Harrison

Thank you to the Indianapolis Colts - the Cowboys now have the right to cut T.O. Bring in Marvin Harrison to compliment Roy Williams, and you've got a great combo for Dallas QB Tony Romo. Harrison, while not the stud he was a few years ago, can still get open over the middle. Remember, this is a guy who caught 60 balls last year coming off a major surgery in 2007. You could see he wasn't up his same old breakaway self, but what Romo needs is a reliable 2nd option as a check down or over the middle receiver. Tight end Jason Witten cannot be the only player willing to go over the middle for Romo's outlet. Harrison can fill that void better than any of the Cowboys current receivers, and certainly better than anything Jerry Jones and CO. could get in the 2009 draft. With Williams the homerun hitter and Harrison the reliable possession receiver, the Cowboys might regain some of their offensive firepower that failed them down the stretch. And at little cost to the future of the team (in essence, Harrison will become a free agent as early as tomorrow, and thus those with money are in the running), the Cowboys could shoulder the various risks involved in signing a 36 year old wide receiver. Certainly, Harrison would allow Jones to feel more comfortable in dumping T.O.

Grow a sack Jerry. Get this done.

Where ya been?

5 months? Has it been that long? I wish I had a great excuse for failing to log on and post some ideas about the world of sports over the last few months, but truth be told, there exists no such thing. Of course, if you count laziness as an acceptable excuse, then sign me up for being excused!

So let’s look at the plethora of relevant things that have occurred since October 17, 2008.

Florida wins the BCS Championship

Despite vigorous and legitimate complaints from Texas fans, the OU Sooners leapfrogged the Longhorns to earn a shot at the Big 12 title and subsequently the National Champs. Big game Bob proceeded to lose his 4^th straight BCS bowl game (5^th overall) while Florida cemented its place as the premier football team in the country. The BCS received massive media backlash for its failure to crown an undisputed National Champ, as undefeated Utah (who upset Alabama in the Sugar Bowl), USC, and Texas all claimed legitimate gripes. 2009 can’t get here fast enough.

Arizona validates the college BCS system and Steelers win the Super Bowl

Less than a month after the controversy of this season’s BCS mess, the Arizona Cardinals helped provide reason to keep the messed up college system in place. The Cardinals finished the regular season at 9-7 and by winning a weak division slipped into the NFL’s postseason (by contrast, the New England Patriots missed the playoffs after finishing the year 11-5 in the toughest division). Following 3 upsets, the Cardinals made it to Super Bowl 42, where they lost a narrow decision to Big Ben and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Had this happened in college football with proposed 8 team playoffs, the ACC champion Virginia Tech Hokies could have played for the national championship with a 9-4 record. While my Longhorns got screwed this year, and Georgia last year, and Auburn in 2004, the system we have currently in place in college football at least presents a championship game between top teams from the regular season. This system contributes to the excitement and debate of the 15 weeks of regular season college football. Arizona proved the futility of the NFL’s watered down regular season.

A Rod takes Roids

How was this for the “Well, DUH!” story of the year. I hoped A-Roid was going to break Barry Bonds record for all time homeruns as a clean hitter to give some credibility to the sport, but no luck. I can’t say this surprised me though. Personally, at this point, it seems clear that just about everyone in the late 90s and early 2000s was taking some kind of performance enhancer. As such, the records should stand. Who’s the say Roger Clemens’s steroids for pithching didn’t make his matchup with juiced up Bonds and A-Fraud on par with the spirit of a level playing field?

The Cowboys miss the playoffs

The NFL’s biggest disappointment? Dallas. The Cowboys entered 2008 as the team to beat in most people’s mind, but limped to the end of the regular season amidst player disputes, coaching ineptitudes, and owner mismanagement. Based on the offseason so far, it looks like America’s Team will enter 2009 under the same conditions. My advice? Sign Ray Lewis, cut Terrell Owens, sign Chris Simms as Romo’s backup, utilize Roy Williams as your number 1 receiver, fire Wade Phillips, and bring in Bill “The Chin” Cowher, and trade one of your 3 stud RB’s for a high round draft pick to use on some help in the secondary.

