Despite Injuries, Stanback Eager For Training Camp
June 30, 2009 | Filed Under Uncategorized | Comments OffTalking a Little Cowboys @ Buccaneers
June 30, 2009 | Filed Under Uncategorized | Comments Off By Aaron Novinger (Bigrigga31) on Jun 29, 2009 10:08 PM CDTIs it too soon to talk about Tampa?
Obviously, we’ve got training camp to get through. We’ve got players to waive (down to 75 on Sept. 1st; 53 by Sept. 5th), perhaps players to acquire, and almost assuredly will have injuries (hopefully minor) to account for. The fine-tuning will begin in Oakland (Aug. 13th); then, for the first game in Cowboys Stadium against the Titans (Aug. 21st). The next game against the Niners (Aug. 29th) should allow us a real look at the starters for much of the game, and then a preseason wrap-up in Minnesota (Sept. 4th) will define the roster.
Sunday, September 13th, will be Cowboy Kickoff Day. The defense will do its best to limit those pirate cannons from firing at anytime other than during the halftime show. Mike Jenkins will have the opportunity to avenge his infamous missed tackle on new Buccaneer back Derrick Ward. Gerald Sensebaugh’s return to Florida will be tested by the talented, yet oft-injured Kellen Winslow and the former towel-thrower, Antonio Bryant. Will it be Byron Leftwich trying to make the offense forget about Chucky?
More after the jump.
On the flipside, new head coach Raheem Morris posts consistency in his defensive-laden resumé:
Morris takes over a defense that has produced 36 Pro Bowlers since 1996, the most in the NFL, and finished as the NFLs top-ranked defense two times (2002 and 2005). The past 13 seasons have also seen the Buccaneers defense rank in the Top 10 on 11 occasions and in the Top 5 eight times.
Romo will have to be accurate against a good trio of Cover-2 safeties, Tanard Jackson, Jermaine Phillips, and Sabby Piscitelli. Corners Ronde Barber and Aqib Talib will be looking to corral the Cowboys receivers. Dallas’ running game and reliability in tight ends, Jason Witten and Martellus Bennett, should help keep Morris’ secondary honest.
This website has the Cowboys as 3-point favorites with the over/under resting at 42. Here’s some of what they say about the game:
Both teams have impressive running back corps and will lean on the rushing attack while the passing game works out the kinks. Totals bettors should look to the under on the 42 points, with the ground game eating up the clock.
Tampa Bay added Derrick Ward this offseason and he will share carries with Earnest Graham. The Cowboys have a healthy Marion Barber and Felix Jones behind Romo. Those two were on pace for a huge year last season before injuries took out Jones and slowed Barber.
It’s early to talk about Tampa and there is much work ahead. Assuming the coaches have already scouted the Bucs, we might as well brainstorm the match-up as well. It certainly beats wondering what went wrong with last season!
Tony Romo Chat Transcript from 6/30 on NFL.com
June 30, 2009 | Filed Under Uncategorized | Comments Off NFL.comHello NFL Nation. We've got Tony Romo on deck, ready to chat. Thanks for all your questions today -- there are a lot of them -- so we'll try to hit as many topics as we can. Tony is limited on time, but ready for whatever you have.
Adam, Bakersfield,CA
04:34 PM ET
Which NFC East team do you enjoy playing the most?
Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
Oh, I don’t enjoy playing against any of them the most! They’re all good. They’re all tough. They all have a chance to win the SB every year. I don’t know that there’s one specific team that I hate or like the most.
Nelson, Fort Lauderdale, FL
04:37 PM ET
How confident do you feel in Roy Williams Being your #1 receiver?
Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
Roy has worked really hard this offseason. Think it’s shown so far in OTAs and minicamps. He’s going to have a good year this year. He’s been very good so far this offseason.
Gerry, Indianapolis
04:38 PM ET
Have you gotten to see the new stadium yet? How much difference will there be playing there, in your opinion, than playing at Texas Stadium?
Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
I think it will definitely be an incredible experience. When you go and look at it, you get very excited. It’s just something you’ve never seen before. To be able to be the first team that has played there, and to be the first QB for that team, it’s just going to be really exciting. Really fun.
