Some Football Stuff (2 UPDATES)

Matt Hasselbeck signed with the Tennessee Titans yesterday. I really like this move for both parties Hasselbeck needed to get away from Seattle as nothing has been going on there for a while and Tennessee needs to move on from the Vince Young/ Kerry Collins era. Hasselbeck won't hurt the team and will keep them competitive. Also, it will be a great transition until Jake Locker is ready to go.

Defensive end Charles Johnson agreed to six-year, $76 million deal, including $32 million guaranteed with the Carolina Panthers. Good thing the Panthers didn't lose him as he is really the only thing going on in Carolina other than Cam Newton. Do I believe he was a little overpaid? Yea, but what can you do.

The Redskins and Vikings have made a deal involving Quarterback Donovan McNabb. The deal is getting held up right now because McNabb's feelings are hurt about some contract stuff, but the deal is going to get done. I love the move for Minnesota who needs a QB to bridge between now and the Christian Ponder era (burst out laughing). I STILL believe in McNabb and I know he still has a few more good years in the tank. The Viking will be in the playoffs because of him.

A league source tells us that the Pittsburgh Steelers have found a way to keep their biggest free agent in town. Cornerback Ike Taylor has agreed to terms on a four-year deal, per a league source. This is a great move for the Steelers who locked up their best cornerback in a weak secondary. Ike is a lifetime Steeler and this should probably be his last contract in the NFL.

The Cowboys made some cuts yesterday. The Cowboys have released running back Marion Barber and receiver Roy Williams, Pro Bowl guard Leonard Davis and kicker Kris Brown will be cut. All of these players are underachieving except for Davis. Roy Williams should have been cut 2 years ago and Marion Barber needs to be a 3rd down back in the worst way.

***UPDATE***

It's easier to just keep adding to this post, so here is what else is going on...

- "The New York Jets addressed the No. 1 item on their free-agent list, coming to terms Wednesday morning with wide receiver Santonio Holmes, according to a league source. The deal is for five years and $50 million with $24 million guaranteed (ESPN)"

You knew they would resign him, but that is a lot of guarnteed money, I would think this is going to make it tough for the Jets to sign Asomugha, but I guess you could always restructure deals to make it work.

- Jacksonville Jaguars signed Paul Posluszny, which I think is a nice signing. He is a guy I wish the Patriots drafted a couple years back and he is coming off his best year in which he had 151 tackles.

- Not shockingly the Titans will be cutting Vince Young tomorrow.

- The Redskins have signed Donte' Stallworth.

- Packers resigned kicker Mason Crosby.

- Takeo Spikes will leave the San Francisco 49ers for the San Diego Chargers.

***UPDATE 2***

- DeAngelo Williams will be staying with the Carolina Panthers. Terms: Five years, $43 million, $21 guaranteed.

- Eric Weddle has resigned with the San Diego Chargers.

With 7,8,9, 10 Picks In the NFL Draft

The 49ers take Aldon Smith DE Mizzou
The Titans take Jake Locker QB Washington
The Cowboys take Tyron Smith OT USC
The Jacksonville Jaguars Select Blaine Gabbert QB Mizzou

Aldon Smith will be a good quality pick.

But the Titans are badass select Jake Locker, people will say it is a reach but fuck that they get their guy and a winner type of guy. I think he will be real good, and I hope they throw him into the fire.

The Cowboys select an unsexy OT, he will probably good.

I'm not a good Blaine Gabbert guy, but this is a good selection, the charaide of David Garrard can only last so much. Gabbert has good size, is a good athlete but plays in a spread offense in college.

With The 9th Pick In The NFL Draft The Dallas Cowboys Select...

DP Pick:
Robert Quinn DE UNC


Quinn was a great DE for UNC this year, but is projected to be a bit of a tweener who can play DE or OLB in the NFL. He's quicker and the sexier pick over Wisconsin's JJ Watt but he can certainly go hear too. Quinn can certainly bring a lot of pressure due to his speed, so I like this pick here.

BMack's Pick
J.J. Watt, DE, Wisconsin

Great pass rusher that the Cowboys could certainly use with Marcus Spears, Stephen Bowen, Jason Hatcher all on one year deals. J.J. Watts is a big end weighing in at 290 pounds. The Cowboys like to have a fast defense, and this kid has a great burst off the edge.

