Cowboys vs. Saints

[emmitt2]

The way Hasselback is playing since he came back, they are pretty close to garbage. He definitely doesnt look right and Alexander definitely doesnt look 100%. Right now, i dont think they are any better than all the 6-6/5-7 teams in the NFC. They are definitely dangerous if they can get healthy and right but its getting late in the year and their 2 best players arent looking too good. If they can get healthy i'd say they are #3 in the NFC but they better get healthy quick and get homefield. The way they look now, i dont think they would beat us in Dallas or even Seattle in the playoffs.
By the way, with regards to the Vandy/Grammatica question. I dont care what the percentages are, Vandy was DEFINITELY getting worse. He could barely make a 21 yarder with ZERO pressure. If he had to kick that game winner against NY, he would have peed his pants and shanked it as bad as his choke against Pittsburgh last year. Grammatica showed more guts and pressure kicking on that 1 kick than i can ever remember Vandy doing. Vandy couldnt be relied on for a short non pressure kick and NO WAY any Cowboy fan wanted to see him lined up for that NY game winner. Regardless of %'s, it was the right move getting rid of Vandy.

 

[akbuuur]

id have to go with the new orleans saints... reggie bush should give them a good run or two... they have a thunder lightning combo- not that duece is slow or anything... colston will be back , along side copper and the other guy.. .henderson? as long as they get a couple good screens in i think the games in their hands.
-also on a side note, the ravens dismantled the saints... colston only added another touchdown in, in the closing seconds... im still pissed about that loss to cinci tho.

 

[emmitt2]

Thank god, a Ravens fan to back up what I said. The Ravens housed the Saints and it wasnt even close to a game except for Brees racking up yards in garbage time.
I could be wrong but i believe that Colston will not be playing this game against Dallas, which really hurts the saints.
p.s.- TXreef, you are completely off base. Check the posts, buddy. I have NEVER one time said that the Cowboys are unbeatable or will definitely win every game. As a matter of fact, in the Cowboys-Colts thread, YOU said that the Colts couldnt lose to the Cowboys. My response was and i quote "we very well may lose the game", then i went on to say that our running game could give you trouble and may let us win. You laughed at that notion and bragged about how YOU were going to post pics of yourself in your Colts jersey at Texas Stadium LAUGHING at us after your unbeatable Colts stomp us. Did you forget about that, buddy??? Just cause your team has been humiliated 2 out of 3 weeks dont come spouting off when you are completely wrong. YOU are the one acting like your chokers are unbeatable and the rest of the NFL is garbage, not me

 

[scubadoo]

Originally Posted by emmitt2
Thank god, a Ravens fan to back up what I said. The Ravens housed the Saints and it wasnt even close to a game except for Brees racking up yards in garbage time.
I could be wrong but i believe that Colston will not be playing this game against Dallas, which really hurts the saints.
p.s.- TXreef, you are completely off base. Check the posts, buddy. I have NEVER one time said that the Cowboys are unbeatable or will definitely win every game. As a matter of fact, in the Cowboys-Colts thread, YOU said that the Colts couldnt lose to the Cowboys. My response was and i quote "we very well may lose the game", then i went on to say that our running game could give you trouble and may let us win. You laughed at that notion and bragged about how YOU were going to post pics of yourself in your Colts jersey at Texas Stadium LAUGHING at us after your unbeatable Colts stomp us. Did you forget about that, buddy??? Just cause your team has been humiliated 2 out of 3 weeks dont come spouting off when you are completely wrong. YOU are the one acting like your chokers are unbeatable and the rest of the NFL is garbage, not me

I beleive it is repsonses to posts in this tone by you that ends up getting them locked. While what TX said may be personal in nature, simply move on and tone it down.
I beleive he said he would not respond...so simply move on to the topic. What are you hoping to accomplish?
A little "trash" talk is fine.....but someitimes you simply reposnd and move on. I am not certain what your PS is for....as he did not bring the issues you are repsonding to here with his post. he simply is questioning your view on the rest of the nfl.
Simply let it be and move on....unless you want this thread to be locked as many of the others.
it appears to me you are baiting someone for a heated repsonse...it escalates from that point and then the lock will come.

