Tank to Pacman: Follow my lead
Pacman Jones should emulate Tank Johnson.
He was in his position. He received the same type of heat. He got on Roger Goddell’s bad side. He was given another chance by Jerry Jones and the Cowboys. Some people screamed to the heavens that it would be the downfall of the ‘Boys. It wasn’t. Now he’s a lot happier and people are starting to realize what a good move it was.
"I find my name further and further away from the group of names that I was once in. That's really a great feeling. When you hear your name funneled out of that cycle, it's definitely a lot better feeling. Just because my mistakes are publicized, that doesn't say you don't go through the same type of things."
If anyone knows what Pacman is going through it’s Tank Johnson. He’s in his second year of the You-Better-Not-Screw-Up School of Hard Knocks. Pacman should heed his advice.
"I told him I will be your right hand. Whatever you need I will be there for you because I think it's important to have a support system. If you have that you know if you get in a situation where it's a judgment call you can call someone who can help you make a right decision."
With the addition of Pacman, Zach Thomas and a promising rookie class, it’s easy to overlook what might be the deepest group on the team – the D-line. Jay Ratliff. Greg Ellis. DeMarcus Ware. Now add a seasoned, rested and healthy Tank Johnson to the mix. Can you imagine being a quarterback and looking down the line at those beasts knowing they are a snap away from coming for your hide? Man, I’m salivating thinking about it and I only salivate over good barbecue. Tank feels the same way.
"I'm a beast right now," said Johnson, who is entering his fifth season. "This is the best I have ever felt in my career going into a season. I'm bigger, stronger and faster."
The season is two months away and I’m excited. But I’m almost as excited about fantasy football. That was until I remembered that I kept Marshawn Lynch in my keeper fantasy league. This is the same league where I drafted Cedric Benson and Larry Johnson last year. God I suck. If fantasy football were dominoes, I’d have a hand full of doubles. If it were spades, I have one spade and a hand full of hearts and diamonds. Sigh.
The good thing about the ‘Boys is that we’ve got a few players that are bordering on fantasy football deity status: Tony Romo, T.O. and Marion Barber. You score as many touchdowns as those guys have scored in the last two years and shrines will be built for you. But we’ve also got some other players moving into the higher echelon of fantasy football production. Jason Witten used to be a sleeper pick but not anymore. A couple of Pro Bowls will do that for you. Nick Folk’s stock is on the rise like my credit score.
NFL.com Senior Editor Craig Ellenport, NFL.com Fantasy Editor Michael Fabiano and NFL.com Associate Editor Adam Rank examine the respective top players at their positions for fantasy football purposes. And guess who shows up and who doesn’t?
At wide receiver, the choice is between Randy Moss and Owens. Ellenport chooses Moss. Rank goes with Owens.
Owens and Moss have both had off-the-field issues in the past, but only T.O. has recorded consistently solid numbers for every team he has played for at the NFL level. There is no reason to believe that Owens, who is just as talented as Moss, won’t put up similar numbers in a loaded Dallas offense.
Once they get to tight end, you know Witten’s name is gonna come up. Fabiano echoes the conventional wisdom that Antonio Gates is the best in the business but Ellenport points to Witten.
Gates has reigned as fantasy's top tight end in recent years, but Witten will overtake him in 2008. Witten has emerged as a go-to receiver for Tony Romo and he's capable of taking over a game. Gates, meanwhile, will see his numbers decline with Chris Chambers on the squad for a full season.
Ok good. I’m all lathered up now. Let’s get to quarterback. It’s the Romo show baby!
Oddly enough, it wasn’t. They talked about Peyton Manning and Tom Brady and who should be selected first. No mention of Romo though? Apparently not.
Now I realize Brady was the MVP last year. Although I would’ve voted for Moss, he had a phenomenal year and I certainly have no qualms about choosing him with the first pick. Manning is in the middle of a series of phenomenal years. I’ve picked him before and never been disappointed.
But Romo is at least in the conversation, man. He had the best year by any franchise QB in history. He’s the focal point in a pass-happy offense. You got to at least mention him. Don’t you?
