Cowboys 2009: Keeping It Real

The NFL released its 2009 schedules tonight and a quick peek at the Cowboys path to the superbowl seems pretty bleak at first glance. I can't seem to decide how I think this team will do this season. I am torn from the duality of hope and reality, of lofty expectations and earth-shattering reminders, of...well, you get the picture.

There are so many variables this season that make me hesitant to say this team deserves a 12-4 prediction, yet I am reminded they yield enough overall talent to keep their head above 8-8 waters. In the NFC, a 10-6 record should be enough to get you a playoff bid, but even that is uncertain. Nevertheless, some questions remain...

Can everyone stay healthy this season?

Is Mike Jenkins ready to start opposite Terrance Newman?

Can Barbie Carptenter (yes, I said Barbie) fill the nickelback role left by Kevin Burnett?

Will Keith Brooking be a liability in coverage like he was in the Atlanta/Arizona playoff game?

Will Gerald Sensabaugh be the answer at strong safety? If not, will the new draft pick step up?

Will Felix Jones and Tashard Choice have a sophmore slump?

Can Roy Williams be our #1?

Can Miles Austin, Sam Hurd and Isaiah Stanback step up in T.O's absence?

The list can go on. But, let's put it this way. If I had the faith in the entire Cowboy's squad that I have in Jason Witten and/or DeMarcus Ware, I'd predict a 19-0 Superbowl run. Sadly, Hall of Famers don't grow on trees.

The best I can do is hope for the best and, in the mean time, offer up two schedules which reflect my inner Cowboys conflict. You might say there is an angel on my right shoulder and a devil on my left, telling me how this season will turn out. Here are the results:

The Angel on my right(who crowns a blue star halo and a 94 Jersey) tells me:

2009 Scores and Schedule

Regular Season Sun 9/13 at Tampa Bay W Sun 9/20 NY Giants W Mon 9/28 Carolina W Sun 10/4 at Denver W Sun 10/11 at Kansas City W bye Sun 10/25 Atlanta W Sun 11/1 Seattle W Sun 11/8 at Philadelphia L Sun 11/15 at Green Bay W Sun 11/22 Washington W Thu 11/26 Oakland W Sun 12/6 at NY Giants W Sun 12/13 San Diego L Sat 12/19 at New Orleans W Sun 12/27 at Washington L Sun 1/3 Philadelphia L

Final Result: 12-4, clinch NFC East. Still lose in December due homefield advantage through the playoffs clinched.

Comments: This is pretty lofty. It's going to take some pro-bowl efforts out of Marion Barber, Felix Jones and/or Tashard Choice, 1300 yard 10TD+ season from Roy, adequate to decent production out of the other recievers and little to no injuries on the defensive side of the ball to achieve this. Not to mention 10+ picks from DBs, and a 40-50 aggregate sack total from the front seven.

Such hopes, of course, are crushed by Murphy's Law.

The Devil on my left (who dons a bloodied #9 jersey) tells me:

2009 Scores and Schedule

Regular Season Sun 9/13 at Tampa Bay W Sun 9/20 NY Giants L Mon 9/28 Carolina L Sun 10/4 at Denver W Sun 10/11 at Kansas City W bye Sun 10/25 Atlanta L Sun 11/1 Seattle W Sun 11/8 at Philadelphia L Sun 11/15 at Green Bay W Sun 11/22 Washington W Thu 11/26 Oakland W Sun 12/6 at NY Giants W Sun 12/13 San Diego L Sat 12/19 at New Orleans W Sun 12/27 at Washington L Sun 1/3 Philadelphia L

Final Result: 9-7, little or no hope for a playoff berth. December woes continue.

Comments: This is my worst-case scenario. (Although I'll freely admit it could get worse than this.) If Romo starts every game, I hardly believe he'd allow a 9-7 season to happen. I firmly believe if he started all 16 games last season we'd have gone at least 10-6, gaining us playoff entry. A season with this to show for it would mean Romo/Ware missed a game or two, our WR/LB/CB core was widdled down by injuries, forcing us to rummage through the bargain free agent bins. It could also mean that our entire WR core is an absolute bust and we are no longer playing football, but a game I like to call "Eight-In-The-Box" with no fear of reprisal.

