Now that I've had some time to digest the draft, I've been able to turn my thoughts to the Cowboys' schedule for the upcoming season. If they are to be the first team to play in the Super Bowl in their home stadium, they're certainly going to have to earn it because the NFL's schedule makers certainly didn't do them any favors.
Week 1: Sept. 12, @ Washington
-Congragulations Redskins fans! With a new coach and quarterback, you can now consider your team relevant again. Now that it looks like the Redskins have finally come out of the wilderness that was the Jim Zorn era, I guess the league felt it was only right that the Cowboys be the first team to visit Donovan McNabb and Mike Shannahan in their new digs. How many times will McNabb tell his new personal protector Trent Williams about DeMarcus Ware in the days leading up to the game?
Week 2: Sept. 19, vs. Chicago
-It's always nice to have your first home game against a team with a turnover-prone QB who will undoubtedly still be working out the bugs in a new offensive system under the direction of Mike Martz.
Week 3: Sept. 26, @ Houston
-This game just screams shootout with a crazy ending to it. The Texans will be laying in wait and ready to prove they are no longer the step children of the lone star state.
Week 4: BYE
-Does any NFL team really need a bye at this point of the season? Maybe it will be a blessing in disguise.
Week 5: Oct. 10, vs. Tennessee
-The Cowboys would be wise to come out ready to play this one. The Titans are consistently one of the most physical teams in the league and this version of Vince Young is light years better than the one they saw during a blowout in Nashville on '06.
Week 6: Oct. 17, @ Minnesota
-After being bounced from the playoffs by the Vikings last season, you know the Cowboys want this one really bad. We all know it will probably be one of the better games of the regular season. The only question is how many times we'll see the replay of Keith Brooking storming over to the Vikings' bench during last year's playoff game after the Vikes scored a needless touchdown in garbage time.
Week 7: Oct. 25, vs. New York Giants
-The Cowboys have a rivalry with everybody in their division. That said, there's a certain disdain the Cowboys and Giants share and it will be on display for everybody to see during this Monday night matchup. Simply put, they just don't like each other and it makes for great games. Where is a personal foul from Flozell Adams when you need him?
Week 8: Oct. 31, vs. Jacksonville
-At first glance, this should be an easy win for the Cowboys. Then you realize Jack Del Rio might be coaching for his job this year-as proven by his drafting of Tyson Alualu 9th overall- and he'll do everything he can to steal a win in the Jags first trip to Jerryland.
Week 9: Nov. 7, @ Green Bay
-The NFL loves putting these two together on a regular basis, don't they? How many times will we hear about Tony Romo and his childhood in Wisconsin leading up to the game?
Week 10: Nov. 14, @ New York Giants
-The Cowboys first trip to the new Meadowlands venue should be a festive one. Will Tony Romo sign his name on the lockeroom wall the way Eli Manning did last year after his first trip to Cowboys Stadium?
Week 11: Nov. 21, vs. Detroit
-Welcome home Matt Stafford and welcome back Ndamokung Suh. The last time Stafford played football here in the area, he was setting records at Highland Park and becoming one of the top high school recruits in the country. The last time Suh played in Cowboys Stadium, he channeled his inner Jerome Brown and literally came within one second of single handedly derailing the Texas Longhorns' national title hopes. As far as the game is concerned, the Cowboys will overcome an early haze to get a relatively easy win. The fun part, however, is going to be watching Calvin Johnson go at it with Mike Jenkins in a battle of two of the better young players in the league.
Here's where things start getting interesting!
Week 12: Nov. 25, vs. New Orleans
-Whoa! The NFL definitely made sure they loaded up for their feature game on turkey day. In one corner, you've got the Cowboys and their monstrosity of a stadium. In the other, it'll be Drew Brees, Sean Payton and the rest of the beloved Saints who will probably still have a certain glow to them due to last year's Super Bowl win. Will Darren Sharper be playing with a star on his helmet this time?
