SportsNation Blog Archives
Dallas Cowboys
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Brad Childress gets Brett Favre and quickly ends up with a hefty contract extension. Lovie Smith gets Jay Cutler and finds people wondering if he'll soon be unemployed. Some guys have all the luck. Nevertheless, the Bears enter Sunday's showdown against the Eagles just one game off the wild-card pace, despite losing their past two. And Cutler's old team in Denver has lost three in a row and may be without Kyle Orton against the Chargers this week. One SportsNation blogger thinks Cutler is still the right guy for the Bears, but does his new team or his old team need a win more this week?
- "Cutler has the ability to win games for his team; an ability that was overly praised when Brett Favre was in Green Bay but is now largely overlooked in evaluating today's quarterbacks (for some reason, people have fallen in love with "guys who just know how to win," forgetting that those guys have either rock solid defenses or unstoppable running games). But don't ask me, ask any of the many quarterback-starved teams in the league if they would give up exactly what the Bears gave up to get Cutler to begin with right now." Read afjumpfan23's full post.
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SportsNation would rather have Peyton Manning than Tom Brady dating their sister, but the roles are reversed if a wingman is called for. Maybe it's time to have the quarterback beauty contest settled on the field.
In the other big rivalry game of the week (no, not Chiefs-Raiders), Chad Ochocinco is winning the PR war (and food fight) for the Bengals, but fans favor the Steelers.
- Vote: Pick winners | Vs. spread | Cowboys-Eagles | Ravens-Bengals | Steelers-Broncos
- Your rankings: Power Rankings | MVP Watch | Quarterbacks | Coaches
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- Weekly chatters: Chris Mortensen | Matt Williamson | Jeremy Green | KC Joyner
- Special guests: Jets LB Bart Scott | "First Take" analyst Drew Bennett | Len Pasquarelli
- Local team chats: ESPN Boston | ESPN Chicago | ESPN Dallas
What does Tony Romo have to do to catch a break? Wait, poor choice of words. Romo should be breathing easy these days. Criticized heavily during the Cowboys' slow start -- he had slipped all the way to No. 17 in SportsNation's quarterback rankings as recently as Oct. 12 -- Romo bounced back with three great games in a row. By Monday, he was back up to the cusp of the top 10 at the position in SportsNation's eyes. Enter Roy Williams, who managed the seemingly impossible feat of handing a popularity contest to Terrell Owens.
SportsNation says Romo isn't a leader, but one blogger is ready to follow him to a win against the Eagles.
- "I will believe, for now, that 8 touchdowns and 0 interceptions in the last 3 games is not coincidence or a streak. I will believe that the stench of the T.O. signing and leaving has finally left us. Romo is reaching more receivers -- to include the backs. Romo is tucking and running more than I've probably ever seen him do, and I'll take that & Just don't get hurt & Because our back-up QB is [Jon] Kitna. Why is all of this happening? Because T.O. is not crying for the ball. Because the show that is T.O. is not the looming and ominous cloud hanging over Romo anymore." Read MoAz2213's full post.
- Your MVP Watch: Is Donovan McNabb a contender for NFL MVP?
It wasn't so very long ago that Eli Manning was one of the five most valuable players in the NFL. No, seriously. It was just a month ago that SportsNation ranked the younger Manning No. 5 in its MVP Watch. And now? Well, he's presumably still better than Jason Campbell.
Manning's fall from grace has coincided with an overall resurgence for the NFC East. When Manning hit his MVP peak, the Giants were the only NFC East team SportsNation ranked in its top 10. A month later, the Giants are out of the top 10, but the Eagles and Cowboys square off this weekend as top-10 teams. So is Manning just riding through some bumps in the NFL's toughest division, or is this evidence of something else?
Matt (Philly)
Eli has thrown 82 INTs in 81 games ... his career passer rating is under 80. Let's get real about him. If his name wasn't Manning, he would have no support in the NFL.
Chris Mortensen
Yeah, yeah. Heard that before. Did you know that under Dan Reeves, John Elway's stats were just one-plus on the TD and Ints? And no matter how you want to cut it, Giants Stadium is the toughest venue in the NFL for a quarterback because of the wind factor.
Matt (Philly)
That's a cop out... Eli tossed 2 more interceptions at home than on the road, so you can't really throw wind at Giants stadium into the equation.
Chris Mortensen
I was speaking more on the career perspective. And the fact is, he did win a Super Bowl. I also saw receivers dropping balls in some of those losses and running game so-so. And I do wonder, having suffered from plantar fascia injury myself, if it's affected him enough to throw him off. But he hasn't played well in most of these losses. Full transcript
- Vote: Pick winners | Against spread | Vikings-Packers | Broncos-Ravens | Vince Young
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- Special guests: Former Packers FB William Henderson | ESPN Boston's Tedy Bruschi
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Hidden beneath the layers of Shakespearean drama involved in Brett Favre's return to Lambeau Field to face the boos and settle scores with Ted Thompson, there's a reasonably important division game on tap Sunday in Green Bay. With the Bears skidding and the Lions, well, still the Lions, the Vikings could put the kind of distance normally reserved for month-old Limburger between themselves and the Cheeseheads. SportsNation is picking the visitors to get it done, and one blogger thinks this could be the beginning of the end.
- "The Packers are above average on both sides of the ball. They are a solid team. The defense is giving up only 16 PPG, and only 96 total this season. They're in the top ten in most offensive and defensive categories. Their only losses? Cincinnati and Minnesota. Sounds legit right? Unfortunately not. 3 of 4 wins have come against bottom tier opponents and based on the look of the rest of the schedule, which consists of Minnesota again this week, Dallas, San Francisco, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, another trip to Chicago, and Arizona, doesn't look good. Final Prediction: 7-9 Verdict: Pretender " Read Feldman9000's full post.