Brad Lidge breaks Astros fans hearts in World Series

Was it me or did the Tampa Bay Rays vs. Philadelphia Phillies look like an intrasquad scrimmage from the 2005 Houston Astros spring training? How many of those random scrub utility white guys did Houston lose to these pennant champions. Eric Bruntlett. Dan Wheeler. Trever Miller. Brad Lidge. Even former pitching coach Jim Hickey worked for Tampa under the same title. Don’t forget who put the entire Rays roster together – former Astros GM Gerry Hunsicker. Good call on those moves Drayton McLane. And by the way, how in the HELL did Lidge go 47 for 47 in save opportunities in Philly? When he left Houston, I could’ve blasted a homer off his stuff.

Nate Robinson dunks on Superman

Normally I’m no fan of the dunk contest. Dwight Howard rekindled my flame for the showcase at last year’s event, and this season’s showdown between Howard (Superman) and the midget they call Nate Robinson (he of the Kryptonite at this years event) lived up to all the hype. While I think letting the fans vote determined the outcome (Robinson is a Knick – no doubt New Yorkers, of which there are millions, outnumbered any number of votes coming in for the Howard from his Orlando fan base) is silly, the contest and dunks were outstanding. When Robinson leaped over the 6’10” Howard to flush it home, I was reminded about how the dunk contest could capture the imagination and be fun. Here’s hoping Lebron keeps his name in the 2010 contest in Dallas.

Lerbon vs. Kobe

Is the debate about the best player in the NBA? Nope – according to my wife, it’s about the strangest name in sports. Fair enough. But don’t forget Dwyane Wade. Seems to me the “y” is misplaced in Mr. Wade’s official name…

Top Ten - Week 8

The big games for my Longhorns keep coming. After an impressive win over O-Who, Bevo welcomes Missouri to Austin this. My thoughts? Missouri is a bit overrated, haven not beaten a big game opponent in their recent surge into the upper echelon of the media's view of them. Last year they were manhandled by the Sooners twice, and beat an overmatched Arkansas team in the Cotton Bowl (another slight on the SEC, I know). Chase Daniel showed his true colors, throwing temper tantrums on the sidelines and displaying his "grit" as his team came up short at home to Oklahoma State. Texas should win, easier than you think - 45-28.

1.Texas - the reward for the OU win.
2. Penn State - a win at Wisconsin is impressive, especially when you manhandle opponents the way JoePa has done this year.
3. Alabama - the win over Clemson seems ho-hum these days. The slip up against Kentucky seems odd. Are these guys really that good? (Is ANYONE really that good?)
4. Oklahoma State - a huge win at Missouri. This team is dangerous.
5. Texas Tech - It wasn't pretty, but the Raiders pulled out the win and remained undefeated. Hence, the higher ranking.
6. Oklahoma - A dream of mine? The BCS somehow gets 1 loss OU vs. undefeated Texas in Miami. With enough losses by the rest, it COULD happen.
7. Georgia - If you lose, it might as well be to a the #3 team.
8. Florida - I still think these guys will faceplant, but the demolition of LSU was impressive.
9. USC - you know what is gross? The AP has USC above 2 undefeated teams. THEY LOST TO OREGON STATE!!!!!! Staying in the top 25 should be plenty, but putting them above teams without a loss in a legit conference is naussiating.
10. Ohio State - until the Penn State showdown next weekend, we can't be sure who is the team to beat. God help us, if the Buckeyes win, punch their ticket to Miami. Let's just hope it's no rematch vs. USC.

The polls are a joke. The media bias towards Obama pales compared to the sports media bias towards USC.

One more time - all together now - USC LOST TO OREGON STATE...

