After the beat down in Cincinnati, the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles faced each other in an NFC East showdown to see who could gain some ground on the Giants.

The Cowboy’s defense knocked Michael Vick out of the game early. He left the game in the second quarter due to a concussion. Rookie Nick Foles filled in for Vick but could not rally the Eagles in the second half. The Cowboys won 38-23.

Although Romo has a great record in November, he is terrible in the months that count. He is 10-17 in December/January games when the Giants seem to always get hot during those same months. Coincidence? I think not.

The Cowboys were going up against one of the best teams in the league, the Baltimore Ravens.

Overall, the Cowboys outplayed the Ravens in this game. They had possession of the ball for over 40 minutes of the game but their time management was beyond awful. Tony Romo and the offense took their time with each play and it ended up being costly. Almost each snap of the ball was with one second left on the play clock.

Dallas had a total of 481 yards against a banged up Baltimore defense. Baltimore took some serious loses during this game. The cornerbacks Ladarius Webb and  Jimmy Smith,  along with defensive tackle Haloti Ngata and legendary middle linebacker Ray Lewis all left the game with injuries.

Even though the Ravens were outplayed, they never lost the lead in the second half. In the fourth quarter, Dallas scored during their final drive and attempted to tie the game up with a 2-point conversion, but failed. The touchdown made the score 31-29.

Out of desperation, the Cowboys went with the onside kick. Luckily, they recovered.

Dallas had the ball on their own 46 and after an incomplete pass; Baltimore was charged with defensive pass interference. The penalty moved the Cowboys up to the Baltimore 34. Romo completed a 1-yard pass to move them slightly closer.

With six seconds left on the clock, Dan Bailey lined up for the game winning 51-yard field goal but missed wide left to give Baltimore the victory, 31-29.

This game just goes to show that the Cowboys can play with the best of them, but when it comes down to closing, they just can’t seal the deal.

Monday Night Football was supposed to be a great matchup between two of the league’s best…. Instead, the Bears exposed and embarrassed the Cowboys.

The game was scoreless until the second quarter when Tony Romo threw one of his five interceptions on the night.  Charles Tillman picked it off and ran it back for a 25 yard interception return. Romo answered back quickly with a 10 yard touchdown pass to Miles Austin to make the game close before halftime.

Jay Cutler had a strong second half, throwing both of his touchdowns on the night during and ending the game going 18-24 with 275 yards. Romo was not as lucky. He threw another pick for six in the 3^rd quarter and was eventually taken out of the game at the end of the 4^th for former Bear’s quarterback, Kyle Orton.

Romo ended the game going 31-43 with 307 yards with one touchdown and five interceptions. His quarterback rating was a pathetic 14.2!

The Cowboy’s running game was also pathetic, getting only 24 yards out of running back DeMarco Murray. Murray started the season off strong against the Giants, but hasn’t provided anything since.

The only positive the Cowboys got out of this game was tight end Jason Witten’s coming out party.  He finally woke up and caught 13 passes for 112 yards and one touchdown.

After a great start to the season, the Cowboy’s are starting to look like their usually choke artist selves. If they focused on football rather than opening Victoria Secret stores in the stadium, maybe they would be atop the NFC East.

This season it seems the Cowboys will put their QB under the microscope for all to analyze, pick at, prod, and poke.  Is Tony Romo a winner? Is he an ELIte QB?  Some of his stats seem to indicate that he is.  Some of his actions seem to show otherwise.  According to  teammate Jason Witten he is one of the best there is.

 “There’s been some great quarterbacks who have come through that organization. You look at Roger Staubach and Troy [Aikman], and the expectations are Super Bowls. He’s a phenomenal, cool quarterback. He’s an elite quarterback. But until we win the big game, the criticism is going to come. We understand that, and we have high expectations. Tony is a phenomenal player and a phenomenal player for our football team.”

The emphasis on quarterback play in the NFL is at it’s highest point ever.  Almost no one speaks of team chemistry, or the ability to exploit their opponents weaknesses.  In this world of fantasy football, all that is mentioned each week is the amount of yards gained by the QB, and the number of TD’s he throws.  Forget defense, forget the running game, forget the key play executed or not executed in a game….it’s all about total stats.  Cowboy fans may want to point out TD’s vs interceptions, or total yards, but it’s the timing of those interceptions, and the meaning of the TD’s scored that really counts.

