Greetings and salutations! We bring you the second installment of SPORTS NERD OF THE DAY (dun, dun, duuuuuh)
Today's sports nerd is Murray Chass of the NY Times
In a recent column Mr. Chass rambled on aimlessly about stuff he didn't like: A-Rod v Jeter, the Rocket's possible return, Bernie's role with Yanks, player contracts and "Statistics mongers promoting VORP and other new-age baseball statistics."
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/27/sports/baseball/27chass.html?_r=3&ref=baseball&oref=slogin&oref=login&oref=slogin (I'm not sure if you need an account, It just let me in, prolly because it knew who I was, and what would happen if it didn't!)
It is in the last snippet of his column where Chass turns into the worst type of sports dork, the one who thinks he's a sports bully. Murray, prepare to meet a real sports bully.
This narrow minded, old coot only provides further evidence for how far we still have to come in the "Enlightenment Age of Baseball" (a term which I just made up, trademark pending.) Some of you may be surprised to find out that a sports bully like myself would take the side of baseball dorks, but in between giving Joe Sheehan wedgies and taking Will Carroll's lunch money I spend a good deal of time on the BP site.
Nate Silver had this response to Chass in BP's unfiltered section (no subscription needed) http://www.baseballprospectus.com/unfiltered/?PHPSESSID=ee33330c5a1312f27864d01fde2d489b (right below Kevin Goldstien proclaiming himself a baseball dork, we all knew that already Kevin...but again I hate nerds, dorks I'm ok with)
As Chass writes with his quill, "I receive a daily e-mail message from Baseball Prospectus, an electronic publication filled with articles and information about statistics, mostly statistics that only stats mongers can love." Adding, "Hey you damned kids, get off of my lawn!!"
"For the longest time, I had no idea what VORP meant and didn’t care enough to go to any great lengths to find out. I asked some colleagues whose work I respect, and they didn’t know what it meant either." Did I mention that this guy is a member of the BBWAA (see below)??? I'm sure all his colleagues still yearn for the good ole days when he could watch the New York Giants play the Brooklyn Superbas in Washington Park III; when the DH and Astroturf didn't exist, men wore suits to the game, and there wasn't a colored person in sight! (but Superbas' 2B Tom Daly's 1900 .403 OBP would upset him)
"But their attempt to introduce these new-age statistics into the game threatens to undermine most fans’ enjoyment of baseball and the human factor therein." He's right, understanding things has always made me like them less. I hate knowing that the leadoff guy walking in an inning increases the expected runs scored in the inning from .544 to .926 http://www.baseballprospectus.com/statistics/sortable/index.php?cid=99956. That really makes me lose interest in the game.
The deeper your understanding of the game, the more you can get into it. I have always been a baseball fan (my very first memory is of playing baseball.) When I was 16 I got two great gifts, a car and Bill James' Historical Abstract (I drove and read all day long.) The more I know about the game the more I love it. I definitely know enough to bully Murray Chass.
The guys at BP aren't just the pimply-faced-nerds-in-their-mother's-basements-sitting-alone-no-friends-no-girls-only-numbers (besides Will Carroll...will someone please explain how that guy gets his mug on TV? Will stick to radio) they are fans of the game. Passionate knowledgeable fans, nothing more, nothing less. It's sad that this curmudgeon-nerd (trademark pending) thinks he's better than them.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Mistake of the Week
Sports are filled with people who have no clue what they are doing. This week it is the Baseball Veteran committee. They vote every two years on candidates who have passed their eligibility with the BBWAA. This years ballot included many names of baseballs storied past. I'm a firm believer of the Hall being selective. After all, it is the Hall of Fame, not the Hall of Very Good. That being said, these Veterans have continually embarrassed the great game.
Last year, when a special election was made for former Negro League stars, the committee left out Buck O'Neal. Yeah, one of the best Negro league players ever, a man who spoke out for the inclusion of blacks in the HOF, a man who became the oldest man ever to play in a professional baseball game. He is dead now. He should have had the honor of walking across the stage, up to the podium, and delivering his acceptance speech. He was an excellent orator who could tell amazing tales. He is a man who watched Ruth play, who batted against Satchel Paige, who lived through 8 decades of baseball!! And we are all robbed by this injustice.
This year was the third time the committee has voted on players. And for the third time, not a single person was elected. As I said, I'm glad they aren't putting everyone in, but in three votes, you found no one eligible?!?! What about the great Ron Santo? It blows me away that he can't make it. Let's examine his stats and see how he stacks up against other HOF's.
