Romo is the Problem

Ehsan Azad

Romo is the Problem

            For those who know me pretty well know that I am one of the biggest Romo apologists out there. I still think he has the talent of a top ten quarterback in this league. But, after tonight, it had finally sunk in that he has no clutch gene in his body. He can’t win the big game. Tonight proved it to me and to the rest of the world.

Romo will be in his final year of his contract this summer and of course the Cowboys will have no choice but to re-sign him to a new deal. What choice do they have? There is not an Andrew Luck or RGIII out there in the draft that they can snag. They don’t have the cap room to go out and outright sign a bad ass QB in the open market. They are stuck with Romo. While I still think that he will do pretty well statistically next year and in the future, I just don’t see him going and hoisting that trophy at the end of the year. People can try to point out that he has a bad defense, a bad running game, or a sub-par offensive line, but in the end the constant is still Romo.

Take for example tonight’s game.  Tony threw three picks, including one that was late in the fourth quarter deep inside their own territory on a really bad screen. Terrible call from the beginning, but as a veteran QB he needs to know to change that play. Also, Romo had no zip in his ball and was too reckless with his throws. Give credit to Romo for leading them within 3, but his mistakes are what cost the game for him. You could blame the defense all day for allowing the Redskins to run up and down the field, but they still got a huge stop for the team to give Romo a chance to take the lead. In the end, Romo’s decision is what ended the season.

So the Cowboy’s hopes are in limbo yet again. They have to go with their QB now until the future one somehow appears. Jerry Jones doesn’t want to go back to the old days when they went six years without an heir to Troy Aikman. Romo will be extended and the Cowboys will say that they have their guy. But, in reality they will be searching high and far for the true heir to Aikman. All they have right now is Danny White’s heir.

Holiday Mash Up

Ehsan Azad

Holiday Mash Up

                I have been pretty busy lately and sadly I have neglected this column. When I decided to get back to work it was pretty hard to pick a single topic to discuss. So much has happened in the sports world it’s hard to decide what is worthy. So here is a mash up of my ideas and opinions that have no relevance on the sports world.  Enjoy!

The tragedy that occurred to the Dallas Cowboys has to be addressed first. My thoughts and prayers are out to the family of Cowboys linebacker Jerry Brown Jr. No one should lose their life that young, especially while in the middle of trying to achieve a dream most Americans have. Also, to Josh Brent, those who hate or criticize him for his actions may need to calm it down a bit. We act as we haven’t done what he is accused of. I know a lot of people drive home drunk and are lucky to even escape a DUI, let alone to be still alive. Josh Brent is human like us, and he made a terrible mistake in which he will live with the rest of his life. He didn’t want to kill his friend. In the end he will pay the price, but it may serve as a tool to help educate the rest of us that drinking and driving can never be tolerated.

                The Cowboys win over the Bengals was probably the best and most emotional game I ever witnessed in my short time becoming a Cowboys fan.  Watching you could tell that the death of a teammate surely was weighing heavily on their minds. Head Coach Jason Garrett used the word numb to describe the energy level of his players and he was right. But, the team rallied from 19-10 in the fourth quarter to win on a Dan Bailey field goal. The team should get a lot of credit for overcoming loosing a teammate the night before, playing a better opponent and rallying to beat them was just a perfect way to end what was a tragic weekend for the Cowboys.

                While the Cowboys celebrated a victory Sunday, they lost a player to injury. Dez Bryant, who might be having his best season this year, broke his left index finger late in the fourth quarter. He did later in that same drive catch a 27 yard touchdown pass. It was first reported that he would be out the rest of the year following surgery. Now, it seems he may delay surgery to play in a pivotal game versus the Steelers.  Who knows what may happen, but the Cowboys do need him, even if it risks his finger being permanently stiff. The Cowboys are still one game behind in the playoff race in both the division and the wild card. Dez playing down the stretch greatly increase the chances of success. He is clearly the best weapon the Cowboys have other than Witten and Demarco and the most with the big play making ability. If he plays, Dez will rewrite his image this season from immature punk to the play maker.

                My rule is never to watch Basketball fully until the month of February. Just doesn't make sense to tease myself with early season basketball. But, I happened to pay attention to this year’s Mavericks to see how they were with Dirk sidelined. Oh and last night I got my definite answer. They suck. OJ Mayo and Shawn Marion are doing the best they can, but man this team needs number 41 quick. If they continue on this pace, that sacred playoff streak is going to come to end fast. By the way Mark Cuban, re-sign OJ Mayo now. The dude can play.

Quick Rangers update. They haven’t done anything major yet. After they traded Michael Young, I was waiting for ESPN to break that they signed Zach Greinke. Then I was like OK, maybe they will trade for Justin Upton. Then I was like OK, maybe they will get one of another pitcher like R.A. Dickey or Anibal Sanchez.  Then I was like OK maybe Josh???  So far, nothing has happened, but Josh Hamilton could return. Yay? The front office better get another starter for this rotation, or they will be in trouble again next year. The offense has already lost Napoli and Young. I don’t have much hope for the Rangers now.

                My semi-Alma mater Texas Tech regained my faith and support of them this yesterday. After overrated Head Coach Tommy Tuberville resigned to take over at the University of Cincinnati, they hired Texas A&M’s Offensive coordinator and former Tech Quarterback Kilff Kingsbury as the next head coach. This surely made up for firing the Pirate Mike Leach. I have no problems with the move. Kingsbury is a Leach disciple and will return Tech to its old pirate swagger. Oh and he might be better than Leach, he just did get Johnny “Football” Manziel the Heisman trophy after all.

                Hope you enjoyed my random thoughts on the sports world. Now for a prediction, Cowboys beat Steelers 35 to 21. Now go make some money.

Keeping Hope Alive

Ehsan Azad

 

Keeping Hope Alive

 

                The Cowboys start every season with the proverbial Super Bowl promise to ramp up the fans into frenzy. The front office makes some splashy moves in the offseason and claim to have the best talent in the league. And come December those promises are broken and we hear what they can do in the offseason to make sure that next year they will fix it. Aren’t you getting sick of this pattern?