I wish Tony and the Cowboys well…..the debate will rage all year, and if they fall short of the playoffs, or the division crown, or a playoff win…..it will continue on into the future.

The object of the story was to compare position players of all the NFC East to see who the “Beast of the East” were in the Division by talent level. His conclusion Dallas far outweighed the Redskins but also the Eagles and the Super Bowl Champion Giants. Okay let us go to his first ridiculous statement in which he writes; “I have listed as a tie between Eli Manning and Tony Romo. Although in my opinion Romo is the better QB by far. Romo has a higher QB rating, completion percentage, and more TD’s per game then Manning. In fact without the luck of a David Tyree miracle helmet catch, a Wes Welker 2nd down Super Bowl bobble with 4 minutes left in the game, or a Miles Austin dropped wide open 50 yard game clinching TD pass, it isn’t even a debate.” Okay we all know that statement is just plain stupid but I am not going to respond as a fan, I will respond with what their NFL colleagues have stated. In NFL Networks Top 100 players, Romo was rated 91, Vick 71 and Manning 31. So according to their fellow NFL players Romo is not even close to a tie with Manning and in fact is closer to Vick, the better QB, at 71. Call us all when Romo wins more than one playoff game in 9 years. These statements by itself needs no commentary. Anyone reading it will know how foolish it is or did Romo win 2 Super Bowls and more than one playoff game when I fell in a deep sleep?

Now let us go to this writers erroneous facts. First off I hate comparisons this early in the season when we do not know players health or standing on the team. So first mistake I saw was this writer placing David Diehl as the Giants LT. In fact Diehl is slated as RT. Then this writer, out of god knows where, places Prince Amukamara as the Giants starting CB. Prince might not even be the Giants nickle corner this season. Just for this writers’ edification Terrell Thomas and Corey Webster are the Giants starting CBs. You might remember Webster, the number one Corner for the Giants last year and the starting CB for the Giants the last 3 years. I know I am concentrating on the Giants and ignoring the Eagles and Redskins but this writer should be comparing his Cowboys to the Super Bowl Champs with some type of knowledge. Okay next mistake he places Chase Blackburn as starting MLB for Giants when in fact both Tom Coughlin and Jerry Reese have said that is a open position and Michael Boley may start there. There are more factual mistakes concerning the Giants, Eagles and Redskins but I do not have the stomach to get into it and do not want to write a 2 page article.

I will not rate which team has the better players at each position because it is quite frankly stupid. We do not know where these players will be at the end of Training Camp, who the surprises will be and the changes in line ups. I will tell this writer the next time you present an article like this; tell the reader this is written from the heart of a Cowboy fan and not as a analyst. To show you the difference I am a big Giants fan but judging pure talent I think the Eagles easily take that crown but it is about winning which by the way Romo has a lot to learn even this late in his career.

On Thursday Legendary  Tight Ends Coach Mike Pope stated that it seems that “We may run a little more than he is used to.”  That statement may explain all you need to know about the Dallas Cowboys the last ten years.  The fast starting Cowboys have been known to win few games in December and January.  As a matter of fact in the past 12 years they have had 6 winning seasons, and have one two playoff games since 1996.  Many place this at the feet of Tony Romo, which I do not.  I place it at the feet of Jerry Jones and his coaches.

The evidence of this for me comes from a statement made by Wade Phillips after the 2007 Cowboys lost to the New York Giants in the playoffs.  He continually stated that the best team had lost that day.  He was convinced that the Cowboys were better than the Giants, and any other team in the league.  He continued to defend his troops even after all the stories of them vacationing BEFORE the playoff game during their bye week.  Heck, the Cowboys didn’t need to practice, they had it all wrapped up.  Jerry Jones had the plans made for the following weeks game and all would be right in Dallas…..Well, the Cowboys lost again in the playoffs.  When a coach continues to tell his players that they are better, that they “Should” have won, that they played great, they tend to not work so hard the next time around.  Why work hard when you are already the better team, even though you still haven’t won anything.  Of course the next year they went 9-7 and finished third in the eastern Division.

Wade Phillips is gone, but it seems the culture has remained.  Only work as hard as you want…not as hard as you have to.

Martellus has a great chance here to make a name, and become a great player, I hope he works as hard as he has to, not only as hard as he thinks he needs to.

