Mid-week Crumbs

I don’t want ANYTHING to cut into Crayton’s playing time, so Price being inactive is fine with me. He’s an insurance policy, not a Crayton replacement.

Price is the fastest receiver on our team. He has excellent rapport with Bledsoe. He needs to be in there.

So does Crayton, and Glenn, and Johnson.

MBIII wouldn’t be a terrible loss. He was the main factor, according to BP, for the long kickoff returns. No runs, poor returns.

Price is more than an insurance policy. He may well be Keyshawn’s replacement. We need to find out.

Yea I know. I hope BP doesn’t move Crayton to play more ST to get Price in. I would let A-train go get the two rookies in so they can play ST and sit Copper to allow Price to play.

was it just our coverage team or was Cortez hitting line drives right to Sproles? Did the Cowboys not see film on this half pint from college, the kid can run!

I am glad Drew won NFC Offensive player of the week. I think he also needed a shot of confidence. In the end he had to drive us down and score with a TD to KJ for us to win the game. Regardless of Bill Parcells saying you just need somebody to Drive the Bus at QB, Drew showed me he was more than a Ralph Cramden. While I ain’t reserving a ring or predicting a pro bowl for the guy, he does have the league leading passer rating, and threw ZERO INTs. Interceptaverde last year killed us when he did not get intercepted he decided to fumble it away. I give Vinny credit for being able to play as well as he did, but the INTs killed us! No Julius for half the year did not help either, not too mention Glenn hurt, AB quitting on routes……etc etc. You know Bill Parcells called Drew Bledsoe on the phone last year when the he and the Bills were struggling and Drew turned things around. Kinda good knowing the guy can make a long distance call and get results. I figure he will do even better from the sideline. With Sean Payton calling plays as a legit Offensive Coordinator…….ok QB Coach……..Bill is freed up to have an overview of what is going on and not be as concerned with the play calling. Might even help us in facing an old adversary like Joe Gibbs that knows Bill Parcells game plans so well…….yet still struggles to beat his teams.

Well what a difference a year makes. We appear better at ever single position except K. I thought Cortez kickoffs were as much to blame for our coverage as anything, and that improves or BP finds anothre kicker from somewhere. Trust me some guy is selling insurance or driving a tractor trailor or sitting on the practice squad of some Soccer team that can kick da ball. Cundiff would be healed by week 10 I think, maybe we bring him back. Defense looked much improved. Compare the way we played against LT and Drew Brees to what Brett Farve and Ahman Green did to us last year. Drew other than that first painful drive where Al Johnson, Petitti and even our GOOD lineman got in on the penalty action……….we moved the ball well. Sean Payton refused to leave the run and kept SD honest by giving JJ 26 touches and he still managed 93 yards againts a great run defense. Crayton appears for real and will help out with all the attention that Witten recieved. Teams are going to be asking the question……..who do we focus on Terry Glenn can burn you deep or on crossing routes, KJ is a beast in the middle of the field, Crayton outside or on deep routes……….Witten underneath or in the middle……Defenses are going to look at those options………and not even take into account another guy that is going to be a factor Julius out of the backfield………Bill has stressed he needs to run routes and learn the NFL Passing game. He wants to give him a few chances a game with the ball thrown to him. I agree with Bill he has a lot of work to do, and not sure he has enough time to get it done. Still I do see some similarities to where we were in the early nineties. The only difference is Bill has more veterans on this team in key positions than Jimmy had at the time. Still I like the mix of young and old and think it gives us a great shot at winning.

While the Cowboys may not have a single reciever like Terrel Owens, Tory Holt, or Randy Moss………..when you look at the combination of what they do have and a Peerless Price who is having trouble getting on the field with all the talent out there…….personally I am very pleased and pleasantly surprised. I realize Glenn and Johnson are in the twilight of their careers but nonetheless keep playing like this and we are going to have a winning record and make some noise come Dec and January.

Dallas 35 Washington 17

Brunell is going to get sacked early and often. Julius will eventually break one on Washington after struggling and goes over the century mark and into the 150 range for the game. Witten gets a TD, KJ gets one, Glenn gets one from 30+ yards out, JJ gets one………Crayton gets one. Washington has lost Champ Bailey and Fred Smoot………Sean Taylor is a S, not a Corner and Drew is going to light em up after JJ breaks a few. Emmit, Troy and Michael inspire the new kids on the block, and Julius, Drew and Crayton draw comparisons from Madden who then says well……..they might be triplets……..but those other guys got Triple RINGS!!! Let em get that and we can start calling em names!

Joe Gibbs after the game says “Your fans are still ugly, but you know those Dallas Cheerleaders were pretty hot and distracted my team!”

Dan Snyder is so iritated to continuously lose to the Dallas Cowboys, he fires gibbs and sees Barry Switzer on the sideline at the Induction Ceremony. Barry tells him he won a Super Bowl in Dallas and a National Title in Norman. He offers him the Job, and Barry once again takes over an NFL team. He thanks Dan for the great seats every week as the team heads south in the rankings! He still does not realize he is the actual head coach. He occassionally asks Jerry Jones to come in and design plays, Jerry obliges the request and the Redskins go 1-15. He is fired when he shows up at Dulles Airport with his M-16 in tow. He goes back to drinking cocktails in Oklahoma and singing Glory Days by Bruce Springstein and Okie from Muskogee by Merle Haggard in the Karoake Bar, Dave Campo plays the bongos.

Jon,

Be careful. There are a few Barry Switzer lovers here on this site.