 

[scubadoo]

Well, I am hoping for a good game and a Saints win. It looks like Colston, Horn and Will Smith the starting DE will not play. Hollis Thomas is out along with the starting TE Conwell (placed on IR)
While I beleive the Saints are a solid team, that is a ton of hurdles to overcome against a good football team on the road.
The keys to victory for the Saints I beleive will be winning the turnover battle plus perhaps a couple big special team plays. They also need to contain the Dallas running game and put some heat on Romo and force him to make a couple poor decisions.
Dallas will have to stop the passing game....but that becomes a little easier should Horn and Colston not play.
The Saints will try to balance the attack....so establisihng the run will be key. If they keep the turnovers at 0....and can get 125 yards on the ground...you will see a close game and they will be in the hunt.
Dallas will also have to get pressure on Brees...that is also key.
With 2 starting linemen out on defense, stopping the Dallas running game will be tough. The Saints will have to control the clock...so that brings me back to establishing the run. Dallas probably also wnats to do the same...to keep the Saints O on the bench.
While a victory for the Saints is not likely...a close game is....and if they keep it close...they have a good shot.
The Saints have managed to overcome injuries this year...but I am not certain they can do it this weekend given the number of starters that will most likely not play.
Regardless who wins...we may see a replay of this game in the second season...that would be interesting.
Either way.....the Saints will play tough the entrie game...so Dallas best be ready to hook'em up for 4 quarters. The team is well coached...and will come out swinging. Even if the war chest has a couple new faces...they will be swinging for the fences.
Peace out

 

[emmitt2]

Winning the turnover battle isnt the key to this game, its the key to EVERY game. To say that if you have no turnovers and get 125 on the ground the game will be close, isnt exactly analysis. Almost always under those circumstances a game will be close unless 1 team is 10 times better than the other. Unless you are terrible or something out of the ordinary happens, you will almost always be in a game if you have zero turnovers and run effectively. Based on our turnover differential and your turnover differential, you guys have your work cut out for you to win the turnover battle though.
Also, Dallas does not have to stop the passing game since as i have pointed out, the Saints usually lose when Brees has a big game. Their best games by far has been when Brees is under 275 yards. When over 275, NO is 3-5, when he is under 275 NO is 5-0(including 4-0 when under 200 yards!). You need to establish the run which i doubt you can do based on how we have played against the run so far this year but McCallister is a quality back, so maybe. If Brees goes for 300+, my guess is that the Saints didnt establish the run and they lose.

 

[oceanists]

Originally Posted by ScubaDoo
I did not realize the original post in this thread is a cut and paste form the Rant on the COwboys website . In order to "balance" the Rant...here is a take from nola.com...yes, I give the folks props when I bring it here...not my analysis
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
A good laugh at "The Rant"
While doing some research on the Saints vs. Cowboys match I came across this blog called "The Rant." After reading a few comments I had to laugh. After reading the blog and comments you would think that Dallas should already be crowned Super Bowl champions for the next decade.
One "expert" talks about how the Saints have only beaten "ok" teams this season. Let's take a look at who the Cowboys have beaten.
Washington 4-8 - Yep, the Redskins are also on their way to the playoffs!
Tennessee - 5-7 - MUCH better team than Washington!
Houston - 4-8 - Another high powered match.
Carolina - 6-6 - Only a .500 team...raising eyebrows yet? Did not think so!
Arizona - 3-9 - BIG win beating up on a sorry team.
Indianapolis - 10-2 - I'll give you this one. Good win!
Tampa Bay - 3-9 - Wow another....great...win.
N.Y. Giants - 6-6 - *See Carolina above.
As you can see the only reputable win the Cowboys have had was against a Colts team who have the worst rushing defense in the NFL. As I said one of the "experts" on the "Rant" board claims that the Saints have not played anyone.

I was unaware you wanted names of the person who wrote a blog, next time Ill remember that when I share information. No one ever claim to right it...... I mean come on look at my posts do I ever use correct punctuation on this board? I can get you the name of the person if you would like , I could possibly come up with qa address and phone number

 

[oceanists]

