A Welcomed Return

I realize that every major sports outlet is talking about this but it has been made into a big topic. Michael Vick returned to action Thursday nigh in his first preseason game. No on could foresee Vick coming out on the second play of the game but with 15 seconds gone in the first quarter he trotted onto the field. Knowing how Philadelphia fans are I was expecting to hear some cheers and a lot of boos but to my surprise most of the crowd cheered him on as if he has been in that Eagles jersey for his whole career. Coach Andy Reid did a very smart thing getting him in early for a few reasons. One to get it over with and not having everyone wondering when he would play and also getting him some work with the first team offense. He also chose good plays for Vick to run nothing that would overwhelm him, he was in for 6 plays all in the first half they consisted of 4 passes which were all completed for 19 yards, a run for 1 yard and also lined him up as a slot receiver. Naturally SportsCenter showed all 6 plays and I find the formation when he or Donovan McNabb is in the slot because you have two players who can throw so you can’t count out a lateral to one and a bomb down the field.

As Vick gets more comfortable with the offense and gets back into football shape I’m sure we will start to see his speed and explosiveness come back. When he left the game 2 years ago he was the most dynamic QB to ever play the game and I’m sure he will regain that title. The only QB I see who can have the same effect on defensive is Pat White of the Miami Dolphins. Wouldn’t it be great to see those two teams playing each other, Vick the ultimate Wildcat threat and Miami the team that made the Wildcat so popular last year with Ronnie Brown running the show. Now after using a second round pick on White (who showed everyone with his last game at West Virginia and the combine that he can pass as well as run) they are an even more potent Wildcat team.

If you happened to catch the post game press conference it sure doesn’t seem that McNabb is too happy with the way they are integrating Vick into the lineup. This from the man who supposedly lobbied for Vick to come to Philadelphia and now he realizes that the more Vick is on the field the less snaps and play that McNabb will have. Even though Vick was out there for only 6 plays McNabb stated that it was hard for him to get in a comfort zone with his lineman, backs and receivers. If this is an extended thing how do you feel the Eagles are going to hold up the rest of the season. This will be an interesting dilemma to watch as Vick gets back into shape and gets even more plays under his belt.

Dallas Cowboys: An End to Misery

Optimism is riding high for me as it should for all Dallas Cowboy fans. We have sat and waited for the past 13 years for the 'Boys to make some noise in the playoffs and I'm feeling that this could be the year for them to do so. Yes I do realize that they are in a very difficult division with the New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins. Washington has gotten better on the defensive line with the signing of Albert Haynesworth but their offense isn't something to worry about until Jason Campbell can show he has made progress as a QB. Obviously as I wrote in my earlier post the Eagles signed Mike Vick which depending how things go will be a huge upgrade and their defense is always one of their strong suits. Well the other two have added players the Giants lost their top to receivers and will now have to rely on young inexperienced ones to contend with.

People can point out the fact that the Cowboys also lost their top receiving threat in Terrell Owens but I truly believe that with a full off-season under their belts Roy Williams and Tony Romo will finally be on the same page and should have a dynamic season together. Add in Romo's safety valve in All Pro Tight End Jason Witten and you have a duo that should compile at least 2,000 receiving yards together. Adding to a already potent offense Running Back Felix Jones is healthy again and adding him to the group with Marion Barber and Tashard Choice (who played exceptionally well in limited action last year) makes them perhaps the deepest and most talented RB group in the NFL. Now if one of the other wide outs can step up and play at a consistent level this could be one of the best offensive units.

In addition to that offensive the 'Boys had the 8th best defense last year in terms of yards per game. They do have a few new starters on all three levels of the defense with Igor Olshansky, Keith Brooking, Anthony Spencer, Mike Jenkins and Gerald Sensabaugh taking the places of Chris Canty, Zach Thomas, Greg Ellis, Anthony Henry and Roy L. Williams respectively. Even with so many new faces the Cowboys should improve on a defense that led the league with 59 sacks last year. With the addition of Sensabaugh they finally have two safeties that can cover receivers down the field which should result in their ability to blitz more that'll help generate more sacks and turnovers. With Terrance Newman anchoring one side and the maturity and added experience from both second year cornerbacks (Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick) the Cowboys should improve in coverage and get more than the 8 interceptions they had last year (which only Detroit and Denver has less).