I have read in a few columns that Julius Jones signiture play was the draw out of the single back formation. .. Well last Sunday, Sean Payton did an excellent job of stretching San Diegos defense with the off tackle run, especially to Flozell’s side. Running off tackle plays and draws up the middle on passing downs … hmmm sounds like another RB I used to know?? Payton did a really good job of making the Chargers defend the entire field. … If the Redskins line up Carlos Rogers in the slot, I would do all I can to get Terri Glenn out there on him one-on-one. … Payton also did a nice job of mixing up the run and pass.

Jon, you got imagination like no other…..keep it !!!

It seems the eagles are crying to the league because McFagg got hurt against Atlanta….welcome to the NFL you moron!!!!….get used to it!!!

Score this week:

Dallas 24 – Wash 3 (if they can make the field goal w/o a decent kicker).

JJ runs for 110 yards, 1 TD
DB throws for 200, 2 TD
Glenn 75 yards, 1 TD
Crayton 60 yards, 1 TD
KJ and Witten get the rest.

BP wont play Price this week….maybe the next.

No way Price is Keyshawn’s replacement- Not even close.

Price is NOT the possession WR that Key is- never has been.

He can’t be the main guy that Keyshawn is- Atlanta found that out the hard way… and the expensive way.

Does he have the physical presence that Key does?

Will he make those tough catches over the middle?

Does he even block? I heard he didn’t….

Price will play this season and be helpful, but he ain’t never gonna replace Keyshawn. Now CRAYTON— HE MAY BE KEYSHAWN’S RERPLACEMENT. HE needs to be out there!

You DON’T deactivate a coverage guy like Copper when special teams is easily the weakest squad on our team. Especially not just to play a guy that’s not even needed right now. Keyshawn, Glenn, CRAYTON, and Witten can more than carry the load, evidently.

Now dropping Barber for Price- that might work, but who would bo his job? Don’t we need to bring this kid along, too?

Eric R,

The sprint draw is that stretch play you are referring to. It’s the same play.

I think if i had to drop a starter out of crayton, glenn and johnson for price, I would pick johnson…to me johnson hasn’t as much as i would have liked in his time with dallas. last week was the most i’ve seen him be effective since he’s arrived in dallas. But to be honest I wouldn’t have picked up price, i think our reciever set up is great…although i just ragged on him, I think Johnson is a big physical reciever we need, the least productive but we still need him…put only throwing up “what if’s”…if I HAD to…otherwise i’d leave it be.

rich
drop A-train and let the young guys play.

Jon-Watch those Okie remarks! (although I have never been a fan of Switzer…I’m more of an OU hater though an Okie and proud of it)

I don’t know about you fellows but I roll around on the floor giddy every time we continue to thump and embarrass the Deadskins and Snyder. They say rivalries are strongest when both sides have had recent runs being the superior team but I quite enjoy us grinding Washington into the dirt every year. Hope they enjoyed that ONE game they won as our team was dreaming of Parcells at the end of ‘02…cause we ain’t gonna let ’em have another one for years to come.

Prediction…Dallas 24 Washinton 10

emrdog
I would pick glenn to take a seat. But I wouldnt have pick up Price either. I would still like to see one of the old guys gone next year with a young stud from the draft in.

Not only did the iggles complain, Lavalais was fined for the hit to the poor little quarterback. It is funny how the league seems to be protecting the iggles. The new Williams rule and now you can’t hit the iggles quarterback. I watched the game and saw the hit on McNobb and sure he led with his head, but when you have mobile quarterbacks like McNobb that is going to happen.
As far as who to sit so that Price can get on the field that is a wonderful problem that most of us did not believe we would have this year. I think very few of us believed that our passing attack would be so explosive and versatile. I see Crayton as being Johnson’s replacement when he decides to hang up his cleats. His hands are his best weapon as is his willingness to go were the big uglies hang around waiting to hit some receiver over the middle.
I believe that the Washington defense will play hard, but too many weapons to have to cover. Final score Dallas 28 Redskins 3. Just the musings of a long time Cowboy fan.

I really think this is going to be closer than we thing. Skins have a good defense and will blitz like crazy!! look for dallas to try an exploit this sooner or later. Score will be something like 17-7 in favor of the boys.

Jon…I sure needed that laugh.

I think that Dallas’ offese will be scoring more thean 21 point on a regular basis. I do not think that Redkisns defense is as good as some people claim it to be, I mean, it can’t be that hard to stop the Bears, whith no QB, Kyle Orton??. It shouldn’t be as close after a slow first quarter I see Cowboys experimenting and letting loose in the second half. Ware will have a huge game.

I read up on the “Williams Rule” and yes, it does seem to be a reasonable one at the pro level due to the impact that it could have on a players career. However, what I did see (and I believe Madden commented on) is that the refs are inconsistent with the call and seem be call it on some players and letting it go on others. BTW, the comment by Tommy reminded me of this.

Regarding the ‘Skins game, I see their very good defense getting confused as to receiver coverage, doubling KJ and AG only to have Crayton and Witten take them to account. On the otherhand, they may be after Crayton to intimidate him so that he doesn’t play as well (yeah, right). SD took away Witten for the most part and they paid dearly for it. The ‘Skin know this for sure and they will try to blitz DB frequently to prevent the deeper, longer developing routes to materialize. Look out ’Skins, the WCO type plays will certainly be dusted off and used if that’s your tactic.

Also, regarding running at “Demo Man” Ware, come on. He needs the gametime reps so that he will only get much, much better at reading it. And, BTW, don’t forget Spears on the other side. He also needs the reps. Yes, I’m being “tongue-in-cheek” with all this, however, our D is the real deal and will improve week after week as opponents attempt to attack the perceived weaknesses from the prior week’s game tapes.