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34 comments
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Kanye Sucks
Narcissistic moron. Just my two cents.
by GhostofGaryHogeboom on
Jun 10, 2008 11:11 AM CDT
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Kanye to me is like Manny Ramirez...
I like him, but a lot of times I’m just left shaking my head going “That’s just Kanye being Kanye.”
by GhettoBear04 on
Jun 10, 2008 11:18 AM CDT
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He's his own idiot
His tirade after Katrina as Michael Myers stood beside him, dumbfounded and terrified, proved he’s neither intelligent nor educated. His tirade at the VMA’s last year proved he’s a narcissistic pig. His proclaimation that he should play Jesus should a bible movie be filmed proved he’s mentally ill.
Go Cowboys.
by GhostofGaryHogeboom on
Jun 10, 2008 11:48 AM CDT
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i'm itching to break the BTB rules on this one...
but i’m not. i’m a fan of his music. not necessarily his tirades. that particularly one, i was in agreement with tho.
by Tuna Helper on
Jun 10, 2008 3:33 PM CDT
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Kanye fan
I am big Kayne fan. Best rapper out. People hate Kanye because he speaks his mind. People also hate kanye because he talks a lot of sh!t, but he can back it up..
"Why everything that's supposed to be bad, Make me feel so good?"
by Wmillion on
Jun 10, 2008 4:40 PM CDT
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Agreed Tuna
That’s all I’m gonna say.
by grapejoos on
Jun 10, 2008 9:35 PM CDT
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Note to Tuna Helper:
It’s Kanye, not Kayne. Simple typo I’m sure.
Also, I don’t think that the D-Line, as presently constructed, strikes fear into the heart of offenses and it doesn’t make me salivate. If the Cowboys put Ratliff in for Spears, then I would be excited. Word from the OTA’s and workouts is that Tank is going to be even better this year, and I believe it. But as long as Marcus Spears forms one of the 3 D-Linemen, this is not an elite unit. Canty (average, but could improve to above average this year), Tank (should be above average this year), and Ratliff (if continues from last year, should also be above average) would make a very good line with good depth (Hatcher, Spears) and the DE spots (but thin at NT). Canty, Rat, and Spears (below average) makes an average D-line (Average with potential, above average, below average). Although, the depth is better at NT then.
by GhettoBear04 on
Jun 10, 2008 11:22 AM CDT
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About Fantasy
Taking a QB round 1 in fantasy football is crazy unless its manning he has proved year in and year out that hes the best. Brady has had one good year it wont happen again. Romo is great but just doesnt have the credentials as manning does. So i can see why he goes overlook thats fine ill take him in the 4th round and be happy as can be. I love fantasy football last year was my second year in it and i cant get enough. It really has opened my eyes to alot of great football players… ie wes welker when he was on miami.
Lets get a league together id much rather be in a league of people i kind of know then complete strangers. If no one will make one i guess i can be commish?
What the French?! Toast!
by thebigham on
Jun 10, 2008 12:10 PM CDT
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We had a league last year that went pretty well.
I was planning on putting a league together this year for BTB.
I usually like to wait to draft until mid to late august when you have a better idea how players will be and how much they will play.
by Brandon Worley on
Jun 10, 2008 12:18 PM CDT
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cool
i’ve never done fantasy before, but I’d like to be on a BTB league this year.
by scottmaui on
Jun 10, 2008 12:52 PM CDT
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Me too
If you get it going TBH, let me know.
by ChrisRichey on
Jun 10, 2008 1:27 PM CDT
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If Romo is still available in ANY 4th round drafts...
I want in on that group. The guy does nothing but over-achieve. He was easily the SECOND best QB last year for FF teams… ahead of Manning. Romo, Barber and TO will all be 1st or 2nd round picks off any respectable board this year.
And yea, I’m a homer… but last year’s results prove my point.
Tar Heels football will surprise this year
by DalaiLuke on
Jun 10, 2008 3:03 PM CDT
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wow
I dont know what league you play in but let me in. QBs arent worth a first round pick ever. Its all about the RBs in the first two rounds maybe one wr or qb sneaks but thats really overdrafting their value. Its all about getting the most value out of the pick and reaching for a qb in the first two rounds isnt very smart.