                Fans have given up on the endless cycle of high hopes and broken promises. And now in the middle of the nightmare of a season they look to burn the franchise down. From Tony Romo to Jason Garrett and even Owner/GM Jerry Jones is getting the blame for the team’s misfortune in recent years. Surprisingly, much of the blame is on Jones, who many fans think his dual role as owner and general manager are detrimental to the team. Accusations of him not being a football guy, and interfering with the coaching are leading to an unhealthy organization of power in the franchise. These fans even have gone to the extremes of petitioning President Obama to force Jerry Jones out of controlling the Cowboys. Aside from that being totally illegal and all, I think fans need to calm down and come to reason on Jerry Jones. Sure, he hasn’t done a hell of a job building the team up. He focused so much on the skill players over the years, the offensive and defensive lines have suffered and now they are in the worse shape in since the early Aikman days.  But, he isn’t a terrible GM. He has over 20 years of working in the front office, so he does know what he is doing. Also, he surrounds himself with a lot of top football minds that do help him make decisions on who to draft or pick up. Plus, it is a worthless argument to have. He is the owner, and as long as he is the owner, he will decide how to run things.

                So instead of just blaming people for the Cowboys’ nightmare of a season, I will help the fans keep some hope that is out there. First, they aren’t out of the playoff race yet. Sure, it is doubtful, but when all the wild card teams lost last week, the Cowboys found themselves only a game back of the other teams and with the easiest schedule. So there is a chance there. But, hope for a good pick in the draft and know that Jerry will fix this offensive line this year with the first few picks, and will also dip into free agency.  That is the only way I see the cowboys returning to its glory days. An adequate O-Line and some playmakers on the d-line will help the already talented team a contender once again. Jerry has a chance to save the day, which surely he will. He wants him some “glory hole” after all.

Turkey Day Shootout!

Ehsan Azad

Turkey Day Shootout

                It’s that time of the year again Cowboys fans. The weather is cooler, the leaves are falling off the trees, and the scents of Grandma’s pies are in the air. Thanksgiving is finally here, which means food, family and more importantly football. And the NFL schedulers have given the fans a feast this year when they pitted the hated Washington Redskins against the Dallas Cowboys in a Thanksgiving afternoon showdown. Before the season started, this looked like a normal gimmie game for the Cowboys, but recent events have made this the Game of the year for both teams.

RGIII! That name is haunting Cowboys fans today because he has become the real deal. The rookie QB is having a sensational season and leading resurgence for Washington. Forgot that he is the future of the franchise, he is the franchise in the present. This guy can flat out play with the best of them. He is coming off a near perfect game when he threw for four TDs and only one incomplete pass.  ON the season he has only 3 picks and has an outstanding QB rating of just 101! For a rookie, he is playing way out of his mind.  How does he do it? Well he is first one of the most athletic individuals in the NFL. Either with his blazing speed or his terrific arm, he can beat you in multiple ways, making him a nightmare for defenses. He might not have a lot of weapons around him, but he does make his teammates better when he is at QB. For the Cowboys D to have a chance to stop him, they need to apply a corral method with him. Simply blitzing him won’t get the job done, so you must have defenders not bite on his movements and contain him in the pocket. The Cowboys secondary will have to step up and give the pass rush some time to make Griffin make some bad decisions, something clearly he doesn't do.  Key player on Defense will have to be Brandon Carr. Santana Moss is the only threat they have at wide out, so if he can make sure he is shut down; it makes the pass rush much more lethal.

On offense, the Cowboys have all the talent in the world. That is if you don’t count the offensive line. As I mentioned in earlier blogs, Jerry Jones has failed his team by not protecting his QB. With Tyron Smith doubtful for the game, the O line could be in the worst shape possible. Three quality starters out of the lineup and the replacements that you saw gave up seven sacks will most likely be back again. Good thing the Redskins are just as battered on the defensive front. Their best pass rusher was lost for the season, but Stephen Bowman is still there and he is no cake walk. Luckily, there is a silver lining for the Cowboys. The Redskins secondary is one of the worst in the league. They have given up a bunch of big plays this season, and that could give Romo a chance to win. If Garrett can get some extra blockers in to protect Romo, it will give him enough time to pick the defense apart with two of the most explosive receivers in the game. Look for Dez Bryant to continue to rack up some big number.

                So, this Thanksgiving fill up on stuffing and turkey, and for a treat you will see the oldest rivalry in sports become renewed. But, don’t worry; Cowboys don’t make you lose your dinner. Cowboys win 35 to 24.

SKYFALL

Ehsan Azad

Skyfall

                Yesterday, the Cowboys had a chance to make a step in the right direction. With a convincing win over the lowly Browns, the team would continue to put the pressure on The Giants and make this a race. Well, they did win, but it took overtime and a Dan Bailey game winning field goal to make the dream stay alive. Should we celebrate that abomination of a game? Have the Cowboys fall so far from the top that this is an acceptable loss?

                We all know the great memories from the good old days of the Cowboys dominance. From Tom Landry to Jimmy, from Staubach to Aikman, America’s team had always risen to exceed expectations. That is why the franchise has five Super Bowl Championships and eight conference championships. But you don’t have to go that far to remember the good times. Even a few short years ago, the Cowboys were led by a young Tony Romo to the Number one overall seed in the NFC. They had expectations to do great things. Sadly, they didn't live up to those lofty goals, but at least they were in the hunt. Now, the expectations for this team have fallen so low that an overtime game over an inferior team is a cause for celebration. Tom Landry would be rolling over in his grave right now for seeing how low his team has sunk.

                I think it’s time to relinquish our high hopes for a Super Bowl every year. We have now been in the practice of over hyping talent on this roster for years and it’s finally getting kind of tiring to see the same old “process” every year.  I call for the overhaul of the organization and it seems time to bring in a GM. Jerry, I love ya, you are the best owner in Sports.  But, your GM decisions are starting to eradicate this team from within. I’m glad you have some awesome skill positions that you carefully picked. But, you forgot that teams win in the trenches and you are seeing the worst offensive and defensive lines in recent memory. A new GM will help focus the direction of the Cowboys. You will still get the limelight and maybe help stop the Cowboys from their Sky fall down into obscurity.  It’s your only chance to win.

Clique

Ehsan Azad

Clique

                There is no better joyful occasion when then Cowboys pull out a victory over a divisional rival. It’s better when the Cowboys win in a team effort over a division rival.