The ST concerns everyone. It would seem that Pile may play a more active role in spelling Davis at safety. Also, perhaps Fujita will get to show us what we got in him this week as well.

PP has to get into the mix and get some gametime reps soon. Not that the corps of receivers is lacking talent, but he needs to be able to step in if needed and be completely effective. Its a shame that the whole 53-man roster can’t be active for the games. Damn, the delimma of who to activate/inactivate has got to keep BP salivating buckets. The depth of talent on the ’Boys this year is unprecedented. Wow.

If Fowler was active last week, I would sit him and put in Burnett. Hes better on ST. Price should be in there, the guys good. I would sit maybe Ogbugo. Copper stays and its a toss up between Thompson and Barber.

I think that Crayton is Glenn future replacement, he’s playing as a flanker, for starters and has the set of hands and body structure of Glenn… He could develop into a fine possesion receiver, as what Key is, but he doesn’t have the size to out jump the coverage if it’s close.

AW:
I think you might be on to something with your leaving A-Train behind idea, the only question might be what positions TT and Barber have been playing in ST’s coverages in practices, if they play the same spot, then you can throw the idea to a trash can, but if they can play in the same field in coverage, then A-Train could be left behind with no remorse.

Everyone:
I think that ST’s coverage will be better for monday, Davis will be there, Pile now has 2 weeks of playing experience now, just like Fujita, and I can bet that Parcells and DeHaven already went with the rest of the team through several miles of film. Another player that could play some special teams is Bradie James, he’s a starter now and isn’t playing there.

Oh, and the score: Pigskins 6 – Dallas 20

I am crazy about the idea of the Redskins going into week 3 and not having scored a TD.

I cant wait untill monday night!!!
I got to watch the deadskins this week. Their defence did seem pretty good but Ortan was a rookie no doubt. portis looks to be very quick and strong this year. The game will be short because both teams will try to ball control and could be closer than most of you are predicting. I hope not but i see drew on his back some and Cortes shoved into the lime light this week. If we get ahead early we will beat them badly because this team will be very good defensively when Washington is one dimensional

predict 17-10 dallas but not as close as it seems

Like all of life, being there pales somewhat to getting there, the pain of which in turn is what makes being there so enjoyable. Other than the Dolphins, once, everybody takes their lumps along the way, and the Dolphins took theirs before and during their magical year, losing a Super Bowl to the Cowboys and losing their QB for much of their special year. Yet, they won. Before them, the Cowboys had been derided as “next year’s team” for years, until they finally won it all by beating the Dolphins. And so on.

I mention this because we all keep seeing the potential of the young players, and wanting it all now. It is unlikely we will have it all now, or possibly even next year, but certainly not impossible. Who should sit? What does the team sacrifice if that or that one sits against this or that team? The coaches should have an idea, but the answers may still involve trial and error, and may change week to week, depending on match ups. One or more winnable games may be lost while the team sorts these questions out.

Football is what it is because, in the end, the better team almost always wins, and the best team usually wins the championship. Playing head to head determines who is best. After too many years of lousy teams in Dallas, it is refreshing to see one that looks like it can stay competitive with most all of the others. They may not be champions this year, but they have as good a chance as anyone right now if they work hard, continue improving, have some luck with injuries and turnovers, and work together as a team. If they manage to do all of that this year, then champions or not this year, the season will be a success, and bode well for future campaigns.

This year, the core nucleus of the team is being set, especially on defense. Some of those playing key roles now may not be part of that nucleus. Various posters here have prominently mentioned Singleton, Davis, and James as players unlikely to be part of the longer term solution, while others have mentioned Johnson, Glenn, Bledsoe, Allen, and Adams as players unlikely to remain for the championship. At this point, we don’t know—we only know that this year, currently, these players are on this team, whose goal is to become as good a team as they are capable of becoming. I am excited by the prospect of watching this unfold.

I think Brunell will be good for atleast 2 TD’s…………. the question is who is going to be on the receiving end…. R. Williams, T. Newman, C. Canty, D. Ware, could be anyone; the chances are it will not be a Redskin. Dallas 24 Redskins 2

Redskins 2? Bledsoe in for a Safety? Or JuiceJ? I do believe that pressure on the backfield’s going to be steep, that’s why I think that Witten and Keyshawn will have a pretty good day, a lot of 2 and 3 step throws will be like seeing a movie in play and rewind.

Or, already up 24-0 with 3:05 left in the 4th, Parcells clears the bench, and Oline backups (Tucker, et al.) have another 4th and 50 meltdown, get backed up near their goal line, and Condo snaps the ball past McBriar, who kicks at it on the ground as he is falling the other way, hooking it out of bounds inside the end zone.

I thought the horse-call take down is only a penalty if the defender grabs the receiver from the PADS. If he just grabs his jersey collar from behind, then it’s not.

Is this right? cuz that’s why I thought it wasn’t called in the SD game.

Of course I didn’t tape the game, so I can’t review the plays. Any thoughts? Is this the way they’re calling it?

Jerry Jones said that he did not pay 2 mil to Price for insurance. Is this a start of a controversy? I don’t think so as Parcells knows as well, you don’t keep a 2mil a year guy inactive. My assumption is that we will find somone to cover Copper’s duties.

I’m thinking what’s causing this Price “controversy” is twofold: The poor special teams play, which makes Copper so important out there, AND the emergance of Crayton. I don’t know if anybody knew for sure that he’d be the clutch the receiver he was last week.

I’m sure Jones doesn’t WANT to have spent 2 million (or what ever we paid) on Price for insurance, but it sure as hell may have turned out that way….

I don’t think after one game we can still be sure, about Crayton. But I think you have to at least see what Price gives you. The more we can stretch the field the more pressure we take of Bledsoe.