What the French?! Toast!
by thebigham on
Jun 10, 2008 4:54 PM CDT
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depends on what league your in...
i can tell you most of the leagues i was in the champions had one of three people on their team: tony romo, tom brady or randy moss. the guys who took RBs in the first round (like my dumb @$$) were on the outside lookin’ in. but it depends on if you have a keeper league, how many points you get for yards, how many points you get for touchdowns, etc.
by Tuna Helper on
Jun 10, 2008 5:16 PM CDT
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fantasy
Who ever has the guy’s or guy who is breaking NFL records there team usually places if not, wins.
Moss and Brady last year
LT his mvp year
Shaun his mvp year
Peyton his mvp year
"Why everything that's supposed to be bad, Make me feel so good?"
by Wmillion on
Jun 10, 2008 5:51 PM CDT
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Well..
I had the highest scoring team in both leagues i was in and i did not win. I had romo TO and barber/witten i cant remember which. I didnt win either. Its about overall depth. Its not one player its the overall depth of the team. But yeah i guess we all have our strageties.
What the French?! Toast!
by thebigham on
Jun 10, 2008 7:33 PM CDT
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My strategy has always been to pick the best QB in the 2nd round... and the best WR in the 3rd
It has put me in the finals 2 years straight. I also took Gates in the 4th round … and still found a quality RB (Adrian Peterson) later … the strategy worked great. the previous year I waited and took Addai in a later round…
It comes down to this: you are basically battling QB vs QB … TE vs TE… etc… and if you have the #1 QB and the #1 TE and a top WR… then you can afford to give up a little in the RB spot. This year I got screwed b/c the Cowboys tanked during the playoffs.
Of course, if the scoring is too heavily weighted to RBs … then all bets are off… but then again, any scoring system that overweights one position will create lop-sided teams.
Tar Heels football will surprise this year
by DalaiLuke on
Jun 10, 2008 8:55 PM CDT
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wow
thats different… and its not qb vs qb or te vs te.. its score as many points as you can. Sometimes i didnt start a kicker or a te because it didnt really matter. They didnt come close to getting the points rb or wr or qbs get. But the reason people go with rb is because you start more then one rb you only start one qb in alot of league. But i digress.
What the French?! Toast!
by thebigham on
Jun 11, 2008 7:21 AM CDT
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2 QBs
This is way unconventional but I’m in a league that has been doing it for 7 years, and I want to share something with you all. If you’re in a small-ish fantasy league (10 teams or less), NOTHING makes things as interesting as adding a second starting QB slot. The draft strategy completely changes (QBs become as valuable as RBs) and I think it makes things a lot more competitive. If any of you are in a small league, think about suggesting it. While I usually do a few Yahoo public teams too, all of those 1QB leagues are so boring in comparison.
by grapejoos on
Jun 10, 2008 9:39 PM CDT
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Ha!
I’ve been playing in one of these too for the past 4 yrs. It makes a drastic change to draft strategy. I agree that 1 QB leagues seem…less interesting.
Championship...believe it!
by accidental innuendo on
Jun 10, 2008 9:46 PM CDT
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sounds fun
I am interested in getting a league with 2 qb’s, i have never done it before.
"Why everything that's supposed to be bad, Make me feel so good?"
by Wmillion on
Jun 10, 2008 11:41 PM CDT
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You may want to adjust passing TDs to 4 points
It’s the best way to keep QBs from getting too powerful, but we still give them 6 points/td in my league. It results in the top QBs going in the top two rounds along with the best RBs. Just introduces a lot more strategy, and I think it evens out even more the advantages of great draft position (wwhile there should be some advantage if your draft order is based on the previous year’s standings, I like the equality it brings).
Basically, it means Brady and Manning go in the first round; Romo will definitely go in the top 2 rounds in my league next year (I hope to get him again this year, but I won’t be able to wait until the 5th round this time).
