First on the docket: Cowboys preseason game!
The standard cliche, preseason games are meaningless, is not entirely true. They're just mostly meaningless. You get to see hot starter on starter action for a quarter and then dudes who are going to flipping burgers next week fighting Mike Vick's dogs for the next 45 glorious football minutes. I did come away with a few impressions that both pleased and intrigued me enough so that I will be looking at them in the next game as well.
- Romo looked good! -
Yeah he just threw 11 passes against a terrible defense, but still he showed me a lot. One play really showed everything that is awesome about Romo.
Halfway through the 1st quarter Romo had the Cowboys driving down field on the Colts for the second time in the game. TR connected with 2nd year tight end for a 13 yard gain and first down right by the home sideline. While this play may look fairly routine in the box score, it showed everything that makes Romo greatness. Tony took a 5 step drop and looked to hit his primary target, a receiver running a quick slant on the weak side, however the Indy corner played inside coverage...taking away Romo's first read. That's not a huge problem, a large number of plays in the NFL force QB's to look to secondary reads. The problem came in the form of a Colts' defender blitzing off the right side, Romo had pressure on him before he could look at the rest of the field.
BUT! TR had a good enough knowledge of the play (in a completely new system) and the defense that he knew where everyone else would be on the play. Romo threw the ball right past the incoming defender and into the arms of Fasano, who was wide open occupying the hole in the zone left from the blitzing defender.
Tony did a great job of setting his feet, creating a strong base even while knowing he was about to get hit. He had to slightly contort his upper body away from the blitzer in order to get the throw off cleanly but he still had showed great arm strength and accuracy on the pass.
Preseason games aren't completely meaningless, you just have to know where to look. One one play Romo showed an in depth understanding where everyone on the field was, an ability to stand in under pressure, enough flexibility to avoid a sack, great footwork, strong/accurate arm, and the knack for making a big play when most others would not. The 'Boys are in good hands.
----2. Ware spent most of his day on the hunt for Peyton Manning...hurray!
----3. Matt Moore looked pretty decent in the second half...I wonder if Bartel will get more PT in the next game?
----4. Dallas beat the defending Super Bowl champs...that makes them the best team now, right?
Next up: Rick Ankiel Alert!
In the past the "Rick Ankiel Alert" was used to announce the presence of a pitcher who couldn't find the plate, the alert was used as a warning to players in the dugout fans in the upper deck...you know, anyone who's in the way of getting hit by a throw.
Yesterday the 1999 Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year went deep for the 3rd time in his career, but this time it was as a right fielder not a pitcher. Cool story, hard not to root for the guy.
Ankiel's power is for real...he had 32 homers in AAA this year, unfortunately it doesn't look like he'll hit for enough average/get on base enough to be a big league regular.
I'm more excited to see if runners will try and take an extra base on him. Who's not looking forward to seeing Alfonso Soriano charging towards home and Ankiel sailing a 95 mph throw from right into the second deck?
Finally: Golf
Yes, golf! Now the SportsBullies like golf as much as anyone but we like it more as a drunken weekend activity...not so much a writing sport.
But, there is one thing that will excited all golf fans, over weight alcoholics, compulsive gamblers, and fans of car crashes.
[NOTE: The SportsBullies are NOT over weight!]
JOHN DALY IN CONTENTION IN A MAJOR. Talk about all-time appointment viewing... Daly and Tiger in the final pairing on Sunday. One can only dream. (one in that sentence refers not just to fans but to tv execs and advertisers)
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