Week 13: Dec.5, @ Indianapolis
-The second game of what promises to be an unforgiving gauntlet to finish the season sees the Cowboys head to Indy against the unflappable Peyton Manning and the Colts. Wade Phillips' defenses historically game Manning trouble when he was in San Diego. With players like DeMarcus Ware, Jay Ratliff and Mike Jenkins at his disposal, there's no reason to think the Cowboys can't cause their fare share of problems for Manning and company.
Week 14: Dec. 12, vs. Philadelphia
-How much fire have Kevin Kolb and Andy Reid come under by this point in the season?
Week 15: Dec. 19, vs. Washington
-It's the last home game for the Cowboys and it's the first trip to Jerryworld for Donovan McNabb and Mike Shannahan's as part of the 'Skins/'Boys rivalry.
Week 16: Dec. 25, @ Arizona
-Is it really necessary for a team to have to play on Thanksgiving and Christmas? The Cowboys look like the better team on paper, but that was the case two years ago when they went to the desert and got beat in overtime on a blocked punt. Have the Cardinals clinched the NFC West by this point or is Larry Fitzgerald catching passes from Derek Anderson and getting ready for 2011?
Week 17: Jan. 2, @ Philadelphia
-This makes it three consecutive seasons these two will have finished the regular season against each other. Will the Cowboys be playing for another division title or scrapping just to get a playoff spot? Will Kevin Kolb be trying to finish off a nice season or is Michael Vick making Eagle fans forget that Donovan McNabb ever existed?
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Initial Thoughts on the 1st round of the draft
Here are my knee jerk reactions to the picks in the 1st round of the NFL draft:
1. St.Louis Rams- Sam Bradford, QB/Oklahoma
-Did they really have any other choice? Marc Bulger was sent packing a few weeks ago and they needed a face of the franchise.
2. Detroit Lions- Ndamukung Suh, DT/Nebraska
-Jim Schwartz had Albert Haynesworth during his time as the Titans' defensive coordinator. Now he gets a guy who is more than capable of raising the same kind of havoc in the middle and this time, he doesn't have to worry about him being a headache for the franchise.
3. Tampa Bay Bucaneers- Gerald McCoy, DT/Oklahoma
-Have you ever seen a guy so happy to see Roger Goodell? The Buccaneers haven't been the same on defense since Warren Sapp left for Oakland. McCoy has the tools and the attitude to be a force at Sapp's old position for the next decade.
4. Washington Redskins- Trent Williams, OT/Oklahoma
-Bob Stoops sure did have some good football players in Norman the past couple of years, didn't he?
5. Kansas City Chiefs- Eric Berry, S/Tennessee
-The Chiefs need a play maker in the secondary and Berry, who always seems to be around the ball, fits the bill.
6. Seattle Seahawks- Russell Okung, OT/Oklahoma State
-After seeing him slip past the Redskins at the four spot, I bet Pete Carroll couldn't turn the card in with Okung's name on it fast enough.
7. Cleveland Browns- Joe Haden, CB/Florida
-Adding Haden to the mix along with Eric Wright and the newly acquired Sheldon Brown suddenly gives the Browns a nice group of corners.
8. Oakland Raiders- Rolando McClain, LB/Alabama
-Oh those tricky Raiders! I bet Tom Couglin and the rest of the Giants organization want to punch the crap out of Al Davis for this one.
9. Buffalo Bills- C.J. Spiller, RB/Clemson
-Something about the look on his face tells me Spiller wasn't exactly over-joyed about the thought of having to brave those brutal winters in western New York. Being a native of Jacksonville, Fla., Spiller probably never needed a heavy coat growing up. He needs one now.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars- Tyson Alualu, DL/California
-I'm sorry, who? Jokes aside, Alualu can play in the trenches. It's just that nobody saw this move coming. Jack Del Rio is probably coaching for his job this year. I guess if he's going to get canned, it won't be because he's afraid to take a chance on a guy he really likes.