I just have a bad feeling that Arrington is going to bust his chin open. When Arrignton was drafted I told my dad, there goes Aikman’s career. I was right.

Good points- I’d like to see what Price has to offer. We all would.

But to make an “After just one game” comment about Crayton is a bit unfair. He HAS been making plays all preseason, and even last year- wasn’t it Crayton who came up big in some games and made some pretty clutch grabs, one of which was against Washington, I believe.

Now I’m saying he’s the next Irvin, far from it. But Crayton’s already made a believer outta me. Not just because I want to believe in him, but because of what he’s proven he can do, going back to last year.

How many times does he have to win the job, anyway?

WOAH!!! CORRECTION BEFORE EVERYBODY JUMPS ON ME.

“Now I’m NOT saying Crayton is the next Irvin, far from it.”

“NOT SAYING.”

Damn glad I caught that. Ya’ll woulda freaked out on me….

Although my post would seem so, I was not making an indictment on Crayton in favor of Price. I just want to see what Price has to offer. I could care less who is left off the roster in the meanwhile.

If Burnett is ready to play full-speed, that would alleviate some of our special-teams problems. We could sit Ogbogu, and Burnett could replace Barber at Burnett’s regular special-teams slot. [It should be noted that Parcells blamed Barber for the lion’s share of our coverage problems against the Chargers.] Getting Davis and James back into the special-teams picture would also improve our coverage. That would also allow us to make inactive someone who is currently only giving us special-teams work. Perhaps Nathan Jones, or even Barber. If we are willing to risk going with just Julius Jones and Thomas at running back, and could get adequate kick returns from Aaron Glenn and/or Copper, that might free up an active-roster slot for Price.

Let’s face it, it is going to be difficult to get Price active, given our lack of injured players, our currently excellent receiver production, and our failings on special teams. So, some other area will have to go short, if we feel it necessary to get Price on the field.

i think you keep copper out there, ST needs to be with people who are good at it and copper is good at it. i also think price needs to play, if a-train is only gonna get 3-4 carries then yah sit him keep barber let him have those few carries and keep 5 wr

But I think you have to at least see what Price gives you. The more we can stretch the field the more pressure we take of Bledsoe.

While I agree that more vertical threats would be good (I’d particularly like to see some 4 receiver sets w/ Price and Glenn on go routes), they won’t take pressure off Bledsoe; in fact, they’ll mean he has to hold the ball longer to give his WRs time to get down the field. Now, we know he doesn’t have a problem holding on to the ball, but against any good pass rushing team that extra second or so could be a liability.

Either way, I’ll be surprised if the Cowboys lose on Monday, but I think the final score will be something like Cowboys 14, Skins 7. Probably just being gun shy after seeing the sputtering offense of the past few years, though.

Good points, mallarme. The 4 receiver set would not take the pressure of off Bledsoe. He doesn’t need to be holding on to the ball any longer than he already is.

And yeah, I’m also leary of this Washington game. When it comes to these two teams- the greatest rivalry in American sports- playing on a national stage, and on an emotional night for the Cowboys, anything can happen.

And that’s NOT an indication that the skins are better than Dallas; I don’t think they are. But remember when Dallas went 1-15 in Jimmy’s first year as coach? Who was our one win against? Damn right.

And Washington damn well had a shot at a perfect season during their Superbowl run in the 90’s. They were clearly better than Dallas… AND DALLES BEAT THEM.

I LOVED that game. So yeah, Cowboys vs. Redskins- anything can happen, regardless of who the “better” team is.

the ring of honor ceremony will now not be televised, instead the nfl will stage a short telethon,

Also does anybody think that maybe price was a jerry jones signing kinda like hutch or henson, parcells just kinda has that vibe when he talks about price like he does when he mentions henson

WHAT?!

No ceremony? A short telethon? Really?

I do not understand the clamor to replace Thomas with Barber. Thomas is Jones’ backup; not Barber. It will be some time before that changes.

There is no hurry. Let’s leave in the guy who actually has played in the NFL for a few years and already knows how to pick up a blitz and how to run a pass pattern.

My argument for glen to stay in the offense is his connection with bledsoe, i think they are familiar with one another and I think that will come in handy down the stretch…honestly, I don’t understand the peerless price move. But if I absolutely had to pick a current starting reciever who’s involvement to be cut it would be Johnson. Not saying he’s not a good reciever…I actually think he works alot better in this offense than anyother dallas offense of recent past. I just feel he hasn’t produced…hopefully he can change my mind this season

Eric,
Give it up. Speaking for myself, I DO NOT LOVE S**TZER! LOL!

Burnett sits another week. No sense in bringing him back too fast. I want him here for the next 10-15 years.

As for ST, stick Bradie James out there for all of them. It is time Shanle was given a fair shot. Shanle is also more of a hard-nosed type player and in this game that is how the line of scrimmage will be won.

If Price is creating such a dilemma, why in the hell did we spend 2 mil on him? Granted, it has only been camp, pre-season and 1 real game; but the emergence of Crayton should have put to rest all the naysayers dire prognostications of doom with inexperienced depth at WR. (which is why we supposedly signed Price, but if we can’t play his goat-smelling butt because it would sacrifice a spot for a good ST guy, what the hell was the point?)

I agree with many posters that the game will be low scoring and close, but with The ’Boys on top in the end.

emrdog:
I believe that Keyshawn will change your mind and the mind of many others this season, if his body holds the beating again I can see him with a TD pass every game, that makes up for a 16TD’s season, and those are mayor numbers and he already made 2 in the opener…

Hi Everybody

Well, Oiler Troll comes to you with heavy heart today and it pertains
to something we both share – the funny little place-kicker from
Austria.