1. The Giants have by far the toughest schedule of all the 32 teams;

2. Face it the Eagles are a very very scary team. Yes last year with all of their Star Free Agent acquisitions they were called the dream team and predicted to take the NFC East with ease but what many analysts failed to recognize was a group full of new players needed time to play together so they know the weakness and strengths of their new teammates and the Eagles system. After mid season the Eagles started to come together as a team and they were the most feared opponet in the NFL. At one point there was a chance that the Eagles could have won out in the NFC East;

3. Jerry Jones is sick of losing and has made that clear more than ever this season. He made good acquisitions in the draft and free agency to upgrade the weakest part of the team, their secondary. Now it is time for Tony Romo to close and he knows that all to well.

4. Finally the Washington Redskins. Hey they beat the Giants twice last year. Now they have a QB that everyone has a opinion on: RG3. Is he better than Andrew Luck? Can he be the franchise QB for the Redskins? These are all questions yet to be answered until the games are played. Also unlike Luck, RG3 is coming to a team with a solid Defense, a good O-Line and satisfactory Wide Receivers and Running game.

So the World Champions will have a rough time of it again this year and let us all hope that a playoff berth is in the cards.

Apr 26, 2012; New York, NY, USA; New York Giants fans react to the Giants selection of Virginia Tech running back David Wilson (not pictured) as the 32nd pick in the 2012 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-US PRESSWIRE

The NFC East has been a tough division lately, with 3 teams in the playoff hunt year after year. , and one team with 2 Lombardi Trophies in 5 years. So, how did they all do in this years draft? I would say very good. With each team addressing needs and getting players that will address those needs immediately.

The Washington Redskins may have made the biggest splash by drafting QB Robert Griffin III. He will make the Skins a better team immediately with the offensive threat he poses. They followed that up with selecting QB Kirk Cousins. Some think a strange pick, but will keep pressure on both QB’s and competition always brings out the best. Two offensive guards in Josh LeRibeus who could become a starter and Adam Gettis who will provide depth. They selected RB Alfred Morris, a quick back able to find creases in the zone run scheme, that will give RG3 another option. LB Keenan Robinson will look to be a nickle backer. The two DB’s Richard Crawford and Jordon Bernstine will provide depth in the secondary and help against their passing oriented division foes. Grade A-.

The Dallas Cowboys went to work on providing help to a defense that was vulnerable to the pass, prone to giving up leads, and was one of the contributing factors leading to their late season collapse. They traded up to pick CB Morris Claiborne, arguably the best DB in this years draft. They continued the defensive trend with OLB/Pass Rusher Kyle Wilber and SS Matt Johnson. Both of whom should help against big plays. They took TE James Hanna late to help an aging Jason Witten and WR , a big physical receiver, Danny Coale that will probably make the team on special teams but could help Romo and the passing attack.  Grade B.

The Eagles also were defensive minded early on. DT Fletcher Cox will be able to take up the middle in the wide nine. ILB Mychal Kemdricks and DE Vinny Curry were both players the Eagles couldn’t pass on. Both are athletic players that seem to never quit on a play. Reid got to pick a QB, Nick Foles is a heavy footed QB that Reid probably wants to use  to show everyone he can make a good passer out of anyone. CB Brandon Boykin is a little small for CB at 5’9″ but can also play slot receiver. Maybe an Edelmann type player. The two linemen, OT Dennis Kelly and OG Brandon Washington look to be backups but work their way into starters in the future. RB Bryce Brown should fit nicely into Philly’s offense. Grade B.

The Super Bowl Champion NY Giants addressed needs. RB David Wilson and WR Rueben Randle will replace two departures to free agency and will fill in nicely. Jayron Hosley can help with depth and covering the slot receiver. He could also split return duty with Wilson on special teams. TE Adrien Robinson will provide help in what could be the thinnest position the GMen have. If he can step up his game, this pass catching TE could see a lot of snaps. OT’s Brandon Moseley and Matt McCants both have good size and physical attributes but figure to be developmental players and may earn a spot as a back up. Markus Kuhn is undersized for a DT., but has talent and could make it as a backup in one of the many ever changing defensive line rotations. Grade B-.

2012 should once again be a very competitive race for the NFC East Division Champs. But I think Big Blue will rise to that challenge and capture yet another Division title.

