Texas Tech football players get a bellyful of channeling their inner pirate and learning how to swing their swords. Mike Leach saw to that over the last decade and still does.
Now the fictional East Dillon High Lions might be exposed to the same techniques. In his cameo appearance on the hit show “Friday Night Lights,’’ Leach admonishes East Dillon coach Eric Taylor (actor Kyle Chandler) for “losing his inner pirate’’ and not “swinging his sword’’ with conviction.
Credit the dialogue partly to Leach and a little to the show’s writers.
“It was kind of scripted and then it was kind of, ‘Well, here’s the scenario; do what you want,’ ’’ Leach said. “’Include this, this, this and this.’ Actually, in the original (filming), there’s stuff about Napoleon, Daniel Boone, grizzly bears, raccoons, a bunch of stuff. We covered a lot of bases, and they picked from what they wanted.’’
The new season of “Friday Night Lights’’ is available only to DirecTV subscribers, and the reruns will appear on NBC sometime next year. Or it can be viewed on YouTube (hint: Type in “Mike Leach inner pirate.’’)
Leach taped the scene at a filling station outside Austin the night before Tech played Texas in September. In it, he pulls up to a gas pump and asks the customer at the next bay directions to Lubbock. Then there’s a glimmer of recognition as Leach realizes he’s pulled alongside the despondent coach of downtrodden East Dillon.
And he launches into a lecture.
“You’ve lost your inner pirate,’’ Leach tells the high school coach. “Have you ever heard, ‘Swing your sword?’ ’’
Leach demonstrates what a good sword swinging should look like, then scolds the coach for swinging his weakly. Taylor had been down in the dumps over being reassigned from powerful Dillon High to recently reopened East Dillon with no resources and no talent base.
“A lot of things happen for a reason,’’ Leach goes on in the scene. “We don’t know why God wants it that way, but you can’t make the best out of it ’til you get back your inner pirate. You might be the luckiest man alive and not even know it.’’
Message — and gasoline — dispensed, he climbs into his SUV and drives off.
The whole encounter takes less than 60 seconds.
If only Tech players got the microwaved version.
“We’ve definitely had that,’’ senior cornerback Jamar Wall said. “One meeting (this year), that’s all we did was talk about waving the sword one way or another. They just got a small taste of it. We got hours of it.’’
One visual left on the cutting-room floor: Leach said he grabbed a burrito out of Taylor’s hand and tossed it away to get the coach’s attention. Actually, Leach said in the filming they “loaded him up with burritos,’’ and Leach pulled one away from the coach during several takes. But that didn’t wind up in the episode.
Leach had no trouble speaking from the heart, because he said his and his team’s inner pirate had been tested this season.
“I think it’s always tested,’’ he said. “I think it’s tested in practice. I think it’s tested individually and team-wise. I think you’ve got to keep battling away. You don’t ever want there to be a level of resignation where (players think), ‘Oh well, that’s it.’
“If you don’t enjoy the battle, and if you don’t enjoy going from one point to the next, you’re kind of in the wrong business. Football’s just designed to have one obstacle after the next. That’s why it exists to begin with. There’s going to be ups and downs, but you’ve got to enjoy battling it every day, I think.’’
Story courtesy of www.redraiders.com
November 10, 2009
IT'S USUALLY A WILD ONE WHEN TECH VISITS OSU...
The last time Texas Tech traveled to Stillwater, Okla., sparks flew both on and off the football field.
Tech and Oklahoma State combined for 1,328 yards and 94 points in the Cowboys’ 49-45 victory, which featured six ties, eight lead changes and plenty of fourth-quarter drama. OSU went ahead for good on a 54-yard touchdown reception by Brandon Pettigrew with 1:37 remaining, and then Mike Crabtree dropped what would have been a winning TD catch for Tech in the game’s waning seconds.
The postgame news conferences were just as wild as the finish. While OSU coach Mike Gundy was becoming a YouTube sensation with his “I’m a man. I’m 40!” tirade, in which he blasted a newspaper column about then-quarterback Bobby Reid, Tech coach Mike Leach went ballistic about a Red Raider defense that allowed 366 rushing yards.
It was just a Big 12 Conference opener, and each team finished league play at 4-4 that season, but the game could be considered a turning point for both programs. The Cowboys are a combined 16-6 in the last two seasons and have spent parts of both ranked among the national top 10, while the Red Raiders are 17-5 during that span and enjoyed arguably the most successful season in program history last fall.
It also was Lyle Setencich’s last game as Tech’s defensive coordinator, and under replacement Ruffin McNeill the unit has gradually gone from poor to respectable to pretty darn good. The Red Raiders are tied for fourth in the nation with 30 sacks this season.
“We became better the day that (McNeill) took over the defense,” Leach said on Monday, “(because of) the enthusiasm he brought and the ability of our players to tackle, and just the inspiration to play.”
Tech (6-3, 3-2 Big 12) and OSU (7-2, 4-1) will reunite at Boone Pickens Stadium on Saturday, and the game once again figures to be a turning point for both teams, at least in terms of how this season will play out. The Cowboys are second in the Big 12 South Division, one game behind undefeated Texas, while the Red Raiders are tied for third place with Oklahoma.
No. 17 OSU likely needs a win to remain in the top 25, while a win for the Raiders would almost certainly put them back in the rankings for the second time this year. And because each squad has the Sooners left on its schedule, this game is an opportunity neither wants to miss.
If the last few encounters in Stillwater are any indication, Saturday’s game – which is a prime-time matchup on ABC – should be another thriller. The last three Tech-OSU games there were decided by seven points or fewer, and the winning team scored at least 49 points in three of the last four.
“The games up there almost always take on a personality of their own, so it’s hard to say what will happen,” said Leach, who hasn’t won in Stillwater since his first trip in 2001. “We haven’t had any of them up there that weren’t pretty wild.”
The Raiders and Cowboys both average more than 34 points and 400 total yards per game, so look for more offensive fireworks. This time, though, let’s hope there aren’t any more explosions after the game
Story courtesy of www.redraiders.com
Tech and Oklahoma State combined for 1,328 yards and 94 points in the Cowboys’ 49-45 victory, which featured six ties, eight lead changes and plenty of fourth-quarter drama. OSU went ahead for good on a 54-yard touchdown reception by Brandon Pettigrew with 1:37 remaining, and then Mike Crabtree dropped what would have been a winning TD catch for Tech in the game’s waning seconds.
The postgame news conferences were just as wild as the finish. While OSU coach Mike Gundy was becoming a YouTube sensation with his “I’m a man. I’m 40!” tirade, in which he blasted a newspaper column about then-quarterback Bobby Reid, Tech coach Mike Leach went ballistic about a Red Raider defense that allowed 366 rushing yards.
It was just a Big 12 Conference opener, and each team finished league play at 4-4 that season, but the game could be considered a turning point for both programs. The Cowboys are a combined 16-6 in the last two seasons and have spent parts of both ranked among the national top 10, while the Red Raiders are 17-5 during that span and enjoyed arguably the most successful season in program history last fall.
It also was Lyle Setencich’s last game as Tech’s defensive coordinator, and under replacement Ruffin McNeill the unit has gradually gone from poor to respectable to pretty darn good. The Red Raiders are tied for fourth in the nation with 30 sacks this season.
“We became better the day that (McNeill) took over the defense,” Leach said on Monday, “(because of) the enthusiasm he brought and the ability of our players to tackle, and just the inspiration to play.”
Tech (6-3, 3-2 Big 12) and OSU (7-2, 4-1) will reunite at Boone Pickens Stadium on Saturday, and the game once again figures to be a turning point for both teams, at least in terms of how this season will play out. The Cowboys are second in the Big 12 South Division, one game behind undefeated Texas, while the Red Raiders are tied for third place with Oklahoma.