11. San Francisco 49ers- Anthony Davis, OT/Rutgers
-There's a question about whether or not he really loves the game of football. With his potential and under the watchful eye of Mike Singletary, he'll either be married to it and become an All-Pro for the next 10-12 years or he'll be on the pine. If you don't believe me, just ask Vernon Davis.
12. San Diego Chargers- Ryan Matthews, RB/Fresno State
-After dumping LaDanian Tomlinson, the Chargers needed a guy they could feed the ball to 20-25 times a game. Matthews, at 5'11 and nearly 220, definitely looks the part.
13. Philadelphia Eagles- Brandon Graham, DE/Michigan
-The Eagles get another high motor guy to go on their defensive line.
14. Seattle Seahawks- Earl Thomas, S/Texas
-After coaching Troy Palamalu, Kevin Ellison and Taylor Mays during his time at USC, I think Pete Carroll knows a good safety when he sees one.
15. New York Giants- Jason Pierre-Paul, DE/South Florida
-I'm willing to bet you can get Osi Umenyiora for a mid-round pick now. Still steaming from the Raiders stealing Rolando McClain, Tom Coughlin and company pick arguably the most athletically gifted DE prospect in the draft since Jevon Kearse.
16. Tennessee Titans- Derrick Morgan, DE/Georgia Tech
-Should be just another in what's starting to become a long line of rock solid defensive lineman for Jeff Fisher and his defensive staff.
17. San Francisco 49ers- Mike Iupati, G/Idaho
-I can only imagine how big the smile on Frank Gore's face is at this point.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers- Maurkice Pouncey, OL/Florida
-Will probably start out at guard, but will eventually move to center and be the cornerstone of the Steelers o-line for the next decade. With Big Ben on the shelf for at least the first quarter of the season, I guess the Steelers will do their fair share of running the ball.
19. Atlanta Falcons- Sean Weatherspoon, OLB/Missouri
-A true thumper who was a model of consistency during his time in Columbia.
20. Houston Texans- Kareem Jackson, CB/Alabama
-Somebody has to replace the recently departed Dunta Robinson
21. Cincinnati Bengals- Jermaine Gresham, TE/Oklahoma
-Needs work on his blocking skills, but he should be Carson Palmer's new security blanket in the rugged AFC North.
22. Denver Broncos- Demaryius Thomas, WR/Georgia Tech
-A Brandon Marshall starter kit without the off the field issues is just what Josh McDaniels is looking for.
23. Green Bay Packers- Bryan Bulaga, OT/Iowa
-Did you see the last play of the Packers' game in the playoffs against the Cardinals? If so, you know why the Packers went with an offensive lineman.
24. Dallas Cowboys- Dez Bryant, WR/Oklahoma State
-However much time is left on the clock for Roy Williams here in Dallas just got a little shorter. On another note, Bryant should send a huge thank you note to Randy Moss because after passing over Moss more than a decade ago because of character concerns, Jerry Jones wasn't going to pass up on another big time wideout.
25. Denver Broncos- Tim Tebow, QB/Florida
-I don't know if he's worth first round money, but I'm glad somebody took him so we can stop hearing him talk.
26. Arizona Cardinals- Dan Williams, DT/Tennessee
-Ken Whisenhunt gets a big body to go in the middle of what will be a new look Cardinals defense.
27. New England Patriots- Devin McCourty, CB/Rutgers
-Bill Belichik keeps re-tooling his secondary with young and lively bodies. Too bad none of them can cover Reggie Wayne, Brandon Marshall or Santonio Holmes.
28. Miami Dolphins- Jared Odrick, DL/Penn St.
-Far be it from me to question the Tuna when it comes to the draft. Oh wait, there was that year when he drafted Julius Jones instead of Steven Jackson. There was also that year he drafted Bobby Carpenter when he could've drafted DeMeco Ryans.