Originally Posted by ScubaDoo
With a big game coming up and so important..I am not certain why T-O continues on with these statements....Certainly, this is not helping the COwboys given the Saints coming in town. This is why I simply have no respect for this guy.
T.O. admits tuning out Parcells' speech
12/6/2006, 4:34 p.m. CT
By JAIME ARON
The Associated Press
IRVING, Texas (AP) — When Bill Parcells told the Dallas Cowboys what it takes to win a championship, Terrell Owens wasn't listening.
"The championship speech? I must have went to sleep on that one," T.O. said, laughing.
Parcells gave his speech Monday, a day after a pivotal win in New York and hours before Owens flew to Los Angeles for an ostentatious 33rd birthday party he threw himself. All sorts of Hollywood types showed up and the Maloof family, owners of the Sacramento Kings, gave him a diamond-crammed watch worth nearly $50,000.
Back in the locker room Wednesday, Owens insisted he didn't recall Parcells' words of wisdom about the things the Cowboys (8-4) need to do down the stretch as they try to win their division for the first time since 1998.
"I can't remember. I had my mind on the party," he said when asked a second time about Monday's speech. "I have no earthly idea of what you are possibly talking about. I don't remember. I was already in L.A. ... He'll have to redo it."
Things have been pretty quiet on the T.O. front since Parcells changed quarterbacks, dumping Drew Bledsoe for Tony Romo. The Cowboys are 5-1 since, with four straight wins, and Owens' numbers have shot up, too.
Yet Owens always seems to be a story waiting to happen.
Last week, it was criticizing the team's decision to cut kicker Mike Vanderjagt. Now, even if he's only pretending to have tuned out Parcells, Owens comes across as ignoring what could be his coach's most important advice of the season.

I was wondering when you were going to pull this BS and start holding TO's pocket again

 

[emmitt2]

It's killing the rest of the league that TO hasnt imploded and the Cowboys are looking really good

 

[oceanists]

Originally Posted by ScubaDoo
I did not realize the original post in this thread is a cut and paste form the Rant on the COwboys website . In order to "balance" the Rant...here is a take from nola.com...yes, I give the folks props when I bring it here...not my analysis
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
A good laugh at "The Rant"
While doing some research on the Saints vs. Cowboys match I came across this blog called "The Rant." After reading a few comments I had to laugh. After reading the blog and comments you would think that Dallas should already be crowned Super Bowl champions for the next decade.
One "expert" talks about how the Saints have only beaten "ok" teams this season. Let's take a look at who the Cowboys have beaten.
Washington 4-8 - Yep, the Redskins are also on their way to the playoffs!
Tennessee - 5-7 - MUCH better team than Washington!
Houston - 4-8 - Another high powered match.
Carolina - 6-6 - Only a .500 team...raising eyebrows yet? Did not think so!
Arizona - 3-9 - BIG win beating up on a sorry team.
Indianapolis - 10-2 - I'll give you this one. Good win!
Tampa Bay - 3-9 - Wow another....great...win.
N.Y. Giants - 6-6 - *See Carolina above.
As you can see the only reputable win the Cowboys have had was against a Colts team who have the worst rushing defense in the NFL. As I said one of the "experts" on the "Rant" board claims that the Saints have not played anyone.

Thats still 3 better teams than the Aints have beaten. Also look at our margin of victory on all of those teams compared to yours..... how much did you beat the bucs by? In 2 games you beat them by a combined total of 21 points and just BARELY came out with a win in the first game , in one game we beat them by 25 points LOL

 

[lion_crazz]

TO is a trouble maker, and that's starting to show a little more now. First it was Vanderjagt's release, and now the Parecell's conference.
I don't think the true TO test is one year. If he makes it two years without serious problems, I will begin to consider him maturing and growing up a little bit.
I am hoping that he does grow up though, so that he does not ruin the Cowboys season like he did the 49ers' and Eagles'.

 

[oceanists]

Scuba funny you didnt come up with this one yet.... to busy being TO's pocket holder

