Mavs gut roster/depth for Jason Kidd...

Well I heard about it on my way to school and now it sounds official. I hate this deal, I hate that we gave up Devin Harris, I hate that we gave up Desagana Diop leaving us with no real backup bigman (not to mention Dampier's hurt right now!) we gave up one of our better defenders in Devean George and I hate the fact that we gave up 2 first round picks in a draft that will be deep this year.

Here's a link to the deal:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3244102

I've got to goto work will speak on this more later. But now it seems like a major panic move.

Thoughts on the Cowboys game....thats right from a month ago

Well I've been putting this off longer and longer and now the Superbowl already happened I suppose I can write about what I remember from the Cowboys/Giants game from a month ago.

First I'd like to say (and this might sound slightly homerish) that the Cowboys beat themselves more than the Giants outplayed them. The Giants completely outplayed the Packers (and possibly the Bucs I slept through that game and never saw it) and Patriots but I don't think they outplayed the Cowboys. Thats not discrediting the Giants victory I just think if the Cowboys didn't drop some passes or make some dumb penalties they could have won that game. Second I've picked against the Giants every week, they surprised me every week, and I picked against them in the Superbowl (though if I was a betting man I would've taken the Giants and the points.)

Statistically speaking Dallas outgained the Giants by 106 yards (336 to 230) had 23 first downs to 16 was 10-16 on 3rd down compared to 4-9 by the Giants. Dallas even had the ball for 13 more minutes than the Giants.

The problem was the Cowboys had 11 penalties to the Giants 3 and 84 yards worth of penalties to the Giants 25. And Andre Gurode was very slow snapping the ball I'm surprised the tackles didn't get called for more false starts because they were getting off the ball before Tony Romo got the ball. The only complaint I have about the penalties were the Cowboys were twice called for offsides when I thought they weren't offsides, Demarcus Ware is so quick getting off the ball he looks like he's offsides (and sometimes he is) and because of this the refs are keying in on this when watching the Cowboys. On the first drive he was called for an offside that I believe was the wrong call a couple plays later Amani Toomer escapes the poor tackling (and angles) of the Cowboys racing 46 yards for a touchdown. Greg Ellis was a victim of this too (where he wasn't offside) but the Giants had to punt 2 plays later anyways.

Maybe I'm just overlooking the fact that the Cowboys got 186 yards of there 336 on 2 drives that resulted in touchdowns. But then I start thinking about the missed passes by Romo like in the 3rd quarter when they had to settle for a field goal and Romo missed a wide open T.O crossing the middle of the field or Patrick Crayton having his worst game as a Cowboy dropping a pass with a ton of running room when he normally has the best hands on the team. Not to mention on the Cowboys last drive where he cut off his route where if he kept running he had a step on the corner and could have been hit in stride for a TD.

I think this team was lost in 2 places, the drive at the end of the 1st half where the Cowboys gave up a TD (how pathetic) and in the 3rd quarter where the Giants got a 25 yard punt return by R.W. McQarters that put the defense at risk as the Giants only needed 37 yards to score the go ahead (and what ended up being the winning touchdown)Special teams of the Cowboys has been a weakness all season long.

Also I hated the Cowboys gameplan going into the game, I didn't have a problem with Marion 'the Barbarian' Barber starting the game but he was abused in the 1st half and that concerned me (no matter how much it worked) and he was gassed in the 2nd half. What happened to allowing the pass to set up the run that worked all year? I don't understand why they'd go away from what worked all year in a franchise record breaking Cowboys offense. Barber had 16 carries in the 1st half and 99 yards. In the 2nd half he had 11 carries for 28 yards. I still think he can be a great starter in the league but he shouldn't be shouldering the load (and get all but 2 carries) in the playoffs when he's not used to that type of punishment. His running style doesn't allow it. But also Tony Romo along with the playcalling was very questionable in the 2nd half, one play that made me mad was when the Cowboys were backed into a 3rd and 20 at the 49 (after a bullshit intentional grounding penalty) instead of trying to get like 10 or 15 yards to possibly have a shot at a short 4th down conversion or a long field goal he gets this crazy idea that a hail mary would work which was just idiotic when there DB's were playing back to begin the play. And then on the last drive I just think the Cowboys completely screwed themselves on the clock management, after the big gain to Jason Witten that got the Cowboys to the 22 either Tony Romo got a delay of game (which I believe was the case) or Flozell Adams got a false start but that backed them up 5 yards. The next play was a 4 yard play to Witten forcing them to burn there final timeout. 3 plays later the Cowboys throw an INT never even trying a sideline play to get out of bounds before going to the endzone. This is without even mentioning the line just collapsing when Steve Spagnuolo blitzed the entire 4th quarter forcing Romo into some dumb decisions where he took a sack when he should have thrown it and threw it when he should have taken a sack.

