Galloway:I hate it when they're good or noble - Dallas Cowboys Forum

Cbz40 · 03-25-2005

Posted on Fri, Mar. 25, 2005

I hate it when they're good or noble

By Randy Galloway

Star-Telegram Staff Writer

Who the heck does this Marco Rivera think he is?

Why does he suddenly show up, out of nowhere -- or, actually, Green Bay -- and decide to make life difficult for those of us in the Evil Empire of sportswriting?

Everything had been so OK. Lately, this job was going exactly to blueprint.

There I was, feeling smug about having done my part in finally pushing Barry Bonds off the "bridge," and about destroying him and his family.

Barry blamed us this week. He was real whiney about it, too. Hello, win column.

And Mark McGwire? Being able to wipe out his legacy had been another proud moment for us media Osamas.

But this is an on-going process.

When there is trouble in jock kingdom paradise, many of the troubled have a problem accepting responsibility for their own actions.

Sooner or later, they usually get around to hanging it on you-know-who.

But that's when one more good whack with the Toshiba tire tool (or your laptop of choice) will finish them off. There are, however, also those moments when the reverse happens.

Something good and noble suddenly surfaces.

It's disruptive for those of us in the Evil Empire.

The Toshiba tire tool has to be re-booted.

Not to get mushy about it, but ...

You did what, Marco Rivera?

Nine mil?

You offered to give back Jerry Jones his $9 million?

Never heard of such a thing.

"I told the Cowboys," Rivera said Thursday at Valley Ranch, "if they wanted to walk away from the contract, it was fine with me."

Imagine that in today's jock kingdom. Latrell Sprewell is scrambling, trying to feed the family on $14.6 million a year, and here's a guy willing to scoot on nine mil, guaranteed.

As quoted in the newspaper Thursday, Packers head coach Mike Sherman wasn't surprised. "That's just the kind of guy he is," Sherman said of Rivera.

To backtrack a bit:

Three weeks ago, the Cowboys made a large splash in NFL free agency, signing three players in 24 hours, including offensive guard Marco Rivera, who had previously played nine years for the Packers.

By far the biggest NFL payday of his career had grossed a $9 million signing bonus, which was his on the spot, and overall, five years, $20 million.

A week later, the soon-to-be 33-year-old Rivera was in a local hotel workout room, jogging on the treadmill, when he felt "the worst pain in my life. I knew right away it was real bad."

MRI results soon confirmed it was a herniated disk in his back. Immediate surgery was needed. The injury was considered career threatening.

"When it happened, I went back to the room and told my wife that this wasn't going to be good, and we had a decision to make," Rivera said.

"Here I'd been a Cowboy for a week, I'd signed for all this money, I was excited to be here, and be a part of one of the great NFL franchises ever, and now, how do I tell the team that I'd done something like this on a hotel treadmill?"

Rivera and his wife made a quick decision.

"It wasn't right for me to keep the money," he said. "I wouldn't be able to live with myself, just hanging around, collecting a paycheck. I had much rather retire with dignity. The last thing I wanted was to cause headaches for the Cowboys, not after what this team had done for me.

"I came here to play, to help win championships. Other than that, it wasn't right for Mr. Jones to have given me all that money and he gets nothing in return."

Jones immediately refused the give-back offer. Then came the surgery, which went well.

Rivera was in high spirits Thursday, much encouraged after his first two weeks in rehab.

"It's going great," he said. "I know now I can help the team. I'm ready to rock 'n' roll. I feel real good. I told the doctors I'd be ready for mini-camp in May. They were a little hesitant on that, but there's no question I'll be full speed for training camp."

The Brooklyn-born Rivera went to high school on Long Island, and then played at Penn State.

So where exactly does his kind of attitude come from?

"A lot of it, I credit Joe Paterno," he said, speaking of the Penn State head coach who is now under plenty of fire for hanging on too long.

"I will always stand-by Coach Joe," added Rivera. "He had a big impact on my life and made me the man I am. I know Coach Joe is catching a lot of heat, but he really cares about you being a better person as much as he does a football player."

If fully recovered, we know the Cowboys signed a good football player in Marco Rivera.

But obviously, they also have something else.

Even the Evil Empire is pleased to have strayed off it's destructive course, and discovered the good and the noble.

AmarilloCowboyFan · 03-25-2005

Quote:

There I was, feeling smug about having done my part in finally pushing Barry Bonds off the "bridge," and about destroying him and his family.

LMAO!

notherbob · 03-25-2005

If true, this shows Rivera to be a man of great integrity - he obviously has no future in politics or religion. Parcells is picking the right kind of guys.

followthestar · 03-25-2005

i don't doubt for a minute that rivera would have given his best effort on the field before suffering this injury. but the way in which both he and jerry jones handled the situation, and the obvious regard they have for one another, this may have been a blessing in disguise. marco rivera will become a terror on the right side if he heals properly - he will leave it all on the field, and probably a couple opponents also... he has quickly jumped to near the top of my favorite cowboys players, and he hasn't played a down yet!!! you go, boy!!!!! can't wait to see this guy operate, and you know eveyone will be pulling for him (pun not intended.)

Hollywood Henderson · 03-25-2005

Well put Followthestar...
I might also add, I suspect Jerry's move also just made a good point with the players as well!