Toni Fritsch died Tuesday at the age of 60 of heart failure while eating
at a restaurant in Vienna.

Oiler Troll remembers Toni as an Oiler…and for Bum Phillips teasing
him with such lines as:

“Looks like a Dutch family moved out of the backside of those
britches” in referring to Toni’s ill-fitting uniform while trotting
out to kick.

Also, during training camp from atop the observation tower, Bum
would have to yell at the unsuspecting Fritsch to wake him up from the
afternoon naps he was inclined to take on the tackling dummies.

That said, it was indeed your Dallas Cowboys who brought Toni Fritsch
to the NFL.  Specifically, it was Bob Kap, a native of Yugoslavia and
former European soccer professional who emigrated to America to coach
the North American Soccer League’s Dallas Tornado in 1968.  Kap’s
coaching record of 2 wins 4 ties and 26 losses probably made it even
tougher to get the Cowboys’ attention (his phone calls initially were
not returned), but undaunted and convinced that the “soccer style” kicker was a better approach, he persevered and prevailed.

Then-Cowboys personnel director Gil Brandt sent a group of people to
Europe in search for strong-legged soccer players who could be taught
to boot footballs.  Having played in nine matches for the Austrian
national soccer team and, in 1965, scored two goals in a 3-2 victory
over England in London, Fritsch had a reputation and fit the bill.

He had never seen an American football at the point, nor did he speak
any English.

In 1971, Fritsch kicked the game-winning field goal in his NFL debut.
It was a 26-yarder with 1:53 left that gave Dallas a 16-13 victory
over the Cardinals in St. Louis.

In an interview with the San Diego Union Tribune, Brandt said, “It was
one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen. A linebacker for the
Cardinals was hollering, `Choke, Fritsch, choke!’ and Dave Edwards,
our upback on the protection team, said, `He can’t understand
English.’”

Fritsch shared kicking duties in Dallas in 1971, then had the job to
himself mostly for the 1972, ’73 and ’75 seasons. He got a Super Bowl
ring for his service the year the Cowboys beat Miami in the Super Bowl
after the 1971 season (even though Oiler Troll is not sure that he
actually played in that game at Tulane Stadium – somebody check me on
that, please).

However, Oiler Troll distinctively remembers in 1978 before the AFC
Championship game with the Steelers, the Houston media showed Fritsch
at practice showing off his Super Bowl ring to teammates, ostensibly
to inspire them as to what they were playing for…but we all know
that was as close as any Oiler ever got to one.

Oiler troll must sigh and stop typing for a moment.

Anyway, after kicking for San Diego for part of the 1976 season,
Fritsch went to the Houston Oilers from 1977-81.  What Oiler Troll did
not realize that, like Campbell, Ken Stabler, Guido Merkins, Rich
Caster and just about everybody else on the Luv Ya Blue Oilers,
Fritsch ended his NFL career kicking for Phillips on the New Orleans
Saints in 1982.  Oiler Troll could not verify whether Archie Manning
was traded for Stabler, Campbell, Fritsch, or the whole lot of
Oilers…of that it really matters.  Manning’s career is one of the
cruelest things to observe in football…for the record.

Oiler Troll does have a favorite Fritsch moment, which oddly enough
has nothing to do with the Oilers (and no, Oiler Troll is not talking
about the scandal…which we shall say was not a good thing, but very
“European independent film-esque” – this is a family blog so we won’t
go there, especially since the man died today.  The industrious among
you may look that up yourselves):

USFL – Houston Gamblers – 1984.  In an effort to sell tickets to the
USFL, the Gamblers brought in any and all known local football heroes
they could.  Somewhat past his prime, Toni was still game.  So out
ther with the likes of Jim Kelley  and the embryonic Run & Shoot
(5,219 yards and 44 touchdowns yet even then in that league he could
not win the big one…I thought you guys would appreciate that one),
was Toni Fritsch kicking field goals in a less packed Astrodome.

Attempting to distinguish itself from the NFL in any way possible, the
USFL got radical and brought in the college two-point conversion.
After one Gambler touchdown, Fritsch lined up to kick the extra point.
 The ball got away from the holder , creating a mad scramble.  Somehow
the ball bounced into Fritsch’s hands who quickly ran for his life.
Like that kicker for the Dolphins in the Super Bowl,
Fritsch tried to throw it, only unlike his lame Dolphin counterpart (whom the Cowboys beat in a SuperBowl) Toni actully threw it forward.  Tony did not have the body, nor arm, nor childhood background to throw a tight spiral, however.  Instead he held the ball like an ice cream cone and kind of shot-putted it more
than “threw” it.  Strangely enough the “pass” fell perfectly into the
arms of Houston player who had the snap tp break open as an eligible receiver – Money! – 2 points. A perfect 100% passing completion percentage for Mr. Fritsch.

It was the single goofiest play Oiler Troll ever witnessed in football.

Nobody would say Fritsch was the best NFL kicker to ever play, but he
was good, he was accurate and he did have some outstanding years.
Fritsch still holds an NFL record by having kicked a field goal in 13
straight playoff games. New England’s Adam Vinatieri has an ongoing
streak of 12 in a row (boo Patriots).  Moreover, Fritsch was a
character, and we love characters with our football.

Lastly, Fritsch clearly enjoyed his experience as a Dallas Cowboy – he
attended a Cowboys reunion in June 2004.

Rest in peace, Old Friend.

OT

James,

You are correct Shanle deserves a shot. Bradie was lost in coverage on the 1st McCardell TD, and sometimes it is as if we are playing a 3-3, because Bradie takes himself totally out of the play. With Shanle improving, Burnett getting healthy, and Fujita learning the system .. I believe Bradie will soon be the odd man out.