                Jason Garrett has preached to our ears about being competitive in all three phases of the game. Problem is that the team never could do what their esteemed coach wanted them to do. They would perform in one or the other, but all three was a pipe dream for this team.  Apparently someone passed the pipe around because the Cowboys responded in a season saving game with a TD in all phases of the game.  Tony Romo threw for two TDs and no picks, Dwayne Harries returned a punt 78 yards for a td, and Brandon Carr had a beautiful pick 6 in the rout of the Eagles. What a game!  Not perfect, but still satisfying.

Garrett looks to have his team playing at the right level and has them poised to make a run at the playoffs and quite possible the division crown.  New York, who enters their bye week, lost in a blowout to the Bengals. The remaining schedule looks easy for the Cowboys, as 5 of the next 7 are at home, with only the Steelers currently with a winning record. The NFC East is not far out of reach. But, the Cowboys have to continue to play like they did Sunday.  They don’t have to score on every drive and hold the opponents to zero, but efficient play will make the team a force to be reckon with in the NFC.  But, fair warning to all Cowboys fans, they have done this tease before. Does anyone remember what happened on opening night? Great start, bad season was the theme for 2012 campaign. So let’s not start getting the championship bandwagon started yet.

So when the Cowboys actually buy into this team mentality and approach the game to be as efficient as possible, they are destined for great days. When the team starts to break at the core, you will fine a lot of pissed off fans in the metroplex. Like Kanye says,” Nobody missing with his f*&%ing Clique.” Hopefully no one misses with the Cowboys’

Blame Game

Ehsan Azad

The Blame Game: Blue Star Edition

                The Cowboys lost again and now enter the game vs. Philly at a very disappointing 3-5. Sound the alarm; it’s time to play the BLAME GAME!

Another season seems wasted for Owner Jerry Jones as he looks at his mediocre team. The Dallas Cowboys take losing to another level. Other teams like the Browns or the Bobcats, they just lose in an acceptable manner and don’t rouse up the fan base. In Dallas, they like to play with their fan’s emotions. They simply love to loose in the most dramatic way possible. I’m sure the fans are sick of it by now because I know I am. But what to do? Who is blame for the problems on this team and what is needed to get America’s Joke back to the top of the mountain?

First to blame on most fan’s list since 2006, is none other than the Starting Quarterback Tony Romo. He is the lighting rod of opinion on if he is truly the next great passer in Dallas.  But especially with his turnover machine on full blast this season, more and more fans demand that we go in a different direction with Romo. I honestly think Romo is the least of the worries we have here. Sure, he is having his worst season as a starter. But, he still has much more value to you in the long run, then any free agent or draft pick that is not named Peyton Manning or Tom Brady. Romo is here to stay, and will give the Cowboys a fighting chance to open that championship window.

After the quarterback, the head coach gets a lot of heat for what has transpired here in the last two years. When he took over for Wade Phillips mid season in 2010, many thought his inspirational methods and his dedication to detail would make him the perfect head coach. He would be the one to rebuild the team slowly and make it a contender. But, now he is 16-16 and coaching a mediocre team at best. He doesn't seem to get his players to be disciplined and his own time management issues have helped him lose some crucial games last year. But, a lot of flak he is getting is for his play calling. I happen to agree with the fans on this one. Garrett is not a great play caller, especially when he is doing it on top of being head coach. He is no Sean Payton, who can call plays and be a walk around head coach. Garrett needs to give up his play call sheet and hand it to Callahan and focus on the overall team. Not only does it affect his time management of the game, but recently he has become so basic in his play calling that it has made this offense very predictable. Garrett needs to give this up, before Jerry Gives him up for Sean Payton.

Lastly, the fans pick to blame the all-powerful Jerry Jones. The Owner, President, and General Manager of the Dallas Cowboys is still vilified by fans who were disgusted by his firing of Tom Landry.  Now, they focus on his terrible record as GM of the team. Fans demand a new Gm that is a football mind and want Jerry to focus on the money aspect. This was the relationship that he had with Jimmy Johnson and helped spark them to 3 Super Bowl. Now, the Cowboys have only won one playoff game in the last 16 years. But, I can’t really agree with fans here. Sure, the team is somewhat flawed with Jerry calling the shots, but it’s his team and he won’t relinquish control until he dies.  So the fans really should focus on other things than GM Jerry. Plus, he hasn’t done bad recently in drafts. Morris Claiborne, Dez Bryant, Sean Lee, Bruce Carter are some of the recent picks that showed some sort of success on the team. Also, for you guys that love Bill Parcells so much, did you know that Parcells wanted to take Marcus Spears over Demarcus Ware in the 2005 draft? Jerry overrode that decision and selected Ware first and still picked up Spears later.  Not too bad for a pick.

Look the Team has its faults, but you got to ride out the season. There should be a lot of changed with this team, but if they fix the tiny problems and once again become dedicated to playing smart football, they have the talent to take them to the Super Bowl. Guaranteed. But that is a BIG IF.

                

Heart of the Defense

Ehsan Azad

Heart of the Defense

                The Dallas Cowboys are trying desperately to outplay their mediocre status they have in the 2012 NFL season. It will be harder without their playmaking linebacker Sean Lee.

                Sean Lee was lost for the season when he sustained a severe form of turf toe in the victory last Sunday against the Panthers. Now, the world seems to be lost as the Cowboys face the defending champions tomorrow at Jerry’s World. The pundits from National to the local media have all said that with Sean Lee it would have been a struggle. Without him, the season is lost and that cowboys fans should get ready for the draft in April.

                Kind of an overreaction don’t you think?

Sure, it hurts to lose one of the best players on your team. Sean Lee was not only an athletic linebacker that made countless game changing plays, but he was also a savvy player who had incredible football IQ and instincts that you can’t coach. He was born to play football. But, look at what you have behind him. Bruce Carter is no slouch. The North Carolina product is a great linebacker that has all the athletic skills that Sean Lee has and maybe more. He can make plays all over the field and could be due for a breakout game against the Giants. 

                Some worry that he lacks instincts and that the defense will suffer without Lee’s leadership, and I think yes it will a little. But, you still have a player than can make plays in the middle of the field and with the talent surrounding Carter; I see this defense playing up to its potential.  I’m not saying Bruce Carter is a hall of famer, but let’s wait until Sunday night to judge if the Cowboys’ season is lost because of the injury to Lee.

