FanNation - The Republic of Sport

It's just you man.

Steelers fan here. I think you're being a little optimistic, but not overly so, your projections are not impossible. Your division opponents are tough. If you can go 2-0 against any of them then I think that is a great accomplishment. Here is what may be the biggest key for Dallas: Their two toughest non-division opponents, in my opinion, are Carolina and San Diego, and they both have to come to Dallas to play the Boys. I think that might end up being huge. So, yeah, 12-4 isn't impossible. Ahhh, that's the beauty of the offseason, everything seems possible.

My apologies, I don't want to unduly intrude and invade another teams blog, but here's a quick invite to fellow NFL fans to check out what is probably the longest first round mock draft you've ever seen. Here's a sample:

8. Jacksonville Jaguars

04/15/09- Andre Smith OT. Yes, yes, I know all about Smith's Combine antics. In fact, his slide actually started before the Combine. But in the end I think: (1) the Jags aren't finished overhauling their O-line despite signing former Eagle Tra Thomas (who's no spring chicken himself), (2) there's no great value at this point in the draft for DT or 4-3 OLB, which are two positions of arguably greater need for the Jags, (3) the post-Combine developments (except for the shirtless running) may have helped stop Smith's freefall and allowed him to re-establish some momentum, and (4) Smith himself is just too much of a physical specimen and talent to fall very far when the recent drafting trend is to mortgage the farm for a cornerstone tackle. Everette Brown is still on the board as a 4-3 end, but hell will freeze over before the Jags spend their top 2009 pick on another end after going Derrick Harvey-Quentin Groves to open up their draft last year. Interestingly, some mock drafts project the Jags to go with one of the QBs (Stafford or Sanchez) here. Despite Garrard's struggles last year, I still think this is way too early to give up on him, which the Jags would ultimately be doing by sacrificing their high first round pick on a QB when they have so many other needs. Add all of this up, and I think the answer is "Andre Smith". He's the massive road grader that fits the prototypical RT mold, and is considered to have the potential to even take over the left side at some point. As a final thought, the Jags would have to be tempted if Crabtree or Maclin are still on the board on account of the near certainty that last year's leading receiver Matt Jones is going to be suspended again and possibly even imprisoned, but I'd still go with Smith over the receivers based on the relative importance of their positions.

That's why the draft is long, I'm trying to explain the basis for each pick as much as possible. Hey, you may disagree with me (that's fine, I enjoy a spirited debate as much as the next hardcore NFL fan), but at least I'm giving you the reasoning for my projections.

The link is: www.thenflheavysportsblogger.blogspot.com

Hope to hear your thoughts and predictions!

If Marion Barber is healthy the sky is the limit. See you tool bags in the playoffs!

11-5 Season with a trip to the superbowl.

Interesting thoughts, and I hope the 'Boys do better than you forecast. I think, after last years debacle, esp the last few games, these guys should be determined to not let it happen again.

So, assuming they don't want to be thoroughly embarrassed again, and determined to prove the naysayers wrong, they should be better than last year, even with Owens gone.

I say......ummmm.....better than 9-7, and at least one playoff win.

I'll know more by........say........December..................lol

Well, as I said to start....the Cowboys actually split every division game this year and that gives them 3 of their losses...I do think there are tricky games vs Carolina, SanDiego and the Saints but I feel this team can win each of those but knowing the NFL, they wont.

To the last poster....Dallas is better than the average team and how you think they have an average QB beats me.

Romo is only behind Manning and Brady over the last 2.5 seasons in yds, rating and Td's...last I looked, the only difference is a ring.

The question with Romo has never been talent. He has plenty of that.

You don't throw 81 touchdowns with 46 interceptions and have a passer rating of more than 90 in three consecutive seasons by accident.

Plus, he has been to the playoffs twice in three seasons as a starter.

Cowboys Fan Knocks Out DC Pedestrian Car flag dissing triggers Beatdown!

By JIM IOVINO
Updated 9:45 AM EDT, Wed, Apr 15, 2009

Don't mess with Texas ... or at least one Dallas Cowboys fan in northwest Washington,DC.

A man grabbed a Dallas Cowboys flag from a car that was stopped at a traffic light on L Street near Connecticut Avenue, threw it on the ground and was promptly punched in the face once the driver got out of his car.

One witness told the Washington Post she saw a "big, tall man walk up to this guy and hit him across the head." Then other witnesses said he walked back toward his car, picked up what presumably was the flag, and drove off.

As for the Cowboys hater? Well, he was down for the count.
"He was out cold for a good five minutes or so," one witness told the Post

QUOTE(#11):

Originally posted 09:24 AM ET  04.16 by Panama Red

Cowboys Fan Knocks Out DC Pedestrian Car flag dissing triggers Beatdown!By JIM IOVINO Updated 9:45 AM EDT, Wed, Apr 15, 2009Don't mess with Texas ... or at least one Dallas Cowboys fan in northwest Washington,DC.A man grabbed a Dallas Cowboys flag from a car that was stopped at a traffic light on L Street near Connecticut Avenue, threw it on the ground and was promptly punched in the face once the driver got out of his car.One witness told the Washington Post she saw a "big, tall man walk up to this guy and hit him across the head." Then other witnesses said he walked back toward his car, picked up what presumably was the flag, and drove off.As for the Cowboys hater? Well, he was down for the count."He was out cold for a good five minutes or so," one witness told the Post

I love both posts...seeing a Skins fan punched in the face while messing with a Boys fan was great...bet you he thinks twice before doing that again!