This year probably wont be any different. Andy Reid is still one of the top 10 coaches in the league, he just needs to adjust a bit more and break from the game plan if the run is working.  Their keys to 2012 are, have a positive turnover ratio and keep Vick upright  in the pocket. He took a lot of punishment last year. While some of it was due to his running, he seemed to take more hard hits behind the line of scrimmage as opposed to down the field. And if DeSean Jackson can stay focused and Vick can get him the ball enough to keep him happy, combined with Macklin, Celek and the late season emergence of Riley Cooper, look out.  McCoy is extremely dangerous out of the backfield both running and catching the ball. And with good defensive ends and a very good secondary all they need is some solid play from their LB’s and their wide 9 defense could be dominating against a pass happy NFL. Barring them believing the press clipping and shooting themselves in the foot again, the Eagles will be in the hunt for the division title.

The defending Superbowl Champion N.Y. Giants will only be better this year and will be in the hunt for the division title with the Eagles. They have the best Coach and QB in the division. Their receiving Duo of Cruz and Nicks is top notch, and could be the best in the league. Even with the loss of Kareem McKenzie they will still have a good offensive line and have already shored it up with the addition of Locklear and they will get their 2011 draft pick James Brewer back.

Their defense is already better with the emergence of JPP and the return of Terrell Thomas. Keith Rivers could be the answer at LB if he can stay healthy and live up to his pre draft potential. The only real question mark is at the RB position. Where will the replacement for Jacobs come from. It will probably be a combination of what they have and possibly someone from the draft. A legit run at the division is well within reach.

Last year at this time all we heard about was Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys. 9 months later all we heard were excuses about why the Cowboys had imploded. Bottom line has been and still is, they are a soft team. Romo is a good QB but seems to fold under the pressure of the big game. They have a good front 7 on defense, but after that it is just a ton of questions. The running game as well as the receiving corp were extremely unpredictable and mostly ineffective. They did have some big plays, but they were inconsistent. The secondary will still be weak and get burned on a regular basis. They still could be a 9-7 team, but with the Giants and Eagles being in double digit wins I believe  Dallas will come up short of the playoffs.

The Washington Redskins will be better than they have been in recent years. With the probable drafting of RG3 they will have an immediate improvement on offense. Unfortunately after Santana Moss and Roy Helu on offense and Brian Orakpo on defense, there is not much else to speak of. Shanahan will probably have this team over achieve in the first part of the season, but  they will come back to earth again down the road. The Redskins will not be much better than 7-9.

2012 started off on the right foot for the New York Giants and their fans as they defeated the Dallas Cowboys for the second time this season by a 31-14 margin to clinch the NFC East title, guaranteeing at least one more week of New York Giants football in perhaps the sweetest fashion possible. The Giants will face the Atlanta Falcons in New York next Sunday in the first round of the playoffs.

Thoughts from the game-

-Surprise, surprise- Victor Cruz came up big once again. What else is there left to say about him that hasn’t already been said?

-Hakeem Nicks get a lot of attention for his receiving talents (and rightly so). But he also deserves to get some props for the job that he does when it comes to blocking downfield for his teammates. If he doesn’t make the blocks that he did on Cruz’s touchdown catch and Ahmad Bradshaw’s first tally, those guys might not have scored.

-Travis Beckham really needs to work on his blocking. He struggled last week against the Jets and again tonight against Dallas. The Giants are definitely missing Jake Ballard in that regard.

-My fondness for Henry Hynoski continues to grow. It’s nice to have a fullback with hands, isn’t it?

-Eli Manning’s touchdown to Nicks was his fifteenth of the season in the fourth quarter- a new NFL record.

-Speaking of Eli Manning, it was mentioned tonight that his pocket awareness and movement has been so much better this year than in previous seasons, and that has a lot to do with his success this year. I could not agree more.

-It’s amazing how much better the entire Giants defense plays when the defensive line dominates. And it wasn’t just Jason Pierre-Paul getting pressure tonight. Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora, Mathias Kiwanuka, and Chris Canty all contributed. New York managed six sacks tonight and Tony Romo never really got much of a chance to get comfortable.

-The Giants did manage to get a few breaks tonight, managing to recover one fumble and then DeMarcus Ware being flagged for jumping offsides when the Cowboys recovered another Giants fumble.