Oiler Troll- that was a great POST!!
I think I know what you were talking about as regards the scandal- and one must remember the person involved was from Europe.
Absolutely agree with you about Archie Manning- never was such a gifted player so wasted- by the time he escaped the aints he was so busted up he was a shadow of himself- and he still made the pro bowl. Still think he was the most talented of all 3.
RIP Toni.

Mr Bill you are soo right!

As much as I would like to see Thompson running the ball I don’t want it to be this week end against the deadskins defense.

Let’s go back to the SD game. The play I am thinking about is when Bledsoe drops back to pass and the inexperienced Polite wiffs on a block from Drew’s back side and Drew gets nailed in the back and drops the ball that Polite falls on. Now let’s imagine that Drew does not get up from that play. That’s why A-Train will play this week even if he only carries the ball a couple of times. The Boys have 1 solid QB and Big Bill is going to try and protect him against a good deadskins defense.

I think against the Raiders, Price and Thompson will both be active, but against the skins either 1 or none is my guess.

Chandus
Come on now 16 td for KJ…. He wont get more than 8 and that would be a lot for him. Don’t over react from one game. To get price in I would cut a-train get the rookies in they both play ST play Davis and James on ST. Sit copper and see what Price can do. Something will happen to solve this problem and I think it might involve Glenn. I wasn’t big on getting price in the first place but since he is here he needs to play.

AW

Did you miss speak when you said you would cut A-Train? Did you want to say you would make him inactive for the game? If you cut him from the team who would you sign for the team’s 53 rd player, and how much is that player going to cost?

BP’s press meeting the other day when asked what was wrong with the special teams BP said Marion Barber was what was wrong. You want to put MB out there and add another rookie in T. Thompson and remove Copper? That does not sound very good to me.

I do agree that 16 TD’s for KJ does sound a little high but if he stays healthy 10 might be reachable.

Clearly the 2 highest priorities this week HAVE to be 1) fix ST and 2) protect the QB. Activating Price doesn’t help either. That’s simple. If ST are respectable and Drew plays even close to last week, this will be a laugher. Cowboys 31 Sowskins 10

great article on the triplets versus the iggles:

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/ramblings.php?p=2858&cat=19

rmac
I would cut a-train. Mistakes are going to happen with rookies now if it keeps happening that’s a different story. A-train is not going to give us much at least the rookies can play ST, you get better with reps. A lot of changes are going to have to be made every week. BP needs more olinemen active so some are going have to sit. Its a good problem to have. I think one of the corners are going to sit with Davis and maybe James going to ST so Price and copper can play. 10 is still real high for KJ when is the last time he has more than 6 in a year?

rmac and AW:
Why do I say 16 TD’s? Looking at Bledsoe’s first game, I know that he can throw the ball into tight spaces and I know that he’s accurate at those, taking that into consideration along Keyshawn’s hability to physically abuse the corner or safety, he’s going to get the ball in the red zone, just hear at Bill, when questioned if he planned on giving the ball Keyshawn 2 times in the last game he said: “I knew he was gonna get the ball, I just knew that…”. And you know? I think that’s enough for me to say that at least he’s gonna have a chance to score in the red zone for nearly every game, with the addition of 2 a days, that makes up for a big year.

NYGiant:
You can protect the QB with game planning, I believe that the vast majority of the plays on Sunday will be 2 and 3 count passes, burning some blitzers along the way.

Chandus
like I said before don’t over react from one game. One when is the last time KJ had over 6 in a year? Two KJ is not the best WR Bledsoe has throw at, at this stage of KJ career. Believe me Witten is going to get a lot of those balls down there too. Now if KJ has 7+ by the half way mark, I could see it a little better.

AW:
This year I believe that Parcells’s willing to take more chances in the red zone for many reasons, like he knows the QB he’s got, like throwing the ball to Keyshawn 5 times knowing he will bring down 4, like not trusting real much the short yardage back you have (I don’t think that A-Train has won Parcells trust, me thinks that he’s waiting for his rookies to show him something to sit him), knowing that Defenses can’t place double coverage on Witten and Keyshawn at the same time, which is what happened on Sunday, they thought that the passes would be intended to Witten and he was only the target for 2 passes throughtout the whole game and knowing that the running with JuiceJ threat is in the air, LB’s can’t aid on passing plays.

That’s what makes me believe that Keyshawn will be capable of making career numbers on TD’s not in yards, Peerless Price will take some of his yards as soon as Parcells realizes a way to play him, and that would keep Keyshawn fresh throughout the season, so I’m not complaining.

The more recievers you have to cover the fewer players are available to rush the passer. If in a 4 WR set you are being rushed then their is a WR open (The Hot WR). So if you are successful stretching the field then CB’s and Safteys aren’t able to help in run support or rushing the passer without leaving somone open.

AW,

Thomas is going to be neither cut nor deactivated. Bill Parcells is not in the business of lowering team quality.

Barber and Thompson bring little to special teams, beyond kick returns. Other than that, they are liabilities, which is to be expected, since most offensive players are not used to tackling anyone. You would cut the guy who won the backup job in preseason (Thomas), reward one of our best special-teams players (Copper) by sitting him, and give more time to guys who have either shown nothing yet in the real games (Thompson), or whose only contributions have been highly negative (Barber). Strange strategy, indeed!

Yes, Thomas contributed little in the San Diego game. Parcells actually wanted to give Jones a breather late in the game, because Jones needed one. So, why didn’t Parcells put Thomas in? Because he didn’t want to take Jones out with the game on the line. I doubt that he would feel any different if Barber or Thompson were available. Actually, Barber was available. If Parcells had been so inclined, he could have spelled Jones with Barber. Obviously, he wasn’t interested in doing that. I seriously doubt that his interest in Barber would increase, just because Thomas was gone.

