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by Jason Whitlock
Updated: October 16, 2008, 5:40 PM EST 792 comments add this RSS blog email Print
I apologize for the heavy focus on the Cowboys in my latest version of the NFL Truths, but I spent all week advising Roger Goodell on how to handle Pacman Jones. Roger was so impressed with my column last week that he flew to Kansas City to talk football with me.
The above is sarcasm. What's below is the truth.
10. The Cowboys would be foolish to stick Tony Romo out on the field with a splint on his pinkie finger.
According to reports, Romo wants to play with his injured finger. Brett Favre advised him to play if he thought he could endure the pain. Favre once played with a broken thumb.
The difference is Favre isn't a chronic fumbler. Romo fumbled three times last week. He dropped a snap on a field-goal attempt that would've won the Cowboys a playoff game. Romo needs to sit down and get healthy.
9. There's a myth that Jerry Jones is a bad personnel man. Nothing could be further from the truth, and his decision to grab receiver Roy Williams proves it.
If the Cowboys are going to be stuck with 50-year-old Brad Johnson at quarterback for the next three games, Roy Williams is the perfect midseason acquisition.
Johnson is not mobile. His arm strength is weak. His release is deliberate and a little low. What I just described is an absolute disaster for a team that is struggling with pass protection. Johnson will get knocked around, his passes will get batted down at the line of scrimmage and he'll throw up several floaters a game that could get intercepted.
Adding another big target to run around with Terrell Owens and Jason Witten gives Johnson a chance to survive. Owens, Witten, Williams and even running back Marion Barber are easy targets to identify when you're throwing from the phone booth. Owens, Witten and Williams all can go up and snag 50-50 balls.
The Cowboys will throw on first down off of play action in an attempt to give Johnson clear throwing lanes and big windows. They'll toss screens and run draws on third and manageable.
Jerry Jones is too aggressive in pursuing personnel. But he knows who to go get. Roy Williams, even with his questionable hands, is a great addition.
8. If Roger Goodell allows Pacman Jones to return to the Cowboys or the NFL this season or next year, I will not object.
I will trust Goodell's judgment that Pacman has taken a few steps to modify his behavior. The NFL does not need Pacman Jones. He's not a ratings-driving superstar. He's not Ray Lewis or Deion Sanders or Tom Brady.
If Goodell welcomes Pacman back, it's because the commissioner believes it's the right thing to do. This is America, the land of second, third, fourth and fifth opportunities. Pacman has a right to earn a living as long as he's not incarcerated.
If Pacman is serious about alcohol rehabilitation, takes responsibility for his behavior and doesn't need 24-hour secret-service protection, there's nothing wrong with bringing him back next season.
7. The officiating decision that pushed Dallas' game-tying field goal against the Cardinals five yards closer was one of the worst I've ever seen.
It was right before the end of regulation, the Cowboys were in their hurry-up offense and had just completed a huge pass play. An Arizona defender was hurt and was trying to limp off the field while the Cowboys hurried to the line of scrimmage to spike the football and stop the clock.
The refs should've stopped the game, as they do whenever a player is injured on the field. Instead, they flagged the Cardinals for illegal participation on a spike play when the limping defender was yards away from the play.
It was ridiculous. At all times the refs should be thinking about letting the players on the field decide the game.
6. Larry Fitzgerald is the best receiver in football. His five-catch, 79-yard, one-TD performance against the Cowboys was a thing of beauty.
The numbers don't tell the story. You had to see the leaping, twisting spectacular catches to understand Fitzgerald's greatness. Fitzgerald's body control and concentration are unmatched.
I can't come up with a name from the past to compare to Fitzgerald. He's better than Lynn Swann. Fitzgerald's game is nothing like Jerry Rice's. He catches contested passes better than Steve Largent. Comparing Fitzgerald to Keyshawn Johnson would be an insult, and Keyshawn was pretty damn good.
Fitzgerald is going to redefine the position.
5. I was blown away by Kurt Warner's toughness in the pocket against the Cowboys.
Warner looked like vintage Phil Simms on Sunday. At age 37, Warner held the football until the very last second and repeatedly delivered the ball with defenders in his face and at his legs. That takes real talent and courage.
When you're rich and middle-aged you generally lose the courage to take the kind of beating Warner absorbed on Sunday. Depending on what he does this year and next, Warner could cobble together a borderline Hall of Fame resume.