Lets hope for a full & speedy recovery by Marco, he sounds like a cool dude!

Eddie · 03-25-2005

What does Rivera's signing mean for Andre Gurode? I feel so disappointed in his play. The guy was the highly touted OG coming out of college, and I thought it was a coup to grab him in the 2nd round. (Heck, I thought Antonio Bryant was a coup too!).

But Gurode has disappointed, and not lived up to his abilities. What next? Will he play his final year as a backup? Do we try and bring him back in 2006 ... at a backup's salary? We've wasted enough picks, I hate to see another 2nd rounder thrown away.

royhitshard · 03-25-2005

[quote=Cbz40]Posted on Fri, Mar. 25, 2005
There I was, feeling smug about having done my part in finally pushing Barry Bonds off the "bridge," and about destroying him and his family.

CLASSIC!!!!!

LA=Pancakemaker · 03-25-2005

Quote:

You offered to give back Jerry Jones his $9 million?

This was a joke, theres no way Jerry would take it back and he knew it, what if Jerry said sure , we will take it back, he would of said , ya ,well, mmmmmmm maybe I was just joking? wake up .....

ravidubey · 03-25-2005

I'm beginning to really like Rivera!

joseephuss · 03-25-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by LA=Pancakemaker

This was a joke, theres no way Jerry would take it back and he knew it, what if Jerry said sure , we will take it back, he would of said , ya ,well, mmmmmmm maybe I was just joking? wake up .....

Jerry should have taken at least half back. He could still look good and got paid. Actually, I think the players union is probably pissed about this. There is no way they would have allowed for that money to go back if Jerry wanted it.

Mike 1967 · 03-25-2005

Perhaps now we have a better overall understanding of why Parcells and Jones went after this guy.

I was one of those scratching my head over the fact that we were not pursuing Wahl who was younger and could play both Tackle and Gaurd. Espcially when Wahl signed a contract that was not much larger than what we signed Rivera for.

Please don't get me wrong...this is not a slam on Wahl. I know nothing about the guy. I am simply pointing out that Rivera is a rare breed....it's least in my small world. The guy has integrity and character....and the guy does not put himself first.

And lastly....the guy obviously respects this organization and wants to play for it.

Sabu1 · 03-25-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eddie

What does Rivera's signing mean for Andre Gurode? I feel so disappointed in his play. The guy was the highly touted OG coming out of college, and I thought it was a coup to grab him in the 2nd round. (Heck, I thought Antonio Bryant was a coup too!).

But Gurode has disappointed, and not lived up to his abilities. What next? Will he play his final year as a backup? Do we try and bring him back in 2006 ... at a backup's salary? We've wasted enough picks, I hate to see another 2nd rounder thrown away.

Gurode still has potential. I think part of the reason that Rivera was brought in was to teach guys like Gurode and Torrin Tucker what it takes to prepare like professionals. Rivera is a pro's pro and a high character guy obviously. He is more of a vocal leader on the line than say a Larry Allen. But, I'm not ready to give up on Andre Gurode just yet. Sometimes it takes several years for the lightbulb to come on for some of these offensive linemen.

Kittymama · 03-25-2005

A Penn State & Joe Paterno guy. Naturally! JoePa may be having a rough time lately, but he's always had quality guys on his team. Richie Anderson--another Penn Stater.

(Having grown up in State College, with a father who was a Prof at PSU, & sisters & brother going to school with JoePa's kids, & seeing JoePa in church almost every week--yes, I'm a tad biased. And some of my friends in college earned some money by "babysitting" athletes in mandatory study hall--every athlete on scholarship there had to attend a certain number of study halls. All of the other coaches cared less how their athletes behaved in study hall. JoePa would PERSONALLY tell each monitor that if his guys acted up, they were to go straight to him & report it--not his assistants, not brush it under the rug, but go straight to him.)

Cbz40 · 03-25-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sabu1

Gurode still has potential. I think part of the reason that Rivera was brought in was to teach guys like Gurode and Torrin Tucker what it takes to prepare like professionals. Rivera is a pro's pro and a high character guy obviously. He is more of a vocal leader on the line than say a Larry Allen. But, I'm not ready to give up on Andre Gurode just yet. Sometimes it takes several years for the lightbulb to come on for some of these offensive linemen.

I think Rivera could be the best thing that could have happened to Gurode and Tucker.

Rivera strikes me as a type of player that leads by doing. He will be a great mentor for both of them.

Kittymama · 03-25-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sabu1

Gurode still has potential. I think part of the reason that Rivera was brought in was to teach guys like Gurode and Torrin Tucker what it takes to prepare like professionals. Rivera is a pro's pro and a high character guy obviously. He is more of a vocal leader on the line than say a Larry Allen. But, I'm not ready to give up on Andre Gurode just yet. Sometimes it takes several years for the lightbulb to come on for some of these offensive linemen.

You're right about Rivera, & I think about Gurode. A lot of pro writers have been mentioning (not necessarily about Guruode, but in general) that some of those positions have to be learned over time, so FA is important while you groom your youngsters & let them learn from the pros. Guys like Rivera & Anderson & Campbell are here not just to play but to work with the young guys & bring them along. That's why Woody was more of a loss last year than people realized--his teaching was gone along with his play.