No. 17 OSU likely needs a win to remain in the top 25, while a win for the Raiders would almost certainly put them back in the rankings for the second time this year. And because each squad has the Sooners left on its schedule, this game is an opportunity neither wants to miss.
If the last few encounters in Stillwater are any indication, Saturday’s game – which is a prime-time matchup on ABC – should be another thriller. The last three Tech-OSU games there were decided by seven points or fewer, and the winning team scored at least 49 points in three of the last four.
“The games up there almost always take on a personality of their own, so it’s hard to say what will happen,” said Leach, who hasn’t won in Stillwater since his first trip in 2001. “We haven’t had any of them up there that weren’t pretty wild.”
The Raiders and Cowboys both average more than 34 points and 400 total yards per game, so look for more offensive fireworks. This time, though, let’s hope there aren’t any more explosions after the game
Story courtesy of www.redraiders.com
November 9, 2009
DALLAS COWBOYS EDGE EAGLES 20-16
PHILADELPHIA – Linebacker Bradie James said it best.
The Cowboys weren't out for revenge. They were out to right a wrong.
They were out to show they aren't the same dysfunctional, self-absorbed team that collapsed on this field to end its season 11 months ago.
Sunday night showed this season is far from over for the Cowboys. A 20-16 victory over Philadelphia at Lincoln Financial Field gave the Cowboys sole possession of first place in the NFC East at the midway point of the season.
"It's huge," said receiver Patrick Crayton, who had a huge, 64-yard reception that set up a field goal to end the first half. "Not because of last year, but because of where this puts us right now.
"It was a good test for our team."
These Cowboys are healthier and in a better place mentally than the team that was exposed, 44-6. Their competitive fire burns much brighter than it did that December afternoon.
The City of Brotherly Love has never shown much kindness to the Cowboys. Put 44-6 aside for a moment. The Cowboys had lost eight of their previous 10 games played in Philadelphia by an average of 17.7 points.
But here is a football fundamental: It's impossible to lose by that margin when the defense only allows 16 points and one touchdown.
Ten of the Cowboys' 20 points came off interceptions – one by safety Gerald Sensabaugh and another by cornerback Michael Jenkins, who continues to flourish as a starter.
Nose tackle Jay Ratliff led a defensive surge that allowed the Cowboys to keep an extra defender in their secondary.
Ratliff had two of the team's four sacks and tormented Donovan McNabb and the Eagles' offensive line all evening.
Philadelphia's offense thrives on big plays. Receiver DeSean Jackson, who had scored six touchdowns of 50 or more yards entering the game, has more to do with that identity than anyone.
Well, Philadelphia scraped together only two plays for more than 20 yards all night. Jackson was held to two catches for 29 yards and wasn't a factor.
Philadelphia did a good job of harassing Tony Romo and forced him to throw an interception, something he hadn't done in the previous three games. But he kept his cool and called on his magical connection with Miles Austin at a crucial moment.
Austin, who burst onto the NFL scene beginning with a record performance in an overtime win over Kansas City last month, was quiet most of this evening. He was without a catch entering the fourth quarter as Roy Williams – yes, Roy Williams – and Patrick Crayton hurt the Eagles secondary.
But with the score tied at 13-13, Austin asserted himself.
The Cowboys faced a third-and-14 with just more than eight minutes left when offensive coordinator Jason Garrett called for a slant-and-go. One of Romo's jobs was to sell the fake.
"They bit," Romo said.
Sheldon Brown bit the hardest. The Eagles cornerback turned inside and Austin blew by him on the outside. Romo hit Austin in stride and the receiver outraced the rest of the Philadelphia secondary to the end zone for a 49-yard touchdown and the winning points.
It was Austin's only catch of the game.
"Sometimes, you've just got to wait and let the game come to you," Austin said. "Take what they're giving you."
What has come the Cowboys' way is a string of four consecutive wins – their longest streak in two years – and a spot among the NFC's best teams. Dallas next travels to Green Bay to face the Packers, who lost to Tampa Bay on Sunday.
Several Cowboys said before the game they were curious to see where they stand in the NFC. Sunday's victory allows them to stand tall.
"We had a lot of confidence going in," coach Wade Phillips said. "We barely lost two games. I don't think we ever lost confidence, but I think we're getting better."
Story courtesy of www.dallasnews.com
The Cowboys weren't out for revenge. They were out to right a wrong.
They were out to show they aren't the same dysfunctional, self-absorbed team that collapsed on this field to end its season 11 months ago.
Sunday night showed this season is far from over for the Cowboys. A 20-16 victory over Philadelphia at Lincoln Financial Field gave the Cowboys sole possession of first place in the NFC East at the midway point of the season.
"It's huge," said receiver Patrick Crayton, who had a huge, 64-yard reception that set up a field goal to end the first half. "Not because of last year, but because of where this puts us right now.
"It was a good test for our team."
These Cowboys are healthier and in a better place mentally than the team that was exposed, 44-6. Their competitive fire burns much brighter than it did that December afternoon.
The City of Brotherly Love has never shown much kindness to the Cowboys. Put 44-6 aside for a moment. The Cowboys had lost eight of their previous 10 games played in Philadelphia by an average of 17.7 points.
But here is a football fundamental: It's impossible to lose by that margin when the defense only allows 16 points and one touchdown.
Ten of the Cowboys' 20 points came off interceptions – one by safety Gerald Sensabaugh and another by cornerback Michael Jenkins, who continues to flourish as a starter.
Nose tackle Jay Ratliff led a defensive surge that allowed the Cowboys to keep an extra defender in their secondary.
Ratliff had two of the team's four sacks and tormented Donovan McNabb and the Eagles' offensive line all evening.
Philadelphia's offense thrives on big plays. Receiver DeSean Jackson, who had scored six touchdowns of 50 or more yards entering the game, has more to do with that identity than anyone.
Well, Philadelphia scraped together only two plays for more than 20 yards all night. Jackson was held to two catches for 29 yards and wasn't a factor.
Philadelphia did a good job of harassing Tony Romo and forced him to throw an interception, something he hadn't done in the previous three games. But he kept his cool and called on his magical connection with Miles Austin at a crucial moment.
Austin, who burst onto the NFL scene beginning with a record performance in an overtime win over Kansas City last month, was quiet most of this evening. He was without a catch entering the fourth quarter as Roy Williams – yes, Roy Williams – and Patrick Crayton hurt the Eagles secondary.
But with the score tied at 13-13, Austin asserted himself.
The Cowboys faced a third-and-14 with just more than eight minutes left when offensive coordinator Jason Garrett called for a slant-and-go. One of Romo's jobs was to sell the fake.
"They bit," Romo said.
Sheldon Brown bit the hardest. The Eagles cornerback turned inside and Austin blew by him on the outside. Romo hit Austin in stride and the receiver outraced the rest of the Philadelphia secondary to the end zone for a 49-yard touchdown and the winning points.
It was Austin's only catch of the game.
"Sometimes, you've just got to wait and let the game come to you," Austin said. "Take what they're giving you."
What has come the Cowboys' way is a string of four consecutive wins – their longest streak in two years – and a spot among the NFC's best teams. Dallas next travels to Green Bay to face the Packers, who lost to Tampa Bay on Sunday.
Several Cowboys said before the game they were curious to see where they stand in the NFC. Sunday's victory allows them to stand tall.
"We had a lot of confidence going in," coach Wade Phillips said. "We barely lost two games. I don't think we ever lost confidence, but I think we're getting better."