4 of 6 so far

On Sept 05, I listed 6 teams who would falter this season. Thus far, I've nailed 4 of them...who says I'm not that football smart? Now why can't I turn those picks into some profit?....

See the proof here.

http://www.sportswithandy.com/2008/09/weekend-picks.html

College Top Ten

1. Oklahoma - The best team in the country's best conference? Until somoene slows the train down (please say it will be Texas...), the Sooners are the team to beat.
2. Alabam - The best team in the country's 2nd best conference. Unlike Missouri and Texas, LSU has faced some stiffer competition this season.
3. Missouri - As the season has progressed, the Tigers early season win against Illinois looks a bit more impressive. Also, they leapfrog Texas as the Longhorns opponents seem to weaken.
4. Texas - The Horns are yet untested, but they haven't looked this good since 2005, when they were led by a junior, fleet of foot Texas grown QB...
5. LSU - The true tests for LSU come up this week. The win against Auburn looks weaker in what is shaping up to be an overrated SEC.
6. BYU - Undefeated and rolling. Until someone knocks them off, this is the BCS buster.
7. Penn State - Up until the last few weeks, PSU wasn't impressive to me. The spread HD seems a complete package, reminding many of the high scoring 2005 Orange Bowl squad. Still, I give Ohio State the edge in the battle for the Big. This Saturday's matchup with Wisconsin may be tougher than critics think.
8. Texas Tech - Becuause of Ohio State and USC's mishaps, Mike Leach finds himself in the top 10.
9 & 10. USC and Ohio State - Just wait: when the end of year arrives, these two will again be in talk for the BCS title game berth...dammit.

Cowboys review

Here in Dallas, we've all heard the excuses and the coachspeak from players of the Dallas Cowboys regarding last week's inexplicable hohum showing against Cincinatti last week. Following the Boys play over the last few weeks, it's clear to me this team is far from a legitimate Super Bowl contending team.

It starts with the defense. Two weeks ago, when the game mattered the most, the highly rated Dallas D couldn't get Washington off the field in the 4th quarter, allowing the Redskins to drive the field and salt the game away with a late field goal and touchdown to give them a 2 possession lead. On numerous 3rd downs, the D looked out of place and step behind. And the improvements most expected weren't there come this past Sunday against the winless Bengals. Up 17-0, Dallas's defense slacked up, allowing Cinci to crawl back into the game, and making it a nail biter until Tony Romo (despite his own horrible performace) threw a miracle tip TD pass to Patrick Crayton. Championship caliber defenses clamp down with 17 point until their opponents can no longer breath, allowing a large lead to become an insurmountable one before letting of the pressure.

Whether it's coaching, players, or scheme, the problem better be fixed. As it is now, we can't expect more from the Boys until we can rely on a talented defense to hold up big leads or make big stops when Dallas needs them. The Cowboys won't win every game by the grace of Romo and the offense.

I told you so...

Vanderbilt 14 - 13 over Auburn? And people STILL argue that the SEC is the best and toughest conference in the country? A little bit of sanity, PLEASE! Sure, it was a great win for the Commodores program this past weekend, but....THIS.....IS....VANDERBILT. As a top 20 team, there is no way a supposed powerhouse SEC program like Auburn should ever lose to a bottom dweller like Vanderbilt.

This is no indication that top to bottom the conference is improving. This is an indication that the top teams in the country's supposed top league are falling (see - Florida, Georgia, Auburn, Tennessee) while recent doormats have emerged as favorites (Alabama, Vanderbilt). And mediatypes argue this is an indication of the conference's strength?

A last point - the Florida Gator-Slayers at Ole Miss got beat by South Carolina...ouch.

Expect an LSU victory of double digits as Urban Meyer continues to be exposed (6-4 in his last 10 conference games) as Florida's "savior" coach. Give it 2 years, and they'll be clamoring for Ron Zook's return.