-The offensive line has consistently played well as a whole in the past week or two. Jay Ratliff and Ware hardly got a sniff at Manning all night. The Giants running game still isn’t a strong as I’d like but they’re definitely better off running the ball to Kevin Boothe’s side when he’s in at guard.

-It was, once again, an overall team effort, with both the offense and defense playing well. The defense managed to contain the Cowboys well and the offense was able to score when needed. The Giants are on a bit of a hot streak right now and if they play like they did tonight, they can beat just about any team they’re up against.

Ladies and gentlemen, boy and girls your 2011 Fansided Keeper Fantasy Football Champion is yours truly. The championship game was close but in the end I beat up a team by the name of “Romosexual Chocolate.” They had Tony Romo as their QB and we all know he chokes in championship games!

This says it all:

CONGRATULATIONS

So, The circus has left town, with it’s ring leader still selling his snake oil to anyone who is gullible enough to be listening.  The Giants now go back to work in the real world of the NFL.  The Giants and Cowboys will meet in what amounts to the NFC EAST CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.  Now, of course, the naysayers will scoff at a 9-7 team winning a division and getting a home game in the playoffs, but that’s how the NFL works.  It’s not baseball where an exhibition game determines home field for their Championship.  Winning your division is the purest test in sports.  The schedules for the two teams are for the most part identical, and therefore determines the best team against that competition.  The Giants and Cowboys, for all their faults, have survived to this point, and now have a chance to get into the tournament as they say, and see if they can make a run.

The Cowboys entered the last game these two played just three weeks ago as “Healthy as they have been all year”  They enter this one in not such great shape.  In the last meeting they lost RB DeMarco Murray for the year. Last week they lost OL Montrae Holland for the season, had Tony Romo leave the game with a badly bruised hand, and RB Felix Jones is also nursing a few injuries.  The Cowboys are dangerously close to having no running game to compliment Tony Romo.  The slowing of Jones would allow the Giants to play defense the way they want…rush the passer, and cover the short routes tight.

The Giants on the other hand might be getting some guys back for this one.  Jake Ballard who missed last weeks game might make his return, and Mario Manningham hopefully will be available.  It will all depend on who is able to practice this week.  A good story that came out this morning concerning the Giants.  It seems the Special Teams Unit  was going to be short handed due to injuries, Coach Coughlin asked the veterans for volunteers to take a few more snaps.  Antrel Rolle, JPP, and Corey Webster all stepped up and said they wanted to be part of it.  The result was each participated in over 100 plays in the game.  A nice sign from a team many have said might have some locker room issues.

Just a final note on last weeks contest…..The Jets said they were New York’s best when the new stadium opened.  They then went on to:

Lose the first pre-season game between the two teams in the new stadium (Thanks to one Victor Cruz).

Lose the opening “prime time” game in the new stadium, while the Giants had defeated the Panthers in the first day game.

Make the playoffs in two seasons, but failing to win a division title received NO home games.

Lose the first Regular Season meeting between the Jets and Giants (Thanks to one Victor Cruz).

And now have to go to Miami, a team they are 2-3 against the previous two seasons, win that game and then watch to see if Cincinnati, Tennessee, AND Oakland or Denver lose. Kings they ain’t!

(more…)

It appears that last week’s game against the Packers proved to be the moral victory that the Giants needed if they’re to avoid another late-season collapse and make the playoffs.

This game was a must-win for the Giants, and they rose to the occasion. It wasn’t a pretty victory, but you don’t get any style points in the NFL. A win is a win, and this was a particularly thrilling and satisfying one. Their 37-34 win (another fourth quarter comeback!) over the Cowboys gave them a half  game lead over Dallas in the NFC East.

Looks like the Giants-Cowboys showdown in the final week of the season is going to be a very significant one.

Observations from the game:

-There was, of course, lots of buzz about the fact that Ahmad Bradshaw didn’t start or play in the entire first half for disciplinary reasons. It sounded like he was late to curfew. I didn’t think it was as big a deal as so many people were making it out to be. Nothing wrong with Tom Coughlin sticking to his guns. And honestly, Brandon Jacobs played so well throughout the entire game- averaging close to six yards per carry- that the Giants didn’t really miss him too much.

The running game has looked much better in the past two weeks, which is an encouraging sign for a team that has struggled with running the ball all year, and needs to win big down the stretch.

-I wish Kevin Gilbride knew that he’s allowed to call a play in the red zone that’s not a fade in the back corner of the endzone. We all know that it’s coming at this point. Variety is the spice of life, so mix it up a little please.

