The Boys Are Back in Town? Pt. II (Dallas Cowboys)

The Dallas Cowboys have proved within the past two "down-to-the-wire" victories that they truly are a new team. If you've been a Cowboys fan for the past three years (suffering those awful 8-8 seasons), you understand the importance of this change in the Cowboys' demeanor. Battling against the Texans and Seahawks, respectively, have shown the Cowboys in a new light.

Tony Romo is as effective as his 2007 season. Along with a decent core of receivers and tight ends, Romo has been able to put numbers on the board and successfully close out games.

 I believe the most important facet of this team is our new-found confidence. Over the years, I have received A LOT of criticism for being a Cowboys fan. But this year, I can honestly say that the noise talking has quieted down within these entertaining 6 weeks of the NFL.

As of now, I refuse to talk about ANY super bowl contentions for the Cowboys. I guess Jerry Jones had an idea on how this Cowboys' team would fare this season.

I'm proud of the defense, the offense, and more importantly our run game. DeMarco Murray and his back-ups have opened up a vast amount of opportunities for the passing game to thrive, as well as wear down the defense.

This Cowboys team is different. This Cowboys team is for real. And more importantly, this Cowboys team is going places. Go Cowboys!

The Boys Are Back in Town? Pt. I (Dallas Cowboys)

As the Dallas Cowboys approach week 5 against the Houston Texans, I couldn't be more proud of their performance following the loss against San Francisco. The Cowboys are 3-1, whether opponents like it or not. I know we chalked up a couple wins against sub-par teams (Titans and Rams), but the victory against the Saints definitely served as a confidence booster for the Boys.

Drew Brees and Tony Romo

Through four games, it seems the Cowboys have continued to get better each game. In a previous post following the San Francisco matchup, I highlighted three factors of the Cowboys shortcomings:

1) Romo's Back Surgery

In my opinion, I think Tony Romo has just about knocked the rust off of his performance on the field. One of my favorite plays is the Romo-Bryant back-shoulder fade connection (always ran to perfection). With Romo's mobility out of the question, our offense can fully operate and keep up with high-scoring opponents.

2) DeMarco Murray is still a priority in our offense.

Murray is a guy you can trust carrying the ball. With DeMarco carrying the ball 20+ times a game and rushing for well over 100yds/gm, this is evidence that our running game is in great shape. There are also other backs who keep up with the flow of the game (Julius Randle and Phillip Tanner).

3) The Cowboys have to outscore their opponents.

As argued in the previous post, the Cowboys defense is not where it should be. This may not sound good, but if our defense can play like this past Sunday without Claiborne...then we need to finish the season without Claiborne!

Guys that "sweet talk" their way out of practice and onto the field when gameday shows up should not be expected to give their best performance when it's time to perform. Mo Claiborne has done just that.

Maurice "Mo" Claiborne

Luckily, our offense has been able to put up points. As for the defense, keep Mo on the sidelines.

Are the Cowboys finally utilizing their potential? Probably so.
A statement that we definitely cannot deny is that the Cowboys should have enough momentum going against their in-state rival on Sunday. Although the game is scheduled for 12pm, I'm sure the Cowboys should be able to take care of business at home.

Issues in the NFL: Confusing Rules for Player Safety

Does anybody know what constitutes as a legal hit anymore? I'm sure the NFL Front Office easily defines it. However, the referees' interpretation during on-the-field play shows there may not be a unanimous agreement on "legal hit" among the pool of officials.

Now, the term "defenseless player" is clearly defined, yet really confusing. Plus, the rules of contact with a defenseless player (and quarterbacks) are even more confusing.

Many receivers argue in favor of taking hits above their waist (and below the neck) rather than below their waist in the efforts to decrease leg injuries. But the NFL's rules are tipped toward lessening concussions from above the neck hits.

In my opinion, the NFL wants to avoid being sued by current/former players who may have suffered concussions (long-term costs) by risking the players' immediate safety through leg tackling (short-term costs).

Both sides (players and the NFL) have their valid arguments:

• The players want to perform at high levels in the majority of their careers, due to the reality of the NFL serving as a revolving door of talent.
• Many players facing the final years on their contract desire job and salary security, since they are unsure of their bodies producing the same amount of skill in the future.
• On the other side of the coin, the league primarily wants to continue to make money which is totally understandable (the NFL is a business corporation).
• Decreasing the chance of being sued by current/former players saves the NFL money in the long run.

Now, when the players are unsure of what is and isn't legal, there could be a problem. And even when the men officiating the game are confused on what to call, there is DEFINITELY an issue.

The integrity of the game is at risk when these confusing rules come into play. Many guys have been fined over the smallest touch to a defenseless player (or quarterback). I'm not saying every quarterback is a defenseless player, but some (elite) QB's receive this preferential treatment.

Ok, maybe it was more than an elbow swipe.

Sometimes Robert Griffin or Eli Manning would get plastered in the pocket without a flag thrown. There were other times when Tom Brady or Peyton Manning would receive an additional 15-yards for getting swiped on the elbow.



If the rules continue to be confusing and almost impossible to consistently interpret, we may see one of the most-watched sports come up short to living up to its already-established potential.

What do you think?