And for the 2nd straight year the Cowboys were facing a team with a banged up secondary and instead of going with what works the best we don't take any chances and try and play not to lose or going with a more vertical passing game rather than dink and dunk over the middle in the weak part of there defense or even trying a draw play or screen when they were blitzing relentlessly after Romo.

But if the Cowboys would have won I doubt they win the Superbowl (or make it for that matter) and the Giants capitalized on there chances and the Cowboys misfortunes. I loved watching them after they beat us because they did deserve to win both the Packers and Patriots game. Eli made the right move most of the time (he got away with a few passes in the Superbowl) but his 1 INT was not his fault but rookie Steve Smith's fault (who I liked in college and had a great postseason outside of this blunder)

Some people were saying that this Superbowl was only good in the 4th quarter but I thought it was exciting the whole game and everytime the Giants had to punt the ball I kept thinking, OK here's the time the Pats finally put a drive together and start putting the game away but it never happened. It was a great defensive game until offense sorta took over in the 4th but Justin Tuck and the rest of the G-Men lineman dominated (I wouldn't have minded Tuck taking home the MVP but when Eli makes plays like he did he deserved it as well) The Eli Manning to David Tyree was one of if not the greatest play I've seen, especially given the part of the game it was in and it would have been 4th and 12 I believe had he not caught that ball. Oh and my favorite commercial was no doubt the Thriller commercial with the lizards and the commercials weren't as bad as some said. Just like when people say the same thing next year.



I'm sure I'll give my thoughts on what the Cowboys should do this offseason (as well as a Rangers offseason look and what's wrong with the Mavs) but I've just written the most I've done in a while.

O and if you follow this blog or noticed my rant a couple spots down, Eli Manning was given a hybrid Cadillac Escilade for winning Superbowl MVP. Isn't that grand.

Poor one for Leather tonight!

This video is circulating the web of famed douchebag and ESPN broadcaster Chris Berman. It's been laying around for 8 years and someone just decided I guess to say fuck it and give this tape some light. Enjoy.



And for those who want to read more Berman escapades (and understand the title) read here at Deadspin on the Legend of You're with me Leather:

http://deadspin.com/sports/chris-berman/he-could-go-all-the-way-166410.php

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/You%27re_with_me%2C_leather

Something that was bothering me...

I work at the American Airlines Center and tonight during the intermission of the hockey game they interviewed a player, pretty standard stuff. But as they wrap up the interview and say thanks for stopping by they mentioned how he'll get a gift certificate to Best Buy for participating. Last time I checked hockey players make 6 figures as the league minimum why the hell would they need a god damn gift certificate? To throw it in a closet with a pile titled useless junk?

It's not like hockey is the only sport that does it, any athlete participating on the local broadcast's post game interview receives some sort of gift, whether it be a tailored suit or free boots or glass dildos or whatever the hell they give away. The point is the majority of these player are freaking millionaires why the hell do they need a gift certificate, you'd be much better off giving 100 bucks to a charity of their choice or how bout just thank the athlete for doing the interview.
O and for Cowboys fans like myself I found this video to be funny

Trying to upload vids from youtube...

its a success!!! i'll talk about the cowboys another time

but for now just enjoy hootie and burger king

Interview with Jeff Risdon

Jeff Risdon is an NFL analyst/scout for some team that he won't reveal. I know him from a website realgm.com where he's known as Icness, I interviewed him earlier in the season and now he's here to share his opinion on the upcoming playoffs, the NCAA and the Cowboys.


Mitchell Clemons If the Patriots win the Superbowl this year where would they rank all time? How much do you value 1 year dominance over an extended period, I always find the 90's Cowboys to be underrated because they always seem to be on the edge of the Greatest teams of all time talk.

Jeff Risdon: I believe they are the best team of all time. It’s not just one year of dominance for them. I consider this the best edition of the most dominant franchise since the late 70s Steelers. Those “triplets” Cowboys teams are the best team between those two. That New England is doing it in an era of salary equality and free agency makes it all the more impressive.