There are only 13 hot corner's in the Hall of Fame. Santo should be number 14, but the Hall of Fame has a blind spot when it comes to that position. Santo was a 9 time All-Star, won 5 Gold Gloves, and led the National League in walks four times. During a 13-year period he averaged 25 home runs, 96 RBIs and 156 games. He was the cleanup hitter in a lineup that featured future Hall of Famer's Ernie Banks and Billy Williams. He finished his career with a .277 batting average, 1,331 RBIs and 342 homers. Santo played with diabetes and yet he still had 2,254 hits and batted .300 or better four times. Bill James, the famous sabermetrician said of Santo: "To me it is clear and unequivocal that Santo is a Hall of Famer. ... Putting guys like George Kell, Freddy Lindstrom, and Tony Lazzeri in the Hall of Fame while you leave out Ron Santo is like putting Dalmatians, Palominos, and Siamese in the zoo while you let the lions roam the streets." James has also said that "Santo's numbers are comparable to some HOF outfielders and first baseman.
Santo continually battles diabetes. He has lost both of his lower legs to the disease. If Santo is passed up continually till he dies, it will be a travesty much like O'Neal.
A second player who deserves to be in the Hall is Curt Flood. Flood doesn't have the numbers typically associated with someone deserving of enshrinement. However, he didn't have the longevity to put up the numbers. So, he wasn't durable you say? No, he was extremely durable. He never missed more than 6 games in a year. His decision to challenge baseball's reserve clause and open up the door for free agency prohibited him from continuing his brilliant career. And it was very brilliant. Taking away his first two years when he played for the Cards (he only played in 8 games) and his comeback year of '71 in which he only played in 13 games gives flood 12 years of service. In those 12 years he compiled over 1,850 hits, 271 doubles and a .293 career batting average. He was a 3-time All-star and won the Gold Glove award 7 times. He was a superb athlete with amazing speed and instincts. His fielding was likened to that of Willie Mays. And I've yet to even talk about his contributions off the field.
A discussion of Flood can't be complete without his contributions to baseball off the field. His lawsuit in 1970 challenging the reserve clause in baseball changed the face of all sports, not just his. It paved the way for modern free agency, and ended the virtual 'slavery' of players. His choice to forgo his career for the better of others can't be overlooked when considering his merits for the Hall.
Both Flood and Santo deserve to be in the Hall. End of discussion. Let's fix this injustice. I encourage everyone to either e-mail the Veteran's committee at: http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers_and_honorees/veterans/contact.htm.
Or write them at:
Hall of Fame Veterans Committee
25 Main Street
Cooperstown, NY 13326.
Last year, when a special election was made for former Negro League stars, the committee left out Buck O'Neal. Yeah, one of the best Negro league players ever, a man who spoke out for the inclusion of blacks in the HOF, a man who became the oldest man ever to play in a professional baseball game. He is dead now. He should have had the honor of walking across the stage, up to the podium, and delivering his acceptance speech. He was an excellent orator who could tell amazing tales. He is a man who watched Ruth play, who batted against Satchel Paige, who lived through 8 decades of baseball!! And we are all robbed by this injustice.
This year was the third time the committee has voted on players. And for the third time, not a single person was elected. As I said, I'm glad they aren't putting everyone in, but in three votes, you found no one eligible?!?! What about the great Ron Santo? It blows me away that he can't make it. Let's examine his stats and see how he stacks up against other HOF's.
There are only 13 hot corner's in the Hall of Fame. Santo should be number 14, but the Hall of Fame has a blind spot when it comes to that position. Santo was a 9 time All-Star, won 5 Gold Gloves, and led the National League in walks four times. During a 13-year period he averaged 25 home runs, 96 RBIs and 156 games. He was the cleanup hitter in a lineup that featured future Hall of Famer's Ernie Banks and Billy Williams. He finished his career with a .277 batting average, 1,331 RBIs and 342 homers. Santo played with diabetes and yet he still had 2,254 hits and batted .300 or better four times. Bill James, the famous sabermetrician said of Santo: "To me it is clear and unequivocal that Santo is a Hall of Famer. ... Putting guys like George Kell, Freddy Lindstrom, and Tony Lazzeri in the Hall of Fame while you leave out Ron Santo is like putting Dalmatians, Palominos, and Siamese in the zoo while you let the lions roam the streets." James has also said that "Santo's numbers are comparable to some HOF outfielders and first baseman.