Story courtesy of www.dallasnews.com
LAST 3 TECH GAMES WILL BE TELEVISED
Texas Tech announced Monday that its Big 12 Conference football game against Oklahoma State on Nov. 14 will start at 7 p.m. and be broadcast regionally on ABC (channel 28, Suddenlink Cable channel 8).
The game, which will be played at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., will be Tech’s seventh television appearance of the season and its fourth on ABC. The Red Raiders are 2-1 in games on ABC and 4-2 overall in televised games.
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Texas Tech’s Nov. 21 home game against Oklahoma and Nov. 28 neutral-site game against Baylor both will be televised by FSN, the Big 12 Conference’s television partners announced Monday.
The Tech-OU game will go in FSN’s 11:30 a.m. or 2 p.m. time slot. The determination will be made this weekend on six-day advance notice.
The Tech-Baylor game will kick off at 5 p.m. on Nov. 28 on FSN. The game is being played at the new Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.
Story courtesy of www.redraiders.com
The game, which will be played at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., will be Tech’s seventh television appearance of the season and its fourth on ABC. The Red Raiders are 2-1 in games on ABC and 4-2 overall in televised games.
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Texas Tech’s Nov. 21 home game against Oklahoma and Nov. 28 neutral-site game against Baylor both will be televised by FSN, the Big 12 Conference’s television partners announced Monday.
The Tech-OU game will go in FSN’s 11:30 a.m. or 2 p.m. time slot. The determination will be made this weekend on six-day advance notice.
The Tech-Baylor game will kick off at 5 p.m. on Nov. 28 on FSN. The game is being played at the new Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.
Story courtesy of www.redraiders.com
November 6, 2009
WEAKLY RETORT: WEEK 9
PsychoAg joins us again for another edition of the Weakly Retort. A fan favorite since 2005, the Retort takes a light-hearted look at the college football landscape, with a specific emphasis on the Big 12.
Introduction:
This is seriously driving me crazy because I am sick once again. I don’t know if it is giraffe flu, OU812 virus or just an old-fashioned cold, but my head is a fountain of crud (and I am not referring to this column), I feel like I have been hit by a truck (small truck, like a Chevy S-10) and I am coughing up more worthless gunk than an episode of Two and a Half Men. So, given that I am apparently a human Petri dish, I am taking suggestions on how to boost my immune system. And no, I am not going to take the Chase Daniel route, regardless of what Dr. Friedrich Bischinger says. So, with that said, it’s time to run the pick and roll and go around the Big XII.
20/20 Hindsight:
Nebraska 20 - Baylor 10
The Cornhuskers scored all that the needed in the first half and then withstood the Baylor onslaught in the second half (if you consider 10 points to be an onslaught.) They did this on the arm of freshman Cody Green who was brought in to replace junior Zac Lee after the Nebraska offense hasn’t been able to do jack squat for two weeks. And it still wasn’t pretty as Green goes 12 of 21 for 128 yards and a pick, but it was enough to be the folks in green as the Bears just can’t seem to get anything going now that their star quarterback is out of the season and they are using the third stringer, or as they call them in Waco, “the chaperone” That doesn’t really make sense, but I am leaving it in.
Missouri 36 - Colorado 17
This one was over at halftime as the Tigers jumped out to a 33 – 3 lead and coasted to the finish giving up a pair of touchdowns to the Buffalos in the second half. In the first half, the Missouri defense was all over Colorado like mosquitoes on a me, sacking the non-nepotistic quarterback Tyler Hansen four times and holding the buffs to a mere 55 yards of offense. This had to leave a bad taste in the mouth of Dan Hawkins, kind of like one of those cheap fish oil Omega 3 capsules that doesn’t have the coating on it, as the Colorado fans began to chant for his firing. Then halftime came, and some stuff happened in the parking lot, and then by the second half, things were a lot more melllllloooowww.
Texas A&M 35 - Iowa State 10
Jerrod Johnson showed that he can continue to put up great numbers against teams that don’t have “Kansas” as part of their name, going a remarkable 23 of 28 for 234 yards and 3 touchdowns by air, and adding another touchdown with his legs. The Aggies balanced this with 267 yards on the ground, and converted a ridiculous 10 of 13 third downs, which led to the punter spending the entire game on the bench at a school known primarily for producing NFL-caliber punters. Hooray. The Aggies could have made this one look even worse, but decided to take four consecutive knees starting on the ISU 2 yard line. The men in maroon also extended their “not on TV” record to 5 -0, while hoping to get off of their 0 – 3 “on TV” schnide next week.
Texas Tech 42 - Kansas 21
This one certainly didn’t start off like a matchup of highly touted offenses, with both sides showing less ball control than Ruffin McNeil’s boxers on Steven Sheffield, and each side punting five times in the first half. This was highly unusual for Mike Leach who once went an entire season of NCAA 2009 on PS3 without ever punting. Doege had some trouble holding on to the ball and getting his rhythm, which can largely be attributed to the left tackle position, which, regardless of who is playing there, seems to take the role of “Matador” literally as he deftly eludes the oncoming pass-rusher, which is the exact opposite of you want happening from the guy protecting the quarterback’s blindside. I did have one reader email me during the game asking if it was normal that he really wanted to see Ruffin McNeil and Mark Mangino mud wrestle. Given that Mark Mangino is the reason that October was left blank in the “Coaches of the Big XII Swimsuit Calendar”, I assured him that he should seek therapy. But Tech showed why I was nervous during the A&M game the week before as they showed the ability to fire off 28 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to salt the game away.
Oklahoma 42 - Kansas State 30
Like a newborn lovechild of Steve Buscemi and Sandra Bernhardt,
this one was really ugly really early and so I turned it off. However, unlike the certain worst odds holder for being dubbed America’s Top Model, this one got substantially better as it went along. The Sooners jumped out to a 21 – 0 first quarter lead, on the way to a 28 – 9 lead at half time. But the Wildcats made the game interesting in the third, scoring two touchdowns to pull within five. The two teams traded scores early in the fourth quarter as the Sooners found the endzone (which was right where it always was) only to have KSU return the kickoff 98 yards to close the gap back to five. I think one of the saddest aspects of this game was that Kansas State had two PATs blocked. Those are supposed to be automatic.
Texas 41 - Oklahoma State 14
Many (myself included) thought this could be a trap game for the frequently slow starting Longhorns and that they would be lucky to tiptoe into Stillwater and sneak away with a win. But the burnt oranges made their presence known, and not just in a mint-on-the-pillow and pointy-arrow-on-the-toilet-paper kind of way, but a full on kick-in-the-door and party like Kid Rock on Skittles hotel-room-destroying kind of way. It looks like you can forget all of the nasty things I have said about the Longhorns and Colt McCoy (except the thing about him looking like a Furby), because they are finally starting to look like a team that has it all together.
Click here to continue reading...
Story courtesy of psychoag at www.raiderpower.com
Introduction:
This is seriously driving me crazy because I am sick once again. I don’t know if it is giraffe flu, OU812 virus or just an old-fashioned cold, but my head is a fountain of crud (and I am not referring to this column), I feel like I have been hit by a truck (small truck, like a Chevy S-10) and I am coughing up more worthless gunk than an episode of Two and a Half Men. So, given that I am apparently a human Petri dish, I am taking suggestions on how to boost my immune system. And no, I am not going to take the Chase Daniel route, regardless of what Dr. Friedrich Bischinger says. So, with that said, it’s time to run the pick and roll and go around the Big XII.
20/20 Hindsight:
Nebraska 20 - Baylor 10
The Cornhuskers scored all that the needed in the first half and then withstood the Baylor onslaught in the second half (if you consider 10 points to be an onslaught.) They did this on the arm of freshman Cody Green who was brought in to replace junior Zac Lee after the Nebraska offense hasn’t been able to do jack squat for two weeks. And it still wasn’t pretty as Green goes 12 of 21 for 128 yards and a pick, but it was enough to be the folks in green as the Bears just can’t seem to get anything going now that their star quarterback is out of the season and they are using the third stringer, or as they call them in Waco, “the chaperone” That doesn’t really make sense, but I am leaving it in.