NFL denies asthma drugs caused positive test
Four-game suspension will cost Saints' Thomas about $167,000
Thursday, December 07, 2006
By Jimmy Smith
The current NFL steroid policy as approved by member teams and the NFL Players Association is clear on many points, including these:
"Team physicians may not prescribe, supply or otherwise facilitate a player's use of prohibited substances";
"Players are responsible for what is in their bodies, and a positive test result will not be excused because a player was unaware that he was taking a prohibited substance."
Advertisement
Saints defensive tackle Hollis Thomas, suspended without pay for four games Tuesday, has denied he took the steroid clenbuterol, for which he tested positive during a routine training camp urine test Aug. 6.
"I never needed any enhancers," Thomas said Tuesday. "I never wanted to be a cheater and don't consider myself a cheater."
Thomas, an asthmatic, has been following a rigid prescription regimen since training camp, as directed by the Saints' team physician, to keep his asthma under control and has concluded that the asthma medication caused his positive test.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Wednesday that the league's testing procedure is sophisticated enough to detect approved asthma medications, some of which are steroidal, and substances such as beta-2 agonists, such as clenbuterol, that are prohibited.
"There's no asthma medication on our banned substance list," Aiello said, "unless it's something that has ephedra (a known stimulant common in some cold medications and also on the banned substance list) in it. And players can apply for a special medical exemption. There are numerous players who have been approved for the therapeutic use of something on the banned list like a diuretic or ephedra.
"We're not discriminating against asthmatics. But there's nothing in asthma medication that would trigger a positive test. If there's something legitimate being taken on the banned list, there are allowances for that. And the medical waiver doesn't have to be requested in advance. It can be given at that point. Hollis Thomas had his appeal, presented his evidence, and the league rejected it."
The Saints refused comment Wednesday.
Efforts to reach team physician John Amoss on Wednesday were unsuccessful. Amoss prescribed Thomas' asthma medication during training camp and wrote a letter outlining the drugs that Thomas was using for Thomas' appeal. Amoss indicated in the letter that the combination of drugs that Thomas was using, and continues to use, could result in a false positive test for clenbuterol.
Stacy Robinson, the director of player development for the players association who sat in on Thomas' appeal last month, did not return telephone calls Wednesday.
Internet research of albuterol, one of the drugs Thomas uses to control his asthma, as well as clenbuterol, the bronchodilator for which he is alleged to have tested positive, indicates that both substances are used by athletes for purposes other than asthma treatments.
Several sites indicate that albuterol has been used by athletes to lose fat. Clenbuterol also is available for purchase on the Internet for fat loss.
According to other sites, clenbuterol increases muscle size and strength in animal studies, but data is scarce whether it does the same in humans.
The suspension will cost Thomas, who was slated to earn $710,000 this season, about $167,000 in salary.
He is eligible for reinstatement Jan. 1 and could return for the postseason if the Saints qualify.

 

[emmitt2]

Like i said, another cheater who got caught and now has a sob story. Weird, that his medications "combined" to form a steroid that is banned by the league, how unlucky can you get

He's probably the only one doing it, no way he is sharing his "secret" with any defensive teammates

Amazing how not one of the people caught has actually used steroids, always a mistake. Weird :notsure: Guess there isnt any steroids in pro football.

 

[oceanists]

To be honest I dont beleive he ruined the 49ers or the Eagles seasons. The 49ers were far out of contention for 3 years before he started running his mouth. And with the Eagles, Mcnabb is quite the punk, there are always two sides of the story. Last year the Eagle were done even when he was in. They lost there chance when Mcnabb became injured. Just like this year. They were supposed to be a much better team but it never really showed and now Mcnabb is down and out again to ice the cake.
I have never blamed TO for losing a season for a team. He has a history of playing hard. When Roy Williams injured TO he was back from that injury in 4 weeks, when the doctors said it would be 4 months. An then with the Cowboys, he breaks his finger but is out there the next week with a plate in his hand ..... he puts out good effort. With TO's attitude you just have to accept it. He doesnt do anything that is really against the rules of Football.... you could say the same thing about 2 dozen players in the NFL... Joe Horn, Shockey, Burress, Ocho Cinco, just to name a few

 

[tx reef]

Originally Posted by Oceanists
He doesnt do anything that is really against the rules of Football.... you could say the same thing about 2 dozen players in the NFL... Joe Horn, Shockey, Burress, Ocho Cinco, just to name a few

"ocho cinco" especially (even though I think he can be entertaining). It is all in how the media covers it. If TO did some of the things that Chad does, the media would be screaming for his head.....

 

[ruaround]

actually Oceanists... you need to re-read post #9...

 

[scubadoo]