Santo continually battles diabetes. He has lost both of his lower legs to the disease. If Santo is passed up continually till he dies, it will be a travesty much like O'Neal.
A second player who deserves to be in the Hall is Curt Flood. Flood doesn't have the numbers typically associated with someone deserving of enshrinement. However, he didn't have the longevity to put up the numbers. So, he wasn't durable you say? No, he was extremely durable. He never missed more than 6 games in a year. His decision to challenge baseball's reserve clause and open up the door for free agency prohibited him from continuing his brilliant career. And it was very brilliant. Taking away his first two years when he played for the Cards (he only played in 8 games) and his comeback year of '71 in which he only played in 13 games gives flood 12 years of service. In those 12 years he compiled over 1,850 hits, 271 doubles and a .293 career batting average. He was a 3-time All-star and won the Gold Glove award 7 times. He was a superb athlete with amazing speed and instincts. His fielding was likened to that of Willie Mays. And I've yet to even talk about his contributions off the field.
A discussion of Flood can't be complete without his contributions to baseball off the field. His lawsuit in 1970 challenging the reserve clause in baseball changed the face of all sports, not just his. It paved the way for modern free agency, and ended the virtual 'slavery' of players. His choice to forgo his career for the better of others can't be overlooked when considering his merits for the Hall.
Both Flood and Santo deserve to be in the Hall. End of discussion. Let's fix this injustice. I encourage everyone to either e-mail the Veteran's committee at: http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers_and_honorees/veterans/contact.htm.
Or write them at:
Hall of Fame Veterans Committee
25 Main Street
Cooperstown, NY 13326.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Sports Nerd of the Day
Every good sports bully needs a sport nerd.
Today's sports nerd is Bill Plaschke of the LA Times.
On ESPN's Around the Horn Plaschke was discussing the Mavericks chances to win it all. He said, "Regular season success doesn't mean anything. It's all about success in April and March, and the team built to win in April and March is the Phoenix Suns."
Apparently Plaschke thinks that depth doesn't help you win in the playoffs. Phoenix has six players that get all their playing time. The Mavs are a legit 9 deep. See what the Suns do in the playoffs when Nash is completely run into the ground.
Apparently Plaschke doesn't think that head-to-head matchups mean anything. The Mavericks beat the Suns 119-112 on November 9th IN PHOENIX and again at the AAC 101-99 on 12/28.
Plaschke was probably thinking about all the post season success this Suns team has had... like last year when the MAVS BEAT Phoenix in 6 to advance to the Finals.
It boggles my sports bully mind how people nationally aren't catching onto the fact that this Mavericks team is HISTORICALLY GOOD. The first team ever to have three 12 game winning streaks in the same season (that's 3 more than these teams have had in their NBA franchise histories Charlotte, Cleveland, Golden State, Indiana, L.A. Clippers, Minnesota, New Orleans/Oklahoma City, Orlando, Toronto, Memphis and Washington) , 2nd best record over a 50 game span in NBA history (45-5) only the Sixers were one game better (46-4) during their title run in the Moses Malone fo-fo-fo year. They have the MVP (Dirk) another all star (J-Ho) the best defensive point guard in the league (Devin Harris) and a host of glue guys who play hard, play defense, and can hit big shots (Jet Terry, Stackhouse, Devean George, Greg Buckner) not to mention the fact that this is a young team, that has consistently found steals late in the draft (Howard) and undrafted free agents (Marquis Daniels, Pops Mensa-Bonsu, JJ Barea -- you may not know those names, but you will)
Bill Plaschke, your sports nerd of the day.
Today's sports nerd is Bill Plaschke of the LA Times.
On ESPN's Around the Horn Plaschke was discussing the Mavericks chances to win it all. He said, "Regular season success doesn't mean anything. It's all about success in April and March, and the team built to win in April and March is the Phoenix Suns."
Apparently Plaschke doesn't think that defense wins championships. Phoenix is a below average defensive team, when everyone is healthy. Dallas is one of the top 3 defensive teams in the league no matter who's playing.
Apparently Plaschke thinks that depth doesn't help you win in the playoffs. Phoenix has six players that get all their playing time. The Mavs are a legit 9 deep. See what the Suns do in the playoffs when Nash is completely run into the ground.
Apparently Plaschke doesn't think that head-to-head matchups mean anything. The Mavericks beat the Suns 119-112 on November 9th IN PHOENIX and again at the AAC 101-99 on 12/28.
Plaschke was probably thinking about all the post season success this Suns team has had... like last year when the MAVS BEAT Phoenix in 6 to advance to the Finals.
