rice runs like he did last week, the Ravens will cruise to the AFC Championship Game. If not, the Colts will continue their postseason success. Look for the Colts to wake up after resting their starters for two weeks and put together an almost-complete game. Should be a good one though.

Prediction: Indianapolis 27, Baltimore 24
Key Factor: Any and all Indianapolis Receivers- Last week, the Ravens completely held the Patriots’ receivers in check, taking away a big key to the New England offense. The passing game is what wins for Jim Caldwell’s team, so if Reggie Wayne, Austin Collie, Pierre Garcon, Dallas Clark or any of their running backs can’t get open to catch a pass, Baltimore will run them over.

AFC Divisional Playoff #2
New York Jets at San Diego Chargers
Qualcomm Stadium San Diego, CA (Sunday January 17, 2010 1:40PM PT)

Wow…where did the Jets come from? Two consecutive dominating performances over the Bengals in two weeks (one in the Meadowlands, one in Cincinnati) and they are showing no signs of stopping. Mark Sanchez wasn’t at his absolute best, but the league’s number one ranked defense kept the Bengals tame. Cornerback Derelle Revis of the Jets had the Cincinnati receivers on lockdown and he may just be the second-best corner in football behind Charles Woodson. Revis will be needed to contain the NFL’s best receiving core in San Diego and keep L.T. from “Electric Gliding” into the end zone on Sunday afternoon (SEE: L.T.’s Video on YouTube). The Chargers are the hottest team in football, bringing an 11-game winning streak into this game. With home-field advantage and a rockin’ Southern California crowd, the Chargers should be able to handle the Jets and Mark Sanchez in his homecoming game. NOTE: These two teams have met once in the playoffs. In 2004, the Jets won in San Diego after Nate Kaeding missed a potential game-winning field goal as time expired. The Jets eventually won the game in overtime, courtesy of a Mike Nugent field goal.

Prediction: San Diego 31, New York Jets 21
Key Factor: San Diego Defense- Take the ball away from New York, win the game. No other words are needed here.

NFC Divisional Playoff #1
Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints
Louisiana Superdome New Orleans, LA (Saturday January 16, 2010 1:30PM PT)

I bet the Cardinals wish they had saved 51 points for a game in the Dome with the Saints. After winning the highest-scoring playoff game in NFL history and almost becoming victim to the third-biggest playoff comeback in NFL history, Arizona should be counting their lucky stars they’re still alive. They couldn’t stop Green Bay on Sunday, but they had better stop the Saints’ offense on Saturday if they have any plans of back-to-back Super Bowl appearances. New Orleans won’t need to play defense if the Cardinals can’t stop them from scoring. Regardless of the Saints’ performance over the final couple of weeks of the season, Drew Brees and the boys should be ready to go.

Prediction: New Orleans 35, Arizona 17
Key Factor: Devery Henderson (WR-NO)- It seems as though every time the Saints need a big play to break a game wide open, Devery is there. If he scores a touchdown from 50 yards or more, New Orleans will win easy in the Big Easy.

NFC Divisional Playoff #2
Dallas Cowboys at Minnesota Vikings
Mall of America Field at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Minneapolis, MN (Sunday January 17, 2010 1PM PT)

The Chargers may be the hottest team in the league, but the Cowboys are the hottest team in the NFC. They, like the Jets, picked apart their Week 17 opponent in Wild Card Weekend. The difference was the Cowboys got both games at home. They won’t be home this time as they travel to the frigid temperatures of Minneapolis…to play in a dome. Brett Favre is back in the playoffs and wants another shot at glory. Whether or not they beat the Cowboys this week, I don’t see it in his cards. He’ll play well and possibly lead a comeback in the end just like Brett Favre always does. But the front four for Dallas will get to him, and the ‘Boys will continue to ride high. They were my only win last week, why give up on them now?

Prediction: Dallas 26, Minnesota 21
Key Factor: Jay Ratliff (DL-DAL)- Big Jay has been a monter the last few weeks. He had two big games against the Eagles and is finding more of a knack to get to opposing QB’s. If he pressures Brett to throw more than he wants and makes some key stops on Adrian Peterson, Dallas wins.