Missouri 36 - Colorado 17
This one was over at halftime as the Tigers jumped out to a 33 – 3 lead and coasted to the finish giving up a pair of touchdowns to the Buffalos in the second half. In the first half, the Missouri defense was all over Colorado like mosquitoes on a me, sacking the non-nepotistic quarterback Tyler Hansen four times and holding the buffs to a mere 55 yards of offense. This had to leave a bad taste in the mouth of Dan Hawkins, kind of like one of those cheap fish oil Omega 3 capsules that doesn’t have the coating on it, as the Colorado fans began to chant for his firing. Then halftime came, and some stuff happened in the parking lot, and then by the second half, things were a lot more melllllloooowww.
Texas A&M 35 - Iowa State 10
Jerrod Johnson showed that he can continue to put up great numbers against teams that don’t have “Kansas” as part of their name, going a remarkable 23 of 28 for 234 yards and 3 touchdowns by air, and adding another touchdown with his legs. The Aggies balanced this with 267 yards on the ground, and converted a ridiculous 10 of 13 third downs, which led to the punter spending the entire game on the bench at a school known primarily for producing NFL-caliber punters. Hooray. The Aggies could have made this one look even worse, but decided to take four consecutive knees starting on the ISU 2 yard line. The men in maroon also extended their “not on TV” record to 5 -0, while hoping to get off of their 0 – 3 “on TV” schnide next week.
Texas Tech 42 - Kansas 21
This one certainly didn’t start off like a matchup of highly touted offenses, with both sides showing less ball control than Ruffin McNeil’s boxers on Steven Sheffield, and each side punting five times in the first half. This was highly unusual for Mike Leach who once went an entire season of NCAA 2009 on PS3 without ever punting. Doege had some trouble holding on to the ball and getting his rhythm, which can largely be attributed to the left tackle position, which, regardless of who is playing there, seems to take the role of “Matador” literally as he deftly eludes the oncoming pass-rusher, which is the exact opposite of you want happening from the guy protecting the quarterback’s blindside. I did have one reader email me during the game asking if it was normal that he really wanted to see Ruffin McNeil and Mark Mangino mud wrestle. Given that Mark Mangino is the reason that October was left blank in the “Coaches of the Big XII Swimsuit Calendar”, I assured him that he should seek therapy. But Tech showed why I was nervous during the A&M game the week before as they showed the ability to fire off 28 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to salt the game away.
Oklahoma 42 - Kansas State 30
Like a newborn lovechild of Steve Buscemi and Sandra Bernhardt,
this one was really ugly really early and so I turned it off. However, unlike the certain worst odds holder for being dubbed America’s Top Model, this one got substantially better as it went along. The Sooners jumped out to a 21 – 0 first quarter lead, on the way to a 28 – 9 lead at half time. But the Wildcats made the game interesting in the third, scoring two touchdowns to pull within five. The two teams traded scores early in the fourth quarter as the Sooners found the endzone (which was right where it always was) only to have KSU return the kickoff 98 yards to close the gap back to five. I think one of the saddest aspects of this game was that Kansas State had two PATs blocked. Those are supposed to be automatic.
Texas 41 - Oklahoma State 14
Many (myself included) thought this could be a trap game for the frequently slow starting Longhorns and that they would be lucky to tiptoe into Stillwater and sneak away with a win. But the burnt oranges made their presence known, and not just in a mint-on-the-pillow and pointy-arrow-on-the-toilet-paper kind of way, but a full on kick-in-the-door and party like Kid Rock on Skittles hotel-room-destroying kind of way. It looks like you can forget all of the nasty things I have said about the Longhorns and Colt McCoy (except the thing about him looking like a Furby), because they are finally starting to look like a team that has it all together.
Click here to continue reading...
Story courtesy of psychoag at www.raiderpower.com
November 5, 2009
WILLIAMS SAYS HE IS STILL #1 WR
IRVING, Texas -- As I've always said, there's no one in the league who can do more with 19 yards receiving than Roy Williams. The Cowboys' "No. 1" wide receiver is in an awkward spot right now because the Cowboys are winning games while receiving little to no production from him.
Roy Williams still doesn't seem to be on the same page with quarterback Tony Romo.
Miles Austin has emerged as the Cowboys' most dangerous offensive weapon -- and he's understandably quarterback Tony Romo's favorite target right now. On Wednesday at Valley Ranch, Williams fielded question after question regarding why he and Romo don't appear to be on the same page.
"It's just not even close," Williams said of his on-field rapport with the quarterback. "It's not even funny. Not even close."
When I jokingly suggested a scenario in which his former Lions quarterback Jon Kitna was allowed to take the field on pass plays called for Williams, the wide receiver bit his lip and smiled. But the suggestion that perhaps Austin had become the team's No. 1 wide receiver drew a quick response from Williams.
"I'm the No. 1 receiver," Williams said. "But things are just going No. 2's way."
In 16 games with the Cowboys, Williams has 33 catches for 447 yards and three touchdowns -- or roughly a decent couple of games for Austin. To Williams' credit, he's never run from the questions. He knows better than anyone that last season's trade looks like a bust at this point and I think he'll do everything in his power to change that perception. But right now, he doesn't think he's getting the same types of opportunities as Austin.
"He gets the ball thrown correctly his way," Williams said of Austin. "I'm stretching and falling and doing everything. Everybody [else] who's been here's balls are there. Our footballs [from Romo to Williams] are everywhere right now."
But before we draw comparisons to a former complainer/wide receiver at Valley Ranch, I honestly think Williams is happy to be part of a winning team. He just feels like he could be doing more to help -- and it's easy to see why that's frustrating. Personally, I think that Romo's improvement in protecting the football may actually be hurting Williams' cause. Unlike a smaller, quicker receiver, Williams isn't going to get a lot of separation from cornerbacks. At times, you need to throw it to a spot and let him make a play on the ball.
Romo's not taking as many chances right now. In the big picture, that's helping the Cowboys. But it doesn't appear to be helping Roy Williams at all. If anyone disagrees with this amazing theory, please let me hear from you in the comments section. Your undying support in that section hasn't gone unnoticed.
Story courtesy of Matt Mosley with www.espn.com
Roy Williams still doesn't seem to be on the same page with quarterback Tony Romo.
Miles Austin has emerged as the Cowboys' most dangerous offensive weapon -- and he's understandably quarterback Tony Romo's favorite target right now. On Wednesday at Valley Ranch, Williams fielded question after question regarding why he and Romo don't appear to be on the same page.
"It's just not even close," Williams said of his on-field rapport with the quarterback. "It's not even funny. Not even close."
When I jokingly suggested a scenario in which his former Lions quarterback Jon Kitna was allowed to take the field on pass plays called for Williams, the wide receiver bit his lip and smiled. But the suggestion that perhaps Austin had become the team's No. 1 wide receiver drew a quick response from Williams.
"I'm the No. 1 receiver," Williams said. "But things are just going No. 2's way."
In 16 games with the Cowboys, Williams has 33 catches for 447 yards and three touchdowns -- or roughly a decent couple of games for Austin. To Williams' credit, he's never run from the questions. He knows better than anyone that last season's trade looks like a bust at this point and I think he'll do everything in his power to change that perception. But right now, he doesn't think he's getting the same types of opportunities as Austin.
"He gets the ball thrown correctly his way," Williams said of Austin. "I'm stretching and falling and doing everything. Everybody [else] who's been here's balls are there. Our footballs [from Romo to Williams] are everywhere right now."