And, yes, Romo has the talent and know he needs the team to put it all together to get 1 playoff win behind them and that monkey off their back.

I seem to remember a guy named Peyton Manning that faced the same issues in Indy until he ultimately got his first playoff win and then a ring.

as a cowboy fan i'd love to seem them go 12-4 next season. as a realist, i just don't see this happening. based on their schedule, i'd say they are a 9-7 team at best. but, i'd love to be eating crow in january if they can pull off a 12-4 season. but they just have too many questionable areas that haven't exactly proven themselves in pressure games.

QUOTE(#10):

Originally posted 09:23 AM ET  04.16 by Panama Red

The question with Romo has never been talent. He has plenty of that. You don't throw 81 touchdowns with 46 interceptions and have a passer rating of more than 90 in three consecutive seasons by accident. Plus, he has been to the playoffs twice in three seasons as a starter.

and yes.... romo has talent. but romo also has questionable work/practice habits, constant mental mistakes, chokes in dec/jan games, and with his salary.... needs to hire a good PR person to teach him how to speak in postgame interviews. but i honestly wish him well next season!

QUOTE(#13):

Originally posted 11:50 AM ET  04.16 by DallasFan77

as a cowboy fan i'd love to seem them go 12-4 next season. as a realist, i just don't see this happening. based on their schedule, i'd say they are a 9-7 team at best. but, i'd love to be eating crow in january if they can pull off a 12-4 season. but they just have too many questionable areas that haven't exactly proven themselves in pressure games.

It's a new year. Compare 07 to 08. They were hell bent for leather in 07, and then injuries to key players stifled them for the most part in 08. Too many and too long. As JeffHart says, Peyton Manning didn't get his til several years later. This year likely won't be as bad as last. You have to keep the faith.

Pressure games? If the Buffalo game in 07 wasn't pressure filled, then I don't know what is. The last few games of last year should have taught them something. If they didn't learn anything, then they don't deserve to make the playoffs. Simple as that.

What is most people's main fear? The fear of the unknown, correct? Mine is being buried alive, but that has nothing to do with the unknown. The thing is, if you cannot control it, then why worry about it? You can also expect the worst, and not be surprised, or be optimistic and hope for the best.

As for me, I am hoping for the best.

you are correct bull_shirt. optimism is a better way to look at the future (wife tells me this often.) therefore, i too am hoping for the best and look forward to a 12-4 season w/ romo having an outstanding year!!

QUOTE(#14):

Originally posted 11:53 AM ET  04.16 by DallasFan77

and yes.... romo has talent. but romo also has questionable work/practice habits, constant mental mistakes, chokes in dec/jan games, and with his salary.... needs to hire a good PR person to teach him how to speak in postgame interviews. but i honestly wish him well next season!

Romo should not be questioned on his work/practice habits...he goes thru the offseason stuff more than anyone...

I think he gets that "rap" b/c of a vacation to Cabo before the playoffs that even the coach told him to take...

Choke is not the word I would use in the December swoon...some games are just not his fault...IE, the Baltimore loss...he brought them back, only to see Hamlin whiff on a takle that led two a 70+yd TD, not once but twice.

There are some areas where he gets blame....IE...the Seahawks fumbled snap game and the pick at the end of the Steeler game come to mind...and then there are other games where blame gets passed around completely...IE, the Eagles last year and the Giants game in Dallas in the playoffs.

Yes, Romo is my guy, but I look at him from a standpoint of where would we be if we did not have him and that was flat out ugly.

9-7 is easy to project, but lets not forget that this team is better than last, assuming Roy fills TO's shoes and we are assuming that Romo plays 16 games.

Give me 16 games w Romo and 10wins are in the books...11 or 12 are even more likely if they can get the Offense back to 2007.

They can go 16-0, but they never showed the mental fortitude to want to push themselves to the next level. They are a very frustrating team to watch and to root for. It really depends on how it shakes out, there are no gimmies in the schedule, and when they are the team isn't mentally tough enough to focus on what needs to be done (like with the Rams last year).

I hope they are at a championship caliber, but if not, I hope they are bad enough to bring some real changes at the coaching level. There is no reason that this collection of talent doesn't dominate every game.

the boys, 9-7. Should have never released Owens! He was the heart and soul of your team!

QUOTE(#19):

Originally posted 05:05 PM ET  04.16 by jerryjones

the boys, 9-7. Should have never released Owens! He was the heart and soul of your team!

Owens is indeed a tremendous athlete, but Michael Irvin he is not, nor will he ever be. Irvin, regardless of his flaws, was a team leader. Owens is not, and never will be. Watch and see if he don't start the same thing in Buffalo when he don't get the ball enough.

Same old song........4th verse