So there you go. Divisional Round predictions. Hopefully, we’ll do better this week. By the way, three of the four games this week will be indoors. The only one outside? The one in sunny Southern California. Go figure. And now for a revised “Quick Pick” version of the rest of the playoffs:

AFC Championship Game
Chargers over Colts

NFC Championship Game
Cowboys over Saints

Super Bowl XLIV
Chargers over Cowboys

Champion remains the same, opponent had to change. Thanks Green Bay. Thanks a lot.

Until next time…

I need to apologize about not getting this entry in earlier. Sometimes I am really very indecisive about what subject to write about. I have learned that sports fans hate people that are indecisive and really hate those that change their minds. Anyway, as a former president used to say, there you go again. That is right, another entry about the Brett Favre endless story. I really just want to hear people that were against him coming back to now say, the facts are in and it has been great for the NFL. Is that asking too much? I have enjoyed watching TV and listening to announcers attack this guy and then last week watched them retreat before the Monday night Packer-Viking game. There were many ESPN guys that were against his comeback and then turned and pumped up the Packer-Viking game and the hype machine. The hype worked as that game was the most-watched show in cable TV history with 21.8 million viewers watching.

So is it really asking too much for some of you to come clean and say, Favre’s return has been fantastic for the NFL? I know you can do it. There is not much else to say about the game, it was a pretty good game. Aaron Rodgers will probably end any association he has with any one with a first or last name of Allen. Jared Allen could not be blocked all night but it would have been nice if a Packer at least touched him on occasion. Could someone explain to me why Allen’s calf roping/tying thing is not taunting? What is the difference between an end zone taunt and what he does after a sack? I have heard some say, well Brett is with a better team. Well that is not his fault is it? If the Vikings have more talent then certainly that would be on Mike McCarthy and Ted Thompson. I look forward to the rematch in Green Bay.

Here is some more retirement news. Junior Seau is reported to be rejoining the Patriots. Charger fans you need to burn your Seau gear as he is just coming back to stick it to the Chargers. Junior is even older than Favre! Olympic swimmer Dara Torres is having surgery that may take 18 months of recovery time. Torres who is 42 is not saying she is finished yet and has not given up on the Olympics of 2012. It is obvious she is coming back to just stick it to…okay I don’t know who she is trying to stick it to. Jeff Jordan who played guard for Illinois and months ago said he was done with basketball to concentrate on studies. He has changed his mind and wants to un retire. Guess he has had some Favre-itis or maybe he has done a Jordan. His dad, Michael changed his mind on retiring a time or two. You know Jeff is coming back just to stick it to Iowa.

This week the Broncos play the Patriots which can only mean one thing. Josh McDaniels went to the Broncos just so he could stick it to the Patriots and Belichick. Patriot fans you must burn all of your Josh McDaniels paraphernalia. He could have been a college coach but no he stays in the AFC all so he could stick it to the Patriots. How much more obvious can these examples be? They are all selfish and do not care about their sports or play because they love their sport. They all just want to stick it to someone. I know what you are thinking about now, you would like to stick it to me.

So let’s move on shall we? Are Cleveland fans still happy they brought the Browns back? One of the true joys of living in Northern Cal is the chance to watch the Raiders nearly every week. The previous line was sarcasm. The Colts need to be looked at as one of the best run organizations in the NFL. They are the Patriots without the cheating. Hey TO how is life in Buffalo? Chad Pennington has been a class act and lets hope for a great recovery. Broncos defeat the Cowboys and the Steelers defeat the Chargers, four words, Wade Phillips, Norv Turner. I love Jon Gruden as an announcer. He is actually an ex-coach that really adds actual insight into the game. Enjoy him this year because he will be back on the field soon. Last item for the day. Is anyone else sick of the little robot football guy that is on the commercial breaks on Fox? I was hoping that he would be dumped this year but no, he is still around. Maybe we should start a write-in campaign or maybe it is just my issue.