But before we draw comparisons to a former complainer/wide receiver at Valley Ranch, I honestly think Williams is happy to be part of a winning team. He just feels like he could be doing more to help -- and it's easy to see why that's frustrating. Personally, I think that Romo's improvement in protecting the football may actually be hurting Williams' cause. Unlike a smaller, quicker receiver, Williams isn't going to get a lot of separation from cornerbacks. At times, you need to throw it to a spot and let him make a play on the ball.
Romo's not taking as many chances right now. In the big picture, that's helping the Cowboys. But it doesn't appear to be helping Roy Williams at all. If anyone disagrees with this amazing theory, please let me hear from you in the comments section. Your undying support in that section hasn't gone unnoticed.
Story courtesy of Matt Mosley with www.espn.com
ROY WILLIAMS DOESN'T KNOW WHAT IS WRONG
The Tony Romo-to-Roy Williams connection has been more miss than hit this season - and last - and each Wednesday Williams stands by his locker answering the same questions.
Again. And again. And again.
And Williams keeps saying the same thing: he doesn't know why they're not connecting. He didn't and hasn't taken shots at Tony Romo or Jason Garrett like you know who would have done. He hasn't sulked that much but every receiver wants the ball at least some so there is some frustration.
"I'm the No. 1 receiver, but things are just going No. 2s way," Williams said.
Try as some might, Williams hasn't jumped offside, so to speak.
"If you continue to work out every day, it'll pay off," Williams said. "It'll pay off one of these 16 games."
Story courtesy of www.dallasnews.com
Again. And again. And again.
And Williams keeps saying the same thing: he doesn't know why they're not connecting. He didn't and hasn't taken shots at Tony Romo or Jason Garrett like you know who would have done. He hasn't sulked that much but every receiver wants the ball at least some so there is some frustration.
"I'm the No. 1 receiver, but things are just going No. 2s way," Williams said.
Try as some might, Williams hasn't jumped offside, so to speak.
"If you continue to work out every day, it'll pay off," Williams said. "It'll pay off one of these 16 games."
Story courtesy of www.dallasnews.com
November 4, 2009
TEXAS RANGERS SETTLE ON CLINT HURDLE FOR NEW HITTING COACH
Former Colorado Rockies manager Clint Hurdle is expected to be named the Rangers hitting coach, three sources said Tuesday.
Hurdle emerged from a group of four finalists that also included Thad Bosley, Gerald Perry and Rusty Greer, the sources said. Each interviewed Monday at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.
Hurdle declined comment Tuesday night, and general manager Jon Daniels said the Rangers haven't settled on who will replace Rudy Jaramillo.
The Rangers have not told any of the candidates that they have been eliminated from consideration.
"We have not yet offered the job to anyone," Daniels said. "We're finishing up our due diligence. When we've made a final decision, we'll communicate first to the four candidates and then make an annoucement."
That annoucement probably is on hold until after the World Series. The Rangers are content to obey the wishes of Major League Baseball, which requests that teams avoid making news on World Series game days.
Hurdle could be introduced Thursday if New York beats Philadelphia tonight and clinches the world title. But if the Phillies force a seventh game, the Rangers' announcement would be on hold until Friday.
Story courtesy of www.dallasnews.com
Hurdle emerged from a group of four finalists that also included Thad Bosley, Gerald Perry and Rusty Greer, the sources said. Each interviewed Monday at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.
Hurdle declined comment Tuesday night, and general manager Jon Daniels said the Rangers haven't settled on who will replace Rudy Jaramillo.
The Rangers have not told any of the candidates that they have been eliminated from consideration.
"We have not yet offered the job to anyone," Daniels said. "We're finishing up our due diligence. When we've made a final decision, we'll communicate first to the four candidates and then make an annoucement."
That annoucement probably is on hold until after the World Series. The Rangers are content to obey the wishes of Major League Baseball, which requests that teams avoid making news on World Series game days.
Hurdle could be introduced Thursday if New York beats Philadelphia tonight and clinches the world title. But if the Phillies force a seventh game, the Rangers' announcement would be on hold until Friday.
Story courtesy of www.dallasnews.com
November 3, 2009
RANGERS FORMER PICHER PADILLA SHOT SELF IN FOOT
MANAGUA, Nicaragua– Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Vicente Padilla accidentally shot himself in the leg in Nicaragua.
Dr. Eduardo Reguera said Padilla didn't need surgery after spending time at Managua's Metropolitan Hospital.
Police spokesman Vilma Reyes said Wednesday that Padilla's pistol apparently jammed during a target shooting session late Tuesday. Padilla was trying to clear a round from the chamber when the pistol went off.
His agent, Adam Katz, told The Los Angeles Times that it was a "hunting accident."
Padilla went 4-0 with a 3.20 ERA for the Dodgers the final two months of the regular season after pitching the start of the season with the Texas Rangers. He allowed one run in 7 1/3 innings in Game 2 of the NL Championship Series, but was battered for six runs in three innings in a season-ending loss to the Phillies.
Story courtesy of www.dallasnews.com
Dr. Eduardo Reguera said Padilla didn't need surgery after spending time at Managua's Metropolitan Hospital.
Police spokesman Vilma Reyes said Wednesday that Padilla's pistol apparently jammed during a target shooting session late Tuesday. Padilla was trying to clear a round from the chamber when the pistol went off.
His agent, Adam Katz, told The Los Angeles Times that it was a "hunting accident."
Padilla went 4-0 with a 3.20 ERA for the Dodgers the final two months of the regular season after pitching the start of the season with the Texas Rangers. He allowed one run in 7 1/3 innings in Game 2 of the NL Championship Series, but was battered for six runs in three innings in a season-ending loss to the Phillies.
Story courtesy of www.dallasnews.com
COWBOYS FILLING ROLES WELL
Tony Romo was undrafted. So were Miles Austin, Sam Hurd and Stephen Bowen. Marc Colombo was out of work when he signed with the Cowboys in 2004. Junior Siavii hadn't played in a regular-season game since 2005.
Patrick Crayton was a seventh-round pick. Jay Ratliff was a seventh rounder. Deon Anderson was a sixth rounder. So was Nick Folk. Alan Ball was a seventh round pick. Orlando Scandrick was a fifth rounder. Tashard Choice was taken in the fourth round.
They have all had some versions of NFL success, changing their circumstances in a lot of ways, but Patrick Crayton believes those backgrounds help the team now.
"You've got a bunch of guys that come from I'd say very, very humble beginnings and have actually been a little successful and I think we've gelled pretty good," Crayton said. "The core of this team is pretty good and that's what we're trying to achieve. You play this game for one reason and one reason only and that's to win rings. You want to enjoy the ride all the way and enjoy the camaraderie and the guys you come into contact with but the ultimate goal is to lift the Lombardi Trophy and put a ring on your finger."
I'm not a "team chemistry" guy. I think chemistry is borne out of winning, not the other way around. Wade Phillips was asked if the chemistry is better this year and he didn't say so, but he had a good answer.
"They are hard workers and we have a lot of guys that play a role, whatever that is," Phillips said. "They accept it and they try to do really well at their role. so I think that's a good sign from our team."
Story courtesy of www.dallasnews.com
Patrick Crayton was a seventh-round pick. Jay Ratliff was a seventh rounder. Deon Anderson was a sixth rounder. So was Nick Folk. Alan Ball was a seventh round pick. Orlando Scandrick was a fifth rounder. Tashard Choice was taken in the fourth round.
They have all had some versions of NFL success, changing their circumstances in a lot of ways, but Patrick Crayton believes those backgrounds help the team now.