I don’t know how different it’s going to be, because I haven’t played there yet, but usually football is still football. You get out there and you still throw the ball, the guy is 10 yards, and you still throw it 10 yards. I think we’ll be alright. It will be incredible to experience though.
Juan Pelota, Austin, TX
04:41 PM ET
What do you appreciate most in Jason Garrett?
Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
I think that Jason has a great feel for the game. He’s a very intelligent individual, and he still maintains a certain level ... There needs to be good, open lines of communication between the QB and the coordinator and the QB coach. They need to trust you as a QB, and you need to be able trust the coaches.
I think we have a great relationship in that regard. He allows me to voice my opinions, and i always like it when he’s coaching me up and we’re doing the things that we need to do to get better as a group. That’s the key -- to improve collectively as a group. He’s an ex player, so he looks at himself through my perspective. He’s always going to try to improve the same way that I do as a player.
I’m lucky to have him around me -- he’s helped make me a better player.
mezy, Dallas
04:47 PM ET
Do you think Jason Garret will use all three running backs in this upcoming season?
Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
I think we definitely have a strong group at that position. I definitely envision using all three of those guys. They’ve all had success in several different areas. So, I think we’re lucky to have that depth there.
Rhodri Jones, Tredegar, Wales
04:51 PM ET
Hi Tony. What kind of things have you been doing this offseason to improve your game ? Thanks.
Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
Every offseason I look at myself and ask what I didn’t do well the year before. And what will it take individually and collectively as a group to reach the next level?
I look at that, I go about the process, and you have to work on it during your teaching sessions and during your OTAs. You have to try to do these things to improve.
For me, personally, there’s a few things. One is footwork. I’ve tried very hard to do certain things with my footwork that will enable me to hopefully be extremely efficient. Almost robotic in nature in certain throws. Drop back, hit it, and do it again. Every time is not a new experience. If you can do that -- there will be plenty of times you have to dodge and throw on the run and make awkward throws -- but the other times you don’t have to, you want to be deadly efficient and accurate. I know I’m excited about what has taken place this offseason.
Ilay & Idan, Israel
04:53 PM ET
What do you think about the new band formed by your teammates ?
Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
Free Reign? Those are some good guys. They love music, and they love getting out there and jamming to hard rock. I think they’re a bunch of good guys. I like it. They do have some good songs ... but they’re still young. They’re still growing.
Ryan MacEachern, Brampton, Ontario, CANADA
04:54 PM ET
Do you get tired of people questioning your leadership and commitment to the game?
Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
I think I learned awhile ago that if I’m trying to make everyone happy, then I’m destined to a life of solitude.
For me personally, my coaches know, and my teammates know, how hard I work and the position I put myself in. I’m as dedicated of an individual as you’ll find. When you don’t win, and you don’t win SB, there’s always going to be questions until you do. That’s part of the game, and part of the position I’m in.
I know one thing -- all you can do is put your head down and grind it out and do the best you can. If you don’t do that, what else can you do? You can’t do anything other than work as hard as you can and go forward. All the other things will fall into place.
Robert G. Garcia II, Phoenix, AZ
04:56 PM ET
Tony, what has been the most humbling experiance for you in the NFL?
Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
I don’t know. That’s a tough one Robert. I don’t think just one thing sticks out.
Marc, Long Island
04:57 PM ET
Whos the best golfer in the NFL? I heard Aaron Rodgers is pretty good
Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
Haha. I played with Aaron last year. Yeah, he’s pretty good. There are a bunch of good players, though.
KG, Orlando, FL
05:03 PM ET
Who would you rather throw to; Lebron or Kobe?
Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
LOL. I guess it depends on what pass I’m throwing and what route they’re running. They’ll probably both be good, either way.
Rez Ghafori, Vancouver Canada
05:05 PM ET
Hey Tony, which young player on Dallas do you think has the most potential to make an impact this season?
Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
I think we have some good young receivers – Miles Austin and Sam Heard. They’ve been here awhile, but they might not be household names, and I think they’re coming along. They’re going to do some good things to help out and give us some depth at receiver. You never know. Guys step up as soon as you at training camp. I just think we’ll have a few of those, too.