29. New York Jets- Kyle Wilson, CB/Bosie St.
-Wilson plays with the attitude Rex Ryan is looking for in a defensive player and adding him to a secondary already loaded with Darelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie and Jim Leonard is going make life a living hell for every opposing QB on the Jets' schedule.
30. Detroit Lions- Jahvid Best, RB/California
-The Lions now have a home run hitter in the backfield to help out Matt Stafford, Calvin Johnson, Brandon Pettigrew and the rest of their young and talented corps of skill players.
31. Indianapolis Colts- Jerry Hughes, DE/TCU
-The Colts pick another player who fits their style of defense perfectly.
32. New Orleans Saints- Patrick Robinson, CB/Florida State
-Another cover guy who will allow Greg Williams to dial up another exotic blitz package.
1. St.Louis Rams- Sam Bradford, QB/Oklahoma
-Did they really have any other choice? Marc Bulger was sent packing a few weeks ago and they needed a face of the franchise.
2. Detroit Lions- Ndamukung Suh, DT/Nebraska
-Jim Schwartz had Albert Haynesworth during his time as the Titans' defensive coordinator. Now he gets a guy who is more than capable of raising the same kind of havoc in the middle and this time, he doesn't have to worry about him being a headache for the franchise.
3. Tampa Bay Bucaneers- Gerald McCoy, DT/Oklahoma
-Have you ever seen a guy so happy to see Roger Goodell? The Buccaneers haven't been the same on defense since Warren Sapp left for Oakland. McCoy has the tools and the attitude to be a force at Sapp's old position for the next decade.
4. Washington Redskins- Trent Williams, OT/Oklahoma
-Bob Stoops sure did have some good football players in Norman the past couple of years, didn't he?
5. Kansas City Chiefs- Eric Berry, S/Tennessee
-The Chiefs need a play maker in the secondary and Berry, who always seems to be around the ball, fits the bill.
6. Seattle Seahawks- Russell Okung, OT/Oklahoma State
-After seeing him slip past the Redskins at the four spot, I bet Pete Carroll couldn't turn the card in with Okung's name on it fast enough.
7. Cleveland Browns- Joe Haden, CB/Florida
-Adding Haden to the mix along with Eric Wright and the newly acquired Sheldon Brown suddenly gives the Browns a nice group of corners.
8. Oakland Raiders- Rolando McClain, LB/Alabama
-Oh those tricky Raiders! I bet Tom Couglin and the rest of the Giants organization want to punch the crap out of Al Davis for this one.
9. Buffalo Bills- C.J. Spiller, RB/Clemson
-Something about the look on his face tells me Spiller wasn't exactly over-joyed about the thought of having to brave those brutal winters in western New York. Being a native of Jacksonville, Fla., Spiller probably never needed a heavy coat growing up. He needs one now.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars- Tyson Alualu, DL/California
-I'm sorry, who? Jokes aside, Alualu can play in the trenches. It's just that nobody saw this move coming. Jack Del Rio is probably coaching for his job this year. I guess if he's going to get canned, it won't be because he's afraid to take a chance on a guy he really likes.
11. San Francisco 49ers- Anthony Davis, OT/Rutgers
-There's a question about whether or not he really loves the game of football. With his potential and under the watchful eye of Mike Singletary, he'll either be married to it and become an All-Pro for the next 10-12 years or he'll be on the pine. If you don't believe me, just ask Vernon Davis.
12. San Diego Chargers- Ryan Matthews, RB/Fresno State
-After dumping LaDanian Tomlinson, the Chargers needed a guy they could feed the ball to 20-25 times a game. Matthews, at 5'11 and nearly 220, definitely looks the part.
13. Philadelphia Eagles- Brandon Graham, DE/Michigan
-The Eagles get another high motor guy to go on their defensive line.