I was out on Thursday and Friday, so quickly here are my picks for the days I missed.

7th - San Francisco: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
8th - Tennessee: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson

Both these guys are steals. Peterson might be the best athlete in the draft, and will be a shutdown corner in the NFL. Bowers has fallen in a lot of drafts, but I wouldn't read into that too much. He is still a hell of an athlete and the Titans needs to find a way to revamp that defensive line.

Actually Dez Bryant May Be An Asshole

Last week I wrote about how I thought a lot of the flack Dez Bryant has been taking have been misunderstandings, since then I have done a complete 180 and am starting to realize, he's just a huge asshole.

He may be as or more talented then 95% of the wide receivers in the NFL, but since coming to the cowboys he has just been a giant off the field headache. Even in college he was marred by off the field issues which made him sit out for basically a season (which I defended was bullshit). Now there is a jewelry lawsuit, and even Deion Sanders told the media that he's done with him and needs help.

If there is anymore stuff that goes on with him this offseason I would assume that he will no longer be on the Cowboys roster starting whenever football comes back.

Are The Cowboys Really Thinking Of Trading Dez Bryant?

Last week, former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Patrick Crayton made an appearance on "The Ben and Skin Show" on 103.3 FM in Dallas, and wasn't breathless in admiration of rookie Cowboys WR Dez Bryant's habits. Bryan Broaddus -- a former Cowboys scout who now works for the station -- wondered on-air whether the 'Boys would consider moving Bryant after his promising rookie campaign. ESPN

I guess some of the habits were only talking one day a week, not listening to any teammates, and being an all around prick. Dez Bryant has potential to be the next Michael Irvin but his attitude has been in question since being drafted to the Cowboys. I like him, I would love for any of my teams to have him but he's seeming to be the next diva WR.

If Jerry Jones trades him it will just be another cowboy experiment gone horribly wrong. So if i was Jones, I would sit him down, shut him up and fine him internally if I hear anything else about him. He can't really go through another embarrassment like this again.

Cowboys Name Jason Garrett Head Coach

"The expected has happened. Jason Garrett has been named the Dallas Cowboys' head coach, a source said Thursday. The team has scheduled a press conference for 1:30 p.m. CT to make an official announcement (ESPN)."

This made too much sense not to happen. The Cowboys obviously played hard for him, and with everyone back and healthy next year the Cowboys should at least compete for a playoff spot. The main reason this makes sense though is because there could be a lockout next season, and there is really no reason to bring in someone else unless you absolutely have to, until there is a new CBA. I hate the Cowboys, but I don't mind Garrett, and he was brought in to take over a couple years past, so he deserves his shot.

Romo Finally Put On IR

"The Dallas Cowboys will officially end Tony Romo's season by putting the quarterback on injured reserve, a source said on Tuesday.

Romo has been out since suffering a fractured left collarbone in the second quarter of an Oct. 25 loss to the New York Giants. He was given a six-to-eight-week recovery time but discomfort remains and he does not have full range of motion or strength (ESPN)."

It's about time, I never really understood why they were trying to rush him back when their season has been over for weeks. Why risk him coming back to early and getting him more hurt?

Anyways, it's been a terrible season for the Cowboys, but they have played 1,000 times better since they changed head coaches. Next year (if there is a next year) they should be better, because they just have too much talent to be one of the worst teams in the NFL.

Damn You Romo!!!!!!!!!!

Romo is getting married to this chick (Candice Crawford). I mean I guess good for him, but I really hate him and wish him nothing but the worst. I wonder if he had to explain that be broke is finger when attempting to finger Zach Thomas' ass? Because to be honest, I would think that's be a deal breaker.

Dez Bryant Out For Season

Dez Bryant's rookie season with the Dallas Cowboys is over because of a fractured right ankle.

It sucks for Dallas who has been playing well of lately, but it really doesn't make that big of a difference. The Cowboys are out of it, and Dez Bryant has showed signs of brilliance and the Cowboys should be really excited about the young rookie. Bryant finishes the season with 45 catches for 561 yards and eight touchdowns (six receiving, two punt returns).