  

Antlers Sawed Off

Ehsan Azad

Antlers Sawed Off

                You know that feeling when you go out with a really hot girl for the first time? It’s really fun and exciting at first. You love showing off the girl to your friends and brag about her all the time. She’s hot, fun, smart and your family loves her. Then her flaws kick in and you seem ready to break up with her, but she still has something about her that makes you stay. Then you wake up one morning and that pretty face is gone and the fun girl you knew is just flat out psychotic.  That is what Rangers fans have been going through the last two years with their team

Earlier this week, the two time defending American League champion had three chances to close out the streaking Oakland A’s. They had the division lead since April 9^th, so they definitely were going to close out it out.  In reality, they were swept by Oakland and lost the division on the last day of the season. If it weren't for the new rule in baseball where two wild cards were allowed in the postseason, the rangers might not make the playoffs. Thankfully they have a sudden death playoff game today with the Baltimore Orioles to get in. But, ask yourself this, do they deserve to be in it at all?

                After one of the most explosive starts in franchise history, the Rangers were a roller coaster all season. Never really playing to their full potential and allowing the division lead to shrink and expand multiple times. It was just a really off year for most of the players. Josh Hamilton after leading the April and May as one of the hottest players has slumped for the majority of the season and brought up effort concerns towards the end. Outside of Yu Darvish and Matt Harrison, the pitching has been sub par and sometimes laughable. The clutch gene that helped the Rangers go to two straight World Series appearances has disappeared. And add on one of the biggest collapses in Baseball, by losing the division on the last day helps make the point on why they don’t deserve to be in the playoffs.

                Bud Selig helped the Rangers out this year by adding a second wild card team to the format. They have a chance to erase this bad regular season by just beating Baltimore tonight at home. They do that, that claw and antler swag well return and they could be a threat to anyone in the Postseason. If they lose, begin sawing off the antlers for next year.

The Shield is Broken

Ehsan Azad

                                                                                The shield is broken

                I was going to discuss the Cowboys’ ugly win to the Tampa Bay Bucs, but an uglier scene occurred last night that needed immediate attention.  What happened last night will be discussed for years and will be known as the play by many historians of the NFL.

                We all know that the replacement refs have been causing controversy ever since they were put in by the league as a stopgap while the Owners and the real refs tried to come to an agreement on labor negotiations.  In 3 weeks of NFL games, there seems to be multiple mistakes mounting on the replacements causing uproar from Coaches, players and fans alike.  Still, it all seemed minor enough to let it slide due to the officials being new. That was until last night’s debacle.  By now, everyone has seen the play that caused a firestorm last night on the internet. Last second Hail Mary pass from Russell Wilson to the end zone targeting Golden Tate and Defensive Back Jennings clearly intercepts the ball and has both hands on the ball as he is dragged to the ground.  Seattle Receiver Golden Tate puts his hand on the ball while on the ground. Both officials run up and one says touchback the other touchdown. After a replay by the upstairs official, it is confirmed as a touchdown.  Are you freaking kidding me?  I understand that the offensive pass interference missed call on Golden Tate isn’t reviewable in instant replay, but that was clearly an interception. According to NFL rules, if both receiver and defender both catch the ball, then the offense wins the ball. But, clearly Golden Tate didn’t have any clear possession of the ball at all until the end when he put his hand in there. Jennings had the ball the entire time going down. This is clearly a pick and the NFL screwed this up.

                The NFL is one of the most popular sports leagues in the United States right now. It generates 9 billion dollars a year in revenue and the owners are getting rich of it. It is the best time to be a part of the NFL. But, the league is ruining the game that makes it so profitable.  From the concussions, the over use of power by the commissioner and the incompetence to ignore how bad these replacement officials are make you think how corrupt the Shield has become. Roger Goddell speaks about protecting the shield and upholding the game. Well, he needs to fine himself for ruining the NFL.

Don’t forget to keep an eye out for my radio show with Mo Mohmand. We will discuss this and more topics. Look for the link on Facebook soon.

Oops?

Ehsan Azad

A disappointment in Seattle

                Last week, the Dallas Cowboys overcame their demons and won the impossible opener vs. the defending world champs. This week, the Cowboys disappointed once again against the underdog Seahawks.  What a difference a week makes.

                In my mind, this game would have been an easy win for the cowboys. They are superiorly more talented, have a better mind set, and they are coming of a huge win. Then I was reminded that on Any Given Sunday, any team can win. The first play of the game foretold how the Cowboys were going to play that afternoon. Sloppy. Felix Jones fumbling the opening kickoff was not how Jason Garrett envisioned his team starting out. Still, the Defense held the young Seahawks to a field goal.  Then all hell broke loose.  After the Cowboys’ offense went 3 and out, the ensuing punt was blocked and returned for a touchdown.  Number 52, Free agent pick up Dan Connor didn’t hold his block long enough and allowed Seattle to take a 10-0 lead. This just exploded the already fired up home crowd.  Fox cut to a shot of Garret in his shades and scowling. That expression didn’t change the whole afternoon.

                Of course the whole team is to blame for the mess of a game, a few players and coaches deserve the extra scrutiny. First on my hit list is Felix Jones. For a player to have this much impact on the game and not play much is pretty bad. But it was his fumbled return that set the Seahawks up with the extra momentum early in the game. He hasn’t been great all offseason, looking like he lost his burst that made him a viable threat in 2008. Yesterday’s game continued to show the reasons why this man should not be wearing the star on his helmet. He just plan out stunk, and deserves a lot of blame.

                The second on my hit list is Rob Ryan.  The defensive guru who claimed to have the tools necessary for his game plan to work failed all of us. Rookie QB Russell Wilson looked like Tom Brady yesterday making clutch throws all over the field. He experienced no pressure at all, unlike last week when Eli was pressured all game long, what happened to the blitzes?  Demarcus Ware had ZERO sacks against a weak Seahawks offensive line. This would have been a game where Ware would have had a feast on Wilson. I may not be a true football expert, but I’m waiting to hear why they didn’t blitz just a little more against a rookie qb. If he was worried about the Cowboys getting burned, well it happened.  Russell Wilson went 15 for 20 and 151 yards with a Touchdown. He also didn’t throw any picks and ended up with a QB rating of 112.7. Pretty good for a rookie, pretty bad for a Cowboys improved secondary.  If the Cowboys want to make it to the postseason, this needs to change.