Granted, these two options are beyond premature. We still have draft picks to evaluate amoung other things. These are just my thoughts halfway through the off-season. God willing, the end result will be higher than both of these. (But I'm not holding my breath).

Lost Quote of the Week!

Kate says, "I don't like the new you, Jack. The old you would never just sit around waiting for something to happen."










Jack replies, "Kate. You didn't like the old me."

I Made This Today!

An old poem

Here's an old poem I dug up from my myspace blog. It's still poignant....

The World is Lost, by Jared Brown

The world is lost,
and so am I.
Instinct says no, but still I try.
What lurks in the dead of night?
Something that logic yearns to fight.
Dreams of death?
No! The death of dreams!
In places even God can't hear you scream.
Can it be helped?
Can it be sought?
Yes! Through war and trials forever fought.
Powerful evils, yes, and plagues.
They invade the mind with glee.
Only in worlds created will you be free.
I've seen these worlds, they're in my mind.
They hurt for others, too, to find.
But in this realm no one sees it.
And that's because no one believes it.
I have a dream.
I have to try!
Because the world is lost,
And so am I.

Cowboys thoughts: Position by Position

This isn't really a sports blog. But there's a lot of fiction involved with the Cowboys (especially if you read the Dallas Morning News). It's something that's very important to me, so, here it is:


QB: Tony Romo is the present and future of this team. I wouldn't have it any other way. But for the love of pete, we need a backup QB that isn't absolutely terrible. I'd cut Brad Johnson before training camp, keep Brooks Bollinger and pickup a QB in the mid to late rounds.
*Draft selections (1) 5th round.

WR: Terrell Owens, Roy Williams, Patrick Crayton, Miles Austin are safe. Sam Hurd and Isaiah Stanback are on thin ice. Sam Hurd is an overall better wide receiever, but is not the type of they need on the roster. The Cowboys are in dire need of speed. Stanback is fast, but is a very raw reciever. Nevertheless, the Jerry Jones and his cronies are going to have to make a decision if they want to cut one or both of them. They'll need to sure up the open position with a speed reciever pick in the late rounds.
*Draft selections (1) 7th round.

RB: Not much needs to happen here. Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice are all valued and I wouldn't even bother wasting a draft pick. I would, however, switch Barber back to his role of finisher and allow either Tashard or Felix to start. Personally, i'd prefer Tashard Choice gets the start and Felix handles Kick Returns and situational touches. No drafting required this year.
*Draft selections (0)

FB: Most of the Cowboy's schemes don't even use a FB and the times they do Deon Anderson has done a decent job. I really don't feel like the Cowboys need to make a move here. He does the job fine.
*Draft selections(0)

TE: Jason Witten is arguably the best Tight End in the league and Martellus Bennett has a very bright future. Tony Curtis is a servicable reciever and blocker and is about what you'd want from a 3rd stringer. Rodney Hannah turned some heads at last years training camp and I'd throw him back on the 80 man roster to participate in 2009 Training Camp to see if he's made in strides in possibly beating out Curtis for the 3rd string job.
*Draft selections (0)


OL: The O-Line, whether we like it or not, is pretty much set. Almost everyone is paid up and contracted through 2011. If they all stay healthy, this shouldn't be as big of an deal. The loss of Kyle Kosier for most of the season was a bigger issue than anyone could have guessed. However, depth is a serioius problem. Cory Proctor, while a fair Center backup, got abused for most of the season at Left Guard when Kosier was out. It seems the powers that be have little or no faith in Joe Berger and Pat McQuistan and are dubious at best about Montrae Holland. If The Cowboys sustain anymore than one loss on the O-Line due to injury in 2009, Tony Romo is going to be on his back most of the season. To me, this is a serious area of concern. That needs to be addressed to some extent in the draft and possibly free agency.
*Draft selections (2) 4th round, 4th round.