I am interested in how you see our running-back position playing out over the next 3-4 years, and exactly how Barber and Thompson would fit in over the long haul. Realistically, only one of them is likely to be with the team in a backup role for any length of time. And, sooner or later, salary-cap considerations will force us to get rid of that one.

Thomas will probably only be here for this one season. We might as well use him while he is here. Barber and Thompson and whoever else crawls out of the woodwork next year, can fight it out then for those 3-6 carries a game behind Julius.

is anybody else a little upset that the ROH ceremony will now not be televised

the ring of honor ceremony will now not be televised, instead the nfl will stage a short telethon,

Also does anybody think that maybe price was a jerry jones signing kinda like hutch or henson, parcells just kinda has that vibe when he talks about price like he does when he mentions henson

jeff24:
I’m mexican, which means that I’m not supposed to feel for New Orleans as much as you should and still I’d give more importance to the telethon than to the ceremony.
BTW, today in September 16th: Viva México! (Sorry guy, it’s our Independence Day…).

Chandus:

I hope you have a wonderful holiday. I thank you for your post and your concern about for the people in New Orleans and the Gulf coast. We talk about New Orleans and I guess because it was the largest city hit, rightly so, but Mississippi was hit hard by the storm also. I also believe as you that KJ will have a career year. His size is a great factor in the red zone. With defenses geared to stop JJuice and JWitten he becomes a great resource in the corner of the endzone. They will have to pick their poison, either leave Witten single against a linebacker or a tall phsyical receiver one on one with a corner. It is a great problem for us to have on deciding which weapons sit and which weapons play. Did we have this varied attack last year. I also see that by having so many weapons the health of our geriatric(joke) receivers will be enhanced. They will not have to be the main threat every down as they were for the first half of the year last year.

Longtime Cowboys fan from Canada.

Unfortunately, TG is the odd man out in this situation. We need to insert PP in there to see how he develops. We happen to get all of the Bills games on TV, and I’ve seen PP week in and week out. THis guy used to be a special talent. It’s unfortunate that things didn’t work out in Atlanta…I actually blame Vick for that. As exciting a player as he is, Vick doesn’t seem to have the confidence in his passing game. I trully think that Peerless would be a fantastic addition to the lineup. We need him to shake that rust off with a couple of mediocre games, and the sky’s the limit with PP.

Also, I want to hear more about our defence. Even though they gave up over 20pts., they looked very good when they needed to. Let’s not forget that San Diego is a very good team, and tend to play smash mouth football. We were more than equall to the task. I can only see our defence improving. We’ve made some major additions to the defence this year…they will only improve as they get more comfortable with one another.

I also want to know about our rooks. D Ware looks like he’s going to be very special, but i haven’t seen or heard much about M Spears or Burnett. Can you guys tell me how they looked in the preseason. I know that they were hurt, but how did they look before they got hurt.

Even with a brutal schedule, Dallas will end up with a 12-4 record.

Mr Bill
Like I said before I would cut A-train because we are not going to get much out of him. I didn’t say get rid of him so Barber can run. My thing is a-train is not going to play ST and will not give us must or any more then the two rookies in the running game. Thomas didn’t out play the rookies his history beat the rookies. There is only one way to get use to tackling and that is reps. If they can’t get it then fine but give them more then one game. Why do you think BP doest want to sit Copper is it because he is better then Price? And that is the same reason I would sit A-train for the rookies. BP said Barber messed up but others did too…

Cash
4 WR set only if BP knows the line can block. I don’t see it happening.

I never suggested a WR threat. I was responding to someone. I only would like to see what Peerless Price has to offer, and suggested that if we can better stretch the field it would give Bledsoe more time behind the line, given that they would have to account for the deep threat and wouldn’t be able to stack the line to rush the passer.

I never suggested a 4 WR threat. I was responding to someone. I only would like to see what Peerless Price has to offer, and suggested that if we can better stretch the field it would give Bledsoe more time behind the line, given that they would have to account for the deep threat and wouldn’t be able to stack the line to rush the passer.

Peerless will be a major asset to this offense. With his speed and hands and excellent route running, either he or someone else is gonna get open. These days Drew needs a guy who can get down the field FAST because he doesn’t have the time or mobility to wait more than a couple seconds. PP gets the afterburners goig, Drew can release, and Price will be there.

BP will use PPrice on Punt returns so AGlenn isn’t burned out and use AGlenn on ST coverage. Why not? Price gets to play and ST is shored up with veterans.

AW,

The thing is, neither Barber nor Thompson should be playing on special teams. The one and only reason Barber was on coverage was because Burnett was injured. I seriously doubt that Barber will be in on any coverage teams for the foreseeable future. Davis will take his place, if Burnett is not back.

I actually saw all the preseason games and Thomas did NOT win out only because of ‘history’. There is a lot more to being an NFL running back than running the ball. Do you think for one minute that Parcells would continue to play inferior people, because of ‘history’? He sees these people every day in practice. I tend to think that by now he knows what he is doing.

AlanTDot,

There has been little mention of using Price on punt returns, other than the fact that he has the ability to do it. That task is currently well covered by Crayton and Newman. Aaron Glenn hasn’t been used at all on punt returns. He was tried some on kickoff returns in the preseason.

By the way, in today’s press conference, Parcells said that he will decide between Barber and Thompson as our kick returner at game time. He downplayed using either of them on offense, because of the complexities that the Washington defense poses.