                Third on my list, and number one on my rage level is the Cowboys offense. What a pathetic display of the most talented group in the league. When you have Tony Romo throwing to Dez Bryant, Miles Austin, and Jason Witten and you are supported by Demarco Murray on the ground, then you shouldn’t get shutout in the second half. But, it happened and drops were they reason why. Romo could have played better, but too many times did we see Cowboys receivers kill drives with multiple drops.  I’m not surprised with Dez, but Jason Witten? An All-Pro Tight End, the personification of toughness, the most mentally tough player on the roster drops 3 crucial balls? This was inexcusable and sickening. The Cowboys had so many opportunities to score and get down the field, but stupid plays made up the day for the squad. One crucial drop by Witten was on 3^rd down and Romo evades pressure and throws a bomb down field to Witten who bobbles the catch. If he had caught it, Witten would have been in the end zone. That was the story for the Cowboys offense yesterday. Give credit to a talented and underrated Seahawks defense, but the Cowboys could have scored a lot more than 7 points.

                Special teams deserve a special honor on my list. How a unit allows a fumble on a return, and a blocked punt returned for a touchdown? I don’t know either, but Joe DeCamillis needs to fix this unit in a hurry, or start looking for another job.

                To conclude my disgust this week, The Cowboys keep showing the nation that they are going to keep making those mistakes that prevents them from being elite. Again this is just one game. They could run the gauntlet and go on to win the Super Bowl. Or they could go winless and be a disaster. No one knows what will happen. This game could be easily forgotten if they get their act together. Or it could be the one game that prevents them from making the playoffs.

                                                                                                Side Notes

Hope you are enjoying my blogs, IF you have any requests or any questions let me know by commenting on my Facebook.  Also, I will be starting a weekly Internet show with my cousin Mo Mohmand that covers all topics in DFW Sports and any other trending topics. Keep checking on my facebook for info on the show. Thanks for yall’s support!

Cowboys-Giants Observations

Ehsan Azad

Cowboys Observations

                I would start off with a long and elaborated statement on how Tony Romo continues to prove that he is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, but if you saw the game last Wednesday, then point proven. There are a still ton of observations from the game that will make cowboys fans happy and concerned at the same time.

                First off, let’s look at the defensive side of the ball. Mostly responsible for many of the failures last year and with Jerry Jones spending money in the offseason to upgrade it, this game was a good litmus test.  I will say I am very impressed with the defense as a whole. It is fast, it is gritty, and it has a mental toughness to it I haven’t seen in years. This defense is playing lights out and hungry and ready to prove it is a top ten unit. Lead by perennial pro bowler Demarcus Ware, the Cowboys pass rush is relentless and forced 3 sacks on Eli Manning with Ware having 2 of them. I like the pressure it’s getting on the offensive line, and guys on the d line played pretty will even with their star Jay Ratliff out with an injury.

                The biggest surprise I saw on the defense was the speed it has now. The new additions of Claiborne, Carr, Lee, and Carter bring a quicker attack on the ball. The Giants couldn’t get any of their players out in the open for the big play. This will be a key asset when you face guys like Victor Cruz, Hakeem Nicks, and Desean Jackson in your division. They also can stop the run game very effectively.  Also, speed also helps them gain many more opportunities to make big plays. You are always a better defense when you can actually catch the guy you’re defending.

                On the Offensive side, I will say I am very impressed with the receiving corps. All 4 of the cowboys’ top options at least caught 2 passes in the game, with Kevin Ogeltree having the biggest game in his career snatching two touchdowns. What also helped them was a balanced running attack spearheaded by bruising Running back Demarco Murray. This boy can play. What a steal he was in the draft in the third round. The former sooner running back has a beast mentality when running and wants to have that contact all the time. The key play he had was a potential go ahead run to the end zone. The run started out bad, but with a few juke moves and stiff arms, Murray ran up for over 30 yards before finally being pulled down. If Murray can keep healthy and getting those yards, the Cowboys passing game will open up and cause havoc for opposing defenses.

                The bad part of the game was all on the Offensive Line. Save for Tyron Smith’s touchdown saving horse collar penalty, the Line was terrible. Romo never was safe in the pocket, often relying on moving around and using spin moves to stay alive. They seemed nervous and jumpy the entire night. Now facing one of the best pass rushes in the league can be daunting mind you, but still they need to get their chemistry going. Luckily, they have awhile before their next game to get it right.

                All in all, this was an impressive win for the Cowboys. Going into New York and facing the Defending champions can be hard, but the Cowboys proved they are far capable of pulling out hard wins. Now, if they can keep up this new attitude that is the big question for this team. Cowboy’s nation is waiting.

Gametime: Cowboys-Giants Preview

Ehsan Azad

Cowboys-Giants Preview

                It’s finally here! The NFL kicks off the season with a bang as the Defending Super Bowl Champion New York Football Giants hosts America’s Team, the Dallas Cowboys, in a divisional showdown.  It should be an exciting yet nervous night for all Cowboys fans.  Let’s preview the game that seems t have the hype of a championship game.

Cowboys Offense vs. Giants Defense:

Ok, this could be the matchup that really could decide the game. The Dallas Cowboys boast one of the talented offenses in the league.  It features two dynamic receivers in Miles Austin and Dez Bryant.  Jason Witten is an ALL-PRO and one of the best tight ends in NFL history. Demarco Murray is an up and coming star running back ready to shoulder the load of carries. And Tony Romo is in my opinion an elite quarterback capable of making all the right plays for his team to succeed. But, there are some glaring holes that could help the Giants out in this game. The Giants defense relies heavily on its elite pass rush. Jason Pierre-Paul, Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora, and Chris Canty are some of the best pass rushers and can cause havoc for any offensive line. It was that pass rush that the Giants rode to an unlikely Super Bowl run last year.  That means trouble for a Cowboys O-line that is unproven and hasn’t had time to gel much in training camp. Left tackle Tyrone Smith could handle his own, but the rest of the line is such a question mark. Good news for Cowboys fans is that if Romo has time in the pocket, he could exploit a Giants secondary that is hurting right now with Cornerback Prince Amukamara. The Cowboys could lean on the running game to help take the pressure of Romo. The tandem of Murray and Felix Jones could slow down the pass rush and help open a lot of play action plays for the offense. Murray is a talented runner, he should be able to slice up the Giants run defense and get to the second level. This is where I think the key for Dallas is. If Jason Garrett can balance the offense, the Cowboys can score in bunches. If they pass too much, Romo will be under pressure from the Giants all night.