DL: Jay Ratliff had a great year at Nose Tackle and Marcus Spears/Chris Canty were decent at DE. Canty is a UFA this year and is expected to test the waters before resigning with the Cowboys. If he does leave, DE will certainly be an issue. Regardless of what happens there, though, Tank Johnson is almost surely not coming back, which leaves the NT rotation open. The Cowboys need to draft a NT as early as possible that has the ability to play DE. This is one of the few spots (this early in the offseason) that I have a specific player in mind for the draft. Fili Moala would make a great filler spot for the needs on the DL.
*Draft selections (1) 2nd round.
*Fili Moala, USC

LB: DeMarcus Ware is expected to recieve the largest contract ever given out to any Cowboy. That being said, he's gonna be a Cowboy for life. Bradie James and Greg Ellis should both return. The only spot in question is Zach Thomas. Given that Kevin Burnett will be a UFA, I'd offer him a starter's contract, while still picking up at least one linebacker in the draft. I'd let Thomas go unless he wants a backup position.
*Draft selections (1) 7th round.

CB: Injuries plagued this position in 2008, but it's really improved from recent years. Terrance Newman is clearly the most all around talented CB on the team and is the guy the Cowboys should continue to look to to shutdown those top notch WR. Anthony Henry is a good CB as well, but I think the Cowboys should use him elsewhere (see next para). Ideally, Mike Jenkins should step up into that #2 CB spot and fulfill his 1st round billing. Orlando Scandrick has proved to be a steal as a 4th round pick as he has been an amazing find as a slot corner. Alan Ball should definately stay in his backup role while they address the last spot in the draft or possibly free agency.
*Draft selections (1) 6th round.

Safety: This position is certainly an issue and opinions may vary from fan to fan. I personally am partial to the idea of scrapping Roy Williams and moving Anthony Henry over to SS and keeping Ken Hamlin at FS. Keith Davis, while not the greatest safety, provides great leadership on special teams ans is a guy you really want to re-sign. Pat Watkins and Courtney Brown can be judged on a case-by-case basis, but if you had to pick between the two, I'd say Courtney Brown is a better choice simply because he translates well to CB if depth were ever an issue there. Still, the Cowboys need to draft a mean coverage safety that, for god sakes, knows how to tackle.
*Draft selections (1) 3rd round.

Thats a total of (8) Draft picks. The Cowboys have 11, which, I expect they use some as compesatory picks for moving up on the draft board. This should be about right. I'll revise this post as the off-season progresses and the Cowboy's front office makes expected and unexpected moves on their roster.

Oscar Picks

It's Oscar time again. Here's my picks and a short reason why I think he/she/it will win.



Best Motion Picture of the Year
Nominees:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Ceán Chaffin, Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall
Frost/Nixon (2008): Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Eric Fellner
Milk (2008): Bruce Cohen, Dan Jinks
The Reader (2008): Nominees to be determined
Slumdog Millionaire (2008): Christian Colson

-Haven't seen The Reader, Frost/Nixon, or Milk. Out of those three my instinct is that The Reader has the best shot. Frost/Nixon is only an above average political film on a subject no one cares about anymore. (Yes, we know Nixon was a corrupt asshole. Let's move on with our lives). And Milk is just a film pushing the rights of homosexuals, neither is enlightening. The race is really between Benjamin Button and Slumdog. Both fine films, but Slumdog is more of the type that the Academy seems to go for.


Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Nominees:
Richard Jenkins for The Visitor (2007/I)
Frank Langella for Frost/Nixon (2008)
Sean Penn for Milk (2008)
Brad Pitt for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
Mickey Rourke for The Wrestler (2008)

-I really wanted Brad Pitt to win for Benjamin Button, but next to Mickey Rourke he, unfortunately, has no chance.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Nominees:
Anne Hathaway for Rachel Getting Married (2008)
Angelina Jolie for Changeling (2008)
Melissa Leo for Frozen River (2008)
Meryl Streep for Doubt (2008/I)
Kate Winslet for The Reader (2008)

-I'm a little ignorant in this category, but I think it's Winslet's year. She won at the Golden Globes and just about shit herself.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Nominees:
Josh Brolin for Milk (2008)
Robert Downey Jr. for Tropic Thunder (2008)
Philip Seymour Hoffman for Doubt (2008/I)
Heath Ledger for The Dark Knight (2008)
Michael Shannon for Revolutionary Road (2008)

-Sorry, no contest here. The funny thing is, Ledger would still win this hands down if he were still alive. Thank you for such a memorable role, Ledger. Rest in peace, sir.