Who Will Be The Cowboys Coach Next Season?

So Wade Phillips has finally been fired, and for now Jason Garrett takes over though very few people he will actually keep that job going into next season. The only way I see him keeping the gig is if the Cowboys go undefeated the rest of the way (or close to it).

So who will be the Cowboys coach next season. There have been some big names floated around, which should come as no surprise with the way Jerry Jones throws around money. According to ESPN the favorite right now is John Fox, why? I have no idea, but I really don't think he would be a great fit. The Cowboys need someone that brings in a lot of respect, and will have no problem getting in players faces. That leads me to 2 guys... Bill Cowher, and Jon Gruden.

Cowher has to be the #1 coach on every teams list looking for a new coach. If he is ready to comeback there is really no one else you would want leading your team. He is a great defensive mind, has the respect of players and coaches around the league, and could rejuvenate the Cowboys fanbase. The question is whether or not Cowher would want to deal with Jerry Jones. He doesn't seem like a guy who would enjoy having someone looking over his shoulder all the time. Still, you have to think this would be Jones' guy.

Jon Gruden is the man. He has a ring, he is a great offensive mind. With all the weapons the Cowboys have on that side of the ball maybe Gruden could be the guy to put them to good use. He does seem very happy calling games on TV, but you know Jones has the money to throw around that could lead him out of the booth.

The only other guy I would go after is Jim Harbaugh.

Wade Phillips Fired? (UPDATED)

It's not if, just when, and so far he is not at the Cowboys facility....

As of 9 a.m. CT on Monday, Dallas Cowboys coach Wade Phillips was not seen at Valley Ranch.

His leased SUV which is parked outside the scouting department's office was not there, but that doesn't mean the coach was fired. Phillips is taking heat following a 45-7 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night which has put his team's losing streak at five games (ESPN).

ESPN goes on to say that Jones usually meets with Phillips on Monday morning to go over film, but as of yet it doesn't seem like it has happened. After last night it seems to be they have to fire him now. Yes, the season is already lost and it really doesn't matter, but this team has quit on him, and Jones needs to do anything to shake up this team. The Cowboys are supposed to be a prideful, and i just don't see Jones sitting back and letting them just tank the season. We will keep you posted, but I would be surprised if Phillips is still the coach by next weekend.


***UPDATE***

Phillips has been seen, so maybe he will make it through today, even though I think he should be gone after that sorry display last night.

Mankins To Cowboys

"Logan Mankins' name has popped up quite a bit here in NFL Rumor Central since he started his holdout in the spring. The latest sequence of events included speculation that he could be traded to the Dallas Cowboys, owing to the fact that the Cowboys could use the help on the offensive line and are not afraid to make big moves (ESPN)."

At this point the most likely scenario is the Patriots will trade Mankins. It seems like the two sides are never going to see eye to eye, and it probably is something more then just money. The Cowboys do make sense since they have problems with their offensive line, but I doubt it will happen, because they just wrapped up a lot of money with Austin Miles, and on top of that they would have to give a pick to the Patriots. I would think the Patriots will end up with a 2nd or 3rd round pick for Mankins, but I really don't see this progressing fast, and this might be one of those situations that lingers throughout the season.

2010 NFL Preview: Dallas Cowboys

2009 Record: 11-5

KEY ADDITIONS:
Alex Barron, OT, St. Louis

KEY LOSSES:
Flozell Adams, OT, Free agent
Bobby Carpenter, LB, St. Louis
Ken Hamlin, S, Baltimore
Shaun Suisham, K, Free agent

Offense:
Tony Romo is becoming a better Qb every year. Last season he was able to drop his INT totals from 21 to 13. The addition of Dez Bryant should only help, but I very much doubt Miles Austin is going to repeat the stats he put up last year. Still, between Dez Bryant, Roy Williams (sucks), Miles Austin, and Jason Witten they are going to very good through the air. The running game has a lot of question Marion Barber physically seems to be falling apart, and you just can't count on Felix Jones staying healthy. Still, if they are both able to stay on the field they should be good enough to keep the offense going, because this is one of the better offensive lines in the NFL.