"You've got a bunch of guys that come from I'd say very, very humble beginnings and have actually been a little successful and I think we've gelled pretty good," Crayton said. "The core of this team is pretty good and that's what we're trying to achieve. You play this game for one reason and one reason only and that's to win rings. You want to enjoy the ride all the way and enjoy the camaraderie and the guys you come into contact with but the ultimate goal is to lift the Lombardi Trophy and put a ring on your finger."
I'm not a "team chemistry" guy. I think chemistry is borne out of winning, not the other way around. Wade Phillips was asked if the chemistry is better this year and he didn't say so, but he had a good answer.
"They are hard workers and we have a lot of guys that play a role, whatever that is," Phillips said. "They accept it and they try to do really well at their role. so I think that's a good sign from our team."
Story courtesy of www.dallasnews.com
DALLAS COWBOYS SUCCESS SEEMS TO BE CATCHING
ARLINGTON We spent all off-season trying to figure out what the heck Jerry Jones meant by "Romo Friendly."
Now, we know.
Every question you've had about the phrase Jerry coined while explaining the reasons for T.O.'s release should've been answered Sunday in the Cowboys' 38-17 blowout win over Seattle.
This is all you need to know: One minute into the second quarter, Romo had completed passes to Jason Witten, Miles Austin, Patrick Crayton, Sam Hurd and Roy Williams.
Uh-huh. That's right. Much-maligned Roy Williams caught a pass in the first quarter. Heck, he even caught a touchdown pass in the third quarter.
Forgive me, I digress.
The point is that wherever the coverage took away receivers, Romo successfully went the other way with the ball.
Hence, "Romo Friendly."
Romo took that approach the entire day, finishing the game 21-of-36 for 256 yards with three touchdowns, no interceptions and his third consecutive passer rating of more than 100.
Ten players caught passes, and Romo can drop back and throw the ball wherever he wants without worrying about appeasing T.O.'s ego. This is the Romo we saw in 2007, when he strung together seven consecutive games with a passer rating of at least 100.
Actually, the Romo we've seen the last three games is better because he's not making dumb decisions. This Romo has not thrown an interception in 120 pass attempts, spanning 13 quarters.
This is the first time Romo has gone three games without an interception.
Wow.
"He's playing great," Crayton said. "He's in control. He's making plays and not making mistakes."
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Story couretsy of www.dallasnews.com
Now, we know.
Every question you've had about the phrase Jerry coined while explaining the reasons for T.O.'s release should've been answered Sunday in the Cowboys' 38-17 blowout win over Seattle.
This is all you need to know: One minute into the second quarter, Romo had completed passes to Jason Witten, Miles Austin, Patrick Crayton, Sam Hurd and Roy Williams.
Uh-huh. That's right. Much-maligned Roy Williams caught a pass in the first quarter. Heck, he even caught a touchdown pass in the third quarter.
Forgive me, I digress.
The point is that wherever the coverage took away receivers, Romo successfully went the other way with the ball.
Hence, "Romo Friendly."
Romo took that approach the entire day, finishing the game 21-of-36 for 256 yards with three touchdowns, no interceptions and his third consecutive passer rating of more than 100.
Ten players caught passes, and Romo can drop back and throw the ball wherever he wants without worrying about appeasing T.O.'s ego. This is the Romo we saw in 2007, when he strung together seven consecutive games with a passer rating of at least 100.
Actually, the Romo we've seen the last three games is better because he's not making dumb decisions. This Romo has not thrown an interception in 120 pass attempts, spanning 13 quarters.
This is the first time Romo has gone three games without an interception.
Wow.
"He's playing great," Crayton said. "He's in control. He's making plays and not making mistakes."
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Story couretsy of www.dallasnews.com
SHEFFIELD OUT LONGER THAN INITIALLY REPORTED
The Texas Tech football team will have to do without quarterback Steven Sheffield for a while longer.
A source who initially confirmed Sheffield would be out at least two to three weeks said that time frame “was probably unrealistic.’’
Another said, “The four weeks will probably be pushing it, but hopefully he can get there.’’
Tech has an open date this weekend. The Red Raiders’ next game is Nov. 14 at Oklahoma State, four weeks after Sheffield’s injury. He probably would need at least a week of practice with the offense before getting back into a game.
Sheffield, who gave the team a lift during a three-game winning streak at the beginning of October, remained on crutches on the sideline Saturday during Tech’s 42-21 victory against Kansas. Seth Doege made his first career start in that game, but he was replaced by Taylor Potts for the entire second half.
“The quarterback, whoever is in there, doesn’t really dictate what we do as far as receivers, (offensive) linemen, running backs,’’ running back Baron Batch said after the game. “We’ve just got to do what we do, whoever’s in there. Once we do that consistently, play in and play out, we’re going to make plays.’’
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Story courtesy of www.redraiders.com
A source who initially confirmed Sheffield would be out at least two to three weeks said that time frame “was probably unrealistic.’’
Another said, “The four weeks will probably be pushing it, but hopefully he can get there.’’
Tech has an open date this weekend. The Red Raiders’ next game is Nov. 14 at Oklahoma State, four weeks after Sheffield’s injury. He probably would need at least a week of practice with the offense before getting back into a game.
Sheffield, who gave the team a lift during a three-game winning streak at the beginning of October, remained on crutches on the sideline Saturday during Tech’s 42-21 victory against Kansas. Seth Doege made his first career start in that game, but he was replaced by Taylor Potts for the entire second half.
“The quarterback, whoever is in there, doesn’t really dictate what we do as far as receivers, (offensive) linemen, running backs,’’ running back Baron Batch said after the game. “We’ve just got to do what we do, whoever’s in there. Once we do that consistently, play in and play out, we’re going to make plays.’’
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Story courtesy of www.redraiders.com
November 2, 2009
DALLAS WIN VS. SEATTLE HELPS WITH PHILLY TRIP LOOMING
ARLINGTON – With each Cowboys victory, the stakes increase and the stages grow larger. It just can't get much bigger than a battle for first place with the Eagles in Philadelphia next Sunday.
Unless maybe it was last year's battle there for second.
The Cowboys mostly like to forget about the season-ending 44-6 defeat that allowed the Eagles to reach the playoffs as the NFC's last wild-card team rather than Dallas. As coach Wade Phillips said about last season in training camp, "It is what it was."
But with a three-game winning streak after Sunday's 38-17 victory over Seattle, and with young playmakers enjoying new levels of success, the Cowboys may actually use the frustration of last year's elimination game as a springboard for success.
"Trust me, that 44-6 game is going to be in our heads," Patrick Crayton said after becoming the first Cowboy to return punts for touchdowns in back-to-back games.
In a league in which teams use free agency to fill gaps and collect draft picks to cut costs, rosters get overhauled quickly. Longstanding grudges don't hold.
But it's not necessarily the history of the Cowboys-Eagles rivalry that Sunday night's game at Lincoln Financial Field is all about.
"You couldn't talk about something that happened in a game two years ago or three years ago," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. "There are not enough people in this room that were around. But a ton of players and coaches here remember last year.
"And I think we'll benefit from that."
The Cowboys will need any form of motivation they can find. The Eagles may be just two weeks removed from an inexplicable loss to Oakland. But after coasting through a Monday night win in Washington, the Eagles hit full speed with a 30-point first half in their 40-17 destruction of the New York Giants on Sunday.
If Marion Barber and Felix Jones were good in the Cowboys' backfield Sunday, first-round pick LeSean McCoy and unknown Leonard Weaver were even better in gaining more than 150 yards rushing against New York.
If Tony Romo was very solid in collecting his 256 passing yards and three touchdowns Sunday, Donovan McNabb was just as productive, reaching 240 and three TDs, but with 13 fewer attempts.