How can referees become better interpreters of the rules? Is the NFL front office risking safety in exchange for lawsuit avoidance? Do players actually have a voice on this issue?

The human element of officiating seems to work in baseball, but not when awarding a team an additional 15-yards for something that looked illegal.

3 Things Learned Against the San Francisco 49ers (Dallas Cowboys)

3 Things We Learned from the Cowboys' Week 1 Performance

Coming off three consecutive 8-8 seasons, being a Cowboys fan has become a tiresome burden on even the most dedicated fan. The battered defense, offense led by a less-than-100 percent Tony Romo, and the condescending attitude of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones all create a recipe for disaster.

In a couple of previous posts about the Cowboys' 2014 season outlook, I have expressed how the Cowboys will less than likely meet their fan's expectations.

This was a Dallas "home game"?!

If you were able to watch the Cowboys vs. 49ers game, it was pretty difficult to miss the "sea of red" in Cowboys Stadium and even avoid hearing the roars of happiness after every San Francisco touchdown.

It's been awhile since I've watched a full game of the Cowboys (over 2 years to be exact). I hoped they would prove me wrong and rise to the occasion against one of the franchise's age-old foes. I guess that dream was far-fetched, resulting in a 28-17 defeat.

The writing is on the wall of Cowboys Stadium. Fans know it.

Players and coaches know it. Even Jones, no matter how much he denies it, knows the fan support of his franchise is a concern. 

1) Romo's back surgery has created a layer of rust not even WD-40 can remove.

I get it, he's rusty. After all, he's supposed to be! Coach Jason Garrett allowed Romo to sit out the majority of preseason (as well as practice) based on the recovery of Romo's back surgery. In the 2nd half, Romo "somewhat" delivered (mainly tossing prayers in the sky). We just have to eliminate the unforced turnovers.

2) DeMarco Murray is still a priority in our offense.

Despite Romo's numerous turnovers, the running game flourished through Murray's performance of 22 carries for 118 yards. 

The bad news is that this marked the first time in Murray's career that he carried the ball more than 20 times and the Cowboys lost. I'm optimistic of our run game. It's the pass game that has me on pins-and-needles.

3) We have to offensively outscore every opponent, and this is not a good thing.
 
We've already established the fact that our defense is as good as stopping a flood with notebook paper. Simply put, our offense HAS to outplay every offense it's matched up against! This can call for games in which the Cowboys almost certainly need to put up 25+ points a game. If our offense clicks, it's obtainable...there needs to be a sense of urgency and chemistry in the offensive flow.

4 Reasons to Pay Attention to the Seattle Seahawks

After last night's pounding on the Green Bay Packers, Seattle looks like a well-oiled machine marching back to the championship.

1) "Lord have mercy, we've got Percy!" - Russell Wilson

WR Percy Harvin

 
Percy Harvin played a major part in this high-powered offense, coming off an injury which sidelined him the majority of last season. If Percy Harvin can stay healthy for the whole year, the Seahawks' offense has a high chance to continually dismantle defenses.


2) The Legion of Boom is still...booming

SS Kam Chancellor lays down the hammer on Vernon Davis

Shoving matches after the whistle, lots of trash talk, helmet-shaking hits is what can describe this defense.

 If last year's Super Bowl was not bone-crushing enough, the Seahawks will satisfy your football appetite with their defensive play this season similar to the Pittsburgh Steelers' trademarked "Steel Curtain."



3) Pete Carroll's Philosophy is a goldmine.

I remember when Pete Carroll escaped from College Football before the dark cloud hovered over USC (2010 athletic scandal) and landed a coaching job in Seattle. My dad said: Seattle is the perfect team for Carroll, because they're young and Carroll can get those guys fired up if they listen to him. Man, he was right about that one. Pete Carroll's "Us Against the World" Philosophy (as my dad described) has produced a level of play nearly anyone would have believed to occur in Seattle!

Head Coach Pete Carroll

It seems this philosophy has made some waves from the Seahawks' locker room to around the NFL with the "Why Not Us?" movement (sparked by Russell Wilson's battle-cry leading to the Super Bowl victory).

  
4) Russell Wilson is this generation's Doug Williams

Back in Super Bowl XXII, the Washington Redskins (When are they going to change that mascot name?) were led by Doug Williams. Williams' victory over the John Elway-led Denver Broncos shocked the sports world and made history at the same time, becoming the first Black quarterback to win a Super Bowl.

The same goes for Russell Wilson, beating the Peyton Manning-led Denver Broncos.

Redskins QB Doug Williams

Russell Wilson has always been a "different" guy, in a good way. I remember watching Wisconsin in a bowl game during Wilson's senior year as quarterback.

Wisconsin marched down the field, hoping to put a miracle together in a nail-biting finish. With two seconds left and the clock still running, Wilson could not spike the ball in time to get the last play off. Despite this unfair situation, Wilson made his way to congratulate the opposing team and accepted his defeat with class.

Seahawks QB Russell Wilson

In the past couple of years, Wilson has easily become one of my favorite quarterbacks to watch play. The drive, determination, and class Russell brings to the Seahawks' franchise is invaluable. I'm grateful to see this generation's Doug Williams in action.