Halftime commentary. Holy Witten.

Although we come to Halftime leading 17-16, the performance has been sub par. Sans the Romo to Witten connection, we'd be in big trouble.

We've screwed up at almost every level of the game, including special teams, where Thompson fumbled on a kick-off with 22 seconds left in the first half. The Giants creep back, after a 44-yard field goal, capitalizing on the kick-off fumble. Once up 17-6, Dallas heads to the locker room with a one-point lead at halftime.

Keep in mind it would be tied if the Giants didn't botch an extra point.

T.O. has been a non factor, but Romo hasn't thrown to him. He's dealt with double coverage all night and T.O. needs to figure out how to break the double coverage with good routes.

The defense has been inconsistent. Jacque Reeves came up with a surprising INT, but other than that, it's been weak at ever position. Reeves later gives up a touchdown to Burress (his second, including a first-series bomb), providing very little coverage on a quick pass in the end zone.

Absolutely NO PASS RUSH is unexpected. We have no sacks and one QB pressure.

Romo is 8 for 14 in the first half with no interceptions, which is good. But he hasn't really thrown it deep with any success. If the Giants decide to cover Witten, T.O. should be open.

No Dallas fan should be happy with that first half. Thank God for Witten.

To win this game, our secondary needs to make more plays. Roy Williams cannot get beat deep when he is playing deep coverage. Jacque Reeves needs to loosen up and move. His interception was more of an easy opportunity than a great play. He needs to make some great plays.

Most important in the second half will be the defense. We obviously can find ways to score. But can we stop the Giants? We haven't shown we really can with great success. Ware needs to get to Manning, especially with Feguson out of the game with an elbow injury.

We should win this game.

Giants vs. Dallas

Second Quarter ends:

The bad tackling, no pash rush and poor secondary continued on Giants first possession in the second quarter. On a 3rd and 7 we had great pressure finally and Manning tossed it, but it was luckily dropped. Would have gone for first maybe.

On the punt return, Crayton had some room but he was slow to hit the hole.

A nice short pass to Barber goes for 29 yards. Barber looks great. Romo is throwing under 50 percent right now after a duck throw away. Again, a nice pass to Witten who is stopped short by a few feet for the first. On the first 4th and feet for new coach Wade Phillips, he goes for it. The result: BArber tries middle and then turns right, and WOW!!!! He breaks several tackles on the outside and scores airborne!!!! WOW!!!! Marion Barber III is a beast.

Dallas up 10-6.

Nose Tackle Jason Ferguson injured his elbow and is out of the game. This hurts. Dallas is facing a lot of injuries early on.

On a Third and 7, Jacque Reeves gets an INTERCEPTION. No. 35, Reeves, just jumped in front of a falling Burress and takes the ball. Poor Eli!!!

After the turnover, we slowly moved closer to the end zone until penalties and we're left with a 3rd and goal from the 15. Why we have Julius Jones in after what Marion Barber did is beyond me.

T.O. is still without a catch. In fact, Romo hasn't even thrown to him.

Witten up the middle and BAM!!! TOUCHDOWN!!! Witten is having a MONSTER game.

With 3:59 left in the 2nd Quarter, Dallas leads 17-6.

Quarter 1 ends with Giants up 6-3

Dallas fell behind early 6-0 on a Manning to Burress bomb of over 60 yards. Secondary looked awful on the play. No pass rush at all early in the game.

Dallas gets the ball and drives to Giants territory on its first possession. Questionable and very conservative play calling after a nice screen play results in just a field goal, kicked by our rookie kicker Nick Folk.

On Giants second possession, we got lucky. Another Manning to Burress bomb led Burress just barely out of bounds. Giants went for it on 4th and 2 and we nearly intercepted the short pass.

On our second possession, Romo did this unusual twirl pass that was nearly intercepted. I have no idea what that was. on 3rd and 7 another clutch throw to Witten. Romo overthrows a bomb and Flozell Adams held anyway. Romo nicely escaped the rush. Another penalty, this on Leonard David and we're 1st and 25.
Oh god....bad snap again almost goes over Romo's head. Third time. Romo recovers well and gains a few yards. Romo can't make the pass. 4th and 17 and time to punt.