In other words, Parcells would prefer that Bledsoe leaves the stadium under his own power.

Parcells also says that Price will be a game-time decision. Although Parcells has moaned and groaned about the problems associated with activating Price, there is nothing in the NFL rules book that says Parcells has to tell the Redskins his plans in advance. If Parcells thinks that the advantages of playing Price outweigh the disadvantages, Price will play; otherwise, he won’t.

Mr Bill Mr Bill Mr Bill

It’s time you took off those rose colored glasses and dumped that old school way of yours!!!

This is the new NFL.

Those rookies aren’t getting any better standing on the side lines.

We need to squeeze the last few throws out of old, tired Drew Bledseo’s arm while we can cause he ain’t gonna be around forever. Romo needs game snaps to get better.

Let’s go 5 wide, no TE, and see what Bledsoe can do against that Washington Defense that finished #3 overall in the NFL last year (Was. offense last year #30 overall, so ya know that with an O that good the D didn’t play that much so their stats aren’t saying the whole story).

While I am on this new NFL thing how about that special teams tackle machine we have on the kicking team only. Lets get him on the punt coverage team also! This guy isn’t even listed on the Defensive roster (what’s up with that). I think we put this Cortez guy (bigger than your everyday kicker) in for Ware and have him blitz the QB. I never heard of a kicker getting a sack before.

So like I said Mr Bill, it’s time you take off those glasses and dump your old ways. The Boys are gonna roll their helmets on the field and the skins a going to run away in fear (14 of the last 15 why even play the game).

Number 3 overall Def. ha that was last year and they lost Smoot (#1pick Rogers). You’re all washed up Mr Bill (or maybe not) :-)

Great post rmac !!!!!!

rmac,

Hmmmm! Just how do you plan on getting ‘those rookies’ onto the field by playing 5 WRs? :)

rmac,

I do realize your post was tongue-in-cheek. The sad part is that it was too close to actual opinions often expressed here and elsewhere on the internet. Much too close!

Mr Bill

Arg, ya got me there.

Maybe we (the Boys) should just stick to the old school stuff and try to protect their QB with an experienced guy in the backfield in case of a blitz.

Mr Bill

That was as out there as I could make it!!

Naaaahhh…….lets start Peerless and his “undenilable on
field Talent” at W.O. and Drew Henson at QB to find out if “he’s
a franchise qb” and Tyson T. at RB to find out if he’s a “game-
breaker” and start Jaq. Reeves to see if he’s a “shutdown corner”
This is the new NFL where potential rules and wins and losses
are …well not all that important.

becker

Now I’m torn. What you have come up with would make for a very interesting game, but I think you have just one weakness in your game plan. Since Price hasn’t been on the field for the Boys yet maybe we should trade our 2006 1st round draft choice to cleveland to get AB back since we have seen what he can do in a cowboys uniform that way there could not possibly be any doubt in the outcome of the game!

rmac,
You are dead on how could i have been so wrong!!!I don’t
know if we should give up all that for AB we need to spend
some of those picks to get back guys like:R. Lee,R. Williams,
R. Swinton, T. Hambrick and lets not forget W. Dantzler,P.
Hunter,M. Edwards,Q. Carter,C. hutchinson,E. Ekuban and
T. Gowin……..

Becker

You’re soo right!! I get a little carried away when talk of bring AB back to the Boys gets going.

What is Jerry Jones going to do when BP retires? He is not going to know which one of those guys you just mentioned to bring back first.

Rmac,

I don’t think there is any denying the Cowboys are going to
have a very hard time replacing AB’s leadership.

I think the worst thing that happened to the Cowboys in recent
years was winning that 1995 S.B. with Switzer as the head coach.
I can still see Barry screaming "We did it Jerry!!!We did it Jerry!!!
Then Jerry snatches the trophy and looks at Barry with a look
that says give me that F#%&* trophy you moron I did it.
After that i think Jerry really believed he could do it all.

After reading this last comments you kind of get an idea of what people can do with a little time and a keyboard… Human kind… Strange and bizarre… :D

Becker

I totally agree with you!

Chandus,

Yeah, its slow…… Raf and Raul are probably in Vegas negoiating
a multi-million dollar deal to sell this website…….a website that
we all helped make famous ………Troll undoubtly fell for Ball
Crusher(despite all our warnings) and she stuck him with one
of those brain sucker things from the end of Starship Troopers
sucking out all his football knowledge out leaving him a useless
husk……wait till she discovers all he knew about was a defunct
franchise in houston…..boy is she gonna be pissed!!!
And I’m stuck pounding Ron on another thread over Nick Eatme
of all people…….bizarre doesn’t begin to explain it…….

Just keepin it real with my man rmac

Bill Parcells retired?

He loves it too much, just like Gibbs back, and the General still Coaching basketball Bobby Knight.

I don’t think BP retires until after a Super Bowl or two. Remember Vermeil regrets walking aways and comes back to the Chiefs. Bill when he reitres wants to ride off in the sunset, and maybe be a GM and run the Draft for Jerry and the boys and of course the handpicked successor that he names the way he wanted Bill Belichek to bide his time and then turn the Jets around. Belichek defected to New England, and Bill was left to find another coach.

Dallas paid Zimmer a lot of money to stay on the sideline and not go to Oakland, they had to get Turner. I think Bill sees Zimmer as a future head coach, and so does Jerry or he would have let Bill bring in another Bill devotee. Parcells teachs Zim the 3-4 and then takes over as GM or Draft Day analysis………plays the ponys in the summer in New Jersey and scouts College talent in the fall for the Cowboys. Gives Jerry his draft day card, and says buy these groceries and let Zimmer cook the meals!