Defense:
The Cowboys defensive line is solid, but nothing spectacular, but it is their LBs that make all the difference. The Cowboys might have the best LB core in the league. DeMarcus Ware was all beat up last year and still recorded 11 sacks, he is flat out the best OLB in the league. Anthony Spencer has been very good, and inside linebacker Bradie James has led the team in tackles for five consecutive seasons. To cap it off Keith Brooking is still a heck of a player. The question is the defensive backfield, which has some serious question marks at safety. Still, with their pass rush they should be able to mask a lot of their holes.

Overall:
It is basically the same team as last year. The only difference and I think this division is back to being the best in the NFL, and I just don't trust the Cowboys coaches.

2010 Record: 8-8

Dez Bryant Tells Williams To Fuck Off

Sportscenter is making a big deal out of this story. Honestly, I think it is a non-issue...

Receiver Dez Bryant has done everything right on the field during the first two days of Dallas Cowboys training camp, but he refuses to participate in an NFL rite of passage. According to the rookie first-round pick, Roy Williams and the other veteran receivers can carry their own shoulder pads after practice. Williams gave his pads to Bryant after Sunday's morning practice, but Bryant declined to carry them. Williams threatened to go to "step two" when talking to reporters.

"I'm not doing it," Bryant said. "I feel like I was drafted to play football, not carry another player's pads (ESPN)."

Usually I would jump all over this guy saying that he needs to carry his pads and be a normal rookie, but I hate Roy Williams so much that I really find this whole thing funny. Williams should be carry everyones pads for making so much god damn money and not earning a penny of that. He has to be one of the most overrated players in recent memory, and yet he still gets to cash checks from the Cowboys. I wish Bryant just came out and said that. Something like "Naw man fuck him, he sucks, and has made enough money he can carry his own pads".

Don't get me wrong, Bryant will pay for this in some way, and he will get hazed, but it would be a much stronger statement if it was coming from anyone else other then Roy Williams.

Cowboys To Cut Barber?

There are rumors floating around that the Cowboys might cut Marion Barber, and use Felix Jones and Tashard Choice. Personally, I think this is a bad idea. Barber was hurt last year, but reports say that he is in great shape, and has even taken off 10 pounds, which can help him get his explosiveness back. I am not sold that Jones can stay on the field, and carry the ball 25 times a game. I also don't think Choice is anything special. Unless the Cowboys really need the cap space, I think they should hold on to Barber. He is great at wearing down teams, and having a guy like him pounding the ball and Jones running wild makes a difficult matchup for any team.

Maimi's GM Apologizes For Calling Dez Bryant Mom A Prostitute

Hahahahaha, I can't believe this is not a joke, but I have now read this on numerous sites. Apparently, while the Dolphins were interviewing Dez Bryant they eventually asked him if his mother is a prostitute. It turns out that it was Miami's GM Jeff Ireland, who had to issue release this statement...

"My job is to find out as much information as possible about a player that I'm considering drafting," Ireland said. "Sometimes that leads to asking in-depth questions. Having said that, I talked to Dez Bryant and told him I used poor judgment in one of the questions I asked him. I certainly meant no disrespect and apologized to him."

Wow. Yea, that's a question you need to ask a 3rd party or something, not this woman's son. Saying that, she must look like a train wreck for someone to ask a question like that. Dez Bryant obviously didn't take this very well...

"They asked me if my mom's a prostitute," Bryant told Yahoo.com. "No, my mom is not a prostitute. I got mad -- really mad -- but I didn't show it. I got a lot of questions like that: Does she still do drugs? I sat and answered all of them."

Bryant's mother, Angela, had him when she was 15 and conceived his younger sister and brother within the next three years. She reportedly sold drugs and served a prison term while Bryant was a child. Bryant lived with different relatives and family friends at various times during his upbringing.

I am trying to find a picture of her, but so far I have had no luck. If anyone finds one leave the link in the comment section.

What The Hell Is Wrong With Athletes Today?

Seems like every week we have to report a story in which some athlete from either basketball or football do something crazy. This time it is the fullback from the Cowboys (Deon Anderson). He apparently has been charged with misdemeanor deadly conduct after he allegedly threatened a restaurant employee with a gun during a dispute early Tuesday morning.