The defense just looks awful right now and this is a huge disappointment. Early still, but there's just no pash rush. We have Giants deep in their territory. Let's see what we can do here.

Newman Out

Quick UPDATE: Terence Newman was a yo-yo this week on whether he'd play tonight. Well, he's not. This puts even more pressure tonight on the secondary. The game ought to be very interesting on several different fronts.

Go Cowboys!

Who's excited??? Week 1 picks

VS.


I didn't sleep at all. This happens annually on the NFL's opening week. The excitement in me is too much, and after four hours of sleep, I am up putting clothes on to go get some bagels. I turn the TV on to the NFL Network and just patiently wait for 1 p.m.

Dallas has fared well over its existence on opening day, but the last nine years, the team has struggled in September. With a new coach, new defensive scheme and a new starting Quarterback, I feel good about tonight.

The New York football Giants are a struggling team seeking its identity after the retirement of one of its best running backs. The loss of Tiki Barber is huge. The dysfunction on that team with head coach Tom Coughlin will hurt this team all year. I sense a few teams will be seeking Bill Cowher at season's end and one of them probably will be the Giants--unless of course they perform. I don't see them doing it this year. I honestly think the Giants finish last in the NFC East and Coughlin is fired at the season's end. In fact, the Giants may even look to start fresh, and that means trade Eli Manning. He's been unimpressive in his career after all the hoopla that the Mississippi grad was going to be better than his brother.

Those who think Brandon Jacobs is going to replace Tiki Barber are out of their minds. Those who think Strahan is just going to jump on the field and perform our whacked, too.

But the Dallas Cowboys, they have the solid framework needed to win the NFC this year. The defense is improved up front. The two-back system works. And Romo, despite the naysayers, has talent. Patrick Crayton can play. Terrell Owens is T.O.

During the game, I am going to try and do regular updates. My Internet has been acting up lately, but I will be here.

Who wins the NFC East? Well the NFL Network just said the Eagles. But Sterling said Dallas, because they are balanced on offense and defense more than the Eagles.

I agree. The Eagles, however, will be tough.

Here's my picks for Week 1.

Denver vs Buffalo
Denver wins 27-14. Buffalo loses its best defensive player and does little to improve its offense. I am not sure JP Losman is the answer. I do think Jay Cutler is the answer for Denver.

Tenn vs Jacksonville
Tennessee wins 17-14. The surprise drop of Byron Leftwich will hurt this team in week 1. Vince Young will score both TDs. Both teams will look unimpressive though

Miami vs. Washington
I do think Trent Green will be the best QB Miami has had since Marino. But I am not sure it's enough to win this game. The defense is aging and I am not sure Ronnie Brown is good enough, but he may be. Meanwhile, Washington's defense, at least the secondary, is scary. A lot of people believe in Jason Campbell, but I never even thought he was good at Auburn. This game will be close. Miami 21 Washington 20.

Carolina vs. St. Louis
The Rams still have a powerful offense. Their defense is downright horrible. But that offense is too good. Carolina, on the other hand, has a better defense. It's offense is mediocre, even with Steve Smith. I don't think Carolina has improved. At least St. Louis tried to improve its defense, but I am not sure picking up players from the Lions will do that. Still, Rams win 34-17.

New England vs. New York Jets
This could be a great game. I love the Bill Belichick vs. Eric Mangini matchup. Belichick is such an ass. Mangini is a good coach. But many pick the Patriots to win it all this year. It's a safe pick. But the Jets certainly improved their team, mostly by picking up former Bears back Thomas Jones. Picking up Randy Moss will help the Patriots, too. But is Moss ever going to produce like he did when he played for the Vikings? We'll find out. Patriots 30 Jets 20

Atlanta vs Minnesota
The Falcons are reeling still from the Vick fiasco and it will hurt them all year. No one believes they will do well. But Joey Harrington looked good in the preseason. But, then again, it's the preseason. Quincy Carter looked good in the preseason. Minnesota picked up a rookie running back, Adrian Peterson, who may turn the franchise around to the Purple People eating days, but that all depends on how well the purple defense does. New Coach Bobby Petrino walks into a dicey situation. But I have little faith in Viking QB Tavarius Jackson. Vikings 30 Atlanta 10