4. What would the reaction around the league be if Peyton Manning played for Bill Belichick and never acknowledged a second offseason surgery on his knee?
When Belichick is secretive about injuries we see it as an example of his deviousness and attempt to skirt NFL injury rules. When it happens on a Father Tony Dungy-coached team it's really no big deal.
Keep in mind, I'm a big fan of Father Tony. But I'm also a big fan of Belichick's. The two coaches aren't that different. They do what's in the best interest of their team and players. Dungy is a bit more pleasant about it. Belichick is a bit more effective.
3. I'm back on the Colts bandwagon. They're the best team in football.
The Cowboys have terrible chemistry.
The Tennessee Titans will not score at important times thanks to Kerry Collins.
Eli Manning is not — nor will he ever be — better than his older brother.
No way I'm taking Buffalo seriously.
Pittsburgh can't protect Ben Roethlisberger.
Bottom line: Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison are back. The Colts will get leads and that will unleash Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis to rush the passer.
2. I hate the squib kick at the end of games.
Matt Ryan made a great throw to put the Falcons in position to kick a game-winning field goal. But had the Bears kicked the ball deep and covered, Ryan's 26-yard rope would've been inconsequential.
If kicking off late is that dangerous, why don't teams squib kick the entire game? It's not like the Falcons had Devin Hester deep. The Bears surrendered way too much field position with the squib and deserved to lose. The squib kick is now an official member of the prevent defense, which prevents you from winning.
*1. I'm begging my friends and colleagues in the national media to write about the travesty in Kansas City, the continued employment of general manager Carl Peterson.
The man has been in power for 20 years and hasn't won a playoff game since 1993. No one writes about this tragedy and the pain endured by Chiefs fans.
Peter King, Jay Glazer, John Clayton, Mike Silver, Don Banks, Jeff Chadiha, Mike Smith, Pete Prisco, Mike Florio, Jim Trotter and Dr. Z, where are your voices speaking out on this issue?
Yes, I'm embarrassed that Peterson has remained employed while I write a column for the Kansas City Star. It's a stain on my resume. It makes my pimp hand look very, very weak. But I'm man enough to admit when I need help. Please help.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/8683040/10-Truths:-Tony,-Pacman-and-Jerry-...-oh,-my
Updated: October 16, 2008, 5:40 PM EST 792 comments add this RSS blog email Print
I apologize for the heavy focus on the Cowboys in my latest version of the NFL Truths, but I spent all week advising Roger Goodell on how to handle Pacman Jones. Roger was so impressed with my column last week that he flew to Kansas City to talk football with me.
The above is sarcasm. What's below is the truth.
10. The Cowboys would be foolish to stick Tony Romo out on the field with a splint on his pinkie finger.
According to reports, Romo wants to play with his injured finger. Brett Favre advised him to play if he thought he could endure the pain. Favre once played with a broken thumb.
The difference is Favre isn't a chronic fumbler. Romo fumbled three times last week. He dropped a snap on a field-goal attempt that would've won the Cowboys a playoff game. Romo needs to sit down and get healthy.
9. There's a myth that Jerry Jones is a bad personnel man. Nothing could be further from the truth, and his decision to grab receiver Roy Williams proves it.
If the Cowboys are going to be stuck with 50-year-old Brad Johnson at quarterback for the next three games, Roy Williams is the perfect midseason acquisition.
Johnson is not mobile. His arm strength is weak. His release is deliberate and a little low. What I just described is an absolute disaster for a team that is struggling with pass protection. Johnson will get knocked around, his passes will get batted down at the line of scrimmage and he'll throw up several floaters a game that could get intercepted.
Adding another big target to run around with Terrell Owens and Jason Witten gives Johnson a chance to survive. Owens, Witten, Williams and even running back Marion Barber are easy targets to identify when you're throwing from the phone booth. Owens, Witten and Williams all can go up and snag 50-50 balls.
The Cowboys will throw on first down off of play action in an attempt to give Johnson clear throwing lanes and big windows. They'll toss screens and run draws on third and manageable.
Jerry Jones is too aggressive in pursuing personnel. But he knows who to go get. Roy Williams, even with his questionable hands, is a great addition.
8. If Roger Goodell allows Pacman Jones to return to the Cowboys or the NFL this season or next year, I will not object.
I will trust Goodell's judgment that Pacman has taken a few steps to modify his behavior. The NFL does not need Pacman Jones. He's not a ratings-driving superstar. He's not Ray Lewis or Deion Sanders or Tom Brady.