My draft strategy is to get 3/4 of my QBs/RBs with my top 4 picks. I use the 4th to get a top receiver (though I took Gates with the first pick in the 4th round last year). I put a high premium on having a great TE, but there is more to go around this year. I place a similar premium on getting a top defense, but it’s really hard to predict what the top defense will be.
by grapejoos on
Jun 11, 2008 8:01 PM CDT
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league
I am going to find a league that starts 2 QB’s..
"Why everything that's supposed to be bad, Make me feel so good?"
by Wmillion on
Jun 12, 2008 5:19 PM CDT
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Just to let you guys know
I will be setting up an official BTB fantasy league, possibly more than one, for the season. I hope you guys will want to join those leagues.
by Dave Halprin (Grizz) on
Jun 12, 2008 7:43 PM CDT
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Manning#1
I never took a QB 1st either and Manning has burned me for it every year. But even Manning took a couple years to make a believer out of most FF leagues. Is this the year of his decline? Romo in the 4th would be a steal but no one will rank him higher than Manning or Brady.
by Doomsday on
Jun 10, 2008 1:25 PM CDT
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Two comments
This isn’t to nitpick but neither Greg Ellis or DeMarcus Ware is playing on the defensive line. While both occasionally line up with their hand on the ground adding them to the defensive line makes comparisons between teams impossible.
Second, I think the reason that Romo wasn’t compared to anybody is that he is the consensus number 3 QB. In Yahoo’s recent rankings he even got a second place vote from one of their five experts (over Manning – Brady got all five first place votes).
So basically the first place down the line (you always need to compare the two best regardless how far they are apart) where there is significant difference is at five and six when you compare Palmer and Ben.
by Ailuridae on
Jun 10, 2008 2:31 PM CDT
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D-Ware and Ellis are LB's not D-line technically.
If you are talking about the D-line I’d only count the DE’s and NT. But I agree with you, they are a deep group. Canty , Ratliff, Hatcher, Bowen, Tank, Spears, and maybe Marcus Dixon can fight his way onto the team. Good rotation available.
T-New, shutting down WR's for Dallas since 2003
by APerfectStar on
Jun 10, 2008 5:55 PM CDT
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Same group
That helped us become a top 6 rush D and 3rd in the league in sacks..
"Why everything that's supposed to be bad, Make me feel so good?"
by Wmillion on
Jun 10, 2008 7:18 PM CDT
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I sure look forward to Tank making progress this season....
Tank quote:
On what type of player he is now: “You can’t play as fast when you are thinking. I don’t care who you are or how good of a talent you are. Now that I know where I am going and I can get my foot in the ground and hand in the dirt and get to my spot, I am a lot more confident and a lot more explosive. They know that I have a tremendous amount of ability and potential. Now they get to see it.”
nice
A true diehard Cowboys fan since 1975.
"If you don’t take him off the field as a coach, he will just about die out there," Jerry Jones said. "That impacted my decision. It’s a Michael Irvin-type work ethic. That’s what we are talking about with Felix Jones."
- Owner/G.M of the Dallas Cowboys , Jerry Jones
by BoyzRback on
Jun 10, 2008 7:49 PM CDT
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let me go on record as saying
if Romo lasts past the 1st rd of any fantasy drafts, he will be considered the biggest steal in fantasy history.
In Romo we Trust
by Terry on
Jun 12, 2008 9:39 AM CDT
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i doubt it, but....
It really depends on the format. Do you get penalized for int’s? Can you start 2 QB’s?
"Why everything that's supposed to be bad, Make me feel so good?"
by Wmillion on
Jun 12, 2008 5:18 PM CDT
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really?
I don’t care if you get penalized for INTs or if you start 2 QBs, 4,000+ yds and 35+ TDs is definitely worthy of being picked in the first rd.
With most teams going with a 2 RB approach, RBs are now less valuable than a super stud QB who can put up those type of numbers. Romo has a great chance at 40+ TDs this season so long as T.O. stays healthy.
In Romo we Trust
by Terry on
Jun 13, 2008 7:14 AM CDT
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