But if the Eagles' 23-point victory over the Giants was slightly more impressive than the Cowboys' 21-point win over Seattle, it makes no real difference. Both are 5-2, one-half game ahead of the Giants, and the team that plays better Sunday night hits the halfway point of the season in first place.
"Philly's gonna be a challenge because the last couple of weeks we haven't faced a defense like Philly's," tight end Martellus Bennett said. "But you've got to win three in a row to call it a streak, so we're hot right now."
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Story courtesy of www.dallasnews.com
Unless maybe it was last year's battle there for second.
The Cowboys mostly like to forget about the season-ending 44-6 defeat that allowed the Eagles to reach the playoffs as the NFC's last wild-card team rather than Dallas. As coach Wade Phillips said about last season in training camp, "It is what it was."
But with a three-game winning streak after Sunday's 38-17 victory over Seattle, and with young playmakers enjoying new levels of success, the Cowboys may actually use the frustration of last year's elimination game as a springboard for success.
"Trust me, that 44-6 game is going to be in our heads," Patrick Crayton said after becoming the first Cowboy to return punts for touchdowns in back-to-back games.
In a league in which teams use free agency to fill gaps and collect draft picks to cut costs, rosters get overhauled quickly. Longstanding grudges don't hold.
But it's not necessarily the history of the Cowboys-Eagles rivalry that Sunday night's game at Lincoln Financial Field is all about.
"You couldn't talk about something that happened in a game two years ago or three years ago," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. "There are not enough people in this room that were around. But a ton of players and coaches here remember last year.
"And I think we'll benefit from that."
The Cowboys will need any form of motivation they can find. The Eagles may be just two weeks removed from an inexplicable loss to Oakland. But after coasting through a Monday night win in Washington, the Eagles hit full speed with a 30-point first half in their 40-17 destruction of the New York Giants on Sunday.
If Marion Barber and Felix Jones were good in the Cowboys' backfield Sunday, first-round pick LeSean McCoy and unknown Leonard Weaver were even better in gaining more than 150 yards rushing against New York.
If Tony Romo was very solid in collecting his 256 passing yards and three touchdowns Sunday, Donovan McNabb was just as productive, reaching 240 and three TDs, but with 13 fewer attempts.
But if the Eagles' 23-point victory over the Giants was slightly more impressive than the Cowboys' 21-point win over Seattle, it makes no real difference. Both are 5-2, one-half game ahead of the Giants, and the team that plays better Sunday night hits the halfway point of the season in first place.
"Philly's gonna be a challenge because the last couple of weeks we haven't faced a defense like Philly's," tight end Martellus Bennett said. "But you've got to win three in a row to call it a streak, so we're hot right now."
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Story courtesy of www.dallasnews.com
BATCH BIG 12 CO-OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
The Big 12 Conference on Monday named Baron Batch as its co-Offensive Player of the Week.
Batch, a junior running back from Midland, rushed for 123 yards and a career-high four touchdowns on only 17 carries in Saturday’s 42-21 win over Kansas at Jones AT&T Stadium. He had 106 yards and three TDs in the fourth quarter, when the Red Raiders stormed back from a seven-point deficit.
Batch, who shared the honor with Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones of Artesia, N.M., is the fourth Tech player to receive one of the Big 12’s weekly awards this season. Quarterbacks Taylor Potts and Steven Sheffield have been offensive players of the week, and defensive end Brandon Sharpe was co-defensive player of the week after the Nebraska game.
Story courtesy of www.redraiders.com
Batch, a junior running back from Midland, rushed for 123 yards and a career-high four touchdowns on only 17 carries in Saturday’s 42-21 win over Kansas at Jones AT&T Stadium. He had 106 yards and three TDs in the fourth quarter, when the Red Raiders stormed back from a seven-point deficit.
Batch, who shared the honor with Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones of Artesia, N.M., is the fourth Tech player to receive one of the Big 12’s weekly awards this season. Quarterbacks Taylor Potts and Steven Sheffield have been offensive players of the week, and defensive end Brandon Sharpe was co-defensive player of the week after the Nebraska game.
Story courtesy of www.redraiders.com
TEXAS TECH VS. OSU GAME SELECTED FOR ABC PRIME-TIME
Texas Tech announced Monday that its Big 12 Conference football game against Oklahoma State on Nov. 14 will start at 7 p.m. and be broadcast regionally on ABC (channel 28, Suddenlink Cable channel 8).
The game, which will be played at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., will be Tech’s seventh television appearance of the season and its fourth on ABC. The Red Raiders are 2-1 in games on ABC and 4-2 overall in televised games.
The Red Raiders (6-3, 3-2 Big 12) have won nine of their last 12 meetings with the Cowboys (6-2, 3-1), but have not won in Stillwater since 2001. Tech won last year’s game, which also was a prime-time meeting on ABC, 56-20 in Lubbock.
Story courtesy of www.redraiders.com
The game, which will be played at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., will be Tech’s seventh television appearance of the season and its fourth on ABC. The Red Raiders are 2-1 in games on ABC and 4-2 overall in televised games.
The Red Raiders (6-3, 3-2 Big 12) have won nine of their last 12 meetings with the Cowboys (6-2, 3-1), but have not won in Stillwater since 2001. Tech won last year’s game, which also was a prime-time meeting on ABC, 56-20 in Lubbock.
Story courtesy of www.redraiders.com
November 1, 2009
COWBOYS SLAY SEATTLE 38-17
ARLINGTON – When the offense clicks, when the Cowboys impose their will on a game the way the scheme is designed, it's more Las Vegas than NFL.
Quarterback Tony Romo likens it to a game of roulette. Spin the wheel and get the ball to whomever's number comes up.
So many numbers came up Sunday, it was hard to keep count.
The Cowboys built toward next week's showdown in Philadelphia with another strong performance. A 38-17 victory over Seattle gave the Cowboys a three-game winning streak for the first time in nearly a year and thrust them into a tie atop the NFC East with the Eagles.
"I think we're ready for a game like that," owner Jerry Jones said.
The offense appears ready. The Cowboys scored more than 30 points for the fourth time this season and have amassed 2,878 yards in their 5-2 start. That's the most yards the team has gained through seven games in 33 years and the third most in their rich history.
"I like that this team is explosive in that we're going along, kind of rocking along, then all of a sudden we're way ahead," head coach Wade Phillips said. "The ability to do that can make you a good football team."
The ability to spread the ball around can do that as well.
Ten different players caught passes for the Cowboys. Six different players ran the ball. The team managed 362 yards on offense with no individual above 61 yards.
Seattle's defense put more pressure on Romo than any game he seen this season. The safeties played back to take away Miles Austin and the deep pass.
The Cowboys responded by working underneath all afternoon.
"If they take away something, we've got to be good enough to do something else," Romo said. "The system is in place to have those options.
"You are seeing that we have different people who do different things well, and we're giving them the ball in those situations."
Another key is protecting the ball. Romo has gone three consecutive games without an interception for the first time in his NFL career. He has completed 62.6 percent of his passes for 918 yards with eight touchdowns in this stretch.
"It's the old saying, either you can do it or you can't," Romo said. "Either you're good enough to do it and see it and not throw the ball to the other team, or you're not.
"I'm just seeing things. Simple as that."
Something else that is simple: the Cowboys have won their last two games by a total of 37 points because the defense and special teams have stepped up.
The Seahawks managed just 79 yards on the ground and had only one receiver crack 40 yards through the air. The Cowboys sacked quarterback Matt Hasselbeck three times and forced two fumbles, one of which set up a short touchdown drive for the offense.
Patrick Crayton returned a punt for a touchdown for the second consecutive game and the kicking game kept Seattle pinned deep in its own territory for most of the afternoon.