Mitchell Clemons: I think what they are doing is more impressive since it's in the salary cap Era but the Cowboys really were limited on players they could sign and had to keep pegging in new guys. This is the only New England team I think could hang with the 90's Cowboys.


M. Clemons: Who are the 2 teams playing there best football going into the playoffs that could be geared for a long playoff run? The worst?

J. Risdon:
Obviously New England is the team to beat. I think Jacksonville is the best of the non-bye teams, though I would not want to play Seattle in the NFC. I give the Skins very little chance for a long run because of injuries and the emotion of Taylor just can’t sustain their relative lack of talent much longer.


MC: What do you make of the Cowboy's recent struggles, have they let up since clinching the division and now home field, maybe they're just hitting the injury bug at the wrong time?

JR: Losing TO is a major issue that I believe will end their season earlier than you would like. I do think some of the key guys put it on cruise control the last couple of weeks, and I also think they scaled back the aggressiveness in the game plan, particularly on defense.


MC: Since Tom Brady appears to be the unanimous MVP who'd be your 2nd choice? Your Defensive player of the year? I have a hard time not giving it to Albert Haynesworth, the missed games should almost help his case.

JR: You make a great point about Haynesworth and I find it hard to argue with him as Defensive POY. Patrick Kerney is deserving, Mario Williams was great, Jared Allen was dominant. Bob Sanders is my pick to win it though, and he certainly deserves the praise.
As for #2 in the MVP race to Brady, Brett Favre for his leadership as much as his play. Take Favre away from the Packers and they might be worse than the Lions. Randy Moss would be my 3rd place.


MC: What are some players that have played in the bowl games so far that have hurt or improved there draft stock?

JR: Chad Henne showed he’s quite good when he’s healthy, probably raised himself up a round. I was very impressed with Purdue TE Dustin Keller, and ECU’s Chris Johnson showed what he could do when his team stuck with the run. I thought USC Tackle Sam Baker showed why a lot of folks considered him a top 10 overall pick, which he hasn’t always played to.
Hard to say who hurt themselves with one bad game, though Colt Brennan’s agent can’t be happy. VT’s Chris Ellis was invisible against Kansas after he had a poor overall game against UVA.


MC: As an IU/Alabama fan and having friends that go to Mizzou I was curious of your thoughts on some players.

JR: Wallace Gilberry - If he can add 5-10 pounds of functional bulk and not sacrifice his quickness, he has a shot to make it as a 3-4 DE. He’s worth a 5th-6th rounder based on his productivity and power for his size. Good blockers were able to overpower him too handily for him to go higher. He reminds me of Bears Israel Idonije.

MC: James Hardy - this guy took a lashing by the announcers on the NFL network, frankly I was a little disappointed. Where do you see him going at this point?

JR: I still think he’s a first-round talent and can be an impact NFL WR. I didn’t see the game, but as much as I’ve seen Hardy I can bet they were ragging on his lack of separation and seemingly lackadaisical effort at times. When you’re his size, you get separation vertically, not with your speed (unless you’re Randy Moss). I think he’s the #2 WR in this draft after Limas Sweed, should Hardy declare.

MC: You really nailed it on Hardy.

JR: DJ Hall Generic WR in a class full of them. He’s got good size but there are bigger, good speed but there are faster, good hands but there are better. I do like his propensity for big plays and highlight reel catches, but then I see him block or saw off half his routes and my favor is mitigated.

JR: Chase Daniel - His size is an issue, but he can make pretty much all the throws and shows good agility and improv skills. I do think he’s somewhat a product of their system; I need to see what he can do under center with an I-formation and only 2 WRs in a pattern. I peg him as a backup QB at the next level.

JR: Jeremy Macklin - I prefer Macklin to Percy Harvin, who gets a lot more publicity. Macklin runs with more power and runs cleaner routes. If he shows consistency and improvement during his time at Mizzou he’s got a chance to be a very productive Z WR and return man in the NFL.


MC: Since you're an Ohio State fan, why do you think this game will be different than last years National Championship?
And if the OSU loses this year in another blowout should the voters sort of punish the Big 10 if they only have 1 loss next year as opposed to 2 loss teams in tougher conferences?

JR: LSU isn’t Florida, and that’s going to make a world of difference. Florida beat Ohio State because of their style of offense and speed on defense. Florida also smoked LSU last year too--I think a lot of people forget about that game, and I hate how people assume that OSU can’t be better but LSU has to be. I think LSU was better overall last season, and this OSU team is better than last year’s thanks to Beanie Wells and the best defense in the country.