Honestly, WHAT THE FUCK?????

Are athletes just this fucking stupid. You get to make a living off working out and playing sports, and yet you have to act like you're still "hood" and whip out your gun every time you don't like something. I don't want to just bust on Anderson, because that really isn't fair, since I don't know the whole story, but seemingly every week, some players fucking looses it and does something stupid.

Both leagues have been trying to squash this problem. The NFL suspends players almost automatically for these kinds of incidents, and after the Arena's fiasco the NBA seems to be following a similar logic, but is it enough? Apparently not, because these fucking morons just keep doing it. So the only way to fight back is to make even harsher suspensions and fines, until it gets to the point where they either follow the rules like every other citizen in the US, or can't play professional sports anymore.

Cowboys Give Phillips 3 Year Extension

There were a lot of people saying that Phillips would be fired once the Cowboys got blown out by the Vikings. Well Jones surprised everyone by giving him a 3 year extension instead. I actually think this is a good move. The only way I would have got rid of him was if I could get a guy like Bill Cowher, but since that didn't look like it was going to happen this is the best thing they could have done.

Phillips really got the Cowboys clicking near the end of the year. They were one of the hottest teams going into the playoffs. They were able to beat the Eagles in the first round, and had the best defense (statistically in the NFC), so why not keep him around. Some could argue that this team really just needs another weapon on offense, and to figure what they are going to do with their running game.

I say that they need a new QB, but that is a different argument for a different day.

Previews For Today's Games

Dallas vs Minnesota
Probably two of the teams I dislike the most in the NFL. Either way there is going to be too much media to whomever wins the game. We are either going to hear about how Brett Favre is amazing or how Tony Romo is bringing his game to the next level. I took all of this into account when I chose the Cowboys, because I don't nearly hate Romo as much as I do Favre.

Anyways to the game itself. The Cowboys come into this game defying all odds, making a strong December push and looked pretty strong against the Eagles last week. But today they go after one of the best defensive lines in the NFL, led by Jared Allen and the two Williams' in the middle. They have got constant pressure on opposing qb's all year, however, the Dallas offensive line are composed of all mammoth nasty men. I think they will be able to slow the pressure of that great Vikings D Line and give Tony Romo time to make plays down field. That could spell a lot of trouble for the overlooked Vikings secondary.

As for the Vikings, it all comes down to Brett Favre. Adrian Peterson has not lived up to his reputation, and that could be the fact Favre practically runs the team, but AP has been putting the ball on the ground a lot. So if you add that up and how reckless Favre can be (especially in the playoffs), it is a recipe for disaster.

With all that being said, I say Favre makes mistakes, Romo doesn't and that decides the game.

Cowboys 35-21

Jets vs Chargers
I'm still not sure how the Jets are even in the playoffs but they have defied all odds to get to this point right now. The Chargers are the hottest team in the NFL and look poised to go to the Superbowl(but how many times have we heard that before.) They won't choke against the Jets and their blitzing defense, and Revis Island wont really make a difference because he can't cover Antonio Gates, LT, Vincent Jackson at once, and neither can any Jets defender. I hate to root for Phillip Rivers but, it seems like this could be his year.

Chargers 28-10

Marion Barber Injury Update

"Cowboys running back Marion Barber is headed home to Minnesota for a playoff game on Sunday. Whether he gets to play - or how much he plays - depends on how his left knee heals this week. Coach Wade Phillips said Monday that Barber won't practice Wednesday as a precaution. He missed some practice time last week, tried to play Saturday night then was stuck on the sideline after three carries netted just 4 yards. "He's already better than he was last week and better than he was after the game," Phillips said. "So we think he's going to be all right. And I know he wants to play going back to Minnesota. But we'll monitor it (ESPN)."

Whether he plays or not I don't think it will matter. This game will be decided by the arm of Tony Romo. The Vikings have one of the best defensive lines in the league, so you have to pass on this defense. Barber would be nice if they got close to the goalline, but whether or not he plays will have very little affect on this game, since the Cowboys have 2 very good backup running backs (Jones/Choice).