"Everyone's going to be drinking the Cowboys Kool-Aid here and telling us how great we are and how good we're doing," linebacker Keith Brooking said. "As long as we prepare the way we've been preparing and come out on the field with confidence on Sunday, we're going to be right where we want to be.
"We are just now starting to see all of the hard work and sacrifices we've made come to fruition. It's a good feeling."
Now, the Cowboys return to the scene of one of their worst feelings.
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Story courtesy of www.dallasnews.com
Quarterback Tony Romo likens it to a game of roulette. Spin the wheel and get the ball to whomever's number comes up.
So many numbers came up Sunday, it was hard to keep count.
The Cowboys built toward next week's showdown in Philadelphia with another strong performance. A 38-17 victory over Seattle gave the Cowboys a three-game winning streak for the first time in nearly a year and thrust them into a tie atop the NFC East with the Eagles.
"I think we're ready for a game like that," owner Jerry Jones said.
The offense appears ready. The Cowboys scored more than 30 points for the fourth time this season and have amassed 2,878 yards in their 5-2 start. That's the most yards the team has gained through seven games in 33 years and the third most in their rich history.
"I like that this team is explosive in that we're going along, kind of rocking along, then all of a sudden we're way ahead," head coach Wade Phillips said. "The ability to do that can make you a good football team."
The ability to spread the ball around can do that as well.
Ten different players caught passes for the Cowboys. Six different players ran the ball. The team managed 362 yards on offense with no individual above 61 yards.
Seattle's defense put more pressure on Romo than any game he seen this season. The safeties played back to take away Miles Austin and the deep pass.
The Cowboys responded by working underneath all afternoon.
"If they take away something, we've got to be good enough to do something else," Romo said. "The system is in place to have those options.
"You are seeing that we have different people who do different things well, and we're giving them the ball in those situations."
Another key is protecting the ball. Romo has gone three consecutive games without an interception for the first time in his NFL career. He has completed 62.6 percent of his passes for 918 yards with eight touchdowns in this stretch.
"It's the old saying, either you can do it or you can't," Romo said. "Either you're good enough to do it and see it and not throw the ball to the other team, or you're not.
"I'm just seeing things. Simple as that."
Something else that is simple: the Cowboys have won their last two games by a total of 37 points because the defense and special teams have stepped up.
The Seahawks managed just 79 yards on the ground and had only one receiver crack 40 yards through the air. The Cowboys sacked quarterback Matt Hasselbeck three times and forced two fumbles, one of which set up a short touchdown drive for the offense.
Patrick Crayton returned a punt for a touchdown for the second consecutive game and the kicking game kept Seattle pinned deep in its own territory for most of the afternoon.
"Everyone's going to be drinking the Cowboys Kool-Aid here and telling us how great we are and how good we're doing," linebacker Keith Brooking said. "As long as we prepare the way we've been preparing and come out on the field with confidence on Sunday, we're going to be right where we want to be.
"We are just now starting to see all of the hard work and sacrifices we've made come to fruition. It's a good feeling."
Now, the Cowboys return to the scene of one of their worst feelings.
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MORE TREATS THAN TRICKS IN TECH WIN VS. KANSAS
That was one crazy Halloween afternoon at Jones AT&T Stadium.
I saw Kansas quarterback Todd Reesing, a savvy senior with 25 wins as a starter including one in the Orange Bowl, benched in the fourth quarter before the door was completely closed on the Jayhawks. I saw Texas Tech coach Mike Leach change quarterbacks at halftime, just because the starter wasn’t in a groove, a personnel move that never used to happen around here.
I saw Mike get choked up talking about Spike. And nothing wrong with that, but I think it caught some people in the interview room off-guard.
Oh, and in a game that matched the fourth- and fifth-ranked offenses in the country, defense ruled.
When I came to the stadium on Saturday, I didn’t expect to see any of that, much less all of it. At least the Red Raiders were the team celebrating after a 42-21 win. With this team getting stripped of parts from one week to the next, this year looks less and less like last year’s storybook season all the time, so the Red Raiders deserved to party on Halloween night. Not just because they shut down a team with good offensive skill people, but because Tech’s flaws, not all of which are under their control, are hard to ignore.
Win despite those flaws, overcome them, and it’s all the more rewarding.
For the rest of the season, they might just have to live with a patchwork offensive line. Saturday’s development: Playing out of his natural position at left tackle, Marlon Winn struggled mightily enough to force an in-game move back to right tackle. That bumped LaAdrian Waddle, the freshman whose redshirt Leach burned only last week, out of the game. Brandon Carter got hurt on the second play, returned for most of the second half, then limped off again with three minutes left in the game.
Not exactly a lovely Saturday for your two most experienced offensive linemen.
Just ask quarterback Seth Doege. Leach called a halt to Doege’s first career start at halftime with him struggling behind inadequate pass protection.
To the linemen’s credit, they showed something, rallying from a lousy first half to a superior second half when their run blocking for Baron Batch made all the difference.
And the whose-the-guy-this-week at quarterback’s not over either.
Don’t look for Steven Sheffield, who gave the team such a spark at midseason, to be back from the broken foot, even after an off week, for Oklahoma State on Nov. 14. The Cowboys are likely to get Taylor Potts or Doege, just like Kansas’ did.
Leach even put a funny spin on his weekly and tiresome “game-time decision” quote.
“Really, we took this one all the way to halftime in a way,’’ he said. “We don’t want anyone leaving early.’’
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Story courtesy of www.redraiders.com
I saw Kansas quarterback Todd Reesing, a savvy senior with 25 wins as a starter including one in the Orange Bowl, benched in the fourth quarter before the door was completely closed on the Jayhawks. I saw Texas Tech coach Mike Leach change quarterbacks at halftime, just because the starter wasn’t in a groove, a personnel move that never used to happen around here.
I saw Mike get choked up talking about Spike. And nothing wrong with that, but I think it caught some people in the interview room off-guard.
Oh, and in a game that matched the fourth- and fifth-ranked offenses in the country, defense ruled.
When I came to the stadium on Saturday, I didn’t expect to see any of that, much less all of it. At least the Red Raiders were the team celebrating after a 42-21 win. With this team getting stripped of parts from one week to the next, this year looks less and less like last year’s storybook season all the time, so the Red Raiders deserved to party on Halloween night. Not just because they shut down a team with good offensive skill people, but because Tech’s flaws, not all of which are under their control, are hard to ignore.
Win despite those flaws, overcome them, and it’s all the more rewarding.
For the rest of the season, they might just have to live with a patchwork offensive line. Saturday’s development: Playing out of his natural position at left tackle, Marlon Winn struggled mightily enough to force an in-game move back to right tackle. That bumped LaAdrian Waddle, the freshman whose redshirt Leach burned only last week, out of the game. Brandon Carter got hurt on the second play, returned for most of the second half, then limped off again with three minutes left in the game.
Not exactly a lovely Saturday for your two most experienced offensive linemen.
Just ask quarterback Seth Doege. Leach called a halt to Doege’s first career start at halftime with him struggling behind inadequate pass protection.
To the linemen’s credit, they showed something, rallying from a lousy first half to a superior second half when their run blocking for Baron Batch made all the difference.
And the whose-the-guy-this-week at quarterback’s not over either.
Don’t look for Steven Sheffield, who gave the team such a spark at midseason, to be back from the broken foot, even after an off week, for Oklahoma State on Nov. 14. The Cowboys are likely to get Taylor Potts or Doege, just like Kansas’ did.
Leach even put a funny spin on his weekly and tiresome “game-time decision” quote.
“Really, we took this one all the way to halftime in a way,’’ he said. “We don’t want anyone leaving early.’’
Click here to continue reading...
Story courtesy of www.redraiders.com
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