As for the Big 10 thing, what about a so-called bad Michigan team scoring at will on Florida? What about the fact the Big Ten is 7-7 against the SEC in Bowls lately? Should the Pac-10 get docked because the worst Texas team in a long time blew away ASU? What about the ACC and how badly they’ve fared against pretty marginal competition? At some point you have to separate the schools from the conferences. Florida played a crap non-conference schedule, so did USC and Oklahoma--where is the outrage at them?

MC: To defend USC and Oklahoma they did play at least 1 team people thought would be good Out of Conference, how many people knew Nebraska and Miami would be just horrific? I just ask OSU to play one challenging game per season, and that's what I'd want out of every legit school. You don't have to be LSU and play a top 10 team but maybe a team that people expect to be in a bowl game. As for the ACC I can't defend them, I've never thought much of that conference until college basketball starts up.


MC: What team do you think has the best shot to take down the Patriots, the Colts, Jaguars or another team?

JR: Jacksonville is intriguing because they run the ball well and don’t turn it over, and their defense has depth up front to keep the pressure on Brady. I refuse to rule out the Colts because they are the defending champs and came real close earlier, but they’d have to play better than they have been lately. Seattle is the only NFC team I think can stay within 20 points just because of their pass defense/rush and they can rack up points throwing the ball all over the field.

MC: We've had this disagreement many a time, I think you underrate the Cowboys not just this question but others too. All I'll say is I think the Cowboys can hang with the Patriots, not beat but hang with them, maybe I put to much stock in being up 24-21 without Anthony Henry and then about to retake the lead if not for a holding call on Kyle Kosier.


MC: After watching this year in the NFL do you feel that the league is either weaker than previous years or is just becoming even more predicated on the success of your teams quarterback?

JR: IMO there just seems to be alot of mediocrity in the league aside from about 6 teams. I think the dichotomy between the good and bad teams has grown, and QB play has a lot to do with that. Other than Miami, most of the bad teams had really bad OLs too--that’s what killed Baltimore, STL, and SF and helped Cleveland, Tampa, and Buffalo all improve.


MC: Do you see the Cowboys losing one of or all of Jason Garrett, Tony Sparano and Jeff Ireland?

JR: I think Garrett will stay because he knows he’s the next coach of the Cowboys if he sticks around another year or two. I think Wade Phillips wanted to restore his name and taste some success and then he’ll walk away, he’s not a young man. Sparano and Ireland will be hard to keep simply because other teams are going to offer them big $$ to leave, and even Jerry Jones has his limits. Actually Ireland has left since I started answering these questions!


MC: I'm not sure if nationally this has been recognized but Jason Garrett seems to be going away from the run in games running less than 20 attempts multiple times in the past month, do you think he could become another Mike Martz given a good QB with good WR's?

JR: I think some of it has to do with the fact the defenses are focusing harder on stopping the run and forcing the pass. He’s trying to keep defenses off balance and the offense unpredictable. Also, Crayton and Witten have both been playing great football lately and Garrett is from the school that you feed the bear, to borrow a volleyball term.


MC: What was your worst and best prediction of this past NFL season?

JR:The one that bothers me most is my Packers prediction, because I actually wrote an initial draft where they won the NFC North and 11-12 games. I scrapped it and went with the negative, against my better judgment. I swung and missed on Tennessee too. I’m proud of my prediction of a Pittsburgh resurgence and the decline of the Jets, Ravens and Bears. I wound up being within 2 games either way for 24 of the 32 teams, so it was a pretty good forecast I think.

MC: Yea, my worst predictions was thinking the Bucs would be terrible, and that I picked Chicago, Nawlins and the Eagles to make the playoffs with the Eagles making the Superbowl. It looks dumb but I think many people picked that to happen too. And I thought the Colts would be bad defensively but Bob Sanders is a tank and they are so fast and swarm to the ball.


MC: How much credit would you give to Bill Parcells for building this team and its success it has had this year? And how much would you give to guy's like Jerry Jones, Wade Phillips and Garrett?

JR: Parcells deserves a lot of credit for molding a team and bringing in pieces that fit together. But he wasn’t the guy who brought in Leonard Davis, who IMO was one of the 3 best offseason moves last summer and really improved the line. I have a hard time seeing guys like Crayton, Ratliff, and Folk making the impact they did this year if Parcells is coaching the team. In a way I think the areas where Parcells failed the team the past couple of years laid the groundwork for what Phillips has done and what Garrett has been able to do, so I guess he gets some backhanded credit there.