Pittsburgh vs Cleveland
I hope Cleveland stinks it up this year. Dallas has their top pick in the 2007 draft and that could bring one amazing player to the Cowboys next year. Let's hope for the worst in Cleveland, even though I would like to see Brady Quinn succeed later in his career. Pittsburgh's defense shouldn't be too shabby, but the offense, I am just not sure. Willie Parker is fast. Pitt 24 Cleveland 9

Philly vs Green Bay
Who doesn't love Brett Favre? I mean when you look up American football in a dictionary, his picture should pop up. He's one of the best competitors ever. The Packer defense has improved, with AJ Hawk and Aaron Kampman. But I am not sure GB will ever reach the level the team had in the 90s. Favre is old. He tosses balls in the air. He's just not the same. And the Eagles...it always boggled my mind how good this team is when McNabb was healthy. The no-name receiving corps never seemed to matter. But will the declining defense? I think so. Still, the Eagles will be very competitive, and may be one of the top teams in the NFC. Eagles 31 Packers 24

Kansas City vs Houston
Kansas City is awful, folks. Sure, surprises happen, but the NFL doesn't have this much parity. The Chiefs looked pitiful in the preseason. Houston looked great. Is Matt Schaub the next great NFL QB? I know the Falcons are punching themselves in the face right now. Seriously though, the Texans aren't the same Texans. They have a star receiver now, and a veteran running back who still has life. The defense is better. They may be a shocker this year. Houston 31 Kansas City 10

Tampa Bay vs Seattle
Both teams are declining. Seattle did nothing to improve its defense. Tampa Bay just went out and grabbed every damn mediocre QB it could. Tough call here. I think Jeff Garcia shouldn't be written off after his impressive work last year with the Eagles. Seattle 11 Tampa Bay 10

Chicago vs Chargers
I will be surprised if the Bears keep their winning season streak going. Am I off base to say this? The offense just blows. The Chargers, however, are purely amazing. This is a great opening game, but I don't think it will be close. Chargers should win the Super Bowl this year. Chargers 34 Bears 10

Detroit vs Oakland
This game should be fun to watch only because both teams rotted last year. A lot of sports talk show hosts say the Raiders will be much improved. I say stop smoking weed. There's just no way. Sure, the defense was brilliant at times last year, but so were the Lions on rare occasions. But, it's unfair to compare the two defenses. This is a guess. A pure guess. Lions 24 Raiders 19

and FINALLY

Dallas vs Giants
The secondary for Dallas needs to have a great game. Adversity smacks the Cowboys in week 1 and if the team is going to be a contender this year, then it must face adversity head on and win this game convincingly. The Giants hate their coach. The star players don't click as one. I just don't see this team doing well this year, especially after the abrupt retirement of Tiki Barber and his constant bashing of the team. Marion Barber will have a great game. So will DeMarcus Ware. DALLAS 24 Giants 10

Keenan McCardell?

It seems like a long time ago when Keenan McCardell was the Jaguars No. 1 receiver. That year, 1996, he amassed 85 catches, 1,129 yards, 3 touchdowns, and earned himself a trip to the Pro Bowl. The Jaguars then snagged Jimmy Smith and McCardell became the No. 2 guy. They became known as "Thunder and Lightning."

McCardell's best season was in 2000, when he caught 94 passes for 1,207 yards and 5 touchdowns.
McCardell has a Super Bowl ring with the Buccaneers, where he was the No. 2 receiver next to Keyshawn Johnson.
Well, there's a rumor that McCardell, who was dropped by the Texans, may be picked up by Dallas because of the Terry Glenn injury.

McCardell is no slack. I have no idea why his productivity fell so much last year with the Chargers, or why he was dropped by the Texans. But, to play for a contender might be enough to get his sparkplugs roaring.