-That’s not the only bone to pick with Gilbride’s play calling either. Towards both the end of the second quarter and a little more than halfway through the fourth, the Giants had a third and short around midfield and both times, Gilbride had Eli Manning take a shot downfield. Why would you not focus on getting the first down there? There’s the “they were trying to catch the defense off-guard” argument, but Dallas didn’t look fooled on either play to me. (more…)

This week the Giants travel to Texas to take on Jerry Jones’s Dallas Cowboys.  The Giants are sporting a four game losing streak, although the last game against the Packers is being viewed optimistically. The Giants showed alot of fight in the loss, and came within a minute of forcing an overtime against the undefeated Pack. The Cowboys lost a heartbreaker to an inferior Cardinals team that could have been avoided. Basically, the Giants have to win three out of their next four to have a shot at the playoffs. Four wins would guarantee them the playoff slot, but that might be too much to ask for. The G-Men are choosing to look at the loss to GB as a flashback to their loss to the Patriots in 2007. They are hoping that the loss showed that they can come up big when things are on the line, and are viewing the next four games as playoff games.

Offensively, Eli manning is having another great season, and has developed a rhythym with his receivers. He also plays well against Dallas, with 26 career TD’s against the ‘Boys, the most of any opponent. In three of the last 4 games against them, he has thrown for over 300 yards and 2 TD’s, and has had four 300 yard games against Dallas, with three of those games coming in Texas. The Giants are 2-0 in the Jerry Dome, and Manning is 5-2 when playing in Dallas. The return of Ahmad Bradshaw seemed to rejuvenate the Giants’ rushing game to a serviceable level. The running attack doesn’t need to be great, just good enough to make the opponents think twice before committing to an all out rush against the Giants’ overmatched O-Line. Stacy Andrews is out with blood clots, Will Beatty has a detached retina, David Baas is plagued with headaches, everyone knows the drill. Mitch Petrus played well in the loss, and David Diehl slid outside to his natural left tackle slot. This matches him up against the first of Big D’s defenders, Demarcus (big D) Ware. In previous matchups Ware has handled Diehl effectively, so Bradshaw might be called on to help out in protection. The receiving corps looks relatively healthy, so this should be a strength for the G-Men. (more…)

Who's to Blame?

I re-watched the Dallas Cowboys vs Arizona Cardinals game last night on NFL Network and came to the conclusion that the LAST timeout taken was not the problem.  It is my take that Jason has taken a ton of heat off of Tony Romo this week.  After what was a pretty good game to watch the Cowboys got the ball back with 2:54 on their own 32 in a tie game.  Now if Eli was the QB, and had the ball at the 32, I think we all feel pretty comfortable.  Here is how it went for Tony and the Cowboys:

2:54…After a holding penalty on a punt return by Dez Bryant, the Cowboys get the ball 1st and 10 on their own 32.

On the first play, Tony hits a pass to their own 45. 1st Down, Two Timeouts Remaining

2:00 minute warning…Cowboys still at their own 45. Two Timeouts Remaining

1:06…Cowboys Ball at the 50. Two Timeouts Remaining

1:01….After penalties and backward passes….back to their own 45. Two Timeouts Remaining

:30…..Finally the Cowboys get into Cardinal territory at the 46. Two Timeouts Remaining

Tony then hits Dez Bryant on a crossing route at the Cardinal 32.  FIRST DOWN..Two Timeouts Remaining.

Inexplicably, on the very edge of Field Goal Range, in a game where the kicker has already missed a long FG, Romo and the Cowboys get to the line,and make sure everyone gets set. Romo even takes the time to move a receiver into the proper position. Then he snaps the ball and clocks it with :07 left in the game.  If that’s what you were going to do, why take the chance of a false start?  An illegal formation?  A bad snap? Just run the clock down and use your SECOND timeout.  This still leaves you with ONE and reduces the risk.  More importantly didn’t  you think you might want to try and get a few more yards?  Also, if you take the timeout, you are not worried about the play clock running down which started the second Romo clocked the ball, and the reason Garrett had to call his now infamous timeout.

I’m not sure who’s decision making was worse, but for this week at least, Jason Garrett is taking the heat.