If Goodell welcomes Pacman back, it's because the commissioner believes it's the right thing to do. This is America, the land of second, third, fourth and fifth opportunities. Pacman has a right to earn a living as long as he's not incarcerated.
If Pacman is serious about alcohol rehabilitation, takes responsibility for his behavior and doesn't need 24-hour secret-service protection, there's nothing wrong with bringing him back next season.
7. The officiating decision that pushed Dallas' game-tying field goal against the Cardinals five yards closer was one of the worst I've ever seen.
It was right before the end of regulation, the Cowboys were in their hurry-up offense and had just completed a huge pass play. An Arizona defender was hurt and was trying to limp off the field while the Cowboys hurried to the line of scrimmage to spike the football and stop the clock.
The refs should've stopped the game, as they do whenever a player is injured on the field. Instead, they flagged the Cardinals for illegal participation on a spike play when the limping defender was yards away from the play.
It was ridiculous. At all times the refs should be thinking about letting the players on the field decide the game.
6. Larry Fitzgerald is the best receiver in football. His five-catch, 79-yard, one-TD performance against the Cowboys was a thing of beauty.
The numbers don't tell the story. You had to see the leaping, twisting spectacular catches to understand Fitzgerald's greatness. Fitzgerald's body control and concentration are unmatched.
I can't come up with a name from the past to compare to Fitzgerald. He's better than Lynn Swann. Fitzgerald's game is nothing like Jerry Rice's. He catches contested passes better than Steve Largent. Comparing Fitzgerald to Keyshawn Johnson would be an insult, and Keyshawn was pretty damn good.
Fitzgerald is going to redefine the position.
5. I was blown away by Kurt Warner's toughness in the pocket against the Cowboys.
Warner looked like vintage Phil Simms on Sunday. At age 37, Warner held the football until the very last second and repeatedly delivered the ball with defenders in his face and at his legs. That takes real talent and courage.
When you're rich and middle-aged you generally lose the courage to take the kind of beating Warner absorbed on Sunday. Depending on what he does this year and next, Warner could cobble together a borderline Hall of Fame resume.
4. What would the reaction around the league be if Peyton Manning played for Bill Belichick and never acknowledged a second offseason surgery on his knee?
When Belichick is secretive about injuries we see it as an example of his deviousness and attempt to skirt NFL injury rules. When it happens on a Father Tony Dungy-coached team it's really no big deal.
Keep in mind, I'm a big fan of Father Tony. But I'm also a big fan of Belichick's. The two coaches aren't that different. They do what's in the best interest of their team and players. Dungy is a bit more pleasant about it. Belichick is a bit more effective.
3. I'm back on the Colts bandwagon. They're the best team in football.
The Cowboys have terrible chemistry.
The Tennessee Titans will not score at important times thanks to Kerry Collins.
Eli Manning is not — nor will he ever be — better than his older brother.
No way I'm taking Buffalo seriously.
Pittsburgh can't protect Ben Roethlisberger.
Bottom line: Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison are back. The Colts will get leads and that will unleash Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis to rush the passer.
2. I hate the squib kick at the end of games.
Matt Ryan made a great throw to put the Falcons in position to kick a game-winning field goal. But had the Bears kicked the ball deep and covered, Ryan's 26-yard rope would've been inconsequential.
If kicking off late is that dangerous, why don't teams squib kick the entire game? It's not like the Falcons had Devin Hester deep. The Bears surrendered way too much field position with the squib and deserved to lose. The squib kick is now an official member of the prevent defense, which prevents you from winning.
*1. I'm begging my friends and colleagues in the national media to write about the travesty in Kansas City, the continued employment of general manager Carl Peterson.
The man has been in power for 20 years and hasn't won a playoff game since 1993. No one writes about this tragedy and the pain endured by Chiefs fans.
Peter King, Jay Glazer, John Clayton, Mike Silver, Don Banks, Jeff Chadiha, Mike Smith, Pete Prisco, Mike Florio, Jim Trotter and Dr. Z, where are your voices speaking out on this issue?
Yes, I'm embarrassed that Peterson has remained employed while I write a column for the Kansas City Star. It's a stain on my resume. It makes my pimp hand look very, very weak. But I'm man enough to admit when I need help. Please help.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/8683040/10-Truths:-Tony,-Pacman-and-Jerry-...-oh,-my