It boggles my sports bully mind how people nationally aren't catching onto the fact that this Mavericks team is HISTORICALLY GOOD. The first team ever to have three 12 game winning streaks in the same season (that's 3 more than these teams have had in their NBA franchise histories Charlotte, Cleveland, Golden State, Indiana, L.A. Clippers, Minnesota, New Orleans/Oklahoma City, Orlando, Toronto, Memphis and Washington) , 2nd best record over a 50 game span in NBA history (45-5) only the Sixers were one game better (46-4) during their title run in the Moses Malone fo-fo-fo year. They have the MVP (Dirk) another all star (J-Ho) the best defensive point guard in the league (Devin Harris) and a host of glue guys who play hard, play defense, and can hit big shots (Jet Terry, Stackhouse, Devean George, Greg Buckner) not to mention the fact that this is a young team, that has consistently found steals late in the draft (Howard) and undrafted free agents (Marquis Daniels, Pops Mensa-Bonsu, JJ Barea -- you may not know those names, but you will)
Bill Plaschke, your sports nerd of the day.
How To
This is our first in a series of how to articles. In these blogs we will tell you the correct way to do things, because most people are idiots and screw shit up.
HOW TO FIX THE COWBOYS
The Boys were good last year, but not great. The following is a list of personnel moves that will make them great and the favorite to lose to an AFC team in the Super Bowl.
Here are the areas on the boys team that need improvement.
1) Free Safety - Ever since the great #28 hung up his cleats this has been a glaring weakness on the D. Pat Watkins, the team's 5th round pick last year, flashed some talent but can't be counted on. Keith Davis, the best 50 cent impersonator in the NFL, is just a subpar back-up and decent special teams player. With Roy Williams at strong safety, a free safety who can roam centerfield is all the more important. Vernon Wells??
2) Offensive Line - Specifically guard help. The line out played expectations last year; really helps when you have a QB who can take a 5 step drop in less than 6 minutes (which I once timed Bledsoe at.) But the Boys still finished the year 23rd in adjusted sack rate (better when Romo was in) but they were only average in power running situations http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/ol.php . Marco Rivera has been decent, but is old and injured. Bernie Kosar at RG makes a good backup in the league and not much more.
3) Defensive Line - Canty, Spears, Colemon, and Hatcher just weren't able to consistently get pressure on the QB last year. Ellis' injury only exacerbated the situation. A lack of pressure amplified the coverage problems last year.
4) Wide Receiver - Maybe this should move up in wake of TO's recent surgical needs. TO and Glenn were productive last year, but are old and the depth on the roster is lacking. While the former NWOSU great was the most productive 3rd receiver in football last year, I'm not ready to count on him as a #1 guy yet. Even if Crayton can be a #1, who's going to be your #2, Miles Austin?? Again this has been a problem for a while with the Cowboys. They need to get younger and faster at WR.
5) Quarterback - Romo is the future, and the future looks good. However, Dallas is losing a future 1st ballot Hall-of-Famer at that position and need an insurance policy in case something horrible happens to Touchdown Tony. The Mickaroo had a good piece on the QB needs http://www.dallascowboys.com/news.cfm?editorialAuthor=1&id=EBD933AA-D7C9-3AA1-0DA344AEA15880B1
6) Cornerback - Newman is one of the best in the biz, but after that the Cowboys' corners are slow, old, and/or crappy. Henry might be better suited for a different position (see below). Glenn is getting older, slower, and shorter by the hour. And Jacques Reeves sounds like a French quadriplegic superman. Also, apparently there's some guy named Quincy Butler on the roster who obviously can't play (sorry Mrs. Butler.) Getting younger and faster at this position would be a good thing. (I'm always looking down the road; whenever you always have everything under control right now you can do that. I will try to give out little pearls of wisdom like that from time to time in this blog.)
I. Trades
Trades are somewhat uncommon in the NFL but that's all the more reason why an astute GM, Jerry? no. Me? yes! can gain a competitive advantage on the rest of the league by utilizing an undervalued resource.