I simply posted the initial report that he would miss the big game this week. I also posted it APPEARED to be from his asthma meds since the team supported the appeal and I bought in to their postion. It does not mean it is factual. The team stood behind the appeal...but if there is more to it he is suspended as he should be regardless. The team is now preculuded from commenting on the suspension per league rules. If he took something....and it was a banned substance...then the suspension is appropraite.
It is done so he is a cheater if that is what you feel is the appropriare tag. he very well could be. I am no medical expert but by elderly mom suffers from asthma and I know her inhalers contain steroids. I even beleive one of the medications mentioned she is on. I moved her out here in AZ after my dad passed and right before Katrina hit. When I met with the doctor out here I beleive he changed her prescription to one of those mentioned. Either way....4 weeks he is suspended...cheater if you want...does not matter to me as I hope the lesson was learned. The guy does not have a body builder body so I am not certain why he would take the stuff...up to him to answer.
As to The Rant words you posted here...not a problem...just pointing out it was off the Dallas website. I acutally thought it was something you did...sorry I gave you too much credit in my mind. I do beleive it is courtesy to post the source....especailly to the site and/or author.
I do not feel comments that your beloved Me-O has made this week in any way will help your cause....but if you feel it contributes in a positive way to the Dallas effort going in to the game this weekend ...that is up to you. I posted that here simply becuase it is something most players would not say even if true.....or joke about especailly headed into a big game. I also posted the negative story regarding Hollis...and would also have posted the league response if I had seen it...which I did not as of yet.
Yes Emmitt...80% of the teams that win the turnover battle win the game...so it is key. However, the Saints may need to be in the + category in order to win...so that is why it is key. A push in this stat may not be good enough for them....as I beleive I have posted earlier. I have alos posted the points scored and how much each offense/vs defense will pan out...special teams, home team and intangibles based on scoring.
If you would like to take a sentence or two and criticize that is okay...but at least I have posted my take on what I BELEIVE to be key nad brought the analysis. I did not simply post a score and say...I have hadicapped the matchup. I see you also provided your analysis....just pointing out I did not bring a homer score pulled from the sky.
Stopping the passing game means no big plays. Even though Brees did not throw for 300 plus yards, the team still managed a key throw to Bush. Dalls, will have to foorce the Saints into long drives as this inreses the odds for turnovers.
I am envouraged as reports are Will Smith practiced...he is a big key on the d-line with Hollis out.
In the nfl, you can look at common oppnents...do you really beleive that if one team beats another by more points, etc that makes them a better team? You can use that as an anlyisis base and extrapolate outcome of common opponents based on score as a measuring stick if you'd like. That analysis is used in college football more so than the pros...with the exception of those that attempt power ratings which really have no impact on who makes the playoffs and/or seeding.
It is wierd regarding how many players claim thay did not take something or it was in some over the counter supplement or some other reason/excuse. If a player is gulity it is far better IMO to admit it and move forward. it must be human nature I guess.....as the jails are full of innocent people....and many who walk claim innocence...and/or...the drugs belonged to someone else...or the pipe and/or bong did. Or, I was just the look out, etc.
Too bad nfl players and ex-nfl players do not lead by example..admit their faults, pledge to do better ...and move on. And that applies to Mr Thomas.
Yes, I too am not the worlds gretest typist...and screw punctuation....I'm too busy to consider it here. A person wearing boxing gloves and typing would do a better job then me.
Actually, I have no problems with Dallas....I simply have no respect for B-O ..and I'd say the same thing if he played for the Saints.
Dallas is not on my list of teams I pull for....but if they are the best team Sunday night based on the final score....then they deserve the win.
Geaux SAints.........and again.....Peace out

 

[scubadoo]

To correct a stement...points do come in to play for some tiebreakers for the playoffs and possible seeding if it gets down to that level. I never bought into the common oppenent argument as a basis for the better team. Too hard to quantify in the nfl as many weaker teams can and often do beat teams that are better.

 

[emmitt2]

Yes.........sorry............ when you test positive for steroids.........and the league denies your appeal...........you are a CHEATER. That is not a tag,it is a FACT. If that is the type of players you like having on your team.........that is up to you. His body type is a ridiculous argument meant to throw off people who dont know anything about steroids. Powerlifters are built just like d-linemen and they take roids like candy. Steroids are not just for people with ripped bodies. They are taken for mass, strength and recovery time. 3 things that Hollis DEFINITELY needs.
And no ,you didnt bring a "homer analysis". You gave nothing but typical coachspeak that is true for EVERY single game played between any teams. Turnovers, run the ball.... gee, never heard that before. The only thing you forgot was penalties may also be key

You most likely will not run as effectively against our line as we will against yours. Bush will not be able to get outside on Ware(remember the preseason?) and your line is not good enough for McCallister to run consistently, IMO. This will put too much pressure on Brees and he likely will make 1-2 more mistakes than Romo which will cost you the game. Of course, Parcells doesnt blitz much so if you can hadle our front 4 straight up, you may have a chance. If you cant handle our front four or Parcells blitzs more often, i see a long night for the Saints. No need for me to go into ridiculous +/- points for every aspect of the game. That is left to people who think they know about handicapping.

 

[oceanists]

sorry about the outlashes ive been sick for 3 days now and I get irritated quick for no reason. Nothing personal to anybody.