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Nominees:
Amy Adams for Doubt (2008/I)
Penélope Cruz for Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)
Viola Davis for Doubt (2008/I)
Taraji P. Henson for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
Marisa Tomei for The Wrestler (2008)

-Fairly ignorant in this category as well. Marisa Tomei was pretty good in The Wrestler, but not good enough I think. Taraji Henson, eh, same scenario. Gonna say Viola Davis.

Best Achievement in Directing
Nominees:
Danny Boyle for Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
Stephen Daldry for The Reader (2008)
David Fincher for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
Ron Howard for Frost/Nixon (2008)
Gus Van Sant for Milk (2008)

-David Fincher really is an amazing director--one of my favorites. I think Danny Boyle might win (I expect Slumdog to clean house), but I think Fincher is more deserved of it. Sadly, this is one of the few categories I expect Benjamin Button to win.

Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen
Nominees:
Frozen River (2008): Courtney Hunt
Happy-Go-Lucky (2008): Mike Leigh
In Bruges (2008): Martin McDonagh
Milk (2008): Dustin Lance Black
WALL·E (2008): Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter, Jim Reardon

-Trust me.

Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published
Nominees:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Eric Roth, Robin Swicord
Doubt (2008/I): John Patrick Shanley
Frost/Nixon (2008): Peter Morgan
The Reader (2008): David Hare
Slumdog Millionaire (2008): Simon Beaufoy

Best Achievement in Cinematography
Nominees:
Changeling (2008): Tom Stern
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Claudio Miranda
The Dark Knight (2008): Wally Pfister
The Reader (2008): Roger Deakins, Chris Menges
Slumdog Millionaire (2008): Anthony Dod Mantle

-Slumdog very close to win this. But I think Benjamin Button will.

Best Achievement in Editing
Nominees:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Angus Wall, Kirk Baxter
The Dark Knight (2008): Lee Smith
Frost/Nixon (2008): Daniel P. Hanley, Mike Hill
Milk (2008): Elliot Graham
Slumdog Millionaire (2008): Chris Dickens

-The Dark Knight's plot was extremely complex, props to the editors of this for making it all work.

Best Achievement in Art Direction
Nominees:
Changeling (2008): James J. Murakami, Gary Fettis
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Donald Graham Burt, Victor J. Zolfo
The Dark Knight (2008): Nathan Crowley, Peter Lando
The Duchess (2008): Michael Carlin, Rebecca Alleway
Revolutionary Road (2008): Kristi Zea, Debra Schutt

Best Achievement in Costume Design
Nominees:
Australia (2008): Catherine Martin
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Jacqueline West
The Duchess (2008): Michael O'Connor
Milk (2008): Danny Glicker
Revolutionary Road (2008): Albert Wolsky

Best Achievement in Makeup
Nominees:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Greg Cannom
The Dark Knight (2008): John Caglione Jr., Conor O'Sullivan
Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008): Mike Elizalde, Thomas Floutz

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score
Nominees:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Alexandre Desplat
Defiance (2008): James Newton Howard
Milk (2008): Danny Elfman
Slumdog Millionaire (2008): A.R. Rahman
WALL·E (2008): Thomas Newman

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song
Nominees:
Slumdog Millionaire (2008): A.R. Rahman, Gulzar("Jai Ho")
Slumdog Millionaire (2008): A.R. Rahman, M.I.A("O Saya")
WALL·E (2008): Peter Gabriel, Thomas Newman("Down to Earth")

Best Achievement in Sound
Nominees:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
The Dark Knight (2008): Ed Novick, Lora Hirschberg, Gary Rizzo
Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
WALL·E (2008)
Wanted (2008)

Best Achievement in Sound Editing
Nominees:
The Dark Knight (2008)
Iron Man (2008)
Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
WALL·E (2008)
Wanted (2008)

Best Achievement in Visual Effects
Nominees:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008): Eric Barba, Edson Williams
The Dark Knight (2008): Nick Davis, Chris Corbould, Timothy Webber, Paul J. Franklin
Iron Man (2008)

Best Animated Feature Film of the Year
Nominees:
Bolt (2008)
Kung Fu Panda (2008)
WALL·E (2008)

When you cant hear a sound...

Will the silence drown you too?