Cowboy-bashing might be premature

by Ed Valentine on Jan 12, 2008 8:34 AM EST in New York Giants News

Sadly, this will be our final Jessica Simpson Photo of the Day. Enjoy!

There seems to be an awful lot of pundits saying that if an upset occurs this weekend it will likely be the Giants defeating the Dallas Cowboys.

SI.com's Paul Zimmerman joined the Cowboy questioners on Friday.

This Romo thing does not sit right with yours truly. He's coming off a bad three-game set; Eagles, Panthers, Redskins. He has a bad thumb and his go-to receiver might be down for the count. Not a happy time.

The game he had against the Eagles -- and maybe the thumb was responsible for it and maybe it wasn't -- was as bad a game as I've seen a QB have this season. And I'm talking about some of Trent Dilfer's desperate afternoons and Testaverde's Tribulations and the birth and death of Charlie Frye, etc. In doing my quarterback ratings I have a little mark I make for a bad pass -- a poor decision, flutterball, wild throw and so forth. Tom Brady, on a good day, might have one or two, sometimes none. If Peyton Manning's facing a tough rush, he might have three or four. Brett Favre on a wild streak might get up to five or six. I think the worst game I recorded for Eli Manning this season was one in which he had nine, and that's a lot.

Romo against Philly had 14. I probably have, sometime in the past, recorded that many, but I can't recall when.

Are you buying what the media is selling? That the Cowboys are stumbling their way into the playoffs, while the Giants are flying high -- maybe even that the Giants SHOULD win the game?

I'm not willing to go that far. The Giants COULD win this game. They are playing as well as they have all season, and you do have to wonder just a little about the Cowboys.

That said, there is no way you can make the Giants the favorite in this game. A victory by the Giants CAN happen, and believe me I WANT it to happen. It will take a flawless effort, though, so I'm not about to join the Cowboy-bashers.

Michael David Smith of FOX Sports is one writer who expects the Cowboys to rebound with a good effort and defeat the Giants Sunday.

I guess we will just have to tune in and find out.

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Comments

1st

Thanks for Jessica Simpson week.

2nd, I agree. The Cowgirls should win & the Giants could win. The Cowgirls are a better team talent wise, but the Giants are in their best position to beat them this year. They are playing their best football right now.

And by the way, not everyone is jumping on the Giants bandwagon. All the NY sportswriters are picking the 'Girls. But that shouldn't be a surprise to anyone, since they do that all the time.

by potroast on Jan 12, 2008 8:37 AM EST reply actions

I think

I may have enjoyed Jessica Simpson Week more than you guys did. After all, I had to do all that 'research' to find the right pictures. I am looking forward to Sunday. It will tell us a lot about exactly where the Giants are in terms of becoming an elite team.

by Ed Valentine on Jan 12, 2008 9:09 AM EST up reply actions

Oops

I guess you picked up on what NY sportswriters are saying, its in your last post!

by potroast on Jan 12, 2008 9:33 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah, I saw it

Typical. Of course, that's what we should expect.

by Ed Valentine on Jan 12, 2008 9:56 AM EST up reply actions

I'm wondering if Paul Zimmerman

actually ever threw a football becuase if he did, he should know how difficult and painful it would be with an injured thumb.

I'm thinking even Peyton and Brady might have quite a few flutterballs and wild throws with an injured thumb on their throwing hand.

Lets see, 2 weeks of rest later, I'm pretty sure Romo's accuracy will be back...just a hunch.

by Terry @ Big Blue View on Jan 12, 2008 12:44 PM EST reply actions

Excuses, excuses

Eli shoulder has been messed up since that cheap shot he took from your guys in the first game. Hasn't said a word, played all year with it. Paul Zimmerman has forgotten more about football than you'll even know. He played collegiately and as a pro.

by DoctorK16 on Jan 12, 2008 9:26 PM EST up reply actions

BTW, ETVal, best Jessica picture yet

Glad you saved the best for last. She was ultra hot in that movie.

And I for one did really enjoy seeing the Jessica pics..kudos!

by Terry @ Big Blue View on Jan 12, 2008 12:46 PM EST reply actions

Ha ha!

Something about a gorgeous woman in a skimpy outfit sitting on the back of a cool car gets to a guy every time.

by Ed Valentine on Jan 12, 2008 2:40 PM EST up reply actions

Romo's struggles

A lot of credit was given to Jim Johnson and the defense he called in that game against Dallas that had Romo completely off target and confused. The excuse about the thumb is just that, an excuse. He was playing just as poorly before the thumb was injured.

I think this should be pretty encouraging for New York, considering you have Jim Johnson's protege calling your defense. There's probably no better guy in the NFL to analyze and repeat when Johnson did in that game than Spagnuolo.

Plus, the word is that Tom Heckert could get offered the Atlanta GM job this weekend. So a great performance from Spagnuolo's defense would almost guarantee him the Atlanta HC job.

Bleeding Green Nation Philadelphia Eagles Blog

by JasonB on Jan 12, 2008 1:15 PM EST reply actions

wasn't Spagnuolo the DC

this season when Romo shreaded his defense for 582 yards and 8 TDs?