Here are is career stats:

1991	Washington Redskins	0	0	0	0	---	0	0	0	0	0
1992	Cleveland Browns	2	0	1	8	8.0	8	0	0	0	1
1993	Cleveland Browns	6	3	13	234	18.0	43	4	4	2	11
1994	Cleveland Browns	13	3	10	182	18.2	34	0	3	0	10
1995	Cleveland Browns	16	5	56	709	12.7	36	4	10	0	32
1996	Jacksonville Jaguars	16	15	85	1129	13.3	52	3	8	4	57
1997	Jacksonville Jaguars	16	16	85	1164	13.7	60	5	15	2	55
1998	Jacksonville Jaguars	15	15	64	892	13.9	67	6	12	3	44
1999	Jacksonville Jaguars	16	15	78	891	11.4	49	5	11	1	50
2000	Jacksonville Jaguars	16	16	94	1207	12.8	67	5	13	3	58
2001	Jacksonville Jaguars	16	16	93	1110	11.9	45	6	11	2	58
2002	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	14	14	61	670	11.0	65	6	6	1	30
2003	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	16	16	84	1174	14.0	76	8	13	4	53
2004	San Diego Chargers	7	6	31	393	12.7	31	1	6	0	19
2005	San Diego Chargers	16	16	70	917	13.1	54	9	12	1	50
2006	San Diego Chargers	14	11	36	437	12.1	28	0	3	0	24
TOTAL		199	167	861	11117	12.9	76	62	127	23	552

I personally think a veteran fits best. McCardell has performed to Terry Glenn level in 2005. That wasn't long ago. Plus, he's been coached by Wade Phillips. I think it's a win-win for the Cowboys.

UPDATED: Grizz on Bloggingtheboys.com says in his Podcast that Glenn, is in fact, out for the season. He cites a Dallas source.

TG needs surgery

It appears he jinx worked and Terry Glenn may need season-ending surgery for some torn ligaments. Read it here. This puts pressure on Patrick Crayton to perform. Crayton has decent speed and great hands. He's made some clutch third-down catches. His weakness is probably running routes, but Glenn is a classic route runner.

If Glenn decided to get surgery, his career is over.

"I want to play this year, and I really feel I have chance so I'm really leaning toward taking the [damaged] piece out and trying to play this year even though I'm risking the rest of my career by doing that," Glenn said Friday night. "I think that's what I'm going to do. I'm not sure, but I've played 12 years and don't have a lot of years left. I want to win now, and I think we have a chance to win now.

Glenn is in his 12th season. Missing this entire season and coming back will be difficult, especially if Crayton and tight end Anthony Fasano pick it up. I like Glenn. He was a solid pick up for us. But I can like Crayton just as much.

My heart is beating for Sunday night to come. I am nervous about it. A Dallas lose ruins my whole week. It always has. I return to the dreaded job on Monday upset and irritable. When they win, it's like I got a raise.

The Giants have been talking a lot of smack this week. Meanwhile, it appears Jason Witten is evolving into a Leader:

"I don’t think it will be anything like that. I think with that year we didn’t have that good of a team and we had to play catch up,” Witten said. “The tight end was catching a lot of balls ... I’m going to have to step up but not just me all of the guys are going to have to pull up the slack. That’s what good teams do, things happen and you have to adjust to it. Miles [Austin], Sam [Hurd], all the guys but more than just them, guys like me and Terrell [Owens] and Patrick [Crayton], we’ve got to pick it up.”

This is good news for the Cowboys. We need our veterans to step up during this adversity and perform.

Should Cowboys look for WR?

Terry Glenn will not be playing Sunday night against rival Giants. This is problematic for the Cowboys. Even though I have full faith in Patrick Crayton, others do not. There's suspicion that Glenn won't play at all this year, and this would be a serious shock to the Cowboys Offense.

With that said, several Cowboys fans are wondering whom the team will pick up in the free agency market. Reche Caldwell, Chris Chambers, former Cowboy Antonio Bryant, Rod Gardner, Quincy Morgan, Azhir Hakim and Kenan McCardell are some of the names tossed out as possible replacements for Glenn. I am not even sure why we should jinx ourselves, but since we are, I'd personally like to see either Chris Chambers or Hakim. Maybe McCardell. Chambers is probably the best of the bunch.

Coupled with the cornerback problems, Dallas is starting the season with some question marks. And Game 1 will be a true test for the Cowboys, showing how the team can play with injuries. Let's not forget Greg Ellis and a rookie starting in his place.

I stand by my prediction that Dallas wins. I think the Giants will suffer this year from the anti-coach rhetoric coming from some of the current and former players. That ruins a team in my opinion. Publish Post