14. Seattle Seahawks- Earl Thomas, S/Texas
-After coaching Troy Palamalu, Kevin Ellison and Taylor Mays during his time at USC, I think Pete Carroll knows a good safety when he sees one.
15. New York Giants- Jason Pierre-Paul, DE/South Florida
-I'm willing to bet you can get Osi Umenyiora for a mid-round pick now. Still steaming from the Raiders stealing Rolando McClain, Tom Coughlin and company pick arguably the most athletically gifted DE prospect in the draft since Jevon Kearse.
16. Tennessee Titans- Derrick Morgan, DE/Georgia Tech
-Should be just another in what's starting to become a long line of rock solid defensive lineman for Jeff Fisher and his defensive staff.
17. San Francisco 49ers- Mike Iupati, G/Idaho
-I can only imagine how big the smile on Frank Gore's face is at this point.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers- Maurkice Pouncey, OL/Florida
-Will probably start out at guard, but will eventually move to center and be the cornerstone of the Steelers o-line for the next decade. With Big Ben on the shelf for at least the first quarter of the season, I guess the Steelers will do their fair share of running the ball.
19. Atlanta Falcons- Sean Weatherspoon, OLB/Missouri
-A true thumper who was a model of consistency during his time in Columbia.
20. Houston Texans- Kareem Jackson, CB/Alabama
-Somebody has to replace the recently departed Dunta Robinson
21. Cincinnati Bengals- Jermaine Gresham, TE/Oklahoma
-Needs work on his blocking skills, but he should be Carson Palmer's new security blanket in the rugged AFC North.
22. Denver Broncos- Demaryius Thomas, WR/Georgia Tech
-A Brandon Marshall starter kit without the off the field issues is just what Josh McDaniels is looking for.
23. Green Bay Packers- Bryan Bulaga, OT/Iowa
-Did you see the last play of the Packers' game in the playoffs against the Cardinals? If so, you know why the Packers went with an offensive lineman.
24. Dallas Cowboys- Dez Bryant, WR/Oklahoma State
-However much time is left on the clock for Roy Williams here in Dallas just got a little shorter. On another note, Bryant should send a huge thank you note to Randy Moss because after passing over Moss more than a decade ago because of character concerns, Jerry Jones wasn't going to pass up on another big time wideout.
25. Denver Broncos- Tim Tebow, QB/Florida
-I don't know if he's worth first round money, but I'm glad somebody took him so we can stop hearing him talk.
26. Arizona Cardinals- Dan Williams, DT/Tennessee
-Ken Whisenhunt gets a big body to go in the middle of what will be a new look Cardinals defense.
27. New England Patriots- Devin McCourty, CB/Rutgers
-Bill Belichik keeps re-tooling his secondary with young and lively bodies. Too bad none of them can cover Reggie Wayne, Brandon Marshall or Santonio Holmes.
28. Miami Dolphins- Jared Odrick, DL/Penn St.
-Far be it from me to question the Tuna when it comes to the draft. Oh wait, there was that year when he drafted Julius Jones instead of Steven Jackson. There was also that year he drafted Bobby Carpenter when he could've drafted DeMeco Ryans.
29. New York Jets- Kyle Wilson, CB/Bosie St.
-Wilson plays with the attitude Rex Ryan is looking for in a defensive player and adding him to a secondary already loaded with Darelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie and Jim Leonard is going make life a living hell for every opposing QB on the Jets' schedule.
30. Detroit Lions- Jahvid Best, RB/California
-The Lions now have a home run hitter in the backfield to help out Matt Stafford, Calvin Johnson, Brandon Pettigrew and the rest of their young and talented corps of skill players.
31. Indianapolis Colts- Jerry Hughes, DE/TCU
-The Colts pick another player who fits their style of defense perfectly.
32. New Orleans Saints- Patrick Robinson, CB/Florida State
-Another cover guy who will allow Greg Williams to dial up another exotic blitz package.
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