America's fan, Montgomery,Alabama
05:07 PM ET
Other than anyone on your team what current active player's game do you admire the most?
Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
Yeah, there are a bunch of guys you look at and you like the way that they play the game and their approach. I usually look up to guys who work hard and do things the right way. There are people I try to emulate in some ways. I think there’s a few. I don’t wan’t want to name names but there’s definitely a few who you look at and say, “That’s the way to do it.”
Tene Jones, Indianapolis, IN
05:09 PM ET
What goals have you set for yourself this coming season?
Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
Just to be very meticulous in my approach. To be very effecient in the process. And to win. That’s really all it comes down to.
Mario Gonzales, San Antonio, Texas
05:13 PM ET
What is your honest outlook on the upcoming season?
Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
I’m excited. This offseason has gone as well as ... well it’s the best offseason since I’ve been here. Guys have been working hard, I think that’s good. I think that it shows in the efficiency of the day-in and day-out grind in what we do.
It’s been, actually, it’s been very fun to see everyone working the way they have been and go out on the field and see the production at a high level. That’s exciting to me. I’m just very excited about this season.
DMN Blog: Mike Jenkins: ‘I’m the starter’
June 30, 2009 | Filed Under Uncategorized | Comments Off By Scott NollTim MacMahon may be on vacation, but that doesn't mean he won't stop delivering Cowboys news to the masses as it happens.
It appears that Mike Jenkins has been given the starting right cornerback position over Orlando Scandrick entering training camp. At least that what Jenkins is saying on his blog.
"Heading into training camp I'm the starter at right cornerback, and my job is to maintain that position. I'm back in Florida training at IMG to get my body right, get my head right, be mentally ready heading into the season. ...
It's my job to lose, but there's a guy behind me with nothing to lose. If he makes a mistake, it's not going to cause him to lose his job. If I make a mistake, the coaches are going to take a long, hard look at me in that position."
Mailbag: Would Marvin Harrison Be A Good Fit?
June 30, 2009 | Filed Under Uncategorized | Comments OffMike Jenkins Talks about Keeping His CB Job in His Latest Blog
June 30, 2009 | Filed Under Features, Mike Jenkins | Comments OffHeading into training camp I’m the starter at right cornerback, and my job is to maintain that position. I’m back in Florida training at IMG to get my body right, get my head right, be mentally ready heading into the season.
It’s time to show anyone doubting me, and even the fans backing me up, that I’m the guy the Cowboys wanted coming out of college.
As a starter the coaches put a lot more pressure on you to make sure you’re ready for the season. It’s tough because I feel like any mistake I make there’s someone waiting to take the job away from me.
Click HERE to read the rest
Where will they go? A Free Agency Prediction Game
June 30, 2009 | Filed Under Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Henrik Sedin, Jay Bouwmeester, Marain Gaborik, Marian Hossa, Martin Havlat, NHL, NY Islanders, Pittsburgh Penguins, Uncategorized, Vancouver Canucks | Comments OffI’ve decided to try to predict where I think the top players in the NHL Free Agent market will end up. When the clock strikes midnight tonight, NHL Free Agency starts and unrestricted free agents from all 30 teams will be free to sign with whomever they would like.
So lets get right into it, using The Fourth Period’s top 30 chart I’ll look at the top five(not already re-signed) players and predict where they’ll end up!
1. Jay Bouwmeester (FLA/CAL)
This will be the last you see of Bouwmeester in a Panthers uniform
Jay Bouwmeester is the hot commodity of the free agent period this summer. He’s an offensive minded puck moving defensmen that can also shut down dangerous opposing forwards. At the draft, the Panthers dealt his exclusive negotiating rights to the Calagry Flames. He’s originally from Alberta so I think he’ll want to play on the left coast somewhere.
Where He’ll End up: Edmonton, He’s originally from Edmonton, he’s currently negotiating based out of Edmonton, they have the salary cap room to sign him, it just seems to easy, maybe it is?