Cowboys Defense vs. Giants Offense:

This was the matchup that caused the most damage from last year for the Cowboys. Last year, the Cowboys defense was shredding in the passing game and no team exploited it better than the Giants. They have one of the premier Quarterbacks in the league in Eli Manning, two explosive running backs with Ahmad Bradshaw and rookie David Wilson, and playmaking receivers in Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz.  To counter the Giants, the Cowboys invested 50 million in bringing cornerback Brandon Carr and moving up in the draft to get LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne. That should bring some stability to one of the league’s worst defenses against the pass. Defensive Coordinator now has players who can cover long enough for him to call more blitzes. Demarcus Ware is the best pass rusher in the game, but he is going to need help. I believe Anthony Spencer will get better this year and help moving attention away from Ware. To stop the Giants, they need to get their pass rush going. Eli Manning has too many weapons to use if he has time in the pocket. The Giants have a suspect offensive line as well and that could help Dallas too sack the qb. This Defense has to step up and do a better job than last year.

Special Teams:

Both teams seem to be equal on the special teams front. Both have reliable kickers and punters. Return teams might favor Dallas as they have some great return guys in Felix Jones and Dez Bryant. The Giants really don’t have any big time returners. I’ll give it to Dallas, but just an inch.

Analysis:

I think this game is going to be a defensive slugfest. By looking at both sides, I can tell both offenses will struggle as they both have weak O-line play and are facing some elite pass rushers. The key is going to be the running game, especially since it will rain a lot during the game.  The team that rushes the ball well, I think wins in the end.

Prediction:

This is tough, but I see the Cowboys loosing this game. The Giants are just better right now. I don’t have any confidence in the offensive line protecting Romo. Hopefully I am wrong on this, but I have the Giants winning 24-17.

Cowboys-Oakland Observations

Ehsan Azad

Cowboys Preseason Observations

                Last night I was very excited to get ready for the first game for the Dallas Cowboys.  I mean I knew it was preseason, but as a lifelong fan, who doesn’t get excited for some football.  I quickly realized how boring it would be, and saw some ugly ugly football played by both teams. Luckily, Dan Bailey did his job right and the Cowboys won 3-0. Now, preseason is about the individual, not the team, so we will look today at the observations of certain individuals trying to make this team.

First of all let’s give Dez Bryant a round of applause for a leaping catch in the first series. Dez is showing he is fully healthy and poised for the breakout season we have been waiting for since he was drafted. The only thing derailing him is a possible suspension by the NFL for the alleged beating of his mother.  With Miles Austin hurt, and Dez only playing the first series, it was a perfect time for the young receivers to compete for that 3^rd receiver spot.   But, other than some impressive play by Andre Holmes, I was rather disappointed by the receiving corps. I see talent there, but not coming all around. A lot of dropped balls and missed routes plagued them all not. Today Receivers Coach Jimmy Robinson even declared that no one has stepped up to claim that 3^rd spot. If they don’t get it together by Saturday’s game versus the Chargers, I sense the front office will look at the free agent list for a reliable veteran.

         Next up on the Cowboys blame game is the horrendous offensive line. I think it was a crime to have Tony Romo to play behind one of the most suspect lines in the NFL.  Ok, maybe half their starters are out, but still this is pretty bad. David Arkin did alright at center in place of Phil Costa, but he let one huge sack.   I honestly still think that both Mackenzy Bernadeau and Nate Livings will be adequate starters and help solidify the line. But, their backups are atrocious and if any injury occurs on the lone, it’s going to be a long season for Cowboys fans. Center is the real problem area. Phil Costa is your opening day starter and that worries me. He has never been able to be a consistent snapper and has even had Jason Garrett halt practice just to work on those snaps. His two backups, Kevin Kowalski and Bill Nagy aren’t any better and are going to be out with injuries for awhile. David Arkin is alright, but he lacks the strength to take on some elite defensive tackles. I will remind you the NFC east is full of deadly pass rushers and strong defensive tackles.  But, have no worries, the tackles will be fine. While Doug Free can play better, he is still a solid right tackle. And, Tyron Smith is going to be an All Pro one day. Demarcus Ware claimed that he is the first tackle he couldn’t get away from. That is a high compliment from one of the elite pass rushers.  So, until it’s all healthy, right now the O line is still a work in progress.

The Defense pitched a shutout so I guess I will say it’s a success. But, some of the credit goes to the Oakland receivers who dropped a lot of open passes.  I know, their top three corners really didn’t play, but still they needed to step up in that area. The pass rush was pretty decent and I will say Victor Butler can play. He is one of the most consistent pass rushers, beating out Anthony Spencer.  Demarcus Ware was his usually dominant self and Sean Lee is turning into one of the leaders on this squad.  Bruce Carter looked good the few times saw him. I liked the 3 inside linebacker scheme that had Dan Conner join Carter and Lee. It shows that the Cowboys really want to make Carter reach his potential. If all goes to plan, the Cowboys could boast the best playmaking inside linebacker tandem in the league.  Another small shout out to Ben Bass. This guy is just big and he can play. Didn’t know who he was, but he made me watch out for him in the next game.  The overall defense has one glaring spot that needs to be fixed. The run defense was horrible. Darren McFadden was plowing through the cowboys and Rob Ryan needs to have his front seven playing better than that.  Run defense was one of their strengths last year and they need to build on that.

This was a bad game for the Cowboys’ offense that is expected to score a lot. 3 points isn’t going to cut it.  The Offensive line needs to get better to help Romo and help open holes for their explosive running back tandem.  The defense did their job and got lucky off some bad execution by their opponents.  The run defense has to be addressed in the next few practices.  Most of all, they need to get healthy. The team can’t afford not to have any more players miss valuable playing time. September 5^th is coming very quickly. 