Explain to me how is that encouraging?

by Terry @ Big Blue View on Jan 12, 2008 1:56 PM EST up reply actions

You are right

But, remember, that was the very first game of the season. Mathias Kiwanuka was playing his first game ever as a linebacker, and got shredded by Jason Witten. Michael Strahan had practiced for two days after skipping all of camp. Aaron Ross had not emerged as a quality corner. Kawika Mitchell was playing his first game as an outside linebacker. I am not saying the Giants will shut down the Cowboys Sunday. I AM saying their defense is way better than it was in Week 1, and they have a chance to at least SLOW the Cowboys down.

by Ed Valentine on Jan 12, 2008 2:38 PM EST up reply actions

that total includes both games

including the 2nd game in Novemebr when the Giants were also on a roll and playing well.

by Terry @ Big Blue View on Jan 12, 2008 3:08 PM EST up reply actions

OK

But, remember the Giants defense did play better the 2nd time. Not good enough, but better. The difference in that game was that Romo was better Eli. We'll see if that is the case again tomorrow.

by Ed Valentine on Jan 12, 2008 4:48 PM EST up reply actions

Romo and T.O.

Granted Romo will was better than Eli in that 2nd game, but Eli didn't suck either, the reason why the Cowboys won both games and why they are simply better is 2 words...Terrell Owens.

Word out of Dallas is that he's 100% and ready to roll.

by Terry @ Big Blue View on Jan 12, 2008 6:16 PM EST up reply actions

The Girls

scored 45 the first game 31 the next.Seems to me they're due for a good 17 point effort tommorow.
Make it 14 their tired O-line will leave Tony running faster than water through a first time Mexican tourist. If T.O. is at all hobbled someone will clobber him to the point where you see little yellow tweety birds circling his aching head...............If I'm totallly wrong you'll get my apologies......on the boys evil blog site...........When the Giants win I hope you have the stones to do it here!

by big blue wrecking crew on Jan 12, 2008 7:47 PM EST up reply actions

I will look forward to your apology

It must really suck getting your asses kicked by a buch of girls, huh? lol

by Terry @ Big Blue View on Jan 12, 2008 10:51 PM EST up reply actions

Plax

You are also missing someone that was pretty banged up in that 2nd game ... Plaxico! He is now playing at high level again & can match the big play ability of TO. Its too bad his guy doesn't get the man love from ESPN like your boy TO because he means just as much to his team.

by potroast on Jan 12, 2008 8:31 PM EST up reply actions

T.O.>Plaxiglass

by Terry @ Big Blue View on Jan 12, 2008 10:52 PM EST up reply actions

Only in terms of

whining, complaining, & general unpleasantness. TO is a cancer & will wreck the ship eventually.

by potroast on Jan 13, 2008 7:57 AM EST up reply actions

That's almost

reason for me to hope the Giants get blown out. ALMOST! Losing Spagnuolo would be a devastating blow to the Giants, who have really responded to his style.

by Ed Valentine on Jan 12, 2008 2:36 PM EST up reply actions

Guaranteed?

I think calling a good defensive effort by the Giants a guarantee that Spags get that job is a bit of a stretch. He's been a DC for exactly one season.....I'd like to know another coordinator who got a HC job after just one season.

www.billkohut.com

by bk0831 on Jan 12, 2008 11:09 PM EST up reply actions

Mike Tomlin

by potroast on Jan 13, 2008 7:27 AM EST up reply actions

Mangini

Bleeding Green Nation Philadelphia Eagles Blog

by JasonB on Jan 13, 2008 9:13 AM EST up reply actions

You guys are right..

I thought both guys had a couple years of coordinating. But it's funny, how long did it take Bill Bellichick to get an interview...he was the DC from 1983 thru 1990 (two SB's and many successfuly seasons) before finally getting a job (Cleveland). Times have changed I guess. Good catch guys. However, I think it is still a mistake to hire someone like that (as for example, Garret or Spags as a HC).

www.billkohut.com

by bk0831 on Jan 13, 2008 9:55 PM EST up reply actions

Please no

Giants are so much better when no one believes in them.

As soon as people say they are good, they aren't

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by NYERinSF on Jan 12, 2008 10:50 PM EST reply actions

Spags a head coach?

There aren't enough good head coaches to choose from right now, so teams are considering candidates with limited experience they might ordinarily not consider. Let's face it, do you think the Cowboys would have hired Wade Phillips, a journeyman at best, if there were a lot of other experienced coaches available who had great track records? I wonder how many years we will have to wait for the next Bill Walsh?

I bet a lot of front office people are going to shy away from big name college coaches, given recent disasters. There is talk that Pete Carroll might be negotiating with Atlanta (WTF, is he crazy?) but I think generally the NFL has cooled somewhat to blowing 8 to ten million on a contract with a college coach who might quickly get wet feet and bolt.

That's why Spags, like a lot of hotshot junior coaches, are currently being considered for jobs they are probably not really qualified for.

by giant fan since 57 on Jan 13, 2008 6:46 AM EST reply actions

Plus

A big reason why Spagnulo was considered a HC candidate in Atlanta was that Philly's GM Tom Heckert was considered a top candidate for that job. The word was that he wanted Spags. Turns out that Heckert didn't get the job, so I would imagine it's a less likely that Spags leaves after this year.

Bleeding Green Nation Philadelphia Eagles Blog

by JasonB on Jan 13, 2008 9:15 AM EST up reply actions