Of course this defensive unit is led by arguably the best linebacker in the league DeMarcus Ware who attributed 20 of the teams 59 sacks not only is he a great pass rusher but he is great at stopping the run and is athletic enough to cover backs out of the back field. The only reason he didn’t win Defensive Player of the Year is because the team didn’t make it into the playoffs. (insane interception at the end of the video)

After a very disappointing season last year especially with the way that it ended a 44-6 thrashing to the Eagles which knocked them out of the playoff picture. The Cowboys have a lot to prove they must show everyone that they can win games with Owens and also that they can win games that matter at the end of the year (they haven’t had a winning record since 1996 which is coincidently the last time they won a playoff game). At the start of every new season I feel encouraged and hopeful that we’ll be able to relive the glory days of the ‘90s when the Cowboys were on top sadly each year we have all been disappointed but hopefully with a new stadium and a new focus the ‘Boys can show us why they are nicknamed America’s Team.



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Bitter Sweet

During the Arizona Cardinals Pittsburgh Steelers preseason game an announcement took place; something that got me thinking and mixed my emotions. Michael Vick is back in the NFL having signed a two year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles. My mixed emotions come from my happiness and excitement that Vick is back in the league. He is one player who I have always loved to watch dating back to his days at Virginia Tech. The only issue I have is why the Eagles as a diehard Cowboys fan I can't stand the thought that he will be lacing up against them twice a year. During the Monday Night Countdown special it was reported that the Cowboys could surprise people and try to acquire Vick. I realize that weeks ago Jerry Jones ruled out the intent to sign Vick but looking at Jones' history he has always rolled the dice (e.g. Tank Johnson, T.O. and Adam Jones). I believe that signing Vick would have been good for the 'Boys especially looking at how they did once Romo got hurt last year. I had dreams of lining Vick in the wildcat formation with Felix Jones I can't think of a better tandem in the wildcat then that. Both are playmakers who can juke you in the open field and then turn on the after burners and outrun you to the end zone. As much as I want Vick to play well and get his life back on a positive track it pains me accept the fact that he's going to a division rival. I know once Goddell fully reinstates him (which I hope is before week 6) I will follow his progress and be delighted to see if he can regain an ounce of his former talent.



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Importance of the Andre Miller Signing

As an avid NBA fan as well as a Portland, OR resident I'm not sure if people understand the importance of the Andre Miller siging which accured a few weeks back. For the last few years watching the Blazers move from the dweller of the NBA to a 54 win season. I've always felt that they were a good point guard away from being a regular playoff contender. Not taking anything away from current starting point guard Steve Blake, the Blazers needed someone who can direct the offense and take the burden of of Brandon Roy's shoulders. Looking over the entire roster the PG position had to be the weakest on the team. When you look at the center tandem of Oden and Pryzbilla, Fernandez and Roy at the 2, the plethora of small forwards (Webster, Batum, Outlaw even Fernandez can slide over to the 3) and with Aldridge at the 4 spot with news that Outlaw will be the primary backup there. Adding Miller who thrives in a more uptempo offense which the Blazers didn't really apply last year they have five position players who are athletic and can get out to fill the lanes. He's had some of his best years in Denver playing along side a mobile Marcus Camby, fleet footed Nene and a young Carmelo running with him. I have no doubt that Aldridge can fill the lanes better then most other PF in the game and don't count out Oden being healthy and getting out on the break ala Dwight Howard. Even has he grows older he is a bigger guard and better defensive player then Blake is. I don't think the Blazers will miss a step with Miller either coming off the bench or starting. The mixture of the two guards will bring a good change of pace that opponents will have to adjust to, as Blake is a better outside shooter than Miller. Not many people have dicussed this topic in the lue of the bigger free agents on the market (Turkoglu, Odom) and the trades of Shawon Marion and Vince Carter. The Blazers finished the season with a tie for the second most victories in the Western Conference and if they continue to improve as the have each of the last 4 years don't be too surprised if they get close to cracking the 60 win mark for the first time since they won 59 in 2000 when they lost to the Lakers in 7 games during the Western Conference finals. Adding a vetern leader and with the increased maturity of the young players that encompass the roster I see the Blazers getting out of the first round and being a team that most won't want to see in the playoffs. As long as everyone can manage to stay healthy they will have a young, talented, deep and hungry. The only questions I can forsee is how Coach McMillan will juggle the minutes to keep everyone happy, especailly with the return of Webster who was suppose to be a starter last season, and how injure plagued will they be again this season. All these issues and question will be answered once the season gets underway.

I'd love to hear your comments and thoughts on this so please feel free to express yourself.



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