Training Camp Preview: QB

Ehsan Azad

Training Camp Preview: Overall and Quarterbacks

It’s that time again. Football season is cranking up and the camp doors open for all 32 NFL teams. That means it’s time to analyze America’s Team from every possible angle without me even being there.

Every team has high expectations every year when camps begin to open up. But, for the Dallas Cowboys, those expectations seem to intensify every season, a rabid fan base yearning to be football’s best. The metroplex has recently been a bit laid back on jumping on the cowboys for their lack of postseason success, thanks to the Rangers and Mavericks playing for championships the last two years. But, only winning one playoff game in the last 16 years isn’t going to stop the critics from putting the team on the hot seat every year. This year’s squad seems built for a deep postseason run though, as Owner Jerry Jones has made sure he stock piles this team with talent all across the board. The question is if Jason Garrett can coach them to their full potential. It’s going to be interesting to watch this training camp and to see how good or bad this team really is.  For the next few weeks this blog will analyze the certain positions and position battles that will occur in training camp and my take on where this team is going.

First up is the most important position on the team. The NFL is a quarterback driven league and an elite caliber quarterback is what will help a team win a championship. I personally believe that the Cowboys have that kind of player on their team. Tony Romo continues to prove to his critics that he will put up the big numbers and lower his interceptions every year. Yes, he does throw that back breaking pick at the wrong time, but that is what makes Romo a great player. He plays reckless, but it helps him win games as well. With the right pieces around him, he is destined to make a deep playoff run. Tony Romo is the unquestioned starter and leader of the franchise for years to come.

Picking up Kyle Orton was pure genius by the Cowboys personal staff.  For the last few years, Romo has had older veterans be his backup and some were good and some were awful. Brad Johnson was the awful one. Jon Kitna proved he could be an effective back up, but his age caught up with him. Orton gives you a starting caliber QB that can be ready to go in at any time and he will keep the ship afloat. Of course he won’t ever beat out Romo for the job, but he is an excellent insurance plan.

Stephen McGee really frustrates me. I never thought he was that good and he hasn’t really grown into much since he arrived from College Station. He seems to be stuck in that number 3 position for a long time and I don’t see him beating out Orton anytime soon. There is also a fourth quarterback on the roster named Rudy Carpenter but it is unlikely he will make the squad. In fact, both McGee and Carpenter could be both cut in order to make room for more linemen or corners, two glaring weaknesses from last year.

So, in a short summary, the Cowboys are set with Quarterbacks. I see the Cowboys keeping Romo and Orton on the roster. I predict that Romo will throw over 4,500 yards and at least 40 TDS to about 15 INTs this year. Romo will be in the conversation for MVP.   

Next Week we will focus on Running Backs.

Durantula vs King James

Ehsan Azad

Durantula vs. King James

                As preparations for game 2 of the NBA finals are underway tonight, Lebron James is probably thinking of a way to overcome Kevin Durant. Sadly, in the overall focus of their careers, James is still going to be looking up to Durant.

                Back in 2003, the sports world was convinced Michael Jordan’s heir was on the verge of joining the NBA. Lebron James was the high school kid that looked like he was 30 and dunking violently over small 15 yr olds in Ohio. The media pumped up his ego and the guy had the nerve to try to get the NBA to allow him to enter the draft before he graduated.  Eventually he graduated, and signed a massive $200 million dollar contract with NIKE. Talk about one heck of a graduation present. I only got $ 500. He got to stay close to home, with the Cleveland Cavaliers selecting him first overall in the 2003 NBA draft.  The rest is history. He was a three time MVP, multiple all start, and constantly on the All-NBA First Team. He got a gold medal in the 2008 Olympics and probably will get another one this summer.  So what’s not to like about King James? The answer is results. The reigning MVP has all the stats and glitz to establish his argument as one of the game’s best, but when it matters he hasn’t produced.  He led the cavs for 8 years and to a finals appearance.  Now, I won’t blame him for not succeeding in Cleveland, no one could with that talent that they surrounded him with.  But, what you can blame him for is his overhyped departure to the Miami Heat.  The stupid hour long ESPN special and counting the hypothetical trophies made him the ultimate villain in the NBA.  He made it so easy to hate him and hope for failure for him and the Heat. There is a reason why they became the most hated franchise in a matter of a summer. Now, we stand here two years later and the Miami Heat again find themselves down in the NBA finals to an unselfish player, who is clutch and humble.

                He decided to stay with the city that drafted him. He allowed the team to build around him through drafts and free agency to build a contender. He is humble and quiet. He is also killing it in the playoffs, and he has the clutch gene pouring through his blood. No, not Dirk, I’m referring to Durant. Kevin Durant has quietly gone from an intriguing player to the best in the world in a matter of just 6 years. He was considered a great player coming in, but didn’t have a sports network fixated on his every move. He just came to work every day. Then his franchise moved to Oklahoma City. Not really a glamour spot like LA or Miami, Durant sacrificed comfort for basketball. He quickly signed an extension to stay and why not.  He noticed the smart moved the team was making to build a contender around him. In a matter of time, OKC went from lottery team to legit contender in 4 short years. With a young team at its core, KD was smart enough to give it a chance. He rather play in Oklahoma and be a champion then lying on a beach with no ring.

Durantula, as he is known by fans, also is learning to become a true leader. One of the most unselfish players in the game, he always gets in position to make sure his team succeeds.  His work ethic is being compared to Jordan’s and his determination is highly impressive.  Oh don’t forget, when his team needs him, he always comes through.  Countless times in these playoffs, Durant has come up with big game winning shots.  Plus, how can you hate the guy? The guy hugs his mom during a game, believes in loyalty and stays quiet.  Kind of sounds like someone from last year.  Can’t remember his name, but I believe it rhymes Kirk.

Now, we are here in the NBA finals and Durantula leads King James 1-0. Right now, Durant looks like he is Batman and James is the Joker.  The nation clearly is with the thunder. How can you not be? Now, tonight things could change. Maybe James will breakthrough and win the title and make me look like an idiot. If that happens, great, James is who we thought he was. But, right now, Kevin Durant is doing the talking with his smooth jumper and Lebron is just wearing those goofy glasses. 