The Cowboys should go after the man who adopts middle schools in his free time
http://www.drebly32.com/news/4 . Donald André Bly would fit perfectly within Wade Philip's blitzing 3-4 scheme. Bly excels in man-to-man coverage. With Bly and T-New as the two starting corners the 2007 Cowboys would look like one of my Madden teams And thats a good thing because I'm also a God at Madden. Starting Bly would let Anthony Henry move to free safety and kill two birds with one stone (not four birds with half a stone like this guy http://www.chucknorrisfacts.com/ ) The cost? Bly is unhappy, wants to be traded, and the Lions GM only has his job because apparently it's illegal to fire someone for being retarded in the state of Michigan. Dallas could snag Bly for a WR, turkey drum stick, and a new mustache comb. A more likely scenario would have Dallas parting with Bradie James and a 3rd round pick. This single move could drastically improve the coverage abilities at 2 key positions and would def put Dallas past Seattle in the NFC.
II. Free Agents
Cowboys have some cash to burn in free agency and a few players fit our needs pretty well.
Leonard Davis OL, Arizona - Big could replace Kosier and give the Boys a dominate, physical guard that Larry Allen used to be. Davis has been a bust after being the #2 pick a few years ago, but a large part of the blame rests on the Cardinals. Arizona moved Big to left tackle in 2004, not because he wasn't suited to being a guard but because he was their best lineman...and left tackle is supposed to be your best lineman, right? Problem is Davis is six and half feet tall and weighs as much as a Volkswagen bus. Power run blocking is what he does best, moving laterally to catch up with speed rushers is not. If Wade Philips can keep him motivated he can still dominate (maybe they should tie a piece of cake to opposing defensive lineman so he mauls them.) Signing Davis, who should only be moderately priced, and putting him at guard would let Davis succeed and give Dallas another big, strong, black man to control the line of scrimmage letting MBIII pick up every 3rd and short all season.
Donnie Edwards LB, San Diego - Hurray for wikipedia, without it I would never have known that Donnie Edwards is allergic to grass and "a good friend of actor Mario Lopez." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donnie_Edwards . I only knew that he would fit perfectly in the Boys D. Filling the whole in the D that Bradie James' being traded created, Donnie would have the added benefit of already knowing Wade's system. The Cowboys linebackers could not cover anyone last year (remember Mike Karney??) and Edwards is still one of the best cover linebackers in the game. He's a veteran, good leader, good tackler, good cover guy and he knows the system. He won't cost an arm and a leg, has giant teeth, and maybe Slater will come to the games once we sign him. He and Emmitt could be the half-time entertainment for every game.
Brad Johnson QB, Minnesota - Someone's gotta be the back up. He's got a ring, experience, and ... whatever... just bring Vinny back!
III. Draft
DRAFT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Christmas for any good NFL fan, the spring training of football when everyone thinks their team can make it all the way. I'm already excited. I can almost hear Roger Goodell's dulcet tones now...
With the 22nd pick of the 2007 Draft the Dallas Cowboys select from the University of Texas Offensive Guard, Justin Blalock (and the crowd goes wild.) Or maybe it won't. It wouldn't be the sexiest pick but at 6'3'' 320 lbs. there's just more of him to love. Blalock is anther Guard/Tackle tweener guy who would be best served playing on the inside (sandwich him in between our pro-bowl Left Tackle and Center?) He's very strong and powerful but also has the speed to pull to the outside or reach the second level of defenders. He ran a 5.1 40 at the combine. Flozell, Blalock, Gurode, Davis, and Columbo would give Dallas it's best O-Line since the Super Bowl glory days of my youth.
Picking 53rd overall in the second round I think the Cowboys should grab a WR. This year is ridiculously deep at that position and quality can still be found in Round 2. Two guys jump out at me who would fit the bill and will probably still be there when pick 53 comes around. (I pick two because even I can't predict who exactly will be left 47 hours into the draft.) Buster Davis from L.S.U. and Jason Hill from Washington State would provide an upgrade to WR core by adding young, explosive, playmaking ability. Davis was the #2 option for most of his college career, playing the Tigers version of Anthony Gonzalez (who I also like, but should be drafted by then) but was still pretty productive. Davis has a good frame 6'1'' 207 and lots of athletic ability. Jason Hill had a down senior season but so did Washington State overall. In the two years prior Hill was one of the most productive WR's in the country. The knock on him has been a lack of top end speed but his 4.32 40 yard dash should dispel those worries.
In the fourth round the Cowboys should try to get younger and faster at CB. Travarous Bain of Hampton would be a great fit. Bain has good height at 6' and 4.4 speed. He started his college career at the U, but transfered to Hampton. He's a track guy who makes a few too many gambles going for the ball. Coaching and experience can help with that, he has all the physical tools to succeed in the NFL.
After that the Cowboys should focus on getting good value with their picks. We'll have more in depth discussion of the draft as it nears.