Other Places He Could Go: Calgary, Montreal, Toronto
2. Marian Hossa (DET)
Hossa will look to make a better decision this year
Its well known that Hossa spurned the Pittsburgh Penguins to sign a 1 year deal with the Detroit Red Wings to win a championship…didn’t turn out so well for him. That being said, he’s an all world offensive and defensive forward. He will bring a 40+ goals wherever he ends up. He would like to stay with Detroit but unless he’s willing to take a $3 million pay cut, its not going to happen.
Where He’ll End Up: LA Kings, they have the cap room, and they are looking to be major players in Free Agency, put Hossa out there with Anze Kopitar and some of their other top young talent like Frolov, and you have yourself a pretty formidable lineup
Other Places He Could Go: Edmonton (made a $9 mil offer for him last summer), Vancouver
3. Marian Gaborik (MIN)
Gaborik might need to take less money because of health issues
When healthy, Marian Gaborik can rack up the points with the best of them. The problem? He’s never healthy. He has only played in a handful of games this year (a fantasy owners nightmare), but when he did, even in a trapping defensive scheme, he still had 23 points in only 17 games. Gaborik has made it known that he would like to play with best friend Marian Hossa, and if the stars align correctly it just could happen. Gaborik may have to take a bit less money than he would like, and probably a shorter contract than his ideal situation because of his health issues.
Where He’ll End Up: Vancouver, He has been reported to have bought a house in the Vancouver area within the past 2 weeks, and the Canucks will need to replace the next people on our list.
Other Places He Could Go: Edmonton, LA Kings, NY Rangers, Washington
4. Henrik and Daniel Sedin (VAN)
The Twins will play together again next season, the question is Where?
Henrik and Daniel Sedin are a package deal, the identical twin brothers always have been and probably always will be. They have given identical offers to the Vancouver Canucks, but its looking like they’ll head to free agency at midnight tonight. They are both very talented players that deserve somewhere in the ballpark of $6 million each.
Where They’ll End Up: Toronto, they’ll be matched back up with the General Manager who gave up a lot to draft both of them when they were drafted in Vancouver, Brian Burke.
Other Places They Could Go: Vancouver, NY Islanders, Montreal
5. Martin Havlat (CHI)
Martin Havlat has expressed his desire to stay in Chicago
Marty Havlat is another one who is frequently injured, but when he’s healthy man is he dangerous. He has expressed his desire to stay in Chicago. The Blackhawks have offered him a 1 year deal, but it doesn’t look like he will take that. I’m not positive he’ll go to July 1 as a free agent but if he does, he could be a hot commodity especially when the big names go off the board before him.
Where He’ll End Up: Chicago, even if he doesn’t resign before July 1, I think he’ll give Chicago a chance to match any offer he gets, and they will
Other Places He Could Go: Pittsburgh, he would be a great addition next to Crosby or Malkin, but they would have to shed some salary in order to do that (I’m looking your way Pascal Dupuis.)
Go to the comments to let me know what you think about my predictions, and make your own!!
Tagged: Calgary Flames, Daniel Sedin, Edmonton Oilers, Free Agency, Henrik Sedin, Jay Bouwmeester, Los Angeles Kings, Marain Gaborik, Marian Hossa, Martin Havlat, NHL, NY Islanders, Pittsburgh Penguins, Vancouver Canucks
Tim Lincecum is Relentless
June 30, 2009 | Filed Under MLB, Major League Baseball, Pitchers, Pitching, St. Louis Cardinals, Tim Lincecum, baseball, sports | Comments OffEvery time I see Tim Lincecum on television, I keep wondering how old the guy is, even though I already know (25), because he looks like a teenager who hangs around burger shacks and sips on milkshakes.
Instead of being the said teenager who hangs around burger shacks and sips on milkshakes, he’s an ass-kicking pitcher for the San Francisco Giants of the Major League Baseball. If you wanted a more pithy statement to sum up Lincecum’s abilities, sit down, because there’s nothing else that needs to be said.
He’s faced my St. Louis Cardinals four times in his career. Three times he’s stifled the Cards at Busch Stadium (most recently last night in a 10-0 Giants win). In total, all four have resulted in wins for Lincecum.
The sky is the limit for this guy.