MC: You have to start a franchise, who are the 3 offensive players you'd look at and the 3 defensive players?

JR: Offense I want a QB, a LT, and a WR all about to hit their prime or in the midst of a great prime. Give me Peyton Manning (over Brady because his early Colts teams stunk and he persevered), Joe Thomas, and either Larry Fitzgerald or Reggie Wayne.
Defense, I’m an attack 4-3 guy, so I want a stud DT, a great MLB, and an impact safety who can both cover and knock skulls. I want Tommie Harris, Patrick Willis, and Ed Reed, who still has 4-5 more seasons of greatness IMO.

MC: I'm in the middle of Michael Lewis's book Blindside: Evolution of the game. What did you think about it if you had read it and how important do you think the Left Tackle is or do you think a position like the C or LG is just as important?

JR: I haven’t read it yet, unfortunately. I got it for Xmas in 2006 and it’s sitting on my nightstand shelf waiting to be read. I think LT is the second-most important position on the offense and is critical for an offense to thrive. I’m not a huge Michael Oher fan in terms of projection to the NFL, going back to the book.

MC: Finally will you tell us the team you scout for?

JR: It's probably changing soon anyways... Hope you had a great holiday and New Years

Once again thanks for your help, hopefully I can talk to you again come draft time.

Cowboys headed for another December Collapse?

Well if last week wasn't cause for concern this week is definitely time to worry. If we lose next week or have to get barely past the Panthers because of a Tony Romo comeback I'd say it's time to hit the panic button.

The previous 2 December's when the Cowboys were in contention for the playoffs the Cowboys have gone 4-7. Even in the wins they've won by a combined 20 points (10 if you take out last years game in Atlanta)

Im just at a loss as to why we struggle, last year teams just found out how to exploit our weaknesses defensively and did it to perfection. This year we've struggled offensively (yes they did score 28 points but they were inconsistent) and T.O has been taken out of the last 2 games. It's opened things up for Jason Witten who has exploded but this offense is at its best when the ball is going to Owens and they're not trying to force it in there.

Another cause for concern is the last 2 weeks they've only rushed the ball 16 and 15 times, lets all pray that Jason Garrett isn't turning into the next Mike Martz. He's young but I hope he learns from this that when your starting QB's thumb is obviously affecting him you need to try and establish the running game (particularly with Marion Barber, Jones sucked to no surprise)

And that goes to my next point, we've been pretty fortunate with injuries this year aside from Terry Glenn and Jason Ferguson until Sunday. On top of Romo's thumb (which will probably be a major pain in his ass) we lost Andre Gurode and upon his exit we gave all 4 sacks on the day. Chris Canty, who's been solid the whole season, Anthony Fasano and Pat Watkins who comes in on obvious passing situations and special teams play. It looks like Gurode and Canty will play Saturday but Pat Watkins will miss at least next week with an ankle sprain. This normally wouldnt be a big deal but Roy Williams has been suspended for another horse collar tackle, his latest victim Donovan McNabb. And while I like Keith Davis's special teams play he's as bad as Roy when it comes to covering.

The one positive from Sunday is the defense probably churned out its best or 2nd best game of the season. The pass rush was fine as was the run defense (aside from one play, we'll get to that later) Only a couple things pissed me off, there were several times where Brian Westbrook was unaccounted for. That guy is arguably the most underrated player in the NFL, my favorite non-Cowboy and is there only offensive weapon, there should be a guy assigned to him on every play, and yet he had plays where he was free for a huge amount of running room. One play that sticks out to me is where the Cowboys rush 4 or 5 and McNabb swings it out to Westbrook and he has about 20-25 yards ahead of him. If I had to guess it was rookie Anthony Spencer's assignment and he looked like he was playing the run at 1st and once Westbrook slipped past him it was to late to catch him. But just to reiterate, he's there only weapon and should be monitored on every play.

And finally a huge FUCK YOU to Brian Westbrook for falling down at the 1 yard line and FUCK YOU Jon Runyan for giving him that idea. It was a smart play sure but because of it I lost 50 bucks and a chance at 300 dollars because I lost by 5 god damn points because you fell down. There is now a 50 dollar bounty on your head and if I ever meet you, you owe me money and possibly a kick in the nads courtesy of me.

Hopefully the Boys can bounce back against training camp castoff Matt Moore. I thought he looked good in camp and apparently did last week, but if it's a close game it is a major cause for concern.