IV. Other moves
One other key move the Cowboys should make is moving Greg Ellis back to the D-line. You might say, "But Lincoln, he's to small to be a DE in a 3-4, and he was pretty good at OLB before he was hurt." I would say, "DON'T YOU DARE QUESTION MY AUTHORITY OR I WILL END YOU!!! I DON'T MEAN THAT AS A THREAT, I WILL LITERALLY STOP YOUR HEART FROM BEATING. DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?!?!??!!!!" ...sorry, lost control for a minute there. Ellis was good playing his new position last year, but his injury should take away from his speed that was already at the just-barely-good-enough-stage (not that I've ever been in that stage before, but I'm sure some of you can relate.) Ellis is still the best defensive lineman the Cowboys have and your best defensive lineman should play on the defensive line, right? (not to be confused with Arizona Cardinal thinking about their O-line, see Davis, Leonard) Playing in the 3-4 year before last at DE Ellis still tied for the team lead in sacks and played well against the run. Moving Ellis to DE pretty much full time (you could put him at linebacker occasionally to give opposing offenses something extra to think about) would mean that the rotation of DE's would be in full effect again. Giving Ellis PT would take some away from Canty and Spears, letting them rest up and be more effective in the time they're out there.
Replacing Ellis at outside backer should be done by Akin Ayodele, he's an outside pressure player anyway and was playing out of position all this year. Replace Akin on the inside with a combo of Kevin Burnette (good cover guy) and Bobby Carpentar (potential to be a good pressure guy) and the D is much better overall, with more players playing their natural positions. These LB's would be much better in coverage and the D overall would be better at getting pressure on the QB two inter related problems of the D last year.
Now you've learned something Jerry.
HOW TO FIX THE COWBOYS
The Boys were good last year, but not great. The following is a list of personnel moves that will make them great and the favorite to lose to an AFC team in the Super Bowl.
Here are the areas on the boys team that need improvement.
1) Free Safety - Ever since the great #28 hung up his cleats this has been a glaring weakness on the D. Pat Watkins, the team's 5th round pick last year, flashed some talent but can't be counted on. Keith Davis, the best 50 cent impersonator in the NFL, is just a subpar back-up and decent special teams player. With Roy Williams at strong safety, a free safety who can roam centerfield is all the more important. Vernon Wells??
2) Offensive Line - Specifically guard help. The line out played expectations last year; really helps when you have a QB who can take a 5 step drop in less than 6 minutes (which I once timed Bledsoe at.) But the Boys still finished the year 23rd in adjusted sack rate (better when Romo was in) but they were only average in power running situations http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/ol.php . Marco Rivera has been decent, but is old and injured. Bernie Kosar at RG makes a good backup in the league and not much more.
3) Defensive Line - Canty, Spears, Colemon, and Hatcher just weren't able to consistently get pressure on the QB last year. Ellis' injury only exacerbated the situation. A lack of pressure amplified the coverage problems last year.
4) Wide Receiver - Maybe this should move up in wake of TO's recent surgical needs. TO and Glenn were productive last year, but are old and the depth on the roster is lacking. While the former NWOSU great was the most productive 3rd receiver in football last year, I'm not ready to count on him as a #1 guy yet. Even if Crayton can be a #1, who's going to be your #2, Miles Austin?? Again this has been a problem for a while with the Cowboys. They need to get younger and faster at WR.
5) Quarterback - Romo is the future, and the future looks good. However, Dallas is losing a future 1st ballot Hall-of-Famer at that position and need an insurance policy in case something horrible happens to Touchdown Tony. The Mickaroo had a good piece on the QB needs http://www.dallascowboys.com/news.cfm?editorialAuthor=1&id=EBD933AA-D7C9-3AA1-0DA344AEA15880B1
6) Cornerback - Newman is one of the best in the biz, but after that the Cowboys' corners are slow, old, and/or crappy. Henry might be better suited for a different position (see below). Glenn is getting older, slower, and shorter by the hour. And Jacques Reeves sounds like a French quadriplegic superman. Also, apparently there's some guy named Quincy Butler on the roster who obviously can't play (sorry Mrs. Butler.) Getting younger and faster at this position would be a good thing. (I'm always looking down the road; whenever you always have everything under control right now you can do that. I will try to give out little pearls of wisdom like that from time to time in this blog.)
I. Trades
Trades are somewhat uncommon in the NFL but that's all the more reason why an astute GM, Jerry? no. Me? yes! can gain a competitive advantage on the rest of the league by utilizing an undervalued resource.