Riverwalk Champs

Ehsan Azad

River walk Champs

          Being a die-hard mavs fan, seeing black and silver just sends chills down my spine. Nothing makes my blood boil then seeing the San Antonio Spurs have any sort of success, especially against my Dallas Mavericks. Yet, I can do nothing but have upmost respect for the most successful organization in basketball in the last decade.

As the Spurs currently have a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference finals, I think back and ponder how in the world did they get here?  This was an old team last year that got upset in the first round and was thought to have less talent going into this year. The so called analysts and radio hosts thought the Thunder and the Heat were going to be the class of the NBA.  For most of the season the Thunder ran through the condensed season and held on to the top spot.  Then as the season winded down, the Spurs came out of nowhere and stole the top spot in the west for the second straight year. Unnoticed for the majority of the year, the Spurs quietly had one of their best seasons in franchise history.  So how do they consistently win, reload, and win some more?   Here are just a few reasons to respect our Black and silver cousins to the south.

                One of the reasons that age doesn’t ever seem to cause concern for the franchise is that they have an excellent record of drafting quality players. The duo of Gregg Popovich and R.C. Buford has built some great teams and they rarely miss during the draft.  Coach Pop built the foundation when he drafted young Tim Duncan to play with Hall of Fame center David Robinson.  He wasn’t done yet, he then added young talent like Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili to an already talented roster. Those additions helped them dominate the NBA early in the decade. But, as age began to set in with the Big Three and Robinson’s retirement in 2003, some began to question if the Spurs can keep going.  They responded to their credits by drafting young talent to mix in with their superstars, some unknown at the time. It seems like every year they find the diamond in the rough in every draft. Guys like Matt Bonner, Gary Neal, Kawhi Leonard, Tiago Splitter, and George Hill. Unknown talent at the time, but the Spurs scouting has uncovered draft steals every year and it helps them stay competitive every year, no matter the age of the team.

                Another reason is that they simply have some of the best players in the NBA who have bought into the concept of teamwork. The big three of Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili are individually some of the best players in the game today. They each could go into a franchise on their own and lead them on deep playoff runs. But, they have a unique quality you don’t see much in today’s NBA, and that’s humility. They rather sacrifice a highlight reel play in order for their team to succeed. They are the ultimate team players. They simply just play the game in front of them and leave the glitzy lifestyle off the court.

But, of all the reasons the Spurs are so damn good, there is simply one that defines why this team is the team of the decade. Gregg Popovich.  Some may call Phil Jackson the greatest coach, but an argument should be made for Pop. Right now the best coach in basketball; he simply knows this game better than anyone and has the stats to back it up. Since 1999, the Spurs have been the most efficient team in basketball in due part to his coaching. He preaches sound, fundamental basketball. Pass the ball, find the open man and shoot. It’s boring and won’t get them on the TOP TEN, but it will get them multiple chances to get a ring. His coaching is some of the best in the game and turns new prospects into great role players.  Game in and out, no coach can seem to outsmart POP and he can get out of jams better than anyone.  He realizes the importance of resting players and will sacrifice a game if they are down big, just to ensure they are ready to fight another day.  He mixed in some great young talent with his aging roster to keep his title window open.  He is simply the best in basketball.

The Spurs make it work year in and out. They outwit the draft, they outwit other coaches, and they continue to outwit father time.  One day they will start to slow down and become a weaker team.  One day Coach Pop and the big three will retire and leave the franchise to an uncertain future. But, today they are up 2-0 in the West finals and it seems that the River walk is going to have another parade.

For the Love of the game

Ehsan Azad

For the love of the game

What makes someone a sports fan? There are countless reasons that people fall in love with sports. Some love it because they are extremely athletic and excel at those games. Others have a deep love because of family bonds that have been passed over generations.  Some are just bubbly girls that fall head over heels for a “hot” player in their hometown. For me, sadly I don’t fall into any of those categories, yet I am madly obsessed and love anything to do with the world of sports. My reasons are more personal and helped me become one of the guys.

Growing up I was never really into sports. I was never that popular in school, so the opportunity to play sports wasn’t always there for me. Plus, being what my mother would call husky, I wasn’t exactly the number one overall pick in the school yard. I did watch football games and pretended to care about football, but never had the passion to even care about what I was watching.  I focused on cartoons and trying to make friends.  I was content with this life and I really didn’t see the need to change.

It wasn’t until I got in to high school when I realized that sports drove how guys lived their lives and what connected most of them.  I was in a new school and wanted to fit in. Luckily for me the leader of the guys was none other than my cousin Mo. He was the all popular kid that is portrayed in those high school shows. Extremely athletic, smart, and charming, I figured I could hang with him and hopefully it will rub off on me. The problem was that he was into sports just as much as the others and I couldn’t relate.  I would sit with the guys watching the Dallas Mavericks Playoff run and being overly confused on what was going on.  The only two topics guys my age would talk about were sports and girls. I knew nothing about the two.  What I did know was politics and anytime I would bravely muster a world about the elections, I was greeted by yawns, confusion, or a blunt shut the hell up. Fun group right?

I decided to play football and try to bridge the gap that way. My lack of athletic ability and low football IQ helped squash that idea.  The guys around me respected the fact that I tried, but honestly couldn’t relate to me.

It was around my junior year that I decided to give sports a chance. I wanted to actually talk about sports with my cousins and their friends and be one of the guys.  So I went online and found every article I could about the Dallas Cowboys. I read about their history, stats, and how the game was played. I started to watch games much more and played close attention to each player’s certain moves.  I learned about certain positions and watched documentaries about past super bowl winners.

At first, it was mentally exhausting to read about a subject I had no care for. The only thing that drove me was the need to be popular and relevant with the kids around me. But, a strange thing happened to me while I did my studying; I grew to like the sport. Football became fun to read about and I actually liked watching the game. I could finally relate what I was learning to what I was doing in practice.  It just became second nature for me to look up about football and other sports.

I slowly impressed my circle of friends with my new found knowledge and I even began small sports debates with Mo. We connected actually and we ventured into other topics like girls and even politics.

I did it; I was one of the guys now. I became better-rounded and soon I began to love sports. I realized it wasn’t just something for people to do when they were bored, but something that connected people and made fast friends. Today, Mo and I still hang out with a bunch of our friends. We have branched out with other topics and interests. Politics is even sneaking in a lot lately.  But, that love for sports is still there and drives our lives.