The absence of fullback Tony Fiammetta has had a lot to do with it. Fiammetta has been out the past three weeks due to illness. In the last three weeks, Dallas has only averaged 85 total rushing yards. With Fiammetta in the lineup, the Boys averaged 137 rushing yards per game. He has returned to practice this week and has been cleared to play on Sunday night.

2. Jason Garrett has come under scrutiny this week especially.  What is the overall feeling about Jason?

I think Cowboy Nation is split on Garrett. Some of them want him fired, while others understand he’s a first time NFL head coach who is bound to make some rookie mistakes. Unfortunately for Garrett, Owner and GM Jerry Jones doesn’t have too much patience for mistakes. But if Garrett can get the Cowboys deep into the playoffs, all will be forgiven.

3. The Giants have played very well in your new stadium. Overall has the new building been much of an advantage?

Not really. Other than a big “wow” factor, there really is no home field advantage in Big “D”. One of the major factors working against the Cowboys at home is the lack of crowd noise. I can’t tell you how many  times I can hear Tony Romo clearly while he’s on the line of scrimmage. It’s kind of amazing that the stadium is that quiet and it’s probably acoustically designed to be so. Great for the fans, but terrible for home field advantage. But I think in time it will become more Cowboy friendly.

4. Tony Romo is a very talented athlete.  Do Cowboys fans feel he is the one to get them to a Super Bowl, or do you think he lacks some quality?

I think you would have gotten a different answer a few weeks ago. But for now it seems that Cowboy fans do believe Tony Romo can take us to the promised land. The infusion of talent from DeMarco Murray, Laurent Robinson, and Dan Bailey have gone a long way in aiding the quarterback’s reputation among fans. As always, Romo is just one bad game away from being crucified. And that will continue until he wins a Superbowl in Dallas.

5. Your prediction of the game and the division?

I think the entire game is predicated on the Dallas running game. And I think Tom Coughlin knows this and will put eight men in the box to stop it. With Miles Austin and Laurent Robinson questionable for the game, Dallas’ passing game will be shaky. I don’t like what I saw last week from the Cowboys against the Cardinals. I expect a low scoring game with the Giants winning. As for the division title, I think it will ultimately go to the victor of this game.

Timm Matthews was kind enough to visit us here at GMENHQ.COM and answer some questions about the Giants Cowboys showdown this Sunday night.  Timm has been a sports anchor/reporter/editor in Dallas/Ft. Worth for 25 years.  Timm was a sports anchor at KXAS-TV NBC-5 and then at KTVT-TV CBS-11 for 21 years. More recently he’s served as Editor-in-Chief of Scoreboard Magazine, the only sports/lifestyle magazine in Dallas/Ft. Worth.   In addition Timm is an anchor/host for Fox Sports Southwest, hosting Mavericks, Stars and Rangers shows.  Timm is the host for the ESPN Golf Connection show on ESPN radio in Dallas/Ft. Worth.  Throughout his career Timm has hosted numerous local television programs covering the Dallas Cowboys, NASCAR, golf, tennis and high school sports.  He’s also served as an emcee for various charity and business events.

1. Jason Garrett was touted for years as the “next hot assistant” and a great Head Coach in waiting.  In the short time he has had the job what is your take on the job he has done, and what is the general take of fans?

I think he still has a lot to learn as a head coach…he’s not sure if he wants to be aggressive and unpredictable like his former coach/mentor Jimmy Johnson or play it safe to keep Jerry happy, so he’s a little of both. Most fans are thinking that Princeton is over-rated for brilliance.

2. Dez Bryant is one of the most talented athletes we have seen in years.  Of course, he has also been one of the most injured, and perceived as a knucklehead at times.  Is he soon to be the dangerous weapon he can be, or is he a disaster waiting to happen? (more…)

We have landed at the halfway point of the 2011 season. Every team in the NFL have played out their first 8 games. Only two teams have played into the second half of a 16 game schedule, the New Orleans Saints and the Indianapolis Colts. The second half is upon us and the playoff brackets are beginning to take shape.

The NFC East has always been a competitive division, in and of itself and outside of the conference/division. The first impressions that many had of the NFC East have been blown out of the water. Regardless of record, any team in this conference is capable, at any time, of making the opposition sorry for mistaking a losing record for terminal weakness. We’ve got the grades and projections for the remainder of the season right here. Welcome to the NFC EAST Midseason Report Card! Check it out!
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