The Cowboys should go after the man who adopts middle schools in his free time
http://www.drebly32.com/news/4 . Donald André Bly would fit perfectly within Wade Philip's blitzing 3-4 scheme. Bly excels in man-to-man coverage. With Bly and T-New as the two starting corners the 2007 Cowboys would look like one of my Madden teams And thats a good thing because I'm also a God at Madden. Starting Bly would let Anthony Henry move to free safety and kill two birds with one stone (not four birds with half a stone like this guy http://www.chucknorrisfacts.com/ ) The cost? Bly is unhappy, wants to be traded, and the Lions GM only has his job because apparently it's illegal to fire someone for being retarded in the state of Michigan. Dallas could snag Bly for a WR, turkey drum stick, and a new mustache comb. A more likely scenario would have Dallas parting with Bradie James and a 3rd round pick. This single move could drastically improve the coverage abilities at 2 key positions and would def put Dallas past Seattle in the NFC.
II. Free Agents
Cowboys have some cash to burn in free agency and a few players fit our needs pretty well.
Leonard Davis OL, Arizona - Big could replace Kosier and give the Boys a dominate, physical guard that Larry Allen used to be. Davis has been a bust after being the #2 pick a few years ago, but a large part of the blame rests on the Cardinals. Arizona moved Big to left tackle in 2004, not because he wasn't suited to being a guard but because he was their best lineman...and left tackle is supposed to be your best lineman, right? Problem is Davis is six and half feet tall and weighs as much as a Volkswagen bus. Power run blocking is what he does best, moving laterally to catch up with speed rushers is not. If Wade Philips can keep him motivated he can still dominate (maybe they should tie a piece of cake to opposing defensive lineman so he mauls them.) Signing Davis, who should only be moderately priced, and putting him at guard would let Davis succeed and give Dallas another big, strong, black man to control the line of scrimmage letting MBIII pick up every 3rd and short all season.
Donnie Edwards LB, San Diego - Hurray for wikipedia, without it I would never have known that Donnie Edwards is allergic to grass and "a good friend of actor Mario Lopez." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donnie_Edwards . I only knew that he would fit perfectly in the Boys D. Filling the whole in the D that Bradie James' being traded created, Donnie would have the added benefit of already knowing Wade's system. The Cowboys linebackers could not cover anyone last year (remember Mike Karney??) and Edwards is still one of the best cover linebackers in the game. He's a veteran, good leader, good tackler, good cover guy and he knows the system. He won't cost an arm and a leg, has giant teeth, and maybe Slater will come to the games once we sign him. He and Emmitt could be the half-time entertainment for every game.
Brad Johnson QB, Minnesota - Someone's gotta be the back up. He's got a ring, experience, and ... whatever... just bring Vinny back!
III. Draft
DRAFT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Christmas for any good NFL fan, the spring training of football when everyone thinks their team can make it all the way. I'm already excited. I can almost hear Roger Goodell's dulcet tones now...
With the 22nd pick of the 2007 Draft the Dallas Cowboys select from the University of Texas Offensive Guard, Justin Blalock (and the crowd goes wild.) Or maybe it won't. It wouldn't be the sexiest pick but at 6'3'' 320 lbs. there's just more of him to love. Blalock is anther Guard/Tackle tweener guy who would be best served playing on the inside (sandwich him in between our pro-bowl Left Tackle and Center?) He's very strong and powerful but also has the speed to pull to the outside or reach the second level of defenders. He ran a 5.1 40 at the combine. Flozell, Blalock, Gurode, Davis, and Columbo would give Dallas it's best O-Line since the Super Bowl glory days of my youth.
Picking 53rd overall in the second round I think the Cowboys should grab a WR. This year is ridiculously deep at that position and quality can still be found in Round 2. Two guys jump out at me who would fit the bill and will probably still be there when pick 53 comes around. (I pick two because even I can't predict who exactly will be left 47 hours into the draft.) Buster Davis from L.S.U. and Jason Hill from Washington State would provide an upgrade to WR core by adding young, explosive, playmaking ability. Davis was the #2 option for most of his college career, playing the Tigers version of Anthony Gonzalez (who I also like, but should be drafted by then) but was still pretty productive. Davis has a good frame 6'1'' 207 and lots of athletic ability. Jason Hill had a down senior season but so did Washington State overall. In the two years prior Hill was one of the most productive WR's in the country. The knock on him has been a lack of top end speed but his 4.32 40 yard dash should dispel those worries.