Michelle Beadle and Colin Cowherd will be winning every game on the midway during "SportsNation" TV.
Argue the hot topics of the day and vote on the biggest stories from the world of sports. The show airs on ESPN2 at 5 p.m. and midnight ET.
Note: Broadcast voting results as of this afternoon (ET).
How should Cowboys fans feel about Tony Romo's golf game?
Golf Digest has listed Tony Romo as the top athlete golfer. Has he spent too much time honing non-football skills?
Which quarterback would you rather have?
Jay Cutler has thrown for 8 touchdowns, 901 yards and 5 interceptions. Matt Ryan has 7 touchdowns, 977 yards and 2 interceptions.
Which team will win Saturday's game at Notre Dame?
A Notre Dame win could vault the Irish to a BCS bid and solidify Charlie Weis' job. A USC win could set the Trojans up for the BCS title game.
Which is the bigger story surrounding the start of Angels-Yankees?
Has the cold, windy, rainy weather in the Northeast upstaged the games in the American League Championship series?
What is "SportsNation" TV, and how do you make your voice heard? Read about the new ESPN show that features fan opinions with calls, tweets, polls, rankers and more.
It only took a couple of wins for fans like MSJC36 to accept Josh McDaniels. The other fan bloggers (if you ignore the Broncos' true rivals) are grudgingly coming around, too.
On the spectrum opposite the undefeated, 0-5 despair translated to draft dreams.
Rush Limbaugh's role in a bid for the Rams drew spirited response (click through below if you think there's still something to add to this debate), Terrell Owens trade rumors involved multiple teams and the UFL even got a cursory look from fans.
These are the best NFL fan blogs posted on ESPN.com this week. Click through to respond to win-starved fans or a post about your favorite team.
Week 6 predictions: Jbreaux2 | Feldman9000
“Break up the Broncos. Who would have thought that Josh McDaniels would have the Denver Broncos with a 5-0 record? With all the offseason and preseason drama, it seemed at first that McDaniels was doing a good job at alienating his team.
” -- Goldbrick4
“Don't come in here with your 'we're 5-0, WHHEEEEE, WHHHHOOOOO" record trying to impress. You're 5-0. Good job. The season is still early.
” -- Jack London220
“I understand that Tennessee is 0-5, but putting in Vince Young at this point is more than just hitting the panic button; it's the equivalent of initiating a self-destruct sequence.
” -- afjumpman23
“Of all the undefeated teams, if the Bears were forced to play one of them, I'd hate for them to play the Colts right now. That team is almost impossible to stop.
” -- The Mini Ditkas
Michelle Beadle and Colin Cowherd are tough enough to do "SportsNation" TV in the snow.
Argue the hot topics of the day and vote on the biggest stories from the world of sports. The show airs on ESPN2 at 4 p.m. and midnight ET.
Note: Broadcast voting results as of this afternoon (ET).
Who has surprised you more so far?
Kyle Orton, starting for a new team, is 5-0 with 7 TD passes to 1 INT. New coach Josh McDaniels upset the Denver apple cart with surprising results.
Which team was more impressive in its LDS sweep?
The Angels outscored the Red Sox 9-1 in their first two games and then used a late-game comeback to sweep. The Yankees needed extra innings in Game 2.
Do the Dallas Cowboys need a head coaching change?
As coach of the Cowboys, Wade Phillips is 25-12, including an improbable overtime victory against the Chiefs on Sunday that has angry fans buzzing.
What should happen to throwback jerseys?
Is it time to return old uniform patterns and colors to retirement, or do you like seeing the variety of a team's history on display?
What is "SportsNation" TV, and how do you make your voice heard? Read about the new ESPN show that features fan opinions with calls, tweets, polls, rankers and more.
Despite the quarterback mystery, quarterback changes, wide receiver moves and lack of wins, there are still Browns fans. GoBrowns29 and our bloggers provide the evidence.
Like fans of the Chiefs, Titans, Panthers, Rams and Buccaneers, they're not happy, but they still love their team (just not the coach, players, GM, owner or other scapegoat).
These are the best NFL fan blogs posted on ESPN.com this week. Click through to respond to win-starved fans or a post about your favorite team.
Week 5 predictions: Venture99 | phyhtheaux | brijay103099
Week 17 predictions: AniD89
“And both axles just broke off of Derek Anderson's bandwagon because the population on it increased by 800 percent.
” -- flight23_14
“At this point I can't help but wonder if there are any of the teams left on the schedule that the Buccaneers can actually beat.
” -- BucsgirlDK
“Then it hit me, like the Jerry Jones scoreboard crashing down on top of me. We (the Chiefs) have become the Raiders.
” -- Sports Page Network
“The Browns have scored 49 points and they have ONLY been outscored by 69 points, while the Rams have been outscored by, a humiliating, 84 points. Wow.
” -- Godlike_82
These are the best NFL fan blogs posted on ESPN.com this week. Click through to respond to a post about your favorite team.
Week 4 predictions: phyhtheaux | Feldman9000 | JayBird 67 | codywin25
“Anyone looking to join the purple bandwagon, sorry no vacancies. The Ravens are for real this year and will not be a THIRD PLACE finisher.
” -- brijay103099
“If you combined the best players of the Browns, Rams, Chiefs and Bucs, you still may not have a team that can contend with the Giants or Ravens. What a sorry mess those 0-3 teams are in.
” -- JDye_espn
“Before too long, and assuming his coach doesn't accidentally eat him, the Mark Sanchez Smoldering Dreaminess is going to overtake the Tom Brady Dimple Dreamtime in national appeal.
” -- Necessary Roghness
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