In the fourth round the Cowboys should try to get younger and faster at CB. Travarous Bain of Hampton would be a great fit. Bain has good height at 6' and 4.4 speed. He started his college career at the U, but transfered to Hampton. He's a track guy who makes a few too many gambles going for the ball. Coaching and experience can help with that, he has all the physical tools to succeed in the NFL.
After that the Cowboys should focus on getting good value with their picks. We'll have more in depth discussion of the draft as it nears.
IV. Other moves
One other key move the Cowboys should make is moving Greg Ellis back to the D-line. You might say, "But Lincoln, he's to small to be a DE in a 3-4, and he was pretty good at OLB before he was hurt." I would say, "DON'T YOU DARE QUESTION MY AUTHORITY OR I WILL END YOU!!! I DON'T MEAN THAT AS A THREAT, I WILL LITERALLY STOP YOUR HEART FROM BEATING. DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?!?!??!!!!" ...sorry, lost control for a minute there. Ellis was good playing his new position last year, but his injury should take away from his speed that was already at the just-barely-good-enough-stage (not that I've ever been in that stage before, but I'm sure some of you can relate.) Ellis is still the best defensive lineman the Cowboys have and your best defensive lineman should play on the defensive line, right? (not to be confused with Arizona Cardinal thinking about their O-line, see Davis, Leonard) Playing in the 3-4 year before last at DE Ellis still tied for the team lead in sacks and played well against the run. Moving Ellis to DE pretty much full time (you could put him at linebacker occasionally to give opposing offenses something extra to think about) would mean that the rotation of DE's would be in full effect again. Giving Ellis PT would take some away from Canty and Spears, letting them rest up and be more effective in the time they're out there.
Replacing Ellis at outside backer should be done by Akin Ayodele, he's an outside pressure player anyway and was playing out of position all this year. Replace Akin on the inside with a combo of Kevin Burnette (good cover guy) and Bobby Carpentar (potential to be a good pressure guy) and the D is much better overall, with more players playing their natural positions. These LB's would be much better in coverage and the D overall would be better at getting pressure on the QB two inter related problems of the D last year.
Now you've learned something Jerry.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Welcome Duece!
As my very special friend has so eloquently stated, my name is J.J. What it stands for isn't important, just that it belongs to a superior connoisseur of sports. I recieved my Doctorate in Dallas Sports, and recently got my Bachelors of Knowledge in Sports in general.
I too have perfected the art of sports bullying those less knowledgeable than I. Like this guy: http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=2779778&name=hollinger_john&univLogin02=stateChanged!!! I mean, are you serious?!?!
That is pretty much it. Don't come in here expecting to be thought of as an equal, that just doesn't make sense. Class dismissed!
I too have perfected the art of sports bullying those less knowledgeable than I. Like this guy: http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=2779778&name=hollinger_john&univLogin02=stateChanged!!! I mean, are you serious?!?!
That is pretty much it. Don't come in here expecting to be thought of as an equal, that just doesn't make sense. Class dismissed!
Welcome!
The reason we started this blog is because we know more than you. If you knew more than, or even as much as, us you wouldn't need to read our blog. That's science. You will learn the correct opinions on everything that's happened in the sports world (specifically the Dallas sports world) simply by reading our musing on this blog brought to you via a system of tubes.
I feel like since you're going to be learning so much about the world from us you should know a little bit about us. I'll let JJ, my cohort and hetero man friend, introduce himself later.
My name is Lincoln and I learned so much about sports from being smarter than you, I'm also bigger and stronger and better looking than you -- and yeah, I'm a little drunk! So what? Want to fight about it?!? In my years of surveying the sports biosphere I live in I have perfected the art of bulling those who I disagree with. Like those idiots who think Vince Young will be a good quarterback in the NFL!
We will bully with our vast sports brains...and our fists if still you disagree.
To kick things off here is the best sports movie speech of all time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rFx6OFooCs
I feel like since you're going to be learning so much about the world from us you should know a little bit about us. I'll let JJ, my cohort and hetero man friend, introduce himself later.
My name is Lincoln and I learned so much about sports from being smarter than you, I'm also bigger and stronger and better looking than you -- and yeah, I'm a little drunk! So what? Want to fight about it?!? In my years of surveying the sports biosphere I live in I have perfected the art of bulling those who I disagree with. Like those idiots who think Vince Young will be a good quarterback in the NFL!
We will bully with our vast sports brains...and our fists if still you disagree.
To kick things off here is the best sports movie speech of all time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rFx6OFooCs
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